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| No. 318 | BAHA’I YEAR 114 | AUGUST 1957 |
The Assurance of Firmness[edit]
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Talk on Attacks by Ministers
“But after I leave, some people may arise in opposition, heaping persecutions upon you in their bitterness, and in the newspaper there may be articles published against the Cause. Rest ye in the assurance of firmness.
“. . . If such things do not happen, the fame of the Cause will not become widespread and the summons of God will not be heard.
“Consider the history of the past. Recall for instance the days of His Holiness Christ and the events subsequent thereto . . . But remember that these statements did not affect the Cause of Christianity. On the contrary, Christianity advanced daily in power and potency.
“Day by day the majesty of Christ grew in splendor and effulgence. Therefore my purpose is to warn you and strengthen you against accusations, criticisms, revilings, and derision in newspaper articles or other publications. Be not disturbed by them. They are the very confirmation of the Cause; the very source of upbuilding to the movement. May God confirm the day when a score of the ministers of the churches may arise and with bared heads cry at the top of their voices that the Bahá’ís are misguided. I would like to see that day, for that is the time when the Cause of God will spread.
“Bahá’u’lláh has pronounced such as these the couriers (heralds) of the Cause. They will proclaim from pulpits that the Bahá’ís are fools; that they are a wicked and unrighteous people; but be ye steadfast and unwavering in the Cause of God. They will spread the message of Bahá’u’lláh.” (Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 423, 434.)
The Station and Function of the Hands of the Cause[edit]
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
In a letter written on behalf of the Guardian, the National Assembly has been informed that some National Assemblies do not understand the position and rank of the Hands of the Cause. These Assemblies, in writing the Guardian, mention first their relationship to the Guardian, next their relationship to National Assemblies and then their relationship to the Hands of the Case.
The communication directs our Assembly, after clearly understanding the station and functions of the Hands of the Cause, to inform the friends.
“The rank and position of the Hands of the Cause are superior to the position of the National Assemblies. In writing concerning the Hands, therefore, when there is reference to the Institutions of the Faith, after the Guardian should be mentioned the Hands, and then the national bodies.”
The NSA understands from this explanation that in corresponding or reporting about any Bahá’í situation which includes the Hands of the Cause, or a Hand of the Cause, reference to the Hands, or to the Hand, precedes reference to any other Bahá’í institution except the Guardian himself.
To clarify this matter for the present generation of believers, the National Assembly has reviewed references to the Hands of the Cause published in Bahá’í literature or reported in BAHA’I NEWS. “Hour now ripe take long inevitably deferred step, (in) conformity (with) provisions (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament . . . through appointment first contingent (of) Hands (of the) Cause of God, twelve in number, equally allocated (to) Holy Land, Asiatic, American, European continents. . .”
As to their function at that time, the Guardian stated: “Nine elevated rank Hands three continents outside Holy Land advised remain present posts continue discharge vital administrative, teaching duties pending assignment specific functions as need arises. Urge all nine attend as my representatives all four forthcoming Intercontinental Conferences . . .” (Guardian’s cable of December 24, 1951)
This same cable states that the appointments of the first contingent were made in conjunction with these six historic steps in the history of the Faith: first, the inauguration of construction of the superstructure of the Sepulchre of the Báb; second,
View of the new entrance door of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí
in the Holy Land.
the creation of the International Bahá’í Council; third, the acquisition,
restoration and embellishment of the
historic sites associated with the
incarceration of Bahá’u’lláh and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá; fourth, the initiation
of formal negotiations with central
municipal authorities of Israel to
preserve for posterity the neighborhood of the Most Holy Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh and acquire properties near
the Sepulchre of the Báb as site for
future edifice housing the auxiliary
agencies revolving around the
Guardianship and the House of Justice; fifth, preparation of the design
of the House of Worship to be constructed on Mount Carmel; and
sixth, the inauguration of the intercontinental stage of Bahá’í activity
through the Intercontinental Teaching Conference to be held in 1953 preparing for the final step, the calling
of an assemblage representative of
the Bahá’í communities of all soverign states, chief dependencies and
islands of the entire planet (1963).
On April 6, 1954, the Guardian cabled all Hands of the Cause and all National Assemblies a message marking a further unfoldment of the function of the Hands.
“This newly constituted body, embarked (on) its mission (with) such auspicious circumstances, (is) now entering second phase (of) its evolution signalized (by) forging ties (with the) National Spiritual Assemblies (of the) Bahá’í world (for the) purpose (of) lending them assistance (in) attaining (the) objectives (of the) Ten Year Plan.
“The hour (is) ripe (for the) fifteen Hands residing outside (the) Holy Land (to) proceed during Riḍván (with the) appointment, (in) each continent separately, from among the resident Bahá’í’s (of) that continent, (of) Auxiliary Boards, whose members acting (as) deputies, assistants (and) advisors (of the) Hands, must increasingly lend (their) assistance (for the) promotion (of the) interests (of the) Ten Year Crusade. . . .
“All Boards must report (and) be responsible (to the) Hands charged (with) their appointment. . . .
“Urge initiation (of) five Continental Bahá’í Funds which, as they develop, will increasingly facilitate (the) discharge (of the) functions assigned (to the) Boards.”
In this same message the Hands were directed to keep in close touch with, and report the result of the nominations and progress of the activities of the Boards to the National Assemblies of their respective continents, as well as to the four Hands residing in the Holy Land “destined (to) act (as) liaison between themselves (i.e., the various Hands) (and the) Guardian (of the) Faith.”
