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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 269 | BAHA’I YEAR 110 | JULY, 1953 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
Treacherous Ruhi Afnan, not content (with) previous disobedience, correspondence (with) Ahmad Sohrab, contact (with) old Covenant-breakers, sale, (in) conjunction (with) other members (of) family, (of) sacred property purchased by Founder (of) Faith, (and) allowing his sister (to) marry son (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s enemy, (is) now openly lecturing (on) Bahá’í movement, claiming (to) be (its) exponent (and is) misrepresenting (the) teachings (and) deliberately causing confusion (in) minds (of) authorities (and the) local population. Inform National Assemblies.
Cablegram received May 17, 1953
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved Friends:
Once more, while engaged in his unique mission as Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi meets the onslaught of a Covenant-breaker descended from the Holy Family of Bahá’u’lláh.
Just as the Master during His era was the target for the supremely bitter attack launched by those who had repudiated Bahá’u’lláh’s own Testament, so now the first Guardian, the one named in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will, suffers the vicious and vengeful hatred of the violator steeped in his own malice.
We suffer with all that grieves the Guardian and interferes in any way with the steady progress of the Faith, even though we know the hostility is foredoomed to failure and the power to assail short-lived.
The theme of this cable has been a tragic note in a number of communications from Shoghi Effendi published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. The condition is perfectly clear to the Bahá’ís. What can we do?
The answer to the destroyer is the creative spirit of faith; the answer to wrathful ambition is humble devotion; the weapon against attack is the reverence Bahá’ís feel for the expression of Divine Will in the perfect leadership which the Master’s Will bequeathed as His supreme blessing to the Bahá’ís.
Success in the World Crusade will silence all who either attack or ignore the Message of the Manifestation. Effort here is the true solace we can humbly offer the Guardian.
JOYFUL ANNOUNCEMENT TO BAHA'I WORLD[edit]
Joyfully announce (to the) Bahá’í World (the) rapid progress (of the) final stages (of the) construction (of the) Báb’s mausoleum (on) Mt. Carmel, as well as (the) splendid initiative (of the) Bahá’ís (of) Panama aiming (at the) acquisition (of the) first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (of) Central America. Erection (of the) lantern (and the) placing (of the) ribs (of the) dome completed. Five thousand gilded tiles dispatched (from) Utrecht (have been) safely received, half (of) which (have been) already placed (in) position, disclosing (a) glimpse (of the) shining splendor (of the) completed dome.
Appeal National Assemblies, East (and) West (to) participate through contributions (to the) meritorious endeavors exerted (toward the) eventual establishment (of a) Bahá’í House (of) Worship (in the) City (of) Panama, specifically mentioned (by) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, situated (in the) heart (of the) Western Hemisphere. Myself contributed five hundred pounds (for the) furtherance (of this) notable objective (of the) ten year global Crusade.
Share message National Assemblies.
Haifa, Israel June 25, 1953.
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved Friends:
All those who heard Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s addresses at the Annual Convention and the All-American Intercontinental Teaching Conference will recall how strongly she emphasized the vital importance of happiness to the welfare and efficiency of the Guardian.
Therefore there is great cause for rejoicing in his cable of June 27, in that he could begin it with the auspicious words “Joyfully announce.”
This news of the rapid progress of the work on the dome of the Shrine of the Báb has surpassing significance at this time when the pioneer settlement of one hundred thirty-one unoccupied territories has just begun. It gives us blessed assurance that already the observer can behold a “glimpse of the shining splendor of the completed dome—” since the Shrine is a symbol of the spiritual power and glory which permeates the world from the Bahá’í World Center.
The Guardian is joyous, too, because of the “splendid initiative” of the Bahá’ís of Panama. A Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in that strategic spot will have far-reaching effect.
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The Shrine of the Báb, showing the completed cement Dome. The scaffolding on top is for construction of the Lantern.
Shoghi Effendi’s own contribution
toward the cost of the site, and his
appeal to all National Spiritual Assemblies to participate, reveals again
the oneness of the Bahá’í world in its
devotion to the great objectives of
the World Crusade.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE TEN YEAR CRUSADE PLAN[edit]
Excerpts from two letters written on behalf of the Guardian by the Assistant Secretary are published here for the inspiration and guidance of the American Bahá’ís.
