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| No. 367 | BAHA’I YEAR 118 | OCTOBER, 1961 |
The Great Teacher of the West
The holiest House of Worship in the Bahá’í world in its magnificent setting on Lake Michigan at Wilmette, Illinois, twenty miles north of Chicago. To the left of the dome can be seen national Ḥaẓíratu’l Quds.
Wilmette Temple Performs its Destined Functions
As the peak of summer 1961 came and passed, it was obvious that the Mother Temple of the West, in Wilmette, Illinois, was as usual exerting the unique influence predicted for it long ago by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. As always, it served as an inspirational setting for the prayers and meditations of believers and non-believers alike. It provided the site for monthly public lectures, and for Sunday services of worship, with their beautiful readings from the world’s scriptures and their a cappella choir selections. And the multiple spell of its unique architecture, ever-changing gardens and intriguing exhibits made it a center of attraction for the customary stream of transient visitors from near and far.
In this role of perennial attractor and teacher it will, as in other recent years, apparently be visited by about 100,000 people. by the end of 1961. Among these there have already been many Bahá’ís, including Hands of the Cause Paul Haney, Zikru’lláh Khádem, Shu’a‘u’lláh ‘Ala‘i and Enoch Olinga. Among other notables have been Arnold Toynbee, celebrated British historian, and McHenry Boatwright, widely acclaimed young baritone vocalist.
A survey made near the end of August showed that visitors up to that time represented, in addition to the United States, eighty-two countries and territories all over the world — from Chile to Norway, Pakistan to Panama, Wales to Vietnam, Japan to Jamaica, and Iceland to Nigeria.
Great Variety of Visiting Groups[edit]
Equally striking is the variety of the groups and tours—mostly of domestic origin—that come to the great House of Worship, and that make up a large part of the visitor total.
Most frequent are the scores of religious groups from local churches, nearby towns, and neighboring states. They comprise both adult and young people’s aggregations, and have this year included at least one confirmation class, a catechism class, a Sunday school and a church choir. In addition there have been group visits sponsored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews.
Almost equal in number are visiting tours from educational institutions. There are sixth, seventh, and eighth graders from elementary schools and day camps; high-school groups, including graduating classes and choirs; college and university groups, some of them international students.
Falling into a similar category are engineering, medical and other scientific bodies, whose visits are either incidental to professional conferences in the vicinity or planned purposely to afford study of the design and construction of the Temple.
Among the younger visitors are units of the Girl Scouts, BTOWHIES and Campfire Girls, as well as YWCA,
A trained force under Building Superintendent Wyatt
Cooper maintains the beauty and effectiveness of the
building and gardens — jointly the most famous landmark of the “north shore” region of Illinois. When the
work of gardening, painting and general upkeep permits, these men perform such other tasks as cleaning
the Temple’s glass-and-steel middle dome, located between the outer and inner concrete ornamentation.
Buses that brought a large group of children from Chicago public schools to the Temple.
Hi-Y and 4H groups, Among the adult organizations are mothers’, women’s and garden clubs.
Accommodating the Thousands[edit]
Every week and every month brings change and contrast in these visitations, An organized travel group from Austria, Iran, Indonesia, Latin America, Utah or New York City may be followed the next day by 200 grocers’ wives from a convention in Chicago. And a body of 130 ordained ministers from a nearby Bible institute are offset by a hundred equally interested men giving themselves a respite from a national bowling competition.
If there is any believer who tears that his Faith is going unnoticed, that believer would not be among the committees and staffs that help to maintain the Wilmette House of Worship and its gardens for the edification of the visiting thousands; who arrange and carry out the services of worship and public meetings, provide and dispense printed literature, and carry on the important guiding service; and who perform the many other tasks related to the functioning of this great teacher of the West.
A few of the believers who help facilitate the functioning of the House of Worship. Six committees and their
staffs, together totaling about 165 people (mostly but
not all Bahá’ís), serve in this work. Besides the maintenance force attending to the building and gardens,
there are guides, readers, speakers, hosts and hostesses, choristers, ushers, book-sales personnel, watchmen
and others. Some live in the Temple area while others,
serving largely on an occasional basis, come in from
Chicago and neighboring towns, Milwaukee, Urbana,
and more distant points.
NSA of the U.S. Elects New Secretary[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, meeting in Wilmette at the beginning of September, elected Hugh E. Chance as secretary.
Mr. Chance succeeds Charles Wolcott, who resigned the secretaryship of the National Spiritual Assembly, in order to take up his responsibilities at the World Center of the Faith as secretary-general of the International Bahá’í Council.
Mr. Chance has been active in teaching the Faith in the United States, having served on the American National Teaching Committee. He was first elected to the National Assembly in December 1960.
