Chapter 19

The adoption of the following itinerary is recommended: Mason Remey, Dorothy Baker and Horace Holley to India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon; Ugo Giachery to Persia; Valiyu'llah Varqa, _Sh_u'a'u'llah 'Ala'i to 'Iraq, Turkey and Egypt; Clara Dunn and 'Ali-Akbar Furutan to Australia and New Zealand; Zikru'llah _Kh_adem to Malaya and Japan; Tarazu'llah Samandari and Musa Banani to the Arabian Peninsula. I am contributing three thousand pounds for assistance in the execution of this meritorious enterprise.

I urge the Persian, Indian, Australian, Egyptian and Iraqi National Assemblies to extend the utmost assistance, to arrange schedules, publicize the Faith wherever advisable and direct local assemblies to utilize every means in their power to add momentum to the most ambitious undertaking yet embarked upon by the followers of Baha'u'llah during the one hundred ten years of Baha'i history.

[October 1953]

Further Additions to Roll of Honor

As the Holy Year expires I am overjoyed to announce to the assembled believers no less than thirteen additions to the Roll of Honor since transmission of the last message to the Conference a week ago: Clair Gung, Southern Rhodesia; Ursula von Brunn, Frisian Islands; Richard Nolen and family, Azores; Katherine Meyer, Margarita Island; Geraldine Craney, Hebrides; Fawzi Zeinolabedin and family, Spanish Morocco; Manouchihr Hezari, Morocco, International Zone; Earle Render, Leeward Islands; Ted Cardell, Southwest Africa; William Danjon, Andorra; Fred and Jean Allen, Cape Breton Island; Frederick and Elizabeth Laws, Basutoland; Amin Batt, Rio de Oro. The total number of virgin areas, inscribed on the scroll with the names of conquerors since the launching of the World Crusade last Ridvan, has mounted to fifty. The number of territories included in the orbit of the Faith has been raised within an unbelievably short time to one hundred seventy-eight, marking an increase of one hundred countries since the celebration of the first Jubilee nine years ago. In addition, sixty unopened areas are bespoken, including the Ukraine and Albania. No more than eight volunteers are required to be dispatched to Ashanti Protectorate, Bechuanaland, Chagos Archipelago, Comoro Islands, Marquesas Islands, Marshall Islands, Spanish Sahara and Tonga Islands in order to ensure the attainment of the preeminent goal of the Global Crusade, excluding the Socialist republics and satellite countries. The moment has arrived for the last day of this year, forever sanctified in the memory of future generations owing to its sacred associations, to be linked with the closing of the already narrow gap separating the vanguard of the army of crusaders from victory in the most glorious phase of the grandest collective spiritual enterprise yet embarked upon by the organized, firmly knit communities of the Most Great Name scattered throughout the planet.

[October 14, 1953]

Valiyu'llah Varqa Passes; Son Appointed

Profoundly grieved by loss of outstanding Hand of Cause of God, exemplary Trustee of Huququ'llah, distinguished representative of most venerable community of Baha'i world, worthy son, brother of twin immortal martyrs of the Faith, dearly beloved disciple of Center of the Covenant. Shining record of his services extending over half century enriched the annals of Heroic and Formative Ages of Baha'i Dispensation. His reward in Abha Kingdom is inestimable. Advise you to erect on my behalf befitting monument at his grave. His mantle as Trustee of funds of Huquq now falls on 'Ali Muhammad his son. Instruct Rawhani Tihran to arrange befitting memorial gatherings in capital and provinces to honor memory of mighty pillar in cradle of Faith of Baha'u'llah. Newly appointed Trustee of Huquq is now elevated to rank of Hand of Cause.

[November 15, 1955]

Passing of George Townshend

Deeply mourn the passing of dearly loved, much admired, greatly gifted, outstanding Hand of Cause George Townshend. His death on morrow of publication of his crowning achievement robs the British followers of Baha'u'llah of their most distinguished collaborator and Faith itself of one of its stoutest defenders. His sterling qualities, his scholarship, his challenging writings, his high ecclesiastical position unrivalled by any Baha'i in western world, entitle him to rank with Thomas Breakwell and Dr. Esslemont, one of three luminaries shedding brilliant luster on annals of Irish, English and Scottish Baha'i communities. His fearless championship of the Cause he loved so dearly, served so valiantly, constitutes significant landmark in British Baha'i history. So enviable a position calls for national tribute to his memory by assembled delegates and visitors at forthcoming British Baha'i Convention. Assure relatives of deepest loving sympathy in grievous loss. Confident his reward is inestimable in Abha Kingdom.

[March 25, 1957]

George Townshend Passes; Agnes Alexander Appointed

Inform Hands and national assemblies of the Baha'i world of the passing into Abha Kingdom of Hand of Cause George Townshend, indefatigable, highly talented, fearless defender of the Faith of Baha'u'llah.

Agnes Alexander, distinguished pioneer of the Faith, elevated to rank of Hand of Cause. Confident her appointment will spiritually reinforce teaching campaign simultaneously conducted in north, south and heart of Pacific Ocean.

[March 27, 1957]

Remains of Mirza Buzurg Transferred

Inform Hands and national assemblies of transfer of remains of Mirza Buzurg, marking attainment of yet another outstanding objective of the Crusade. Advise avoid publicity.

[July 17, 1957]

FOOTNOTES

1 i.e. Akka