THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Office of the Secretary
P. O. BOX 139, STATION D, NEW YORK CITY“Of all the divers communities of the earth, this community, the followers of the Most Great Name, stands detached from every worldly desire, shorn from every ignoble thought and motive. Its intention is pure, its hopes undimmed, its endeavors to promote the Divine Teachings devoted and earnest. Its aim is to turn the face of the earth into a paradise, cause it to mirror forth the splendors of the eternal realm, make of the world another world, and inculcate in man the highest principles of education and human conduct.”—’Abdu’l-Bahá.
National Assembly Letter No. 6 1928-1929[edit]
To the Local Spiritual Assemblies and Delegates of the 1928 Convention.
Beloved friends in El-Abha:
In our unresting determination to fulfill the requirements of the Plan of Unified Action, so that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar can be begun during this Bahá’i year, let us not neglect the basis of all Bahá’i power and success—individual and collective knowledge of the Guardian’s letters to the American believers, unfolding the details of Bahá’u’lláh’s divine order which it is our supreme privilege to build into the life and destiny of the Western World.
It is, in fact, by Visioning the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar as the creative symbol of this new divine order, the crowning glory of our response to Shoghi Effendi’s message, that we shall most ardently kindle the zeal which alone can transmute our weakness into strength, our poverty into wealth.
The friends are therefore urged to form the program of frequent meetings around selected passages from the book “Bahá’i Administration” in which the Guardian’s precious letters have been made available to all.
The Index on page 155 makes it possible to choose passages referring to any one of many important themes. For example, there are ten references to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, seven references to the present condition of the Cause, eleven to Local Spiritual Assemblies, two to the Plan of Unified Action, and eleven references to teaching.
The Nineteen-Day Meetings offer the best opportunity for stressing this important subject. Let us all endeavor to attend the Nineteen-Day Meetings regularly throughout the year, and drink deep of the cup of unity and solidarity in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
Yours faithfully, in service to Shoghi Effendi,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA,
- Allen McDaniel, chairman,
- Alfred E. Lunt, vice-chairman,
- Horace Holley, secretary,
- Carl Scheffler, treasurer,
- Roy C. Wilhelm,
- May Maxwell,
- Louis G. Gregory,
- Amelia Collins,
- Nellie S. French.
Meeting of the National Assembly[edit]
The members of the National Assembly are happy to share with the friends an outline of matters considered at the meeting held in New York City, September 22 and 23, 1928.
The most fundamental action taken
was the adoption of an Indenture of
Trust establishing the members of the
National Assembly as the nine trustees
to receive title to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar
property at Wilmette now
vested in the Executive Board of Bahá’i
Temple Unity under the religious
statutes of Illinois. This transfer of
title has been effected at the Guardian’s
request, in order that the material as
well as spiritual elements of the Cause
may correspond with the plan of
administration given the believers by
Shoghi Effendi by authority of the
Master’s Will and Testament. The details
of this Indenture will be given
in the report of the Legal Committee
at the next Annual Convention. The
Treasurer was instructed to place
$5,000 in the Temple Construction
Fund, making a total of $40,000. In
view of the fact that the publication
of The Bahá’i World (Year Book volume
two) had involved a larger cost
than expected, it was voted to urge
all Local Spiritual Assemblies and National
Committees to make a special effort
to promote the sale of copies
among the friends. (See notice of
The Bahá’i World elsewhere in this
issue of Bahá’i News Letter). The
members of last year’s Temple Committee
were reappointed for the current
year. To meet the condition
caused by the fact that all money spent
by National Committees, or expenses
incurred by them, involves the responsibility
of the National Assembly as
trustees of the National Fund, it was
voted that all payments under contract,
and all contracted relations,
should be under the direct control of
the N.S.A. and not of any Committee.
Mr. Lunt was authorized to
draw up an Indenture of Trust, similar
to that adopted for the Temple
property, to convey title of Green
Acre property to the nine members of
the National Assembly as trustees. As
several of the friends have lent or
given money to a certain individual
claiming to be a believer from another
city, it was decided to warn the friends
to exercise caution in the case of traveling
believers without credentials who
ask for financial assistance. It was
noted in the minutes that the Guardian
has written one of the American
friends requesting her not to circulate
or advertise his photographs—a[Page 2]
- reSurat ul Heykl.
- (Beginning “Oh Heart of this
- Temple” et seq.).
- Tablet of Wisdom.
- Book of Assurance, pp. 137-142
- (3rd Edition).
Other References.
- Evolution and Ethics, J. Arthur
- Thompson.
- Emergent Evolution, Lloyd Morgan.
- A. B. C. of Atoms, A. B. C. of
- Relativity, Bertrand Russell.
- Creative Evolution, Introduction
- to Metaphysics, Henri Bergson.
