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| No. 286 | BAHA’I YEAR 111 | DECEMBER, 1954 |
"IN ACCEPTING BAHA'U'LLAH"[edit]
“In regard to the question you have asked him: you are naturally quite free to do as you please; he can only give you his sincere advice. He feels that before coming to any decision you should think clearly about the matter and not be governed entirely by emotions.
“In accepting Bahá’u’lláh you have accepted Christ in His appearance as the Father, as He Himself so clearly foretold. The Catholic Church does not believe this; on the contrary, it still awaits the return of Christ. If you decide, in order to be buried next to your dear husband, to return to the church, you either would have to, in good faith, deny Bahá’u’lláh or you would be just using the church as a means to satisfying a desire of your own, which would certainly not be an upright and conscientious thing to do.
“When you think that your husband’s soul is now free of the limitations of this world, and that he no doubt is beginning to see religious truth in its true light and to appreciate the station of Bahá’u’lláh, you should ask yourself whether he would wish you to leave the truth for this day and re-enter the church just for the sake of your dust being near his dust? Your spirit, when you pass away, will be near his spirit; of what importance, then, is the body? He will pray for your guidance in this matter.”
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Dear Friends:
The National Spiritual Assembly calls attention to the excerpts printed above, taken from a letter written on the Guardian’s behalf by the Secretary, dated July 28, 1950.
This letter deals with a personal problem arising from the desire of a believer to be buried in her husband’s plot in a religious cemetery. The answer defines the issue in the light of the Teachings, and will no doubt assist others in a similar stage of development.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
NINE-POINTED STAR FOR HEADSTONE[edit]
The friends recall that in a recent issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS the Guardian’s statement appeared in which Shoghi Effendi said we are not to use the symbol of the Greatest Name on markers for graves of believers.
Now in the following cable, dated October 22, the Guardian approves the use of the nine-pointed star concerning which the NSA had written him: “Approve star for graves.”
The friends are free to act in the matter without further administrative action.
THE HOME FRONT[edit]
The American National Teaching Committee submitted a detailed report on the status of goal cities as of September 30. It would be helpful if every believer could study these fifteen pages of factual information.
Here are a few highlights:
Virgin Goals: As of that date there were 22 cities having 5 or more Bahá’ís, 8 with four, 22 with three, 40 with two, and 32 with one pioneer.
Virgin Goals with no Bahá’ís were: Fond du Lac, Wis., Richmond, Va., Roanoke, Va., Staunton, Va., Lorain, Ohio, Covington, Ky., Meridian, Miss., Galveston, Tex., (but three were en route), New Britain, Conn., Augusta, Maine, Lewiston, Maine, Brockton, Mass., Fall River, Mass., Holyoke, Mass., Lowell, Mass., New Bedford, Mass., Nashau, N.H., Cranston, R.I., Woonsocket, R.I., Burlington, Vt., Rutland, Vt., Clifton, N.J., Albany, N.Y., Elmira, N.Y., Ithaca, N.Y., Troy, N.Y., Allentown, Pa., Lancaster, Pa., Harrisburg, Pa., Reading, Pa., Wilkesbarre, Pa., York, Pa., Bismarck, N.D., Billings, Mont., Corvallis, Ore., Cheyenne, Wyo., (settler en route), Sheridan, Wyo., Montgomery, Ala., Prescott, Arizona.
Dissolved Assemblies to be restored: Augusta, Ga., Burlingame, Calif., East Cleveland, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, Montgomery Co., Md., El Paso County, Colo., Glendale Judicial District, Calif., Lansing, Mich., Geneva, N.Y., Brattleboro, Vt., North Augusta, So. Carolina, Greensboro, No. Carolina.
RECOGNITION OF BAHA'I HOLY DAYS[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Aurora, Illinois, have received letters from the Superintendent of Schools and from the Secretary of the Board of Education stating that parents of Bahá’í children may request that the children be excused on Bahá’í Holy Days.
The Superintendent of Public Schools, Beverly, Massachusetts has granted the “privilege of dismissal,” for observance of Bahá’í Holy Days, to believers included in the list prepared by the local Assembly and filed with the Superintendent.
The letter reporting this to the National Spiritual Assembly was dated November 4, 1954.
WORLD RELIGION DAY LISTED BY UNITED STATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE[edit]
The believers will be very interested to learn that copies of the pamphlet entitled Special Days, Weeks and Months, 1955, in which World Religion Day is listed, can be obtained. The publication is prepared and distributed by Domestic Distribution Department, Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Washington 6, D.C.