First Legally Recognized Bahá’í Wedding Performed in Panama[edit]
The first Bahá’í wedding in Panama to be performed with full legal recognition took place when Ruth Ellen Yancey and Alan A. Pringle were married in the city of David, Province of Chiriqui, on July 27.
Legally, the Panamanian government recognizes the right of all incorporated religious bodies to perform marriages. Thus any judge will issue a civil license for a Bah ceremony performed by an incorporated local spiritual assembly or by the National Spiritual Assembly in any city where there is no incorporated LSA.
The Civil Register for the Republic of Panama also issued a book of its certificates to the National Assembly. One of these must accompany the license to be legally recorded in the National Civil Register.
Some fifty non-Bahá is attended the ceremony gave a tremendous impetus to the teaching effort in the city of David. The newly wedded couple are pioneers dedicated to teaching the Guaymi Indians in Chiriquí Province, and many Guaymies were included among the guests.
Eight More Pioneers leave Albuquerque[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Albuquerque, New Mexico, recently contributed eight of its members to the pioneering field in response to the appeal from the National Assembly that local assemblies bring at least one new assembly into being. Six of the settlers have established a group in the town of Bernalillo, New Mexico.
This makes a total of nineteen believers who have gone out from Albuquerque since the beloved Guardian’s call to disperse.
Representatives from the Spiritual Assemblies of Muar,
Tangkak, Jasin, Seremban, Alor Gajah, Tampin and
Tebong attending a week-end conference at Malacca,
Federation of Malaya, May 1961.
Frankfurt Temple Outlines Begin to Appear[edit]
Upper left: Concrete tie-beams radiating from the central auditorium area connect the Inner and outer foundations. The rib-like pillars for the dome will rest on the Inner foundation, while the outer foundation will carry the supporting ribs of the glassed-in passageway circling the auditorium.
Middle left: The concrete floor of the auditorium and outer passageway. Between the two are openings for the ventilating and heating ducts.
Lower left: Temporary support structures for the nine main plum and eighteen supplementary pillars which will carry the dome. Erection or the pillars started early In August.
Below: Dr. Eugen Schmidt, chairman of the NSA of Germany, consulting with the Dutch manufacturer who prefabricated the parts or the dome structure. Shown Is one at the molding forms for the lower sections or the pillars.
Directly above: A mold for one of the broad lower pillar
sections, showing the steel with which the concrete was
reinforced.
upper right: Three completed pillar sections awaiting transportation at the factory In Kampen, Netherlands.
Middle right: A trailer muck loaded with some 111 the completed pillar sections.
Lower right: The steel scaffolding as it looked at an advanced stage, and with two of the pillar’s already in place.
Below: Pillar sections being mounted in position with the aid of a tower crane. Nine main pillars will give the Temple the nine-sided effect chacteristic of Bahá’í Houses of Worship. Between each two of these principal pillars W111 be pairs of supplementary ones. The operation in which the lower sections were mounted and anchored to their foundations called for great precision.
National Spiritual Assembly of North-East Africa for
1961-1962. Left to right, seated: Dr. Leo Niederreiter,
Mrs. Ursula Samandari, Foad Ashraf, Ali Ruhi. Standing: Dr. Hushang Ahdieh, Gamal Rushdy, Jamshid
Munajjim, Dr. Hishrnat Farhoumand, Gila Michael
Bahta.
Eight members of the National Spiritual Assembly of
North East Asia for 1961-1962. Left to right, seated:
Hiroyasu Takano, Agnes Alexander, Barbara Sims,
Philip Marangella. Standing: Masazo Odani, David
Earl, Ataullah Maghbel, Ikua Mizuno. Not shown: William Maxwell.
New National and Local Assemblies Typify Growth of Faith[edit]
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Panganlayu, Brunei State, Sarawak, formed April 1961.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Tangkak, Johore,
Malaya Federation, formed April 1961. Left to right,
seated: Chiam Tan Kuang (treasurer), Koh Eng Koon
(secretary), Lin Chee Kow (chairman), Foo Fang Lig
(vice-chairman). Standing: M. R. Vijayam, Tey Seng
Chow, Won Kim Sun, Koo Eng Kiang, Tan Kim Seng.
First Local spiritual Assembly of Padua, Italy, formed
April 21, 1961.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Bologna, Italy, formed
April 1961. Left to right, seated: s. Firouzmand, L.