- The Religion of Science, Woods.
- Death and Resurrection, Bjorklund.
- Life After Death, Fechner.
- Fourth Dimension Made Easy,
- Prof. Manning.
- History of the Warfare of Science
- and Religion, Andred D.
- White.
- Why We Behave Like Human
- Beings, Dorsey.
- Tertium Organum, Ouspensky.
The Bahá’i World 1926-1928[edit]
The special attention of the friends in all lands is called to the second volume of the Bahá’i Year Book, prepared under the auspices of the American National Assembly with the approval of Shoghi Effendi. At the Guardian’s request the title “Year Book” was changed, the new title adopted was The Bahá’i World, A Biennial International Record.
We learn that the Guardian considers this work a most effective book for attracting interest in the Cause, and those who long to serve in the teaching field, thus have an opportunity to promote the Message by presenting copies of The Bahá’i World to awaken and universal souls.
The Guardian has also urged the friends to acquaint themselves with the international affairs of the Cause. This means that thorough knowledge of the contents of this volume should be regarded as a necessary and valuable part of our relationship to the Cause. The National Assembly requests each local Assembly and group to assist in the promotion of the book, both among their own members and those individuals and organizations, among the community whom they feel it is especially important to influence favorably. Orders may be sent to the Bahá’i Publishing Committee, New York, as per price list published in the last NEWS LETTER.
Dr. Moody Plans Return to Tihrán[edit]
The information has been received that Dr. Susan I. Moody will sail on S. S. Aleysia, Fabre Line, leaving 31st Street, Brooklyn, November 17.
Dr. Moody will be accompanied by Miss Adelaide Sharp, who has nobly volunteered her services at the Tarbiat School in Tihrán. The travelers will reach Haifa on December 16, where they will consult Shoghi Effendi before proceeding to Persia.
The gratitude, the loving best wishes and prayers of the American believers will flow forth to surround these two devoted souls who have arisen in one of the most important works of the Cause. To Dr. Moody’s historic career in Tihrán will now be added the crowning chapter of this complete consecration to Bahá’i service.
Announcement by Publishing Committee[edit]
The Bahá’i Publishing Committee is happy to present to you an opportunity made possible through the generosity of the gifted artist, Miss F. Soule Campbell.
Miss Campbell has dedicated to the Temple, which is being erected at Wilmette, Illinois, the proceeds from her “Interpretative Etching of ’Abdu’l-Bahá.”
We know that many will be grateful to receive one of these beautiful reproductions of the Master, ’Abdu’l-Bahá, which gives not only the beautiful and strong features but also the loving and majestic soul of the Great One. ’Abdu’l-Bahá himself wrote his name on the original drawing.
Each copy ordered means a gift to the Temple.
The sizes and prices, in gray or sepia, are as follows: Postage is included.
Size 1—1 x 1½ on card 2 x 4, $.40
Size 2-3 x 5 on card 5 x 8, $1.00
Size 3—5¼, x 7 on card 8 x 10, $2.00
Size 4—6½ x 9 on card 8 x 10, $3.00
Size 5—11 x 14, $4.50
Send orders to Bahá’i Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York City.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements for Period, August 1 to 31, 1928
Cash & Securities on Hand August 1, 1928| Northern Trust Co. | $6,228.82 | ||
| “ “ “ Savings | 400.00 | ||
| “ “ “ Special | 7.30 | ||
| State Bank & Trust Co. | 34,053.84 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | ||
| Stocks | 150.00 | ||
| Stocks | 150.00 | $40,889.96 |
| Cash Receipts | |||
| For Temple | 776.05 | ||
| For Budget | 3,291.00 | ||
| Interest Earned | 52.90 | 41,119.95 | |
| 45,009.91 |
| Disbursements | |||
| Temple | 172.41 | ||
| Green Acre | 700.70 | ||
| Less-Amount Contributed | $1,250.00 | 549.30 | |
| Star of the West | None | ||
| International | 380.00 | ||
| Publication | 196.83 | ||
| Administration | 1,355.04 | $2,279.98 | |
| $42,729.93 |
| Northern Trust Co. | 2,706.08 | ||
| “ “ “ Savings | 400.00 | ||
| “ “ “ Special | 7.30 | ||
| State Bank & Trust Co. | $14,410.57 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | ||
| U. S. Certificates of Deposit | 25,005.98 | ||
| Stocks & Bonds | 150.00 | $42,729.93 |
Your Teaching Committee recently met in Green Acre and was greatly inspired by the warm response to the modern study class from various centers. This type of group study suggested by Ruhi Effendi has been tried out with great success in Green Acre this summer and these outlines and reference lists will be sent to each Assembly or group of students on request.
