THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Office of the Secretary
GREEN ACRE, SOUTH ELIOT, MAINE|
The National Spiritual Assembly have elected Mr. Carl Scheffler to the office of National Treasurer. This appointment will enable Mrs. Florence Morton, who for two years has filled this office with such admirable faithfulness, judgment and courtesy to concentrate upon the teaching work of the World Unity Conferences. Mr. Scheffler will render regular quarterly reports of the National Baha’i Fund in all its departments, and through the News Letter acquaint the believers of the United States and Canada with all the important facts bearing upon the financial aspects of our activities. Contributions to the National Baha’i Fund from Assemblies, groups and individuals should until further notice be sent to
On October 1, 1926, the Office of the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada will be moved from Green Acre to 48 West 10th Street, New York, N. Y. Kindly address all communications intended for the National Assembly or the Baha’i News Letter to this new address after that date. The house at 48 West 10th Street, New York, was richly blessed by the Presence of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on many occasions during His American visit. The cable address will continue to be "Bahai, New York." |
"We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the Source of all wealth and all good - this is the secret of right living." - Shoghi Effendi.
To the Baha’is of the United States and Canada
Dear friends in ‘Abdu’l-Baha:
Until we have done all within our power to remove the dire conditions surrounding the Baha’is of Persia the appeal recently sent us by must remain our foremost concern.
The National Spiritual Assembly have so far taken the following measures. On July 12 a letter was sent to the Shah of Persia setting forth the terrible details of the recent persecutions and beseeching immediate action adequate to bring them to an and forever. This letter is now being printed in booklet form, that copies may be placed in the hands of people capable of exerting influence or arousing public opinion. In this the assistance of the local Spiritual Assemblies and groups is earnestly requested. Those desiring to distribute copies locally, or to important individuals who may be personally known to them, may obtain them from the Baha’i Publishing Committee in the usual way. The price is ten cents each.
Meanwhile free copies will be sent as soon as possible to all Assemblies, groups and isolated individuals on the News Letter list as a necessary detail of our service to the friends. Local secretaries are asked to distribute one each to all recognized believers.
It will he noted that our letter to the Shah contains the full list of cities in the United States and Canada where Assemblies and Baha’i groups now exist, in order that all the friends may be associated in the appeal. Such emergencies remind us of the spirit of unity, devotion and dignity which should animate the entire body of the Cause, for without this spirit no appeal on the part of so few could have any weight.
In this connection let us consider the following words written by one of the Chicago friends: "In the last three weeks there have been visitors ( at the Temple grounds, from all parts of the country - university students, seekers for Light, and persons prominent in their community life. I attribute this unusual interest to the newspaper accounts of the persecutions of Baha’is in the Orient."
On July 31 the National Assembly also sent to 300 leading newspapers an account of the recent martyrdoms and information about our appeal to the Shah. Duplicates of this were at the same time sent to all local Assemblies and groups in order that they might cooperate in securing the interest of the local press. As soon as possible, a list of all cities where publicity has been secured will be printed in the News Letter, and meanwhile we urge that each Assembly exert itself to the utmost and feel entirely responsible for rendering this all too slight assistance to our heroic brothers and sisters of Persia. It is most desirable that three copies of each newspaper clipping be sent to the National secretary, in order that a complete file can be placed in the hands of the Guardian.
At the request of the delegates present at the last Convention, Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler's letter is printed in the News Letter, so that the believers may begin to appreciate the actual difficulties under which the Guardian labors, and resolve that no individual henceforth shall waste Shoghi Effendi's precious time and energy in mere personal matters and opinions. The divine plan of unity in and through the Spiritual Assemblies cannot mature until we all become frank enough to use these established bodies for consultation when necessary, and wise[Page 2]
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of the Baha’is of the United States and Canada
Green Acre, South Eliot Maine. U. S. A. 1821 Lincoln Street Evanston, Ill. |
enough to discriminate between matters of true Baha’i interest and those which concern exclusively our own individual destinies. No fire will burn if supplied with too much green, damp wood.
The vast work carried on by Mrs. Victoria Bedekian during several years was considered by Shoghi Effendi during the recent visit of Mrs. Bedekian and Mrs. Kehler to Haifa. Responding to the Guardian's instruction that all details of the administration of the World Fellowship and Gardens be henceforth under the direct supervision and control of the various local and National Assemblies. Mrs. Bedekian on her return wrote the National Assembly the letter published elsewhere in the present News Letter.
We take this occasion to express the deepest appreciation of the value of that tremendous work of world fellowship maintained so untiringly and enthusiastically by Mrs. Bedekian until the threads of its loyal and devoted interest have encircled the globe - and even more, for the "instant and complete obedience" with which the control of this work has been given over to the body of the Cause.
The condition now is that each local Spiritual Assembly should immediately consider how much of the Garden and world fellowship activities it can maintain for the service of the Cause in its own locality. The appointment of committees and all other details of that work now lie within the jurisdiction of each local Spiritual Assembly, and the National Assembly will do its utmost to assist. News concerning the Gardens and world fellowship activities accordingly should now be made part of the general letters sent out by the local Assemblies, and also sent to the National Assembly for the News Letter. The friends are urged to continue every activity capable of serving the Cause, but at the same time to avoid unnecessary duplication. All details should be considered in the light of the permanent objects and ideals of our Faith.
