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September, 1943
Bahá’í Era
| BAHÁ'Í |  |
NEWS |
Messages From the Guardian[edit]
“Inform believers that local Assemblies may be formed as soon as nine or more believers are available without postponing the election until April, in order to speed and stimulate the teaching work in the last year of the first century.”
Received June 24, 1943
The next message is in reply to a question addressed to Shoghi Effendi inquiring whether members of local Assemblies desiring to pioneer may resign from their administrative post. “I approve the resignation provided the Assembly is not dissolved.”
Received June 25, 1943
“I greatly rejoice in the vigorous manifold measures undertaken to insure the success of the forthcoming Celebration. Though physically absent I will participate in spirit in the rejoicing and thanksgiving for the signal victories of the American Bahá’í community crowning the first Bahá’í Century.”
Received July 2, 1943
On August 2 a brief message came stating that “Bahá’í National Headquarters have been established in Delhi.”
“The American believers’ seven year enterprise consecrated to the service of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, deriving direct inspiration from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, launched on the eve of the world catastrophic conflict, recognized as the greatest collective undertaking in the annals of the first Bahá’í Century, is rapidly culminating. Their sister communities of Persia, British Isles, Egypt, Iráq, India, Syria, Australia and New Zealand marvel at the scale of the prodigious labors of the American Bahá’í community, gratefully rejoice at the accumulating evidences of its incomparable victories and are galvanized into action, inspired to emulate its example. The multiplication of Bahá’í centers in recent years in both East and West, the erection of administrative headquarters, the purchase of historic sites, the settlement of virgin areas, the migration into neighboring territories are all directly attributable to the potent impulse communicated through the superb action initiated and executed by the American adherents of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. The initial stages of the momentous plan have been brilliantly executed. The most formidable obstacles impeding its progress have been courageously faced and progressively swept away. Its first fruits, exemplified by the completion of the exterior ornamentation of the Temple and the formation of a nucleus of the Faith in every Republic of Latin America, have been triumphantly gathered. The pivotal year marking the turning point of its fortunes has been immortalized by the unparalleled exploit of the formation of twenty-eight Assemblies in the States and Provinces of the North American continent. The range of its unfinished tasks is swiftly diminishing. Total victory is within sight, but the six remaining virgin areas of Alaska, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, South Carolina, North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as the inadequately reinforced Republics of Nicaragua, San Domingo, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru still demand the concentrated and sustained attention of the National representatives of the American Bahá’í community, the speedy assistance of the National Teaching and Inter-America Committees, and the systematic support of all subsidiary agencies both regional and local. The goal cities and the far-off Republics are calling for fresh recruits to complete the pioneer roll of honor. Veteran believers, however brilliant their record, neophytes, however limited their experience, are alike summoned as the final hour approaches to rush forth in a last supreme effort to bridge the remaining gaps in the spiritual front extending the entire length of the Western Hemisphere. I am ardently supplicating fresh outpourings of the sustaining grace of the Lord of Hosts to enable His stalwart warriors befittingly to consummate the crowning crusade of the first century of the Bahá’í Era.”
Received August 2, 1943
Letter From the National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Beloved Co-workers and Friends:
We enter now the decisive part of this portentous Bahá’í year when our collective efforts for the Cause are to be fulfilled in the celebration of the Centenary of the Declaration of the Báb. We are acting as a united body in the carrying out of a teaching plan embracing the entire community of North America, and calling for the concentration of our full resources of mind and heart.
The theme of the oneness of mankind—race unity—demands our devoted attention and endeavor throughout September and October, the fundamental teaching of the Faith, its most challenging principle, its swift healing antidote for the ills of a divided world.
Two aspects of the new teaching plan merit careful consideration; first, the importance of the opportunity offered for far more effective public teaching work than we have ever had before. It is the time to improve our methods and attain a truly impressive standard of public presentation. Not only the local Assemblies but also the National Committees are fully involved, since it is the Committees which are responsible for the development of new and more extensive teaching material.
