Our beloved Guardian has been greatly encouraged by reports reaching him from all parts of the Baha'i world; of the victories already gained, and the plans being laid for the prosecution of the Ten-Year Crusade.
They have evoked his awe-inspiring, and soul-stirring cablegram of May 28th, calling for the immediate settlement of all the 131 virgin areas of the Plan, just as quickly as possible. He is convinced, that the friends will arise and translate their enthusiasm into Action, because the Keynote of the Crusade, must be Action, Action, Action!
The beloved Guardian has directed me to write your Assembly to amplify some of the aspects of his dynamic message.
The settlement of these virgin areas is of such an emergency nature, that he feels pioneering in one of them takes precedence over every other type of Baha'i service--whether it be in the teaching or administrative fields of the Faith. So important is it that the National Assembly may delay initiation of steps to fulfill other phases of the Plan, until all these areas are conquered for the Faith. Nothing, absolutely nothing, must be allowed to interfere with the placing of pioneers in each of the 131 goal countries.
In America some 150 people have volunteered for pioneer service, and some of them already are preparing to leave for their posts. The beloved Guardian fully expects the dear friends in India, Pakistan and Burma to follow this example, and quickly settle the areas allotted to them.
Because of it being the Chief Executor of the Divine Plan, and having so many pioneers available, the Guardian has given permission to the United States to send pioneers into any area of the globe regardless of whom it may be assigned to. Thus pioneers from the United States may ask permission to settle in one of the areas assigned to your Assembly. If this is done, you should assist them in every way possible.
There are some general observations which the Guardian shares with you, and then some specific suggestions which are enumerated below:
1. Every individual who has offered to pioneer, must be encouraged
in every way by the National Assembly.
2. The National Assembly should assist each pioneer, so
they may be placed in their post just as quickly as
possible.
3. The handling of each application for pioneering service,
must be expedited, and not allowed to be bogged down
for any reason, or in the hands of Committees.
4. The National Assembly should make it their first
order of business to follow up actively this most important
task. They must make it the first order of business
at each Assembly meeting, to see that each application
is being progressed rapidly. This does not mean
the special committees should not handle the details; but
it does mean the Assembly itself, must review each application
at each meeting; and see that the pioneer gets into
the field as soon as possible.
5. A large number of pioneers should not be sent to any
one country. One, or even two, will be sufficient for the
time being. Later on, if supplementary assistance is
needed, that of course can be taken care of. The all important
thing now, is to get at least one pioneer in each
of the 131 virgin areas.
6. The National Assembly may exercise its prerogatives and
suggest to applicants where their services are most needed.
This, of course, applies particularly to pioneers,
where a large number wish to go to the same place.
The specific suggestions of the Guardian, are:
a. Areas close at hand and easy of settlement should be
filled first. Then the areas more difficult, and finally,
those which will be difficult.
b. Whenever a pioneer enters a new territory, a cable
should be sent at once to the Guardian, giving the name,
place, and any pertinent information.
c. A monthly report of progress is to be sent by your
Assembly to the Secretary-General of the International
Baha'i Council. Special matters of report nature, for the
Guardian, in connection with the plan of settling these
131 areas, should be sent to the Secretary-General of the
Council also.
This does not mean that any administrative matters in
connection with the settlement of pioneers should be
handled with the council. These should continue to be
handled with the Guardian direct. The Council is simply
to coordinate reports, consolidate them, keep maps up
to date, etc. for the Guardian, and your reports will enable
them to do this.
d. The Guardian feels the following areas should be easily
settled, and he would appreciate your early cable advice
of such new victories:
Bhutan, Daman, Diu, Goa, Karikal, Mahe, Pondicherry,
Sikkim, as pointed out in his cable to your Assembly of
May 30th, 1953. These have first precedence.
The beloved Guardian feels the friends living in large Baha'i Centres, could easily move into these territories, which are a part of India itself.
As his dramatic cable indicates, the Guardian will have prepared an illuminated "Roll of Honor" on which will be inscribed the names of the "Knights of Baha'u'llah" who first enter these 131 virgin areas. This "Roll of Honor" will be placed inside the entrance door of The Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Baha'u'llah.
From time to time, the Guardian will announce to the Baha'i World, the names of those Holy Souls who arise under the conditions outlined in his message, and settle these areas and conquer them for Baha'u'llah.
Now is the time for the Baha'is of the World to demonstrate the spiritual vitality of the Faith, and to arise as one soul to spread the Glory of the Lord, over the face of the Earth. The Guardian is sure, that the Baha'is of India, Pakistan and Burma who have served and sacrificed so long for the Faith, will continue their glorious record by winning many new victories for the Faith.
June 8, 1953