The world has entered the cold, dark winter of its irreligion and unbelief. Every hour of Baha’i activity has become supremely significant. The need is for concentration of effort and deepening of capacity, and this concentration is dependent on oneness of purpose and true consultation. Where this exists, the results will be luminously evident and far reaching influence. Such success as has followed the consecrated efforts of Miss Martha Root might well be taken as the standard for us all.
Yours faithfully, in service to Shoghi Effendi.
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA'IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
- By Horace Holley,
- Secretary.
LETTER FROM MRS. KEITH RANSOM-KEHLER TO THE CONVENTION[edit]
Beloved Baha’i friends:
On the eve of my departure from Haifa, our Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, said that it would be well if I write the delegates and friends at the Convention a message from him which it was then too late for him to write in person: saying that he would send a cablegram to reinforce my letter.
Is it generally known in America that our Beloved was forced, at an hour's notice, to leave Haifa, because he was threatened with what in the case of an ordinary person might be called a nervous breakdown from overwork? The state of his health, his chronic exhaustion is, I am convinced, a matter of as genuine concern to every true believer as it is to the members of the Holy Household. Eighty percent of his time is spent in reading and answering letters, ninety percent of which are purely personal. We see from his statistics that twenty percent of his time is left for the administrative work of the Cause, entertaining guests, meeting pilgrims, translating, thinking, reading, reflecting, meditation, planning, creating for direct and intimate contact with the detailed working of nine national assemblies and for these multifarious considerations connected with this unsettles and transitory phase of the Cause through which we are at present passing. The fact that under this ceaseless pressure there is not one moment left for recreation, exercise or personal expression of any description, clearly indicates that his power to go on functioning and enduring are entirely superhuman. Is it any wonder, beloved friends of God, that our Guardian was nearly crushed under this stupendous avalanche of personal correspondence?
If seemed very evident to the pilgrims who were there with me that we must take some vigorous measure to protect and relieve this most precious being from such a needless and unimportant burden. This is by way of explanation of his involuntary vacation. He returned seeming fitter and more eager: but almost at once news so distressing and serious came to him from America that we sadly watched the little moment of reprieve that he had snatched from the treadmill of his daily life fade into anxiety and distress. Letters were reaching him from several scattered sources expressive of dissatisfaction with the "Unified" plan to which he had given such hearty approval and expected so much. Some of the letters were written after the receipt of his cablegram sanctioning the soundness and nobility of the project. He sent for me at once and questioned me as to the cause of this attitude: I was quite as non-plussed as be and could offer no explanation. He said that once of the letters suggested that it was contrary to the desires of the Master had never disapproved of the collection of funds, provided it was entirely voluntary. "I wish that it might be possible for you to attend the convention to take my message to them." he said. "I will arrive in time." I answered, "to send a letter with this news at any rate." "Do by all means." he replied. "Say that the present course, is fraught with the gravest danger to the Cause. It would lead rapidly to a division, which must at all costs be avoided. We must remove all demarcation by discussion sincere and full."
On another occasion he said that the greatest lesson that we have to learn in America is the lesson that has already been learning in Persia—spontaneous, full and hearty support of the Spiritual Assemblies. "But I have written this all many times in my letters." he added sadly.
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A few weeks before, the discussion had turned to those who feel that they must carry out special missions assigned them by the Master. "Let them realize." he said, "That the voice of the Master is speaking to them through their Assemblies and of our subservience to them. This form of government is taken from the text of the Akdas. The Master goes to the final extreme by saying that even if the decisions of the local Assemblies are contrary to fact they must be supported. People may think that this savors of absolutism and autocracy but it is the only means by which the Cause can be safeguarded." He then went on to say that though the decisions of the Assemblies must be obeyed they are neither sacrosanct nor infallible and must be always open to revision: the suggestions and criticisms of the friends must be gladly welcomed by the Assemblies, and seriously considered. "If we are too precipitate and dictatorial on the one hand." he said, "or too aloof and independent on the other, the Baha’i structure crumbles, the unity for which we are striving becomes a mere name and—there is nothing left to organize. The most essential thing in all matters is for the friends to work in harmony, for if they do not work together." he added with quick acumen, "there is no need to teach—there is nothing to teach. What we need is not so much devotion to the Cause for this has been already abundantly proven and is being proved; by this love for God and for the Master and for the Cause, must be translated into love for one another. If this Cause cannot unite two individuals how can we expect it to unite the world?"
Returning with me from Alexandria was a group of missionaries recruited from four of the warring sects, traditional and hereditary enemies. Their faces were radiant and their hearts united in the common hope that our Blessed Lord Jesus whom they momentarily except to drop from interstellar space would take them unto himself. But what of us who have seen his Return, stood in His words? Surely, surely his presence is not less potent than the expectation of him. If his anticipation of him can efface feuds centuries old how much more power should emanate from his witnessed sojourn among us!
Beloved brothers and sisters this is his message, this youth under thirty, laboring day and night for us, sacrificing every human desire and tendency to further our efforts: deprived for our sake of all those natural satisfactions so significant to an alert and sensitive nature; with no more personal life than a graven image, no more thought of self than a breeze or a flower, just a hollow reed for the divine melody. Any one of us is ready to die for him, but can we conscientiously number ourselves among those who are willing to live for him?
In all humility and with the most yearning love I prayed at the Threshold for the success of this convention. May its spirit be such as unmistakeably to attract the very presence of our Lord. Brilliant in Faith, grounded in Love, sustained by our Covenant, may you move forward to those rich rewards that God has promised to all who do His Holy Will.
