In November 1950, the Guardian sent cables inviting the
first of that group who later became members of the International Bahá'í
Council to come to Haifa. Like almost everything he did, first it began to dawn
and later the sun of the finished concept rose above the horizon. When
Lutfu'llah Hakim (the first to arrive), Jessie and Ethel Revell, followed by
Amelia Collins and Mason Remey were all gathered at table one day in the
Western Pilgrim House, with Gladys Weeden and her husband Ben who were already
living there, the Guardian announced to us his intention of constituting, out
of that group, an International Council, we were all overcome by the
unprecedented nature of this step he was taking and the infinite bounty it
conferred upon those present as well as the entire Bahá'í world. It was not,
however, until January 9, 1951 that he released this news through an historic
cable: "Proclaim National Assemblies East West- weighty epoch making
decision formation first International Bahá'í Council forerunner supreme
administrative institution destined emerge fullness time within precincts
beneath shadow World Spiritual Centre Faith already established twin cities
'Akká Haifa."
- Ruhiyyih Khanum (‘The Guardian of the Baha'i Faith’)
