Cablegram of Shoghi Effendi

of 24 December 1951

 

Recall, (with) feelings, (of) profound thankfulness joy chain (of) recent historic events heralding long anticipated rise (and) establishment (of) World Administrative Center (of) Faith (of) Bahá'u'lláh (in) Holy Land regarded as third most momentous epoch-making development since inception (of) Formative Age (on) morrow (of) 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Ascension. Quarter century constituting opening epoch this age signalized successively by erection (and) consolidation over period no less sixteen years local, national institutions (of) Bahá'í Administrative Order (on) five continents (of) globe (in) conformity (with) provisions (of) Will (of) Center (of) Covenant and initiation first Seven Year Plan (by) American Bahá'í Community marking inauguration first epoch execution 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Divine Plan unavoidably held (in) abeyance over two decades pending creation divinely-appointed administrative agencies designed by its Author for its effective prosecution.

Opening years second epoch Formative Age now witnessing (at) long last commencement third vast majestic fate-laden process following two above-mentioned developments destined, through gradual emergence (of) manifold institutions (at) World Center (of) Faith, (to) crown administrative structure (of) Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Order. Gigantic process now set ( in ) motion opening decade second Bahá'í Century synchronizing with, deriving notable impetus through, birth (of) Sovereign State, Holy Land, greatly accelerated through series (of) swiftly succeeding events originated (at) World Center (of) Faith.

First, inauguration most holy world-wide enterprise unprecedented (in) annals (of) Faith, construction (in) heart (of) Mount Carmel superstructure (of) Báb's Sepulchre. Second, creation (of) International Bahá'í Council precincts Holy Shrine forerunner International House (of) Justice, supreme Legislative organ (of) nascent divinely conceived world-encircling Bahá'í Administrative Order. Third, acquisition, restoration, embellishment (of) historic sites associated (with) incarceration (of) Bahá'u'lláh (and) 'Abdu'l-Bahá, recognition (of) their sacred character, exemption (from) taxes (by) newly-formed, State. accessibility appreciative general public. Fourth, initiation (of) formal negotiations (with) central municipal authorities same State ( for) twofold purpose preserve posterity immediate directly threatened neighborhood Most Holy Tomb (of) Founder (of). Faith (in) outskirts (of) 'Akká, acquire extensive, sorely needed properties (in) vicinity Báb's Sepulchre destined serve (as) site (of) future edifices envisaged (by) 'Abdu'l-Bahá (to) house auxiliary agencies revolving twin institutions Guardianship (and) House (of) Justice. Fifth, preparation design(of ) future Mashriqu'l-Adhkár Mount Carmel outstanding indispensable feature (of) unfoldment rising World Administrative Order. Sixth, forthcoming convocation four conferences embracing eleven National Assemblies all continents globe marking inauguration beyond limits (of) World Center (of) Faith (the) intercontinental stage (of) Bahá'í activity precursor final step summoning assemblage (of) representative communities (of) all sovereign States, chief dependencies, islands, entire planet.

Hour now ripe (to) take long inevitably deferred step, (in) conformity (with) provisions (of) 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Testament (in) conjunction with six above-mentioned steps through appointment (of) first contingent (of) Hands (of the) Cause (of) God, twelve in number, equally allocated Holy Land, Asiatic, American, European continents. Initial step now taken regarded (as) preparatory full development institution provided 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Will, paralleled (by) preliminary measure formation International Council destined culminate (in) emergence (of) Universal House (of) Justice. Nascent institution forging fresh links binding rising World Center (of) Faith to consolidating World Community (of) followers (of) Most Great Name paving way (for) adoption supplementary measures calculated reinforce foundations (of) structure (of) Bahá'í Administrative Order.

Nominated Hands comprise, Holy Land, Sutherland Maxwell, Mason Remey, Amelia Collins, President, Vice-President International Bahá'í Council; cradle ( of ) Faith, Valiullah Varqua, Tarázullah Samandari, 'Ali-Akbar Furútan; American continent, Horace Holley, Dorothy Baker, Leroy Ioas; European continent, George Townshend, Herman Grossmann, Ugo Giachery. Nine elevated (to) rank (of) Hand (in) three continents outside Holy Land advised remain present posts continue discharge vital administrative, teaching duties pending assignment specific functions as need arises. Urge all nine attend as my representatives all four forthcoming inter-continental conferences as well as discharge whatever responsibilities incumbent upon them at that time as elected representatives (of) national Bahá'í communities.

Communicate text announcement all National Assemblies.