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NEWS |
| No. 208 | JUNE, 1948 | YEAR 105 | BAHA’I ERA |
CONVENTION — 1948
The Divine Plan Unfolds[edit]
Convention Report—1948[edit]
by Annie Romer
“America will lead all nations spiritually,” So said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, when in this country. America was not a world leader then; she has had world leadership thrust upon her in these recent tumultuous times. Although materialistic, and a young country, she is in the first place in the non-Bahá’í world. In His Message to the Fortieth Convention the Guardian says: “The primacy of the American Bahá’ís is reasserted, fully vindicated and completely safeguarded.” The American Bahá’í Community is in the first place. To lead the world today is a task almost blinding in its impact on political leaders who will establish the Lesser Peace; it is stunning in its implications to the Bahá’ís who will, through the power of Bahá’u’lláh, the love and inspiration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the leadership of the Guardian create the Most Great Peace and a world civilization.
On the morning of April 29, 1948 the sun shone brightly, and the new green of the trees symbolized the New World in the making. At 9:30 the Bahá’ís, and this year only Bahá’ís, came from the four corners of the land, and a few from other countries, to consult together, hear reports of work done and carry away the inspiration always found in the Temple at Wilmette.
Great masses of red roses greeted the friends, bringing the scene in Baghdád close and the Message of the Riḍván. The idea of the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the world ran through the Convention like a golden thread.
The Chairman, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, opened the Convention at 9:30 by asking—“What is the magic of this time?” In answering this she said that some of it was in the number 40. She referred to Moses and the 40 years in the wilderness, the 40 days Christ spent in prayer on the mountain-top and Muḥammad’s 40 days of preparation. The Báb, she stated, received the Letters of the Living for 40 days while the Blessed Beauty suffered for 40 years. In this Fortieth Convention, she continued, “May God assist us to make this the hour of a new birth, for it is the Time. In Europe, on my recent trip, so many asked me: “How long will this obscurity last? Will you hurry.” Mrs. Baker closed by asking: “May we make the keynote of this Convention that we arise to carry the Cause of God out of our own obscurity into the Light of God, for the true aim of the Convention is the conversion of the world.”
On a table was a globe of the world; across the globe were the words: THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH. That was the most important thing before the eyes of those present; Gradually the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appeared beside the globe as reports came in from the Committees. The Guardian’s two cables were read. The knowledge that no letters could be sent to Haifa and no cables sent or received after May 15 made them doubly precious. Hearts were sad and souls filled with awe at the thought of the suffering in the world and an almost crushing sense of responsibility. These people knew that they, and they alone, because they were Bahá’ís, had the secret of the new World Order Plan, in its entirety, and the nearness to the source of power.
One of the twinkling remarks interspersed by the Chairman, voiced a thought often found in many minds. She said she could not see why some people coupled inefficiency with spirituality. Some one said quickly: “The Guardian does not.” It was notable, from the start, that no inefficiency marked this meeting. The Bahá’ís who are envied by so many of the believers in far-away places, because they live near the Temple, had worked very hard to oil the machinery. Every detail had been thought of. The Chairman of Arrangements, Mr. Larry Hautz, gave each one a beautiful souvenir handbook containing a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and full directions. Mr. Hautz’s frequent explanations never failed to bring a response, for he had added the sense of humor to the idea of law and order.
The Fortieth Convention was historic. Some highlights were:
The triumph of surpassing the goal set by the Guardian of having 175 Assemblies in the United States and Canada. The National Teaching Committee, which had been the main base, in connection with the National Spiritual Assembly, from which information and inspiration flowed, announced that the number was 194.
The Chairman, Dr. Katharine True, reported that it was literally a “breathless” victory. Dr. True showed clearly that the inspiration brought to the friends by the three cables received from the Guardian proved the power which aided the workers to make the result possible. These cables came at a dark hour when victory seemed remote. “Had every believer responded earlier, and to his fullest extent,” the Chairman said, “the last minute crisis might not have been so acute.” She stressed, as did the entire Convention, ‘How can we do better in the future, for the TIME IS VERY SHORT.’ Dr. True said that much was done by traffic control at the last moment, routing believers from one place to another, and while heartfelt appreciation is due the settlers who made this historic victory possible, the slogan taken away for the coming year should be NEW BELIEVERS.
A second goal, toward which all eyes had been turned with hope, was described by Mr. John Robarts, who was introduced by the new name of
Convention Message to Guardian[edit]
At this fortieth convention of the Bahá’ís of United States, assembled delegates and visitors unitedly express our grateful thanks, your loving approval our efforts. Appreciation of your guiding hand in discharging effectively our divinely appointed task, can never be adequately expressed.
We approach our ask in this third year of Second Seven Year Plan with great humility and pledge anew intensive effort to rise above all conditions and endeavor to fulfill goal set for American Believers. Our hearts grieved over any external severance, however temporary, from world center, yet very conscious of strong spiritual ties with Beloved Guardian.
Our hearts are turned toward you offering humble prayers. Supplicate your prayers for courage, strength to serve Beloved Faith.
Cablegram received May 2, 1948
Deeply touched by your message welcome pledged by assembled delegates ardently praying fulfillment deepest hopes.
[Page 3]
“Chairman of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada.”
With enthusiasm and assurance Mr.
Robarts said: “We have accepted
the challenge of our 5-year Plan
sent by the Guardian, we are going
at it NOW and we KNOW it can be
done.” He spoke of the good judgment of the Guardian in marrying a
Canadian and of the inspiring letter
received from Ruḥiyyíh Khanum, in
whose childhood home the Convention was held. Canada, Mr. Robarts
reminded those present, was the
ninth pillar in the forthcoming International House of Justice. The Canadian representative expressed the
thanks of his people for all the help
received from the United States,
through teachers and settlers, and
hoped that many would continue to
visit them. The very practical help
in funds was also feelingly acknowledged. Mr. George Latimer added a
sparkling account of the joyful first
Canadian Convention, quoting from
his letter from the Guardian’s wife,
describing the dinner tendered all
present by Mr. Maxwell and Ruḥiyyíh Khanum; also citing the fact
that in the public meeting held in
the auditorium of a High School, the
speakers, Miss Elsie Austin and Mr.
Ross Woodman held the audience for
two hours. It seemed that the enthusiasm of the Convention flowed
into the public meeting as it did in
the one held during the Convention
at Wilmette. Mr. Latimer’s closing
remark caused those present to think—and seriously. He said that while
the meeting, compared with that in
the United States was small, only
112 being present, 13 of whom were
delegates, he felt about as great a
potential there as in the large meeting in Wilmette.
