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[Page 1]

BAHÁ’Í

NEWS

No. 199

SEPTEMBER, 1947

YEAR 104

BAHA’I ERA

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CRISIS

The American Believers must face the fact that the national fund is dangerously low. The monthly budget set for general expenses and the Temple construction is $25,000 each month. The NSA has a total deficit of $40,000 since the convention. Unless this condition is remedied, drastic effects upon our efforts toward the goals of the Second Seven Year plan will result! Pioneers so desperately needed for the work in Europe and Latin America must be recalled! The important work of promulgation to the masses so emphasized by our Guardian must be suspended! Funds for radio, national program, public relations and other vital service committees which have so broadened interest and information on the Faith must be curtailed! The first Temple contract has been let. Tight market conditions for both labor and materials will not admit of any delay or tardiness in construction. The work of the Temple must go forward on schedule. Our Guardian has set before us a stirring challenge. By Assembly and Individual response we have assured him of our readiness to achieve the victories desired. Talks and promises are not enough for this. Only well rounded and sustained action and support can accomplish the task. First things must come first. In an age of dunning solicitation, raffles and benefits which bribe contribution by the promise of self-enrichment, our Faith has initiated and held to a standard of maturity in its emphasis upon financial support. It does not separate the devotion of contribution from the devotion of prayer. Both have the same dignity and the same obligation. WHAT IS THE MEASURE OF YOUR DEVOTION?

Message Sent to World Esperanto Congress

The following message was cabled to the World Esperanto Congress while meeting in the city of Berne, Switzerland, July 28 to August 1, 1947:

“American Bahá’ís send cordial greeting, devoted best wishes, (to) Thirty-second World Congress; sharing your conviction (that) supreme goal (of) world unity calls for one auxiliary international language and script to provide unrestricted communication for union (and) cooperation (of) all nations (and) peoples. Our prayers appeal (to the) Divine Father (for) help (and) guidance (for) your important deliberations.”

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

First Bahá’í Endowment in ‘Akká The National Spiritual Assembly has received from the Guardian the certificate of registration of a piece of property located in ‘Akká consisting of a shop and land, donated to the Faith by an old and devoted believer of ‘Akká, Mr. Qazim Toza. The registration has been entered by Shoghi Effendi in the name of the Palestine Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly. This endowment is of historic significance inasmuch as it represents the first Bahá’í endowment in that city so intimately associated with the exile and imprisonment of Bahá’u’lláh. The believers will recall how the Guardian established the Palestine Branch of the NSA a number of years ago as a religious body having legal status in Palestine and capable of holding title to religious property. The first properties transferred to the Palestine Branch were those areas on Mount Carmel purchased by American Bahá’ís in order to protect the Shrine of the Báb.

[Page 2]

First Temple Contract Signed by Trustees

At 12 o’clock noon, August 4, the Temple Trustees signed the first contract for construction of the Temple interior. Meeting in the spacious living room of the Fellowship House at Green Acre, the Trustees opened the active phase leading to construction work.

Mr. Alfred P. Shaw of Chicago is the architect selected to carry forward the remaining stage of Temple construction. Mr. Shaw has been responsible for the architectural work on many widely-known buildings in Chicago, including the Field Building, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Merchandise Mart.

In the months following the Annual Convention, the Temple Trustees’ Construction Committee made a very thorough investigation of architectural firms in the Chicago area. The members were especially interested in the record of work done and the quality of specialized technical personnel able to carry forward the theme of the Bourgeois design into the finished interior. They investigated more than a dozen individual architects and architectural firms, and their survey resulted in the choice of Mr. Shaw.

Negotiations with Mr. Shaw were initiated early in July, and a formal contract with Mr. Shaw and his firm for architectural services was presented to the Trustees at the August meeting. This contract has been reviewed by specialized legal counsel, as well as by the Bahá’í Technical Advisory Board consisting of Mr. Allen B. McDaniel, Mr. Robert McLaughlin and Mr. Edwin Eardley. Upon recommendation by the Trustees’ Construction Committee and the Technical Board, the Trustees signed the contract with Mr. Shaw on August 4. He and his associates are now engaged in the preparation of working drawings and plans and specifications for the Temple interior construction work.

Preliminary Studies Completed

As announced in the August Bahá’í News, the Temple Trustees in July approved the revised plans for the interior submitted by Mr. Allen B. McDaniel. The treatment of the interior embodied in his plans followed the specific instructions of the Guardian. This approval marked the end of preliminary studies of modification of the original Bourgeois design.

Mr. Bourgeois, before his death, completed small-scale drawings of his concept of the interior ornamentation, but did not complete working drawings and full-scale renderings. Mr. McDaniel modified these designs and adapted them to the Bahá’í form of worship to be used in the Temple. With the approval of Mr. McDaniel’s modification, the Trustees faced the problem of securing the services of a Chicago architect qualified to assume responsibility for seeing the project through to completion.

Forward to Construction

The next step is the preparation of detailed drawings and specifications, and the full-scale drawings necessary for the letting of contracts and the start of actual construction work in the interior. Mr. Shaw and his associates have started this.

The Trustees hope that preliminary contracts for the new stairway system, required by the modified plans, can be let before the end of the current calendar year. The working drawings for the completed interior will be ready early in 1948, at which time contracts for the interior ornamentation can be placed.

The contract with Mr. Shaw provides that final architectural and engineering decisions are to be made jointly by the architect and the Bahá’í Technical Advisory Board, subject to subsequent confirmation by the Temple Trustees. This insures that the project will be carried out strictly in accordance with the wishes of the Guardian and within the spirit of the original Bourgeois design.

A panel of Bahá’í experts in specialized fields, such as color, lighting, etc., has been set up. The Technical Advisory Board will seek the opinions of those Bahá’ís who are qualified by training and experience to offer helpful ideas in connection with carrying out the Temple project.

These Are Historic Days

The few early believers who caught the vision of the Temple as a symbol of the coming Kingdom of God have given us a heritage of sacrifice and patient devotion. To them ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “When the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is accomplished, when the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are presenting themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication towards the

Pioneer to Norway, Mildred Clark, sailed June 27, 1947 on the S. S. Stavangerfijord.

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More Assemblies Accept Challenge

To the list of Assemblies which have agreed to foster the formation of a new Assembly in one or more nearby groups, published in the August issue, the National Spiritual Assembly is happy to add the Assemblies which reported later: Oklahoma City, Cleveland, Wilmette, Miami, Portland, Racine, Albuquerque.

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mysterious Kingdom (of heaven), the voice of glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love of the All-living and Self-existent (God). The people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrances of God will be elevated, the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the Spirit in mankind; the people will then stand firm in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful.”

About five and a half years remain to us to carry this blessed project through to completion. The flow of funds is the mark of our determination and sacrifice that through the unfolding beauty of this Symbol of Bahá’u’lláh and His Faith we may show to all men the way of love and unity.

[Page 3]

Relationship of Bahá’í Faith to Palestine

Shoghi Effendi Makes Statement to United Nations Special Committee on Palestine

(Note: The Guardian has sent to the National Spiritual Assembly a copy of a communication he addressed to the Chairman of United Nations Special Committee on Palestine, meeting in Jerusalem, in reply to the latter’s request for an expression of the religious interests of the Bahá’ís in Palestine. The text of the Guardian’s letter is reproduced in Bahá’í News for the information of the believers.)

Mr. Justice Emil Sandstrom, Chairman,

United Nations Special Committee on Palestine.

Sir:

Your kind letter of July 9th reached me and I wish to thank you for affording me the opportunity of presenting to you and your esteemed colleagues a statement of the relationship which the Bahá’í Faith has to Palestine and our attitude towards any future changes in the status of this sacred and much disputed land.

I am enclosing with this letter, for your information, a brief sketch* of the history, aims and significance of the Bahá’í Faith, as well as a small pamphlet setting forth its views towards the present state of the world and the lines on which we hope and believe it must and will develop.

The position of the Bahá’ís in this country is in a certain measure unique: whereas Jerusalem is the spiritual center of Christendom it is not the administrative center of either the Church of Rome or any other Christian denomination. Likewise although it is regarded by Moslems as the spot where one of its most sacred shrines is situated, the Holy Sites of the Muḥammadan Faith, and the center of its pilgrimages, are to be found in Arabia, not in Palestine. The Jews alone offer somewhat of a parallel to the attachment which the Bahá’ís have for this country inasmuch as Jerusalem holds the remains of their Holy Temple and was the seat of both the religious and political institutions associated with their past history. But even their case differs in one respect from that of the Bahá’ís, for it is in the soil of Palestine that the three central Figures of our religion are buried, and it is not only the center of Bahá’í pilgrimages from all over the world but also the permanent seat of our Administrative Order, of which I have the honor to be the Head.

