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No. 273

BAHA’I YEAR 110

NOVEMBER, 1953

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THE GUARDIAN

A CONCERTED, SUPERHUMAN EFFORT

Cable from the Guardian

Transmit (the) following joyful tidings National Spiritual Assemblies (of the) Bahá’í World. World spiritual crusade, mightiest agency yet conceived (for the) systematic execution (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, (has been) befittingly ushered in through successive, magnificent victories won (by) Bahá’u’lláh’s crusaders (in) virgin territories (in) every continent (of the) globe.

Four months (have) elapsed since its glorious inauguration amidst climax (of) festivities commemorating (the) Centenary (of the) inception (of) His Mission, immortalized (by the) opening (of) no less (than) twenty-eight territories (and) islands, nine (in) Europe, eight (in) America, six (in) Africa, five (in) Asia, constituting (a) dispersal unprecedented (in) its rapidity (and) scope (during) eleven decades (of) Bahá’í history.

(The) number (of) pioneers (who) responded (to the) call (for) settlement (of) open (and) unopened territories (on the) planet passed (the) three hundred mark: over (a) hundred (and) fifty (from) America, over fifty (from) Europe, over forty (from) Africa, over forty (from) Asia. (The) number (of) prospective pioneers (to) virgin areas (is) over forty. All Western Hemisphere (and) African areas allocated (to the) United States National Assembly, as well as all European areas allocated (to the) various National Assemblies, (have been) assigned.

(The) Roll (of) Honor designed (to) perpetuate (the) memory (of the) exploits (of the) spiritual conquerors (is) already inscribed (with

COMPLETED SHRINE OF THE BAB

The first photograph received of the completed Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel

[Page 2] the) names (of the) following pioneers, together (with their) respective territories, amounting (to) almost (a) fourth (of the) number required (for the) attainment (of the) paramount objective (of the) opening phase (of the) ten year plan. Sohail Samandari, Italian Somaliland; Mary (and) Rex Collison, Dunduzu Chisizwa, Ruanda-Urundi; Izzatu’lláh Zahrai, Southern Rhodesia; Ghulamal Kurlawala, Daman; Gail (and) Jameson Bond, Franklin; Roshan Aftabi, Feroza Yaganagi, Goa; Rose Perkal, Jack Huffman, Kodiak Island; Mr. (and) Mrs. Arthur Crane, Key West; Saeed Nahvi, Shyan Behrarilal, Pondicherry; Udainarayan Singh, Sikkim; Fred Schechter, French Somaliland; Virginia Orbison, Balearic Islands; Mr. (and) Mrs. Amín Banání, Greece; ‘Abbás Vakil, Cyprus; Gertrude Eisenberg, Canary Islands; Dick Stanton, Keewatin; Mr. (and) Mrs. Jenabe Caldwell, Aleutian Islands; Edythe MacArthur, Queen Charlotte Islands; Hushmand Manuchihri, Liechtenstein; Eskil Ljungberg, Faroe Islands; Mildred Clark (and) Loyce Lawrence, Lofoten Islands; Salisa Kirmani, Shirin Nurani, Karikal; Zia’u’lláh Asgarzadeh, Evelyn Baxter, Channel Islands; Kay Weston, Magdalen Islands; Julius Edwards, Northern Territories Protectorate; Doris Richardson, Grand Manan Island; Charles Dunning, Orkney Islands; Nellie French, Monaco.

Countries (in which) Bahá’ís reside now aggregate over (one) hundred fifty. Over seventy (have been) added (in the) course (of the) nine years separating (the) first (and) second Jubilees.

(The) festivities (of the) Holy Year, so splendidly inaugurated, attaining (the) high water mark (on the) occasion (of the) Ninetieth Anniversary (of the) declaration (of the) Mission (of the) Founder (of the) Faith, (are) approaching (their) end. Appeal entire body (of) His followers (to) exert (a) concerted, superhuman effort (to) celebrate, through acceleration (of their) dispersal, (the) conclusion (of the) world-wide rejoicings, (and) pay worthy tribute (to) His memory, through as close (an) approach (to the) two hundred mark as possible (of the) total number (of) sovereign States, Dependencies, (and) Islands comprising (the) orbit (of) His irresistibly expanding Faith, achieving thereby a feat paralleling, (in the) eyes (of) posterity, (the) triumphant completion (of the) superstructure (of the) Sepulchre (of) its Co-Founder (at the) Bahá’í World Center (in the) Holy Land.

—SHOGHI

Haifa, Israel
September 20, 1953

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COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

The Bahá’ís of the entire world are blessed with the “joyful tidings” which the revered Guardian has cabled. We are profoundly grateful that he feels that the World Crusade has been “befittingly ushered in” by “magnificent victories” won in “every continent of the globe.”

In this message the Guardian lists those pioneers who have already been inscribed on the Roll of Honor. Bahá’í history begins to record those believers who have arisen to seek new homes in virgin territories and sound the call of the teachings to those who are spiritually prepared. Bahá’ís are now found in more than one hundred and fifty countries.

Each blessing bestowed upon the followers of Bahá’u’lláh is twofold: It signalizes honor paid for achievement, and it points to the greater achievements that lie ahead. Thus the crucial point of this message is Shoghi Effendi’s appeal to the “entire body of His followers” to bring as close to the number of two hundred as possible by the end of Holy Year the countries opened up to the Message in East and West.

To intensify the collective effort to bring this about within the few remaining weeks, the National Assembly not only airmailed copies of this message to other National Assemblies but also cabled them the substance of this appeal. By long distance telephone the Assembly also communicated with the U. S. Intercontinental Teaching Committees, to find out what new projects could be put under way. The result was that the Guardian was informed by cable on September 27 that pioneers would depart to twenty-four virgin territories before the end of Holy Year, in addition to the projects previously reported to him.

Thus one half of the new and challenging world task has already been accomplished by the Bahá’ís of the United States. We may be confident that the new settlements arranged by the other Assemblies will, if they do not amount to the twenty-six goals needed, bring the total very close to the desired number of two hundred. Such achievements inspire us all to loftier heights of endeavor and enlarge our vision to behold the possibility of success beyond what could have been accomplished before the World Crusade began.

The National Assembly is completing its data on the progress of the pioneering effort throughout the world to the end of Holy Year, and will as soon as possible publish in BAHÁ’Í NEWS a complete summary of virgin territories occupied, or definitely assigned to pioneers, or still open to new pioneer applications.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

THE GUARDIAN'S CABLE TO THE FOURTH INTERCONTINENTAL TEACHING CONFERENCE, NEW DELHI, INDIA

A Triple Bounty

(On the) occasion (of the) conclusion (of the) Holy Year (I am) overjoyed (to share the) following triple announcement (with the) attendants (at the) fourth (and) final Intercontinental Teaching Conference, marking (the) termination (of) festivities associated (with the) Centenary (of the) Birth (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s Prophetic Mission.

(The) five-year-old, three-quarter million dollar enterprise, constituting (the) final stage (in the) initial epoch (of the) evolutionary process initiated over sixty years ago (by the) Founder (of the) Faith, (in the) heart (of the) Mountain (of) God, (is) consummated. (The) finishing touches (of the) installation (of) stained glass windows (in the) Drum (and) Octagon, (the) removal (of) scaffolding (from the) exterior (and) interior (of the) edifice, (the) interior calcimining (of the) Dome, Drum (and) Octagon, tuckpointing, cleaning (and) floodlighting (the) entire Structure (have been) completed, synchronizing (with the) closing weeks (of the) glorious, twelve month annals (of the) Holy Faith.

(A) steadily swelling throng (of) visitors (from) far (and) near, (on)

[Page 3] The Shrine of the Báb, overlooking Haifa, Israel

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many days exceeding (a) thousand, (is) flocking (the) gates leading (to the) Inner Sanctuary (of this) majestic mausoleum; paying homage (to the) Queen of Carmel enthroned (on) God’s Mountain, crowned (in) glowing gold, robed (in) shimmering white, girdled (in) emerald green, enchanting every eye from air, sea, plain (and) hill.