On page 3, under January, World Religion Day is listed; and on page 44 its Bahá’í sponsorship is reported.
To secure copies send order to Chamber of Commerce as above, 10 copies at 25c each; 50 copies at 20c each; over 50 at 15c each.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
A daily paper published in the Canary Islands refers to Mrs. George True as a “North American enamoured of this island, its dress and its customs.”
The Illinois Agricultural Association, State Farm Bureau Publication, used the April, 1948 front cover for a large picture of the Temple, being the 11th in their series of historical and picturesque Illinois cover subjects. The description given is factual and accurate.
The back cover of U.S. Steel News, October, 1954, carries a picture of the Temple set in a colored border with descriptive text entitled “Beauty in Concrete.” While the emphasis is on the material employed in construction, the editorial comment is very favorable.
The book review page of Washington Post-Times-Herald, October 3, refers to a new book in these terms: “Almost illustrative of one of the last pictures in the book—Bahá’ísts declaring the fundamentals of their belief that ‘All prophets of God proclaim the same faith’—Harpers brings forth this week a photographic survey of the religions of the world, Truth is One, by Henry James Forman and Roland Gammon.”
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 26, carried a feature story on Eva Mae Barrow, High School teacher.
The Asia Teaching Committee has received clippings, in Chinese, of articles written by a believer in Formosa. One article, published May 22, 1953, presented material on the Faith appearing in News Week of May 11, 1953. The other article was published December 15, 1953, on the history and principles of the Faith.
An article in Blasdell Frontier Herald, Blasdell, Erie County, N.Y., on September 2, described an international gathering at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Pringle. “The purpose of these meetings is to carry out one of the fundamental principles of the Bahá’í World Faith—‘There is but one race of people, the human race.’ ”
The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., on September 6 ran the AP story about the pioneer settlement of Lewiston, Idaho, by Robert and Shirley Niss.
“Bahá’ís In Israel” was the title of an article appearing in The Jewish Independent, Cleveland, Ohio, on September 24. This article features the Shrine of the Báb.
Under heading “Chicago’s Seven Wonders,” Chicago Sun-Times, October 3, ran photographs of seven scenes or buildings, selected by seven distinguished citizens asked to “nominate ‘seven wonders’ of the area.” The Bahá’í House of Worship is included in the seven.
As an echo of the Evanston Christian Conference, it is interesting to note the following reference to the Faith in a letter written by a member of the Presbyterian Church of England, published in British Weekly, August 26, 1954:
“One cannot be surprised that our Christian Churches are not as full as they might be if the spirit behind the Free Church of Scotland statement is accepted at its face value by men and women who do not subscribe to any faith. Nor can one wonder at the rapid growth in Christian countries of the new Bahá’í World Faith which is also gaining many adherents among the peoples of Asia and Africa. For that faith has as its motive force a burning belief in the Fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of all men, of all creeds and races, and, here is the point, like the early Christian Church, it practices what it preaches. Perhaps, after all, this new Bahá’í Faith is the answer to the apparently irreparable disunity of the Christian Church!”
A biographical sketch of the late Basil Taylor published in the Washington Post-Times-Herald on September 2, refers to him as “one of the country’s leading authorities in mosaic concrete work.” Mr. Taylor, in charge of the work on the exterior ornamentation of the Temple under the contract executed with Mr. Earley, died late in August.
A book entitled Not As a Stranger, by Martin Thompson, published by Scribner, carries a brief reference to the Faith on page 47, of a disparaging character.
A pamphlet on Your Religious Activities, published at Wayne University, lists the Bahá’í Club under “Campus Religious Organizations,” with this description: “The worldwide Bahá’í Club consists of Bahá’ís (believers of the Bahá’í World Faith) and those interested in its universal principles.”
Socialdemokraten, Copenhagen, April 17, 1954, covered the Bahá’í Regional Conference of Scandinavia, presented a brief outline of the teachings, and used a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá unfortunately presented as Shoghi Effendi.
The Conference was also written up by another Copenhagen paper, Nationaltidende, on April 17. This story ran a photo of seven of the Bahá’í Conference leaders.
WORLD CRUSADE[edit]
TENTH PIONEER REPORT[edit]
The National Spiritual assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States is happy to announce the arrival of the following pioneers at their posts in World Crusade goal areas.