The Bahá’í Faith is entirely non-political and we neither take sides in the present tragic dispute going on over the future of the Holy Land and its peoples nor have we any statement to make or advice to give as to what the nature of the political future of this country should be. Our aim is the establishment of universal peace in this world and our desire to see justice prevail in every domain of human society, including the domain of politics. As many of the adherents of our Faith are of Jewish and Moslem extraction we have no prejudice towards either of these groups and are most anxious to reconcile them for their mutual benefit and for the good of the country.

What does concern us, however, in any decisions made affecting the future of Palestine, is that the fact be recognized by whoever exercises sovereignty over Haifa and Acre, that within this area exists the spiritual and administrative center of a world Faith, and that the independence of that Faith, its right to manage its international affairs from this source, the right of Bahá’ís from any and every country of the globe to visit it as pilgrims (enjoying the same privilege in this respect as Jews, Moslems and Christians do in regard to visiting Jerusalem), be acknowledged and permanently safeguarded.

* The Guardian’s statement on the Faith will appear in an early issue of World Order Magazine, and reprints of it will be made available through the Publishing Committee

The Sepulchre of the Báb on Mt. Carmel, the Tomb of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in that same spot, the Pilgrim Hostel for oriental Bahá’ís in its vicinity, the large gardens and terraces which surround these places (all of which are open to visits by the public of all denominations), the Pilgrim Hostel for western Bahá’ís at the foot of Mt. Carmel, the residence of the Head of the Community, various houses and gardens in Acre and its vicinity associated with Bahá’u’lláh’s incarceration in that city, His Holy Tomb at Bahjí, near Acre, with His Mansion which is now preserved as a historic site and a museum (both likewise accessible to the public of all denominations), as well as holdings in the plain of Acre—all these comprise the bulk of Bahá’í properties in the Holy Land. It should also be noted that practically all of these properties have been exempted from both Government and Municipal taxes owing to their religious nature. Some of these extensive holdings are the property of the Palestine Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada, incorporated as a religious society according to the laws of the country. In future various other Bahá’í National Assemblies will hold, through their Palestine Branches, part of the International Endowments of the Faith in the Holy Land.

In view of the above information I would request you and the members of your Committee to take into consideration the safeguarding of Bahá’í rights in any recommendation which you may make to the United Nations concerning the future of Palestine.

May I take this opportunity of assuring you of my deep appreciation of the spirit in which you and your colleagues have conducted your investigations into the troubled conditions of this Sacred Land. I trust and pray that the outcome of your deliberations will produce an equitable and speedy solution of the very thorny problems which have arisen in Palestine.

Yours faithfully,
(signed) SHOGHI RABBANI

Haifa, Palestine

July 14, 1947

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Corrections

We beg your pardon for the following errors:

AUGUST, 1947 issue:

Pg. 5. picture: The first line for the caption under this picture was mistakenly placed under the picture on pg. 12. It is “San Mateo, California, Local Spiritual Assembly formed April 21, 1947. Standing:”

Pg. 6, heading: “The Year 1935” should be “The Year 1335”.

Pg. 7, Directory Corrections: Mrs. Gene W. Christ should be Mrs. Gene W. Crist. Mrs. Marion C. Littit should be Mrs. Marian C. Lippitt.

JULY, 1947 Issue:

Pg. 12, Publishing Announcements:

The listing of available volumes at Bahá’í World should be as follows:

Volume I	$ .75	Volume V	$2.50
Volume II	1.50	Volume VI	3.00
Volume III	2.50	Volume VIII	5.00
Volume IV	2.50	Volume IX	10.00

[Page 4]

National Bahá’í Program

Beloved friends:

Step by step there has developed for the American believers this year the policies and plans needed for a sound National teaching effort.

First, each individual Bahá’í received an appeal to do his utmost to confirm one new believer before April 21, 1948. Second, the groups were urged to create the spiritual conditions of growth and to realize their responsibility in striving to attain Assembly status next April. Third, the smaller communities were encouraged to double their membership during the year. The help of the Regional Teaching Committees has been offered them. Fourth, the larger communities were challenged to adopt one or more nearby groups and help bring it or them to Assembly status.

Fifth, the Guardian’s powerful communication, “The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour” was printed and circulated to all the friends.

Sixth, the National Assembly selected a theme and four subjects explaining it as the basis of the national campaign. Local Assemblies conducting their own series of meetings are free to employ the theme in their meetings, their publicity and their advertising work. “World Faith for World Freedom” is the general theme. The four subjects suggested for a series of four public meetings are: “The Search for Faith,“ “The Search for Freedom,” “Credo for a World Community,” and “Bahá’í—A World Program.”

Seventh, the NSA has held conferences with each of the several national committees directly concerned in a coordinated national teaching campaign, and also has conducted joint conferences with them together. Out of these discussions has been welded a new conception of how several national committees can work together for a common purpose under the general supervision of the NSA. What has been the cause of this particular evolution of method?—The Guardian’s call for a total of 175 local Spiritual Assemblies in North America by April 21, 1947. This call came last year. It produced a great intensification of effort along the teaching lines followed in the past, but the result indicated that the Guardian’s goal would not be attained through the effort of any one national committee alone.

For example—there were 138 Assemblies listed in the Bahá’í Directory dated July, 1946, and 143 (with one doubtful) in the Directory dated July, 1947-a net gain of only four or five Assemblies in half the allotted time. The Guardian’s call means that 32 or 33 new Assemblies must be elected on April 21, 1948.

Eighth, the key to a more powerful, a more broadly conceived and a more continuous attack on the problem of bringing 32 or more groups to Assembly status between September, 1947 and April, 1948, was found in the conception of a general designation for a coordinated campaign which would not indicate that any one committee was conducting the campaign when actually four committees might be involved. The National Assembly therefore adopts the title “National Bahá’í Program” and wishes it used in connection with all the coordinated work entering into this particular campaign. This designation can only be employed by committees specifically empowered by the National Spiritual Assembly. The committees so empowered, those participating in the coordinated public campaign, are: National Teaching Committee, Visual Education Committee, Radio Committee, and Public Relations Committee.

The Campaign

The teaching campaign which this year is known as “National Bahá’í Program” is based on intensive and progressive work in three areas which include the largest number of large groups: Southern California, Illinois-Wisconsin, and New Jersey-Connecticut.

In each of these three areas four towns have been selected because in them are groups which with the right kind of help can be brought to Assembly status this year. Subject to some correction, the towns are: California—Inglewood, Burbank; Illinois—Park Ridge, Winnetka, La Grange; Wisconsin—Shorewood; New Jersey—Englewood, Jersey City, Newark; Connecticut—Greenwich.

The teaching method combines advance publicity and advertising; advance radio announcements and programs; public display material—all aimed at creating interest in two

(Continued on page 6)

Local Assemblies Contributing to the National Fund, July, 1947

Bahá’í News is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada as the official news-letter of the Bahá’í Community. The first issue appeared in December, 1924. Bahá’í News is edited for the National Spiritual Assembly by its Bahá’í News Editorial Committee: Mrs. Roberta Christian, chairman, Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, Mr. Gordon A. Fraser. Editorial office: Mrs. Roberta Christian, 1001 West Genesee St., Lansing, Mich. Please report changes of address to which Bahá’í News is to be sent and other matters pertaining to its distribution to the Bahá’í National Office, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

Alabama: Birmingham; Alaska: Anchorage; Arizona: Phoenix; Arkansas: Little Rock; California: Alhambra; Berkeley; Beverley Hills; Burbank; Burlingame Carmel; Glendale; Los Angeles; Monrovia; Oakland; Pasadena; Sacramento; San Francisco; San Diego; Santa Barbara; San Mateo; Canada: Edmonton; Vancouver; Winnipeg; Moncton Halifax Hamilton; Charlottetown; Montreal; Scarboro; Vernon; Colorado: Colorado Springs; Denver; Connecticut: New Haven; District of Columbia—Washington; Florida: Jacksonville; Miami; Hawaii: Honolulu; Maui; Georgia: Atlanta; Augusta; Idaho: Boise; Illinois: Chicago; Danville; Evanston; Maywood; Oak Park; Peoria; Springfield; Urbana; Wilmette; Limestone Twp.; Indiana: Fort Wayne; Indianapolis; South Bend; Iowa: Cedar Rapids; Kansas: Topeka; Kentucky: Louisville; Louisiana: New Orleans; Maryland: Baltimore; Massachusetts: Boston; Brookline; Springfield; Worcester; Michigan: Ann Arbor; Detroit; Flint; Grand Rapids; Lansing; Muskegon; Roseville; Minnesota: Minneapolis; St. Paul; Mississippi: Jackson; Missouri: Independence; Kansas City; St. Louis; Montana: Butte; Helena; Nebraska: Omaha; Nevada: Reno; New Hampshire: Portsmouth; New Jersey: Dumont; Montclair; Red Bank; Teaneck; New Mexico: Albuquerque; New York: Binghamton; Buffalo; Jamestown; New York; Rochester; Yonkers; North Carolina: Greensboro; North Dakota: Fargo; Ohio: Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus; Dayton; Lima; Oregon: Portland; Pennsylvania: Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Scranton; West Chester; Rhode Island: Providence; South Carolina: Greenville; South Dakota: Sioux Falls; Tennessee: Nashville; Texas: Houston; Utah: Salt Lake City; Vermont: Brattleboro; Virginia: Alexandria; Arlington; Washington: Richmond Highland; Monroe; Seattle; Spokane; Tacoma; West Virginia: Charleston; Wisconsin: Kenosha; Madison; Milwaukee; Racine; Wauwatosa.

