| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 308 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 308 | BAHA’I YEAR 113 | OCTOBER, 1956 |
“Blessed is the Spot”[edit]
Mirzá ‘Ali-Muḥammad, known as the Báb, was born in Shíráz, Írán, on October 20, 1819, scion of a house renowned for its nobility which traced its origin to Muhammad Himself.
At the age of twenty five He declared His twofold Ml5S10n as an independent Manifestation of God and Herald of One greater than Himself, Who would inaugurate a new and unprecedented era in the religious history of mankind.
Six years later He was publicly martyred at Tabríz, Írán. His body was recovered by His disciples, concealed for many years, and finally transported to Haifa.
In 1909 ‘Abdu’l-Bahá deposited those remains within the vault of the Mausoleum he himself had erected for the Báb. Ever since that time, countless followers of the Bahá’í Faith have made the pilgrimage to this sacred spot.
The Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel. Beyond the Shrine lies the city of Haifa, the harbor, the Bay of ’Akká, and the hills of Lebanon.
OCTOBER, 1956
“Above All, the Paramount Duty”[edit]
In a letter dated August 13, 1949, published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS of the following October, the beloved Guardian emphasized the obligation of the American believers to prepare the Bahá’ís of Latin America for the formation of their National Assemblies. Shoghi Effendi’s statement presents the “paramount duty” every Bahá’í must carry out in teaching new souls, in strengthening communities and groups, or in preparing himself for a useful Bahá’í life.
“Above all,” the Guardian wrote, “the paramount duty” is: 1. To deepen the spiritual life. 2. To enlighten the mind regarding the essential verities enshrined in the Faith. 3. Its fundamental institutions. 4. Its history and genesis — the twin Covenants of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. 5. The present Administrative Order. 6, The future World Order. 7. The Laws of the Most Holy Book. 8. The inseparable institutions of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice. 9. The salient events of the Heroic and Formative Ages of the Faith. 10. Its relationship with the Dispensations that have preceded it. 11. Its attitude toward the social or political organizations by which it is surrounded.
Here, then, is a definite goal for the teacher and also the student.
Can each of us conscientiously say that he has already acquired this knowledge, and deepened his spiritual life? If not, Where are we to turn for the necessary information? The Guardian has certainly not set forth a goal impossible for any Bahá’í to attain. The references are all in the readily accessible literature of the Faith: God Passes By, the Master’s Will and Testament, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í World Faith. In the indexes of these works any believer can find the passages which provide the enlightenment it is our “paramount duty” to possess and to share.
In that same message the Guardian wrote: “The Assemblies of the North American Continent, constituting the base for the gigantic operation destined to warm and illuminate, under American Bahá’í Auspices, the five continents of the globe, must, at no time and under no circumstance, be allowed to diminish in number or decline in strength and in influence. . . . The groups and isolated centers so painstakingly formed and established, must . . . be maintained, fostered and if possible multiplied.”
In this passage we perceive the vital necessity of attaining a sound understanding of the Bahá’í Message — for the Bahá’í life is not the enhancement of personality, but the spreading of the Faith.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Gleanings from fine Convention
The National Budget—a Spiritual Obligation[edit]
“Dear Friends, I think that after this very fine presentation of the subject of the budget by the Treasurer and the many remarks made, we all realize that our annual budget does not begin in a Treasurer’s mind. We live in a Faith where the Master and now the Guardian has designated certain progressive tasks. Upon the American Bahá’ís particularly, great burdens have been laid from above, representing the spiritual concept of our collective capacities. Now, it becomes necessary to translate those spiritual obligations into material terms and that is all the budget really is. But when the Master or the Guardian, inspired by Bahá’u’lláh, lays upon us a collective task, that represents our sum-total capacity as a National Bahá’í body. But no one goes around and says, ‘Your share of that collective task is so much.’ That is where the individual enters, through his sense of participation, through his love for the Cause, and determines his share for himself. And, apropos of that, let me remind you that in the Sacred Writings on more than one occasion it has been said that all wealth is God’s and that what we have is given us to use as trustees for God and that we will be called to account on the last day for our individual trusteeships.
“Now, that is not old fundamentalism and trying to scare you with the fires of hell; it is a calm statement which is verified in the Bahá’í Writings. So let us try to enlarge our realization of the great work that the Cause is doing for humanity. We are trying to save mankind from destruction and the means and agencies for so doing to bring about this result have been revealed to us and we have been given the privilege of establishing them and maintaining them. So the budget, from first to last, is a spiritual rather than a material obligation.”
Statement by Horace Holley at the Forty-Eighth Annual Convention during a discussion on the National Budget.
ASSEMBLY ANNOUNCES NATIONAL TEACHING PLANS[edit]
The Guardian’s sublime Message, published a s an insert in September BAHÁ’Í NEWS, directed the rays of the Holy Spirit into the hearts of all American Bahá’ís.
Teaching is primarily an expression of a believer’s love for Bahá’u’lláh. Secondarily, teaching involves unified action under the direction of Bahá’í institutions. Without the passion to servee teh Faith, general teaching plans would be empty formulas; without unity and coordination for achievement of definite goals, the individual passion to serve would fail to fulfill its noble possibilities.
Therefore the National Assembly fully sponsors cooperates to the utmost in the general plans adopted by the National Teaching Committee, and reinforces these plans with projects of its own.
The supreme effort this year is to initiate and sustain a nationwide program of traveling teachers—a
[Page 3]
BAHA’I NEWS
3
program intended to bring assistance and inspiration to local Assemblies and groups. This plan will make effective use of all those Bahá’ís who can devote up to a month on circuit teaching and also those believers who are free to offer their services for weekend trips.
The details will be issued by the National Teaching Committee, and the National Spiritual Assembly urges whole-hearted response by individual teachers, local assemblies and the groups included in the teaching schedule.
As the body is maintained in health and strength by the circulation of blood through arteries and veins, by the purity of the heart, and by consecration of mind and will, so the great body of the Bahá’í Community, to realize its latent vigor and power, calls for the circulation of teachers through all parts of its organism. The plan is natural and inevitable. What makes it so vital now is its timing—its adoption in the hour of our greatest need on the homefront, and at the moment when the Guardian’s Message generates the passion to serve the Faith of God.
During August the National Spiritual Assembly addressed a letter to every Bahá’í group appealing for strong and active local teaching programs and offering constructive suggestions. As this letter stated, the groups are the seed-bed of the Administrative Order, revealing where the next generation of Assemblies may be expected to arise.
