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| No. 354 | BAHA’I YEAR 117 | SEPTEMBER, 1960 |
New Victories Announced at World Center[edit]
Dearly beloved Friends:
Since our first news letter of February last, out Riḍván message has brought you news of the progress of the Faith all over the world, and now we send you news of more recent events.
At the World Center, the flow of visitors to the Shrines and Gardens has continued. Among those who came were many distinguished foreign visitors, including ambassadors and cabinet ministers. The House of ‘Abbud, in which Bahá’u’lláh lived for nearly seven years during His incarceration in ‘Akká and in which the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was revealed, has been extensively renovated and restored, The palace of Mazar’ih, where Bahá’u’lláh lived in the period between His leaving ‘Akká and taking up residence in Bahjí, has also been extensively renovated. The pilgrim season, that began after the Conclave of the Hands in Bahjí, ended with the commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh; during the season pilgrims from every continent passed their allotted nine days of pilgrimage in the Holy Land.
Outstanding among the missions carried out by the Hands of the Cause in recent months has been the Visit of ‘Amatu’l-Bahá, Rúḥíyyih Khánum to North America, where she found a wonderful spirit of determination among the friends. In both the United States and Canada she met with the believers at key centers and addressed many large public meetings. Her visit brought a great deal of favorable publicity for the Faith. She spent some time with the Indians, from whom the Master confidently expected so much; John Robarts also visited a number of Indian groups in the course of his mission in Canada. William Sears has traveled very extensively in Latin America, including Central America, the Greater Antilles and the northern countries of South America. The friends there are jubilant at the victories achieved last Riḍván. Hermann Grossmann, in the course of his tour of South America, recently visited the friends in the disaster area of Chile. Mr. Samandari spent some time in Turkey on his way from the Holy Land to his post, and Dr. Muhájir is now visiting the countries of South East Asia. Collis Featherstone journeyed to New Zealand, attended the convention there, and visited the Maoris, the indigenous people who have shown great receptivity to the Faith.
Reports from the various national spiritual assemblies during the Riḍván period brought much joyful and encouraging news. Firstly there was the achievement of all the local assembly goals, and more, in Latin America. Venezuela, for instance, formed four new local assemblies. three over the goal. As a result of these great victories the new national spiritual assemblies can be established next Riḍván, based on an adequate number of local assemblies. In the United States forty new assemblies were elected, more than in any year since the beginning of the Crusade. In the whole Western Hemisphere nearly eighty new assemblies were formed, and the number of new believers during the year was almost 2,000. An interesting feature has been the continued spread of the Faith amongst Indians in various parts of the Western Hemisphere, from the far north where the Yukon’s first Indian believer has been accepted, through Mexico, which has its first Indian believer, to Bolivia, where hundreds of the Indians in the Andes have embraced the Faith. A start has been made in teaching the Carib Indians of the West Indies in Dominica.
As usual, Africa has led the Bahá’í world in growth and numbers. In the one year since Riḍván 1959 the number of local assemblies in Central and East Africa has grown from 240 to 400. In number of centers, the United States still leads with 1,560, but Africa with 1,140, has now moved up to second place. The area of Central and East Africa, the scene of so many historic events in the Faith has recently witnessed great success in the Eastern Belgian Congo, where hitherto little progress had been made. The energetic teaching activity of some of the believers from Usumbura, in neighboring Ruanda-Urundi, has in a few months set on fire over 500 new believers, and thirteen new local assemblies have been elected. This is one of the most spectacular teaching developments in the history of the Faith in Africa, or indeed anywhere, and is the first real growth in any of the French-speaking territories in that part of Africa. To quote the Central and East African National Spiritual Assembly: “The Faith in this region is like a giant river overflowing its banks, flooding out across the countryside, carrying the Word of God wherever the receptivity of the people takes it,”
The region of North West Africa, which at the formation of its National Assembly in 1956, had 920 believers, now has approximately 3,000, of which 1,800 are in the British Cameroons. The number of local assemblies has grown from 38 to 113. There are 18 properties owned by the Faith in this region, including the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Tunis and five other Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, the Temple land in Tunis, two burial grounds, two endowments, and six Bahá’í centers in the British Cameroons. Dahomey, a part of the French Union, has its first believers. Truly Africa, the Dark Continent, is now, as foretold by the beloved Guardian, a beacon of light in the Bahá’í world!
The third area of outstanding growth in recent years has been South East Asia. Here there are more than eleven times as many centers as in 1957 when the Regional Assembly was formed; there are ten times more local assemblies, and the number of believers has grown from 1,500 to 7,500. In one island in Indonesia half of the population of 10,000 are Bahá’ís; there are 16 local assemblies and at least 10 Bahá’í schools. Among the most exciting developments in the region has been the growth of the Faith in Java, which at the time of the beloved Guardian’s passing had less than 20 believers; now there are almost 1,300, mainly young people. Java is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and offers unlimited opportunities for the expansion of the Faith.
In other parts of the world too, there has been progress, even if on a smaller scale. In Europe, where eleven national assemblies are scheduled to be formed in 1962, there is still a challenging distance to be covered before all goals are achieved, but Belgium now has the number of assemblies needed, Scandinavia had four new ones last Riḍván, Portugal 2, and Italy 4. India established 11 new local assemblies, more than in any recent year.
In other ways, too, progress is being made toward the achievement of Crusade goals. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in the course of building near Kampala, Uganda, is well on the way to completion. The tiling of the dome in four shades of color has been finished, various fittings chosen and ordered, and it is now hoped to dedicate it in January 1961. Equally good progress is being made on the Temple at Sydney, Australia. History was made and much publicity was attracted when, for the first time in Australia, a helicopter was used to lift into position the fleche on the top of the dome. Newspapers all over Australia mentioned this and three Sydney television stations reported it in detail. It is expected that the dedication will take place during Riḍván 1961. In Germany, where the third Temple of the Crusade is to be built, serious obstacles have been encountered. Fortunately these now seem to be almost at an end, and there is a good prospect that building may begin soon.
As we pursue our goals of the Ten-Year Crusade. events not directly connected with these goals also demonstrate the progress of the Cause.
World Religion Day was happily and successfully celebrated in many places, but in Vientiane, capital of Laos, it became an outstanding event. A distinguished gathering of about 300 including members of the Kings Council, Consular and United Nations officials, and representatives of various sects of six religions, took part and heard a message from H. M. the King of Laos, brought to the meeting by H. R. H. Prince Chantharangai.
