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No. 292

BAHA’I YEAR 112

JUNE, 1955

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GUARDIAN CALLS UPON ALL BAHA’IS TO JOIN HIM IN SPECIAL, FERVENT PRAYERS

In a cable addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly, to be shared with all National Assemblies, the Guardian states: “Call upon all believers (to) join me (in) special, fervent prayers (for) Divine protection (of the) vital interests (and) complete emancipation (from) shackles (of the) beloved Faith (in) Bahá’u’lláh’s native land."

This urgent and poignant appeal arises from the Guardian’s “Inexpressible grief (at) distressing reports indicating recrudescence (of) persecution (of) steadfast, law-abiding, long-suffering brethren (in) cradle (of) Faith, instigated (by) fanatical clergy (and) evidenced (by) occupation (of) Ḥaẓíra (in) capital, dissemination (of) calumnies (through) press (and) radio, accusations (by) deputies in Parliament (and) threats (of) legislation (to) impose ban (on) activities, confiscate properties (and) declare Faith illegal.”

Thus we are made aware of a tragic crisis in the fortunes of the beloved Faith and our spiritual participation in prayers invoked by the revered Guardian.

The call for special. fervent prayers has already gone forth to local assemblies and Area Teaching Committees. This published reference is for isolated Bahá’ís and small groups so that the entire community may arise as one soul to implore the protection of Bahá’u’lláh.

No uniform date is set for such prayer. It is for the local assemblies and groups to plan for themselves.

The swift progress of the World Crusade has inspired this savage attack. Under Divine Providence may the attack be completely foiled and the ultimate result stand as a great historic Victory!

The friends at this point are to be engaged solely in heeding the Guardian’s call for prayer. Whatever administrative and public action should be taken is awaiting the Guardian’s direction.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

THE GUARDIAN’S SUPPLEMENTARY CONVENTION MESSAGE

Share National Assemblies following announcement supplementing message recently addressed (to) delegates (of the) Bahá’í Conventions.

Annual elections (of the) second year, second decade, (of the) second Bahá’í century, (were) signalized (by the) formation (of the) first historic local Assemblies in communities as diversified (and) far apart as Mecca, Qiblih (of) Islamic world, Muscat (and) Riaz, situated (on the) shore (and in the) heart (of the) Arabian Peninsula; (in the) Bahamas, British West Indies; (in) Diu (Island), Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Sargodha, Saigon, (in) Southeast Asia; Monte Carlo, Basel, Mongat, Orleans, Marseilles, Bergen, Cologne, (in) Europe; (in) Reunion (Island), Zanzibar, Seychelles, Madagascar, (in the) Indian Ocean; (in the) holy cities (of) Káẓimayn (and) Najaf, strongholds (of) Shí’ih orthodoxy in ‘Iráq, in addition (to the) group already established (in) Karbilá; Teneriffe (and) Las Falmas, (in the) Atlantic Ocean.

Africa alone boasts (the) establishment (of) above seventy new Assemblies, raising (the) total number established since (the) launching (of the) systematic simultaneous teaching campaigns (on the) African continent four years ago (to) well above one hundred. Uganda in particular achieved (the) unique, memorable feat (of the) formation (of) seventeen new Assemblies, swelling number (of) Assemblies (to) forty-one, localities (to) over hundred, total believers (to) almost nine hundred.

(The) sacred dust (of the) Báb’s infant son, extolled (in the) Qayyúmu’l-Asmá’ (was) respectfully (and) ceremoniously transferred (on the) anniversary (of) his Father’s martyrdom, (in the) presence (of) pilgrims (and) resident believers (to the) Bahá’í cemetery (in) Shíráz, (the) prelude (to the) translation (to the) same spot (of the) remains (of the) Báb’s beloved (and) long-suffering consort.

Five additional incorporations (of) local Assemblies, including Suva, Fiji.

(A) pioneer (has) embarked (for) Loyalty (Island), (the) last remaining unopened island (in the) Pacific Ocean outside (the) Soviet orbit.

Negotiations (for the) purchase (of) national Ḥaẓíras (in) Colombo (and) Jakarta (are) nearing completion.

Preliminary steps (have been) undertaken (for the) establishment (of a) Bahá’í Publishing Trust (in) Ṭihrán.

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THE BAHA’I INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES BUILDING

Mount Carmel, Israel

An Artist’s perspective water color rendering on the preliminary design drawn by C.M.R., Arch’t., A.D.P.L.G.F.

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Above: The first capital, “Ionic style”, completed at Chiampo, Italy, on April 19, 1955, one of the 50 capitals required for the Bahá’í lntcrnational Archives Building on Mount Carmel. Left: One-third of one column under construction. One hundred fifty sections like this will be required to enmplete the fifty columns of the International Archives Building.

(The) design (for the) Mother Temple (in the) cradle (of the) Faith (was) unveiled (in the) presence (of) pilgrims (and) resident believers assembled (within the) Ḥaram-i-Aqdas* (on the) first day (of) Ríḍván.

—SHOGHI

Received April 30, 1955

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

The Guardian supplemented his message to the various National Conventions with a further recital of significant achievements carried out during the second year of the World Crusade.

The text as presented above is the complete final text, incorporating additions and omissions reported in three brief cables which were read at the Convention in Wilmette.

What could be more dramatic historically than the institution of a local Spiritual Assembly in Mecca, in Káẓimayn and Najaf, the steps taken to establish a Publishing Trust in Ṭihrán, and the unveiling of the design for the Temple to be constructed in Írán?

But these events are far more than astonishing episodes; they are ban-

•Outer Sanctuary at the Holy Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.

ners planted on slopes of the mountains by the victorious army of the Hosts which is so rapidly effecting conquest of the citadels of prejudice, fanaticism, superstition and ignorance.

Friends! the most difficult and dangerous tasks are already wellnigh completed. With fresh ardor we can hasten forward to accomplish in full measure the tasks allotted to the third year of the Ten-Year Plan.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

GUARDIAN APPOINTS NINTH MEMBER OF INTERNATIONAL BAHA’I COUNCIL

The following cable was received May 4, 1955:

“Announce (to) National Assemblies (the) number (of the) members (of the) International Council (has been) raised (to) nine through appointment (of) Sylvia Ioas.”

The International Bahá’í Council was formed by the Guardian in 1951 and reported in a cablegram dated January 9 of that year: “Proclaim National Assemblies (of) East (and) West weighty, epoch-making decision, formation of first International Bahá’í Council, forerunner (of) supreme administrative institution destined (to) emerge (in) fullness (of) time within precincts beneath shadow (of) World Spiritual Center (of) Faith already established (in) twin cities (of) ‘Akká (and) Haifa."

The other eight members of the Council are: Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, liaison between the Guardian and the Council, Mason Remey, President, Amelia E. Collins, Vice President, Leroy Ioas, SecretaryGeneral, Ugo Giachery, member at large, Jessie E. Revell, Treasurer, Lotfullah Ḥakim and Ethel Revell, assistant secretaries.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

GUARDIAN CABLES HAND OF CAUSE FOR AFRICA

Through the courtesy of Mr. Músá Banání, Hand of the Cause for Africa, we have received the text of cable sent him by the beloved Guardian dated April 26:

“Rejoice greatly admire deeply grateful magnificent achievements valiant friends colored white pioneers teachers administrators four areas African Continent. Loving fervent prayers surrounding them.”

—SHOGHI

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Views of the site purchased for the future Mashhriqu’l-Adhkár of Íráq. This land, comprising about seven and half acres situated on the banks of the Tigris River, was blessed by the footsteps of Bahá’u’lláh.

PROGRESS at the World Center

INTERNATIONAL BAHA’I COUNCIL

Haifa, Israel

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Dearly beloved Friends:

Time has slipped by so rapidly for the members of the International Bahá’í Council serving the beloved Guardian here in the Holy Land, that it seems scarcely possible our last communication went forth over two years ago. Be that as it may, we feel that many details of what is going on here at the World Center of our Faith will stimulate and interest the friends, and carry to them some idea of the immense progress made lately in Haifa and ‘Akká and of the activities of Council members.

Shrine of the Báb — A Silent Teacher to Thousands

Since the completion of the Shrine of the Báb in October, 1953, it is proving as great a silent teacher as the Temple in Wilmette. From all sides of Haifa it is clearly visible, seated on its green carpet of gardens and open space in the heart of Carmel, its golden dome glittering not only in the sunlight by day, but in the moonlight at night. So clear is the surface of the tiles that at certain angles cloud reflections can be seen sailing on them. One of the most beautiful views of it is had from incoming ships, and many comments have been made, not only by pilgrims arriving by sea, but by non-Bahá’ís as well.

The demand to visit it is so great that it has posed quite a problem. The public, including large groups of school children, young people, and tourists from all over the world, members of clubs, etc., pour in in such numbers that it is not possible to leave them unattended and free to wander where they will, as this may lead to damage to the lawns and crushed tile paths, and to the picking of fruit and flowers. A conducted tour is therefore made every few minutes, the gates being unlocked and relocked after each group, while two of the Council members—assisted sometimes by visiting pilgrims—take the party into the Shrine of the Báb. On Saturdays, the legal day of rest, and on the Jewish holidays, the crowds are often immense sometimes over 700 in three hoursand this necessitates at least four people being on duty. As accurate an account of the visitors as possible is kept with a ticker by those guiding at the Shrine. About 35,000 people a year is the attendance so far, as many as 1700 coming on one holiday. In View of the fact that the gates leading to the inner garden and the Shrine itself are only open: from 9 to 12 daily, this figure is remarkable. The outer garden, where any one may enter from early morning until dark, must be visited by at least twice this number.

Most of the visitors come out of curiosity, because the Shrine is open to the public, because, as one American tourist said: “This is the most beautiful spot in Israel; in fact, it is the most beautiful spot in the whole world.” Many interesting remarks are overheard by the friends guiding at the Shrines; a particularly touching one being the case of an elderly man, who after leaving the Shrine of the Báb took one of the Bahá’ís aside and asked: “Don't you feel God much closer in there?” Many local people come practically every week just to enjoy the serenity and loveliness of the gardens. The attitude of those visiting the interior of the Shrine is interesting to watch; almost invariably the people are considerate; they are requested to re move their shoes and not speak. They marvel at the rugs and chandeliers, the vases, lights and flowers. Sometimes one sees people who are deeply stirred or who quietly read the Tablet of Visitation, or who remain a long time; occasionally there are tear-filled eyes. So the Shrine is

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broadcasting, all by itself, its mes sage, and echoes come back to us, such as a remark recently heard in Nazareth by sight-seers, who were hearing about the new Church of the Annunciation to be built there. “And,” said their monitor, “it will be bigger when completed than the Bahá’í Shrine.” At all newsstands, views of the Shrine are on sale, and it is difficult to get a picture of Haifa in which it does not figure prominently, owing to its unique position and size.

Continual Development of New Areas

or the 220,000 square meters of land owned in Haifa by the Faith, about 65,000 square meters are actually gardens—each year the Guardian stretches his hand over a new piece of wild mountainside in Haifa or of sandy plain in Bahjí and creates, almost overnight, a new and lovely addition to the existing gardens. Red paths roll out before him, iron gates spring up, the lawn becomes green, and trees, hedges and flowers appear as if by magic. We never cease to marvel at the rapidity with which this takes place, or the beauty of the final product.

