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[Page 1]
CENTENARY AND CONVENTION PLANS
March, 1944
Bahá’í Era
| BAHÁ'Í |  |
NEWS |
Messages From The Guardian[edit]
Since the transmission of my recent message conveying news of the magnificent progress achieved by Bahá’í communities, a substantial addition to the endowments dedicated to the Shrines raises the holdings in the Jordan Valley to over five hundred acres. The extension of teaching enterprises East and West, the multiplication of Bahá’í endowments, national and international, the consolidation of administrative institutions, above all the superb evidences of incorruptible loyalty to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His Will, equally proclaim the unyielding determination of the world community to seal with triumph the first Bahá’í Century.
Received January 16, 1944
The participation of Latin American believers in the Bahá’í Centennial Convention is vital to the future development of the Faith in the Americas. I urge individuals as well as the National Assembly to extend assistance, financial and otherwise, to enable as many representatives as possible to join the North American believers in the proceedings of a gathering of such momentous importance and historic significance in the evolution of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the western hemisphere.
Received January 29, 1944
Delighted at notable successes achieved and splendid prospects ahead. Fervently praying for speedy formation of Assemblies in the four unsettled areas and full attendance of Latin American representatives.
Received March 13, 1944
The first envelope containing locket with hair was returned after meeting with an accident. Though the accompanying letter was half burnt, the hair is intact. I rejoice at the providential escape and safe arrival. Inform friends.
Received March 14, 1944
(This message refers to the shipment of the hair of the Báb for exhibit at the Centenary and preservation in the Archives. It was sent in June, 1943, and never received here, but now we have this news of its providential escape from loss or destruction and safe return to its sender, the Guardian, in Haifa.)
From a letter dated Haifa, January 14, written through his secretary, we quote this message from the Guardian:
“In this connection he would like you, in Bahá’í News, to call the attention of the friends to the importance of these endowments in the Jordan valley, by quoting Bahá’u’lláh’s own words as found on pages 116 and 117 in the ‘Gleanings,’ in which He very clearly states His approval of such dedicated lands, anticipates the importance they will acquire in those regions, and associates them with the words in the Old Testament: ‘Spread thy skirt, O Jerusalem!’ ”
The passage in Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh reads as follows:—
“If a man be found willing to rear, in Our name, an edifice of pure gold or silver, or a house begemmed with stones of inestimable value, such a wish will no doubt be granted. He, verily, doeth what He willeth, and ordaineth that which He pleaseth. Leave, hath, moreover, been given to whosoever may desire to raise, throughout the length and breadth of this land, noble and imposing structures, and dedicate the rich and sacred territories adjoining the Jordan and its vicinity to the worship and service of the one true God, magnified be His glory, that the prophecies recorded by the Pen of the Most High in the sacred Scriptures may be fulfilled, and that which God, the Lord of all worlds, hath purposed in this most exalted, this most holy, this mighty, and wondrous Revelation may be made manifest.
“We have, of old, uttered these words: Spread thy skirt, O Jerusalem! Ponder this in your hearts, O people of Bahá, and render thanks unto your Lord, the Expounder, the Most Manifest.”
Finally, these excerpts from letter dated November 16, 1943, written through his secretary:
“Regarding the seven points submitted to the Guardian in connection with the new basis of the election of Convention delegates. He approves the action taken by your Assembly, but wishes to stress the importance of reminding the believers that they should make every possible effort to attend the meeting for the election of the State or Province delegates, in order to stimulate a larger group consciousness which will greatly facilitate the process of the believers becoming acquainted with each other, and provide an intermediary stage—which will become increasingly valuable and necessary between the local organization, represented by the group or Assembly, and national collective action, represented by the activities of the Convention and the institution of the National Assembly.
“Regarding the District of Columbia: the Guardian feels it should be accorded its independent status of a State and should be treated on a footing of absolute equality with the other States and Provinces. Believers residing in that district should be accorded the same rights, in all matters of election and otherwise, as those who reside in the States and Provinces of North America.
“The Guardian’s directions regarding the formation of local Assemblies before April 21 applies to Central and South America as well as to the North American communities.
“Regarding the election of the
local Assembly on April 21: He feels
that it should not take place after
sunset on that day, for otherwise it[Page 2]
would be, according to the Bahá’í
Calendar, falling on April 22; if any
changes should be made in the By-Laws,
uniform action should be enforced
by your Assembly.”
Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Beloved Co-workers and Friends:
There is an urgent need of communicating information to all the believers concerning the Convention and the Centenary. This special number of Bahá’í News is being issued in order to convey the information to all the American believers as rapidly as possible. Another number of Bahá’í News, containing items of current interest, will follow in about ten days.