Second, the significance of the
theme itself, not only in the light of
the revealed Teachings but also in
relation to the ominous manifestations
of inter-racial bitterness which
at present suggest the approach of
a crucial stage in the ordered life
of the nation. As was pointed out
[Page 2]
during the course of the Bahá’í Race
Unity Conference held at Green Acre
this summer, the matter of race relations
in America has become a
world issue. The peoples look to
North America for proofs of justice,
esteem and spiritual fellowship
among the races. When such proofs
are forthcoming, the peoples will
have a basis for hope in the development
of true peace. Therefore, our
Bahá’í understanding and energetic
effort in the promotion of the principle
of the oneness of mankind represents
a direct and indirect contribution
to world justice and peace
possessing incalculable possibility.
In “The Advent of Divine Justice” Shoghi Effendi calls race unity “the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Bahá’í community at the present stage of its evolution.” Continuing he declares: “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 can not be over-estimated. White and Negro, high and low, young and old, whether newly converted to the Faith or not, all who stand identified with it must participate in, and lend their assistance, each according to his or her capacity, experience, and opportunities, to the common task of fulfilling the instructions, realizing the hopes, and following the example, of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
“Freedom from racial prejudice, in any of its forms, should, at such a time as this when an increasingly large section of the human race is falling a victim to its devastating ferocity, be adopted as the watchword of the entire body of the American believers, in whichever state they reside, in whatever circles they move, whatever their age, traditions, tastes, and habits. It should be consistently demonstrated in every phase of their activity and life, whether in the Bahá’í community or outside it, in public or in private, formally as well as informally, individually as well as in their official capacity as organized groups, committees and Assemblies.”
May every Assembly, group and individual believer find the wisest and most effective manner to serve this most urgent call in relation to the conditions existing in their own locality and their own personal lives. May Bahá’u’lláh accept us and use us as instruments for the expression of His will!
Convention Resolutions[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly reports on actions taken after consultation on the various Resolutions duly voted by the Annual Convention of 1943.
- 1. No action taken on the recommendation
that believers be appointed to give full time to the promotion of Green Acre.
- 2. The recommendation that a
National Committee be appointed to design Bahá’í cards for Bahá’í occasions was referred to the Publishing Committee.
- 3. It is recorded that the recommendation
that the Radio Committee be requested to report the cost of a nation-wide radio talk was incorporated into the matters which the Radio Committee has been requested to consider.
- 4. It is recorded that the National
Assembly has already acted on the matter of adopting a plan for National radio talks this year.
- 5. Mr. Allen B. McDaniel has
been requested to give the Radio Committee a copy of his radio address on the Temple as delivered during the Convention period, that copies may be made available for use by other believers.
- 6. It is recorded that an action has
been taken on the recommendation that a bulletin be prepared containing information about radio teaching.
- 7. Action has been taken on the
recommendation that the text of all new pamphlets on the subject of Peace and other subjects of general public interest and importance be printed in World Order Magazine.
- 8. A special Committee has been
requested to submit plans for the improvement of Temple Foundation Hall, in accordance with the recommendation that the Hall be done over for the Centenary meetings next year.
- 9. A special Committee has been
appointed to submit plans on ways and means for the exhibition and preservation of the sacred relics in the Archives, as recommended by the Convention.
- 10. No action was taken on the
resolution recommending that a Bahá’í meeting place be established at all Army camps.
- 11. No action was taken on the
recommendation that the grove at West Englewood, where the Master held the Unity Feast in 1912, be turned into a public park. This grove is part of the property held by National Bahá’í Trustees, and the Guardian has designated this property as the site of a future Memorial to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s American visit.
- 12. Concerning the recommendation
that all believers be provided with an identification card, it was voted by the National Spiritual Assembly, in working out details of the 1944 Convention, to include a method for establishing the Bahá’í status of the delegates and Bahá’í guests for attendance at the business sessions of the Convention.
