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| No. 391 | BAHA’I YEAR 120 | OCTOBER, 1963 |
‘Ishqábád Temple as it once appeared. This edifice begun during the ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1902) has been razed and the site cleared.
Universal House of Justice Tells of Demolishment of ‘Ishqábád Temple[edit]
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
The whole Bahá’í world will be grief-stricken at the news of the sad fate which has overtaken the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in ‘Ishqábád, the first Temple raised to the glory of Bahá’u’lláh. Due to its unsafe condition, resulting from earthquakes, the building has been entirely demolished and the site cleared.
The building of this edifice, the only structure of its kind to be raised and completed in the lifetime of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, was described by the beloved Guardian as “a lasting witness to the fervor and self-sacrifice of the Oriental believers.”
“This enterprise,” the Guardian further wrote, “must rank not only as the first major undertaking launched through the concerted efforts of His followers in the Heroic Age of His Faith, but as one of the most brilliant and enduring achievements in the history of the first Bahá’í century.” (“God Passes By” pp. 300-301)
The Bahá’í center in ‘Ishqábád was founded in the days of Bahá’u’lláh. Already during His lifetime preliminary steps had been adopted by the friends of that community to build, in accordance with the provisions of the Most Holy Book, a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
However, the project had to be postponed until 1902, at the end of the first decade of the Ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, when He initiated its construction, called on the friends in the East to offer their contributions towards the fulfillment of this goal, and personally encouraged and directed its development at every stage. The Báb’s cousin, the venerable Háji Mírzá Muḥammad-Taqí, the Vakílu’d-Dawlih, offered his total wealth towards this meritorious enterprise, established his residence in that city, and personally supervised its construction.
The laying of the cornerstone of this edifice at a ceremony attended by the delegate of the Czar — the Governor-General of Turkistan — and the initial steps taken to raise the first House of Worship of the Bahá’í world, inspired the friends in America, who, in 1903, eager to demonstrate the quality of their faith, petitioned ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for permission to erect the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the West.
In addition to the Temple itself, two schools, one for boys and one for girls, and a pilgrim house were built. The local community and the activities of the friends throughout the provinces of Turkistan expanded and developed in stature until 1928, when the law expropriating religious edifices was applied to this Temple. However, under the terms of two five-year leases, the Bahá’í community was permitted to continue to use the building as a House of Worship. In 1938 the Temple was completely expropriated and converted into an art gallery.
In 1948 violent earthquakes shook the whole town causing devastation and ruin. The building was seriously damaged. The only section which remained relatively secure was the central rotunda. Heavy yearly rains further weakened the structure to such a degree as to endanger the safety of houses in the vicinity. It was at this point that the authorities decided to demolish the remaining edifice and clear the site.
A reliable report, recently received, indicates that had the Temple been restored to us at this point, we should have had no option but to raze the building ourselves.
Please share this news with the friends but we do not wish national assemblies, local assemblies or individual believers to take any action.
| With loving greetings, | |
| August 25, 1963 | —THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE |
Hands Assigned New Posts[edit]
The following cablegram from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land, airmailed to national and regional spiritual assemblies on August 6, is now shared with all readers:
“Institution Hands recently made (the) following reallocation (of) assignments (of) individual Hands: Hermann Grossmann returned (to) Europe now serving Hand (on) that continent. Jalál Kházeh proceeding (to) South America will serve (as a) Hand (in the) Western Hemisphere. William Sears returning (to) Africa will resume (his) post (as) Hand (for) Africa. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir (has) proceeded (to) Southeast Asia (to) resume (his) previous duties (in) that area. Confident these assignments will greatly reinforce (the) protection (and) propagation (of the) Faith particularly (in the) highly promising areas already blessed (by) outstanding victories (in) mass teaching.”
| Haifa, Israel | |
| August 1, 1963 | —(signed) HANDSFAITH |
For the information of the newer believers we wish to explain that the beloved Guardian, in successive letters between 1951 and 1957, defined the functions and work of the Hands of the Cause and the members of their Auxiliary Boards. In a cablegram dated February 29, 1952, appointing the second contingent of seven members of the later total of twenty-seven Hands, Shoghi Effendi stated that the “members (of this) august body (are) invested, in conformity with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament (with the) twofold sacred function (of the) propagation and preservation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh ...” In his cablegram of June 4, 1957, the Guardian enlarged these functions to include “responsibility to assist national spiritual assemblies of the Bahá’í world (in the) specific purpose of effectively prosecuting the World Spiritual Crusade,” and “to watch over and insure protection of the Bahá’í world community in close collaboration with these same
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national assemblies ...”