This winter, in two and one-half months’ time an entire new section of Mt. Carmel, lying above the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf and her mother and brother, has been developed. This is the area embracing the right side of the “arc” the Guardian has mentioned in his communications. The are itself is at present one-half completed; it springs off from the main highway running up Mt. Carmel behind the Shrine, and goes up behind the resting-places to the middle axis of the gardens surrounding them, which is also its own center point. In order in the future to complete this are on its eastern side, a considerable property owned by a hotel company must be purchased. First a quarter circle of garden was completed, which filled in the space between the wide path, which marks the arc, and the already existing gardens around the resting-places of the Master’s family. The Guardian devoted a great deal of time and attention to the line of this curve which is broad and graceful. After this was done, a band of garden 20 meters (60 feet) wide was developed on the farther or mountain side of the arc. Then the exact site of the new International Archives Building was fixed.

If one visualizes a semi-circle and then projects the base line on which the semi-circle rests to the right, one gets a rough idea of the relation of the Archives Building to the arc, for this projected line forms the axis of the building. Its position is spectacular and, rising in the style of a peripteral Ionic Greek temple on the side of the mountain, its creamy white Chiampo stones—the same stone as that used for the Shrine—shining in the sun, its green tiled roof stretching 30 meters long, broadside to the road, the Shrine, the lower city and the harbor, the edifice will be widely visible and immensely impressive.

The stone work for this edifice is now being done in Italy, under the supervision of the Hand of the Cause, Ugo Giachery; and soon the shipments of stone, cut and ready to be set up, will start arriving. This is the first of the buildings that will give shelter to the administrative activities of the Faith at the World Center. A seat for the Guardianship, for the Hands of the Cause, and for the Universal House of Justice, as well as other edifices, will later be added, clustering about the “arc.”

As the friends already know, from the Guardian’s messages, the site for the first Temple in the Holy Land has been purchased and transfer of the title deed will shortly take place. The negotiations for this 36,000 square meter property took over a year, and were fraught with innumerable complications. When the full account of its acquisition is written, it will read like a mystery story. A commemorative obelisk seven meters in height, and made of Italian Travertine, the same stone the ancient Romans built their temples of, will be placed on the grounds as soon as the land is transferred to our name.

Two views of the recently acquired site for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár to be built in Egypt, on the banks of the Nile. In the larger view the three great pyramids of Giza may be seen, about seven miles west of the Nile. The location of the Temple site is marked by a cross. In the smaller picture, the limits of the site, comprising about four and one-quarter acres of land, are marked by the four crosses.

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It is now one of the spots visited by all the believers who make the pilgrimage. The land is truly in an imposing position. It lies near the spot where the Tablet of Carmel was revealed, which as the friends know, is the Charter for the World Administrative Center of the Faith on Mt. Carmel. It is immediately above the two Caves of Elijah, one controlled by the Jews and the other by the Christians. West, the sun sinks into the Mediterranean; south are the rolling hills, the Valley of Askalon and the coast line; north, across the bay, lies historic ‘Akká, and Mt. Hermon, often crowned with snow, is clearly visible; east lies Haifa City, the port, and, daintily outlined, the dome and pinnacles of the Báb’s Shrine are silhouetted against the sky half way up the Mountain. We may now truly say we own the head and heart of Carmel.

On November 12, 1952, a contract was signed with the Development Authority of the State of Israel, whereby the Bahá’í Community secured ownership of some 160,000 square meters (40 acres) of land surrounding the Sacred Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh. The magnitude of this historic event is difficult to understand at this time. The previous owners of the land surrounding the Shrine, who were intimate friends of the Covenant-breakers, had, in the days of the Master, done everything they possibly could to prevent even the development of a small garden around this most Sacred Spot, going so far as to dig ditches and plant trees to mark the limits of their property and to shut in the resting-place of the sacred remains of the Manifestation of God. They had stated on numerous co casions that they would never permit the Bahá’ís to purchase any of this land.

After the Arabs fled and the Jewish State was established, the Government became the owner of all this property, and consented to exchange it for a tract of land held by a Bahá’í family in a strategic military area. The beloved Guardian immediately began the development of gardens surrounding the Holy Tomb and created the “Ḥaram-i-Aqdas,” which is now one of the most beautiful spots in this part of the world. He has gone on enlarging these gardens so that they now form practically a semi-circle around the Shrine with a radius of 110 meters.

Anchorage and

Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Anchorage, Alaska, purchased March 15, 1955, which will become the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Alaska. (see BAHÁ’Í NEWS, April, 1955, page 3.)

Thus approximately 35,000 square meters (9 acres) of land is now developed.

Extension of International Endowments

In Haifa, the extension of the International Endowments has been going forward continuously. During the first two years of the Ten-Year Crusade, the Bahá’í Community has purchased some 43,000 square meters of land, thus further protecting the glorious Shrine of the Báb from any possible encroachment.

On the very top of Mt. Carmel, immediately on the axis of Carmel Avenue upon which the Shrine lies, 4,000 square meters of land have been purchased, which will prevent any construction overlooking this most sacred spot. Of great interest to the friends in connection with this particular piece of land is the fact that while the N.S.A. of the Bahá’ís of Írán is not yet incorporated, and cannot hold land legally in its own name in Persia, yet we have been able to legally incorporate an Israel Branch of the N.S.A of the Bahá’ís of Írán here in the Holy Land; and this 4,000 square meter piece of land is registered in the name of their branch and legally owned by them.

Another acquisition of great interest to the Bahá’ís is the tract of land previously owned by Mrs. Farah Sprague. On and off for a period of many years, the beloved Guardian attempted to acquire this small piece of land situated in the heart of Bahá’í holdings in the area surrounding the shrines of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and the Mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Mrs. Sprague’s original price for this land was fantastic; finally she arbitrarily refused to sell it to the Bahá’ís at all. Recently arrangements were made with the Finance Minister of the State of Israel to expropriate the land, on the recommendation of the Mayor of Haifa; and this piece of property is now in our possession. Here we see an enemy of the Faith, who asked an exorbitant price, and then would not even sell to the Bahá’í Community in spite of u very liberal offer, forced by non-Bahá’í agencies to sell to us, and for a small amount of payment from the State of Israel. It is this land which is incorporated in the area which has now been landscaped in preparation for the International Bahá’í Archives Building. The Haifa Municipal Council has

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Tokyo Acquire Haziratu’l-Quds

The Hazíratu’l-Quds at Tokyo, Japan, which will become the National Hazíratu’l-Quds of Japan.

been most helpful, and a road scheduled to pass right through this area has been recently removed from the Town Planning Scheme.

Contact With Officials of State of Israel

The International Council has endeavored assiduously to develop closer relationships between the World Center of the Faith and the Israel Authorities. Contacts are maintained with Departments of Government as well as the City Authorities in Haifa and ‘Akká, and many Cabinet officials. They are beginning to understand the importance of our World Center being in Israel. A number of the high officials of the State have visited the Shrines and Gardens. These visits were climaxed by the official visit of His Excellency the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Izhak Ben Zvi and Mrs. Ben Zvi to the Guardian, who accompanied them to the Shrine of the Báb and later called on them in Jerusalem. This is the first time in Bahá’í history that the Head of an independent State has visited either the Head of the Faith or a Bahá’í sacred property. As a result of this cordial exchange of visits, a cordial relationship now exists between the Guardian and the President; each year the President sends the Guardian greetings on the occasion of the Bahá’í New Year. His greetings received for Naw-Rúz, 1955, were released officially and broadcast over the Israel radio as a news item, as well as carried fully in the press. The Guardian himself sends a personal message every year to the President on Israel’s Independence Day.

Liberal Publicity Given to Faith

Newspapers and magazines are liberal in their publicity concerning the Faith. Reports of current Bahá’í activities, articles concerning the expansion of our International Endowments, and pictures of the Gardens and the Holy Places are published; an Israel motion picture company, unsolicited, made a fifteen-minute film of the Shrine of the Báb and gardens; pamphlets issued by tour companies refer to the Shrine and gardens; a book published last year by the City of Haifa called The Carmelita devotes a whole chapter to the Bahá’í Faith and its institutions on Mt. Carmel.

A number of lectures in various parts of the State have been delivered. On October 15, 1952, the significant date of the opening of the Holy Year, the first public address on the Faith to be given in the City of ‘Akká, was delivered. The meeting was originally intended as an address to the Quakers, but inasmuch as considerable interest was aroused, it was thrown open to all, and advertised widely. It was most impressive that on this opening day of the Holy Year, within 300 meters of the Most Great Prison, a public address with questions and answers should be given concerning the Faith of Bahá‘u’lláh and His world mission. Talks have also been given before the Rotary Clubs in such historic cities as Beersheba, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nathanya and Naharia.

Many Pioneers inspired Through Pilgrimages +0 International Center

One of the most wonderful aspects of life at the International Center is

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to partake, with the pilgrims, of the tremendous stimulus poured out by the Guardian to the friends during their visit here, and to aid in entertaining and serving them.

Bahá’ís have come from the Pacific area to make the pilgrimage: Australia, New Zealand, Sarawak, Hong Kong and Japan. Pilgrims who visited here have either been on their way, or been stimulated by the Guardian, to leave for the following places in that area: Indo-China, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Formosa. Friends have also left, after visiting the Holy Places here, for Mentawai and Karikal in, and bordering on, the Indian Ocean. From Asia and Arabia, believers have been received by the Guardian from India, Pákistán, Persia and Turkey. Also many Bahá’ís from Europe have arrived from Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, Finland, Monaco and the Lofoten Islands. From the Mediterranean Islands they have either come from or proceeded to: Sicily, Malta and Cyprus. The Guardian is particularly pleased with the present status of Cyprus as it has Bahá’ís representative of the following races: Irish, Dutch, Persian, ‘Iráqi, Greek, Armenian and American! He continually cites it as an exemplary type of growth. From the United States many Bahá’ís have arrived, representing Northern, Southern, Central, Eastern and Western States. A number of Canadian believers have also made the pilgrimage, as well as friends from Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, Honduras, and the far-off pioneer from Margarita Island. From here, some of these pilgrims have later proceeded to the Dutch West Indies and the Windward Islands. The greatest amount of activity, however, has centered around Africa: Believers have been received from South Africa, Liberia, Tanganyika, Kenya, Uganda, Swaziland. Lourenco Marques, Bechuanaland, South Rhodesia, Canary Islands, French Morocco, Tunis, Algeria and the Súdán. As a direct result of the inspiration received from the Guardian, pilgrims have pioneered in Africa to the following places: Johannesburg, Aden Protectorate, Madeira, Madagascar, South West Africa, Zululand, French Cameroons, Morocco International Zone; others have gone on to the Gold Coast, Ethiopia, Tanganyika, South Rhodesia, etc. We estimate at least sixty countries—many important pioneer goals—have been connected directly, through pilgrimages made here, with the dynamic flow of energy which our beloved Guardian releases and which is the very life-blood of our glorious Ten Year Plan.

Faithfully yours in El Bahá,

—INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL

(Signed) Mason Remey

President

Haifa, Israel Leroy Ioas

May 2, 1955 Secretary-General

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

Once more it is our great privilege to receive a general communication from the International Bahá’í Council, signed by President Mason Remey and Secretary-General Leroy Ioas, under date of May 2, 1955.

This letter brings together many important and thrilling facts about the current activities taking place at our World Center.

We note the tremendous public interest in the completed Shrine of the Báb and the gardens; we learn more about the acquisition of additional properties and how they are fitting into the Guardian’s plan; we learn to appreciate the work of the Council in developing closer relations with the civil authorities, and the information given about publicity concerning the Faith, the motion pictures made by an Israeli company and public lectures about the Faith, is all enlightening; we thrill at the mention of far-flung countries from which Bahá’í pilgrims come, which as the letter states, “have been connected directly, through pilgrimages made here, with the dynamic flow of energy which our beloved Guardian releases and which is the very life-blood of our glorious Ten-Year Plan.”