Pioneer Teachers and Administrative Responsibility[edit]
A believer who wishes to volunteer for pioneer teaching work, but has certain responsibilities in the Bahá’í community, can carry out his or her intention after taking steps to satisfy such responsibilities.
If a member of a local Spiritual Assembly, the believer is permitted to resign under an instruction from the Guardian recently received, with the condition that the resignation does not dissolve the Assembly. This means that the Assembly can accept and act upon a resignation made by one of its members in order to be free to leave the city for a teaching post elsewhere.
If the believer is a member of a National Committee, he or she is to submit the resignation in writing to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, who is authorized to advise the believer that the resignation will be accepted at the next meeting of the NSA.
To Achieve Our Goals[edit]
Beloved Friends:
The hopes of the Guardian for an
early conclusion of the Seven Year
[Page 3]
Plan are now clear before us. By
permitting the election of Spiritual
Assemblies, as soon as nine believers
can be found in a community,
he has thrown open the doors. It is
anticipated that the believers of Fargo,
N. D. and Anchorage, Alaska,
will soon have availed themselves of
this thrilling opportunity, and that
the friends in the six remaining virgin
Provinces and States will quickly
follow in their path.
Which of these six shall be the first to organize? Which shall be the last? How quickly can all the goals be reached? These are the challenging questions which the Guardian’s action has raised. These are the questions which every believer must be revolving in his mind and heart at this critical hour. For the time to shore in these historic tasks is rapidly passing. Only those who hasten to the goal cities will be able to participate in their completion, and only those who determine to settle in the next few weeks will be forever remembered among the pioneers of the Seven Year Plan.
Now that the National Assembly has unfolded the prospect of a vast nation-wide public teaching campaign, the importance of a speedy conclusion of the Plan is evident to us all. Only when Assemblies have been safely elected in each of the remaining areas can the American Bahá’í Community, with a clear heart, expend its undiminished energies in this campaign to crown the hundredth year with total victory. For these reasons the National Teaching Committee is calling upon the friends to provide all the settlers needed to achieve our goals by September. Through concerted efforts, we were able to complete the Temple a year ahead of schedule. Can we not finish our teaching tasks with comparable speed? Surely this is the import of the Guardian’s action in opening the way!
Already great strides have been taken in the final phase of our efforts. At the teaching conference at the Geyserville Bahá’í School, nine people volunteered to pioneer, four of whom are now enroute, and at the Louhelen Bahá’í School eleven volunteered! The Teaching Committee is hopeful that the teaching conferences at Green Acre and in Canada will complete the task. Here are the assignments undertaken by Geyserville students: Alice Mickle and
Persian Bahá’ís in Baghdád who scattered as pioneers to various centers in Íráq and adjoining Arabian countries.
Ethel McAllister to Sioux Falls, Emmalu
Wever to Omaha and Grace
Wilder to Greenville. Besides these,
five others are contemplating the
same decision.
Dear friends, however great the sacrifices entailed in making these necessary moves at the earliest date, they can never exceed the magnificent deeds of souls like Mabel Ives, those who have dedicated their lives to the triumph of the Seven Year Plan. The single devotion of Mrs. Ives to the fulfillment of the Guardian’s hopes for North America will be remembered in years to come. Her achievements in numerous virgin States and Provinces are yet to be recounted. Throughout the entire course of the first six years of the Plan she gave her energies, her time, and her spirit. It is surely significant that her passing should have been in Oklahoma City, the first of the Assemblies to be pioneered and organized under the Plan. Not until the last hours did her labors cease. She was an example to us all.
Beloved friends, a statement of the needs of the six remaining States and Provinces accompanies this article. It should be noted that Halifax, Nova Scotia has been added since our last report, having reverted to group status. These long-sought goals can and must be reached by September:
Meanwhile, a great and continuing need is for circuit teachers to strengthen and aid our newly-won Assemblies. Fifteen of the Assemblies formed in the sixth and seventh years has eleven or less believers.