ARRIVALS IN VIRGIN AREAS[edit]
Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt Clifford Haywood, Jr., with their children, Carol Joy and Ann Marie, arrived in Agana, Guam, Mariana Islands, October 11, 1954.
ARRIVALS IN CONSOLIDATION AREAS[edit]
Mrs. Rachel Maria Foster arrived in Guadalajara, Mexico, March 15, 1954.
Mrs. Emma L. Lawrence arrived in Golfito, Costa Rica, September 2, 1954.
Mrs. Else Norden arrived in Seward, Alaska, September 2, 1954.
Mrs. Rose Perkal arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, September 3, 1954.
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Miss Lotus Grace Petersen arrived
in Helsinki, Finland, September 21,
1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Howard arrived in Mexico D.F., September 24, 1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Y. Seto arrived in Kowloon, Hong Kong, October 1, 1954.
Mrs. Mabel Amidon arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, October 2, 1954.
Mr. and Mrs. Albert L. Reimholz arrived in Capetown, Union of South Africa, October 10, 1954.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
FRANKFURT CONFERENCE[edit]
In the Conference called by the Hands of the Cause of God in Europe, held at the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the German Bahá’ís in Frankfurt, October 1st to 3rd, 1954, all who were privileged to attend were enriched by witnessing the birth of a new phase of unified activity amongst all the institutions of the Faith and the believers of Europe. Hearts were stirred to realize that in this historic meeting, two great powers flowing from the Covenant of God—the one through the National Spiritual Assemblies at work in Europe, the other through the Hands of the Cause of God and their Auxiliary Board—met and were fused in the common task created by our beloved Guardian’s mighty vision of the Ten-Year Crusade.
The Conference was called together by the four Hands of the Cause of God in Europe. It was their first meeting with the Auxiliary Board and the first opportunity for consultation between the Hands and the National Spiritual Assemblies. Our dear and honored Hand of the Cause, Mr. George Townshend, was prevented by illness from attending, but his spirit, which had already been active and successful in his work throughout the British Isles, was felt by us all. At the head of our conference tables, shedding a beneficent and luminous spirit on our proceedings, reflecting to us like mirrors so many aspects of the heart of our beloved Guardian, sat the distinguished Hands of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, Dr. Hermann Grossmann,
First All-European Conference of Hands of the Cause with the Auxiliary Board for Europe, held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, October 1 - 3, 1954. The Hands of the Cause seated at the head table are, left to right: Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Dr. Ugo Giachery and Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel. This picture was taken in the Assembly Room of the Hazíratu’l-Quds of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria.
and Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, who jointly presided over our consultations through the chairmanship of Dr. Giachery.
The official delegates sat at two long tables joining this head table. There were eight of the nine members of the Auxiliary Board, who had been appointed last Riḍván in this very room. There were the official representatives of four of the five National Spiritual Assemblies charged with responsibility in the European field, and seventeen N.S.A. members in all, one from the United States, eight from Germany, five from the Italo-Swiss N.S.A., and three from the British Isles. The Conference was especially grateful for the participation of the American N.S.A. representative, Miss Edna True. The European Teaching Committees of the four N.S.A.’s were also represented, as well as several National Teaching Committees. Including a few unofficial observers, the Conference numbered just under thirty, with believers present from nine countries.
From the start we were conscious that this Conference—the first European Conference assembled in Frankfurt, the “heart” of Europe, meeting in the first national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Europe, and visiting the site of the first European Mashriqu’l-Adhkár at the foot of the Taunus hills—marked the opening of a new stage of growth for the European Bahá’í Community. It was indeed a thrilling moment in Bahá’í history which set all our hearts “singing and swinging,” to borrow the delightful phrase of Dr. Mühlschlegel. And he reminded us in his opening remarks before our work began that “we are placed by Providence in this age, this day, this continent, this Conference. So, overwhelmed by thankfulness for the bounty of Bahá’u’lláh, we shall take up our tools and work like masons, obedient, thankful, humble, and filled with the love of mankind.” This was in truth the spirit of the Conference, which enabled us to seek out and find the means of cooperation between so many agencies of the Cause, all working in one field, and all henceforth to feel themselves as brothers sharing one cherished task. It was this spirit which, no doubt, attracted as a blessing to our sessions the spirit of unity in such measure as words can never describe. And this unity was in turn crowned with joy. As our Chairman said on the last day, “It is really a time for rejoicing ... for these last few days have made possible the most wonderful understanding of our common problems.”
