| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 139 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 139 | YEAR 97, BAHÁ’Í ERA | October, 1940 |
THE SEVEN YEAR PLAN AT MIDPOINT[edit]
as obligatory and not voluntary.”
Beloved Friends:
We come now to the midpoint of the Seven Year Plan, that supreme and culminating effort of this generation of Bahá’ís in America to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. May we not pause a moment for renewed vision of the importance of our great enterprise, and for deeper consecration to the discharge of the responsibilities which the beloved Master has laid upon our souls.
Within the brief span of three and one-half years the American Bahá’í community has surpassed all expectation in meeting the schedule of Temple construction. In rapid succession we have witnessed the application of the ornamentation to the gallery floor of the House of Worship, then to the nine pylons of the main story; and now at this hour the ornamentation is proceeding swiftly on the first of the nine faces of the main story. Moreover, the grounds themselves are being graded, preparatory to seeding, and the entrance tunnels and areaways are to be completed in October. By establishing the grade at this time, the earth will settle and be ready for the laying of the sidewalks in 1942, preceded by the building of the surrounding stairs. Last of all will come the placing of the nine permanent doors, the signal to the world that the exterior of the House of Bahá’u’lláh has been completed!
Likewise, in the realm of teaching the American community has made miraculous advance in this same period of time. Our unoccupied areas have pioneers, or groups, or Assemblies, Spiritual Assemblies have been formed in Mexico City, Bahia, and Buenos Aires, groups raised up in Havana, Tegucigalpa, Guatemala, Montevideo and Panama, and pioneers are striving heroically in other nations of Central and South America.
The world, however, as the Guardian has been warning us for many years, has drawn inevitably to the verge of prostration; and we behold now, with the eye of the spirit, that the only real life in mankind is that new spiritual life which Bahá’u’lláh confers. The contrast between the world and the Kingdom is overwhelming. It compels us to attain maturity of soul in order to serve the Faith with the whole power of our capacity.
Convinced that the Temple work is progressing satisfactorily, the National Spiritual Assembly now wishes the friends to grasp the necessity for concentrating on teaching work during the second half of the Seven Year Plan. Here there remains unfulfilled the mightiest opportunity ever offered to a small, inconspicuous and humble group of human beings.
The teaching work calls for a movement of the entire Bahá’í community, the utmost concentration of effort on the part of all Assemblies, Committees, groups and individuals along with all the enthusiasm and initiative the community can summon to its aid.
The National Spiritual Assembly, to open the way to a more widespread, free and unified teaching effort, indicates the path which the Guardian has laid down for the administrative relationships involved, and thus makes it possible for every worker to see clearly the plan of action as a whole.
As Shoghi Effendi has written: “The local Spiritual Assembly can not delegate to any one of the local committees the authority to exercise any control or supervision over any other committee or body which it has itself appointed. All local committees are directly and solely responsible to the local Assembly which alone can exercise the power of supervision over them”—an explanation which applies similarly to the National Committees.
National Committees: The National Spiritual Assembly appeals to every Committee to energize its labor, study its possibilities and apply for any necessary budget or approval of plans. Whatever coordination may be needed between the services, functions or fields of effort of various Committees will be supplied by the National Assembly in accordance with the Guardian’s administrative instruction. Any Committee encountering problems or conditions requiring the exercise of authority is to report the matter to the National Assembly without delay.
Regional Committees: These are to be regarded as independent committees, not controlled by any other Committee but
| “RESISTLESS MARCH”
Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi Ismailiyyih reports believers assigned cemetery. Authorized building. Rejoicing with American community (at) striking evidence (of the) resistless march (of the) ever-expanding, consolidating Bahá’í world order. SHOGHI RABBANI
Received August 22, 1940. Note: Believers in Muslim countries have not previously been permitted to have separate Bahá’í cemeteries. The building authorized is the supplementary administrative building now under construction at Wilmette. |
under the constant supervision of the National Assembly itself. Their functions include:
- Coordination of Inter-Community conferences.
- Cooperation with local Assemblies in organizing teaching circuits.
- The routing of traveling teachers within the region.
- Rendering assistance to groups and preparing groups for the election of a Spiritual Assembly.
- Encouraging and stimulating teaching activities of isolated believers.
- The extension of teaching work to areas within the regions where no Assemblies or groups exist. The Regional Committee is to exercise initiative in the areas outside the jurisdiction of local Assemblies. A local Assembly wishing to carry on extension teaching in nearby centers should notify the Regional Committee, which will then leave those centers for development by the Assembly.
- The Regional Committee should inform itself of all the facilities which are at the disposal of groups and isolated believers for teaching work—teaching literature, lantern slides, material for public exhibits, radio talks, publicity, books for placement in public libraries, etc. The use of the many facilities which have been developed in recent years is to be encouraged among groups and the active isolated friends.
- Enrollment cards of new believers are to be carefully recorded by the Regional Committee and the signed card then sent to the National Office at 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette.
In later issues of Bahá’í News, the National Spiritual Assembly will endeavor to
point out some of the teaching functions
of local Assemblies. Not until the whole
body of the Bahá’í community is filled
with the same blessed spirit of radiant
enthusiasm can we be assured that we are
actually meeting the high expectations
which the Guardian cherishes for the community. May we fully understand and
faithfully obey the great spiritual law of
this Cause: In this new cycle, education
and training are recorded in the Book of
God as obligatory and not voluntary.
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá.) Without basis in this
Divine command, our teaching activities
might lose their inner spirit and reflect too
much the promotion methods of the society surrounding the American Bahá’ís.
May our understanding be purified and
our souls filled with passionate resolve to
hold aloft the banner of His Faith!
A MOST BEFITTING AND DIGNIFIED EXHIBIT[edit]
| “INEXPRESSIBLY REJOICE”
Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi August twenty-third sent following: “Congratulate Florence Morton (on the) imperishable honor (of) association through magnificent donation (with completion of) last faces (of) remaining units (of) historic House (of) Worship. Inexpressibly rejoice (at) simultaneous evidences (of) astounding acceleration (of) ornamentation, vigorous prosecution (of) teaching enterprises, (and) visible expansion (of) newly-formed nucleus (of) Administrative Seat. Bahá’í world vibrates (with) emotion (at) phenomenal successes enabling, in (a) declining age, (the) high-minded, greathearted champions (of) Faith (to) enlarge limits, reinforce fabric (and) insure future greatness (of) Divinely-ordained institutions.” SHOGHI RABBANI
Note: The National Assembly did not receive the message when first sent on August 23. |
“The stone casting representing the windowhead of the main story ornamentation of the Temple which you had shipped on board the American Export Liner ‘Excalibur’ was safely received only two days ago, and was found in excellent condition. It has already, at the Guardian’s direction, been placed at the entrance to the garden adjoining the Shrine of the Báb. The size of the casting, and the intricate and beautiful designs, and the excellent location it has been given, are such as to highly impress all visitors. It makes indeed a most befitting and dignified exhibit, and is bound to awaken considerable interest in the Cause. The Guardian feels most grateful to the N. S. A. for their gift, which constitutes indeed one more tangible proof of the bonds of undying devotion and attachment that so indissolubly unites them with the world-center of the Faith in the Holy Land.”—SHOGHI EFFENDI, through his secretary, to Allen B. McDaniel, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, April 22, 1940.
Two views of this casting in the garden at Haifa were published in Bahá’í News for September, 1940.
