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NEWS |
| No. 183 | MAY, 1946 | YEAR 103 | BAHA’I ERA |
“Heed Not Your Weaknesses”[edit]
O My beloved friends! You are the bearers of the name of God in this Day. You have been chosen as the repositories of His mystery. It behooves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory. The very members of your body must bear witness to the loftiness of your purpose, the integrity of your life, the reality of your faith, and the exalted character of your devotion.... Heed not your weaknesses and frailty; fix your gaze upon the invincible power of the Lord, your God, the Almighty. Has He not enabled Moses, whose staff was His only companion, to vanquish Pharaoh and his hosts? Has He not established the ascendancy of Jesus, poor and lowly as He was in the eyes of men, over the combined forces of the Jewish people? Has He not subjected the barbarous and militant tribes of Arabia to the holy and transforming discipline of Muḥammad, His Prophet? Arise in His name, put your trust wholly in Him, and be assured of ultimate victory.
From His Address to the
Letters of the Living.
Message From the Guardian[edit]
“Efforts Unremitting”[edit]
Dear and valued co-workers:
The assistance extended by the American Bahá’í Community to the long-suffering German believers is a further evidence of their readiness, so abundantly demonstrated in the past, to champion the interests, and to rehabilitate the institutions of their sister communities throughout the Bahá’í world. This support, so generously extended, so consistently and faithfully offered by the rank and file of the American believers, and particularly by their elected national representatives, is but a subsidiary aspect of the tremendous undertakings which, in both the North and South American continents, the standard bearers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh have initiated and developed, for the promotion of its interests, during the concluding decades of the first Bahá’í century.
The two-fold task which they have so nobly undertaken—the proclamation of the Faith in the North American continent and the consolidation of its nascent institutions in Latin America—must, whatever plan is devised in the coming years for the furtherance of their world-wide mission—be relentlessly prosecuted. That further responsibilities, of a momentous character, will have to be superimposed on the stalwart prosecutors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, as they gird up their loins to carry a stage further their historic labors in obedience to His wishes, no one can for a moment doubt. As the field of their activities, ranging over entire continents, grows in scope and in importance, the aims and purposes associated with the first stage of their glorious mission must, in no wise, be either neglected or forgotten. The steady multiplication of groups and of Spiritual Assemblies throughout the States of the great American Republic, the continual broadcasting of the Divine Message to the leaders of public opinion and the masses, as well as the establishment of the newly fledged local Assemblies throughout Latin America on an unassailable basis, and the dissemination of Bahá’í literature among its people, demand, whatever the nature of the supplementary responsibilities that will have to be assumed in the years to come, the closest attention on the part of the entire body of the American believers, and must continue to be regarded as the fundamental issues facing their national representatives. The exploits immortalizing the first stage of the Divine Plan, however glorious their record, have yet to yield their noblest fruits. Efforts unremitting, systematic, and continent-wide in their scope, can alone garner a harvest worthy of the high confidence placed in them by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. May they prove themselves increasingly worthy of so high a privilege, so glorious a task.
- Haifa, Palestine
March 25, 1946.
- Haifa, Palestine
National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
“Fundamental Issues”[edit]
Beloved Friends:
In a world beset by differences of opinion and policy, the followers of Bahá’u’lláh may well appreciate their blessing in the true union which the Guardian maintains for the entire Bahá’í community. Most grievous of all confusions are those which arise when persons supporting the same general truths disagree on how those ideals should be served.
As we turn to the message Shoghi Effendi has given us in his letter of March 25, we note the emphasis he lays on the “fundamental issues” we are to pursue with complete determination and resolve during years to come. As we work in those two fields, “the proclamation of the Faith in the North American continent and the consolidation of its nascent institutions in Latin America,” we shall remain under the light of guidance, and receive the reinforcement of supernal Power.
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In that same letter there is a passage written by the Guardian
through his secretary which goes to
the very heart of our individual and
collective spiritual problems:
“The believers, to better understand their own internal condition,
should realize that the forces of
darkness in the world are so prevalent and strong that their morbid
and turbulent influence is felt by all.
They should therefore consciously
strive to be more loving, more
united, more dedicated and prayerful than ever before, in order to fight
against the atmosphere of present-day society which is unloving, disunited, careless of right and wrong,
and heedless of God.”
An event of great historical moment for the Faith has been reported to us by cable from John Eichenauer in Germany: that a two-day Convention of German Bahá’ís has been held, with nineteen delegates and the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly has been recreated by the election of nine members. Thus the irresistible power of the Faith has asserted itself under most dramatic circumstances. We rejoice in this notable strengthening of the pillars of the new world order, and we pray for the mighty confirmation of our brothers and sisters in Germany and in all countries overrun by war.