We now turn to the Guardian’s latest reference, his cable of June 4, 1957, addressed to all the Hands and all the National Assemblies, published in the July issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
“Divinely appointed Institution (of the) Hands (of the) Cause, invested (by) virtue (of the) authority conferred (by the) Testament (of the) Center (of the) Covenant (with the) twin functions (of) protecting (and) propagating (the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh, now entering new phase (in the) process (of the) unfoldment (of) its sacred mission. To its newly assumed responsibility (to) assist National Spiritual Assemblies (of the) Bahá’í world (in the) specific purpose (of) effectively prosecuting (the) World Spiritual Crusade, (the) primary obligation (to) watch over (and) insure protection (to the) Bahá’í World community in close collaboration (with) these same National Assemblies (is) now added.”
Hostility to Cause Noted
The friends have by now carefully noted the Guardian’s powerful exposition of the hostility from without, and the persistent machinations within the Cause, which impelled him to issue this call to the Hands and the National Assemblies to establish contact and deliberate on all evidences of hostility and the efforts of Covenant-breakers to destroy the Faith.
Master’s Will Cited
Finally is cited the passage in the Master’s will and Testament which invested the Guardian with authority to appoint Hands of the Cause.
“O friends! The Hands of the Cause of God must be nominated and appointed by the Guardian of the Cause of God. All must be under his shadow and obey his command. Should any, within or without the company of the Hands of the Cause of God disobey and seek division, the wrath of God and His vengance will be upon him, for he will have caused a break in the true Faith of God.
“The obligations of the Hands of the Cause of God are to diffuse the divine fragrances, to edify the souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men, and to be, at all times, and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly things. They must manifest the fear of God by their conduct, their manners, their deeds and their words.”
—NaTIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
“Grave, Far-Reaching Implications”[edit]
Nationwide Rally for Ten Year Plan
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
Impelled by an urgent message from the Guardian, the American Hands of the Cause issued on June 19 a letter to every believer in the United States. This letter cited the Guardian’s appeals and warnings of 1954, 1956, and 1957 concerning the deterioration of the homefront and the menace of catastrophe to the nation through a third war.
At the request of the Hands, the National Spiritual Assembly called fifteen conferences in population centers throughout the country to be held on June 29 or 30, each conducted by a Hand of the Cause, a member of the Auxiliary Board or a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. The purpose of these rallies was to consult on the letter from the Hands which appealed to each individual believer to make a response to the Guardian’s continued appeal.
All possible effort was made, through the local Assembly of the city selected, and through the Area Teaching Committees to bring together the Bahá’ís from surrounding communities and groups,
The forms of action to which response must be made were outlined in the letter of June 19: pioneer abroad in Europe, Latin America, Africa or Asia; pioneer on the homefront—dispersal to some weak community, bring a group to Assembly status, or establish a new isolated center anywhere in the United States; actively, prayerfully give the Message and confirm souls in one’s own town or city if dispersal is not immediately possible; contribute to the National Fund in the full measure of devotion and sacrifice called for by the Guardian.
Fifteen meetings were held.
New York, conducted by Paul E. Haney, Hand of the Cause; Temple Foundation Hall, conducted by Horace Holley, Hand of the Cause; Philadelphia, conducted by William deForge, member of the Auxiliary Board; Seattle and Los Angeles, conducted by Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board; Lima and Cleveland, conducted by Mrs. Margery McCormick, member of the Auxiliary Board; Washington, D.C., conducted by Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin. member of the Auxiliary Board; Atlanta, conducted by Dr. Sarah M. Pereira, member of the Auxiliary Board; San Francisco, conducted by Charles Wolcott, member of the NSA; Albuquerque and Phoenix, conducted by Charlotte M. Linfoot, member of the NSA; St. Louis, conducted by Edna M. True, member of the NSA; Boston, conducted by H. B. Kavelin, member of the NSA; Detroit, conducted by Dr. Katherine K. True, member of the NSA.
Reports indicate that a total of 2216 believers attended the fifteen conferences. Without doubt, these conferences represent the greatest gathering of American Bahá’ís ever held for concentration on one essential objective, except for the great Centenary celebrations of 1944 and 1953.
While the Guardian’s repeated appeals were expressed by the American Hands, the responses by individual believers are to be channeled through the regular administrative channels—the Intercontinental Teaching Committees for pioneering abroad, and the American National Teaching Committee for pioneering on the homefront.
The National Spiritual Assembly awaits prayerfully the evidences of a tremendous outpouring of the spirit in terms of actual responses to the beloved Guardian’s warnings and appeals.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The Non-Political Character of the Bahá’í Faith[edit]
Dear Friends:
In these days of worldwide political disturbance it seems wise to review the Master’s teachings, the Guardian’s directions, and explanations by the National Spiritual Assembly published on this subject over the years. The references are so numerous that another explanation at this time would be out of place and unnecessary.
These essential points must be universally upheld: obedience to civil government; complete non-association with any subversive movement; non-acceptance of any political office by vote of a political party; enrollment as a non-partisan and not as a member of any political party.
Local Assemblies and individual believers, therefore, are urged to study, if the subject is not already clear, the following references:
The Bahá’í World, XII, pp. 306-312.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS Nos. 69, pp. 3-4; 72, p. 4; '78, p. 2; 80, p. 2; 105, p. 4; 140, p. 2.