Do the friends realize that there are groups of from two to eight Bahá’ís in 681 different localities? Here is a tremendous source of growth which must be utilized in order to establish the Faith impregnably in United States.
The nationwide teaching plan also includes observance of the Special Events spread throughout the year, and the holding of teaching institutes at periodic intervals.
The tide is at the flood, favoring winds blow strong! Let us raise the anchor, unfurl the sails and dare the great sea of human materialism and unbelief beyond which the Kingdom awaits.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
INTERCONTINENTAL COMMITTEES[edit]
Asia
FIRST SOUTH EAST ASIA TEACHING CONFERENCE HELD IN DJAKARTA[edit]
From August 15 to 18, 1956, the Bahá’ís of Djakarta, Indonesia, were hosts to an historical teaching conference, the first of its kind in South East Asia. It was called by the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pákistán and Burma, and was sponsored jointly by the Regional Teaching and Assembly Development Committee of South East Asia and the local Spiritual Assembly of Djakarta. Its primary purpose was to plan for the expansion of the Faith throughout South East Asia and to prepare for the Regional National Spiritual Assembly to be elected in April 1957.
Several days before the opening of the conference Bahá’ís converged upon Djakarta from Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Celebese, Molucca, Bali, Borneo, Mentawei, Malaya, Saigon, and Írán, and there were many joyous reunions. The climax of the pre-conference events was the arrival of Mr. Shu’á’ulláh ‘Alá’í, revered Hand of the Cause of God in Asia, who came at the express request of the Guardian.
Informal meetings were held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds several evenings before the formal sessions began, not only to become better acquainted and to renew old friendships, but also to meet with the local Spiritual Assembly, the Regional Teaching and Development Committee, and to select a temporary chairman in the event that Mr. E. Bakhtiari, President of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pákistán and Burma, did not arrive in time for the opening of the conference. Mr. A. Samimi, Chairmen of the Djakarta Assembly, was selected for this function, and Mr. K. Payman of Djakarta was appointed official translator for the three languages which were to be used — Indonesian, Persian and English.
Distinguished Visitors
Besides Mr. ‘Alá’í and Mr. Bakhtiari, the distinguished visitors included Mr. A. A. Butt, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pákistán and Burma, and Mr. H. Collis Featherstone, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, both of whom are members of the Auxiliary Board in Asia. Mr, Carl Scherer, Bahá’í pioneer in Macao, another
Bahá’ís attending the South East Asia Teaching Conference at Djarkarta, Indonesia,
August 15-18 1956. Seated beneath the plaque of the Greatest Name is Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Hand of the Cause.
OCTOBER, 1956
Mr. Scherer, Mr. Featherstone, Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, and Dr. Khamsi.
Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Hand of the Cause, Mr. Payman, Mr. Samimi, and Dr. Jamshed Fozdar.
Auxiliary Board member, was also
present.
Unfortunately delegates from Timor, Laos, Thailand, and Brunei were refused visas and therefore could not be present. Though not represented in person, the secretary of the RTADC reported on the progress of the Faith in those countries.
The conference opened at nine o’clock, the morning of August 15, with prayers in three languages, including beautiful chanting in Persian by Mr. ‘Alá’í, in Indonesian by Mr. Sjamsuri, and a prayer in English by Mr. Featherstone. The first business was the election of a conference secretary. Dr. Jamshed Fozdar was the delegates’ choice.
Greetings from the Hands
Mr. ‘Ala’i presented greetings from the Hands of the Cause in Írán and from the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. This was followed by introductions of Mr. Featherstone and Mr. Scherer. Mr. Featherstone conveyed the greetings and love from Mrs. Clara Dunn, Hand of the Cause in Australia and New Zealand, and Mr. Scherer brought greetings from the friends in Macao, Formosa, Hongkong, and from the National Spiritual Assembly and Asia Teaching Committee of the United States.
A cablegram to the beloved Guardian was the first official action of the conference and his reply was eagerly awaited.
The roll call indicated that there were forty-six delegates. These included five Indonesians, one Australian, two Americans, and the balance were Persian pioneers.
The discussions and talks by the pioneers expressed and emphasized the great determination and the steadfastness which characterizes their efforts. The sacrifices many are making by living in these primitive areas, lacking in even simple comforts and conveniences, proves their zeal and their devotion to the Guardian as well as their dedication to the tasks of the World Crusade.
Much of the success of the conference was due to the skillful manner in which the capable and dignified chairman, Mr. A. Samimi, guided the program. Mr. K. Payman, one of the first pioneers to reach and settle in Indonesia, contributed a very warm and charming personality to the difficult work of translating all talks, discussions, questions and answers into the three languages used. Dr. Jamshed Fozdar, the secretary, also made valuable contributions to the success of the meetings, and all were impressed by his clear, concise statement of the goals achieved and others still to be won in the World Crusade in South East Asia.
Account of Pilgrimage
Mr. A. A. Butt, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pákistán and Burma, gave a thrilling, interesting account of his meetings with the beloved Guardian during his pilgrimage to Haifa. Mr. Bakhtiari expressed his views on the problems of teaching in this area, and other talks were given by Mr. John Fozdar, Mr. Featherstone, Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, and Mr. Scherer on subjects assigned to them in advance of the conference. Everyone participated in the discussions. The speeches made by the Indonesian friends concerning the needs of Indonesia and their personal experiences were very moving.
In his talk, Mr. Sjamsuri explained how to teach the Faith in Sumatra, one of the larger islands of this huge chain of hundreds of islands extending for 2,000 miles from the eastern to the Western ends, with a population of 80,000 people. He particularly emphasized the great need for schools, libraries, hospitals, and medicines throughout this vast area.
Mr. R. Mohajer outlined to the conference his carefully prepared plan for the expansion of Bahá’í activities in Indonesia, and others made their recommendations for expansion in the other countries of the South East Pacific.
Successes on Mentawei
Most surprising and astonishing and confirming reports currently circulating throughout the area — was the news of the rapid acceptance of the Faith by the people of the Mentawei Islands, a group of islands lying west of Sumatra. This news was confirmed by Dr. R. Mohajer and Mrs. Iran Mohajer. Here this valiant couple, Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, have enrolled entire villages and have established three local Spiritual Assemblies and three groups, a total of six centers with over three hundred declared and enrolled believers, a total of about one thousand believers throughout the entire island group, including the youth and children. Here was proof of the Guardian’s statements that the Islands of the
[Page 5]
BAHA’I NEWS
5
Pacific will see victories that will rival those achieved in Africa.