As a non-governmental organization accepted by United Nations the Bahá’í International Community was invited to send representatives to a Round Table Conference organized by the World Federalists in Paris, on the subject of a permanent police force for United Nations. The Bahá’í point of view much impressed those present.
As the Faith has proved many times in its history, difficulties ultimately bring it victory. An American pioneer in El Salvador was ordered to leave because of false accusations made against him. Subsequently he was cleared of all suspicion and allowed to return. The National Spiritual Assembly of Central America then sought an interview with high officials of the Salvador Governmemt, which resulted in an assurance that Bahá’ís are completely free to follow their Faith and to teach it in that country.
In the past months there has been news of natural disasters in various parts of the world. In March the islands of Mauritius and Madagascar were swept by cyclones. In both places some of the friends lost their homes, but they were undeterred, continuing to keep the Fast and to hold their meetings, often in the open air. One community in Madagascar held a 19-Day Feast during a cyclone, with only three absentees. Earthquakes have occurred in widely separated parts of the world, in Persia, in Morocco, and in Chile, bringing death and destruction to many. In all these calamities we were deeply thankful to hear from the respective national assemblies that, though some had their homes damaged, there had been no loss of life amongst the Bahá’ís. The Regional Spiritual Assembly has sent a representative to the disaster area of Chile to ascertain what help the friends there need, and the Hands at the World Center have sent a sum of money for their relief.
The Crusade progresses on the way to its goals but the time grows ever shorter. Bahá’u’lláh Himself has left us in no doubt of our duty, and is specific in promises of the divine help on which we can draw.
“Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds.”
“And when he determineth to leave his home, for the sake of the Cause of his Lord, let him put his whole trust in God, as the best provision for his journey, and array himself with the robe of virtue. . . . If he be kindled with the fire of His love, if he forgoeth all created things, the words he uttereth shall set on fire them that hear him.”
“Whoso openeth his lips in this day, and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”
In the service of the beloved Guardian, HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
Haifa, Israel
July 21, 1950
Memorial Gatherings tor Horace Holley Held at Request of the Hands of the Faith[edit]
To the accompaniment of a beautiful recording of the Prelude and Liebestod of Wagner’s “Tristan and Isolde,” Bahá’ís from many communities surrounding the Bahá’í Temple and a representative number of officials and residents of the Village of Wilmette, gathered in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship on Saturday evening, July 30, to pay tribute to the memory of the beloved Hand of the Cause Horace Holley who had passed away in Haifa, Israel, on July 13, less than seven months after he had bade farewell to these same friends on the eve of his departure to serve at the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith.
The audience sat in complete silence and reverence throughout the fifteen minutes of music, at the conclusion of which Charles Wolcott, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, read the beautiful passage from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, “From the Sweet-scented Streams.” He was followed by H. Borrah Kavelin, chairman of the National Assembly, who recounted affectionately and briefly the long and historical record of the indefatigable services of Mr. Holley, not only to the American Bahá’í community but to the entire Western Hemisphere, and indeed to the whole Bahá’í world. As he spoke there was born in the hearts of all the friends, and particularly those who had been his close associates, a new determination to follow his example of patience, firmness, courage, gentleness, consideration and complete devotion to the Will of God.
Mr. Kavelin was followed by Hand of the Cause Mrs. Amelia E. Collins who told the friends lovingly and intimately of Mr. Holley’s last six months, spent in Haifa, where, as one of the Chief Stewards of the Hands of the Faith, and in spite of very frail health, he Continued to the Very moment of his death to devote his great personal talents and spiritual insight to the prosecution of the Master’s Divine Plan and the beloved Guardian’s World Crusade.
Mrs. Collins concluded her remarks with the reading of the long prayer for the departed, and this was followed by the reading of another prayer by Bahá’u’lláh by Dr. David S. Ruhe, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly. Then the friends left quietly and respectfully during the playing of a recording of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 5, Third Movement.
To the people of the village who were not Bahá’ís but who knew Mr. Holley for his many contributions to the various civic organizations and programs, it was a rich and impressive experience to have witnessed the reverence, the affection and high regard in which his Bahá’í co-workers held their fellow believer.
This memorial gathering in the Bahá’í House of Wor-
Shrine of the Báb Viewed from the Western Pilgrim House[edit]
ship was held at the request of the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, and similar services were to be arranged by the local communities throughout the length and breadth of the land. Half way round the world, at the same hour as the service in the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, a memorial for this beloved Hand of the Cause was held at the Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel. Writing to the National Spiritual Assemblies in the Western Hemisphere about it, William B. Sears, Hand of the Cause who had returned to Haifa soon after the passing of Mr. Holley, said:
“When we entered the Shrine itself, the threshold was sprinkled with white and gold petals mingled with red blossoms upon a rich covering of emerald green. Green and red vases held beauteous blossoms freshly picked from the surrounding gardens. Candelabra illumined the soft white purity of the Walls, and the giant graceful chandelier blazed with a radiant brillance so that every object of delicate beauty. chosen with such loving care by our beloved Guardian became jewels in a heavenly setting.
“The heart was uplifted and the spirit exalted, and we were bathed in the healing words of the Blessed Beauty Bahá’u’lláh: ‘I have made death a messenger of joy to thee. Wherefore dost thou grieve?’
“Later as I stood facing ‘Akká looking down Carmel Avenue. . . I recalled the words our beloved Guardian had spoken of . . . Horace Holley. He had called him the foremost exponent of Bahá’í administration in the world.
“That very morning I had been reading Bahá’í Administration, those world-building letters of our beloved Guardian which the United States National Assembly under the inspiring thought of Mr. Holley had collected into this enduring publication. My eyes rested upon the old Bahá’í Scriptures which later became the publication, The Bahá’í World Faith, another monumental tribute to the energies and gifts of dear Horace who assembled the original tablets and writings. I reread the following words of the beloved Guardian: ‘The suggestion made by my dear and able friend, Mr. Horace Holley, as to the compilation of an annual Bahá’í Year Book is extremely valuable and timely. I am much impressed by it, and feel that an immediate start should be made!’ When that volume, the Bahá’í World, was published the beloved Guardian said: ‘. . . it stands unexcelled and unapproached by any publication of its kind in the varied literature of our beloved Cause.’ I thought of the penetrating power of dear Horace’s pen in his countless articles and editorials for the World Order Magazine, and the brilliance of his analyses on behalf of the National Assembly of the Messages from the World Center of our Faith in the days of our beloved Guardian as well as his articles in the early BAHÁ’Í NEWS which helped the local assemblies to have a better understanding of the Administrative Order. Horace was that rare individual in our time, an original thinker.