From letter dated May 22, 1953:
“The beloved Guardian has been greatly enthused over the reports he has received of the Convention, Dedication of the Temple, and the Intercontinental Teaching Conference.
“He was very happy to get your word of the 128 who volunteered for pioneer service.
“In connection with this word, he cabled you May 19, strongly urging the intending pioneers to scatter as widely as possible, and to settle even territories and islands not specifically assigned to the United States.
“The Guardian feels, now that the Ten Year Crusade has been so auspiciously launched, no time should be lost nor any stone left unturned, to hurry the completion of the first stage of the Plan. The impact with which the friends meet this great challenge, and the example which the American Bahá’ís show in actual deeds in carrying forward the Plan, will have a world effect.
“The Guardian feels that as the chief administrators of the Master’s Divine Plan for the propagation of the Faith, the American Bahá’ís have great responsibility in the entire project, even though certain areas have been assigned to other National Assemblies. Thus the American National Assembly can and should send pioneers to other virgin areas, even though assigned to another National Assembly. This they can do, because of the mission the Master gave them. In fact, the Guardian would welcome most heartily, word of the placing of some pioneers in territories assigned other National Assemblies.
“This is the period of the scattering of the faithful, and the sooner they scatter, the better, particularly in virgin areas, all over the world. This is a sure way to bring to early completion the opening phase of the ten year Crusade.
“The Guardian would welcome early settlement in the South Pacific Islands, Africa (and he has mentioned especially Belgian Congo, French Somaliland, Ruanda Urundi, French Congo, Madagascar). (He feels there is no need for more pioneers at this time in South Africa, other than those already arranged.) He likewise has mentioned the Cameroons, Togoland, and areas where new National Assemblies are to be created.
“Now is the time for the American Bahá’ís to show their spiritual primacy — they should spread over the face of the earth, not only concentrating on the areas assigned to them, but sending pioneers wherever they can, and the sooner the better, and the wider the extent, the better.
“You may be sure the beloved Guardian will pray ardently for the success of your efforts, and those of all the American Bahá’ís.”
From letter dated June 2, 1953:
“Our beloved Guardian has been greatly encouraged by reports reaching him from all parts of the Bahá’í
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world, especially from America, of
the victories already gained, and the
plans being laid for the prosecution
of the Ten Year Crusade.
“They have evoked his awe-inspiring, and soul-stirring cablegram of May 28th, calling for the immediate settlement of all the 131 virgin areas of the Plan, just as quickly as possible. He is convinced that the friends will arise and translate their enthusiasm into action, because the keynote of the Crusade must be action, action, action!
“The settlement of these virgin areas is of such an emergency nature that he feels pioneering in one of them takes precedence over every other type of Bahá’í service — whether it be in the teaching or administrative fields of the Faith. So important is it that the National Assembly may delay initiation of steps to fulfill other phases of the plan, until all these areas are conquered for the Faith. Nothing, absolutely nothing, must be allowed to interfere with the placing of pioneers in each of the 131 goal countries.
“By virtue of being the Chief Executor of the Divine Plan, the American Bahá’ís may settle in any territory of the world. In fact, the Guardian would welcome word of American pioneers being settled in areas assigned other National Assemblies. At the Guardian’s direction I have written all other Assemblies of this fact, and asking them to assist in the settlement of American pioneers in their areas.
“As his dramatic cable indicates, the Guardian will have prepared an illuminated ‘Roll of Honor’ on which will be inscribed the names of the ‘Knights of Bahá’u’lláh,’ who first enter these 131 virgin areas. This ‘Roll of Honor’ will be placed inside the entrance door of the Inner Sanctuary of the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh.
“From time to time, the Guardian will announce to the Bahá’í world the names of those holy souls who arise under the conditions outlined in his message, and settle these areas and conquer them for Bahá’u’lláh.
“Now is the hour for America to demonstrate its spiritual primacy. There is no time after this moment! All the promises of the Master to
The original stairway leading to Bahá’u’lláh’s quarters in Mazra’ih, near ‘Akká, Israel.