With these facts in mind, which of us can escape the urgency of the Guardian’s call? “I appeal to the standard - bearers of Bahá’u’lláh’s ever-advancing army to safeguard the spiritual prizes already won. . . I entreat them to exert still more magnificent efforts to discharge befittingly the one remaining responsibility in the North American continent.”
All offers to settle or teach should be sent at once to Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary, National Teaching Committee, 156 Nova Drive, Piedmont, California.
- —NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE
Bahá’í Publications[edit]
Peace: A Divine Creation, a
pamphlet compiled to meet the
[Page 4]
need for the Bahá’í attitude of peace
and future world order. Contains
selections from the Writings of
Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, with
the Guardian’s statement on world
order. Ten copies for $1.00.
The World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, four-page folder summarizing the aims, teachings, history and administrative order of the Faith prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly. For general teaching and publicity use. A suitable enclosure with programs and announcements distributed by mail, and adapted for contact work. 100 copies for $2.00.
Portals to Freedom, by Howard C. Ives. A new edition of this book which gives such a vivid picture of the Master in America. Bound in cloth. Per copy, $2.00.
Teaching Literature[edit]
In connection with the function of the Committee on Pamphlet Literature, the National Spiritual Assembly has approved the following plan for the distribution of teaching literature to the smaller communities without cost.
- 1. The following pamphlets are
now available, and new titles will be announced from time to time: The Manifestation, The Laboratory of Life, Principles of the Bahá’í Faith, World Religion, Three Spiritual Truths. Further information about the contents of these pamphlets can be found in the Bahá’í Catalog.
- 2. A quantity of one or more of the
Pamphlets, up to a value of $5.00, will be sent on request to Assemblies of communities having not over 25 members.
- 3. To obtain a supply of the
literature for teaching use, the local Assembly is to apply directly to the National Office, and the Publishing Committee will be authorized to ship the pamphlets and charge the cost of a special budget of $2,500 which has been established for that purpose.
4. The purpose of these grants of free literature is to assist the smaller communities to augment their teaching effort. The pamphlets can be used in connection with public or fireside meetings, and for distribution by individual believers to personal contacts.
|
5 settlers needed for Regina,
5 settlers needed for Charlottetown,
2 settlers needed for Halifax,
2 settlers needed for Greenville,
2 settlers needed for Omaha,
2 settlers needed for Sioux Falls,
— 18 Total Needed |
The Báb Reveals His Commentary[edit]
“It was still early in the afternoon when the Báb requested Hájí Mirzá Siyyid ‘Alí to bring His pen-case and some paper. He then started to reveal His commentary on the Súrih of Kawthar. How am I to describe this scene of inexpressible majesty? Verses streamed from His pen with a rapidity that was truly astounding. The incredible swiftness of His writing, the soft and gentle murmur of His voice, and the stupendous force of His style, amazed and bewildered me. He continued in this manner until the approach of sunset. He did not pause until the entire commentary of the Súrih was completed. He then laid down His pen and asked for tea. Soon after, He began to read it aloud in my presence. My heart leaped madly as I heard Him pour out, in accents of unutterable sweetness, those treasures enshrined in that sublime commentary. I was so entranced by its beauty that three times over I was on the verge of fainting. He sought to revive my failing strength with a few drops of rose water which He caused to be sprinkled on my face. This restored my vigor and enabled me to follow His reading to the end.”—The Dawn Breakers, 175-176.
Inter-America News[edit]
Guatemala
The members of the newly formed Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala City are enthusiastically carrying cut their new responsibilities, and we pray that their united efforts for the progress of the Cause will attract bountiful spiritual confirmations. Delightful letters have come from Sr. Batres, Secretary of the Assembly, and Clarence Iverson, of San Salvador, who with his mother visited in Guatemala City for several days.