With inexpressible love to the friends assembled.
Your sister and servant.
KEITH.
LETTERS FROM MRS. VICTORIA BEDEKIAN[edit]
- Montclair, N. J.,
- July 19, 1926.
My dear and beloved American National Spiritual Assembly:
Humbly, and with a heart burning with love for you and all the world, is the Name of the Most High. Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and through the guidance of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. I herewith turn over to you in faith and devotion the management and welfare of our Fellowship and the Gardens of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. I know that with you this phase of the Holy Cause will be as safe and secure as a babe in its mother's arms.
In the name of the love I bear the inhabitants of the world. I beg you to take the threads I leave in your hands, to continue their weave with all the others, until Unity, Love, Peace and Cooperation have made all humanity one Paradise of heavenly Gardens!
Gratefully and humbly,
In our blessed Guardian's guidance.
- AUNTIE VICTORIA.
The following words were written by Shoghi Effendi to Mrs. Bedekian on May 15, 1926:
"As I have already urged you, concentrate for the present all your splendid resources and priceless efforts on the 'Plan for Unified Action' that the work of the Temple may be no more neglected. Arouse the Assemblies of the East by the aid of your admirable letters to fresh consciousness of their grave responsibility concerning this mighty and noble structure. Such efforts as you may now exert will, I am confident be richly blessed by our Beloved. Be happy and hopeful."
Your true brother.
- SHOGHI.
THE BAHA'I MAGAZINE[edit]
Since the founding of the News Letter, the contents of The Baha’i Magazine, Star of the West have been regularly recorded in these pages, in order to emphasize the importance of the magazine as a public teacher of the Cause. Lack of space has compelled the omission of this important feature for several months. A word of special appreciation may perhaps be called to the admirable article "The Evolving Spirit of Man" by Howard R. Hurlbut and to the remarkable interview with Her Majesty, Queen Marie of Roumania, recorded by Miss Martha Root, in the June issue.
The editors of the Star have recently received the following message from Shoghi Effendi:
"My dear and valued friends:
"I was delighted to see the various appreciations testifying to your able management of the affairs of the Star. I myself have noted with increasing satisfaction and delight its marked progress, its widening scope, its improved style, its faithful, convincing and worthy presentation of the divers phases of our Glorious Cause. I pray that your efforts may be richly blessed and reinforced by our Beloved who I feel certain is well pleased with your notable achievements.
"Lovingly and gratefully,
- "SHOGHI.'
INSTRUCTION CONCERNING LOCAL RESIDENCE[edit]
In various Baha’i centers the question has arisen whether there is any definite connection between a believer's actual residence and his Baha’i affiliation - whether a believer must consider himself a member of the Baha’i group where he lives, or whether he may choose to work actively with another group nearby.
This question has been answered in a letter received by the National Spiritual Assembly from one of the secretaries of Shoghi Effendi and written under his direction. We are informed that each believer should be enrolled with the group serving in the city of his actual residence. If there is a Spiritual Assembly in that city, he comes under its Baha’i direction, and not under that of any adjacent city.
But since there are cases at[Page 4]
present where believers have become accustomed to consider themselves members of an Assembly or group other than that functioning in the city if their legal residence, time should be allowed for the proper adjustment of these sensitive spiritual relationships, and the National Assembly suggests that the new instruction be not absolutely applied until the date of the next local elections. April 21, 1927.
BAHA'I YEAR BOOK[edit]
Volume One of an annual work designed to record the history, purpose, structure, activities and achievements of the Cause in all parts of the world is now on the press an will be available before October first. This volume was prepared under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly, with the approval of Shoghi Assembly, with the approval of Shoghi Effendi, and its contents are of equal interest to Baha’is of all countries.
The purchase and study of the Baha’i Year Book by the believers generally to a true sense of the universal scope and slow but certain growth of the Cause as the unifying spirit of all people. East and West. The local librarians are requested to give this work their immediate and special attention. Copies may be obtained from Baha’i Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York, N. Y. for one dollar each.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The believers will offer loving prayer for those souls who have ascended into the spiritual world:
Mrs. Marie Muth, February 15, 1926, New York Assembly.
Mrs. Charlotte Rosenhouer, April 15, 1926, Muskegon Assembly.
Mr. Albert Durrant Watson, May 3, 1926, Toronto.
Mrs. Olof Pary, May 27, New York Mills, Minn.
Mother Pomeroy, June 3, 1926, Montreal Assembly.
Mrs. Nels Peterson, June 23, 1926 Fruitport Assembly.
In order that adequate biographical notices of all believers who pass on may be preserved among the records of the Cause, the National Spiritual Assembly have requested the Archives Committee to keep a Baha’i Necrology. Friends of those who ascend may send such notices to the Archives Committee in detail, but the News Letter will continue to publish the fact of death.
OUTLINES FOR TEACHING[edit]
General Meetings
1. The meetings for teaching are held that we may explain the Cause to new people, i.e., the universal principles, the interpretation of the Bible and its prophecies, the power of the influence of Baha’u’llah, the glorious life of the Master, the beauty of pure and sanctified living. We will always want to remember that we are teaching and realize the point of view of those who have never heard of the Cause. Our subject is perhaps quite new to some of our audience. We should explain it to them logically, simply, lovingly, joyously. We, as 'Abdu'l-Bahá so often says, use divine arguments and proofs, and "constantly persuade people in pure and divine brilliancy and in absolute. Godlike spirituality." See Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Vol. 1, pp. 7, 8, 26, 27, 36, 53. "The basis of the Call must be the oneness of the world of humanity, so that religious fanaticism, sectarian bias, racial prejudices and political prejudices may be removed and all mankind may enter under the unicolored tent of the oneness of the world of humanity, hearts may be united, souls be attracted, and the East and West may embrace one another. This must be the foundation of your addresses in public meetings."—‘Abdu’l-Baha.
