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As the members of the valiant American Baha'i Community have, in the space of more than four years, blazed the trail, and vindicated their primacy, through the share they have had in opening the chief remaining virgin territories of the globe, in contributing to the furtherance of the interests of the institutions of the Faith at its World Center, and in hastening the acquisition of national Haziratu'l-Quds, the establishment of Baha'i national endowments, and the purchase of sites for future Baha'i Temples, so must they, if they be intent on safeguarding that primacy, and on preserving, intact and untarnished, the noble example they have already set the Baha'i world, maintain their enviable position, as the vanguard of the army of Baha'u'llah's crusaders, in rescuing, while there is yet time, their home front from the precarious Position in which it now finds itself, and in displaying for the purpose of ensuring the erection of the Mother Temples of three continents - tasks which tower far above any of the national enterprises hitherto undertaken - to they Haziratu'l-Quds, endowments or Temple sites - that selfsame generosity and self-abnegation which have distinguished their stewardship to the Cause of Baha'u'llah in the past. (156:1) The year, the opening of which will mark the midway point of this World Spiritual Crusade, must be distinguished from all previous years, by the special allotment of a substantial sum from the national budget that will adequately meet the urgent needs of these Houses of Worship, and particularly those that are to be erected in the European and Australian continents. (156:2) A GOLDEN Opportunity, a Glorious Challenge- The forthcoming convocation of no less than five intercontinental conferences, marking the passing of half of the time allotted for the prosecution of a World Crusade, and to be held, in five continents of the globe, for the Purpose of paying homage to the Author of the Baha'i Revelation for His protection, guidance and blessings, of focusing attention on the achievements of the immediate past and the pressing requirements of the immediate future, will, it is my ardent hope and prayer, provide a fresh stimulus for the adequate discharge of these two afore-mentioned responsibilities, which constitute the distinguishing features of the fourth Phase of a rapidly unfolding Plan.
(156:3)
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