I noted a message from Shoghi Effendi, dated November 23, 1951, titled: "The Last and Irretrievable Chance of Setting the Seal of Triumph Upon a Momentous Undertaking" that included, to my great surprise, a statement of momentous import that had previously escaped my attention, when first read many years ago as it must have, as well, escaped the attention of all the believers who read this message at the time. Even more critically, the significance of this statement was tragically overlooked or ignored by the Hands of the Cause some six years later, following the passing of Shoghi Effendi, with tragic results for the future of the Faith. No doubt, in view of the import of the statement contained in this message, the tremendous significance of which, if had been then discerned by the believers, would have caused widespread shock, consternation and unbelief, Shoghi Effendi had obviously purposely chosen to obscure its significance. He accomplished this by applying an unfamiliar term to the International Institution mentioned in his message and one he had but recently established in the Holy Land. On the other hand, it is doubtful that he had anticipated that his reference to this International Institution and its projected preeminent future active role would be so completely overlooked and disregarded upon his passing, particularly by the Hands of the Cause, who, at their first conclave in ‘Akká, in their unseemly haste to declare the Guardianship of the Faith ended, had taken no time to review and consider the import and the implications of, not only this message but the other historic messages that he had penned as his ministry drew to a close, including most importantly his Proclamation of 9 January 1951.
Inexplicably, and surprisingly I found that this message had been omitted from the well known book titled: MESSAGES TO THE BAHA’I WORLD 1950-1957 by Shoghi Effendi which it had always been my impression contained all of the important messages written in English that had been dispatched to the Bahá’í world by Shoghi Effendi during the seven closing years of his ministry.
The term in Shoghi Effendi’s message of November 23,1951 referring to the International Institution and the statement that carries such import with respect to its projected role, is found in the excerpt quoted below....
Joel B. Marangella
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