America in the Tablets of the Divine
Plan must be won now. The divine
graces must be spread by the American Bahá’ís over the face of the
globe. The Guardian is sure that the
glory of America and its spiritual
mission will be carried through to a
resounding victory, which will affect
the entire globe.
“The destiny of America now rests on the shoulders of the American Bahá’ís.”
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Guniting (spraying) cement on the Dome
of the Shrine of the Báb. This work was
begun May 3, 1953.
First layer of gunited cement, showing
the steel reinforcing of the Dome.
The cement Dome, completed May 11,
1953. On this cement base, 18 ribs and
the Golden Tiles are being placed.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
THE IMPACT WILL HAVE A WORLD EFFECT[edit]
Beloved Friends:
The World Crusade has been launched. We stand on the field of action. The Plan is clear, the summons urgent, the response “will have a world effect.”
Already a number of pioneer settlements have been scheduled and valiant warriors have set forth from their homes to conquer a new territory for the Faith of God. Month by month, from July to October, other pioneers will enter the field.
The pioneer applications and questionnaires received before, during and since the All-America Intercontinental Teaching Conference, have been examined by the National Spiritual Assembly, classified according to area preferred and other important factors, and referred to the proper Intercontinental Teaching Committee — All-America, Europe, Africa or Asia — for the development of projects.
Never has there been in America such a demonstration of faith in action. The National Assembly is profoundly stirred and is giving its first and principal concern to the expediting of pioneer settlements throughout the world.
This task, as the Guardian points out, is the first stage in the achievement of the great Crusade. The time for this first stage is brief — the first year of the Ten Year Plan.
American Bahá’ís will note with awe the degree of responsibility they bear for the success of the project as a whole. This arises from the Master’s Divine Plan and the designation of the American Bahá’ís as its trustees. It calls for a whole-hearted response on our part but conveys no international authority.
The intensity with which the Guardian has presented the need to pioneer in 131 unsettled areas indicates the urgency of the entire Crusade. The times are perilous, and the future of mankind depends upon the spread of the Faith.
Two paragraphs invoke most earnest attention:
“Now is the time for the American Bahá’ís to show their spiritual primacy — they should spread over the face of the earth, not only concentrating on the areas assigned to them, but sending pioneers wherever they can, and the sooner the better, and the wider the extent, the better.”
“Now is the hour for America to demonstrate its spiritual primacy. There is no time after this moment! All the promises of the Master to America in the Tablets of the Divine Plan must be won now. The divine graces must be spread by the American Bahá’ís over the face of the globe. The Guardian is sure that the glory of America and its spiritual mission will be carried through to a resounding victory, which will affect the entire globe.”
This is the hour for meekness and humility, that we may accept this mission with pure motives, deep understanding, prayerful resolve. What we can do to pioneer in these unsettled areas must be done this year. And the pioneer settlement project not only calls for pioneers — it calls for contributions to the full measure of the National Budget. Pioneers needing travel or living budgets can only go forth as funds are available.
- Sincerely,
Bearers of the Name of God[edit]
You are the bearers of the name of God in this Day. You have been chosen as the repositories of His mystery. It behoves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory. The very members of your body must bear witness to the loftiness of your purpose, the integrity of your life, the reality of your faith, and the exalted character of your devotion. (Words of the Báb)
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The Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, showing the gardens.
HOW TO PIONEER[edit]
American believers desiring to pioneer in some unsettled area are requested to advise the National Spiritual Assembly.
They then receive a questionnaire form to fill out and return, supplying information necessary for developing a settlement project.
The questionnaires are studied by the National Spiritual Assembly and referred to the Teaching Committee concerned with the particular area requested.
When areas are not specified, further correspondence leads to a selection based upon the information provided by the pioneer and upon the relative need for pioneers in the various areas.
The four Intercontinental Teaching Committees report back their recommendations and findings, and the National Assembly makes final approval, including budgets where required.
Though the process has several stages, there is no delay in arriving at final action. The Committees, and the National Assembly, devote their major effort to expediting pioneer settlements.
AN ORGAN OF THE WORLD CRUSADE[edit]
The National Assembly feels that Bahá’í News is an organ of the World Crusade, its mission to carry reports of the progress in all areas, from all administrative agencies.
