A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
A new version of the Bahá’í Reference Library is now available. This ‘old version’ of the Bahá’í Reference Library will be replaced at a later date.
The new version of the Bahá’i Reference Library can be accessed here »
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Centenary Celebrations |
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The friends in India are, after years of labour and devotion,
beginning to find their number greatly increased, their assemblies
multiplied, their Faith increasingly well-known to the public;
they are about to initiate their first national headquarters, and
in a few months will be celebrating the glorious occasion of the
hundredth anniversary of their Faith. At such a critical time
they should, one and all, devote their energies to achieving their
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objectives and impressing upon the public the nobility and
beauty of their teachings, divinely inspired, and of such vast
import to the entire world, and cast aside, once for all, any
differences of opinion or personal viewpoints or prejudices that
may hinder the success of their plans and cast a blight on the
wonderful achievements they have carried out and are about to
crown with still greater victories.
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The Guardian feels that the N.S.A. must from now on
coordinate its plans and set in motion its preparations for the
Centenary Celebration. The believers must hold gatherings for
the Baha’is at exactly 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on
May 22nd, 1944 as this is the exact time when the Bab declared
His Mission to Mulla Hussayn. They should also arrange to
hold public gatherings on May 23rd and enlist the support of
prominent friends of the Faith as speakers, together with
Baha’i speakers, on that occasion. They should, as far as possible,
hold festive gatherings at this time, give banquets at which
friends of the Cause and believers are present, obtain as much
space in the press of India as possible, and in general devise
ways and means of making this a glorious and memorable celebration.
He would also like to have the N.S.A. publish, in
conjunction with the Centenary, a pamphlet giving a brief outline
of the Faith’s origin and teachings and major events in
India, since its establishment there, and a detailed outline of the
accomplishments of the Indian Baha’i Community, its early
history, its development, etc.
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You may be sure that his loving prayers will be offered on
your behalf and on behalf of all the other N.S.A. members,
that you may speedily find a suitable Hazira, that the Cause
may go on to still greater triumphs during this last year of the
Century, and that the unity of the friends may be increased
everywhere, as befits our Holy Faith.
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The celebration of the Centenary of our glorious Faith by
the friends in India should, under your direction, and with
your encouragement and the assistance of individuals and
local Assemblies throughout India, constitute a befitting
conclusion to the magnificent labours and accomplishments
that have marked your stewardship in the service of the
Cause of Baha’u’llah in recent years. A special fund should
be initiated, a strong committee should be set up, the utmost
care should be taken, the most diligent efforts should be
exerted and every sacrifice should be made to ensure the
unqualified success of this great undertaking. I will pray
for your success from the depths of my heart. There is no
time to lose. The Beloved will, no doubt, crown your exertions
with signal victory if you arise and persevere.
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