Annual Reports/1957-1958/Text

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BAHAI ANNUAL REPORTS 1957-1958

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’iS OF THE UNITED STATES

Wilmette, Illinois

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ANNUAL REPORTS

BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES 1957-1958

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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INTERNATIONAL WORLD CRUSADE

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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Members: Paul E. Haney, Chairman; Charles Wolcott, Vice Chairman; Horace Holley, Secretary; Charlotte M. Linfoot, Assistant Secretary; Edna M. True, Recording Secretary; H. B. Kavelin, Treasurer; Mrs. Margery McCormick, Dr. Katherine K. True, Arthur L. Dahl.

While the current Baha’i year has witnessed many important activities and events, the unexpected and heart-rending news of the passing of our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, is foremost in the thoughts of all Baha’is.

It was on November 5, 1957, that we received this cable from London: ‘‘Shoghi Effendi, beloved (of) all hearts, sacred trust given believers by Master, passed away suddenly (from) heart attack in sleep following Asiatic flu. Urge believers remain steadfast, cling (to) institution (of) Hands lovingly reared, recently reinforced, (and) emphasized by beloved Guardian. Only oneness (of) heart (and) oneness (of) purpose can befittingly testify (to) loyalty all National Assemblies (and) believers (to) departed Guardian who sacrificed self utterly for service (to) Faith.’’

A second message was received from Rthiyyih Khanum the same day: ‘‘Appeal (to) Hands, National Assemblies (and) Auxiliary Boards to shelter (the) believers (and) assist them (to) meet (this) heartrending, supreme test. Funeral (of) our beloved Guardian (will be held) Saturday (November) 9 (in) London. Hands, Assembly (and) Board members invited attend ... Urge hold memorial meetings Saturday.”

On Saturday, November 10 the third message was received from Rthiyyih Khanum: ‘‘Beloved Guardjan laid (to) rest (in) London according (to) Laws (of) Aqdas (in) beautiful, befitting spot after impressive ceremony held (in) presence (of) multitude (of) believers representing over twenty countries (of) East (and) West. Doctors assure sudden passing involved no suffering. (His) blessed countenance bore expression (of) infinite beauty, peace (and) majesty. Eighteen Hands assembled (for) funeral urge national bodies request all believers hold memorial meetings eighteenth November commemorating Dayspring (of) Divine Guidance

who has left us after thirty-six years (of) utter self-sacrifice, ceaseless labors (and) constant vigilance.”’

The fourth and final message from Ruthiyyih Khanum was received on November 12: ‘‘Assure friends beloved, sacred Guardian befittingly laid (to) rest surrounded by large representative gathering (of) believers (from) East (and) West. (The) light of our lives departed we must now stand firm, remembering (the) peerless example (of) his dedication (to the) work (of the) Blessed Perfection, (the) glorious victories he won, (and the) plans he longed (to) see completed. Only rededication, greater unity, steadfast service can befittingly show our grief (and) make us acceptable (at the) Holy Threshold.”’

Hight members of the National Assembly attended the funeral service in London. Scores of letters received from local assemblies expressing their grief and devotion were forwarded to Ruthiyyih Khanum as a collective testimonial from America.

Bahd’i News of December, 1957 was devoted to a statement embodying the four cablegrams and recounting the Guardian’s titanic achievements.

Shortly after the funeral service held in London, 26 Hands of the Cause assembled in the Mansion of Baha’u’llah, conducted a memorial service in the Gardens, and after prayerful deliberation adopted and issued the Proclamation published in Bahda’it News for January, 1958. The Hands constituted a body of nine Hands to serve at the Baha’i World Center, establishing thereby a continuing even though limited international authority to energize, direct and coordinate the Baha’i World Community in fulfilling the Guardian’s plans. The entire body of Hands ‘‘will decide when and how the International Baha’i Council is to evolve through the successive stages outlined by the Guardian, culminating in the call to election of the Universal House of Justice by the membership of all National Spiritual Assemblies,’’ . “that supreme body upon which infallibility as the Master’s Testament assures us is divinely conferred: ‘the source of all good and freed from all error.’ ”’

No one but ‘Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih

ANNUAL REPORTS

could write the story of the beloved Guardian. Her beautiful and moving account has been published as a pamphlet in London. The National Spiritual Assembly has ordered a supply, and a copy will be presented to every American believer as soon as a shipment is received.

A non-Baha’i testimony to the Guardian, the interview by Dr. Marcus Bach included as a chapter in his volume entitled ‘“‘The Circle of Faith’? is being published as a pamphlet by arrangement with Dr. Bach and his publisher and will be announced in Baha’i News by the Publishing Trust when available. Written by so distinguished a scholar, this pamphlet—‘‘Shoghi Effendi: An Appreciation’? by Marcus Bach is not only of intense interest to believers but also offers great oppor tunity for a public relations campaign conducted by local assemblies and individual believers

through donations of copies to libraries and influential leaders of opinion. ‘

It is likewise announced that the National Assembly has compiled for early publication the messages addressed by the Guardian to the Baha’i World from 1950 to 1957. This series of letters contains Shoghi Effendi’s directions for conduct of the Ten-Year Plan and is therefore of continuing importance and inspiration.

Message from the Guardian

Since the 1957 Convention the following messages have been sent us by the beloved Guardian. In addition Baha’t News included publication of a list of current tasks outlined for America in his message to the 1957 Convention. Because these tasks have constituted our mission, the list is repeated here.

1. Re-dedication of the individual believer.

2. Proclamation of the Faith to the multitudes.

3. Re-settlement of any virgin territories which pioneers have been obliged to abandon.

4. Opening up the three remaining islands assigned to the United States — Spitzbergen, Hainan and Sakhalin.

5. Settlement of one Baha’i in each Soviet Republic on the European continent. [Page 5]ANNUAL REPORTS

6. Settlement of the Soviet satellites: Mongolia, Albania, Rumania.

7. The broadening and consolidation of the foundations of the newly emerged national and regional spiritual assemblies.

8. Safeguarding the status of all established local spiritual assemblies and increasing the number of assemblies.

9. Multiplication of the number of local groups and isolated centers.

10. Acquisition of the two remaining MHaziratu’l-Quds: Lisbon and Caracas.

11. Acquisition of the two remaining endowments: Peru and Portugal.

12. Acquisition of the remaining Temple site: Stockholm.

13. Translation and publication of the remaining languages listed in the Ten-Year Plan, some Latin American Indian languages, and Lapp in Europe.

14. Making an immediate begining on the construction of the Home for the Aged.

15. Expediting the incorporation of local and newly formed national spiritual assemblies.

16. Assisting in the establishment of the Baha’i Publishing Trust in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

17. Obtaining the right to conduct legal Baha’i marriages by an

increasing number of local assemblies.

18. Increasing the number of public schools recognizing

Baha’i Holy Days.

19. Contributing to the cost of constructing the Baha’i Temples in Sydney, Australia; Frankfurt, Germany; and Kampala,

Uganda. 20. Deepening the Baha’is on the home front, expanding the

number of individual believers, and consolidating the local institutions in order to provide a larger reservoir for the World

Crusade. On May 7 we received this cablegram: ‘‘Assembly’s dual, _ ines capable, paramount responsibilities (for) current year (are to) insure expansion (and) consolidation (of the) home front (and the) rapid

multiplication (of) pioneers abroad (to) reinforce Latin American, African, European, (and) Pacific campaigns (of) World Crusade. Fervently supplicating signal success (in) fulfilment dearest hopes.” Shoghi.

The epoch-making victory won over the Covenant-breakers by the adverse decision of the Israeli Supreme Court on their appeal of the expropriation order covering the entire property owned by Covenantbreakers within the Haram-i-Aqdas was cabled on June 3, 1957: ‘‘(The) implementation (of) this order will, (at) long last, cleanse (the) outer sanctuary (of the) Qiblih (of the) Baha’i world... .”

The next message was a cablegram dated June 4, the Guardian’s call to Hands of the Cause and national assemblies, warning us of fresh attempts to ‘‘arrest the march (of the) Cause of God’’ and directing the Hands and the national assemblies on all continents to establish direct contact, deliberate frequently and exchange reports. Joint investigation of the activities of the enemies and adoption of effective measures to protect the believers was enjoined.

On June 8, 1957, the Guardian cabled the joyous news that the national Haziratu’l-Quds in Tehran had been returned to the Baha’is, completing the restitution of properties which had been seized. The national and local assemblies were directed to cable an expression of their gratitude to the Shah.

The transfer of the remains of Mirza Buzurg (father of Baha’u’llah) was announced by the Guardian on July 17 as “yet another outstanding objective (of) Crusade... .”’

The implementation of the government expropriation order was reported in a cablegram dated September 6, which stated that all the belongings of the Covenant-breakers had been taken from the precincts of the Most Holy Shrine.

The beloved Guardian’s last message directed to the American Baha’is, dated September 21, 1957, was issued to all believers as an insert to November Bahd’i News entitled ‘‘Heights Never Before Attained.”’

In its commentary on this inspiring message, the National Assembly

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listed the essential Baha’i services we were called upon to render.

1. Spiritual regeneration, administrative expansion and financial replenishment of the home front.

2. To fan and maintain the flame of devotion through the entire American Baha’i community; to recapture the spirit of pioneering.

3. To multiply the number of local assemblies and strengthen them to ward off attacks.

4. The National Fund to receive increased donations to meet the increasing needs of the Faith.

5. Revitalization depends upon the individual believer.

6. The fourth phase of the TenYear Plan will require, particularly in America, spiritual reinvigoration, administrative expansion and increased financial support, and an acceleration in the construction of the Temples in Australia and Germany

7. To preserve their primacy, the American Baha’is must rescue their home front from its preearious position and assure completion of the Temples.

8. The holding of the five Intercontinental Conferences in 1958 must provide a fresh stimulus for the discharge of the two responsibilities (as stated in No. 7).

9. The Guardian again directed his plea to every individual believer not to lose this final opportunity.

This same communication included a letter written on behalf of the Guardian by his secretary, excerpts from which were also published in the insert distributed with November Baha’i News stressing the following points: the Guardian’s gratification over the great historic achievement of establishing nine new national and regional assemblies in April, 1957; definition of a “best teacher’? and an ‘‘exemplary believer’ as ‘‘an ordinary Baha’i who has consecrated himself to the Faith, deepened his knowledge and understanding of the Teachings, placed his confidence in Baha’u’llah, and arisen to serve Him to the best of his ability;’? that the National Assembly must provide the encouragement and leadership required, [Page 6]6

but the local assemblies must likewise ‘‘do everything possible to help the friends go forth and attain their objectives,’ while the individual Baha’i must feel it his personal duty and greatest privilege to hasten the attainment of the Crusade goals; the obligation to teach is the obligation of every Baha’i; fortunately many of the most difficult objectives of the Ten-Year Plan have already been attained; nothing is impossible to the American Baha’is if they ‘‘arise with the proper spirit of faith’; special attention should now be given to increasing the number of places where Baha’is reside; the final point was emphasis on the importance of teaching in the South and attracting the colored people.

Intercontinental Conferences

We come now to the final communication which Shoghi Effendi issued—his announcement of the five Intercontinental Conferences and his appointment of eight additional Hands of the Cause.

The profound significance of this message to the Baha’i world has only emerged as we experienced the tragic passing of our peerless leader, Shoghi Effendi.

“The announcement of five Intercontinental Conferences to be held during 1958 in five continents of East and West,”’ the National Assembly stated in its commentary, ‘“‘summons the Baha’i world to attain a new and higher spiritual potency. Shoghi Effendi’s recital of the tasks performed since the inception of the Ten-Year Plan discloses the vast realm of victorious achievements the believers have attained. His appoinment of eight new Hands of the Cause effectively strengthens this insituation created by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in His Will and Testament.’’ In designating the Hands ‘‘Chief Stewards of Baha’u’llah’s embryonic World Commonwealth,’? the beloved Guardian conferred upon them a_ function which enabled the Hands _ shortly after his passing to designate nine of their number to be the Custodians of the Baha’i Faith now constituting the international authority of the Baha’i world community.

In this same communication Shoghi Effendi named the locations of the five Conferences: Kampala, Sydney, Chicago, Frankfurt and Djakarta; and appointed his special

representatives: ‘Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih, Mason Remey, Ugo Giachery, Amelia Collins and Leroy Ioas.

“The holding of this second series of International Conferences,’’ the communication states, ‘‘marking the halfway point of the greatest Crusade ever embarked upon for the propagation of the Faith of Baha’u’ll4h in both the eastern and western hemispheres, signalizes the opening of the fourth phase of the Ten-Year Plan .. .’’ which ‘‘must be immortalized, on the one hand, by an unprecedented increase in the number of avowed supporters of the Faith . .. and, on the other, by swift progress in the erection of the Mother Temples of Africa and Australia, as well as by the initiation of the construction of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkar of Europe.”’

H. B. Kavelin was appointed representative of the NSA for the Kampala Conference; the representatives for the Conferences at Chicago, Frankfurt and Djakarta Conferences will be announced.

Messages from Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land

The ‘‘Proclamation of the Hands of the Cause to the Baha’is of East and West,’’ adopted November 25, 1957, was published ‘in Bahda’i News of January, 1958. In this document the believers throughout the world find their center of administrative authority and coordination until the House of Justice is elected. ‘‘When that divinely ordained body comes into existence, all the conditions of the Faith can be examined anew and the measures necessary for its future operation be determined in consultation with the Hands of the Cause.”’

As to their specific collective functions the Proclamation states: “This body of nine Hands will energetically deal with the protection of the Faith whenever attacks, whether from within or outside the Baha’i community, are reported by Hands from their areas or by National or Regional Assemblies, or whether they arise within the Holy Land. Correspondence will likewise be maintained with the Hands of the Cause working in the several continents. This same body will correspond with National Assemblies on matters connected with the prose ANNUAL REPORTS

cution of the objectives of the TenYear Plan. On matters involving administrative questions this same body will assist National Assemblies by citing those passages of the Baha’i sacred literature which direct the Assemblies to a sound solution.”’

The first message from the Custodians was cabled December 5, 1957, and announced the joyous news that all properties within the Haram-iAqdas had been transferred to the Israel Branch of the United States National Assembly, ‘‘thus completing the purification (of the) area surrounding the Most Holy Spot (in the) Baha’i world.” Since then the National Assembly has received the title deed with the registrations of transfer of 13 properties including the Shrine and Mansion of Baha’u’llah.

No American Baha’i can fail to be thrilled by this notable honor and privilege, which associates our community with the legal safeguarding of the most holy place in the Baha’i world.

The second message issued by the nine Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land was dated December 13, 1957. All believers were called upon to exert their utmost effort to insure the success of the five Intercontinental Conferences, the Conferences being an unexampled opportunity ‘“‘to demonstrate (the) mysterious Divine Forces animating (our) dearly loved Maithn. 57’

On January 2, 1958, we received a third message from the nine Custodians—the cablegram published in February Baha’i News calling upon “bereaved believers suitably (to) express (the) longing (and) grief (in) their hearts by refraining (from) all manner (of) religious festivity (for) period (of) nine months from day (of) his Ascension.’’

On January 5 we received a letter addressed by the nine Hands to pioneers, and copies of this were sent through the Intercontinental Teaching Committees to all American pioneers settled in areas outside the United States.

The message from the Hands of the Holy Land presented to the Kampala Intercontinental Conference by ’Amatu’l-Bahaé Ruhiyyih was published in the March issue of Bahai News and has profound interest for all believers. [Page 7]ANNUAL REPORTS

Up to this time of writing, the last general communication received from the Custodians is the message of February 13 addressed to members of National and Regional Baha’i Assemblies East and West, as featured in the April issue of Baha’i News.

This letter draws us closer in spirit to the nine Custodians as they perform their mission of carrying out the plans and wishes of Shoghi Effendi, and the fuller recognition of Haifa as the spiritual and administrative center of the Baha’i World. This communication is a deeply moving, human document which fills an important place in the history of the Faith in this era between the passing of the Guardian and the formation of the House of Justice.

Of its many notable passages only a few can be cited in this brief review of the current Baha’i year.

“This letter from the Custodians is long overdue; our thoughts have been with all the Assembly members constantly during this great period of trial and sorrow and we have realized how heavy were your loads and how great the responsibility resting on you at this time.’’

“In our sorrow, our humility before the greatness of our task, we began to see the repeated evidences of the mercy of Baha’u’llah; in a truly miraculous way the endowments, properties and funds registered in the name of our beloved Guardian have been protected and safely transferred to either the Custodians or other Baha’i bodies.”’

« , . . Baha’u’llah Himself had made it clear that here in the Holy Land would forever be united the Spiritual and the administrative world center . . we, daily concerned with the cares and worries of this world center, are now greatly concerned lest any inadvertent act on our part, or the part of the present National and Regional Assemblies which form the _ bedrock of the future International House of Justice, should interrupt this smooth flow of spiritual circulation built up so wisely and painstakingly by our beloved Shoghi Effendi.”’

“We do not know what the future holds in store; by this we mean that the worid situation is so precarious that, as the Guardian so repeatedly

pointed out, wars and disturbances of an unforeseen nature may break out and perhaps cut the World Center off from all or a part of the other Baha’i centers temporarily; meantime we have this mighty Plan, the last five years of it, to vigorously prosecute; it can only be coordinated and directed from the World Center.’’

