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NEWS |
| No. 232 | JUNE, 1950 | YEAR 107 | BAHA’I ERA |
The Guardian Reviews World Progress of the Faith
In Message to Convention[edit]
April 25, 1950.
Hail (the) valiant acts (during the) course (of the) last twelve months (of) members (of) firmly knit world embracing divinely propelled Bahá’í Community, singly, collectively, both sexes, all ages labouring (in) near, (and) distant fields, (in) Eastern (and) Western hemispheres, gathered (from) diverse classes, creeds (and) colors; as administrators, in (the) respective home lands or (as) settlers (or) itinerant teachers overseas; whether serving (in) private capacity or (in) official association (with) authorities.
Second half (of) opening decade (of) second Bahá’í century befittingly ushered in.
Recent exploits (in) virgin territories (of) Western hemisphere, Arabian Peninsula, South and East Asia raised (to) one hundred (the) number (of) sovereign states, (and) dependencies, enrolled (under the) banner (of the) Faith.
Forthcoming celebrations, commemorating (the) Hundredth Anniversary (of the) Martyrdom (of the) Herald (of the) Faith, doubly glorious, through association this historic victory, representing (an) increase (of) no less (than) twenty-two countries (in the) brief span (of) six years, since (the) Centennial (of the) Declaration (of) His Mission.
Number (of) centers (in) Australasia now exceeds sixty; Canadian Community nearing ninety centers already established; Alaskan territory eleven centers; European goal countries thirty-five, number (of) newly declared believers almost doubled (during) course (of) past year.
Bahá’í literature enriched (by) translation (into) Welsh, Eskimo, Swahili, Hausa, Chinyanja, raising (the) total number (of) languages (to) sixty-three.
Languages (in) process (of) translation, eleven.
Official recognition, constituting (a) unique victory (in the) annals (of the) Faith (in the) East, (and) West, extending (to) newly formed National Spiritual Assembly (of the) Dominion (of) Canada, through granting act (of) Parliament, enabling (the) National elected representatives (to) incorporate (as) religious organization.
Additional contract placed (for the) construction (of the) parapet, crowning (the) Arcade (of the) Báb’s Mausoleum (on) Mount Carmel, raising (the) total tonnage ordered (to) almost eight hundred.
(The) erection (of the) ornamental columns (of the) Temple interior commenced; ventilation (and) heating systems installed; number (of) visitors since (the) opening (of the) edifice (to the) public, over four hundred thousand.
Six year plan (of the) British Bahá’í Community triumphantly concluded; almost quintupled number (of) Assemblies (in the) British Isles) laid basis administrative structure (of the) Faith (in the) capital (of) Eire (and in the) chief cities (of)
Delegates and visiting Bahá’ís entering Temple during 1950 Convention to inspect progress of interior ornamentation of main auditorium.
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North Ireland (and) Scotland.
Plan initiated Persian Bahá’í Community consummated 31 Assemblies, 17 Groups, 11 Isolated Centers formed beyond prescribed objectives.
Recognition, long last, accorded (by) ‘Iráqí authorities (to) all marriages solemnized (by) Bahá’í Assemblies (in) ‘Iráq through official registration (of the) marriage certificate by court, first instance setting (a) momentous precedent throughout (the) Moslem East, constituting (a) significant landmark (in the) process (of the) emancipation (of the) Oriental followers (of the) Faith (from the) fetters (of) religious orthodoxy.
Certificate authorizing (the) celebration (of) Bahá’í marriages issued (by the) District of Columbia court.
Eight islands (of) Hawaii granted authority (to) recognize Bahá’í marriages.
Bahá’í marriage contract legalized (by) attorney general throughout (the) territory (of) Alaska.
Bahá’í Holy Days recognized (by) Educational Department (of the) State (of) Victoria, Australia.
Second European Teaching Conference convened (in the) capital city (of) Belgium, attended (by) hundred (and) thirty representatives (from) nineteen countries.
(The) historic first all-Swiss Bahá’í Conference (the) latest, most promising fruit (of the) transatlantic enterprise initiated (by the) American Bahá’í Community, held (in the) Swiss capital, presaging (the) acquisition by (the) goal countries (of an) independent status within (the) family (of) Bahá’í national Communities.
(The) process (of) extension (of) Bahá’í endowments accelerated through (the) donation (of) twenty acre property (near) Anchorage, Alaska; purchase (of) twenty-two acres (in) neighborhood (of) Auckland, site (of) projected New Zealand summer school; grant (of) burial ground by Egyptian authorities (to) Port Said Bahá’í Community.
Ties binding (the) Bahá’í International Community (to the) United Nations reinforced through participation (in) European Regional Conference (of) nongovernmental organizations (in) Geneva; (and in) Latin American Conferences (in) Chile, Uruguay; (and in) similar conferences (in) Kansas (and) Lake Success; (through) submission (in) response (to the) request (of the) UNO Committee (of) statement (on the) Bahá’í concept (and) method (of) community worship, subsequently transmitted (to the) Secretariat responsible (for the) planning (of) permanent headquarters (in the) United Nations.
Last (but) not least, nay (the) crowning achievement (of the) year just concluded (are the) stupendous exertions (of the) vanguard (of the) resistlessly advancing Bahá’í World Community resulting (in the) raising (of) half (a) million dollars, virtually attaining (the) objective set (for the) two-year drive (to) ensure (the) completion (of the) interior ornamentation (of the) Mother Temple (of the) West (in) anticipation (of) its approaching jubilee.
First stage (of) austerity period resolutely embarked upon, successfully traversed.
Resolution no less grim, self abnegation no less heroic, solidarity in sacrifice no less striking, must needs distinguish (the) final phase (of the) stern struggle, still facing (the) dauntless high-minded spartan-souled American Bahá’í Community, designed (to) liquidate (the) deficit (in the) General Fund, marring (the) otherwise spotless record (of) collective achievement, as well as (to) provide financial support imperatively required (to) meet, through prompt despatch (of) substantial number (of) competent pioneers, (the) emergency existing (in) Central (and) South America, thereby ensuring (the) glorious consummation (of the) thirteen-year-old enterprise through (the) formation (of the) projected twin National Assemblies (in) Latin America.
- The Convention sent the following reply to this message:
Shoghi Effendi Rabbani,
Haifa, Israel.
Beloved Guardian — Deepest love, heartfelt gratitude, your soul-strengthening message. Rejoice victories won sister communities throughout world. Feel profound admiration their accomplishments. Beg acceptance our inexpressible appreciation unequaled blessing your unfailing guidance all activities Bahá’í World. In new spirit of dedication this centenary martyrdom blessed Báb we resolve fulfill obligations balance seven year plan, increase sacrifices for National Fund, extend range activities, fortify consolidate institutions Faith. Implore your prayers, enabling American community progress toward greater maturity, collective and personal service, beloved Faith. Devoted Love.
- The following cable was subsequently received from the Guardian:
April 29, 1950
42nd Annual Convention,
Wilmette, Illinois
Deeply appreciative noble resolve, Assembled Delegates. Praying still greater victories.
Guardian Emphasizes Immediate Needs[edit]
Cable from the Guardian received March 29, 1950:
“Approved recommendation regarding treatment walls. Meeting deficit budget must have precedence over purchase land near Hazira owing critical situation Latin America, vital needs Europe. Steady flow pioneers both continents imperative, urgent, sacred task present hour.”
(For explanation of the reference to treatment of the Temple walls, see special story in this issue.)
Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb[edit]
The Guardian advised the NSA that the readings selected for the Commemoration should not include passages from God Passes By, and the readings have therefore been revised.
Here are the readings which will be carried out at the National meeting of Commemoration on July 9 in the House of Worship. They are suitable for local meetings if the Assemblies wish to use them.
- Tablet of Aḥmad, Prayer Book, p. 67.
- “Say: God sufficeth ...,” Prayer Book, p. 57.
- P & M, bottom p. 272 to end of second paragraph p. 276.
- Some Answered Questions, pp. 30-31.
Quotations used by the Guardian on pp. 35-36 of Dispensation, p. 20 of Promised Day, p. 34 of Dispensation.
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Delegates and Bahá’í visitors at the 1950 Convention gathered on the Temple steps, Saturday, April 29, just prior to entering
the Temple to inspect the progress of the interior construction.
- Gleanings, pp. 74-75.
- Gleanings, p. 144 to end of first full paragraph p. 147.
- Gleanings, p. 291 to end of first full paragraph p. 293.
- “Is there any Remover ...”, Prayer Book, p. 56.
- P & M, pp. 84-86 (from “Magnify Thou, O Lord ...” to end of excerpt).
The National Commemoration begins at 1:00 P.M., preceded by a showing of the Portrait of the Báb in Foundation Hall from 12:00 noon to 12:45 P.M.
The Commemoration meeting and the showing of the Portrait are for Bahá’ís only.
The National Public Meeting in observance of the Centenary will be held in Temple Foundation Hall at 3:30 P.M., Sunday, July 9, in place of the regular Sunday afternoon Bahá’í lecture.
Local communities and groups throughout the country are expected to make special plans for this Centenary. All Commemoration meetings are to be held on July 9 and the public meeting on that day if possible.
The March announcement listed the three subjects chosen for the National Public Meeting. The program will be carried out by Miss Elsie Austin, chairman, Dr. G. A. Borgese, editor of “Common Cause” for the first subject, Mrs. Dorothy Beecher Baker taking the second subject, and Mr. Wm. Kenneth Christian the third.
