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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
“DRAW NIGH UNTO BAHA’U’LLAH”[edit]
Shake off, O heedless ones, the slumber of negligence, that ye may behold the radiance which His glory hath spread through the world.—Gleanings, p. 103.
They whom neither merchandise nor traffic beguile from the remembrance of the Almighty, they that speak not till He hath spoken.—Gleanings, p. 129.
Meditate on what the poet hath written: “Wonder not, if my Best-Beloved be closer to me than mine own self; wonder at this, that I, despite such nearness, should still be so far from Him.” ... By this he meaneth—his heart, which is the seat of the All-Merciful and the throne wherein abideth the splendor of His revelation—Gleanings, p. 185.
That the heart is the throne, in which the Revelation of God the All-Merciful is centered, is attested by the holy utterances which We have formerly revealed. Among them is this saying: “Earth and heaven cannot contain Me; what can alone contain Me is the heart of him that believeth in Me, and is faithful to My Cause.—Gleanings, p. 186.
Were any man to ponder in his heart that which the Pen of the Most High hath revealed and to taste of its sweetness, he would, of a certainty, find himself emptied and delivered from his own desires, and utterly subservient to the Will of the Almighty.—Gleanings, p. 343.
I have, moreover, with the hand of divine power, unsealed the choice wine of My Revelation, and have wafted its holy, its hidden, and musk-laden fragrance upon all created things.—Gleanings, p. 328.
How great the multitude of truths which the garment of words can never contain! How vast the number of such verities as no expression can adequately describe, whose significance can never be unfolded, and to which not even the remotest allusions can be made!—Gleanings, p. 176.
I beseech Thee, O my God, by Thy Name ... to write down for every one who hath turned unto Thee ... the recompense decreed for such as speak not except by Thy leave.—Prayers and Meditations, p. 293.
“THE GRACE THAT SUSTAINS”[edit]
With this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS is included a special insert reprinting the Guardian’s messages received since January 10, 1936. The friends are asked to note carefully that the last two messages in the series—the letter dated September 10 and the cablegram dated September 24, 1938 are now published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for the first time, though both were immediately sent to the local Assemblies.
With reference to these successive messages, establishing and developing the Seven-Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly sent to local Assemblies the following statement in the October bulletin:—
“While we have all read and meditated on these messages singly, their meaning and power as a whole are overwhelming. In letter after letter, cablegram after cablegram, Shoghi Effendi has developed the theme of devotion, sacrifice, understanding and mighty action for this very period of the severest danger humanity has ever suffered. The existence of the Bahá’í Community itself, and its destined capacity to become the instrument for the release of God’s blessing of world order and peace, depend entirely upon our individual and collective response to these directions, warnings and supreme appeals. Nothing can diminish the authority and influence of Divine truth, but that authority can and will be exercised through others if we, the present community of believers and servants, fail to perform our holy task.
“Therefore the National Spiritual Assembly, profoundly conscious of the gravity of the hour, implores the local Assemblies, communities and groups to grasp and incorporate in their very souls the vital import of the Guardian’s words. Shoghi Effendi has created a new and higher reality for the American Bahá’ís. He summons us to such heroism and such unity as we have never achieved before. This station of the true Bahá’í and of the true Bahá’í community must now be realized on earth, here and now.
“Let the Spiritual Assemblies appreciate the vital nature of their responsibility; let all individual Bahá’ís, without exception, seek consecration for service to the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Let suitable occasions be made at once for the study of Shoghi Effendi’s words. Let individuals steep
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themselves in the successive messages,
for the enclosed reprint will be sent to
the entire American Bahá’í community in the next issue of BAHÁ’Í
NEWS. Let there be daily prayer. Let
the Nineteen Day Feasts, the Anniversaries and every teaching meeting be
illumined with the Light of Faith and
the melting enthusiasm of determined
action.
“What lethargy has seized us, to permit the Seven-Year Plan to lag so seriously behind its schedule? Are we sick or crippled, in this, the Day of God? Is there not a Remover of difficulties, a Healer, a Divine Physician Whom we claim to love and obey? Beloved friends! The religion of God has been revealed not to make us complacent, but to teach and inspire us how to act and how to achieve! A few Assemblies, stirring with this new influx of power, have already raised their standard of sacrifice for the National Fund. Can any Assembly, community, group or individual believer dare to remain outside the creative, protective and accomplishing spirit which the Guardian symbolizes and by his words, conveys?
Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
“Now, in order to unite and concentrate the devotion and energy of the entire American Bahá’í community, the National Spiritual Assembly appeals to have November 12, the Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, observed with an ardor that will consume every veil of irresolution and of spiritual ignorance, that by the Divine power the American Bahá’í community may be completely transformed. Every believer should resolve to attend, and attend in that humility which is essential in those who approach the Throne of God. Not words but inward and outward deeds now determine the station of faith in Bahá’u’lláh. The National Spiritual Assembly longs for the privilege of sharing with the Guardian the news that his repeated appeal has at last enkindled the flame of sacrifice in the heart of America!”
“Loyalty to World Order”[edit]
The cablegram received September 24 is clearly more than any re-emphasis laid on the importance of the Seven-Year Plan. The Guardian here calls upon the American Bahá’í community to separate itself in heart and soul from the disturbances seizing upon the peoples, races and nations, and manifest, individually and collectively, the true Bahá’í attitude upon current world events.
One realizes that the channel of
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION—10
Four sides of the gallery section were completed by October 1, and the remaining five sides are expected to be finished before winter weather interrupts the work
grace that sustains the System of God’s ... Order will be clogged if we fail to
heed this vital command. It is apparent that Bahá’ís are to act and speak
as true Bahá’ís during these crucial
times, not descending into the dark
vortex which is, actually, separation from God. It is not our part to be victims of mass psychology in these days
of despair, but to reflect that Light
that shines to illumine the regeneration
and the unification of the world of
mankind.
To a lesser degree, the same forces sundering the peoples and nations are likewise making for division within each nation, and therefore the command applies to conditions in this continent and not merely to international affairs. The spirit of the Faith implies voluntary and complete aloofness from all elements of dissension and political influence, local, national or worldwide.
But co-equal to the warning stands the all-powerful assurance that obedience widens and deepens the channel of that Divine grace! Bahá’ís are to be amazed by the power of the Faith in these times, awed by its victory through any and every pure instrument, even the weakest and humblest soul.
The Guardian’s cablegram is a message to the entire American Bahá’í community. May we all be completely loyal and responsive to this impressive command.
- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
“HEARTENED (BY) MESSAGE”[edit]
The following cablegram was received from the Guardian on October 14, in reply to a cabled message sent to
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him from the National Assembly gathered at Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Heartened (by) message. Praying
added fervor, deepened longing, acceleration Temple construction, increasing momentum teaching force. May
both culminate (in) placing, (at) appointed time, final contract heralding
consummation (of the) hopes born
thirty years ago (in the) hearts (of
the) American believers.”—SHOGHI.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TEACHING BUDGET[edit]
The friends will have noted in the June issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS that one of the three major items of the 1938-39 Budget is $30,000 for teaching in North and South America. Due to past confusion in our understanding. of the teaching budget, the National Spiritual Assembly has thought it well to point out that budgeting is based, not upon the actual possession of funds, but upon the analysis of what amounts are needed to accomplish the work. Budgeting does not make such amounts available, and teaching projects can be financed and funds voted only as the believers make this possible.
Last year, for example, the National Budget called for $30,000 for teaching; yet only $11,000 was actually spent. It might be of further interest to know that the teaching fund must cover all expenses connected with the National Teaching Committee, the Regional Committees (twelve in number), the Inter-America Committee, the distribution of free literature, the Library Committee with its placements of literature in public libraries, and the financing of Summer School programs.
Surely it is evident that we, as American Bahá’ís, cannot fulfill the Guardian’s great hopes for us, nor transpose into the world of actuality the glorious pattern of the Divine Plan, without that supply of funds which “constitutes, at the present time, the life-blood of these nascent institutions you are laboring to erect.” And these are the further words which Shoghi Effendi has addressed to us: “Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and attachment to the Cause.”
- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
“THIS OPPORTUNITY OF TEACHING”[edit]
It is now some three months since the arrival in this country of Shoghi
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION—11
Closer view of completed gallery sections. One or two pylons may also be finished before winter. The final work on this contract will go forward rapidly in the spring of 1939
Effendi’s stirring announcement that
“ ‘the time of the end,’ ‘the latter
years,’ as foretold in the Scriptures,
are at long last upon us.” In the heart
of every believer the impact of these
words has reverberated for weeks, and
each of us is seeking to understand
them, to relate them to the events
which surround us, to discover those
“depths of consecration” which conceal
the secret of our future persistence,
obedience and faith. Now, at this moment, the prophetic warnings of the
Old Testament arrest us as never before, since we are the very people of
this Book, that “generation of the half-light” whose lives are set, by the will
of God, in the midst of “a time of
trouble, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same
time ....” (Daniel, 12)
One miracle of this opportunity of teaching, the immense scope of which we can gradually perceive as we meditate upon the Tablets Of the Divine Plan, is that our exertions are now, and will increasingly become, the very source of life to this fated generation. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.” (Amos. 8) To ease this restlessness, to assuage the pangs of such distress, to be providers for the hungry offspring of earth’s most terrible famine—this is to teach the Cause of God today. Shall we not, therefore, receive in eagerness the news of every advance along the vast frontier of our teaching program, as it penetrates not only into pioneer territories but into new areas of deprivation, wherever they exist?
The news of greatest import for the unfoldment of the Seven-Year Plan is
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BAHA’I HALL, GREEN ACRE
the growing activity of groups of the
friends. For not by individual effort
alone, no matter how sacrificial, can
this monumental labor be accomplished. The heights to which heroic
individuals may arise will continue to
stimulate, to shame, or to inspire us
all to a like standard of dedication.
But only when each unit of our Administrative Order attains the full orbit of its activity, when every local
Spiritual Assembly is reaching out for
wider responsibilities of teaching, when
Committees are functioning in wholeness and efficiency, when each Bahá’í
Group is pressing forward to achieve
its natural goal of Assembly status, and
when the whole body of the Cause in
America is performing in vigor, part
linked to part in a mighty movement
of coordination—only then will these
two continents feel the full pressure of
the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. It is thus
with great joy that we note the signs
of this very symphony of motion.
The Binghamton Assembly has extended its interest from its own community to neighboring cities, notably Scranton, Syracuse and Ithaca. During June and July speakers including Mrs. Inderlied, Mrs. Terah Smith, Mrs. Palmatier, and Mrs. Vergason were sent on several occasions to Scranton, and two carloads of the Binghamton friends joined the new Scranton Bahá’ís in a farewell picnic for the Ives. A three-day youth conference was held in Binghamton the end of May, with an average attendance of fifty, including representatives from New York City, Syracuse, Scranton, and Ithaca, five of whom became confirmed believers during the sessions. Nor has this widened scope lessened the local activities of the community, for Binghamton was able to send forty-seven to the annual picnic at the McDaniel Farm, to meet for informal suppers and discussion on an average of three times a week at the summer cottage of Mrs. Noyes, and now starts the coming season with a new Center, seven students preparing for membership, and the determination to double its numbers within the year. In this resolve Scranton and Syracuse likewise share.
The Lima Assembly maintains a Contacts Committee of nine which last Fall began pioneer work in adjacent towns. Lima now reports the acceptance of the first three believers from Celina and Montezuma. Also, a home has just recently been opened for a Bahá’í study course at Wapakoneta.
Atlantic City has been added to the roll of Bahá’í Groups through the tireless efforts of the Philadelphia Assembly and seven believers are now meeting weekly.
A new Group has also been announced at Hinsdale, N. H., as the result of the fusion of seven isolated believers of Hinsdale, Ashuelot, and Bernardstown.
An application for Group status has come from Arlington, Va., a pioneer state, where several former Bahá’ís of Washington are now living.
It is hoped in each of these localities that the friends may find such stimulus in community functioning as to enable them speedily to grow into local Spiritual Assemblies. As Hinsdale has written: “We have considered ourselves a Group for some time, but believe we feel more a unit already for just getting ourselves organized.”
While on this subject, the work of the Madison Group claims mention, in arranging two fifteen-minute broadcasts for Marguerite Reimer on Stations WIBU and WIBA. Her subjects were “The Bahá’í House of Worship” and “The Objectives of the Bahá’í Faith.” It was estimated by the latter station that its broadcast had a listening audience of seventy thousand.
Perhaps the most interesting use which any of us has yet made of radio is planned jointly by the Vancouver Assembly and the Regional Teaching Committee of that area. By employing a larger station than was last year used in the series prepared by the Vancouver Assembly, it will be possible to reach all fireside groups in British Columbia simultaneously with ten weekly broadcasts, developing a presentation of the Faith which can be used as a basis for further local study and discussion. Congratulations to Vancouver for initiating a teaching method of prime importance!