Nation-wide Conferences

The series of three nation-wide conferences held in America this year represent one of the most farreaching and effective plans ever undertaken to stimulate the entire American community.

These conferences were preceded by an unprecedented letter from the American Hands sent to every believer dated June 19, 1957 stressing “our individual and collective failure to heed a most vital, repeated appeal directed to America by the beloved Guardian.”’

“What forms of action will produce the results for which our beloved Guardian yearns?

“1. Pioneering abroad in a Crusade area in Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia.

“2. Pioneering on the home front —dispersal to some weak community, bring a group to assembly status, or establish a new isolated center anywhere in the United States.

“3. Actively, prayerfully giving the Message and confirming souls in your own town or city if you cannot immediately disperse.

“A, Contributing to the National Fund, not by token response, but in the full measure of devotion and sacrifice called for by the Guardian.”’

This challenging message was followed by the action of the NSA in calling 15 Conferences in centers of Baha’i population throughout the country to be held on June 29 or 30, each conducted by a Hand of the Cause, a member of the Auxiliary Board or a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Their purpose was to consult on the letter issued by the Hands and renew the appeal to each individual believer to make a response to the Guardian’s appeals.

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A total of some 2216 believers attended the 15 Conferences, up to that time the greatest gathering of American Baha’is ever held for concentration on one essential objective, except for the Centenary celebrations of 1944 and 1953.

A second series of nation-wide conferences to be held in 15 cities was called for September. These were attended by more than 2000 Baha’is representing 150 local communities and several hundred groups and isolated centers.

The third series, called for February, was extended from 15 to 42 separate gatherings. The believers were requested to bring with them the last two letters written by the Guardian: “‘Heights Never Before Attained,’”’ and ‘“‘The Guardian Announces Series of Five Intercontinental Conferences and Appointment of Eight Additional Hands of the Cause,’’ for consultation. Opportunity was also afforded for full and free discussion of any important questions in the minds of believers about understanding and teaching the Message in the light of the Guardian’s passing. At least 3000 Baha’is attended these Conferences.

The impression received from reports and letters is that the American believers are both firm and clear in their resolve to prosecute the objectives of the World Crusade.

The ultimate test of the results of the Guardian’s appeals and the nation-wide conferences must be determined by reference to the number of pioneers who have arisen to settle abroad or in some other American locality, and to the Treasurer’s Annual Report of contributions made to the National Fund. This information will be presented at the Convention.

National Teaching Campaigns

A teaching campaign “‘To Revitalize the Home Community’? was announced in June, when large-scale local distribution was encouraged of Marcus Bach’s ‘“‘Baha’i: A Second Look”? reprinted from The Christian Century of April 10, 1957, with a follow-through mailing of the Baha’i pamphlet The Lord of the New Age. Over 100,000 copies have been sold by the Publishing Trust up to this time. In addition to the challenging presentation of the Faith by Dr. Bach, and the effective answers to [Page 8]8

his questions contained in The Lord of the New Age, which was placed in the hands of so many persons, an important effect of this campaign has been the development of mailing lists by local assemblies and groups. A carefully prepared mailing list, used periodically, is an essential public relations instrument believers should appreciate.

Two special teaching circuits were undertaken by Mr. Winston G. Evans throughout the sparsely settled states to aid the friends in those areas to initiate their campaigns and to make new contacts for the Faith.

Another national teaching campaign was announced in June involying the use of George Townshend’s Christ and Bahd’u’llah. The National Assembly has sent over 300 complimentary copies to religious leaders selected from names suggested by local assemblies and from names obtained from current Christian magazines, has recommended that a copy be placed in the local library, and has arranged with the Publishing Trust to advertise the book in two leading religious periodicals. “The vital importance of Mr. Townshend’s book is as an exposition of the Faith which answers the questions raised by the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments.”’

The third suggestion announced in June Bahd’i News called upon the believers, in accordance with the letter from Haifa, to pay more attention ‘‘to the matter of making contacts with minorities in the United States,”’ particularly persons from Europe, far eastern areas and Latin America. This suggestion was accompanied by a list of comments and recommendations compiled by a special committee appointed by the NSA to study ways and means to make such contacts on a local basis.

The ‘“‘paramount importance of interracial teaching’? was presented to the Baha’i community in September, emphasizing warnings revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha and repeated by the Guardian that the most urgent problem in America is the amity of the white and colored races.

In September likewise was announced a new and unusual piece of Baha’i material for presentation to libraries, editors, radio and TV pro gram directors, and key persons— the portfolio of Temple pictures. This portfolio consists of a folder containing ten different Temple views, exterior, interior and landscaped gardens. The inside cover carries a brief statement explaining the architecture and purpose of the House of Worship, with reference to the number of visitors and the guided tours. A mailing envelope is provided.

An insert issued with Bahd’t News in November entitled ‘‘Baha’i Literature for More’ Effective Teaching Among Christians’’ listed Baha’i books and pamphlets under three headings: ‘‘Introductory Literature to Awaken Interest;’’ ‘‘Literature for Increasing Interest;’’ and ‘Literature for Serious Study.”’

‘‘Baha’i Teaching on College Campuses,’’ prepared by the Baha’i College Bureau presented in March Bahd’t News the best means of teaching on the college level by Baha’i students and by believers employed as members of the faculty and staff. This report represents the beginning of a more serious and effective campaign for bringing the Message to college and university students.

The Baha’i College Bureau has also produced an edition of a summary of the Baha’i teachings for teaching on the college level. A model constitution for a Baha’i College Club has been approved.

As has been pointed out in previous years, a large number of inquiries for information are received at the National Headquarters. Depending on the nature of the inquiry, the inquirer receives a letter accompanied by free literature, or free literature alone. A non-Baha’i magazine, listing religious literature sent free on request, included the titles of some eight Baha’i pamphlets, with the result that from this one notice more than 200 requests for literature have been received.

The impact being made by the Faith on non-Baha’i authors, editors, public speakers and reporters is closely followed from month to month in the Bahd’i News feature ‘‘Baha’i in the News.’’ The NSA depends upon the believers for clippings and sample copies or information to make this feature possible.

ANNUAL REPORTS

Of rapidly increasing importance are the public events announced to the American believers each year. These include the Baha’i Anniversaries which are open to the public, Race Amity Day, United Nations Day, World Religion Day, etc. Among other information about their purpose or the amount of publicity they have received, notices have been published in June, November and January this past year.

Dispersal at Home and Abroad

We come now to the insert distributed with October Bahd’i News: United States Home Front Pioneering, with Guide for Dispersal, prepared by the National Teaching Committee. The Guide for Dispersal lists, state by state, the number of local assemblies now in existence; communities having less than 15 believers and needing assistance; disbanded assemblies which must be restored; and promising groups— groups which can attain assembly status with from one to four additional adult believers. We find that there are 33 assemblies forced to dissolve for lack of numbers, and some 159 promising groups. Studying these figures, along with the number of weak communities, we realize that the American Baha’i community stands at a point where it can collectively achieve an extraordinary advance or register a very disturbing failure. The distinction between these two extremes is one of morale —not of numbers or unexpected wealth, but a sheer will to serve the Faith. May that dynamic of accomplishment be born within us all as we begin to realize our infinite debt to the Guardian for his thirty-six years of service, and our resolve not to fail our Holy Faith in this crucial time of mourning his departure!

Full information concerning World Crusade pioneering will be found in the annual reports of the teaching committees conducting the work in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. A summary of attainments up to March is presented here.

As of May 1, 1957, a total of 286 American pioneers were established in foreign fields. From May 1 to August 31, 31 additional pioneers set forth. By January, 1958, the figures were: Latin America, 149, including four youth; Africa, 58, plus several pioneers temporarily in the United [Page 9]ANNUAL REPORTS

States; Asia, 48; Europe, 48, including 12 located in areas having regional spiritual assemblies elected since the Second Seven-Year Plan.

Most of the twenty languages assigned to America for translation and publication of Baha’i texts have been completed and nine additional ones have been added.

The remaining Temple site, Stockholm, at this time of writing has been selected and its purchase is under negotiation.

All Haziras have been purchased with the exception of the one for Caracas, Venezuela. All endowments have been purchased.

A notable achievement is the preparation of the Baha’is of France for the election of a National Spiritual Assembly in April, 1958. Edna True will represent our Assembly at their first Annual Convention.

H. B. Kavelin has reported on the Kampala Intercontinental Conference: ‘‘More than 900 believers attended this historic Conference, representing 38 countries. Six Hands of the Cause were present, including ‘Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, representatives of 11 national and regional spiritual assemblies translations were given in five languages...

“The Conference reached moments of high inspiration, centering mainly round the presence of Ruhiyyih Khanum and her presentation of ‘Thirty-six Years of the Guardianship.’ ”’

“The over-all impression I received was that there is great vitality in Africa and that with improved teaching facilities for the Africans after they have declared themselves, and.a strengthening of administrative processes, the remaining five years of the Crusade should see even greater progress than hitherto.”

A Baha’i world map, prepared by the Guardian to show localities where Baha’is resided as of April 30, 1957, has been printed by our Publishing Trust at the Guardian’s request and copies distributed for the five Intercontinental Conferences. A column of statistical information discloses the amazing progress made since 1953.

This map should become a cherished possession of every believer, an instrument for teaching, and an admirable display piece for local assemblies.

The World Crusade tasks still to be accomplished before 1963 include extensive financial assistance for construction of the Temples in Australia and Germany, and the elevation of the number of national assemblies from 27 (which number includes France) to 48. This objective will be particularly difficult to accomplish in Latin America, requiring a continuous flow of American pioneers.

Pioneers have yet found it impossible to locate themselves as residents behind the Iron Curtain. Several islands, inaccessible for political reasons, are still unsettled. One such island has been opened during the Crusade, this being by a believer later obliged to leave the territory.

Our Intercontinental Conference in Chicago, following the Annual Convention, will receive reports on the teaching plans and problems throughout the Americas and generate enthusiasm for volunteers prepared to enter the foreign field.

During the current Baha’i year Mr. Robert McLaughlin was obliged to resign his membership on the NSA on account of absences from the country, and Arthur L. Dahl was elected to fill the vacancy.

The American Baha’i community as of April 21, 1957, was constituted of 199 local assemblies, 90 groups having five or more believers, and a total of 1458 localities where Baha’is resided.

The trade mark registration by the United States Patent Office of the name ‘“‘Baha’i was renewed on July 9, 1957 for a period of years.

The number of incorporated assemblies is now 88.

The sale of the Temerity School property of the Federal Government for the new Air Force Academy, and the disposition of furnishings having been completed, the Mathews Trustees have recorded their final meeting and their withdrawal as Trustees of this trust.

The outstanding success of the Blue Ridge Conference led a year ago to investigation of possible localities where additional summer conferences can be held in the South. A final report on plans will be made at the Convention. Continuous efforts are being made by the NSA to help the various summer school committees make their sessions more effec 9

tive in training teachers to spread the Message. ,

The NSA is overjoyed to report that the Baha’i Home is now under construction at the corner of Greenleaf Avenue and Fourth Street, Wilmette. The building permit given by Wilmette Village after approval by the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Village Trustees was contested by a lawsuit which grievously delayed this undertaking. Happily, the suit was denied. During the course of the public hearings before the Zoning Board of Appeals it became evident that the principal objection was aroused by our avowed policy to make no discrimination of race or creed in passing upon applications. \

Since the construction began, an excellent description of the Baha’i Home written by Mr. Wright, the architect, has been published in Wilmette Life.

A bulletin of general information has been prepared which is provided to applicants on request.

As described by the architect in Bahda’t News for January, 1958, the Home is a one-story building with living quarters for 20 residents and an administrative staff of three persons. The architect’s sketch accompanying his description reveals the unusual pattern adopted to best fit the completed building to the available land in accordance with zoning regulations.

The completion and operation of the Baha’i Home will achieve a great goal of the World Crusade, and at the same time enhance the prestige of the Faith throughout America. The Baha’i Home, as an auxiliary to the Baha’i House of Worship, will surely attract divine bestowals.

In conclusion, a heartfelt plea is made to the American believers for maturity—our most urgent present need.

By maturity is meant two things: the spiritual development of individual believers toward understanding, firmness, initiative, and loving consideration in their relations with their fellow-believers; and the development of assemblies for the attainment of unity among the members, efficiency in their handling of affairs, and impartial justice in dealing with problems as they arise. The full stature with which Baha’i institutions have been endowed has as yet by no means been attained. [Page 10]10

Every assembly is in duty bound to win the confidence and respect of the community for its devotion to the Cause, its zeal in encouraging the work of teaching, its wisdom and nobility in dissolving personal feuds and misunderstandings, and its instant response when any member of the community suffers affliction. Though possessing only local authority, the vision of every spiritual assembly must be world-wide.

The world about us has lost capacity to deal with human issues except on a partisan political or dogmatic sectarian basis. Justice has been confounded by competitive group pressures, and the pleading of the humanitarian is unheard in the clamor of desperate militarism.

The little tasks and problems which invariably confront every Baha’i administrative body are never to be regarded as trivial but are divinely bestowed upon us to test our sincerity, challenge our understanding, and train us for the glorious task of establishing the Kingdom on earth.

“The virtues and attributes pertaining unto God are all evident and manifest, and have been mentioned and described in all the heavenly books. Among them are trustworthiness, truthfulness, purity of heart while communing with God, forbearance, resignation to whatever the Almighty hath decreed, contentment with the things His Will hath provided, and complete reliance, in all circumstances, upon Him.”

“Tt beseemeth all men, in this day, to take firm hold on the Most Great Name, and to establish the unity of all mankind. There is no place to flee to, nor refuge that anyone can seek, except Him.”’

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

The Fifth Year of the global Crusade was ushered in for the American Baha’i Community with a note of resolution for the re-vitalization of the home front on a scale that would assure success in all of the tasks assigned to us by our beloved Quardian.

In order to meet our manifold objectives, a realistic budget was adopted in an amount of $425,000 for this Baha’i year. This would assure not only a continuing flow of pioneers

abroad but also the strengthening of the new regional and national assemblies, commencement of construction of the first Temple Dependency and assistance to the vital work of teaching and multiplying the numbers of believers on the home front.

The June 1957 issue of Bahd’t News carried an insert that carefully explained and analyzed the composition of this year’s budget allocations. In order to keep the friends fully informed of progress of the National Fund, each issue of Bahda’t News also carried a brief statement showing the requirements and the amounts contributed against the requirements of the Fund. Regrettably, at no time were the contributions equal to the requirements and as a consequence, unless an unforeseen flow of contributions takes place before April 30, we will end this Baha’i year with a deficit of at least $100,000.

In one of the last letters written to our National Spiritual Assembly by our beloved Guardian, he said:

“The homefront, the source of dynamic forces and the base for steady expansion of future work throughout the world, must at all costs, and as soon as possible, be spiritually regenerated, administratively expanded and materially replenished.’’

“The needed material resources must not be ignored, neglected or underestimated—resources which a homefront strengthened by new supporters from all ranks of society can provide. The multiplying needs of a Faith requires a corresponding increase in the National Fund.’’

“To preserve their primacy, the American believers must save their homefront from its precarious position and assure the completion of the Temples (Kampala, Sidney, and Frankfurt) through displaying the same generosity and self-sacrifice distinguishing their past stewardship to the Cause.”

In order for the American Baha’i community to fulfill its assigned tasks for the Sixth Year of the global Crusade, it will undoubtedly be necessary to increase this year’s total budget of $425,000 by a substantial margin.

Let us endeavor, with hearts overflowing with love for our departed Guardian, and in a spirit of greater understanding, to attain the high station with which he so generously endowed us, and to prove worthy of his loving trust.

ANNUAL REPORTS

UNITED STATES AFRICA TEACHING

Members: Rexford C. Parmelee, Chairman; Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Secretary; Wm. Burgess, Albert James, Mrs. Hazel Langrall, Mrs. Edna Williams.

The continent of Africa is now divided, for purposes of administration, among the four Regional National Assemblies which were established in 1956. The areas assigned to the United States at the beginning of the Crusade are distributed as follows:

Eleven Virgin Areas: one in the North East African region, three in the South West, seven in the North West.

Of the two goals for consolidation, one is in the South West Africa region and one in North West.

In the United States areas located in the North West region the status of the virgin areas is as follows:

Canary Islands: two local spiritual assemblies; three American pioneers.

French Togoland: two local spiritual assemblies, composed of African believers.

Northern Territories of Ghana: one local spiritual assembly composed of African believers.

Cape Verde Islands: one local spiritual assembly, two American pioneers who recently left.

Portuguese Guinea: one isolated center recently opened by a believer from Cape Verde.

Spanish Guinea; St. Thomas Island: vacant at present; each has been opened by Americans who had to leave. Both are very difficult for Americans to enter.

Consolidation Area: Liberia: two local spiritual assemblies; two groups; four isolated centers; one new local spiritual assembly assured; nine American pioneers. Both local spiritual assemblies are incorporated and now are applying for right to perform marriages. The literacy school established by two American pioneers at Bomi Hills is being continued and plans are being made to use and develop the five acres of land purchased for an endowment.

Our chief responsibility during the past year has been to keep in close touch with the American pioneers in Africa and to stimulate new pioneers [Page 11]ANNUAL REPORTS

to go to Africa. At the end of January the number of American pioneers in Africa was as follows:

South West Region .......... 33 North West Region .......... 26 Central and East Region .... 5 North and East Region .... 5 Otall) Biacttecn cea tre tana eps ce ihe 69

Although during the present year five new American pioneers have gone to Africa, six pioneers have been forced to return, resulting in a net loss of one during the year.