Before the final evening session of the closing day, August 18, a special commemorative service was held for Mr. Azíz Samandari, a pioneer to Turkey. Many floral arrangements decorated the hall and prayers for the departed were read. Mr. Mohajer spoke briefly about Mr. Samandarí and his services to the Faith.
The closing speeches of the last evening were climaxed by an inspiring talk by Mr. S. ‘Alá’í, who not only summarized the results of this historic conference, but also the total accomplishments in the South East Pacific, where, he said, there are 510 believers in 37 centers, and including eleven local Assemblies, of which eight are incorporated. He reported that all the languages that are World Crusade goals have been translated and translations into additional languages are proceeding. All the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and Bahá’í endowments have been purchased, and plans have been formulated for the expansion of the Faith throughout the entire Asia area.
Like the endings of all other conferences, there were reluctant, and tearful farewells, and the promise to meet again soon. Surely this promise will be fulfilled when delegates from all these areas will meet next April for the formation of the Regional National Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia.
—CARL A. SCHERER
SUMMER CONFERENCE HELD AT KWANGJU[edit]
A Bahá’í Summer Conference, patterned after the successful Winter Conference of last December, was held at Kwangju, Korea, on July 16-20, 1956. An American Bahá’í pioneer there has written a colorful description of the events.
In the preparations for the Korea summer conference every Bahá’í endured real tests. The planning committee first expected six Persians from Japan plus at least one American and possibly one Japanese. As the guest list dwindled, the committee had to alter the program with almost every day’s mail. The Seoul friends were much perturbed by the constantly changing date set for the conference. And the two friends from Japan had enough delays and problems that they were exhausted even before their plane took off from Tokyo.
Some of the Seoul friends who were awaiting the plane feared that they were about to witness two martyrdoms, since the airliner was obviously in trouble in the fog and rain. For more than an hour the plane circled the field and after one unsuccessful try finally put down its wheels on solid pavement, generating, no doubt, a chorus of sighs that must have been audible a long distance.
On Sunday, July 15, about eleven o’clock, William Smits appeared at the Center in Kwangju greatly fatigued. He appeared to be alone, but to everyone’s astonished delight, lagging out-of-sight behind him, were Mr. Katirai and Mr. Moghbel, our Persian friends from Japan, along with Miss Webster, Miss Pang, and Dr. Oh, from Seoul.
They all thought it a delirious surprise for us, for we had no notion as to if or when they would finally come. Some had even begun to voice their suspicions that no one would be coming after all. The guests had ridden all night without sleep nor had they had their breakfast, so that the cook was hurriedly summoned to get breakfast for them. Then we all confessed to each other the anxieties that we had been through.
By and by they were served their meal and told to get ready for a press conference. (We in Kwangju had been trying to dream up possible excuses to give to the pressmen for the absence of the guests.) The center was a mad-house thereafter. People were constantly dropping in; we had to compose and type a press release, get it translated and then mimeograph it all by 3:00 o’clock. In the meantime there were hosts’ duties pressing and people never did stop coming, but they also stayed and stayed. Before order there was chaos. But somehow everything was done.
For the press conference all of the visiting Bahá’ís summoned enough strength to be present, plus about
A group of those attending the Bahá’í Summer Conference at Kwangju, Korea, July 16-20 1956, before the gate to the school.
ten local Bahá’ís, two pressmen and one interpreter who is an English teacher at one of the local universities. The newsmen, to everyone’s surprise, mostly asked questions about the religion; they seemed to be careful to avoid the usual trite queries. Their stories later, though spiced with interesting inaccuracies, carried the spirit of the Faith surprisingly well.
To all the Bahá’ís present we explained that we would have no meeting that night so as to allow our completely exhausted guests time to rest. But such was not to be! From that time on the house was like a local marketplace, crowded, noisy and busy.
The Monday morning, July 16th, program served as a guide that kept us rolling: devotions at 9:45 a.m. after the registration; then two lectures; in the afternoon two more lectures plus an outdoor fireside led by Lecile Webster. The program itself specified “uplifting lectures” at 10:00 o’clock on such topics as “Spiritual Heroes,” “Impressions of Haifa,” “The Soul of Man,” “The Glory of Islam,” and “The Evolution of Man.”
Following this was a class on the “Basic Teachings of the Faith” each morning at eleven. Then in the afternoon, a class on Bahá’í administration was held for the Bahá’ís only. At 4:30 p.m. a class on history was given. Originally, book-reviews were planned for 5:30 p.m., but the extension of discussion after the previous classes made this impractical.
Sticklers for rigidity would have been appalled at the abandon with which the program was modified almost every day. But various causes seemed to necessitate this.
On Monday evening a public meeting was held for adults. Attendance was surprisingly high. It included eight professors of Chonnam University; three doctors from the Chonnam Hospital; two graduates of Eiwa Women’s University in Seoul, a rather famous university; and hosts of graduate students and other people who were somehow or another attracted to come. The program was handled interestingly: Mr. Katirai, Mr. Moghbel, Miss Webster and Mr. Smits each gave short talks like a panel discussion; then the people were divided into two groups for convenient discussion. Everyone felt that the Faith had been presented with dignity, forcefully and clearly. Everyone had a chance to ask questions while refreshments were
A total of over 100 people attended the Kwangju Bahá’í Summer Conference July 16-20, 1956.
served—an absolute necessity in Korea.
For the daytime meetings the attendance varied between twenty-five and forty, the Bahá’ís usually making up about two-thirds of the audience. Other evening meetings were for students, with one evening for only the Bahá’ís which had to be moved to the home of one of the Bahá’ís, in order to insure privacy. This meeting was devoted to story telling, mostly from the Dawn-Breakers. The last evening was a type of farewell party which in tone was probably the most spiritual of all the meetings. (Do Bahá’ís love farewell parties!)
Miss Webster and Dr. Oh had to leave the conference on Tuesday afternoon but not before they had be come thoroughly acquainted with the local Bahá’ís and had endeared themselves to all (Dr. Oh is, incidentally, a lady physician).
Mention should be made that the Dean of the Law School of Chonnam University and his faculty invited the guests and the writer to a splendid Korean lunch at one of the downtown restaurants. It was a magnificent display of hospitality. In return, Mr. Katirai and Mr. Moghbel invited them all to dinner at the Center on a following evening, an invitation the lawyers kindly accepted. Cordial relations with them had been established by David Earl when he came for the Winter Conference, and these meetings drew them nearer to the Faith.