The report of the Regional Committee of Alabama and Florida contains heartening news of the penetration of the Cause into the South. A weekly newspaper for colored people, The Florida American, has recently been started in Gainesville, Fla., by two Bahá’ís, Miss Bessie Marie Garrison and Mr. L. M. Bennett, with the hope that it will become a real teaching medium. A front-page column was devoted in the second issue to “The History of the Martyrdom of the Báb.” In Hollywood, Fla., Mrs. Amelie W. Bodmer is using the opportunities of a Trailer Park to scatter the Message throughout America. During the past year eighty-seven visitors, who came to inspect her trailer, have heard of the Cause and received literature. Six of these, actual residents of Hollywood, are now seriously studying it and two of her students, Willis and Hannah White of Dania, have just registered as believers.
Miss Alma Knoblock recently spent several months in Bristol, Augusta, and Taylor, S. C. Beside many fireside groups, a direct presentation of the Faith was arranged for two hundred students of the Theological Class of Cook’s College, given jointly by Miss Knoblock and Miss Clair Glover of Augusta.
Pioneer work is now being carried on by Miss Virginia Taylor of Cheviot, Ohio, in Louisville, Ky., to follow up the fine contacts made there by Mrs. Grace Ober. Five visits were made in May and June, two Bahá’ís were located, and the campaign was closed for the summer with a picnic of fifteen interested women. A study class was planned by Miss Taylor to begin in September.
A model of the Temple was recently displayed in a furniture store in Albuquerque, N. M., resulting in an opportunity for a further showing at the New Mexico State Fair, October 9-16. The following voluntary letter was addressed to Dr. Morris by the store: “It may interest you to know that your temple model displayed in our window has drawn a lot of comments, and while at first we put it in our window merely to accommodate you, frankly it has surpassed all expectations from a publicity angle.” Surely another talking point for local Publicity Committees!
Thus do the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, singly and in groups, advance in the teaching program they have set themselves. “In these days,” the Master wrote many years ago, “the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the
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world.” How much truer have these
words become in our own tumultuous
period. How much more apparent
that every believer “is holding in his
hand a trumpet, blowing the breath of
life over all the regions.” In these
times of war and the rumor of war,
should we not read again that last
magnificent teaching Tablet addressed
“To the believers of God and the maidservants of the Merciful of the Bahá’í Assemblies in the United States
of America and Canada”?1 For here
is the true definitions of the “armies
of God,” and these are the sole instructions to ensure the victory. May each
of us become an active soldier in the
army of Bahá’u’lláh, worthy of the
title of His “apostle,” and eager for a
part in His conquest—the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven on
earth!
- NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE.
_____
1 “America’s Spiritual Mission,” p. 22.
MEMORIAL TO KEITH RANSOM-KEHLER[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly has recently transmitted $1,000 for the cost of constructing the Memorial to Keith Ransom-Kehler at Isphan, Iran, where this heroic Bahá’í soul ascended to the Kingdom.
The believers will recall the illustration of the design made by the late Myron Potter which was reproduced in BAHÁ’Í NEWS some years ago and likewise reproduced in The Bahá’í World.
The conditions which appeared to make it impossible to carry on the construction work have recently changed;
THE DORMITORY, GEYSERVILLE SUMMER SCHOOL
and the National Assembly hopes to
have news from Iran that work on this
first International Bahá’í Memorial has
begun.
GERMAN EDITION OF REVISED ESSLEMONT BOOK[edit]
With the Guardian’s consent, the National Spiritual Assembly has sent funds sufficient to purchase and save for the Cause the types of the new edition of the Esslemont book in German translation which had to be abandoned in Europe some time ago on account of unfavorable conditions. It is hoped that the edition can soon be printed in Switzerland or some other country where copies could be circulated.
“THE CHARTER OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER”[edit]
“The creative energies released by the Law of Bahá’u’lláh, permeating and evolving within the mind of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, have, by their very impact and close interaction, given birth to an Instrument which may be viewed as the Charter of the New World Order which is at once the glory and the promise of this most great Dispensation.”—SHOGHI EFFENDI.