“I looked down toward the foot of Mt. Carmel, below the Cave of Elijah and beneath the place where the holy Temple will stand in the future, where Bahá’u’lláh had revealed the Tablet of Carmel, and saw the lights of the city flickering around the once-again blessed Bahá’í burial ground where the earthly remains of our dear brother and friend have been placed beside those of J. E. Esslemont and next to those of the Great Afnan, cousin of the Báb, who built the Temple in Ishqabad. This trio of immortals from Asia, Europe, and now America all rest in glory in the ‘nest of the Prophets,’ the mountain of God. . . .
“Before coming down the mountain, I stood in front of the Shrine on the spot where the white coffin of the wonderful Master rested on the day that the mountain was filled with mourners. Through my mind ran the words of Sir Herbert Samuel, High Commissioner of Palestine, who said of the Master that they had ‘gathered together sorrowing for His death, but rejoicing also for His life.’
“We had gathered tonight in a lesser way but in the same manner for Horace. He was indeed a spiritual giant in the lands where he labored, and now he had come to rest at last in the Holy Land, Israel. What greater gift from God can there be than a good ending? What a fitting climax to his faithful, steadfast, undeviating life of service! ”
Following her visit to Canada, ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum visited Boston and New York as the last two cities on her American itinerary. In Boston, on_June 3, she was the dinner guest of the members of the Local Spiritual Assembly and members of the area youth committee after which she addressed more than 200 Bahá’ís from all parts of New England. The two meetings in New York drew on attendance of more than 750 at the public meeting on June 4, and 500 at the meeting for Bahá’ís only, on June 5.
Mason Remey and Supporters Declared Covenant-Breakers[edit]
On July 27, 1360, the following cablegram was received from the Hands of the Faith residing in the Holy Land:
“Entire body (of) Hands obedient (to) provisions (of) Will (and) Testament (of) Center (of) Covenant (and) communications (from) beloved Guardian enjoining them (to) protect (the) Holy Cause (from) attacks (of) enemies (both) within (and) without announce (to) Bahá’í world (that) Mason Remey (is) Covenant-breaker (and) expelled (from the) Faith. (This) action follows long period (of) patience (and) forbearance (while) opportunity (was) given him (to) withdraw (his) shameful pretension (to) sacred station (of) Guardianship constituting heretical claim contrary (to) explicit provisions (of) Will (of the) Master. Despite universal repudiation (and) denunciation by all Hands (and the) International Bahá’í Council (and) all National Assemblies Remey (is) continuing (to) agitate (for his) unfounded claim, actively seeking (to) create division (amongst) ranks (of) faithful, to sow seeds (of) doubt (in) hearts (of) believers (and to) undermine activities (of) institution (of the) Hands, (the) Chief Stewards dedicated (to the) fulfillment (of our) beloved Guardian's Ten Year Plan. (In) accordance (with) injunction (in) Will (and) Testament (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá call upon friends everywhere (to) shun Remey and anyone associating with him or actively supporting his claims. Confident (that) community (of the) Most Great Name united (in) wholehearted condemnation (of) this latest illfated attempt (to) disrupt God's Holy Cause will emerge triumphant, strengthened (and) galvanized (to) issue forth (and) win remaining goals (of) glorious world encircling Crusade. Cable message (to) all National Assemblies.”
(Signed) HANDSFAITH
Haifa, Israel
July 26, 1960
The following cablegram also from the Hands of the Faith was sent a week later:
“(The) beloved Guardian’s glorious epistle God Passes By clearly states (our) Holy Cause (is) constantly subject (to) crises giving rise (to) greater victories. History (of) detection (of) distinguished believers following ascension (of) Forerunner (of) Faith, (its) Supreme Manifestation (and) Center (of the) Covenant now repeated after ascension (of) precious Shoghi Effendi through Mason Remey’s defection (and) his preposterous (and) utterly unfounded claim. Protection (of) believers from activities (of) misguided mischief makers (who have been) given every opportunity (to) repent now requires expulsion (from the) Faith (of) Remey’s henchmen: John Carre, Bernard Fillon, Moneer Darakhshan, Joel Marangella, Jacques Soghomonian, Donald Harvey, John Byers in France and Mary Wilkin (in) United States. Henceforth anyone associating (with) these people or supporting Remey claim (will) likewise (be) considered a Covenant-breaker, Confident faithful (and) devoted body (of) believers mindful (of) infinite bounties (and) praises showered (on them by) beloved Guardian will demonstrate through united action (their) impreg-nable solidarity (and will) arise (to) achieve (the) glorious goals (of the) God-inspired Crusade. Cable message (to) all National Assemblies.”
(signed) HANDSFAITH
Haifa, Israel
August 3, 1960
COMMENTARY BY NSA OF THE U.S.[edit]
Dear Friends:
Every true Bahá’í throughout the world has accepted the Stations of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, the Center of His Covenant, the establishment of the Guardianship, all the provisions of the Master’s Will and Testament, and the obligation to support the Bahá’í administrative order.
However, a generation of believers has arisen who could not share the experiences of those earlier Bahá’ís who had become sharply aware of the meaning of Covenant-breaking. The first essential principle to grasp is that Covenant-breaking is a virulent evil, a cancerous condition so powerful that it can divide and destroy a Bahá’í community and affect the souls of its victims. In His Will and Testament, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá declared: “For so grievous is the conduct and behavior of this false people that they are become even as an axe striking at the very root of the Blessed Tree, Should they he suffered to continue they would. in but a few days’ time, exterminate the Cause of God, His Word and themselves
“Hence, the beloved of God must entirely shun them, avoid them, and foil their machinations and evil whisperings, guard the Law of God and His religion, engage one and all in diffusing widely the sweet savors of God and to the best of their endeavor proclaim His Teachings.”
It is Covenant-breaking to accept Bahá’u’lláh but reject ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, or to accept ‘Abdu’l-Bahá but reject the continuing authority of His Testament as manifest in Shoghi Effendi’s directives and the function of the Hands of the Cause and the administrative institutions.