2. It is well for meetings to open and close with prayer. This centers the hearts of all present upon the Daysprings of Light. In the Baha’i prayers the water of life is flowing bright as crystal, and if they are read reverently and with spiritual realization they will be a revelation of the new glory.
3. After the prayer could come readings from Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, and the Divine Writings. But these readings should be brief. "Should ye read but one verse with fragrance and spirituality it will avail you more than to read with slothfulness all the books of God, the Protector, the Self-Subsisting." wrote Baha’u’llah in the Aqdas. " Read the verses of God in such wise that ye may not be overtaken by apathy and gloom. Encumber not the spirit with that which will depress it but (favor it) with that which will cheer it and enable it to soar upon the wings of the verses to the Dayspring of Evidences.... Verily, he who is overcome with the attraction of the love of My Name, the Merciful, will assuredly read the verses of God in such wise as to charm the hearts of those who are asleep. Happiness awaits him who, in the Name whereby every high and haughty mountain is swept away, drinks the pure wine of life from the utterances of his Lord, the Merciful."
4. The addresses may be by experienced teachers, or by those who are learning to present the Cause, but should, of course, always be upon the pure teachings. "We must encourage the believers in public speaking," says ‘Abdu’l-Baha, "and especially encourage those who can do so. This Cause is proclaimed through eloquent sincere addresses. We must unloose the tongue, spread the fragrances of God, diffuse the words of God. We must present to the public the proofs and evidences of this Cause with a tongue of fire so that souls may be exhilarated and minds become full of tumult and acclamation." Careful study of a course like that in Mrs. Gift's Splendid outline upon God and His Manifestations, (Baha’i Pub. Com., New York, 25c a copy) will fill one's mind with the knowledge and glory of the pure word of God. To write out the contents of the books studied helps to make us fluent in expressing ourselves upon these divine subjects. Special classes for study and for practice in speaking are invaluable. To write out talks in advance is also great assistance. But the chief secret, 'Abdu'l-Bahá always tell us, is to be severed from all save God and turn for words, for guidance, for love divine to the Abha Lord and trust Him absolutely. Beautiful descriptions of Baha’i gatherings are found in The Star of the West. Vol. 13, p. 276; and in Baha’u’llah and the New Era, p. 160.
5. All those in the meetings can help wonderfully by being quiet, reverent, alert, loving, joyous and by praying intently for those present until they create in the room the very atmosphere of heaven: "Were earthly gatherings to walk in the ways of the company of the Immortals on High, they would surely mirror forth, in all their beauty, the splendors of the Celestial Concourse, and unfold the mysteries of the Abha Kingdom. The greater their purity the greater their reflected splendor.... Should the Spirit of true Love permeate the assemblies of men on earth, they, verily will grow to become a string of heavenly pearls, a guiding constellation that sheddeth its glory and radiance over all mankind." - ‘Abdu’l-Baha.
- ALBERT VAIL.
NEWS OF THE CAUSE[edit]
The many details incident to the calling and holding of the recent National Convention have made it impossible to share with the believers an adequate portion of that intimate Baha’i news brought to the attention of the National Spiritual Assembly during the past six months. We trust that ways and means may soon be found for extending the scope of the News Letter, in order that it may become a faithful mirror of current Baha’i activities throughout the world. The attempt will now be made to mention, at least briefly, most of those inspiring incidents showing the penetration of the Baha’i message into the life of this time.
An edition of the Blue No. 9 Compilation has recently been printed in Esperanto by the Baha’i Publishing Committee. Copies may be obtained for three cents each, or $2.75 per hundred, or $25 per thousand, 3500 copies have been sent to Miss Martha Root and Miss Julia Culver for two international Esperanto Conferences held in Europe this summer.
In view of the fact that the No. 9 Compilation is so convenient in form and so complete in its summary of the teachings, the Assemblies are requested to instruct their local librarians to order this booklet in as large quantities as possible, in English particularly. A Spanish edition is now in the press and will be available early in September.
We are informed by Brentano's that their publicity department has sent to 100 important newspapers a notice of the remarkable tribute recently paid Dr. Esslemont's book by Queen Marie of Roumania.
The translation by Shoghi Effendi of Prayers has again been reprinted and can be obtained from the Publishing Committee. Three editions have been called for so far.
The Esperanto Association of North America held its annual Congress this year in Philadelphia, on July 20. Several believers from different cities were among the delegates. For the first time in the history of the Association, the committee invited the National Spiritual Assembly to send a Baha’i speaker to address them on "The Relation of the Baha’i Cause to Esperanto." Mr. James F. Morton, Jr., was selected to represent the Cause, and it was his privilege to address an earnest, attentive audience of about 200 Esperantists and their guests.