In order to promote a more direct and intimate spiritual association with the provisions of the Master’s Will and Testament on the part of the American Bahá’í Community, the National Spiritual Assembly will publish a series of excerpts from the Will, together with selections from the interpretive writings of the Guardian. The friends are urged to give deep thought to this new department in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
The Hands of the Cause of God[edit]
It is incumbent upon the members of the House of Justice, upon all the Aghsán, the Afnán, the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him. He that opposeth him hath opposed the True One, will make a breach in the Cause of God, will subvert His Word and will become a manifestation of the Center of Sedition. Beware, beware, lest the days after the ascension (of Bahá’u’lláh) be repeated when the Center of Sedition waxed haughty and rebellious and with Divine Unity for his excuse deprived himself and perturbed and poisoned others. No doubt every vainglorious one that purposeth dissension and discord will not openly declare his evil purposes, nay rather, even as impure gold, would he seize upon diverse measures and various pretexts that he may separate the gathering of the people of Bahá. My object is to show that the Hands of the Cause of God must ever be watchful and so soon as they find anyone beginning to oppose and protest against the guardian of the Cause of God cast him out from the congregation of the people of Bahá and in no wise accept any excuse from him. How often hath grievous error been disguised in the garb of truth, that it might sow the seeds of doubt in the hearts of men!
O ye beloved of the Lord! It is incumbent upon the guardian of the Cause of God to appoint in his own life-time him that shall become his successor, that differences may not arise after his passing. He that is appointed must manifest in himself detachment from all worldly things, must be the essence of purity, must show in himself the fear of God, knowledge, wisdom and learning. Thus, should the first-born of the guardian of the Cause of God not manifest in himself the truth of the words:—“The child is the secret essence of its sire,” that is, should he not inherit of the spiritual within him (the guardian of the Cause of God) and his glorious lineage not be matched with a goodly character, then must he (the guardian of the Cause of God), choose another branch to succeed him.
The Hands of the Cause of God must elect from their own number, nine persons that shall at all times be occupied in the important services in the work of the guardian of the Cause of God. The election of these nine
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must be carried either unanimously or
by majority from the company of the
Hands of the Cause of God and these
whether unanimously or by a majority
vote, must give their assent to the
choice of the one whom the guardian
of the Cause of God hath chosen as his
successor. This assent must be given
in such wise as the assenting and dissenting voices may not be distinguished. (secret ballot)
O friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed by the guardian of the Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey his command. Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the Cause of God disobey, and seek division, the wrath of God and His vengeance will be upon him, for he will have caused a breach in the true faith of God.
The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God are to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.
This body of the Hands of the Cause of God is under the direction of the guardian of the Cause of God. He must continually urge them to strive and endeavor to the utmost of their ability to diffuse the sweet savors of God, and to guide all the peoples of the world, for it is the light of Divine Guidance that causeth all the universe to be illumined. To disregard, though it be for a moment, this absolute command which is binding upon everyone, is in no wise permitted, that the existent world may become even as the Abhá Paradise, that the surface of the earth may become heavenly, that contention and conflict amidst peoples, kindreds, nations and governments may disappear, that all the dwellers on earth may become one people and one race, that the world may become even as one home.1
_____
1 Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
COMMITTEES OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
Revisions and Further Appointments[edit]
The State of Kentucky has been added to the area of the Regional Teaching Committee of Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The Regional Teaching Committee of New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania has been divided into
TEMPLE MODEL DISPLAYED BY LOUHELEN SUMMER SCHOOL
This display was held at the Flint Flower Show, early in September. The Flint Assembly afterward had the model displayed in a store window
two committees, as follows:—
Upper New York, Rex Collison, Secretary, 681 Castle Street, Geneva, N. Y., Mrs. Mabel Edgecomb, Dr. A. D. Heist, Mrs. Morris M. Bush, Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi.
New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania, Curtis Kelsey, Secretary, 499 Grenville Avenue, West Englewood, N. J., Arthur Foster, Mrs. Dorothy Graf, Archie G. Tichenor, Mrs. Ida Huff.
Western Pennsylvania, and Ohio, additional members: Mrs. Helen McCoy, Miss Ruth Phillips.
Publicity Committee: Mrs. Virginia Camelon appointed Chairman; new member added, Miss Edna True.
Committee on Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: William de Forge, Chairman, Anthony Jochim, Bertha Herklotz, Ophelia B. Crum, Carl Krug, Bernard Gottlieb, Norman Smith, Miss Jean Silver.