Association with Covenant-breakers is strictly forbidden. Therefore, any association by believers with them, any diffusion of their writings. any assistance rendered to their evil intentions, is evidence of Covenant-breaking and results in expulsion from the Faith.
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Kampala LSA Sponsors Picnic at Temple Site[edit]
The Kampala Local Assembly recently organized a picnic on the temple site just outside Kampala on Kikaya Hill. Bahá’ís were invited to bring their friends, and refreshments were provided by some of the local assembly members.
The seventy people attending were taken from the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to the Temple by car and Land-Rover —the latter vehicle being especially useful over the rough tracks which lead to Kikaya Hill—and the day began with a treasure hunt, followed by a short talk on the Faith by Philip Hainswonh. Picnic songs were sung by members of different tribes, finishing with the Unity Prayer in English as the sun started to go down.
RSA of South Pacific incorporates[edit]
The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific was duly recognized by the Registrar-General of the Government of Fiji as being incorporated on April 30, 1960 under the provisions of the Charitable Trusts Ordinance. Although dated April 25, the incorporating Assembly was the first one to have been elected and which functioned for the year 1959-1960.
Intermountain Summer Conference Held at Alta, Utah[edit]
On one of the slopes of the Wasatch mountains at an altitude of 8,600 feet, in one of nature’s most extravagant scenic settings with towering rocky peaks rising to 11,000 feet and beautiful green areas dotted with wild flowers, the first Intermountain Summer Conference was convened July 1 for its five-day session. The clean, cool air and the noisy streams tumbling over their rocky beds played their part in making the setting far the conference one of beauty and complete change from daily routine and the mundane tasks of surviving in the city.
Morning devotions were a part of each day’s program; thus the days began with everyone — children and adults — uniting in prayers of praise and supplication.
The following sessions included four classes for adults and two for the children, who in addition were provided with supervised entertainment such as games, hobbies and crafts, nature studies, hiking and swimming. In this way the children learned to know each other while broadening their knowledge and understanding of the Bahá’í way of life and the expanding Bahá’í community.
One of the very stimulating classes, conducted by Hazel Mori, had for its theme “Conversion of the Masses.” Many selections from the Writings were shared, with a growing realization that “scripture acts as a selfstarter in the direction God wants us to go.” Ways of meeting the needs of the hour and service to mankind were a part of the consultation.
“The Discerning Heart” was the subject of another class which dealt with the problems of materialistic versus spiritual concepts and led to a deepening of spiritual consciousness as Well as a just and independent method of investigating truth. “What good,” asked Fred Bell who conducted the class, “does it do us to read: ‘Noble 1 created thee,’ if we define ‘noble’ by old world order concepts?”
The evening class, taught by Helena Somerhalder, was a study of “Our Responsibilities as Teachers.” The fact that “teaching is the most meritorious of all deeds” was realized more fully after these sessions showing the individual’s responsibility to translate universal principles into daily action.
Margery McCormick, Auxiliary Board Member of the Hands of the Faith, gave a series of wonderful studies on the long obligatory prayer, preceded by very informative facts about prayer, such as why we pray, to whom we pray, how to pray, what to pray for, why we should pray aloud, and the effects of prayer.
Much laughter, gaiety, and happiness pervaded the sessions and carried over to the late evening entertainment in the large lounge of Snow Pine Lodge where a fire in the huge fireplace lent color and warmth to the chilly mountain air. There were tears, too, when it came time to part from friends, old and new, after five “heavenly” days together.
One of the friends made his declaration of faith in Bahá’u’lláh on the last day, adding to the spiritual joy and happiness and confirmation of the bounties of God when effort is made for His cause.
Buganda Goverment Builds Road for Temple
The final appearance of the Mother Temple of Africa is now easy to imagine, for the lower roof is already half tiled, the exterior plaster work complete and painted the same color as the rotunda precast stone facings which are all in place, and the pale green dome is already glistening in the sunlight. The pillars on the verandah will eventually be covered in terrazo. Electricians are in the process of wiring the lighting circuit. When fully illuminated, the inside of the building will be lit by nine lamps shining upward and eighteen downward.
The lower and upper windows are in place, the former carrying pale blue, pale green and amber glass, and the latter pale blue find amber only.
The door frames and grille rims of precast stone are all in position and work has commenced on the installation of the concrete grilles. Each of the eighteen grilles consists of twenty precast pieces of concrete fixed together and are of an extremely attractive pattern. They will carry the same colored glass as the windows.
View at left shows detail of entrance
archway of Kampala Temple. View
at right indicates detail of tiling on
lower roof of Kampala Temple and
stained glass lower windows of blue,
green, and amber.
The interior plaster work is nearly complete and the inside of the dome has been painted a lovely blue. The main rotunda will be painted white and the lower walls pale green, while the pillars inside the wall will be a darker green.
There are flower boxes on each corner of the building which will eventually be filled with sweet scented flowers. A great deal of work has gone into the landscaping around the Temple and it is beginning to show results. The Temple stands in the center of nine converging avenues and from the top of the building these can be seen stretching out from each door to the boundaries.
It is interesting to note that the Buganda government, in whose area the Temple stands, has initiated the building of a road to the building at its own expense, thus solving one of the great problems, for the approach was very rough and winding. The new road will be more direct and it will be easy for strangers to find the Temple.
Annual Bahá’í Convention held at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds,
Rangoon, Burma, April 27-29, 1960.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Burma
for 1960-1961
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central
America, Mexico, and Panama for 1960-1961. Front row:
Artemus Lamb, Amy McAllister, Dr. Edris Rice-Wray,
Raquel De Constante, Esteban Canales Leyton. Back
row: James V. Facey, Harold B. Murray, Donald R.
Witzel, Luis A. Bouche.
Bahá’í Summer School held at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds,
Rangoon, Burma, April 24-26, 1960.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Scandinavia and Finland for 1960-1961. Left to right: Gudrun
Öfstegaard, Norway; Mrs. Lisbeth Andersen, Denmark;
Palle Bischoff, Denmark; Josephine Kruka, Finland;
Mrs. Modesta Hvide, Norway; Hans Odemyr, Sweden;
John Nielsen, Sweden; Mrs. Gerd Strand, Norway;
Trygve Nielsen, Norway.