Convention Report—1950[edit]
“He is the King! the All-Knowing, the Wise.” With these first words of the Tablet of Ahmad the forty-second Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States was in session, —a Convention that was to be distinguished for a degree of maturity and dedication far surpassing that of any previous year.
Present were 118 delegates and approximately 400 visitors. Absent were the three chief officers of the National Spiritual Assembly. Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Chairman, was in San Salvador attending Central America’s Bahá’í Congress; Horace Holley, Secretary, was recovering from a serious operation, and Philip Sprague, Treasurer, was still very ill from an earlier operation.
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NSA Election
The membership and organization of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly, is as follows:
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Paul Haney, Vice-Chairman of the NSA, in calling the delegates to order, referred to this Bahá’í year 107 as one of foremost significance. Not only does it mark the hundredth anniversary of the supreme sacrifice of the Báb, but it is the one that will witness the completion of “the holiest House of Worship in the entire world,” and the formation in Latin America of two more pillars of the Universal House of Justice. “We are on the threshold,” he said, “of the period when the mystery of the Temple will be revealed to us,—when ‘the spirit of teaching will permeate to all parts of the world’.”
As always, there was eager anticipation of the Guardian’s message, and it was put in our hands immediately following the election of Paul Haney as Convention Chairman and Leroy Ioas as Convention Secretary. Hailing “the valiant acts (during the) course (of the) last twelve months (of) members (of) firmly knit, world embracing, divinely propelled Bahá’í community,” the Guardian gave us a kaleidoscopic review of the tremendous progress in the Faith throughout the world, referred to the closer ties with the United Nations, and to “the crowning achievement” in raising half a
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million dollars to insure the completion of the interior ornamentation
of the Temple. The final paragraph
struck the keynote for what we
already knew must be the primary
concern of the American Bahá’í
community in the year ahead,
namely, greater sacrifice to “liquidate the deficit” in the General Fund
“marring the otherwise spotless
record” of our “collective achievement,” and to alleviate the emergency existing in Latin America.
Our first action was to cable the Guardian our appreciation of his “unfailing guidance in all activities (of the) Bahá’í world,” and on behalf of all the American Bahá’ís pledge our determination to fulfill the obligations of the Seven Year Plan, imploring his prayers for greater maturity in our collective and personal sacrifices to the Faith.
Then, to the accompaniment of muffled sounds of construction work going on in the Temple above us, we addressed ourselves to the business of the agenda. It was quite unlike any we had had in the past. Instead of subjects to be introduced by reports or keynote addresses, there were questions covering the subjects that had been submitted for consultation by the delegates beforehand. Here we were to find answers to such problems as: “How can we develop the solidarity of the Bahá’í community?” “How can we become more mature Bahá’ís?” How can we improve the structure of our present teaching organization?” “What kind of public teaching program, and what kind after the austerity period?”
The questions that were uppermost in the minds of all who participated in the first period of consultation were these: Why are we not growing in numbers as we should? What must we do as individuals and in our communities to attract and release those great spiritual forces that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá promised would be set in motion with the completion of the Temple?
The answer to the first was that in our communities there is lack of unity, lack of understanding of the Teachings, and lack of fellowship, while as individuals we persist in the practice of “rugged individualism” and want to change others rather than ourselves. Many constructive and practical ideas were offered to remedy these conditions. George True said: “Instead of talking about personalities, let’s talk about places and things and ideas. Let us stop trying to force all individuals into a uniform mold, and strive instead to lift the negative results of differences into the positive field of generalities.” William Sears suggested that each of us attack our own faults one at a time by doing the constructive things. “If we erase one weakness a year,” he said, “we are that much nearer perfection and the community is that much nearer perfect because of us.”
William Lacey proposed that we allow each individual three faults and then forget about them, and he told about the program of group study and fellowship that has “cemented the hearts of the members” of his community. Charles Reimer said: “Bahá’u’lláh changed the emphasis from rugged individualism to one of group action as the only means for the establishment of a new world order. We know the plan and we know how it is to be achieved. It is our individual responsibility to become the instruments for the creation of that new society.”
Curtis Kelsey said: “No soul is revitalized without an understanding of the Covenant of God. Through prayer our hearts are knit to the ‘Most Great Ocean’ and through the Covenant we arrive at a spirit of cooperation with the Guardian and thus become united in our activities.”
Oscar Nordstrom claimed that “the biggest job we have is teaching ourselves.” All we can do for others, he said, is to open the door for them, but they must enter it themselves. But we must learn how to reach the hearts. Being well-versed in the Teachings is not enough.
Mrs. Della Quinlan commented: “In our concentration on the importance of individual teaching and deepening, we often overlook the fact that the Bahá’í Faith is one of community living, community feeling and community experience. This is a very wonderful thing, and if that feeling can be transferred to all the Bahá’ís we will have no inactive believers.”
Over and over again there was reference to the Conference Institute program launched in February at a meeting of the Area Teaching Committees. Out of these workshops there seems to have come a much deeper recognition of the individual’s responsibility to the Covenant and through it to the Guardian, and a greater understanding of the Administrative Order as the framework within which the individual finds his greatest freedom in service to the Faith. One delegate said: “If the spirit generated at these Institutes is carried to the grass roots level throughout the country, a new wave of unity and teaching energy will be released that will be irresistible.” The Convention requested the NSA to make this valuable experience available to as many Bahá’ís as possible in the coming year.
Mrs. Bahia Gulick, recently arrived from Baghdád, told us of her several visits to the Guardian in recent years, and of his unceasing labors; how he, with his own hands, arranged the innumerable things in the archives and tends the Holy Shrines in addition to his voluminous correspondence; how he suffers when he hears of the attacks on the Cause and the believers, and how happy he is when the Bahá’ís achieve success in some undertaking. The Faith will continue to suffer for some time to come, he told her, but the attacks are like the waves of the ocean, and the deeper the ocean the greater the waves. But the Faith is under the protection of Bahá’u’lláh and nothing can prevent its ultimate triumph. She spoke of the martyrs whose numbers are being increased to this very day in the land of its birth, and closed by saying that in the Orient the Faith has been and is still being watered with the blood of believers, while in America it is watered by the service of the Bahá’ís.
Over and over again we looked at the goals of the Seven Year Plan still to be completed within three years. We were especially thrilled over the report that the European field now possesses fourteen spiritual assemblies and 226 believers. Mrs. Anna Kunz returned from Switzerland, Miss Rita Von Sombeek from Holland, Nancy Gates enroute from Denmark to Greenland to pioneer under the Canadian NSA, and Jack and Eunice Shurcliffe and four-year-old Francie home from Belgium, all spoke of the gratitude of the European believers for the American pioneers, and asked that we draw ever closer to these new
We Are Mid-Way[edit]
Dear friends:
A National Convention, with consultation at a new level of maturity, has just passed. The delegates and visitors viewed together the progress of the interior construction of the Temple. Next year we anticipate seeing the beauty of the finished auditorium and the holding of regular services of worship. This generation long project of sacrifice and devotion will be ready to confer the rich blessings of Bahá’u’lláh’s Word.
We stand now at about the midpoint of our austerity period. We have successfully met the challenges of the first year. Ahead of us are the two needs emphasized by the Guardian in his Convention cable:
- We must wipe out the accumulated deficit in the National Fund.
- We must greatly reinforce the teaching work in Latin America, prior to the forming of the two new National Assemblies.
The way to win a race is to keep on running. To the Bahá’í, sacrifice and service are the great goals of life. They are the crown of laurel for the victor. In the twelve months ahead we can surely prove that we are “Spartan-souled.”
Next month, throughout the great breadth of our country, we will observe the Hundredth Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. Because He gave His life, every moment of our existence is richer. Is not this the best possible time for each of us to surrender with complete joy to the Will of God?
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Solidarity in Sacrifice[edit]
The soul stirring message from the Beloved Guardian to the National Convention, quoted elsewhere in this issue, conveys the most heartening news that we have successfully traversed the first stage of the austerity period;—that one more year of intense devotion “no less grim, self-abnegation, no less heroic, solidarity in sacrifice no less striking” is necessary to gain complete and total victory in meeting our financial responsibilities.
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Centenary Pamphlet
The Martyr-Prophet of a World Faith is a new pamphlet written by William B. Sears for the Centenary of the Báb’s Martyrdom. This is a dramatic telling of the story of the life of the Báb. The pamphlet is available from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee at 15 cents per copy. For orders of 50 or more, the cost is 10 cents per copy. Also available from the Publishing Committee is a fourteen-minute radio script on the Martyrdom of the Báb. The cost per copy is 20 cents. |
Half a million dollars is a tremendous sum of money. That is the amount the American Bahá’ís contributed to the National Treasury, during the past Bahá’í year. It is a superb achievement; and one of which we may be justly proud.
This $500,000. consisted of contributions to the Temple Interior Fund of approximately $380,000 and to the General Fund of $122,985. It must be explained, that the General Budget for last year, including $10,000 advanced to permit printing Bahá’í World Vol. X, was $158,685. Thus with contributions of $122,985 to the General Fund, we were short $35,700 of meeting the budget. Adding to this the deficit of $25,000 at the beginning of the past year, we are now faced with a deficit of $61,640 in the General Fund.