In order to facilitate this work Mrs. Doris McKay, Mrs. Marion Little and Mr. Reginald Collison have kindly undertaken this phase of the work, and we shall therefore greatly appreciate your cooperation in addressing all communications having reference to the modern study class to Mrs. Doris McKay, Outline Bureau, Pre-Emption Road, Geneva, New York, and all other aspects of teaching, traveling, public meetings, circuits and so forth, to the regular Teaching Committee secretary.
The following statement from Mrs. Doris McKay, regarding the Outline Study Course, is a clear statement of the purpose and scope of this modern study class and is a good introduction to the Outline references which follow:—
“In His joint tablet to fifty-three Persian believers Bahá’u’lláh made this statement, “We have established Science that it might direct the people to the way of God. . . . Blessed is that learned man who through science finds the fragrance of the Known, and advances to the Supreme Horizon with evident assurance.”
In the word of Abdu’l-Bahá: “The unique accomplishment of Bahá’u’lláh in this day is the reconciliation of Science and Religion.” Shoghi Effendi has indicated a desire that the Bahá’is as teachers make an appeal to all classes, moreover, he says that in order to do this we will have to make many changes in the presentation and use of our subject matter. He has impressed upon us the importance of a working knowledge of science and sociology, for example, as an aid in advancing the Bahá’i viewpoint to students and leaders in the world of progressive thought.
“As a brilliant exemplar of the adaptation of this phase of the Cause of an important class of people not adequately reached before, Ruhi Effendi in his trip across the continent interested, thoughtful people everywhere by a colorful tie-up of the Bahá’i teachings with the discoveries of advanced thinkers in the modern world.”
“Impressed by the revealed possibilities of developing this aspect of Bahá’i teaching, especially when fortified by the known wishes of our Guardian, the Teaching Committee, working through an Outline Bureau, have suggested our uniting on a Modern Study Course. This course is primarily designed to provide a systematized outline of study based on the rich store of scientific knowledge obtainable in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ’Abdu’l-Bahá, further elaborated by an investigation of the writings of those authorities in the world of modern research who have caught something of the great meaning with which this Age has become impregnated by Bahá’u’lláh. It should be understood that the study of these outside references is not suggested by the idea of reinforcing our own fundamental knowledge obtained from the Bahá’i writings, but rather to furnish a desired meeting place with the advancing army of youth and scientific achievement.
“It is with a sense of discovery bordering on bewilderment that the student of the Bahá’i teachings approaches, what Bahá’u’lláh has called the Ocean of Science. In the revealed Word we find definite statements which cover the vast field of modern science (both in its special and in its broadest interpretation), which are being corroborated by the outstanding pioneers of the present time. The outlines in Modern Science now being prepared by the Outline Bureau and their assistants will deal with the Bahá’i Teachings on the ultimate realities of matter and energy, atomic researches in chemistry and physics, the discoveries of modern astronomical research, geologic research as a proof of evolution including the more modern theory of emergent evolution. Each outline will contain a carefully prepared list of books and references which will demonstrate to an amazing degree that the most advanced scientists have done little more than to expand those profound assertions found throughout our teaching.
“It is the intention of the Outline Bureau to issue supplementary outlines on various Bahá’i teachings related to science, for example, the Scientific Proofs of the Existence of God, the Logical Proofs of Immortality, the Microcosm and the Macrocosm, and the entire body of believers are solicited to aid with suggestions and outlines for the enrichment of this course.
“As the prime object of this or any plan is to call forth that unity of effort and merging of ideals which in the abstract is needed for the building of the Temple, the committee realizes its dependence upon the response of all the believers to the above course of study. To this end the Outline Bureau will welcome any suggestions or opinions in regard to the plan which may occur to workers throughout the country.”
We shall be most happy to hear from the friends far and wide regarding the progress of the work, their plans and aspirations for the coming season and in the spirit of loving cooperation we are
- Faithfully yours,
Teaching Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly,
- MR. HARLAN OBER, Chairman,
- MRS. DORIS MCKAY, Outline Bureau,
- MRS. MARION LITTLE,
- MR. REGINALD COLLISON,
- MRS. MAY MAXWELL,
- 716 Pine Avenue, Montreal, Que.
REFERENCES FOR BAHA’I STUDY GROUPS
Subject: Influence of the Prophets on Civilization. Furnished by Mr. Albert Vail.
Bahá’í References:
- Promulgation of Universal Peace,
- Vol. I—pp. 355 ff. and pp. 337 ff.
- and other addresses.
- Some Answered Questions—1st few
- chapters.—’Abdu’l-Bahá.
- Some Mysterious Forces of
- Civilization—’Abdu’l-Bahá.
- Paris Talks and Divine Philosophy
- —’Abdu’l-Bahá.
Other References:
- The Gospel of Buddha, Paul Carus.
- The Soul of a People, H. Fielding
- Hall.
- Comparative Religions, Alfred W.