(I am) moved (to) request (the) attendants (at the) Conference (to) hold (a) befitting memorial gathering (to) pay tribute (to the) Hand (of the) Cause, Sutherland Maxwell, immortal architect (of the) Arcade (and) Superstructure (of the) Shrine. (I) feel, moreover, acknowledgement (should) be made (at the) same gathering (to the) unflagging labors (and) vigilance (of the) Hand (of the) Cause, Ugo Giachery, (in) negotiating contracts, inspecting (and) despatching all materials required (for the) construction (of the) Edifice, as well as (of the) assiduous, constant care (of the) Hand (of the) Cause, Leroy Ioas, (in) supervising (the) construction (of) both Drum (and) Dome. To two doors (of the) Shrine recently named after (the) first two aforementioned Hands, (the) Octagon Door, now added, (will) henceforth (be) associated (with the) third Hand who contributed (to the) raising (of this) stately, sacred Structure.

(The) second announcement (is that the) world-wide process (of the) settlement (of) virgin areas (of the) globe (has been) accelerated (by the) arrival (of the) following pioneers (at their) respective posts: Cora Oliver, British Honduras; Carole (and) Dwight Allen, Greece; Mr. (and) Mrs. Xavier Rodrigues, Portuguese Guinea; Brigitte Hasselblatt, Shetlands; Elizabeth Hopper, Ada Schott, Sara Kenny (and) Mrs. Duffield, Madeira; H. J. Snider, Key West; Hugh McKinley and mother, Cyprus; Max Kenyerezi, French Equatorial Africa; Elsa Grossmann, Frisian Islands; Helen Robinson, Baranof; Mr. (and) Mrs. Ted Anderson, Yukon; Tabendeh Payman, San Marino, swelling (the) Roll of Honor, raising (the) number (of) territories (within the) pale (of the) Faith (to one) hundred sixty-five. Two additional pioneers (are) proceeding (to) leper colonies (in) Puerto Rico (and) French Guiana. Two valiant pioneers (from) India (and) America (are) preparing entry (into) Tibet. Two more members (of the) United States National Assembly (have) volunteered (to) pioneer, raising (the) number (to) five. United States pioneers (are) departing (to) twenty-four virgin territories ere (the) conclusion (of the) Holy Year. (The) Feast (of) Names (was) celebrated last August (by) two stalwart Crusaders (at the) weather station (at) Buchanan Bay (on) desolate Ellesmere Island, latitude seventy-nine, less (than) seven hundred miles (from the) North Pole. (The) irresistibly unfolding Crusade (has been) sanctified (by the) death (of) heroic, eighty-eight year old Ella Bailey, elevating her (to the) rank (of the) Martyrs (of the) Faith, shedding further luster (on the) American Bahá’í Community (and) consecrating (the) soil (of the) fast awakening African Continent.

[Page 4] The Shrine of the Báb, seen from the surrounding gardens

(The) third announcement (is that) preliminary steps (have been) taken, aiming (at the) acquisition (of an) extensive area (at the) head (of the) Holy Mountain, scene (of the) Revelation (of the) Tablet (of) Carmel, preparatory (to the) purchase (of the) site (for the) future Mother Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (of the) Holy Land, made possible (by the) munificent hundred thousand dollar donation (of the) Hand (of the) Cause, Amelia Collins, signalizing (the) opening (of the) second stage (in the) unfoldment (of the) mighty process set (in) motion (by the) Author (of the) Faith.

A Triple Responsibility

(This) triple bounty vouchsafed (the) Community (of the) Most Great Name, scattered (over the) face (of the) planet, calls for tremendous, immediate, concerted exertion (by the) assembled believers (in order) adequately (to) discharge (this) triple responsibility. FIRST, redoubled consecration (to the) pioneering task, particularly (in the) Pacific area emphasized (in the) Tablets (of the) Divine Plan, raising thereby, ere adjournment (of the) Conference, (the) number (of) territories opened (to the) Faith or assigned pioneers (for) immediate settlement (to) above two hundred. SECOND, (the) demonstration (of) increasing self-sacrifice through (the) inauguration (of) Funds (for the) purchase (of) land (for) future Temples (on the) Asiatic continent (and the) Antipodes, (in) Baghdád, New Delhi (and) Sydney. (I am) contributing three thousand pounds (for the) furtherance (of these) meritorious enterprises. THIRD, earnest consultation (by) representatives (of the) Persian (and) ‘Iráqí National Assemblies, directly concerned (with the) Holy Task, with (the) assembled Hands (of the) Cause (on) ways (and) means (to) conduct (a) thorough investigation (to) ensure purchase (of the) Holy Places, particularly (the) site (of the) Síyáh-Chál, (the) Cradle (of the) Revelation (to the) Author (of the) Faith, as well as (the) identification (and) transfer (to) Bahá’í cemeteries (of the bodies of the) relatives (of the) Báb (and) Bahá’u’lláh, constituting vital objectives (of the) Ten Year Plan.

(I am) ardently hoping, fervently supplicating (that this) epochal Conference, setting (the) seal (on the)

Detail of the Crown and the gold tiles of the Dome of the Shrine of the Báb

celebration (of the) Second Bahá’í Jubilee, (may) contribute (in an) unprecedented degree through (the) character (of) its deliberations, (the) solidity (of its) achievements, (the) scope (of its) accomplishments (to the) ultimate attainment (of the) shining goals (of the) World Crusade, destined (to) culminate (in the) not far distant Most Great Jubilee associated (with the) hundredth Anniversary (of the) Assumption (by) Bahá’u’lláh (of) His Prophetic Office.

—SHOGHI

Haifa, Israel
October, 1953

THE GUARDIAN'S CABLE TO HANDS OF THE CAUSE AT NEW DELHI

(On the) eve (of the) conclusion (of the) festivities commemorating (the) Centenary (of the) Birth (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s Ministry, (I am) moved (to) direct (the) following specific message (to the) Hands assembled (at the) Conference. In grateful recognition (of the) multiple bounties showered (in) rapid succession (upon the) Army (of the) Lord (of) Hosts (during the) course (of the) Holy Year, auspiciously ushered (in) through (the) proclamation (of the) objectives (of the) World Crusade, whose opening months witnessed (the) convocation (in the) heart (of the) African Continent (of the) First Intercontinental Teaching Conference; whose climax (was) signalized (by the) simultaneous holding (in the) heart (of) North America (of the) Intercontinental Conference (of the) Western Hemisphere, (the) Dedication (of the) Mother Temple (of the) West (and the) launching (of the) Ten Year Plan; whose record (has) been ennobled (by) two additional Intercontinental gatherings, successively convened (in the) European (and) Asiatic Continents, all eleven Hands (are) called upon (to) arise (to) enhance (the) abiding value (of their) strenuous, exemplary labors (during the) last twelve months, constituting (the) initial chapter (in) their steadily unfolding world mission.

(The) hour (is) propitious (on the) morrow (of the) last Intercontinental Conference (to) gird (your) loins (for) yet another, still wider dispersal,

Details of the Dome of the Shrine of the Báb, seen from the scaffolding of the hoist before this was removed

[Page 5] extending (over) one or two months (and) embracing Asia, Africa (and) Australasia, (for the) purpose (of) establishing close contact (with the) National Assemblies, advising (and) assisting Local Assemblies (and) individuals (to) attain (the) goals (of the) globe-girdling Plan.

(The) adoption (of the) following itinerary (is) recommended: Mason Remey, Dorothy Baker (and) Horace Holley (to) India, Pákistán, Burma (and) Ceylon; Ugo Giachery (to) Persia; Valíyu’lláh Varqá, Shu’a’u’lláh ‘Alá’í (to) ‘Iráq, Turkey (and) Egypt; Clara Dunn (and) ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (to) Australia (and) New Zealand; Dhikru’lláh Khádem (to) Malaya (and) Japan; Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí (and) Musá Banání (to the) Arabian Peninsula. (I am) contributing three thousand pounds (for) assistance (in the) execution (of this) meritorious enterprise.

(I) urge (the) Persian, Indian, Australian, Egyptian, (and) ‘Iráqí National Assemblies (to) extend (the) utmost assistance, (to) arrange schedules, publicize (the) Faith wherever advisable, (and) direct Local Assemblies (to) utilize every means (in their) power (to) add momentum (to the) most ambitious undertaking (yet) embarked (upon by the) followers (of) Bahá’u’lláh (during the one) hundred ten years (of) Bahá’í history.