Now, dear friends, what about this second year of sacrificial devotion? The financial requirement during this year will be approximately $365,000 made up as follows:
To complete the Temple Interior Construction Fund | $119,000 |
To pay off the Deficit in the General Fund | $61,640 |
General Budget for the forthcoming year (Estimated) | $187,500 |
The Delegates at the Convention, solemnly assumed on behalf of the American Bahá’ís, the “liquidation of the deficit in the General Fund,” and the “provision of financial support imperatively required” to meet “the emergency existing in Central and South America.” The increase in the General Budget is for forming National Assemblies in Latin America.
Thus, friends, our path is clear!
Last year we contributed $500,000 which included some $100,000 non-recurring gifts. This year we must contribute approximately $365,000 to fully clear our “otherwise spotless record of collective achievement.”
The Golden Chain[edit]
Bahá’í Assemblies, groups, and individuals all over the world are the links in a golden chain of fraternal solidarity which is destined to hold the world together. The following cables tell their own story of the reality of that love and unity of purpose:
Bahá’í,
Wilmette, Ill.
Total victory assured. 24 Assemblies forming. Loving gratitude assistance whole Bahá’í World.
National Spiritual Assembly
Bahá’ís of British Isles,
London, England.
Rejoice in news of your glorious victory. Devotion and sacrifice demonstrated by British Bahá’ís in attainment of most difficult goal inspires and encourages entire Bahá’í World.
NSA British Isles,
London, England.
Congratulations thrilling victories. Profoundly impressed — inspired emulate glowing example. Loving Greetings.
Annual Convention,
Bahá’ís of Írán,
Teheran, Írán.
Beloved Guardian has cabled news surpassing achievement, brilliant consummation. Delegates humbled in admiration. Praying ever closer bond East and West.
42nd Annual Bahá’í Convention,
Wilmette, Illinois.
Your loving message inspired, rejoiced hearts, Seventeenth Annual Convention Friends, Iran. Delegates, Assembly, Community Friends, owing success, solely due Guardian’s blessings, profoundly jubilant, resolved continue exert consolidation, multiplication centers Homeland, Foreign fields. Humbly, fervently supplicate ever increasing success Triumph dearly beloved American friends who so devotedly, admirably fulfill Guardian’s instructions.
Bahá’ís, to try to understand their special problems in developing the Administrative Order, and above all to demonstrate to them in all our actions the maturity that the Bahá’í Faith demands.
The status of the Plan with respect to Latin America in general, as reported by the Inter-America Committee, was far from bright. Lack of experienced pioneers, lack of understanding of the Administration, and the various problems that arise in all newly formed Bahá’í communities have created the emergency which the Guardian says it is imperative for us to meet through “the prompt despatch of a substantial number of competent pioneers.” A minimum of eighteen pioneers for Central America and seven for South America, to supplement the seventeen in the field, plus a number of itinerant teachers must be supplied at once. Lack of funds has been the greatest obstacle during the past year. Only through greatly increased contributions to the General Fund will we be able to ensure the consummation of these twin goals within the allotted time. With great emphasis, Leroy Ioas pointed out that “if we fail to achieve this objective in 1951 we will have lost the Seven Year Plan!”
The condition of our General Fund, “marring (the) otherwise spotless record (of) collective achievement” was of tremendous concern to the delegates. In presenting the Treasurer’s report, Mr. Ioas spoke of the great sacrifices of many of the believers and the general austerity practices of all of them that have made it possible for the work on the Temple to go forward. If all the resolves are paid, he said, we will be within $6,500 of meeting the estimated cost of construction ($860,000), and surely additional resolves and gifts will supply that balance. But the picture with respect to the General Fund was very different. Starting the year with a deficit of almost $26,000, we had fallen steadily behind until, as of April 1st, the deficit amounted to $65,000. The estimated budget for the coming year must pay off this deficit, cover all operating costs and provide a much larger budget for Latin America, calling for a total of $245,000, exclusive of the balance needed to complete the budget for the Temple.
The situation is critical, Mr. Ioas said. All the sources for large contributions have been tapped. Only through the grimmest resolution, “self-abnegation” and “solidarity in sacrifice” will we be able to remove the blot from our record and ensure the successful consummation of those two remaining major goals of the Seven Year Plan—the completion of the Temple and the formation of the two National Assemblies in Latin America.
We learned of the availability at a very moderate price of additional property upon which future accessory buildings could be erected, and while the delegates felt it highly desirable to acquire it at once, we were told that the Guardian would not approve the addition of any new items in the budget until the present deficit has been met and funds ensured for the other goals.
The doubling of contributions to the General Fund the payment of all Temple Fund resolves, the urgent necessity of selling all copies of Baháí World to cover the cost of printing this valuable reference work, the further increase in memorial contributions, and the importance of remembering the Faith in one’s will, were stressed over and over again as we faced the financial crisis, and the delegates solemnly pledged themselves to bring the situation to the attention of all their fellow believers at home.
And what of the Temple?
The first evening session was devoted to reports on the progress toward its completion. Present to pay tribute to the greatness and unique character of this edifice was the architect, Mr. Alfred P. Shaw, who commented that nothing but the completed ornamentation itself can portray its beauty which is even more magnificent than had been anticipated. He described it as completely original, “not copied after any structure or design conceived in the past, and the patterns of the following design are most characteristic of it.” He spoke in appreciation of the members of the Technical Advisory Board who have made him and the contractors “feel the high spirit and faith that brings us together and that is the motivating spirit in building the structure.”
Mr. Robert McLaughlin, member of the Technical Board, spoke of the problems that have been encountered and how “through consultation and the use of the ‘Remover of Difficulties Prayer’ things considered impossible on technical grounds have happened, and now the goal is in sight.” Among others, he told the story of the long search for materials to be used for contrast with the Earley stone, and how, just at the last moment, a new rose quartz mine was discovered from which there has been supplied exactly what is needed to relieve the clear whiteness of the stone tracery in certain areas.
Paul Haney reviewed the instructions given by the Guardian regarding the services that will be held in the completed Temple only a year hence, and he read from the statements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá concerning the effect upon the world of the Temple and the mystery which it enshrines so soon to be made plain to us.
It was difficult to believe that when the delegates meet again, it would be beneath the completed Dome of this, the “holiest House of Worship in the entire world,” whose foundation stone was laid by the hands of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself, the edifice for which the American believers and their fellow Bahá’ís in so many lands have made great sacrifices for more than a generation, and that will be long-waited-for “beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth.” But so it will be, barring any unforseen emergencies. We were assured of that when we visited the auditorium on Saturday and saw much of the stone tracery already in place and many other pieces being made ready for their special positions. At last we could begin to grasp the impressive magnificence of the pure white stone, relieved here and there by soft rosy tones and the warm wood hues of the floor, and the enormous bronze doors through which soon will pass thousands seeking spiritual solace and inspiration.
To make it more exciting, groups of Bahá’ís were being photographed inside the Temple, and coming down the ramp following the official Convention photograph. Cameras flashed when delegates were speaking, when they deposited their ballots for the incoming NSA, when voting on important resolutions, in conversation at the exhibit booths, visiting the book stall, and at work or relaxing in the area outside Foundation Hall. These, we soon learned, were professional photographers and
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reporters from Life Magazine, gathering material for a possible two-page story on the Convention. If it
“makes” the publication, who can
venture a guess as to what new
doors of teaching service will be
suddenly flung open to us! We hoped
so much that the pictures and the
reporter’s notes would reveal us as
we want to be known to the public!
Much consultation took place concerning the public teaching campaign which might well be launched as a result of the hoped for Life publicity before the end of the austerity period. Preparation for better teaching on the part of the individual resulting from a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Faith through Conference Institutes and service to the Faith, adequate preparation of new believers for membership, and the publication of more attractive and appealing pamphlet material were among the matters receiving special consideration.
The delegates expressed a need for two new committees—one to make an “efficiency survey” of teaching problems and methods as a possible basis for improved teaching techniques, and the other a central teaching committee responsible for creative planning and to serve as a clearing house for the Area Teaching Committees and a coordinating link between them and the NSA.
Further solidarity of the American Bahá’í community, it was agreed, will be achieved when there is more emphasis on the development of the individual through the structure of the Bahá’í Administrative Order operating through the community, and above all by a deeper understanding of the Covenant and his relationship to the Guardian and to the Bahá’í World Community.
The youth members, too, made an important contribution to the agenda through their report presented by the Chairman of the National Youth Committee, Helen Blohm,—a report which revealed a remarkable degree of maturity and an earnest desire on the part of the youth members to strengthen the solidarity of the Bahá’í family. The organization of Area Youth Committees to follow the pattern of the adult structure, youth members on Regional Teaching Committees, annual reports in Bahá’í News, and the publication of Youth Committee addresses in the annual directory were recommended and approved by the Convention. The importance of limiting youth activities to those in the youth age range defined by the Guardian and drawing them at the age of twenty-one into Bahá’í community activities was stressed, not only to enhance their maturity but also to bring to the communities the fresh vigor and viewpoints that youth can supply.
Child education, also, had its special place. The importance of securing permission from local school boards for Bahá’í children to remain away from classes on Bahá’í holy days, the necessity of classes for all Bahá’í children and especially between the ages of ten and fifteen years, and ways of attracting children of non-Bahá’í families to Bahá’í classes were discussed at length. Need for more Bahá’í material for children, instructions for teachers, and suggestions on how to coordinate Bahá’í instruction with the child’s studies at school were requested of the Child Education Committee for the coming year.