Shahidi, G. Khusrawani, K. Shahrokh. Standing: Julio
Savi, David Ned Blackmer, M. Paymanian, A. Firouzmand, Keith De Folo. Although the assembly was first
formed in 1960, no photograph was possible at that time.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Bari, Italy, formed
April 1961. Left to right, seated: Mrs. M. Mobin, Ebrahim Faradian, Mrs. Attieh Ghaeni, Mrs. Mahin Tirandaz. Standing: Hamad Ghaeni, Mrs. Howyeh Avaregan,
Husciar Foadi, Mrs. Amalia Foadi, Saradge Avaregan.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Arnhem, Netherlands,
formed April 1961. From left to right, seated: Harold
Gail, Mary Bode, Edward Bode, Mas v.d. Garde. Standing: Helly Watrin, John Hutjens, Gert v.d. Garde, Toki
Dudok-v. Heel, Marzieh Gail.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Hetland, Norway,
formed April 1961. From left to right: Richard Mereness, Betty Koyl, Mahmood Madjzoob, Synnove Boré,
Shokooh Madjzoob, Joyce Johnson, Alfield Lindberg,
Kyrsten Bonnovie, Bruce Johnson.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Pinellas County,
Florida, formed April 1961. Left to right, seated: Paul
Petit (chairman), Lillian Beevers. Standing: Ruth V.
Thomas (secretory), Gordon M. Thomas (treasurer),
Jesse Alexander, Beatrice Alexander, Emma Walsh
Elizabeth Darreff, Arvilla Petit.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Delft, Netherlands,
formed April 1961. From left to right, seated: Olga
Ruys, Jaleh Mowzoon, Vicky Samandani, Frough Towfigh, H. Bakhshayesh. Standing: Aman Samadani, Ruhi
Towfigh, Theo Ruys, Faraj Bakhshayesh.
First Local Spiritual Assembly of Oxnard, California,
formed April 1961. Left to right, seated; Mrs. Catherine
Humphrey, Mrs. Nance Young (recording secretary),
Mrs. Bala Taheri-Kermani, Mrs. LaVeller Jackson.
Back row: L. G. Wells (chairman), W. C. Young (vice-chairman), Mrs. Patricia L. Doyland (secretary), R.
Taheri-Kermani, John Humphrey (treasurer).
{{center|The Star of India Rises
By H. Fatheázam
Secretary of the NSA of India
3370 accept the Faith in six months as the Message spreads from village to village
A FEW YEARS before his passing, our beloved Guardian stressed the importance of teaching the masses of this country, telling us that they are by nature spiritually-minded. It required a few years of consolidation of the old Bahá’í Community of India, as well as the unfoldment of the glorious Ten-Year Plan drawn by the beloved of our hearts, Shoghi Effendi, to enable us to understand the real significance of teaching the Cause to the masses of this subcontinent.
It is only six months since an organized effort was launched for giving the Message of God to the awakening masses of India. This is a glorious beginning, as it has resulted in the acceptance of the Faith by almost 3400 people.
One has to be in the field to see how the people of India are thirsty for the water of life—the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. When the sacred Message of God is conveyed to a conference composed of 300 to 800 people, the Bahá’ís are usually blamed by these loving souls for not bringing this message to them earlier.
Results of a Divine Process[edit]
We are really having a thrilling experience as with our own eyes we see the creative power of the Word of God change the hearts and brighten the eyes of multitudes of people—men and women, old and young. Statistics are important, but figures cannot reveal the stories of love, patience, devotion and sincerity involved in this divine process. To our amazement and delight we find ourselves in a position to make the following statements.
Within six months, beginning February 1, 1961, the list of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in India has been enhanced by over 3370 loving souls.
The number of Bahá’í groups which will form spiritual assemblies next Riḍván, in addition to the present
Above: Some of the believers of Samgimanda who
Ramatu’lláh Muhájir and other Bahá’í Visitors at
At left: Mrs. Shirin Boman, member of the Auxiliary to a village.
At top, left: Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Faizi traveling on first Bahá’í village school In Kwetiyapani.
At top, right: Pupils of the Bahá’í School of outside the school building.
At right: A view oi‘ the Bahá’í conference held at
seventy-eight assemblies, is over one hundred.
The number of Bahá’í schools which have been opened in villages is eight.
More than ten enlightened souls have offered to donate their precious pieces of land for the construction of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
Six tribes of Adivasis (aborigines) are already represented in the Faith in India.
About 5000 people in distant Nepal, in the Himalaya Range, have expressed their desire to be numbered among the followers of Bahá’u’lláh—Glory of God.
Establishing the Base for Mass Teaching[edit]
It is appropriate to recall the promise of our beloved Guardian to a pilgrim concerning the great destiny of the black and brown races in relation to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and we are very glad that the enlightenment of the brown race, begun years ago in the Pacific and Southeast Asia, has now extended to India.
The story of mass teaching here begins with a conference held on January 30 and 31, 1961 in a remote village, Samgimanda, in the heart of the heart of India — in the State of Madhya Pradesh (Central India). Previously, to establish a base for mass teaching, the National Spiritual Assembly of India had felt it necessary to have a few simple village schools. One such school had been opened two or three years ago in another district of the same state. One of the achievements of this school was that a teacher from these simple folks was trained to open another school of the same type in his own village, Samgimanda. Thus Samgimanda had become the seat of our second school among the masses, and also the site of our second spiritual assembly formed in the year 1960 under the mass teaching campaign.