The need for American pioneers is still acute, especially in the countries of West Africa, and on the islands off the West African coast. Especially do we need financially self-sustaining couples who can go to these countries to settle. Spectacular as have been the results of the African campaign, there is, and will remain for several years to come, need for people who can teach and deepen these wonderful new African believers so that they in turn may go out to win fresh recruits among their own people.

ASIA TEACHING

Members: Rohoulah Zargarpur, Chairman; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary; Mrs. Lorana Kerfoot, Mrs. Eleanor Metz, Robert Metz, Mrs. Myrtle Wendler.

The formation of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia in Ridvan 1957 was the most significant development of the past year in the Asia areas under the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. While continuing to cooperate with and assist this new Assembly with the progress of the Faith and the accomplishment of its own Six-Year Plan in those countries, the Asia Teaching Committee is now directly responsible only for the teaching work in the virgin goals of the Caroline Islands, Dutch New Guinea, Tibet and the Tonga Islands,—The Philippines, formerly in the areas now being part of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia—and for the consolidation areas of China, Manchuria, and Kazakhstan, all inaccessible at the present time.

Status of Virgin Goals: The Tonga Islands now have twelve native Baha’is in addition to the two pio neers, and will elect their first local spiritual assembly on April 21 of this year. The progress has been remarkable, both in teaching ‘and in the translation of Baha’i literature. This community will also be represented by a native believer at the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney, Australia.

The Caroline Islands and Dutch New Guinea are urgently in need of pioneers. There are at present only two Baha’is in the former — the pioneer and one native believer. Settlers who can live in the remote island villages must be found if the Cause is to reach the Micronesian natives.

Because of the political situation in South East Asia the settlers in Dutch New Guinea, citizens of The Netherlands, have been obliged to leave at least temporarily and at present there seems to be no way of replacing them, particularly with American settlers.

Tibet is also temporarily vacated, the Baha’i pioneer from India having been refused return entry by the Chinese lauthorities who learned that he had been distributing Baha’i literature to a few Tibetans.

Hainan and Sakhalin Islands are still closed to pioneers as sare the consolidation goals in Red China and Soviet Areas.

Pioneers: At present there are 49 American pioneers and settlers in the Asia goal countries, two others recently having returned. Thirty-one are in areas under the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and 18 are in South East Asia and Pacific Ocean areas. This is an increase of 15 during the previous year. Before the Convention William Allison will arrive in Manila, the first American Baha’i to enter the Philippines for a number of years.

New Areas Opened: In immediate response to the Guardian’s appeal to the newly formed Regional Spiritual Assembly in North East Asia, all of the large islands of Japan and several of the smaller ones have been opened by Baha’i settlers or through extension teaching. The first Korean pioneer has opened up Chaeju off the southern tip of Korea, and the Faith has also been introduced into Penghu, an island 70 miles off the southern coast of Formosa.

Translations: The translation of many of the chapters of Some An 11

swered Questions and Baha’i prayers have increased the Tonga literature. Introductory pamphlets have been published in the native dialects of Trukese and Ponapean for the Caroline Islands and two introductory pamphlets in Indonesian for teaching the Papuans in Dutch New Guinea have been written but not yet published for distribution.

Baha’i Schools: Under the sponsorship of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia, Baha’i summer and winter schools were held during the past year in Japan, Korea and for the first time this year in Formosa. All were well attended and productive.

EUROPEAN TEACHING #:~

Members: Edna True, Chairman; Julia Shows, Secretary; Katherine True, Clara Wood, Flora Hottes, Mrs. Wm. C. Henning, William Henning.

The most outstanding of the achievements in the European teaching field during the Baha’i administrative year of 1957-58 was the establishment of three new Regional National Spiritual Assemblies: for the Benelux Countries, for the Iberian Peninsula, and for Scandinavia and Finland. The official representations at these Conventions were: Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause, and Charles Wolcott, NSA representative, in Madrid; Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Hand of the Cause, and Borrah Kavelin, NSA representative in Brussels; Dr. Adelbert Muehlschegel, Hand of the Cause, and Edna True, NSA representative in Stockholm. Each of these Conventions received a special, stimulating and inspiring message from the beloved Guardian in which were set forth certain definite goals for each new assembly, including such exciting objectives as the attainment of sites for future Mashriqu’l-Adhkars in Madrid and Brussels in addition to the one in Stockholm, already a part of the TenYear Plan.

Another Crusade goal has been completed by the translation of a Baha’i pamphlet into Lapp, the last of the ten languages assigned to the NSA of the United States. The purchase of the Haziratu’l-Quds in Luxembourg (dedicated November 1, 1957) completes the list assigned to the European goal countries and the [Page 12]12

last of the endowments, that for Portugal, was acquired January, 1958.

To assist in the teaching work in France which was markedly intensified during this last year in preparation for the establishment of the National Assembly for France (Ridvan 1958) the committee placed twelve new pioneers in this country making, a total of thirty-two Americans engaged in this specific area.

In the virgin goals still under the auspices of the European Teaching Committee, a local Spiritual Assembly will be formed (April 21) in the Azores and one continued in the Balearic Islands (Palma).

Although the last remaining virgin goal, Spitzbergen has not yet been filled, the committee is in the midst of a definite project towards this end.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TEACHING

Members: Mr. William de Forge, Chairman; Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Secretary; Mrs. Betty Katzoff, Mrs. Maurine J. Kraus, Sam Kraus, Miss Gale March, Mrs. Nura Mobine, Nuru’llah Mobine, William Towart.

Although the committee has worked in various ways toward the accomplishment of the Crusade tasks set by the beloved Guardian for the United States in the Western Hemisphere, most of its effort was put forth for the settlement of pioneers— the indispensible means for the victorious accomplishment of the goals. We have been tremendously enheartened by the increase in numbers of volunteers this year, more than in any year of the Crusade, except the first. Twenty-eight of these arrived at their posts before March first; others are planning to leave in the next few months; and several have transferred to homefront goals.

With the supreme importance given to pioneering by the Guardian, on which, he stated, depends the “prosperity”? and ‘‘destiny’’ of the American Baha’i Community, the committee wishes to stress the immediate need for a multiplication of pioneers in the Western Hemisphere. Besides holding the victories already won, our greatest needs are the following: Two virgin territories, whose pioneers were forced to leave, must be resettled as speedily as possible.

During the coming year 94 new pioneers should be settled in Latin America, for the all-important task of establishing 20 national spiritual assemblies, one in each Latin American Republic.

We pause at this mid-way point to review the spread of the Cause in Latin America during the last 5 years. The two National Spiritual Assemblies have developed into 4 interim Regional Assemblies. The number of local assemblies has increased from 41 to 63 (probably about 70 this Ridvan); of groups from 17 to 51; of isolated centers, from 32 to 62. (These figures include Jamaica, which while a consolidation goal, is not a goal for a national assembly.)

Some idea of the job to be done in the immediate future can be gained from the following statistics: Four of these countries—each a goal for a national assembly—now have only one local assembly; four have 2; four have 3; five have 4; two have 5; and one, Brazil, has 6. (Brazil is larger than the United States with an extra Texas thrown in.) In these 20 Republics—each one a goal for a national assembly—there is now an over-all total of only 59 groups and 60 isolated centers. The necessity for the immediate settlement of three times the number of pioneers who left the United States this year, is evident. The settlement of pioneers cannot always be carried out without assistance from the National Fund, even though over 95% of the present pioneers became selfsupporting within a short period of time.

The committee wishes to place on record its deep gratitude to the 10 United States Baha’is who volunteered, and successfully carried out teaching missions in Latin America, paying their own expenses.

There has been marked growth this year in other areas of the Western Hemisphere. Alaska has been forging ahead in the goals given it by the Guardian at the time of its establishment last Ridvan. The Cause has markedly progressed in Hawaii, where it is now firmly established on 5 of the islands. In Puerto Rico, the believers have been actively working toward the expansion of the Faith into new locaities. One virgin territory, British Honduras, and possibly another, will have

ANNUAL REPORTS

its assembly this year, to bring the total number of virgin territories having assembly status up to 7, or more.

We joyfully look forward to the Chicago Conference when the Crusade victories already won in the Western Hemisphere will be reviewed, and to the great impetus it will afford for successfully carrying out every one of the tasks entrusted to us by our beloved Guardian.

HAWAII TEACHING

(Under supervision of the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee)

Members: Major Salvatore A. Pelle, Chairman; Mrs. Beatrice T. Stone, Secretary; Mrs. Lillian T. Chou, Albin E. Kubala, Mrs. Shirley Lombard.

The Hawaii Teaching Committee, operating from the Island of Oahu, had a progressive year. The following were the major accomplishments of the year:

1. The settlement of three Baha’is from Oahu on the island of Hawaii as pioneers—and the declaration of the first believer on this island.

2. The Second Annual Teaching Conference held, with excellent Island-wide attendance.

3. Publication of pamphlet ‘‘What is a Baha’i?’’ in the Ilocano dialect of the Philippino Language. (There are many Philippinos in the Hawaiian Islands).

4, The members of the Teaching Committee have increased the visits throughout the year to the neighbor Islands.

5. An increase in the number of Baha’is on the Islands of Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii Islands.

6. Publicity in all the Islands relative to the Faith has been excellent.

7. World Religion Day programs the major events of the year on Islands of Kauai, Maui and Oahu.

The major set-back was the loss of pioneer on the Island of Lanai. [Page 13]ANNUAL REPORTS

TEMPLE WORSHIP

Members: Mrs. Lorana Kerfoot, Chairman; Mrs. William C. Henning, ViceChairman and Treasurer; Miss Hortense Bredehorst, Secretary; Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Herbert Baler, Mrs. Mary Lou Martin, Joseph Peter, Mrs. Harriet Terry.

The Temple Worship Committee was appointed to assume full responsibility, under the general direction of the National Spiritual Assembly for planning and conducting (1) six anniversary programs, (2) weekly programs of devotions and music in the Auditorium of the House of Worship. The devotional programs are held at 3:30 P.M. every Sunday, lasting about forty minutes.

The work of the committee includes the planning of new programs and constantly revising the current ones. Each program shows how the same spiritual truths are to be found in all of the Holy Scriptures. Much study, research and consultation go into the compilation of these programs. Scheduling and producing them means having each Sunday’s program printed, selecting readers (usually three) who read clearly and with understanding, as the Guardian requested, and selecting a Committee member to monitor. The selection of music is determined in consultation with the director of the Baha’i House of Worship A Cappella Choir, Mr. Lloyd Cousins, who is also Director of Music, National College of Education, Evanston, Illinois.

Several new musical compositions, arranged for A Cappella choir, were submitted by Baha’is, and after consultation with Mr. Cousins, have been accepted by the Committee for use in the Temple programs. The Committee was very happy to have the Children’s A Cappella Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Betty Fiedler, sing at the Ridvan Anniversary program.

In order to find, encourage and help readers the Committee holds a work-shop the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 4:30 P.M. at the House of Worship. About once every other month a tape-recorder is used, enabling the reader to hear himself and better understand his strengths and weaknesses. These work-shops are designed for all readers, new and old.

During the past year the members of the Committee have conducted fif ty-two weekly devotional programs

and the following anniversaries: Naw-Ruz Feast of Ridvan.s.<0.+ April 28 Declaration of the Bab ..May 23 Birth of the Bab ..November 12 Birth of Baha’u’lah November 26

Anniversary programs have been conducted as public meetings beginning with devotional readings in the Auditorium and followed by a meeting in Foundation Hall at which there was a Baha’i public talk on an appropriate theme.

TEMPLE GUIDES

Members: Mrs. Dotha Cooper, Chairman; Mrs. Dorothy Redson, Secretary; Miss Joan Crawford, Frank Peter, L. Paul Harris, Mrs. Helen Hobbs, Mrs. Margaret Johnson, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney, Mrs. Wilhelmina Becker, Mrs. Leona Jackson, Mrs. Viola Tuttle.

The committee this year assumed the responsibility of preparing a new folder for children who visit the Temple. The cover is a colored picture of the Temple, and it contains facts about the Faith written in a manner that appeals to children.

The guide book was brought up-todate and each guide now functioning has a copy for personal use and for ready reference in contacts with the visitors.

Visitors to the Temple have come from approximately 50 foreign countries. One group consisted of Japanese dignitaries on their way home from an international conference in London. We continue to have many young adult groups from _ the churches, YMCA, YWCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, universities and garden clubs from a wide area surrounding the Temple. Names and addresses of individuals who sign the register requesting further information are referred to the nearest local assembly, group or isolated Baha’i for follow-up.

The total number of visitors for the calendar year was 87,451 as compared with 91,453 during the year 1956. This drop is due largely to the fact that sightseeing buses no longer include the Temple in their tours.

The committee is grateful to the number of faithful regular and occasional guides who gave many hours during the year, and especially

13

in the summer, to this important teaching work. The need for many more regular guides, as well as relief guides, is urgent if we are to increase or even continue the present guiding program. Suggestions as well as actual guiding assistance will be very welcome.

TEMPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS

Members: Rouholah Zargarpur, Chairman; Miss Lauretta E. Voelz, Secretary; Miss Hortense Bredehorst, Mrs. Mary Lou Martin.

The Temple Public Meetings Committee was appointed to conduct meetings for the proclamation of the Faith in the Baha’i Temple Foundation Hall. Such meetings were held regularly on the third Sunday of each month at 4:15 p.m. Each lecture outlined the fundamental principles and the essential verities of the Faith. It has been observed that the attendance this past year has been improved with near capacity audiences in some instances.

The programs for the year have been as follows:

Date: May 19, 1957

Speaker: A. S. Petzoldt

Subject: ‘“‘The Eternal Covenant of God’?

Chairman: Lauretta E. Voelz

Date: June 16, 1957

Speaker: Flora Emily Hottes

Subject: ‘‘Faith and Individual Responsibility”’

Chairman: Herbert Baler

Date: July 21, 1957

Speaker: Charlotte Linfoot

Subject: ‘‘The Distinguishing Feature of the Baha’i Faith’’

Chairman: Richard Thomas

Date: August 18, 1957

Speaker: William R. Lacey

Subject: ‘‘The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory’’

Chairman: Eunice Braun

Date: September 15, 1957

Speaker: Margarite Ullrich

Subject: ‘‘The Great Announcement”’

Chairman: Rouholah Zargarpur

Date: October 20, 1957

Speaker: Hugh E. Chance

Subject: ‘‘Peace—A Divine Creation’’

Chairman: Hortense Bredehorst [Page 14]14

Date: November 17, 1957

Speaker: Vivian Fellows

Subject: ‘Security for a Failing World’’

Chairman: Richard Lewellen

Date: December 15, 1957 Speaker: Flora Emily Hottes Subject: ‘‘Lord of the New Age’’ Chairman: George Amerson

Date: January 19, 1958 Speaker: Rouholah Zargarpur Subject: ‘‘The Hour of Unity’’ Chairman: Eunice Braun

Date: February 16, 1958 Speaker: Laurence LaRocque Subject: ‘“‘The Call to Mankind” Chairman: Lauretta E. Voelz

Date: March 16, 1958

Speaker: Eleanor Sweeney Hutchens.

Subject: ‘“‘The Promised Day is Come’”’

Chairman: William C. Henning

Date: April 20, 1958 Speaker: A. S. Petzoldt Subject: ‘The Glory of God” Chairman: Barbara West

NATIONAL TEACHING

Members: Albert L. Reimholz, Chairman; Mrs. Edna Voigt, Secretary; Paul Harris, Mrs. Sara Harris, Mrs. Margery McCormick, Mrs. Maud S. Reimholz, Herbert L. Voigt.

Functions: To promote the attainment by the American Baha’i community of the Crusade goal of 300 local spiritual assemblies; to supervise and coordinate the work of the area teaching committees; to arrange inter-area circuit teaching and settlement projects; to collaborate with the Indian Service and Interracial Teaching Committees.

Objectives: To develop at least 30 new local spiritual assemblies with a minimum of one in each state; to preserve and strengthen all present assemblies; to restore lost assemblies; to raise promising groups to assembly status and to open new Baha’i centers throughout the United States.

A Dispersal Guide was published in the October, 1957 Band’i News for the purpose of assisting moves to promising centers which seemed

most likely to reach assembly status by April, 1958.

The circuit teaching program initated last year was carried forward this year and will be continued throughout the Ten-Year Crusade.

The committee is deeply grateful to all circuit teachers who have given so unselfishly of themselves as well as their time and finances, many of whom have travelled extensively.

Because our beloved Guardian urged that particular attention should be devoted to teaching work in the south and to attracting the Negroes, a more concentrated effort was made to encourage teaching and settlement by Negro friends in the south. In this we feel we have made a beginning; a few Negroes have already gone south to settle and several Negro teachers have made teaching circuits there.

Bulletins and general letters were issued periodically to all area committees. Quarterly progress report forms were made out by all area committees giving up-to-date statistics so that the latest factual information could be given to prospective pioneers and a close check be kept on gain or loss of assemblies.

In addition to the three nationwide conferences sponsored by the Hands of the Cause of God and the

National Spiritual Assembly, area teaching conferences were held throughout the year, giving the

friends the opportunity to meet together in consultation and loving fellowship so needed in these difficult times.