SHOGHI

Haifa, Israel
October, 1953

A YEAR FOREVER SANCTIFIED

Cable from the Guardian to the Fourth Intercontinental Teaching Conference

As (the) Holy Year expires (I am) overjoyed (to) announce (to the) assembled believers no less (than) thirteen additions (to the) Roll (of) Honor since transmission (of the) last message (to the) Conference (a) week ago: Clair Gung, Southern Rhodesia; Ursula von Brunn, Frisian Islands; Richard Nolen (and) family, Azores; Katherine Meyer, Margarita Island; Geraldine Craney, Hebrides; Fawzi Zeinolabedin (and) family, Spanish Morocco; Manouchihr Hezari, Morocco, International Zone; Earle Render, Leeward Islands; Ted Cardell, Southwest Africa; William Danjon, Andorra; Fred (and) Jean Allen, Cape Breton Island; Frederick (and) Elizabeth Laws, Basutoland; Amín Batt, Río de Oro. (The) total number (of) virgin areas, inscribed (on the) Scroll with (the) names (of) conquerors since (the) launching (of the) World Crusade last Riḍván, (has) mounted (to) fifty. (The) number (of) territories included (in the) orbit (of the) Faith (has been) raised within (an) unbelievably short time (to one) hundred seventy-eight, marking (an) increase (of one) hundred countries since (the) celebration (of the) first Jubilee nine years ago. In addition, sixty unopened areas (are) bespoken, including (the) Ukraine (and) Albania. No more (than) eight volunteers (are) required (to) be despatched (to) Ashanti Protectorate, Bechuanaland, Chagos Archipelago, Comoro Islands, Marquesas Islands, Marshall Islands, Spanish Sahara (and) Tonga Islands in order (to) ensure (the) attainment (of the) preeminent goal (of the) Global Crusade, excluding (the) Socialist Republics (and) satellite countries. (The) moment (has) arrived (for the) last day (of this) Year, forever sanctified (in the) memory (of) future generations owing (to) its sacred associations, (to) be linked (with the) closing (of the) already narrow gap separating (the) vanguard (of the) Army (of) Crusaders (from) victory (in the) most glorious phase

The Octagon, Drum and Dome of the Shrine of the Báb

(of the) grandest collective spiritual enterprise (yet) embarked (upon by the) organized, firmly knit communities (of the) Most Great Name scattered (throughout the) planet.

—SHOGHI

Haifa, Israel
October 14, 1953

THE GUARDIAN'S MESSAGE TO THE NEW DELHI INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE

Presented by his Representative, Charles Mason Remey

To the Hands of the Cause, the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies, the pioneers, the resident believers and visitors attending the Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference in New Delhi, India.

Well-beloved friends:

With high hopes and a joyful heart I acclaim the convocation, in the leading city of the Indian sub-continent, of the fourth and last of the Intercontinental Teaching Conferences of a memorable Holy Year commemorating the centenary of the birth of the prophetic Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.

On this historic occasion, when the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America, of the Dominion of Canada, of Central and South America, of Persia, of the Indian sub-continent and of Burma, of ‘Iráq and of Australasia, as well as representatives of the sovereign states and dependencies of the Asiatic continent, of the Republics of North, Central and South America, and of Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania are assembled, and are to deliberate on the needs and requirements of the recently launched triple Campaign embracing the Asiatic mainland, the Australian continent and the islands of the Pacific Ocean—a campaign which may well be regarded as the most extensive, the most arduous and the most momentous of all the campaigns of a world-girdling Crusade, and which, in its scope, is unparalleled in the history of the Faith in the entire Eastern Hemisphere—my thoughts, on such an occasion, go back to the early dawn of our Faith, to those unforgettable scenes of matchless heroism, of dark tragedy, of imperishable

[Page 6] glory which heralded its birth, and accompanied the spread, of its infant Light in the heart of the Asiatic continent.

I vividly recall the meteoric rise of the Faith of the Báb in the provinces of Persia and the stirring episodes associated with His cruel incarceration in the mountain-fastnesses of Adhirbáyján, with the revelation of the laws of His Dispensation, with the proclamation of the independence of His Faith, with the peerless heroism of His disciples, with the fiendish cruelty of His foes—the Chief Magistrate, the civil authorities, the ecclesiastical dignitaries and the masses of the people, of His native land—with the humiliation, the spoliation, the dispersal, the eventual massacre of a vast number of His followers, and, above all, with His own execution in the City of Tabríz.

With a throb of wonder I call to mind the early and sudden fruition of His Dispensation in the capital city of that land, and the dramatic circumstances attending the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation culminating in His precipitate banishment to ‘Iráq.

I am reminded, moreover, of the initial spread of the light of this Revelation, in consequence of the banishment of Bahá’u’lláh, to the adjoining territories of ‘Iráq, and, as far as the western fringes of that continent, to Turkey and the neighboring territories of Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, and, at a later stage, to the Indian sub-continent and China, situated on the southern and eastern extremities of that continent as well as to the Caucasus and Russian Turkistán.

Nor can I fail to remember the series of alternating crises and victories each constituting a landmark in the evolution of the Faith—which it has experienced in some of these territories, associated with the distressful withdrawal of its Author to the mountains of Sulimáníyyih; with the glorious Declaration of His Mission in Baghdád; with His second and third banishments to Constantinople and Adrianople; with the grievous rebellion of His half-brother; with the proclamation of His own Mission; with His fourth banishment to the desolate and far-off penal colony of ‘Akká in Syria; with the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, His Most Holy Book; with His ascension in the Holy Land; with the establishment of His Covenant

Mason Remey, Hand of the Cause and President of the International Bahá’í Council, presenting the Guardian’s message to the Fourth Intercontinental Teaching Conference, New Delhi, India

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and the inauguration of the Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, His son and the Exemplar and authorized Interpreter of His teachings.

These opening stages in the evolution of His Faith in the Asiatic continent were followed, while the first and Apostolic Age of His Dispensation was drawing to a close, by the opening of the Islands situated in the Pacific Ocean, Japan in the north, and the Australian continent in the South. To these memorable chapters of Asian Bahá’í history another was soon added, on the morrow of the ascension of the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, and during the initial epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith, distinguished by the rise of the Administrative Order and the erection of its pillars in the cradle of that Faith, in ‘Iráq, in India, Pákistán and Burma and in the Antipodes. This memorable episode in its development in that vast continent was succeeded by the initiation, during the second epoch of that same Age, of a series of Plans in those same territories in support of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan and as a prelude to the opening of the recently launched world-embracing Spiritual Crusade.

The hour has now struck for this continent, on whose soil, more than a century ago, so much sacred blood was shed, in whose very heart deeds of such tragic heroism were performed, and in many of whose territories such brilliant victories have been won, to contribute, in association with its sister continents, to the progress and ultimate triumph of this global Crusade, in a manner befitting its unrivalled position in the entire Bahá’í world.

The various Bahá’í Communities dwelling within the borders of this continent and those situated to the south of its shores in the Antipodes, which include the oldest and most venerable among all the communities of the Bahá’í world, and whose members in their aggregate constitute the overwhelming majority of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, are called upon, in close association with four other Bahá’í communities in the Western Hemisphere, to undertake in the course of the coming decade: First, the construction of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, in the City of Ṭihrán, surnamed by Bahá’u’lláh “Mother of the World.” Second, the purchase of land for the future construction of three Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, one in the City of Baghdád, enshrining the “Most Great House,” the third holiest city of the Bahá’í world, one in New Delhi, the leading city of the Indian sub-continent, and the third in Sydney, the oldest and foremost Bahá’í Center in the Antipodes. Third, the formation of no less than eleven National Spiritual Assemblies, one each in Pákistán, Burma and Ceylon, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma ; one in Turkey and one in Afghánistán, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia; one in Japan, under