This natural development gives to BAHÁ’Í NEWS a fundamental importance, and the friends, especially in America, may well accept a responsibility to follow closely and conscientiously every step in the fulfillment of the Ten Year Plan.
All National Assemblies have been requested to furnish regular reports for publication, so that BAHÁ’Í NEWS may faithfully reflect developments throughout the world.
BULLETINS NEEDED FOR BAHA'I NEWS[edit]
All National and Area Committees are urged to send copies of any journals or bulletins they may publish to BAHÁ’Í NEWS, as well as other items or photographs of national or international interest which have not appeared in their publications.
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THE NEW TEACHING STRUCTURE IN
THE UNITED STATES
The National Jubilee Celebrations have inaugurated America’s part in the fateful Ten Year Crusade. Among the twenty-four challenging tasks which the Guardian cabled to the American National Convention are two which pertain particularly to teaching in the United States. They are: “the raising to three hundred of the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies” in the United States and “the Proclamation of the Faith through the Press and Radio throughout the United States of America.” In an effort to respond adequately to this home front challenge, the National Assembly studied carefully the teaching structure in the United States. The Assembly members asked themselves these questions: Is our teaching committee set-up arranged for quick and efficient action? How can we release as much teaching energy as possible? Study of last year’s teaching structure showed that in the three levels involved, over 370 believers were committee members, most of them serving on the 45 regional committees. The National Assembly decided to reduce radically the number of committees, have only two layers in the teaching structure, and hold committee memberships to a small number, preferably seven or less. As a result of this radical change, for the Bahá’í year 1953-54, there will be one National Teaching Committee, twelve Area Committees, and no regional committees. Budgeting, correspondence, committee meeting time, and committee action can now be much simpler and faster than under the former complicated set-up. Only about one-third the number of believers will be required for committee membership. Local Assemblies and groups can much more easily undertake extension teaching and joint area teaching projects. Several hundreds of believers will have more time and energy to devote to direct teaching. The twelve Area Teaching Committees appointed by the National Assembly will serve the following groups of states:
The members of the National Assembly are confident that the American believers will welcome this step toward simplicity and direct action in our teaching structure. To meet the Guardian’s challenge that the American believers assume the “lion’s share” in the World Crusade, the United States becomes the reservoir for a constant stream of assistance to bring the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh into every nook and cranny of the world. Our simpler teaching structure can enable us to quickly marshal our forces for the glorious tasks of teaching on the home front. Every act of teaching, personal and public, brings closer the achievement of the Crusade goals. —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
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THE YEAR "9"[edit]
Taken from “The Significance of Holy Year”, abridged notes of address given by Mr. George Townshend, Hand of the Cause, at the British Convention: in the British Bahá’í Journal, April, 1953.
A Great Prophet from the beginning of His existence on earth is an Eternal Being, Divine. He holds for all time undisputed sovereignty over all that is in heaven and on earth. He shows from His early childhood signs of greatness and power. His Call makes no spiritual change. The change is physical like that of a man who passes from sleep to wakefulness, from silence to speech. He remains the same individual. He is at the moment of His Call invested with supreme authority and executive power. He is in a new relation to God; whereas at His Declaration He assumes a new relation to man. It is wonderful to reflect what really happens when a Great Prophet takes over from His Predecessor the lordship of mankind and initiates by His Call a new Era. The sovereignty of a Prophet, through the potency of one Word, subdues, quickens and revitalizes the whole world. Bahá’u’lláh in His book, Prayers and Meditations, has given us the fullest picture of the extent of the influence of the Prophet’s Word, which revolutionizes the whole of creation. He says of His own utterance of this Word that through It “the realities of all created things were shaken, were divided, separated, scattered, combined and reunited, disclosing in both the contingent world and the heavenly Kingdom entities of a new creation.”
Bahá’u’lláh did not make His public Declaration for ten years after His Call. The Báb received His Call about a year before He made His declaration to Mullá Ḥusayn. Jesus Christ was called when John baptized Him, but the first open declaration He ever made of His Messiahship was the evening before His death when he announced to Caiaphas, the High Priest, that he would see the Son of Man coming with great power and glory. This is proved by the fact that Jesus’ enemies sought but could not find anyone to give evidence that He had declared Himself to be the Messiah. Jesus accepted Peter’s declaration of belief but never till His
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trial before the Sanhedrin made a
declaration Himself. His full authority, however, dated from His Call.