Another dinner was held for the editors of the Honam Press and one of their friends, a high school principal. These gentlemen asked many questions about the Faith and they were shown a few slides of the Temple and the Shrine of the Báb. Others were often invited to stay for one meal or another, including one other of the Chonnam faculty members, and a reporter from the Chonnam Press.
All in all, it is estimated that at least 100 different people came for one or more of these sessions of the conference. Although most were students, yet we feel that the Faith in Kwangju is ever increasing its circle of friends as a result of this conference. Particularly the immense publicity secured and the reports that we get of its reception by thinking men and women of this province, indicate that the Faith moved out of
[Page 7]
BAHAI’ NEWS
7
the initial stage of obscurity in this area as a direct result of this conference.
The value of such “gatherings of the Faithful of God” Cannot be reckoned in terms of attendance, or publicity, or any such statistical measuring stick. It is in that immeasurable quantity of inspiration and resolve that their worth lies. And though unmeasurable, it is certainly evident. The friends went back to Seoul completely infused with a new appreciation of the Cause, just as the friends of Kwangju seem vastly more interested in doing the day-to-day deeds that will determine eventual establishment of the Faith. Likewise, they all seem highly responsive to the new awareness of their obligation to teach the Faith as well as to enjoy the new-found prestige that comes with being a part of a Faith that secured such glowing treatment from the local press.
On Saturday morning, six days after the beginning, all of the Assembly and several other members journeyed the five miles to the train station to say goodbye to the visitors—probably the first Persians in Korea in modern history. Some of the passengers were visibly shocked to see Koreans being embraced by foreigners—it doesn’t happen between even father and son here. But, as one of the Bahá’ís said to me later, “I felt empty when they left.” At the same time some of us felt very full—full of that transcendent love that Bahá’u’lláh bountifully bestows upon his unworthy servants. Some were so full that the tears could not be held back.
—WILLIAM H. MAXWELL
WORK IN ASIA[edit]
The Asia Teaching Committee has information that jobs in Asia are available through certain government agencies for American citizens with training and experience in certain technical fields. The committee will be glad to furnish the names of these agencies on request. Address: Asia Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Regional National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the North East Africa in Cairo, Egypt.
Western Hemisphere
FIVE NEW ASSEMBLIES TO BE ELECTED RIDVÁN[edit]
The Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee continues to appeal for volunteers to pioneer in Alaska and Latin America.
Those who arise now will be participators in the giant steps to be taken next Riḍván, when, in accordance with the Guardian’s instructions, Alaska will elect its own National Spiritual Assembly, and Latin America will elect four regional National Assemblies as an intermediate stage to the establishment of a National Assembly in each individual country.
Two of these will be in South America: one for the northern half of the country, and one for the southern half.
Central America will have one regional National Assembly for the countries on the mainland, and one for the island countries.
Teachers, Nurses Needed
Word comes from the Alaska Teaching Committee that nurses can always find employment in Alaska. Also, there is a severe teacher shortage for the Territorial schools. For information on where to apply for a teaching position, contact the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee, Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Secretary, 73 College Road West, Princeton, N.J.
For Latin America pioneering, teaching remains one of the best opportunities known to this Committee. For skilled technical person-
OCTOBER, 1956
nel there are good opportunities through such agencies as the United Nations.
Pioneer Letters
Of special interest to American believers is the following pioneer letter, which demonstrates the startling rapidity with which the Faith seems to be spread in other countries.
Hart Friedland, French Guinea
Left Cayenne on July 21st by plane of the Brazilian Air Force. On arriving in Macapa, located directly on the Equator and on one of the tributaries of the Amazon, the Captain of the plane approached me, knowing that I was the only American on board, told of his recent visit to Baltimore, and invited me to ride with him to the hotel. There we sat outdoors waiting for supper. After explaining the nature of my visit, I let him read a booklet on the Faith. Soon a Major sat next to him, asking what he was reading. The Major recognized the word Bahá’í and said that three years ago he had taken a lady from Rio to Bahia, who told him of the Bahá’í Faith. That evening I loaned him a Portugese New Era, which a few days later he purchased.
On arriving in Belem, all hotels were taken. Happily enough, our beloved Margot Worley from Bahia had been a trail-blazer, and had located in “pension”. With this introduction I got the private living room. In the evening the second New Era was loaned out; two weeks later sold.
Next day I registered at the American Consulate; the Consul asked about the nature of my visit, and knowing of the Faith and Temple, gave me about ten names. Four of them bought the New Era, which led to the Theosophists, who invited me to a home. Selected passages of the New Era on religious unity were read in Portuguese. We closed with reading of Prayer for All Nations by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, after which four decided to buy the New Era.
The Chief of the Bureau of Immigration took me to the Editor of one of the largest newspapers, resulting in a good write-up for the Cause, read by many, Three books were given to libraries. One lady
Spiritual Assembly of Palma de Mallorca, the first Assembly in the Balearic Islands, formed April 21, 1956.
who bought the New Era said she
will buy all books on the Faith in
Portuguese. A Professor of law who
read the New Era said he would
mention the book in his class on
International Law.
Altogether, twenty Portuguese and one English New Era have been sold; nine more are on loan with busy people. Hope to have found at least four who seem to be seriously interested. Thanks to Bahá’u’lláh, thanks to Margot Worley who initiated this journey, thanks to the Brazilian Teaching Committee who supplied the books, and thanks to a beautiful edition of the Portuguese New Era; there was much invisible aid. Hope to return there in November. Thanks to the National Spiritual Assembly and your Committee who supplied the funds!
Frank Snyder, Lanai City, T.H.
When I arrived on July 3rd I did not know one soul; now I feel I have 2,000 friends. No Bahá’ís yet, but fine material. it is very lonely but Bahá’u’lláh showers his blessing on me every day.
At home the Lions Club always said they would invite me to tell of my Bahá’í experience, but never did. This morning I walked up to Richard Tamashira and said, “Richard, I’d like to tell your group about the Bahá’í Faith.” With the most radiant smile you ever saw he said, “Certainly,” and marked down the date, July 26, and I was most happy.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
Australia, New Zealand
ABORIGINE, MAORI COMMITTEES FORMED[edit]
An Aborigine and a Maori Committee have been appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand to initiate teaching of the Faith among the Aborigines of Australia and the Maoris of New Zealand, the Australian Bahá’í Bulletin reports.