In our recent general letter on the subject of international Bahá’í relief we listed the address of Sr. Perfecto Tabora in Manila. We now learn that Sr. Tabora has moved, the new address being 22 Halum Street, Mesa Heights, Quezon City, P. I.
The Assemblies are reminded that Annual reports of the local activities to April 21, 1946, will be most welcome, and the information shared as fully as possible with the friends in Bahá’í News.
- Faithfully yours,
- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
In Memoriam[edit]
| Reports of Annual Elections
|
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
- Mrs. John Mack, Denver.
- Mrs. Charles Tinsley, San Francisco.
- Mrs. Gertrude Harney, Rochester.
- Mrs. Elvira Benning, Kenosha.
- Mrs. Jennie Bowman, Phoenix.
- Mrs. Louise Brooks, New York.
- Mrs. W. C. Nichols, San Antonio.
- Mrs. Annie Belle Killius, Springfield, Illinois.
Calendar[edit]
Anniversaries: The Declaration of the Báb, May 23, 1844. To be celebrated on May 22, at about two hours after sunset. The Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, May 29, 1892. To be observed if feasible at 3:00 A.M. on May 29.
Nineteen Day Feasts: Grandeur, May 17; Light, June 5; Mercy, June 24.
Enrollments[edit]
- St. Paul, 2.
- Detroit, 2.
- Milwaukee, 6 and 3 youth.
- Hamilton, 3.
- Pittsburgh, 2.
- Lima, 2.
- Fargo, 2.
- Minneapolis, 4.
- Los Angeles 2, 1 youth.
- Evanston, 2.
- San Francisco, 2 youth.
- Toronto, 2.
- Baltimore, 1.
- Beverly Hills, 1.
- Honolulu, 1.
- Sioux Falls, 1.
- Little Rock, 1.
- Halifax, 1.
- Colorado Springs, 1.
- Boise, 1.
- Anchorage, 1.
- New York, 1.
- Spokane, 1.
- Flint, 1.
- Regina, 1.
- Berkeley, 1.
- St. Louis, 1.
Enrollments reported by Regional Teaching Committees in February—2; in March—16.
National Committees[edit]
Public Meetings Campaign[edit]
The public meetings in Brooklyn, Portland, Detroit, and Chicago rounded out the campaign conducted by the National Spiritual Assembly and inaugurated in Toronto last October. We are printing below reports of three of these final meetings. No official news has come from Detroit, but we understand that there was a large attendance at the meeting there in spite of the transit strike which was called just at that time.
Brooklyn[edit]
The largest Bahá’í gathering yet to be held in Brooklyn was that of March 25, 1946, sponsored by the National Public Meetings Committee. Between 700 and 800 people, many of them uninformed about the Faith, thronged to the dignified and impressive Brooklyn Academy of Music to hear Miss Hilda Yen speak on “Peace Plans Compared” and Mr. Carl Scheffler discuss “The Price of World Peace is World Religion.” Philip Sprague presided. Musical selections were presented by Walter Olitzki of the Metropolitan Opera, Philippa Schuyler, gifted 14-year-old pianist and composer, and the Gerard Duo Quartet, conducted by Gerard Alohenaar of the Royal Conservatory of Holland.
Cards requesting further information about the Faith and notices of future meetings were signed by more than 110 persons.
Particulars about those who participated in the meeting and the topics presented, Bahá’í quotations, the address of the New York center, etc., appeared on six pages of the attractive “Program and Magazine of the Brooklyn Academy of Music.”
Portland[edit]
On March 28, the Portland Bahá’í community held its Public Meeting of the National Campaign in the Neighbors of Woodcraft auditorium, with approximately 350 people attending. Mrs. Helen Bishop spoke on “The Price of World Peace Is World Religion,” and held throughout her address the complete and enthusiastic attention of her audience. Mr. Robert L. McCoy, formerly soloist with the Washington, D. C., Symphony, sang two selections before and after the address.
Masjid Vakil in Shiráz where the Báb silenced His enemies.
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Large bouquets of beautiful mixed
flowers were used effectively as decoration.
Both the Oregonian and the Oregon Journal advertised the meeting extensively, and two radio transcript broadcasts aroused marked interest. Posters, distributed throughout Portland and neighboring Vancouver, paid well for the time and effort expended.
The Portland community is especially enthusiastic concerning the follow-up work done by Mrs. Bishop. On April 1, at the regular weekly meeting, she spoke to an audience of sixty people; on April 8, she again addressed the meeting. Both audiences included people who had been interested by her able and profound explanation of the Message. On several occasions Mrs. Bishop attended fireside meetings and dinners to which she was invited to explain the Cause. She also addressed a group of sixty-five persons on April 5 in Corvallis, Oregon.
This community is greatly inspired by the outcome of the Public Meeting and all the follow-ups. To our minds, the activity has been highly successful in that the Message has reached many people, and in a most profound way.