All of a sudden we received news that revered Hand
The Ujjain conference — a scene typical of the Bahá’í
conferences held in the villages.
of the Cause Dr. Muhájir, whose encouragement and
guidance had previously made the National Spiritual
Assembly lay stress on the importance of teaching the
masses, was coming to Bombay. Fortunately, two members of the National Assembly, together with Mr. and
Mrs. M. A. Faizi, experienced teachers of the cause,
were in Madhya Pradesh. When they received information of the arrival of the Hand of the Cause, and
his desire to hold a conference for the benefit of the
masses, word was sent by them to the Spiritual Assembly of Samgimanda so that within forty-eight hours
a conference might be organized in their village.
The Historic Conference at Samgimanda[edit]
When the Bahá’ís started for Samgimanda on foot and in bullock carts, they did not know what was awaiting them. The approach to the mud huts of the village was decorated with simple colored papers. A number of villagers came out several miles to receive the guests. By firing gunshots they proclaimed in their traditional way that important and respected guests were coming to the village, Women, in groups, were chanting welcome songs and hymns. Amid the beating of drums, booming of guns and devotional songs, cries of “Alláh’u’Abhá” and “Bahá’u’lláh ki Jai” were heard. Children of the Bahá’í School, over sixty in number, lined up to receive the Hand of the Cause.
The conference was publicized Within a few hours and attracted over 300 people. In spite of severe cold, this congregation continued well past midnight. It was cold, dark and midnight but nobody wanted to leave. The Message of God was so attractive, soul-stirring and inspiring that they sat spellbound. Representatives from neighboring villages did not leave the place till they were assured by the Bahá’ís that they would send somebody to their places to give to the people the reassuring and hope-fostering Message of God.
A Process of Chain Reaction[edit]
A group of Bahá’ís, organized by Dr. Muhájir, was then dispatched to various villages. After a few days,
Bahá’ís of the village Pir Ranaira Ka Khera, outside
their huts.
while the National Spiritual Assembly was in session
in the presence of Dr. Muhájir in Bombay, news came
that about 300 people had enrolled as Bahá’ís. So, from
the beginning of February a process of chain reaction
has set in. Every few days a conference would be
organized by the new believers in their own villages.
The number of participants in each conference would
range between 300 and 300 people; the result of each
conference would be between 100 and 200 declarations.
Again, each newly declared Bahá’í, on returning to his home village, wanted another conference for the benefit of his own area, “Why my people,” he would say, “should not receive the Light of God? Why they should not become Bahá’ís?” He is right. Why should not they have the opportunity of receiving the glad tidings of Bahá’u’lláh? But how to meet all these demands is a question which is not easy to answer. However, this is the Cause of God and Bahá’u’lláh Himself will surely solve the problem.
There are people who are going from village to village by themselves, barefooted and with nothing except a walking stick and a small package of puffed rice, and perhaps one or two articles of clothing. The scorching heat of the Indian summer, dirt roads and the unknown destination do not deter them fromthe glorious path they are treading—the path of the service of God.
This is the glorious beginning. As the beloved Guardian has promised, the star of India is rising in the heaven of the Bahá’í world.
By-Election in Ecuador Names New NSA Member[edit]
Alberto Carbo Medina of Guayaquil, Ecuador, has been elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Ecuador, replacing" Guillermo Sotomayor, who was expelled from the Faith as mentioned in the September issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
Southeastern Summer School — 1961 — Frogmore, S.C.
Southeastern Summer School Prepares Many Believers for Final Tasks of Crusade[edit]
Arrivals at the Southeastern Bahá’í Summer School, conducted from July 9 to 15 in the Penn Community Center at Frogmore, South Carolina, were greeted by a sign which read “652 Days.” This terse reminder of the fraction of Crusade time still remaining signalized the urgent theme of the seven-day session.
The school attracted seventy-six believers and visitors, from ten states throughout the South and elsewhere, to the site on lovely, breeze-swept, moss-festooned St. Helena Island ofi the Atlantic coast. It provided an atmosphere that quickly made the friends forget the paralyzing preoccupations of the outside world in favor of an abiding spirit of heartfelt love and unity of purpose. In this spirit they gave their concentrated attention to the school program.
A Timely Course of Study[edit]
Each morning the youth inquirers met with Allan Ward to learn the broad outlines of the Faith. During the same period, in a class directed by Jack McCants, the believers pursued an intense, soul-stirring search for ways to initiate mass conversion and reach the spiritually ready Negro population.
In the next period, Betty Lewis showed how to assist children and youth to the understanding and use of the spiritual principles. At the same time another class explored fireside and speaking methods based on concepts of effective communication and the example of the Master. Simultaneously the youth explored various areas of the Faith under the leadership of Jane Failey.