Another view of the new entrance door of the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí
Indeed, it is an important element in administrative efficiency for local Assemblies to preserve published references on subjects important to the preservation of the integrity of public teaching and individual Bahá’í belief and action, The National Spiritual Assembly is called upon to devote much time to answering questions already fully answered in Bahá’í literature, The Bahá’í World and BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Your Bahá’í Directory[edit]
With this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS each American believer will receive a copy of the Bahá’í Directory for 1957-1958. This publication is issued annually for the sole purpose of providing information that can be valuable to local Spiritual Assemblies, groups, national and local committees, and individuals in planning and carrying out their teaching work.
Reference to the functions assigned to each committee will indicate the type of assistance and in formation available from those sources. The “proclamation” and “service” committees particularly have much to offer both in the way of materials and suggestions.
Bahá’ís traveling or settling in other areas can find the addresses of local Spiritual Assemblies and Area Teaching Committees through which they can get in touch with the other believers in those localities.
In a further effort to aid in channelling requests to the proper source this year, the National Spiritual Assembly has added general information where to order or send the various types of material. in the past much valuable time has been spent in forwarding to various committees and offices requests and materials that have come to the wrong place, frequently resulting in the recipient not receiving it in time. The Bahá’í Publishing Trust, which is greatly under-staffed, has particularly been the victim of far too many requests for services and materials which that office does not handle and which would not have come there if the sender had referred to his directory or the Bahá’í literature catalog.
If the directory is to serve its purpose it should be carefully filed for ready reference and kept up to date by noting the directory changes that are published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
“Be Not Distressed”[edit]
Letters frequently come from pioneers who mention early difficulties and discouragements in their first attempts to establish the Cause in a new land. Then, suddenly, after persistent effort and prayer, the circumstances change and the doors are opened to fruitful activity and achievement. The Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, speaking in Paris said:
“. . . do not be discouraged because you are few or because people think that your Cause is no importance. If few people come to your gatherings do not lose heart, and if you are ridiculed and contradicted be not distressed, for the apostles of Christ had the same to bear.
“Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth. . . Rejoice and be glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful! God has crowned you with honour and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!”
Now a letter has come from Charles Duncan, pioneer in Bangkok Thailand, which records something of teaching efforts expended in that country. It follows in part:
“. . . As you know I lived at the YMCA for over a year. It was the only place that I could find that I could afford. I wasn't able to have any firesides and I couldn't find any-
Dr. ‘Ali Muḥammad Varqá, Hand of the Cause, and
Mrs. Margery McCormick, member of the Auxiliary
Board and of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
United States, at the Tomb of May Ma:-well, near
Quilmés, Argentina, on April 21, 1957. The memorial
service was reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for June.
Dr. ‘Ali Muḥammad Varqá, Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Margery McCormick,
representing the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; and the
newly elected National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
one interested. It was getting very discouraging because I could spend so little time teaching the Cause.
“Then circumstances changed. I was able to get a new job teaching which paid more money and took less time. So I have rented a house and it is now the Bahá’í Center in Bangkok. There is a sign over the gate in English and Thai. The House is on the road to the airport so it must be seen by hundreds of people each day, both Thais and foreigners, We now have firesides every Sunday morning with attendance of 12 or so people each time.
“In addition to this a friend of mine has an English school. He has invited me to speak on the Bahá’í Faith at his school. I did this last week and everyone was enthusiastic. So now I am preparing a nine lecture series to give the general outline of the Cause. I am starting with social teaching and the importance of religion to civilization. Introducing the Manifestation is easy, but introducing God is much more difficult because the Buddhists don’t believe in God or any gods. Needless to say I feel elated after treading the mill for so long. It’s very gratifying to see the students nod their heads from time to time showing their approval.
“The last big item of news is that we are translating the Esslemont book into Thai. A friend of mine translates during the week and we go over it on Sundays. Although this method is much slower than having a professional translator, it is better
in the long run because I can check each sentence to make sure that there are no misinterpretations (which are usual in translations from Thai to English). I know just enough Thai to keep an eye on things. Then another friend checks the two and makes suggestions. The translator is a Buddhist and the checker is a Christian.
“Now that things are at last under way in Thailand, I’m sure that we shall have some results.”
Again the Master’s words: “Only have faith, patience and couragethis is but the beginning, but surely you will succeed, for God is with you!" (Quotations from Paris Talks)
INTERCONTINENTAL COMMITTEES[edit]
Western Hemisphere
HAWAIIAN, NICARAGUAN PIONEERS NEEDED[edit]
Because of the renewed stress and urgency of the appeals by the Guardian for more American pioneers, the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee continues to use this means of acquainting potential pioneers with current goals to be filled, as well as job opportunities which come to our attention. Anyone thinking or pioneering either now or at a later date is urged to get in touch with this Committee through its Secretary at the address below.
It should be noted that qualified teachers can expect to find employment almost anywhere except in Hawaii.
In addition to persons able to pioneer on a permanent basis, this Committee needs the services of travelling teachers as well, and would be very happy to hear from anyone who is in a position to take on a circuit teaching trip for a period of several weeks.
Maui, Hawaiian Islands
Maui is the only other established local Spiritual Assembly in the Hawaiian Islands, besides Honolulu. One or two pioneers are needed there before next Riḍván in order to preserve its Assembly status. As em-
Delegates to the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Argentina,
Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on
April 22-24, 1957, and reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for June.
ployment possibilities are not great, the best suggestion is that this post be filled by retired Bahá’ís with independent income sufficient for an average American city.