The dramatic story of the newest chapter in expansion was told by Miss Edna True, Chairman of the European Committee. The figures given of 80 newly declared believers and 8 spiritual assemblies in 7 of the goal countries were one shining highlight of the meeting. Miss True spoke of the 35 valiant pioneers, of the several traveling teachers and the two itinerant pioneers. The amazing things which happened, Miss True said, demonstrated vividly the power in the Divine Plan. Doors opened publicity was obtained and the field seemed ready. It had been prepared through suffering. This condition was stressed by Mrs. Little, who spent several months in Europe. In her brief account of her visit she mentioned the number of people of capacity who had become interested, the glory a Bahá’í felt in giving these sad people the assurance of new life and said that the Italian New Era was sent to 400 libraries in Italy with a good letter. Nearly all, Mrs. Little stated, replied and only three adversely.
A point brought out dramatically by Mrs. Philip Sprague, of the European Committee, was the glowing dedication and joy found in some of the letters from the new believers in Europe. She shared four, one from Rome, Florence, Luxembourg, and Stockholm. Besides emphasizing the fact that all such new believers add immensely to the reservoir of spiritual power in the Cause, with their fresh new light, they bring the countries and people of other lands very close.
A brilliant light was the description given by Mr. Leroy Ioas of the plans for the first European Conference to be held in Switzerland from May 22 to 26. Mr. Ioas gave a graphic picture of the meetings to be held in Geneva, with a trip to Berne, with emphasis on the Commemoration of the Declaration of the Báb. He reported that about 80 Bahá’ís would be present, including all of the pioneers, some new believers, and friends from non-goal countries, such as Germany, France and England. His announcement that the beloved pioneer, Marion Jack, would be the guest of honor, delighted all present. The cable regarding her came vividly to all minds. It stated: “Great station of Marion Jack example for pioneers in America and Europe.” An incident which illustrates this worker’s courage and tenacity is that when Miss Jack, who for many years taught the Faith in Bulgaria, was threatened by the dangers of war, the Guardian gave her three choices: They were: to return to America, to go to Haifa, or to remain at her post. She remained at her post. The reports of this historic Conference will be awaited with great eagerness, for Mr. Ioas filled all hearts with a bit of envy that they could not be present.
A little story told by one of the delegates points up the swiftness or slowness of the work in the Faith. It was of watching a pigeon walk slowly up the long steps of the Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, in New York. “When,” as the speaker said, “He could so easily have flown.” It seemed to those present, as the reports were given of goals reached that some of the workers were learning to fly.
PICTURES-PAGE 1
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As always, the report of the Inter-America Committee was most colorful and specific. The fine record of new believers and gain in membership will be found in other places in the News Letters and reports. But some very striking evidences of development were shown. Several members of the Committee spoke on different phases of the work, showing the extent to which consolidation and organization has gone forward. The two Conventions, one in Mexico City and the other in Santiago were described so vividly that all sensed the rapid way in which the Latin Americans are taking over responsibility. The definite statement was made that the original pioneers no longer dominate the scene, and that many signs of maturity are evident. In many ways the cooperation of the public was stressed. The dramatic story told by Mrs. Matthews illustrated the contrast between the North and the South. No one will forget her account of how one Latin friend received the Message. She spoke of the mass production idea in the North and the individualism in the South; also of the cultured minds and the fire found in so many people. The account of the interest and cooperation found in the Masonic Lodges was inspiring, as was the success of the Correspondence Courses. The first Indian Assembly in South America was described. Miss Cheney closed a thrilling report with a beautiful movie which not only brought Latin America into the room but raised the hope that there may soon be more picture stories in the Faith.
[Page 4]
And so four highlights flashed
forth; 194 assemblies in North America, Goals reached in Europe and
the first European Conference, Organization and Consolidation advancing rapidly in Latin America, and
the Ninth Pillar of the future International House of Justice, the Canadian National Assembly formed.
The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh was marching forward out of obscurity—and
very rapidly.
Mr. Holley told a story which will remain long in the minds of those present. He said that while in a very interesting section of the country, the Smokies, a government scientist told a group of people that during the ice age these mountains were raised above the level of the ice and they preserved the grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees, which later, with the recession of the ice, were spread across the continent. They were the seed bed. Mr. Holley said that in this spiritual ice age when people are inert and unable to live in a spiritual realm the Bahá’í Community is the seed bed of the new Continent of Mankind. The Convention showed the sprouting, growing and maturing.
What was the real core of everything at the Convention — all discussions? It was teaching. From the Library, Literature, Publicity, Public Relations, World Order Magazine and Radio Committees came reports of ways to reach people through words; the appeal through the eyes was described graphically by Dr. Ruhe and shown by Mrs. Longyear through the movie — “The Goal is World Order.” Others told of the work with children, with youth and the blind. Several very attractive exhibits were shown, notably those of Public Relations, Visual Aids, Work for the Blind and the detailed plan shown by Mr. Niss for keeping better records in the Bahá’í communities. This spelled the word “efficiency.” In everything there was a spirit of maturity, courtesy and earnestness which augured well for the future. Perhaps because the words of the Guardian and the spirit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá vibrated through every session, there was a sense of unity. To some it seemed that there was much less talk of unity and much more of it than ever before.
One historic landmark was the brief report given by Mrs. Collins of the formation of the first Indian Assembly in the United States. She quoted the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the great importance of this task; also read a letter from the Guardian expressing his great joy at this achievement. Very interesting was the statement Mrs. Collins said the Guardian made to her that if any believer undertook to teach a minority group they were first to convince themselves that they could walk all the way with the one they were teaching. He also said that it had not been done in the past. Minimizing her own share in the work with these Indian Bahá’ís, Mrs. Collins closed with the words: “Our beloved Mary Stevenson who has brought about this victory is going all the way.”
The interesting experiment of the workshop technique proved most challenging and the Convention moved to request the NSA to have all of the summaries given in the Convention, including the fine ones presented by the Convention Chairman, sent to every Bahá’í. Of course the Guardian’s cables, and all other information will be made available to every believer.
The room was filled with the large number present at every meeting. A major thrill, as always, was in seeing old friends; perhaps a greater one was in meeting so many new ones. Perhaps greatest when one met a Bahá’í worker to whom the Message had been given several years ago with, to all intents and purposes, poor results. This happened over and over again. So seeds are to be planted, and in God’s time many sprout.
And of the Temple, what shall be said? Much information will be sent to the friends during the coming month. The interior decorations, which was pictured vividly during the Thursday evening session, has been shown to the world through the fine work of the Public Relations Committee. The Treasurer, who really made giving attractive, pierced every heart when he said: “We may look back in five or six years and say: ‘Our opportunity to put something in that Temple, which will last eternally in the sight of God, has been lost’.” Deep in every soul was the resolve to “Give to the Most Holy Temple and if possible guide in the Most Holy Temple.” A lovely movie was shown in the fine report of the Temple Program Committee. The fact that the Temple is a very great teacher was proved by the record of the thousands who come to it — an audience ready to be taught.