Number of Assemblies contributing	125
Assemblies not contributing	21
Individuals contributing	122
Groups contributing	63

[Page 5]

“The Secret of Right Living”

Dear friends:

The Báb said: “You are the bearers of the Name of God in this Day.” From the time He uttered those words to the Letters of the Living, many men and women have walked the path of sacrifice as the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has been unfolded and spread throughout the world.

Looking back through the years we can see the inspiring and flaming heritage which has come to us through the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It is a heritage of service and love and sacrifice. The men and women who have responded to the call of God have lived by faith, trusting in Bahá’u’lláh to guide and sustain them. Through unity and faith, the humble have become spiritually mighty, and the few have been able to erect the structure of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Guardian has reminded us: “We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source. To be continually giving out for the good of our fellows undeterred by the fear of poverty and reliant on the unfailing bounty of the source of all wealth and all good. This is the secret of right living.”

Can we hesitate when confusion and chaos increase around us? Can we not sacrifice physical luxuries in order to give spiritual necessities to the people of the world?

The National Fund is our constant way of advancing the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. From the farm, from the factory, from the office, from the home—wherever we are and however we work—through the National Fund we serve the four immediate objectives of our Faith.

1. Completing the interior of our Temple—the first contract has been signed and work will soon be starting.
2. Creating three new National Spiritual Assemblies—the Canadian friends will elect their NSA next spring. Our teaching assistance to our Latin American brethren goes forward steadily as they strengthen the foundations for their National Assemblies.
3. Creating centers in ten European countries — enrollments of European believers are beginning to come in. Our pioneers there face tremendous problems in a continent whose civilization is shattered. We must continually assist them in their heroic efforts.
4. Proclamation and consolidation of the Faith in this country—a National Bahá’í Campaign is being worked out to be started this fall.

These four objectives you and I support with every contribution we send to the National Fund. But receipts for the first three months since Convention have been almost $25,000 short of our goal for that period. We, who have been called “the bearers of the Name of God in this Day,” cannot slacken in our strides forward. Let us show the measure of our faith!

It costs $1,500 a year to maintain a pioneer in Europe, plus transportation which is between $275 and $325, according to available accommodations. But these pioneers represent us. They go with our prayers and labor in our stead, in a spiritually sick and devastated continent.

One of our assemblies recently reviewed its obligations to the Faith and determined that its contributions to the National Fund this year must equal and exceed that of last year. This is a small assembly, the members of which far surpassed their usual contributions in celebration of the Anniversary of the Guardianship. Yet the members reckoned what the minimum must be each month if before next Convention they are to surpass their contributions of last year. Such planning and such steady resolve will enable us to meet our larger budget of this year.... What will the response of your Assembly be? What will your personal response be?

Faithfully yours,
PHILIP SPRAGUE, Treas.

FINANCIAL BUDGET 1947-1948

[Page 6]

National Bahá’í Program

public meetings to be held in each of these twelve towns at intervals of two weeks. Some of the towns will hold the first meeting September 28 or 29; some on October 1, 2 or 3; and some in the middle of October.

The first public meeting brings together some prominent non-Bahá’í speaker with a Bahá’í speaker and Bahá’í chairman. The subject will be “The Search for Faith.” The second public meeting, held two weeks later, will have a Bahá’í chairman and a Bahá’í speaker, the subject being “Bahá’í—A World Program.”

These two meetings serve to bring into contact with the Faith a number of sincerely interested souls in each town. At weekly intervals there will follow three follow-up meetings, the aim of which is to produce the membership of a direct Bahá’í fireside study class conducted in one or more local Bahá’í homes for confirming enough new believers to make possible the establishment of an Assembly on April 21, 1948.

The technic combines the best elements of the former Public Meetings campaign with more advance publicity and advertising in press and radio and with a continuance of effort and responsibility for taking over those interested and supplying them with direct instruction in the basic teachings. In many cases the fireside classes will be conducted by teachers provided by a nearby Assembly.

The public meeting programs are arranged by the National Teaching Committee with the collaboration of the Regional Teaching Committees and the local groups directly concerned. The Radio, Visual Education, Questionnaires and Public Relations Committees have each one direct responsibility for their programs, schedules and materials. The local Assemblies are responsible for the conduct of fireside classes in towns adopted by an Assembly, but refer all new enrollments to the Regional Teaching Committee and when the group has attained nine or more members the preparation for the annual election is given by the Regional Teaching Committee. In the three areas, the selection of meeting places for public meetings and the actual conduct of the meetings are in the hands of the Regional Teaching Committee with whatever assistance can be supplied by the group.

The work of the participating committees—National Teaching Committee, Visual Education, Radio and Public Relations Committees is not restricted to the operation of the Public Bahá’í Campaign described above. Each has its separate and distinct functions over and above those which enter into the coordinated effort. But the objective of 175 Assemblies this year is one of our weighty tasks under the new Seven Year Plan. Whatever can be done by any individual, group, community or committee to help attain the great goal will be a blessed work meriting the gratitude of all American Bahá’ís.

Why 175 Assemblies? Because no lesser number will create here in North America the strength needed to achieve the full purpose of the Divine Plan by 1953 in South America, in Europe and in completion of Temple interior. The formation of new Assemblies is therefore of crucial import.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Anna Kunz sailed for Berne, Switzerland, on July 25, 1947 via Norway, to pioneer.

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Nineteen New Believers in Europe

(Notes from European Teaching Committee)

We share the good news that there are nineteen new confirmed believers in Europe. These are in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Holland and Belgium. Four more pioneers sail August 27: Mildred Elmer of Baltimore to Berne, Switzerland; Doris Lohse of Washington, D.C. to Belgium; David Ned Blackmer of Syracuse, N.Y. to Luxembourg; and Valeria Lamb Nichols of Los Angeles to assist in six of the goal countries.

In addition many itinerant teachers have been assisting in teaching. Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh spoke in eight of the goal cities; her business also took her to England, France, Germany and Austria where she was able to serve the believers. Mr. Charles Mason Remey not only assisted the pioneers in the goal countries but made many trips to outlying points to visit isolated believers and those who had previous knowledge of the Faith. Mrs. Eva Mae Barrow spent two months in Europe assisting in several goal countries. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Brown while on a business trip to Sweden visited the Scandinavian countries and greatly assisted the pioneers there. Mrs. Marion Little who expects to be in Europe six months to a year has already aided three of our goal cities.

(Excerpts and notes from pioneer letters:)

Brussels: “The telegram from Mason came Tuesday evening, June 17, saying he would arrive the next afternoon. We engaged a small salon in a nice hotel and sat into the wee hours typing invitations for Thursday evening. Thirty-two were present and all felt the fine spirit, dignity and bearing of Mr. Remey. Tea and cookies were served and no one seemed interested in going home. Our friend, Jacques de Vancleroy, translated Mr. Remey’s talk into French as he went along ....

“When Mildred Mottahedeh arrived July 6th our public meeting had twenty-eight present. Since most of the audience understood English, she decided to speak without a translator. Again people were reluctant to go home.”

Holland: “We held a meeting in Bussum with Mason Remey as speaker. Nine contacts were present. Mr. Remey and Rita visited the Tyssen family whom Mr. Remey had known in 1921, and who were Bahá’ís. They are Dutch by birth, German by education and because they were accused of being Nazis have spent some time in prison. Last year they again got in contact with Bahá’ís.”

The Arabic Hidden Words have been translated into Dutch and copies

[Page 7] mimeographed. Personal teaching continues in several instances and work with the interested people in Bussum continues.

Two groups heard Mr. Remey, one at a private home and the other over the dinner table with excellent contacts at both occasions.

