the strenuous period now being
ushered in through inscrutable dispensations of Providence be productive
of perspicuous benefits and blessings reminiscent of the incalculable
outpourings of divine grace which followed closely in the train of the
woeful trials immortalizing the initial, the bloodiest, the most dramatic
period in the Heroic Age of the Baha'i Dispensation.

[March 16, 1949]

ARCADE OF THE BAB'S SHRINE BEGUN

Convey to friends the joyful historic news of commencement of construction
of arcade of the Bab's Shrine coinciding with fortieth anniversary of the
placing of His remains in marble sarcophagus in vault of the same shrine
by 'Abdu'l-Baha.

[March 21, 1949]

ONE REMAINING OBJECTIVE HANGS IN THE BALANCE

The American Baha'i Community, undefeated as yet in the performance of any
task undertaken collectively by its members, in the course of its eventful
history, is now entering a period of grave emergency, that will try the
mettle of every single one of its members. Severe as the challenge will
be, however prolonged the test, no matter how distracting the condition of
the world about them, the issues which claim every ounce of their energy
and call for their sustained, wholehearted, concentrated attention are so
weighty that none can evaluate at present the influence they will exert on
the course of the community's future destiny.

There can be no doubt that the Second Seven Year Plan, the vital link
binding the initial and concluding stages of the first epoch in the
progressive evolution of 'Abdu'l-Baha's long-term continually unfolding
Plan, has reached its crucial phase--a phase on which hinge the fortunes
not only of the Plan itself but of the community as a whole. The fourth
objective of the Plan, the transatlantic project, on which its members
have embarked, has, four years ahead of schedule, been, to all intents and
purposes, victoriously achieved. The third objective has been partly
attained, while its complete fulfillment, as a direct consequence of the
marvelous success that has attended the valiant labors of the American
pioneers and the newly enrolled native believers in Latin America, appears
to be now fully assured. The attainment of the first objective has, as a
result of the remarkable impetus given, during the opening years of the
Plan, to the multiplication of spiritual assemblies and the proclamation
of the Faith in North America, been greatly facilitated, and