Space permits only mention of the Riḍván Feast and the inspiring addresses of Mrs. Joy Earl, Mrs. Bahia Gulick, and William DeForge, and of the Public Congress on Sunday evening with Dr. Sarah Periera and William Sears as speakers. These two events filled Foundation Hall to overflowing with Bahá’ís and their friends and gave them something of the spirit of the Convention.
The two most solemn occasions of the Convention were the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, mentioned first because this is one of the primary functions of the delegates, — and the viewing of the portrait of the Báb.
Fully aware of the tremendous responsibilities resting upon the elected representatives at all times, and of the special problems facing the American Bahá’í community as it stands on the threshold of a momentous year in its history, the election of the National Spiritual Assembly was carried out in a most prayerful attitude, and on acceptance of the tellers’ report the following day, the Convention asked for the reading of the Tablet of Aḥmad for the protection and guidance of that body of hard-working, self-sacrificing servants of the Faith.
It being the centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb, arrangements were made for the delegates and visitors to view the photograph of that Prophet of God Who gave His life that we might have the eternal joy of helping to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. It is impossible to describe one’s own feelings or to depict the reactions of others on gazing on the picture of that Holy One, for one is conscious only of the spirit that seems to emanate from the photograph and to bind us all into one closely-knit band of unworthy but greatly blessed servants to His Cause. On that occasion our hearts drew very near to the Guardian from whom came this sacred gift in 1944, and we remembered our Convention Pledge: “In new spirit of dedication of this centenary Martyrdom Blessed Báb, we resolve fulfil obligations.... Implore your prayers enable American community progress toward greater maturity in ... sacrifice beloved Faith.”
NSA Expresses Appreciation[edit]
The National Assembly wishes to express to each and every individual Bahá’í serving on the Convention Arrangements Committee, as well as all others, who assisted, in arranging for and fulfilling the functions of the Convention, its heartfelt appreciation. Everyone carried on their work in a most efficient and pleasant manner. Special mention is made of the Youth and Children who so untiringly manned the Check Room.
The Delegates expressed their gratefulness by appropriate votes on the floor of the Convention.
The 1950 Convention has passed into history—but the new spirit of dedication, of unity, and Bahá’í solidarity which it created, will go on forever.
Assembly Meetings for Members Only[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the friends that sessions of Spiritual Assemblies, local and national, are to be attended only by the elected members, except when individuals or committees have been invited in for consultation. At such times the discussion is carried on with the guests, but Assembly action is deferred until after the non-members have retired. The same applies when the Assembly is meeting with applicants for membership in the Bahá’í Community.
Divine Guidance[edit]
The following words were written by the Guardian through his secretary to Miss Helen Campbell on November 25, 1948:
“He feels that if ... ponders more deeply about the fundamentals of Divine Revelation, she will also come to understand the Guardianship. Once the mind and heart have grasped the fact that God guides men through a Mouthpiece, a human being, a Prophet, infallible and unerring, it is only a logical projection of this acceptance to also accept the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardians. The Guardians are the evidence of the maturity of mankind in the sense that at long last men have progressed to the point of having one world, and of needing one world management for human affairs. In the spiritual realm they have also reached the point where God could leave, in human hands (i.e. the Guardians’), guided directly by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, as the Master states in His Will, the affairs of His Faith for this Dispensation. This is what is meant by ‘this is the day which will not be followed by night.’ In this Dispensation, divine guidance flows on to us in this world after the Prophet’s ascension, through, first the Master, and then the Guardians. If a person can accept Bahá’u’lláh’s function, it should not present any difficulty to them to also accept what He has ordained in a divinely guided individual in matters pertaining to the Faith.”
Teaching Suggestions of Delegates at 42nd Annual Convention[edit]
Lift ourselves above personal plane, and function on basis Collective action, so spirit may flow.
Raise our sights;—stop all criticism—stop all negation—accentuate the constructive services of everyone.
Everyone find the niche into which he fits—then get active.
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Find our own faults, and eliminate them. Do not look for or find the fault of others.
Examine ourselves and our deeds—but do it according to the standards of the Faith.
Everyone today is seeking spiritual security. There is great spiritual hunger, as the hearts are empty.
Teach the spiritual life of the Faith; that it is the gift of the Kingdom of God. Bahá’u’lláh gave the Divine Plan. His spirit is sweeping the world. We are the channels through which His divine spirit may be disseminated.
The spirit can function only through the Bahá’ís, and the Administrative Order. Let us perfect ourselves, and the Administrative Order of the Faith.
The Bahá’ís are the ransom of God on earth.
Let us teach that Bahá’u’lláh has come to save the world, and His teachings are the Ark of Salvation.
Teach that Bahá’u’lláh is the source of Salvation.
Be more audacious. Audacity calls for knowledge of the Faith, wisdom, tact, and forceful presentation of the Teachings.
Unity is the source of spiritual confirmation.
We must be unified in service to the Guardian.
Unity is seeking association with the Guardian’s instructions.
Bahá’ís must stress the basic difference between the old, and the new (Bahá’í) way of life. We must slough off the old world customs.
We must minimize discussions on the personal plane. There is a whole world of things to be thought out and acted upon other than personal differences.
The material presented by the NSA at the Conference Institute held for members of the Area National Teaching Committees in February, should be the bedrock of the teaching plan for the coming year.
Lack of knowledge and understanding of the Covenant is the root of most of our difficulty, and the Institute material will fill this gap. No soul can truly be revitalized without a thorough knowledge of the Covenant.
The “spirit of teaching” was released by the coming of the Manifestations of the Bahá’í Dispensation. Our problem is how to absorb this spirit—to inspire ourselves and others to live by the Teachings.
After we are Bahá’ís we must become adjusted to functioning on the basis of applying the principles of group action, as contrasted with the traditional American rugged individualism.
One smaller community has made great progress in achieving unity within the group by holding monthly meetings for Bahá’ís only. The community carries on a study period of two hours, during which every member of the group prepares and gives a five minute talk on some phase of an assigned subject. Following this study period there is a community supper, and after this an evening devoted to relaxation and fun. The results have been most encouraging, both from the standpoint of the consolidation and unity of the community, and also in preparing the individual members to do more effective teaching.
In the recent past there has perhaps been too much emphasis in Bahá’í teaching efforts on the corollaries of the Faith, such as world government, international language, etc. In these critical times we should stress the coming of the Manifestation as the greatest event of our time, and a return to God as offering the greatest hope for solution of the problems of all mankind. We will find many more receptive souls throughout this approach.
The spiritual needs of the world today can be met only by an approach to the heart rather than to the intellect, and the time has come for audacious, and even perhaps evangelistic, teaching efforts.
[Page 9]
Ornamentation of the main auditorium of the Temple as viewed by the delegates and visiting Bahá’ís on Apr. 29, 1950.
Guardian Approves Permanent Treatment of Walls of Temple Auditorium During Current Construction Project[edit]
The final plans for the Temple interior, approved by the Guardian in January, 1949, contemplated the omission of any permanent treatment of the walls of the alcoves of the main interior auditorium, and the retention of the present windows and surrounding steel sash. Under these plans the walls of the auditorium adjoining the windows would simply have been painted, and any other treatment deferred to some future time.
At meetings with the architect and the Bahá’í Technical Board in February and March of this year, the Temple Trustees were informed that it now appears there is a very good chance that a substantial portion of the $50,000 included as a contingency item in the $860,000 overall cost estimate for the interior construction will be unused at the Conclusion of the work. No exact estimate can be given this far in advance of the completion of the project, but on the basis of the experience to date, there appears to be a very good chance that the total cost will be as much as $20-30,000 thousand less than the $860,000 estimate, exclusive of the unused portion of the contingency item.
Against the background of the above information, the architect, the general contractor, and the members of the Bahá’í Technical Advisory Board strongly recommended to the Trustees that serious consideration be given to treating the walls of the auditorium with the permanent Earley stone material before completion of the present construction work, not only because of the contribution which this would make to the homogeneity and general appearance of the finished interior, but also because it would cost a great deal more to complete this portion of the work at a future time, after the present construction project is completed. Estimates were submitted which indicated that the cost of furnishing and installing Earley cast stone for the wall areas of the auditorium would be approximately $32,000.
These facts and recommendations were submitted to the Guardian in March of this year, with a request for advice as to whether he would permit the Trustees to proceed with plans for treating the walls of the alcoves of the main floor auditorium with the permanent Earley stone material during the present construction project, even though such a decision might bring the overall cost of the finished interior slightly above the estimated figure of $860,000.
A month before the annual convention, on March 29, 1950, the Guardian cabled the National Assembly the following reply to the question submitted to him regarding permanent treatment of the auditorium walls during the present construction project: “Approve recommendation regarding treatment walls”.
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?
What Chinese scholar paid tribute to Dr. Esslemont’s book? See Bahá’í World
Vol. IV, p. 424 What Columbia University professor arranged for Martha Root to address his class? See Bahá’í World
Vol. IV. p. 467 |
This means that the interior walls adjacent to the doors and windows will be finished in the same permanent Earley stone material which is being used for the other portions of the interior, and that this work will be done as a part of the present construction project. The result will be an even more beautiful and homogeneous interior than was called for in the plans approved last year, and probably at a cost only moderately, if at all, above the original $860,000 estimate.