An all day pre-convention meeting of the American National Teaching Committee with the area teaching committees was held in Foundation Hall on April 27, 1957. The purpose of this meeting was to bring about a better coordination and team work. An agenda was set up and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. The entire proceedings were recorded and a resumé was reported in the ANTC Bulletins. A similar meeting was recommended for this year.

It is gratifying to note that in spite of the deep sorrow that has engulfed the Baha’i world with the passing of our beloved Guardian, the friends are carrying on their teaching efforts without interruption.

ANNUAL REPORTS

NEW ENGLAND STATES

(Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island Connecticut)

Members: Dr. Sam McClellan, Chairman; Mrs. Ethelinda Merson, Secretary; Mrs. Mildred Hyde, Mrs. Leonora Norman, Nicholas Peters, Mrs. Louise Sayward, Charles Vale, Miss Barbara Yazdi.

The committee has met 18 times. We have enrolled 7 adults and 2 youth. Six new centers were gained and six were lost. The goal city of Brockton, Massachusetts was settled.

We have held four teaching conferences, one jointly with the Area Teaching Committee of the North Atlantic States at Green Acre in July; in Portland, Maine, in October; Hartford, Connecticut, in November, and in Providence, Rhode Island, in February. Two more are planned for Stamford, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts.

Teaching circuits were arranged for the following teachers: William deForge, Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, Curtis Kelsey, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Dr. Genevieve Coy, Charles Krug, Matthew Bullock, Donald Cruikshank and Theodore Lucas.

The Cathedral of the Pines program in Rindge, New Hampshire, was held in July. Harry S. Merson was the speaker and Mrs. Gladys Weeden was the chairman.

The booth at Topsfield Fair was in charge of a group from the surrounding area, who organized volunteers to set up the exhibit and man the booth each day for a week.

We did the mimeographing and mailing for the Connecticut picnics, which were planned by the local Spiritual Assemblies of Stamford, Greenwich and New Haven.

Each member of the Committee has visited in various communities to speak, consult or advise.

We have published monthly bulletins and mimeographed and mailed notices for the special meetings, called by the Hands of the Cause and the National Spiritual Assembly, to all the believers in the area. [Page 15]ANNUAL REPORTS

NORTH ATLANTIC STATES

(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) Members: Lt. Col. Eugene Keller,

Chairman; Mrs. Florence C. Steinhauer, Secretary; Kenneth Kalantar, Benjamin Kaufman, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Marcus, Dr. Hamilton Niss, Mrs. Beatrice J. Thigpen, and Lee Tichenor.

The following members resigned from the Committee during the year for various reasons: Miss Ellen Sue Weintrob in November, pressing school duties; Miss Alice G. Tyler in December, ill health; Robert C. Bartlett in January, moved from area. Dr. Niss and Mr. Tichenor were appointed in January to replace them.

Meetings: The committee convened June first, has met 23 times and plans to hold 5 or 6 additional meetings.

Bulletins: Seven bulletins have been issued and four more are to be released.

Conferences: Special conferences were held at Albany, Chautauqua, Geneva and Long Island, N.Y.; West Englewood, N.J.; and Cambridge Springs and West Chester, Pa. This committee again joined the ATC of the New England States in sponsoring the annual bi-area conference at Green Acre at which the attendance was well over 200.

In addition, some counties in which there are assemblies and or large groups hold monthly conferences or get-togethers that tend to stimulate an interest in joint teaching activities. Long Island, N.Y., Westchester County, N.Y. and Bergen County, N.J. are outstanding examples in this category.

Committee effort was made to contact all groups and isolated believers to swell the attendance of the conferences convened by the National Spiritual Assembly. The results were rewarding.

Circuit Teaching: Eight circuits, consisting of individual assignments, were arranged and the teachers who took part were: R. C. Bartlett, N. M. Firoozi, Dr. Roberts E. Fuller, Miss Frances B. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. B. Kaufman, Mrs. Martha Kavelin, Lt. Col. E. Keller, Duncan MacAlear, Mr. and Mrs. L. Marcus, Rustam Payman, Fred Reis, Stuart Sims, Richard Suhm, Mrs. B. Thigpen, Archie Tichenor and O. Z. Whitehead.

A summer Youth circuit initiated by Francis Czerniejewski, Jr., Hamburg Twp., N.Y. and Norman Bethel, Grove City, Pa. was coordinated by this committee so far as our area was concerned, and covered the cities of Erie and Pittsburgh, Pa. and Jamestown, Niagara Falls and Rochester, N.Y.

Youth: The Area Youth Committee held a week-end conference at West Englewood, N.J. and the New York Baha’i Center. Invitations were sent to the Central Atlantic and New England States’ Youth and attendance was good. Various firesides and parties have been and are to be held under the auspices of the Area Youth Committee.

Settlers: Miss Ella C. Quant settled in the goal city of Elmira, N.Y. and Mr. and Mrs. John McCall opened the goal city of York, Pa.

Four new groups have been organized, Allegheny County, Pa., York, Pa., Babylon Township, L.I., N.Y. and Islip Township, L.I., N.Y.

Enrollments: 3 youth and 9 adults, with 3 adult enrollment cards to be returned, making a total of 12 adults.

Activities: The Institute sponsored by the Area Teaching Committee at Evergreen Cabin, W. Englewood, N.J., every Sunday morning, having a regular attendance of 25 or more, is felt to be important for the friends of the metropolitan area. The institute classes are preceded by a devotional period of great inspirational and teaching value. Three children’s classes, with an attendance of from 20 to 30 weekly, are also held at Evergreen Cabin at the same time as the Institute.

Prospects: There are 18 Assemblies and 16 groups of 5 or more in this area. Some of the groups are near assembly status but with the exception of the restoration of one disbanded assembly, none are, at present writing, likely to attain such status this year.

CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATES

(West Virginia, Virginia, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina)

Members: Mrs. Harold M. Bowman, Chairman; Mrs. Margaret Gawen, Secretary; C. Newell Atkinson, Challoner Chute, Mrs. Laura Graves, Mrs. Elsie Lesti, Earl Pickens, Mrs. Marie Rice, Mrs. Etta Woodlen.

Perhaps the major accomplish 15

ments of this committee during the past year were the Blue Ridge Conference in North Carolina, and the apparent trend toward a desire for greater understanding and closer unity among the believers in this area.

The following circuit teachers have served in this area, in a most wonderful and cooperative way: Robert C. Bartlett, Challoner Chute, Mrs. Orpha Daugherty, Jack Davis, Mrs. Vivian Fellows, James Holmlund, Mrs. Beatrice Thigpen, Harvey Wiener, and Mrs. Etta Woodlen.

Eight of the ten local spiritual assemblies in this area have assumed extension teaching work in some nearby town, and three new believers have been enrolled.

Conferences were held in Wilming ton, and Brandywine Hundred, Del.; also, in Raleigh, and Blue Ridge, N. C.

SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina)

Members: Bradford Cleveland, Chairman-Treasurer; Mrs. Zilpha Sawyer, Secretary; Mrs. Lenora Cleveland, Miss Olive B. Alexander, Donald Moore, Mrs. Nina Nadler.

To date the committee has held 18 meetings. Four more are planned before April 20. The committee maintained a quorum at each meeting. Eight bulletins have been published with two more planned prior to April 20.

Thirteen conferences were held with approximately 400 adults in attendance. These conferences were held in Greenville, Atlanta, Augusta, St. Petersburg, Orlando, Hollywood, Jacksonville, Miami Beach and Miami. Five more conferences are planned before April 20.

The committee was pleased with the increased attendance at all area conferences which accelerated activities of the individual Baha’i. As a results of one of these conferences it was reported that two believers from a large community transfered for pioneering on the home front.

United Nations Day meetings were planned or participated in by all communities, most groups and isolated believers.

Race Amity Day was observed by 9 communities and groups with fairly large attendance of both Baha’is and non-Baha’is. [Page 16]16

Christ and Bahd’u’llah with other Baha’i books were placed in libraries in many sections of the area. Seven public meetings were held besides regular open meetings during the year.

Baha’is of Florida were especially elated over the fact that for the first time the State Convention was held in one of the better hotels in Miami. A pre-Convention fellowship banquet, public meeting and an area conference was most impressive and fruitful with about 60 in attendance at the conference, 67 at the banquet and 61 at the public meeting.

A very successful youth conference was held in Miami Shores with 24 youths present representing New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Florida.

Eleven new areas were opened. They are: 8 in Florida, 2 in Georgia and 1 in South Carolina. Lost areas are: Florida 1, Georgia 2, South Carolina 1.

On circuit teaching; Mr. and Mrs. John Svendsen have visited Jacksonville and plan to return before April 20.

8 adults and 1 youth have been enrolled thus far and there are reports of 3 others preparing for enrollment.

We expect 2 assemblies to be formed this year.

The area consists of 8 assemblies, 39 groups and 34 isolated believers.

GULF STATES

(Louisiana, Texas)

Members: Mr. E. D. Gray, Chairman; Miss D. Thelma Jackson, Secretary; Paul R. Pettit, Mrs. Mary Rublee, Mrs. Allene Squires, L. L. Squires.

Six committee meetings have been held during the year, and the next one is scheduled for March 23.

Aside from the area bulletins issued, copies have been made of various letters and messages received from the National Spiritual Assembly and the Hands of the Cause, and sent to the groups and isolated believers.

Arrangements were made with the delegates to the National Convention for convention reports and conferences, and five such conferences were held throughout the two states. Three other area teaching conferences have been held, one of which was in Austin, Texas, on the eve ning preceding the State Convention; one was in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and an Interracial Teaching Conference was in Dallas, Texas. An additional conference is scheduled to be held in April in West Texas.

The above teaching conferences do not include the three conferences which were called and arranged by the National Spiritual Assembly in the nation-wide series.

Teaching circuits include one made by Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, member of the Auxiliary Board, which covered six cities and included public meetings, firesides, meetings with Baha’is only, and radio and TV appearances. Also, Mrs. Ruth Moffett spent nearly two weeks in El Paso, Texas, to assist that group in its teaching. A series of talks was given, as well as a telecast; firesides were held, and a children’s class was started. Winston G. Evans is at the present time on a circuit of the area and he will visit three days in each of five cities. An attempt is being made to obtain a speaker for a circuit in interracial work.

The University Park, Texas, Group was assisted in its Press Conference Luncheon with furnishing copies of Christ and Bahd’u’lladh for presentation to the press representatives. Copies of this book were also furnished the El Paso Group to be placed in the library.

Interracial teaching has been encouraged throughout the year, and the committee called a meeting for consultation with the Negro believers of Texas. As stated above, one of the teaching conferences was devoted entirely to interracial teaching. One of the communities, San Antonio, is now directing all its teaching activities to interracial work.

One pioneer moved into the area (to New Orleans) from New York for the express purpose of teaching among the Negro people.

There have been two Baha’i locations lost during this year, and six others have been gained.

Eight new enrollments have been made thus far during the year, two of these being outside assembly cities and six in the communities.

There is some hope that one new assembly will be formed this April.

ANNUAL REPORTS

EAST CENTRAL STATES

(Indiana, Michigan, Ohio)

Members: Frank Meese, Chairman; Mrs. Ona M. Koppe, Secretary; Mrs. Alice Bryant, Robert Gaines, Michael Jamir, and Mrs. Hazel Meese.

Meetings: The committee has held twenty-one meetings and plans four more before the end of the year.

Bulletins: Regular monthly and special Bulletins total twelve to date, three more to be published. Many letters of appreciation from the believers prove the committee’s efforts to make the bulletin more informative as well as more interesting have been successful.

New Members: Adult enrollments total 14 so far with another anticipated. Youth enrollments total five.

New Bahd’i Centers: We have added several new cities with Baha’i membership, but we have lost some too, so with these deductions we have actually added three in Indiana, two in Michigan and six in Ohio. There is some possibility at this time of adding one new assembly.

Conferences: Besides seven special conferences called by the Hands of the Cause and/or the National Spiritual Assembly, the area has held nine conferences: Warsaw, South Bend, and Indianapolis, Ind.; Davison and Kalamazoo, Mich.; Cleveland Heights, Bath Township, Youngstown, and Kettering, Ohio. Average attendance was close to 30.

The theme for all but one was “Our Obligations to Baha’{ Administration,’? and the compilation of quotations prepared by Frank and Hazel Meese prompted lively discussion.

Special meetings were arranged for National Convention Reports: two in Indiana, four in Ohio, and five in Michigan.

Circuit Teaching: Pearl Easterbrook, Edith McLaren, Fred Sudhop, Margery McCormick, Robert Gaines, and Ruth Moffet did special teaching work, principally for deepening the Baha’is, but including firesides for contacts. Localities covered centered around Terre Haute, Indianapolis, and Mishawaka, Ind.; Munroe Falls, Urbana, and Toledo, Ohio; Marysville, Grand Rapids, Mt. Clemens, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak, Highland Park, and Detroit, Mich. An additional circuit for Margery McCormick unfortunately had to be [Page 17]ANNUAL REPORTS

cancelled due to the passing of our beloved Guardian.

Extension Teaching: Of twentytwo assemblies, seven are doing extension work in eighteen or more towns. The Indianapolis, Ind., Assembly has worked consistently in sponsoring public meetings with good publicity in Terre Haute and Crawfordsville, and has also assisted the believers in central Indiana to gather together for fellowship.

College Campus Teaching: Religious Education Week offered more opportunities to Baha’i college students this year than ever before. B.G.S.U. of Bowling Green, Ohio; Wayne University of Detroit, and Eastern Michigan College of Ypsilanti, Mich., particularly, offered the Baha’is several occasions to present the Faith.

The believers supported the mailing kit campaign well and many books have been placed in libraries.

CENTRAL STATES

(Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska)

Members: Clarence Suhm, Chairman; Mrs. Annalean Schwandes, Secretary; Miss Carol Eggert, Mrs. Janis Jacobs, Charles Reimer, Elmer Schwandes, Herbert Suhm, Jack Svendsen, Mrs. Zella Svendsen.

The Area Committee held eleven meetings with an average attendance of six.

Thirteen adult believers were enrolled: 6 in Illinois, 5 in Wisconsin, and 2 in Minnesota.

Ten youths were enrolled: 3 in IIlinois, 3 in Wisconsin, 1 in Minnesota, and 3 in Iowa.

Besides the three conferences called by the Hands of the Cause to which the area committee sent notices to groups and isolated believers, we sponsored four other conferences and a fifth is being planned for the end of March. These were held in the following cities: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Waterloo, Iowa; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Quincy, Illinois; Lincoln, Nebraska.

The theme of each conference has been ‘‘Individual Rededication.’’ We used the workshop method of consultation in discussing teaching problems and methods. We also used the most recent communications from the Guardian and from the National Assembly.

Mrs. Margery McCormick conducted a circuit in Southern Illinois visiting the following communities: Peoria, Urbana, Quincy, Springfield, Limestone Twp., Danville, Champaign. Plans are being completed to have Mrs. Florence V. Mayberry the first part of April in the Milwaukee area.

The following communities did extension teaching work: Milwaukee in South Milwaukee, Wauwatosa in Greenfield, Urbana in Danville, Wilmette in Skokie, and Peoria in Limestone Township.

We are sure of a new assembly this year in Monona Village, Wisconsin. Three pioneers have moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and a great deal of effort is being made in that city. We are hopeful that a new assembly will be established there soon. We anticipate no losses of assemblies this year.

SOUTH CENTRAL STATES

(Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas)

Members: Mrs. Velma Sherrill, Chairman; Mrs. Mildred Birkett, Secretary; Mrs. Naomi McCord, Robert Barr, Lambert Case, Lacy McCord, Paul Moon, Lloyd Sherrill, Henry Weil.

Regular committee meetings have been held every other week. Bulletins have been issued monthly, and special bulletins as required.

Conferences: In addition to the five conferences sponsored by the National Assembly in our area, two workshop type conferences were produced by the committee with approximately 50% attendance of the Baha’i membership in the area. We feel that all these conferences were, to a large extent, responsible for a general acceleration in the teaching work throughout the area.

Enrollments: 12 adults and two youth; two adults and two youth are presently studying for enrollment.

Assemblies: Kansas City, Kansas will form an assembly this year and Independence, Missouri seems rather definite to be reinstated. A great deal of teaching activity has been evidenced in St. Joseph, Missouri and Emporia, Kansas which would seem to indicate that these two groups will reach assembly status next year.

New Centers: Nine new centers

17

where Baha’is reside have been established this year.

Campus Activities: A beginning has been made with students from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Campus activity plans are in progress at Emporia, Kansas and Lawrence, Kansas.

Teaching Assistance: Circuit teaching and special teaching assistance was given to goal cities of St. Joseph, Missouri, Independence, Missouri, and Ft. Smith, Arkansas, as well as some complete teaching tours covering most of the groups and assemblies throughout the area. Reports received by the committee indicate a high percentage of increase in firesides, study classes, and deepening classes on the Coyenant and Administration in progress by most of the groups and all of the assemblies.

Letters and reports received following the third series of conferences sponsored by the National Assembly for the purpose of reorienting the Baha’is to the new situation which faces them as the result of the passing of the beloved Guardian, indicate that the believers do have a good grasp of the situation and are determined to exert themselves and rededicate themselves to fulfill the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade.