These successive communications from the International Bahá’í Council have become a strong bond between the friends and the Guardian’s development of the Bahá’í World Center.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

"BLESSED BY THE DIVINE FAVOR"

The Master’s Call to Pioneers

Many years ago the revered ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed a Tablet addressed “O ye homeless and wanderers in the Path of God!”

Today the poignant words of the Center of the Covenant wing their flight into the hearts of all Bahá’ís who have the Capacity to arise, leave their homes and enter the pioneer field as servants of the World Crusade.

The National Spiritual Assembly commends this Tablet to the body of believers in this continent. The Master’s Spirit is eternal, and His words are true now, as in the past and in the future. (The Tablet was published in Vol. 14, No. 3, June 1923 of Bahá’í Magazine.)

"O ye homeless and Wanderers in the Path of God!

“Prosperity, contentment, and freedom, however much desired and conducive to the gladness of the human heart, can in no wise compare

National Bahá’í Addresses

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS:

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

NATIONAL TREASURER:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette Illinois,

Make checks Payable to: National Bahá’í Fund

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS:

Editorial Office:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

Subscription and change of address:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

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The Haziratu’l-Quds at Karáchí. Pákistán, which will become the National Haziratu‘l-Quds of Pakistan.

The Hazíratu’l-Quds at New Delhi, India, present National Headquarters for India, Pákistán and Burma, which will become the National Hazíratu’l-Quds of India.

with the trials of homelessness and adversity in the pathway of God; for such exile and banishment are blessed by the divine favor, and are surely followed by the mercy of providence. The joy of tranquillity in one’s home, and the sweetness of freedom from all cares shall pass away, whilst the blessing of homelessness shall endure forever, and its far-reaching results shall be made manifest.

“Abraham’s migration from His native land caused the bountiful gifts of the All-Glorious to be made manifest, and the setting of Canaan’s brightest star unfolded to the eyes the radiance of Joseph. The flight of Moses, the Prophet of Sinai, revealed the Flame of the Lord’s burning Fire, and the rise of Jesus breathed the breaths of the Holy Spirit into the world. The departure of Muhammad, the beloved of God, from the city of His birth was the cause of the exaltation of God’s Holy Word, and the banishment of the Sacred Beauty led to the diffusion of the Light of His Divine Revelation throughout all regions.

“Take ye heed, O people of insight!”

——NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

FALKLAND ISLANDS BELIEVER WRITES LETTER TO RECTOR OF CHURCH OF ENGLAND

By direction of the Guardian, the National Assembly shares with the friends the text of a letter written by Mrs. Florence McKinnon, Fort Stanley, Falkland Islands, to the Rector of the Church of England in the Islands.

This letter was written because Mrs. McKinnon, the first believer enrolled in that virgin territory, was subjected to pressure by the Rector of the Church she had left in declaring her faith. He had given her two Christian tracts to read, with the warning that in becoming a Bahá’í she was turning away from God and Jesus Christ.

The firm and steadfast Bahá’í returned the tracts with the letter cited below, asserting her whole-hearted acceptance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. We may look upon this letter as something in the nature of an historic document——a milestone set up to mark the progress of the Bahá’í Community. The pioneer responsible for her confirmation is John Leonard. Mrs. McKinnon, incidentally, wrote the letter after Mr. Leonard had left Port Stanley. Here, indeed, is a source of inspiration to Bahá’ís throughout the world.

The text of letter follows:

“With the returning of your booklets, I take this opportunity of acquainting you of my decision, of remaining firm and steadfast in the Bahá’í Faith.

“This is not just a phase, but an awakening, a rebirth, a totally new life, to which God has called me.

“I know this to be true, because it was revealed to me, through my own seeking, first by prayer, and then God’s Word, which Bahá’u’lláh makes manifest in the Bahá’í teachings.

“There can be no doubt that it is God's Word, being revealed to us by Bahá’u’lláh, God’s Dispensation for this era, for the very reason, the whole, is pulsating with light and truth.

“I believe in God, therefore I do not reject ‘Jesus,’ nor do I reject anything pertaining to the Word of God.

“So many things have been revealed to me within so short a time that my life has become filled with happiness, and desire to serve God, the Father of all mankind. ‘As ye have faith, so shall your powers and your blessings be.’

“These words I have penned, come from a sincere heart, and not from one who is sadly delusioned, or elated with a feeling of superiority.

“Never before have I felt so humble, nor so able to seek out my own shortcomings.

“Reverend Sir, I remain, Yours faithfully in His service, Florence McKinnon,”

MOST EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHOD

The National Assembly shares with the friends an excerpt from letter written on behalf of the Guardian by the Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council to the Bahá’í group of Key West, Florida, on March 31, 1955.

“In conclusion, I would like to comment that it has been found over the

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Monthly Report on:

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET

National Bahá’í Fund

Third Year

Total Budget for Entire Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . $550,000.00

(Average Monthly Requirements . . . . . . .$46,000.00)

1955 - 1956

As of: May 15, 1955

Where we are

$15,500.00

Where we should be

$23,000.00

Monthly receipts to date:

May 1 - 15 . . . . . . . . .$l5,500.00

Deficit as of May 15, 1955 . . . . . . . . .$7,500.00

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLYY

entire world that the most effective method of teaching the Faith is the fireside meeting in the home. Every Bahá’í, as a part of his spiritual birthright, must teach, and the one avenue where he can do this most effectively is by inviting friends into his home once in nineteen days, and gradually attracting them to the Cause. After the individuals have confidence in the pioneer, and the pioneer in the individuals, then they can be taught and confirmed in the Faith. This method is far more effective than advertising in newspapers, public lectures, etc. The Guardian is encouraging the believers over the world, including those on the home fronts, to engage in this method of teaching.”

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

THE HOME FRONT CAMPAIGN

Challenge to Every American Bahá’í

Beloved Friends:

The Guardians historic Message to the Convention has been presented .to you through BAHÁ’Í NEWS. It has been discussed by the Convention delegates and studied by the incoming National Spiritual Assembly. Now we must address ourselves to the one supreme Crusade task which confronts the entire American Bahá’í Community—the Home Front Campaign. None of us resident in this country can stand aloof, none but must suffer the consequence of delay, none but can glory in the results of victory.

On March 29 a letter written on behalf of the Guardian brought us this appeal:

“On April 21 we will enter the last year of the second phase of the TenYear Crusade. As you know, one of the objectives of this second phase was the rapid multiplication of Assemblies, groups and centers throughout the world.

“During the past year, a great deal has been accomplished by the friends in their efforts to disperse from the large centers of population in order to build up the goal cities and establish new centers. However, we have not accomplished a great deal in the way of increasing the number of Bahá’ís, nor the number of Spiritual Assemblies.

“The beloved Guardian sincerely hopes you will make it a point of major study and consideration on the part of your Assembly, so that the entire community may lend itself to the accomplishment of this great work during the coming year. The foundations must be laid for many more Assemblies. The friends must disperse from the large centers of population. Our teaching work must become so sanctified and penetrating that many, many souls will be confirmed.”

The Home Front Goal

In the World Crusade, the United States must have 300 local Spiritual Assemblies by 1963. This called for the formation of at least 16 Assemblies per year beginning April 21, 1954.

What are the facts?

The Bahá’í Directory 1954-1955 listed 172 Assemblies—a decrease in the number since the opening of the World Crusade.

From reports received to date on elections held April 21, 1955, the following results appear:—

Total Assemblies reported . . 184

New Assemblies . . . . . . . . . 9

Assemblies re-established . . . 10

Assemblies lost . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9

This is the reason why the Guardian has so frequently and insistently emphasized the home front campaign. We are not keeping up with the progress required for attaining this goal.

“Now if ever,” the beloved Guardian addressed us in his great message of July 28, 1954, “is the time to tread the path which the Dawn Breakers of a previous age have so magnificently trodden. Now is the time to carry out, in the spirit and the letter, the fervent wish so pathetically voiced by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who longed, as attested in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, to ‘travel though on foot and in the utmost poverty’ and raise ‘in cities, villages, mountains, deserts and oceans’ the call of ‘Yá- Bahá’u‘l-Abhá.’ ”

The Guardian in that same Message called upon “the members of this community, of either sex and of every age, of whatever race or background, however limited in experience, capacity and knowledge” to “arise as one man” and “seize with both hands" the “God-given opportunities now presented to them. . . .”

[Page 11]BAHA’I NEWS

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The Haziratu’l-Quds of Colombo, Ceylon, purchased May 2, 1955, which will become the National Hazíratu’l-Quds of Ceylon.

The Hazíratu’l-Quds of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Paris, purchased in 1953. In the future this center will become the National Hazíratu’l-Quds for France.

A National Responsibility

The National Assembly carries full responsibility for the success of the home front campaign, discharging this responsibility through the important functions vested in the National and Area Teaching Committees, and through the duties and powers exemplified by the local assemblies. We are all one body, and when sustained by the one Spirit we move forward in unity to the sacred goal.

There are important points to bear in mind. First, all Assemblies, all groups, all isolated Bahá’ís have their part to play and carry their share of the work. Second, in a nation-wide teaching effort there is no place for the feeling of separate sovereignty on the part of any local assembly. The duties, rights and powers of a local assembly are not denied or challenged when the National Assembly calls for a supreme united effort. On the contrary, the unique mission of the local assembly is only fully realized when it is loyally participating in a continental task.

Therefore, the National Assembly specifically requests local assemblies, large and small, to welcome visits and correspondence from Area Teaching Committees for consultation on teaching matters.

It is obvious that a dissolved Local Spiritual Assembly is a matter of national concern and not a local incident. It is obvious that a weak, divided community is unable to contribute its share to the common task given us by the Guardian himself. Where such conditions exist, the local assembly has the duty to {ace the facts and ask for advice and help from the Area Teaching Committee.

On the other hand, a large community is not isolated behind the wall of sovereignty since it possesses capacity urgently needed for the common task. What is needed now is a new realignment of our forces so that all institutions and instruments are most effectively employed.

The National Teaching Committee will devise definite plans and objectives for this year’s attainment. Concentration of purpose and unified effort will make this year notable in American Bahá’í history and bring joy to the heart of the beloved Guardian at the World Center.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

BAHA’I HOLY DAYS

The Spiritual Assembly of Reno reports that the Superintendent of Schools, with the Board of Education, has passed an ordinance which gives recognition of all religious Holy Days. Under this ordinance Bahá’í children will receive excused absence on the Bahá’í dates.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

ELIMINATION OF PREJUDICE

This issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS brings to every American believer a bulletin prepared by the NSA as a brief expression of the Bahá’í position on inter-racial unity, suitable for public use. The Publishing Trust carries this bulletin in stock and its announcement of selling price appears in this issue.

The purpose of this particular bulletin is to make it possible for any Bahá’í to reinforce his own teaching work with a convenient one-page printed piece which can be handed out or mailed. Groups and communities can arrange to have the bulletin presented to key persons and organizations in their city. It would make a short presentation of Bahá’í teachings for radio or TV. Public meetings devoted to presentation of themes reflecting the oneness of mankind can use it as free literature. In some areas it might be helpful to our pioneers.

As we were so plainly warned by the Guardian in his great message last year, this is the hour when every Bahá’í must be alert and seize every opportunity to eliminate the prejudice which gnaws at the vitals of America.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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JUNE, 1955

The first Local Spiritual Assembly in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, and visitors

The first Cook Island Bahá’ís with the American pioneer.