“THE VOICE OF TRUTH, NEVER TO BE CHALLENGED”[edit]
In our effort to be fully informed of the teachings and principles that explain the nature of the local Spiritual Assembly, we come upon many extraordinary statements compelling profound reflection on our part before we can realize their meaning. For example, the Guardian wrote many years ago: “And, when they are called upon (i.e., the members of the local Assembly) to arrive at a certain decision, they should, after dispassionate, anxious and cordial consultation, turn to God in prayer, and with earnestness and conviction and courage record their vote and abide by the voice of the majority, which we are told by our Master to be the voice of truth, never to be challenged, and always to be whole-heartedly enforced.”
Such is the high and unique station given to the institution established by Bahá’u’lláh as the basis of His world order! But that station is one we must achieve by our ardent individual and collective efforts. It is the fruit of a condition that is attained, and not a power which can be exercised by the ignorant, the superficial and the divided souls.
In previous statements on the subject of the local Spiritual Assembly we have cited the functions with which it has been endowed and for which it is responsible.
One of the most vital functions of an Assembly is to maintain the unity of the believers in the community. Success in this weighty responsibility resting upon each and every elected member is absolutely essential to the coming of the Most Great Peace. The unity of Bahá’ís, however, is and must be conscious, sincere, wholehearted and joyous, and not merely that outward lack of discord resulting from the application of authority and power.
[Page 3]
Bahá’ís unite in and through their Assembly, not under its dominion. Bahá’ís cherish and protect their Assembly because if
they allow it to be destroyed they will become victims to the terrible and implacable disorders of the world. It is the truth
and the spirit which unites Bahá’ís, not
personality by charm nor government by
force. The source of all unity is Bahá’u’lláh. The unique Stations He created
and the institutions He established are
sacred because of their connection with
and dependence upon Bahá’u’lláh. From
that connection and dependence they exercise miraculous powers—powers which
originate in Bahá’u’lláh and are sustained
by His Spirit.
That is why a true Bahá’í is in full and continuous union with other Bahá’ís in any city or any country where he mingles with them. In turning to Bahá’u’lláh, in becoming Bahá’ís, we consciously and resolutely leave behind every human tie or consideration which could prevent us from being in unity with all other Bahá’ís. Thus, there is not such a thing as a “hyphenated” Bahá’í—an American-Bahá’í, a German-Bahá’í, a white-Bahá’í, a colored-Bahá’í, a rich-Bahá’í, or a poor-Bahá’í in the sense of any group limitation. The quality of our Bahá’í relationship is from our soul and not from our family, our race, our class, our nationality or our former creed.
This is the root of the matter, infinitely important for us to realize at this stage of human history, when the edifice of mankind draws so near to the point of destruction.
The kind of Bahá’í Assembly we should all strive for in our city or town is one in which and through which the unity of Bahá’u’lláh is achieved—the universal unity binding in spirit all who sincerely turn to Him. Thus, even in a small Bahá’í community, the friends should include and reconcile types of persons which, in the world, are in mutual enmity, bitterness and conflict. By sacrificing, for Bahá’u’lláh, any opinion or condition at variance with His teachings, we attain the right and the privilege to associate with all other sincere believers in the realm of faith and progress. On the other hand, the Faith does not seek to unite discordant elements which represent rejection of Bahá’u’lláh. We do not throw open the doors of Bahá’í membership to any who might wish it without meeting the conditions of faith which the Guardian has explained. The door through which believers enter His Cause is the door of spiritual experience. We can enroll only those whom Bahá’u’lláh Himself accepts to be His servants and workers in His Kingdom!
Completed Pylon, Main Story, Bahá’í House of Worship.
Photograph taken August 23, 1940.
INTER-AMERICA TEACHING[edit]
Montevideo—Wilfrid Barton writes from Montevideo: “You will be glad to know that we have several new contacts here which are very promising indeed—persons of real capacity. Besides, a small nucleus of the group interested by Mrs. Stewart is continuing to show interest. Through the assistance of one of the latter we have succeeded in obtaining a very nice room located conveniently in the center of town to hold our public meetings. We have had three meetings so far, and, though the attendance has been modest in proportions, the quality of those few attending and the eager interest they have shown have been a source of great encouragement to Simon and me. The problem which will now occupy our attention is how we may increase the numbers of those attending and enlarge the circle of our contacts. As for me, the most fertile field for Bahá’í contacts has proved to be through my musical interests and activities. One of these I feel is worth mentioning here. When the famous Lehner quartet was here in Montevideo a short while ago, I put myself in touch with Mr. Imre Hartman, ’cellist of the quartet, to arrange to take a few lessons. In the course of our first interview I had occasion to mention the Cause to Mr. Hartman and he immediately showed considerable interest, asking me various questions and accepting the leaflet which I offered him. Later I had dinner with Mr. Hartman and Mr. Roth, violist of the quartet, and the occasion again arose to discuss the Cause at even further length. I am keeping in touch with Mr. Hartman, who is now in Buenos Aires, and I hope soon to have the opportunity to put him in touch with the
[Page 4]
Bahá’ís there when the circumstances
prove favorable.”
Quito—From Quito, Ecuador, John Stearns writes us: “At the beginning of the month I transferred residence from the Pension, taking over part of a house in the north residential section together with four other young men. Before undertaking this arrangement the matter of my religious status was, of course, carefully discussed. I occasionally have opportunity to talk with them of serious matters. The change of address gives me a kitchen in which to pursue experimental work with the native materials for candy and provides several other advantages. I continue to eat at the Pension occasionally and keep my acquaintances there.... I did not visit Guayaquil as anticipated in the last report. Instead I attended the tea given at the American Legation here in Quito on July 4th. There were about 150 present, of these about 25 Americans. There are more Americans in Quito but not the type that enthuse over such “stuffed shirt” affairs. The afternoon was a pleasant one, expressing strongly inter-America feeling. Present were the staff and band of an American warship which was visiting Guayaquil at the time. Also the city has been honored by the visit of a squadron of six planes from the Canal Zone the past week.”
San José, Costa Rica—Mrs. Ford and Mrs. Woolson report four confirmed believers on August 1st, 1940. Since April 26th, 1940, weekly classes have been held at which the average attendance has been five or six persons. On May 2nd Mrs. Ford presented the Bahá’í Message before the Theosophical Society, and this lecture was advertised by the Society in the newspapers. The editor of the Spanish magazine “Alma Tica,” which has a circulation of 3000 copies in Central and South America, has consented to publish the Spanish translation made by Mrs. Ford of the Guardian’s pamphlet, “World Religion.”
Havana, Cuba—Philip Marangella writes that a Bahá’í Center has been established in a beautiful old Spanish colonial building in Havana. The room has been furnished and the bookcase stocked with all available literature. There are now six declared believers in Havana. He sends the following names and asks that some of the friends send them words of welcome. These are the latest:
- Mr. Jack Zoller, Malecon 671, Havana, Cuba.
- Sr. Librado Gonzalez Benavides, Amistad 162 (Altos), Havana.
- Sr. José de la Luz V. Perez, Factoria No. 155, Havana.
| BEAR ALL, DARE ALL
Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi Hearts uplifted (by) realization (that the) increasing turmoil (of the) great testing hour is stiffening resolution (and) giving fresh resilience (to) splendid spirit animating American believers. (The) pioneers embarking (on) holy task (in) Southern Republics, (and) reinforcing (the) teaching work (in the) Southern States (are) object (of my) special prayers. Assure each (my) deepest gratitude (and) loving admiration. (I) renew (my) plea (to) bear all, dare all (in) path (of) service (to this) matchless Cause. SHOGHI RABBANI
|
Mr. Marangella writes that the first believer to register was
- Sr. Perfecto Perez y Toledo, Oguendo 358, Apto 52.
