The year was 1913, and Miss Alexander recalls: “My only desire was to serve His Cause. The words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rang in my ears: ‘I have a lamp in My Hand searching through the lands and seas to find souls who can become heralds of the Cause. Day and night I am engaged in this work.’

“I prayed that His lamp might find me. For nearly twelve years I had been privileged to assist in establishing His Cause in Hawaii. Now the time had come when I was free to go forth to serve in other parts of His lands… I received a Tablet from the Master which contained the first intimation that He wished me to travel to Japan. He wrote in part: ‘Therefore if thou travelest toward Japan unquestionably Divine confirmations shall descend upon thee.’

“Through the Divine favors all difficulties were overcome and I sailed … reaching Japan November 1, 1914.”

Between the time of her arrival and 1967 when she left for the last time, Miss Alexander spent a total of about 31 years in Japan. The rest of her time was spent in Hawaii or other parts of the world teaching the Faith.

Shoghi Effendi referred to Miss Alexander as a “distinguished pioneer” and wrote the following to her regarding her role in the development of the Faith.

“Your glorious services in those remote regions of the earth (China and Japan) are never to be forgotten. I ever pray on your behalf and wish you to remember the sacred interests of the Cause in far-away Japan as you are that radiant herald who has raised the Call of Salvation in its very heart and to whom it owes a great debt of gratitude… I never, never forget you.” (January 27, 1924)

“I feel that your destiny lies in that far-off and promising country (Japan) where your noble and pioneer services future generations will befittingly glorify and thankfully remember.” (January 10, 1928)

Miss Alexander received thirteen Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They are quoted below.

Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Miss Agnes Alexander

10

[Tablet of June, 1901]

The tongues have spoken of thy attraction to God, and the pens have testified of thy burning by the Fire of the Love of God. Indeed the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá approves of this because it feels its heat from this distant and Blessed Spot.

O maid-servant of God! By God, the Truth, the Spirit of Christ from the Supreme Concourse doth in every time and aspect announce to thee this great good-news.

Be, therefore a divine bird, proceed to thy native country, spread the wings of sanctity over those spots and sing and chant and celebrate the name of thy Lord, that thou mayest gladden the Supreme Concourse and make the seeking souls hasten unto thee as moths hasten to the lamp and thus illumine that distant country by the Light of God.