Mr. Iverson took with him his collection of slides of the Bahá’í Temple, which he presented for the pleasure of the local friends. Other opportunities to show the Temple slides were given, through the courtesy of the Theosophical Lodge on one occasion, and to a group of North Americans now living in Guatemala City on another, with much enjoyment of these pictures of the first American Bahá’í House of Worship evidenced by those attending these meetings.
Honduras
The activity of the Bahá’is in Honduras is a truly inspiring joy to us all. Sr. Santos Dominguez has contributed a valuable booklet, entitled “Primer Centenario,” to the growing supply of Bahá’í literature in Spanish. Sr. Dominguez has incorporated in this booklet the history of the development of the Cause in Honduras, together with a statement of the Teachings translated from our own literature. Another enterprise initiated in Tegucigalpa is a monthly Bulletin issued by Sr. Viana to be sent to all the believers as a means of keeping them in touch with the activities of the Cause. Sr. Viana writes that the “Primer Centenario” has been forwarded to many friends interested in the Faith throughout Honduras. Photographs of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, together with grateful appreciations from the Committee were sent to both of these devoted servants of Bahá’u’lláh.
New Assemblies
The Spiritual Assembly of Santiago, Chile, is now functioning very well. With this objective achieved, the National Spiritual Assembly has approved a project to send Miss Virginia Orbison to carry on the work in Asuncion, Paraguay. Miss Orbison writes us that she has been meeting many new people recently in Santiago, and that Mrs. Atwater has been able to enlarge the teaching scope through radio broadcasts. These are splendid foundations upon which the new Assembly can build their teaching work.
John Stearns was elated to report
the confirmation of a new believer,
Mrs. Huber, in Quito, Ecuador. The
[Page 5]
long-coveted goal of a Spiritual Assembly
there is now accomplished
and our congratulations and loving
greetings are joyously sent to the
Quito friends.
Panama
A severe attack of asthma necessitated our dear Miss Sholtis’ return from Venezuela. After a period of treatment in Panama failed to relieve her sufficiently to return to her post she followed the advice of physicians and was accompanied by Mrs. Louise Caswell on the trip home. We are happy to report that Miss Sholtis is now greatly improved and is recuperating at the home of her sister in Cicero, Illinois. She left a number of people in Caracas deeply interested in the Cause, and one believer, a beautiful young girl who, in the course of her Bahá’í study is radiant at being able to name the months of the Bahá’í Calendar in three languages—her native Spanish, English, and Persian!
Mrs. Caswell’s aid to Gwenne Sholtis has provided us with the unexpected pleasure of having a first hand account of the teaching work being done in Panama. Mrs. Cora Oliver and Mrs. Caswell share an attractive apartment which is also the local Bahá’í Center. Meetings are held twice a week, providing one evening in which the Teachings are given in Spanish, the other conducted in English. All of the registered believers do not live in one area and thus there is no Assembly yet, but Mrs. Caswell tells us that she and Mrs. Oliver is very hopeful that shortly there will be additional registrations to make the establishment of an Assembly possible. During Mrs. Caswell’s brief visit here we received the good news that Miss Julia Regal has obtained a position in Panama and will soon join the group there.
Salvador
A stimulating report of the school in San Salvador comes from Clarence Iverson, who describes it as both a “Bahá’í school and a philanthropic institution.” This school is for boys who lacked the means to complete their education, fills this need and combines with it the teaching of the Bahá’í Principles. The following courses are now being given: “Bahá’í Culture; English; Shorthand; Radio Telegraphy; Arithmetic,
Memorial erected at grave of Mathew Kaszab, Brownsville, Texas, through the generous action of Mrs. E. R. Mathews.
First Aid (Salvador Red Cross)
and Grammar.”
No charges are made for the classes, but a charge of a few cents per month is made to defray the expenses of the hall, chairs, lights and similar upkeep.
