d valued assistance to the
meritorious enterprise undertaken primarily for the illumination of the
tribes of East and West Africa, envisaged in the Tablets of the Center of
the Covenant revealed in the darkest hour of His ministry.

I appeal particularly to its dearly beloved members belonging to the Negro
race to participate in the contemplated project marking a significant
milestone in the world-unfoldment of the Faith, supplementing the work
initiated fifty years ago on the North American continent, forging fresh
links binding the American, British and Egyptian Communities and providing
the prelude to the full-scale operations destined to be launched at a
later period of the unfoldment of the Divine Plan aiming at the conversion
of the backward, oppressed masses of the swiftly awakening continent.

Though such participation is outside the scope of the Second Seven Year
Plan, I feel strongly that the assumption of this added responsibility for
this distant vital field at this crucial challenging hour, when world
events are moving steadily towards a climax and the Centenary of the birth
of Baha'u'llah's Mission is fast approaching, will further ennoble the
record of the world-embracing tasks valiantly undertaken by the American
Baha'i Community and constitute a worthy response to 'Abdu'l-Baha's
insistent call raised on behalf of the race He repeatedly blessed and
loved so dearly and for whose illumination He ardently prayed and for
whose future He cherished the brightest hopes.

[August 5, 1950]

COMFORTED BY MESSAGES OF DEVOTION

My anguished heart is comforted by the unnumbered messages from
communities, assemblies, groups, committees and individual American
believers, replete with expressions of loving devotion, pledges of loyalty
to 'Abdu'l-Baha's Covenant, prayers on my behalf and assurances of
rededication in service to the precious Faith.

The triple cord binding me to the American Community, outstanding in its
affectionate and unfailing support in the course of my almost thirty
years' stewardship to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, is greatly reinforced. But
for America's multitudinous services and unparalleled record of
achievements my burden of cares both past and present would be unbearable.

Far from complaining of the added weight of afflictions oppressing me at
this hour I feel I cannot but welcome with feelings of thankfulness and
humility such tribulations enabling me to taste the cup the Marty