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No. 300

BAHA’I YEAR 112

FEBRUARY, 1956

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REVITALIZE ENTIRE COMMUNITY

Cable from the Guardian

Urge intensification efforts revitalize entire community, expedite attainment plans, objectives, particularly related purchase Ḥaẓíras, endowments, America (and) Europe; translation remaining languages; incorporation Assemblies; multiplication centers (and) Assemblies home front; opening Iceland, Spitzbergen, Anticosti (and) remaining islands (of) Pacific (and) Atlantic. Fervently supplicating immediate signal victories.

—SHOGHI

January 5, 1956

COMMENTARY NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

This message from the revered Guardian brings us three distinct concepts which, combined, sound the great call to action at this grave hour in the progress of the Ten Year Plan.

First, he urges intensification of the National Assembly’s efforts to revitalize the Bahá’í Community, a sacred duty undertaken prayerfully as we survey the condition of the homefront and the unfinished tasks in American areas abroad. There are times of elation and conquest, and times of slackening effort and lack of accomplishment. It is the latter phase through which we seem to be passing now.

Let the Guardian’s own call signalize the turning of the tide, the deepening of our spirits, the resolute decision of our wills to serve the Faith with redoubled intensity.

Second, the aim of this revitalization is definitely defined as the completion of the particular Crusade tasks allotted to the period ending Riḍván. 1956. These are the tasks which the Guardian defined in his message to the Conventions of 1954 and 1955, recapitulated in the National Assembly’s message to the recent State Conventions reprinted in this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

Third, the Guardian assures us that he is supplicating for immediate, outstanding victories. Let us feel the vibrancy of Shoghi Effendi’s words as though each were in his presence and receiving a personal message. One by one we are all equally concerned in seeing to it that by Riḍván the Crusade tasks enumerated are all performed.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

The services included prayers for the dead, music, and the reading of the Holy Utterances. The principal address was given by Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Hand of the Cause.

VARQÁ, HAND OF CAUSE, BURIED IN STUTTGART

Valíyu’lláh Varqa, of Írán, Hand of the Cause, was interred in Stuttgart, Germany, at the request of the Guardian, on November 17, 1955.

A report of his burial has been published in Bahá’í Nachrichten by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.

The services included prayers for the dead, music, and the reading of the Holy Utterances. The principal address was given by Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Hand of the Cause.

Dr. Eugen Schmidt spoke on behalf of the German Bahá’í communities. Paul Gollomer, representing the Stuttgart Local Spiritual Assembly, recalled that the earth of Stuttgart, now to receive Mr. Varqá, had been blessed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Representatives of other Bahá’í communities spoke also. The Íránian friends expressed their feelings with chants, poetry, and eulogies, and together with other friends, carried the casket to the grave.

Dr. Mühlschlegel, in his eulogy, recounted the events in the life of Mr. Varqá. His father, a doctor, poet, and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh, late in life visited Him at Bahjí, and expressed the wish that he and one of his sons might become martyrs for the strength and purity of the Faith in the fast-approaching period of the Center of the Covenant.

Soon after the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, this wish was fulfilled.

In his early days as a student, Mr. Varqá was often in the presence of the Master, and at His request took a position at the Court of Muhammad ‘Ali, second to the last Sháh of the Qájár dynasty.

Then came a new, sterner epoch of service to the Faith in Írán, as a pillar of the administrative order. For many years he was Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Írán.

“And then there glowed for you a beautiful evening of life as a Hand of the Cause,“ Dr. Mühlschlegel concluded, addressing the casket. “Again there were many journeys, to the Intercontinental Conferences of 1953, and in the intervals between, to many lands; even to our Germany. You were witness to how the sowing of the beloved Master had taken root in thousands of hearts, who welcomed you with love.”

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FEBRUARY, 1956

Report from the State Conventions

In response to numerous requests that the statements read at the State Conventions be published for the inspiration and information of all the American Bahá’ís. “Bahá’í News” publishes the message from the American Hands of the Cause, the statement from the National Spiritual Assembly entitled “Consecrate Yourself Afresh.” and the report on recommendations to the Assembly and its action.

From the American Hands of the Cause

A LETTER TO THE 1955 STATE CONVENTIONS

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

During their first year of operation, the Hands of the Cause planned missions for the nine members of the Auxiliary Board which carried them to almost all Assemblies in Canada and the United States, and many in Central and South America. These activities established a new institution throughout the Western Hemisphere in its particular function of encouraging and assisting the believers in their teaching work.

The objective for the current year is to concentrate effort upon certain small Assemblies and active groups in an effort to assure Assembly status on April 21, 1956. Attainment of the goal of 300 Assemblies in the United States by 1963 will require intensive and dedicated efforts by all of us in teaching on the home front.

Three members of the Board—Rowland Estall, Florence Mayberry and Margery McCormick—work in Canada; five members work in the United States—WilLiam deForge, Dr. Pereira, Katherine McLaughlin, Florence Mayberry and Margery McCormick; and five members work in Latin America—Margot Worley, Gayle Woolson, Esteban Canales, Katherine McLaughlin and William deForge.

The guidance for plans and policies this year was supplied by a letter written on the Guardian’s behalf by the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land on May 1, 1955.

That letter conveyed “certain points” which the Guardian “feels are of the utmost importance for the Hands of the Cause to consider at this time and which should continually be brought to the attention of the Bahá’ís in order to guide them in fulfilling the Ten Year Plan.

“The believers must be made to realize that, unless a tremendous effort is put forth before April 21. 1957, they will not have succeeded in laying a broad and worthy foundation for the new National Body and Regional Bodies.” (i.e., the new National Spiritual Assemblies in Alaska and in Central and South America.)

“You have heard many times the urgent appeal of the Guardian for the American Bahá’ís in particular to spread out from the big cities, and, leaving a nucleus of fifteen to maintain the local Assembly, go forth and establish new Assemblies.

“He hopes that will encourage the friends to assume a greater individual responsibility for the teaching of the Faith” . . . “He cherishes the highest hopes for the American Bahá’ís, and longs to see them rise to greater heights, accomplish the tasks ‘Abdu’l-Bahá set for them, and attain their high destiny.”