Jamaica
Dr. Malcolm King continues to have the excellent support of the press in Kingston, and in addition to a personal interview on the Bahá’í Faith, was graciously given space in three issues of the Jamaica Daily Gleaner. He mentioned the selection of “The Bahá’í Pattern for Future Society” as the topic for one of these articles.
The Committee is grateful to receive from the National Spiritual Assembly the French translation of the “World Economy of Bahá’u’lláh” which will be of great teaching assistance in the areas where literature in French is required.
- INTER–AMERICA COMMITTEE
Bahá’í Bibliography[edit]
Will Bahá’ís please be on the lookout
for references to our Faith by
non-Bahá’ís in non-Bahá’í books and
magazines and report the same to
Bertha H. Kirkpatrick, Olivet,
Mich. The title, publisher and date
of publication should be included
and the page on which reference is
found. Such references are for use
in Bahá’í Bibliography in Volume X
[Page 6]
of The Bahá’í World and should not
be reported if they are already recorded
in previous volumes. Any article
about our Faith written by a
Bahá’í and published in a non-Bahá’í
magazine should also be included.
(This does not include newspaper
publicity.)
Race Unity Committee Offers New Compilation[edit]
The theme assigned for the first of the series of four public meetings for the year is Race Unity, “the Watchword” of American Bahá’ís. Our own racial solidarity and our approach to the coming racial solidarity of the whole world is a challenge to every Bahá’í committee and group to look first at its own defenses and having made doubly certain that they are sincere and strong, to offer the very essence of that strength to the public.
This Centennial year is a time of ringing triumph, a time to point to a world commonwealth that brooks no compromise with the old divisions, but stands its ground firmly, a living, growing thing, completely whole in its growing, proving by its own single–heartedness its right to lead the world to peace.
Second only to teaching unity by community example comes the opportunity to offer speakers, and to ourselves be voices on this great subject. The new compilation will be of the greatest assistance here. Arranged by Mrs. Alice Cox and Mrs. Mae Harvey Gift, the Race Unity Committee last year submitted it for publication. It is now in published form under the title “Race and Man.” Every community and group is urged to provide this reading now, and many of the friends will surely wish to individually own copies. It contains a mine of references, both Bahá’í and general, on the subject of Race Unity and without a doubt all libraries, schools, social workers, and public minded people would be happy to receive them. It offers a fine contact with minority leaders of every description in your city. The Race Unity Committee would deeply appreciate hearing from the groups and Assemblies who have successfully placed copies of the compilation.
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The Inter-America Committee must have assistance in the teaching field in Latin America. There are four countries which have not yet reached the goal set for the Seven Year Plan. These are Peru, Venezuela, Colombia and San Domingo. The requirements are two native believers. This committee can only entertain applications made exclusively for Inter-America teaching work. No application can be considered for a stay of less than one year. We would particularly desire one of our men teachers for Paraguay, someone who could remain there. There are a number of people interested but we need a permanent resident. Please address at once the secretary of the committee.
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Child Education[edit]
During the past year the Committee on Child Education attempted to gather a census of the children of Bahá’ís. We are happy to report our findings. We have divided the children into four age-groups: Preschool; five to eight years, inclusive; nine to twelve years, inclusive; and thirteen to fifteen years. There are now registered in these groups the following numbers of children:
| Pre-school | 53 | ||
| 5-8 yrs. | 87 | ||
| 9-12 yrs. | 88 | ||
| 13-15 yrs. | 76 | ||
| Total | 304 |
These figures, of course, will be
constantly changing, but we feel that
they are of very great present interest
as they clearly indicate the
need for educational material suitable
to the requirements of children
under fifteen.
We wish to thank all the friends who cooperated so wonderfully during the past year and made this census possible.
The committee has several requests to make. First, will all of you who have ideas for books or lesson plans for children, please get them down on paper and send them to this committee? We should like to have many manuscripts from which to select a few to recommend for publication these coming months. Please keep in mind the age grouping and aim your work at one of these groups. Some working ideas we have considered are: a child’s history of the Cause, the story of the Temple, stories from the Dawn Breakers, etc. We are sure that we shall be flooded with perfectly splendid material!