NORTH CENTRAL STATES (North Dakota, South Dakota)

Members: Wm. Randolph Lacey, Sr., Chairman; Miss Margaret Detwiler, Secretary; Wm. Randolph Lacey, Jr.; Treasurer; Mrs. Marguerite Bruegger, Tim Rost.

Bulletins issued to date are six with two more to follow.

Circuit teaching in this area aroused considerable interest. Winston Evans spoke at two meetings in Minot, North Dakota at the area conference, and again at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Boutin, Jr., Minot.

In Fargo, North Dakota, Mr. Evans spoke to two college groups, where pamphlets were accepted and several vital contacts were made. Five kits of the Christian Century reprint and the Lord Of The New Age were received.and a sincere effort made to address them to teachers and students, since Marcus Bach was one of the main speakers at [Page 18]18

the State Educational Convention in Minot close to this time. The believers were inspired by the special talk given to them.

The circuit teaching by Mr. Evans in Sioux Falls was especially successful. There were several meetings with believers only, and a fifteen minute TV interview. This interview was happily received by nonBaha’is as well as believers, who also made possible a meeting at the Mitchell Methodist church where seventy people gathered. At one of these public meetings a previous contact declared herself as desiring to become a Baha’i.

Committee meetings have been seven in number, with considerable consultation by correspondence.

Two area conferences were held— one in Fargo, one in Minot. The two State Conventions were held in Fargo and Sioux Falls.

Visiting teachers have given much inspiration. Wm. Randolph Lacey reported the Annual Convention in Fargo; Mrs. Jan Mass gave her information, as a delegate, at Sioux Falls. Mrs. Marguerite Bruegger made five visits to Fargo, each time making contacts and assisting the Baha’is. Mrs. Mollie Macpherson from Winnipeg, Canada, visited Fargo, Sioux Falls and the Black Hills region. Tim Rost from Devils Lake gave us seven visits during this Baha’i year. Each time Tim was responsible for a public meeting and one time filled an appointment with a group of Concordia students who wished material for their study of Comparative Religion. They seemed interested in the aspect of the Oneness of Mankind.

Area Needs: North Dakota is appealing for pioneers. A full dozen would not be too many. Fargo by April twenty-first will have only four or five voting believers; Minot will have this same number, according to present prospects. We hope that by April 21, 1958 there will be settlers to give this state the help that can produce the fruit so necessary in all of the United States.

We thank all believers in both states for their encouragement, their courage in continuing with overcoming seemingly impossible situations, yet moving on toward the final victory.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES

(Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico)

Members: P. R. Meinhard, Chairman; Mrs. Susanna Meinhard, Secretary; Mrs. Mary Lou Ewing, Mrs. Edna Andrews, Thomas Ewing.

Membership Analysis: Wyoming— 1 assembly, 1 organized group, 4 isolated; Colorado—5 assemblies, 1 organized group, 28 other believers; New Mexico—3 assemblies, 5 organized groups, 7 other believers. A new assembly will be formed in Casper, Wyoming. Two assemblies in the area are endangered and may be lost.

New Enrollments: Through area, 9 adults and 1 youth; through assemblies, 12 adults and 1 youth.

New Centers: Cortez, Durango, Englewood, Colorado; Aztec, Farmington, McKinley County, Silver City, Walker Air Base, New Mexico; Warren Air Base, Wyoming. Two of these are already organized groups: Farmington and McKinley County, New Mexico.

Circuits: Five circuits—by Mrs. Jesma Herbert, Mrs. Florence Mayberry, Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff, and two by Mrs. Kay Zinky. Mrs. Margo Worley and Mrs. Ruth Moffett visited one or more cities; Winston Evans will do so in March. In addition several teachers within the area gave invaluable assistance. Through this program all assemblies and large groups had at least two visiting teachers from outside the area.

Conferences: 3 area conferences have been held, 3 more are scheduled, and plans are under way for 4 conferences for National Convention reports. In addition there have been 4 National conferences.

Communications: To date 8 bulletins have been issued; at least 2 more are planned. Over 450 individual letters have gone out, in addition to conference notices and a number of special communications to all assemblies and groups.

Unsettled Goal City: Sheridan, Wyoming, is the only remaining goal

ror

city which has no resident Baha’i.

ANNUAL REPORTS

SOUTHWESTERN STATES

(California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah)

Members: Francis Johnson, Chairman; Mrs. Loraine Johnson, Secretary; Miss Edith Goranson, Kenneth Myers, Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers, Carsten Schmidt, Mrs. Theresa Schmidt, Arthur Somerhalder, Mrs. Helena Somerhalder.

Committee Meetings: Held every two weeks or oftener as necessary, twenty-five to date, with average attendance of seven.

Objectives: To continue to work toward accomplishment of the Home Front four-fold plan, designated in the Guardian’s message ‘‘Inestimable Prizes Within Our Reach’’, and in line with the duties of area teaching committees. Present status follows:

New Enrollments (outside of communities): 46 adults, 8 youth.

New Centers Opened: 33 (6 other centers were closed) Centers in this area now total 265.

The number of groups has grown to 134, 80 of which have elected correspondents.

Formation of New Assemblies: 4 of the above groups now have membership of nine; several others have reached eight, and may reach assembly status this year.

Safeguarding Communities: Of the 54 communities in this area, 10 are below assembly status.

Working toward these objectives, the committee has taken the following actions:

Bulletin: Monthly contact has been made with the entire area through the area bulletin, carrying items from the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees, an up-to-date account of the status of weakening communities and growing groups, listing names of new believers, centers opened, and groups forming with a corrrespondent, and including teaching aids. Number of copies mailed each month has risen to 860.

Conferences: Believing that the value of conferences is two-fold—that of sharing ideas and of becoming better acquainted with our fellow-believers, two conferences were planned, in addition to the three called by the National Assembly. The first, held simultaneously in fourteen different locations, was geared to ‘‘winning over an infinitely greater number of recruits to the army of Baha’u’llah’’—how to find and confirm seekers. Total attendance was [Page 19]ANNUAL REPORTS

375. The theme of the second, yet to be held, is on Child Education. Youth conferences are also being planned in these same fourteen locations. Arrangements are being made for presentation of reports from Convention delegates.

Correspondence: A survey was taken early in the year, as to the strengths of various groups and small communities, and in which fields help was needed. This survey guided us in selecting material for bulletins and conferences, as well as individual letters. A report form included with bulletins enables us to have current information of membership and activities throughout the area.

Letters of welcome are sent to new believers, transfers, and to groups encouraging election of a correspondent, as well as acknowledging the many communications received. Appeals for settlers were sent to the larger communities, and groups and endangered communities have been encouraged to attain Assembly status. A study of the By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly has been suggested to groups nearing assembly status. Letters have been sent to all contacts in isolated centers, whose names have been referred to us.

Teaching Assistance: The committee still carries pamphlets for distribution to goals, small communities and individuals needing them, a lending library of books, scripts, and tapes, and a listing of available teachers. Four specific teaching projects were planned, one of which was a series of seminars in five locations, conducted by an Auxiliary Board member. Twelve assemblies did extension teaching work in fifteen different centers. Individual members of the committee have specific responsibilities of bulletin, contacts, speakers’ bureau and other offices, enabling full development of these fields of service.

Evaluation: The committee is fortunate in having good attendance at committee meetings, assuring full consultation. It is our opinion that as more of the groups and isolated believers channel activities and problems through area committees, and as all of us become fully unified in every phase of Baha’i activity, relying upon the Teachings and directions from the Guardian and

Hands of the Cause to direct our lives, and recognizing our individual and collective responsibilities, the goals of the World Crusade can be realized well before its conclusion in 1963.

NORTHWESTERN STATES (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana)

Members: Kenneth Bovee, Chairman; Helen Wilks, Secretary; Margaruet Bailey, Marjorie Bovee, Kenneth Martig, Virginia Martig, Hazel Mori, Goldie Neffew, Russell Neffew, Major Pigford.

New Believers Enrolled: Adult, 14; Youth, 3. One youth notified the committee of reaching voting age, bringing the adult total to 15.

New Centers Opened: In the state of Washington—Clarkston, East Wenatchee, Pullman, Tekoa, Port Angles, and Westport; in Oregon—Gilchrist, Milwaukie, Oregon City, The Dalles; in Montana, Kalispell, and in Idaho, Bliss and Lewiston Orchards. Total—13

One new group was organized in Snohomish County, Commissioner’s District No. 2:

The year’s work was highlighted by four teaching conferences, one in each state of the area, and given impetus by four separate teaching circuits, which also covered the area. A children’s teaching conference in Richmond Highlands, Washington, while providing weekend instruction for children, also provided laboratory sessions and seminars for both adult Baha’is and contacts in the essential and distinguishing features of the Faith, and an intregrated work, study, discovery process of unfolding them. Two adult contacts who attended from a new community have since enrolled, and another community whose status is also critical is finding its children’s classes are enabling it to reach a new circle of adults.

The Labor Day teaching conference at Salem, Oregon, again presented distinguishing verities of the Baha’i Faith, and the unique role of Baha’is in action to both Baha’is and close contacts in such a way as to stimulate planned inter-group teaching circuit with an exchange of teachers between Salem and Eugene, Oregon. Two contacts who attended have since enrolled in Salem. This conference also arranged for a youth

19

seminar simultaneously with conference sessions, conducted for the Area by Fon Luke, secretary of Seattle Youth Committee, with the gratifying result that youth activities in Oregon and southern Washington snowballed with the spontaneous arrangement subsequently of two additional week-end seminars, and the enrollment of several youths this year.

The week-end of the anniversary of the Bab’s Birth the committee divided forces, one-half journeying to Helena, Montana, and one-half to Boise, Idaho, where the same type of conference as presented in Salem, was conducted and the Guardian’s last message of October 1957, was presented. A ‘“‘Baha’i Philosophy of Education’? was also presented to friends and contacts and received with much interest and enthusiasm.

Resident Baha’is of our area used their vacations for teaching circuits. Mr. and Mrs. William Wilks visited isolated, groups, and small communities of Washington and Oregon during the early summer showing Temple and Haifa slides and sharing the convention report. During early fall Mrs. Margaruet Bailey and Mrs. Goldie Neffew made a_ circuit through eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana, visiting the friends and contacting many libraries. In late January and early February Mrs. Hazel Mori conducted intensive teaching in five cities of Montana, as well as participating in firesides in Wenatchee, Washington and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Having just completed one circuit into Oregon and Idaho, the first week end of March, Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Laws, African pioneers temporarily back with us, are touring the isolated centers of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, showing their African slides and inspiring the small groups and isolated Baha’is living in this remote area — Olympia, Shelton, Port Townsend, Port Gamble, Port Angeles, and the Makah Indian Reservation of Neah Bay where our one Makah Indian Baha’i, Nelson Greene has made arrangements through the Tribal Council for welcoming the Laws and their showing of slides.

A valuable contribution to the area work was a survey of all cities and towns in this area making it possible to supply information to any one on a moment’s notice. [Page 20]20

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE

Members: Francis Johnson, Chairman; Nancy Phillips, Secretary; Floyd Heaton, Marilyn Heaton, Wallace Heath, Cal Rollins, Janet Ward, N. F. Ward.

Enrollment in the Faith now includes one or more members of 16 American Indian tribes, with Chetco, Delaware, Nez Perce and Mohawk reported this year. At midpoint in the Crusade teaching contact has been made with 49 tribes including the recent addition of Creek, San Juan, Ottawa, and Washoe.

Noteworthy in the Indian teaching field are the continuing efforts of the 8 member Navajo reservation Baha’i group in northern Arizona and of the Laramie, Wyoming community where Mel and Charlotte Orlick assisted a Navajo couple, Robert and Carol Manuelito, to join the Faith on February 13. On the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina, Mrs. Ethel Murray has completed the writing of a simplified introduction to the Faith and a summary of Christ and Bahd’u’llah to use in teaching her Indian friends. Among those brought into contact with the Baha’i teachings by Charlotte Nelson and Norma Gimlin of Sparks, Nevada are members of the Washoe, Piute, Shoshone, Chippewa and Navajo tribes. Fruitful activities include a Navajo-English class and consultation on the principles of Baha’i Administration with the Neva-Dineh Association (young Navajos) at their request. On the Makah reservation in northwestern Washington, World Religion Day was observed with a public meeting planned by Nelson Greene, Baha’i youth and member of that tribe, assisted by Foster and Modelle Mudd, former pioneers. Close follow-up through the efforts of the Area Teaching Committee is anticipated.

Offering a ‘“‘Charm Course’’ for women of the Umatilla tribe by the Pendleton, Oregon Baha’i group has evoked the appreciation of the tribe’s leaders and resulted in receptivity towards Baha’i activities and teachings on the part of the Indian participants.

With the encouragement of the Nez Perce Tribal Council, Mrs. Lee

Fuhrman of Clarkston, Washington and Mrs. Birdella Mundy of Lewiston, Idaho have brought about a greater understanding of native Indian beliefs through inspiring a new public interest in the ancient pictographs (picture writing on rocks) in that area. Mrs. Fuhrman, a member of the famous Nez Perce tribe, and Mrs. Mundy, both Baha’is, have as a result of their warm acceptance by this group been able to share with them the teachings of progressive revelation and an understanding of the Indians’ contribution to this ageold process. Grace Dean, pioneer at Gallup, spent several weeks during June visiting 29 groups and communities in California speaking publicly on Indian culture and religion and to the Baha’is regarding pioneering opportunities in the southwest. In July Mrs. Meherengiz Munsiff of Washington, D.C., paid return visits to Gallup and the Hopi villages of Arizona under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain States Area Teaching Committee.

Pioneering highlights of the year include the move of Mrs. Edna Atkins from Omaha to Macy, Nebraska; Mrs. Roberta Wilson from Eureka Springs, Arkansas, to Window Rock (Navajo reservation), Arizona; Peter Terry from La Crescenta, California to Crown Point, New Mexico; Mrs. Jan Ruby from North Kansas City to Globe, Arizona; and Jennie Cummins from Bristolville, Ohio, to the Hoopa reservation in California. This committee is steadily adding to its fund of information regarding employment opportunities on or near reservations for the assistance of future pioneers. Openings for teachers, nurses, and doctors are in greatest abundance, with occasional opportunities available in other fields.

Weekend sessions of August 10 and several evening programs at Davison Baha’i Summer School were devoted to the subject of Indian teaching. Presented by Tim Rost, pioneer from Devil’s Lake Mrs. Janet Ward, and David Baral as committee representatives, the program consisted of films on Indian life, presentation of pioneering opportunities especially in the midwest, and workshops on new approaches to teaching. Geyserville and Green Acre Baha’i Summer

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Schools offered single programs on similar subjects.

On February 22 an Indian Teaching Conference sponsored by the Los Angeles Assembly and planned by its teaching committee took place in that city. This unique all-day conference offered the friends the inspiration of prayers and consultation, information on the conditions among Indians relocated in the city, an opportunity to visit the Indian Center, and, in collaboration with its Indian-Directors, determine the ways of service to be followed in the months ahead.

In March a translation of Baha’i Writings into Oneida, a dialect of the Iroquois group, was published under the title of “A New Day Comes’’, and, as in the case of the Cherokee and Navajo texts, is available to the friends without charge. Tape recordings of the latter have been made for the use of those teaching among the Navajos.

Many of the events herein recorded are developments of recent months, hopefully indicating an upsurge of service and teaching among the Indians. Even so, the number of areas remain limited and the workers few. Earnest concern is now turned towards those sections where special opportunities seem as yet unexplored. This committee stands by with its prayers and ready assistance for future efforts of the friends in the midwest, in the states of Oklahoma (historic ‘‘Indian territory’’), South Dakota, and New York.

BAHA’i INTERRACIAL TEACHING

Members: Mrs. Etta A. Woodlen, Chairman; Miss Phoebe Ann Bent, Secretary; L. Sherwood Closson, Treasurer; Mrs. Ethel Closson, Mrs. Louise B. McCorkle, Grant Hadden, Dr. John Taylor, Mrs. Sarah Taylor.

The inspiration for this year’s Interracial Teaching Committee program emanated from the Guardian’s letter received by last year’s committee stating the needs to be met in the area of interracial teaching. Attention in this year’s program was therefore focused upon the need for the individual to be himself free and unfeigned before teaching, as in the [Page 21]ANNUAL REPORTS

words of the Guardian in a letter dated October 27, 1957 . . “ultimate solution rests with the individual who has become imbued with the ideal of unity...”

Letters of commendation on the brochure and reports on varied programs have been received. Race Amity Day, June 8, 1958, the main feature of the year is still in the planning stage.

The highlight of the year is the increasing sense of urgency in the believer to overcome the invisible yet formidable racial barrier to achieve the oneness of mankind.

A pageant and a play have been submitted to the National Spiritual Assembly both in script and tape recording for review and possible use for Race Amity Day and other occasions planned for promoting the Cause.

BAHA’{i COLLEGE BUREAU

Members: Arthur L. Dahl, Chairman; Dwight Allen, Vice-Chairman; Miss Barbara Roberts, Mrs. Hazel Littman, Corresponding Secretaries; Mrs. Carole Allen, Treasurer; Fred Littman, Mrs. Joyce Dahl, Nosratollah Rassekh, Mrs. Valerie Rassekh, Miss Judy Phillips, John Miller.

