and cause the power of unity and oneness among the people.”
Regarding the locating of this edifice of God, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote to the friends of New York City: “Concerning the erection of the temple; now all the believers must become united so that the temple may be built soon in one place. For should the believers undertake (the erection of the temple), in many places, it will not become completed anywhere; and as in Chicago they have preceded every other place to plan the erection of the temple, undoubtedly to co-operate and help them is nobler and a necessity. Then when it is built in one place it will become erected in many other places. God willing in all the states of America, in the future, there will be erected temples, with infinite architectural beauty and art, with pleasing proportions and handsome and attractive appearances, especially in New York.”
Also to Dr. Edward Getsinger, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “Regarding the building of the temple in Chicago, both of you (Dr. and Mrs. Getsinger) display the utmost effort in encouraging and inspiring the believers and the maid-servants of God, so that they may assist in the matter with generosity, and thus soon this temple will be erected. This matter is of great importance.” (“Utmost importance” in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s own handwriting).
When Eshte’al-Ebn Kalanter wrote regarding a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár on Monsalvat (Green Acre, Maine), ‘Abdu’l-Bahá replied: “Concerning the building of a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár on Monsalvat: It is certain that before long this shall be built; and this is an ordained (or fixed) matter; but in Chicago it is two or three years since a number of people are making efforts. Now while the building of this temple is not yet started or engaged in, if there be the founding of a second temple undertaken, neither of the two would be accomplished and this failure would weaken the Cause.”
Mr. Mountfort Mills received a tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá saying: “The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Chicago is of the greatest importance. This, Bahá’í temple is a supreme house of worship, a place of spiritual gathering and of the manifestation of divine mysteries. The friends of God must endeavor with all their hearts and souls that this structure may be raised and completed.”
The Center of the Covenant has written: “One must first grasp those affairs which will make growth (in the Cause) and also be in time and season.”
From the foregoing quotations it is manifest that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is founded on the “Rock of Ages,” the eternal Word of God, as to its object, location and appropriate time for its erection.
A brief sketch of the work accomplished may prove interesting:
In the spring of 1907, while Messrs. Chase, Agnew and Scheffler were in the prison home of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, he said to them: “Concerning the temple, the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is a very important matter, the most important thing now in America is the building of the temple. You and your friends must endeavor in this matter. This building will be the cause of the confirmation of the believers. It has a great effect because it is the beginning of the foundation. After centuries it is not so important as it is now, but now it is very important. At first they build the temple and worship in it and grow. In past times they could not build it so outwardly. This building will be the cause of unity and prosperity of the Cause. The unity comes; from every part the believers will assist. This is a heavenly society and also it will be
the cause of strength. The be-