Chicago[edit]
A most successful meeting was held in Chicago in the beautiful Ballroom of the Continental Hotel April 11th. This was the last of a series of eleven nation-wide meetings arranged by the Public Meetings Committee. It was a beautiful occasion.
The splendid and effective publicity prepared by the Bahá’í News Service, the personal efforts of the Chicago believers, and the full cooperation of adjacent Bahá’í communities within a radius of two hundred miles resulted in an audience of nearly a thousand interested people, many of whom heard of the Bahá’í Faith for the first time.
Mr. Albert Windust, who always radiates a genial, charming friendliness, acted as Chairman. Miss Carol Smith of Hollywood, Illinois, entertained the gathering with two beautifully rendered solos. The main part of the program was then entered upon. The speakers, Marzieh Nabil Gail and Kenneth Christian presented the subject of the evening—“The Price of World Peace Is World Religion” in a scholarly fashion. The non-Bahá’ís present could not help but be impressed with the tremendous
Mason Remey addresses a gathering in the Bahá’í Center at Havana, Cuba, March, 1945.
potentialities for Peace embodied within the Bahá’í Faith. Meetings of this type are far reaching
in their deepening effect on the public in its understanding of the fundamental principles of the spiritual program inaugurated by Bahá’u’lláh for
this day.
Inter-America News[edit]
The Panama Conference[edit]
An English translation has just been received of a special number of the Spanish Bahá’í Bulletin, which is devoted to a description of the first Latin-American Bahá’í Conference held in Panama City, January 21-25, under the auspices of the Bahá’í International School at Colorado Springs and of the Inter-America Committee.
A few excerpts from this report will indicate the warmth of spiritual unity in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh experienced alike by the Latin believers from seven Central and South American countries and the six North American pioneers who attended the Conference.
“The Conference was a great success, exceeding our highest hopes. A marvelous spirit of brotherhood, happiness and cooperation permeated all the meetings and activities, and everybody took his pan in perfect coordination with the others ... Every morning there were informal teaching sessions and every evening a public lecture was held.
“The Guardian wrote that to Panama would fall the honor of holding the first Bahá’í Latin-American Conference, which would be followed by many others.”
Morning sessions were given to the study of selections from God Passes By, and to round table discussions on the Administrative Order and on teaching problems in Latin America. At one of these sessions the characteristics of a Bahá’í teacher were described as, “... profound faith, deep impersonal love for all alike, tact, eagerness to listen with understanding to the view-point of the student and his problems, capacity to present the Cause of God in such a way that he can easily understand it and apply it to his own life, great patience, perseverance, humility, living the Bahá’í life, complete obedience to Bahá’í Administration, generosity, courage, and the capacity to find in every disaster nothing but a great opportunity to serve.”
Whether from distant Chile or from nearby countries, all who came, native believers as well as pioneers, were given parts by the Conference Committee appointed by the Spiritual Assembly of Panama City, either as leaders of discussions or as speakers in public meetings or over the radio. “The Panamanian
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Station, ‘La Nacional,’ ... gave
gratis fifteen minutes every day during the Conference for the proclamation of our beloved Cause.
“Each representative, in a perfectly impersonal way, showed in these programs his profound attachment to the Faith without any desire to distinguish his participation as a representative of a certain country.”
The closing public meeting was held in the main auditorium of the Inter-America University. The theme of this meeting was World Peace. A non-Bahá’í speaker was Dr. Octavio Mendez Pereira, delegate from Panama to the San Francisco Conference.
A representative of the National Spiritual Assembly who attended the Conference, said, near its close, “The spirit of this conference, more than any other, seems like that of Haifa. It is something I have not experienced since 1938, the last time I visited the Guardian of our Faith.”
Recent Events[edit]
The itinerant teachers, Mr. Mason Remey and Mr. and Mrs. Emeric Sala, have now returned home from their teaching tours in South America. They are expected to be present at the Convention and to relate some of their experiences.
En route to Buenos Aires, Shirley Ward has spent several weeks in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Excellent contacts have been made in both cities. Owing to most energetic teaching on the part of our pioneers in Rio, it is fully expected that a Spiritual Assembly will be elected there on April 21.
Managua, Nicaragua, now has twice the number of believers required for electing a Spiritual Assembly; Valparaiso, Chile, will also have its first Spiritual Assembly this year, and in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a Spiritual Assembly will be reestablished. A number of Bahá’í groups have been organized throughout Latin America as a result of extension teaching during this and former years.
After April 21 Marcia Steward will leave Valparaiso for Central America where she will assist in the consolidation of Assemblies and in public teaching in the countries north of Panama. Hascle Cornbleth has left Los Angeles to pioneer in Quito, Ecuador.
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baker have recently returned home after visiting Assemblies in Caracas, Venezuela; Kingston, Jamaica; and Havana, Cuba. Louise Baker is remaining in Caracas until after the election. However, she plans to attend the Convention.