Election of Delegates
Beginning this year, the 171 Convention delegates will be elected by all the believers and not merely by those who are members of organized local, communities. The delegates are assigned by proportionate representation to the States and Provinces of North America, and the elections will be held at some central point within each State or Province, under a new procedure which has been established with the Guardian’s approval.
1. The National Spiritual Assembly has appointed in each State and Province a Temporary Chairman to open the meeting. Those present at the election then proceed to the election of a permanent Chairman and Secretary, and the Chairman appoints two tellers.
2. Reading of passages from the Bahá’í literature related to elections and the nature of Bahá’í institutions, the following references being suggested: Bahá’í Administration, by Shoghi Effendi (third edition, 1936) —Prayer, on pages 20 and 21; last paragraph, page 21; third paragraph, page 36; third paragraph, page 45; second paragraph, page 52; all of pages 54, 55, 56 to the end of the letter, beginning with the first new paragraph on page 54.
3. The tellers certify the result of the election and the Chairman promptly transmits the tellers’ report and the ballots to the National Office.
4. In case of a tie vote the second ballot is to be cast by those present, and their votes are to be cast for one of the two or more persons who were tied.
5. The Secretary prepares and transmits a report of the proceedings of the meeting.
All effort is being made to have every State and Province electoral unit hold this first state-wide election on Sunday, April 9, at 11:00 A.M. A blank ballot, a letter of instruction and a list showing where each election is to be held as well as the number of delegates assigned to the various States and Provinces, will be sent to all the Bahá’ís as follows:
a. In bulk through the local Assemblies for distribution to the community members.
b. In bulk to group Correspondents for distribution to the group members.
c. Mailed direct to every listed Bahá’í who is neither a member of a community nor of a group.
The friends are exhorted to attend their respective election in person if possible, because these meetings inaugurate a new and important advance in the evolution of the Bahá’í administrative order. From now on, the distinction between voting and non-voting Bahá’ís is removed. Every believer, whether in a city with an Assembly or alone in a remote village, has one and the same right and responsibility to elect the delegates who constitute the annual Convention. There are no more “isolated” believers, for one is either identified as (for example) a “Chicago Bahá’í” or as a “North Dakota Bahá’í,” depending on whether he is listed as a member of a local community or a member of a State or Provincial community.
In voting for the number of delegates assigned to your State or Province, bear in mind the fact that the name or names you write on your ballot must be resident or residents of your own State or Province, and must be adult (twenty-one years of age or more), duly listed Bahá’ís.
As the Guardian wrote in the letter quoted above: “He . . .wishes to stress the importance of reminding the believers that they should make every possible effort to attend the meeting for the election of the State or Province delegates, in order to stimulate a larger group consciousness which will greatly facilitate the process of the believers becoming acquainted with each other, and provide an intermediary stage—which will become increasingly valuable and necessary — between the local organization, represented by the group or Assembly, and national collective action, represented by the activities of the Convention and the institution of the National Assembly.”
The Temporary Chairmen have been appointed and notified. Where a suitable Bahá’í center or Bahá’í home is not available for the meeting, the Temporary Chairman has been authorized to rent a place.
The Convention
The 1944 Annual Convention will be held in Temple Foundation Hall, Wilmette, on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 19 to 25. There will be Convention business sessions each morning from 10:00 to 12:00 noon, and each afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00, except Sunday when the event will be a public meeting as scheduled in the program of the Centenary.
The Centenary program will fill the evenings of the same days, May 19 to 25, as the Convention sessions.
Convention Agenda
Printed copies of the Agenda will be provided. Among the themes chosen for general consultation are:
The Guardian’s Survey of the First Bahá’í Century, the new book which he has entitled “God Passes By.”
Completion of the Seven Year Plan —Temple, North America Teaching and South America Teaching.
Entering the Second Bahá’í Century — The Guardian’s Plan, Assembly Development, Tools for Teaching (Literature, Radio, Contacts, Publicity, Conferences, Bahá’í Schools, Bahá’í Education, Teaching Methods).
Baha’í Program for Establishing World Peace—Inter-American Unity, Race Unity, Religious Unity, The Lesser and the Most Great Peace.
Convention photograph, 11:30 a.m., Sunday, May 21; Annual Election, 2:00 p. m., Monday, May 22.
Will the friends kindly note that the Convention sessions are open only to delegates and Bahá’í visitors. The Centenary meetings are open to the general public.
Bahá’í Centenary
All believers Will be supplied with a copy of the printed Centenary program now in preparation. The dates and subjects are outlined here as follows:
Friday, May 19, 8:15 p.m. Subject: The Universal House of Worship.
Saturday, May 20, 8:00 p.m. Subject: A Bahá’í Meeting.
Sunday, May 21, 3:30 p.m. Subject: The Bahá’í World Faith.
Monday, May 22, 8:00 p.m. Subject:
- Centenary of the Birth of the
- Bahá’í Faith.