WORLD CRUSADE

HAZIRATU’L-QUDS IN LIMA, PERU

In Noticias Bahá’ís Sudamericanas the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America announces the acquisition of a house which will be the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds for the National Assembly, until the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Peru, when it will become the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds for that body.

ASIA TRANSLATIONS

The Asia Teaching Committee reports that nine of the forty Asian languages designated by the Guardian for translation during the Ten-Year Global Crusade have appeared in introductory pamphlets. Seven of these have been issued under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma. These include Baluchi, Manipuri, Punjabi, Pushtu, Mentawai, Ossete and Georgian. The Mentawai pamphlet was published by the Jakarta, Indonesia, Spiritual Assembly, which has also issued a pamphlet in Indonesian. The Ossete and Georgian pamphlets were printed in Paris.

Introductory pamphlets have been published in Samoan and Tongan under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to these goal languages, the Korean Bahá’í group recently published an introductory pamphlet in Korean, “Faith for Today.” Also a new pamphlet has been published in modern Chinese, and a simple introductory pamphlet has been issued in Maori through the efforts of one of the pioneers in Cook Islands.

TRANSLATIONS IN AFRICAN LANGUAGES

Five introductory pamphlets in African “goal” languages have been published by the British Bahá’í Publishing Trust and are available from that office. These are pamphlets in Ga (used in Accra, Gold Coast colony), in Shona (used in South Rhodesia), in Yao (used in Tanganyika and Nyasaland), in Wolof (used in Gambia) and in Malagasy (used in Madagascar).

PAMPHLETS IN EUROPEAN LANGUAGES

Among the European languages designated by the Guardian for translation during the Ten-Year Crusade, seven have been completed: Basque, Estonian, Flemish, Piedmontese, Romansch, Yiddish and Ziryen. The titles of the first five of these pamphlets read: Bahá’íeren fedea, Bahá’í Sissejuhatav Brošüür, Het Bahá’í Wereld Geloof, La Fede Môndial Bahá’í, Uena Nouva Epoca Cumainza. An eighth pamphlet, in Maltese, is in the process of being printed These projects, completed under the auspices of the European Teaching Committee, reduce to two European languages, Lapp and Romani, the translations assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BRITISH ISLES

Dedication of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and Teaching Conference

The dedication of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the British Bahá’í Community on Saturday evening, January 15, 1955, was enriched by the holding of a Teaching Conference at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds during the day before and the day following the dedication. Present for the dedication were two Hands of the Cause. Leroy C. Ioas and Dr. Hermann Grossmann. Mr. loas brought the love of the Guardian to the gathering, outwardly symbolized by a gift of attar of rose, whose fragrance permeated the hearts of all those present. It was the largest gathering ever held in Great Britain, attended by 150 of the friends.

The four sessions of the Teaching Conference reached a climax in the final session at which progress at the World Center of the Faith was movingly reported by Mr. Ioas.

[Page 13]BAHA’I NEWS

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CANADA

From the Canadian Bahá’í News two items are cited which show response to individual teaching efforts.

In a British Columbia Bahá’í group a minister has been leading a Bible study class sponsored by the Bahá’ís. He first learned of the Bahá’í Faith 43 years ago in Turkey from two Bahá’í students who attended his mission school. He has stated publicly that these two boys “were more Christian than the Christians in the school.”

In another part of Canada a Bahá’í Youth won top place in her school for a talk on “Prescription for Living,” based on Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s book. The next Sunday a local minister used in his sermon many points she had made in her talk.

CENTRAL AMERICA

The Fifth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Central America and the Antilles was held in Mexico City, April 23-26, 1955, and was followed by an International School, April 27-29. Of the twenty-seven delegates, sixteen were present, as well as Bahá’í visitors from all the countries of this area except Haiti.

Consultation at the Convention centered around the Guardian’s goals of “more Bahá’ís, more groups, more assemblies,” to provide the foundations for the independent National Spiritual Assemblies which are to be formed in each of the ten Republics before the end of the Ten-Year Global Crusade.

The Convention received excellent publicity, with two television broadcasts over local news stations and a well-attended press conference. Two public meetings were held in the salon of the famous Palace of Fine Arts.

The following were elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly:

Artemus Lamb (Costa Rica), Chairman

Sheila Rice-Wray (Dominican Re public), Vice Chairman

Esteban Canales (Costa Rica), Secretary

Carmelo Perez (Cuba), Recording Secretary

James Facey (Panama), Treasurer

Amy McAllister (Panama), Assistant Secretary

Randolph Fitz-Henley (Jamaica), Assistant Treasurer

Juan René Cabrera (Cuba)

Jenny Taylor (Guatemala)

NATIONAL NEWS

FORTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

“By the righteousness of God! Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”

This promise of Bahá’u’lláh to all who teach in the Name of God in this glorious Day quickened the hearts of all delegates assembled in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, Illinois, on the morning of April 28 for the opening session of the forty-seventh annual convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

“We gather . . . at the midpoint of the second phase of the greatest Crusade the world has ever seen,” said Paul E. Haney, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, as he greeted the American believers and quoted the foregoing words from Bahá’u’lláh. “We are called by our beloved Guardian to fulfill in fullest measure our destiny as an American Bahá’í Community. In his Message of the 1953 Jubilee convention Shoghi Effendi assigned the lion’s share of the Crusade task to the American believers. . . . Our victory in the Ten-Year Crusade, the third and final stage in the execution of the Master’s Divine Plan, will raise the American Community to the throne of everlasting dominion . . . but our achievements so far in the glorious undertaking are all relatively meaningless unless accompanied by winning fresh recruits for the Faith on all continents of the globe.”

Thus accenting at the start of the convention deliberations the very heart of our task—teaching—Mr. Haney, for the National Spiritual Assembly, pointed out that the still lagging work to be done by the American Bahá’ís is winning the hearts of men in far greater numbers on our own continent. To this task, he said, the convention will undoubtedly wish to give its attention. Accomplishment of all goals given us by the Guardian is impossible by human standards. We must rely on the promises of our Faith for aid . . . and know that success will come through “all those who arise” . . . in “whom the Word of God taketh effect.”

Prayers in the Temple auditorium that first morning, where the atmosphere is vibrant and yet still—with beauty, peace and light—and the opening prayer for America as the first session began, these assisted each delegate to prepare himself humbly and sincerely for work to be done. Each had related himself spiritually to the divine Center and Source of the world-regenerating Crusade in which Bahá’ís the globe around are engaged under Shoghi Effendi’s leadership. Impressive, as always, was the roll call of delegates from our far-flung States and thrilling was the movement of hearts as messages of greeting began to come in from sister communities throughout the Bahá’í world. The convention organized itself for action by electing from its membership H. Borrah Kavelin, delegate from Eastern New York, as permanent chairman and Horace Holley, Northern Illinois, as secretary, casting 109 and 114 votes in the respective ballots.

Message from the Guardian

The beloved Guardian’s letter to the convention, addressed this year, as last, to the twelve conventions assembled during the Riḍván period, invited the delegates to survey with him the “multiple evidences of the progressive unfoldment” of the God-given potentialities of the Ten-Year Crusade as it forges ahead “gaining momentum with every passing day . . . and revealing ever more compelling signs of its inherent strength as it marches towards the spiritual conquest of the planet.” Beginning with the statement that the number of territories opened to the Faith during the Crusade has been raised to 108 and the total number of sovereign states and chief dependencies included within the pale of the Faith to 236, the Guardian specifically pointed out nearly 30 achievements, each building one upon the other, each supremely significant in this moving drama of World salvation.

“Such marvelous progress . . . impels me to announce,” Shoghi Effendi stated as he closed his summary of goals accomplished and opened the door to new tasks in

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mediately ahead, “the formation during Riḍván, 1957, in addition to the three Regional National Spiritual Assemblies to be elected in 1956 in the African continent, of thirteen National Spiritual Assemblies, some of which will be regional, others independent, some interim and others permanent.” To achieve this quick and amazing development, the Guardian calls for an extension of the responsibilities of existing National Assemblies in convening the elective conventions and further development in the institution of the Hands of the Cause, designated members of which are to act as his representatives at these thirteen historic conventions. All Bahá’í groups scattered throughout the 42 countries represented he urges to “make a supreme effort” to attain assembly status in two years, that they may send delegates to those conventions and thus broaden the foundation for these new “pivotal institutions.”

Through the assembled delegates the Guardian directed a final appeal to the entire body of believers in all continents to “consecrate themselves afresh” to the furtherance of the immediate objectives enumerated in his 1954 convention message. He prays that the members of this “firmly-knit, intensely-alive, world-embracing Community,” spurred on by the triple impulse of three Charters—The Tablet of Carmel by Bahá’u’lláh, and the Will and Testament and the Tablets of the Divine Plan by the Center of His Covenant — “may advance from strength to strength and victory to victory” to hasten the Day when the beloved Faith “will have ascended the throne and wielded the scepter of spiritual and temporal authority . . .” [See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, May 1955, pp. 1 and 7 for Message and list of goals of 1954 Message.]

In answer to this Message the Convention sent this heartfelt response by cable to Shoghi Effendi: “Assembled delegates grateful to beloved Guardian for inspiring view of world accomplishments and future tasks. We beseech your prayers to strengthen our faith and fire our actions that we may pour out life and treasure in gratitude for such great blessings.

Deepest love.

—47TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

As the convention began gathering its own momentum, seeking out those points where it should put the greatest thought, the Guardian sent forth his special directive to the American community. This arrived Saturday morning and served to channel all efforts, to conserve and yet to call forth all inherent powers for the purpose of achieving that which is important now: “Appreciate message entire community confronted tremendous tasks inescapable responsibilities urge redouble efforts achieve immediate goals plan fervently praying.

—SHOGHI”

“Be not concerned with the smallness of your numbers,” many recalled the dear counsel of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “neither be oppressed by the multitude of an unbelieving world, . . . Exert yourselves; your mission is unspeakably glorious.”

World Crusade: Second Phase

The theme of the convention “The World Crusade: Second Phase", came, with the first session, into clear focus. The first phase, 1953-1954, had already recorded its victories climaxed with the spectacular dispersal of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh to all comers of the earth. The first half of the second phase, years 1954-55, had added is laurels to delight the heart of the Guardian and encourage the believers in all lands. One year remains of this second phase in which to complete specific goals designed for this period and to make possible the opening of the third phase of the Ten-Year Plan sometime after the formation of the 16 historic new Assemblies in Africa, 1956, and the other continents named, 1957, making a total of 28 Assemblies (some regional and interim — the Crusade goal being 48 National Assemblies), Eight years of the over-all plan remain in which to finish the vast teaching, consolidation and building program that will usher in the Most Great Jubilee of 1963. Our minds could not expand enough to comprehend and remember the many details of this “mighty Plan” even so far as accomplished, but we could, sitting together, working earnestly, feel the mighty movement sweeping the face of the earth. This is the Plan devised under the hand of our beloved Guardian for the “systematic execution” of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in its final and triumphant stage. “The onrushing winds of the grace of God have passed over all things.” No wonder that when the most recent victories and immediate objectives had been delineated by the Guardian in his Message, when most of the delegates had found time to at least acquaint themselves with the Annual Reports printed for 1954-55, when organization of the convention was completed, there was born a spirit of eager impatience to push on to consultation on how to meet the future goals, especially on how to stir and help all Bahá’ís in America to arise and spread the divine fragrances.