In order to bring the Guardian’s plans for the Hands and Auxiliary Board closer to the believers, the American Hands have given each Board member a letter to read at all meetings where they speak exclusively to Bahá’ís.

Little by little we must become aware of how potent is the Guardianship in all Bahá’í undertakings and in all Bahá’ís wherever they live and work. His divinely-guided master hand plans and directs the unfoldment of successive stages of the Master’s Divine Plan. Our supreme need and privilege is to respond with complete consecration to his peerless leadership and thereby fulfil the high destiny to which we have been called by the Center of Bahá’u’lláh's Covenant.

CORRINE TRUE

PAUL E. HANEY

HORACE HOLLEY

From the National Spiritual Assembly

“CONSECRATE YOURSELF AFRESH”

Beloved Friends:

In his Message to our 1955 Convention the beloved Guardian appealed to the entire body of believers to arise and “consecrate themselves afresh . . . to the furtherance of the immediate objectives" mentioned in his Convention Message of 1954. Our year has passed its mid-point. Let us survey the goals and choose that project to which we will give personal endeavor if we are not already committed heart and soul to the blessed task.

Of the thirteen immediate objectives set forth in 1954,

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some are already achieved and some (as in Persia) have become temporarily impossible. Those which call particularly for personal endeavor at this time are:

Energetic and systematic teaching work at home and abroad, to increase rapidly the number of active supporters.

Preservation of prizes won in the newly opened territories of the globe,

Multiplication of isolated centers, groups and local Assemblies to hasten the formation of 48 National Assemblies.

These are the tasks which depend upon individual devotion and effort, whether in spreading the Message for strengthening a weak Bahá’í community or for forming an Assembly on the home front, in Latin America, Europe, Africa or in Asia.

The preservation of Assembly status where threatened on the home front is as important as the formation of a new Assembly, because each counts the same toward our attainment of 300 local Assemblies by 1963.

As to pioneering abroad, the Intercontinental Teaching Committees are presenting their explanations and needs to this same gathering. Our task in preparing for the formation of new National Assemblies is truly colossal, requiring many more workers than have pioneered in virgin goals.

But in all fields the urgency arises in the need for true Bahá’ís—devoted, self-sacrificing and courageous—who will enter a new field and find a home among strangers. As the Guardian has declared, consecration is needed to seize the opportunities of this “last, fastfleeting year of the present phase of this momentous, world-girdling Plan.”

A dramatic and portentious new factor has entered our Bahá’í life—the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Persia. Throughout the world sped the startling and ominous news that the Íránian Government had by decree banned the Faith, forbidden the practice of the religion of Bahá’u’lláh, seized its Spiritual Center in Ṭihrán and many other cities and towns, and opened the door to a frenzied fanaticism which wrought savage cruelty on our innocent co-religionists.

The unfoldment of this great drama—the pitting of the forces of reaction against the powers of a new Revelation of God’s Will—has been reported to the friends in letters and through statements in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. While on the one hand the entire Bahá’í world joined in making appeals to the Sháh, the Government and the Parliament of Írán, a host of friends of the Faith and champions of the principles of basic human rights also expressed their views in press statements and in letters to the Íránian Government. The century-long persecutions in Írán have entered a new stage. No longer can any Islámic or civil authority of Írán regard the Faith as nothing more than a minority within Írán itself, entirely subject to their exploitation. They have found that the Bahá’í Faith is an international reality, a powerful community stretched beyond the limited area of Írán itself—a community able to present an appeal to the Secretary General of United Nations, thus throwing open the record of atrocities to the statesmen of all countries and to the press.

The believers are also informed about the plan approved by the Guardian to place the Bahá’í case in the hands of a public relations counsel to see that it is kept alive and strengthened by the force of public opinion. The achievements of this campaign have been reported and there is no need to repeat them. What may be news to the friends is that the Guardian approves extending the three-month campaign to a new arrangement covering twelve months beginning December first.

As this public work develops it will more and more definitely present the basic teachings to a public already made aware of the repressions and injustices suffered by Bahá’ís throughout Írán. The effect should be to create a new order of favorable public opinion in which local teaching efforts can be more effective. But as the public becomes informed and interested, our standards of teaching, of community unity and of conduct must be raised.

The Guardian’s letter A Mysterious Dispensation of Providence elucidates the meaning of this event.

A divine Providence has seized the reins! Ours is to open our hearts to this beneficent Power from above.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION

All recommendations received from the 1955 State Conventions were carefully considered by the National Spiritual Assembly at its January meeting. Those dealing with the date and length of the conventions, the length of reports, methods of counting ballots, and similar matters, received from a number of states, have been filed for consideration in planning next year’s convention. Certain recommendations were more or less local in character. These have been referred to the committee concerned.

Following are the actions taken on the recommendations which the NSA considered to be of general interest to the friends:

1. That the NSA clarify the relationship between the celebration of Naw-Rúz and the regular Nineteen-Day Feast falling on the same date.

Action: The NSA will repeat in BAHÁ’Í NEWS at an early date the explanation of these events received from the Guardian several years ago.

2. That the NSA consider the publication of a piece of literature that will succinctly present what Bahá’ís mean by “a spiritual solution to the economic problems,” including specific references to topics such as taxation, employment, social benefits, inheritance laws. etc.

Action: The NSA calls attention to the fact that the Guardian has explained that the Bahá’í teachings do not contain an economic system or detailed explanations covering technical economic subjects such as taxation, the price system, etc. Further, the Guardian has instructed the believers to stress in their teaching efforts only the broad, general principles bearing on economic problems which were enunciated by Bahá’u’lláh, and to avoid discussions involving specific technical aspects of the subject. The believers are reminded that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Stated that the Solution of the economic problem lies in the realm of the heart and spirit.

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FEBRUARY, 1956

Report from the State Conventions

Continued

3. That the NSA encourage Bahá’í endorsement of and participation in the many organizations that aim to improve and consolidate human relations. such as the United Community Fund, United Nations, etc.

Action: The friends are reminded that Bahá’ís are not to officially endorse or sponsor any organizations, but individual Bahá’ís are free to participate in the activities of such organizations provided it is not at the expense of their capacity to render direct service to the Faith.