On April 6, 1954, Shoghi Effendi called upon the Hands residing outside the Holy Land to appoint Auxiliary Boards to act as deputies, assistants and advisers of the Hands, “to collaborate with the national assemblies in matters and ways left to the discretion of the Hands.”
During the closing years of the beloved Guardian’s Ten-Year Global Crusade it became necessary from time to time for a number of the Hands to assist for several months their fellow Hands and national spiritual assemblies on other continents to insure the attainment of the Crusade goals in those areas. The cablegram quoted above announces the return of the Hands of the Cause Hermann Grossmann, William Sears and Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir to the original posts to which they were assigned by Shoghi Effendi.
Rapid Growth of Faith Continues in Korea[edit]
Following the June teacher training institute new areas were opened for potential mass conversion. In the space of two months 518 new believers have been welcomed into the Faith. Kim Chong-du, chairman of the Pakdal Spiritual Assembly, donated land for a Bahá’í center in his village. In the southeast almost an entire Christian village has accepted the Cause.
The Korean pioneer teachers and other Korean believers are raising the call of Bahá’u’lláh in many sections including the island of Chi, four villages surrounding Marang, Ankang where fifty enrolled, Dokchon, Pae, Anshim, Yongdok, Ulsan City and Ulchin Town.
A special conference was held July 20-21 by the Sangmach’on Assembly for the villages of the Kajo District; the first time a farming community has taken the initiative and arranged such a teaching activity. Over a hundred attended, including Christians from neighboring villages.
Some of the more than one hundred attending the teaching conference at Sangmach’on, Korea.
In Kyongju on August 4 the Bahá’ís were hosts to a
group of potential teachers who had gathered in response to the appeal for teaching and consolidation
issued by the Universal House of Justice. Based on a
consolidation plan of the Pusan Assembly there is now
a regular schedule of teachers from Pusan to Munsan.
The Seoul Assembly is pursuing the work in Koyang County and some of the new Bahá’ís there are arising to teach. The greatest number of enrollments was on Kumo Island where 300 believers were accepted.
The good news from the farming areas sometimes seems to overshadow the activities in the cities, but the devoted teaching work continues in the older communities. In Pusan, Taegu, Mokpo, Chongju, Koch’ang and Kwangju the friends have taken advantage of the circuit teachers who pass through and invited them to speak at firesides and special meetings.
A new eight month national teaching plan should accelerate the conversions which the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause anticipate, and prepare the believers in Korea for challenging new goals next Riḍván.
Some of the friends of Alexandria, Egypt, celebrating the Feast of Riḍván in one of the public gardens.
The Center and the Circumference[edit]
ONE of the fundamental problems confronting the Bahá’ís in America, both collectively and individually, arises from the need to understand the true relationship between activities based upon the Bahá’í name and Message and activities based upon the universality of the Teachings, and intended to convey and apply the Teachings, but not using the name Bahá’í.
In one form or another, this problem has arisen many times during the past twenty years, and under one or another form the problem exists today. It is a problem of utmost importance, because until it is correctly solved we cannot produce or maintain a unity of action corresponding to our unity of faith. An attempt to present the elements entering into the problem, and to point out its great significance to us all at the present time when the Cause is entering a new era of growth, may serve a very useful purpose, since in this blessed Cause we cannot solve any problem by dismissing it from our minds or by merely denying the views that differ from our own. Our problems are our spiritual opportunities, to be welcomed and never feared.
Briefly, the specific problem to be analyzed here arises from the fact that while the purpose and scope of the Revelation is universal, including all humanity, the believers are comparatively few; and that while the Teachings apply to the greatest issues of human life, the followers are comparatively obscure and unknown. In the actual world, the Bahá’ís are as the center of the circle, while the others are as the circumference.
In the spread of the Bahá’í principles throughout society, which today recognizes their validity and value without knowing their Source, we have an infinite possibility of connections between the center and the circumference. Moreover, as the individual believer becomes more and more penetrated by the universality of the Message, he longs ever more deeply to find ways and means to carry the spirit of unity out into his environment.
Let us say, for example, that there is a city of several hundred thousand, in which there exists an Assembly [community] of less than fifty believers, and these believers represent a great variety of races, classes and inherited creeds. Among them a few perceive an opportunity of establishing one of the Bahá’í principles in a manner capable of attracting a considerable number of people, among them many of capacity whose confirmation would bring powerful reinforcement to the Assembly [community] and the Cause.
These few believers study the opportunity and realize that the success of their plan depends upon founding their effort upon a foundation corresponding to one Bahá’í principle in which many non-Bahá’ís already believe— a foundation providing for adherence to the principle for its own sake, but not demanding adherence to all the Bahá’í principles and Teachings, yet nevertheless sufficiently universal and elastic to admit discussion or consideration of other Bahá’í principles from time to time, and involving the confidence that in time those accepting this foundation will accept the Cause without reserve.
