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FRUITFUL Efforts of Hands of the Cause- Supplementing this noble record of service have been the constant and fruitful efforts exerted by the Hands of the Cause, nominated from among the members of that community, in both the United States and the Holy Land, efforts that have lent a considerable impetus to the expansion and consolidation of the far-reaching enterprises initiated at the World Center of the Faith, and which have, particularly through the instrumentality of the recently appointed American Auxiliary Board, stimulated, to a noticeable extent the progress of the teaching work and the advancement of the Plan itself. (146:1) STUPENDOUS Work Achieved by Members of the International Baha'i Council- Particular tribute should, I feel, at this juncture, to paid to the stupendous work achieved, since the launching of the World Crusade, by the representatives of this highly privileged community, in their capacity as members of the International Baha'i Council, in connection with the Prosecution of a variety of enterprises embarked upon in recent years, aiming at the expansion and consolidation of the international institutions of the Faith, the enhancement of its prestige, the embellishment of the surroundings of its Shrines, the efficient conduct of its internal affairs, and the forging of fresh links binding it still more closely to the civil authorities in the Holy Land. The erection of the International Archives in the close neighborhood of the Bab's holy Sepulcher; the extension of the international Baha'i endowments on the slopes of Mt. Carmel; the formation of several Israel Branches of Baha'i National Spiritual Assemblies; the embellishment of the precincts of the resting-place of both the Bab and Baha'u'llah; the purchase of the site of the first Mashriqu'l-Adhkar of the Holy Land; the preparation of the designs for the International Baha'i Archives on Mt. Carmel; and of the Mother Temples of Persia and of Africa; the inauguration of the preliminary steps for the eventual construction of Baha'u'llah's holy Sepulcher; the measures adopted, with the assistance of various officials of the State of Israel, for the eviction of the covenant-breakers from the immediate precincts of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and the elimination of any influence they still exercise, after the lapse of over sixty years, in the close vicinity of that Most Holy Spot - in these, as well as in other various subsidiary activities, constantly increasing in number as well as in diversity at the spiritual and administrative center of the Baha'i world, have the members of the little band, assiduously laboring under the shadow of the Holy Shrines, and befittingly representing the American Baha'i Community, conspicuously participated, and through their dedicated services, added fresh luster to the annals of the community to which they belong.
(146:2)
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