The idea of spending one’s vacation guiding was voiced. The Summer School Committee had also had the same thought. Surely many will come to the Temple this summer, for where in all the world could more inspiration be found? Mr. Haney, and his fellow-speakers described the great beauty of the completed Temple, when the inside is clothed with color and loveliness. Every dollar spent in bringing this picture to reality will be greatly blessed. And when the goal of completing the Temple is reached a mighty impulse will be felt in the entire world. Such is the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
An Oriental note was struck when Mr. Yamamoto was introduced and Mrs. Franklyn told a little of his story. She spoke of his becoming a Bahá’í many years ago in Honolulu, and of his 12 children, nine of whom she taught in a Bahá’í class in California. The sincere devotion of Mr. Yamamoto and his son inspired every one as did the story told by the beloved teacher, Miss Alexander, who worked so many years in Japan.
During the Convention a note of warning was struck by the Secretary, Mr. Holley, which should not be forgotten in the joy of victory. He spoke of the bitter attack which the friends will be called upon to meet in the future and said the lines are forming now. Since we are aware of this, Mr. Holley said he felt in his heart that we should win the battle in the immediate future. His hope, he declared, was that some knowledge of the Faith could be given to millions years before we can reach out and make the personal contact, so that in the hours of great decision there will be friends of Bahá’u’lláh. There are two tasks in the Plan, he concluded, giving the Faith to the masses, and confirming believers, and they should go forward together, step by step, to ultimate victory.
At the Riḍvan Feast on Saturday evening the children stole the show. The Forum, given by them and their teacher, Mrs. Gaylord Barnett, together with the lovely singing of Mr. Olitzky and the beautiful string music would have pleased ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It cheered the large number present. The splendid program centered around the Riḍvan proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh made dramatic by Mrs. Gail, and the New World of Peace described in the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Mr. Windust, as Chairman, added much to the happy time. For
[Page 5]
this wonderful story the dark world waits. In the Bahá’í Temple it was
Riḍvan and the New Creation had
appeared.
The Public Meeting on Sunday night showed to old and new believers alike, the response of the non-Bahá’í world. It was a fine meeting, featuring a talk by Miss Elsie Austin which brought almost all of the very large crowd of people present to the platform to ask questions and greet the speaker. Beautiful music given by a harpist and a pianist added a wonderful touch and created an inspiring atmosphere. A fitting climax to a wonderful convention.
One highlight which stands out sharply was the significant report given by Mrs. Mottahedeh regarding our relation to the United Nations. She described the setup of the U.N., and how similar it is, in some ways, to our National Committees. Other points stressed by her were the number of idealists found among U.N. representatives, the many who know about the Bahá’í Faith and the Guardian, the great assistance given in this Bahá’í work by Hilda Yen, and a clear statement of our position with regard to this world organization. The news of the U.N. Conference to be held in Geneva, May 17 to 22, to which the Bahá’ís are sending five people, will be awaited as it is an historic event in our world. It marks the recognition of the Bahá’í Faith in a new way, which will be described more fully in other reports. Every one resolved to watch eagerly for the news and to follow Mrs. Mottahedeh and her associates, who attend this meeting, with their prayers.
Everyone received a thank you as the historic and lovely Convention closed at 4:40 p.m. Sunday, May 2. The Chairman thanked the friends and the delegates thanked the Chairman and the Secretary. A sincere vote of appreciation was tendered to all who made the meetings so successful including those who helped with housing, meals, registration, badges, ushering, the Riḍván Feast and the Public Meeting. Also to everyone who served, in any way, thanks were given and appreciation felt.
There was a lack of personality seen in the Convention, and it seemed that the crucial time, the greatness of the task, and the state of the world blotted out all littleness and personal feelings. Much of this, too, was no doubt due to the Devotional periods, when the soul-searching Words of Bahá’u’lláh, the Master and the Guardian, created an atmosphere of spiritual awareness which carried through the entire session. Most notable was this spirit at the election period, bringing home to many the complete departure in this New World from old methods. Prayer, silence, guidance. These three make it possible to know and do the will of God.
As the friends from far and near left the Temple for their homes they sensed the bombs falling on Haifa and the agony of the world. But they had seen a picture of a New World unfolding, and they knew how it was to be created. They felt the terrific speed, they thrilled to the great power surging through the entire Cause; and the words of the suffering people of Europe, voiced by the Chairman, rang in their ears — “Hurry, hurry.” And with bowed heads, and hearts turned wholly to Bahá’u’lláh, with the Covenant graven on their souls, and the Guardian’s Messages held tightly in their grasp, they whispered, as one voice, — “We will.”
Bahá’í Participation in World Conference of Religion[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly has accepted an invitation issued by the Church Peace Union to send a delegate and an alternate to the “World Conference of Religion for Moral and Spiritual Support of the United Nations” to be held at Town Hall, New York City, June 16, 17 and 18, 1948.
A report will be published in Bahá’í News after the Conference with all the interesting information made available by the believers chosen to represent the Faith.
Bahá’í Addresses
National Office:
Treasurer’s Office:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
|
Concerning Fireside Meetings[edit]
The National Assembly, judging by letters and reports received in recent months, feels that there are some misunderstandings about the aim and the conduct of intimate fireside teaching meetings which can be readily cleared away and thus release more potential teaching energy for effective service to the Faith.
What the Assembly has in mind is the need for some simple definition of the nature of the home meeting started by one or more members of a family in order to awaken interest in the teachings among their neighbors and personal friends.
Such a meeting is a direct response to the universal command that every believer teach the Cause. It is also one of the very best methods for bringing new people into the community. As such its value depends almost entirely upon two factors: first, control of the attendance and the program by the host or hostess; and second, continuity and development in the teaching and discussion.
The National Assembly wants this type of intimate gathering safeguarded. Experience from all over the country shows that the intention cannot be carried out if the other Bahá’ís look upon such a fireside as an open “party” or “community teaching meeting” and come and go as they feel inclined, join in the discussion and in general adopt the meeting as their own.
Believers should not attend a home fireside meeting unless they are specifically invited by the host or hostess. More than courtesy is involved, important though courtesy is in this Faith. What is involved are the rights of the non-Bahá’í guests to receive the Message, enter into study and discussion, and when prepared, declare their faith.
The home fireside conducted for a few non-Bahá’í friends and neighbors is not subject to administrative control. The Assembly has no grounds for exerting its authority but on the contrary should uphold the right of every Bahá’í to gather his own friends together in the hope of confirming them. Assembly authority does not apply until there are applications for enrollment, unless the Assembly has fair reason to believe that erroneous and harmful teachings are being given out as “Bahá’í”.
| The Guardian’s Cable to Incoming N. S. A.
Delighted at contract for ornamentation, projected reception (i.e., for UN delegates in Geneva), appointment of new committees for consolidation of teaching work, and noble determination to pursue unremittingly your God-given task. Announce to the friends that signature on contracts for arcade of the Báb’s Sepulchre is synchronizing with first contract for interior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West. (Signed) SHOGHI
Cablegram received May 14, 1948. |
The National Spiritual Assembly has produced an attractively printed form of marriage certificate for use by local Assemblies which are legally authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony. The certificate is in the form of a four-page folder, with envelope for permanent preservation by the bride and groom. It provides spaces for signature by the bride and groom and also by the Assembly’s official representative and two witnesses; with the text of Tablets on marriage revealed by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Assemblies which conduct legal marriages can obtain a supply at nominal cost by writing the National Office.