[Page 7] the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America; one in New Zealand, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, as well as four regional National Spiritual Assemblies, one in the Arabian Peninsula, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia; one in South-East Asia, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma; a third in the South Pacific, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America; and a fourth in the Near East, under the aegis of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ‘Iráq. Fourth, the opening of the following forty-one virgin territories and islands: Andaman Islands, Bhutan, Daman, Diu, Goa, Karikal, Mahé, Mariana Islands, Nicobar Islands, Pondicherry, Sikkim, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma; Caroline Islands, Dutch New Guinea, Hainan Island, Kazakhstan, Macao Island, Sakhalin Island, Tibet, Tonga Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America; Brunei, Chagos Archipelago, Kirgizia, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Tadzhikistan, Uzbekistan, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia; Admiralty Islands, Cocos Island, Loyalty Islands, Mentawei Islands, New Hebrides Islands, Portuguese Timor, Society Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand; Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Marshall Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America; Hadhramaut, Kuria-Muria Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ‘Iráq; Marquesas Islands, Samoa Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada; Cook Islands, assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America. Fifth, the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in the following forty languages, to be undertaken by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma, in association with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand: Abor Miri, Aneityum, Annamese, Balochi, Bentuni, Binandere, Cheremiss, Chungchia, Georgian, Houailou, Javanese, Kado, Kaili, Kopu, Kusaie, Lepcha, Lifu, Manchu, Manipuri, Manus Island, Marquesas, Mentawei, Mongolian, Mordoff, Mwala, Na-Hsi, Nicobarese, Niue, Ossete, Ostiak, Pali, Panjabi, Pashto, Perm, Petats, Samoan, Thô, Tibetan, Tonga, Vogul. Sixth, the consolidation of Aden Protectorate, Adhirbáyján, Afghánistán, Ahsá, Armenia, Bahrayn Island, Georgia, Ḥijáz, Saudi-Arabia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Yemen, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Persia; of Balúchistán, Borneo, Burma, Ceylon, Indo-China, Indonesia, Malaya, Nepal, Pákistán, Sarawak, Siam, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma; of China, Formosa, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Philippine Islands, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States of America; of Jordan, Koweit, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Trucial Sheikhs, ‘Ummán, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ‘Iráq; of Bismarck Archipelago, Fiji, New Caledonia, Australian New Guinea, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand; of Hong Kong, allocated to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of British Isles. Seventh, the incorporation of the eleven above-mentioned National Spiritual Assemblies, as well as those of Persia and ‘Iráq. Eighth, the establishment by these above-mentioned eleven National Spiritual Assemblies of national Bahá’í endowments. Ninth, the establishment of a national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the capital cities of each of the countries where National Spiritual Assemblies are to be established, as well as one in Suva, one in Jakarta, one in Bahrayn and one in Beirut. Tenth, the establishment of a national Bahá’í Court in the capital cities of Persia, of ‘Iráq, of Pákistán and of Afghánistán—the leading Muslim centers in the Asiatic continent. Eleventh, the establishment of two national Bahá’í Publishing Trusts, one in Ṭihrán and one in New Delhi. Twelfth, the formation of Israel branches of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Persia, of ‘Iráq, and of Australia; authorized to hold on behalf of their parent institutions property dedicated to the holy Shrines at the World Center of the Faith in the State of Israel. Thirteenth, the appointment, during Riḍván 1954, by the Hands of the Cause in Asia and in Australia of an auxiliary Board of nine members who will, in conjunction with the eight National Spiritual Assemblies participating in the Asiatic and Australian campaigns, assist, through periodic and systematic visits to Bahá’í centers, in the efficient and prompt execution of the Plans formulated for the prosecution of the teaching campaigns in the continent of Asia and in the Antipodes.

The Asiatic continent, the cradle of the principal religions of mankind; the home of so many of the oldest and mightiest civilizations which have flourished on this planet; the crossways of so many kindreds and races; the battleground of so many peoples and nations; above whose horizons, in modern times, the suns of two independent Revelations—the promise and consummation of a six thousand year old religious Cycle—have successively arisen; where the Authors of both of these Revelations suffered banishment and died; within whose confines the Center of a divinely-appointed Covenant was born, endured a forty-year incarceration and passed away; on whose Western extremity the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world has been definitely established; in whose heart the city proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh as the “Mother of the World” is enshrined; within whose borders another City regarded as the “Cynosure of an adoring world” and the scene of the greatest and most glorious Revelation the world has witnessed is embosomed; on whose soil so many saints, heroes and martyrs, associated with both of these Revelations, have lived, struggled and died—such a continent, so privileged among its sister continents and yet so long and so sadly tormented, now stands at the hour of the launching of a world-encompassing Crusade, on the threshold of an era that may well recall in its glory and ultimate repercussions, the great periods of spiritual revival which, from the dawn of recorded history have, at various stages in the revelation of God’s purpose for mankind, illuminated the path of the human race.

May this Crusade, launched simultaneously on the Asiatic mainland,

[Page 8] its neighboring islands and the Antipodes, under the direction of eight National Spiritual Assemblies, and through the operation of eight systematic Teaching Plans, and the concerted efforts of Bahá’í communities in both the East and the West, provide, as it unfolds, an effective antidote to the baneful forces of atheism, nationalism, secularism and materialism that are tearing at the vitals of this turbulent continent, and may it re-enact those scenes of spiritual heroism which, more than any of the secular revolutions which have agitated its face, have left their everlasting imprint on the fortunes of the peoples and nations dwelling within its borders.

—SHOGHI

Haifa, Israel
October, 1953

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

In these four stirring messages from Shoghi Effendi to the Fourth Intercontinental Conference held at New Delhi, we see again the dramatic sweep and the impelling challenge of the World Crusade.

In his triple announcement the Guardian joyfully tells us of the completion of the glorious Shrine of the Báb and of the immediate, deep impression this structure is making upon the people of Israel. He pays tribute to the labors of Sutherland Maxwell, Ugo Giachery, and Leroy Ioas in construction of the Shrine. The second announcement gives additional names of pioneers inscribed on the Roll of Honor, and he singles out several instances of heroism. The third announcement reports preliminary steps for the purchase of land at the top of Mount Carmel, site of a future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. He urges the assembled believers in New Delhi to act swiftly to open territories and accelerate the pace of the crusade in the Asiatic and Pacific areas.

We see in the Guardian’s cable to the Hands, directing them to undertake several months intensive teaching in Asia and the Antipodes, another indication of the world influence of this developing institution of our Faith.

The next cable announces thirteen additions to the Roll of Honor and brings the heart-warming news that there are now one hundred and seventy-eight countries and territories within the orbit of the Faith.

The Guardian’s long message to the Conference, presented by his representative Charles Mason Remey, Hand of the Cause and President of the International Bahá’í Council,

[Page 9] Participants at the Fourth Bahá’í Intercontinental Teaching Conference, New Delhi, India, are shown in the panoramic views above and below

points out that the “triple campaign embracing the Asiatic mainland, the Australian continent and the islands of the Pacific Ocean (is) a campaign which may well be regarded as the most extensive, the most arduous and the most momentous of all the campaigns of a world-girdling Crusade ...”

Here we have again the Guardian’s great gift of compressing in brief survey the highlights of Bahá’í history as he recalls the successive crises and victories of the Faith. “The hour has now struck for this continent,” he continues, “.... to contribute, in association with its sister continents, to the progress and ultimate triumph of this global Crusade, in a manner befitting its unrivalled position in the entire Bahá’í world.” And then he enumerates the goals of the Crusade in the Asiatic and Pacific areas.

The Guardian concludes his appeal with the eloquent hope that the fervent and systematic prosecution of the Teaching Plans in this great area may provide “an effective antidote to the baneful forces of atheism, nationalism, secularism and materialism that are tearing at the vitals of this turbulent continent, and may it re-enact those scenes of spiritual heroism which, more than any of the secular revolutions which have agitated its face, have left their everlasting imprint on the fortunes of the peoples and nations dwelling within its borders.”

These messages represent the fourth time, during this past Holy Year, when the Guardian has outlined, for a particular part of the world, his vision of this World Crusade. The magnitude and details of the task may be difficult for our minds to fully grasp but our hearts can respond—respond hourly and daily—as have the hearts of the pioneers already arrived at their posts or en route.

Bahá’u’lláh wrote that He had come to seize the hearts of men, that they might be welded together in a common faith. Our hearts, our minds, our resources, our lives are the instruments with which the Kingdom of God will be built. Let us pledge, solemnly and resolutely, our full share in this blessed and historic enterprise. The vision of the Guardian is the way to the Kingdom.

Faithfully yours,

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

[Page 10]

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

THIRD PIONEER REPORT

The National Spiritual Assembly is happy to announce the arrival of the following pioneers at their posts under the World Crusade.

ARRIVALS IN VIRGIN AREAS

Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Allen arrived in Athens, Greece, September 18. (Germany and Austria)

Mr. and Mrs. R. Ted Anderson arrived in the Yukon September 23. (Canada)

Mr. H. J. Snider arrived in Key West, Florida, September 25.