Geyserville School Committee: new members added, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Miss Ruth Westgate.
Inter-America Committee: Secretary’s new address, Miss Myrtle Dodge, 2112 Jackson Street, San Francisco, Calif.
MEETINGS IN KNOXVILLE[edit]
The city of Knoxville was added to the schedule of National Assembly meetings this year on account of the cordial and welcome invitation extended by Mr. Nils Chrisander, who so kindly and generously arranged the public meetings.
The meetings were held Thursday and Friday evenings October 6 and 7, the speakers being, Thursday, Horace Holley and Dorothy Baker, Allen B. McDaniel presiding; and, Friday, George O. Latimer, Gita Orlova, Loulie Mathews, Marion Little presiding. The meetings were held in the Andrew Johnson Hotel, before nearly one hundred guests invited by Mr. Chrisander. Mr. Chrisander presented the Assembly to the audience.
A regional conference brought together believers from Knoxville, Nashville, Atlanta, Georgia, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, Covington, La., and Colorado Springs, Colo.
The members of the National Assembly and the other Bahá’ís were guests at a reception given by Mrs. William Ross, Friday evening following the public meeting.
Another conference was held with the Knoxville group, now numbering eight, resulting from Louise Caswell’s teaching work. Still another experience was the visit paid to a mountain estate which Mr. Chrisander hopes to develop along interesting lines helpful to the Faith.
SUMMER SCHOOL LECTURES IN BOOK FORM[edit]
The Study Course given by Prof. Stanwood Cobb at Louhelen Summer School in 1938 has been published serially in World Order. This valuable material, with additional chapters, is now appearing in book form, under the title of “Character: A Sequence in Spiritual Psychology” and copies may be obtained from Avalon Press, P. O. Box 4026, Washington, D. C. The list price is $1.50 per copy, but an announcement states that orders will be filled at $1.25 per copy until December 1, 1938.
The fact that a Bahá’í Summer School Study Course has eventuated in a volume which will find many readers outside the Faith as well as among believers is significant of the increasing importance of these Schools as Bahá’í educational institutions.
PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENTS[edit]
Conditions of Existence: Servitude, Prophethood, Deity—the new title of the Study Outline by Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg, originally published as The Three Worlds. Per copy, $0.50 net.
The Bahá’í Movement. About 5,300 copies of this pamphlet have been sold since March, 1931. The friends are reminded of its value for teaching. Per copy, $0.10.
The Publishing Committee requests back numbers of the Star of the West: Vol. I, Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, 13, 18, 19; Vol. II, No. 1.
The Committee reminds the believers that it does not supply any free literature for meetings, teaching activities, etc., but only ships out such literature on order from a committee whose literature budget has been approved by the National Assembly. The teaching plans announced by the National
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Assembly after the Convention
explain how free literature can be obtained.
Another source of confusion arises in connection with orders for Bahá’í photographs, Greatest Name cards, ringstones, etc. These are to be obtained from the Photograph and Sales Committee, H. E. Walrath, Chairman.
The most important work published by the Committee this year is the Guardian’s translation of “Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh.” Together with “Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh” it constitutes the source of inspiration and guidance to Bahá’ís.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Los Angeles, eight. Columbus, one. New York, eight. Seattle, five. Toronto, one. Baltimore, one. Milwaukee, five. Glendale, Ariz., one. Philadelphia, four. Binghamton, five and three youth. Pasadena, one. Miami, two. Oakland, two. St. Paul, one.
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 gift of everlasting life.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
- Frank J. Phelps, Washington, D. C.
- Howard Kinney, New York.
- George S. Hopper, Washington, D. C.
- John L. Shonts, Milwaukee.
LOUHELEN SUMMER SCHOOL,
1938[edit]
The first of May, Mrs. Emogene Hoagg came to Louhelen Ranch, and before the first summer school session conducted a study class two nights a week for the Flint community, and also spoke before a number of groups in nearby towns.
The two youth sessions attracted more young people than previous years and from a greater number of cities.
The laboratory session through the contact and publicity courses and public meetings made it possible to reach several hundred people. Twelve towns were contacted by members of the session and resulted in Kenneth Christian’s speaking before two Rotary Clubs and in engagements being made for August speakers.