On the Home Front

Consultation on how the American Bahá’í Community may attain its immediate goals, paving the way for three hundred local Spiritual Assemblies in the United States by 1963, began on Thursday afternoon with a brief progress report and presentation of our problems by Jesma Herbert for the National Teaching Committee. The task of this committee and the Area Teaching Committees in the structure of the teaching plan as set up two years ago is to co-ordinate and to help individual believers, assemblies and groups as they work for the Ten-Year Crusade goals. The Crusade ends in 1963 and we have settled only 42 of the 76 goal cities (statistics change frequently). Enrollments reported in group or isolated status have been 150 adults and 24 youth compared with 90 adults and 24 youth last year, an encouraging gain. Momentum has not picked up yet on the home front for dispersion, but the committee hopes that very soon movement will be on an unprecedented basis . . . in response to the Guardian's repeated call for believers to leave the larger Bahá’í communities and settle in goal cities when possible. We cannot hold of! the formation of Assemblies until the last year. Wherever there appears a flow of effort in any place the committee will endeavor to supply any needs to carry on to victory.

Making a short supplementary report in the morning for the National Spiritual Assembly, Horace Holley, secretary, had given the convention these vital statistics relative to As-

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Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Anchorage Recording District, Alaska, Incorporated January 19, 1955.

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, incorporated March 4, 1955.

sembly status: an increase in Assembly incorporations looking toward the goal of 100 by 1963, with 81 now incorporated, 22 of these since the start of the Crusade; of the 172 local Assemblies elected in April 1954, 162 had to date reported holding elections in 1955; seven had lost Assembly status, five were in question, eight were new Assemblies and nine were old ones re-established. Even with more reports to be received we saw now the lag spoken of by Paul Haney in his greeting to the convention. What are the “blocks" in our home teaching and in dispersal, the national teaching chairman, Charles Wolcott, asked as he pointed up the consultation on Home Front teaching. And we recalled that the goal the Guardian had set for the second phase of the Crusade in this respect was: “energetic and systematic prosecution of the all-important teaching work both at home and abroad, designed to increase rapidly the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith . . . the maintenance, by every available means, of the status of local Spiritual Assemblies already established throughout the Bahá’í world.”

Improvement this past year has been noticeable where communities have formed a plan for themselves, Mr. Wolcott asserted. Such a plan, to succeed, must include the vital step of leading a soul up to his declaration. Many communities know how to proclaim the Faith. We now do well in acquiring contacts. But what about the next steps? The National Teaching Committee suggests the following steps in teaching: 1) the invitation fireside; 2) the periodical fireside, for nurturing the spark of interest; 3) the study class, which will lead to declaration; 4) formation of Bahá’í groups; 5) nurturing of groups to become Assemblies; and 6) deepening believers, old and new, through study and activity, thus strengthening a community. Rapid and purposeful was discussion from the floor on the American teaching problems, perhaps the most dynamic participation of delegates that this convention was to see. It continued through several periods allotted to the subject and ranged from inquiries for clarification of the national teaching structure advantages, through use of techniques and aids, the need in places for simpler and specific contact literature, to the serious lack of effective firesides and to means of further activating believers and strengthening communities. Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary of the National Assembly, called attention to more statistics, these with important bearing on enrollment of new believers by lagging communities. In the past five years there have been 184 communities in Assembly standing at one time or another, she said. Of these, 123 enrolled less than five new believers each in five years; 20 enrolled not one new believer in five years; and 28, only one in five years. Here is the picture of Assembly “inactivity and ineffectuality.” To meet this problem and theirs, delegates oftered suggestions: cross over into “new pockets" of contact to find people who will become believers; find ways to meet the students in foreign exchange programs; deepen the believers themselves through study, meditation and “creating the ability to work through the power of God”; interpret this period in history for Christians; plan for firesides and keep to the plan; remember that no Bahá’í community was ever born without hard work and tears; communities share in the expense and use of slides, tapes, etc.; make our desires pure; as it is winning hearts that counts, become sensitive to the “response moment” in pure souls; be patient; teach love of Bahá’u’lláh and loyalty to the divine authority of the Faith, not leave a new believer with adherence to the broad world principles alone; strengthen our community life through love and unity, it is not enough to have good teachers working as individuals; study ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ways of teaching in America and gain ideas from Rúḥíyyih Khánum‘s “Teaching Problems”; realize that we have the greatest glad-tidings in the world to give.

The national committee feels that the present teaching structure with a National Teaching Committee and twelve Area Committees, the simplified plan adopted during the first year of the Crusade in response to Shoghi Effendi’s directive, is the best plan for co-ordination of our ef-

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forts that has yet been devised. It requires the assistance and co-operation of Assemblies and groups on the local level to bridge what some believers have called a “gap” between area and local functioning. Where Assemblies have functioned through dispersal and extension (Home Front) committees and cooperated in area meetings the plan has worked well, a number of delegates testified. The national committee reiterated that believers who wish to pioneer in out-of-country goals should remain in their own communities if the Assemblies would be endangered by their loss until believers are found to take their places at home.

American Indian Service

An inspirational report from the American Indian Service Committee brought by Francis Johnson, chairman, and Nancy Phillips, secretary, made clear the unique and joyous work of the committee in trying to gain one of the other goals of the Crusade: the confirmation of believers from the American Indian tribes. “There is no doubt that through the divine teachings,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote in His Divine Plan, “they (American Indians) will become so enlightened as in turn to shed light to all regions.” A supplement to last year’s Indian Service brochure is now procurable. One of the requirements of the first phase of the Ten-Year Plan was met during the year with the translation of selections from the Writings into the Cherokee language, published separately in English and Cherokee under the title “A New Day Comes,” (see Annual Reports, 1954-55). The other objective as outlined by the Guardian, conversion of members of the leading Indian tribes, has not yet been attained, but to date six tribes have members in the Faith. A total of 26 tribes have been contacted, eight of these before and 18 during the first year of the Crusade, and definite teaching has reached members of seven additional tribes this past year. About one-third of the members of the leading tribes live off reservations and we learn from assemblies that more teaching is being done off reservations than on.

To clarify the immediate goals for the new year the committee has restated them: deepening efforts where tribes have been contacted; extension to reach remaining tribes not yet contacted; reconstitution of the local Spiritual Assembly at Macy, Neb., which lost assembly status four years ago; and reaching the one-third in our cities.

“People are about the same all over the globe. We all want love, peace and happiness,” Mr. Johnson read from a letter written by Mrs. Ethel Murray, pioneer to the Indians in North Carolina. “We can live at lower standards now for them. . . . It is thrilling to know one has made a right decision . . . [such as being a pioneer to the Indians].”

Having been to Macy on his way to the convention and talked with Bahá’ís in the tribe there, knowing how dear this place is to the Guardian, Mr. Johnson asked with much feeling, “Who is going to win back this spiritual prize?”

From delegates who have found the privilege of reaching the Indians spiritually rewarding came suggestions: Try to utilize the declared Indians as much as possible in teaching the Faith; go to the Indians with love, friendliness and service, not at first with a “new faith”, for they have been proselytized till skeptical and afraid; take advantage of opportunities for meeting in service and recreation centers; invite them to your home, talk of your own problems in friendly fashion, be gentle, don't push; study Indian legends; be kind. It was announced by Mildred Mottahedeh that a relative of Shlrin Fozdar, Bahá’í teacher in the Indian subcontinent, has arrived in America with desire to teach American Indians.

Inter-Racial Teaching

A challenging pilgrim’s message direct from Shoghi Effendi, given to the convention on Thursday evening by Doris Ballard, secretary of the new Spiritual Assembly of Johannesburg, gave added stress to the Indian Service work and sparked the Inter-Racial Teaching consultation with a re-emphasis on a warning that the Guardian has been giving for some time. Miss Ballard reported the Guardian to have said that: 1) There should be added impetus in teaching the American Indian. All American believers should study what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says about this in his Tablets of the Divine Plan. 2) In America the Home Front teaching is staggering because of racial prejudice within Bahá’í communities themselves. Minorities are sensitive to this. It is the great weakness in America.

As the Inter-Racial Committee opened its period, postponed until Friday afternoon, the chairman, George Brawley, pointed out that this committee (and the Indian Service) was set up two years ago at the express direction of the Guardian and it has been endeavoring to align its work with the guidance that he has given, such as, “he attaches great importance to the teaching in the South.” Accomplishments in the whole field Mr. Brawley touched briefly (see Annual Reports), speaking of cities where institutes on the brochure, “Faith in Action,” have been held, and of four cities where special public meetings were sponsored by the committee for pioneers to the South. He moved quickly from this, however, to citation of cases where Bahá’ís have missed opportunities to take a position in cities where a great problem in racial relations arose and to pointing out how a well-started study class was abandoned by a believer after he found a neighbor objected. “The Negro has always been a Christian. But he doesn’t want the principles without the Cause itself! . . . The South is as ready as the North to receive the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, if Bahá’ís will only live their Faith. If we practice one principle—removal of prejudice from our minds—we will be able to bring the Teachings to the Negro. We must not be afraid.”

As delegates we tried to face up to ourselves and our communities in the consultation that followed. Many stepped swiftly into the arena of discussion to point out our shortcomings in the matter of “living the life”; advice from experience with minority races was given; delegates could go home better acquainted with our successes and our goals, our missed opportunities and our immaturities and perhaps our disobedience in this matter. Here are some of the gems which we heard: “We may as well be frank at this point. . . . There is a power in this Cause and it will be evidenced in the coming together of the races. . . . The sensitive Negro has something to do about the situation within communities, too, Stay in and be a Bahá’í! . . . The picture is changing every day in the South . . . The churches

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there are taking the right stand but they are hesitant to try to change the thinking of their congregations. . . . We can do things we could not do a few years ago. Race unity is inevitable. . . . The first Negro has been made a member of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce through Bahá’í effort. . . . The Cause spreads when you take the right step. . . . Many times the African students can reach Negroes for us. . . . Any Bahá’í who has prejudice must struggle with his own soul. . . . The Guardian said to me, ‘What would you think if we sent a committee from Africa to teach in America?’ . . . The white Bahá’í who lives the life is more proof to the Negro in the South than an African would be . . . but a group of Africans teaching all of us might be effective . . . don’t leave the Negro to teach his people alone, teach together . don’t be afraid of intermarriage . . . don’t be apologetic, sugar-coated . . . be a Bahá’í! . . . Let us approach the subject and each other with love. . . . We are faced with an immediacy. We fail if we do not solve this problem in our midst. When you have a public meeting, think: how will we reach the Negroes, our most important guests? . . . Approach the Negro as a human being, not a problem himself. . . . We might use paid advertisements in the ‘hottest’ cities to educate people. . . . We must integrate so we do not have minorities within the great Cause of Bahá’u’lláh . . . ‘the accomplishment of unity between the colored and white will he an assurance of the world‘s peace,’ said ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”

As this consultation closed many thanked Bahá’u’lláh for His wonderful bounties to mankind, recalling His famous Son’s words, “In the world of being the meeting is blessed when the white and colored races meet together with infinite spiritual love and heavenly harmony . . . the Beauty of Bahá’u’lláh addresseth them, ‘Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye!’ ”

A letter from North Africa where Elsie Austin is assisting with the establishment of the divine institutions brought a glimpse of lands where “all the world's prejudices are on parade." Endowed with heart, spirit and sincerity the pioneers, even with only one language at their command, can eventually

gain victories, Miss Austin wrote. Patience, kindness, self-sacrifice and trustworthiness are the virtues that succeed. Prayers and pioneers are needed to strengthen these outposts, as all others.