Delegates and visitors at the fifth Annual Bahá’í Convention of Northwest Africa held at Victoria, British
Cameroons, April 1960.
Bahá’í House of Worship Attracts 17,000 Visitors in July[edit]
During the month of July more than 17,000 persons visited the auditorium of the Bahá’í House of Worship. These were in addition to those who attended the regular Sunday afternoon services of public worship. The largest numbers were 1,660 on July 3 and 1,515 on July 31. Many others who did not enter the building Visited the gardens on this latter date, having been attracted as the result of a large picture of the Temple and one of the gardens published in Chicago Daily News on July 28 under the heading “A Wonderland in Wilmette”.
Among those who came and met with representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly were:
Judge Moshe Etziani of Haifa, Israel, judge and president of the Haifa District Court, who was in the United States as a participant in the Foreign Leaders Program of the International Exchange Service of the United States Department of State. Judge Etzioni lives on Mt. Carmel, knows a number of the Bahá’ís in Haifa, and was delighted to see the Temple as well as to visit the Bahá’í Home for the Aged.
Jairos Jiri of Bulawaya, Southern Rhodesia, who also was in the United States to participate in the same program of the Department of State. Mr. Jiri is the son of the chief of an African tribe and has devoted his life to aiding the handicapped. He is founder and president of the African Society for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. He Was greatly interested in the Temple and very impressed by the Bahá’í attitude toward the dark-skinned peoples as compared with what he has encountered in Africa.
Kirpal Singh, chief engineer of Radio Malaya, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, who is making a tour of radio stations and universities in the United States having education facilities in electronics. Mr. Singh is a Sikh but knows a number of Bahá’ís in Southeast Asia.
M. H. Cohen, general manager of Mundus Tours of Tel Aviv, Israel, who was in Chicago attending the International Convention of the Lions Clubs. Mr. Cohen was born in Roumania and as a very young newspaper reporter he met Martha Root and did a great deal of translation for her. He stated that he was instrumental in arranging for Martha Root’s first interview with Queen Marie. He spoke of the Shrine of the Báb and the surrounding gardens as the high point of interest for all tourists to Haifa.
Well known Americans among the visitors were: Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Benson, Mrs. Benson, and members of their family, Who were particularly interested in the architecture and in the origin of the Faith; Vic Damone of Hollywood, Calif., popular entertainer and recording star, who visited the Temple several times during his engagement in Chicago. He appeared on two television programs during both of which he stated that he was studying the Bahá’í Faith.
Among the special tours was a group of more than one hundred editors of high school papers who requested a talk on the Faith to enable them to report this visit in their school journals on their return to their homes.
The Bahá’í Temple gardens, Wilmette, Illinois, attract
large numbers of visitors during the summer months.
In background on shore of Lake Michigan is national
Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, 536 Sheridan Road.
Bahá’í Proposals for UN Charter Revision Should Be Widely Publicized[edit]
Five years ago, acting under the direction of the beloved Guardian, and functioning as the International Bahá’í Community on behalf of the existing twelve national spiritual assemblies in relation to United Nations, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States prepared a set of proposed revisions to the United Nations Charter which was to have come up for review in the United Nations in 1955. These proposals, together with striking references to World Order in the Bahá’í Writings, were published in the form of a very dignified brochure which was presented through the United States United Nations Committee to the Secretary-General of United Nations and the United Nations delegates.
Although the revision of its charter has not yet been taken up by the United Nations, the necessity for review is steadily claiming the attention of more and more persons and organizations. It is very important, therefore, that the Bahá’ís should see that this impressive document, Proposals for Charter Revision, is placed in the hands of all local citizens actively interested in United Nations and other organizations such as the United World Federalists that are working for the principles of world federation and world law.
The Bahá’ís also should thoroughly familiarize themselves with this material so that they may be prepared to point out effectively how Bahá’u’lláh a hundred years ago foresaw the need of an international police force and other means for the establishment and preservation of the peace of the world about which leaders of thought now have deep concern.
Confident that the believers will make wide use of this publication in connection with United Nations Day and similar events, the National Spiritual Assembly authorized the Bahá’í Publishing Trust to bring out the new edition which was announced In the August BAHÁ’Í NEWS. This is perhaps one of our most impressive, timely and prestige building pieces of Bahá’í literature.
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Bahá’ís Participate in UN Conference for Non-Governmental Organizations[edit]
On May 17 and 18, 1960 the United Nations Office of Public Information, in cooperation with the Executive Committee of the Non-Governmental Organizations, called a meeting at United Nations Headquarters to discuss problems of cooperaton “with the United Nations family insofar as its program affects the new nations.” Each organization was invited to nominate two delegates and not more than three observers. In addition, each organization was asked to invite a member of its own executive governing board. Some 400 delegates and observers attended.
The Bahá’í International Community nominated Eugene Moye and Mildred Mottahedeh as delegates and Harriett Wolcott as observer. Charles Wolcott participated as secretary of the Bahá’í International Community.
The conference considered several aspects of the work being done in the nations newly established and newly admitted to the United Nations. It divided its work into three committees: Committee I — dealing with culture, science and education; Committee II dealing with health, food and social welfare; and Committee III which concerned itself with the work done by the International Labor Organization, the Economic and Social Council in the field of human rights. After the first session, in which all the delegates and observers met together to hear several addresses by various experts, the conference divided itself into the three committees where smaller numbers enabled the delegates to discuss special subjects in some detail.
Eugene Moye attended the sessions of Committee I and he reported: “This committee had an estimated 250 in attendance and showed great interest in what the speakers had to say. Meetings of this nature should havegreat interest for Bahá’ís. Representatives from many organizations are attempting to unite on the basis of human need by learning what is happening on the U.N. front. This represents a small start in the direction of unity of people in a common effort to alleviate human want and develop economic welfare.”
Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott and Mildred Mottahedeh attended Committee III where the high point of the discussion for them was the presentation of progress made in the field of human rights. The United Nations speaker, Mr. Edward H. Lawson, Chief of Section II, Division of Human Rights. reported developments in this area and thanked the non-governmental organizations who had assisted his department in preparing documents. Section II of the Division of Human Rights has been issuing papers on the study of examples of discrimination and prejudice shown to minority groups. The record of persecutions of the Iranian Bahá’ís has formed a part of their studies. This section reports its findings to the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities whose work has had a telling effect in upholding human rights in the member countries of the United Nations.