The fourteenth annual "Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Baha" was held at Evergreen Cabin, on the estate of Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, West Englewood, N. J., during the afternoon and evening of June 26. Despite unfavorable weather, several hundred believers and inquirers attended the meetings and feast, maintained in commemoration of the Unity Feast given on that spot by the Master in 1912. The constant growth in the numbers who attend, and the respect with which the meetings were presented in the local paper, are beautiful testimony to the steadfast devotion upholding the assurance given the friends by 'Abdu'l-Bahá on the occasion of His presence.
The friends are informed that subscriptions to Baha’i periodicals in other lands should be sent direct to the periodical and not, as hitherto, to the business manager of the Star of the West for transmission abroad.
A Parliament of Religious was held on June 21 by the thirteenth annual congress of the International New Thought Alliance at Hotel Commodore. Mirza Ali Kuli Khan was invited to represent the Baha’i Faith at this Parliament, and it was his privilege to deliver the message of Baha’u’llah to an audience of many thousands.
Mr. M. H. Touty of Cebu, Philippine Islands, arranged with the editor of the Advertiser of Cebu to publish a reproduction of the article on "Peace and the World Court" by Mr. Alfred E. Lunt which appeared in the Star of the West November last. This appeared, in condensed form in The Advertiser on March 19 and 20.
The leaflet "What is the Baha’i Movement?" by Dr. Esslemont has been published in Danish by Miss June Sorensen of Copenhagen, Miss Sorensen originally heard the Baha’i Message through Mrs. Orcella Rexford in Honolulu.
Following the removal of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Romer from New York to London, England. Mrs. Marie Moore was requested to serve as Business Manager of the Baha’i Publishing Committee. During more than a year of active, enthusiastic service in that capacity. Mrs. Romer greatly extended the efficiency of the publishing work, and her spirit of devoted love carried radiance to hundreds of centers in all parts of the world.
The Archives Committee request the friends to furnish them for their historical records a statement of personal reminiscences, experiences and recollections of the Cause, including especially stores and parables told by the Master, accounts of the founding and early activities of the local Assemblies, etc. All such material should be sent to Mr. Charles Mason Remey, P. O. Box 1319, Washington, D. C.
A remarkable opportunity to refer to the Baha’i Cause was afforded Mme. Ali Kuli Khan on October 28 and November 13 last, when she was invited to broadcast from Station WEAF, New York City. On October 28 Mme. Khan spoke on "Happiness as the Orient Understands It." and on November 13 she spoke on "The Fine Arts of Persia."
The editors of The Baha’i Magazine, Star of the West, desire sketches and designs for a new magazine cover. This is a unique opportunity to convey, through the power of illustration, the significance of a periodical devoted to the Cause.
The Geneva Assembly send the happy news that Bishop Brent, international figure in Protestant Christianity, qouted ‘Abdu’l-Baha's words twice in a recent pastoral letter to his diocese.
The Baha’is of Eliot, Maine, have recently established a new general meeting the purpose of which is to bring them into true spiritual unity with the Baha’is of other cities, districts and lands. Each meeting is devoted to the thought of oneness with the believers in some particular country, and all the minds and hearts are directed to the ideal of perfect love with those Baha’i friends. The first of these meetings was devoted to prayers for the believers of Persia.
The afternoon service of Easter Sunday at St. Mark's, New York was held as a symposium on the "Baha’i Easter Message to Christianity." preceded by a responsive service compiled from Baha’i Scriptures by Rev. Dr. Guthrie, rector of the church. Those representing the Cause were Mirza Ali Kuli Khan, Mr. Howard C. Ives, and Mrs. Marie Moore.
A general letter recently sent out by the Spiritual Assembly of Boston through Mrs. Ruth Randall, secretary, has doubtless received unusual attention. This letter was printed in three columns: the center column being a communication "To the beloved friends, in all the countries of the world," the left hand column a program of meetings at Boston for the current month, and the right hand column a letter addressed "To the Baha’is of Boston." This arrangement made it possible to convey a most complete message in little space, informing the Baha’is of other cities of activities in Boston, and permitting the Boston friends also to share the letter of their Spiritual Assembly to all other believers.
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A World Unity Conference consisting of five sessions was held in Worcester, Mass. on March 26, 27 and 28 under the auspices of the local Baha’is. The sessions were held in the Woman's Club, Central Congregational Church, Universalist Church and the ball room of Hotel Bancroft, and this willing cooperation extended for a universal ideal came as a most hopeful augury to the believers of Worcester. Among the speakers were: Mr. Louis Gregory, Mr. Alfred W. Martin, Mirza Ali Kuli Khan, Rev. Kaprial Bredosian, Mr. W. H. Randall, Mr. Syud Hossain and Dr. John Herman Randall. It was the success of this effort, following the great confirmation received by the believers of San Francisco who held the original World Unity Conference in 1925, which convinced the National Spiritual Assembly that a series of such Conferences offered the most promising teaching program for the present year.
The first World Unity Conference arranged by the committee of the National Assembly was held at Green Acre August 7 and 8, an occasion which many friends of Green Acre afterward declared to be the most impressive demonstration of the Baha’i spirit at Green Acre since the early days of Miss Sarah J. Farmer. The committee are now at work upon the next of these Conferences, which will take place in Philadelphia beginning with a meeting in the Auditorium of the Sesqui Centennial Exposition on September 26.
The friends have found very useful as an introductory pamphlet on the Cause "The Baha’i Faith, by a Methodist Layman." written by Mr. A. I. Truesdell of the Pasadena Assembly. Copies of this may be obtained from the Publishing Committee for ten cents each.