A letter from one friend tells how much he desires to learn enough of the Faith to become a Bahá’í in order to teach the beloved Truth to all who will listen. Another letter from one who was leaving for the Dutch East Indies says that he wishes to keep in touch with Bahá’ís wherever he goes.

Sweden: “We had a fireside in my home the evening that the Mottahedehs arrived. Thirteen arrived including a man from South Africa who had heard of the Cause there years ago. He was so impressed that when he called me later to thank me for the evening he said it was the most wonderful evening he had spent in Sweden and he could not find words to express his feelings. He is reading and wishes to buy books to read to his family. He took names of Bahá’ís in Pretoria, South Africa, where he expects to return.

“Mrs. Anderson had a fine fireside with eighteen or nineteen present. A young reporter who interviewed Mrs. Mottahedeh and me became interested in the Faith and asked for literature and invitations to meetings.

“We have had a wonderful Bahá’í meeting at the Esperanto Club. We are invited to put on another program this fall when the club resumes activities again.”

Among those present at a tea given in honor of one of our pioneers in Stockholm were a young lawyer who had visited the shrines in Haifa and a woman who had heard about the Faith about twenty years ago, probably from Martha Root. A talk was given and literature distributed at this tea.

Again we quote: “I received a call from Bishop Brown just after I had finished reading The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour. I was so stirred by the Guardian’s Message that when the phone rang and a voice said Alláh-u-Abhá I could hardly speak.”

Three firesides were arranged for the Browns for three different groups. Among the many present were a woman who had heard of the Cause through Sir Francis Younghusband and another who said she would invite people to her home in the autumn to hear about the Faith. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Buffa of South Africa had heard of the Faith years ago.

“We were all extremely happy over the firesides, especially since I had gotten them up on the spur of the moment. The physical exhaustion of cleaning the house, cooking for over forty people and writing and telephoning to over fifty people was a small price to pay for the interest shown in the Faith.”

Norway: Mrs. Wang, the Chinese secretary at the Chinese embassy, is very eager to learn about the Bahá’í Faith so that she can teach the Bahá’í message to her people when she goes back to China. Mrs. Wang took literature in French because Mr. Wang was educated in Paris and Brussels and knows French well.

Luxembourg: A fireside of young people was held at the home of Honor Kempton one evening when Johnny Eichenauer, Ted Weiss and the Davidsons drove to Luxembourg from Germany. Fourteen in all were present. Johnny spoke of the friends in Germany and the Bahá’í work they are doing. He spoke simply but so sincerely, touched on his work in Central America, then told of the privileges and responsibilities of being a Bahá’í. Bruce Davidson quietly told the group that he wanted to feel when he passed on that he had helped toward building a better world and that the only way to accomplish this goal was through the Bahá’í Faith. Ted also spoke ‎wih with‎ utter sincerity. It showed the difference between those boys with a “Cause” in their lives and those that had no aim. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson also spoke a few words.

Mr. Remey’s visit followed directly after that of this group from Germany. Fruitful contacts were made at a tea at the American Legation and the next day at luncheon a gentleman from New York became vitally interested in the Faith.

Rome: “Miss Del Buono is June’s (Marangella) Italian teacher, a woman of fine background and culture, with excellent connections and contacts among whom she has already started to propagate the Faith ... Her courage and fortitude in adversity, her vitality and brilliant mind, together with her gentleness of spirit, combine to make her worthy of the distinction as the first new believer in Rome.”

Denmark: An informal social gathering arranged for Mrs. Little resulted (of course) in a real Bahá’í discussion. A good piece of publicity prominently placed in one of the Copenhagen papers proved of great service in opening the subject for conversation even though the interview was somewhat inaccurate. The Nielsons helped greatly in clarifying points in Danish.

Mrs. Little writes: “I am delighted with Denmark and I feel that things will soon begin to happen there, with our seasoned pioneers at the wheel.”

Switzerland: Mrs. Eva Mae Barrow writes that in Berne she had ‘entree’ into the University because she was collecting catalogues for the Institute of International Education. Dr. Marie Renfer, in charge of the law library showed great interest in the Faith. Our pioneers ran an ad in the paper indicating that Mrs. Barrow would answer questions about the Faith at her hotel at certain hours. Nine persons called and all wanted literature and stayed the full time. It appeared that many read the advertisement with interest.

Mrs. Barrow also tells of talking with twenty-eight persons on the steamer about the Faith. Many were given very detailed information. Some took what they called “lessons” lasting an hour and a half daily in the last few days. One group of nine in a class heard about the Administration and asked penetrating questions.

England: Mrs. Little visited six goal cities in England and writes that she is thrilled at the work and accomplishments of the British Isles. Under such difficult conditions they are forging ahead. There is evidence everywhere of spiritual rebirth. “Amid the ruins of the cities the spring winds have sown seeds in the sterile (apparently) soil of crumbling mortar and brick and now they are all covered with masses of flowers in various colors. To me it seemed a symbol of what is happening to the spirit of its people.”

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In Memoriam

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

Mr. Lance Miller, 2625 Hemlock St., Vancouver, B. C., May, 1947.

[Page 8]

Suggested Daily Readings for October Teaching a Duty
Oct. 1	Gl. (p. 339-341)
”    2	Gl. (p. 334-335)
”    3	Gl. (p. 329-330)
”    4	Gl. (p. 314)
”    5	Gl. (p. 302-305)
”    6	Gl. (p. 7-9)
”    7	Gl. (p. 38)
The World Ready for Teaching
Oct. 8	Gl. (p. 39-40)
”    9	Gl. (p. 40-43)
”   10	Gl. (p.43-46)
”   11	Gl. (p. 183-184)
”   12	Gl. (p. 195-197)
”   13	Gl. (p. 276 ft. 279)
”   14	Gl. (p.279-281)
Words of the Báb and About the Báb
Oct. 15	The Báb’s Address to the Letters of the Living, Dawn-Breakers, p. 92-94 or World Order magazine, May, 1944, p. 36. Also printed separately as a ‎leafleat leaflet‎.
”   16	Bahá’u’lláh’s Tribute to the Báb, Iqan, p. 230-236, or World Order magazine, May, 1944, p. 35
”   17	Words of the Báb, World Order magazine, May, 1944, p. 39-40, or The Promised Day Is Come, footnote of p. 6-7.
18 & 19	The Station of the Báb. World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 123-128.
”   20	Gl. (p. 144-top p. 148)
”   21	Gl. (p. 101-102)
Prerequisites for Teaching
Oct. 22	Gl. (p. 200-202)
”   23	Gl. (p. 315-316)
”   24	Gl. (p. 316-317)
”   25	Gl. (p. 322-323)
”   26	Gl. (p. 323-326)
”   27	Gl. (p. 326-329)
”   28	Gl. (p. 289-290)
”   29	Gl. (p. 290-291)
”   30	Gl. (p. 330-333)

We Can Learn from Latin America The march of native pioneers in Latin America continues with the going soon of Sr. Estéban Canales Leyton of Valparaiso, Chile, to Ecuador, where he will assist in the further consolidation and growth of the assemblies in Guayaquil and Quito, and help them to establish a new goal city for this year. Sr. Canales will work with the Ecuadorian Regional Committee in the new city to be chosen. He also plans to visit Lima, Peru; La Pax, Bolivia, and two cities in northern Chile, where interested groups are forming. Sr. Canales has already assisted with the formation of three Chilean assemblies, those of Punta Arenas, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. He is chairman of the South American Teaching Committee. Additional native teachers being placed upon the panel for national and international work under the direction of their committees, include Sr. Alberto Lovatón of Lima, Peru; Antronik Kevorkian of LaPlata, Argentina; Sr. Toni Fillón of Loncoche and Sr. Carlos Bulling Petersen of Vina del Mar, Chile. Sra. Natalia Chávez of Tegucigalpa Honduras, has been richly rewarded in Guatemala, where her teaching has greatly assisted in the consolidation and growth of the mother assembly in Guatemala City, and in the establishment of a group of students in the new goal city or Chichicastenango. Natalia has found that a question and answer type of program is helpful. She bases the lessons to be given upon a series of questions relating to a particular topic. Then from the Bahá’í books, she writes the answers on slips of paper, assigning one slip to each student. The teacher asks the questions and each student reads his answer as his turn comes. Then the class discusses the answer. In this way everyone takes part and interest is materially increased. Sr. José Antonio Bonilla of Managua, Nicaragua, well known in his country as the author of a number of books and articles, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Central American Teaching Committee, serving the northern 12 Latin American countries, where the Cause has been established. Sra. Natalia Chávez will serve this committee as general secretary of correspondence, and Marcia Steward is executive secretary-treasurer of the committee. A mass of wonderful publicity has just been received from Gayle Woolson, who received an ovation in Bucaramanga, Colombia, where the newspapers published 15 articles during her week’s visit, and two papers offered to publish any articles she might send them at any time. The radio also broadcast material on the Bahá’í Faith. The Masonic Lodge opened its doors for a public meeting and voted to have all its members study the Faith by correspondence, when no teacher is present, and directly whenever a teacher can be sent. Public talks were arranged in the Municipal Library, the Club Campestre and the Club Unión. Two Bahá’í study groups were formed, one of which is in charge of two of the most prominent men of the city, Dr. Gustavo Wilches and Sr. Christian Clausen. Srta. Leonor Porras of Bogotá dedicated her 20-day vacation to assisting Gayle in Bucaramanga, San Gil and Mogotes. In San Gil the Lions and Rotary Clubs entertained the two girls and put on a joint public meeting for them. Both clubs voted to study the Faith by correspondence and 132 individuals in the two cities registered for the correspondence course. The Bucaramanga students are hopeful of being able to organize an assembly by April. Gayle has been working with the new assembly in Medellín, the group in Barranquilla and the new assembly in Cartagena. She will leave September first for Venezuela, where she will assist the Caracas Community and then work in cooperation with the Venezuelan Regional Committee, in Maracay, Valencia and Barquisimeto. Sr. Fernando D’Leon and his wife, active Bahá’ís of Barranquilla, are transferring to Caracas, where they will be of much help to that community. Miss R. Katharine Meyer of Washington will join Gayle in Caracas after her trip down through the West Indies. Marcia Steward is going to Nicaragua, where she will work with the friends for a while as they get the correspondence campaign under way. Mrs. Louise Caswell of Colon, Panama, has gone to Guatemala, where she is helping in the goal city of Chichicastenango. She will go next to El Salvador and assist their regional