The closing session again brought all the delegates and observers together to hear the reports of the special committees. At that time Roger Baldwin, chairman of the International League for the Rights of Man, gave an over-all view of such developments as he had noted in his trip around the world. He said he had been struck by the lack of contacts between non-governmental organizations in many of the areas he had visited in Africa, Asia and Latin America and suggested that the incoming executive committee might consider this problem. Mr. Baldwin concluded by saying that non-governmental organizations often felt “frustrated by the smallness of the role they can play but they should find encouragement in the thought that they are laying the foundations for a united world after present crises are overcome.” Bahá’ís will be interested to note that Mr. Baldwin met Bahá’ís of several countries through letters of introduction given him by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Bahá’í Activities in New Nations[edit]
During the final plenary session the non-governmental organizations were invited to submit statements regarding their work in the “new nations.” The Bahá’í International Community submitted the following which became part of the record of the conference:
“The Bahá’í International Community, representing the Bahá’ís of over eighty countries in all five continents of the globe, wishes to present a few of its achievements in the new nations.
“Community centers have been established both in rural and urban areas. In the urban areas, vigorous assistance has been provided the primitive peoples enabling them to integrate successfully into these more highly developed societies.
“Since a fundamental principle of the Bahá’í Faith is education for all, schools at various scholastic levels form an important part of a continuously expanding educational program for adults as well as children.
“Each Bahá’í community endeavors to develop in its members a world point of view leading to a broader understanding of the fundamental oneness of the human race. This serves to eliminate the traditional prejudices between nations, races and religions.
“Since so many of our aims and those of the United Nations are identical, Bahá’í communities all over the world support a vigorous program explaining the structure and purposes of the United Nations, an important part of which is the annual observance of United Nations and Human Rights Days.
“In the field of Human Rights, the equality of men and women has been firmly established in every Bahá’í community. In many of these communities situated in primitive areas where the status of women has been very low, women are now increasingly being elected to serve on governing bodies. Bahá’ís are active in the promotion of all fundamental Human Rights, even to the extent of the sacrifice of their own lives to preserve and uphold these principles on which the ultimate peace and security of all peoples depend.”
During the conference our observers and delegates had many opportunities to meet members of the United Nations Secretariat and members of other nongovernmental organizations. Those attending on behalf of the Bahá’í International Community felt that the 1960 Conference Was yet another step in the process of “strengthening our ties with the United Nations,” one of the ten goals which the beloved Guardian had set for the World Center of the Faith during the Ten-Year Crusade.
Northeastern view of the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of India, situated at No. 6 Canning Road, New Delhi, India,
requisitioned by the government since 1948, was rammed to the Bahá’ís in May 1960.
International News Briefs[edit]
During the month of July summer schools were held in Kingston, Port Antonio, Annatto Bay, Spanish Town, and Central St. Andrew. Mr. Amos Gibson, member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Faith, arrived in Jamaica on July 1, 1960. He visited all of the local spiritual assemblies and helped in the summer schools.
A National Teaching Conference took place among all the five communities on July 30-31, and the International School is scheduled to be held in Kingston on August 26-27, 1960. A meeting for the public will be held on the night of August 28.
The Haitian Teaching Committee held a two-day conference in Port-au-Prince on June 25-26. The conference was conducted by Mr. Donald Corbin from St. Marc, and the subject was “Building a Bahá’í Community.” It was a wonderful two days enjoyed by all.
The beautiful mountain-top Cathedral of the Pines at Rindge, N.H., dedicated to the Worship of God by people of all religions and races, was again the impressive scene of the tenth annual meeting of the Bahá’ís on July 9, sponsored by the Area Teaching Committee for the North New England States. The service was attended by about 250 people and more than 300 pieces of Bahá’í literature were distributed. The area teaching committee presented the Cathedral library with a copy of Mr. Horace Holley’s Religion for Mankind, and a gracious letter of thanks was received by them from a member of the Cathedral of the Pines Trust.
A new quarterly, written in German, called Bahá’í-Briefe is being published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany, the first issue being July 1964). The purpose of the little magazine is to attract people to the Faith. The editorial office is Ulrich Peter Rommel, Georg-Deuschle St. 86, Esslingen-Oberesslingen, Germany.
A half-hour presentation on the Faith appeared on the TV program “The Time for Religion” on Channel 11, WTTW, Chicago, on July 13. The program, sponsored by the publicity committee under the auspices of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago, and produced by Ruth Blackwell and Dan Jordan, was entitled “The Unity of God, His Prophets, and Mankind” and used the Temple as its theme.
LOCAL ASSEMBLIES FORMED RIḌVÁN 1960
Local Spiritual Assembly of Macau restored on April
21, 1960.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Pusan, Korea, elected
April 21, 1960. on the same day of its formation the
Assembly adopted a nearby city, Masan, as its extension teaching goal. Mrs. Barbara Enger and Dale
Enger, pioneers, are shown front row center and back
row, second from left. A program has been initiated
and about twenty people in Masan are attending regular weekly meetings.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Pereira, Colombia,
formed, April 21, 1960. Front row: Roxana Garro,
Thomas Simmons, Wilma Thomas, Alejandor Garro.
Back row: Habib Rezuan; Ghodsea Ashraf, Felix
Bravo, Ervin Thomas, Jorge Mendista.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Zaouiat Cheickh,
Morocco, formed April 21, 1960. It is the first all-
Maroccan Local Assembly and consists largely of Berbers.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
quah, Washington, formed on April 21, 1960.
A Divine Institution Formed in Issaquah, Washington[edit]
In response to the beloved Guardian’s directive to Bahá’ís to open new centers to the Faith, Marjorie and Kenneth Bovee pioneered to the small town of Issaquah, Washington. A letter from the National spiritual Assembly, August 25, 1958, acknowledged their Pioneer Pledge with prayers that a local spiritual assembly might be established well before 1963.
The suggestions offered by the National Spiritual Assembly in its letter to Bahá’í Groups, dated August 13, 1956, were used to guide the progress in this new locality.
Observance of the Nineteen-day Feasts in Issaquah was begun immediately by the two pioneers. Through consultation it was agreed to teach the Faith indirectly, live the Bahá’í life, and by so doing gain the respect and love of the townspeople. Many times the two Bahá’ís would drive through the streets of the town raising the cry of “Ya-Bahá’u’l-Abhá!” supplicating Bahá’u’lláh to guide them to His chosen ones.