Mr. Julius Edwards arrived in the Northern Territories Protectorate, Africa, September 29.

Mrs. Helen M. Robinson arrived in Baranof Island, Territory of Alaska, September 29. (Canada)

Mrs. Ella Duffield and Mrs. Sara Kenny arrived in Funchal, Madeira, September 30. (British Isles)

Miss Katherine Meyer arrived in Margarita Island October 7. (Central America)

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nolen, with their three children, arrived in the Azores October 8.

Mr. William Danjon arrived in Andorra October 13.

Miss Gertrude Eisenberg arrived in the Canary Islands October 13.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Laws arrived in Maseru, Basutoland, October 13. (Persia)

Mrs. Edith Danielson arrived in Aitutaki, Cook Islands, October 14. (South America)

Dr. Malcolm King arrived in Georgetown, British Guiana, October 14. (South America)

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Wolff arrived in Dutch Guiana October 14. (South America)

Mr. and Mrs. George True with their son, Barry, arrived in Tenerife, Canary Islands, October 18.

Mrs. Emma Rice arrived in Palermo, Sicily, October 22. (Italo-Swiss)

Mr. Eberhart Friedland arrived in French Guiana (leper colony) October 18. (South America)

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bagley, with their three children, arrived in Palermo, Sicily, October 27.

ARRIVALS IN CONSOLIDATIONA AREAS

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Keith arrived in Costa Rica July 19. (Central America)

Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Ford arrived in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa, August 11.

Mrs. Valeria Nichols arrived in Costa Rica in August. (Central America)

Mrs. Meredith W. Smith and Mr. Elton M. Smith arrived in Colombia, South America, in September. (South America)

Miss Margot J. Miessler arrived in Puerto Rico September 16.

Mr. Elmer Guffey arrived in Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska, September 25.

Miss Ruth Yancey arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 25.

Mrs. Gladys Stewart arrived in Juneau, Territory of Alaska, September 28.

Miss Alice Hathorn arrived in Puerto Rico October 14.

Miss Christine McKay arrived in Puerto Rico (leper colony) October 14.

The movement of valiant pioneers to their posts continues; a positive response to the spiritual challenge placed before the conscience of the believers. Further projects for settlement are being developed and will be reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

CORRECTION: JUBILEE CELEBRATION BOOKLET

Under the title In the Master’s Presence, May 1, 1912, On The Temple Grounds, on page 10 of the Jubilee Celebration booklet, were listed the names of Bahá’ís, still living, who were with the Master when He blessed the Temple grounds. Two more names are to be added to this historic gathering: Mrs. Juliet Addison Cole, and Mr. Paul D. Voelz.

The name of Mrs. Hazel Tomlinson, included by error in the list, should be deleted.

REPORT FROM FOURTH INTERCONTINENTAL TEACHING CONFERENCE, NEW DELHI, INDIA, OCTOBER 7-15

Spiritual Conquest of the Orient

The fourth and last Intercontinental Teaching Conference, held at New Delhi, India, October 7 to 15, 1953, under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pákistán and Burma, convened the first international Bahá’í gathering ever held in the East. Its sessions concentrated the forces of the Bahá’í world upon those goals of the Ten Year Plan which are to establish firmly the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the lands of the Far East and the Islands of the South Pacific Ocean.

Four hundred and fifty Bahá’ís assembled beneath the colorful canopy erected on the grounds of Constitution Club—no doubt the most varied congregation of Bahá’ís yet assembled anywhere in the world. Here were seen the many races and peoples of India, Pákistán and Burma, Ceylon, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, Persia, ‘Iráq, Egypt, native Africa, Turkey, Europe, Canada, United States, Central and South America, unified in spirit and purpose within the Guardian’s consummate application of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the redemption and unification of humanity at the time of its final peril.

Surmounting the difficulties of language, the Conference exemplified that world unity which already exists among the Bahá’ís.

The Conference, after devotions conducted in English, Persian, Hindustani and Burmese, was convened by the Chairman of the Indian National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. A. A. Butt, with a gracious address of welcome.

“On behalf of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma, I welcome the representatives of the beloved Guardian, the Hands of the Cause of God, the representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies, and the friends who have come to participate in this great Conference,” he said.

“We have among us the representatives of ‘the chosen trustees and principal executors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan’ ... we have representatives of ‘the long-suffering, the unflinching, the much loved and steadfast members of the venerable and still-persecuted Community of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers laboring in His native land’ ... We have representatives of ‘newly-fledged, spiritually alert’ communities of Central and South America....There are representatives of a long established yet still-persecuted Community dwelling in a territory which may well rank next to the Holy Land and

[Page 11] Bahá’ís who attended all four of the Intercontinental Teaching Conferences held during the Holy Year. From left to right: Mr. Varqá (Persia), Mason Remey (Haifa), Mr. Doktoroglu (Turkey), Mr. Banání (Africa), Mr. Khádem (Persia), Mrs. Dorothy Baker (U. S.), Mrs. Khádem (Persia), Mr. Furutan (Persia), Mr. Samandarí (Persia), Horace Holley (U. S.), Mr. Rafiji (Persia), General ‘Alá’í (Persia), Mr. Sabet (U. S.), Mrs. Mottahedeh (U. S.), Mrs. Varqá (Persia), Mrs. Banání (Africa), Mrs. Sabet (U. S.)

---

the cradle of our Faith. We have members among us of the youthful yet vigorously functioning Community championing the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in the Antipodes. We have the representatives of the newly emerged yet swiftly advancing Community established in the Dominion of Canada.”

Chairman Butt concluded his address with a valuable survey of the Faith in India and Burma. “We have a Publishing Committee and have published Bahá’í literature in all the languages of India and Pákistán and the principle languages of Burma, Ceylon and Indonesia. (26 languages)

“We hold trust properties of the value of more than one million rupees in all the three countries of India, Pákistán and Burma. We have a School in Panchgani where we have recently purchased an extensive piece of land.”

High praise is due the Indian N.S.A. for the arrangements made for the sessions, the agenda, and the remarkable initiative and resourcefulness in making the Conference the occasion for outstanding public events and contacts.

The Guardian’s Message

The Guardian’s Message to the Conference was presented by his representative, Mason Remey, Hand of the Cause and Chairman of the International Bahá’í Council, with dignity and devotion.

Of the thirteen goals set forth by Shoghi Effendi in this communication, the Conference made intensive effort to fulfill the second goal, “the purchase of land for the future construction of three Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, one in the City of Baghdád, enshrining the ‘Most Great House’, the third holiest city of the Bahá’í world, one in New Delhi, the leading city of the Indian sub-continent, and the third in Sydney, the oldest and foremost Bahá’í Center in the Antipodes”; and the fourth goal, “the opening of ... forty-one Virgin territories and islands.”

The achievement of these goals was superbly supported by the Conference: $45,000 was contributed toward the purchase of the three tracts of land; seventy-four pioneers offered their services and were personally questioned by a special committee ; twenty-five pioneers were able to depart almost immediately for their posts; about $8,000 was contributed for pioneer budgets to assist those needing some financial assistance; and all applications from pioneers not assigned definite posts were handed over to the N.S.A.s concerned. Aside from difficulties and delays concerning visas, it would appear that all Asiatic virgin territories are or will soon be definitely filled, some receiving more than one pioneer.

The Indian N.S.A. has found its choice of site for the future House of Worship, nine acres overlooking New Delhi in an area which will in the near future attract large housing projects.

“... Such a Continent,” as the Guardian wrote, “so privileged among its sister continents and yet so long and so sadly tormented, now stands at the hour of the launching of a world-encompassing Crusade, on the threshold of an era that may well recall in its glory and ultimate repercussions, the great periods of spiritual revival which, from the dawn of recorded history have, at various stages in the revelation of God’s purpose for mankind, illuminated the path of the human race.

“May this Crusade, launched simultaneously on the Asiatic mainland, its neighboring islands and the Antipodes, under the direction of eight National Spiritual Assemblies, and through the operation of eight systematic Teaching Plans and the concerted efforts of Bahá’í Communities in both the East and the West, provide, as it unfolds, an effective antidote to the baneful forces of atheism, nationalism, secularism and materialism that are tearing at the vitals of this turbulent continent, and may it re-enact those scenes of spiritual heroism which, more than any of the secular revolutions which have agitated its face, have left their everlasting imprint on the fortunes of the peoples and nations dwelling within its borders.”