“And as the progress and extension of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon material means, it is of absolute necessity that immediately after the establishment of local as well as national Spiritual Assemblies, a Bahá’í fund be established, to be placed under the exclusive control of the Spiritual Assembly. All donations and contributions should be offered to the Treasurer of the Assembly, for the express purpose of promoting the interests of the Cause, throughout the locality or country. It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of that Fund ...”
Purposes and Plans for this Bahá’í Year Announced by National Assembly[edit]
Beloved friends:
This Bahá’í year opened with the Guardian’s acclamation of victory in his message to the Convention: “Joyfully acclaim brilliant achievements transcending fondest hopes and setting the seal of complete victory on the stupendous labors undertaken by the American Bahá’í Community in the second year of the second Seven Year Plan.”
What is the meaning of this victory for us? That we have acquired greater capacity to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh — that we are more deeply aware that the Faith itself offers the very essence of power to achieve, and all we do is to open ourselves to its penetration.
When unity of faith is combined with unity of action, the condition needed for extraordinary progress has been attained. To contribute to that condition, the National Spiritual Assembly has planned its policies, its committee functions, its annual budget and definite goals in order to meet the Guardian’s expectation and prayer: “Appeal to members of the Community ... to unitedly press forward ... until every single obligation under the present Plan is honorably fulfilled ...”
1. Consolidation of the Community[edit]
With the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada, we now constitute the Bahá’í Community of the United States. In this Community there are now 176 local Spiritual Assemblies. Our first goal is the safeguarding of these communities, so that not one single Assembly need be dissolved by April 21, 1949. Nor can we spare a single one of the older Assemblies where the community is still small and near the danger point.
With the same vigor and intensity with which we brought about the formation of 49 new Assemblies last year, we must now work with all the smaller communities until each has attained a membership of at least 15 Bahá’ís. This calls for consecrated effort by individual believers who can carry on circuit or weekend or even occasional teaching, by extension committees of every Assembly able to offer assistance in its area, by the Regional Teaching Committees, and by the National Teaching Committees, which bear the ultimate responsibility.
2. Four Areas of the Divine Plan Tablets[edit]
In order to develop a more flexible and localized direction of the consolidation activity, the National Spiritual Assembly has appointed a National Teaching Committee for each of the four areas to which the Master, more than 30 years ago, directed one of the Tablets of the Divine Plan. The Assembly feels that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s definition of the country in terms of these four areas has a profound spiritual meaning.
The system of Regional Teaching Committees remains, but each RTC now operates under the Area Teaching Committee. Each ATC has, for its area, the same power and functions as have been exercised by the NTC in previous years.
All the new and all the smaller communities are requested to look to the Regional Teaching Committee for assistance. The NSA wants each of these communities to conduct a regular study class for all the local Bahá’ís. This is the strong foundation of unity and efficiency. The NSA also wants each to take advantage of every Area, Regional and National facility for public teaching programs, that the Faith may be proclaimed with vigor and the Bahá’í teachings made a part of the spiritual life of the city, town or village.
3. Proclamation of the Message[edit]
For the more effective conduct of planned, cooperative public teaching campaigns, the NSA has appointed a new National Committee, the National Programming Committee, endowed with important functions. It is to gather together all available teaching materials, aids, methods and plans, recommend new materials as needed, develop campaign-type teaching plans for both large and small communities, carry out teaching plans in designated centers, and assist the other communities by providing bulletins clearly explaining how each community can conduct an improved teaching program.
The new policy has also been adopted that hereafter the various teaching materials — like displays, recordings, transcriptions, slides, films, and exhibits — so much needed and desired for proclamation
[Page 7]
teaching work, will be made available at cost price through the Sales
Committee. Any local Assembly or
National or Area Committee can
purchase such material from its own
budget or resources.
Under this arrangement the Committee which develops the material is not charged with the cost of manufacturing it in quantity. The production costs are met by a turnover fund assigned to the Sales Committee. Each item so charged becomes self-liquidating through sales. In this way the costs are eventually distributed over the entire community on the basis of use rather than of production.
This principle is important in that it does not charge such teaching materials to the Annual Budget, which has, through the budgets given national committees, in the past assumed up to $10,000 for cost of teaching material given or lent for use without equivalent return through sales.
The NSA confidently expects that this arrangement will stimulate the “creative planning” committees to even greater achievement in originating new ideas, by making them independent of the task of production and distribution.
Under “Proclamation” comes also the national advertising and publicity schedules of Public Relations Committee, details of which the committee will announce from time to time.
4. The Annual Budget[edit]
The Budget adopted for current activities amounts to $285,000 divided into these classifications: Temple construction, $100,000; National Committees, $91,975; Operation of Trustee properties, $17,500; Schools, $1,000; International, $5,600; Administration, including Bahá’í News and The Bahá’í World, $35,500; Special items, including repairs needed in the Temple structure, $21,800; and a Reserve of $11,625.
In line with the high sense of responsibility manifested by the Convention in its recommendation, the amount of the deficit in our Temple construction item in last year’s Budget is added to this year’s Budget. This deficit is $69,000, which makes our measure of Bahá’í sacrifice this year the goal of $354,000.
What is the Bahá’í Budget?[edit]
The Annual Budget represents the sum total which the Bahá’ís of the United States, trustees chosen to carry out the Divine Plan created by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to save humanity from self-destruction, are able and willing, over and above our living expenses to devote to the success of that Plan.
Throughout the entire world, except in the Community of the Greatest Name, the wealth, the resources, the work, the savings and even the precious gifts of nature, are exploited for war and destruction. How many thousands of times has the sum total of our Annual Budget been wiped out directly or indirectly by a few minutes of a World War or expropriated by social revolution, or plundered by criminals of any great city!
How rapidly we ourselves could lose collectively a total of capital or income many times the amount of this year’s Budget if, failing the needs of the Divine Plan, the affairs of the nation took a turn for the worse!
These are some of the reflections which the Bahá’ís of the United States can well make at this crucial time, the Third Year of the Second Seven Year Plan — the Plan culminating in the Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical experience in the awful depths of the dungeon in Ṭihrán.
5. Unity the Essential Bahá’í Quality[edit]
But all our plans and activities, all our contributions of effort and money, will fail in their real purpose unless we all attain the condition of unity among ourselves. Let us extirpate the evil spirit of disunity forever from Bahá’í gatherings and councils throughout the land. Let us remove this cancer from the body of the Faith. Let us give way to the Holy Spirit, that Light from on high which shines so brilliantly in the polished mirror of a united community.