After lunch two teachers collaborated in an inspirational class calculated to help the believers “arise in His Name” to achieve the remaining goals of the crusade. Sherry Milden outlined significant aspects of Bahá’í history, stressing the importance of both youthful and more mature workers in the Faith, while Riaz lgliédem brought the students closer to the spirit and scope of the Guardianship, especially in relation to the Crusade.
An experimental study period incorporated into the schedule provided an opportunity to digest class notes while fresh, as well as time for homework and assistance with study methods.
Rewarding Evening Schedule[edit]
The teachers created a joyous learning atmosphere for the children’s classes, as was demonstrated by an excellent handiwork display and by the children’s participation in Talent Night.
The latter constituted one of a number of diverse evening programs that brightened the balmy, starry nights, the first being a beautiful commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Báb. Succeeding evenings also included a session on Persian pronunciations directed by Tzar Akhaven, a public meeting with Allan Ward as speaker, a Bahá’í literature presentation sent by Mrs. Marian Lippitt, and added periods on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s teaching methods while in America and the story of Jack Mccants’ stirring discovery of the Faith.
New Friends, and a Telling Tribute[edit]
A beautiful new sign prayerfully erected beside the highway to bring the believers closer to the island people led to a thrilling series of contacts. Included were a quartet that came to sing spirituals at the talent-night show, and a group of men, women and children who likewise rendered spirituals and led the friends in group singing. Two of the singers stayed until midnight to hear about the Faith‘ Another said, “Long ago the shepherds went to see what was happening; now we have come to find out about this new Faith.”
Several of the new acquaintances came to fireside sessions, public meetings and other activities. Plans were laid for continued teaching among the islanders, and at school’s end it seemed as if St. Helena, site of the summer school, might some day fall to the benign forces of Bahá’u’lláh.
As the session drew to a close, no more glowing tribute to its effectiveness could have been voiced than these words of one of the departing believers: “Nothing happened in my life or any significance until I met the beloved Guardian. This Bahá’í summer school is the second great experience of my life.”
Four Brazilian Centers Find Means to Reach the Masses[edit]
It has been said that when, in the time schedule of the Faith, the hour arrives to start a new project, the means often seem to be almost miraculously provided. Recently in Brazil, with all the Bahá’ís concentrating specifically on ways of reaching the masses, a fourfold example of this was experienced.
It began in Porto Alegre, where a television program called “Great Buildings of the World” showed and described the House of Worship in Wilmette. Quick to seize their opportunity, the local Bahá’ís obtained an interview with the manager of the station and were granted a half-hour for a program a few nights later.
The Bahá’í program was preceded by that of a famous singer, who no doubt helped to build a big audience. At any rate the Bahá’í telecast, which consisted of an illustrated story of the Faith and an interview with two believers, was so successful that on the next day these believers found themselves heroes on the streets of Porto Alegre.
A “chain reaction” result of this television venture was a request from an excellent magazine, O Globo, for permission to do an illustrated article on the Faith. Accordingly a reporter visited with the local spiritual assembly and also took numerous pictures, the upshot being one of the best and most attractive articles yet published in Brazil about the Faith.
Curitiba Follows Suit[edit]
The following week, in Curitiba, the friends had equally notable success, In a single day the Bahá’í community was able to stage a half-hour radio broadcast, a public meeting (with “standing room only”) and a television program lasting for an hour and a half.
After the radio program, members of the community with Sr. Rangvald Taetz, the speaker, talked for three hours to all the personnel of the television station, planning the TV program which was to follow, and which was to take up a half-hour. It included interviews with believers representing the diverse racial and national elements within the Bahá’í community, an exhibit of pictures and books, and conversation about the Faith.
At 11 p.m., the end of the half-hour planned, the program managers were so interested that they opened the telecast to telephoned questions and continued the program until midnight, when they finally apologized for not being able to answer all the questions that were pouring in. An immediate result was an offer by the station of a half-hour semimonthly program for the Bahá’ís of Curitiba.
Two More Successes[edit]
Meanwhile the believers of Sao Paulo had long cast eager eyes upon this means of spreading the Faith among the masses, but lacked contacts with the television companies. At this same time, however, Sid Bulkin, a California Bahá’í, came to Sao Paulo, appearing on a theater and television show with the Vic Damone Jazz Group. He not only left the local friends
Bahá’í’s of Porto Alegre, Brazil, with Hand oy the Cause
Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir (right of center, back row), on
the occasion of a visit by D1. Muhájir in May 1961.
many contacts but also opened channels through which
the São Paulo Bahá’ís were assured of a TV program
in the near future.
And finally Sr. Taetz, on his way to help build an assembly in the city of Recife, stopped in Bahia, and while there put on a half-hour television program.