4. That the NSA publish a statement in BAHÁ’Í NEWS as to the responsibility or right of individual Bahá’ís to discuss the subject of the persecutions in Persia among friends, acquaintances, at firesides and with small sympathetic groups.

Action: In distributing copies of the pamphlet Bahá’í Appeal for Religious Freedom in Írán the NSA informed local Assemblies that believers are free to make use of any portions of this publication which is intended for the information of the public. Attention is also called to the announcement in January BAHÁ’Í NEWS concerning this pamphlet.

5. That in setting up committees for promotion of teaching, consideration be given to changing the terms “race” and “interracial” to “human relations.”

Action: At the beginning of the Ten-Year Crusade the Guardian instructed that certain committees be appointed to stimulate teaching work among certain specific groups in America, notably the Indian and Negro populations. The existing national committees were appointed in response to this instruction.

6. That the NSA ascertain from the Íránian Bahá’ís what methods and means they use successfully in teaching the Faith to children and endeavor to provide American Bahá’ís With this information.

Action: The NSA has already investigated this matter and has found that Bahá’í textbooks for children used in Persia reflect such a diversity of conditions as compared to the United States that it is not feasible to use their material here.

7. That national, area and local committees encourage and promote greater intermingling of the believers in inter-community, district and area meetings planned to foster Bahá’í fellowship and to promote increased understanding and participation in respect to the Ten-Year Crusade.

Action: It is the view of the NSA that this need is being met by the holding of area teaching conferences and similar gatherings. The sponsoring of such meetings is one of the functions of the area teaching committees.

8. That the NSA clarify the position and functions of Bahá’í youth at state conventions, particularly with respect to their voting privileges.

Action: It is recorded that the same general principle applies here as it does in Bahá’í community life, namely, that youth members are eligible for appointment on committees (and could serve as tellers, etc.) but have no voting privileges until attaining the age of 21 years. This precludes their being eligible for election as state convention chairman or secretary or participating in the election of Such officers.

9. That all delegates to the National Convention be required to report back to their electoral districts at a specially called convention of that district.

Action: After careful consideration of the problem in previous years, the NSA has included among the functions of the area teaching committees the responsibility for calling conferences to hear reports of delegates to the National Convention.

10. That the NSA prepare for the information and guidance of the believers an explanation of the station and function of the Hands of the Cause in order that the friends may better understand this institution.

Action: Such an explanation appeared in BAHÁ’Í NEWS at the time of the appointment of the Auxiliary Boards. (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 279, May 1954.)

11. That the NSA make available to Assemblies and groups tape recordings of all, or highlights of, National Conventions; also that such recordings be preserved in the National Archives.

Action: The NSA believes that the intent of this recommendation is largely met through the reports presented by delegates who have attended the National Convention, and feels that such reports are more inspirational in character than are detailed mechanical recordings.

12. That isolated Bahá’ís and groups, particularly in goal cities, receive material that will enable them to give local editors information regarding the Faith and current Bahá’í developments.

Action: Bahá’í Press Service has announced through BAHÁ’Í NEWS from time to time that it will add to its mailing list the names and addresses of isolated Bahá’ís and groups wishing to receive its releases and other material. (Requests to be placed on its list are to be addressed to: Bahá’í Press Service, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.)

13. That notice be taken by the NSA or Bahá’í Press Service in cases where prejudice has been shown, and that expressions of commendation be sent to publications carrying editorials or articles wherein Bahá’í principles are championed.

Action: It is the View of the NSA that the more vigorously the American Bahá’í community promotes the direct and fundamental Bahá’í teachings, the more effectively will we bring our influence to bear against outstanding cases of prejudiced behavior, and attract the attention of those who already in their lives and writing are reflecting Bahá’í principles.

14. That the NSA consider the preparation of material that may be given to the Bahá’í student prior to his declaration to orient him to the world-wide activities of the Faith, and that such material consist of a simply worded publication rather than a compilation of quotations only.

Action: The NSA recognizes the need for material of the type contemplated in this recommendation and has appointed a special committee to produce such an exposition.

15. That a central agency be established to collect and process material presented in local Bahá’í radio programs in order that it may be made available for general Bahá’í use.

Action: The NSA is taking steps to collect such material and to devise same plan for making it available for wider use.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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Construction of the International Bahá’í Archives Building, Haifa, in December, 1955. Left: The base of the first column placed in position at the top of the steps. Right: A Erection of the inner walls, with a glimpse of the Shrine or the Báb seen through the scaffolding on the right.

“THE ONSLAUGHT OF ALL PEOPLES AND KINDREDS”

We have only to refer to the warnings uttered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in order to realize the extent and character of the forces that are destined to contest with God’s Holy Faith. In the darkest moments of His life, under ‘Abdu’l-Hamid’s regime, when He stood ready to be deported to the most inhospitable regions of Northern Africa, and at a time when the auspicious light of the Bahá’í Revelation had only begun to break upon the West, He, in His parting message to the cousin of the Báb, uttered these prophetic and ominous words:

“How great, how very great is the Cause! How very fierce the onslaught of all the people and kindreds of the earth. Ere long shall the clamor of the multitude throughout Africa, throughout America, the cry of the European and of the Turk, the groaning of India and China, be heard from far and near. One and all, they shall arise with all their power to resist His Cause. Then shall the knights of the Lord, assisted by His grace from on high, strengthened by faith, aided by the power of understanding, and reinforced by the legions of the Covenant, arise and make manifest the truth of the verse: ‘Behold the confusion that hath befallen the tribes of the defeated!’ ”

Stupendous as is the struggle which His words foreshadow, they also are destined eventually to achieve. Peoples, nations, adherents of divers faiths, will jointly and successively arise to shatter its unity, to sap its force, and to degrade its holy name. They will assail not only the spirit which it inculcates, but the administration which is the channel, the instrument, the embodiment of that spirit. For as the authority with which Bahá’u’lláh has invested the future Bahá’í Commonwealth becomes more and apparent, the fiercer shall be the challenge which from every quarter will be thrown at the verities it enshrines. (The World Order oy Bohli’u’llah, by Shoghi Effendi, pages 17-18)

Beloved Bahá’í Friends:

The passage quoted from The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh has a new and deeper implication for Bahá’ís as they contemplate the recent onslaught of the forces of persecution upon the Bahá’í's of Persia.