The Guardian likewise described to the Conference the teaching campaign upon which it was to deliberate; “a campaign which may well be regarded as the most extensive, the most arduous and the most momentous of all the campaigns of a world-girdling Crusade.”

The Portrait of the Báb

The spirit of consecration and deepened understanding engendered by the Guardian’s Message was deepened by the privilege of viewing the Portrait of the Martyr-Prophet of the Faith. One by one, kneeling before it in awe and reverence, rising to behold the likeness of the divine Herald, anointed by the Guardian’s representative with attar of rose, the followers of the Cause of God besought the purity essential to service in His Kingdom.

The heartfelt grief of several score Persian Bahá’ís, who arrived after the unveiling of the Portrait because of transportation difficulties, was consoled by the Guardian’s gracious permission, cabled his representative, Mr. Remey, to allow the Portrait to be unveiled a second time for all who could not be present at the appointed time.

Public Events

As at the previous Conferences, the agenda included public meetings—one held under the canopy, one in New Delhi Town Hall. Mason Remey presided at the first, whose theme was “Universal Peace—A Need and Exigency of the Time,” and the speakers were Horace Holley, Stanley Bolton Sr., Dorothy Baker and Dr. Ugo Giachery. Mrs. Baker presided

[Page 12] A delegation of Bahá’ís at the New Delhi Conference being received by His Excellency, the President of India

Bahá’í delegation received by the Vice President of India prior to the opening of the New Delhi Conference

at the Town Hall meeting based on the theme “Towards a World Federation,” the speakers being C. Featherstone, John Robarts, Mildred Mottahedeh and A. Q. Faizi.

A number of very good contacts resulted.

The New Delhi Conference, however, surpassed the previous Conferences in its provision of a public reception and tea in the garden of the Imperial Hotel. About one thousand persons attended, including high officials of the Indian government and representatives from Embassies and Consulates, with men from the press. Ninety-two formal acceptances to this reception had been received by the N.S.A. from men in high official position. The scene was most picturesque and charming — the spacious lawn and terrace filled with tea tables under the soft light of late afternoon — and many opportunities were afforded to believers to explain the purpose of the Conference and the nature of the Faith to the invited guests.

In addition, the N.S.A. found it possible to present delegations of Bahá’ís to three leaders of the Indian government — the President, the Vice-President, and Prime Minister Nehru, each on a separate occasion and in his own office or reception room. The list of Bahá’ís chosen to call upon the President included twenty-nine, from twenty-four different countries. Formal though they were, these interviews could not but enhance the prestige of the Faith throughout New Delhi.

Further Messages from the Guardian

Three cablegrams sent by Shoghi Effendi during the Conference were presented. One of these was a triple announcement to the Conference: the completion of the Shrine of the Báb; the arrival of nineteen additional pioneers at their posts; and that preliminary steps have been taken toward the acquisition of an extensive area preparatory to purchase of the site for the future House of Worship on Mt. Carmel, through the munificent donation made by Mrs. Amelia Collins.

This triple bounty “calls for tremendous immediate concerted exertion (by) assembled believers adequately discharge triple responsibility. First, redoubled consecration pioneering task particularly (in) Pacific area ... Second, demonstration (of) increasing self-sacrifice through inauguration (of) funds (for) purchase land (for) future Temples (in) Asiatic continent. Contributing three thousand pounds (for) furtherance (of these) meritorious enterprises. Third, earnest consultation (by) representatives of Persian (and) ‘Iráqí National Assemblies directly concerned (in) holy task with assembled Hands (of) Cause (on) ways (and) means (to) conduct thorough investigation (to) ensure purchase (of) Holy Places, particularly site (of) Siyáh-Chál ... as well as identification (and) transfer (to) Bahá’í cemeteries (of the bodies of) relatives (of the) Báb (and) Bahá’u’lláh.”

In this message the Guardian expressed the ardent hope that this Conference would contribute in unprecedented degree to the ultimate attainment of the goals of the World Crusade.

It was this message, produced together with a message sent through Mr. Remey, which defined and concentrated the efforts of the Conference upon definite achievements.

The second cablegram was directed to the assembled Hands of the Cause, calling upon them to disperse and teach for one or two months in Asia, Africa and Australia in order to establish close contact with the respective National Assemblies, and assist the local Assemblies to attain the goals of the Ten Year Plan. This message laid out the itinerary for all the Hands, and the Guardian contributed three thousand pounds for the expenses of the undertaking.

The Guardian’s third cable announced to the assembled believers that thirteen additions have been made to the Roll of Honor within the week; that fifty virgin areas have been settled since Riḍván; that the number of territories with Bahá’ís has mounted to one hundred seventy-eight; and sixty unopened areas have been assigned. He declared that not more than eight pioneers would have to be sent out in order to ensure the attainment of the preeminent goal of the World Crusade excluding the Soviet Republics and satellite countries.

Holy Year, he concluded, will be forever sanctified in the memory of future generations and he appealed that the gap be closed separating the vanguard of the army of Crusaders from victory. The actions taken by the committee in processing the pioneers no doubt fulfilled this ardent desire.

Special gratitude is due Mr. Alvin Blum for his untiring labor in heading the committee interviewing the pioneers, and to Mr. Sabet for his capable handling of the appeals for funds.

Highlights of the Conference, including the talks by pioneers, will be presented in a concluding report.

—HORACE HOLLEY

New Delhi
October 22, 1953

[Page 13]

WORLD CRUSADE

PIONEERS FROM BRITISH ISLES REACH CRUSADE POSTS

Pioneers have now been allotted to all of the European goals assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles.

Geraldine Craney has arrived in Stornoway, Outer Hebrides.

Eskil Ljungberg has arrived in the Faroe Islands.

Charles Dunning has arrived in the Orkney Islands.

Una Townshend has arrived in Malta.

Hugh McKinley and his mother have arrived in Cyprus.

Brigitte Hasselblatt has arrived in Lerwick, Shetland Islands.

Miss Baxter and Mr. Asgarzadeh have both arrived in Jersey, Channel Islands.

Other devoted believers are completing their preparations to join the ranks of these valiant Crusaders.

PIONEERS SETTLED IN EGYPTIAN GOALS

Of the many believers preparing to settle in the goal areas assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt and Sudan, these have reached their posts:

Mr. Max Kenyerezi, of Kampala, Uganda, has arrived in Brazzaville in French Equatorial Africa, the first Bahá’í to reach this territory.

Mr. Manouchihr Hezari and Mr. Hormos Zendeh arrived in Tangier, International Zone, Morocco, on September 30, the first Bahá’ís to reach this territory.

Mr. Rooho’lláh Mavadatt arrived in Algiers (consolidation) September 9.

Miss Rizvaniyyih Iqrari arrived in Benghazi, Libya (consolidation), September 10.

Mr. Mohsen Enayat flew from Tripoli to settle in Feezan, Libya (consolidation), arriving September 26.

Other believers are preparing to leave or are en route to these and other goal areas assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt and Sudán.

HOLY YEAR REPORT FROM GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

For the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria, this Holy Year has been full of new and deep experiences in the Faith. From its very beginning, as each historic plan was meted out by our Guardian, we have witnessed a new and surging spirit arising which has contributed immensely to the progress of the Cause in our land. The orbit of our activity has enlarged, and we are now joined with Bahá’ís from other lands in the field of international service.

The most important event was receipt of the message from the Guardian, containing the Goals which comprise our part of the 10-Year Crusade. In this message, our objectives were clearly outlined and defined:

1. Erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in or near Frankfurt/Main;
2. Settlement of three new Territories outside the Iron Curtain countries — Frisian Isles, Greece, and Crete;
3. Establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Austria;
4. Erection of a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the city of Vienna;
5. Expansion of the Faith in all Eastern neighbor countries of Germany;
6. Consolidation of the Faith as well as foundation of a Publishing House in Frankfurt/Main;
7. Participation of believers from Germany and Austria in the Intercontinental Teaching Conference at Stockholm, Sweden.

Deliberations at the Stockholm Conference paved the way for the launching of our Goals. Through the consultation with fourteen Hands of the Cause of God, the appointed representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies attending, the special committees, and the great assembly of believers, steps were taken to initiate the European phase of the 10-Year Plan. Fourteen pioneers volunteered for immediate settlement in the new territories, and generous contributions were made to the Fund to construct the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Frankfurt/Main.