The first day of the Conference was devoted almost entirely to a detailed consultation on the way in which the Hands of the Cause and their Auxiliary Board might best cooperate with the National Spiritual Assemblies and their Teaching Committees. In their travels and letters the members of the Board were asked to explain to the friends the understanding which the Conference had gained of our Guardian’s instructions on this matter. Recommendations were sent to the five N.S.A.’s to suggest the fullest interchange of knowledge of conditions and plans for the growth of the Faith.
Great attention was also paid to the functions of Board members, and many suggestions were set down for
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The first Bahá’í group of Macao, and friends, at a meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Y. Seto, of Hong Kong, China.
their guidance. The Conference realized that the Board is in fact a new reservoir of energy and encouragement for local communities and individual believers, and everything possible was done to clarify the members’ tasks and invite their activity. Experiences shared by Dr. Grossmann from his recent travels in Britain pointed a way for Board members in their relations with the friends.
The Conference then spent most of two days examining each goal of the second phase of the Ten-Year Crusade. Reports were made by the N.S.A.’s on progress within their areas of responsibility, methods of work were compared, and prayerful thought was given to ways of increasing the tempo of achievement. This part of the Conference was full of interest and mutual help, as it brought to bear on many problems the vision and experience of many workers throughout Europe. This interchange of ideas will surely have fruit, and the desire to find a transcending unity of policy in the European field was evident. Cooperation in the dispersal of news, the publication and distribution of literature, the contribution of funds for the manifold activities of the Faith,—in these and many other fields the results of the Conference should be seen in years to come. The first tangible opportunity of cooperation was opened by the Conference, in its call to the European friends to unite on the eve of the Birth of the Báb in a continent-wide prayer for the removal of difficulties in purchasing the Temple lands and Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, which are goals of the Ten-Year Crusade in Europe.
One of the most urgent discussions centered around the need of the Continental Fund, established by the Guardian to “facilitate the discharge of the functions” assigned to the Board. As yet almost no contributions have been received except from the beloved Guardian and two or three other contributors. Inspired by the vision of the new impetus which the Hands of the Cause and their Auxiliary Board are ready to bring to the tasks of the Crusade, the Conference gave anxious thought to the fact that, without funds, the work of the Hands and the Board will indeed be paralyzed. Believing that this new strength needs only to be demonstrated, in order to win the generous support of the friends, the Conference called upon N.S.A. and Board members alike to waken the friends to the need of the Continental Fund. Part and parcel of this discussion was the consciousness that the Crusade depends upon the unified and unstinting support of all the friends, for the various Funds “are the life-blood of the Community and work cannot be carried forward unless the life-blood is constantly circulating.” The Conference hoped that the delegates might carry back to their home communities a new vision of this vital and urgent matter.
There were, in addition to these consultations, three memorable events. Our prayers on the site of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, beautifully placed on high ground with the City of Frankfurt at its feet and a lovely semi-circle of high hills opposite, filled our eyes with a picture of the future. In the Unity Feast, a banquet exquisitely prepared and served by our dear German friends, we were fed on the elixir of unity and joy, the spirit of this wonderful Conference. Words from Edith Horn, first pioneer to Frankfurt, were a highlight of this radiant night. Finally, we met on the last afternoon with many German believers in a Devotional Program — eighty of us in all — which crowned these thrilling days and deepened our gratitude and dedication. We knew our solidarity with these dear friends, who had shown us such loving hospitality, and we were reluctant to leave our home in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Yet we knew we should never leave in spirit, but would go forth into the world, as the Hands counselled us, joyous to take on our shoulders the tasks of the Ten-Year Crusade, conscious that the whole world is like the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and that we move through it with a new sense of worship, service, and love for all mankind.
Member of Auxiliary
Board for Europe
ITALY-SWITZERLAND[edit]
The Italo-Swiss Joint Summer School was held September 17-24 in Bex les Bains in Switzerland, and was attended by as many as 75 friends. Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, Hand of the Cause, discussed the Ten-Year Crusade, and Prof. Zeine-Zeine of Beirut lectured on the Kitáb-i-Iqán. For these sessions all the friends were together. Smaller groups, by language, were formed for study of Bahá’í Administration.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
NATIONAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]
A new policy has been outlined by the National Spiritual Assembly for the National Library Committee this year: Owing to lack of funds, the Committee cannot, itself, place books in libraries, but urges assemblies, groups, and individuals to undertake this activity themselves. This is an important teaching service, which ought to be carried out locally. The Committee is ready to give advice wherever it is needed.
