mended by the first convention, 1907, of which two lots had been bought and paid for, with an option secured on the remaining twelve lots. Immediately after the close of the convention the newly appointed executive board went into session, selecting its officers in accordance with the constitution. The treasurer of the Chicago Assembly, Mr. Scheffler, in whose name the title to the two lots was held, turned over to the Bahá’í Temple Unity all official documents and all monies held by him for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, as follows:
Monies on hand
$3,666.44
Land values
2,000.00
Total
$5,666.44
When the two lots had been purchased, Mr. C. E. Brush, one of Chicago’s architects, kindly made a plat of the tract and its surroundings, which was sent to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. A beautiful tablet flowed from his pen. “To the friends and maid-servants,” saying that on the anniversary of the declaration of his holiness the Supreme, the Báb, the map of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár had been presented, that “great joy was obtained thereby and with the greatest care it was considered,” that “it is indeed a delightful spot worthy of this edifice and building.” (Date of this tablet July 4, 1908).
The members of the Executive Board of Bahá’í Temple Unity appointed Messrs. Mills, Hall and Jacobsen, a committee to attend to the land negotiations, and an offer of $32,500 for the remaining twelve lots was made and accepted with a contract providing for the payment of $5,000 every six months, with interest, commencing July 1, 1909. A religious corporation was effected under the laws of Illinois in the name “Bahá’í Temple Unity” and the title to the land secured.
The third Mashriqu’l-Adhkár convention convened in Chicago, April 25 and 26, 1910. Report of the work done during the year was given by the secretary, Mr. Jacobsen, and the financial secretary’s report showed contributions for the fiscal year:
From the Orient
$ 7,092.85
From America and Europe
7,638.66
Turned over by Mr. Scheffler
5,666.44
Total
$20,397.95
($2,000 of this being land)
Contributions had come from India, Persia, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Russia, Egypt, Germany, France, England, Canada, Mexico, Hawaiian Islands, and a little island far out in the Indian Ocean, Mauretius. Besides from sixty different American cities. The words of the Center of the Covenant had literally been fulfilled: “You have only to begin—everything will be all right.”
The fourth Mashriqu’l-Adhkár convention was held in Chicago, May 1 and 2, 1911. A command having come from Acca to hold the convention during the Ridván days. During the fiscal year, April 23, 1910, to April 29, 1911, the total contributions were:
The Orient and Europe
$ 1,190.83
America
9,210.76
Total
$10,401.76
The fifth convention in Chicago, April 29th to May 1, 1912, will eternally wear the glorious crown of bestowal because of the presence of the Center of the Covenant and his dedication of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár grounds, May 1, 1912. During this fiscal year the
lake shore tract of 293 feet frontage had been contracted for and
payment made on it, the pur-
lake shore tract of 293 feet frontage had been contracted for and
payment made on it, the pur-