Enrollments Elsinore, Calif. 1, Ridgewood, N.J. 1, Altadena, Calif. 1, Stanford Village, Calif. 1, Mansfield, Ohio 1, No. Riverside, Ill. 1, Colorado Springs, Colo. 2, Birmingham, Ala. 2, Albuquerque, N.M. 1, Alhambra, Calif. 1, Reno, Nev. 2, Augusta, Ga. 1, Spokane, Wash. 1, Springfield, Mass. 1, San Diego, Calif. 1, Portsmouth, N.H. 1, Vancouver, B.C., Can. 1, Toronto, Can. 3, Miami, Fla. 2, Youth 6.

[Page 9] in choosing and getting work under way in a goal city. Mrs. Cora Oliver and Mrs. Mabel Snyder of Panama City plan to spend their vacations assisting the various communities in the West Indies. Mrs. Snyder will give most of her time to Haiti, since she speaks French, and Cora will put the emphasis on Jamaica to help bring Spanish Town to assembly status and consolidate the work there.

World Order Contents September, 1947 The Rise of Women By Marzieh Gail The Food of the Spirit By Elizabeth Hackley New Work By Hermann Grossmann Essential Religion Brings Unity (Editorial) By Mabel H. Paine A Traveller’s Narrative (Book Review) By Lois Coe The Mature Man Bahá’í Words for Meditation With Our Readers

Artemus Lamb has just completed a teaching trip which included the Central Americas, stopping for consultation with the northern Teaching Committee in San José, Costa Rica. From there he is visiting and consulting with the Regional Committees of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia en route to Santiago, Chile. He will leave the end of this month for Punta Arenas, visiting en route the various Chilean groups in the south.

Charles Ioas of Chicago is expected home in September after spending his vacation teaching in Puebla, Coatepec and Veracruz, Mexico. Miss Evelyn Larson of Chicago, who has been pioneering in Central America for the past two years, is now visiting in Mexico en route homeward, where she expects to teach in the Chicago schools for a year before setting out again.

Miss Flora Hottes of Urbana, Ill., has returned after pioneering in Bolivia and Uruguay for the past five years. She is assisting the Inter-America Committee as a member and will help to review some of the new translations prior to their publication in Buenos Aires.

Active Young People constitute the new Colombian Assembly in Medellín. There are 19 members in the community.

First Spiritual Assembly of Medellín, Colombia: Seated from left to right: Francisco Orrego R., Bernarda Yepes, Margarita Caicedo, Hernando Jaramillo A. Standing: William Gómez M., Darío Echavarría, John Carder, Augusto Mora, Josê Rámos.

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Preliminary Announcement

First National Bahá’í Convention of Canadian Bahá’ís

The present National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada has the function of convening the first Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada and of conducting the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Dominion.

In order to enable the Canadian believers to arrange their affairs so as to assure a full attendance, it has been voted that the dates of the Convention will be April 24 and 25, 1948, and the city chosen will be Montreal, the city visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912 and the place where the Faith was first established in the Dominion.

Once the Canadian NSA has been elected, it will become an independent administrative body acting directly under the Guardian, and will conduct the affairs of the Faith in Canada thereafter, including the selection of time and place for the Annual Convention.

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Calendar

Feasts: Oct. 16—’Ilm—Knowledge

Anniversaries: Oct. 20—Birth of the Báb. Work should be suspended.

National Assembly meetings: Oct. 3, 4, 5.

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Teaching Assistance for Smaller Communities

There are many Assemblies at present in Bahá’í communities ranging in number from nine to twenty, and the National Assembly has requested the Regional Teaching Committees to give assistance. This assistance is along teaching lines, for example in providing out-of-town believers for public meetings, etc. This relationship does not affect the administrative authority of the Assembly in its area of jurisdiction, but offers it the benefit of help frequently much needed for growth and even continued existence.

Our task in bringing the number of local Assemblies up to 175 this year would be much easier if every Assembly once established had survived. Due to death, removal of members to other cities and other reasons the dissolution of quite a number of Assemblies over a period of ten years or so has affected the number of Assemblies now in being.

The NSA urges the smaller Assemblies to request help, and not to continue depending on their own resources where the accustomed methods have not brought in new members. The spirit of growth is here, but we must spread our sails aloft if we are to catch the favoring breeze.

[Page 10]

Publishing Announcements

Bahá’í Answers—Compiled by Olivia Kelsey. This book has been compiled for the convenience of Bahá’í teachers, students and seekers for a broader knowledge of the Bahá’í Faith. The material is from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and gives enlightenment on many questions noted in the extensive literature of the Faith. 258 pages bound in fabrikoid. Price, each $2.00.

Stars of the West—Copies of volume V to XXV still available with a few exceptions. Price each 10c, postage additional.

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4,000,000 Readers See Bahá’í Ads

One year ago this month a Bahá’í advertisement appeared in Newsweek magazine. It was the modest beginning of a nation-wide campaign to publicize the challenging truths of the Faith. Reported the advertising journal Tide at that time:

“Although other religions have taken similar steps in the past, perhaps none has expressed so succinctly its reason for so doing. Last week’s announcement simply read: ‘The promotion of any general truth or spiritual ideal can and should command the best available professional experience and skill for the employment of the great modern mediums of public influence.’ ”

As the first year’s campaign comes to a close, Bahá’ís across the country can well be encouraged by the results. Letters and cards have been received by Bahá’í Public Relations from every state in the union, as well as from eight nations at the world. Thousands of pieces of literature have been sent in reply to these requests. This includes the regular mailing of the familiar “World Religion” bulletin. Persons from all walks of life have responded, including business men, editors, government officials, soldiers, housewives, church leaders, etc.

Through the mediums of Newsweek, World Report, and United Nations World, the Bahá’í message reaches a total readership of nearly 4,000,000 of the nation’s most discriminating and influencial readers every other month.

A large photo of the House of Worship was used by the Portland Concrete Association in an advertisement appearing in August 25 issue of Time. This carried the word “Bahá’í” to many additional thousands of readers.

The current advertising schedule is as follows:

Newsweek	September 15
United Nations World	October 1
World Report	October 14

A series of trade paper advertisements is placed monthly in Editor & Publisher, Broadcasting, Publishers’ Auxiliary and Canadian Weekly Editor, in order to influence those people in best positions to influence others.

Local assemblies and groups can tie-in with the national advertising—some already have. This is an opportunity to take advantage of the publicity which has been given. The Public Relations committee will make available, at a small cost, mats designed to help carry on local advertising programs. Space is allotted for the name, address and telephone number of the local assemblies. In all cases of advertising and publicity, use the name of the local assembly or group and not the general name, “Bahá’í Public Relations.” This latter practice results in a confusion of local advertising with the national campaign.