The subsequent visit to Bahá’í centers in Germany and Austria of the Hands of the Cause of God from Persia was the next in the series of chain reactions from that historic gathering. In dynamic succession, they visited all Bahá’í communities in our countries, spoke eloquently on the Conferences at Kampala, Wilmette, and Stockholm, adumbrated the basic principles of our Faith, gave impressions from their experiences during the early and stormy days of the Cause at its Cradle, spoke in glowing terms of our Guardian, and charged each one to arise in a befitting manner to fulfill their respective goals. In addition, the 76 believers who attended the Conference returned to their communities full of spirit and purpose and reported with great joy the victories achieved in that northern city.

The steady stream of visitors through Frankfurt/Main and Stuttgart, Berlin and Vienna, Hamburg and Munich, Freiburg/Br. and Darmstadt, Karlsruhe and Heidelberg, Tübingen and Bonn, as well as many other centers, from Írán, Africa, United States of America, Lebanon, India, Switzerland, England, distant Brazil and many other countries personified the living example of that solidarity which is so closely identified with the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

Participation by Hands of the Cause in the Summer School, held annually on the fertile greens overlooking the town of Esslingen and nearby Stuttgart, made this a very special experience for those attending and enriched a thousand-fold this event of the Holy Year. Teaching methods, local problems, national plans, and international goals were systematically discussed, and valuable recommendations and solutions were developed.

Regional Teaching Conferences in the cities of Hamburg and Berlin brought a deeper understanding of the significance of Holy Year and stressed the importance of active service in the 10-Year Crusade.

In compliance with the Guardian’s instructions, three new territories have been opened by self-sacrificing pioneers. These countries, outside the orbit of Iron Curtain lands, have been settled before the conclusion of the Holy Year. They are Greece, Crete, and the Frisian Isles—Greece by Mr. and Mrs. Amín Banání and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Allen, and Mr. ‘Abbás Rafsandjání; Crete by Mr. Rolf Haug; and the Frisian Isles of Sylt by Miss Elsa Maria Grossmann, and Föhr by Mrs. Ursula von Brunn and daughter.

The Temple Committee has made

[Page 14] extensive surveys of the Frankfurt area and has located several sites, from which the National Spiritual Assembly will select the most suitable one. Final decision whether the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will be situated in the city or in its suburbs is a problem of vital import which we hope our Guardian will help us to decide.

The gates of the Holy Year are now closed, but the gates of our hearts are wide open. Holy Year has ushered in a new phase of human destiny, and that each and every goal which stands before us be met is our constant supplication. We pray we may never falter in our task.

—THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS
OF GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

‘IRAQI PIONEERS SETTLE OTHER NATIONAL GOALS

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ‘Iráq is faced with complex and difficult problems in the settlement of its virgin World Crusade goals of Hadhramaut, Kuria-Muria Islands, Seychelles Islands, and the consolidation areas. Pioneers, many with their families, have offered to go in such numbers that all the goals can be doubly filled when the technicalities of visa and immigration are overcome.

Meanwhile, ‘Iráqi Bahá’ís have offered to pioneer to goals assigned to other National Spiritual Assemblies and the following believers have reached their posts:

Mr. ‘Abbás Vakíl arrived in Cyprus (British Isles) August 19, the first Bahá’í to reach this goal area.

Mr. and Mrs. Shawkat Kamál Atilghaner, with their children, arrived in Izmir, Turkey (Persia, consolidation) August 17.

Mr. and Mrs. Ne’mat ‘Abdu’l-Wahid and Mr. Wahid’s sister-in-law arrived in Tripoli, Libya (Egypt and Sudan, consolidation) in late September.

CENTRAL AMERICAN GOALS SETTLED

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America announces the settlement of three of its American goals: British Honduras, by Mrs. Cora Oliver; the Bahamas, by Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Curwin and their daughter, Leanna; Margarita Island, by Miss Katherine Meyer. The Dutch West Indies, fourth virgin goal in the Western Hemisphere, is assigned and settlement is planned for November.

Of the Asian goals assigned to Central America, all are assigned except the Marshall Islands. Since these Islands are U.S. Trust Territories, it is necessary for pioneers to have a job before they can get permission to enter. Volunteers should consult their own Asia Teaching Committee for further particulars about this difficult goal or write to:

The Central American Asian Committee

Mr. Artemus Lamb, Secretary

Apartado 2104

San Jose, Costa Rica.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BRITISH ISLES

Home Front Pioneering

The need for maintaining a sustained teaching effort on the home front, at the same time that the goals of the World Crusade are being met, is crucial. There have been a number of pioneer offers for work at home, among which are those of Dr. and Mrs. Hakim, of Brighton, the Misses Howadai and Khaze, Miss Zara Warman and Mrs. Prudence George. Iraj Mottahedin has arrived in Cottingham, near Hull.

The London Bahá’í Community has carried on extension teaching in Reading which has been both “prompt and effective,” while the Brighton believers have undertaken teaching work in Portsmouth.

Mayor of Manchester Receives Bahá’ís

The Mayor of Manchester, who visited the Shrines at Haifa some time ago, invited representatives of the Bahá’í Community of Manchester to tea at the Town Hall. Both the mayor and his wife expressed themselves as having been most impressed in Haifa by the people they met and by what they had seen in and around Mount Carmel.

CANADA

Maritime Summer Conference

During the Labor Day weekend Bahá’ís from three of the Atlantic Provinces attended a three-day Maritime Summer Conference. Held at Little Sands, on the north-eastern shore of Prince Edward Island, the Conference offered an integrated program of devotions, recreation and concentrated study. The climax of the three-day event was the Feast of Might, held in Charlottetown.

Ontario Summer Conference

The annual Ontario Summer Conference was held from August 8 to 15 at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching, Ontario. Among the week’s studies were courses on “Deepening the Spiritual Life” and “the Art of Consultation.” The conference was held in a Y.M.C.A. camp, which gave many opportunities for meeting new contacts, especially among Indians. Several Bahá’ís visited nearby Rama Indian Reservation and opened the way for further contact.

CENTRAL AMERICA

Opportunities for Settlers

With its American goals assigned, the American Teaching Committee of the Central American National Assembly, in cooperation with the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee of the National Assembly of the United States of America, is directing its attention to the consolidation of the ten Republics which are to form their own National Assemblies during the 10-year World Crusade, and to the other territories which come under the Consolidation Plan as given by our beloved Guardian in his Convention message. All of these need settlers, but we especially mention Mexico, a huge, fascinating country with many goal cities to be conquered, singled out by the Master in passages quoted in “America’s Spiritual Mission.”

Panama, strategic crossroads between north and south, east and west, whose importance is heightened by the Canal Zone joining the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was also the subject of special attention from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. As settlers in the Canal Zone, professional people and tradesmen of all kinds have unusual opportunities. A plea is made for teachers, doctors, dietitians, clerks, typists, electricians, plumbers, carpenters to pioneer in this area. Those who can teach should apply immediately for positions. About thirty vacancies have just been filled and the demand is still much greater than the supply. One limitation is age. If you are 40 or over it is useless to apply unless you have a Veterans Preference or are already in Civil

[Page 15] Service and are merely requesting a transfer. Procedure has changed a bit recently and all persons who desire to apply for jobs should write directly to:

Personnel Director

Panama Canal

Balboa Heights, Canal Zone

All positions in the Zone pay well. There is no physical hardship attached to pioneering in this area.

As far as is known, only one Bahá’í has ever set foot on the shores of Martinique, the picturesque French Colony in the Lesser Antilles, and he was not able to stay. However, it is a consolidation project because the Faith has been taken there. If you speak French, this beautiful island offers unusual opportunities for pioneering.

If you are considering pioneering in any of the above mentioned territories or in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, or the Greater Antilles, write to your own Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee or to:

The American Teaching Committee of Central America

Miss Amy McAllister

Box 361

Colon, Republic of Panama

EGYPT AND SUDAN

Hands of the Cause Visit Cairo

On September 14, Mr. Músá Banání, Hand of the Cause, and Mrs. Banání reached Cairo on their way to the New Delhi Conference. During their short stay in Egypt they visited most of the local assemblies. These visits added much to the spiritual zeal of the friends.

