AT the Convention called by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly to discuss ways and means for raising funds necessary for the construction of the first story of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which was held in Chicago, October 19-20, 1924, the Temple Committee was instructed to draft a complete report on the status of the Temple work to be submitted to the National Spiritual Assembly for approval and to be sent to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.
It is the purpose of this report to deal specifically only with matters that have transpired since the selection of the design of the building, but in order to refresh the memories of the friends regarding the wonderful accomplishments of the previous years, we are presenting a brief resumé of the various early stages of the work.
EARLY HISTORY
The inception of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in the West dates back to the spring of 1903, twenty-two years ago, at which time the corner-stone of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ’Ishqábád, Russia had been laid and photographs of the event sent to the members of the House of Spirituality in Chicago, inspiring that body to arise for the erection of a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in America. In response to their supplication, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá granted permission for the undertaking in the following wonderful Tablet:
“I send you the glad-tidings of the erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (The Bahá’í Temple) in 'Ishqabad, with all joy and great happiness. The friends of God assembled together with rejoicing and conveyed the stones themselves upon their backs, while attracted by the love of God and for the glory of God. Soon that great Temple will be completed and the voice of prayer and praise shall ascend to the Sublime Kingdom.
“I was rejoiced through your endeavors in this glorious Cause, made with joy and good interest. I pray God to aid you in exalting His word, and in establishing the Temple of Worship, through His grace and ancient mercy. Verily, ye are the first to arise for this Glorious Cause in that vast religion. Soon will ye see the spread of this enterprise in the world, and its resounding voice shall go through the ears of the people in all parts.
“Exert your energy in accomplishing what ye have undertaken, so that this glorious Temple may be built, that the beloved of God may assemble therein and that they may pray and offer glory to God for guiding them to His Kingdom.”
Since that time the work has progressed intermittently. During the first six years the members of the Assembly in Chicago strove enthusiastically so that in the spring of 1909 when the first Convention met in Chicago, having been called by the House of Spirituality for the purpose of establishing the work of the Temple on a national basis, the Chicago Assembly was able to report the acquisition of two lots at a cost of $2,000.00, and a cash fund of $3,666.44.
PURCHASE OF SITE
As before stated the purchase of two lots in the main tract had been completed by the House of Spirituality of Chicago, the deeds for which