Leroy Ioas, in a letter advising the National Assembly that the Guardian is anxious that constructive steps be taken in this direction, wrote, “The beloved Master has often referred to the importance of the original inhabitants of a country being brought into the Faith, as the Cause of God will be the means of stimulating and activating these peoples and the cause of their progress in society.”
FIRST AUSTRALIAN ASSEMBLY INCORPORATED[edit]
Another historic milestone has been passed in Australia, with the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of Port Adelaide on August 10, 1956. This is the first incorporated Assembly in Australia in a defined civic area.
[Page 9]
BAHA’I NEWS
9
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alicante, Spain, formed April 21, 1956.
British Isles
REPORT SUMMER TEACHING ACTIVITIES[edit]
The Home Front, a news bulletin issued by the National Teaching Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles, reports an active summer teaching schedule throughout their area:
Bahá’ís from the South East Region held a Teaching Conference in London on June 16-17.
The same weekend Philip Hainsworth spoke at three meetings in Greater Manchester, two firesides and a Manchester public meeting.
The Belfast Assembly, joining with the new Northern Ireland Regional Teaching Committee, sponsored a Midsummer Symposium, centered around the theme “The New Era.” Five public meetings were held from June 22 to 24. The following week, several firesides were held.
The Birmingham Center was officially opened and dedicated on June 23, with a program of lively interest, and an air of charming hospitality.
Nottingham has new Center which is being used five times weekly.
Ted Cardell and Philip Hainsworth, British pioneers in South West Africa and Uganda, have spent a busy summer traveling around the islands, speaking in many places.
Canada
VARIETY MARKS SUMMER TEACHING WORK[edit]
The Canadian Bahá’í News lists the following teaching activities across Canada during the summer months:
Mrs. Joy Hill Earl, a pioneer of Tokyo, Japan, visited the London, Ont., community. She spoke at a well-attended meeting on “Building Towards One World.” A lively discussion period followed the address.
Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith of Rochester, N. Y., taught in the Hamilton-Dundas area. Firesides were held almost every night, and an interesting experiment on Group Prayer Therapy was carried out, showing the dynamic power of unity of thought and purpose.
The Burlington Bahá’í Children’s fireside sponsored a “Children’s Day” in the form of a picnic on July 1. Seventy-seven attended, and enjoyed a program of races, swimming. and a puppet show.
The Toronto community is now holding their Sunday evening meetings and Feasts at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
Famous Players theaters across Canada have been showing the shortsubject film titled “Land of the Bible,” which includes Views of Haifa, the Shrine of the Báb, and mention of the Faith.
The Commemoration of the visit of ‘Abdul-Bahá to Montreal was held in the Maxwell Home there on September 8.
The Laurentian Bahá’í School Committee reports a successful session at Beaulac this year: successful because of the fellowship engendered during the two weeks it was open, successful financially in that they were able to assure an adequate water supply for all future summer sessions through the purchase of a pumping system, and successful from the teaching viewpoint.
Germany, Austria
ESCHBORN TEMPLE SITE ACQUISITION BLOCKED[edit]
Efforts to acquire title to the land of the projected Temple site at Eschborn have been unsuccessful to the present time. Bahá’í Nachrichten, publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, reports.
The National Assembly is seeking further legal advice in order that no effort will be spared to strengthen the Bahá’í position. A year’s time has been consumed in the first two hearings, and it is evident that there is much opposition to the project. The Christian Church, both Catholic and Protestant, are definitely antiBahá’í, and there is evidence that many people have been censured for having advised the Bahá’í officials in their procedure.
In the meantime progress continues in drawing up plans for the Temple edifice. Nineteen sets of plans have been submitted to the Guardian for his selection.
TEACHING CONFERENCE, SUMMER SCHOOL REPORTED[edit]
A Teaching Conference was planned for Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Frankfurt/Main. The three-fold program embraced the themes of “The Covenant,” “The Ten Year Plan in its Third Phase,” and “Practical Teaching Work.”
Bahá’í Youth from Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, and Esslingen, as well as guests from Norway, Denmark, and Switzerland, participated in the Youth Summer School in Reichenbach-Odenwald on July 23-31. Sessions were led by Doris Lohse and Hanni Weber.
OCTOBER, 1956
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Montevideo, Uruguay,
elected April 21, 1956.
Central and East Africa
NEW NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ORGANIZES, BEGINS WORK[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa, formed at Riḍván this year at Kampala, Uganda, (BAHÁ’Í NEWS, July issue) has published the first issue of its Newsletter reporting the actions of the Assembly at the first two meetings.
Officers of the National Assembly include All Nakhjavani, Chairman; Aziz Yazdi, Vice Chairman; Philip Hainsworth, Secretary; and Hassan Sabri, Treasurer.
The first meeting in May included an inspiring consultation with Musa Banání, Hand of the Cause of God in Africa, and deliberations on the goals for the new Assembly, on the establishment of a budget and a National Fund, on plans to convert the Kampala Center to a National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, and on a meeting schedule for the balance of the year.
Afterward, the Assembly cabled the results of the meeting to the Guardian, and received the following reply:
“Delighted action taken contribute £500 supplicating manifold blessings. SHOGHI.”
At a later date the archives, furniture, and other materials of the Kampala headquarters were handed over to the National Assembly. Included in the archives was the precious Robe of Bahá’u’lláh.
On the subject of Regional Development, the Assembly determined to divide the region into the mainland, with five territorial areas, each area having a Territorial Teaching Committee, and the three island groups of Zanzibar, Seychelles, and Comoro.
Three national committees have been appointed, the Literature and Reviewing Committee, the Literature Production Committee, and the Book Stock Advisory Committee,
Many local Spiritual Assemblies have sent notice of their formation and elected officers to the National Assembly, and recognition is being sent to them.
The ambitious work of this Assembly in their first two meetings holds great promise for rich accomplishments in the months to come.
South America
ENDOWMENT SECURED IN ECUADOR[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of South America has announced the purchase of a plot of land for the national endowment of Ecuador. It is located beside Lake San Pablo, two kilometers from the city of Otavalo, and is 3,254 square meters in area.
Other Achievements
Also revealed is the legal incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Huancayo, Peru. A photograph of this Assembly was published in the August issue of BAHA’I NEWS.
A second pamphlet in Quechua, one of the Indian languages used in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, which is a translation of the pamphlet used by the British National Assembly for translation into the African languages, has now been published in Huancayo, Peru.
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Nawabshah, Pákistán, formed on April 21, 1956.