Wishing to enlarge the scope and to intensify the teaching and contact work in colleges the National Spiritual Assembly established the Baha’i College Bureau in May of 1957, thus making this a function separate from the National Baha’i Youth Committee. Its function is to compile and coordinate all available information concerning Baha’i activities in colleges and universities during recent years; to plan and carry out contacts and teaching projects in colleges through a panel of Baha’i teachers approved by the National Spiritual Assembly.

The Bureau’s first endeavor was to compile information on past and present teaching at all colleges and universities in the United States to locate all Baha’i students. This information was recorded on Unisort punch cards which provide easy reference to various types of information. Requests for information were published in Bahd’t News and the Youth Bulletin and questionnaires were mailed to all local spiritual assemblies.

Catalogues of the 700 principal col leges were obtained and a partial analysis made of the courses which seemed adaptable to the inclusion of the Faith by the professor as a part of the course. These are courses on Comparative Religion, Philosophy of Religion, and other liberal arts courses.

A roster of individuals qualified to contact colleges and capable of addressing college audiences was prepared and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. These speakers are available to assist Baha’i students on campuses with public meetings and other teaching activities; they can be contacted through the Bureau.

A kit containing basic information on the Faith and some appropriate literature was prepared. These kits will be presented to the college professors by the above speakers designated by the National Spiritual Assembly as Representatives of the National Baha’i College Bureau.

In order to stimulate college teaching and to help the friends engaged in this activity, the Bureau prepared an article on ‘“‘Baha’i Teaching on College Campuses.’’ A copy of this article was mailed to all Baha’i students and other individuals interested in college teaching. A model constitution for Baha’i Clubs on campuses was also prepared, approved by the National Spiritual Assembly and distributed to those student groups which were ready to form clubs.

The College Bureau plans to publish a column in the Youth Bulletin, which will highlight college activities each month. The background material which has been gathered and processed will enable it to direct Baha’i students to those colleges where their efforts are most needed, to encourage existing activities and to provide public speakers as requested. The Bureau believes that the establishment of a club at all colleges where there are enough Baha’is is most desirable and will provide all assistance in their formation. A systematic attempt is planned to acquaint the appropriate college professors — and through them the student body — with the Faith of Baha’u’llah by direct contact and the distribution of kits and books.

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NATIONAL BAHA’i YOUTH

Members: Ronald L. Hauck, Chairman; Mrs. Helen H. Hauck, Corresponding Secretary; H. Wayne Steffes, Treasurer; Miss Carol Eggert, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Mary Frances Baral, Miss Evelyn Baral, Miss Judy Bernstein, Larry Cooper, Miss Jean Mickelson, Thomas Schwandes, Miss Helen Svendsen. (Miss Alda Rendina and Miss Betty DeNoma, members during part of the year, resigned to go pioneering, and Steven Suhm was replaced by Miss Evelyn Baral.)

Functions: To encourage teaching activities by Baha’i Youth; to assist in the development of local youth groups; to edit and publish the National Baha’i Youth Bulletin; to conduct an annual Baha’i World Youth Day; to arrange Youth Conferences; to make available teaching aids and suggestions for attracting and deepening youth; to assist the Area Teaching Committees in promoting youth participation in area conferences; to cooperate with the Baha’ College Bureau.

General: The Committee met 16 times during the year and published 7 issues of the National Baha’i Youth Bulletin. It sponsored conferences throughout the country and Baha’i World Youth Day on March 25, 1958. It further coordinated its work through Area Youth Committees, Area Teaching Committees, the College Bureau and local youth committees. In addition it worked out special plans to promote circuit teaching, improve youth participztion at Baha’i Summer Schools, assist the College Bureau, increase the number of local youth committees, compile references to youth from the Guardian, revise the files of the NBYC and promote local youth teaching.

New Bahd’is: Letters of welcome were sent to 75 newly enrolled youth, and greetings were sent to Baha’i youth transferring to the United States from other countries.

Area Committees: Six Area Youth Committees were formed this year, and the majority were active in promoting activity and conferences. The North Atlantic Area Youth Committees assisted other areas than its own. In some areas there were not sufficient youth members to form such committees. In these areas the youth work was coordinated by the Area Teaching Committees, the ma[Page 22]22

jority of which have one youth member on their body.

Youth Conferences: All national conferences were planned according to the desires of the individual areas. In most instances it was recommended that they be held in coordination with area teaching conferences. National conferences were held in eight areas. During the months of January through March the NBYC sponsored a special conference on the Ten Year Crusade for which it provided references from the Writings and a new method of conducting conferences. The conference to be held during the National Convention will be a seminar type and will deal with College Teaching, High School Teaching, Circuit Teaching, and Youth Bulletin, Local Youth Committees, etc.

Bahd’t Youth Bulletin: The first issue of the Bulletin was delayed due to a complete revision of the mailing list to eliminate the great number of returned copies and those who were no longer interested in having the publication. Thus a 20 per cent return was reduced to 3 per cent and only youth and others requesting the Bulletin now receive it. The format was changed, enhancing its appearance and reducing the cost. Miss Judy Bernstein has edited the Bulletin. Allan Ward has supplied the Teaching Column and a picture page has been added. Reporters have been appointed from every area, and the committee prints its own Bulletin by offset press.

Baha@’t World Youth Day: The topic for World Youth Day this years was: Society, Destiny and You. The primary purpose of the subject was to point out how materialism and racialism are infesting society and how the Cause of Baha’u’llaéh provides the answers to the world’s problems. The National Baha’i Youth Committee sponsored the World Youth Day program in Foundation Hall of the Temple on March 23.

Circuit Teaching: One of the first undertakings of the committee this year was to study and reorganize its files for the past ten years, to review summer school activities and to make recommendations for improving youth activity at the schools. It also compiled a list of references to Baha’i youth from ’Abdu’l-Baha and the Guardian to be reproduced

in booklet form. A list of colleges in or near goal cities was compiled and published to assist youth in pioneering and in college teaching efforts. A survey of local Assemblies was made regarding the teaching of Baha’i children with a view to helping to improve the early teaching of Baha’i youth. In this connection the committee consulted with the National Baha’i Child Education Committee, and published an article on Child Education and Teaching in the Youth Bulletin.

Through continuous striving in all of its functions, the committee is happy to report an increase of 660 per cent in the number of local youth committees. A teaching brochure has been compiled and is to be submitted to the National Assembly for approval. An active circuit program has been developed in 16 geographical areas, and inexpensive posters are now being prepared to aid in promoting youth activities locally.

NATIONAL BAHA’i CHILD EDUCATION

Members: Laurence LeRocque, Chairman; Mrs. Elizabeth Whitney, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. Vera Overeem, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Betty Fielder, Mrs. Minnie Hadley, Mrs. Jean Hutchinson, Mrs. Janet Rodgers Kaye, George Lange, Mrs. Ruth LaRocque, Miss Gwili Posey, Mrs. Jean Rankin, Carl Scheffler.

Functions: To survey and evaluate Baha’i material prepared for teaching children; to prepare and recommend new child education material for different age groups; to edit and distribute a child education bulletin; to promote child education activities in local communities; to conduct classes in the Temple for children of different age groups.

Major interest during the past year has centered in the ‘‘Baha’i Philosophy of Education” prepared by the committee a year ago. All three Baha’i Summer Schools held group discussions on this subject, and later submitted helpful suggestions and criticisms which will be of inestimable value in further development of the ‘‘Philosophy,’’ which we hope will be accomplished during the coming year. This study and analysis of the Baha’i viewpoint on education has enabled us to obtain a clearer understanding of our objectives in promoting the education of Baha’i children,

ANNUAL REPORTS

and serves as an excellent guide in the evaluation and development of teaching materials.

One of the most difficult, yet most rewarding, tasks of the committee is the publication of the Child’s Way, teaching bulletin for parents, teachers and children. Unfortunately, the national community did not respond as we had hoped to our campaign for the 600 subscriptions which are necessary to make the bulletin completely self-supporting, but the editors nevertheless have been able to publish regularly and on schedule. The October and December issues were especially valuable, we feel, in that they contained articles on ‘‘Science and Religion’? and ‘‘The Law of God,’’ both developed from the “Baha’i Philosophy of Education.’’ Some excel’ent stories have also been presented, as well as suggestions for teaching by audio-visual means through the use of charts prepared by a renowned Baha’i teacher.

Baha’i parents around the world write us of their high regard for Child’s Way, and the committee suggests that all friends attending the Convention and Intercontinental Conference in Chicago make a point of visiting the Child Education Committee booth where Child’s Way will be on display. Packets of all issues for the past year are available at $2.00 per packet.

In the area of Teaching Materials, the committee has now completed its revision of the ‘‘Comprehensive Study Outline for Children” and present indications are that it will be ready for publication within the next few months. The committee has concentrated its efforts on producing this outline, because, as the title indicates, it is suitable for children of all age levels and it covers a very broad area of the Teachings, from the Kingdoms of Creation through the Administrative Order. It has also been adapted to meet the new teaching challenge brought about by the passing of the beloved Guardian.

The Baha’*i Temple School continues to be an important and effective testing ground for new methods and materials, all of which are measured by the standards set up by Baha’wllah and the Master. The programs this year have centered on several themes: The Kingdoms of Creation and Progressive Revelation. Audiovisual techniques have been em[Page 23]ANNUAL REPORTS

ployed on a scale never before attempted, including films, slides, chalk talks, ete. Several non-Baha’i parents have now entered their children in theses classes because they feel the children will receive a much broader foundation here than elsewhere. The committee feels the techniques employed are successful even though we are necessarily restricted in our use of them by limitations of resources and facilities.

Program materials and techniques developed through this and other children’s classes, and employing the Baha’i philosophy of education, provide the basis for a ‘‘Handbook of Child Education”? which the committee is now preparing.

The committee feels very strongly that organized class work is only a very small part of the great task of child education, the major responsibility being that of the parents who must teach their children at home from earliest childhood. To be able to meet this responsibility, study, meditation, and prayer are indispensable. Every Baha’i parent should immerse himself in the Teachings in order to be able to convey them to the child both by word and action. Independent investigation is the key to success, for both parent and child.

THE BAHA’i WORLD EDITORIAL COMMITTEE (1954-1958)

Members: Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Chairman; Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Secretary; Mrs. Eleanor S. Hutchens, Recording Secretary; Dr. Garreta Busey, Mrs. Alice Simmons Cox, Mrs. Wm. C. Henning, Miss Pearl Pohl.

In this the final year of the period included in Volume XIII of The Bahé’i World, the Editorial Committee is concluding its assemblage of materials “from all available sources throughout the Baha’i World Community”’ for this volume. These sources now include twenty-six regional or national spiritual assemblies. During the past year photographs of first conventions held and first national or regional assemblies elected, together with reports of the conventions, have been received from eleven of the thirteen newly established in April, 1957. Photographs of the designs of the three Baha’i Houses of Worship to be

erected in Africa, Australia and Europe have also been received, and an attempt is being made to assemble photographs of all national Baha’i endowments thus far purchased as goals of the Ten-Year Crusade or as “supplementary”’ achievements.

This volume of the international record of the Baha’i Faith will contain the important last messages of the beloved Guardian.

Articles and reviews continue to be received. Reports and photographs of the Intercontinental Conferences occurring during the period covered by this volume will also be included.

The Editorial Committee deeply appreciates the fine cooperation of the regional or national spiritual assemblies and their representatives or correspondents appointed to aid this committee. It is urgently requested that all material for this volume be forwarded as soon as possible to the address of the secretary: Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, P.O. Box 285, Waukegan, Illinois, U.S.A.

UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE

Members: Mrs. O. H. Blackwell, Chairman and National Observer to the United Nations; Miss Isabelle Silk, Secretary; Mrs. Mary L. C. Burnet, Mrs. Audrey H. Marcus, Leslie Marcus, Frank B. Sawyer.

In 1957-8 the main activity of the UN Committee was to help the Baha’i communities plan their own United Nations Day celebration on October 24, or to cooperate with other organizations in a joint civic affair to promote a nation-wide observance of this day. Initially, an article appeared in the August BawA’i News requesting the communities to appoint a UN Day correspondent. All the local assemblies, groups and individuals who responded were mailed a mimeographed letter containing program ideas, Baha’i give-away literature suggestions, and a list of materials and films was appended. Also included was a kit containing booklets published by the Church Peace Union and the American Association for the United Nations, as well as other UN literature containing many program suggestions.

Although the UN Committee now

functions only nationally, we were very happy to respond to requests

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for assistance from Alaska, Canal Zone, Denmark, Finland, Hawaii, India and Tunis.

Reports of UN Day programs received from communities showed a wide variety of celebrations, all helping to promote international goodwill and understanding. These activities were reported by the local press, giving Baha’is worthwhile publicity and an opportunity for new contacts. A comprehensive report of these activities was printed in January 1958 BaHA’i News.

Human Rights Day, December 10, was the next UN anniversary to be celebrated. Another mimeographed letter with suggestions was mailed to all communities, groups and area committees. Since this day comes so soon after United Nations Day, only a few communities particiapted in a public observance of it, however, excellent use of the occasion was made by Baha’is who wrote “Letters to the Editor.’? These were published in Casper, Wyo.; Augusta, Georgia; Whittier, Calif. and Fresno, Calif.

In Provo, Utah, an excellent public meeting was held in a public school with a university professor and other prominent local personalities as speakers. This resulted in good local publicity. Other communities observed the day with teas and private meetings.

The UN Committee took this occasion to present a ‘‘United Nations Bookshelf’ to a branch of the public library in New York City. This gesture was not only appreciated, but it created such goodwill that the director of the branch library has invited the Baha’is to participate in their other programs.

In 1958 more emphasis will be laid on the Human Rights Day celebration, since this will be the tenth anniversary.

On February 22-27, 1958, a Baha’i delegation attended the United Nations NGO Conference at Headquarters in New York City. This was a good opportunity for our delegation to meet with internationally-minded people and join with them to promote better understanding of the work of the United Nations.

The committee has held regular meetings and our United Nations Observer has attended weekly briefing sessions at the UN Headquarters and the U.S. Delegation offices. [Page 24]24

NATIONAL BAHA’i PRESS SERVICE

Members: Alfred B. Reed, Chairman; Dorothea M. Reed, Secretary; Alice S. Cox, Editor.

Publicity releases and advertisements were written for the following special events approved by the National Assembly and listed in the June 1957 issue of Bahda’t News: Declaration of the Bab, Race Amity Day, Martyrdom of the Bab, Proclamation Day, United Nations Day, State Convention, World Religion Day, Naw-Ruz and the National Convention. ‘‘Letters to the Editor’’ were written for Memorial Day and Human Rights Day, other occasions for publicizing the Faith. At the request of the National Assembly two releases relating to the ascension of the beloved Guardian and the appointment of nine Hands of the Cause to reside in Haifa, were distributed to press representatives, who were instructed to use the releases only if their local papers solicited them for information on these two historic Baha’i events. Also, the committee was asked to write an ad “Going To Chicago?” for local use in order to encourage tourists to visit the Temple while in Chicago. The friends were requested to run the ad during the Summer, Fall and Spring.

In cooperation with the Baha’i Publishing Trust a book review on Christ and Bahd’u’lldh was sent to all press representatives requesting them to publicize the book, by presenting a copy to their library and to the book reviewer of their local paper.

590 World Religion Day posters and 5,000 World Religion Day statements were distributed and sold by the committee. A folder, ‘‘Your Newspapers and How To Use Them’’ was compiled and produced for distribution to press representatives.

The committee gave a one week course and a week-end seminar on publicity at the Green Acre Baha’i Summer School.

The Press Letter, which assists the press representatives in adapting the releases for their local use, reminding them two months in advance of the next special event on their press calendar, suggests ways to publicize the Faith in addition to these events and carries information

on coverage, was mailed out with each special event mailing.

The following Baha’i communities outside the United State requested the services of the committee: Alaska; Bahamas; Belfast, Ireland; Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Hawaii; Liberia, West Africa; London, England; Monrovia, Liberia; Puerto Rico; Tokyo, Japan; France; Guam; India, Pakistan and Burma.

Approximately 9,000 pieces of mail and 30,600 enclosures were distributed to press representatives and wire services.

We report the following areas of increase: 77 new press representatives; approximately 12% gain in coverage (column inches); a remarkable increase in small-circulation papers; a 57% increase in advertising with greater use of ‘‘Gleanings For The Press;’’ a significant number of articles on the Faith, on various aspects of the Baha’i teachings, and on the Temple. Of the 117 communities participating in World Religion Day, 39 cooperated for the first time. The press representatives display ingenuity and initiative in finding ways to proclaim the Faith, particularly in letters to the editor. It is heartwarming to learn that many of these friends never held a meeting, never placed a book in the library, never wrote a letter to the editor until they subscribed to the Press Service. It is also gratifying to be told that the Press Letter continues to be a source of inspiration and often is shared with friends at the Feasts.

We wish to thank those who have made the services possible this year; the National Assembly, the press representatives, the Baha’i Publishing Trust, the U.S. United Nations Committee and the Baha’i Interracial Teaching Committee.

NATIONAL REFERENCE LIBRARY

Members: Mrs. Gene Crist, Chairman; Mrs. Marian C. Lippitt, Secretary and Treasurer; Mrs. Juliet A. Cole, Miss Garnet L. Crawford, Miss Betty J. Dent, Mrs. Marjorie Greenway, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Miss Pearl Pohl, Miss Alma Sothman, Mrs. May Stebbins, Miss Lucile Whitney.