A Greater Loyalty Is Born[edit]
All agreed that one of the great gains at the fifth and final teaching Congress of the Central American Territory, celebrated during the Riḍván days in San Salvador, was the laying of a real basis for a greater and deeper loyalty to the Guardian and to the New World Order, and for vigorous participation in the task of spreading the Cause through its divine institutions. This grew out of a special study of National Assembly objectives, of the qualities of a good administrator, of the messages of the Guardian since 1946, copies of which were given to all delegates to take home to their countries for further study, and of the reality of Bahá’í institutions, from the Local Spiritual Assembly, through the national body to the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause and the Guardian. This course was presented by Mrs. Dorothy Baker, who was sent for the occasion by the National Spiritual Assembly.
A new consciousness and understanding of Bahá’í administration also grew out of the experiences of the delegates during the Congress. On the closing day a brilliant young painter, Humberto Solorzono, representative from Nicaragua, rose and declared: “Before coming to the Congress, I was already confirmed in the spiritual teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, which I had sought vainly in the universities of Europe and the East, and which I finally found in Nicaragua, with the result that my life has been completely changed; but in this Congress I have also become confirmed in the administration and I mean to devote my life to the Cause.”
Other advances over Congresses of previous years included a growth in order; the confusions of other years vanishing as the Convention got under way. Growth was observed in the power of the delegates to think problems through and to make useful final resolutions. More initiative and responsibility was shown by those attending. The most unusual public meetings of any Congress as yet held, were produced, evidencing a great capacity in the Community of San Salvador, for reaching key people of importance.
The Ateneo, the chief cultural group of El Salvador, placed entirely at the disposal of the Congress its fine hall in the center of the capital, participated in an official welcome to the incoming delegates and in a farewell banquet for them at the finest hotel in the city, where more than 50 guests attended. This group also lent some of its notable speakers to occupy platforms together with Bahá’í lecturers. Among these were Juan Felipe Toruno, well known poet and president of the Ateneo; Prof. Br. Jorge Lardé y Larín, Consul of Haiti and Ecuador, director of the National Museum and Professor of History at the University, and Sr. Braulio Perez Marchant, author of many books well known in Latin America. Sr. Marchant is vice president of the Ateneo and also a Bahá’í. Other Bahá’í speakers included Dona Olimpia Varela y Varela of Honduras, editor of the review “Pan America”; J. A. Edwards of Jamaica, and Mrs. Dorothy Baker, who captured all hearts with a beautiful plea for world unity couched in clear Spanish.
Nine countries were represented by thirteen delegates, including: Srta. Zenayda Jurado C. of Mexico, Aristedes Marchena of Guatemala, Dr. David Escalante, Braulio Perez Marchant and Saturnino Rodriguez Canizales of El Salvador; Srta. Blanca Victoria Mejia and Humberto Solorzono of Nicaragua; Dona Olimpia Varela y Varela and Humberto Portillo of Honduras; Srta. Criselda Alvarez, Costa Rica; Sra. Natalia Chavez and Manuel Corgas of Panama; Maximo Sainz of Cuba and J. A. Edwards of Jamaica.
The principal theme for study, arranged by C.E.B.M.A., was presented by efficient committees formed by the delegates. The three sections considered included the Consolidation of Groups and Assemblies, Increasing the Bahá’í Fund contributed by the native believers, and Spreading the Faith. Objectives adopted included resolutions to increase membership of all Communities to a minimum of 15, to try to raise up new teachers of the Cause through intensive Regional Institutes in each of the 12 countries this year, and to include in the courses given in these institutes a study of Bahá’í Administration; to make every effort to strengthen the Bahá’í Fund; to make contacts with persons of influence, choosing for this task those persons best adapted to it; to increase the present 16 Assemblies by at least 14 before 1953, and to seek to obtain incorporation of Assemblies wherever this has not already been accomplished. A cable and letter were sent to the Guardian by the delegates.
The entry into the Cause of two new members with rather high positions in the country, opened the door to a number of important contacts during the Congress.
A Riḍván breakfast was arranged by Mrs. Baker, followed by pictures of the Master and of Haifa. She is continuing on her way south to serve as special representative and teacher at the South American Congress in Lima, Peru.
All 12 countries in the territory re-elected their assemblies and three, that had been lost, were restored. The latter included Managua, Nic.; San Pedro Sula, Hond., and Puebla, Mex.
Among visitors from various countries were Mrs. Louise Caswell of Costa Rica, Mrs. Cora Oliver of Panama and Miss Elisabeth H. Cheney, Member of the Inter-America Committee, who has been serving in the Central American territory since October.
Co-operation with Bahá’ís in the Philippines[edit]
A few years ago the National Assembly received a letter written by the Guardian in which he stated, through his secretary: “He is not in favor ... of sending the Philippine friends any other assistance than food parcels and some Bahá’í literature, and he does not want money forwarded to them as the American believers have already a very heavy program to carry out, in connection with their present Seven Year Plan, and cannot afford to dissipate their resources. The whole Philippine question needs to be investigated and clarified on the spot.”
This investigation has been carried out for the NSA by Miss Nina Howard who has a position in Manila. She has at considerable risk visited Bahá’í centers and consulted with the most active friends. Miss Howard has recently visited the United States and came to the National Office. She advises that conditions in the Philippines are much better than they were and food is not needed. If the American believers wish to send gifts of literature it would be wise to correspond with her first as she can pass upon the validity of the many calls for help which Assemblies and
[Page 11]
individual believers receive from the
Philippines. This is a service which
the National Assembly deeply appreciates. Her address is: American
Embassy Manila, APO 736, c/o Postmaster, San Francisco, California.
(Do not send to the NSA the letters
you receive from these friends, but
kindly report to the International Relief Representative, Box 548, Evanston, Ill., whatever you ship after
consultation with Miss Howard.)
Temple Guides Needed[edit]
The week-day guide season at the Temple begins May 30, and the building will then be open daily to visitors from 10:30 to 4:30.
Our various pleas for guides, which have appeared in Bahá’í News, have not been directed to youth alone as a few people believed. These pleas were meant for every Bahá’í, young or old alike, who knows the verities of the Faith and is willing to read and assimilate the knowledge in the Short-cut Guide Course, now available to those interested. Guiding at the Temple is an immeasurably valuable and productive way to spend a week-end, or a few days, or a week of summer vacation.
It behooves one to take cognizance of these dynamic words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:
“Whosoever arises for the service of this building shall be assisted with a great power from His Supreme Kingdom and upon him spiritual and heavenly blessings shall descend, which shall fill his heart with wonderful consolation and enlighten his eyes by beholding the Glorious and Eternal God.”
Write for further information to Mrs. Harriet Hilpert, 924 Judson Street, Evanston, Illinois.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Mr. George Ferrill, St. Louis, Mo., April, 1950
- Mr. Euclid G. Simpson, Berkeley, Calif., April 1, 1950
- Mrs. Emma Shields, New York, N.Y., March 27, 1950
- Mr. A. O. Harris, Santa Rosa, Calif., March, 1950
- Mr. Elmer Kapischke, Chicago, Ill., April 12, 1950
- Miss Agnes O’Neill, Boston, Mass., April 19, 1950
- Mr. John Dawson, Seattle, Wash., December, 1949
- Mrs. Frances Robertson, Seattle Washington, March 23, 1950
- Mr. Levi Levering, Macy, Nebr., August, 1949
NSA Actions on Convention Recommendations[edit]
Following are the recommendations of the Convention upon which action was taken by the National Spiritual Assembly at the meeting immediately following Convention. This does not include teaching recommendations which will be considered later.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly reproduce for the believers the particular excerpts from the Guardian’s letters of July 20, 1946 and April 11, 1947, which were read at this evening’s session of the Convention, relating to the services of worship in the Temple.”
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE BAHA’I NEWS COMMITTEE TO PUBLISH THE EXCERPTS FROM THE GUARDIAN’S LETTERS ON SERVICES IN THE TEMPLE AS A SPECIAL INSERT IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF BAHA’I NEWS.
“That we see that a Committee
be appointed to prepare a display
and article that would be explanatory of the subject (The Temple and
the Faith) for technical people; and
to incorporate in the article Mr.
Earley’s statement made at the Convention of 1934.”
- VOTED TO TRANSMIT THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE TEMPLE TRUSTEES.
“That the National Assembly set
up a special Grounds Committee so
that the Bahá’ís in the Temple area
and elsewhere might supplement the
work of the already overburdened
caretakers in keeping the grounds
at all times in keeping with the
teachings on cleanliness and neatness and also to take advantage of
the opportunity to get fill and topsoil as opportunity presents at little
or no cost.“
- VOTED TO TURN THIS RECOMMENDATION OVER TO THE TEMPLE TRUSTEES.
“That the National Spiritual
Assembly sponsor a campaign to
move the current stock of The Bahá’í World volumes, both current
and past issues, and that a time payment plan be worked out to enable
the believers to make payment for
these volumes over an extended
period.”
- VOTED TO REQUEST THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT NOT LATER THAN THE MAY MEETING A PLAN FOR DRAMATIZING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE CURRENT VOLUME OF THE BAHA’I WORLD. IT IS SUGGESTED TO THE COMMITTEE THAT IN THIS CONNECTION ATTENTION BE GIVEN TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF USE OF THE BULLETINS ISSUED BY AREA AND REGIONAL COMMITTEES.