Bluefields, Nicaragua
Bluefields has no pioneer at the present time, but is a good possibility for an Assembly next Riḍván, as the way has been paved with contacts (some of whom are earnest seekers) by our pioneer, Ruth Yancey, who spent two months there recently on a special teaching project sponsored by the Nicaraguan Teaching Committee. We quote from her report:
“The population of Bluefields is approximately 15,000 inhabitants, composed mostly of Creoles from the English speaking islands of the Atlantic with a smaller minority group of Spanish speaking peoples and a smattering of Mosquito Indians . . . Until recently, all teaching was done in English with Spanish being taught as a foreign language. As a result . . . the people regard English as their mother tongue and prefer it to Spanish.
“The mode of living in some respects is comparable to that in the United States possibly half a century ago. The homes are all of wooden construction and for the most part lack running water and indoor plumbing. The diet consists principally of rice and beans plus fruits which grow naturally and are available at certain seasons of the year. Fish is free for the fishing.”
Miss Yancey, in her two months at Bluefields, made a number of contacts “who are begging for a permanent pioneer and books . . .
“The contacts themselves in requesting a resident pioneer for Bluefields, have expressed the wish that it be a person who is mature, well versed in the Teachings and capable of explaining things in a simple, clear, and eloquent manner‘ To them this is a matter Of utmost importance.
“Bluefields is fertile ground and ripe for the Faith. Because of the constant friction which exists between the groups already established there . . . many people are seeking and more will be seeking in the future. . .”
For further information please contact the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee, Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, secretary, 73 College Road West, Princeton, N.J.
First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the
Benelux Countries, elected at Brussels, in April 1957.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
Australia
ANNUAL CONVENTION HELD IN SYDNEY[edit]
The Annual National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Australia was opened on the evening of April 25, 1957, by Stanley Bolton, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, in the absence of Collis Featherstone, chairman, who was attending the first New Zealand Convention.
Mr. Bolton welcomed the delegates and friends, and expressed the regret of the friends at the absence of Mrs. Clara Dunn, Hand of the Cause, who was attending the New Zealand Convention as the representative of the Guardian.
Following his welcome, Mr. Bolton incorporated into his address the Guardian’s message to the New Zealand Convention, sent by Mrs. Dunn, which called upon the National Assembly of Australia to continue to assist the New Zealand Bahá’í community in every possible way.
At the roll call of delegates, 22 were present.
Convention officers were elected, with Mr. P. Bird serving as Chairman, and Mr. J. Heggie as Seeretary.
The Guardian’s message was read by the convention secretary, who also, as arranged by the National Spiritual Assembly, unveiled a sketch of the Australian Temple as the Temple plans were announced in the Guardian’s message.
This was a momentous period in the reading of the Guardian’s stupendous record of World Crusade accomplishments. Only time and much study will reveal the full implication of this wonderful message, which left the convention filled with the wonder of the greatness of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh under the unerring guidance of Shoghi Effendi.
The first session was closed with the reports of the secretary and treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly.
On the next day, April 26, various committees made their annual reports, and recommendations were made and discussed pertaining to the Australian Bahá’í activities.
Cable to Guardian
The Cable Committee submitted a draft of a message to the Guardian, which was approved as follows:
“AUSTRALIAN CONVENTION DEEPLY MOVED YOUR MESSAGE REJOICES CRUSADE ADVANCES HEARTS OVERFLOWING AWE HUMILITY LOVE GRATITUDE MAGNIFICENT TEMPLE PLANS SUPPLICATE YOUR PRAYERS STRENGTH POWER COURAGE ARISE ACHIEVE ALLOTTED TASKS GREETINGS LOVING ASSURANCES REDEDICATION.”
On Saturday, April 27, the voting
for the new National Spiritual As[Page 7]
sembly was conducted, with these
results: Mr. J. Heggie, Mr. H. C.
Featherstone, Mr. P. Bird, Mr. N.
P. L. Walker, Mrs. D. Whiting, Miss
T. Perks, Mr. S. W. Bolton, Miss M.
Degotardi, and Mr. F. Wyss.
Visit Temple Site
Sunday morning, April 28, over 60 people assembled at the Temple Site despite an early morning rain, The site had recently been cleared of trees, and the markers for the Temple foundations were found, with one pylon site partly excavated. The friends gathered around for prayers, including a prayer for the departed, with special thought of Mr. George Townshend, Hand of the Cause.
Receive Guardian’s Reply
In the afternoon the Guardian’s reply to the convention cable was received: DEEPLY APPRECIATE MESSAGE APPEAL ENTIRE BODY AUSTRALIAN BELIEVERS REDOUBLE EFFORTS BEFITFINGLY DISCHARGE SACRED HEAVY MANIFOLD RESPONSIBILITIES PRAYING FERVENTLY FULFILL MENT CHERISHED HOPES.
SHOGHI
Following further discussion on teaching ideas, the convention was closed, and the friends assembled to commemorate the Feast of Beauty.
—AUSTRALIAN Bahá’í Bulletin
Bahá’ís attending the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Benelux Countries, held in Brussels, Belgium, on April 20-24, 1957, reported in BAHÁ’I NEWS
for June.
CRUSADE TRANSLATION GOAL ACHIEVED[edit]
The Australian Bahá’í Bulletin reports that the translation in Houailou has been completed. This is one of the three remaining goal translations undertaken by Australia and New Zealand. The others are Aneityum and Bentuni.
