Let the West, and particularly the Great Republic of the New
World, where a quarter of a century ago Baha’u’llah’s Banner was firmly
implanted, realize that upon it now rests the responsibility of achieving the
universal recognition of the Baha’i Faith, of fulfilling Abdu’l Baha’s fondest
hopes.
Persia, the cradle of an unfolding world civilization, is
still bereft of her freedom, sunk in ignorance, a prey to contending policies
and factions, beset on one hand by the powers of orthodoxy and sectarian
fanaticism and assailed on the other by the forces of materialism and unbelief.
In her evil plight she is radiantly confident that the Flame she has kindled in
the world will, in the fullness of time, blaze forth in the heart of the mighty
West and shed redeeming illumination upon the silent sufferers of a distracted
country. Will it be America, will it be one of the nations of Europe, that will
seize the torch of Divine Guidance from Persia’s fettered hands and with it set
the western world aflame?
- Shoghi Effendi (From a message dated June 3rd, 1925
addressed to the 1925 Baha’i Convention at Green Acre; Baha’i News no. 6,
July-August, 1925; ‘Baha’i Administration’)