Artemus Lamb returned to the United States on personal business in the early spring, but will leave directly after attending the Convention in Wilmette, to continue his teaching work in Punta Arenas, Chile.
North American Teaching[edit]
The Smaller Assemblies[edit]
During the past month the focus of teaching activity has been the preservation of the status of the smaller Assemblies by reinforcing their ranks and supplying teaching help to provide an increase of membership before April 21st. Especially intensive teaching has been going forward in Moncton, N.B., and Halifax, N.S., where Mrs. Ruth Moffett, Mrs. Annie Romer and Mrs. Beulah Proctor have been bending every effort to attract and confirm believers. A recent report advises that Moncton has added Miss Ann McLean to its rolls and Halifax has a study class of from 10 to 15 to be conducted by Mrs. Romer. Plans have been made to provide return visits by Mrs. Ruth Moffett to both Charlottetown and to Moncton for additional help during April.
The Louisville, Ky., community has also received teaching help in March and April, as well as the promise of further reinforcements very soon. Mrs. Marion Little spent a week early in March making new contacts and arranging for a public meeting. In order to secure a suitable meeting place Mrs. Little provided supper to an audience of 27 at one of the local hotels. Mrs. Marguerite Ullrich spent the first week of April endeavoring to bring the attracted ones closer, and early in May Dr. Edris Rice-Wray plans to visit Louisville to give them still further help.
A letter from the secretary of the Greenville, S. C. LSA comments that “having prayed for help in the teaching work, we have received a deluge.” A project for Greenville provided the teaching help of Mrs. Terah Smith for two weeks, and during that period Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Blum and Mr. and Mrs. William DeForge arrived there. A symposium was immediately arranged in order to utilize all the available talent.
Regional Conference[edit]
Forty Bahá’ís attended a Regional Conference and public meeting held in Wilmington, Del., on March 9th to aid and stimulate local teaching efforts. The subject of the meeting was “The Bahá’í Faith” and the speakers included Miss Jessie Revell, Miss Edith Segen and Mr. Stuart Sims.
Circuits[edit]
A circuit arranged by the New York RTC provided the teaching assistance of Miss Julia Goldman to the Assemblies of Syracuse, Geneva, Rochester, and Buffalo, New York.
In connection with a business trip, Mr. Alvin Blum visited the communities of Oklahoma City, Okla., Topeka, Kansas, Omaha, Neb., Kansas City, and Independence, Missouri.
Settlers[edit]
To enable the Butte, Montana, Assembly to maintain its status, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McAllister of Seattle have settled there. Mr. McAllister became enrolled as a Bahá’í on Naw-Rúz and early in April left for Butte, so the continuance of this Assembly is assured.
Mrs. Florence Cox, formerly a pioneer in Regina and Charlottetown, moved to Laramie, Wyo., early in March and is now established in an apartment which “is the library and class room for the Bahá’ís.” A class is at present underway which Mrs. Cox hopes “will increase for we had an attendance of 9 the first evening and 10 the second.”
Groups[edit]
Regional Committees have also been working with many of the larger groups to prepare them for Assembly status on April 21st as well as with disbanded Assemblies ready to become reconstituted on that date.
National Campaign[edit]
The follow-up teaching activities, in the key cities where the meetings of the National Campaign have been held, are going forward through the help of outside speakers. In Portland, Ore., Mrs. Helen Bishop, who was speaker for the large public meeting held there, spent several weeks assisting with the follow-up teaching activities.
Mr. John Inglis and Mr. Robert Durr of Birmingham, Alabama, were speakers for meetings arranged to follow-up the National Campaign meeting held in New Orleans, stopping over in Jackson enroute.
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To provide a follow-up speaker for
Atlanta, Ga., a circuit was developed for Mr. Philip Marangella
which included Birmingham, Greenville, Columbia, Augusta and Mobile, Alabama.
Mr. Monroe Ioas spent three days assisting Denver in its plans to continue the interest aroused during the National Campaign meeting, and visits were also made to Laramie, Wyo., and Colorado Springs, Colo. Mr. Ioas also assisted with a meeting in Detroit on April 7th, followed by Mrs. Margery McCormick, who remained from April 13th to 17th assisting the community in its follow-up activities. Mr. John Roberts of Toronto is scheduled to speak for a meeting to be held in Detroit May 5th.
A series of four meetings has been arranged to follow the large public meeting held in Chicago, beginning with Mr. Horace Holley, speaking on “Religion for the Modern World” April 16th; Mrs. Orcella Rexford on “Irán’s Contribution to World Culture” with sound films of Irán April 23rd; Mr. Philip Marangella, whose subject is “And His Is the Power and Glory” April 30th; and Mrs. Helen Bishop, closing the series May 7th with a talk on “The Goal of the Twentieth Century.”