- 2nd was Eugenio Gines, Escobar 107, Altos, Havana.
- 3rd was Domingo Santos del Rio, Sitios 256, Havana.
These friends appear in the photograph with Mr. and Mrs. Marangella.
Port-au-Prince, Haiti—Mrs. Ruth Blackwell writes of conditions in this country in which she says the Catholic influence is like a vise and she is forced to remain almost in seclusion. She has been living with a native family, speaks, reads and writes French. She requests literature in French and hopes to rent a house when her husband joins her.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras—Mr. Gerrard Sluter wrote before leaving for Colombia that the first Unity feast was held on June 5th at which five Bahá’ís attended. Professor Tany Viana held the fourth feast in his home. Professor Viana has dedicated a book shelf and a “History of Central America” as the beginning of a Bahá’í reference library.
The local Bahá’í Fund has been established to which all are, loyally, contributing small sums. Thus the group was in a position to buy some flowers and send a delegate to the funeral of a son of one of the Bahá’ís. A Teaching Committee has been formed which is a kind of Executive Committee for the community. There are now six active Bahá’ís in Tegucigalpa, and public meetings are to be held every Saturday night, which are given publicity.
San Salvador—John Eichenauer writes that good use has been made of the extra copies of World Order, putting them in the two main social clubs, the Casino and the International Club. A quotation from the writings was inserted in Cypactly, one of the main literary magazines. A social-sports club has been contacted, a number of whose members have expressed interest in the principles of the Teachings. Meetings are held each Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning and ideas about how to get people out would be appreciated.
Jamaica—Mr. and Mrs. Shaw, who have recently returned to this country, report difficulties in teaching in Jamaica on account of class distinctions. A customs official who saw their Bahá’í books let them through without any trouble because he had heard about the Faith. Mrs. Shaw fell into conversation with three ladies on a street corner who were waiting for a car and discovered one of them had lived in Montreal where she worked for Mrs. Maxwell, who took her to Bahá’í meetings.
Dominican Republic—Miss Margret Lentz writes from Trujillo, Republic of Domingo, that another young woman has been confirmed there. Her name is Sra. Ana Margrit Schaefer. Miss Lentz is very happy in her work, and having been for some years attached to the International Bureau at Geneva, Switzerland, she is a very accomplished linguist and understands pioneer work.
Bahia—We learn from Bahia, Brazil that a Spiritual Assembly has recently been formed there with Miss Leonora Holsapple and Mr. and Mrs. Worley as teachers. This is indeed good news.
New Translation—The Publishing Committee announces that the Spanish translation of “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” is now ready and shipments have been made to pioneers and groups. (See Publishing Committee report in this issue.)
Applications from Volunteers—The Inter—America Committee wishes to inform all applicants to the field of pioneer service in Latin America that pending the approval of the applicants by the Committee and their acceptance by the National Spiritual Assembly no move whatsoever should be made by the applicants toward securing Consular advice. The observance of this instruction is of the utmost importance since premature action may lead to complications which would frustrate the plans entirely.
When an application has been approved the applicant will be advised immediately, his post will be determined and he will then receive definite instructions as to how to proceed by the duly appointed representative of the Inter-America Committee with whom he will establish the necessary correspondence. By following this plan all arrangements will be facilitated and a uniform
[Page 5]
procedure will be established which
is absolutely essential to the carrying out
of successful entry into the various countries. Visitors to these countries also, even
though not engaged in pioneer service, are
invited to avail themselves of the facilities
offered by the Inter-America Committee
through their representative. In this way
the Inter-America Committee will be able
to inform the various Bahá’í Centers of
the proposed visits.
Pioneers are needed in Peru where a married couple would be most acceptable, and there are positions to be had for men in Panama where no knowledge of Spanish is necessary. In the case of women in Panama only expert stenographers or trained nurses are in demand.
Inter-America Bulletin—A regular bulletin has been inaugurated which will be sent to all pioneers by air mail as often as occasion warrants, and certainly once a month. In this bulletin there will be a page devoted to Spanish translation of some of the writings. The remainder of the contents will serve to keep the pioneers in touch with each other and with us, and will carry information regarding the translations which are ready for use as well as news items about the progress of the Temple and any news of particular interest.
All friends contemplating pioneer service or those intending to make a visit to any of the countries coming within the range of the work of this Committee are requested to communicate at once with the Committee through the Chairman.
- NELLIE S. FRENCH, Chairman
- 786 Chester Avenue
- San Marino, California
INTER-AMERICA ADDRESSES[edit]
(Revised to September 30, 1940)[edit]
- Mexico—Spiritual Assembly, Pedro Espinosa, Secretary, Calle Bucareli 65, Bajos 2, Mexico City.
- Guatemala—Sr. Francisco Acker, 15 Calle Peniente No. 24, Guatemala, C. A.
- Nicaragua—Mr. Mathew Kaszab, c/o Mrs. Anna Crowdell, Bluefields, Nicaragua, C. A.
- Panama—Mrs. Cora H. Oliver, P. O. Box 1296, Ancon, Canal Zone; Mrs. Louise Caswell, P. O. Box 1296, Ancon, Canal Zone.
- San Salvador—Mr. John Eichenauer, Jr., 11a Ave. Sur No. 43, San Salvador, C. A.; Mr. Clarence Iverson, 11a Ave. Sur No. 43, San Salvador, C. A.
- Honduras—Sr. Jose Leon Ruiz, Secretary, Ba. “El Socorro,” Comayaguela, D. C., Honduras, C. A.
- Cosa Rica—Mrs. Gayle Woolson, 100 varas Sur Teatro Nacional, Calle 3a, Avenidas 2a y 4a, San Jose, Costa Rica; Mrs. Amalia Ford, 100 varas Sur Teatro
Main Story Ornamentation Under Way.
This photograph, taken October 3, 1940, shows a number of castings already in place along the window bases. It also shows progress in the contract for grading the land.
- Nacional, Calle 3a, Avenidas 2a y 4a, San Jose, Costa Rica.
- Cuba—Address later.
- Dominican Republic—Miss Margaret Lentz, P. O. Box 65, Cuidad Trujillo, Rep. Dominica.
- Uruguay—Mr. Wilfrid Barton, Yacó 1478 Dto, 2 Nueve Malvin, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Ecuador—Jr. John Stearns, Pension Neumann, Calle Flores 12, Quito, Ecuador.
- Venezuela—Mr. and Mrs. Emeric Sala, Paraiso de Sabana Grande, Calle del Media 5, Caracas, Venezuela; Miss Priscilla Rhodes, Paraiso de Sabana Grande, Calle del Medio 5, Caracas, Venezuela.
- Haiti—Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth Blackwell, c/o American Consul, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- Brazil—Mr. Roy L. Morley, Caixa Postal 659, Bahia, Brazil.
- Argentina—Sr. Salvador Tormo, Sarandi 140, piso 7, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Senora Maria Casati, Calle Espana 362, Formosa, Argentina.
- Chile—Senora Elisa Espinosa, c/o Associacion Christiana Femenina, Calle McIvor, Santiago, Chile.
- Puerto Rico—Miss Ruhiyyih Jones, P. O. Box 2130, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Mrs. Katherine Disdier, P. O. Box 2130, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Philippine Islands—Sr. Felix Maddela, Bintawan St. Solano, Vizcaya, P. I.
- Colombia—Mr. Gerrard Sluter, Carrera 7, No. 18-68, Bogota, Colombia.