In a letter written by Shoghi Effendi to the Publishing Committee the following general instruction will be heeded by the believers: " 'The Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Baha' and 'Some Answered Questions' and Dr. Esslemont's book should be greatly emphasized in matters of publicity as they are authoritative, comprehensive, and forcefully and correctly presented. The compilation of historical material on the Cause is proceeding satisfaction in Persia. It is being undertaken under the supervision of the Tihran Assembly."
The San Diego Independent of March 24 contained an extensive summary of an address by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab on "The Religion of Bahá’u’lláh" in a series of weekly lectures at the Harmonial Institute.
During March a Spiritual Assembly was elected by the Baha’is of West Englewood, N. J., and this Baha’i Assembly takes its place for the first time among those called upon to administer the activities of the Cause. Most encouraging is the full hearted effort of all the newer Assemblies to concentrate their time and effort upon propagating the Message in their vicinity by means of large, well planned public meetings. Where this condition exists, the personal irritations which tend to prevent collective action are unlikely to arise.
During June another new Spiritual Assembly came into being in New Jersey, that of Montclair, Mrs. Caroline Simpson, secretary, writes that "we are in complete love and unity, and beg you to pray that we may attract many souls to His Kingdom."
At the regular Sunday afternoon meeting of the Pasadena Assembly on March 7th the speaker was Rev. Dr. F. W. Oakes of Denver, who had expressed his desire to address the meeting because of his recent visit to the Holy Land where he had been entertained by Shoghi Effendi. Dr. Oakes radiated so wonderful a spirit of loving appreciation of the Guardian, and of the Baha’i teachings, that all were profoundly moved. On Monday, March 20, the Pasadena, Los Angeles and Glendale Assemblies held a Unity Feast in the Parish Hall of Throon Memorial Church of Pasadena to welcome Mrs. True, Mrs. Perrin and Mr. Albert Vail to southern California.
The January issue of "Sonne der Wahrheit" contained a most interesting account of Miss Martha Root's activities in Vienna, written by Miss Ida Mittler. Among the incidents of this indefatigable soul's Baha’i service at Vienna special mention should be made of a meeting at the Adiar Theosophical Society, where 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave the memorable talk on "how to recognize the Great Master." and an interview with Fran Marianne Hainisch, mother of the President of Austria.
A second series of public meeting was held during the spring by the Baha’is of Kenosha, whose secretary, Mr. Louis J. Voelz, reports an ever increasing interest. Among the speakers were: Mr. Albert Windust, Mr. Arthur Agnew, Mr. Albert Vail, Dr. Zia Bagdadi, Mrs. Corinne True, Mr. Albert Vail, Mrs. Ida b. Slater, Mrs. Robert Moffet, Mrs. Walrath and Mrs. Ulrich.
From the Denver Assembly we have word that contact with the Esperantists has been especially helpful in securing new believers for their ranks. Adelaide Sharp was elected vice delegate to the International Association to represent the local Esperanto Society.
A series of meetings devoted to the different races was begun by the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles some months ago, with the first meeting consisting of a program featuring several remarkably gifted American Indians. Mrs. Louise Waite opened the meeting with a talk on the Baha’i Temple, and the following speakers brought out different aspects of the music, art, literature and religious faith of the Indian. As the result of this inspiring entertainment, a special contribution was made possible for the National Fund, and Mrs. Waite was requested to give the Baha’i Message at the Indian center in Los Angeles.
Two requests for Baha’i speakers arrived at the office of the National Spiritual Assembly shortly before the Convention, both from forums conducted by churches in New England. In each case the local minister had unconsciously prepared his audience for the Message and the response to the talks was distinctly favorable. These churches were the Unitarian Church of Franklin, N. H., and the Federated Church of Aver, Mass.
The Garden Island, local newspaper published at Lihue, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, in its issue of February 16 carried a notire of a meeting at the Lihue Memorial Parish House at which Mrs. Agnes Alexander spoke on the subject of The Baha’i Movement. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Women's Board of Missions and was one of several on present day religions. An extensive article on the teachings was given in the same paper after the meeting.
The friends have been happy to note the favorable notice being taken by reviewers Of "The New: An Interpretation." edited by Dr. Alain Locke, our brilliant Baha’i brother of Washington, D. C. and New York City.
Altogether inadequate has been the mention in previous issues of the News Letter of the remarkable work carried on throughout the South during the winter by Mr. Louis Gregory, Mr. Howard MacNutt, Dr. Locke and Mrs. Louise Boyle. These teachers, in cooperation with the Spiritual Assembly of Miami and many Baha’i groups and isolated believers, held an astounding number of meetings from autumn to spring, in churches, schools clubs and private homes, with the result that a powerful concentration of spiritual forces was focussed upon this great and import[Page 7]
ant territory. Clear signs indicate a general flowering of the new spirit in many parts of the South in the near future, many influential people both white and colored being already prepared with knowledge of the Cause.
In many respects the founding of the "Green Acre Summer School of World Unity" stands out as the most vital general Baha’i activity at the present time, and those friends who have been at Green Acre during August are happy to testify that attendance at its sessions has been a new and inspiring experience. The School was held five morning a week during August, under the direction of Mr. Howard MacNutt, Mr. Albert Vail and Mr. Louis Gregory. The subjects were: "Fundamentals in World Religions." "Divine Reality" and "True Principles of Human Progress." with one session entirely devoted to a Young People's Informal Conference, and another to Intensive Training in preparation for Baha’i Teaching. Following each of the three weekly lectures those present joined in an informal conference on methods of Baha’i teaching, public speaking and answering of questions. Here for the first time in America a National Baha’i teaching center took definite form, and the interest has been such that it will undoubtedly be the feature of life at Green Acre in future seasons. Those who know the history of Green Acre will see in this school the first concrete evidence of that spiritual University which Miss Farmer visioned so many years ago.