Second, material and data are required for inclusion in the next volume of Bahá’í World, such as reports of activities, pictures of children’s groups and classes, etc. Please send anything you have of this nature to Mrs. David S. Ruhe, 840 Cherry St., N. W., Atlanta, Georgia.
Third, we hope that the friends will continue in the fine cooperative spirit and help us to keep our census file up to date by reporting new arrivals, changes of address, etc. to this committee.
Our primary objective this year is to produce at least one book for children, and we are now hard at work on a book for children in the five to eight year groups, and pray that it may be published before the great Centennial celebration in 1944.
- CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Roberta K. Christian, Sec.
Seven Valleys and Four Valleys[edit]
The friends are advised that the National Spiritual Assembly has received word from the Guardian, which explains that the Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys revealed by Bahá’u’lláh are separate Tablets, and not a continuation of one Tablet. His words are: “The ‘Seven Valleys’ and the ‘Four Valleys’ should be regarded as independent Tablets, as they were revealed to different people.”
A Card Record of Believers’ Qualifications[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly
would like to suggest that local Assemblies
consider the possibility of
preparing a set of reference cards,
one for each member of the community,
listing their qualifications
and experience in relation to different
types of Bahá’í activity. Any Assembly,[Page 7]
which carries out this
suggestion can, if it wishes, send a
duplicate set of the cards to the
National Office for the records and
information about the NSA. While each
Assembly can naturally employ any
type or size of card it wishes, the
cards sent to the National Office
should be standard library filing
cards, size three by five inches. This
suggestion meets the need for detailed
information about the believers
in connection with appointments
to National Committees. The National
Spiritual Assembly itself cannot
make up a complete record of
the qualifications of all the friends,
but will welcome whatever factual
information can be provided by the
local Assemblies.
Election of Local Assemblies[edit]
The attention of the believers is called to that message from the Guardian received June 24 which states that local Assemblies may be formed this year as soon as nine or more believers are available, without waiting until April 21, 1944.
Regional Committees on request will be given copies of the bulletin outlining the method of forming a new Assembly and of the Assembly Roll form so that the qualified groups can report their election and obtain the recognition of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Suggestions Requested Concerning Centenary Program[edit]
In the Guardian’s letter outlining the meeting to be held in Temple Foundation Hall on the evening of May 22, 1944, he instructs that the believers be asked to submit their suggestions regarding the nature of the program. Members of local communities are to submit their ideas through the local Assembly. Other believers can address their views to the Bahá’í Centennial Committee. It is hoped that many helpful ideas will be received.
New Basis of Annual Election[edit]
The Guardian’s instruction concerning the election of delegates to the 1944 Convention as representatives of States and Provinces rather than local communities has been receiving careful study by the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alhambra, California,
re-established April 21, 1943.
Spiritual Assembly. Certain
specific points have been referred
back to the Guardian for further elucidation
in order to prepare the
way for calling for the election of
delegates next Spring.
Suggestions From Contacts Committee[edit]
- 1. The Contacts Committee offers
its service to those in virgin areas and small communities. If they will send to this Committee a list of the outstanding civic and humanitarian leaders, doctors, lawyers, engineers and educators, such persons will be contacted, and thus pave the way for further contact by traveling teachers and regionally – selected people of capacity.
- 2. It may be well to repeat a
thought emphasized at the Convention; which is, that when one has in mind the contacting of a Government official, unless one has an ordinary direct personal relationship with such person, he should write the National Contacts Committee, submitting this name and address. The Contacts Committee will in turn write the National Spiritual Assembly, as a special committee has been appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, of its own body, to make certain special public contacts to bring the Bahá’í Peace Message to influential groups and public figures.