In certain cases also, pioneers serving the World Crusade have been denied entrance, or expelled from residence, in countries where religious freedom is not practiced. But the Master’s words cited by the Guardian describe a general and not a localized effort to destroy the Faith. The passage is a fore-warning. We must prepare now, as individuals and as communities, for what is destined to come.

It is said that while in New York ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told the friends that such opposition would come from the clergy, and He welcpfned it, saying that then the Cause would rapidly grow.

—NATONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NATIONAL CONVENTION DATES ANNOUNCED

The Forty-Eighth Annual Bahá’í Convention will be held in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, April 26, 27, 28 and 29, 1956.

Reservations: Delegates and visitors wishing accommodations in private homes should send their request for reservations to: Mrs. Priscilla Hassan, 1244 Maple Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, Chairman of the Housing Committee, or to the Co-Chairman, Mrs. Edna Coleman, 1227 Leon Place, Evanston, Illinois. A list of nearby hotels, together with rates, will be published in the next issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. The friends wishing this type of accommodation are requested to make their own reservations.

Child Care: Owing to the difficulty of securing a sufficient number of volunteers to care for children, the Convention Arrangements Committee has found it necessary to limit child care to the daytime sessions only. It is not equipped to care for children in arms, or for other very young children requiring individual attention. Any inquiries concerning this service should be directed to the Chairman of the Child Care Committee: Mrs. Minnie Hadley, 1729 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, Illinois.

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FEBRUARY, 1956

AFRICA

. . . a continent which by virtue of the innumerable exploits which, through out its length and breadth, colored and white, individuals as well as Assemblies, have achieved in recent years . . . whose prowess has, in the opening years of the second Epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation, eclipsed the feats performed in both the southern part of the Western Hemisphere and the European continent, and conferred such lustre on the annals of our Faith.

—From Shoghi Effendi’s A Mysterious Dispensation of Providence, August 20, 1955.

Pioneer Letters Reflect Quickening of Spiritual Strength

Lomé, French Togoland

“Through the divine handiwork of God, the Bahá’í Faith has been introduced in Lomé, capital of French Togoland, by one beloved Bahá’í friend—pioneer David N. Tanyi in April 1954. He hailed from the British Casmeroons, and arrived here when the country was infested with political unrest.

“On the eve of his arrival David Tanyi met a strange young man in a hostel. This young man also hailed from East Africa; his name is Herbert Sikombe, and a Bahá’í. The story told by this young man was too touching that despite all probabilities it was impossible for the Immigration Authorities to grant him an entry into the Gold Coast for higher education, as that was his desire. A few Weeks later David Tanyi rented a home and took Herbert Sikombe with him, and they dwelt happily together. They were the first two Bahá’ís in Lomé.

“The spread of the Cause flourished through mutual intercourse. The few Scripture books available were limited, and upon them depended our lessons. It is interesting to read that in the month of June, 1954, we had the first two newly declared members.

“Although the beginning of everything is hard, this was not the matter with us. The spirit of the All Wise was with us, and in May, 1954, there arrived here two American ladies, Bahá’í pioneers, namely Mrs. Vivian Wesson and Miss Mavis Nymon. During their sojourn we had interesting teachings and discussions, and enjoyed enormously their knowledge and experiences of the Faith toward our progress and stability.

After four months’ residence here, their departure consigned us to the fathoms of the deep. We indeed sighed over their absence, not in spirit but in the flesh, because we knew why they had to leave. Above all, their courage, devotion, and determination, and countless social activities are beyond description.

“Within this period the propagation of the Faith took firm roots, and before the end of September, 1954, we had nine adult believers, among whom four are women.

“In February, 1955, Miss Valerie Wilson, an Auxiliary Board member for Africa stationed in Monrovia, Liberia, visited us. Her object was to visit, if possible, all the Bahá’í groups functioning in the Gold Coast, Togoland

First Local Spiritual Assembly of Lome, French Togoland, 1955

(both), and the British Cameroons. She indeed made one of the boldest adventures ever anticipated by our women-folk in West Africa. She journeyed by car alone, and covered over 2,000 miles by road, all in the protection and guidance of the Blessed Beauty.

“While in Lomé she brought us pictures, and widened the paths of the knowledge of the Cause into us. Indeed. her presence and teachings foretold to us wonderful revelations. To us she is a lady with the wisdom of the Faith.

“At present the Community consists of 14 adult believers and 7 children, excluding 16 adult believers who have moved from the locality of the Community. Deepening classes are held every Wednesday evening, and individual teaching work is carried on by all the friends

Bahá’ís of Casablanca, French Morocco, numbering 12 adults, 2 Youth, and 10 children. Nationalities represented include French Moroccan, Spanish, Iránian, and American. There are two regular firesides, one deepening class, and one children’s class, as well as indirect teaching activity.

Your Blessings As a Bahá’í

Every soul who has accepted the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh lives in the heaven of Divine Grace. The infinite bestowals of the Eternal surround him. He is immersed in the sea of bounty. No act of man surpasses in vital importance this recognition of the Manifestation of God in the Promised Day.

Who are these who have of their own volition resisted the false glamor of worldliness and claimed the supreme privilege of enrollment in the Community of the Greatest Name? Bahá’u’lláh Himself answered this question when, in The Dawn-Breakers, He is quoted as having declared that those who recognize the Manifestation have done some deed which, whether they know it or not, was pleasing to God. Bahá’í membership, therefore, is an expression of destiny and no mere personal opinion reflected in joining a certain religious body. “Verily, verily the new heaven and the new earth are come. The holy city, new Jerusalem, hath come from on high in the form of a maid of heaven, veiled, beauteous, and unique, and prepared for reunion with her lovers on earth . . . . Death shall no more overtake them, neither shall sorrow, crying and tribulation afflict them . . . . He whom such grace aideth is verily he that receiveth the most glorious heritage from the prophets of God and His holy ones . . . Rejoice, then, O ye beloved of the Lord . . . ”(l)

Again, the Master has written: “Lay your confidence in the everlasting bounty, turn to the presence of the generous God; ask assistance from the Kingdom of Ahhá; seek confirmation from the Supreme World; turn thy vision to the horizon of eternal wealth; and pray for help from the Sources of Mercy!”(2)

The world with all its material devices cannot confer these everlasting bounties upon the soul. They have been created by God alone, and they are freely proffered to the human spirit which has awakened from the sleep of nature and recognized its Lord. It is the Bahá’í who has access to such blessings and therefore should rejoice with a gratitude not comprehended by the people of tradition and superstition. In these days of tension and uncertainty every Bahá’í can stand apart in spirit, perceiving the victory of peace where for others all is violence and confusion.