“... an intensification of effort is imperatively required, aiming at a bolder proclamation of the verities of a God-given Faith, at a systematic and continent-wide dissemination of its authentic literature, at a closer contact with the masses as well as the leaders of public thought, at a further consolidation and multiplication of the administrative centers scattered throughout the new world ... and, above all, at a more convincing revelation of Bahá’í love, unity, solidarity and self-sacrifice which alone can hasten the consummation of the preliminary undertakings required to terminate the period of transition.” Shoghi Effendi.
Green Acre[edit]
Wanted for the 1946 season of the Green Acre Summer School, July 1 to September 2:—A Bahá’í young man, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, to teach the class of Junior Youth, 12 to 15 years of age. The applicant should be able to conduct Bahá’í study suitable to girls and boys of these ages. He should be able to teach such sports as baseball and swimming, and should have some skills in handicrafts and/or arts. Classes are held six days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The teacher should also be willing to spend an hour on several afternoons in playing games or swimming with the students. Remuneration for approximately four hours work per day—board and room in the Dormitory or one of the cottages. Address applications to Genevieve L. Coy, Chairman, Green Acre Summer School Committee, 10 Patchin Place, New York City, 11.
Local Communities[edit]
Urbana Public Meeting[edit]
Inspired by the success of the recent meetings held in large cities under the auspices of the National Public Meetings Committee, the Spiritual Assembly of Urbana arranged a meeting with Miss Hilda Yen as speaker on March 29th. The meeting was held in one of the lecture rooms of the University of Illinois. Permission to use the room was obtained
Group of Chinese students at the University of Illinois after the lecture given there by Hilda Yen, March 29, 1946.
by the Bahá’í Youth Group,
an organization registered with the
University authorities and headed by
two active young Bahá’ís, Mr. Farhang Javid and Miss Margaret
Swengel.
600 folders with a very attractive picture of Miss Yen and a short account of her various and vivid experiences and rare qualifications as a speaker were used as posters on University bulletin boards and for mailing to individuals. Her lecture also obtained good publicity in the three daily papers of Urbana and Champaign and through two spot announcements on the radio.
The lecture room, accommodating nearly 300 people, was filled to capacity with a representative audience containing leaders of thought in the community as well as many students, including a number of young Chinese men and women. Miss Yen’s subject was “Peace Plans Compared.” Although she spoke longer than is the custom at the University, she held the enthusiastic attention of her audience. Miss Swengel, as chairman, emphasized the
Regular Saturday afternoon meeting of Bahá’ís and their friends at the home of Miss Ivy Dickinson in New York, March 30, 1946.
Bahá’í solution of world problems
by reading the Guardian’s description of the future World Order.
The morning before the lecture Miss Yen gave a talk on World Federation at an unpremeditated assembly at the Urbana High School. The 600 pupils listened intently and were delighted with Miss Yen’s visit, which was prompted by a personal interest in a school from which a Chinese friend of hers had graduated.
Attendance at the next regular weekly Bahá’í meeting was unusually large.
The Urbana assembly feels that its effort to present the Cause in a favorable way to a large audience was very successful and that such public meetings pave the way for a fuller understanding of the Bahá’í Teachings by the public.
Naw-Ruz in Edmonton[edit]
Kathleen M. Rimell of Edmonton sends an enthusiastic account of the celebration of Naw-Ruz in that city. She writes: “Shortly before the hour of sundown ten of us, nine Bahá’ís and the daughter of one, gathered at the home of Miss Gwen Clarke. The chairman of our group, Mrs. Roche, read a prayer for all of us and then we filed into the dining room where a buffet supper was most thoroughly enjoyed. Later in the evening a number of non-Bahá’í guests arrived to enjoy our celebration with us and we numbered twenty in all.”
The evening’s program was made up of a solo by Miss Helen Trimble, daughter of the first resident Bahá’í
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in Edmonton, a reading from The Gleanings, music by a non-Bahá’í
guest, and a talk by Mrs. E. J. Rimel, beginning with an explanation
of the meaning and origin of Naw-Rúz and concluding with world unity.
The talk was followed by a general
discussion and refreshments. All the
guests—Christian, Muslim, and Bahá’í—expressed great pleasure at
being present.
“It was a beautiful warm spring night, clear, blue and star-spangled, just the kind of night for New Year’s Eve, herald of the birth of a New Year.”
Race Unity in Miami[edit]
The Miami, Florida, Bahá’í Community held a race unity lecture in Liberty Square Auditorium on March 16th when Mrs. Joy Earl was the speaker. Printed announcements were distributed, and, although there was little time for advance publicity, sixty-five attended. The race unity committee there has sponsored bimonthly meetings alternately in the white and in the colored districts, and the community maintains a public meeting place where both races may meet together. Every nineteen days the senior youth group of Miami mimeographs a page of news called “Scratches and Scribbles.”