Bahá’u’lláh became active soon after His Call; but still as a Bábí we
have read how He revivified the Bábí
community, not only in Baghdád,
but through the furthermost confines
of Persia, and wrote (still appearing
outwardly as a Bábí) the Seven Valleys, the Hidden Words and the
Book of Certitude. He had the fullness of His power but did not manifest it.
If you look at the scriptures of the world you will find they all agree in many things and specially in this, that the history of mankind is one whole and that it can be rightly understood only in its unity. All these scriptures—those of Krishna, Buddha, Zoroaster, Moses and the rest—show that all the peoples of the world all the time have been engaged, however unconsciously, in a single process moving towards unification. They have all been told to look to the future with expectancy and hope. This unification and redemption will be effected under the leadership of a supreme world Savior, “the Lord of Hosts” as the Bible calls Him, who through His zeal will accomplish this great consummation. What has happened now through the centenary which we are commemorating is that now in this age, the age into which we have been born, this great Event has, after hundreds and thousands of years of waiting and preparation, come to pass. This age is that to which reference is made at the beginning of the Book of Genesis when, in the allegory of the fall of man, God gives the promise of a future world redemption, foretelling that man will wound the tempter’s head and the tempter will bruise man’s heel. When God announced to Abraham “through thee will all the families of the earth be blessed,” His thoughts were of this present age, the time of the Call of Bahá’u’lláh. When Isaiah spoke of the Child which would be born on whose shoulder the government of the world would rest; when he speaks of “mighty God” “the everlasting Father,” the “Prince of Peace” that is to come, he is thinking of this present time, of the Lord of Hosts, Bahá’u’lláh Whose centenary we humbly keep in this Holy Year.
First Local Spiritual Assembly elected at Kampala, Uganda, Africa.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AFRICA[edit]
It is a joy to report the departure for Africa of the first contingent of American pioneers under the new Ten Year Global Crusade. On June 18, Harry and Bahíyyih Ford sailed from New Orleans; on June 20 Bill and Marguerite Sears with their younger son, Michael, sailed from New York. Both families will settle in South Africa.
CANADA[edit]
National Convention[edit]
The Sixth Canadian National Bahá’í Convention took place on April 29 and 30. All present rejoiced in the completion of the Five Year Plan, initiated when the Canadian national community was born in 1948; five years of effort toward integrating this vast land from Victoria to Newfoundland, from Coral Harbor to Windsor.
Consultation on the part Canada is to play in the Ten Year Crusade led to plans for action.
The election of the members of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly took place at the close of the afternoon of the first day. The results were: John Robarts, Lloyd Gardner, Rowland Estall, Laura Davis, Winnifred Harvey, Emeric Sala, Rosemary Sala, Albert Rakovsky, Audrey Westhauser.
Ruhiyyih Khanum in Canada[edit]
Following the Second Intercontinental Conference, Amatu’l-Bahá, Rúḥíyyih Khánum spent a few days in the Montreal community. Bahá’ís from Toronto, Kingstown, Belleville, Charlottetown, Moncton and Ottawa joined the believers of greater Montreal to welcome her. On Saturday, May 9, she met with the Bahá’í friends in the Maxwell home. The vitality of her message and the picture she gave of life in Haifa inspired a greater devotion and made the person of the Guardian a living
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Attendants at the First French Teaching Conference, held in Lyons, France, May 23 and 24 1953.
reality for all who heard her, to an
extent never experienced by many
before that night.
On Sunday afternoon, the National Spiritual Assembly and other Bahá’í friends gathered in Mount Royal Cemetery for a service in memory of William Sutherland Maxwell, Hand of the Cause and father of Rúḥíyyih Khánum. In the evening, Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke at a public meeting in the Ritz-Carleton Hotel. She was accompanied to Montreal by Mrs. Amelia Collins, Hand of the Cause, vice-president of the International Council.
Visit of ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan[edit]
Dr. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, with an interpreter, Mr. M. Anvar, visited several communities in western Canada following the Second Intercontinental Conference. Dr. Furútan spoke at a public fireside in Edmonton and made a tour of the University of Alberta, as well as addressing gatherings of the believers in all the communities visited.