FIRST LATIN-AMERICAN SESSION[edit]
The first Bahá’í Latin-American Session was held at Temerity Ranch in Pine Valley, near Colorado Springs, Colorado, from June 12th to June 24th, 1940. A cable received just before the opening from Shoghi Effendi brought with it innumerable blessings. It was significant that the number of believers able to accept the invitation to attend the Session was nineteen. Perfect weather aided our material plans as we had set a tent on the lawn and thus had an al fresco dining room from which could be glimpsed the plains that stretch to the East of the mountains. There are no boarding houses or restaurants in the neighborhood and the city of Colorado Springs is fourteen miles distant.
A circulating library of Latin-American books and the maps of these countries had been prepared.
Two periods were set aside daily for prayer and meditation which was followed by consultation lasting an indefinite time. The Committee has edited the discussions and has sent the report in pamphlet form to the Assemblies.
Our first evening was arranged for a meeting between the Colorado Springs Assembly and the friends from afar, who had come from many directions: Louisiana, California, Honolulu, Chicago, Wilmette, New York, and New Hampshire.
With considerable trepidation we had sent out five hundred invitations to the public of the city, though they had never evinced any interest either in our public Bahá’í meetings nor responded to invitations to fireside groups. There was no doubt that our Guardian’s prayers for the success of these meetings was answered, for, to our utter astonishment, every meeting was well attended; we had never
[Page 6]
less than fifty and towards the end of the
Session more than a hundred in attendance.
Our program included two lectures on Latin-American music by well known authorities, Prof. James Sykes and Prof. Nicolas Slonimsky. Added to which we had a concert of South American composers. Prof. C. W. T. Penland added greatly to our program by a lecture with colored slides of the “Flora of the High Andes.” And we had Mrs. Louise Caswell who showed slides of the Temples of the world and afterwards related her experiences in Panama as a Pioneer.
We had four Bahá’í Talks held in the Half Way House, Colorado Springs, which is a lovely building dedicated to recovering patients, able to work here and sell their handicraft. Our first talks were given by Horace Holley and George Latimer on the Bahá’í remedies for world conditions. The second evening we had a symposium of four fifteen-minute speakers on “Progressive Revelation,” given by Raphael Pumpelly, Mrs. Charles Bishop, Marion Holley and George Latimer. “The Historical Background of the Bahá’í Faith” was next presented by Miss Marion Holley and Mrs. Charles Bishop. Our first symposium was so successful that we chose this form of presenting the Faith for our last public talk.
“Deepening the spiritual Life” in four separate aspects were given by Mr. Pumpelly, Mrs. Mary Barton, Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Loulie Mathews. We closed the two-week Session with a Bahá’í picnic.
The committee appointed to develop plans for the school and a course for teachers will submit plans to the National Spiritual Assembly as soon as is feasible.
It is hoped that as a means of advancing knowledge and understanding of teaching in Latin-America, the school will take its place among Bahá’í institutions and fulfill a special destiny.
- BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- LOULIE A. MATHEWS, Chairman
- MARY BARTON
- HELEN BISHOP
- GEORGE O. LATIMER
- E. R. MATHEWS.
- BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEACHING ACTIVITIES, NORTH AMERICA[edit]
Beloved Friends:
We in America cannot, if we would, neglect the part we are now called to play in this planetary crisis. Whether within or without the Ark of the Faith, our hearts admit the logic of the Guardian’s diagnosis that “the immediate future
First Bahá’í Latin-American Session at the Bahá’í International School, Temerity Ranch, Colorado Springs, June 12-24, 1940.
must, as a result of this steady, this gradual, and inevitable absorption in the manifold perplexities and problems afflicting
humanity, be dark and oppressive for that
nation.” But while this certainty oppresses our contemporaries, it can but energize the active Bahá’í. Indeed, Bahá’ís
everywhere are already busy at building
a new world!
Katherine Disdier and Rouhieh Jones arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on July 24th, where they hope to obtain teaching posts. Through Miss Disdier’s former stay there, many doors are already open and their arrival was heralded with a comprehensive article on the Faith in “El Mundo,” the “most important newspaper in all the islands of the Caribbean ...” Fine contacts were made on shipboard.
Great strides mark progress in Alaska, where Betty Becker and Myrtle Dodge of San Francisco have lately found employment, thus bringing the number of our pioneers to five. Appreciative words come from Fairbanks and Anchorage of the work and influence of Joy Allen. A Regional Committee has been appointed. In Fairbanks Betty Becker and Janet Whitenack “are now studying with two prospects regularly (with) quite a few others lined up. In addition, we have talked to a number of people who travel from one part of Alaska to another—Honor sends us people to follow up, and we send some to her....” Sitka, since Miss Becker left, is an open field for another Bahá’í pioneer. “I left behind me many friends and also several people who are heartily in sympathy with the teachings.... It seems to me that if we had a Bahá’í couple who had money to invest and could establish themselves in Sitka, they should not be so very long in forming a Spiritual Assembly.”
Mrs. Moscrop has reported three meetings, with an average attendance of eight, during her recent campaign in Regina, Sask., which laid the foundation for a regular group in autumn. Her comments are timely: “Altogether, there are approximately twenty-six who are willing to study.... There are dozens of others who have received literature and information. ... So far I haven’t met anyone who is antagonistic to the Teachings; in fact there is a noticeable difference in the outlook of the general populace from that which I found in my first visit. Men and women of all classes are beginning to wonder what is ahead of them and are consequently far readier to listen to a constructive, world-embracing program such as the Bahá’í Faith offers....” Mrs. Moscrop also made a weekend visit to Winnipeg, where she found Rowland Estall “well and happy and full of great plans....”
Mr. Estall himself forwarded in June the enrollment of Miss Winnifred Harvey, a former Winnipeg resident who is now permanently located in Ottawa. “This
| NOTICE CONCERNING TREASURER’S OFFICE
The National Assembly has opened a Canadian Bahá’í Fund as a department of the National Bahá’í Fund, to function during the period when transmission of funds from one country to another is under special restriction. All donations in Canadian currency intended for the National Bahá’í Fund, Bahiyyih Khanum Fund, etc., are hereafter to be sent to Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, Assistant Treasurer, 1102 University Street, Montreal, P. Q. Checks and postal orders should be made payable to Canadian Bahá’í Fund. Appropriations made by the National Assembly for activities in Canada will be paid from this bank account in Montreal. |
news is doubly thrilling because it signifies not only the acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh’s mandate by another awakened soul, but means as well the pioneer establishment of the Faith in a new Canadian city, this time the Capital of the Dominion....”
Steady progress is being made in Fargo, N. D., where the Bahá’í group has been joined by “a very fine man of rare qualities....” The new believers are active, and “through their efforts many names have been added to the list of inquirers.” Mrs. Breugger also sends an enthusiastic account of her opportunity to speak for Station KVOX on “What is the Bahá’í Faith?” “A very marvelous response ... many cards, letters, and telephone calls came in requesting more talks on the same subject.... I do firmly believe that it will be through this medium that the Cause will be more fully publicized in this particular State ...”
Since Convention Mrs. Ruth Moffett has achieved wonderful results in several cities. A chance contact at the Temple led her to visit Fort Wayne, Ind., in May where in three days of intensive teaching, with the full cooperation of this new friend, Mrs. Worthington, a study group was formed with nineteen members. The registrations of Mr. and Mrs. Worthington have already been reported. The next campaign was for nine days in Danville, Ill., during June, a project which the Urbana Assembly sponsored. After nineteen public lectures, two study classes were formed. Urbana writes: “We consider these results very remarkable; also very spiritual was the atmosphere of the meetings.” Mrs. Moffett then proceeded to Kalamazoo, Mich., where three resident believers and Miss Mae Servais, Chicago Bahá’í, cooperated in a seventeen-day campaign of thirty-three lectures, accompanied by daily publicity. The meetings culminated in a Bahá’í fellowship picnic on July 6th, attended by ten believers and twenty-four new friends. There are fifteen persons in the continuing study class. In addition to such intensive work, Mrs. Moffett found time to spend three days in Grand Rapids, Mich., early in June, where various well-attended meetings were held through arrangements of the local Bahá’ís.