The mayor was contacted to learn of any organization which would welcome assistance with a United Nations program, and this visit provided the opportunity of presenting some pamphlets to him as a protection to the Faith against gossip or erroneous ideas.
The first local publicity was an item about delegates to the National Convention, and a brief explanation of the Faith was included as a result of questions asked by the editor. Free publicity was then obtained for participation in every event, locally or nationally.
The local library was presented with a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.
Issaquah was chosen as an extension teaching goal in October 1958 by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Seattle. Two very successful meetings were held with the assistance of the Seattle community; one being a social during the Christmas season for teaching purposes, the other an international gathering demonstrating the oneness of religion and of mankind.
Working with local civic and religious groups was helpful in becoming acquainted and accepted in this small town, and later many firesides were held, but the resulting enrollments were outside the city.
Thus, Issaquah was not included among the “preferred goal” groups of 1959-’50, and the Bovees, both members of the area teaching committee, directed their energies more and more to the larger groups. However, they began to pray earnestly, reciting the Tablet of Aḥmad daily, that there be an assembly in Issaquah or that they be guided to move again to one of the preferred goal cities.
The bounties began to descend. Through unexpected circumstances, two more Bahá’ís moved to Issaquah in December, and three others came in February from a community large enough to release them. They came with complete confidence that they would help to form a local spiritual assembly. News was sent to the area teaching committee that Issaquah had attained a preferred goal status. Twenty days later another Bahá’í couple purchased a lot in Issaquah to build a new home. The assembly was assured!
Bahá’u’lláh had granted to the town of Issaquah, Washington, the bounty of a new creation through which the love of God could be manifested.
Benelux Summer School Held in Holland[edit]
The Benelux Bahá’í Summer School of 1960 was held in Holland from July 2 to 9, near Oisterwijk. The 140 Bahá’í friends with their twenty or more children, coming from twelve countries, enjoyed the spiritual banquet of study and fellowship prepared for them.
Revered Hand of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel attended the sessions and established the spiritual climate when he exclaimed in his opening address, “May these days be blessed days for everyone!” All present indeed felt blessed, and each day saw a new young person deeply stirred, arise to declare his faith in Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers for protection and confirmation were said for these seven newly-born souls!
The sessions began with Mrs. Marion Hofman’s brilliant exposition of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets of the Divine Plan. Other themes treated were “Some Christian Subjects”, showing the Bahá’í teaching on life, death and resurrection, ably given by Arnold van Ogtrop, and “The Trinity”, explained by Virginia Orbison. Mr. Ghadimi brought out the relationship between “The Bible and the Koran”, showing them both to be guides and preparation for the Universal Manifestation, Bahá’u’lláh. Mr. Kamran spoke on “The Life of Muhammad, and His Koran”, pointing out that the Christian world should learn the validity and function of Islám in the world’s development, through the Bahá’ís. Dr. Mühlschlegel gave an extensive and scholarly exposition of The Seven Valleys in several languages including the Greek. An excellent treatment of “The Spirit of Bahá’í Administration” was given by Edward Bode. Florence Bagley’s deeply spiritual and practical setting forth of Bahá’u’lláh’s first injunction to “Possess a Pure, Kindly, and Radiant Heart” penetrated deeply into the souls of the friends. Louis Henuzet dealt with in mastery and inspiration, “God and His Manifestation”, and Roger Swinnen explained in detail the subject, “Reincarnation from the Bahá’í Viewpoint”.
“Great Women in the Bahá’í Faith” was an informative study by Mr. Samii, and Luis de Fretes’ discourse on “Psychology of Teaching” was a timely and helpful condensation of his fourteen-session course.
Teaching Conference held in Chunju, Korea, June 3, 4
and 5, 1960, the third in a series of five conferences
planned to review the underlying spiritual truths of
the Bahá’í Faith.
National Conventions Recount Growth of Faith
Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela[edit]
The fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela was held in Cali, Colombia.
On the evening of April 26 the host assembly of the city of Cali held a lovely reception and dinner to welcome delegates and visitors to the two-day pre-Convention school which opened April 27.
Hand of the Cause Hermann Grossmann was present at the Convention and greatly inspired the friends. He praised them for work that had been successfully accomplished during the year, but reminded them that they do not have time to bask in their victories as there is much work to be done.
In the midst of the reading of the annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly a cable arrived from the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere, congratulating the territory for the Work accomplished and especially the outstanding and obvious miracle of Bahá’u’lláh in the country of Venezuela. This country had been the most difficult to work in because of the internal problems of the country itself and also be cause of its immigration laws. The Bahá’ís of the whole region were praying for the aid of Bahá’u’lláh in establishing just one assembly needed in Venezuela. Just two weeks before the time for the formation of the new assemblies, the National Spiritual Assembly received a cable assuring them of the victory of the assembly in Barquisimeto. The miracles began to happen and the declarations began to come. On the night of April 20, in the midst of fighting and revolution within the country, Bahá’u’lláh gave birth to not one — but four new local spiritual assemblies in the country of Venezuela. It was difficult for the friends to settle down for the balance of the reports after this thrilling news. Eleven new assemblies in all were formed in the whole territory: Cuenca and Otavalo in Ecuador; Manizales, Cartagena, and Pereira in Colombia; Barquisimeto, Distrito Sucre, Valencia, and Maracay in Venezuela; Niteroi and Campinas in Brazil. These eleven new assemblies brought the total of local assemblies in the territory to thirty.
The friends were extremely pleased with the wonderful publicity received throughout the Convention. Various articles appeared in the newspapers but the most outstanding was an article published by “El Tiempo” which gave a three-column spread titled “Que Es Un Bahá’í?” along with a photograph taken by the newspaper photographer on the night of the reception. The article was almost a verbatim quotation from the pamphlet of Stanwood Cobb, “What is a Bahá’í?”
The newly-elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela are as follows: Margot Worley, chairman; Mercedes Sanchez, vice-chairman; Dorothy Campbell, secretary; Gayle Woolson, recording secretary; Jamshid Meghnot, treasurer; Enrique Sanchez, Edmund Missler, Rangvald Taetz, and Cyrus Monajemi.