The annual meeting of Green Acre Fellowship held on August 9 confirmed the resolution passed unanimously last year by the Fellowship to the effect that Green Acre should be placed under the supervision and control of the National Spiritual Assembly for the Baha’is of the United States and Canada. At present the Green Acre Trustees are awaiting the legal incorporation of the work of the Cause in America in order to effect the necessary transfer of property and title to the Baha’i body. It is hoped and expected that the housing facilities at Green Acre will be increased before next summer, so as to make possible the accommodation of a large number of Baha’is from all parts of the country under conditions of very real economy yet adequate comfort. A prospectus of Green Acre containing all necessary information will be prepared and circulated among the believers as soon as possible, and this will enable the friends to plan well in advance for a stay at Green Acre during 1927.
The printed program of the Montreal Assembly for January included fourteen meetings, arranged with careful attention to the need for variety of subject and for occasional informality to open the door to more personal association. The subjects included "Tolerance." "‘Abdu’l-Baha and Evolution." "The New Spirit in Science." "Spiritual and Material Education" and "Woman's Station in This Age." Sunday afternoon public meetings are held in the Assembly rooms, 745 St. Catherine Street West, and Friday evening public meetings at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Maxwell. Saturday afternoons informal tea is served at the Assembly rooms.
Circular letters have been received from the following Assembly in the United States since March: Eliot, Maine; Kenosha, Wisc.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Visalia, Calif.; Honolulu, Hawaii; New York, N. Y. These general letters are a distinct expression of Baha’i unity of extreme value and interest, serving both to increase the spirit of oneness among the believers throughout the world, and to consolidate the forces of the Assembly issuing the letter. Each Baha’i communication of this nature traverses a score of barriers which separate the people of ordinary communities - barriers of nationality, race, and creed - and each does its share in creating highroads of understanding and fellowship for harmonious society of the future. Let us appreciate the privilege of participating actively in this spiritual pioneering, and endeavor throughout the coming year to make this characteristic Baha’i activity one of surpassing excellence and power. The older forget the communication sent to this country by the Baha’i of Ispahan, Persia, about twenty years ago and reprinted here for general circulation. In nobility of expression, depth of feeling and power of religious insight, the letter from the Ispahan friends was a veritable masterpiece, and even today could be employed as a convincing evidence of the love that can exist between Christians and Mohammedans inspired by Baha’u’llah. May innumerable such glowing candles be lighted in these days, when the intercourse of peoples is beset by suspicion, fear and gloom.
Programs received from England inform us that Miss Martha Root and Mr. Mountfort Mills spoke on the subject of "The Baha’i Movement and Christianity" at Lindsey Hall, London, June 30; and also at the Unity Meeting held at Heatfield, London, July 1.
The Detroit Assembly were happy to find that seven Baha’is were among the number of young Persian students sent by the government to the Ford Motor Company this spring. These Persians gave a delightful Feast of Nawruz to which the members of the Assembly were invited.
Friends of Mrs. J. Wesley Thompson, the radiant believer of Honolulu who died in May 1925, are planning to continue her Peace Prize Essay Contest, held among the public schools of Hawaii, as a most fitting tribute and memorial. Dr. David Starr Jordan wrote the following words to Mrs. Thompson on the subject of this contest: "I have read the plan for essays on peace as prepared by the Kona Forum. I think it altogether admirable and I wish that some plan of the kind may become widespread in America, Europe and Japan.... I wish you and your colleagues all success in your noble work."
Dr. and Mrs. W. Gray Moseley have, with the Guardian's permission, founded a memorial to the late Dr. John E. Esslemont in the form of Baha’i circulating libraries under the direction of the local Assemblies of Haifa, Tihran, Stuttgart, Chicago and Los Angeles. A generous contribution consisting of copies of Dr. Esslemont's book "Baha’u’llah and the New Era" has been made by Dr. and Mrs. Moseley to each of these five Baha’i centers. Shoghi Effendi has written the founders: "I am glad to hear of your project in memory of our dearly loved, unforgettable Esslemont. I trust this will enhance the beauty and sweetness of his memory and prove valuable to the interests of the Cause. Whatever is done along this line must be accomplished voluntarily and without the slightest compulsion."
A notable service has been rendered this summer by Mrs. Carmen O'Neil of Sacramento, Calif., in teaching the children of the Daily Vacation Bible School. Mrs. O'Neil found the point of contact and influence through emphasizing the need to 'live the life.'
Enthusiastic letters from the Assemblies of Seattle, Portland and Denver recount the valuable cooperation received from the visits of Mr. Wilhelm, Mr. Vail and Mr. Gregory on their return from the Convention. Nothing can equal or replace the effect of these direct personal visits among the various Assemblies.
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The Baha’i groups of Santa Paula and Santa Barbara, Calif., were greatly assisted during July by a visit from Mrs. Shanaz Waite of Los Angeles, who gave sufficient of her time to hold several public meetings and secure the adherence of several new friends.