On July 21st the Kalantars were hosts for a Bahá’í Youth Conference in Wilmington, attended by about thirty young people from Washington, Baltimore, Red Bank, Philadelphia, Newark, West Englewood, Tenafly, and New York City. After two conference periods, a well-publicized public meeting was held, featuring Mrs. Sims, Mr. Lucien McComb, and Miss Hamideh Nabil, on “Youth’s Place in a Chaotic World.” A permanent result was the election of an inter-community committee “to arrange similar gatherings in the future.” The previous day several of these young Bahá’ís accompanied Mr. Kalantar to a Bahá’í picnic in Philadelphia, where he introduced nine or ten of them for brief talks. Other reports from the Kalantars show steady growth in Wilmington; through persistence in arranging meetings and widening contacts, and with help in obtaining publicity from Mrs. Snyder, the Faith is becoming much more widely known. Guest speakers at Bahá’í meetings have included Miss Doris Lohse and Mr. George Miller of Washington, Mrs. Walter B. Guy of St. Augustine, Mrs. Stone and James Stone of Teaneck, and Miss Gretchen Westervelt of New York City.
Augusta’s annual report outlined a diversified and stimulating program, including meetings coupling a Bahá’í speaker with a Theosophist, a Rabbi, and an Episcopal minister; exhibits illustrating Bahá’í principles, such as dolls dressed in various national costumes, the flags of many nations, books of the great religions, and an exhibit on How to Attain Happiness; considerable race unity work; and extension teaching in North Augusta.
The special project at Vogel Park, Cleveland, Ga., June 8-15, with delegates from eight southern States, has given a thrilling impetus to teaching throughout the South. Four new believers have been reported, two as direct result of this conference, from Louisville, Memphis (Tenn.), New Orleans, and Nashville.
Mabel Ives writes of a special confirmation class in Memphis, and of their hopes for a week’s campaign in the Fall to widen contacts for next year, and perhaps to win several representative men now studying the Teachings. In July Mrs. Ives joined her husband, who has been working in Hot Springs, Ark., at the invitation of our new believer, Roberta Wilson.
Nellie Roche has reported an interracial meeting, the first of a series leading up to a teaching project for November in Nashville. Twenty-five representatives of the two races attended, only half of them Bahá’ís, and “what was first intended as a local affair developed into an interstate, even an international occasion!” There were guests from Mississippi, Alabama, and a young graduate of the University of Montana “on his way back to his native Liberia.”
From Louisville Olivia Kelsey reports that two students have asked to enroll. Despite summer heat, a new study group has been started with an interesting membership, including a lawyer and an architect. The head of the Urban League has asked Mrs. Kelsey to address some forty women at the Y.W.C.A. She has also been asked to review “I, Mary Magdalene” for the Penwomen’s League. In June Mrs. Kelsey visited Lexington to make preliminary arrangements for a study class in the Fall, finding several who were eager to discuss the Teachings. While carrying on this ambitious program, Mrs. Kelsey is also employed and is studying business opportunities for next year.
Reports of unusual interest have come from many of our teachers. Orcella Rexford, who was an instructor at Vogel Park, has forwarded some good publicity obtained in a Newnan, Ga., paper. She had spoken at Jacksonville, and planned to return north via Greenville, S. C., and Huntington, W. Va., for Bahá’í work. Last year, according to her annual report, Miss Rexford taught large audiences in Atlanta, Boston, and New York City, leaving classes for local follow-up.
Louis Gregory has served in the teaching field most actively these past months, speaking to many meetings arranged by the friends throughout New York State, in the Chicago area, Peoria, Lima, Detroit, and other centers. He was guest in the pulpits of three churches; spoke on the radio in Peoria and assisted with an outstanding Race-Unity dinner there; and most recently was featured in two lectures and a radio talk on May 11th, at “The Seventy-Five Years of Progress Exposition” arranged by the colored citizens of Detroit.
Dorothy Baker is another whose teaching activities have taken her to widely-separated groups in such cities as Findlay, Ohio; Buffalo, Syracuse, Hamburg, and Canandaigua, N. Y.; Washington, D. C.; Key West, Atlanta; Ann-Arbor and Ypsilanti.
[Page 8]
In May she visited St. Louis where
our pioneer, Nayan Hartfield, arranged a
meeting from which a study class has resulted. Notable race unity work was
achieved in Peoria, Chicago, and Urbana,
where Mrs. Baker shared the platform
with the president of the Hillel Foundation of America.
Beatrice Irwin wrote on July 30th that, during her nine weeks in Redonda, Calif., she has interested nineteen people and is carrying on a weekly reading meeting. There are now twelve Bahá’í books in the public library, with such interest that the librarian has accepted “World Order” for “current service in the reading room.” Earlier in the spring Miss Irwin gave two lectures at Lake Elsinore, and in March addressed 450 people at the Los Angeles Public Library on “Peace and Progress in Palestine,” using many slides of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Shrines, and the Bahá’í Temple.
Charlotte Linfoot combined a business trip through the Northwest with Bahá’í teaching last Spring, giving valuable help at Monroe and Everett, Wash., and Vancouver, B. C. She had a half-hour’s interview with the editor in Everett, who is reading Esslemont because “he really wants to know what it is about.” Miss Linfoot observed that Everett, like other cities in which extension work is carried on, could profit best with a resident Bahá’í for follow-up and to provide a meeting place.
A set of Bahá’í books has been placed in the library of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation at Browning, Montana.
Beloved friends, let us pursue the work Bahá’u’lláh has set us, and with confident hearts embrace the vision of our Guardian: “Both the community of the American believers, who are aware of that Source, and the great mass of their countrymen, who have not as yet recognized the Hand that directs their destiny, are contributing, each in its own way, to the realization of the hopes, and the fulfillment of the promises, voiced in the ... words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ... ‘The American nation is equipped and empowered to accomplish that which will adorn the pages of history, to become the envy of the world, and be blest in both the East and the West for the triumph of its people ...’ ”
COMMITTEE NEWS ITEMS[edit]
Each Committee appointed by the National Assembly is expected to submit news items and reports directly to the N. S. A., while Committees appointed by local Assemblies report through their local Assembly. Traveling teachers submit items through the Regional or National Teaching Committee, whichever has sponsored the work.
| NOTICE CONCERNING PUBLISHING OFFICE
The Western Division, San Francisco, is not affected by this notice. |
PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENTS[edit]
The Glorious Kingdom of the Father Foretold, by Virgie Vail, dealing with prophecy referring to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Bound in dark blue fabrikoid, stamped in gold. 262 pages. Per copy, $1.50.
Spanish edition, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, bound in green paper. This Spanish translation is primarily intended for Inter-America teaching, but should be very useful also for teaching activities in the United States and Canada which make contact with Spanish-language groups. Per copy, $0.75.
German edition, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, bound in paper. Per copy, $0.50. Bound in cloth, $0.75.
French edition, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, bound in paper. Per copy, $0.75.
The friends are reminded of I, Mary Magdalen, by Juliet Thompson, a detailed notice of which was published in the July, 1940 issue of Bahá’í News. Copies can be obtained through the Publishing Committee at $2.50 each, cash with order.