In the Spirit is joy, healing, power, capacity and guidance, when we open our hearts to its Presence. Whatever this year may bring forth, may it find us worthy of that “primacy” to which the Guardian has referred.
Publishing Announcement[edit]
Character, a Sequence in Spiritual Psychology by Stanwood Cobb; now issued in paper bound edition. This book has been found a good approach to the Bahá’í Faith by many of the friends. 152 pages, price $1.00
On Declaring a Vacancy in Assembly Membership[edit]
Years ago we had the direction from the Guardian that Assembly members unable to attend meetings because of illness or absence from the city were to be replaced. In a few cases of obvious need, this principle can very readily be applied. For example, if an Assembly member during the year establishes his permanent residence elsewhere, a vacancy is declared; and the same rule of reason applies if a member becomes physically incapacitated to the point where he simply can no longer render service.
The difficulty has been to apply the principle where the inability to attend is temporary. Is there a definite time limit after which the member automatically loses his membership status in the Assembly?
The National Assembly is very happy to cite words from a recent letter written by the Guardian through his secretary to an American Bahá’í clarifying this very point.
“... it is establishing a dangerous precedent to allow Assemblies to put a time limit on non-attendance of their members at meetings of the S. A., beyond which that person is automatically dropped from the Assembly and a vacancy declared ... There should be no time limit fixed by Assemblies beyond which a person is dropped. Every case of prolonged absence from the sessions of the Assembly should be considered separately by that Assembly, and if the person is seen to not want to attend meetings, or to be held away from them indefinitely because of illness or travel, then a vacancy could legitimately be declared and a new member be elected.”
British Bahá’í Youth Bulletin[edit]
The NSA of the British Isles has announced the publication of a Youth Bulletin as a quarterly appearing in March, June, September and December, and distributed on a paid subscription basis.
American believers wishing to subscribe should send a postal order in an amount equivalent to three shillings, six pence, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles, 158A Old Brompton Road, London, S. W. 5, England.
Suggested Daily Readings for July
Meditation—“I bear witness O My Lord, that through Him Thy most resplendent signs have been uncovered, and Thy MERCY hath encompassed the entire creation.”
P.M. 295
July
Kalimát—Month of WORDS
Meditation — “Whoso reciteth, in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the WORDS uttered by his mouth.”
The above readings may be used for daily reading and for selections to be read at Nineteen Day Feasts.
|
FEASTS:
- July 13—Kalimát—Words
- August 1—Kamál—Perfection
ANNIVERSARIES:
- July 9, at noon—Martyrdom of the Báb
N.S.A. MEETINGS:
- June 17-20
- July 29-Aug. 1, at Green Acre
The flower-scented house gleamed, from the pink spirea on the piano top beside the Temple model, (a farewell gift from Ruḥiyyíh Khanum to her mother-community at the time of her marriage) the roses beside the Master’s picture, the daffodils and narcissi in the halls, to the sweet-peas in the bedroom where the Master once slept. Everywhere there was an air of expectancy.
Friday evening was “open house” in the Maxwell home, our Convention headquarters. Singly, or in little groups, the friends arrived with shining faces to be met with glad cries of welcome. Haifa drew a little closer with the coming of the aunt and cousin of our beloved Ruḥiyyíh Khanum, awaking memories of the occasions when May Maxwell herself was our hostess. A babble of voices and laughter had arisen by the time the refreshments were served. Color slides of Beaulac were being shown to the very interested youth as some of us left to meet a group of Ontario friends, at the station. In greeting these twenty-odd Bahá’ís, we thought of how many such groups would criss-cross our country, forming arteries through which the love of God would flow anew.
Saturday morning, April 24, we gathered for devotions. The thirteen delegates sitting in front, the hundred visitors overflowing into the dining-room, study and stairs, were made one unit by a system of microphones. While waiting for the momentous opening words, these two days appear as a pellet of time into which is compressed the history of forty-eight years of the Faith in Canada, from the time the seed was first brought by May Maxwell to this moment when that seed would become the ninth pillar of the future Universal House of Justice. Sitting in this mellow blue and golden room, past, present, future fuse. The phrase “no beginning and no end” becomes real to us. For two days, less than a tick of eternity, with time sense lost, we are one with Bahá’u’lláh’s first messenger to Canada; we rejoice with her over the first Canadian to accept the Faith, Martha McBean, her husband’s cousin; we share in the thrilling days of preparation for the Master’s visit; we sit in the very room where He spoke, perhaps the very chair He sat on; we see Him stride in flowing robes up and down the street before the white doorway, while the interested, awed, and curious drive by slowly in their carriages. Into a pellet of thought, rush memories, of the many years of struggling, patient, ecstatic effort until today the largest group of Bahá’ís ever to congregate in this country open, on this sunny morning, Canada’s first National Convention.
Devotions ended, the roll call of the delegates took place. Flood, and three thousand miles, prevented the six far-western delegates from attending. Dorothy Baker, for the last time acting as chairman of our joint N.S.A. opened the Convention and conducted the election of our Convention officers. She had come with four other members of the NSA of the United States (how strangely shorn that title appears) to hand over to the Canadian NSA the trust shared for so long.
Our Convention chairman, John Robarts, and secretary, Laura Davis, took their places. The Guardian’s cable was read, and a copy given to those present. We have all read by now the Five Year Plan which the Guardian outlined for us with the specific goals which he has measured to our capacity. As Mrs. Baker spoke on these eight goals, we could sense the friends planning summer holidays near Indian reservations, to Newfoundland or Greenland; inwardly resolving to accomplish these tasks well before 1953.
The letter from Ruḥyyíh Khanum was masterly. How it made our hearts swell with joy to realize her great services to the Cause, her position in the Holy Family, and our link with her, the physical symbol of the unity of the east and west! We could feel how she, on her part, rejoiced with us in our greater opportunity to fulfill the promises of the Master for Canada. Messages of reply were sent to both our beloved Guardian and Ruḥiyyíh Khanum.
It had been with some trepidation that the large auditorium of the Montreal High School had been engaged for the public Congress on Saturday night, a night not too favorable for lectures. Though the location was central, timing was against us. It was the night of a great Jewish festival, and an exhibition by Canada’s world champion skater! However through the unexcelled publicity arranged by the Montreal friends, over
[Page 9]
five hundred attended, the largest
audience of any Bahá’í meeting since
the Master’s visit to Canada.
The music linked the audience together, putting us into a reflective mood, giving us time to look at the mixed gathering of French and English, Negro and Jew, rich and poor, to examine our programmes and the notices of future Bahá’í meetings; to admire the flowers and remember the donor, an absent American friend. One of the visiting Bahá’ís found herself sitting behind an old school friend whom she hadn’t met for years. On chatting together it was learned that the schoolmate’s husband had heard of the Cause ten years ago from an American Bahá’í in the Gobi desert. He had been deeply interested and was also present that night.
