On the eve of the conclusion of the festivities commemorating the centenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s ministry, I am moved to direct the following specific message to the Hands assembled at the conference. In grateful recognition of the multiple bounties showered in rapid succession upon the army of the Lord of Hosts during the course of the Holy Year, auspiciously ushered in through the proclamation of the objectives of the World Crusade, whose opening months witnessed the convocation in the heart of the African continent of the first Intercontinental Teaching Conference; whose climax was signalized by the simultaneous holding in the heart of North America of the Intercontinental Conference of the Western Hemisphere, the dedication of the Mother Temple of the West and the launching of the Ten-Year Plan; whose record has been ennobled by two additional intercontinental gatherings, successively convened in the European and Asiatic continents, all eleven Hands are called upon to arise to enhance the abiding value of their strenuous, exemplary labors during the last twelve months, constituting the initial chapter in their steadily unfolding world mission.
The hour is propitious on the morrow of the last intercontinental conference to gird your loins for yet another, still wider dispersal, extending over one or two months and embracing Asia, Africa and Australasia, for the purpose of establishing close contact with the national assemblies, advising and assisting local assemblies and individuals to attain the goals of the globe-girdling Plan.
The adoption of the following itinerary is recommended: Mason Remey, Dorothy Baker and Horace Holley to India, Pákistán, Burma and Ceylon; Ugo Giachery to Persia; Valíyu’lláh Varqá, Shu‘á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í to ‘Iráq, Turkey and Egypt; Clara Dunn and ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan to Australia and New Zealand; Zikru’lláh Khádem to Malaya and Japan; Tarazu’lláh Samandarí and Músá Banání 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 Iráqí 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 Bahá’u’lláh during the one hundred ten years of Bahá’í history.
[October 1953]
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; Amín Batt, Rió 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 Ridván, 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]
Profoundly grieved by loss of outstanding Hand of Cause of God, exemplary Trustee of Ḥuqúqu’lláh, distinguished representative of most venerable community of Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í Dispensation. His reward in Abhá Kingdom is inestimable. Advise you to erect on my behalf befitting monument at his grave. His mantle as Trustee of funds of Ḥuqúq now falls on ‘Alí Muḥammad his son. Instruct Rawhani Ṭihrán to arrange befitting memorial gatherings in capital and provinces to honor memory of mighty pillar in cradle of Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Newly appointed Trustee of Ḥuqúq is now elevated to rank of Hand of Cause.
[November 15, 1955]
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 Bahá’u’lláh 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 Bahá’í 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 Bahá’í communities. His fearless championship of the Cause he loved so dearly, served so valiantly, constitutes significant landmark in British Bahá’í history. So enviable a position calls for national tribute to his memory by assembled delegates and visitors at forthcoming British Bahá’í Convention. Assure relatives of deepest loving sympathy in grievous loss. Confident his reward is inestimable in Abhá Kingdom.
[March 25, 1957]
Inform Hands and national assemblies of the Bahá’í world of the passing into Abhá Kingdom of Hand of Cause George Townshend, indefatigable, highly talented, fearless defender of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
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]