Sacrifice and One World

It is always helpful to have the national treasurer present at convention the proposed national budget for the ensuing year and to explain its items in comparison with those in the previous year, even though the text of the budget, when adopted by the N.S.A., will later be supplied all believers. To help us first to associate ourselves with the spiritual aspect of our financial obligations in the Ten-Year Crusade, Mr. Kavelin pointed out that in view of the two forces operating in the world, one for destruction, the other the army of love and assurance that will spell mass salvation for humanity, an individual Bahá’í sees himself emerging as a citizen of the world. He can relate himself to the Divine Plan that is unfolding before our very eyes. Each of us becomes a part of a unity . . . the unity of God. In this unity we can achieve victories not possible by human means. . . . The Guardian plans, he sees each need and this need becomes an accomplished fact. It remains for us to give expression to the fact. Because we are now operating a world-wide enterprise, we must grow up to a realization of what our budget must encompass and our responsibilities to it are, he said. It does not seem defensible that any Local Spiritual Assembly

. . no matter how inexperienced or divided, should fail to make at least a token contribution regularly to the National Fund; but such does happen. Revealing statistics are as follows: In May. 1954, contributions came from only 115 local Assemblies; in June from 123; July, 140; Aug., 132; Sept., 134; and Oct., 109.

The proposed budget is a total of $550,000 as compared with $475,000 for the year just ended. Enthusiastically the delegates made an attempt to recommend an increase to $600,000 but after discussion and second thought decided by vote the proposed amount to be wiser. Expended for 1954-55 was $411,123, which was less than the budget estimate, but the amount received from contributions was only $363,500. The total unexpended was $64,000 of which $44,000 is held to be used to complete the Temple landscaping in 1955, postponed from last year. The surplus seeming to remain, of $20,000, subtracted from $475,000 gives $455,000, the amount actually used for 1954-55. Thus the treasury had a deficit of $91,500 because contributions, as noted were $363,500. To meet this deficit, $91,500 was borrowed from proceeds of estates. In the present estate fund there remain only $111,000. An unexpected contingency this past year was the call of the Guardian for the need to ensure the purchase of eight Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in capital cities for which we gave a total of $29,808, having budgeted only $5,000. Contributions for Temple sites were increased also. World Crusade teaching and expenditure for trusteeships had to be drastically curtailed to meet these other needs. Next year $58,500 has been allocated for commitments on four Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and toward the purchase of 27 others.

To assist the believers in meeting their obligations this year the National Assembly has provided a suggested guide by which Assemblies, groups and individuals may budget themselves, though the resolve plan as adopted last year has not been approved for 1955. The latter has “outlived its usefulness”, Mr. Kavelin said. We can now grow up to the point of resolving with ourselves. in the question and answer period, with much consultation, too, the following points were made: Bahá’ís made personal loans to the trustees to enable them to purchase the Goldblatt property. Repayment begins this year. . . . The true meaning of sacrifice is to give away what you are attached to, not what is extra. The expenses of the new Bahá’í World book will have to be met this year out of the Fund . . . boosted sales would help. . . . Many repairs on Bahá’í schools have had to be deferred. . . . A salary will probably be needed for a professional guide at the Bahá’í House of Worship . . . The Fund is the life-blood of our institutions . . . educate new believers in the truths of Bahá’í giving. . . . Contributions may come from Bahá’í conferences if on in voluntary basis. . . When we love enough, we give. . . . We are inconsistent in seeing how important our pioneer projects are and in not

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Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Burbank, California, incorporated March 16, 1955.

providing the means. . . . When it is hard for you to be a good Bahá’í, put $1.00, or one cent, in the Fund . . your character may improve; or give out of the simple joy of heart or in memoriam. . . He who sits down and plans with himself how much he will give, and gives it, is pioneering. One of the unexpected highlights of the consultation on the National Fund was when Habib Sabet of New York arose to contribute $100,000 to the Home for the Aged, the first Temple Dependency. A final point clarified was that it is more important to give to the National Fund than to local funds at this time. Opportunities for giving also are open as in the past year to the World Center through the Guardian (International Fund), and to the assistance of the Hands of the Cause and the Auxiliary Boards (Continental Funds). As we broaden the base of giving through all believers participating, and thus make the foundation strong, and sure, so also we have the privilege, each of us, of participating in the vast Crusade program to establish God’s Kingdom on earth.

Establishing Divine Institutions

To lift up our sights, to renew our vision, to give us pure joy . . . the agenda for the first evening of convention provided three special presentations: “Major Tasks of the Second Phase of the World Crusade and Their Significance”, by the Hands of the Faith; “The Temple as the Greatest Teacher” and “Completion of the Landscaping”; and color slides showing the progress of the Crusade. To describe this wonderful evening with the vistas it opened out to the future of the world and the realm of spiritual reality it brought near to all is not possible in short space or with this reporter’s pen. A few things may be gleaned from the program that will suggest to the reader the beauty and power of that night.

“As the Divine Plan unfolded the beloved Guardian gave us the gift of the Hands of the Cause.” With these words Mr. Kavelin introduced the first part of the program to be presented by the four Hands of the Cause present in convention, Mrs. Corinne True, Mrs. Amelia Collins, Horace Holley and Paul E. Haney. To the delegates acquainted with Mrs. True‘s faithful and long service at the heart of the Faith in America, her very presence with us again was an inspiration. She spoke briefly: “The Master said to me, ‘l wish you to work for the Temple and you must live in Chicago.’ So I have lived my life in this part of the world.” Bringing loving greetings from the Guardian and all our coworkers in Haifa and giving news of developments in “The Most Holy Land” was Mrs. Collins, vice-chairman of the Bahá’í International Council. It is amazing to watch things come to pass on Mount Carmel under the hand of Shoghi Effendi, she said. He plans carefully and he gets things done. All these things have been mentioned by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as coming to pass. She described development in the Monument Gardens, placing of the arc and clearing of the space for it where future administrative buildings of the World Center will stand, the relationship of this to the spiritual center at the Shrine of the Báb, and the choosing of the site for the beautiful new Archives building. We saw in mind’s eye something of the vision that moves the Guardian to heroic endeavor.

Mr. Holley, in tracing the development of the institutions at the World Center as he cited passages from Shoghi Effendi’s historic messages since July, 1950, first said: “The most important work going on in the world today is that related to the institutions of Bahá’u’lláh. It is the most important work with which we as human beings have had association since the world began. . . . There have never before been institutions for humanity. They could not be created until the Day of God.” After reading passages from the Tablet of Carmel, which the Guardian calls the Charter for development of the World Center, and then excerpts from Shoghi Effendi’s messages that initiated, one by one, new steps in the unfoldment of the World Center institutions from 1950 up to the present, Mr. Holley closed with a simple, profound statement that sent all he had read echoing again and again through our hearts: “There is so much to do . . . we need now and then to review the details and to get the vision afresh.”

Paul Haney, reviewing point by point the objectives of the Ten-Year Crusade for the American Bahá’í Community, stated that it is vital that we have a clear understanding of the evolution of these objectives, There are compelling reasons why the Guardian wants us to succeed with every stage. He presses us on to victory because he loves us and knows that failure at any point jeop-

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The first Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Niles Township, Michigan, formed April 21, 1955.

ardizes later achievements. The first phase was concluded triumphantly, Ridván, 1954; in the following year the Guardian speeded up the plan, calling for extra accomplishments. Example, in the acquiring of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Mr. Haney pointed out that members of Auxiliary Boards in traveling on teaching missions for the Hands have reported thrillingly on the impetus given to the Faith by the establishment of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. “This process in which we are sharing”, he concluded, “is now and for the rest of our lives. Our response to the leadership of our divinely guided Guardian will fulfill our destiny,” and “the throne in the plenitude of God will be firmly established on earth.”

Marguerite Ullrich speaking on “The Temple as the Greatest Teacher”, related incidents and figures from guiding records to show the sweep and power of the Temple influence. Since 1932, as many as 628,558 recorded visitors; last year alone, 105,877. Shoghi Effendi says that the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá concerning the spiritual influence of the completed edifice is wonderfully coming to pass. As guiding is a great spiritual experience and guides are needed, Mrs. Ullrich urged believers who can give any time in this service to do so. Clarence Ullrich completed the Temple presentation by explaining in detail the work that will be done to complete the landscaping this year, including fountains, pools and development in the gardens.

Closing a long evening packed with truly spiritual manna were pictures on the screen of Temple sites and Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds purchased to date, each picture explained by Beatrice Ashton.

The three other nights were also high spots of inspiration, each in its particular way: reports, with incidents, on the advances of the Intercontinental teaching work, made by Edna True, Charlotte Linfoot, Sylvia Parmelee, and William deForge and Katherine McLaughlin for the European, Asian, African and Western Hemisphere committees, respectively, showing how goals are being met; the sacred and joyous Riḍván Feast in the Auditorium, open to the public; and the Bahá’í Congress addressed by Mildred Mottahedeh, speaking on “The Challenge of World Faith” to a large audience Sunday night. All four Intercontinental committee chairmen stressed the continuing need for pioneers to fill goals, to support the goals already won and to aid in building local assemblies throughout the world, Latin America alone is to establish 20 National Assemblies in the coming eight years, and Africa three Regional Assemblies by Riḍván, 1956. Mabel Eastman, returning pilgrim, brought from Haifa highlights of recent accomplishments.

Saturday and Sunday brought reports and stimulation for Bahá’í Youth, Child Education and Summer Schools; and for the Proclamation and Service work of the Cause. Valuable information was given the delegates by Mrs. Eunice Braun, manager of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust which came into being on May 1, thus fulfilling another goal of the American Bahá’í community in the World Crusade. The United Nations committee reviewed the steps taken this year to reinforce ties with the United Nations, a goal of the Ten-Year Crusade. Other committees also presented plans and materials that will be of great benefit to teaching activities throughout the American Bahá’í Community, many of these being shown in exhibits in the area around Foundation Hall, and most of which will be listed in special communications to the believers or in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. The Bahá’í Youth had a special conference of their own during the convention and participated enthusiastically in convention consultation. As Youth activity they stressed making contacts with college young people, establishing Bahá’í Youth groups on campuses, serving on Bahá’í Community committees with adults, stimulating Youth activity and study through the Youth Bulletin and preparation for pioneering.

Midway in convention the election for the new National Spiritual Assembly for 1955-56 was held, In an atmosphere of devotion and prayerful thought delegates Cast their ballots. The vote by mail made 170 delegates voting. Soon after in its first meeting the new Assembly chose officers. It will function as follows: Paul E. Haney, chairman; Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman; Horace Holley, secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary; Edna M. True, recording secretary; H. Borrah Kavelin, treasurer; and Margery McCormick, Ellsworth Blackwell, Robert McLaughlin.

The service of public worship on Sunday afternoon filled the auditorium. Here for the last time in this convention Bahá’ís met for worship, hearing those Words of divine power that each day had lifted their hearts to God and prepared them for the tasks to be done. The phenomenal sunshine of the convention days had been as bountiful as the spiritual outpourings and many hearts were glad. To the total at-

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tendance of delegates, 133, was aded the number of 828 registered visitors during the convention period making a total attendance of 961. Would that all mankind cou.ld see what Bahá’í eyes had glimpsed during these wonderful days! “The whole creation, methinks, is being disrupted and is bursting asunder through the shattering influence of the Divine summons issued from the throne of glory.”

—ALICE SIMMONS COX

Convention Reporter

SOUVENIR OF ABDU’L-BAHA

Forty-Third Annual Unity Feast

Each year, on the last Saturday in June, at West Englewood, New Jersey, the Bahá’í National Committee for the ‘Souvenir of Abdu’l-Bahá’ holds the annual gathering to commemorate the first Unity Feast given by the Master on the grounds of the Wilhelm Property in West Englewood on June 29, 1912.