Monday, May 22, 9:30 p.m. (In Auditorium
- of Temple, for believers).
- Subject: Dedication of the Bahá’í
- House of Worship. 10:00 p.m. Subject:
- Centenary of Declaration
- of the Báb. Showing of Portrait of
- the Báb and of Hair of the Báb.
Tuesday, May 23, 8:15 p.m. Subject:
- North America, The Citadel of Universal
- Peace.
Wednesday, May 24, 8:15 p.m. Subject:
- The Meeting of the Americas.
Thursday, May 25, 6:30 p.m. Banquet
- in ballroom of Hotel Stevens,
- Chicago.
Annual Election of Local Spiritual Assembly
The date of the annual election of local Assemblies was fixed by the Guardian some years ago as the first day of Riḍván, April 21. But as the Bahá’í day begins at sunset and not at midnight, the election date hereafter is to be regarded as the twenty-four hour period beginning at sunset, April 20, and, ending at sunset, April 21.
In response to inquiries received concerning the best method to use when the result of the first ballot is a tie vote, and whether absent voters are to participate in a second ballot, the National Spiritual Assembly refers to the statement on page 48 of Bahá’í Procedure, and amplifies the procedure as follows:
In case of a tie vote in any Bahá’í election, another ballot is to be cast, restricted to the persons tied in the first vote. If necessary, successive ballots will be cast, all of which are confined to the persons tied. The election is to be completed in the one meeting duly called.
Thus the friends who vote by mail are unable to participate in a second or successive ballot. Each ballot after the first is confined to those present when the ballot is taken.
Annual Reports
National Committees have been requested to send in their reports by April 1 for publication before the Convention period.
Reservations
Two notices prepared by the Centenary Committee are published below, and deserve careful attention by all believers wishing to attend the Convention and Centenary sessions. The plans and arrangements made by the Centenary Committee are fully endorsed and thoroughly approved by the National Spiritual Assembly.
Needs of the Seven-Year Plan
At the March meeting of the NSA the National Teaching Committee reported the need of one settler in Boise, and two settlers in Louisville, to complete the requirements of the Seven Year Plan as far as North America is concerned — provided that all the present arrangements which the Committee has in hand are consummated, and no new and unexpected needs develop.
New Assemblies can be formed, and former ones reestablished, as late as May 22 to be reckoned as part of the Plan given us by the Guardian for the concluding years of the First Bahá’í Century. The National Assembly understands that this permission for the formation of the Assemblies on dates other than April 21 is for this year only.
It is also an important element in the teaching Plan that local Assemblies undertake vigorous public campaigns on the successive themes selected for the year. During March and April our theme is the Manifestation of God, preparing the way for the Centennial.
- —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The Guardian’s Book[edit]
Amid all his weighty responsibilities and burdens, Shoghi Effendi has found time to present the Bahá’ís with a new and most notable book, a survey of the history of, the Faith throughout its first Century. The title he has chosen is “God Passes By.”
The precious manuscript has been arriving chapter by chapter via airmail, and each chapter when received is turned over to the Publishing Committee for the printer. As of the present time, we are still to receive several chapters, so the publishing date cannot be determined. The aim is to produce the volume before the Centenary and Convention dates if humanly possible under existing conditions affecting printing and binding.
To the individual Bahá’í this work brings new and deeper insight into the majesty and power of the Cause of God. Its distribution throughout the general public by all available means, including review copies to the press, will redound to the prestige of the Faith and answer many
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May we ask your immediate attention to the communication which will soon be sent to all those who have made room reservations. The Centenary Committee deeply appreciates the helpful and continued cooperation which you are according it and feels confident that with your assistance, this very complex problem will he satisfactorily solved. |
questions raised by inquirers as well as uninformed and unsympathetic critics.
Advance orders may be placed now subject to shipment when ready and subject to final determination of selling price.
A Centenary Book[edit]
The Publishing Committee has on the press a work entitled “The Bahá’í Centenary 1844-1944” compiled by the National Spiritual Assembly with the help of a number of the friends in order to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Faith. Its contents include the following:
Foreword
Introduction
The Dawn of the Bahá’í Revelation
The Martyrdom of the Báb
Bahá’u’lláh’s Tribute to the Báb
The Báb and the Bahá’í Faith
America’s Spiritual Destiny
History of the American Bahá’í Community
The Bahá’í Faith Comes to America
‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America
Cities Visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912
American Bahá’í Chronology
Formation of An Organic Religious
- Community
Bahá’í Headquarters
Bahá’í Properties
The Bahá’í House of Worship
History of Temple Construction
The Temple Superstructure
Exterior Ornamentation
Early Bahá’í Pilgrimages to ‘Akká
- and Haifa.