Directory Additions and Changes

REGIONAL TEACHING COMITTEES:
Appointments and withdrawals were recorded by the N.S.A. at its August meeting as follows:

So. Calif. & Ariz.:	Mrs. Edna Johnson added
Md., Va., & W. Va.:	Joel Marengella appointed chairman in place of Raymond C. Rouse
Del. & Eastern Pa.:	Mrs. Miriam Newman added Mrs. Jean Sharpless, Chairman 619 W. Miner St. West Chester, Pa.
Western Pa. & Ohio: Ill. & Iowa	Mrs. Sally McDermott added Miss Betty Scheffler, secretary 1821 Lincoln St. Evanston, Ill. To replace Mrs. Barbara McCurdy George Terry, Mrs. Harriet Terry and Victor Arayjo added
Okla. & Ark.:	Mrs. Roberta Wilson, Secretary P.O. Box 1208 Little Rock, Ark.
Ontario, Canada:	Mr. Walter Craig Weaver 44 Lorne Ave., Brampton, Ont., Canada.

Connecticut has been transferred from the New England to the New York area.

NATIONAL COMMITTEES:
Temple Program Comm.:	Miss Arabella Haywood added
World Order magazine:	Miss Flora Hottes appointed an associate editor
United Nations Comm.:	Prof. George Sombeek added. (Transferred from U. N. advisory panel.)
Canadian Radio Comm.:	Albert Rakovsky and Ross Woodman added

LOUHELEN SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1948:

Mrs. Geo. R. True, Chairman, Mrs. L. W. Eggleston, Secretary, Mrs. Rebecca Wideman, Librarian, Paul Pettit, Arnold Ketels, Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, David Earl, Robert Gaines, Mrs. Addie Miller, Miss Phyllis Hall

Louhelen School Maintenance Committee for 1948:

Edwin Eardley, Chairman, Clinton Wideman, Oscar Ketels, Stanley Bagley, J. Murdoch Eaton.

Green Acre School Committee for 1948:

Mrs. Marguerite Sears, Chairman; Mrs. Dorothy Fisher, Secretary; Dr. Genevieve Coy, Program Director; Dr. Glen Shook, Rustam Payman, Clarence Welch, Lucien McComb, Jr., Harrison Langrall, Mrs. Edith Segan, Mrs. Rene Welch.

Youth Activities Comm.:	Mrs. Hildegard M. Lewis unable to serve
Questionnaire Comm.:	Mrs. Cynthia Hastings unable to serve
LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES:
Binghamton, N. Y.	Mr. Joseph McK. Noyes 43 Davis St.
Augusta, Ga.	Miss Betty Shook P. O. Box 2004, Hill Station
Scarboro, Ont., Can.	Miss Muriel Wells 9 Blantrye Ave.
Denver, Colo.	Mrs. Joyce C. Laurent Roslyn Hotel, 607 14th St.
Wilmington, Del.	Miss Miriam Newman 101 W. 8th St.
Edmonton, Alberta, Can.	Mrs. Lyde C. Roche 9748 88th Ave.

[Page 11]

Anchorage, Alaska

This month the Anchorage Bahá’í Assembly voted to incorporate so that it could receive title to five acres of land being given to it in Homer, and to be ready to accept further responsibilities in the future.

Another Alaskan “first” was recorded this month when Lea and Howard J. Brown became the first Alaska couple to become Bahá’ís at the same time. They have two small children and have a business in Anchorage so are permanent residents. Their membership gives great added strength to the Anchorage Community.

The minister of the Church of Christ church here inquired of several local Bahá’ís about the Teachings, and made an appointment to discuss the Bahá’í Faith. He then invited us to his church to see pictures on Palestine.

Advertisements are now being placed in the Classified Columns giving the Bahá’í Principles and “Appreciations of the Bahá’í Faith” by well-known people.

Libraries Receive Bahá’í Books

Since the Annual Report, Bahá’í books have been donated to the following libraries:

Public Libraries

California: El Monte; Illinois: Danville; Maine: Portland; Missouri: Independence; Lees Summit; Oak Grove.

College and University Libraries

California: Pomona College; District of Columbia: American University; Florida: Southern University; Illinois: James Millikin University; Kentucky: Louisville University; Pennsylvania: Bucknell University; Texas: University of Houston.

Bahá’í Addresses National Office: 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. Treasurer’s Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. Bahá’í Publishing Committee: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Books were also donated to the Urban League Library in Gary, Indiana.

Will the friends try to get the above donations into circulation?

Will the Assemblies, especially in the very large cities of the country, try to give a copy of Bahá’í World, Volume IX, to their Main Public Libraries? This book is not being given by our committee. Therefore, the responsibility to get this important volume in large libraries lies with the Assemblies.

Open Letter to Spiritual Assemblies, Groups and Individual Believers from The Bahá’í World

How often you have been faced with this question: “What are you Bahá’ís doing about all this?”

The Bahá’í World is the answer to this question. It gives in a concise, well-organized and interesting manner a picture of the manifold and widespread activities of the Cause throughout the world. It also includes timely discussions of the important issues of the period in the light of the Bahá’í Teachings, as well as a direct statement of our aims and purposes. In one volume it presents a record of what we stand for, and what we are doing.

Volume X of The Bahá’í World is being printed and will soon be out.

Material for Volume XI is now being collected from practically every country of the globe. Here is an opportunity to join efforts with us and to take part in building up this world-organ of our Faith by contributing news items, stories, articles, photographs. Specifically we need:

Reports of important activities and significant developments.

Brief stories about new centers, headquarters, etc.

Human interest stories encountered or experienced in the course of teaching the Cause.

Articles on current problems from the Bahá’í point of view.

Photographs of general Bahá’í interest (institutions, events, groups in action, etc.) or to illustrate an article. Good, clear photographs that tell a story and show dash and imagination.

New ideas and suggestions to make The Bahá’í World more interesting and more effective as a teaching medium.

All material must be for the period beginning April 1946, and should be in the hands of The Bahá’í World Committee not later than Nov. 15 of this year, earlier if possible.

The Guardian attaches great importance to The Bahá’í World, and has urged our Committee “to make the responsible Bahá’í bodies, and the believers, more Bahá’í World conscious!”

Remember The Bahá’í World
The world-organ of our Faith.

Editorial Committee, The Bahá’í World, Volume XI, April 1946—April 1948. Mrs. Marion Yazdi, Sec’y., 2910 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley 5, Calif.

Bahá’ís and friends of Viña del Mar, Chile. Pioneer teacher Artemus Lamb, seated third from right.

[Page 12]

International School — 1947

The first Sessions of the International School under the National Spiritual Assembly were crowned with success. The school was directed by Bahíyyih Ford with her husband, Harry, as business manager. The morning class was directed by Loulie Mathews, studying “The Advent of Divine Justice,” and for the second Session “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.” Artemus Lamb and Elizabeth Cheney took charge of the Latin-American teaching, including a work-shop of Bahá’í Precedure and using the remarkable slides brought from South America by Mr. Lamb to show the progress of the Faith and the remote localities to which it had penetrated. On a 19-Day Feast Miss Cheney showed pictures of the gardens of the Holy Land. The second Session, from July 1st to July 10th, was devoted to European teaching under the direction of Mary Keene Sprague. In a class of twelve, four wrote the European Teaching Committee to volunteer for European pioneering, Valeria Nichols sailing August 27th, Jean Gates leaving for China in the Autumn under the direction of the Guardian and Nancy Gates sailing for Sweden on October 3rd. On Regional Day, when the Bahá’ís of three states gather to spend a day together, we had a Bahá’í wedding. The bride, a professional musician, graduated from Juilliard School of Music this June, and has been a believer for a number of years; while the bridegroom, Jack Terry of Les Angeles, entered the faith during the Session. The bride had as a guard of honor several Chinese aviators, all interested in the Bahá’í teachings and hoping to carry the Faith to China when they return.

The marriage ceremony was read by Loulie Mathews. In the evening Bahíyyih Ford told stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America. Four Bahá’í talks were given in Colorado Springs and two musicals. Our program was announced over the radio twice daily, the morning and evening papers carried splendid advertisements of all our activities. We had the great pleasure of receiving into the Faith a brilliant woman student whose talents and ‎accomplisments accomplishments‎ will be henceforth devoted to this Cause.

European Session at International School, Pine Valley, Colorado, July, 1947

Resolutions of the 1947 Convention

The list of recommendations and other votes passed by the delegates this year, as recorded stenographically by three Bahá’ís, included some matters pertaining to the Convention itself, on which no later action by the National Spiritual Assembly was required. The Assembly has acted on the definite recommendations, as follows:

1. That the Convention Chairman make a resume of the teaching points she brought out in the opening session of the Convention for the information of all delegates.

   Voted to request Mrs. Baker to prepare a resume of the teaching points which might be helpful for distributing to delegates in mimeographed form.

2. That relief assistance be set up under the European Teaching Committee in the ten countries under its supervision.

   Voted to refer this convention resolution to the Guardian and inquire whether the American believers should be given opportunity to assist the European pioneers in their work by shipments of food and clothing.