We urge the Bahá’ís throughout the country to become patrons of the libraries in their home towns and to draw out Bahá’í books regularly. This is important, because, unless
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the Bahá’í books circulate, librarians are reluctant to fill their shelves
with them. Keep the books circulating and add new ones from time
to time. If your assembly is sponsoring a goal city, make friends with
the librarian and see that a few well-chosen introductory books are on
her shelves. Books in hard covers
should always be selected. It is difficult for libraries to handle paper-covered books.
The following is a list of books specially recommended for public libraries by this Committee.
- Introductory books, for libraries
in cities where the Faith is little
known:
- Paris Talks, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Some Answered Questions, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- The Heart of the Gospel, George Townshend
- The Spell of the Temple, Allen McDaniel
- Portals to Freedom, Howard Ives
- This Earth One Country, Emeric Sala (if reprinted: not presently available)
- The Divine Art of Living, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Compilation)
- The Bahá’í World (Any recent volume)
- Books for libraries which already
have introductory books on the
Faith:
- Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
- God Passes By, Shoghi Effendi
- The Promise of All Ages, George Townshend
- Mysticism, Science and Revelation, Dr. Glenn Shook
NOTE: The Bahá’í World Faith has not been included in this list because it contains passages meant only for Bahá’ís, which, unless one knows their background, seem to contradict more general Teachings.
When you have given a book to a library, please notify this Committee so that we can keep our files up to date.
The friends are reminded that some libraries are willing to arrange displays for World Religion Day. However, since these libraries represent the whole public, they should not be expected to give special prominence to any one faith. Bahá’ís should be content if only a modest part of such an exhibit is devoted to Bahá’í books.
It is to be hoped that Area Teaching Committees and those responsible for the agendas of State Conventions will make a place in their programs for the discussion of library activity, especially in goal cities.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nashville, Tennessee, newly incorporated in April, 1954.
We appreciate very much letters which have been received reporting gifts to libraries, even though we may not be able to answer them individually unless they contain questions to be answered or ask for advice. We shall be glad to help wherever we can.
NATIONAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE
Miss Flora Emily Hottes, Sec’y.
406 West Iowa,
Urbana, Illinois
Dr. Garreta Busey, Chairman.
503 West Elm Street.
Urbana, Illinois
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ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED
and under 55 years of age? If so, why not try to get a job in one of the World Crusade countries in the Pacific? For more information, write to:
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BAHA'I YOUTH[edit]
The Bahá’í Youth Bulletin reports Bahá’í activity on the campuses of the University of North Carolina, Arizona University, Wayne University, Washington University and Stanford University. Frequently carried on by two or three devoted youth, the work in these centers of learning ranges from personal contact, particularly with foreign students, to public meetings. Several universities have recognized a Bahá’í Club as an accepted campus organization and Bahá’í students as leaders in vital religious activity.
In Denver, six Bahá’í youth introduced the Faith to a non-denominational religious group of college-age Negroes and laid plans to spend a week-end at Temerity Bahá’í School with some thirty of these new friends for the purpose of studying the Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith more deeply.
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee requests that all Bahá’í youth (ages 15 to 21), young adults and assembly secretaries who are not now receiving the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin write to:
- National Bahá’í Youth Committee
- Box 1053
- Stanford, California
AREA CONFERENCES[edit]
Reports gathered from Area Teaching Committee Bulletins indicate that Area Conferences are stimulating new activity toward the fulfilling of the goals of the World Crusade.
Nine conferences held in the Southwestern Area during October were well attended. An interchange of information on employment and housing possibilities in goal cities, the need for settlers, teaching among Negro and Indian populations, were among the subjects for consultation. A suggestion was made that Area Conferences be scheduled in the smaller communities, to give the support and prestige of such a gathering to groups building toward assembly status.
Northwestern Area Conferences, held at Eugene and Astoria, Oregon, were reported as “very successful.”
A high attendance was reported for the Area Teaching Conference of the South Central States.