[Page 11]
BAHA’I NEWS
11
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
BAHÁ’ÍS VISIT NAVAJO, HOPI INDIANS[edit]
The Navajo Story
The land of the Navajo, largest of all American Indian tribes, is as varied as it is vast. Its brilliant canyons, its desert stretches and pine covered mountains comprise an area as large as Massachussetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire combined. Here the Dineh (or the People, as the Navajos call themselves) live isolated from the rest of the world and often from each other, since their hogans (dome-shaped earth houses) are not grouped into villages but are scattered about the reservation.
They are farmers and sheep-herders upon a beautiful but arid and sometimes unyielding land. It is said that the average Navajo earns about $100 a year. Yet they love their land, Their awareness of its beauty and the order in the world about them is reflected in the designs of their famous rugs and sandpaintings.
Living among the Navajos in Arizona are two Bahá’í pioneer families, the Amoz Gibsons at Pinon and the Hayward Campers at Indian Wells. At the invitation of these pioneers, and under the auspices of the American Indian Service Committee, Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff of Washington, D.C. (originally of Bombay, India) spent part of July and August on the reservation, assisting in the teaching work already so well begun.
On one evening in early August in the little village of Pinon, a meeting was held in the Arnoz Gibson’s home. A group of Navajos who speak English, with several children, arrived first to meet the guest, whose native East Indian dress attracted them, and whose loving greeting warmed their hearts. As a number of white people including a few of the missionaries arrived, the Navajos crowded together in a corner.
For a few unhappy moments the new arrivals spoke of the Navajos as though they were not there, commenting on their lack of intelligence and unwillingness to be taught. When it became apparent that these few had come to belittle the Indian people, both of the East and of the West, their attention was called to the fact that the very disciples of Christ could not read or write. To their attack on the backwardness of the people of India, Mrs. Munsiff countered with a reminder that the civilization of that country predated our own.
The Navajos were delighted, and remained after the white visitors left, stating simply that “we just want to stay”. In a spirit of happiness and oneness a Bahá’í study class began at midnight that very night.
The Hopi Story
The Hopi reservation of northern Arizona is small, completely surrounded by the Navajo. Upon its broad mesas, rising majestically from the vast desert below, rest ancient villages where the Hopi people have lived since pre-Columbian days, and loving their land and preserving their customs and religious beliefs. The meeting of the Old and the New is the theme of this story.
In early August, Meherangiz Munsiff with Grace Dean, pioneer at Gallup, N, Mex. and Minnie Locke of Wyo., travelled onto the Hopi reservation. Stopping in one of the villages, they learned of a conference called by the Chief at Hotevilla, on the most isolated of the Hopi mesas. From there had gone out a call for “men of good Will” to hear the plea of the Hopi people that their mesa farmland be preserved for them as holy land upon which they believe the Creator placed them for a purpose.
In order to talk with the Chief, the Bahá’í travellers went on to HoteVilla. There the old Chief welcomed them to his simple adobe dwelling where, seated in a circle on the dirt floor, the visitors took part in a remarkable conversation. Through his son as interpreter, the Chief told them the story of the origin of his people, of an ancient stone tablet preserved at Hotevilla which carries the precepts of the Hopi way of life, and of the hope held by his people that the day is fast approaching when they can deliver it into the hands of the Massawa, the Great Spirit who was once in human form on this earth, and who promised he would return to lead his people.
Mrs. Munsiff then spoke with compassion for the difficulties surrounding the Hopi, whose very name means “The Peaceful Ones”. She told of the sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh who was made to walk through the desert bareheaded and barefooted and who endured imprisonment for bringing His Message of Peace to mankind.
There were tears in the old Chief’s eyes as he listened to the story of the wrongs done to the Holy Ones of the Bahá’í Faith. Meanwhile others came into the room and listened, quietly and attentively, to the telling of Bahá’u’lláh’s message for all peoples and of the work of the Bahá’ís in fulfillment of the Hopi’s,
Through the hospitality of their new friends, the Bahá’ís were invited to talk with other Hopi leaders before leaving. Returning several days later for the Conference, they had occasion to speak of the Faith during the meeting and to individuals later. Among those was a young interpreter who, after leaving the reservation for several years of college and earnest study of the world’s religions, had returned to his homeland to help keep alive the Hopi belief in impending calamity and the Hopi vision of their Peaceful Way renewed.
It was this young man who later confided to one of the pioneers that he had talked with the oldest Hopi chief about the message the Bahá’ís had brought, and that when he spoke the name, Bahá’u’lláh, the old wise one had nodded, saying, “Of course. It is He to whom we have always been praying.”
This is only part of the story whose later chapters will be written in the deeds and devotion of these pioneers. May the Bahá’ís be moved to pray for the pioneers, for their beloved Indian friends, for the People, for the Peaceful Ones.
—AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE
Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary
736 Encanto Drive, S.E.
Phoenix, Arizona
OCTOBER, 1956
Geyserville Baha’i School: Inspirer[edit]
About 80 miles north of San Francisco the land opens up into a wide valley framed on both sides by rolling hills and mountain bluffs, rich with farms, orchards, and vineyards. There it is, the entrance to the Geyserville Bahá’í School.
You turn in the drive bordered by beautiful flowers and shrubbery, and your eyes fall expectantly on Geyserville’s most famous landmark — The Big Tree. lt’s a Douglas Fir, deceptive in its symmetry as it towers above the surrounding trees and buildings. You look up and see that it comes to not one, but two points at the top. “Why, it’s symbolic of the Twin Prophets of our Faith, or of the Twin Pillars of the Administrative Order,” you think to yourself.
Later, you glance down under the Big Tree and see the Youth Class, heads still huddled in discussion, ignoring the class bell as usual.
This is one of the most wonderful things you’ve noticed about Geyserville: the children and young people. You see all ages, colors, and all kinds of temperaments mixing in a spirit of love and happiness: you see them working, playing, and studying together with a common sense of purpose. You see tomorrow’s pioneers, teachers, and administrators, and yours boundlessly thankful for them.
That evening at the orientation meeting in Collins Hall the Program Director tells you a little of the history of the School, and then outlines some of the events and activities in store for you during the coming week.
This year’s theme is “Meeting the Challenge of the Bahá’í Way of Life.” Each day, except Sunday, you will attend five classes, like this one, all relating to this theme.
[Page 13]
BAHA’I NEWS
13
of Spiritual Strength and Dedication[edit]
You are happy to hear of the scope these classes will take, for you have come to Geyserville for two reasons: first, to put into practice the Bahá’í way of life, and second, to engage in intensive study of the teachings and history of the Bahá’í World Faith.