   This action was taken after review of the Guardian’s instructions and the method of operation of the International Fund.
3. That a study be made of the seating and lighting facilities adopted by UN headquarters for their possible value in connection with the completion of the Temple interior.

   Voted to refer this resolution to the Temple Construction Committee of the Temple Trustees, which is engaged in making a thorough study of these technical matters for the Temple.

4. That time be arranged at future Conventions for a joint meeting of the members at the Summer School committees.

   Voted to approve this recommendation and direct the Convention Planning Committee to include in their agenda a conference of summer school committee members with one representative of the NSA.

5. That the Summer School Committees be invited to meet with the NSA at some convenient period during the year.

   Voted to record that this plan is not advisable at present on account of the many obligations resting on the national fund.

6. That funds be so allocated to the NTC as to assist them in the best possible manner in the special campaigns outlined by the Committee.

   Voted to record the fact that funds previously allocated to the public meetings, the race unity and college speakers bureau committees are now included in the budget of the NTC.

   [Page 13]
7. That additional powers be granted to the NTC to give them authority to carry forward the teaching campaigns with more coordination and efficiency.

   Voted to record the fact that a coordinated campaign under the title “National Bahá’í Program” has been arranged, and the NSA has held meetings with representatives of the participating committees.

8. That arrangements be made prior to the 1948 Convention to approach hotels of the Temple area in an effort to obtain special Convention room prices, with breakfast wherever possible.

   Voted to record the view of the NSA that under present hotel and housing limitations, the proposed plan is not feasible.

9. That because of the universal character of the Faith an effort be made to induce hotels and restaurants in the Temple area to extend their hospitality to Bahá’ís of all nations and races attending the Convention.

   Voted to approve this recommendation and inform the friends that the NSA is taking all possible steps in this direction.

10. That effort be made to advertise Bahá’í books in the New York Times book section.

    Voted to refer this matter to the Public Relations Committee for investigation and report.

11. That a correspondence teaching course be issued for use in North America.

    Voted to refer this recommendation to the NTC for an advisory opinion.

12. That the National Public meetings be placed under the National Teaching Committee.

    Voted to record the fact that this was done in coordinating the work of a number of committees after the convention.

13. That in accordance with the resolution presented by the Race Unity Committee, the Race Unity Committee to be discontinued.

    Voted to record the fact that for the sake of better coordination the Race Unity function has been vested in the NTC; moreover, one of the four public themes adopted for the National Bahá’í Program this year, entitled “Credo—for A World Community,” emphasizes the Race Unity theme.

14. That heads of public school education be approached for the purpose of placing in their hands for school use some usable portions of the Bahá’í writings.

    Voted to explain to the friends that the professional ethics controlling the public school system prevents the use of religious doctrines in public schools.

15. That request be made for observance of Bahá’í holy days by all Bahá’í students in the public schools.

    Voted to record the fact that the NSA sent a representative to the United States office of Education in Washington and the information was obtained that religious holidays are determined locally although in some cases there are set regulations which apply to all local schools in the state. The Guardian is being consulted as to the procedure to follow in carrying out this convention resolution.

16. That World Order Magazine Editorial Committee be advised to lay emphasis on the interests of the non-Bahá’í reader.

    Voted to record the fact, first, that the present committee has been encouraged to use the right type of non-Bahá’í contribution, and second, that Bahá’í contributors are requested to prepare their material for the non-Bahá’í reader, and third, that general newsstand circulation is not yet possible.

17. That the Convention adopt this statement expressing the Bahá’í attitude on the current social problems: “Spiritual and social crisis has overtaken the world. This condition results from failure to respond to the needs of a new era. The focal point of evolution divinely ordained in this age is recognition of the oneness of mankind and creation of a world order based upon the common citizenship and equal rights of all peoples. World citizenship calls for the abandonment of all barriers arbitrarily dividing humanity, whether social, racial, economic, political or sectarian. These barriers are the illusions and superstitions blinding men to the light of truth given to the world by Bahá’u’lláh for human guidance today.”

    Voted to record the fact that this resolution was included by the Public Relations Committee in a press release reporting Convention activities.

* * *

One of the North American teaching periods brought out a number at constructive suggestions from the delegates at our recent convention. A brief resume, as requested, follows.

Public Programming

1. Professional assistance for advance radio and newspaper publicity.
2. The use of speakers, Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í, with publicity value.
3. Maintaining balance through strong chairmanship.
4. Recognition of the wide variety of minds and temperaments in selection of material.
5. World Order topics, with due recognition of needed emotional values.
6. A theme for the year, for coordinated use by committees and assemblies.

Classes

1. Constant reference to the Word, as the basis of study.
2. Avoidance of undue repetition in study selection.
3. Constant student participation in (1) reading well selected passages, (2) discussion and analysis, (3) assignment of lesson presentation if feasible, (4) telling of applications of the lesson material in daily life or in the current events of the world.
4. Supplementary activities outside of class.
5. Friendly calls when advisable, and occasional giving of lessons in the homes (as in the case of illness, etc.)
6. Ample training for life in a Bahá’í community before entrance.

Teaching Attitudes

1. Honoring the views of others.
2. Finding the points of agreement when possible.
3. Keeping fluid and cultivating the practice of listening.
4. A relaxed spirit, as intensity is often unwelcome. (Bahá’í stories often relieve tension and lift the spirit).
5. Avoidance of argument.
6. Inner prayerfulness, as God is more aware of needs than the teacher.
7. The spirit of love and graciousness at all times.

[Page 14]

Milestones at Louhelen

Until this summer Louhelen Bahá’í School had been a Bahá’í National Institution held in privately owned buildings on privately owned grounds. Our other Bahá’í schools in the United States started in the same way. Just as the names of Miss Sarah Farmer, the Bosches, the Mathews, will always be connected with Green Acre, Geyserville and Temerity Ranch, respectively, so the Eggleston name will always be connected with Louhelen.

This year the buildings, except the home, and nine and a half acres of land have been legally transferred to the trusteeship of the NSA by Lou and Helen Eggleston. A milestone has been reached. From the beginning this transfer has been the purpose of the Egglestons.

Some of us who were there remember the happy beginning in August, 1931, when about twenty friends, mostly Bahá’ís, came to the farm at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston to deepen in the teachings and to let others know about them. The modest plan for a nine day school had been endorsed by Shoghi Effendi and the NSA. It was a real school from the beginning with teachers and students. Mabel and Howard Ives and Grace and Harlan Ober were there as teachers. Dorothy Baker and Fanny Knobloch did much to make that first session a success as did many others. All the classes were held on the cabin porch in the glen. In Harlan Ober’s class we learned about the social and economic phases of the Bahá’í teachings. Howard Ives dwelt upon the more purely spiritual teachings, especially the Hidden Words. Mabel Ives drilled us in the public presentation of the Faith. This writer well remembers being called on to give briefly the logical or scientific proofs of the existence of God! There were informal and intimate hours when Grace Ober and Dorothy and Fanny told us some of their memories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and their own experiences in teaching the Faith. Efforts were made to reach the public. One clergyman from a nearby community came daily to Harlan’s class. We found later that his parishoners did not approve. One friend came from Tennessee and a group from near Pittsburgh, but most were from nearer places. Some were there for only a day or two or just for one talk. All told, about ninety souls shared in the bounties of those nine days.

By the next summer the school was a definite Bahá’í institution under the direction of a program committee appointed by the NSA and in more ample accommodations provided by Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston. Year by year saw additional buildings to accommodate the increasing number of students. Barns were made into dormitories and assembly rooms. One barn that did not adapt itself to remodeling was conveniently blown down in a tornado. Then the boards and timbers were reassembled into a comfortable assembly room and dormitories. Dining porches were added and the kitchen enlarged; washrooms and cottages were built. For a number of years the school was known as The Central States Bahá’í School. But no Bahá’í institution can be limited to a region and like other schools, Louhelen has drawn students from all over the country and from Latin American countries so the name was changed.

1932 was outstanding for all Bahá’ís for it saw the publication of The Dawn-Breakers and we dipped into it at the school, but both preparation time and time at the school were too short to do more. Yet this does make 1932 at the school stand out in memory.

Louhelen Bahá’í School in 1930 (above) and today (below)

But the deeper knowledge of the book and its soul stirring stories came in 1933 when each day the story of some one hero was retold by Dorothy Baker. We began to realize not only the power but the real beauty and joy of sacrifice.

Unforgettable, too, to those present at the adult session the next summer, 1934, was the beautiful, inspired yet simple way in which Ruhíyyih Khánum (then Miss Mary Maxwell) related day by day those same gripping and thrilling stories

[Page 15] of the Dawn-Breaker heroes.