But the blessings only surround and do not enter the soul until the Bahá’í expresses his gratitude in active service. Let us draw near to the Master’s compassionate wisdom:

“Be ye not seated and silent! Diffuse the glad-tidings of the Kingdom far and near to the ears, promulgate the Word of God, and put into practice the advice and covenants of God; that is, arise ye with such qualities and attributes that ye may continually bestow life to the body of the world . . . . Enkindle with all your might in every meeting the light of the love of God, gladden and cheer every heart with the utmost loving kindness, show forth your love to the stranger just as you show to your relations.” ( 3)

“All the signs have appeared, all the prophetic references have become clear, all that was revealed in the Books and Scriptures hath become fully manifest, and there is no ground for anyone to hesitate in regard thereto.”(4)

Beloved friends! Naught hut the qualities of the sincere believer can achieve the many great tasks laid upon us in the World Crusade. May we not, once more, aware of our infinite blessings, enter the arena of action? What is the World Crusade? It is nothing less than the establishment of the basis of the new Faith and Order of Bahá'’u’lláh so firmly throughout the earth that when the destined catastrophe comes the peoples of East and West will find the means of salvation and security clearly revealed above the wreckage of the old cultures and the old civilizations which have come to the end of their allotted span.

In all humility we address this appeal to the beloved of God.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

(1)BWF, p. 350-351 (2) p. 351. (3) p. 353 (4) p. 354

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in the township, not to mention the Nineteen Day Feasts and Anniversaries, which are observed under all conditions.

“One of the noteworthy activities of this Community is the love and unity it is creating among the friends, by disbursing its meagre fund to assist the friends in time of sickness and helplessness.

“In April, 1955, the Community elected its first Local Spiritual Assembly, which is now functioning.

“One other noteworthy activity of the new friends here is that, through their love for the Blessed Cause, Bahá’í groups are now in Agoué-Adjigo, in French Dahomey, where the Fie (King) is a Bahá’í himself, and in AflaoBatome, in the Gold Coast.

“As there is always another side of the penny, the efforts of the friends in promulgating this beloved Faith

Bahá’ís of Djibouti, French Somaliland, April, 1955.

have often met with the domination by fanaticism, national prejudice, language problems, and politics.

“We rely on the mighty and protecting hand of Bahá’u’lláh, and believe in the Divine Origin of this Cause; therefore no earthly barriers will bar its progress.”

—LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OFF LOMÉ

Djibouti, French Somaliland

“Due to present difficult circumstances, we meet only once every 19 days. We have to be discreet and careful not to arouse ill feelings. Providence has so far protected us. Many attempts against us have failed, thus adding to our confidence and our trust in God.

“We have not relented in our efforts to teach the Faith. Many have been contacted, many have been interested, but lack of moral strength and the fear of losing their present worldly positions prevented them from acknowledging the Truth. All we can do is pray for such people.

First Local Spiritual Assembly of Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, formed in April, 1955. Activities of this community of 11 Bahá’ís include study classes, a Boys Club that teaches carpentry and art, a Ladies Sewing Circle, play classes for pre-school age children, and a First Aid Clinic.

Fifteen of the eighteen believers of Rose Hill, Mauritius. In three months’ intensive teaching activity the number of contacts increased from 2 to 70, and 16 believers were enrolled. There are deepening and administration classes each week, and an Open House is held each week end.

“Here is a very surprising story: There is a young man here, good hearted and beloved by all, and considered as one of the leaders in these territories. More than once he came to our help and assistance, especially during the difficult and troubled days. We believe that he has been sent to us by Bahá’u’lláh to enable us to carry our services and teaching work. Naturally we gave him the Message, and revealed to him the truth about this new Manifestation. On the eve of his departure to Ḥijáz for pilgrimage, we gave him one of Bahá’u’lláh’s tablets for his protection, and told him that we shall pray for him that God may lead him nearer to His Truth.

“Upon his return he came to us and said, ‘Something very strange happened to me in Ḥijáz. One day I lost my walleti I was very sad, not because of the wallet, but because with it I had lost the prayer you gave me. I walked the streets deep in sorrow and thought. My eyes were attracted by something glittering in the sun. It was a golden ring, and on its stone was carved something exactly similar to the one you have on your ring stone. I was amazed. How can this happen when I was sure there were no Bahá’ís in Ḥijáz?’ (He thought so).

“We asked him to show us the ring, and there it was, the Greatest Holy Name. Isn’t that strange? Hundreds of thousands of people come to Ḥijáz on pilgrimage and of all these people, our friend should be the man to find this ring!

“Our friend, Mr. ‘Ali Abdu’lláh, went to Addis for a few days. He came back full of praise for the Addis Community, their love and their spirituality. He thinks their meetings are wonderful.”

—FAHIMEH SABRI

[Page 8]8

FEBRUARY, 1956

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

LIST MATERIALS FOR PRESERVATION IN BAHÁ’Í ARCHIVES

For the guidance of the friends the National Spiritual Assembly is repeating the following description published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 204, February, 1948, clarifying materials which should be preserved in the National Bahá’í Archives, as distinquished from materials to be preserved by local Spiritual Assemblies. No other items should be sent without first communicating with the National Bahá’í Archives Committee as to their acceptability.

National Archives

I. Tablets and relics of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, whether original or photostatic reproductions.

II. Tablets and relics of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The Tablets should be original, signed Tablets, or authentic reproductions such as photostatic copies, Tablets should be accompanied by original translation if possible. All original Tablets should be preserved in the National Archives. Photostats of Tablets revealed to the local Spiritual Assembly or to individual believers might be placed in the local archives.