Study Outlines, on The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh (the Guardian’s World Order letters) and on Deepening the Spiritual Life (based on the Gleanings) planned for study classes with or without a special teacher in charge, sold only in lots of ten. For ten copies, either Outline, $0.50.
Comprehensive Study Outline for Children. The correct price of this Outline which includes twenty-five lessons, for children in intermediate and upper grades, is $0.50 and not $0.25, as wrongly announced in the September issue.
TEMPLE TEACHING[edit]
The number of visitors in the month of July, as reported by the Temple Guides Committee, was 2,479. Since January 1, 1940, the total number of persons who have been guided through the House of Worship is 8,358.
In July eight different groups of apprentice seamen from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, with a total of 539 young men, were received. It is highly interesting to note that nearly every Saturday and Sunday two or three bus loads of these sailors arrive on tours sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. of Waukegan, Illinois.
[Page 9]
Other groups during July were 42 children from a child’s camp, 16 from the
Summer School for teachers, Northwestern University, 54 girls from Wilson Avenue Y.W.C.A., Chicago, 26 children from
the Y.M.C.A. of Waukegan, Illinois, and
30 women from the Y.W.C.A. of Highland Park, Illinois.
The foreign countries represented were Mexico, Palestine, France, Cuba, Germany, Uruguay, Iran, Greece. Visitors also came from 40 states of the United States and from five Provinces of Canada.
These brief facts present one of the most impressive and far-reaching teaching activities being conducted in North America today. The House of Worship, our spiritual inspiration and the dynamic center of all Bahá’í action, will unquestionably more and more assume a commanding position with respect to the promotion of the Faith in the West.
Fortunate those believers who can serve as Temple guides, since they have all the opportunities of the pioneer who settles in a foreign land, but here the world comes to the teacher. Important, likewise, that the Committee has prepared special teaching material for the guides, since this assures accuracy.
THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD, Volume IX[edit]
Announcement
Will all Bahá’ís please make a note of any reference to the Bahá’í Faith which they see or hear about in current papers and magazines, or in books, in order that the Editorial Committee may have as complete a section as possible containing such references for publication in Vol. IX, which covers the period April 1940 to April 1942. Notification of such references should be sent to Mrs. Bertha H. Kirkpatrick, Olivet, Mich.
BAHÁ’Í YOUTH BULLETIN[edit]
The National Youth Committee hopes that the forthcoming issues of the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin will be of greater interest to all “youthers” and also to many adults than they have ever been before. The Bulletin policy has changed: the young people want more news. This means that less space will be given to essay articles. All young people who have “news” of special and outstanding interest, whether in the isolated, community, or pioneer fields, who have a novel teaching idea or a unique plan of work, should send such items to Mrs. Annamarie K. Honnold, 277 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, N. Y. Thus it is hoped that more young people will want to subscribe to the Bulletin; the editor wishes that Bahá’í Youth would become as indispensable to “youthers” as Bahá’í News is to the entire Bahá’í community. Subscriptions can now be made by sending
Havana Bahá’í Group.
Six confirmed believers with Mr. and Mrs. Philip Marangella, pioneer teachers from the United states.
40c per year to Mrs. Mae G. Dyer, 211
Schermerhorn, Brooklyn, N. Y.
RACE UNITY[edit]
The Race Unity Committee at a recent meeting passed a motion to urge the friends in each Bahá’í community to make race unity the topic at the consultation period of one of the feasts. We suggest the following items for your discussion:
- Has your group made a special appeal to any of the minority organizations of your city?
- What approaches do you feel would be most effective?
- What is the essential difference between the Bahá’í ideal of unity and other efforts in that direction?
- Is your group informed about the major gifts of the great American minorities?
- Have you suggestions or recommendations to share with us?
We hope that each Bahá’í community
will cooperate with the Race unity Committee in carrying out this suggestion.
Plan now to consult on race unity at your
next feast. Please let us hear about your
plans and activities so that we may share
them with the entire Bahá’í community.
(Write to Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Chairman,
615 West Elm Street, Lima, Ohio.)
The importance of our race unity work cannot be over-emphasized. Let us again recall the words of our Guardian in the Advent of Divine Justice: “As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well nigh a century, has bitten into the fibre, and attacked the whole social structure of American society, it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Bahá’í community at the present stage of its evolution. The ceaseless exertions which this issue of paramount importance calls for, the sacrifices it must impose, the care and vigilance it demands, the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the tact and sympathy it necessitates, invest this problem, which the American believers are still far from having satisfactorily resolved, with an urgency and importance that cannot be over-estimated.”
Mrs. Fred Mortensen, Secretary
6223 Eberhart Avenue
Chicago, Ill.
BAHÁ’Í EXHIBIT AT AMERICAN NEGRO EXPOSITION[edit]
The Temple Model Exhibit at the American Negro Exposition which was held at the Chicago Coliseum, July 4th to September 2nd, attracted those in attendance by the hundreds each day and proved to be a wonderful teaching medium to this great minority group.
The attendance to August 15 was 80,000 and it was estimated that 200,000 would attend during the two-month period. This Exposition celebrates the 75th year since the Emancipation and is a great demonstration of the progress of the Colored Race.
On Thursday, August 22, we arranged with the management to have a Bahá’í program for the evening and it was advertised Bahá’í Night. The program lasted for one and one-half hours and two speakers, one white and one colored to carry out the idea of mutual co-operation, explained the Faith and its Principles, etc. A musicale was also to be arranged. This idea of the cooperation of these two groups, white and colored, has been carried out at the exhibit, the attendants being arranged in this representative way. It also brings to everyone the idea and shows the power of the Word of Bahá’u’lláh in bringing us together in the spirit of Oneness. I wish to quote from a letter received August 10th from the African-American Emancipation Commission: “Your exhibit at the Exposition has caused favorable comment, particularly because of the very fine representatives that have been in attendance there. The American Negro Exposition is very anxious that your Faith present a program developing your fundamental beliefs,” etc.
The week of August 5-11 was Roman Catholic Week and many contacts were made with this group. A number of Priests and Nuns stopped at our exhibit, asked questions and accepted the leaflets offered to them. Some even expressed the desire to visit the Temple. Many other groups have also been en tour and at times it has taken as many as five attendants to handle the visitors at our exhibit.
There have been many interesting contacts, one especially I wish to relate. A man came to the exhibit and after listening for a few moments, said, “Several years ago, I had the pleasure of riding from Haifa to Cairo, in the same compartment with Shoghi Effendi.” A lady said, “I have prayed at the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh.”
[Page 10]
Perhaps the questions most commonly
asked, are: “What is this Temple doing
at this Negro Exposition? Do you believe in Christ? Do you accept the Bible?
What is Truth? Why do you have white
attendants? What kind of service do you
have?”
Pictures of the Temple exhibit have been taken.
I believe that this is the first time the Bahá’ís have had an exhibit at a minority activity.
LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]
The Library Committee has the following books for presentation to public, college and university libraries: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Foundations of World Unity, Some Answered Questions, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Promise of All Ages, Bahá’í World, Volume 7. The first donation to a new library consists of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and Foundations of World Unity. A more comprehensive set will be sent, however, when local interest in the Faith and the teaching activity warrants additional titles.
Will the friends make certain that they do not suggest other titles than the above to librarians, as we often receive requests from librarians for books not available for presentation from this committee?
Copies of Advent of Divine Justice are available in fabricoid for Hebrew Libraries. Contact your local synagogue, Y.M.H.A. and Y.W.H.A. libraries. Many of these groups have classes in Comparative Religion and would accept some Bahá’í books.