There was a demand for our Bahá’í speakers, so Mr. Carl Scheffler came a week before the August session, and spoke before Rotary Clubs in Lapeer, Imlay City and Port Huron, to the Carvan Club in Saginaw, and to groups in Flint, Clio and Marysville.
ANOTHER TEMPLE MODEL ON EXHIBIT
This display was arranged by Drs. A. L. and E. Lenore Morris in the American Furniture Company store at Albuquerque, N. M.
Robert Gaines of Urbana also gave
several informal talks in August to
youth groups.
During the August session Mr. McDaniel and Mr. Ober each spoke before men’s clubs in a number of towns previously contacted. Mr. McDaniel spoke over the radio in Port Huron.
During the entire season through these many contacts and the meetings at the summer school between 850 and 900 people heard of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Efforts are being made to continue the follow-up work in these many places.
In September, at the Flint flower show, the Louhelen Summer School displayed a model of the Bahá’í Temple surrounded by flowers. This attracted much attention.
The week following the August session Mrs. Caswell and Mr. Ober made contacts and did follow-up work in Saginaw, Pontiac, Port Huron and Fenton. Mr. Ober gave a talk over the radio in Port Huron.
MISS ZAMENHOF IN DETROIT[edit]
A detailed report of Miss Zamenhof’s work in Detroit has just been received by her Esperanto Committee and as it contains some further Bahá’í news, I am sending in a short report at this time.
You will remember that one of the Detroit groups that she addressed upon her arrival was called True Kindred and we had no explanation as to the sort of organization this might be. This report explains that it is an auxiliary Masonic organization. She spoke to another Masonic group later on, called “High-Twelve.”
I also learn that her newspaper publicity included the following: 32 clippings from 19 presses of 7 languages. They are mailing me photostat copies of this publicity for forwarding to the National Publicity Committee. Apparently, no one took care of this, at the time, for the Bahá’ís, so that the photostat copies are to take the place of the originals.
A vacant store in Convention Hall on the ground floor was hired for the class. It had two windows and in one was put an exhibit of Bahá’í literature and in the other that of Esperanto. Many people passed by these windows daily and stopped to watch the classes in session and to examine the display of unusual literature. Some pictures were sent me, one showing the people at the window, which I shall turn over to the Publicity Committee.
Miss Zamenhof gave four public Bahá’í talks in English in this class room. They were announced to her classes, and outside of a few Bahá’í friends they constituted the principal part of her audience. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s portrait was placed on the wall of the class room.
Practically all of the talks she gave in nearby cities were arranged by the Bahá’ís. I will add to those already reported, Flint and Marysville, Mich. This fact, together with those mentioned herein, show a remarkable cooperation between the two groups of Bahá’ís and Esperantists.
The report ended with an eloquent testimonial to Miss Zamenhof herself.
- DELLA C. QUINLAN, Chairman, International Auxiliary Language Committee.
REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
of Eastern Canada[edit]
Through a suggestion made by Mrs. Loveday in Green Acre during 1937 that Moncton, her former home, would be a fertile ground for pioneer work, Mrs. Howard Coby Ives after communicating with the National Teaching Committee went to Moncton. She opened a vigorous campaign availing herself of every opportunity.
Through her untiring efforts an Assembly was formed in Moncton on April 21st and this we feel was the most outstanding event in Canada during the past year. During the first six weeks of her stay Mrs. Ives gave public lectures, radio addresses and formed a study class. One of the radio broadcasts was given from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island where in a few hours visit she was able to contact the Mayor and several other leading citizens. This visit by air was due entirely to the efforts of Miss Ruth Wilson (then a non-Bahá’í).
[Page 8]
We felt privileged to assist in this
work through the service of one of
our members, Mrs. Sala, for a few
months. When she arrived at the end
of November a study class of more than
twenty deeply interested people were
meeting twice a week, while two had
already declared themselves. In the
following six weeks five more joined
this New World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
A Youth Group and children’s class
were led by Mrs. Sala, who also assisted at the study class during Mrs.
Ives’s enforced rest in the Moncton
Hospital where she still continued winning the hearts of her associates. By
the end of February two more had
been confirmed and the whole group
were assisted greatly by a visit from
Mrs. Dorothy Baker, who assisted
them in studying Bahá’í Administration for the purpose of forming an
Assembly. Since that time Mr. Harrison has made two visits to Moncton
and the last news we heard from this
new and radiant group was that their
Study class numbered over thirty and
that they were eagerly awaiting a visit
from Mr. and Mrs. Ives.