Persian Teachers Sent to America
The Development of Bahai Publications
Bahá’í Teaching in North America
Bahá’í Teachers Go to Europe, Asia and Africa
Bahá’í Teaching in Central and South America
Race Unity
The Bahá’í Faith Presented to Colleges
Teaching at the House of Worship
Bahá’í Schools
The American Bahá’í Community
Sacred Relics in National Bahá’í Archives
Bahá’í Literature
Appreciations
References to the Faith in Books
- and Magazines
Acknowledgements
Illustrations
The aim has been to show the degree of response which the American Bahá’ís have made to the Call of Bahá’u’lláh since 1894. Copies are expected before the Convention and advance orders may be placed subject to shipment when available.
New Publications[edit]
Communion With God, a small book of prayers for pocket or handbag. 24 pages, linen cover. Sold only in lots of ten copies for $1.00.
The Bahá’í Temple, a general teaching pamphlet of smaller size and less cost than the pamphlet issued in 1942 entitled “House of Worship of a World Faith.” This booklet measures 5½ by 7½ inches, sixteen pages, five illustrations. Sold in lots of ten copies for $0.50.
Les Paroles Cachées, the Hidden Words in French. Paper cover. Per copy, $0.35.
Les Sept Vallées, the Seven Valleys, in French. Paper cover. Per copy, $0.35.
Parolado de Báb, the Words of the Báb addressed to the Letters of the Living, in Esperanto edition. Four–page leaflet. Thirty copies for $1.00.
Send orders to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Centenary Committee Important Announcement[edit]
Since early Fall, your Centenary Committee has been making a thorough survey of housing possibilities necessary to take care of the unprecedented number of Bahá’ís who have indicated their intention of attending the 1944 Convention and Centenary Celebration. The results of this survey show:
1. That because of an acute housing shortage, due to the new war industries, recently developed in these environs, the largest number we can hope to place in private homes in Wilmette or along the North Shore is about 300 persons.
2. That all of the Evanston Hotels, with their unusual number of permanent residents, cannot promise to take care of more than an additional 100.
3. That all of the outlying hotels, between Evanston and Chicago, are completely filled.
4. That the only Chicago Hotel that can guarantee sufficient space for the rest of our reservations is The Stevens, recently turned back by the Army to private ownership and now being completely renovated.
To date, some 900 reservations have been received, with others arriving by every post. From the above, it is obvious that we shall have to go to Chicago for most of our rooms and the Centenary Committee feels it most providential that the Stevens Hotel should have been released for civilian use, just at this time. We have made this the “official” hotel and are holding enough space to take care of everyone. The 300 to 350 places which we expect to have in private homes will be assigned to the older friends and to those who, for some physical reason, must be near as possible to the Temple.
Transportation
The current regulations permit of making reservation on trains one month in advance. We strongly urge those travelling by rail to secure their reservations both to, and returning from, Chicago, at the earliest possible moment. Do not leave your return accommodations until arriving in Chicago, unless you want to risk delays.
To those near enough to Wilmette to consider driving to the Centennial, we wish to recall that the period of change in the validity of gasoline coupons falls during the Convention, on May 21st. They could therefore use coupons 11 for their journey to Wilmette and 12 for their return home.
The “L” and North Shore Electric both have stations, convenient to The Stevens and go directly out to Linden Avenue, Wilmette, in about 35 minutes. If feasible, there will be some private motor-bus service established between The Stevens and the Temple.
Food
We are happy to report that a very satisfactory arrangement has been worked out whereby attractive, wholesome food (hot meals, as well as good sandwiches, etc.) will be served on a cafeteria basis from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in a large tent, which will be erected on our present parking—lot, adjacent to the Temple. This service is to be carried out by an excellent catering company which is equipped to take care of any number, so you can plan on having your luncheons and dinners in this convenient and congenial way.
Weather
Although we should have nice spring weather, during the Centennial period, the latter part of May is still unsettled and can be quite cool. We would therefore caution everyone to be provided with a warm top-coat. It would also be wise to be prepared in the event of rain.
Program
The session of the Convention will take place in Foundation Hall each morning and afternoon. In planning the different Public Meetings, the Centenary Committee, although building the programs around such phases of the Faith as its growth in North America, its development in Latin America, the building of the Temple, etc., has endeavored to lift the addresses above personalities and select themes that would cover the subjects emphasized by the Guardian and present the Cause in its broad and universal aspects. We regret that we cannot yet give full details as to the speakers, but the program of these Public Meetings, prepared by the Committee and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, is as announced above.
The Banquet, which concludes this Program, will be held in Hotel Stevens, Chicago. Formal or informal dress optional.
- BAHÁ’Í CENTENARY COMMITTEE
- Edna True, Chairman
- 418 Forest Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois
- 418 Forest Avenue
- Edna True, Chairman
- BAHÁ’Í CENTENARY COMMITTEE