The Spiritual Assembly of Philadelphia have recently compiled a complete history of their local activities since the earliest days of the Assembly. A copy of this was sent to the Guardian, and another copy to the Assembly for the Archives. Accompanied by photographs and programs, these copies are invaluable as one chapter in the development of the Cause in America, and the example set by Philadelphia deserves the consideration of other Assemblies.
About seventy-five believers from Geyserville, San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland gathered at the annual June 5 feast held by the Geyserville Assembly in the beautiful natural park which has been created on the estate of Mr. N. A. Griffith near Graton, Calif. Addresses were made by Mrs. Lurrol Luther of Portland and Mr. J. E. Madison of Berkeley. This park has been dedicated to the service of humanitarian societies and movements, many of which have enjoyed the hospitality of its owner. Such blessed spots have a very important significance to the Cause, and their influence for both material and spiritual good will unquestionably be proved as time brings new conditions of life. It is to be hoped that the friends present at such general feasts and meetings will take steps to have group photographs made for publication in the Baha’i Year Book.
The Spiritual Assembly of Geneva, N. Y., desire the friends to know that each year, in the latter part of May, they hold a blossom picnic to which all are cordially invited. This year fifteen visitors from Cleveland, Buffalo and Batavia enjoyed the picnic with the Geneva believers.
The many devoted Baha’i friends of the late Dr. Albert Durrant Watson of Toronto will be happy to know that a memorial volume by Loraine Lawrence will shortly be published by The Ryerson Press, Toronto. Copies may be obtained from the publishers at $2.50.
Assembly Rolls have not yet been received by the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly from the following local Assemblies and groups: San Francisco, Miami, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Piitsburgh. Will the friends appreciate that an early response in this matter is essential in order that a new and corrected address list may be prepared for the use of local secretaries and all committees, and also for the National Assembly in its correspondence, the accurate distribution of the News Letter, and in making the necessary arrangements for the National Convention.
Those who plan to translate Dr. Esslemont's book "Baha’u’llah and the New Era" into any foreign language are requested to bear in mind that the copyright on this volume includes all translation rights. Inquiries on this subject should be addressed to Mr. George P. Simpson, 58, North End Road, Golders Green, N. W. II. London, England.
During the latter part of March, Mr. Albert Vail traveled to Southern California at the urgent request of the local Assemblies, and preceding the Convention carried on intensive teaching service in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Hollywood and Glendale. Other meetings were held in San Diego, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara and Visalia. Following the Convention, Mr. Vail spoke and Baha’i halls in San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Petalama, Santa Rosa, Gryserville, Portland, Seattle, Spokane and cities of Montana and Colorado. As the result of this journey the Message was broadcast as never before throughout the West, and the friends themselves were greatly helped by this ideal example of finished, poised and ever responsive Baha’i teaching.
Special interest attaches to the results obtained by Mrs. May Maxwell and Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf from the visit at Vancouver during June, because their method of establishing a new Baha’i group (approved by Shoghi Effendi) discloses entirely new possibilities. Through a series of public meetings combined with personal teaching effort, a new group of interested inquirers was brought together. Unable to leave a Baha’i teacher to direct the efforts of these people after her departure, Mrs. Maxwell turned their attention directly to the literature itself, and arranged that the new friends should meet regularly and study the Word. From a member of this group has been received a letter proving that the Word itself, when studied by those effective of teachers. "Our class is very eager and ardent, and is proud to have already welcomed and enlisted a new member. At our two meetings we have numbered ten, but this will be enlarged when many return from their holidays, thus amalgamating the fruits of your work from the various centers and associations which you have addressed at the New Thought Center, the Soroptomist Club, British Women's League, Absolute Scientists, besides the groups you and Mrs. Greenleaf met at the home of Mrs. Harvey and your classes at the Vancouver Hotel." Similar conditions existed for Miss Knobloch in South Africa, who was instructed by Shoghi Effendi to leave her class with the Baha’i literature and that the students would confirm themselves. The believers should also bear in mind the Guardian's wish, expressed to recent pilgrims, that the Baha’is should make more individual study of the Word.
Through Miss Martha Root, an invitation was extended queen Marie of Roumania to speak at the World Unity Conference in Philadelphia. Afterward it was learned that Her Majesty will visit America in an official capacity which precludes acceptance of such invitations. The following telegram was received by Miss Root on August 10th: "Cannot, alas, accept invitation to speak Sesqui Centennial Congress, but will you assure them of all my sympathy and interest and my sincere desire that ‘Abdu’l-Baha's beautiful Message should help make a better and happier world." (signed) MARIE.
THE NINETEEN DAY FEASTS[edit]
The Nineteen Day Feast was instituted by the Báb and is preserved by Baha’u’llah in the text of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, where it is stated that every nineteen days a believer should either give a feast, or attend one. Shoghi Effendi has recently pointed out that these feasts are solely for believers. If by accident a non-Baha’i should be present, he should be permitted to remain, and treated with all courtesy and love, but no one not a confirmed believer should ever be invited to a Nineteen Day Feast.
Those who have attended these Feasts as given by the Master describe them as occasions of intense exultation. On page 468 of the second volume of the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Baha the friends will find the Master's own instructions as to how the Nineteen Day Feasts should be conducted. It is clear that the Nineteen Day Feast is an organic part of life of a Baha’i community, and that the spirit of a group is refreshed and inspired by regular, devoted attendance at the Feasts.