As regards the nature of relics, the Guardian has given the following explanation:

“The general principle should be that any object used by Him in person should be preserved for posterity, whether in the local or National Archives. It is the duty and responsibility of the Bahá’í Assemblies to ascertain carefully whether such objects are genuine or not, and to exercise the utmost caution in the matter.”

III. Letters of Shoghi Effendi. These are of three different classes—those written to the NSA and the entire American Bahá’í community; those written to local Assemblies; and those written to individual believers. The NSA preserves the originals of the first category. Original letters to local Assemblies are for the most part not confidential and can be preserved in the National Archives. Letters to individual believers can be sent to the National Archives and photostats obtained for the receipt and for the local Archives.

IV. National events and activities. Such events as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s American journey, the founding of the Temple, early historical records of the Star of the West, Bahá’í Publishing Committee, Green Acre, Geyserville, Temerity and Louhelen Ranch and other activities of more than local importance constitute an impressive aspect of Bahá’í history and all original documents and records should be turned over to the NSA if not already done, for its examination and subsequent deposit in the National Archives.

V. Individual records and papers. Families in possession of the papers belonging to early prominent workers in the Faith should turn them over to the Archives Committee to be preserved as part of the early history of the Cause.

VI. Bahá’í publications. A complete file of all publications, such as books, pamphlets and magazines, news letters, etc., of official Bahá’í character, is part of the National Bahá’í Archives. The friends are requested to send in copies of the very early, now out-of-print Bahá’í books and pamphlets.

Local Archives

Local records and documents which should be preserved by local Spiritual Assemblies consist of the following: the minutes and correspondence of the Spiritual Assembly which are preserved by the Assembly itself, and non-administrative material of historical interest and importance, such as programs, newspaper clippings, historical record cards, etc. It is recommended that each Assembly provide a bound book in which its Archives Committee can keep a record of enrollments of new believers and also deaths or removals from the community.

All incorporated Assemblies must not only carefully preserve the original articles of incorporation but also a complete file of the minutes of all Assembly meetings from the date of incorporation. The state government has authority to call for and examine the minutes at any time.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

LIST OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEACHERS ABROAD

American Bahá’ís who are elementary or high school teachers may be able to assist with the work of the World Crusade in some of the countries for which teachers are being recruited to teach dependents of military and civilian personnel stationed overseas.

Jobs will be open in the Azores, France, French Morocco, Iceland, Japan, Newfoundland, Philippine Islands, Spain and Tripoli.

Application forms (Form 57) can be obtained at any first or second class U.S. Post Office. When filled out, the form is to be submitted to Overseas Recruitment Representative, Civilian Personnel Office, at the nearest Air Force base. The salaries are excellent, but employees cannot take dependents with them.

Any Bahá’í who is accepted for a teaching position abroad should communicate at once with the U.S. Intercontinental Teaching Committee responsible for teaching activities in that part of the world.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

HOW TO REPORT BAHÁ’Í MARRIAGES

When a Bahá’í marries, the fact should be reported an the National Spiritual Assembly, giving the date and exact information as to how the new name should be carried on the records, and whether the marriage was a legal Bahá’í marriage.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS will list only those marriages that are performed by local Spiritual Assemblies legally authorized by state law to do so. Local Assemblies should always report such marriages whether or not both, either, or neither of the parties are Bahá’ís. The purpose in announcing such a marriage is to give recognition to the performance of an important administrative function and not as a social event.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN ADVANCES

Since the preparation of the report published in January, a number of important activities have been conducted in the public relations campaign undertaken on behalf of the persecuted Persian Bahá’ís.

[Page 9]BAHA’I NEWS

9

1. A United States Senator has written the Íránian Ambassador and is awaiting his reply before taking the next step in exerting influence toward the removal of restrictions now laid upon the Bahá’ís of Persia.

2. Conferences have been held in New York with a friendly ambassador to United Nations for a certain government. He will, if his government approves, raise the question of the persecutions in a United Nations session.

3. The Bahá’í appeal will soon be brought before a Sub-Commission of UN on Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities, by Mr. Roger Baldwin, Chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man, a UN consultative agency. Mr. Baldwin has held a press conference at United Nations and copies of his letter to the Secretary-General have been distributed to all UN delegations. The New York Herald-Tribune on December 23 referred to Mr. Baldwin’s letter.

4. Mr. Baldwin’s letter and his press release have been shared with all NSAS.

5. During the past few weeks clippings have come from 33 newspapers which have used the public relations counsel’s illustrated story on “World Shocked by Religious Persecution.”

6, The Modern Review, English language monthly magazine published in Calcutta, ran in August an illustrated article on the persecutions, expressing deep concern.

7. The Bahá’í' Appeal pamphlet has been reprinted and copies can be obtained from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust for 25 cents a copy. Anything in this pamphlet can be quoted in local releases, public meetings and interviews.

8. The public relations counsel is submitting an article on World Religion Day to a news weekly and is issuing a release to the entire United States Press based upon the NSA statement issued as an insert in December BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

9. Our Press Service releases are being used in other countries. The NSA Of India, Pakistan and Burma is particularly successful in placing them in the press.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Germany. Austria

VIENNA CELEBRATES HAZÍRA DEDICATION

Two-day festivities marked the dedication of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Vienna, Austria, on November 26-27, 1955, according to Bahá’í Nachrichten, organ of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria.

On November 26, the Day of the Covenant, private ceremonies were held. The feature of the program was the official delivery of the keys to the Ḥaẓíra,

The next morning a public dedication service was scheduled. The program included readings from the Holy Writings, music, and addresses by Bahá’í representatives.

Speakers included Dr. Hermann Grossman, Hand of the Cause, Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Franz Pollinger, of the Vienna Local Spiritual Assembly.

Later in the day there was an illustrated lecture and a social hour.

The first floor of the Ḥaẓíra will, in the future, serve the purposes of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Vienna. The second floor will be rented to the friends.

ESCHBORN PETITION REFUSED BY COURT

The second session before the People’s Court in Frankfurt, concerning the purchase petition by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria for the House of Warship site in Eschborn, was held beginning on October 22, 1955.

The Bahá’í Faith was represented at the proceedings by counsel for the National Spiritual Assembly, two members of the Assembly, and Architect Kohl.