The next morning you are awakened by the quiet rustlings of your roommate. It’s still dark outside, and you ask why they’re up so early.
“We’re going up to the Point for dawn prayers. Want to come?” Do you! You jump out of bed, dress in a hurry, and join the group outside as they climb the hill behind the School.
Soon you come to a point that overlooks the valley below, and here you all sit in the early morning stillness, while the first streaks of dawn appear in the eastern sky. Each in turn reads one of his favorite prayers as the sun rises above the hills across the valley.
The days rush together in prayer, study, and fellowship, all forming a continuous stream of harmonious activity. One Sunday remains bright in your memory, July 15, the day of the annual Unity Feast. You watch as over 450 Bahá’ís and their friends gather under the Big Tree. They have come from many parts of the world, and are united in a common purpose and aim — the establishment of the vital and binding principle, The Oneness of Mankind. You listen as pioneers from far-flung Crusade posts tell of their experiences, and as the day draws to a close you have a renewed realization of the organic unity of the Bahá’í World Community.
OCTOBER, 1956
You prepare to leave with deep emotion. It’s hard to think of going away from this place with its special spirit and atmosphere, its associations and way of life; yet, you are spurred on to accomplish greater things in service to your Faith, your strength and knowledge have been revitalized, there are challenges to be met and goals to be won, and you are anxious to play your part in the dramatic spiritual drama that is taking place all over the world.
As you leave, you turn for one last glimpse of the Big Tree, and its two towering points. Geyserville will always be a part of you now, and so you turn forward again and look at the road ahead. Your courage is undaunted, your dedication resolute, your faith unshakeable; you are taking a new place in the vanguard of Bahá’u’lláh’s army. There is work to be done!
—VAL SAGE
GROUP COMBINES CAMPING, DEEPENING[edit]
A novel idea for fellowship and study has been developed by the Bellingham, Wash., group with a two-day weekend camping trip and deepening in the Faith on August 25-26.
Scene of the camping was Mt. Baker, at Heather Meadows Recreation Area, about 60 miles northeast of Bellingham. Outdoor eating and sleeping was planned, amid beautiful mountain scenery.
The deepening classes concentrated on “The Power of the Covenant,” and “The Covenant, Crux of Teaching.”
BAHÁ’ÍS ENTERTAIN mMAKAH INDIANS[edit]
Responding to the invitation of resident pioneers Modelle and Foster Mudd, who live on the Makah Reservation at Neah Bay, Wash., the Area Teaching Committee for the Northwestern States, with a few of the friends, made Neah Bay their destination for a July 1 weekend.
Laden with sleeping bags and other paraphernalia for “roughing it.” the Washington Bahá’ís met on Saturday with a sizable group of Makah youth for fun, frolic, and refreshments. The get-acquainted party lasted until late evening, when some of the men retired to sleep on the beach with the Indian boys.
The next morning slides of the Temple were shown to the Makah youth groups, who were able to learn through architectural symbols the basis of Bahá’í belief. Interest was concentrated, and one youth declared his intention of visiting the Temple this year.
Sunday afternoon a delightful Salmon Bake, artfully prepared, brought out many carloads of local Makahs, insuring the success of an event planned by the youth. They plan to use the proceeds for current youth projects supervised by the Mudds, who work with the boy and girl youth groups at Neah Bay.
The remainder of the afternoon was given over to comradeship, picture taking, and singing, the latter being highlighted by a vocal trio of Makah boys who, singing in close harmony, entertained generously.
Youth Visit Geyserville
The week following the ATC visit, Nelson and Cecil, two youth, the former a full-blooded Makah, the latter a member of the Clallam tribe, attended the first session at Geyserville with the Mudd family.
Nelson, a youth leader who was the recipient of an ATC scholarship for his week there, has placed his name first on the list at Geyserville which will enable him to attend all five sessions at the school next year.
So much enthusiasm has been generated over the first meeting at Neah Bay with the Makahs that an early follow-up to be climaxed by a public meeting in the local town hall is in the making.
NATION-WIDE TEACHING OPPORTUNITY[edit]
Adult Bible classes in Methodist Churches throughout the country are currently taking up four “emerging religious groups” for study and discussion: The Pentacostalists, the Mormons, Christian Scientists, and the Bahá’í Faith. Material for discussion is distributed in Adult Student and in Adult Teacher, monthly publications issued by The Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, Tenn.
It is of importance as well as interest to believers to note the main
[Page 15]
BAHA’I NEWS
15
points developed in these publications expressing the official Methodist view of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
1. The most important question in any study of the Bahá’í Faith is whether Bahá’u’lláh was a true Prophet.
2. The nine texts over the entrance portals of the House of Worship are cited in full.
3. Bahá’í history from the Báb to the Guardian is briefly summarized.
4. Bahá’í beliefs give the impression of contemporary importance.
5. There is actually nothing new or revolutionary in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
6. The individual denominations must be perfected before we can hope to effect the larger kingdom of God.
7. What has Christianity to offer to parallel or surpass the claims of the Bahá’í movement?
8. The Bahá’í headquarters at Wilmette, Illinois, will send free leaflets concerning their faith.
9. As Moses was the prophet for his time, Christ for his, Muḥammad for his, so Bahá’u’lláh is the prophet for this day, his followers claim.
10. Scarcely a generation goes by without someone convincing many people that he is a prophet. Jesus predicted that false Christs and false prophets would arise.
11. God Passes By, by Shoghi Effendi, is mentioned as the most definitive study of Bahá’í history from the Bahá’í point of view.
12. There is little doubt that Bahá’u’lláh was an impressive personality of great wisdom and of sacrificial devotion to his beliefs.
13. One can scarcely find anything in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh not already in the Christian tradition.
14. All Christians should be aware of the uniqueness of the Christian revelation. None denies that God has in a limited manner spoken through other faiths, but only in Christianity has he spoken through his Son.
15. The Bahá’í organization is potentially totalitarianism since leadership has passed to descendents of Bahá’u’lláh.
16. The Bahá’í faith does not offer the redemption from sin offered by the Christian gospel.
This information is brought to the attention of the believers for two reasons. First, as one more evidence of the spiritual power of the Faith in challenging the traditional religions to examine its claims. The Bahá’í Faith is publicized even when misunderstood and dismissed. Second, because the list of points no doubt represents the attitude of a large number of Protestants, and therefore each of us should study these points and then prepare ourselves to deal with them when encountered in public meetings or fireside groups.
Since students attending these Bible classes are referred to God Passes By, one thing each community or group can do is to see that this work is available in the local library.