Therefore, in an interval of two weeks, the Brazilian believers were enabled to give the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to from 500,000 to 700,000 television viewers, plus many more souls through other media, and the sudden wave of mass proclamation seems likely to continue unabated.
Renewal of Spiritual Forces Speeds Progress of Faith in Ohio[edit]
Last spring, at a time when East Cleveland, Ohio, seemed in danger of losing its local assembly, Mrs. Margery McCormick, Auxiliary Board member, paid the community a special visit. Her suggestion to use the long obligatory prayer, to set definite goals, and to be steadfast and constant in proclaiming the Faith was faithfully followed by the believers, with the result that the assembly was saved and a series of activities, in many of which nearby communities collaborated, have substantially furthered the promulgation of the Faith.
The East Cleveland Youth Committee staged a successful Riḍván celebration attended by forty-two. Extension work was undertaken in two towns, and three picnics, all interracial, were held in connection with it, drawing a total of 155 people.
Race Amity Day celebrations were planned, and the youth of two centers held a prayer meeting for their success. On Race Amity Day itself, East Cleveland’s extension teaching committee sent two representatives to one of the extension towns to aid in its program, while in East Cleveland itself Auxiliary Board member William deForge impressively pointed out to an audience of sixty-six—three-fifths of them contacts—that
Part of the group celebrating Riḍván 1961 in East Cleveland, Ohio.
Bahá’ís had, at Bahá’u’lláh’s behest, practiced race
amity for more than one hundred years‘ Even leftover refreshments were used to further the Faith, being
distributed among friendly high-school students unable
to attend the meeting, and to neighborhood Japanese
children.
On July 9 a public meeting planned in commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Báb seemed doomed to failure, yet prayer brought together a group of twenty-seven, including representatives of five races.
Increased steadfastness continues to bear fruit. East Cleveland holds successful weekly firesides, and a children’s class is growing steadily. On one Sunday it was found feasible to hold an adult fireside while the youngsters were in their class. Opportunities for individual giving of the Message seem to have increased, including those of a believer who is a postman and another who worked in a library during the summer. And with it all the local assembly continues to feed the fires of its enthusiasm and devotion by regular study of the administrative institutions and the spiritual teachings.
International News Briefs[edit]
Since the beginning of construction of the Temple outside Sydney, Australia, a considerable amount of development has occurred in the Temple environs, with a number of homes being built, several subdivisions under way, and a large hospital planned. The price of a piece of land adjoining the Temple property is now three and one-half times the price formerly asked.
Hooper Dunbar, who did notable pioneering work among the Rama Cay Indians of Nicaragua, recently spent a few days with the believers and Indians around Yellowknife (Canada). When a young Indian couple invited him to stay with them on the Dog Rib Reserve, the chief of the tribe came to check on the visitor. Subsequently he invited Mr. Hooper to stay in his house, and when the Visitor returned to Yellow knife, both the chief and his wife made a special trip into town with him. Before goodbyes were said, the chief insisted on having an official picture taken of them, which he wanted to hang in his home.
The National Aborigine Committee in Australia is formulating plans to further teaching work among the aboriginal people all over Australia—a project which was very dear to the heart of the beloved Guardian.
The Bahá’í community of Orlando, Florida, succeeded in making arrangements to have Jack McCants speak on the Faith from the pulpit of the New Unitarian Church during a study of the “lesser known religions.” About 200 people were present and his presentation is reported to have been very impressive.
At Southern University (scotlandville, Louisiana) a folder of Bahá’í literature has been given to the library by the Bahá’í College Bureau, and Great Themes of Life was presented for the reference shelves. In addition, consultation was held with Dr. William Couch Jr., director of the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Honors Program, concerning his consideration of Bahá’í texts as sources of material for the Program's course of study.
New Latin American NSA’s Begin Issuing National News Bulletins[edit]
Many of the new Latin American National Assemblies formed in April 1961 have begun the publication of their own news organs. BAHÁ’Í NEWS has received copies of the following journals in Spanish: Noticias Bahá’ís de Honduras, Noticias Bahá’ís Guatemaltecas, Noticias Bahá’ís de Colombia, Noticias Bahá’ís de Bouatc, Naticias Bahá’ís de Merico, Noticias Bahá’ís del Ecuador; and two journals published in English: The Bahá’í News of Panama and Bahá’í News of Jamaica.
The Ecuador bulletin reports a sharp increase in the number of newly declared believers since the first national convention in April, nineteen having enrolled—almost equaling the number enrolled during the entire past year. In addition to extensive teaching work being done by the local assemblies in surrounding communities, a number of pioneers have gone out to new remote posts in an effort to reach the masses, often traveling in canoes on the rivers.