Canada
TENTH NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD[edit]
The tenth annual National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada was held on April 26-28, 1957 in Toronto, Ontario.
This history-making convention, which was held for the first time in our own Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, opened on Friday morning with devotions, which assisted each delegate to prepare himself humbly and sincerely for the work to be done.
The beloved Guardian’s message, addressed this year for the first time to 24 national conventions assembled throughout the world, invited the delegates to survey with him “the latest evidences of (the Faith’s) resistless march along the path traced for it by both its Founder and the appointed Center of His Covenant.”
In answer to this message the convention sent this heartfelt response by cable to Shoghi Effendi:
“Convention message tremendous inspiration. Overjoyed global successes. Rededication greater fervour fulfillment Crusade. Beseech prayers assistance tasks allotted Canadian community. Loving greetings.”
During the first afternoon much time was given to discussion of the reports of the National Teaching and New Territories Committees, particularly the matter of lost local Spiritual Assemblies. Sixty Assemblies are required by the completion of the Ten-Year Crusade, and the present status is l8. There was a general feeling, not only by the Committee but also by the delegates, that teaching activity appears to be on the increase throughout Canada.
Riḍván Feast Observed
The Riḍván Feast was held in the basement of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on Friday evening. Following the readings and prayers, Winnifred Harvey spoke briefly of her recent pilgrimage to Haifa, the play “The Seated Bahá’í” was presented, and Mrs. Meherangiz Munsiff, a visitor from India via the United States, spoke.
Midway in the convention the elec[Page 8]
tion of the new National Spiritual
Assembly for 1957-1958 was held. In
an atmosphere of devotion and
prayerful throught the delegates cast
their ballots.
In all, 19 delegates voted, the two absentees sending in their ballots by mail. The following were elected: Hart Bowesfield, Peggy Ross, Winnifred Harvey, Audrey Westheuser, Allan Raynor, Lloyd Gardiner, Rowland Estall, Fred Graham, and Harold Moscrop.
A Public Congress was held on Saturday evening in the Royal Ontario Museum Theater, at which Mrs. Munsiff was the speaker.
The remainder of the convention was given over to consultation on the plans and objectives for the coming year on the home front, on the national, regional, and individual levels.
There was an acute awareness on the part of those present of a subtle change in the Bahá’ís throughout Canada. More active teaching, a greater sense of maturity, was expressed.
In one of the most inspiring keynote talks in any Canadian convention, Fred Graham summed up the attitude of the individual by calling upon us all to arise and act. We must rely on the promise of our Faith for aid and know that success will come through “all those who arise” in “whom the Word of God taketh effect.”
To the 17 delegates who were present must be added the over 100 registered visitors during the convention, who returned to their homes with renewed dedication, determined to put into action what they had experienced.
—CANADIAN Bahá’í News
FIRST ASSEMBLY FORMED IN SAMOA[edit]
Details of the formation of the first Local Spiritual Assembly in Samoa have been published in the Canadian New Territories Committee Newsletter, quoting a letter from Suhayl ‘Alá‘í:
“First day of Riḍván was a truly joyous occasion for every one of us in Samoa. We are sure that you were just as happy to see the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly in the Samoan Islands come to realization.
“On the morning of that ‘Blessed Festival’ we all gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Nemat ‘Alá’í for the wonderful occasion we had all longed for. After appropriate excerpts from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Guardian were read, a joint declaration was signed by the nine present. We had received your welcome cable about midnight, the night before the formation of the Assembly. It was certainly most inspiring and deeply appreciated by every one of us.”
Germany, Austria
SUMMER SCHOOL THEMES ANNOUNCED[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, through its publication Bahá’í Nachrichten, has listed the themes of their summer school sessions for Esslingen, Germany, and for a second second school which it is hoped can be established in central Germany at Clausthal- Zellerfeld.
These topics will include: “The Redemptive Idea in Religious History,” “Redemption Through the Mediator,” “The Redemptive Idea in Our Time,” “Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith: Dogma, Cult, and Ritual; Essential and Non-Essential Differences,” “The Requirement of Today: Unity of Religion,” “From the Wills of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” “The Bahá’í Temple: Idea and Task,” and “The Frankfurt Temple in the Light of Publicity.”
Newly established Local Spiritual Assembly of Orléans,
France, elected on April 21, 1957.
India, Burma
BAHÁÍ’S PARTICIPATE IN U.N. CONFERENCE AT COLOMBO[edit]
A conference of United Nations Non - Governmental Organizations met in Colombo, Ceylon, on October 29 to November 1, 1956, in which three representatives of the Bahá’í Faith took part.
One hundred ninty-seven delegates representing 75 organizations in Burma, Ceylon, India, Nepal, and Pákistán participated.
Bahá’ís included Mr. K. Sivappirakasam, chairman of the Colombo Local Spiritual Assembly, representing Ceylon; Mr. Lionel J. Peraji, representing India; and Mr. N. A. M. Sultan, representing Pákistán.
During the first three days of the conference there were talks on “The UN Technical Assistance Program,” “The Establishment of a Better Understanding of the UN,” “The Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy,” and “The Role of the UN in World Affairs Today.”