There was the usual pause and rustle when the music ended until the chairman, with easy and friendly dignity, made the audience and speakers one. As Elsie Austin moved to the microphone, her green velvet dress catching the light, one felt the admiration and interest she created. She gave a simple yet graphic picture of the birth of new forces out of the chaos of the old. Her lovely voice transmitted even more than her words the spirit of faith out of which they were born. Our second speaker, Ross Woodman, found his listeners prepared; no antagonism had been aroused but a receptivity created so that the direct power of the message of Bahá’u’lláh, given in a fluent stream of impassioned speech, could penetrate beyond the normal defenses of heart and mind. His words were as banners flying. When clearly, and distinctly the speaker cried “Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh” one saw His Standard upraised and His Cause proclaimed in this city, and beyond it, throughout the land.
Sunday was a day out of the ‘Abbá Kingdom! Every moment was as if born of the will of God. The first day was one of adjustment, of feeling the knitting processes. Now we would become one point, and from the physical core of our national unity, begin to diffuse the spirit of unity that binds us together. Our National body would become the great lamp, we the suppliers of fuel to feed the lamp its light of faith.
The election of our National Spiritual Assembly took place in an atmosphere befitting such an historic occasion, possibly the greatest event taking place at that moment on this planet. It was a solemn moment in which our delegates, representing six provinces, and the visitors, from seven provinces and eight states, shared. Indeed the visitors by their courtesy and attentiveness had a vital part in the success of the Convention. At this time our regret at the absence of the western delegates was deepest. Though they had all sent their ballots, and a perfect score was cast, this actual breathless moment of Canada’s spiritual coming of age would never be matched.
During the presentation of the Temple progress report, the tellers returned. Dear as is the Temple to us our restlessness forced the chairman to ask for the election results. Here was the pivotal point of the whole Convention. It was as if we were to see a child suddenly become a man, or a bud a flower, in the reading of the nine names of Canada’s first National Spiritual Assembly. Our first act after the great announcement was to say a prayer in the name of May Maxwell who had been the chosen instrument to set in motion in this country the mighty forces of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.
The closing moments passed quickly in the discussion of teaching problems. A few of the Bahá’í youth present were asked to report on their activities. The Convention welcomed their bright accent, the excited interest that exuded from all of them. One young man, a Bahá’í of only a few weeks, was asked what he thought of the Convention. His usually beaming face grew very serious as he replied, “to think I might have missed this!” Tributes were made to the magnificent work of the Montreal community in organizing the many details of the Convention; to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for all that they have taught us. Listening to the five members present as they clarified points of national importance, we realized how grateful we should be for all that we have learned and received from them. The first gift to the Canadian Bahá’ís was a cheque for fifteen hundred dollars from this sister community!
Temple Design Approved Generous Support Urged by the Guardian
This important message from Shoghi Effendi combines statements conveyed to the National Assembly in two cablegrams, dated May 4th and May 6th respectively:— “Temple drawings received. Approve design. Urge proceed without delay to place Temple contracts. I appeal to entire body of believers to arise and generously support the National Fund in hour of greatest need, to insure uninterrupted progress in the ornamentation of the House of Worship which, as foretold by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is already conferring such benefits upon the community. “Praying for magnificent victories in third year of second Seven Year Plan.” (Signed) SHOGHI |
The last act of the chairman was to invite all the friends to a buffet supper in the Maxwell home as guests of Ruḥíyyíh Khanum and Mr. Maxwell. It was almost as if we were in Haifa, we felt so close in spirit.
The full tide of joy was reached at the Riḍvan Feast, arranged by the St. Lambert community. Among the readers was one who had met the Master as a Bahá’í in 1912; another a relative of the Maxwells, and a young pioneer. We thought as we listened of how Bahá’u’lláh has enjoined us to read the word of God with melodious voice. Our hundred hearts felt like birds, and this great Cause the tree from which we sang out our thanksgiving as the Master’s Tablet and Prayer for Canada was read in the room whose walls still seemed to store and treasure the sound of His voice.
Who among those present can recapture the words spoken by Dorothy Baker? Europe became part of our world, as indeed it is, the valiant friends in England, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, the sleeping lady of France, the catacombs of Spain, and above all the hearts arising out of the pain of that continent in response to the thrall of the Greatest Name. It was on this Name the Riḍvan Feast and the Convention ended, and with the armor of this Name we went forth once more to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,
Growth in Latin America[edit]
Convention reports showed steady and comparatively rapid growth of the Cause in Latin America. There is a total of 47 Spiritual Assemblies, 11 of them new this year; 44 groups and 257 new Bahá’í registrations, representing a growth in all-over membership of about 50 percent. The 11th assembly to join the march of general incorporation of the Faith throughout Latin America, reported receiving its decree during convention. This was Havana, Cuba.
The other seven assemblies which incorporated this year, were La Paz, Bolivia; Lima, Peru; Caracas, Venezuela; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Panama City, Panama; and Guatemala City. Two assemblies attained their decrees the year before: Asunción, Paraguay, and Bogota, Colombia. San José, Costa Rica, was the first assembly to incorporate, receiving its decree in 1942. Four additional assemblies are now in process of incorporating. An interesting phase of such incorporations in Latin America is that the first incorporation granted gives the Faith legal recognition by the government anywhere in that country and additional assemblies in each country can register under the one incorporation and partake of its benefits.
Latin America has also attained its first Spiritual Assembly in a city of the indigenes, Chichicastenango, ancient capital of Guatemala.
National Youth work will get under way in the 22 countries this year for the first time, being headed in this country by Charles Ioas and John Eichenauer, collaborating with native National Youth committees in the two great areas.
Twenty-six approved native teachers, 19 of them new this year, have arisen to supplement the efforts of the dwindling ranks of the North American pioneers, who still serve only eight of the 22 countries. The requirement that all resident teachers earn their own living, has placed a great sacrifice upon the shoulders of those North Americans who have continued in spite of the very difficult economic conditions, so difficult in many instances that our North Americans cannot comprehend it without going through these experiences personally. In many countries, a well trained secretary can do very well, but no other profession seems to fit into the Latin picture at present. Those who are good secretaries, have great and interesting opportunities, and are extremely important to the development of the Cause. The Inter-America Committee strongly urges those who can qualify in this respect, to volunteer to help during these three years, which are so crucial in the proper formation of strong and stable National Spiritual Assemblies in April, 1951.
Social service to the Island Republic of Haiti by the growing Bahá’í Community in Port-au-Prince, was described to the Inter-America Committee by Mr. Pumpelly. The Bahá’ís have established the first medical clinic where sympathetic, efficient and helpful service is available to the poor people of the island, he said. It is a large, white-washed bamboo hut. Behind natural curtains of blossoming vines are the white operating tables. Simple cots serve those who must rest in the clinic for a time. Clients are seated on long benches on the porch of the little, tropical-country house. The white uniforms of the doctors and nurses, who are giving their time without charge, their earnest and intent faces; the patient faces of those who wait, the crude but effective equipment, against the background of tropical verdure and flowers, makes an unforgettable picture, he said. Those who can do so, pay the cost of medicines used. Eleven new members have recently been accepted by the Port-au-Prince Community, some of them outstanding people of the island. The Assembly is in process of incorporating the Faith in Haiti.