- VOTED TO RECORD THE VIEW THAT THE PORTION OF THE RECOMMENDATION RELATING TO THE USE OF A TIME PAYMENT PLAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF VOLUMES OF THE BAHA’I WORLD SHOULD NOT BE ACTED UPON AT THIS TIME, DUE TO THE MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES AND CURRENT EMPHASIS ON THE REGULAR CHANNELS OF BAHA’I CONTRIBUTIONS.
“That this Convention recommend
to the incoming National Spiritual
Assembly that it sponsor a campaign
similar to the resolve campaign for
the Temple which will eliminate the
deficit carried over from the last
two years and meet the increased
goal of the General Fund in the
coming administrative year, the
point to be brought to the attention
of the believers and emphasized is
that if the deficit is met and the
goal reached perhaps the Guardian
will permit us to purchase the Goldblatt property.”
- VOTED TO TURN THIS RECOMMENDATION OVER TO THE SPECIAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
“That we recommend to the
National Spiritual Assembly that
proper forms be worked out for each
of the states so that the individual
believers may have access to these
certificates so that they may know
how to go about making out their
wills and so that these documents
may be deposited with either the
local or National Spiritual Assembly.”
- VOTED TO REFER THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE LEGAL COMMITTEE WITH A REQUEST THAT THEY MAKE A REPORT TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THIS PROPOSAL NOT LATER THAN THE JULY MEETING.
“That it be the sense of the delegates of this Convention that the
Inter-America Committee and the
National Spiritual Assembly make
[Page 12]
it possible for the pioneers to get to
South America at the earliest possible moment, and if they do not
have jobs that we send them there
at the expense of the Fund.”
- VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RECOMMENDATION AS A POLICY OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND TO SO INFORM THE INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly organize an institute for a
week or nine days to prepare pioneers going to Latin America.”
- VOTED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ON THIS RECOMMENDATION: (A) TO RECORD THE VIEW OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE INSTITUTE METHOD OF PREPARING PIONEERS IS ONE WHICH SHOULD BE STUDIED FROM THE STANDPOINT OF FUTURE USE AND TO SO INFORM THE INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE; (B) TO INFORM THE INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE THAT, ALTHOUGH THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RECOGNIZES THE URGENT NEED OF SENDING A NUMBER OF PIONEERS INTO THE LATIN AMERICAN FIELD, THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY URGES THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE A MOST CAREFUL SCREENING OF ALL APPLICANTS FOR PIONEER SERVICES AND TO INTENSIFY THE PREPARATION GIVEN EACH APPLICANT ACCEPTED BY THE COMMITTEE.
“That the Convention recommend
to the incoming National Spiritual
Assembly that it investigate all possible steps to obtain recognition of
the Bahá’í holy days by school
authorities to permit students to
remain away from school on those
days (and not be considered absent).”
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY TO PREPARE A BRIEF STATEMENT ON THE BAHA’I HOLY DAYS AND THEIR OBSERVANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE FAITH IN A FORM SUITABLE FOR USE IN OBTAINING PERMISSION FOR STUDENTS TO BE OFFICIALLY EXCUSED FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL ON BAHA’I HOLY DAYS.
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY, WHEN THIS STATEMENT IS READY, TO PLACE AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN BAHA’I NEWS CALLING ATTENTION TO ITS AVAILABILITY AND OUR EMPHASIZING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GUARDIAN ON THE REFRAINING FROM WORK AND SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ON BAHA’I HOLY DAYS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS TO INCLUDE A RESTATEMENT OF THE PARTICULAR DAYS UPON WHICH WORK IS TO BE SUSPENDED. THE BAHA’I NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT IS ALSO TO STRESS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND OBLIGATION OF PARENTS ASSISTING THEIR CHILDREN IN A PROPER OBSERVANCE OF THE HOLY DAYS.
“That the Convention recommend to the National Assembly that
it make a compilation of the utterances of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
and the instructions of the Guardian
on the spiritual and administrative
status of children of Bahá’ís and
publish it in Bahá’í News, and also
any instructions bearing on the
observance of the holidays of the
Christians and other religions.”
- VOTED TO REFER TO THE CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE THE RECOMMENDATION REGARDING A COMPILATION OF MATERIAL IN THE WRITINGS CONCERNING THE EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL TRAINING OF CHILDREN AND THEIR STATUS WITH THE REQUEST THAT THEY SUBMIT SUCH A COMPILATION FOR PUBLICATION IN BAHA’I NEWS NOT LATER THAN THE JULY MEETING.
- VOTED TO ASK THE SECRETARY TO PREPARE A STATEMENT REGARDING THE BAHA’I ATTITUDE TOWARD THE HOLY DAYS OF OTHER RELIGIONS.
“That the radio script of the Martyrdom of the Báb be distributed
in mimeographed form for believers during this centennial year.”
- VOTED TO ASK THE SECRETARY TO SECURE THE SCRIPT IN QUESTION AND TURN IT OVER TO THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE.
- VOTED TO ASK THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE TO MIMEOGRAPH 500 COPIES OF THIS SCRIPT FOR SALE AND TO ANNOUNCE ITS AVAILABILITY THROUGH A NOTICE IN BAHA’I NEWS.
“That at forthcoming Conventions
microphones be installed so that
delegates need not go to the front of
the hall to speak.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THE VIEW OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT ADOPTION OF THIS RECOMMENDATION IS NOT ADVISABLE BECAUSE GOING FORWARD TO ONE CENTRAL MICROPHONE PERMITS THE DELEGATES TO BECOME BETTER ACQUAINTED AND IS BETTER FOR THE CONVENTION RECORD. FURTHERMORE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN INFORMED BY A COMPETENT ENGINEER THAT THE PLAN AS PROPOSED PRESENTS SERIOUS TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
“That the Convention recommend
that the incoming National Spiritual
Assembly make a gift of a copy of
Stanwood Cobb’s Security for a Failing World to every member of the
Congress of the United States, together with a summary of the
purposes and objectives of the Declaration of Trust of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
the United States; that the National
Spiritual Assembly also ask Mr.
Cobb to request his friend sir John
Boyd Orr, to use his good offices to
secure a similar distribution to the
members of the Parliament of Great
Britain, through the offices of the
British National Spiritual Assembly.
This recommendation is to be referred to Shoghi Effendi for his
advice before taking any action.”
- VOTED TO SUBMIT THIS CONVENTION RECOMMENDATION TO THE GUARDIAN WITH REQUEST FOR SHOGHI EFFENDI’S VIEWS AS TO (A) THE ADVISABILITY OF CIRCULARIZING THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS AND THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT; (B) AND IF THE GUARDIAN APPROVES SUCH AN EFFORT, A REQUEST FOR HIS ADVICE AS TO WHAT DOCUMENT HE WOULD CONSIDER MOST SUITABLE FOR SUCH DISTRIBUTION.
“That the Convention recommend
to the National Spiritual Assembly
that a master index of Bahá’í literature be compiled.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THAT SOME WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MASTER INDEX OF BAHA’I LITERATURE BY VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS.
- VOTED TO REFER THIS RECOMMENDATION
- TO A GENERAL LITERATURE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR FURTHER STUDY AND REPORT TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
“That the incoming National
Spiritual Assembly make an effort
to obtain new expressions of appreciation of the Bahá’í Faith from
leading public figures and make
these available.”
- VOTED TO REFER THIS MATTER TO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR STUDY AND RECOMMENDATION AS TO THE BEST METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THIS CONVENTION ACTION.
“That the incoming National
Spiritual Assembly seek counsel of
the Guardian as to whether the bylaws should be amended with regard
to time of election and the reference
to age.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THAT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS SUBMITTED TO THE GUARDIAN THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS IN CONNECTION WITH THE ELECTION OF A LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
- VOTED TO ASK THE GUARDIAN IF HE WOULD ADVISE AMENDMENT OF THE BY-LAWS IN ORDER TO INCLUDE BAHA’IS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 21.
“To recommend to the incoming
National Assembly that they check
with the four national networks for
a possibility of obtaining half hour
free time for a special events broadcast on the Martyrdom of the Báb.”
- VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RECOMMENDATION AND TO TAKE STEPS TO REQUEST BAHA’I INDIVIDUALS DOING PROFESSIONAL WORK IN THE RADIO FIELD TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES OF OBTAINING SUCH RADIO TIME.
“That the National Spiritual
Assembly be requested to clarify, if
necessary through the Guardian, if
he has not already instructed us, the
observance of the Naw-Rúz Feast
and the Nineteen-Day Feast of
Splendor, from the standpoint of the
time at which those Feasts should
be observed.”
- VOTED TO REFER THIS QUESTION TO THE GUARDIAN FOR HIS ADVICE AS TO THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THESE BAHA’I FEASTS, AS IT IS THE PRACTICE IN MANY STATES TO OBSERVE BOTH THE NINETEEN-DAY FEAST AND THE NAW-RUZ FEAST ON THE EVENING OF MARCH 20.
“That this Convention record its
deep appreciation of the services of
Mr. Shaw in carrying forward the
work of Mr. Bourgeois in completing
the Temple, a contribution which has
far exceeded Mr. Shaw’s professional obligation under his contract.”