- Martin.
- The Preaching of Islam, T. W.
- Arnold.
- The Light of Asia, Edwin Arnold.
- Travels of Fa-hien. Translated by
- Legge.
- Wisdom of East Series, Vol. on
- Zoroaster, Buddhism, etc.
- The Spirit of Islam, Ameer Ali.
- The Expansion of Christianity, Harnach.
- Heroic Lives in Universal Religions,
- Vail.
Subject: Science and Religion. Furnished by Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler. Bahá’i References:
Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era,
- Chap. XII pp. 49-51.
Star of the West. Vol. XIV, pp.
- 101-9.
Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh.
- Tajalliyat (3rd Tajalli).
- The Glad Tidings (11).
Bahá’i Scriptures. Par. 674.
- Some Answered Questions.
- Chapters XLVI, XLIX, L, LXXIX.
|
of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada
P.O. Box 139, Station D, New York City Office of the Treasurer 1821 Lincoln Street Evanston, Ill.
|
therefrom will go directly into the National Fund. The next meeting will be held at Chevy Chase, Maryland, on December 8 and 9.
Literature Presented to Emperor and Empress of Japan[edit]
Through the generosity of one of the believers, a number of Bahá’i volumes in special bindings was sent to the Emperor and Empress of Japan on October 25, in the name of the Bahá’i ladies of America, to add this spiritual note to the occasion of their Coronation. The original suggestion came from a Japanese gentleman of high standing. A request sent to the Guardian for words of greeting to accompany the literature brought forth the following response: “May the perusal of Bahá’i literature enable Your Imperial Majesty to appreciate the sublimity and penetrative power of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and inspire you on this auspicious occasion to arise for its worldwide recognition and triumph,” (Signed) Shoghi.
Publishing Committee Announce New Books[edit]
A new edition of Bahá’i Scriptures has been printed under the direct supervision of the Publishing Committee, which purchased the plates and copyrights from Brentano’s, the original publishers. This new edition has been printed on thin paper of light weight and with smaller margins, making the volume less than an inch thick and conveniently portable. The price has also been reduced to $2.50 per copy.
Before December 1, there will also be ready a new edition of The Bahá’i Revelation by Thornton Chase, a valuable work long out of print, to sell at $2.00 per copy.
Thanks to a very advantageous arrangement made with a printing house, both these books have been published without the expense to the National Fund. Orders should be sent to the Bahá’i Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York.
Bahá’i Cause Stimulated By Attacks in Constantinople[edit]
A letter from one of the Guardian’s secretaries brings the thrilling news that the members of the Spiritual Assemblies in Constantinople and also Smyrna, as the result of being mistaken for a secret political society, were recently seized and imprisoned at the police station overnight. After cross–examination for eight consecutive hours by high state officials, they were acquitted and released the following day. The result of this excitement was that all newspapers carried the story with front page headlines, and the population has been made thoroughly aware of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.
Gifts of Jewelry to National Fund[edit]
Believers in the United States and Canada who desire to donate jewelry, etc., to the National Fund are requested to send this direct to Mrs. Nellie S. French, Chairman of the Finance Committee, 501 Bellefontaine Street, Pasadena, Calif. Mrs. French will arrange for the sale of such gifts under conditions, making for the largest possible return to the National Fund, and the Treasurer will send the usual receipt for the donation as soon as its cash value has been determined. It is obvious that the Treasurer’s office receipts cannot cover other than actual cash.
Photographs for Year Book[edit]
The friends in all countries are requested to forward to Mrs. Victoria Bedikian, P. O. Box 179, Montclair, N. J., U.S.A., photographs suitable for publication in volume three of The Bahá’i World, the authorized international biennial record of the Cause. Mrs. Bedikian is Photograph Editor of the editorial committee. The great interest and permanent historical value of Bahá’i photographs is clearly shown in the admirable selection of illustrations used in the current volume.
Second Season of Pacific Coast Bahá’i Summer School[edit]
The housing facilities on the beautiful tract of land at Geyserville placed at the disposal of the Committee by Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch proved inadequate this year to meet the needs of all who wished to attend the Bahá’i Summer School. It is apparent from letters and reports received since the close of the season that this center is becoming a vital force in the hearts of the believers on the Pacific Coast.
The program arranged this year included daily sessions at which important Bahá’i topics were presented by the following teachers: Mr. W. P. Hatch, Mrs. E. G. Cooper, Mr. H. R. Hurlbut, Mrs. Helen Bishop, Prof. E. A. Rogers, Mr. Leroy C. Ioas, Mrs. Gladys Aoki, Mr. George O. Latimer and Mrs. Grace B. Holley. The School was conducted from July 16 to August 11.
Preliminary plans for the summer of 1929 are aimed to broaden the courses of study and to increase the housing facilities, and the following
