Chapter 7
The distance that has been traversed, in the course of the four brief years since the inauguration of the Ten Year Plan, by a community, still highly restricted in numbers and circumscribed in resources, and faced with tremendous responsibilities, as a result of the colossal task it has willingly shouldered, is admittedly great, and augurs well for its further advancement along the path traced for it by the Pen of the Centre of Baha'u'llah's Covenant in His immortal Tablets(62).
VINDICATE INDEPENDENT CHARACTER OF THE FAITH
The utmost care and vigilance, however, should be exercised by this youthful and dynamic community, so richly laden with the prizes it has so deservedly won, lest the momentum, so painstakingly gained in recent years, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Baha'i activity, be lost or reduced. The standard of dedication and of efficiency, attained, while pursuing the goals it has pledged itself to achieve, must never be allowed, through apathy, neglect or faint-heartedness, to be lowered. The vision that has fired its members, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations which witnessed the launching of the Ten Year Plan must, no matter how prolonged or arduous the task, never grow dim. Their unswerving fidelity to the Covenant established by the Author of their Faith, and their attachment to the ideals and precepts enshrined in His Revelation, should, under no circumstances, no matter how active and subtle the machinations of its enemies, both within and without, be weakened. The momentous and highly exacting task, initiated far beyond the confines of their homeland,--a task which posterity will recognize as the opening chapter of their glorious Mission overseas--must be pursued with undiminished diligence, nay with redoubled zeal, and renewed determination and dedication. The no less vital obligation to expand, and consolidate the manifold activities conducted on the homefront, from the Atlantic to the Pacific seaboard, and from the northern confines of the Great Republic of the West to the fringes of the Arctic Ocean, must be faithfully discharged. The setbacks and difficulties that have, unexpectedly and most unfortunately, been recently experienced in connection with the acquisition of both the National Haziratu'l-Quds and the site of the future Mother Temple of Canada, must be faced with resolution and vigour, and a definite and permanent solution be found which will ensure the full attainment of these twofold primary objectives. The long overdue conversion of the American Indians, the Eskimos and French Canadians, as well as the representatives of other minorities permanently residing within the borders of that vast Dominion, must receive, in the months immediately ahead, such an impetus as to astonish and stimulate the members of all Baha'i communities throughout the length and breadth of the Western Hemisphere. The independent character of the Faith they profess and champion must, moreover, be fully vindicated through a closer adherence, on the part of the rank and file of the believers, to its distinguishing tenets and precepts, as well as through a fuller recognition by the civil authorities concerned, of the Baha'i Marriage Certificate and of the Baha'i Holy Days. The integrity of the fundamental teachings of the Faith, its security, the healthy and steady development, and ultimate fruition, of its nascent institutions, must, above all, be ensured and safeguarded, for upon these will depend the consummation of the Mission with which the Author of the Tablets of the Divine Plan has chosen to entrust them.
THIS COMMUNITY MUST FORGE AHEAD
The few remaining years, separating the steadfast and high-minded members of the Canadian Baha'i Community, striving so assiduously to achieve their goals, from the time fixed for the termination of a swiftly unfolding Crusade, are rapidly slipping by. A community which, ever since its inception, has, through the instrumentality of its most distinguished members, and particularly its founder(63) and those nearest to her, as well as a number of her spiritual children and associates, won such prizes at the World Centre of the Faith, in Latin America, in Europe, in Africa and in the Pacific area--such a community, at this crucial hour, cannot afford to either stand still, falter or hesitate. As this World Crusade sweeps majestically forward and draws nearer to its close, exploits as superb as those its sons and daughters have successively achieved in widely scattered areas of the globe, must continue to distinguish and ennoble the imperishable record of its services.
'Abdu'l-Baha's prophetic words regarding the future of its homeland, spiritually as well as materially--the initial evidences of which are becoming more apparent every day, must not be lost sight of for a moment, however exacting and all-absorbing the strenuous task ahead, however complex the problems its prosecution involves, however burdensome the preoccupations which it must needs engender.