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY TO INFORM MR. SHAW OF THIS ACTION OF THE CONVENTION.
“That the Convention record its
deep appreciation of the services of
the members of the Bahá’í Technical
Advisory Board.”
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY TO INFORM MR. MCDANIEL, MR. MCLAUGHLIN AND MR. EARDLEY, THE MEMBERS OF THE BAHA’I TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD OF THIS ACTION OF THE CONVENTION.
“That (a) the National Spiritual
Assembly be asked to place before
all new believers and all believers
in the country who have not actually
been given full Will and Testament
the four basic requirements stipulated in our general incorporation
that has been filed with the Government; and (b) that the Will be
translated into Spanish and Portuguese for the use of the Latin
American countries.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THAT EVERY VOTING BAHA’I HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE FULL WILL AND TESTAMENT, THAT THE APRIL BAHA’I NEWS CARRIED THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GUARDIAN THAT THE FULL WILL AND TESTAMENT ARE NOW TO BE USED IN THE PREPARATION OF NEW BAHA’IS. THE SAME ISSUE OF BAHA’I NEWS CARRIED ADVICES THAT ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE FULL WILL AND TESTAMENT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLISHING COMMITTEE. IT IS LIKEWISE RECORDED THAT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAS ASKED THE GUARDIAN IF THE FULL WILL AND TESTAMENT SHOULD BE USED IN THE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES IN PREPARATION OF APPLICANTS FOR ENROLLMENT.
“That the National Assembly be
asked to publish in Bahá’í News
the requirement for believers that
they must first of all endeavor to
establish themselves in relation to
the Cause itself as believers, as described in the booklet which Mr. Kelsey presented, and that they must
then align themselves with the great
task of completing the Bahá’í House
of Worship and to become active Bahá’í teachers.”
- VOTED TO REQUEST THE PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE TO PREPARE FOR INSERTION IN BAHA’I NEWS A SERIES OF QUOTATIONS FROM THE TEACHINGS ON THE SUBJECT OF REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVING THE BAHA‘I LIFE, THE FIRST OF WHICH TO BE A QUOTATION FROM THE TABLET OF EAST AND WEST REFERRED TO IN THE ABOVE ACTION OF THE CONVENTION.
“That to improve the Convention
in the future we prepare enough
copies of the agenda so that every
Bahá’í registered gets an agenda
at the registration booth.”
- VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RECOMMENDATION.
“That the National Spiritual assembly print a statement of authority for the use of the noon-day prayer during the noon hour instead of precisely at noon.”
- VOTED TO REQUEST THE SECRETARY TO SUBMIT FOR PUBLICATION IN BAHA’I NEWS ANY INSTRUCTIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE GUARDIAN ON THIS QUESTION.
“That the National Assembly include in the functions of the State
Convention Committee the providing
of housing for the representatives to
the State Conventions.”
- VOTED TO PLACE THIS RECOMMENDATION ON FILE AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE SPECIAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE TO PLAN THE 1951 STATE CONVENTIONS WHEN THIS COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly suggest a procedure of counting of ballots at the State Conventions that would expedite the work.”
- VOTED TO PLACE THIS RECOMMENDATION ON FILE AND TRANSMIT IT TO THE SPECIAL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
- COMMITTEE TO PLAN THE 1951 STATE CONVENTIONS WHEN THIS COMMITTEE IS APPOINTED.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly publish in Bahá’í News at
least once a quarter a list of memorial gifts made, and oftener if possible.”
- VOTED TO ADOPT THE PROPOSAL OF PUBLISHING THE LIST OF PERSONS FOR WHOM MEMORIAL GIFTS HAVE BEEN MADE, IN BAHA’I NEWS, AT LEAST EVERY THREE MONTHS AND OFTENER IF POSSIBLE.
- VOTED TO INSTRUCT THE BAHA’I NEWS COMMITTEE TO MAKE THIS EFFECTIVE.
“That the following question be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly for an answer from the
Guardian if not already covered:
Whether Bahá’í children should be
encouraged to attend Sunday Schools
and training classes sponsored by
other religious faiths, and a clarification should be made between occasional visits to many such classes
and regular attendance at any one
of them.”
- VOTED TO REQUEST THE CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO MAKE A COMPILATION OF ANY UTTERANCES OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA OR INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GUARDIAN WHICH MAY BE IN EXISTENCE ON THE TWO POINTS COVERED IN THIS ACTION OF THE CONVENTION, THE COMMITTEE IS ASKED TO SUBMIT THIS REPORT TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BY THE MEETING OF JULY IF POSSIBLE.
“That the Convention Arrangements Committee provide facilities
for care of children whose parents
wish to attend sessions of the Convention.”
- VOTED TO FILE THIS RECOMMENDATION WITH THE MATERIAL WHICH WILL BE TURNED OVER TO THE COMMITTEE WHICH THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL APPOINT TO PLAN THE 1951 ANNUAL CONVENTION.
“That some way be found to codify
adequate Bahá’í material into a
primer for child education for children of various age groups.”
- VOTED TO ADOPT THIS RECOMMENDATION.
- VOTED TO REQUEST THE CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF PREPARING SUCH A PRIMER. IT IS TO BE SUGGESTED TO THE COMMITTEE THAT IF IT CAN RECOMMEND ANY INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY QUALIFIED TO PREPARE SUCH A PRIMER THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WOULD WELCOME SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDITIONS TO THE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly investigate the possibility of
establishing an East and West Committee to promote the solidarity of
the Cause and exchange mutually
beneficial information.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THE FOLLOWING VIEW OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: THAT SINCE THE CONTACTS WHICH THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY NOW HAS WITH OTHER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES AND BAHA’I COMMUNITIES IN THE NEAR EAST AND ORIENT ARE BEING CARRIED FORWARD UNDER THE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GUARDIAN, IT IS THE FEELING OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY THAT IT WOULD BE INOPPORTUNE AND INADVISABLE AT THIS TIME TO APPOINT SUCH A COMMITTEE.
“To recommend to the incoming
National Spiritual Assembly that a
summary be made available in
Bahá’í News of the suggested distribution of estates by Bahá’ís according to the laws of Bahá’u’lláh and
to check this point with the Guardian
to see if he wishes to have it emphasized or dramatized at this time.”
- VOTED TO DIRECT THE SECRETARY TO SUBMIT TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY A COMPILATION OF ALL REFERENCES IN THE TEACHINGS TO THIS SUBJECT, INCLUDING ANY SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS OF THE GUARDIAN AS TO WHETHER THIS SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATES IS TO BE MADE EFFECTIVE BY BAHA’IS AT THE PRESENT TIME.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly, in drawing up the agenda
for next year’s Convention, include
a period at the close of each day in
the agenda which would provide an
opportunity for discussion of points
which have had to be deferred.”
- VOTED TO REFER THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE COMMITTEE WHICH THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL APPOINT TO PREPARE THE AGENDA FOR THE 1951 ANNUAL CONVENTION.
“That the incoming National
Spiritual Assembly or Public Relations Committee reply to the Chicago University Round Table discussion of April 15, 1950 on the subject
“One Philosophy for One World,”
with a statement of the Bahá’í
teachings on the matter.
- VOTED TO REFER THIS RECOMMENDATION TO THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE SUCH A REPLY.
“Bring to the attention of the
incoming National Spiritual Assembly for action: the creator of the
United Nations flag has offered to
decorate the Foundation Hall of the
Temple with the flags of all nations,
including the honor flag of the UN,
for any important event for which
these flags might be appropriate.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THE VIEW OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY THAT SINCE THE TEMPLE STRUCTURE IS USED SOLELY FOR PURPOSES OF BAHA’I WORSHIP AND PROCLAMATION OF THE BAHA’I TEACHINGS, IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE TO DECORATE ANY PART OF THE TEMPLE WITH FLAGS OF INDIVIDUAL NATIONS OR EVEN OF THE UN. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WILL, HOWEVER, ACKNOWLEDGE THIS OFFER WITH DEEP APPRECIATION AND A CAREFUL EXPLANATION OF THE REASONS WHY IT CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
“That the National Spiritual Assembly have a Bahá’í World Faith
booth at the Freedom Fair in Washington, D. C., commemorating the
150th anniversary of Washington as
the capital, and that they aid the
Washington, D. C. community to get
the necessary material to put this
project across in a successful Bahá’í
fashion.”
- VOTED TO APPROVE THIS RECOMMENDATION AND TO REQUEST THE WASHINGTON D. C. LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY TO MAKE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS AND COSTS OF SUCH A
- PROJECT AND REPORT BACK TO THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. IT IS THE VIEW OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT THIS OPPORTUNITY SHOULD BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF PROVIDED THAT IT DOES NOT INVOLVE A SUBSTANTIAL COST TO THE NATIONAL OR LOCAL FUNDS.
“That the Convention go on record
as approving the type of agenda
presented as a suggestion to the
Convention by the National Assembly this year, and that it recommend
to the National Assembly that a
similar type of agenda be suggested
for the next annual Convention, with
even more free time if possible.
- VOTED TO APPROVE THIS RECOMMENDATION AND TO REFER IT TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE APPOINTED TO PREPARE THE SUGGESTED AGENDA FOR THE 1951 ANNUAL CONVENTION.
“That all national Bahá’í Committees be published in our directory.”
