pe and America, more afflictive than any
tribulations yet suffered in either continent, may yet attend still more
majestic revelations in the unfoldment of concluding stage of the Second
Seven Year Plan destined to witness successively the raising of the tenth
and eleventh pillars of the Universal House of Justice, and the
celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Mother Temple of the West.

The champion builders of Baha'u'llah's rising World Order must scale
nobler heights of heroism as humanity plunges into greater depths of
despair, degradation, dissension and distress. Let them forge ahead into
the future serenely confident that the hour of their mightiest exertions
and the supreme opportunity for their greatest exploits must coincide with
the apocalyptic upheaval marking the lowest ebb in mankind's
fast-declining fortunes.

[November 3, 1948]

THE CITADEL OF THE FAITH OF BAHA'U'LLAH

As the threat of still more violent convulsions assailing a travailing age
increases, and the wings of yet another conflict, destined to contribute a
distinct, and perhaps a decisive, share to the birth of the new Order
which must signalize the advent of the Lesser Peace, darken the
international horizon, the eyes of the divers communities, comprising the
body of the organized followers of Baha'u'llah throughout the Eastern
Hemisphere, are being increasingly fixed upon the progressive unfoldment
of the tasks which the executors of 'Abdu'l-Baha's Mandate have been
summoned to undertake in the course of the second stage of their
world-girdling mission. Past experience, ranging over a period of many
years, has taught them that no matter how formidable the external
obstacles that have confronted them during the turbulent and eventful
decades since the Master's passing, and despite the strain and stress
which internal crises, precipitated by enemies from within and by adverse
economic circumstances afflicting their country, have imposed, the
stalwart occupants of the citadel of the Faith of Baha'u'llah have with
extraordinary steadfastness, enviable fidelity and magnificent courage,
not only shielded the interests, preserved the integrity and demonstrated
the worthiness, of the Cause they have embraced, but have sallied forth,
with dynamic and irrepressible energy, to implant its banner and establish
its outposts in countries and continents far beyond the original scene of
their operations.

STAUNCHNESS OF AMERICAN BELIE