In Memoriam[edit]
“I testify, O my Lord, that Thou hast enjoined upon men to honor their guest, and he that hath ascended unto Thee hath verily reached Thee and attained Thy presence. Deal with him then according to Thy grace and bounty!”
- Mrs. Annie K. Lewis, New York.
- Mrs. Emma Idella Ralph, Portland.
- Mr. Robert L. Gulick, Tryon, N.C.
- Mrs. Hattie Vaupel, Louisville.
- Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth Schneider, Richmond Highlands.
- Miss Joanne Doris Svendsen, Madison.
- Mrs. Marie Selectman, Indianapolis.
- Mr. William Jackson, Dayton.
- Mr. W. J. Bean, San Francisco.
- Mr. R. G. Jeffrey, Atascadero, Calif.
Mrs. Josephine Hall Clark, Denver. Mrs. Mary Allen Smith, Newark. Mrs. Ida Jellsett, Richmond Highlands. Mrs. Effie Goldthrop, Helena. Mr. Sydney Sprague, Los Angeles.
Enrollments and Transfers[edit]
Enrollment of new believers reported by local Assemblies:
Chicago, eight. New York, three. Washington, two. West Chester, two. Atlanta, one. San Francisco, one. Houston, one. Boise, one. Portland, one. Lima, one. Glendale, one. Yonkers, one. New Haven, one. New Orleans, one. Detroit, two.
Enrollments by transfer reported by local Assemblies:
New York, three. Yonkers, one. Portland, one. Washington, three. Chicago, one. Los Angeles, one. Cleveland, one. Detroit, one. Binghamton, one.
Enrollment of isolated believers in July, fifteen.
Bahá’í Directory[edit]
Revisions received since the publication of the Assembly Roll and National Committee appointments in the July issue:
Detroit, Mrs. Etta J. Catlin, Corresponding Secretary, 2387 Woodstock Drive, Detroit, 3.
Denver, Mrs. Mildred H. Clark, Secretary, Bahá’í House, 821 Marion street, Denver, 3.
Providence, William Doull, Secretary, 92 University Avenue.
International Auxiliary Language Committee: Herbert Seidler unable to serve.
Regional Teaching Committee of Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Artemus Lamb, Secretary, 2038 Glenarm Street, Denver, 5, Colo.
Bahá’í Calendar[edit]
Nineteen Day Feasts: Might, September 8; Will, September 27; Knowledge, October 16.
Anniversaries: Birth of the Báb, October 20.
Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly: September 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, at Wilmette,
Last view received of the Bahá’ís of Karachi, India. This photograph was taken in 1941.
Greeting From Youth Committee of Persia[edit]
Dear Beloved Friends,
With hearts overflowing with joy and ecstasy, the entire Bahá’í youths in Persia rejoice at the news of the glorious consummation of the beloved Temple Edifice which is the concrete expression representing the fundamental principle of the unity of mankind.
Words are inadequate indeed to convey to you the extent of our abounding love and admiration for this magnificent achievement or to attempt to describe, however brief, the brilliant efforts and abundant sacrifices manifested by the American friends over a period of 30 critical years for the successful conclusion of this collective enterprise.
The cumulative effect of this delightful news has permeated our hearts with the abiding consciousness of the crying need for a higher standard of devotion and courage required to insure a signal victory in the teaching field in the face of overwhelming obstacles and uncertainties.
On occasion of the Ridván Feast, 1943, we take this opportunity to extend loving greetings to all the Bahá’í youths and beloved friends in the United States and Canada, to the valiant American pioneers who have set such a sublime example of devotion and sacrifice and to the growing multitude of the ardent believers throughout Latin America.
On this blessed occasion culminating in the termination of the first Bahá’í Century, we join you to turn our hearts to the Abhá Kingdom imploring to confer upon us spiritual wisdom and insight in order to prove worthy to promote the sacred interests of His Cause and to deliver His Message of salvation to a suffering humanity.