We have learned that some of the State Library Commissions have traveling libraries to provide books upon request to readers who do not have access to local public libraries. They also send books to supplement the titles in township, county and other libraries. Would the Regional Chairmen investigate such state library facilities? We understand that there is a wide circulation of books through these channels, especially in sparsely populated states where the residents receive packages of books regularly upon request. The Library Committee will cooperate in placing comprehensive sets in such traveling libraries.
We shall be happy to assist the many new groups and isolated friends who are now engaged in widespread teaching activities. Time is pressing and many people are becoming aware of the Faith through the many exhibits, radio talks and other projects which are spreading the knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh rapidly throughout the country. We cannot reach each soul personally but we can make certain that these people will have access to our books in
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Omaha, Nebraska, newly established April 21, 1940.
their local libraries. The public libraries
offer one of the greatest indirect teaching
mediums. Most librarians do not have a
budget for religious literature and will
readily accept books offered to them.
Mrs. S. H. Sims, Chairman
Leroy Apts., Red Bank, N. J.
CHILD EDUCATION[edit]
O heedless ones! Think not the secrets of hearts are hidden nay, know ye of a certainty that in clear characters they are engraved and stand manifest in the holy Presence. (Hidden Words.)
When do our children begin to have “secrets of the heart” which they believe are hidden? The new born babe brings his secret with him which even his parents cannot completely fathom. They feel, in his presence, as though they were before something sacred; something mysterious; something indescribably precious, a bit of heaven perhaps. But this is not the kind of secret or secrets to which we refer. We mean, of course, conscious secrets. When does the child first hide from his parents some of his thoughts and his feelings? No one really knows. What we do know is that the type of child training that he has in the precious early years hastens or retards the desire for him to keep back his thoughts and feelings from others.
The young child is naturally frank and spontaneous. The amount of frankness and spontaneity will vary largely between individual children but confidence and trust are characteristic of childhood. Gradually these qualities are modified; in some cases, alas, to be lost almost entirely while in other cases to become tempered with judgment.
The child who becomes secretive is usually one who has lost confidence in those about him. This may have been brought about through a number of channels. The child’s serious remarks may have been laughed at too often; he may have been ridiculed; or given a sense of insecurity or of failure or of shame. Perhaps the largest single factor in producing an undesirable form of secretiveness in children is a sense of guilt. He has done something, perhaps quite natural to childhood, yet he has been taught that the thing is bad; so when, inspired by his natural instinct, he again commits the act (it may be as harmless a thing as playing in water) he has a sense of guilt. This then becomes a secret thing which he must not reveal. It becomes hidden.
The building up in a child of a sense of guilt is poor child psychology. Bahá’í parents know that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has taught that, “Everything in existence is good and only the lack of goodness makes a thing evil. The being is created good but when the lack of good is to be seen in it, then it becomes bad. Evil is not created by God.” (Bahá’í Scriptures, par. 963.) Since evil is not created by God why should we give little children a sense of guilt or evil, especially when this does not act as a deterrent but leads only to a feeling of necessity for keeping secret his thoughts, words and deeds?
This does not mean, of course, that a child should be left to do whatever his fancy dictates regardless of results. It means simply that we shall emphasize right behavior. Our efforts will be to encourage such attributes as justice, kindness, obedience, love for others and many other such characteristics. Thus the child will grow up free from any devastating sense of guilt but rather he will have a sense of satisfaction when he lives up to these ideals (according to his age and understanding of these ideals) and he will have correspondingly a sense of disappointment rather than guilt if and when he fails.
Those children who already have shadowy secrets which they think they are hiding completely and which for the sake of their own spiritual development, should not be kept hidden, need to be taught that: “whatsoever ye have concealed within your hearts is to Us open and manifest as the day” (Hidden Words). This thought should never be used to frighten the child such as has been done so often in past generations. The child needs to think of Bahá’u’lláh as one who is ever present like a kind and tender father who gives to the child comfort and security. He should never conceive Him as a sort of Ghostly Guard spying upon the child at all times. Such were the thoughts of the small boy who after pilfering an apple, hid under the porch to eat it, where, as he said, “God can’t find me.”
Briefly then, with our young children,
[Page 11]
the matter of hiding guilty thoughts or
deeds is a question of training through
sympathy and understanding by the adults
so as to eliminate any real or imagined
necessity for such secrecy. With older
children it becomes necessary to give them
instructions directly from the teachings
of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, thus
helping them to realize the uselessness or
trying to hide that which is impossible to
hide from Them. Rebuild the child’s confidence and broaden his conception of
goodness. Encourage him to learn by heart
the following prayer and to meditate
thereon. “Hold Thou my right arm, O
God! and dwell continually with me.
Guide me to the fountain of Thy knowledge, and encircle me with Thy glory. Set
Thine angels on my right hand, and open
mine eyes to Thy splendor. Let mine ears
harken to Thy melodious tone, and comfort me with Thy Presence. For Thou art
the strength of my heart and the trust of
my soul and I desire none other beside
Thee.”
WORLD ORDER IN PUBLIC AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES[edit]
For about five years, gift subscriptions of World Order were presented to approximately 600 Public, University, YMCA and YWCA Libraries in many countries by a non-Bahá’í friend.
This generous assistance is no longer available, and it is therefore suggested that local Assemblies consider how they can assist in this important kind of teaching work. The donation of subscriptions to Libraries and Colleges in the city or in the vicinity, if done by our 102 Assemblies, will mean no burden of expense for any one Assembly but in the total of results will maintain contact with a great number of non-Bahá’ís.
For further information, write the Business Manager of the magazine, C. R. Wood, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
NEWS OF EAST AND WEST[edit]
No. 23 of Bahá’í Journal, published by the National Assembly of the British Isles under date of June, 1940, outlines a Four Year Teaching Plan which was recommended by the Convention to the incoming NSA in principle, and by the Assembly immediately approved and set under way. The Convention recommendation read: “That the whole Bahá’í Community should engage in a four year plan of Teaching, with the object of having nineteen local Spiritual Assemblies established by Ridván, 1944.” Words of the Guardian recently received by the British NSA: “May the Almighty bless, sustain and prevent the English believers, who in these days of unprecedented turmoil, stress and danger, are holding aloft so courageously the banner of the Faith, and who will, in the days to come, contribute, through His grace and power, a notable share to its establishment and recognition in the West.” The National Spiritual Assembly elected for 1940-1941—Mr. Arthur Norton, Chairman and Treasurer, Mr. Hasan Balyuzi, Vice-Chairman, Mr. David Hofman, Secretary, Miss Marguerite Wellby, Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Langdon-Davies, Mrs. Brown, Mr. Sugar, Miss Grace Challis, Mr. Asgarzadeh.
A circular letter dated May 15 has been received from the Spiritual Assembly of Paris. This communication expresses thanks for all the acknowledgments received since the Assembly issued its last letter in January, 1939. “From this gigantic struggle in which are plunged the forces of Evil and of Good must arise a humanity regenerated by suffering. It is Good which will conquer; once again the Angel will lay the Dragon low. That is why we, the Bahá’í groups of France, we who are in this tragic hour wholly involved in the terrible battle, we shall not abandon our efforts and we shall continue our activity as much as possible. During the year 1933-1939 we had to suffer the departure from Paris of all our young Persian students who had been the faithful friends of our meetings.... Consequently, the opportunity of arranging the Annual Conference for the young Bahá’ís temporarily disappeared. Nevertheless, the idea was maintained and we succeeded in organizing some special meetings ... on May 28 and 29, 1939, with our young believers from the Provinces.” New believers were enrolled in a number of cities, and the French translation of Gleanings has been completed. “We cry with one ardent faith upon the protection of God and of Bahá’u’lláh.” Of special interest to American believers is the French pamphlet entitled “Etude Sur Portes de la Liberté du Pasteur Howard Colby Yves par Jeanne Montefiore, donnée en conference a Paris en Mars 1939.”