Many of the delegates contacted by the Bahá’ís individully were of the opinion that ultimately the doings of United Nations would lead to universal peace and one world, promulgated by Bahá’u’lláh. The Director of the UNIC in Pákistán, who was one of the leading figures at the conference, told the Bahá’ís that he was from the land of our Beloved,
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Porto
Alegre, Brazil, formed on April 21, 1957.
and that he had a good number of
relatives who were Bahá’ís and lived
in Persia.
On the final day of the conference the participants divided into four informal working groups. The Bahá’ís joined the group of “Teaching about the United Nations and Cooperation Between the Various Organizations.” At this group level Mr. Sivappirakasam delivered a short speech. He stressed that it is the spiritual force only, and not the force of arms and not economic emancipation that would give stability to universal peace and happiness to the human race. If, with the technical, health, and other assistance given to the undeveloped areas, spiritual education is imparted from a common pool, the world would be a paradise enjoying universal peace.
Many friends of the Bahá’í representatives were contacted during tea, lunch, and other intervals, and were given the Bahá’í’ Message. Pamphlets pertaining to our Beloved’s Cause were distributed. Most of the delegates from India and Pákistán had earlier acquaintance of the Faith, but some of the delegates from Nepal had not heard of it, and were anxious to have more literature.
One important fact to be noted was that not a single delegate had any ill will towards the Faith. One Mr. Chakaravarthy from New Delhi, in a short speech, said that the world was heading for a one-world government. When he was contacted by the Bahá’ís after his speech he said that he had heard about the Faith, and that the Bahá’í idea of one world government could only be realized after a decade or two, and not in the near future.
—LIOEL J. PERAJI
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED[edit]
The following were elected to form the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma for the Bahá’í year 114 (1957-58):
Mr. G. A. Amreliwala, chairman; Dr. M. E. Lukmani, vice-chairman; Mr. Abbasally Butt, secretary; H. Fatheazam, assistant secretary; Mr. K. J. Ḥakimian, treasurer; and Mrs. Shirin Boman, Mr. R. N. Shah, Mr. M. Samimi, and U Ba Sein.
Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF PERU ACQUIRED[edit]
Purchase of the National Endowment of Peru has been announced by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The site is located 30 kilometers from Huancayo near Apata, and consists of 6,051 square meters of land. It was purchased in April 1957, and is easily accesible by highway and railroad.
Pákistán
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FORMED IN KARACHI[edit]
All the friends were delighted when the holding of the First Convention of the Bahá’ís of Pákistán was announced. The dates fixed for it were from April 27 to 30, 1957. The meetings of the convention were to be held at Bahá’í Hall, Deepchand Ojha Road, Karáchí.
Delegates of the local Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Pákistán, except a few who could not come, reached Karáchí by April 27 to participate in the convention. A large number of Bahá’ís also came to witness this historical and glorious function. In these days the Bahá’í Hall and gardens were illuminated by colored electric bulbs in such a way that people passing at night were attracted by this beautiful scene. The atmosphere resounded with the cries of “Alláh’u‘Abhá!”
Hand of Cause Present
The beloved Guardian sent the revered Hand of the Cause, Shu’a‘u‘llah ‘Alá‘í, as his representative at this occasion. Mr. Abasally Butt, member of the Auxiliary Board to the Hands of the Cause in Asia, and Mr. Isfandiar Bakhtiari and Ghulam Hassain Ambreliwala, representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma, attended the meetings.
Mr. Bakhtiari, chairman of the sponsoring National Assembly, opened the convention. The revered Hand of the Cause of God distributed the perfume, sent through him as a gift from the beloved Guardian, to the delegates and visitors. The revered Hand of the Cause also delivered the message of the beloved Guardian and addressed the assemblage.
Translations of the messages of the beloved Guardian were read in the meetings, and the revered Hand of the Cause gave an address on the progress of the Cause of God.
The Riḍván Feast was celebrated in a spirit of jubilation, and in the evening a public reception was held in the garden of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, to which the cream of the society of Karáchí was invited. This gathering was addressed by the revered Hand of the Cause.
On April 29 the National Spiritual Assembly came into being and was
organized. The following, and their offices, were elected: Mr. I. K. Bakhtiari, chairman; Choudhri Abdur Rehman, vice-chairman; Faridoon Yezameidi, secretary; Mr. A. C. Joshi, treasurer; and Mr. S. Mahfoozul Haq Ilmi, Mr. Memboob Ilahi Qureshi, Mr. S. Abul Abbas Rizvi, Mr. S. Mawazish Ali Shah, and Dr. M. A. Latif.
The delegates were distributed into six panels to discuss the various items of the agenda, and a common discussion was held on their reporting the result of their consultation.
Several functions, including one by the Bahá’í Youth Committee, Karáchí, were held. Many friends spoke in these meetings and many read poems. Beginners also came, and had their problems solved by the teachers present at the functions.
The sacred impression of this auspicious occasion gave freshness and a new encouragement to the Bahá’ís. We trust that the friends will serve the Cause of God with daily increasing ardor and endeavor.
—FARIDOON YEZAMEIDI
Convention Reporter
New Zealand
FORM NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN AUCKLAND[edit]
From April 26 to 23, 1957, at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Auckland, New Zealand Bahá’í’s thrilled to the joys of their first convention, the two highlights of which were the beloved Guardian’s Convention Message, together with our objectives in the new Six-Year Plan, and the election of our own National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand.
Our beloved Hand of the Cause, Mrs. Clara Dunn, and Auxiliary Board members Miss Thelma Perks and Mr. Collis Featherstone, blessed and guided our fledgling steps during the proceedings.