The project of preparing and assembling reference material has advanced slowly this year.

The majority of the Baha’i Con ANNUAL REPORTS

cordance has been completed in the rough and more than half of it checked. The portion checked consists of small concordances for sections of the books, and the work of combining these into one general file has begun. It covers all of Baha*u’llah’s Writings and a portion of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s.

Work on the Master Index has started but not much progress has been made as this is being done by volunteer workers who must first be taught the process. Over one hundred have taken assignments, but most of these write of being busy with more important service to Baha’u’llah. Seventeen have sent in their first efforts. As this work must be checked as it progresses, this represents considerable committee activity even though results are small.

Much study and work have gone into the preparation of the two special indexes on God Passes By and The Dawn-Breakers, but neither is finished. Preparation of an index for Bahd’t News from 1944 through 1957 has been directed by the committee but has met an unforeseen delay that will probably prevent its being completed this year.

The committee has mailed out over 250 copies of the mimeographed articles written by Mrs. Gene Crist as a ‘“‘bridge’’ from Christianity to the Baha’i Faith, and of her compilation on Teaching the Bahd’it Faith. Through the assistance of a friend, a special price was secured in the last printing of this material which netted the committee a profit on the sales and enabled it to operate throughout the year without using any of its budget. This was notwithstanding the purchase of a steel desk and files for housing reference material now and for future use in the Reference Library.

Twenty-four requests for information from reference material have been received and answered during the year.

Copies of Bahd’t News needed to complete two sets for the future Reference Library have been collected. by the National Spiritual Assembly, with the exception of a few issues which are no longer available. The Los Angeles Baha’i library made a valuable and much appreciated contribution to this collection. A copy of each new book has also been pro[Page 25]ANNUAL REPORTS

vided, thereby keeping complete and up to date the file of Baha’i books started for the library some years ago.

The committee appreciates the services of those who have assisted in the preparation of reference material and hopes that interest will continue.

SERVICE FOR THE BLIND

Members: Mrs. Amédée Gibson, Chairman; Mrs. Melba King, Mrs. Emely Y. Schiemann, Ernest Schiemann, (deceased as of December 19, 1957).

A great blessing was conferred on the committee at the very beginning of this Baha’i year through the placing of a Braille copy of The Story of Louis G. Gregory, Hand of the Cause of Baha’u’llah, in the recently integrated Maryland School for the Blind in Overlea. This was made possible through the cooperation of Albert N. D. Brooks, Secretary of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

When, in July, word was received of a large increase to our budget through the generosity of Mrs. Amelia Collins, Hand of the Cause, it became at last possible to publish in Braille, the revised edition of Bahd’u’llah and the New Era. In all, 40 copies consisting of three volumes each were printed and ready for distribution by the Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab.

In addition to the copies of the New Era sent to the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, gift copies were presented to the Division for the Blind of The Library of Congress and to 21 of their Regional Libraries, to the Hadley School for the Blind at Winnetka, Illinois, and to national libraries and other institutions for the blind in Australia, Canada, British Guiana, England, India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa. One copy was reserved for the Library for the Blind in Frankfurt. Space precludes mention of distribution of other Braille titles.

Completed transcriptions include one copy of Bahd’i Prayers, edition 1952, of Christ and Bahd’u’lladh, and of The Bahda’i Community; the work of transcribing Some Answered Questions and another copy of Christ and Baha’w’llah is progressing rapidly.

By May, several new titles should

be added to our lending library. These and many others will be vitally needed to supplement the books now in the non-Baha’j libraries for the blind in view of the ever increasing demand for religious literature and the teaching activities of the friends.

There is much work to be done and some oz it requires trained or experienced workers; therefore, we rejoice that several friends are now ready to obtain their certificate as transcribers.

Quoting from the many letters received, from British Guiana, a blind inquirer writes, ‘‘. . . above all, I would like to get these books . . I am ready to take the teachings... I beg to be remembered. . .”’ To his thanks for an Esperanto Braille copy of Prophecy Fulfilled the Director of the International Esperanto Museum in Austria adds their hopes “‘. . . for more Baha’i literature in printing and in Braille. This would help in spreading the Baha’i Faith ...’’ Mr. Nagaoka, Chief, Light House Central Library in Osaka, referring to the New Era, writes, ‘“‘. . . This is such a unique book that we are very glad to possess it. It will remain as one of the most precious one in our library: .°.””

The cooperation of the friends both here and abroad has been valuable and far reaching, and the committee is deeply grateful for the opportunity and privilege of sending the first shipment of Baha’i literature for the blind needed in Ethiopia, to the local Spiritual Assembly of Addis Ababa, in memory of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

SOUVENIR OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA

Members: Donald Vahid Kinney, Chairman; Mrs. Blanche Kaufman, SecretaryTreasurer; Mrs. Maude Gaudreaux, Mrs. Harriet Kelsey, Mrs. Vaffa Kinney, Robert Schmitz, Mrs. Amie Wright, Paul Wright.

The forty-fifth Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Baha was held on June 29th, 1957, at Evergreen Place, West Englewood, New Jersey, to commemorate the first Unity Feast given here by ‘Abdu’l-Baha on June 29, 1912. The attendance registered was 426 including Baha’is, thelr friends, and guests from all parts of New Jersey and New York.

25

The following program was presented:

IWUSI@ ee cee Mary Hasman, Soprano Harriet Morgan Kelsey, accompanist

Greetings and ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Address

given in 1912 ...... Joy Earl, Chairman Speaker -cccssee oc ss300sn Curtis D. Kelsey RETA G wee cre “The Baha’i Plan is the Solution to the World’s

Problems.”

Commemorative Service followed in the Grove.

Prior to the program many of the friends and guests enjoyed a picnic luncheon held on the Eastern Terrace in the spirit of unity and oneness.

Slides of the Temple, of the Holy Shrines in Haifa, and of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America were shown in the evening.

NATIONAL BAHA’E ARCHIVES AND HISTORY

Members: Carl Scheffler, Chairman; May T. Scheffler, Secretary; Harry Fiedler, William Lucas, DeWitt Haywood.

The National Baha’i Archives and History Committee have made progress this year in the establishment of order. We have received the following items during the year: 27 Letters of the Guardian, 4 Tablets of ‘Abdu’i-Baha, a ring of gold coin presented to a believer by the Greatest Holy Leaf, hair from the beloved head of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, 2 pieces of a rug which was used by ‘Abdu’l-Baha while in the home of a believer, a bit of sand from the Holy Tomb of Baha’u’llah, relics from a believer consisting of a piece of rock candy, a string of beads with locket containing a photograph of ‘Abdu’lBaha, also some flower petals. Material pertaining to the history of the Faith was also received.

In the historic section considerable progress in the matter of organization and indexing has been made, resulting in great saving of space. The problem of moisture within the vaults, which caused mildew, and also moth damage, has been greatly alleviated by moving the electric switch which controls the ventilation fans to the outer wall of the archives rooms. This enables the custodians to turn on the fans during the daylight working hours. The results are most gratifying. [Page 26]26

We suggest that the incoming Archives and History Committee continue the work of organization of the historical material along the lines now set up, with a view to establishing a cross file that will quickly identify and locate every document and article; that none of the authentic historical material be destroyed, but that when there are numerous copies of one article or paper these be preserved for possible archives that may be established elsewhere. We refer particularly to articles that have direct connection with the founders of the Faith, the Bab, Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and the Guardian, and also to books and articles that have come into our possession from the historic days in Persia, Europe or America.

The committee have not destroyed any papers or articles but have placed all in order so that it will be possible to establish an inventory and ascertain the extent of possible duplication.

BAHA’i NEWS EDITORIAL

Members: Mrs.. Eunice Braun, Chairman; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, Secretary; Richard C. Thomas.

The pages of Baha’i News during the past year have reported a series of momentous events unparalleled in the history of this publication: from the tragic, heart-breaking story of the passing of our beloved Guardian and the proclamation of the nine appointed Hands of the Cause of the Holy Land ushering in a new era of Baha’i history, to the joyous news of the start of construction of two Mother Temples on the African and Australian continents and innumerable brilliant achievements of the Ten-Year World Crusade on many fronts.

In the last month of his earthly life Shoghi Effendi delineated the function, goal, and technique of editing this magazine, for the fuller realization of its aim as a truly international news organ of the Baha’i World Community. His helpful instructions have proved of inestimable assistance to this Committee, and in forming a soundly-based editorial policy. Additionally, through his secretary he requested all national spiritual assemblies to appoint representatives responsible for send ing news items to the Baha’t News Editorial Committee on a regular basis, an action that will enrich the contents in the issues to come.

A further separation of international news and information from the National Spiritual Assembly primarily designed for Baha’is in the United States was realized with the publication, beginning with the February issue, of a U. S. Supplement to Baha’i News. Instructions for national teaching campaigns, appeals for homefront needs, the budget report and other national news for U.S. Baha’is will henceforth be found in this supplement, permitting the pages of Bahd’t News to fulfill their function as an international journal.

It has been the goal of this Committee to make Bahd’t News more informative and comprehensive, more interesting in design and illustration, and more inspirational and valuable as a chronicle of the world-wide progress of the Cause of God.

BAHA’f PUBLISHING TRUST

Mrs. Eunice Braun, Managing Director

The Baha’i Publishing Trust has completed its third year as an institution of the Faith with the largest distribution in its history, either as a Trust or previously as a committee. A total of 425,037 individual books and pamphlets were billed and shipped during the past twelve months, an increase of nearly 80% over last year, which was in itself a record year Some of this was due to special campaigns initiated by the National Assembly for items distributed by the Trust (detailed later in this report). Some new items that were outstanding sellers the past year are: The Secret of Divine Civilization, Bahd’i Answers, and the new edition of A Pattern for Future Society. The revised and redesigned Man One Family also met with a heavily stepped-up demand.

New Productions

New items completed in recent months not mentioned above are: Blessed Is The Spot and O Thou By Whose Name, two songs with music by Charles Wolcott; The Principles of Child Education in the Bahda’i Faith; Baha’t Calendar, 1958; and many new printings of previous

ANNUAL REPORTS

titles, several of them being considerably revised and redesigned.

Among some works that are in process at the time of this report are: Great Themes of Life, a book by Eric Bowes, Auxiliary Board member, which simply and clearly sheds the light of the Baha’i Revelation upon several of the most familjar and beloved Biblical themes; God, His Mediator and Man, consisting largely of a series published originally in World Order Magazine under the title, The Oneness of Mankind, by Doris McKay, with an essay also by Pritam Singh of India on the religions of the world. This study in comparative religion should be highly educational for Baha’is as well as being a useful teaching tool. A child’s book which beautifully illustrates the invocation, Blessed Is the Spot, is being prepared in three colors, with artwork done by Anna Stevenson. This book will be appropriate as a gift for children of all faiths. The Destiny of America, a prestige pamphlet, written by Stanwood Cobb, outlines the development of this country, stresses the spiritual leadership which ‘Abdu’lBaha stated it must eventually pursue, and will have an especially broad appeal for many types of people. Arrangements are presently being worked out with the publisher of the Marcus Bach book, The Circle of Faith, to produce a book based only upon the section devoted to Shoghi Effendi, with an introduction by Hand of the Cause, Horace Holley. It will be titled, Shoghi Effendi: An Appreciation. New, completely flexible, soft covered prayer books have been prepared in both the General and the Combined Editions. The Combined (complete text) Edition also has India (thin) paper so that both editions can now be easily carried in purse or vest pocket.

In the designing of several new pamphlets, book jackets, and sheet music, the Publishing Trust is very grateful to William Musler, and to Conrad Heleniak, who have given invaluable assistance.

Special Campaigns The first emphasis placed on mailing the reprint of the Marcus Bach article in The Christian Century resulted in a distribution of nearly 50,000 copies. Late in September a [Page 27]ANNUAL REPORTS

second campaign was initiated by the National Assembly to begin early in October, combining this reprint with The Lord of the New Age. Many difficulties had to be surmounted in preparing such large quantities of materials on such short notice, as well as in handling the increased distribution load. A total of 60,000 copies of each item were distributed during the three and a half month period of this mailing campaign. A special emphasis was placed on the use of the book, Christ and Bahd’u’llah, George Townshend’s last book, at the time of Convention and immediately following. Unfortunately the demand was created at a time when copies of the book were unavailable from England in sufficient quantities, creating an extremely acute problem for personnel in the publishing office, and necessitating a double workload in the way of back-ordering, separate billings, and hundreds of separate mailings of small parcels as the books gradually became obtainable. In addition to these special campaigns, ‘the Trust has cooperated with Baha’i Press Service, United Nations Committee, and other committees who have selected and emphasized certain pieces of literature for various special events throughout the year.

Advertising

In addition to an ad placed each year in the Trade List Annual, and titles listed in Books In Print and Publisher’s Weekly, the Publishing Trust placed a half-page ad in The Christian Century featuring Christ and Bahd’u’llah. Response to the ad was small but scattered throughout the country. A full-page ad was placed in The Sewanee Review, featuring George Townshend’s books, in memory of this Hand of the Cause who once taught at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, publishers of this Review. Through a donation from a New Jersey Baha’i, Phyllis Tonkonogy, a small ad on Some Answered Questions was placed in the New York Times Book Review, resulting in some orders for this book. There has been good response in the way of orders for the two books listed on the back of the pamphlet, What Is A Bahd’i, from all parts of the United States, indicating that this pamphlet is read by the public and creates further interest in the Faith for the reader.

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

Members: Miss Flora Emily Hottes, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Millican, Secretary; Miss Ruth E. Dasher, Charles Hornby.

States and territory making book

donations to libraries ............ 33 Cities in which such donations

WELCMMaGe 2.4 Mstee cab vy ores lewis 89 Total ‘book donations ....00..ss ee s0see 393

State with largest number of donations: Illinois, with 56 States with 25-31 donations: California, Indiana, Texas, Wisconsin States with 10-19 donations: Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington

Other states reporting donations: Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah.

Donations by Areas:

New England: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island ............ 29 North Atlantic: New York New Jersey, PONMSVAV ANIA. Sf acorajeepeverecie as 0 a eieteqies 26 Central Atlantic: North Carolina .... 5 South Atlantic: South Carolina, Florida, GROOT PIA To iia as scelelal stots lecesien ara Bik 0.» 0 ate alate 12

Tennessee Valley: Kentucky, Alabama,

Tennessee, Mississippi ............ 34 Gulf Thotlisianay Texas 1.50. oS dscns 32 East Central: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio

WSs i arn ttig east Ree os eel 42 Central: Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota,

TOW cfs soars cies ole Sinipierecres cers s aleaieree 96 South Central: Missouri, Kansas ....26 Rocky Mountain: Colorado .......... 8 Southwest: California, Arizona, Utah

train gt Spl oraieies eielans dielaterareaielalare 6 & 4 ewes 53 Northwest: Oregon, Washington, Idaho

a aiacacard avara Segem EDLs Seabees Sy cvacety ee giaTeeeees 29

Types of libraries served: University, college, and theological

Schools) sis cess eseisewwiee iG sd ae ee 55 Other educational institutions ...... 6 Public Aibraxnies! ¢ siajscecewaiss 05 oo eelerenes 56 Special (Hospital, YMCA, etc.) ...... 4 Ota gate... tele Shoe eee as Es oes 121

In some instances books were donated by local assemblies, groups and individuals to newspaper offices, radio stations, Chambers of Commerce, and churches, or to persons identified with such organizations. The National Spiritual Assembly sent out 88 copies of Christ and Bahd’u’llah to outstanding faculty members of theological seminaries and divinity schools, and to teachers of courses in religion in various universities and

27

colleges. Although a record of these is kept in the permanent committee files, the data are not included in the totals of the annual report, as they are not direct committee service.

The numerical report of the National Library Service Committee was augmented this year through the splendid work of the National Spiritual Assembly and the College Bureau, cooperating with local spiritual assemblies and groups to offer a basic collection of Baha’i books (Bahd’u’ll4h and the New Era, Bahd’t World Faith, God Passes By, Foundations of World Unity, Baha’i World Vo. XI) to libraries of many educational institutions, most of whom accepted the offer.

As always, the committee thanks all the believers whose interest and activity have made possible the promulgation of the Faith through the medium of libraries. Any records that have been received too late for inclusion in this year’s report will appear in that of 1959.

AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION

Members: Curtis Kelsey, Chairman; Archie G. Tichenor, Secretary; Burton Dezendorf, Joseph Noyes, Paul Wright.

Our committee has been rendering a service to the friends in many lands, and on many pioneering fronts supplying them with many new color slides and views of the Holy Land, Temple and ‘school activities.

With the passing of the beloved Guardian, like the friends around the world, we have endeavored to review our work and in line with the renewed spirit of rededication, revised all of our work, with the view to producing new and _ valuable teaching aids in many forms.

The first of these will be the new teaching tool, ‘‘Fundamentals of the Baha’i Faith,” of Mrs. Margery McCormick, an approved teaching set in three forms. The first of these will be a series of flip-over art cards accompanied by the script, in handy simple form for those who do not have slide and filmstrip equipment. This new set will be available for convention time. The slide set of the same material will follow and then [Page 28]28

a filmstrip of the same so that any method employed in teaching will have an available source material. The committee is still working on the new phonograph records of, “From the Sweet-Scented Streams,’’ prayer by Baha’u’llah, and the voice record of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. As soon as these are ready for distribution, announcement will be made.