The Bulletin and Public Relations Committee which produces Colombia's new journal is urging each community to appoint a public relations committee which would endeavor to secure publicity on Bahá’í activities. particularly in relation to Bahá’í anniversaries and other special events. This journal also includes a special page devoted to youth activities.
The news bulletins of Guatemala and of Honduras report their first youth conferences. Guatemala held its conference in July in Guatemala city, while two were held on August 18 and 19 in Tela and Triunfo, Honduras, respectively.
Panama’s first Bahá’í News announced long-range plans for teaching the Indians in remote areas, the plans being based upon urgent statements of Hand of the Cause Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir when he was in
Teaching conference for the German-speaking section
of Switzerland, held in Zurich on July 2, Dr. David
Ruhe, member of the United States NSA, gave a brief
address directed to the American pioneers present.
Panama. He mentioned the Guardian’s reference to the
Indians as a great hidden treasure, and the imperative
need for bringing the Faith to them as quickly as
possible.
Jamaica’s first issue of Bahá’í News cites the two teaching conferences being held at the request of the NSA—one on August 20 in Kingston and the other in Port Antonin on August 27.
Noticias Bahá’ís of Bolivia has announced an illustrated trilingual pamphlet particularly for teaching people in the rural areas. It is published in Spanish, Quechua and Aimara.
Mexico’s first issue of its Noticius Bahá’ís includes a complete directory of national committees and local assemblies and their officers.
BAHA’I IN THE NEWS[edit]
The August 5 issue of Weekend Magazine, the magazine section of the important Canadian newspaper, The Montreal Star, included an article entitled “Her Faith Fills Her Life,” the subject being beloved Hand of the Cause ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, with references to the Guardian, the Faith itself and the World Center. The article, which originated in Haifa, makes clear to the paper's Canadian readership that Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s father, the late, distinguished Hand of the Cause William Sutherland Maxwell, designed not only the Shrine of the Báb, shown in one of the four illustrations, but also a number of the most famous buildings in Canada.
Faiths, Cults and Sects of America, a book by Richard Mathison, devotes a short chapter to the Bahá’í Faith. The account is accurate in many respects; however, the author underestimates both the strength and the enthusiasm of the American believers. (Published by the Bobbs-Merrill Co., Inc., Indianapolis and New York, 1960.)
The April 20 issue of Jet, a weekly magazine published in Chicago, stated that two Bahá’í schools had been opened in Northern Uganda and that a third was being built in Kenya. The Faith is referred to as strongly opposing racial, religious and national prejudice.
Public Fireside in Rotterdam, Netherlands, during visit
of Hand of the Cause Adelbert Muhlschlegel (back row
third from left).
The first 1961 issue of The Voice, a British quarterly,
contained an excellent article by Elsie P. Cranmer
on progressive revelation, with strong emphasis on
the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. The succeeding issue of the
same publication gave prominence to a brief quotation
from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
On page 169 of Africa Disturbed, by Emory and Myrta Ross (Friendship Press, New York, 1959), appears the following: “One African, after successive memberships in several Protestant denominations, told us he was now a Bahá’í and quite happy. ‘There are no divisions in Bahá’í.’ The divisions he referred to are chiefly those based on color.”
Introduction to Philosophy, a textbook published late last year, incorporates a historical sketch of the Faith and a listing of its principles. The author of the volume is Paul A. Reeder, Ph.D,; the publisher, Lucas Bros.
Julien Huxley’s Knowledge, Morality, and Destiny (Mentor Books edition, p. 241) makes this reference to the Master: “That remarkable man, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, wrote that ‘the greatest prison is the prison of self.’”
An article about Human Rights Day, sent to the Madi
Corrections[edit]
In the August issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, page 11, the legend under the lower left-hand illustration should have read, “National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland,” etc.
In the May issue, page 7, the African musical instrument called the “congo” was erroneously referred to as a drum. Actually the congo is a sounding box to which metal keys are attached. Thrumming the keys rapidly with the thumbs produces music resembllng that of the xylophone. and capable of great variation, The Africans make their congoes themselves, in various sizes, and these instruments provide one of the means through which the extraordinary musical feeling of the people finds expression.
Exhibit sponsored by Bahá’ís of Urbana, Champaign
and Rantoul at Champaign County Fair in central Illinois, week of August 23-28.
son, Wisconsin, Capital Times as a letter to the editor,
appeared as a full-fledged editorial, complete with byline giving the authors name and connecting her with
the local Bahá’í Assembly
The June 11 issue of the New Orleans, Louisiana, Times-Picayune included a story on sightseeing in Israel. A fine illustration showed the Shrine of the Báb, and a text reference to Haifa said, “In this city is the famed and beautiful Bahá’í temple with its golden dome.”
