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I need not expatiate on other, though less prominent, events that have contributed their share to the furtherance of the Seven Year plan, or marked its systematic development. The association of the Fund, specifically inaugurated for its prosecution, with the hallowed memories of both the Mother and Brother of 'Abdu'l-Baha; the establishment of at least one pioneer in each of the Republics of Central and South America; the ushering in of the last phase of the external ornamentation of the Temple; the conjunction of the institutions of the Haziratu'l-Quds and the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar in the heart of the North American continent; the founding of yet another institution designed as a training school for Inter-America teaching work; the steady rise in the number of groups and Assemblies functioning within the Administrative Framework of the Faith of Baha'u'llah - these stand out as further evidences of the animating Force that propels the plan towards its final consummation. (40:2) Varied and abundant as have been the past manifestations of this driving, resistless Force, they cannot but pale before the brilliant victories which its progressive and systematic development must achieve in the future. (40:3) The American believers, standing on the threshold of the fourth year of the Seven Year Plan, pursue their God-given task with a radiance that no earthly gloom can dim, and will continue to shoulder its ever-growing duties and responsibilities with a vigor and loyalty that no earthly power can either sap or diminish. (40:4) BAHA'U'LLAH'S SPIRITUAL SOVEREIGNTY Message to 1940 Convention- Overjoyed, elated that dynamic energy, invincible valor of American believers impelled them far outstrip the goal fixed for third year of Seven Year Plan. Temple ornamentation has been uninterruptedly pursued. The theatre of operation of the teaching campaign is already embracing entire Central America and every South American Republic excepting Paraguay and Colombia. Number of countries within the orbit of the Faith is now exceeding sixty. Intercontinental crusade, through paths broken by Martha Root and seal set by May Maxwell's death yielding destined fruit. Galvanized, permanently safeguarded. Together with Keith they forged through sacrifice a triple cord indissolubly knitting the community of North American believers to cradle of Faith in every continent of Old World and Latin America. Unperturbed by gathering gloom of tottering civilization without, contemptuous of the assault of the perfidious enemies within, the executors of 'Abdu'l-Baha's mandate must and will strain every nerve in the course of the ensuing year to multiply the number of enrolled pioneers to consolidate work achieved in newly opened North American States and Provinces, to insure prompt settlement of remaining Republics, to prosecute unremittingly ornamentation of last unit of Mashriqu'l-Adhkar, to expedite formation in isolated centers of nuclei capable of the establishment of local Assemblies. Urgently plead, fervently pray that all ranks of the valiant forerunners of Baha'u'llah's Commonwealth may, ere expiry of allotted term, bring fruition of mission to insure ascendancy of Baha'u'llah's spiritual sovereignty over entire Western Hemisphere.
(40:5)
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