BAHÁ’Í IN THE NEWS[edit]
The moving picture short, “Land of the Bible,” briefly mentioned last month, has been identified as distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox in Canada and the United States. It runs eighteen minutes, includes two views of the Shrine of the Báb, and the narration refers to Haifa as the Headquarters of the Bahá’í World Faith.
Five musical compositions by Charles Duncan, American pioneer to Brunei, now in Bangkok, Thailand, were included in the program rendered by the Bangkok Music Group on July 30. Two of the five were songs composed for Words of Bahá’u’lláh. Mr. Duncan read the Bahá’í text to the audience and explained that it was taken from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
The visit made to the Temple by the Burmese Ambassador, U Win, was noted in Wilmette Life, August 16, 1956, and his photograph was published.
During the recent Democratic Convention in Chicago, The Chicago Daily Tribune ran a headline, “What To Do When You Are In Chicago,” with a listing of Museums, Concerts, Park Attractions, Sightseeing, Points of Interest, Information, and Sports. The Bahá’í Temple was listed under “Points of Interest.”
Lift—“A Review of What’s Right With the World,” in January 1956 published material on the subject of the changing status of women. In the course of the summary it is pointed out that “women and men members of the Bahá’í Faith enjoy equal rights and privileges as a fundamental principle of this world religion.”
An extensive tribute is paid to Táhirih—“The Persian Joan of Arc.”
The Downey News, published by patients of V.A. Hospital, Downey, Ill., presented in its August 1956 number a description of a tour of the Bahá’í House of Worship by twentysix hospital patients.
Some of the Bahá’ís attending the Alaska Teaching Conference at the University
of Alaska, Fairbanks, reported in “Bahá’í News” for September.
OCTOBER, 1956
Third Blue Ridge Conference Sets Attendance Record[edit]
The third Blue Ridge Conference was again held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly, N.C., near Asheville, from the evening of August 25th through the morning of August 28th. Each year more of the friends and their Bahá’í contacts have attended; the first year there were 75, and this year that number had almost doubled, with 140 attending. This was probably the largest Bahá’í conference ever held in the South.
There were in particular two new additions to the program, both of which added greatly to the joy, the inspiration, and the activity of the Conference. The National Bahá’í Youth Committee sent representatives, and many other youth also attended, taking a very active part in all phases of the program, under the direction of Hamilton Niss.
The maturity and vigor of these young Bahá’ís was an inspiration to all. Not only did they carry out faithfully and fully all the tasks assigned them, such as conducting the program dedicated to a discussion of youth work locally and nationally, with Coral Varo speaking as official representative of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee, the devotions on Monday morning, and a large part of the social activities, under the direction of Jack Davis, but they entered whole-heartedly into all the discussions and classes conducted.
The second innovation at Blue Ridge was a special program for children, very ably conducted by Mrs. Thelma Allison and Mrs. Hazel McCulla, assisted by Mrs. Ruth Meurer. While the adults held their morning and afternoon sessions, the children had their own classes, separately, which they all not only enjoyed thoroughly, but from which they derived considerable knowledge and Bahá’í experience.
For the Conference as a whole, the two high spots of the children’s activities came on Sunday afternoon, when Mrs. Margaret Gawan invited them to come into the main assembly hall to close her session on Consultation by singing the Bahá’í children’s song, “Consultation means finding out what everybody is thinking about,” and on Tuesday morning, when the children conducted the morning devotions, which were preceded by the recording of a choral group singing “From the sweetscented streams of Thine eternity”. Knowing that the children’s program was planned, many more parents brought their children, this year.
The over-all theme of the Conference was “The Power of the Creative Word”. Three talks on 1) “Recognition,” 2) “Realization,” and 3) “Manifestation of the Power of the Creative Word,” were given on the three successive mornings, by Louise Matthias, Winston Evans and John Inglis, respectively, carrying through from the individual spiritual re awakening or re-birth, to the practical application in passing on to others the spiritual dynamic of the Word of God.
Each talk was followed by questions and discussion from the floor, which brought out many more ideas for teaching. All the other classes and discussions were also built around this idea, such as “Teaching Techniques,” given by Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith, and “Being an International Bahá’í,” by Mr. Eruch Munsiff.
The Interracial Committee, represented by Mrs. Etta Woodlen, sent greetings to the Conference. Mrs. Woodlen set forth the aims of that Committee, as given by the National Spiritual Assembly, and told us some of the activities and aids they plan for this year. She preceded her talk with the tape recording of Dorothy Baker, speaking to the Jubilee Convention in 1953, concerning teaching among the Negroes and American Indians, as set forth to her by the Guardian, during her pilgrimage. She brought out the following seven points, which still provide an excellent guide for us in this and in all our teaching work. 1) Where are the largest population centers? 2) List prominent leaders— have the right people meet them. 3) Visit those sections, to determine their receptivity to the Faith. 4) Send an Ali Nakhjavani to eat, sleep, and live with them. 5) Supply enough inspiring visiting teachers. 6) Supply literature and helpful services. 7) Set a goal immediately for assembly establishment, and work toward it constantly.
One session, under the chairmanship of Hubert Matthias, was set aside for suggestions from the floor for next year’s Conference. These few days at Blue Ridge are truly a spiritual oasis for the friends who are isolated or come from a small group or community. There, we get fresh inspiration from the Creative Word, and strengthen our own unity in our association and consulation with our fellow Bahá’ís.
We were greatly blessed in having Paul Haney with us. He told us many things about current worldwide Bahá’í activities, and projects presently under the direction of our American National Assembly. Even more vital, he keynoted the spirit with which we must work, and the tasks we must achieve, reviewing the Guardian’s new message, a new letter from Rúḥíyyih Khánum, and a letter from the Hands of the Cause in Israel, addressed to the Hands in America.
He ended by saying, “Failure to achieve any particular phase of the Plan at its appointed time jeopardizes further achievement . . . The entire Crusade will be jeopardized, if the home front is not re-vitalized, and the redemption of the world is also jeopardized . . . Bahá’u’lláh gave a Law to the nations. Its scope is far beyond that of any that came before. To ensure that it would be carried out, He gave the Covenant . . . The Guardian is the channel through whom the Will of God comes to the world today. The speed with which we respond to the tasks he gives determines the speed with which the World Order will be established . . . The friends at home must display the same dedication as the pioneers . . . Each one must be like a reed for the Holy Spirit.”
—LOUISE B. MATTHIAS