This opportunity to meet Bahá’ís from other lands brought home to the Canadian friends in a new way the reality and significance of the international unity of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
FRANCE[edit]
On May 23 and 24, the first French Bahá’í Teaching Conference, referred to by our beloved Guardian as “historic”, was held in Lyons, France. A report from the Paris Spiritual Assembly notes the participation at this memorable occasion of Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause, from Italy; Mr. and Mrs. Kyani and Mrs. Mesbah, from Írán, as well as believers from Paris, Lyons, Marseilles and Hyères in France.
GERMANY AND AUSTRIA[edit]
America House in Karlsruhe has exhibited in its display window a statement on the position of the government of the United States with regard to State religion. Closing a paragraph on the more than 300 religious movements in the United States was this sentence: “Then there are the Jews, Muḥammadans, Bahá’ís and many others, who all, according to their custom, follow their own religion.”
SOUTH AMERICA[edit]
Third Annual Convention[edit]
A letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America, received this month, reports the Third Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of South America. The consultations, characterized by a growing maturity and a greater realization of responsibility, laid great stress on the World Crusade and the part South America is to play in achieving the allotted tasks.
A three-day school which preceded the Convention featured a course on Convention Procedure which was so successful that it may be repeated at next year’s Convention, to be held in Santiago, Chile.
Visit of Persian Hands[edit]
The countries of South America have been greatly blessed by the visits of two of the Persian Hands of the Cause, Mr. Dhikru’lláh Khádem and Mr. Valíyu’lláh Varqá.
Mr. Varqá related, “We, the Persian Hands, wrote to our beloved Guardian asking what we could do to help before continuing on to the next World Conference in Stockholm. The Guardian cabled that the Hands
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Attendants at the Youth Night gathering held April 24, 1953, during the Third Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of South America.
should disperse and visit the cities
of United States and the countries of
Central and South America.”
So it was that they came to us here in South America. They were as a pure channel for the love of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’ís and guests alike came under the spell of this miracle of love.
They told us the intimate, precious stories of the early days of our Faith; they drew a vivid picture of the contrast between the conditions of those early days and the rapidly expanding progress of the Faith. They challenged us to forget self, to go forth in our world-encircling, ten-year Spiritual Crusade with ever-increasing effort and faith in the ultimate triumph of our goals.
No group of Bahá’ís bade them good-bye without tears of joy and sadness, joy to have experienced the love and unity that their love seemed to have engendered in the hearts of all in every community, and sadness because we were parting from these dear friends. Inevitably, our farewells were, “We shall meet again in the city of Baghdád to celebrate our Golden Jubilee in 1963.”
We are truly grateful to our beloved Guardian for sending to us, even for so short a time, these most honored Hands of the Cause of God.
Jubilee Report in Rio De Janiero[edit]
In Rio de Janeiro on the evening of May 20, Margot Worley, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America, gave a detailed report of the Conference in Chicago and of the Dedication of the Temple. Friends who heard her, report, “Her impressions were made so vivid to us that we could visualize some of the phases of the Jubilee Celebration and feel some of its radiation. It was particularly beneficial to our community as none of us had the opportunity to go to the Conference in Chicago.”
Publicity in Brazil[edit]
The Brazilian magazine Eu Sei Tude carries in its July issue a description of the Temple in Wilmette, with six photographs. Text and photographs are adapted from the beautiful article which appeared in the first issue of the Columbian magazine Mire, published in Medillin on December 17, 1952.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
FAITH IN ACTION[edit]
On May 30th the Bahá’ís of Reno, Nevada, held a public meeting on the
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Stillwater Indian Reservation, 60
miles east of Reno. This was the first
attempt made by the Bahá’ís of that
area to bring the Faith to the Indians.
Posters announcing the meeting were
distributed around the reservation,
and plans call for the holding of other
meetings and study classes there.
The declaration of the Báb was observed by the Bahá’ís of the Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii, by a public meeting at the home of one of the believers. The event was given good publicity by the local papers.
An event of outstanding importance for the Western New York State region was the annual International Picnic held at Queenston Heights, June 14.