European Conference Planned[edit]
The glorious news of 80 newly declared believers spread through all of the goal countries as well as the historic announcement of the formation of eight Spiritual Assemblies in 10 of the goal cities was transmitted to the Guardian and the following inspiring cable received from him:
- Hearts flooded with joy remarkable victory exceeding fondest expectations stop. Convey heartfelt congratulations, assurance, admiration, loving gratitude, prayers newly formed Assemblies. Supplicating Bahá’u’lláh enable both pioneers, native believers unitedly achieve still greater triumphs stop. Eagerly await photographs newly constituted Assemblies adorn walls Bahá’u’lláh’s Mansion adjoining Most Holy Tomb Bahjí.
The plans for the European Teaching Conference in Geneva have been completed. It will begin on May 22 with an afternoon opening session followed by a Unity dinner and the Commemoration of the Declaration of the Báb. During the following four days there will be consultation on Administration, Will and Testament, besides all other matters specifically concerning this teaching campaign. On Monday evening there is to be a public meeting in Geneva with an address in French and in English and on Wednesday night, a public meeting in Bern, our Swiss goal city, with a talk in English and in German. Through the special contributions from Bahá’í friends it has been made possible for the Committee to invite all of the pioneers as well as one newly declared believer from each country to attend the Conference. Four members of the Committee, Mary Sprague, Leroy Ioas, Sylvia Ioas and Edna True, will be present and visitors from the communities of Great Britain and Paris with a probable total attendance of 75.
Schedule of N.S.A. Meetings, State Election, and National Convention[edit]
The meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly have been scheduled from May, 1948 to April, 1949, as follows:—
- May 1, 2, 3, 4.
- May 8, 9.
- June 17, 18, 19, 20.
- July 29, 30, 31, August 1, at Green Acre.
- September 3, 4, 5, 6, at Louhelen School.
- October 8, 9, 10.
- November 5, 6, 7.
- December 3, 4, 5.
- January 7, 8, 9.
- February 11, 12, 13.
- March 24, 25, 26, 27.
- April 27.
The 1949 State Elections will be held on February 6.
The Forty-First Annual Convention will be held April 28, 29, 30 and May 1, 1949.
Public Relations[edit]
Public relations begins and ends with human relations. It has been described as “living right and getting credit for it.” Others call it “good manners.” And it has been defined, simply, as relations with the public.
Whatever the definition, sound Bahá’í public relations has a fundamental function of carrying to leaders and to the public the story of the Faith, what it means and what it means to them. This involves every public contact of every Bahá’í. It means that Bahá’í public relations is an all-encompassing activity within the Faith, not limited to a few.
The importance of an enlarged program of action for the public proclamation of the Teachings has been stressed repeatedly by the Guardian. In the recent “Challenging Requirements,” Shoghi Effendi, under “proclamation,” directed the NSA to “amplify public relations programs.” It is this program that the Public Relations committee is developing.
Clarifying its role in Bahá’í public relations, the Committee points out that it conceives of its programs as one which (1) prepares for continuous enlargement of direct teaching work by other committees, turning up the soil and sowing seeds, and (2) provides a continuous follow-up of interest and literature for persons who have never heard of the Faith, or who have visited the Temple or attended some meeting but have no contact with Bahá’ís.
Its aim is to bring the Faith to the attention of thousands who have never heard of it, make free literature available, and continue the process of deepening their interest by regular mailings of the “World Religion” bulletin. When evidence of continuing interest is found, the name is turned over to the appropriate Bahá’í body for its list of prospects. The Public Relations committee stops at the boundary where “proclamation” ends and “consolidation” begins.
Here is some of the evidence attesting to the growth and effectiveness of our public relations:
Members of the Sunday Evening Forum of the First Congregational church in Oak Park, Ill., recently listened to an assuring definition of the work of the Bahá’í Faith. Said Dr. Bayard Dodge, president of American College at Beirut, Syria, in answer to a question as to what
Our Children: Science or Religion?[edit]
Scientists working in the field of human relationships are making significant contributions to the understanding of how children grow and develop in our culture. Through observation over long periods of time they are learning at which stages in the child’s development the various physical, motor, social skills and behavior characteristics develop. A notworthy example are the studies made by Dr. Arnold Gesell at the Yale Clinic of Child Development. These and similar studies give us understanding of the mechanism of emotional and social growth and from these we can learn what it is reasonable to expect of a child of a given age.
Specialists in child care today do not give us many hard and fixed rules for bringing up children. They have learned that individual variations in parents, children and family situations are too great to permit the formulating of many rules of thumb for specific situations. Rather they seek to show parents and educators that it is the way in which a thing is taught, the spirit back of the teaching, which registers most with the child. Basically the only way to teach children character is by the example of our own lives. They respond to our attitudes, our beliefs which are shown by our daily (often unconscious) actions. Insofar as we make of our beliefs a set of creeds and rituals to which we give lip service alone, just this will get across to our children. Insofar as we believe in a living God Who teaches through His Prophets, our children will grasp and reflect this.
The importance of religious faith and positive moral convictions for laying a foundation for the healthy development of children is recognized by many psychologists, psychiatrists, and educators today:
“Children do not need parents who dutifully send them to church, or methodically instruct them in their duty; they need parents who themselves hold strong and passionate moral convictions.... The important thing is that children should grow up with parents who believe that there are some ways of life which for us today are better than others and that these ways are worth defending with every ounce of our strength1.
1Wolf, Anna: Parents’ Manual p. 319.
“A Child’s spiritual education begins as soon as he becomes aware that his parents feel intensely concerning these distinctions”2 (distinctions between good and bad ways of living)
“Parents need to be free and alive enough themselves so that they can do things actively with their children ... have good times ... work and play together ... and love each other without dependence. If the way is clear for these things and if parents are able at the same time to confront their sons and daughters with their own mature standards in living, children will learn, not all at once, perhaps, but gradually as they develop, and with many backslidings. Sound and responsible character in children does not come because they have been caught young and trained that way, but because they have been enabled of their own free wills, to give up their early egoistic and primitive wishes through affectionate contacts with parents who themselves love and practice civilized living.”3 “ ‘Among all my patients in the second half of life ... that is to say, over thirty-five ... there has not been one whose problem in the last resort was not that of finding a religious outlook on life. It is safe to say that every one of them fell ill because he had lost that which the living religions of every age have given to their followers, and none of them has been really healed who did not regain his religious outlook.’ ”4
The Bahá’í Faith gives security in the knowledge of a loving God, plus a realistic understanding of the conditions of the world and the basis on which its conflicts may ultimately be resolved. This faith and assurance we can give our children. And the inestimable value to our children of having such faith and standards is readily acknowledged by many psychologists and educators. There is however much that we can learn from the scientists about human behavior, the developmental patterns of children and work out for ourselves the best ways in specific instances, to aid them to grow into really mature, self reliant people. As indicated in two of the basic principles of the Bahá’í Faith: “investigation of truth” and “the unity of science and religion,” we can profit
Public Relations, Cont’d.[edit]
part Bahá’ís were taking in the Palestine dilemma: “Bahá’ís are working to spread a religion that will unite all the peoples of the world.”
