To the Delegates and Friends attending the First Canadian
National Baha'i Convention.
Dear Friends:
What a blessing and privilege to be allowed to raise my
voice on this historic occasion, even though from across two seas, and address
these words to you in my own home. You who are gathered here see this room,
these walls and doors clearly, but I assure you they rise up before my eyes
dimmed by the passing years, sanctified by memory and longing, and what comes
to my mind is a nostalgic co-mingling of the past and the future.
Strangely enough the most vivid picture is one neither I—nor
probably one of you -- can remember as an eye witness: 'Abdu'l Baha addressing
in this very room, a group of believers and guests. The strong, sad, wise face;
the silvery hair; the beautiful, understanding blue eyes that swa the reality
of things, the reality of evil, the reality of error, of failure and deviation,
and yet looked upon all men with a loving and gentle spirit and filled them
with hope, -- this is the first and most vivid imprint of all, which surely
clings to this house so blessed by His presence. And what He said on that
occasion must have for you, I feel, now gathered here to carry on His work at
such an important juncture in Canadian history, a special message and a special
significance. He opened his speech with these words:
