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The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of the United States and Canada
General Office: 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, New Jersey
LETTER FROM THE GUARDIAN[edit]
Concerning the problem of increasing the number of delegates at the Annual Bahá’í Convention; the Guardian wishes me to reaffirm the message he cabled to the N. S. A. a few days ago stressing the necessity of revising the basis of the national elections at this and subsequent conventions. He is convinced that the expansion of the American Bahá’í Community, involving the increase in the number of its Assemblies and other administrative institutions, necessitates a similar increase in the size of the electoral body responsible for the election of the N. S. A. It is obviously unfair and mathematically impossible to apportion ninety-five delegates among the seventy or more Assemblies already instituted. The principle of proportional representation governing the election of Convention delegates therefore can no longer operate, and unless a definite increase in the number of representatives is made the election of the N. S. A. itself would cease to rest on a secure foundation.
The advantage which such an increase presents is to broaden the basis of the N. S. A. by making it a truly representative body, and thus heighten the confidence of the believers in its authority. The National Assembly, being the highest administrative body within a country, is in absolute need of the full trust of the believers, who have the right as well as the obligation to see that the body under whose jurisdiction they serve should be a truly representative body.
In view of these considerations the Guardian feels that the time has come to revise the basis of the present representation at the Convention, by raising the number of the delegates from 95 to 171, which number represents nine times nineteen.
The question of the added expense and strain which this increase in the number of delegates entails can be solved by having those delegates who cannot afford to pay the expenses of the trip send their votes by mail. Aside from that, no financial consideration is of any importance when compared to so vital an issue as that of Convention representation which admittedly affects the very welfare and future growth of the Cause ...
The Guardian wishes me to convey to your Assembly his deep appreciation of their gift of the Temple model which, he hopes, will reach him in good condition, and which he plans to fit in a place that would be accessible to both the Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í visitors.—November 25, 1937.
“NOW IS THE TIME”[edit]
Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Beloved Friends:
In the Tablet revealed on April 8, 1916, inaugurating the mighty Plan by which the Faith is to be spread from America throughout the world, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá declared: “Therefore,
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now is the time that you may divest
yourselves from the garment of attachment to this phenomenal realm, be
wholly severed from the physical
world, become angels of heaven and
travel and teach through all these
regions.”
The Cause of Bahá’u’lláh has survived in America and increased in power and capacity during all these years solely because many Bahá’ís have, to some degree at least, attained the station of inward obedience to the Master’s assurance. For in effect He promised that the time has come when it would at last be possible to achieve the inward, spiritual condition requisite to service in the Faith of God.
The whole trend of human events since that date has been a violent,
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forceful and involuntary pressure upon
the human soul to abandon reliance
upon the material reality and seek the
realm of spirit. War and revolution,
hunger, disease and death have constituted the instruments through which
the Truth has demonstrated its resistless might to them who could not or
would not heed its gentle plea. The
same Will which voiced the supreme
paean of love in that passage beginning: “Release yourselves, O nightingales of God,” has likewise ordained
dire suffering and the overthrow of
civilization if the majority of men remain deaf and blind. The true believer and the unbeliever live physically
side by side in this material world, but
while the believer stands in the garden of blessed assurance, the unbeliever bows as before a raging storm.
These are the considerations which the National Spiritual Assembly feels should be uppermost in the minds of the friends in this hour. How to animate the body of the Cause with unswerving conviction, steadfast assurance and the blessedness of severance from the movements of the ego—this is the first, the supreme issue the American Bahá’í community is called upon to meet and solve.
The seven Year Plan is not self-operating. No scheme can be devised in the name of religion which can promote universal ideals by selfish, fearful and self-centered hearts. Every task given the Bahá’ís is for our own purification and spiritual reinforcement. Its blessed results for the world mean that the task has found workers imbued with motives raised high above the level of the worldly.
Any individual believer, and any community of believers, remaining aloof and indifferent to the Plan intended to unify and concentrate our souls and our resources is not walking upon the path that leads to inner success. The nature of fire is to burn. The nature of faith is to strive—strive endlessly and without discouragement—at the simultaneous spiritual and objective task. Where there is no striving there is no faith. No man can await the moment when he becomes perfect enough to serve the Cause of God. The intention of service is the only perfection human beings can ever attain. Has not the Master assured us over and over that knowledge comes as the result of loving the Teachings, that eloquence comes as the result of loving to convey the Truth, that courage comes as the result of upholding the Faith in an unbelieving world? No one is denied the superhuman results of faith, whether by poverty, lack of education or lack of social influence, but any one who is deprived has deprived himself.
What the National Spiritual Assembly longs to witness is a deepening of the inner life of the individual believers throughout the land. A number of communities give no evidence of the power of unity which is the fusion of the state of faith within the individual believers. Does any believer really wish to deprive himself of the blessing derived from participation in the most important task ever given to the American Bahá’ís? We may be ill, but the Cause is health; we may be poor, but the Cause is wealth; we may be downcast, but the Cause is joy; we may be dispirited, but the Cause is the source of life.
Can we not, therefore, in the spirit of real humility, turn back to the fundamental issues of the life of faith on earth and begin more consciously to demonstrate the reality of our acceptance of His Call? If we have attended meetings in an attitude of indifference or complaint, can we not feel a responsibility to bring enthusiasm and radiance? If our service has principally been one of objection and criticism, can we not bring loyalty and cooperation?
A Bahá’í community, large or small, is intended to be a garden, planted by the divine Gardener, revealing its blooms and releasing its fragrance to those lost in the arid desert of the world. These blooms and that fragrance reveal the presence of faith and consecration. Without them, a Bahá’í community is but a new name for the unredeemed waste of the desert itself. By the linking up of all the Bahá’í communities of East and West, the new World Order is to be attained. In that World Order lies the healing of all human ills.
These swiftly passing years write indelibly the story of our lives in the Day of God. Either that story will be one of faith or of unfaith. It will be one of service or one of impotence and stagnation. No one else can dictate to us the record of our inner life, for outer circumstance never restricts the motives of the soul. “Announce unto yourselves the joyful tidings: ‘He Who is the Best-Beloved is come! He hath crowned Himself with the glory of God’s Revelation, and hath unlocked to the face of men the doors of His ancient Paradise.’ ”
“IT MUST GO ON; CONTINUALLY GO ON”[edit]
The spirit increasingly animating the American believers is summed up in the quotation above from the Guardian’s recent letter to the National Spiritual Assembly. More and more the Friends are realizing the need for intensification of their efforts in the short time left us to accomplish the goal set before us. While the momentum our teaching services is gaining, is carrying the Faith ever wider and wider, yet we all must agree, the efforts most of us are putting forth, are not yet in keeping with the high standard desired by the Guardian. Let us keep ever before us, these dynamic calls of the Guardian, so that each and everyone of us, to the extent possible, may arise, that the outposts of our Beloved Faith, already persecuted in Europe and Asia, may in America steadily advance, adding new luster to the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Teaching Committee wishes it were possible to bring to each and every Bahá’í in America, a full consciousness of the almost unbelievable manner in which the Confirmations of the Holy Spirit are reaching those actively serving in this pioneer work. Reports from one end of the country to the other carry account after account of the manner in which doors are opening, and the teaching work confirmed. In not one instance of the efforts to introduce the Faith into virgin territory, has there been failure; and in most instances the results are truly astonishing. Where are those souls who leaving their home ties will go forward as pioneers of the New Day of God, and through sacrifice become the media for the quickening power of the Word of God for struggling humanity today. Greater numbers of inspired souls must arise if we are to carry knowledge of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to every state in the United States, every province of Canada, and every Republic of Central and South America before May 23, 1944.
The outposts of the Faith have been extended, since the reports published in the January BAHÁ’Í NEWS, into Wyoming, North Carolina, and Nevada; while in States having Spiritual Assemblies, the Faith has been introduced into new cities, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Celina, Ohio.
Mrs. Ruth Moffett, of Chicago, spent approximately one month in Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Despite severe weather, and numerous obstacles which had to be met and overcome, a series of public meetings were held in Laramie and Cheyenne, displays of Bahá’í literature held, and a detailed broadcast concerning the
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Faith made from the largest station in
the Inter-Mountain Territory, from
Greeley, Colorado. As a result of
these sacrificial services of Mrs. Moffett, assisted so capably by the Lillywhites of Laramie, there is now an active study class in Laramie and an inquirers’ group in Cheyenne.
Mrs. Edna Johnson and Mrs. Oni Finks of Los Angeles, are now in Las Vegas, Nevada, actively teaching the Faith. Mrs. Finks visited Las Vegas early in December, doing “follow up” work with the interested ones left there by Mrs. Terah Smith last spring. The reports indicate active interest in the Faith, and it is hoped an enthusiastic study class will be established.
Just now Mrs. Terah Smith, with Miss. Marguerite Reimer are in Raleigh, North Carolina, working diligently to establish the Faith. Insufficient time has elapsed since their arrival to know the results of this teaching effort, but it will be shared with the Friends in subsequent statements in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
The Spiritual Assembly of Lima, Ohio, carrying out the plan of the National Assembly that each Spiritual Assembly introduce the Faith in a new city this year, has conducted a series of public meetings in Celina, Ohio. A study class has been formed and is being actively followed up by the Friends in Lima.
The Binghamton, New York Assembly, has undertaken the establishment of the Faith in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A lecturer in popular psychology friendly to the Faith, has turned her classes over to the Bahá’í Teachers. Assisting the Binghamton friends, was Mr. Harlan Ober; and now Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives. Mrs. Ives has conducted a series of public lectures, and it is interesting to note that the attendance increased as the lectures proceeded. Lectures have been given before other organizations and group meetings organized by interested ones.
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Miss Marguerite Reimer, and Mrs. Gale Woolson, as reported in the January BAHÁ’Í NEWS, spent six weeks in North and South Dakota doing “follow-up” work, and teaching in new cities. This trip covered 4.500 miles by automobile; over 33 lectures given; the Faith introduced into four new cities; the study class in Lead, South Dakota, strengthened with five new members, and a class left in Huron, South Dakota. Of outstanding interest is the fact that many lectures were given in schools and colleges. At Spearfish, South Dakota, for instance, a lecture was given before the student body of the Black Hills Teachers College; attended by 175 students, 25 members of the faculty, and 2 clergymen. Free literature was distributed to those present; while a photograph of the Temple, exhibited on the Bulletin Board for a week, was placed in the collection of famous art and architectural pictures of the School. One of the clergymen present entitled his sermon the following Sunday, “Christ and Bahá’u’lláh,” reading to his congregation from the pamphlet “Principles of the Bahá’í Faith.” The other clergymen present invited our two youthful teachers to speak to the Epworth League and then to the entire congregation at the evening service. When questions were asked after the services, and some seemed antagonistic, this minister assisted by saying, “I am satisfied with Christianity, but not with Christians. If this is right, we want to know about it.”
The Dakotas seem to be responding to the influence of the spirit released through the teachers who have visited those States. Mrs. Margarite Breugger is now teaching in Fargo, Bismarck, Valley City, and Northwood, North Dakota. The following quotation from one of her recent reports, will prove of intense interest to all the Friends:—
“I think the greatest confirmation I have had thus far happened in Bismarck. After I had finished speaking at one of our meetings, one of the ladies came to me and almost insisted that I met Governor Longer. She said she would gladly arrange it. Needless to say it was the most extraordinary reception I ever experienced in presenting the Message. The Governor not only listened intently, but gave the impression that he was glimpsing a new world; a world he could not comprehend, perhaps, yet felt was real. The following evening he called me on the phone, asking if he might call, as he wanted to hear more about the New World Order. He came and we talked solidly for two hours.”
Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Ober have been most active in spreading the Message. Mrs. Ober’s services in Toronto were outstanding, even to the extent of attracting new souls to the Faith, so it may be possible for the Toronto friends to organize into a Spiritual Assembly in April of this year. Mrs. Ober is now in Louisville, Kentucky, where she will remain for some time, to renew the teaching work in that important city. Mr. Ober visited Binghamton, Syracuse, Ithaca, New York; Scranton, Pa.; Toronto, Canada, and a number of cities in northern Michigan.
Louis Gregory is now at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, where many doors are opening for the spread and establishment of the Faith. A few extracts from recent reports will convey the manner in which the work is going forward. “The President of Tuskegee has twice invited me to his home, the second time for a dinner conference which lasted two hours. At the close he warmly shook hands and said it was a very helpful message.” “The chief assistant to the Chaplain, a Baptist clergyman, has done wonders to help, even leaving me in charge of his pulpit while away, with freedom to give the Message.” “During the meetings, the Y.M.C.A. Secretary, who has the Esslemont Book and accepts the message, prayed a most eloquent prayer of thankfulness for ‘the New Star of Bethlehem that has arisen.’ ” “Passing by a home one day I was called by a lady student who had heard a Bahá’í lecture in one of the classes. ‘Come in and meet my husband, Prof. Otis, who is head of the Agricultural Department.’ This led to an impromptu meeting; and also led to a lecture today before the Agricultural Department. Now we have started two regular weekly meetings and are hoping for another. There appears to be a considerable number who are more than superficially interested.” “I feel that the Most High, Bahá’u’lláh, who has showered so many signs of His Blessings on this famous community, is now willing to give them a further blessing of Divine Knowledge and spiritual outpouring.”
One of the most outstanding examples
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of the divine confirmations is the
manner in which the Faith has found
deep roots in Moncton, New Brunswick. Twelve have signified their acceptance of the Faith by sending in
the usual registration cards. A regular class of 25 is being held, while children’s class is held each week. Following the intensive teaching work of
Mabel Ives and Rosemary Sala, Mrs.
Dorothy Baker is spending the month
of February in Moncton, to assist the
friends in their deepening processes in
the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. The following extracts from letter from the first
new Bahá’í of Moncton, Mr. W. F.
Byrne, will indicate how deeply the
spirit has touched these new souls:—
“I am the first declared Bahá’í in this district, and am very proud of it. ... This Faith is the biggest and grandest thing that has ever entered my life, something which I had been in search of for twenty long years; and I, indeed, feel it an honor to be associated with this great work. Words cannot describe how I feel about it, but perhaps when I tell you I intend to dedicate my life to this noble Cause, you will more readily understand than any words I might use.”
- NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE.
ANNUAL BAHA’I CONVENTION[edit]
1938[edit]
| Participating Communities |
Delegates |
Phoenix, Arizona | 2 |
Berkeley, California | 1 |
Geyserville, California | 1 |
Glendale, California | 2 |
Los Angeles, California | 10 |
Oakland, California | 2 |
Pasadena, California | 2 |
San Francisco, California | 5 |
Montreal, Canada | 2 |
Vancouver, B. C., Canada | 2 |
Colorado Springs, Colorado | 1 |
Denver, Colorado | 1 |
New Haven, Connecticut | 2 |
Washington, D. C. | 5 |
Jacksonville, Florida | 1 |
Miami, Florida | 2 |
St. Augustine, Florida | 1 |
Augusta, Georgia | 2 |
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1 |
Maui, Hawaii | 1 |
Chicago, Illinois | 18 |
Evanston, Illinois | 1 |
Park Ridge, Illinois | 1 |
Peoria, Illinois | 3 |
Springfield, Illinois | 1 |
Urbana, Illinois | 1 |
Wilmette, Illinois | 2 |
Winnetka, Illinois | 1 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | 1 |
South Bend, Indiana | 1 |
Eliot, Maine | 2 |
Baltimore, Maryland | 1 |
Cabin John, Maryland | 1 |
Boston, Massachusetts | 5 |
Springfield, Massachusetts | 1 |
Worcester, Massachusetts | 2 |
Detroit, Michigan | 3 |
Flint, Michigan | 1 |
Lansing, Michigan | 1 |
Muskegon, Michigan | 2 |
Minneapolis, Minnesota | 1 |
St. Paul, Minnesota | 1 |
Kansas City, Missouri | 1 |
Jersey City, New Jersey | 1 |
Montclair, New Jersey | 2 |
Newark, New Jersey | 2 |
Teaneck, New Jersey | 5 |
Binghamton, New York | 2 |
Buffalo, New York | 1 |
Geneva, New York | 1 |
New York, New York | 17 |
Yonkers, New York | 1 |
Cincinnati, Ohio | 1 |
Cleveland, Ohio | 4 |
Columbus, Ohio | 1 |
Dayton, Ohio | 1 |
Lima, Ohio | 4 |
Toledo, Ohio | 1 |
Portland, Oregon | 3 |
Philadelphia, Pa. | 2 |
Pittsburgh, Pa. | 1 |
Nashville, Tennessee | 1 |
Monroe, Washington | 1 |
Seattle, Washington | 3 |
Spokane, Washington | 1 |
Kenosha, Wisconsin | 3 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | 11 |
Racine, Wisconsin | 3 |
| ____ | |
| 171 |
DAY OF THE COVENANT OBSERVED BY NEW YORK BAHA’I COMMUNITY, NOVEMBER 28, 1937
RADIO COMMITTEE[edit]
Too often in our travels we hear the words, “I have never heard of your Faith.” Could a nation-wide radio effort lift the veil of obscurity still hovering over some of the areas of this continent? Figures lead us to believe that it could. In the United States and Canada there are 741 radio stations. It is estimated that there are about 24,414,300 radio families in all.
The Radio Committee suggests a plan, approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, for carrying on, under the supervision of the Regional Committees, a canvass of radio stations, with a view to initiating regular and sustained radio efforts everywhere. Regional secretaries are invited to write to the committee (care Mrs. Dorothy Baker, 615 W. Elm St., Lima, Ohio), for lists of stations and operators in their areas, and for talks ready for distribution. A thorough canvass of stations may reveal many stations, which, like Monson, Mass., and Lima, are happy to accept, free of charge, educational and devotional material for unfilled time on the air.
In addition to the thirty talks listed in December BAHÁ’Í NEWS and the 1937 New York series, the following talks are offered: “The Principles of the Bahá’í Faith,” “The Law of the New Day,” “Once Again God.” Four hundred and fifty talks have been sent out to twenty cities, and some splendid reports have come in from individuals and groups.
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Outstanding has been the report of
Vancouver, B. C., where eleven weeks
of radio presentations replaced the
previous method of advertised weekly
meetings at a center. The plan included three fireside groups which met
on the evening of the week on which
the radio talk was given. These groups
offered opportunity for tuning in, discussion and study. During the fifteen
minutes of radio presentation, invitations to study were announced, the
aims and purposes reviewed, and Bahá’í subjects covered. Vancouver’s
subjects will be listed in the next report. Some interesting results are
listed by the Vancouver friends. Five
non-Bahá’ís requested groups to meet
at their homes on different occasions
during the eleven weeks of the program, and approximately forty other
individuals reported as having listened
to the broadcasts. As a result of the
interest created among non-Bahá’ís,
the Local Spiritual Assembly has arranged for a class to study more deeply the profound spiritual and administrative teachings. This class will meet
on twelve consecutive Thursdays, and
will include 45 non-Bahá’ís.
Vancouver points out the following values of radio as a medium of teaching:
- A speaker is made available to a larger audience than would otherwise be possible.
- Radio provides means for unlimited development of outlying districts. (The Vancouver program was heard in three outlying districts, West Vancouver, Port Angeles, and Vernon.)
- Developed as in the case of Vancouver, it combines the advantages of the intimate fireside with the public approach.
- It makes possible a wider use of a few good speakers.
- It makes possible the use of writers who may not be able to speak well over the air.
- It allows every Bahá’í to take part in one way or another.
- An audience is obtained with comparatively little initial effort.
- There is a psychological stimulus to the entire community in taking part in a modern method of teaching.
The Radio Committee rejoices in
this unusual achievement, and invites
all to send in reports, however brief,
of similar work in the radio field.
- DOROTHY BAKER, Chairman.
BRAILLE COMMITTEE[edit]
The Committee on Braille Transcriptions urgently begs the believers who may be interested in this branch
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of the teaching work to come to the
aid of the Braille Committee whose
aim is to give to the blind—those who
are dependent for their reading upon
touch alone—the Bahá’í literature
transcribed in Braille.
The Guardian has most earnestly endorsed the Braille work, but for its promotion transcribers are seriously needed.
There is much to do and we need help in the work. What could be accomplished by many workers is impossible to only three. The joy in transcribing the Words of Bahá’u’lláh is abundant reward for the effort and time expended in acquiring the Braille system.
We hope to hear from many volunteer workers.
- CONSTANCE MARTHA RODMAN, Chairman.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE[edit]
A necessary explanation is made of the new discount arrangement published in the previous issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Net items, and subscriptions to World Order Magazine, are not to be included in the orders of $10.00 or more on which a discount of 10% can be allowed. Postage, however, is prepaid under this new schedule.
Through gift of World Unity Magazine, the Publishing Committee can offer a few complete files of World Unity in the form of unbound volumes I to XV complete, at $15.00 per set. Orders should be sent direct to the New York office of the Publishing Committee for this particular item, as the available copies are stored in New York.
The Publishing Committee has been authorized to make the following special offer for a period of ninety days: a complete set of the six successive volumes of The Bahá’í World can be obtained for $7.50 net, postage prepaid. The price of the individual volumes, ordered separately, remains unchanged.
Bahá’í Prayers: a new edition of this 10c paper-covered booklet is under way and copies will soon be available.
The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, by Shoghi Effendi: Work has begun on the publication of the Guardian’s successive World Order letters in book form. The publication date will be announced later. The book will be of the same size and general style as “Bahá’í Administration” but bound in fabrikoid. The price will be $1.50 per copy.
GREEN ACRE[edit]
Preliminary Announcement[edit]
July 2—September 6, 1938[edit]
Subject to any necessary revisions in speakers and dates, the following Green Acre Summer School Program is announced for the 1938 season.
July
- 2, 3, 4—The Future World Commonwealth, Mountfort Mills.
- 5-9—Education, Stanwood Cobb.
- 11, 12, 13—New Virtues, Genevieve L. Coy.
- 14, 15, 16—Bahá’í Administration, Kenneth Christian.
- 18, 19, 20—Universal Peace, Marion Holley.
- 21, 22, 23—Individual Responsibilities, Siegfried Schopflocher.
- 24-31—Youth Week.
Youth Program[edit]
July 24—July 31[edit]
- 9:00 A. M.—Devotions.
- 9:15 A. M.—The Bahá’í Life, Dorothy Baker.
- 10:00 A. M.—Talks by youth on some of the major Bahá’í books: Gleanings, Elizabeth Shook; Mysterious Forces of Civilization, Ida Noyes; Iqán, Joseph Noyes; Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Marvin Newport; The Dawn-Breakers, Mae Graves Dyer.
- 11:00 A. M.—The Relation of the Bahá’í Faith to Modern Civilization, Mountfort Mills.
Program of social activities during Youth Week will be announced.
August
- 1-6—Comparative Religion, Marzieh Carpenter.
- 8-13—Community of the Most Great Name, Mamie L. Seto.
- 15-17—Prayer and Meditation, Lorol Schopflocher.
- 18-20—Prayer and Meditation, continued, Gita Orlova.
- 22-27—Spiritual Development, Dorothy Baker.
- 29—September 3—The Transformation of Human Society, Horace Holley.
The above courses begin at 10:30 A. M.
September
- 4—Peace Pageant.
- 5—Labor Day, special program.
Weekly Meetings
- Sunday, 11:00—Devotional, Harlan Ober, Chairman.
- Sunday, 8:00 P. M.—Public Lecture.
- Monday, 8:00 P. M.—Readings from Bahá’í Literature, Doris Holley.
- Tuesday evening—To be announced.
- Wednesday, 8:00 P. M.—Moving pictures, etc.
- Thursday, 8:00 P. M—Games in Inn auditorium.
- Friday, 8:00 P. M.—Round table discussion, Mrs. Coristine, Chairman.
- Saturday evening—Dancing.
- Saturday, 3:00 P. M.—Teaching seminar, Mable Ives, Chairman.
- Weekday mornings—Prayer and meditation, 9:30 A. M.
Arts and Crafts[edit]
Mrs. Nancy Bowditch is director of arts and crafts activities, and her plans will be announced later. Classes in the Studio will not conflict with the Study Courses.
Rates and Reservations[edit]
The Green Acre policy calls for a schedule of rates which will make it possible for the greatest possible number of believers and friends of the Faith to attend the Study Courses and share in the privilege of assisting in the development of this Bahá’í Summer School.
The weekly rate for board and lodging has been fixed at $12.00 for dormitory rooms and up to $18.00 for rooms on second and third floors of Inn, except the four corner rooms, on which the rate is $20.00.
The special rate for Youth Week is $10.00, provided that forty or more youth enrollments are received.
MRS. GREENLEAF IN MIAMI[edit]
Elizabeth Greenleaf is extending her teaching work in Florida, and would like to hear from believers who have teaching opportunities she might fill. Her address is Hotel Roberts, Miami.
LOUHELEN SUMMER SCHOOL
1938[edit]
Preliminary Outline of Program[edit]
First Youth Session
June 26-30[edit]
- 7:30—Prayers conducted by youth.
- 8:00—Breakfast.
- 9:00-9:30—Practice of meditation and prayer, conducted by Mrs. Mamie Seto.
- 9:30-10:30 A. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Talks and discussion planned and conducted by Urbana Youth Committee.
- This course is designed to give a clear picture of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, comparing it with other Administrative orders, showing how it partakes of democracy, autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy, theocracy, and the hereditary principle, but is distinct from any of these and will never degenerate into any of them.
- B. Fundamentals of the Bahá’í Faith, Leader to be announced.
- This course is designed for younger members of the group and those just beginning to study the Bahá’í Faith.
Recess, 15 minutes.
- 10:45-12:00—The Bahá’í Life. A method of character building. Conducted by Rosemary and Emeric Sala, talks and discussions.
- This course will show how the good life of the individual and hence the good society is obtained by following the laws of Bahá’u’lláh such as fasting, prayer, abstinence, cleanliness, marriage laws, interpretation, work, guarded speech (backbiting), etc.
Afternoons.
- 1:00-2:00—Discussion of unfinished questions in morning periods and any additional questions which may arise.
- Conducted by youth.
- 2:00-5:00—Organized recreation, in charge of youth committee.
- 6:00—Supper.
- 8:00-10:00—Evening Entertainment, in charge of youth committee.
- 10:00-10:30—Evening devotions, in charge of youth.
Second Youth Session
July 3-7[edit]
The same courses will be given as in the first lesson for those who come only for this session. It is expected that many will remain for both sessions. For these study and discussion will be arranged which will be a continuation and more thorough treatment of the above subjects. Leaders to be announced.
Laboratory Course
July 10-19[edit]
This course is new. It is designed for young and mature, for all those who desire a more thorough knowledge of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, especially for those who desire to study intensively the theory and practice of Bahá’í teaching work. It is hoped that it will rapidly develop and fulfill the desire of Shoghi Effendi that we “Raise the standard of studies, so as to provide the Bahá’í student with a thorough knowledge of the Cause that would enable him to expound it befittingly to the educated public.”
The following subjects are suggested:
- Material necessary to Bahá’í teachers (i. e., facts of administration, history, spiritual aspects, etc. )
- Relation of teachers to the administrative order, that is, to local Assemblies, teaching committees, etc.
- Public speaking.
- Publicity.
- Arrangement of meetings.
- Contacting new people, editors, libraries, etc.
Leaders to be announced.
General Session
August 20-28[edit]
- 8:00—Breakfast.
- 9:00-9:30—Devotions, Lessons in prayer and meditation, conducted by Miss Pearl Esterbrook.
- 9:30-10:30—The Laws of Bahá’u’lláh, conducted by Allen McDaniel.
- This course will consider such laws of Bahá’u’lláh as pertain to personal living, such as prayer, fasting, refraining from alcoholic drinks and opium, marriage and
divorce, cleanliness, chastity, courtesy, backbiting, education, interpretation of the Holy Books and other laws and show how obedience to these laws makes not only new individuals but a new society.
Recess, 15 minutes.
- 10:45-12:00—Divine Government, leader to be announced.
- This course will study the laws which Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (and interpreted and developed by Shoghi Effendi) have given for the local, national and international Houses of Justice, considering especially the relation of the individual to the local Assembly and to the National Assembly, the local Assembly to the National,
- the place of the Bahá’í teacher, the relation of the individual and the community to the Guardian and to the Universal House of Justice, the elements of other forms of governments found in Bahá’í government and a picture of the future Bahá’í Commonwealth or Kingdom of God.
- Afternoon, lecture or discussion. Class in Islam, Heshmat Alai. Evening, lecture or entertainment.