What one believer can do in securing publicity for the Faith is shown by the example of an isolated Wisconsin Bahá’í. Using his attendance at the Second Intercontinental Bahá’í Conference as reason for the article, the local newspaper proceeded to devote 22 column inches to a presentation of the relationship of the Bahá’í Faith to Christianity.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
ASIA TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
Specific Goals in World Crusade[edit]
The newly-appointed Asia Teaching Committee wishes to hear from Bahá’ís who are seeking to find their place in the World Crusade. This Committee has openings and opportunities in the territory assigned by the Guardian to the United States in the Asian field.
The Asia Teaching Committee is the latest addition to the family of international teaching committees appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. We are responsible for the direction of teaching work in the areas of Asia named in the Ten-Year Plan.
Specifically, our tasks include the following:
1. To plan and supervise the opening of eight virgin territories assigned to the United States in the Asian Area. These territories are: Dutch New Guinea, Caroline Islands and Tonga Islands in the South Pacific; Hainan Island in the South
Delegates representing eight countries, at the Third Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of South America, held April 19-25, 1953.
China Sea; Macao, the Portuguese
colony on the southern coast of
China; Sakhalin Island, Tibet and
Kazakhstan.
2. To promote the consolidation of the Faith in China, Manchuria, Korea, Japan, Formosa and the Philippine Islands.
3. To establish National Spiritual Assemblies in Japan and in the South Pacific Islands.
This list of objectives speaks eloquently for itself. Suffice it to say, that its challenge is fully matched by the undreamed of opportunities latent in the awakening of this ancient continent and of the many islands of the vast Pacific, in a world where isolation exists no more.
The immediate need is for trailblazers — men and women who can go out to these areas and act as a link between us and the people there, so that we may know at first hand the customs, the needs, the attitudes and the conditions with which we will have to deal.
We need volunteers to go out at once, or as soon as possible, to the Caroline Islands, Tonga Islands, Dutch New Guinea and Macao. More information will be gladly given to those interested and able to go. Please write to our secretary:
Miss Charlotte Linfoot,
156 Nova Drive,
Piedmont 10, California.
In this World Crusade, we Bahá’ís are building a world community that is truly world-wide — a spiritual brotherhood that is the surest foundation for the harmony and welfare of humanity. We all want to do our part.
May we extend to each and every Bahá’í, young and old, an invitation to join hands with us and with all the agencies of the World Crusade, and to work together on this glorious project, under the blessed guidance of our Guardian.
Asia Teaching Committee of the United States: Ali Yazdi, chairman; Mamie Seto, vice-chairman; Charlotte Linfoot, corresponding secretary; Valera Allen, recording secretary; John Allen, treasurer; Marion Yazdi, publicity representative; Anthony Seto.
The Most Essential Obligation[edit]
But let us be on our guard—so the Master continually reminds us from His Station on high—lest too much concern in that which is secondary in importance, and too long a preoccupation with the details of our affairs and activities, makes us neglectful of the most essential, the most urgent of all our obligations, namely, to bury our cares and teach the Cause, delivering far and wide this Message of Salvation to a sorely-stricken world.
[Page 11]
Delegates and visitors gathered at a reception given April 19 in the Hotel Crillon, Lima, Peru.
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TAPES FOR RADIO BROADCASTS
The series of 13 tape recordings which are being beamed weekly to Latin America, Europe, the Near East and India through the facilities of World Wide Broadcasting over station WRUL, Boston, are now available to Bahá’í communities and Area Teaching Committees. These radio programs present the Bahá’í Faith, and are narrated by professionals in most instances. Titles of the series are as follows:
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SERIES of 13
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| It is absolutely necessary that your order for the above tapes be accompanied by a check or money order for $5.00 for single tape or $50.00 for series of thirteen.
When tapes are returned your money will be refunded as indicated. Checks or money orders should be made out to: Bahá’í News Service, (Mrs.) Nina Matthisen, Sec’y., 77 E. Cedar Street, Chicago 11, Illinois. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
Bahá’í Administration
- 197 pp. cloth......$2.50
- By Shoghi Effendi. New edition now available.