On November 9 the negotiations were concluded, and the Court again refused to grant the petition. The National Spiritual Assembly now feels itself compelled to lodge a complaint with the Court of Appeal. The Guardian has been informed of the situation, and has given assurances of his heartfelt prayers.

FIRST AUSTRIAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE HELD

The Austrian Teaching Committee conducted the first Bahá’í Regional Conference in Austria at Salzburg on October 29-30, 1955.

Bahá’ís from Vienna, Innsbruck, Graz, and Ehrwald, Austria, and from Stuttgart, Gauting, and Ingelheim, Germany, attended.

Dr. Eugen Schmidt spoke on “Humanity at the Crossroads” on the first day, and on “World Peace Through World Order” the following day.

Achievements of the Conference can be regarded as most encouraging for activating the teaching work in Austria, especially in the Salzburg area.

News Briefs

Bahá’í Nachrichten reports the following news items:

An agreement for partial compensation for thousands of Bahá’í books confiscated in 1937 was signed by the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria after lengthly negotiations.

The Publishing Committee will soon release a new edition of Paris Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

A Youth Winter School was held at Titisee, in the Black Forest, on December 26 to January 2.

British isles

ASSEMBLY AREA BOUNDARIES DEFINED

The Guardian told the British Bahá’ís in July that the time had now come for the area of jurisdiction of each Assembly to be limited to the civic boundaries of its town. Unfortunately much of the residential part of most British towns lies outside the civic limits, so that the not-too-strong British Bahá’í Communities have been drastically reduced in numbers. One has only a single believer left and two others have changed their names because there were more Bahá’ís in some residential suburb than in the town itself.

Twenty-two Assemblies are still recognized by the National Assembiy, but there will be great difficulty in maintaining all these at Riḍván, 1956. The National Assembly has set the goal of maintaining 24 assemblies and establishing 6 new ones by Riḍván, 1957.

[Page 10]10

FEBRUARY, 1956

Group attending the Italo-Swiss Summer School at the Hotel des Salines, Bex les Bains, in the beautiful Vaud Valley of Switzerland. The courses were given in French, German, Italian, Persian, and English. At the left is a group of the Youth who attended.

Canada

New Territories Committee

The Bulletin of the Canadian New Territories Committee reports the difficulties faced by the pioneer on St. Pierre in introducing the Faith:

“Certain habits of thought and etiquette here make it very difficult to broach a topic that would lead to the Faith. One is that the question form is not used. In asking of the simplest thing, the affirmative is used. It is considered impolite to ask any sort of a question about the speaker or about personal effects.

“Another peculiarity is of speaking in a factual or narrative way, drawing no conclusions, making no abstractions, suppositions, or conjectures, advancing no new ideas, theories or projects, but stating self-evident facts or recounting events.

“It is only by an overflow of love, of goodwill and small kindnesses that a way to the hearts of the St. Pierrais can be won. Truly it is not hard to love them, and they in turn have overwhelmed me with kindness and attentions. You have no idea what spiritual blessings have come to me since I have arrived here.”

NATIONAL NEWS

BAHÁ’ÍS FILL POSTS AMONG INDIANS

The American Indian Service Committee has announced that three Bahá’ís have filled pioneer posts among the American Indians.

Miss Mary Elizabeth Hill, a public health nurse, has moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where she has the opportunity of serving the Bannock and Shoshone Indians on the nearby Fort Hall Reservation.

Dr. Fazly Melany, has transferred to Crow Agency, Mont., as a medical officer for the Indian Service.

Miss Loretta Haynes has moved to the Jicarilla Indian School (Apache) at Dulce, N. Mex.

There is a great need for doctors, dentists, and veterinarians in Thurston County, Nebr. Macy, which was our first American Indian Assembly, and no longer holds assembly status, is located in Thurston County.

BAHÁ’Í IN THE NEWS

The South Africa Jewish Times for August 12, 1955, contains a page article, entitled “Another Religion Calls Israel Home,” devoted to an exposition of the Faith, with special reference to the Shrines and Gardens in the Holy Land. This article was written by Carl Alpert. It is illustrated with a photograph of a Garden scene.

The New Trumpeter for November, 1955, devoted to Arts, Crafts and Fashions, prints an interview with Loava Carter, Bahá’í business woman in Carmel, which presents a brief statement on the Teachings.

New International Year Book, Funk ISL Wagnalls, New York, has for a number of years included a summary of current Bahá’í events. The summary has recently been revised for the 1956 edition.

These Times, published by the Seventh Day Adventists, publishes a reference to a resolution passed in dedicating Japan’s International Peace House urging the formation of a Federation of World Religions. Representation by Bahá’í delegates was noted. However, the editorial states that students of the World 0! God “will not swerve from their Heaven-born contention that only the return of Christ can establish tranquillity.”

The Selective Eye, Random House, New York, a selection of articles from a French Art Review, presents an article on Mark Tobey which refers to the Faith.

“In a profound individual revulsion against those aspects of Western Christian Civilization, Tobey turned toward a modern Persian philosophy, Bahá’í, then in the process of establishing itself in the New World —a world long weakened by the multiple factionalism of the Protestant Faith. Bahá’í is a religion whose mystic generosity acclaims the peaceful oneness of all mankind, a mysticism taken from antique Eastern faiths stressing the sacred unity of men and all of nature in earthly harmony.”

Ebony for November carried an article about Mrs. Carrie Turner, a Cleveland Bahá’í, with a picture of the Temple showing Mrs. Turner and her seeing eye dog.

[Page 11]BAHA’I NEWS

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YOUTH ANNOUNCE COLLEGE BUREAU

A College Bureau, designed to assist Bahá’í Youth in the rapidly developing college teaching program, has been formed by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee.

Functions of the College Bureau will include the preparation of a listing of all college Bahá’í Youth in the United States, the editing of news for the “College Column” in the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin, the sharing with Youth of college teaching methods and ideas, and assistance in organizing Bahá’í groups on campus.

Members of the College Bureau are Al Kalantar, Ken Kalantar, Hormoz Sabet, and Ellen Weintrob.