- VOTED TO RECORD THAT THIS IS THE POLICY OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND WE REGRET IF ANY NATIONAL COMMITTEES WERE OVERLOOKED IN THE LISTING OF COMMITTEES IN THE DIRECTORY OF LAST YEAR.
Bahá’í News Mailing[edit]
Bahá’í News is mailed from the National Bahá’í Office, 536 Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, Ill., and not from the editorial office; therefore, please report changes of address and other matters pertaining to distribution to the National Bahá’í office.
In addition to each individual believer receiving his copy by direct mail, each Assembly Secretary will receive a copy to file for the Assembly.
If there is more than one believer in your family but one copy is sufficient, please notify the National Bahá’í office, listing the members of your family and indicating the one to whom it should be addressed. We prefer not to address it to “Mr. & Mrs.” as this upsets our filing system which is used for other purposes besides mailing Bahá’í News.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS CANNOT BE FORWARDED, so if you are going on a vacation or going to be away for a time, request the one taking care of your mail to either hold it until you return or to re-address it and re-stamp it.
Members of the five Area NTC’s gathered for the Teaching Institute in Wilmette, Feb. 22-25, 1950.
Publishing Announcement[edit]
“The following errors in Prescription For Living have been called to our attention by the publishers, who wish to apologize for them. Errata slips are available should they be required, and the errors will be corrected in subsequent editions of the book.
Page 126. 2nd line and 4th line from bottom: for 27 read 25
Page 132. 3rd line, last paragraph: for 27 read 25
Page 157. 7th line, sentence beginning “He was born ...” should read: He was born, in 1817, into the family of an official, serving in a high position the Governor of the capital city, Teheran.
Page 158. 5th line for 29 read 27.”
In Honolulu four of the believers are servicemen. Shown in the Bahá’í center, l. to r., Capt. John B. Cornell (army), petty officer L. W. Thomson (navy), Sgt. Hollis H. Estill (air force), Pfc. Walter R. Wootten, (marines).
Eskimo dancers from King Island, Alaska, entertained at dinner by Anchorage Bahá’ís during annual Fur Rendevous, Feb. 20-25, 1950.
Memorial Gifts for the Month of April, 1950[edit]
- A. Alvina Ayers, Orley G. Ayers, Wm. Henry Ayers.
- B. Parents of Mrs. Eolah Bartley, Charlotte Barrick, W. W. Barrick, Margaret Beinecke, Joseph G. Bray.
- C. Crowell Eddy Carpenter, Mrs. Henrietta Corrodi.
- D. Mary Dare, Mary M. Davis, Stella Clement Dewart, Edwin John Paul Dwelly.
- E. Mrs. Cartherine Engelder, Clifford A. Esinhart, Hartley L. Esinhart.
- F. Dayna Farrand, Mabel Freeman, William A. Fricke.
- G. J. W. Gift, Mrs. Emma Goodale.
- H. Grace Sterling Holsapple.
- J. Stella Barrick Jochmus, Martha Bell Johnson.
- K. Edward M. Kuhnle, Prof. Jakob Kunz.
- L. Mrs. Byron Lane, George Orr Latimer, Grace P. Lunt.
- M. Mary B. Martin, Rev. & Mrs. Frank McNamer, Mary Magdalena Mogg.
- P. Albert C. Pabst, Louisa Peatman Pabst.
- R. N. Gambetta Roldan.
- S. Euclid G. Simpson, Leonora G. Sterling.
- T. Anna Laura Thrum.
- V. Lucille Van Meer.
- W. Evelyn Watson, Maria Wendler, Frank Nelson Wilkin, Minnie Claggett Wilkin.
- Y. Elizabeth Young.
Enrollments[edit]
Enrollments reported by Local Spiritual Assemblies:
ARK., Little Rock 1; CALIF., Beverly Hills 1; Escondido 1; Inglewood 1; Los Angeles 1; Monrovia 4; Sacramento 1; Santa Monica 1; CONN., Hartford 1; IDAHO, Boise 1; ILL., Chicago 1; Evanston 1; Winnetka 1; KAN., Topeka 1; MAINE, Portland 1; MICH., Grand Rapids 1; MO., St. Louis 3; N.H., Portsmouth 1; N.C., Greensboro 1; OHIO, Cleveland 2; Mansfield 1; Toledo 1; TEXAS, Dallas 1; VA., Alexandria 1; WASH., Seattle 2; WIS., Whitefish Bay 1; YOUTH 1.
Enrollments reported by Regional Teaching Committees:
NORTHEASTERN STATES
- West N.Y. 1
- So. N.Y., Conn. 1
- New Jersey 1
CENTRAL STATES
- Kan., Mo., Nebr. 1
- Ill., Iowa 1 Youth
WESTERN STATES
- New Mexico 1
- No. Calif., Nev. 4
TOTALS:
- 42 Adults
- 2 Youth
Contributions from Assemblies for the Month of April, 1950[edit]
Alaska—Anchorage. Arizona—North Phoenix, Phoenix, Tucson. Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock. California— Alhambra, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Carmel, Geyserville, El Monte Twp., Escondido Twp., Fresno, Glendale, Glendale Twp., Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Oakland, Oceanside, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, South Gate.
|
NSA Meetings Schedule
APRIL 29, 30, 1950 |
Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver. Connecticut—Greenwich, Hartford, New Haven. Delaware—Wilmington. Dist. of Columbia—Washington. Florida—Jacksonville, Miami. Georgia—Atlanta, Augusta. Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui. Idaho—Ada County, Boise. Illinois—Batavia, Champaign, Chicago, Danville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Maywood, Oak Park, Peoria, Phoenix (Harvey), Springfield, Urbana, Waukegan, Wilmette, Winnetka.
Indiana—Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend. Iowa—Cedar Rapids, Waterloo. Kansas—Topeka. Louisiana—New Orleans. Maine—Eliot, Portland. Massachusetts—Beverly, Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester. Michigan—Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville. Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul.
Mississippi—Jackson. Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis. Montana—Butte, Helena, Great Falls. Nebraska—Macy, Omaha. New Hampshire—Portsmouth. New Jersey—Dumont, East Orange, Englewood, Jersey City, Newark, Ridgewood, Teaneck. New Mexico—Albuquerque. New York—Binghamton, Buffalo, Geneva, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Waterloo, Yonkers.
North Dakota—Fargo. Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, E. Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo. Oklahoma—Oklahoma City. Oregon—Portland. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester. Rhode Island—Providence. South Carolina—Greenville, Columbia. South Dakota—Sioux Falls. Tennessee—Memphis, Nashville.
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Bahá’í News is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as the official news-letter of the Bahá’í Community. Edited for the National Spiritual Assembly by Bahá’í News Editorial Committee: Mrs. Roberta Christian, chairman, Mr. Richard Nolen, Mr. Gordon A. Fraser, Editorial office: Mrs. Roberta Christian, 1001 West Genesee St., Lansing, Mich. Please report changes of address and other matters pertaining to distribution to the Bahá’í National Office, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. |
Texas—Houston, San Antonio. Utah—Salt Lake City. Vermont—Brattleboro. Virginia—Alexandria, Arlington. Washington—Kirkland, Marysville, Richmond Highlands, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma. West Virginia—Charleston. Wisconsin—Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Shorewood, Somers Twp., Wauwatosa. Wyoming—Laramie.
Number of Assemblies | 174 |
Assemblies contributing | 156 |
Not contributing | 18 |
Groups contributing | 45 |
Individuals contributing | 139 |
| Special contributions: Bahá’ís of City of Adelaide, S.A. and
Bahá’í Youth of Milwaukee. | |
Calendar[edit]
NSA Meeting: July 7, 8, 9
Anniversaries: July 9, Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. Observe at noon, suspend work.
19-Day Feasts:
- July 13—Kalimát—Words
| Guardian | |
Approves Permanent Wall treatment | 9 |
Convention Cable | 1 |
Cabled response to delegates | 2 |
Divine Guidance | 8 |
Message on immediate needs | 2 |
Assembly Meetings for Members Only | 7 |
Bahá’í Addresses | 8 |
Bahá’í News Mailing | 15 |
Bahá’í World questions | 9 |
Calendar | 16 |
Centenary of Martyrdom of the Báb | 2 |
Centenary Pamphlet | 5 |
Contributions from Assemblies | 16 |
Convention |
|
Convention Report—1950 | 3 |
Message sent to Guardian | 2 |
Teaching Suggestions of Delegates | 8 |
Cooperation with Bahá’ís in the Philippines | 10 |
Enrollments | 16 |
Inter-America News | 10 |
Memorial Gifts, April, 1950 | 16 |
Memoriam | 11 |
Messages between National Bahá’í Communities “The Golden Chain” | 5 |
National Assembly Message |
|
“We Are Mid-way” | 5 |
NSA Actions on Convention Recommendations | 11 |
NSA Election | 3 |
NSA Expresses Appreciation | 7 |
NSA Meeting Schedule | 16 |
Pictures |
|
Area NTC’s at Teaching Institute | 15 |
Bahá’ís entering Temple | 1 |
Delegates, visitors at Convention | 3 |
Eskimos Entertained in Anchorage | 15 |
Four Honolulu believers | 15 |
Interior Ornamentation as viewed at Convention | 9 |
Publishing Announcement | 15 |
Temple Guides Needed | 11 |
Treasurer’s Message |
|
“Solidarity in Sacrifice” | 5 |