Three-fifths of the total number of Bahá’ís in New Zealand were present, along with many Australian friends, to hear the Guardian’s review of events, the outline of future activities, and to share in the soulwarming joys of Bahá’í fellowship.
Our part in the Six-Year Plan is as follows: (1) Multiplication of centers and local Assemblies, (2) Incorporation of well-grounded Assemblies, (3) Inauguration of a National Fund, (4) Obtaining recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days and of the Bahá’í marriage certificate, (5) Conversion of Maoris and ensuring their participation in Bahá’í administrative institutions, (6) Extending the scope of teaching in the South Island, (7) Incorporation of the newly-formed National Spiritual Assembly, and (8) Selection and purchase of the site for the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in New Zealand.
—PERCY G. LEADLEY
Convention Reporter
Race Amity Day meeting sponsored by the Hayward, Calif., Bahá’í group
on June 9 at the Bahá’í Center.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
RACE AMITY DAY OBSERVANCES REPORTED[edit]
First reports have been received on the observance of Race Amity Day on June 9, 1957, the newest annual Bahá’í event for proclaiming the Faith to the United States.
Race Amity Day, like World Religion Day, is exclusively sponsored by Bahá’ís, and not Bahá’í participation in a public relations project sponsored by some other organization.
Of the communities reporting, the Durham, N.C., and Hayward, Calif., meetings had the largest attendance, as shown in the accompanying photographs.
Durham’s program included the showing of slides of the Arizona Indian Reservations visited by Mrs. Van Sombeek; slides of the Bahá’í House of Worship, with an explanation of its purpose and meaning; and musical selections. One of the guests was Mr. A. T. Spaulding, official U.S. delegate to the UNESCO Conference at New Delhi, India. Others included contacts at Duke University, the Negro college, and the city schools, and friends made through other meetings. Guests from other lands included representatives of Australia and Írán. Each one was given a badge with his name and native country, so that all would know each other’s name and origin.
In Hayward 32 adults, 3 youth, and 6 children were present, representing Jewish, Negro, Persian, Hindu, and Chinese nationalities. Mr. and Mrs. Rex Collison showed pictures of their travels, and after an interesting discussion a buffet supper was served.
“Race Amity for World Peace” was the theme of the Flint, Mich., public meeting held at the International Institute. Speakers included Mrs. Herman Gibson, a former goodwill ambassador to Europe, and Sherman Rosenberg, a student at Michigan State University. Thirty persons, including 12 non-Bahá’ís, were present.
In Greensboro, N.C., the theme of the public meeting was “The Oneness of Mankind,” with Dr. Hobart Jarrett of Bennett College, and Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith as speakers.
There were 14 Bahá’ís and 13 non-Bahá’ís in attendance, comprising college students and teachers of the Negro and white races. The meeting was held in the O. Henry Hotel, where the Greensboro World Youth Day meeting in March attracted such favorable attention to the Faith.
Bahá’ís of the Miami, Fla., area also reported a large attendance at their public meeting in a Bahá’í home. Twelve non-Bahá’ís and 44 Bahá’ís heard a talk by Dr. Charles Williams, principal of Booker T. Washington High School of Miami on “The Price We Pay,” explaining what it takes to be a good citizen.
As a result of newspaper publicity for the Miami meeting, the Rader Methodist Church of El Portal, a Miami suburb, asked for a Bahá’í speaker to explain the Faith to a church group studying the various religions.
Newton, Mass., Bahá’ís held their first interracial public meeting in observance of Race Amity Day, with 17 present, including 8 non-Bahá’ís and 6 Negros. Mr. Beverly F. Booth of the University of Alabama was the non-Bahá’í speaker.
Royal Oak, Mich., Bahá’ís planned their Race Amity Day observance in the nature of a reception, with a short talk on the Faith followed by a general discussion. Twenty-five persons attended, including six non-Bahá’ís.
Battle Creek, Mich., invited a leader of the local Unitarian Church to share a platform with a Bahá’í speaker at their public meeting, the subject being “Brotherhood of Man.”
The San Francisco, Calif., public meeting included prayers and readings from the Bahá’í Writings, vocal selections by an Oriental artist; a brief Bahá’í talk on “The Oneness of God, the Oneness of the Prophets, and the Oneness of Mankind”; brief talks by a Negro representative of the Urban League, a young Filipino woman in national dress, who spoke of the contributions of America to the development of the Philippine Islands, a Japanese artist who demonstrated Japanese brush painting, and a fellow artist who displayed wax-dye on cotton.
These meetings demonstrate that there is a firm basis for the development of future Race Amity Day meetings to proclaim the distinguishing feature of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, the Oneness of Mankind.
BAHÁ’ÍS REPORT TEACHING ACTIVITIES AT EARLHAM COLLEGE[edit]
In February Mrs. Joyce Dahl and I were invited by Dr. D. Elton Trueblood to visit Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., for the joint purpose of attending the annual Yokefellow Conference on April 27, and speaking to the student body at Chapel on April 25.
We had known Dr. Trueblood when he had been Chaplain at Stanford. He had been one of the outside speakers at one of the large Bahá’í Public Meetings at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, and we had driven him home from that.
When he left Stanford he told me that it was primarily to get in a position to do more about the failure of Christianity to cope with today’s problems. Since then he has had many articles published by mass circulation magazines, has written a number of best-selling books, and has created a vehicle for putting some of his ideas into effect by organizing the Yokefellow Movement, a loosely knit group of people in various Protestant denominations who are trying to further an effective lay ministry.