Northwest Africa[edit]
The National Convention of Northwest Africa opened on April 29, 1960 in the Community Center of Victoria, British Cameroons.
Present was Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and forty-five delegates, many of whom had undergone severe hardships to get there. Some told of long journeys in crowded and uncomfortable lorries which stopped neither for food nor comfort, and they expressed their joy at being able to attend. Many of the delegates could not speak English and therefore had to depend upon translations into one of the native languages. There were several women delegates and it was indeed wonderful to see the women beginning to take part in the Faith. One of the visitors told of her efforts to come to the Convention even though she was not a delegate. She said she wanted to see for herself just how Bahá’í matters were run, so that she could go back to her village and tell the women there that in the Bahá’í Faith women were encouraged to actively participate.
The youngest chief in the Cameroons came as a delegate from Mamfe Division, He journeyed two days in a lorry, the driver of which refused to stop for food, and although he could remain for only a half day, the young chief came because he was a delegate and felt it his duty to attend the Convention.
The spirit of these believers, many of whom were illiterate, was wonderful to behold. It was for some of them their first cherished opportunity to participate in a Bahá’í Convention. They expressed their joy in songs which they had composed and loved to sing about the Bahá’í Faith.
Bahá’ís of Ghana attending a study class at home of
pioneer Eloise Mitchell, last row center. Believers of
Ghana have doubled their local spiritual assemblies
and increased their number by over 50% during the
last year.
A map of the Ten Year Crusade goals with plans for Northwest Africa was placed on the wall so that the friends, many of whom had never been more than a few miles from their own villages, could get a wider scope of the area encompassed by that region of Northwest Africa which is under ‘the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly. One could observe the growth in perception and understanding as the whole of the Convention began manifesting a concern for the entire area of Northwest Africa and relating plans for Nigeria and the Cameroons to the whole region. They also discussed local needs and traveling teaching problems. Many recommendations were made.
During the period of the election of the new National Spiritual Assembly of Northwest Africa, two people were chosen to write for those who could not write. The results were as follows: Mr. Enoch Olinga, Mr. Rowshan Mustapha, Miss Valerie Wilson, Mrs. Lillie Rosenberg, Mr. William Foster, Mr. Abdullah Mosbah, Mr. Mustapha Bouchoucha, Mr. Moses Akombi, Miss Elsie Austin.
South East Asia[edit]
During the past year through unfailing confirmations from Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í Communities of South East Asia were blessed with outstanding Victories in the field of teaching, multiplication and consolidation, formation of spiritual assemblies, and establishment of local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. The total number of Centers in South East Asia has risen well over 7500, approximately 3000 having been added since last year. Six new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds have been built or purchased during this period thus raising the number of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in these regions to twenty-one.
Results of the election of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia are as follows: Mrs. Shirin Fozdar, chairman; Dr. John Fozdar, vice-chain man; Mr. K. H. Payman, secretary; Mr. Kishin Khemani, treasurer; Mr. Leong Tat Chee, Mr. Jamshed Fozdar, Dr. M. Samandari, Mr. Kamran Sarnimi, Dr. H. Taeed.
Members of Teaching committee selected at special
teaching conference on June 12 in Long-An province
Vietnam.
Bahá’ís of Long-Tri village, Long-An Province, Binh-Phuoc district, about 60 Kms. from Saigon, Vietnam,
gathered on June 12 with Auxiliary Board member,
Jamshed Fozdar, for a teaching conference and to
select a nine-member teaching committee for the Binh-Phuoc district. All fifty-seven new Bahá’ís, just newly
declared a week previous, attended the meeting and
demonstrated their sincerity and enthusiasm for the
work ahead.
New Radio Script Series Presents Bahá’í Viewpoint[edit]
The Radio Service Committee has announced the completion of a taped series of radio scripts by Mr. Fin Hollinger entitled the “Bahá’í Viewpoint Series.” It deals with the iullowing four subjects: The Meaning of Life, God and Human Society, The Return of Christ, and Religion and Churchdom. The quality, production, voice and speed are all of the very best, and the committee recommends them highly for the most discriminating of radio programs.
Two other excellent tapes are available: “The Bahá’í Faith — a Magnificent Challenge,” and “Prayer is a Key.”
These tapes may be purchased at $3.50 each, or rented at $2.00 each from the Radio Service C0mrnittee, Mrs. James F. Keefrey, Secretary, 2416 Waunona Way, Madison 5, Wis.
National Bahá’í Addresses[edit]
Please Address Mail Correctly!
National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters:[edit]
536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Ill.
National Treasurer:[edit]
112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Make Checks Payable to: National Bahá’í Fund[edit]
Bahá’í Publishing Trust:[edit]
110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Make Checks Payable to: Bahá’í Publishing Trust[edit]
Bahá’í News:[edit]
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Subscription and change of address: 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Members of the Bahá’í school, children and adult
classes, Peoria, Illinois. This group meets regularly
every Sunday morning.
The Local Assembly of Ashiya, Japan, celebrated the
second anniversary of their formation as a public
teaching event with eighty people attending, Hand of
the Cause Agnes Alexander spoke in English with her
talk translated into Japanese, and this was followed by
talks given by Odani and Mr. Zenimoto, Slides of the
Holy Land were also shown.
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
A Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights and Obligations This new reprint in the form of a self—mailer of this Declaration originally presented to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, February, 1947, also conlains a statement on “The Work of Bahá’ís in Promotion of Human Rights” prepared for the United Nations Conference on Human Rights, Geneva, Switzerland, May 19-20, 1948 by the Bahá’í International Community. lntended as prestige literature particularly for use on Human Rights Day, it is also appropriate at any time for presentation to leaders, organizations and anyone concerned with the subject matter. Printed in dark brown ink on quality vellum ivory paper.
10 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1.50
25 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3.00
50 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$5.00
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
October 16—‘Ilm (Knowledge)
HOLY DAYS[edit]
October 20—Birth of the Báb
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
October 14, 15, 16
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours[edit]
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 Holydays 10:30 a.m to p.m. (Entire building)
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
Service of Worship[edit]
Sundays
3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community
Reports, plans, news items, and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from national assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the 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 1960-1961; Richard C. Thomas, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National News Editor; Miss D. Thelma Jackson and Mrs. Harriett Wolcott, Assistant Editors.
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.