Afire with that same love that burned so brightly in the hearts of its earliest pioneers, holding fast to the strong cord of the spiritual precepts and administrative principles of the Faith it has so whole-heartedly espoused, confident of its ability to achieve, in its entirety, the Mission entrusted to it by the Author of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, this community must forge ahead, with undeviating loyalty, with indomitable courage, with unbreakable unity, and exemplary consecration, striving to scale loftier heights, and widening constantly the range of its operations, on the American mainland as well as in neighbouring and distant islands, until each and every objective of its allotted task has been triumphantly attained.
SHOGHI.
FOOTNOTES
1 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
2 The Tablets of the Divine Plan, revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1916-17, and addressed severally to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, constitute the authority for the successive Plans inaugurated by the Guardian for the spread of the Faith and the establishment of its Institutions throughout the world.
3 The city of Montreal, Quebec, visited by 'Abdu'l-Baha August 30-September 12, 1912.
4 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
5 The Bill to incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada was passed by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, and given Royal assent on April 30, 1949.
6 The Bill to incorporate the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada was passed by both Houses of the Canadian Parliament, and given Royal assent on April 30, 1949.
7 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
8 The first pioneers to Newfoundland, arriving in 1949, were Miss Margaret Reid, Miss Dorothy Sheets, and Miss Doris Skinner (who remained there until 1955).
9 Miss Nancy Gates--American pioneer to Denmark who attempted to pioneer to Greenland, but was unable to do so.
10 James and Mrs. Melba Loft--believers who pioneered from the United States to the Tyendinaga (Mohawk) Indian Reserve, near Shannonville, Ontario, 1949-.
11 Miss Nan Brandle--beginning in 1950 served several years as a pioneer to the Indians in Department of Indian Affairs hospitals at Fisher River, Hodgson, Manitoba and at Moose Factory and Ohsweken, Ontario.
12 Jameson Bond--first pioneer to the Canadian Arctic (District of Keewatin 1950, District of Franklin 1951-63, with Mrs. Gale Bond from 1953 on).
13 The Tablets of the Divine Plan, revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1916-17, and addressed severally to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, constitute the authority for the successive Plans inaugurated by the Guardian for the spread of the Faith and the establishment of its Institutions throughout the world.
14 Louis Bourgeois--architect of the Mother Temple of the West, in Wilmette, Illinois, the construction of which was the first collective enterprise undertaken by the Baha'is of America. He died in 1930.
15 Miss Marion Jack--"immortal heroine" and "shining example to pioneers", who remained at her post in Sofia, Bulgaria from 1930 until her death in 1954. Her imperishable services are recorded in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
16 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum Rabbani--daughter of May and Sutherland Maxwell, became the wife of Shoghi Effendi in 1937, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952.
17 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
18 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
19 Jameson Bond--first pioneer to the Canadian Arctic (District of Keewatin 1950, District of Franklin 1951-63, with Mrs. Gale Bond from 1953 on).
20 Palle Bischoff--Danish believer, the first pioneer to Greenland (1951-54).
21 The Tablets of the Divine Plan, revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1916-17, and addressed severally to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, constitute the authority for the successive Plans inaugurated by the Guardian for the spread of the Faith and the establishment of its Institutions throughout the world.
22 Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island formed its first Local Spiritual Assembly in 1944.
23 Siegfried Schopflocher--known as "the Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the West, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952, died in Montreal 1953. For a review of his "numerous, magnificent services" see "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
24 Laurentian Baha'i School, near Beaulac, Quebec--founded 1946, transferred in 1949 to the National Spiritual Assembly, the first national endowment.
25 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
26 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
27 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
28 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum Rabbani--daughter of May and Sutherland Maxwell, became the wife of Shoghi Effendi in 1937, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952.
29 Maxwell Home, 1548 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec--'Abdu'l-Baha stayed in this house during his visit to Montreal in 1912. It was given to the Canadian Baha'i community by Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum in 1953.
30 Siegfried Schopflocher--known as "the Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the West, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952, died in Montreal 1953. For a review of his "numerous, magnificent services" see "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
31 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
32 Emeric and Rosemary Sala pioneered to South Africa, and John and Mrs. Audrey Robarts to Bechuanaland. The first three named were members of the National Spiritual Assembly 1948-53. In 1957 John Robarts was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God.