The July MCMT Alumni News, bimonthly publication of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology Alumni Association, carried a picture of Oscar E, Engelder, class of 1911, of Phoenix, Arizona. on the facing page appeared this reference: “Retired, he has numerous interests and is chairman of the local spiritual assembly of the Bahá’í World Faith.”
The Berkeley, California, Daily Gazette, issue of July 27, included a comprehensive syndicated article by Frank Watson on outstanding American places of worship. It mentioned the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, and a two-column picture of the Temple dominated the entire space.
The May issue of Newday, “Monthly Newsmagazine of the West Indies,” published in Kingston, Jamaica, devoted nearly a page to a generally accurate account of the history and principles of the Faith, with the principles summarized in a box headed “12 Bahá’í Beliefs.” Prominent on the page is a large illustration showing the new National Spiritual Assembly of Jamaica.
The name of Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, member of the Auxiliary Board and of the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee, is included in the new second edition of Who’s Who of American Women. A point of interest is the fact that the listing mentions Mrs. McLaughlin’s Bahá’í activities, omitting most of the former non-Bahá’í ones.
Bahá’í bulletins published by the Ecuador and Colombia friends mention a Pan-American Airways brochure containing a color illustration of the Shrine of the Báb. The title of the brochure is “El Mundo Fabuloso en 60 Dias.”
The cover illustration of an advertising folder promoting bus tours of Israel shows a traveler looking out a bus window at the Shrine of the Báb and the International Archives Building.
Exhibit sponsored by Willowick Bahá’í group at Lake
County Fair, held in Painesville, Ohio, August 23 to Z7.
A Better You, Hence A Better World[edit]
One vast and simple thing which will come about through the influence of Bahá’u’lláh is the betterment of our world, A vivid and specific instruction on how each of us can, without cooperation from anyone else, accomplish our part of this is given by ‘Amatul-Baha Rúḥíyyih Khánum in Prescription for Living, page 190: “It stands to reason that if you are better the world will be better; there will be that much more gold in the ore of humanity, because one of its components will be of a finer calibre.”
A Bahá’í, like any other individual in any other Faith, must be in sound spiritual health before he can ameliorate the ailments of society—if for no other reason than that society will not attend to the improvements suggested by a person who is himself in need of the changing he advocates.
Can I, for example, afford to quote the Bahá’í statements against all prejudice while I show enthusiastic bias against those who are prejudiced? Do I ever, in the name of equality, sweepingly condemn others?
Can I proclaim the oneness of religion while wielding a subtle sneer on the subject of “superstitious” Catholies, “backward” fundamentalists, or “wishy-washy” liberals? And when I deplore the refusal of others to
Material for U.S. BAHA’I NEWS[edit]
For a number of reasons, including a change in printing schedule, it is now necessary for material to reach Wilmette by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue.
News items and photographs of general interest are requested from all national assemblies and from national committees and local assemblies of the United States.
—Managing Editors
Bahá’ís of Benutan with two Brunei believers.
heed the Bahá’í message, am I sighing on their behalf,
on behalf of the Faith, or on behalf of my bruised ego,
because someone wouldn’t listen to me?
Do I ever, even inwardly, become more involved in wondering about the “status” of other Bahá’ís than in trying steadily to raise my own inner sights? And if I do, or if I don’t, can I ever with a straight face quote “Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner”? Or “How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others”?
Can I speak the Bahá’í concept of love for all man kind when I am willing to treat with ordinary good-will only those who don’t get on my nerves? Do I take other people’s faults in stride as matter-of-factly as I right eously expect them to take mine? And if I don’t, do I still go along reminding others that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “To live the life is . . . to be no cause of grief to anyone”?
Do I get eloquent about abstract values and forget that application is more to the point than eloquence? Do I substitute good activities for the performance of obligations? Or search the scriptures but seldom my own heart? Am I, to quote an old saying, so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good? Am I well informed or am I just glib? Am I tolerant or perhaps merely timid? And do I ever adopt an earnest and helpful attitude about a friend and in an obvious spirit of loving concern slash him to ribbons?
It is a painful operation to remove the beams from our eyes. But it is usually necessary for clear vision, and we Bahá’ís cannot expect to get very far unless each of us can see, clearly, where he already is.
—FROM SOUTH CENTRAL STATES ATC BULLETIN
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
October 16 — ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
November 4 — Qudrat (Power)
HOLY DAY[edit]
October 20 — Birth of the Báb
PROCLAMATION EVENT[edit]
October 24 — United Nations Day
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
October 13-15
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours[edit]
Weekdays
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
Sundays and Holidays
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
Service of Worship[edit]
Sundays
3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
Public Meeting[edit]
National Bahá’í Addresses[edit]
Please Address Mail Correctlyl
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.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Mr. and Mrs. P. E. Meinhard, Managing Editors; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International News Editor; Miss D. Thelma Jackson, National News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative
Material must be received by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly In National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