Mysticism, Science and Revelation
- Bound in paper......$1.00
- Bound in cloth......$2.00
- By Dr. Glenn Shook. Defines the claims of mystics of all types and shows what science and Prophetic Revelation have to say to these claims. Proves the harmony of science and true religion. This book is on order from England. Orders will be recorded for future delivery.
Ten Year World Crusade Maps......$.35
- A supply of these colorful maps, prepared by the Guardian, showing in graphic detail the goals of the Ten Year Crusade are still available for sale separately.
KNOW YOUR LITERATURE[edit]
Unless believers, old and new alike, know the available literature, how can we expect to share the Teachings with those who become interested in the Faith? The following booklets present aspects of the Faith in ways useful for planning your presentation of the Message to Bahá’í contacts.
Story Supplement for “God Passes By” (mimeographed)
95 pp. (with map of journeys of the Founders of the Faith) |
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per copy | $1.00 |
Ten copies | $8.00 |
Additional maps, sold separately, each | $.10 |
Stories from every phase of the dramatic unfoldment of the Bahá’í Revelation; many, especially those of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s trip to America, unavailable in any other compilation. All are keyed by page to the chronological presentation of God Passes By, but are useful in themselves, apart from that work.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá—The Center of the Covenant
- 28 pp. Bound in grey paper with blue border......$ .25
- By Juliet Thompson.
- The person of the Master, with many of the stories which endear Him to all and help to reveal His unique Station and function.
[Page 12]
Conference attendants at Kampala with the Guardian’s representative, Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause.
Bahá’ís from the United States, Great Britain, Tunis and ‘Iráq with new believers of the Teso tribe, Kampala, Uganda, Africa.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
Holy Days:
- July 9, Martyrdom of the Báb
Jubilee Celebrations:
- 3rd Bahá’í Intercontinental Conference, Stockholm, Sweden—July 21-26
- 4th Bahá’í Intercontinental Conference, New Delhi, India—October 7-15
Feasts:
- July 13—Kalimát, Words
- August 1—Kamál, Perfection
- August 20—Asmá’, Names
National Assembly Meetings:
- July 9, 10, 11, 12
- August 28, 29, 30, 31
Summer School Sessions:
- Geyserville—June 28 to August 2, 1953
- Louhelen—July 5 to September 7, 1953
- Green Acre—July 13 to September 7, 1953
- International School—July 19 to August 2, 1953
MARRIAGES[edit]
“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verily, this thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the shadow of Thy mercy and they are united through Thy favor and generosity. O Lord! Assist them in this Thy world and Thy Kingdom and destine for them every good through Thy bounty and grace ...”
Stanford, Calif.—Miss Carole Swall to Mr. Dwight Allen, April 12, 1953
Berkeley, Calif.—Miss Eunice JoAnn Hoos to Mr. David Rutledge. April 19, 1953
Tacoma, Wash.—Miss Audrey K. Drugan to Gilbert I. Stephens. March 6, 1953
New York, N.Y.—Miss Helen Damiano to Mr. Ward. January 16, 1953
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.”
- (Mr. Morris Eisenberg; Miami, Fla.
- (date not reported)
- Mrs. Olive Kolbe; New York City
- May 1, 1953
- Mrs. Helen Atterson; Queens, N.Y.
- (date not reported)
- Mrs. Mabel Wever; Arcadia, Calif.
- May 10, 1953
- Mrs. Louise D. Boyle; Washington, D.C.
- May 3, 1953
- Mr. Max Gootherts; San Mateo, Calif.
- May 8, 1953
- Mr. John B. Becktel; Kansas City, Mo.
- April 19th, 1953
- Mrs. Ruth Parker, Palmer, Mass.
- April 26th, 1953
- Mrs. Maria Ioas, Oak Park, Ill.
- May 25th 1953
- Mr. Alex L. Marsolais; Sultan, Wash.
- April 16th, 1953
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Copies are sent without charge to Bahá’ís throughout the United States, and to Bahá’í administrative bodies in other lands. Its purpose is to keep members of the Faith informed of international, national and local Bahá’í developments, and serve as an organ for the distribution of messages written by the Guardian of the Faith, the International Bahá’í Council, and the general announcements prepared by the American National Spiritual Assembly.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1953-1954: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Managing Editor; Mr. David Ned Blackmer, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Miss Edna True.
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of Address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