To “Questions and Answers,” a syndicated feature appearing in such papers as the Boston “Traveler” and the Niagara Falls “Gazette,” a reader queried: “What is the membership of the Bahá’í Faith and how many churches has it in the U.S.?” The answer: “The Baha’i Faith is composed of followers of Bahá’u’lláh, a Persian prophet (1817-1892). The faith has neither clergy nor churches nor ritualistic worship, but each community constructs its own Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, or house of worship, for prayer, meditation and reading of the Sacred Scriptures.”
Another widely-circulated cartoon-feature, entitled “They’ll Never Die,” showed a sketch of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a brief description of the Faith. “His father, Bahá’u’lláh, a gentleman of great wealth, was exiled by the Persian government for preaching the doctrine of human equality and brotherhood!”
In “Chicago,” a 98-page picture book of the Windy City, a half-page view of the Temple is shown. In the text: “A universal religion which welcomes Christians, Jews, Muḥammadans, Buddhists, or persons of any other faith.”
From Puerto Rico comes an interesting newspaper story along with a picture of the Temple: “In the heart of the North American continent considered by many to be the most beautiful building in America, the Bahá’í Temple of Wilmette rises like a ray of hope for a world darkened by a cloud of hatred and religious and national suspicion. Those responsible for this Temple are the Bahá’ís who comprise a community that extends through 80 countries of the world. They are people of every nationality, race, class, religion, who found this precious gem of understanding and cooperation between the countries which will be a substitute for the antagonisms, prejudices, and lack of confidence that are destroying the fundamentals of a world society.”
Last fall a leading Boston paper used the name of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as an answer to a cross-word puzzle query. Now comes the Saturday Review of Literature’s double-crostic puzzle-question: Persian Bahá’í leader knighted by England in 1920 for his services.
Our Children, Cont’d.[edit]
greatly by keeping aware of the contributions to the art of living made by the social sciences today. Thus religion and science can supplement one another....
2ibid p. 320
3ibid p. 320
4Jung, C. G. Modern Man in Search of a Soul p. 264 quoted in Sala The Earth One Country p. 178.
Some books about child care which you may find interesting: The Parents’ Manual by Anna M. Wolf, Simon & Schuster 1944. Parents Can Be People by Dorothy W. Baruch, D. Appleton-Century 1944. The Pocket Book of Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock, Pocket Books, inc. 1946, Infant and Child in the Culture of Today. The Child From Five to Ten by Arnold Gesell and Frances Ilg, Harpers 1946.
In Memoriam[edit]
| 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, Miss Margaret Yeutter, 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. |
- Mrs. Florence Cox, Bremerton, Washington, April 1, 1948
- Miss Agnes Leo, Watertown, S. D., April 3, 1948
- Mrs. J. A. Houchens, Washington, D.C., April 4, 1948
- Mrs. Cora B. Ashton, Los Angeles, Calif., April 8, 1948
- Mrs. Ruby N. Griffith, Sacramento, Calif., March 30, 1948
- Mrs. Ina Forth, Long Beach, Calif., April 13, 1948
- Mrs. Cora Ely-Jones, Ruskin, Fla., April 15, 1948
- Mrs. Fanny A. Sargent, Hazel Park, Mich., April 8, 1948
- Mrs. Rosella Dennis, Los Angeles, Calif., April 8, 1948
- Mrs. Grace Mattson, DeKalb, Ill., April 26, 1948
- Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, Olivet, Mich., May 19, 1948
- Miss Dayna Farrand, Olivet, Mich., May 16, 1948
- Mr. Clarence Niss, Chenequa, Wis., May 21, 1948
Enrollments[edit]
New enrollments reported by Local Spiritual Assemblies[edit]
Oahu, T.H., 1; Oceanside, Calif., 1; Charleston, W. Va., 2; Chicago, Ill., 2; Los Angeles, Calif., 4; Racine, Wis., 1; Little Rock, Ark., 1; Indianapolis, Ind., 1; Miami, Fla., 2; Santurce, Puerto Rico, 2; Baltimore, Md., 1; Flint, Mich., 1; Portsmouth, N.H., 2; Milwaukee, Wis., 2; Wilmington, Del. 1; Lima, Ohio, 2; Cleveland, Ohio, 2; Columbus, Ohio, 1; Louisville, Ky., 1; Albuquerque, N.M., 5; West Chester, Pa., 1; Independence, Mo., 1; Philadelphia, Pa., 1; Washington, D.C., 2; Boise, Idaho, 1; St. Paul, Minn., 1; Toronto, Ont., 2; Youth, 9.
New enrollments reported by Regional Teaching Committees[edit]
New England, 1; New York, Conn., 5; New Jersey, 6; Del., E. Pa., 3; Ohio, W. Pa., 4; Ken., Mo., Nebr., 1; Okla., Ark., 2; Texas, 5; So. Calif., Ariz., 11; Fla., 2; Ky., Ind., 2; Ill., Iowa, 10; Mich., 8 and 1 Youth; Wis., Minn., No. and So. Dakota, 5; No. Calif., Nev., 2; Wyo., Colo., N.M., 1 Youth; Wash., Ore., 5; Ontario, 1.
| Page | Col. | |
Addresses | 5 | 2 |
British Youth Bulletin | 7 | 2 |
Calendar | 8 | 1 |
Canadian Convention | 8 | 2 |
Convention, Messages to and from Guardian | 2 | 3 |
Convention Report | 2 | 1 |
Divine Plan Unfolds | 2 | 1 |
Enrollments | 12 | 3 |
European News | 10 | 2 |
Fireside Meetings | 5 | 3 |
| Guardian | ||
Message to NSA | 6 | 1 |
Sacred Obligation | 6 | 1 |
Temple Design | 9 | 3 |
Latin America | 10 | 1 |
Marriage Certificate | 6 | 1 |
Memoriam | 12 | 2 |
| National Spiritual Assembly | ||
Fireside Meetings | 5 | 3 |
Marriage Certificate | 6 | 1 |
Purposes and Plans for Year | 6 | 1 |
Schedule of Meetings | 10 | 3 |
Vacancy in Assembly | 7 | 3 |
Pictures-Convention | 1 | 1 |
Public Relations | 11 | 1 |
Publishing Announcement | 7 | 2 |
Suggested Daily Readings | 8 | 1 |
World Conference of Religion | 5 | 2 |