Other Local Activities[edit]
A public speaking class is sponsored by the Chicago assembly. Professor Mills of Northwestern University was engaged to present a series of ten classes. Aside from the regular public and fireside meetings, the Chicago youth hold monthly all day study classes for the declared youth of the area.
Word from Fargo, North Dakota, comes indirectly through the Chicago bulletin. Mrs. Etty Graeffe reports that the Fargo Bahá’ís hold a regular Friday evening class for the study of God Passes By, a Wednesday afternoon class on The Promulgation of Universal Peace, and a Sunday morning hour for deepening the spiritual life of the community. Sunday afternoon they hold a short prayer service, and each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. they present a five minute radio broadcast.
San Francisco Bahá’ís, stirred by recent appeals from the Guardian and by news of the national public teaching campaign, voted to increase their monthly contribution to the National Bahá’í Fund by 50%!
For the first time this year there were observations of international youth days in Dearborn, Michigan, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Prince Edward Island has sponsored a Bahá’í Educational Seminar with Mrs. Ruth Moffett speaking three times daily for two weeks at the Queen Hotel, Charlottetown.
Philadelphia Bahá’ís sent out a leaflet with a picture of the temple and notices of their March and April meetings. Their reading room is open to the public Monday afternoons.
Annual Reports[edit]
Copies of annual reports made by local assemblies to the National Spiritual Assembly, as well as other local news items, may be sent directly to Bahá’í News. Selected news from such reports will be published in a fall number of the paper.
News of Other Lands[edit]
Letters from Bahá’ís in Germany[edit]
The following are summaries of letters from Germany which relate some of the important events for the Cause in that country and show in some detail what happened in the German Bahá’í communities between May and September, 1945.
From Marta Weiss of Esslingen, August, 1945:
“The first general meeting of German Bahá’ís in 8 years took place May 3, 1945, when “21 true souls” came together at the Bahá’í Home on the hill overlooking Esslingen. John Eichenauer, a Bahá’í in the U. S. Army, was present bringing love and greetings from the American friends. “One had the feeling that all the friends were with us in their prayers. Our thoughts were of the entire globe, but most particularly of Haifa.” John brought them a copy of World Order containing a report of the 100th Anniversary Celebration in Haifa, also a copy of God Passes By.
“The youth, some of them inquirers, are meeting every Thursday and are eagerly studying the Message. Literature for the youth is especially desired.”
From John Eichenauer, Bad Canstatt, Germany, August 26, 1945:
“Dearly beloved Bahá’ís of America!
“If you could have been here today, you would have felt yourselves carried into the realms of paradise. The Bahá’ís of Stuttgart and Esslingen gathered at the Bahá’í Home on the hill overlooking Esslingen and the verdant Neckar valley ...
“That our Division hovered around in this area had something to do with Divine intervention, not because of myself, but in order that some Bahá’í could convey to these friends the greetings from the Bahá’í world without, from which they have been deprived for about eight years, long, hungry, terror-filled years. We were seated in the lecture hall for lunch, with quotations from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hanging from the walls. From there I went to an adjoining room to play the organ. How my heart warmed as the Bahá’í children gathered around. It seems almost unbelievable that out of all this destruction, disorder and chaos, the foundations of that World Civilization of Bahá’u’lláh have emerged well-anchored, that the fire and zeal of the believers has remained undimmed, and that their plans for the spreading of the Faith in the coming months will make the Bahá’í world sit up and take notice.
“As the afternoon wore on Bahá’ís came in droves from Stuttgart and Esslingen, aged and infant, drawn by that irresistible Power of the Cause, that indescribable happiness that pervades every Bahá’í meeting. Here are Friedrich and Annamarie Schweizer, two pillars of the Cause; there is Paul Gollmer, the National Secretary, who risked so much to preserve Bahá’í relics; there are his two daughters, Lilo and Agnes, who both lost their husbands in the war; not far away is Herr Richter of Leipzig, who was on the Russian front, found his way to Denmark, was finally discharged this month and is now looking for his wife and child from one town to the next ... You are particularly drawn to the youth, Valtrot Kuebler, Hildegarde Muller, Peter Rommel and many others. Then somebody asks you, ‘Did you hear from Mason Remey?’ ‘Did you write Helen Bishop?’ ‘Did you hear from my brother, who is a prisoner of war in Colorado or Missouri or New York?’ You say that literature is on the way and only hope that there are plenty of pamphlets in German for these spiritual beavers to disseminate. Well do I remember my embarrassment on May 22 in the home of Anna Köstlin when a Bahá’í asked me how many Bahá’ís in America and I could offer no reply when he said, ‘5,000 is not very many
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for America.’ If the American believers could only be transported into
this environment, realize the hardship and privation that these exemplary souls have undergone and are
still undergoing to a lesser degree,
they would rise up as a powerful,
spiritual radio and television transmitting station to proclaim with undaunted fervor the Message of the
Lord of Hosts. Have you ever been
seated in your homes reading your
Bahá’í books and had fear clutch at
your heart because you thought the
shuffle of feet outside your apartment was some Gestapo agent coming to check up on your activities?