The progress report of Temple construction dated July 1, 1940 stated that Mr. Ealy and his assistants at the Temple have continued to make good progress in the casting of the ornamentation of the nine pylons of the main story. “During this time the second lift of the nine pylons has been completed and two sections of the third lift have been finished. At the present rate of progress, Mr. Earley should complete the ornamentation of the pylons about the middle of next September and within the estimate for the entire cost of this phase of the work.
“Excellent progress has been made at the Earley Studio at Rosslyn, Virginia, in the continuation of the casting of the sections of the ornamentation for the three faces between the pylons. Up to June 28 the following castings have been made and are being seasoned in the yard of the Studio, preparatory to shipment to the Temple: 9 large left-hand window grilles; 3 large right-hand window grilles; 3 small left-hand window grilles; 3 small right-hand window grilles; 12 small arches for window openings; 3 soffits for main entrance doorways; 7 large columns; 39 cornice brackets; 3 large central panels above main arch. It is planned to ship a carload of the casts to Wilmette in about two weeks (July 15), so that Mr. Earley can get started on the erection of this material during the course of the next two months.”
BRAILLE WORKERS[edit]
Volume III of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Braille edition, was left at the Convention Exhibit and taken home by Chairman of the Braille Exhibit after the Convention. The owner can obtain the book by notifying Mrs. Gertrude Schurgast, 6213 Coleridge Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio.
BAHÁ’Í CALENDAR[edit]
Nineteen Day Feasts: November 4, November 23, December 12.
Anniversaries and Festivals: Birth of the Báb, October 20; Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12; Day of the Covenant, November 26; Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, November 28, which is to be observed at 1:00 A.M.
Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly: November 22, 23, 24, at Atlanta, Georgia.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Indianapolis, two; Beverly Hills, two; Lima, seven; Milwaukee, two; Washington, two; Chicago, ten and one youth; Pasadena, two; Burbank, one; Atlanta, one; Newark, four; Peoria, one; Minneapolis, one; San Francisco, one; Oakland, one; Teaneck, one; Los Angeles, nine; Berkeley, one; Yonkers, one; Phoenix, two; Detroit, four; Flint, three; New York, seven; Sacramento, two; Honolulu, one; Kansas City, two; Maywood, one and one youth; Evanston, one.
BAHÁ’Í DIRECTORY[edit]
The following additions to, and revisions of, the Directory published in the September issue are now reported.
Local Assemblies: The following Assemblies are dissolved as a result of the application
[Page 12]
of the Guardian’s instruction
concerning the residence of voting believers—Glendale, Ariz.; Burbank, Calif.;
Geyserville, Calif.; Huntington Park,
Calif.; Santa Rosa, Calif.; Colorado
Springs, Colo.; Denver, Colo.; Monroe,
Wash.; Eagle River, Wisc. The members
of these communities now belong to
groups, the list of which will be published
as soon as possible.
Changes of address, Local Assemblies: Oakland, Calif., Mrs. J. J. O’Neill, 385 Jayne Avenue. Hamilton, Ontario, Mrs. Sarah Davies, 16 Gibson Avenue. Montreal, Quebec, Assembly Secretary, c/o Mrs. D. Ward, 1548 Pine Avenue, West. Augusta, Ga., Mrs. Ailene V. Fletcher, 418 6th Street. Peoria, Ill., Mrs. Orville Simmons, 802 Hamilton Blvd. South Bend, Ind., Mrs. Florence Bowers, 228 South St. Peter Street. Topeka, Kans., Mrs. Erma Coburn, 723 West 10th Avenue. Boston, Mass., Mrs. M. C. Oglesby, 30 Holyoke Street. Flint, Mich., Miss Margaret A. Tracy, 406 East Court Street. Lansing, Mich., Miss Viola Evans, R. F. D. 4, Box 8. St. Paul, Minn., Mr. Ken Keith Kadrie, 2021 Randolph Street. Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. J. B. Becktel, 202 West 36th Street. Newark, N. J., Mrs. Jack Steed, 83 Milford Avenue. Teaneck, N. J., Mrs. Amy G. Raubitschek, 122 Evergreen Place, West Englewood. Geneva, N. Y., Mrs. Lucy Heist, 46 Park Place. New York, N. Y., Mrs. Patrick Quinlan, Bahá’í Center, 119 West 57th Street. Rochester, N. Y., Miss Elizabeth Brooks, 49 Rowley Street. Cleveland, Ohio, Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, 1956 East 75th Street. Dayton, Ohio, Miss Hazel Volz, 259 Louie Street. Pittsburgh, Pa., Mrs. Henry Seker, 538 North Homewood Avenue.
Committees:
1. Revisions: Inter-America, add Miss Dagmar Dole, Miss Edna True, Mme. Inga Illescas. International Auxiliary Language, add David Earle. Contacts, add Edward Pharo, Albert Werneken. Youth, Regional Secretary for Pacific Northwest, add Harry Wilkes. Archives, add Mr. George B. Miller. Radio, add Mrs. Frank Meese. Regional Teaching Committees—Louisiana, etc., Miss Lydia J. Martin unable to serve in that area, Mrs. Margaret Ellis, Miss Anna Smith added. North Carolina, etc., Dr. Marie Kershaw unable to serve in that area. Miss Alta Wheeler added. Kansas, etc., Mrs. J. B. Becktel added. Maryland, etc., Secretary is Mrs. Margaret McDaniel, Waterford, Va. New Jersey, etc., Mrs. Dorothy E. Graf unable to serve.
2. Committees appointed:
Green Acre School
- Miss Lorna Tasker, Chairman
- Miss Marjorie Wheeler, Secretary, 84 Pleasant Street, Worcester, Mass.
- Mrs. H. Chamberlin
- Glenn A. Shook
- Louis G. Gregory
- Miss Rachel Small
- Harlan Ober
- Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ford
- Mrs. Amelia Bowman
Green Acre Youth Week
- Joseph Noyes, Chairman, 43 Davis Street, Binghamton, N. Y.
- Miss Ida Noyes
- Miss Jane Carton
- Miss Lois Keller
- Charles Kilmer
- Miss Betty Kaley
- Miss Deane Raitt
Geyserville School
- George O. Latimer, Chairman
- N. T. Warde, Secretary, 2330 Rose Street, Berkeley, Calif.
- Mark Tobey
- Ali Yazdi
- Miss Gladys Linfoot
- Irvin Somerhalder
- Mrs. Olive Meyer
- John D. Bosch
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.
- Mrs. Thomas Macmechan, Brooklyn.
- Miss Amalie Tyler, Brooklyn.
- Mrs. Adelia Bartlett, Racine.
- Mrs. Lida Harvey, Peoria.
- Mrs. Louise Leavett, Detroit.
- Mrs. V. E. Shelford, Urbana.
- Mr. Robert Harrison Weeks, Waukegan.
- Mr. Clarence Yount, Huntington Park.
- Mr. Otho Wright, Huntington Park.
- Mr. George Kuhlman, San Francisco.
- Mrs. Doris Leete, Lima.
- Mr. Frederick R. Swift, Flushing, N. Y.
- Mrs. E. Ledwell, Chicago.
- Dr. Walter B. Guy, St. Augustine.
Bahá’í Exhibit
Bohnert’s Floral Shoppe, Charleston, West Virginia.