On September 22, the Hands of the Cause, Mr. Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í and Mr. ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan reached Cairo on their way to the New Delhi Conference. Their stay in Cairo, although short, inspired us all and their visits to some of the local assemblies and centers created much enthusiasm, especially when they gave the news of the Wilmette and Stockholm Conferences. Mr. Valíyu’lláh Varqá, Hand of the Cause, and Mrs. Varqá also passed a day in Cairo on their way to the New Delhi Conference.

SOUTH AMERICA

First Bahá’í Literature in Guarani

Paraguay is the only country of South America that is bilingual. The language “Guarani” is as much a part of the culture as the Spanish language, perhaps more, because the people can better express their deepest feelings in Guarani. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America has approved the translation and printing of the first Bahá’í literature in Guarani.

The local assembly of Asunción did an important part of the translation work and the material is now ready to be placed in the hands of professors of the language to be revised.

The Bahá’í Community of Asunción has been given radio time (gratis) for a weekly broadcast. The friends have made plans to inaugurate the appearance of Bahá’í literature in Guarani with a broadcast to the people in the language of their hearts.

NATIONAL NEWS

AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

The following telegram refers to the goal cities for the World Crusade at home, listed in the October issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

“VIRGIN GOALS OF THE UNITED STATES REPORTED TO THE AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE AS SETTLED TO DATE: MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE; BRIDGEPORT AND NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT; CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA; PATERSON, NEW JERSEY; RALEIGH AND WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA; CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE; RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA; YUMA, ARIZONA; HAYWARD AND RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA. ALSO ASSURED IS LEWISTON, IDAHO.

“WE ARE APPEALING FOR 60 DEVOTED PIONEERS TO SETTLE REMAINING VIRGIN GOALS BY RIDVAN 1954.”

JESMA HERBERT, SECRETARY

BAHÁ’Í AMERICAN NATIONAL

TEACHING COMMITTEE

725 SOUTH ALVARADO

LOS ANGELES 57, CALIFORNIA

UNITED NATIONS NEWS

From September 3 to 5 the European Regional Conference of the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations was held in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Bahá’í International Community was represented at the Conference by Dr. Ugo Giachery as delegate and Miss Elsa Steinmetz as observer; 240 representatives and observers from 165 Non-Governmental Organizations attended. This Conference afforded many opportunities for the United Nations Bahá’í representatives, through association and consultation, to reinforce ties and further bind the Bahá’í World Community to the United Nations activities.

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE

The American Indian Service Committee is pleased to report that the National Spiritual Assembly has approved four proposed goals: First, reactivation of the Indian community at Macy, Nebraska, where a strong pioneer is needed. The three other goals are Gallup, New Mexico; Miami, Oklahoma and Pierre, South Dakota. These three focal points are to function as centers from which the Indian Reservations may be served. It is the aim of the Committee to place at least one pioneer for Indian teaching in each of these goal positions by the end of this year.

NATIONAL REFERENCE LIBRARY COMMITTEE

Any Bahá’í interested in helping the National Reference Library Committee to assemble references to Bible quotations from the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith, please write to:

Mrs. Marian C. Lippitt

1429 B Jackson St.

Charleston, West Virginia

for further information about this project.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOLY DAYS

November 12, Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

November 26, Day of the Covenant

November 28, Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 A.M.)

FEASTS

November 4—Qudrat, Power

November 23—Qawl, Speech

December 12—Masá’íl, Questions

December 31—Sharaf, Honor

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

November 6, 7, 8

December 11, 12, 13

[Page 16]

PUBLICATIONS

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Bahá’í Calendar, 1954. Commemorating the completion of the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel, with a beautiful drawing of the Shrine and the approach from Mt. Carmel avenue by Carl Scheffler. All Feast Days and Holy Days in color. Separate calendar of the Nineteen Day Feast on the back, with Holy Days, Anniversaries, days on which work should be suspended and Days of Fasting with essential information about each. Three colors on white. 14x8½

Each ... $ .20

Reduced Price on Jubilee Pamphlet

The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh (general edition). Jubilee Pamphlet. This is one of our finest pieces of literature, both in regard to material so carefully chosen from the Sacred Writings of Bahá’u’lláh by Jubilee Committee, and in regard to the physical design. The Guardian, through Leroy Ioas, expressed his appreciation for both the selections made and the quality of the brochure itself.

This brochure was selected for exhibit at the Twenty-Sixth Annual Exhibit of Design in Chicago Printing, and was displayed at the Chicago Art Institute for several weeks, later going on a traveling exhibit. The response, however, to this brochure has been slight. The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh will continue to be our urgent, vital theme throughout the World Crusade. In an endeavor to create wider usage of this excellent material the Publishing Committee urges its use for the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, World Religion Day, and for personal and public teaching in the coming months. The following large lot prices are offered. Discount on orders of $10.00 or more will now be in effect on this item.

50 copies	$ 8.50
100 copies	$16.00

Price per single copy will continue to be $.20 each. (Price on deluxe edition will continue to be $.90 each, but discount will be allowed on $10.00 orders. These prices will be effective November 1st.)

Loulie Mathew’s Book Available Through Publishing Committee

Not Every Sea Hath Pearls. By Loulie Mathews. Mrs. Mathews’ Bahá’í reminiscences telling of her teaching experiences in her many world travels. Formerly available through Mrs. Harry Ford at International Bahá’í School, Colorado Springs, Colorado, this book is now to be ordered direct from the Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette.

Price each .......$1.25

MARRIAGES

Anchorage Recording District. Alaska—Mrs. Mabel Cotter to Mr. Leslie MacLellan, June 7, 1953.

Bernalillo County, New Mexico—Miss Jean Beardsley to Mr. Donald McMillin, August 21, 1953.

Springfield, Illinois—Miss Mary Lou Smith to Mr. Aden Jesse Lauchner, August 27, 1953.

Chelan, Washington—Miss Ulale Harris to Mr. Charles Graydon Gipson, September 5, 1953.

Kenosha, Wisconsin—Miss Jacqueline Johnson to Mr. John A. Coburn, September 5, 1953.

San Francisco, California—Miss Prebel Stauter to Mr. Jack D. Franklin, September 5, 1953.

Houston, Texas—Miss Dorothea C. Sligh to Mr. Edward F. Lacey III, September 12, 1953.

San Francisco, California—Miss Earleta Cranshaw to Mr. John Archie Fleming, September 12, 1953.

Beverly, Massachusetts—Miss Helen A. Miller to Mr. Chester B. Curtis, September 13, 1953.

Helena, Montana—Miss Jeanine Ruth Saunders to Mr. Lawrence C. Stalnaker, September 13, 1953.

San Diego, California—Miss Viola Fern Dell to Mr. Frederick A. Guelke, Jr., October 3, 1953.

Beverly Hills, California—Mrs. Lili Maria Olitzki to Mr. Carl Herman, October 4, 1953.

Boston, Massachusetts—Miss Doris Hall to Mr. Roger Lee, no date given.

IN MEMORIAM

Mr. Voll C. Mangum

Jackson, Mississippi

July 21, 1953

Mr. E. A. Walker

Dayton, Ohio

July, 1953

Mrs. Elizabeth Carpenter

Berkeley, California

August 2, 1953

Mrs. Lucinda Massey

New York, New York

August 9, 1953

Mr. John Crowley

Beverly Massachusetts

August 15, 1953

Mrs. Olive Crocker

Albuquerque, New Mexico

September 5, 1953

Mrs. Nora O. Clester

Oskaloosa, Kansas

September 11, 1953

Mrs. Myrtle Campbell

Seattle, Washington

September 15, 1953

Mrs. Rosa Shaw

San Francisco, California

September 18, 1953

Mrs. Ursula Moore

Washington, D.C.

September 19, 1953

Mrs. Edna Ketels

Port Huron, Michigan

September 26, 1953

Mrs. Lillian Atwater

Maui, Hawaii

October 6, 1953

Mrs. Josephine Clark

Elsinore, California

October 7, 1953

Mr. Linton Lilly

Santa Monica Judicial District, California

October 7, 1953

Mrs. Sarah Wells

Medina, Ohio

October 10, 1953

Mr. Roy B. Sheriss

Santa Monica California

October 17, 1953

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BAHA’I 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.

BAHA’I 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.