A two-day Central Atlantic States Area Conference held in Charleston, West Virginia, culminated in a public meeting which aroused new interest in the Faith. In the Central Atlantic area, conferences have been scheduled for November 20, in Washington, D.C. and January 15, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
More than 120 believers from some 50 cities and towns in 10 states attended
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the East Central States Area
Teaching Conference held at Louhelen Bahá’í School. The last of October another conference was held at
Muskegon, Michigan.
A report gleaned, like this one, from limited sources cannot show the full scale of activity, yet there are indications that these successes are being duplicated throughout the country.
NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS[edit]
The Elmhurst, Illinois, Bahá’í Assembly reports:
“On September 26 a Town Meeting of the Air, sponsored by the United Nations Committee of Lombard, Illinois, was held in Elmhurst, with Trygve Lie as speaker. The back of the program also listed the Bahá’í World Faith as one of the sponsors. Several Bahá’ís of this area attended this meeting. At the reception which followed, a representative of the Bahá’ís presented Trygve Lie with Bahá’í literature which he gracefully accepted.”
The Crusade Committee of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New York City reports that more than 25 Bahá’ís have dispersed from New York since Riḍván, 1954.
Bahá’ís of Great Falls, Helena, Butte and Missoula, Montana held a Montana Teaching Conference in Helena. The book Faith in Action was studied, section by section.
Two pioneers in Warren, Ohio, the only Bahá’ís for some miles around, wanted a Teaching Conference in their town. They invited Bahá’ís in Eastern Ohio to meet in Warren at the Y.W.C.A. Many came and a successful conference resulted. Excellent publicity was given in the local paper. Hot lunch was served. Children were cared for. “The thoroughness of preparation and attention to details has not been surpassed in large communities ... and here just two Bahá’ís did it,” said the East Central States Area Teaching Bulletin.
PROGRESS IN HOME FRONT GOALS[edit]
Eleven months ago, according to the Stockton Bahá’í Bulletin, there were no Bahá’ís in that California city. Today, nine members carry on activities which include at least two regular weekly firesides, a children’s class, public meetings and the observance of a full Bahá’í calendar. This goal city, the responsibility of
Believers gathered for study of the Guardian’s message, “American Bahá’ís in the Time of World Peril”, at a Southwestern Area Teaching Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
the Berkeley, California, Bahá’í Assembly looks confidently toward the establishment of an assembly next Riḍván.
The Gulfstates Crewsaider reports that Forth Worth, Texas, a virgin goal city a few months ago, now has eight members, half of whom became Bahá’ís in Fort Worth. The Crewsaider also reports that Galveston, another virgin goal, now has a small group established.
The Northwestern Area Teaching Committee bulletin carries the news of the establishment of a Bahá’í group in the virgin goal city of Missoula, Montana.
News of progress in the achievement of home front objectives can be shared with the Bahá’í world if communities will report their activities in furtherance of the World Crusade promptly to BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
BAHA'I EXHIBITS AT STATE FAIRS[edit]
The Bahá’í booth sponsored by the Sacramento Spiritual Assembly at the California State Fair was awarded a grand prize by unanimous decision of the judges. Fifty-one exhibits of church, educational and non-profit professional nature were judged in this group. The plaque awarded, a 9 x 12 inch piece of black walnut to which is attached a polished brass plate, is engraved: “For Structural Beauty and Outstanding Educational Exhibit, California State Fair, 1954, to The Bahá’í World Faith.”
During the Fair, many visitors to this outstanding booth signed the Guest Register and over 1800 pieces of literature were given out.
The Bahá’í project at the New York State Fair held in Syracuse, September 4-11, made it possible to reach 1,500,000 people. Attendance at the Fair, the largest in its history, reached some 450,000. During the eight days, approximately 200,000 people passed the Bahá’í exhibit and were familiarized with the name Bahá’í and its goal. Paid advertising appeared in four newspapers with some 400,000 circulation. These papers also carried publicity about the Bahá’í Faith, the booth and those who helped to staff it. A TV interview which showed a model of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, brought information on the Bahá’í purpose and principles to an audience of 500,000.
To make this coordinated proclamation effort possible, forty-one friends and seven Bahá’í communities gave enthusiastic cooperation. Plans for the 1955 exhibit are already being made.
In Boise, Idaho, Ada County and Boise Bahá’ís united to sponsor a booth at the Western Idaho State Fair. Total attendance at the Fair was estimated at 100,000. Literature was distributed freely at the Bahá’í exhibit, which was designed to present the idea of Progressive Revelation culminating in the Bahá’í principles.