Earlham College is a Quaker school with about 700 students, a large number of whom are not Quakers. The weekly Chapel service is supposed to be compulsory, but we are told that only occasional test checks of attendance are made.
We estimated that there were about 600 in the audience when I spoke. The service was in the college auditorium, and there was a nicely lettered poster in the lobby advertising it.
The talk, which I read in order to obtain the maximum smoothness in phrasing, covered a great deal of ground, and did not pull any punches with respect to the necessity of overcoming the divisions between religions.
After the talk I was greeted in a very friendly manner by Dr. Jones, the President of the college, who is a friend of the Bahá’í, Mrs. Van Sombeek. Then we went to the lounge of the Meetinghouse, where a coffee hour was scheduled for those who cared to carry on a discussion with the speaker. We were told that the count was 51, which Dr. Trueblood considered an expression of considerable interest. The discussion was lively, largely along Christian lines, but quite intelligent and constructive.
The next afternoon we were invited to attend Prof. Hugh Barbour’s class in “Religions of the World.” It is a seminar class around a huge oval cherry wood table in the Meetinghouse. There were about 20 around the table, and another ten or so around the edges of the room.
When we came in we noticed the names of all the leading Bahá’í figures, as well as the ones we regard as major Prophets, written on the blackboard. At first we thought this was in preparation for this class,
Race Amity Day meeting in the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Van Sombeek
in Durham, N.C., on June 9. The guests included Mr. A. T. Spaulding,
United States delegate of the UNESCO conference in New Delhi, India.
but when Prof. Barbour erased them, it turned out they had been used for discussion in a morning class.
The whole class hour was devoted to questions on the Faith addressed to us. Again they were intelligent and penetrating, and we felt that a great deal of interest was generated.
The next day was the Yokefellow Conference. To my surprise, Dr. Trueblood asked me to contribute to the period of Common Prayer that opened the meeting. I read one of the short prayers by Bahá’u’lláh.
There were about 225 in attendance, some ministers, but more lay leaders in the churches. We were greatly impressed with the vitality of this movement, and particularly to the extent to which people who were at first sophisticated and worldly found that religion brought positive values to them when they applied it in their daily lives, and made them happier and better able to cope with modern problems.
Evaluation of Visit
The campus as a whole is now very much aware of the Faith. This experience convinced me even more that an opportunity to present the Faith in the classroom or auditorium under the official auspices of a college is infinitely more effective than a meeting sponsored by Bahá’ís, and if it reaches a large fraction of the campus at one time, the impact is that much more forceful. College students are open to this type of approach, and there is no telling what the ultimate effect might be.
—ARTHUR L. DAHL
HOLD SEVENTH ANNUAL MEETING AT CATHEDRAL OF THE PINES[edit]
The seventh annual public meeting at Cathedral of the Pines, Rindge, N.H., was held on July 13, 1957. Harry S. Merson spoke on “World Unity and World Faith,” and Mrs. Gladys Weeden gave readings and a prayer from the Bahá’í Writings.
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET[edit]
Fifth Year: 1957-1958
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . .$425,000.00
Total Requirements: May 1 to June 30 . . . . . . 70,834.00
Total Contributions: May 1 to June 30 . . . . . . 40,000.00
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
URGE PLANS FOR UNITED NATIONS DAY[edit]
Local Assemblies or Bahá’í groups wishing to join in the nation-wide observance of United Nations Day on October 24, 1957, are requested to appoint a member of the Assembly or community to serve as UN Day correspondent.
This will be of great assistance to your U. S. United Nations Committee, and will expedite your receipt of information and materials this committee wishes to send out.
Please send the name and address of the correspondent before August 20 to:
Miss Isabelle Silk
319 E. 50th Street
New York 17, N.Y.
—UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE
DAVISON SCHOOL PLANS HOMECOMING WEEKEND[edit]
Homecoming weekend at the Davison Bahá’í School, Davison, Mich., will be a three-day session under the sponsorship of the Africa Teaching Committee and handled by Albert James on August 31 through September 2, 1957.
The public meeting on September 1, at 3:00 pm. will be addressed by Mrs. Ruth Moffett instead of Robert Gaines, as published in the school program.
The friends are urged to make advance reservations for this weekend with the Davison Bahá’í School Registrar, Mr. Rason Dobbs, 3208 S. State Road, Davison, Mich.
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST[edit]
Pocket Calendar. This calendar, running from May 1957 through April 1958, indicates all Feast and Holy Days, and is small enough to be inserted in a billfold.
Ten copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .50
25 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.00
Out of Print[edit]
Bahá’í Calendar for 1957. The 9 x 12 standard calendar for 1957 is now out of print. The Pocket Calendar, extending through April 1958, mentioned above, continues to be available.
Minimum Mail Order, $1.00
Available from
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST
110 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
August 20 — Asmá’ (Names)
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
August 30-31, September 1-2
Bahá’í House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours
Weekdays
10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
(Entire building)
7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
(Auditorium only)
Sundays and Holidays
10:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
(Entire building)
5:00 P.M. to 9 P.M.
(Auditorium only)
Service of Worship[edit]
Sundays 3:30 P.M. lasting until 4:15.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The committee for 1957-58: Mrs. Eunice Braun, chairman: Miss Charlotte Linfoot secretary; Mr. Richard C. Thomas.
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