YOUTH COMMITTEE[edit]
Third Annual World Bahá’í Youth Symposium, Sunday, February 27, 1938[edit]
Final Notice[edit]
Opportunity—We are growing opportunity-conscious. We as Bahá’ís know that the uniqueness of Bahá’í youth is in our opportunity in this age of great spiritual wealth to acquaint young people with the pattern of life which youth will have to follow as indicated in the teaching of Bahá’u’lláh. On Sunday, February 27, 1938, Bahá’í youth groups all over the world will sponsor public Symposiums with special adaptations of the outlines and topics which were presented in the December youth bulletin. The Guardian has asked for exceptionally intense and unified effort in the activities of Bahá’í youth. We see within the World Symposiums a unique opportunity to render this service.
Publicity—Youth groups throughout the world have received suggested Symposium publicity, prepared to attract the reality of youth and adults as well. We shall spare no effort in getting this publicity in print.
Radio—For the past two years the Committee has tried to make arrangements for the Youth Symposiums to be broadcast over a national network. Perhaps in another year this will be possible. For the present, we are all exerting our utmost inventive genius and initiative in local effort to obtain time on the air for speeches and spot announcements. “We shall find a way or make one.”
Cablegram—A cable with the number of groups and the number of countries participating will be sent to the Guardian on Bahá’í Youth Day.
Letter to the Guardian—Two letters of greeting to the Guardian have been sent to each Symposium center for Bahá’í youth signatures, one for the National Youth Committee files, the same as last year, and one to be sent in the scrapbook to the Guardian. Be sure and have every Bahá’í youth sign both letters.
Youth Bulletin—The Special Symposium Issue of Bahá’í Youth will be published early enough for purchase and distribution at the Symposiums. This issue will be edited particularly for use as a teaching medium, and the Committee is urging that each community send copies to all interested youth and youth leaders in its locality as part of the Symposium program. Order extra copies, 10 cents each, foreign rate, 15 cents each, from Mae Graves Dyer, 211 Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, New York. It is suggested that you present a copy of Bahá’í Youth to each newspaper receiving the news release.
Scrapbook—A permanent record of these world-wide Symposiums will be compiled by the National Youth Committee and forwarded, through the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, to Shoghi Effendi in the form of a scrapbook containing the general message signed by young Bahá’ís at each symposium, photographs, publicity, and detailed accounts of every session.
Reports—Symposium reports from this country should be sent to Zeah Holden, 48 Terrace Avenue, Albany, New York, and those from other countries to the international secretaries. Reports should include:
- Both signed letters of greeting to the Guardian.
- Photographs, 2.
- Printed programs, 2.
- Newspaper advertising and publicity, 2 sets.
- Written reports, preferably typed on standard-size typewriter paper, under the following headings:
- Time and place.
- Previous conference, if any.
- Program—chairman, speakers, subjects, readings, music.
- Size of audience—reaction.
- Any other information.
- Suggestions for improvement.
The Symposiums are not over until your detailed reports with specified enclosures are carefully typed and submitted as you would have reports submitted to you.
The National Youth Committee takes this occasion to thank each and every Youth Day participant for his exhilarating cooperation. It has been a great pleasure to work with you. Together we look ahead to the consolidation of the Bahá’í Faith!
MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
On January 22, 23 and 24 a meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Baker, Lima, Ohio. From four to six P. M., Sunday, January 23 the members had the privilege of consultation and discussion with believers of Lima and friends who had come from Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati and other cities to the number of nearly one hundred. On Sunday evening a public meeting was held in the ballroom of Hotel Argonne, Mountfort Mills presiding. After a brief talk on Progressive Revelation by Horace Holley, Allen B. McDaniel delivered an illustrated lecture on religious Temples, culminating in the Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette. An audience of about 250 persons filled the room to overflowing.
A Temple model, lent to the Lima Assembly, was exhibited at the public meeting. The model had previously been placed in a public window where it attracted great attention.
ASSEMBLY ROLL[edit]
Glendale, Calif., the Secretary is Mrs. Juna S. Larsen, 461 West Vine St.
Kansas City, the address of the Secretary, Miss Opal Howell, will be 1301 Brush Creek Blvd., after March 1.
New Haven, Conn., the address of Mrs. Elsa Isaacs, Secretary, is now 559 Whalley Ave.
Yonkers, N. Y., the address of the Secretary, Miss Lillian Stoddard, is now 6 Hamilton Ave.
Rockford, Ill., the Spiritual Assembly has been dissolved by reason of the fact that there are now less than nine believers in the city.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Washington, three. Kansas City, one. Miami, two. Geyserville, one. Vancouver, four and one youth. Geneva, one. Teaneck, five. Los Angeles, five. Jacksonville, one. Peoria, one. Columbus, two. Monroe, one. Detroit, one. Glendale, three and one youth. Lima, six. Worcester, two. Winnetka, four. Philadelphia, five. Phoenix, two. Eliot, six. Boston, three. Seattle, three youth. New York, five and one youth.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It confereth the
[Page 8]
gift of everlasting life.—Bahá’u’lláh.