NEWSPAPER MENTION OF THE BAHA'I FAITH[edit]
In Alaska, the Anchorage Daily News printed, almost in its entirety, the National Spiritual Assembly’s release
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on the H-Bomb under a three-column headline “H-Bomb Represents Spiritual Crisis Says Bahá’í Assembly.” The same newspaper featured a story “Bahá’í Faith Members Observe Proclamation Day” under a five-column head.
Associated Press dispatches from Edmonton, Canada, were printed in the Anchorage Times and the Anchorage News, announcing the coming of a Bahá’í pioneer to Alaska and telling of his speaking to Bahá’í communities.
The Delaware State News of Dover, Delaware, has given regular space up to 8 column inches for Bahá’í announcements on the church page. This is used for regular presentation of the Bahá’í principles as well as for announcements of meetings.
One month’s publicity in the Flint Journal, the Flint News-Advertiser, the Davison Index, the Genesee County Herald, the Owosso Argus Press, the Clio Messenger and the Flushing Observer, totalled 51 column inches according to the Flint, Michigan, Bahá’í Assembly.
The Pasadena (Calif.) Independent carried a two-column story on the Bahá’í program presented in that city in connection with United Nations Week.
DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]
The Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, Illinois is dedicated to the Unity of God, the Unity of His Prophets, the Unity of Mankind. In this spirit, public worship is conducted each Sunday at 3:30 P.M. in the auditorium. Readers at these devotional programs include Bahá’ís and guests. Choral selections are by the Bahá’í House of Worship A Cappella Choir.
The programs for the month of November follow.
The readings for November 7 are the same as those presented on July 4.
The Word of God is like unto a tree: its planting ground must be the hearts of the people.
- CHORAL SELECTION
- O Wisdom! Spirit of the Holy God—T. Tertius Noble
- BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS
- Prayers and Meditations, IV, p. 6
- Gleanings, p. 97; CI, p. 206; XCIX, p. 200
- OLD TESTAMENT
- Psalm 19
- NEW TESTAMENT
- John 1:1-5; 14:1-17
- CHORAL SELECTION
- Teach Me, O Lord—Thomas Attwood
- QUR’AN
- Sura III:25-29
- BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS
- Gleanings, p. 186, pp. 303-304, pp. 294-295, 286-297
- Prayers and Meditations, II, p. 4
- CHORAL SELECTION
- Bow Down Thine Ear, O Lord—Haydn Morgan
The readings for November 21 are the same as those presented on May 16.
The readings for November 28 are the same as those presented on April 25.
PUBLICATIONS[edit]
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
Challenge to Chaos: The Mission of the Bahá’í Faith. By Horace Holley. Talk given at Bahá’í Temple in Foundation Hall for delegates to World Council of Churches, planned to give the Bahá’í solution to fundamental religious questions involved in the World Council proceedings. Shows the plan of religious revelation through the ages and the purpose of the experience through which mankind is passing today. 24-page, small, standard size pamphlet.
(minimum order) 10 copies | $ .50 |
100 copies | $4.00 |
Bahá’í Calendar, 1955. Illustrated with a world map, depicting the movement of the pioneers. Shows the territories opened before the beginning of the World Crusade in green (for growth), and the territories opened since in red (for sacrifice). A colorful graphic account of achievement. Feast Days and Holy Days are in color and other essential information pertaining to Nineteen Day Feast, Fast Days, days on which work should be suspended, on back of calendar. Black, red and green on white, 9 x 12.
Each | $ .25 |
5 copies | $1.00 |
American Bahá’ís in the Time of World Peril, Outline. Prepared by Mrs. Beatrice Ashton. An analysis of the Guardian’s stirring message of July 28, 1954, prepared in outline form for group and individual study. A brief, concise presentation, arranged to develop the main theme of the message in relation to its component elements. 8 pages, mimeographed, 8½ x 11 inches.
Per copy | $ .20 |
6 copies | $1.00 |
|
National Bahá’í Addresses
NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS:
NATIONAL TREASURER:
Make checks Payable to:
National Bahá’í Fund BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING COMMITTEE:
BAHÁ’Í NEWS:
Subscription and
|
If your order represents a change of librarian or a change of address, be sure to specify this.