Did you ever have to hide your pictures
of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá because you
didn’t want them confiscated or desecrated? How long must our beloved Guardian spend his energy directing
appeals to the outstanding American
believers who fulfill the Seven Year
Plan by the skin of their teeth, who
pass up so many opportunities to
share the Message with their fellowmen that only by the Grace of God is
the Instrument of the Cause left in
our hands, who have to be pleaded to
on bended knees in order to complete
a budget that should be many times
as large for the tremendous task we
have before us.
“As these thoughts race through your mind the 70 some odd believers are gathering in the garden for a picture; you hope it will have a galvanizing effect on the American community. Now they are gathering again in the lecture hall. Hugo has just read a prayer, and now Paul Gollmer is reading from ‘Sun of Truth,’ a Tablet of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The meeting over, Annamarie Schweizer asks you to her Friday evening study class, Dr. Koller mentions her Monday evening class, you realize the need of getting the youth together, you wish you had more time to give to the Cause ... Then, when you feel that you could go on living in this exalted atmosphere forever, you are reminded of the end of the day. You never have felt the warmth that you feel when you shake the hand of each believer and embrace and kiss them and whisper ‘auf Wiedersehen, Alláh-’u’-Abhá’. And so you leave this spot of Paradise and wend your way back to Cannstatt, eager to share your joy with your Bahá’í brother (Calvin Wilder), who, as early as May 6, without any address whatsoever, helped you search for the Bahá’ís in the spiritual heart of Germany.”
Bahá’í Prisoners of War in America:
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Baltimore, incorporated August 3, 1945.
Hauptwin Oskar Weiss 7WC-68D
Komp 7 P W Camp Carson (Colo.)
c/o G P O Box, N. Y., N. Y.
(Brother of Marta Weiss of Esslingen.)
Ob gefr Gerhard Bender 81G 90262
(Son of Hugo and Klara)
P. W. Camp Crowder (Mo.) c/o Box 20 GPO, N. Y.
From John Eichenauer, Bad Canstatt (near Stuttgart), Germany, to N.S.A of U. S. and Canada, August, 1945:
“Bahá’í of Wilmette, Calvin Wilder and self found 100 Bahá’ís in the Stuttgart, Esslingen, Goppingen, Geislingen area.” (As reported in the November News, John obtained written authorization for Bahá’í meetings in Stuttgart from Captain Carvel Busey, Religion and Education Officer of the Stuttgart Military Government Detachment.) John had two interviews with Captain Busey which proved helpful to the Cause. At the second meeting Herr Gollmer, Chairman of the Stuttgart Assembly, and Dr. Adelheid Koller, another member, were present. Herr Gollmer had filled out the political questionnaire which the Military Government requires. This questionnaire when completed reveals one’s political history for the past ten years, especially as to whether one had joined the Nazi party. (No one absolutely had to join it.) He was given other forms for the other members of the Stuttgart L.S.A. to fill out. Herr Gollmer showed Captain Busey copies of correspondence between the N.S.A. of the U.S. and Canada and Himmler concerning suspension of German Bahá’í activities.
“Capt. Busey said that each Local Assembly would have to apply for authorization and that later on the National Assembly could apply for authorization at USFET in Frankfurt. Eventually the American National Assembly can present the case of all the Bahá’ís in Germany and Austria before the Four Power Control Commission in Berlin.
“The shipping date of our division
[Page 8]
is uncertain. I am trying to get into
Mil. Gov’t. or UNRRA in order to
remain in Germany for 6 months or
a year and help bring the Bahá’ís of
Europe together.”
From Mara V. Edmonstone, Publicity Chairman of the Miami Bahá’í Assembly, October, 1945:
“As soon as hostilities ended Bruce Davison got busy in Frankfurt, where he was stationed. He advertised for Bahá’ís and received four answers. Within a week they all met. Among them is Mrs. Horn, who formerly lived in the United States. She was sent to Frankfurt by the Guardian. The Frankfurt Bahá’ís began holding regular meetings. They are also holding study classes.”
From John Eichenauer and Bruce Davison, Heddernheim, Frankfurt, Sept. 27, 1945.
To National Spiritual Assembly, Wilmette, Ill.:
“We are planning teaching activities for American Zone, publication of literature, radio and press publicity and coordination with Bahá’í communities in Europe.
“This evening we are observing the Feast with the Frankfurt Bahá’ís.”
In Stuttgart and Esslingen 7 weekly meetings and study classes are being held.