This year, on June 25, Bahá’ís and their friends are invited to come with their picnic baskets at noon and enjoy an outdoor picnic under the tall evergreen trees. Milk for the children, and tea for those who wish it, will be served by the Committee.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the following program will be presented:

Prayers and Greetings

Amy G. Raubitschek, Chairman

Music

‘Abdu’l-Bahás address given in 1912 read by Beatrice Thigpen

Theme

Divine Justice

Speaker: Keith deFolo

Remarks and Closing Prayer Chairman

Prayer and Readings in Grove where first Unity Feast was held Vaffa Kinney & Maude Gaudreaux

The discourse which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave in 1912 can be found in The Promulgatimt of Universal Peace, page 208. In it the Master said: “The efficacy of such meetings as these is permanent throughout the ages. This assembly has a name and significance which will last forever. Hundreds of thousands of meetings shall be held to commemorate this occasion and the very words I speak to you today shall be repeated in them for ages to come."

TO ALL LATIN AMERICAN PIONEER PROSPECTS

If you hope to travel to one of the countries in Central or South America to teach the Faith, you are urged to study Spanish now. All reports from “southern” pioneers stress the advantage of knowing the language before you arrive.

—WESTERN HEMISPHERE

TEACHING COMMITTEE

ASIA TEACHING COMMITTEE

Summer Teaching Conference Scheduled in Japan

Reports from Japan bring the good news that a sound foundation has been laid for an intensive teaching campaign to assure THe establishment of its National Spiritual Assembly in April 1957. Already there are two local Assemblies — in Tokyo and Hyogo-ken—and five Bahá’í groups with membership ranging from three to seven believers. Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Kobe have been chosen as goal cities and have been assigned to assemblies and groups nearest them for extension teaching purposes. Regular firesides are already being held in four of these cities, and teaching circuits are being conducted under the direction of the National Teaching Committee of Japan.

With the cooperation of the Asia Teaching Committee of the United States, a summer teaching conference has been scheduled to take place in Japan September 23, 24 and 25. In addition to the Japanese believers, there will be delegates from Formosa, Korea, Macao, Guam and other goal countries in that general area.

The meeting of Bahá’ís from such a wide area will provide opportunity for consultation on how the believers can respond most effectively to the Guardian’s call for intensification of teaching activity in the Pacific in the months ahead. The Guardian has written that there are apparent signs for the rapid spread of the Faith in that area, and that it is capable of producing victories at least as great as those achieved in Africa.

To aid in the achievement of these new victories the Asia Teaching Committee again appeals for Bahá’í pioneers and settlers for either virgirn or consolidation areas in Asia and the Pacific.

—ASIA TEACHING COMMITTEE

BAHA’I PRESS SERVICE

Bahá’í World Faith: A Summary of Its History, Teachings and Administrative Order has been compiled for presentation to newspaper writers and others who can make use of a brief account of the basic facts about the Faith.

The pamphlet contains eight pages, 9 x 11 inches, with the title running downward along the outer edge for maximum visibility in a letter file. On the back page is space for writing in a local name and address to contact for further information.

The Bahá’í Press Service Committee suggests that copies be presented to each newspaper in every Bahá’í community, and to friends and contacts. They may be ordered from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, 10 for $1.00, 50 for $4.50,

BAHA’I IN THE NEWS

The Pittsburgh Courier, March 19, 1955, has an article entitled “Around the UN” which states that mention made of the first Bahá’ís of Basutoland, Mr. and Mrs. Chadwick Mohapi, whose “eldest son is translating Bahá’í Writings into the Sesuto language,” appears in the NGO Lounge. (A photograph of these believers appear in BAHÁ’Í NEWS of February 1955.)

New Age Interpreter, November, 1954, has a leading article on “The Oneness of Life” which states: “Among such prophets to our age, it is safe to say that none have spoken on the theme of unity with greater authority, or a loftier spiritual vision than did Bahá’u’lláh and his son and successor, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”

At the request of the Garden Club of Illinois, one hundred copies of the reprint of The Chicago Tribune article on the Temple and grounds were given them for distribution to their local clubs.

The Gleaner & Journal, Henderson, Kentucky, in its February 20,

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1955, issue, in an article on “Cults In the U.S. Wield a Strength,” based on a talk derived from a book by Dr. Marcus Bach, describes the Temple and explains its significance.

From Boise, Idaho, comes news that the Idaho Daily Statesman carries quotations from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh regularly in connection with announcement of the Bahá’í devotional hour held each Sunday in the Boise Art Gallery. The same paper carried a notice of Bahá’í Proclamation Day with a picture of the speaker for the Bahá’í public meeting.

A list of Outstanding Titles from the Metaphysical Library of Vantage Press includes Allen B. McDaniel’s The Spell of the Temple.

The Religious Editor of The Nashville Tennessean in its issue of April 18, 1955, reports on a public meeting held by the local Bahá’í Assembly in the Hermitage Hotel, Winston Evans, speaker. The article is accompanied by a photograph of white and Negro officers of the Nashville Spiritual Assembly.

Through the efforts of the Bahá’í pioneers, an exhibit of Bahá’í literature is being maintained at the USAF, Goose Air Base, Goose Bay, Labrador, and free literature is given to seekers.

Rand McNally & Company, publishers of maps and atlases, issue a monthly organ Ranally World. The April, 1955, number carries on its back cover pictures of buildings representing Decatur, San Francisco and Chicago. The Bahá’í House of Worship was selected as the Chicago structure.

After completing the publication of a syndicated series of feature articles on various faiths, The Denver Post followed the series with another series suggested by local religious groups. An article, “What Is a Bahá’í?” by Horace Holley, appeared on March 19, 1955.

The Chicago Sun-Times, May 4, published a photograph of the Bahá’í Temple seen through trees under the caption, “What Is So Rare As a Day in May?”

Empire Star, Buffalo, New York, ran an illustrated feature page on February 10, 1955, entitled “Basic

SPECIAL EVENTS FOR PROCLAIMING BAHA’I FAITH TO THE PUBLIC

1955-1956

Martyrdom of the Báb

July 9, 1955

Proclamation Day

September 23, 1955

United Nations Day

October 24, 1955

Birthday of Bahá’u’’lláh

November 12, 1955

Bahá’í State Conventions

• December 4, 1955

World Religion Day

January 15, 1956

World Brotherhood Week

February 19-25, 1956

Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year)

March 21, 1956

Bahá’í National Convention

• April 26-29, 1956

Declaration of the Báb

May 23, 1955

To publicize developments at the Baha'i World Center, and the signifi�cance of the martyrdom of the Bab and of His Shrine.

To proclaim America's spiritual mis�sion; to observe the anniversary of the Faith's introduction to America.

To proclaim the spiritual basis on which the nations can unite for lasting world peace.

To proclaim the appearance of the Promised One of all religions as the hope of the world.

To publicize delegate attendance and progress of the Ten-Year World Spirit�ual Crusade.

To proclaim the fundamental oneness of religion.

To proclaim the oneness of mankind.

To proclaim the renewal of religion and a new spiritual springtime.

To publicize the Baha'i program for uniting the youth of all Faiths in pro�moting lastin g world peace.

To publicize delegate attendance and progress of the Ten-Year World Spirit�ual Crusade.

To proclaim the birth of a new Uni�versal Cycle and the fulfillment of prophecy .

SUGGESTED OCCASSIONS FOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL PUBLICITY

National Day of Prayer: * September 22, 1955

Birthday of the Báb: October 20, 1955

Day of the Covenant: November 26, 1955

United Nations Human Rights Day: December 10, 1955

• Indicates Tentative Date

Facts of the Bahá’í Faith.” The illustration includes two Bahá’í groups in New York and the House of Worship. This feature was distributed by National Foto News, Toledo, Ohio, a Negro feature syndicate. Contact with the syndicate was made by Mrs. Lynette Storm, Toledo, and the material was supplied by the New York Bahá’í Public Relations Committee through the Bahá’í Press Service.

The Evening Telegram or San Bernardino, California, January 28, 1955, features the Faith in an article reporting interview with Mrs. Betty Rickards and Mrs. Nelle Shook. Besides illustrating the Bahá’í family the article gives a summary of the major Bahá’í principles. With this clipping was received a clipping from The Daily Sun, published in the same city, dated June 12, 1954, which summarized the Bahá’í teachings in a “series of items on the doctrines, beliefs and brief histories of San Bernardino’s religious faiths and denominations.” This local community has succeeded in obtaining very effective publicity.

The December, 1954, issue of Architectural Forum carried an advertisement of the Portland Cement Company (p. 62) which shows an illustration of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette.

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In Spokane, Washington, Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board, spoke on the Bahá’í Faith before the United American Indian Meeting. This meeting was reported, both before and after the event, in Moccasin Tracks, a mimeographed United American Indian publication which is distributed in many parts of the United States, and will bring the name “Bahá’í” before many Indians.

BAHA’I ON THE CAMPUS

Students at the University of California in Berkeley arranged through the Inter-Faith Council for four Bahá’í talks during the past school year: one each before the Religious Skeptics, Inc., and the Channing Club, and two at meetings of Plymouth Club, Bahá’í speakers have been Listed for several years in the lecture brochure published annually by the Council. Bahá’í students living in three communities, Berkeley, Oakland, and Lafayette, will cooperate in Inter-Faith Council activities at the University during this new Bahá’í year.

A Bahá’í student at the University of New Mexico, enrolled only since September as a Senior transfer student, has highly publicized the Faith on campus. As a result at her making contacts and talking constantly about the Faith, she was invited twice to speak before the Campus Unitarian club. Also, during the visit of Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board, this student arranged for Mrs. Mayberry’s lecture before the University Philosophy Club. This last was a public lecture which drew a large crowd, and stimulated much discussion.

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Bahá’í youth in the Ada County and Boise, Idaho, communities conducted the regular Devotional Hour held at the Art Gallery in Boise. Four American Indian youth from Burns, Oregon, attended the meeting.

In Miami, Florida, during Youth Week a young Bahá’í gave a presentation of the Faith before a group of youth from 12 to 15 years in age.

An Albuquerque, New Mexico Bahá’í youth, recently declared Feature Editor of her high school paper, arranged for the presentation by the Assembly of some Bahá’í books to the high school library. As editor of the book review column, this youth wrote a fine review of each of the books, taking the opportunity to present clearly the Bahá’í teachings. The books presented were Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, The Koran, The Renewal of Civilization, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

AREA NEWS BULLETINS

The following news of activities in Bahá’í communities has been taken from the Area Teaching Committee Bulletins available to BAHÁ’Í NEWS at press time.

The Bulletin of the South Central States reports that a Teaching Conference, held April 2 and 3 in Oklahoma City, was conducted as a workshop. Following presentations of material on such topics as “Teaching the American Indians” and “Conducting Study Classes”, the participants divided into smaller work groups to devise ways of translating the ideas into action. Findings were shared with the entire conference.

The Northwestern States Area Teaching Committee Bulletin reports that in Lewiston, Idaho, a class on the history of the Faith resulted from a presentation of the various religions of the world. The group has used both press and radio to good advantage in proclaiming the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Yakima, Washington, group presented a talk on Indian ways and problems, followed by a talk on “The D i v i n e Springtime”. Newspaper, radio and TV accounts of the event spread word of the Faith throughout that area. This activity was followed up by a fifteen-minute presentation of a Bahá’í Press Service script, “New Life for the World”, over station KYAK.

The Devotional Hour arranged weekly by the Boise and Ada County, Idaho, friends was attended recently by Indians from Oregon who were attracted by the name on the placard announcing the meeting.

The Southwestern Bahá’í Area Bulletin reports meetings convened throughout the area to bring reports from the Annual Convention to all believers, Tucson, Phoenix and Yuma, Arizona; Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; Pasadena, River side, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Ventura, Burbank, Fresno, Burlingame, Oakland and Sacramento, California, are a part of this program.

