…the ever-increasing confusion of the world, threatened as
never before with disruptive forces, fierce rivalries, fresh commotions and
grave disorder, have well-nigh overwhelmed the heart and damped the zeal of
even the most enthusiastic believers in the destiny of mankind.
And yet, how often we seem to forget the clear and repeated
warnings of our beloved Master, who in particular during the concluding years
of his mission on earth, laid stress on the severe mental tests that would
inevitably sweep over his loved ones of the West - tests that would purge,
purify and prepare them for their noble mission in life.
And as to the world’s evil plight, we need but recall the
writings and sayings of Bahá’u’lláh, who, more than fifty years ago, declared
in terms prophetic the prime cause of the ills and sufferings of mankind, and
set forth their true and divine remedy "Should the lamp of Religion be
hidden", He declared, "chaos and confusion will ensue." How
admirably fitting and applicable are these words to the present state of
mankind!
Ours then is the duty and privilege to labour, by day, by
night, amidst the storm and stress of these troublous days, that we may quicken
the zeal of our fellow-man, rekindle their hopes, stimulate their interests,
open their eyes to the true Faith of God and enlist their active support in the
carrying out of our common task for the peace and regeneration of the world.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 2 December 1923 to the Baha’is of
Australia and New Zealand; ‘Messages to the Antipodes’)