COLLEGE ACTIVITIES

Two Bahá’ís at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. prevailed on Kappa Alpha Sigma fraternity to sponsor a Bahá’í speaker at their semester Convocation. Letters were sent to campus groups, posters displayed, and personal invitations were extended. The meeting attracted about 70 non-Bahá’ís, and a lively discussion followed the talk.

GEYSERVILLE BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL LISTS SESSIONS, THEM

The Geyserville Bahá’í School 1956 session will be held July 8 to August l2, 1956, inclusive. The annual Unity Feast is scheduled for Sunday, July 15. The courses and general activities of the school this year will revolve about the theme: “Meeting the Challenge of the Bahá’í Way of Life.”

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

World Youth Day Theme

“Guiding Purpose for Life Today” has been selected as the theme for Bahá’í World Youth Day, March 25, 1956. It is hoped that many communities will present a public program in observance of this Day, whose objective is “To publicize the Bahá’í program for uniting the youth of all Faiths in promoting lasting world peace.”

New York Interracial Meeting

The fifth in a series of programs on the “Elimination of Prejudice,”

MONTHLY REPORT ON WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET

Third Year

National Bahá’í Fund

1955 - 1956

As of January 15, 1956

Where we are

$265,000.00

Where we should be

$391,000.00

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

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

Monthly receipts to date:

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

May 15 - June 15 . . . . . . . . . .$22,500.00

June 15 - July 15 . . . . . . . . . .$23,500.00

July 15 - Aug. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$19,500.00

Aug. 15 - Sept. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$37,000.00

Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$39,500.00

Oct. 15 - Nov. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$40,000.00

Nov. 15 - Dec. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$27,000.00

Dec. 15 - Jan. 15 . . . . . . . . . .$40,500.00

Total $265,000.00

Accumulate deficit as of Jan. 15, 1955 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$126,000.00

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

sponsored by the Bahá’ís of New York City, was held at the Parkside Hotel on December 11. Rev David N. Licorish, Associate Minister of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, largest Protestant Church in the world, spoke on “Color and World Outlook.”

Rev. Licorish cited the Bahá’í Faith as a living example of true brotherhood, and invited a Bahá’í group to attend a fellowship meeting at the Abyssinian Church in January.

Two members of the Waterloo, Iowa, community were recently invited to explain the principles of the Faith to the “Fireside Club,” a social organization for married couples.

AREA NEWS BULLETINS

The Area Bulletin lot the Central Atlantic States reports their second Area Conference at Baltimore, Md., on January 14. The theme or the meeting was “Spiritual Living.”

Covington, Ky. (goal city) has been settled by a pioneer, it has been announced by the Bulletin for the Tennessee Valley States. It also reports that the Birmingham, Ala. Bahá’ís have moved into larger quarters in the Lyric Building. Members of this Area Teaching Committee have recently visited Memphis, and Chattanooga (goal city), Tenn., and Jackson, Miss.

[Page 12]12

FEBRUARY, 1956

PRESS SERVICE REPORTS STATE CONVENTION PUBLICITY

Newspaper clippings received by the Bahá’í Press Service showing publicity of delegate attendance at the State Conventions on December 4, 1955 totals 77 newspapers in 60 cities, representing 26 states, Alaska and Hawaii.

PUBLICATIONS

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. By Shoghi Effendi. (New edition with new preface by Horace Holley). The seven communications from the Guardian which define the relation of the Faith to the process of social evolution in this new age. This basic Bahá’í text should be deeply studied by all who would understand the development and the relationship of the rising institutions of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to the chaotic social conditions of our times. (See National Assembly article on page 5 of this issue). Two Study Guides are available for individual or group study, listed on page 32 of catalog. Bound in rust-red cloth.

Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.75

Back in Stock

The Divine Art of Living, temporarily out of stock, is now available at the former price of $1.50.

Available from

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST

110 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, Illinois

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEASTS

February 7—Mulk (Dominion)

March 2—’Alá’ (Lottiness)

WORLD BROTHERHOOD WEEK

February 19-25—To proclaim the oneness of mankind.

INTERCALARY DAYS

Ayyám-i-Há, February 26 to March 1.

DAYS OF FASTING

March 2-21

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETING

February 10, 11, 12

March 23, 24, 25

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

—BAHÁ’’U’LLÁH

Saint Paul, Minnesota: Miss Evelyn Kadrie to Mr. Lerton Duncan on October 10, 1955.

Sacramento, California: Miss Joyce Evanne Chindahl to Mr. Jim Ernest Reinhardt on December 9, 1955.

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Visiting hours

Weekdays and Saturdays:

1:00—4:00 P.M. (the Auditorium will be open)

Sundays: 10:30 A.M.—5:00 P.M. (the entire building will be open)

Service of Worship: Sunday at 3:30 P.M., lasting until 4:15.

IN MEMORIAM

“Death proflereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gludnexs. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.”

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Mrs. Ammet’u‘llah Oglesby

Boston, Massachusetts

October, 1955

Dr. Mary F. Fletcher

Lancaster, Massachusetts

November, 1955

Mrs. Maud Allen

Burlingame, California

December, 1955

Mrs. Geraldine Falkey

San Francisco, California

December 5, 1955

Mrs. Jessie Walston

Chicago, Illinois

December 8, 1955

Mr. Harry Dubin

Scranton, Pennsylvania

December 6, 1955

Miss Leonora Havey

Minneapolis, Minnesota

December l5, 1955

Mr. Orville Tibbetts

Sterling, Massachusetts

December 22, 1955

BAHÁÍ DIRECTORY CHANGES

NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Convention Arrangements (addition)

Mrs. Priscilla Hassan

Davsion Bahá’í School Program

Miss Violet Wuerfel

•As of January 1, 1956 the name of Louhelen Bahá’í School was changed to “Davison Bahá’í School.”

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

California, (South)

Glendale: Mrs. Garnette Whitefield, 121 E. Garfield, zone 5

Minnesota

Saint Paul: Mrs. Dahela Hick, 1597 Bayard Avenue

New Hampshire

Portsmouth: Mrs. Flora Mason, Secy. pro tem, 33 Kent Street

BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís at the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.

Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committeea and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.

BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1955-56: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Richard Thomas.

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

Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, ll2 Linden Avenue, Wilmette Illinois, U.S.A.