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Extension teaching carried on by Berkeley, California, in East Bay cities during the last eighteen months has resulted in their acting for the Southwestern States Area Teaching Committee in welcoming to membership seven new Bahá’ís in Lafayette, Albany, Martinez, Alameda, and Emeryville.

Teaching activities in San Diego, California, include: bi-monthly public meetings, publicity in five local newspapers, library and window displays, special observance of all special days with complete publicity coverage, weekly fireside meetings, extension teaching in outlying communities and a close working relationship with National City, Chula Vista and Escondido to support these growing communities.

For the first time in Evansville, Indiana, news of the Faith was printed in the local paper, The Evansville Courier. The article, twelve column-inches long with a picture, was an interview with Winston G. Evans which presented a comprehensive brief overview of the Faith. The City Desk Editor indicated that further articles would be welcomed.

In Yakima, Washington, Guy Murchie, Jr., presented a talk on the Bahá’í Faith at the Wilson School of Music. On the same day he was interviewed by the Yakima Daily Republic, appeared on a ten-minute program over KIMA-TV, was presented with a box of Yakima apples by the Chamber of Commerce, autographed copies of his best seller book Song of the Sky at the local bookstore, dined with contacts and attended a reception. On all of these occasions it was possible to present one or another aspect of the Faith.

The San Francisco, California, assembly recently provided a Bahá’í speaker for a youth group at the Central Methodist Church, at the minister’s request.

Members of the Miami, Miami Shores, and Dade County, Florida, Bahá’í communities gathered at the Bahá’í Center in Miami, to hear a Convention report given by two of the Florida delegates.

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For the fourth time, the Bahá’í Community of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was invited to send a speaker to address a group at the First Methodist Church. Twenty-five young people, mostly married couples, listened with intense interest to a fifteen-minute talk and questions followed rapidly for thirty minutes more. Bahá’í speakers in the Sioux Falls community have also had the opportunity to present the Faith twice at a Baptist church and twice at the Congregational church. Response has been warm and sincere.

Members of the Antelope Judicial District, California, Bahá’í Group have arranged monthly broadcasts of tape recorded talks on the Faith with announcements of their regular public meetings. A systematic mailing program keeps contacts informed of fireside meetings. Local newspaper notice has helped the efforts of these friends to make knowledge of the Faith available in their community.

In Erie, Pennsylvania, selections from “Words for the World” were used several times during the months of March and April on radio station WJET.

DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP

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 Capella Choir.

The programs for the month of May follow:

Order of Devotions—May 1, 1955

Know than assuredly that the essence of all thr Prophets oy God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saith: There is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message. They all have but one purpose; their Secret is the some Secret.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Arise, O God, and Show Thy Might-Haydn M. Morgan

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations LIX, p. 94 ; Gleanings, pp. 78-80

CHORAL SELECTION

Almighty God of Our Fathers—Will James

BHAGAVAD-GITA (HINDU SCRIPTURES)

OLD TESTAMENT

Exodus 3:14-15; Deuteronomy 18:15-19

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 3:16-17; 5:17-18; John 5:46-47; Luke 24:44; John 8:42, 56, 58; 14 :15-18, 26; 16:7-8, 12-13

QUR’AN

Sma II:l30; Sura XXXIII:40-46

CHORAL SELECTION

Bless The Lord, O My Soul—Ippolitof Ivanof

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, p. 5, pp. 10-11;

World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 60 , p. 116 ;

Gleanings, pp. 80-81, p. 136

Prayers and Meditations, CVII, p. 178

CHORAL SELECTION

Alleluia—Randall Thompson

Order of Devotions—May 8, 1955

O people of God! B e not occupied with yourselves. Be intent on the betterment of the world and the training of nations . The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and excellent deeds and well approved and agreeable conduct.

-Bahá’u’’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Judge Me. O God — Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers. p. 44

Bahá’í World Faith, p. 174, p. 141

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm 119: 1-8

ZOROASTRIAN SCRIPTURES

NEW TESTAMENT

James 2:14-24 , 26

QUR’AN

Sura XVI :95-99, 128

CHORAL SELECTION

Blessing, Glory, Wisdom and Thanks — Johann Sebastian Bach

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

The Advent of Divine Justice. p. 19. 20, 21

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, From the Persian, No. 76

Prayers and Meditations, CXXXII, p . 219

CHORAL SELECTION

Blessed Are the Men Who Fear Him (Elijah)

— Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

Order of Devotions—May 15, 1955

The highest and most excelling grace bestowed upon men is the grace of “attaining unto the Presence of God” and of His recogni�tion, which has been promised unto an people.

—Bahá’u’lláh

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, CXVI, p. 197

Kitáb-i-Iqán I The Book of Certitude), p. 97

CHORAL SELECTION

From the Sweet-Scented Streams (Prayer of Baá’u’lláh)——Charles Wolcott

OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 30: 18-21

NEW TESTAMENT

James 4:1-3, 5-10

QUR’AN

Sura XXX :4-18

CHORAL SELECTION

Heavenly Light—Alexander Kopyloff

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

The Kitáb-i-Iqán p. 103, p. 118. p. 138; Gleanings, p. 313; The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, From the Arabic , Nos. 11, 20, 10

CHORAL SELECTION

Bow Down Thine Ear—Haydn M. Morgan

Order of Devotions—May 22, 1955

Magnify the name of the one true God, and adorn yourselves with the orriament of His remembrance , and illumine your hearts with the light of His love.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Hear My Prayer, O Lord—A. A. Arkhangelsky

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, LXXX, p. 132

Gleanings, pp. 303-305

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm XXVII

NEW TESTAMENT

John 14: 15-29

CHORAL SELECTION

He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee (Elijah)—Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy

QUR’AN

Sura XXV:l-13 , 16-17

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 92-93 , p. 59

CHORAL SELECTION , Let Thy Holy Presene—Tschesnokoff

Order of Devotions—May 29, 1955

Man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to baseness, to shame or to honor, to affluence or to poverty.

—Bahá’’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Sing and Rejoice—Will James

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 84

Gleanings, pp. 65-66; p . 143; Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 167-168

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm I

NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 8:5-15

QUR’AN

Sura VII: 53-56

CHORAL SELECTION

Now God Be Praised—Melchior Vulpius

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 259-260; pp, 77-78; The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, From the Arabic, Nos. 12, 13

Prayers and Meditations, CLXXIII, p. 264

CHORAL SELECTION

Go Not Far from Me, O Lord—Haydn M. Morgan

PUBLICATIONS

Bahá’í Archives, Cololprint. From the original watercolor rendering of the preliminary design by Mason Remey, Architect. 7 x 10 inches, (including border) in five colors. Reproduced in black and white in this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Suitably matted and framed, this makes an attractive print to hang in office or home, thus serving as an indirect teaching aid. (Designed to be a companion print to the Shrine of the Báb Colorprint.)

Per copy .................... $.30

Bahá’í World Faith: A Summary of its History, Teachings and Administrative Order. Prepared in collaboration with Bahá’í Press Service, this pamphlet is useful not only for editors, and newspaper writers, but for anyone wanting up-to—date, factual background material on the Faith. Front cover has photograph of the Temple. Further information is given by the Bahá’í Press Service on page 20.

Ten copies (minimum order) $1.00

Fifty copies ................$4.50

Success In Teaching. By Rúḥíyyih Khánum. An intimate talk with Bahá’í's who long to serve the Faith. A practical, inspiring article on all aspects of personal teaching. (Revised edition of Teaching Problems). New format, yellow paper, in notebook size 8½ x 11.

Per copy ................... $ .15

Eight copies ............... $1.00

[Page 24]14

JUNE, 1955

Elimination of Prejudice. The Bahá’í Attack. Statement prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly on the vital,subject of prejudice in respect to race, class, creed and nationality, and the elimination of this attitude through the transforming power of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, (See article by the National Assembly on page 11.) 8½ x 11 on good quality white paper.

Eight copies (minimum order) ..................... $ .25

100 copies .................. $2.00

New Insert Added to Portfolio Bahá’í: The Coming of world Religion. An insert has been prepared to add to this brochure (published some years ago) on the subject “Expansion of the Bahá’í Community,” dealing with developments of recent years as well as the current TenYear Plan, making this portfolio completely up to date. Contains photos of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Temple. Black and red printing on cream with spiral binder, size 8½ x 11, complete with mailing envelope. Cover provides presentation space for name of recipient. One of our most dignified and attractive items. (See 1955 catalog, page 21.)

Per copy (price reduced) ....$ .35

12 copies ................... $3.00

Bahá’í Glossary. By Marzieh Gail. A glossary of Persian and Arabic Words that appear in the Bahá’í writings, with pronunciation clearly indicated and definitions of the meanings. This work is a necessity to every serious student of the Bahá’í writings and will add much enlightenment and enjoyment to the reading of The Dawm-Breakers, God Passes By, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, and others. 8½ x ll in., 60 pages, paper cover.

Per copy .....................$l.50

Foundations of World Unity

The much-loved selection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s addresses and letters on the spiritual foundations of world unity is again available. This book is a “must” for public library presentation as well as for personal Bahá’í libraries, and an excellent book to give to new contacts who have had some previous attraction to the Teachings. The cloth copy is beautifully bound in natural linen, stamped in blue-green; paper copy is tan, stamped in red, size 9¼ x 6.

Bound in cloth ..............$2.00

Bound in paper. (Price remains) ..................$1.00

Available from

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST

110 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, Illinois

No Longer Available

The Publishing Trust regrets that the book, Life Eternal, listed in the 1955 Literature Catalog is now out of stock, due to an unusually large demand at the recent Convention, and no further supply is anticipated. Please mark this item as “out of stock" on your catalogs.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOLY DAYS

July 9, Martyrdom of the Báb

FEASTS

June 5—Núr, Light

June 24—Raḥmat, Mercy

July l&—Kalimát, Words

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

July 15, 16, 17

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Visiting hours

Weekdays and Saturdays:

1:00 P.M.—4:30 P,M., 7:00 P.M.-9:00 P.M.

Sundays. 10:30 A.M.—9:00 P.M.

(The entire building will be open.)

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

“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 Me united through Thy favor and generosity. O Lord Assist them in this Thy world and Thy Kingdom and destine for them every good through Thy bounty and grace . . .”

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁÁH

Inglewood Judicial District, California— Miss Karin A. Hogberg to Mr. Robert A. Leonard, March 26, 1955.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa——Mrs. Dorothy Bechtol to Mr. Graham Conroy, March 31, 1955.

Tezneck, New Jersey—Miss Joan Marie Ioas to Mr. Peter Nicholas Varellas April 9, 1955.

Washington, D.C.—Mrs. Frances B. Powell to Mr. Benjamin F. Actie, April 1, 1955.

Anchorage, Alaska—Miss Harriet K. Haslett to Mr. Bernard Henry Guhrke, April 23, 1955.

IN MEMORIAM

“Death profereth 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.”

—BAHÁÁ’U’LLÁH

Mrs. Blanche Sealts

Lima, Ohio

April 5, 1955

Mrs. Florence Tenny Campbell

Portland, Oregon

April 10, 1955

Mr. Joe Borkenhagen

Seattle, Washington

April 14, 1955

Mr. Samuel Green

Staten Island, New York

(date not reported)

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly or the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities at the Bahá’í World community.

Reports, plans, new 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 tor which it is intended.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1954-1955: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Miss Charlotte Linfoot.

Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Willmette, Illinois, U.S.A.

Change or address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. U.S.A.