The records of ‘‘Words for the World” are still available, in the two record set BLP. 51-52 for $5.00 containing the complete 16 four-minute broadcasts.

We have also made available new film reels of the old 35 mm. motion picture of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1912, but the new 16mm. black and white copy is a great improvement over the old film ‘‘Glory of Persia.’’

A complete display of all available audio-visual materials will be made at the convention, but no materials will be sold from the display. It will be necessary for the friends to mail all orders to the committee direct. It is suggested that the friends endeavor to have some one person in their own local centers handle audiovisual materials, as it is becoming increasingly difficult for the committee to handle so many individual orders for special pictures, etc. By this new means, each center could establish a library for distribution to individuals, thus enabling the AudioVisual Committee to deal with one person at each center.

Information as to tape recordings, new records, and other new productions can be obtained by writing the Audio-Visual Education Committee, and a copy of the latest bulletin release will be sent. The committee has found that sending out bulletins and supplements is too costly, and the mailing list changes so rapidly that it cannot be maintained with any degree of efficiency.

LEGAL SERVICE

Members: Paul E. Haney, Secretary; Horace Holley, Robert W. McLaughlin.

This committee advises the NSA on legal matters, assists local assemblies to secure the authority to conduct legal marriages and determine areas of jurisdiction, and individual believers to prepare wills in which the National or a local assembly is a beneficiary.

The most important legal matters dealt with this year have been:

1. The transfer of the Shrine and Mansion of Baha’u’llah to the Israel Branch of the NSA of the United States. Thirteen certificates of registration in the Land Registry have been received from the Custodians.

2. A resolution was adopted by the NSA supporting the legal authority of the Custodians to control the funds and properties held in the Guardian’s name.

3. A recommendation was prepared on Baha’i action in states controlling relations between whites and Negroes.

4. Local incorporations since May 1, 1957 include Cleveland Heights, Ohio, incorporated September 11, and approval of incorporation papers for Greensboro, N.C. and Waterloo, Iowa, both of which should be incorporated before April 29. This makes a total of 88 incorporated local assemblies in continental United States.

5. The right to conduct legal marriages has been granted in Texas and Tennessee, making a present total of 27 states plus the District of Columbia.

6. Forty-three cities plus the state of Rhode Island now recognize the Baha’i Holy Days, the latest being Pendleton, Oregon; Yakima, Washington; All Saints Tellers School, Fort Worth, Texas; Northbrook, IIllinois; Monona Village, Wisconsin; Meadowbrook, Illinois; and Paramus, N:J.

The friends are reminded that 100 incorporated assemblies are needed to fulfil the Ten-Year Plan; that it is most desirable to have some assembly in the remaining states secure authority to conduct legal Baha’i marriages, and that every local assembly having school children should apply for recognition of the Baha’i Holy Days.

7. The participation in Baha’i International Community of the new national and regional assemblies formed in 1957 will be reported by the NSA.

8. The NSA will also report on the lawsuit brought against the Village of Wilmette and the Temple Trustees in effort to prevent the construction of the Baha’i Home.

ANNUAL REPORTS

NATIONAL RADIO SERVICE

Members: Charles Reimer, Chairman; Mrs. Vivian Fellows, Secretary; Mrs. Anna Hanel, Mrs. Marjorie Kienappel, and Mrs. Dorothy Osthelder.

The function of the Radio Service Committee is to distribute the approved scripts and tape recordings to the communities and friends who wish to use them in firesides, public talks, or on the radio.

During the year three meetings were held for the purpose of electing officers, to discuss outlined programs in answering some letters received, and to ask the National Spiritual Assembly about funds so that new scripts could be made as well as to mimeograph again some of the old scripts.

Requests for material came from Hawaii, Africa, Canada, Puerto Rico, San Salvador, as well as the United States.

The demand continues for new material for use by communities which could have radio time if material is available. The pressing need at present is for scripts that deal with the Faith from the educational and current event point of view and if these scripts could have continuity from week to week the friends feel it would add to their programs.

We now have a list of the available scripts and tapes which we have asked the Bahda’t News to print so that communities can have an idea of material obtainable to fit their needs.

DAVISON BAHA’i SCHOOL

Program Committee Members: Sam Clark, Chairman; Mrs. Lois Nochman, Secretary; David Baral, Stanley Brogan, Miss Phyllis Hall, Hamilton Niss, Ralph Peotter, Mrs. Jane Rowe, Donald Streets, Mrs. Betty Weston, Miss Violet Wuerfel.

The Davison Baha’i School had sessions for almost ten weeks during the 1957 summer season. Five weeks were devoted to general sessions with the emphasis on family attendance. Four courses were given each week. One stressed the Creative Word, the Writings of Baha’u’llah. The second course was ‘“The World Crusade” with special emphasis on the Home Front. (Two of [Page 29]ANNUAL REPORTS

the World Crusade courses used the workshop technique.) The third course covered the general area of the Covenant and Administration. The subject area of the fourth was not clearly defined. These courses included a workshop on ‘‘A Baha’i Philosophy of Education,” ‘Prayer and Meditation,’’ and ‘“‘The Guardianship.”’

During the general sessions children’s classes were held at the same time as adult classes. Two teachers were used, and they centered their activities around prayers, short discussions of the Writings, and elementary handicrafts.

Four weeks during the summer were devoted to youth. The school opened with a two-week junior youth session for youth from 10 to 15 years of age. The emphasis during this session was on learning things which would carry over into the daily lives of the youth after they left the schools such as the habit of daily devotions, the ability to explain and teach the Faith to other young people. Two weeks near the end of the sessions were planned for youth aged 15-21. Notable during this session was the very successful use of two teachers just over ‘“‘youth age.’’ The program director for the junior youth session was Mrs. Etta Catlin; the director for the senior youth session was Miss Violet Wuerfel.

Interspersed between the general sessions and youth sessions were separate week-end sessions scheduled to present a complete program for those who could not attend the school for a full week. They included programs planned by the Indian Teaching Committee and carried out by a young pioneer to the Indians, Tim Rost; “Glimpses of the Guardian,” given by a young Persian, Moojan Khadem; and a very successful workshop on community teaching sponsored by the Ann Arbor community under the chairmanship of Eddie Howard. A public talk was given each Sunday of the session.

Homecoming was in many ways the climax of the summer. Over one hundred people filled the school to overflowing. The major part of the program was devoted to a study of Africa and its teaching opportunities, planned by the Africa Teaching Committee. Also on hand to make valuable contributions were Winston Evans and Mrs. Ruth Moffett.

Staff meetings were held regularly

in order to coordinate the program. A community meeting held each week set the tone for the session. During the senior youth week an evaluation questionnaire was distributed to each student.

Group and individual devotions received considerable emphasis as a means of revitalizing the American Baha’i community.

The highlights of the summer session are too numerous to mention, but a few stand out above others, especially an extended visit by the Hand of the Cause. Mr. Khadem and his family. He gave several inspiring talks on the Guardian and the power of the Cause. Mrs. Mary Magdalene Wilkins, just returned from Haifa, spoke on this critical period in the history of the Cause, in this country. Mrs. Carol Hautz and Mrs. Vivian Wesson gave wonderful personal views of the teaching work in Africa. Peter McLaren, another recently returned pilgrim, gave several very interesting talks about his pilgrimage as well as showing a beautiful collection of slides of the Shrines.

Unfortunately the attendance for the Summer Session was not good on the whole. What priceless opportunities the Baha’is have missed during the past summer by not attending the school.

The Davison Baha’i School also sponsors a winter session during the Christmas holidays. At the peak of the 1956-57 winter session there were more than 50 in attendance. The theme for the session was “Security for a Failing World,’ and classes were given on the World Crusade, Individual Responsibility in the Baha’i Community, Christianity in the Modern World, and Healing Methods revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

GEYSERVILLE BAHA’i SCHOOL

Members: Raymon Dones, Chairman; Mrs. Margaret S. Bustard, Secretary; Dwight Allen, John Bustard, Mrs. Ella Dakserhof, Mrs. Inez Dones, Mrs. Frances Fletcher, Mrs. Clare Irwin, Harry Irwin, Fred Littman, Mrs. Hazel Littman, Mrs. Beatrice Rinde, Miss Maryellen Simpson, Miss Maude A. Tollefson, Mrs. Johanna Vanoni, and Alfred Zahl.

The summer sessions of 1957 at Geyserville were the largest in the experience of the school. Total reg 29

istration for the six weeks was 466. Many came only for the weekends and hence are not included in this figure. It is estimated that approximately 10,000 meals were served from the cafeteria during the summer.

The Unity Feast, an annual event at Geyserville, was held July 14. The program was planned by the San Francisco Community. Many friends who have pioneered in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America spoke as well as those who have resettled on the Home Front. Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board of the American Hands, sketched the plan of the World Crusade.

The visit of Mr. Dhikru’lla4h Khadem, Hand of the Cause of God, from fran, was a most inspiring event, Many friends were able to come to Geyserville to hear Mr. Khadem’s message and to discuss questions with him. Mrs. Mary Magdalene Wilkin of Youngstown, New York, made a special trip to the School the last weekend of the summer to present the message entrusted to her for the summer schools by our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. Mrs. Wilkin presented the talk twice so that all could hear the important statements.

The adult program for this session included four basic courses: THE WORD (Sacred Writings of Baha’u’llah), THE PLAN (a survey of the World Crusade), THE INDIVIDUAL (what being a Baha’i means to every person), and MANKIND (the Administrative Order). These courses were repeated each week throughout the session. Workshops on subjects of interest to those attending were presented each afternoon. Some of the subjects covered in these hours were: ‘“Baha’i Philosophy of Education,’ ‘‘Teaching Methods,’ and “The Teaching of Children.’’

The Youth had one special class each day; they attended regular classes the rest of the time. The subjects covered during the summer were: “This Earth One Country,” ‘Living the Life,’”’ ‘“The Baha’i Community,’’ ‘‘Baha’i Administration,” “Tslam,’’ and ‘‘Teaching the Faith.”’

The program for children was a major part of the summer’s work. During the session 104 children attended making it necessary to present 72 class hours each week to meet their needs. The children were [Page 30]30

divided into four age groups and each group attended three classes each morning, Monday through Saturday. Devotions on Sunday mornings were given by the children. Special subjects were presented to those junior youth (12-14) who are approaching the decisive 15-year age. It was hoped that such special attention might help in preparation for declaration.

As in the past, the school offered library facilities to students. In connection with the library is the book shop. Book sales exceeded those of past years, amounting to $1,243.57.

Much work was done on the school grounds and buildings during the past year. The most noticeable improvement was the painting of Collins Hall. The interior of this building was waxed, Other improvements included the installing of a sprinkling system in the lawn, re-roofing of the Bosch House, new equipment in the cafeteria. Many Baha’is in the area gave their time in order that these maintenance tasks could be done.

This year has pointed up the need for many improvements in the facilities if the school is to continue its growth and if guests are to be accommodated adequately during their stay on the campus.

GREEN ACRE BAHA’i INSTITUTE

Committee Members: Mrs. Rene Welsh, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Swan, Secretary; Sam McClellan, Mrs. Nancy Mondschein, Harry Merson, Anselm Schurgast, Kenneth Kalantar.

Program Administrators: Dr. Garreta Busey; Mrs. Marian Mills; Mrs. Mary Burnet; Miss Kay Powell; Edwin Phelps, Youth Administrator; Mrs. Martha Kavelin, Hostess and Girls’ Counselor; Harry Merson, Treasurer (for the Committee and the Administrators).

Between July 1, 1957 and August 25, 1957, Green Acre Baha’i Institute held an eight-week summer session including a regular program for adults and youth and a program for children divided into three sections according to age groups. Special week-end programs included talks by Hands of the Cause, programs by national committees, and a mid-sum mer conference planned by the two Area Teaching Committees for the Northeastern States. Evening programs were arranged for both school attendants and the local Baha’i community. Good publicity throughout the summer appeared in the local press.

A variation from recent sessions was tried this year in the program for adults and youth. Instead of a number of courses each week, listed by title and teacher in the school program, one lecture course each week was planned and listed on the program. Group discussion leaders were provided to engage the students in small seminars in which they might study intensively together topics of their choosing during the remainder of the time available. It was the hope of the committee that this procedure would both give the students at the school a chance to be informed and inspired by the most capable teachers available, on the one hand, and to take mature responsibility for study and deepening on their own initiative, on the other.

Although the youth participated in the regular adult courses throughout the summer, special effort was made to provide extra recreational as well as educational activities appropriate to the abundance of available energy and enthusiasm characteristic of young people. This aspect of the summer program was felt to be perhaps the most successful of all. Other highlights of the season were the midsummer area teaching conference and the closing weekend of the school when Mr. Khadem, Hand of the Cause, inspired the entire attendance at the school for two consecutive days.

In attempting to give an over-all evaluation of Green Acre 1957, the committee feels that despite the difficulty in obtaining teachers and administrators, and the somewhat smaller-than-average number of students enrolled during part of the session, the summer was_ successful. The committee is still attempting to think through and formulate a satisfactory philosophy of education for a Baha’i Summer School, and it is still too soon to perceive what the real value of this year’s efforts in that direction may be.

ANNUAL REPORTS

WILHELM PROPERTIES MAINTENANCE

Members: Robert A. Schmitz, Chairman; Allan M. Kelsey, Treasurer; Richard T. Suhm, Secretary; John W. Behrens, James A. Brooks, Benjamin Kaufman, Donald V. Kinney, Curtis D. Kelsey, Mrs. Grace Weiss.

Functions: To maintain the Baha’i properties at West Englewood, New Jersey, under the supervision of the Wilhelm Trustees.

From June 15, 1957, when the Maintenance Committee assumed the responsibility for scheduling Baha’i activities for the Cabin, through Feb. 28, 1958, the following events were held on the Wilhelm properties:

Childrens Classes (Sunday morning) ..112 Adult Institute (Sunday Morning) .... 34 Devotional Period (Sunday Morning). 34

Depening: Classes) sis c% os ove waren 22 Teaneck Assembly meetings .......... 17 Teaneck: MEAStSi. ccc. «356 eas eee 13 Picnics, parties, socials .............. 8 Holy’ Day ODSELVAaNCES® o.. 6 a c:eicie:0:0:0:0.010 5 WOLD O AY Sttosteccrenenshi sles seldsis.e eercuicee 6 Weddings, (eeccwstcete os ncicestaoae cee ste 2 County-wide Baha’i Meeting .......... a Public WGC EB areata a icles elevalaratereitie ote 11 Total number of events ........0essss 268

The above does not include committee meetings held at the Cabin.

The Maintenance Committee, at the request of the Wilhelm Trustees, accepted the sole responsibility of maintaining the Cabin and properties. This responsibility had previously been shared with the Teaneck Assembly. The committee submitted an annual budget of $1,538.00, which tis itemized as follows: Maintenance of grounds $480.00, Fuel $312.00 Cleaning of Cabin $240.00, Gas & Electricity $108.00, Contingencies $300.00, Care of floors, $50,00 Water 48.00.

The committee received authorization to hire a part time caretaker, subject to the approval of the Wilhelm Trustees, who would live in the lower apartment on the properties, and would be required to perform 24 hours of work per week in exchange for a rent free apartment, heat, and water, plus a monthly subsistence of $56.00. This subsistence would be deducted from the budget allocation for Maintenance of Grounds and Cleaning of the Cabin. Mr. John Carré served as caretaker from Aug. 1, 1957 to Jan. 2, 1958. [Page 31]ANNUAL REPORTS

Mr. Alexander F. Shinley served from Jan. 11, 1958 to the presnt.

Projects completed during the current year included the following: Filling in the pools at the front of the Cabin, landscaping and planting grass in this area. The pools were filled because of their unsightliness, the difficulty in cleaning them and maintaining their cleanliness, and the everpresent danger to small children. A new water line was installed, connecting the Cabin directly to the city mains in order to increase the input of water to the Cabin—a condition which had been especially critical when large numbers of people used the properties. Installing an outside drinking fountain and pump in order that visitors to the properties would not need to go inside the Cabin for water. Filling holes, fertilizing, and reseeding

portions of the upper lawn in order to miake it more presentable. Taking preliminary steps to beautify and protect the lower grove, where ‘Abdw’1l-Baha conducted the Unity Feast in 1912, from erosion. Trimming bushes and removing a rose trellis near the duplex to further beautify the grounds. Starting construction of a stone path from the Cabin to the parking lot. The above were the major steps taken to enhance the beauty, increase the utilization of the facilities, and to improve the properties during the past year.

In addition, the committee drew up a caretaker agreement which specifically outlines the duties and responsibilities of the caretaker for proper care of the properties, as well as the responsibilities of the Maintenance Committee and Wil 31

helm Trustees to the caretaker.

The following projects are pending: Installation of a fence or hedge surrounding the parking lot and landscaping the land between the lot and the street. Completion of the stone path between the Cabin and the parking lot. Installation of additional telephone pole bumper stops in the parking lot and securing them so they cannot be moved. Improve drainage of water from the roof of the Cabin by increasing number of downspouts. Surface the driveway with an oil aggregate in order to eliminate the everpresent dirt and mud. Plan long range program for gradual landscaping of the area surrounding the Cabin ‘as well as the lower grove. Improve the heat retention and lighting in the Cabin. Install a permanent amplifying system in the Cabin. �