Vienna[edit]
Mrs. J. R. Bolles of New York City has received a letter from F. Pollinger of Vienna in which he says “nearly all of us survived those darkest years except the Jewish friends, of whose (fate) we scarcely can get a glimpse or trace.” He speaks also of having “studied Bahá’í works in the last silent years, the ‘Book of Certitude,’ ‘Nabíl’s Narrative,’ prayers, etc., which I never before had opportunity to read thoroughly.” He will “try to translate the words of our beloved Guardian into German and convey your loving letter to all the friends here.”
Mr. Pollinger’s address is Vienna II. 2. F. Bocklinstrasse 4/15.
First Ukrainian Bahá’í[edit]
In July, 1938, at the request of Lidia Zamenhof, a Russian translation of the Kitáb-i-Iqán was sent from the International Bahá’í Bureau at Geneva, Switzerland, to Mr. Vasyl Dorosenko, a Ukrainian living in Eastern Poland. A correspondence ensued between Mrs. Lynch of the Bureau and Mr. Dorosenko, who soon declared himself a believer.
| Green Acre Announcements
The Week-end Conference on “Securing the Peace” will be held on July 6 and 7, instead of June 29 and 30, as was originally announced. |
Mr. Dorosenko was a scholar, for many years engaged in education, first as teacher and then as inspector, but by 1938 had retired and was living in the country near Kremenetz. He was an Esperantist and a deeply religious seeker, and had investigated many religious and philosophical movements, but had not joined any. He belonged to a “group of seekers” associated with the Theosophical group in Kremenetz. He read “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” in Esperanto and explained the contents to the group of seekers, who received its message gladly. Of this book he wrote “It has become my daily reading, I cannot do without it. With it I have health, wealth and happiness.”
With the Guardian’s approval he began to translate this book into Ukrainian. He shared the Message with more and more people. He wrote that they appreciated especially the “Hidden Words” in Russian and the prayers, which were sent them by Miss Zamenhof.
Early in 1939 Miss Zamenhof visited this group in Kremenetz and gave four talks on the Cause before the Theosophical Group and the Seekers and left them a typewritten copy of “Some Answered Questions” in Esperanto.
Soon after, Mr. Dorosenko was taken ill. He was still in bed when he wrote his last letter to Mrs. Lynch, and it has not been possible to find out what happened to him later because a few months afterwards Eastern Poland became again Russian territory and all communication ceased.
Sweden[edit]
A letter from Mr. Sundquist of Stockholm reports the death of Mrs. Palmgren in the autumn of 1944. This leaves Mr. Sundquist, as far as we know, the only Bahá’í in Sweden. He has distributed a thousand pamphlets giving an introduction to the Bahá’í Faith and has translated “Bahá’u’lláh and His Message,” but cannot afford to have it printed. He has received many inquiries about the Faith and writes that it is glorious to work for it. Mrs. Palmgren had translated “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” and it has been printed. Mr. Sundquist’s address is, Brankyrkagatan 36, Stockholm, Sweden.
This news from Sweden has come to us from Mrs. J. R. Bolles, to whom we are often indebted for news from Europe. At the request of the Guardian Mrs. Bolles has visited the Bahá’ís in several European countries and carries on correspondence with them, thus rendering a beautiful and valuable service to our European brothers and sisters and to us.
India[edit]
The Bombay friends have their own structure for a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. It is a five storied structure and it is hoped that its occupation will be a great step forward in the activities of the Bombay friends.
| Page | Col. | |
| “Heed not Your Weaknesses” | ||
| —Words of the Báb | 1 | 1 |
| Message from the Guardian | ||
| “Efforts Unremitting” | 1 | 1 |
| National Spiritual Assembly | ||
| “Fundamental Issues” | 1 | 2 |
| In Memoriam | 2 | 1 |
| Reports of Annual Elections | 2 | 2 |
| Calendar | 2 | 2 |
| Enrollments | 2 | 3 |
| National Committees | ||
| Public Meetings Campaign | 2 | 2 |
| Inter-America News | 3 | 2 |
| North American Teaching | 4 | 2 |
| Green Acre | 5 | 2 |
| Green Acre Announcements | 8 | 2 |
| Local Communities | ||
| Urbana Public Meeting | 5 | 1 |
| Naw-Rúz in Edmonton | 5 | 3 |
| Race Unity in Miami | 6 | 1 |
| Other Local Activities | 6 | 1 |
| Annual Reports | 6 | 2 |
| News of Other Lands | ||
| Letters from Bahá’ís in Germany | 6 | 1 |
| Vienna | 8 | 1 |
| First Ukrainian Bahá’í | 8 | 1 |
| Sweden | 8 | 2 |
| India | 8 | 3 |
| Photographs | ||
| Mason Remey in Havana | 3 | |
| Chinese Students at University of Illinois After Hilda Yen’s lecture | 5 | |
| Meeting at Miss Dickinson’s Home in New York | 5 | |
| Spiritual Assembly of Baltimore | 7 |