1934 marks, too, the first separate youth session. The young people insisted that they would learn more and grow faster if they had real responsibility. Were they right? At any rate youth sessions at Louhelen increased rapidly in numbers during the next few years, drawing students from a wide area.

In 1935 the first course of lessons on Islám was given by Stanwood Cobb. In making this plan the committee was following the suggestion of the Guardian whose counsel was sought each year before the committee planned the program.

The large number of young people attending their sessions (80 in 1936 and 90 in 1937) seemed to necessitate a change. So 1938 stands out with two innovations: two youth sessions and the change of one of the general adult sessions into a Laboratory session. This name, meaning a session of real work and practice, was suggested by Marion Holley (now Mrs. David Hofman) the summer before when she had had charge of a course and when some of the committee had consulted with her on how to carry out more fully the wishes of the Guardian that we should continually strive to raise the standards of the school and to help people to deepen in the Faith. The first Laboratory session was truly a work session. Mrs. Emogene Hoagg’s course demanded deep study and research into the meaning of the “Three Worlds;” Kenneth Christian helped students to work out Bahá’í definitions. Marguerite Reimer (now Mrs. Wm. Sears) organized and directed field work in neighboring towns and cities.

Then came 1939, the summer when the library building was ready for use. How happy and proud we all were! Gifts from Mrs. Millie Collins and Mrs. Dorothy Graf, gifts of labor and materials from Lou and George Eggleston and other loving gifts made the building possible. Gifts of books came pouring in, too, both Bahá’í and general, so that now more shelf room is needed. The fact that this building could be heated, as could also Pullman Lodge, made a winter session possible, the second highlight of 1939.

The next marked innovation was in 1945 when the Midsummer Week developed definitely into a session aimed to attract non-Bahá’ís, especially parents and ‎eductors educators‎, as well as young Bahá’í parents. It is carried on under Bahá’í leadership. Educators from over the state are invited to give talks on child development and teachings.

We have spoken largely of the outer changes at Louhelen, the development of the plant, increase in classes, sessions and attendance; for these can be seen and measured. None of us can measure or estimate the power of spiritual forces which have already radiated from this or any Bahá’í institution. We think of the group of Filipino students who were there two days one summer; of the professors and educators from Latin American and Near East countries who came from an international meeting of educators at Ann Arbor; of the many public meetings and picnics which have attracted people from surrounding communities; of the Flint Bahá’í community which was started by teachers from Louhelen; of the men’s clubs and other groups which have been addressed by speakers from Louhelen; of lives that have been changed through acceptance of the Faith; of real knowledge gained and inspiration to study and teach that has come each summer to those present at the school; of the satisfying experiences of living together as one family regardless of race or nationality.

While the transfer of ownership of property is a milestone in Louhelen history it does not mean any sudden change in plan and policy. Those attending classes this summer have felt the same friendly atmosphere, the same incentive to deepen in the teachings and to teach more that the coming together at Louhelen and all Bahá’í schools always gives. The Eggleston home and the Egglestons are there, the campus and buildings and the “swimming hole” are there. Perhaps most of all the students and teachers are there, for after all it is their cooperation and spirit which make the school. This cooperation will continue and the school will constantly grow until it fulfills the hope expressed by Shoghi Effendi that it and other Bahá’í schools “will become powerful and well-established organizations that will train inumerable men and women to go out into the world and spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

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News from Other Lands

From Geneva Bureau News Exchange

Sabri Elias is upholding the Faith in Addis-Abeba, Abyssinia. He first went there from Alexandria in 1934 and remained for two years, founded an assembly, had the New Era and Bahá’í Principles translated and printed in the Abyssinian language. The invasion of Abyssinia compelled him to return to Egypt. Early in 1946 he returned to Abyssinia, found the believers dispersed, only one remaining. Later he found others of the former believers and more recently other people have become believers. The present conditions are not favorable for forming an assembly. Mr. Elias writes: “Once the Tree of the Cause of God is firmly rooted here, it will grow quickly and its future will be great in these lands, for there is more preparation here than in many other countries.” Mr. Elias accepted the Faith when he was fifteen years old. He has never had any formal schooling.

The believers in Austria have received permission from United States authorities to propagate the Faith in Austria and have applied for the same from British and French authorities. “With regard to food parcels, we would like to ask that at least part of those which the American friends are sending, be of Danish origin. Most of us have voted for the Danish parcels, but some friends still wish for the CARE ones.”

Miss Marion Jack in Bulgaria writes of the interest in the Faith of an ex-professor to whom she is lending Stanwood Cobb’s book, Security for a Failing World. Bulgarians have a high respect for Roberts college where Mr. Cobb once taught and many Bulgarians were educated there, ‎therfore therefore‎ the book has an especial appeal.

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O people of God! Hearken unto the exhortations of the unique Friend with the ear of the soul. The Word of God is like unto a tree: its planting-ground must be the hearts of the people: cultivate it through the Kawther of wisdom and utterance, so that its roots may become firm, and its branches surpass the firmament.

-Bahá’u’lláh

[Page 16] Haziratu’l-Quds in Tihrán, Iran.

A believer in Poland expresses gratitude for the New Era in Polish and begs for the continuation of the Bahá’í bulletin in Esperanto.

A German prisoner of war in Egypt writes that it is not permitted to send literature there from the United States but asks for printed matter from the Geneva Bureau in English or Esperanto or French or Italian or any language. “We need a textbook, too, or a course in Esperanto. All this would keep us from stagnation in the Egyptian desert and would be a link with the throbbing pulse of the cultural and spiritual life in the world. My thoughts and feelings are with you and your friends.”

Mr. Mason Remey has visited England and Ireland, Oslo and Stockholm and Copenhagen and at last account was on his way to other ing the European countries and expects to remain in Europe six countries. Mrs. Marion Little is visit-months.

Geneva and Zurich, Switzerland, both report meetings with traveling teachers from England, America and Persia. A new Persian Bahá’í student, Mr. C. G. Ghaznavi, is spending his summer in Geneva before entering the University of Zurich next October. Mr. Robert Gulick’s official position gives him opportunity to meet various key people in the international world at Geneva.

Australia

The Australian NSA publishes a Bahá’í Quarterly or News Letter and a Bahá’í Quarterly magazine, The Herald of the South. The latest issue of the News Quarterly reports the election of the new NSA, the progress and development of the administrative order during the twenty-five years of the Guardianship and the determination to go forward both in teaching and in further development of administration. “In gratitude for both this mighty institution of the Guardianship in which mankind has found a sure refuge in this new age, and in gratitude for this particular first Guardian, this Shoghi Effendi, let us rise to a truly higher plane of endeavor, and above all to a higher plane of spiritual awareness, during these coming years.”

India and Burma

The NSA of India and Burma, carrying out instructions of the Guardian, has effected a deal for their National ‎Adminisrative Administrative‎ Headquarters in New Delhi, the capital of India. It is a two story structure set amidst some three acres of beautiful grounds, in one of the most exclusive quarters of the capital. About half of the payment was made in cash and the remainder must be made promptly. The Guardian has written that “great confirmations” will come when the purchase is completed.

At present the NSA is in temporary headquarters in New Delhi and headquarters of the various committees are being moved there as rapidly as possible.

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O ye people of the world! The virtue of this Most Great Manifestation is that we have effaced from the Book whatever was the cause of difference, corruption and discord, and recorded therein that which leads to unity, harmony and accord. Joy unto those who practice!

—Bahá’u’lláh

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Page	Col.
Ákká First Endowment	1	3
Anchorage, Alaska	11	1
Assemblies Accepting Challenge	2	3
Assistance for Small Communities	9	3
Bahá’í World, Open Letter	11	2
Calendar	9	2
Convention Resolutions	12	2
Corrections	3	3
CRISIS	1	1
Directory Changes	10	1
Enrollments	8	1
European News	6	2
Four Million Readers See Adds	10	2
Fund, National
Assemblies Contributing	4	3
Graph	5	2
Treasurer’s Letter	5	1
Guardian’s Statement to U. N.	3	1
International School	12	1
Latin American News	8	2
Libraries Receive Books	11	1
Memoriam	7	2
Milestones at Louhelen	14	1
National Spiritual Assembly
Message to Esperanto Congress	1	3
National Program	4	1
News from Other Lands	15
Pictures
Clark, Mildred	2	3
International School	12	2
Kunz, Anna	6	3
Louhelen, Then and Now	14
Medellín, Columbia Assembly	9	1
Ṭihrán, Haziratu’l-Quds	16	1
Viña del Mar, Chile	11	2
Publishing Announcements	10	1
Suggested Daily Readings	8	1
Temple Contract	2	1
World Order, Contents	9	1