33 Albert Rakovsky--first Baha'i to visit Anticosti Island, member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1953-56.
34 Peter Pihichyn--a believer of Ukrainian descent.
35 Maxwell Home, 1548 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec--'Abdu'l-Baha stayed in this house during his visit to Montreal in 1912. It was given to the Canadian Baha'i community by Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum in 1953.
36 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
37 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
38 Amatu'l-Baha Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum Rabbani--daughter of May and Sutherland Maxwell, became the wife of Shoghi Effendi in 1937, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952.
39 Siegfried Schopflocher--known as "the Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the West, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952, died in Montreal 1953. For a review of his "numerous, magnificent services" see "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
40 Emeric and Rosemary Sala pioneered to South Africa, and John and Mrs. Audrey Robarts to Bechuanaland. The first three named were members of the National Spiritual Assembly 1948-53. In 1957 John Robarts was appointed a Hand of the Cause of God.
41 Maxwell Home, 1548 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec--'Abdu'l-Baha stayed in this house during his visit to Montreal in 1912. It was given to the Canadian Baha'i community by Hand of the Cause Ruhiyyih _Kh_anum in 1953.
42 Siegfried Schopflocher--known as "the Temple Builder" because of his great contributions to the completion of the first Ma_sh_riqu'l-A_dh_kar of the West, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1952, died in Montreal 1953. For a review of his "numerous, magnificent services" see "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
43 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
44 Miss Marion Jack--"immortal heroine" and "shining example to pioneers", who remained at her post in Sofia, Bulgaria from 1930 until her death in 1954. Her imperishable services are recorded in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
45 The resurgence of persecution of the Baha'i community in Iran during 1955 is described in the booklet "Baha'i Appeal for Religious Freedom in Iran".
46 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.
47 Sutherland Maxwell and Siegfried Schopflocher.
48 William Sutherland Maxwell--architect of the Shrine of the Bab, appointed a Hand of the Cause of God in 1951, died in Montreal in 1952. His "saintly life" is described in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
49 Allan Raynor--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1954-60.
50 Miss Mary Zabolotny (now Mrs. Kenneth McCulloch)--first pioneer to Anticosti Island (1956).
51 Iceland appears to have been visited first by Mrs. Amelia Collins in 1924. Miss Martha Root spent a month in Iceland in 1935.
52 Miss Marion Jack--"immortal heroine" and "shining example to pioneers", who remained at her post in Sofia, Bulgaria from 1930 until her death in 1954. Her imperishable services are recorded in "Baha'i World" Vol. XII, In Memoriam.
53 Allan Raynor--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1954-60.
54 Allan Raynor--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1954-60.
55 Miss Winnifred Harvey--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1950-61.
56 Miss Winnifred Harvey--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1950-61.
57 Mrs. Peggy Ross--member of the National Spiritual Assembly 1954-63, appointed a member of the Auxiliary Board for Teaching in 1958.
58 Ahmad Sohrab--former secretary of 'Abdu'l-Baha, declared a Covenant-breaker by the Guardian, died 1958.
59 Miss Greta Jankko--first pioneer to the Marquesas Islands (1954).
60 William Carr--Canadian pioneer to Thule Air Base, Greenland 1955-. From 1955 to 1963 Mrs. Kaya Holck, a Danish believer, pioneered among the Greenlanders.
61 Miss Mary Zabolotny (now Mrs. Kenneth McCulloch)--first pioneer to Anticosti Island (1956).
62 The Tablets of the Divine Plan, revealed by 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1916-17, and addressed severally to the Baha'is of the United States and Canada, constitute the authority for the successive Plans inaugurated by the Guardian for the spread of the Faith and the establishment of its Institutions throughout the world.
63 Mrs. May Ellis Maxwell--spiritual mother of the Canadian Baha'i community, became a believer in 1898, visited 'Abdu'l-Baha in 1899 and returned to Paris to found the first Baha'i centre on the European continent, married Sutherland Maxwell and settled in Montreal in 1902, achieved "the priceless honor of a martyr's death" in Argentina in 1940. For a review of the vast range of her contributions to the Faith in Europe and America, see "Baha'i World" Vol. VIII, In Memoriam.