- Mrs. Mary A. Meredith, Buffalo.
- Mrs. Margaret Lyons, Colorado Springs.
- Mr. Dudley J. Stevison, Chicago.
- Mr. Gordon Hall, Fernandina, Fla.
- Mr. Howard Fenton, Akron, Ohio.
- Mrs. Andrew Fleming, Brooklyn.
- Mrs. Cordie C. Cline, Yuba City, Calif.
- Mrs. Mabel Nickerson, Chicago.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS[edit]
The following appointments and revisions of the Committee list are reported:
Geyserville Summer School, Charlotte Linfoot should have been included in the announcement of this Committee appointment when first published.
Regional Teaching Committee for New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Mrs. Annie Romer added.
Contacts, Mrs. Jacob Kunz unable to serve. Mrs. Gertrude Atkinson added.
Regional Teaching Committee for Kansas and Missouri, the address of the Secretary, Miss Opal Howell, will be, after March 1, 1301 Brush Creek Blvd., Kansas City.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF BOOK BY JULIET THOMPSON[edit]
Toward the end of March, the Robert Speller Company, New York, will publish a novel written and illustrated by Juliet Thompson entitled “I, Mary Magdalen.”
Permission has been given by Shoghi Effendi to report in BAHÁ’Í NEWS his reference to this book, written in letters addressed to Miss Thompson, as follows:
“In this connection may I express the Guardian’s deep sense of gratification at the news of your projected work about Mary of Magdala. He hopes and prays that through this publication many people of capacity and of true spiritual insight will be attracted to the Message.”—March 31, 1935.
“Now with regard to your book ... Shoghi Effendi is pleased indeed to learn of the possibilities of having this work published very soon. Its importance, as he has already assured you, as an indirect medium for the spread of the Teachings is very great and will surely be appreciated by the believers. It is hoped that with their whole-hearted support and cooperation this little volume will reach many circles and will serve to draw the attention of many distinguished and spiritually-minded people towards the beauty, power and effectiveness of the Message.” —July 31, 1935.
Copies may be obtained from the publisher or local bookstores after publication at the cost of $2.50.
FOR CONSULTATION[edit]
The National Assembly would like to suggest from time to time a few questions suitable for discussion at Nineteen Day Feasts, and also, perhaps, at meetings of local Assemblies. They will be presented in occasional issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS as suggestions, for such action as each local Assembly may care to take. The aim is to attempt to cover the range of duties and responsibilities assumed by local Assemblies and communities in order to stimulate fresh and helpful discussion. No reports are requested by the National Assembly on such discussions. The hope is rather that by more careful analysis of its current activities, the local Assembly and community may strive for greater capacity in service.
Three questions are now proposed, as follows:—
- What proportion of the community is active in service? Can the inactive believers be inspired to appreciate their God-given opportunities as members of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh?
- Do Committee appointments make use of all available talent and resources among the friends? Are the inexperienced and timid encouraged to attain the spirit of action?
- Does the Assembly consider the National reports and statements of plans published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS? Are they brought up for consultation at the Nineteen Day Feast?
NOTICE[edit]
Letter from The Eloist Ministry[edit]
A number of local Assemblies and also individual believers have reported the receipt of a form letter dated December, 1937, issued by The Eloist Ministry and headed “To Friends of the Bahá’í Faith.” A copy of a pamphlet or magazine entitled “Inspiration” was enclosed with the letter.
Such communications will no doubt be received more and more frequently by believers as the Faith attains power and influence. The friends are advised to consider the difference between services rendered to the Cause by a non-Bahá’í organization, and invitations extended to Bahá’ís to contribute to an organization which can not possibly reproduce the functions of the Bahá’í administrative order.
Bahá’ís can admire and be grateful for any organization arising to convey Bahá’í teachings to the general public, but at this time they surely can not be expected to divert their energy and resources to the upbuilding of non-Bahá’í public facilities. The advice of the N. S. A. is consequently to disregard such communications which involve solicitation of funds.
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND[edit]
Opening of Summer School[edit]
A happy thought on the part of the committee was to arrange the formal opening of the Summer School during Convention period. The establishment of Australia’s first Summer School marks an important step in the progress of the Cause in this country. This has been accomplished through the generosity and enthusiasm of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Bolton. They have built a country house at Yerrinbool some 70 miles from Sydney with the idea of a Summer School being conducted there on the lines of those in America as far as local conditions allow. The opening ceremony took place on Sunday afternoon, May 2nd. Delegates to the convention and friends to the number of about 100 assembled and a program consisting of addresses and prayers was carried out under the chairmanship of Mr. Bolton who performed the opening ceremony. A number of trees were planted and tea was served. The full text of the report cannot be included in this issue for want of space. The School will work in cooperation with the Sydney Spiritual Assembly but with its own special committee.