This work is a proof of what can be accomplished if we have sufficient faith and will branch out into new fields feeling that Bahá’u’lláh will open the doors for us and show the way.
Canada has been favored with visits from many Bahá’ís from other centers during the year. Miss Alexander and Mrs. McCormack returning from Haifa. Mrs. Bolles and family, Miss Marion Holley, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Mrs. Mamie Seto, Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher and many others.
Miss Marion Holley assisted us with our celebration on the 25th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visit to Montreal. She spoke at several large gatherings and gave a short radio address.
Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher accepted an invitation to speak at the Newport Women’s club in January.
Radio and Publicity reception was very favorable and especially the amount and type of publicity and radio broadcasts Mrs. Ives received in Moncton. This is an unexplored field in many of the provinces in Canada and would no doubt, be a fresh source of teaching.
Another step in the progress of the Cause in Canada was the forming of an Assembly in St. Lambert, a community adjacent to Montreal.
- MRS. RUTH LEE, Secretary
- MISS ANN SAVAGE
- MRS. MAY MAXWELL
- ERNEST HARRISON
- SEIGFRIED SCHOPFLOCHER
YOUTH STUDY DAYS[edit]
The Youth Committee, in accordance with its plan for seven Study Days, has prepared Study Outlines based on five sections of “Some Answered Questions” for use by local Youth groups. The other two Study Days are to be devoted to “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh” by Shoghi Effendi, and Study Outlines for that topic can be obtained from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee for 10c per copy.
Study Outline for Some Answered Questions[edit]
Section I[edit]
- Preliminary readings:—
- “Four Criterions of Proof.”
Foundations of World Unity. - “Scientific Proof of the Existence of God.”
Bahá’í Scriptures. - “The Need of the Perfect Master.”
Bahá’í Scriptures. - “Supplementary Bible Interpretations.”
- The Promise of all Ages.
- The Bahá’í Revelation, Thornton Chase.
- “Four Criterions of Proof.”
- General Questions Answered by Section I:—
- Is nature a law unto itself?
- Does man’s existence prove a Creator superior to himself?
- Does not man have innate knowledge of right or wrong sufficient for his progress?
- Is Abraham considered a Manifestation?
- How did Moses’ knowledge affect the scientists and Greek philosophers and doctors of that time?
- Did Christ abrogate Moses’ Teachings by His own?
- Explain Muhammád’s Teachings on warfare, polygamy.
- What effect did Muhammád’s Teachings have upon the world at large?
- Who taught the Báb?
- Was Bahá’u’lláh a Babi?
- Did Bahá’u’lláh perform miracles as proof of His Station?
- Who sent Bahá’u’lláh from Persia and where was He sent?
- Where was Bahá’u’lláh when He wrote to the crowned heads of the world?
- What was His purpose in writing to them?
- Do only the friends of the Cause agree upon His greatness?
- What qualifies a true seeker after truth?
- How do we know that the world is awaiting two Manifestations?
- When is lunar time used in the interpretation of the Bible? To what time does it refer?
- To what does the “Reed” mentioned in the Bible refer?
- Explain “measuring the Temple of God.”
- Are there symbolic and outward meanings for all the verses in the Bible?
- Were the same physical phenomena apparent with the martyrdom of every Prophet?
- To whom does the term “Four and twenty Eders” refer?
- Doesn’t the 11th Chapter of Isaiah refer to Christ?
- What is the “Holy City of Jerusalem”?
- What prevented the people from knowing Christ when He came?
- How does our material life going in cycles show a spiritual impetus?
- What is the perfection of development for each of the kingdoms — mineral, vegetable, animal and man?
- What is True Wealth?
- Review Questions:
- Summarize each chapter, dividing Chapters 10, 11, 12, 13 if necessary.
- Use preceding Questions for review also.
ASSEMBLY ROLL[edit]
The following corrections are made on the list of local Assemblies:—
Grand Rapids, Mich., the Corresponding Secretary is now Mrs. Ella Edge Eaton, 1865 Plainfield Ave., NE.
CORRECTION[edit]
The Guardian’s cablegram received September 24, 1938, was received in garbled form. The word “supra-tional” was intended to be “supra-national”, and the believers are requested to correct their copies of the text accordingly.