Please address all inquiries and orders for publishing items to:
- Bahá’í Publishing Committee
- 110 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois
- 110 Linden Avenue
- Bahá’í Publishing Committee
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
- FEASTS
- December 12, Masá’il, Questions
- December 31, Sharaf, Honor
- January 19, Sulṭán, Sovereignty
- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- December 10, 11, 12
- January 7, 8, 9
- BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP
- Visiting hours
- Weekdays and Saturdays:
- 1:00 P.M.—4:00 P.M.
- (the Auditorium only will be open)
- Sundays: 10:30 A.M.—5:00 P.M.
- (the entire building will be open)
- Weekdays and Saturdays:
- Service of Worship: Sunday at 3:30 P.M., lasting until 4:15 (No guided tours will be conducted during the program of worship.)
MARRIAGES[edit]
“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verily, this Thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the shadow of Thy mercy and they are united through Thy favor and generosity.
Berkeley, California—Miss Marlene McGinnis to Mr. Charles Cornell, July 10, 1954.
Portland, Oregon—Mrs. Dorothy Sanford Wilson to Mr. William Marshall Beaumonte, July 31, 1954.
Brussels, Belgium—Miss Francine Nys to Mr. Benjamin Levy, September 18, 1954.
San Diego, California—Miss Muriel Stillson to Mr. Pery Falcao, September 19, 1954.
Topeka, Kansas—Mrs. Doreene Holliday to Mr. Charles E. Brown, (date not reported)
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
“Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.”
- Mrs. Alice Baker
- Santa Barbara, California
- July 13, 1954
- Mrs. Anna Becker
- Bellerose, Long Island, New York
- September 20, 1954
- Mrs. Anna Eldridge
- Lincoln Park, Michigan
- September 22, 1954
- Mrs. Marie Bauks
- Phoenix, Arizona
- September 26, 1954
- Mr. Frederick M. Hall
- North Hollywood, California
- September 26, 1954
- Mrs. Gertrude M. Hough
- Monrovia, California
- October 4, 1954
- Mrs. Helen O. Kissam Keeler
- Asbury Park, New Jersey
- October 19, 1954
- Mr. Willard Pelton
- Lawton, Michigan
- October 19, 1954.
- Mrs. Frank Chant
- Marlboro, New Hampshire
- October 20, 1954
- Mr. Louis Ally
- Santa Barbara, California
- (date not reported)
- Dr. (Mrs.) Jessie A. Parish
- Cedar Falls, Iowa
- (date not reported)
| NATIONAL TEACHING |
| Area Teaching Committees |
|---|
| New England States |
| Mr. Nicholas Peters |
| North Atlantic States |
| Mr. Benjamin Kaufman |
| Mr. Gordon Thomas |
| Miss Ellen Weintrobe |
| Mr. Kenneth Kalantar |
| Central States |
| Mr. Lawrence Hautz (delete, pioneering) |
| Mrs. Doris Holley |
| Bahá’í Inter-Racial Teaching |
| Miss Lydia J. Martin, Secy., 2392 East 40th St., Cleveland, Ohio |
| PROCLAMATION |
| Bahá’í Press Service |
| All correspondence for the Bahá’í Press Service should be sent to 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, beginning January 1, 1955. |
| CONSOLIDATION |
| National Youth |
| Miss Marsha Wolcott (delete, pioneering) |
| Mr. Nasrollah Rassekh |
| Mrs. Valerie Rassekh |
| Miss Eloise Mitchell |
| SERVICE |
| Annual and State Conventions |
|---|
| Annual Convention Planning Committee |
| Mr. Lawrence Hautz (delete, pioneering) |
| Mr. Charles Wolcott |
| ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES |
| Colorado |
| Denver: Mrs. Barbara Jackson, 1925 Glencoe Street |
| Georgia |
| Atlanta: Miss Doris Ebbert, 2835 Cascade Road, S.W. |
| Illinois |
| Chicago: Mr. Larry Kramer, 4865 S. Lake Park Ave., Chicago 15 |
| Danville: Mrs. Juliette Buford, 1031 Oak Street |
| New Jersey |
| Jersey City: Mrs. June Shapiro, P.O. Box 495, Journal Square Station, Jersey City 6 |
| New York (West) |
| Binghamton: Mrs. Betsy J. Richards, 42 Lincoln Avenue |
| Rochester: Miss Elizabeth Brooks, 49 Rowley St., Zone 7 |
| Wisconsin |
| Waukeshaw: Mrs. Pauline Hettmansperger, 134 West Broadway |
BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
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 tenth 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 1954-1955: 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 Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