The subject (to continue the imaginary instance) is discussed at an Assembly [community] meeting, and the plan meets the objection on the part of some that Bahá’ís ought to confine their activities to giving the Message and attracting new believers to the Assembly [community] itself. Both views are thoroughly presented, and it is made apparent that important considerations exist on both sides. On the one hand we have advanced the fact that for many years the Assembly has been uninfluential in the life of the community and is indeed looked upon as a sect cut off from all modern liberal movements attracting public attention, and that if the local Bahá’ís go forward with the new plan they will come in contact with many people whose ideals are already universal and will prove that the Cause is not a sect. Moreover, according to this view, the Bahá’ís ought to realize that the purpose of the Cause is to unify mankind, and the most effective teaching method is for the believers to be a point of unity in their community even if this involves complete selflessness as a group. All other religious communities, it is claimed, have failed because of the narrow dogmatism of the followers, and their unwillingness to grant that the spirit is far more important than the name. The lack of capable Bahá’í teachers is also mentioned.
Opposed to this view we have the claim that whatever failure there may have been in the past was due to lack of courage in upholding the central feature of the Message, and that the pure Message includes all forms of universality now being sought as ideals by the world; that people are now ready for the direct Message as never before, and that all efforts should be concentrated upon Bahá’í meetings. Finally, the lack of capable teachers is denied for the reason that the definite promise has been made to the Bahá’ís that all who truly arise to serve will be assisted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and this power has no need of ordinary human gifts of eloquence or acquired learning, faith in the Manifestation being all-sufficient to attract and affirm new souls. The great Abu’l-Fadl, the friends are reminded, was brought into the Cause by an illiterate shoemaker.
Leaving these two different views to stand side by side for the moment, an effort should be made to understand their source and inter-relation, since each view bases itself upon quotations from the same Scriptures.
It is probable that these views represent the two classes of people found in the Cause as in all human societies: those who stand upon a principle and feel that other human beings should adapt themselves to it; and those who feel that a spiritual principle retains its dynamic only as those who uphold it make the adaptation in the direction of securing the sympathy and confidence of others whose faith they desire to affect. One party claims that the other party does not sufficiently consider the minds and hearts of non-believers
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while the second party claims that the first is
ready to yield on vital principles of the Bahá’í Faith.
Perhaps we can appreciate the extent of this inherent divergence when we recall that the names Fundamentalist and the Modernist refer to the same two types of people in the Protestant Church, whose differences have done so much to discredit and nullify their common religion. While the Fundamentalist and the Modernist are irreconcilable, as such, we may be perfectly sure that the Bahá’í Cause can contain both types, and in fact requires them. The issue only arises in the form of a problem when either party claims that its teaching plan is the only one, and endeavors to exclude the other.
If we appreciate that each view is the sincere expression of some true experience, and represents an attitude which is the inevitable result of study of the Teachings and loyalty to them, we can readily admit the fact that both teaching methods can go forward at the same time and in the most cordial and effective spirit of mutual appreciation and confidence. To suppress or exclude either view, even temporarily, can but weaken our total resources of action, and lead to undesirable conditions in the blessed Cause. To allow both types of people to fulfill their ideals of service and express their dissimilar characters and temperaments in an atmosphere of unfailing love will prove that the Cause is in fact universal, and greatly extend the front along which we are fighting to promote the Revelation of God.
There is no possibility of real antagonism or even indifference between those who, after all, whether serving to extend the center to the circumference or join the circumference to the center, are only striving from different directions to bring about the same eventual unity of man with man, and mankind with God. As fire and water are both needed to produce the power of steam, so both types of believer are needed in order to vitalize the all-important teaching work.
But in order to make possible this glorious unity which is not uniformity, we must ever realize that the indirect and the direct teaching policies, though they have the same end, require different methods along the way. Perhaps in times past our lack of effective action in the teaching field has come from confusing the two methods, and attempting to make one do the work of the other, or so combining the two that no adequate results at all could be obtained, leading to general dissatisfaction rather than mutual appreciation and willingness to admire in others the qualities we do not possess.
First Indian Council Fire in the Pacific Northwest[edit]
Over two hundred people gathered on the Makah Indian Reservation at Neah Bay, Washington, August 17 and 18 to participate in the Indian Council Fire sponsored by the Bahá’ís of the newly-formed Makah Reservation Spiritual Assembly and the Tacoma Spiritual Assembly.
Visitors from five states and Canada registered at the Makah Community Hall in Neah Bay Saturday morning and on the beautiful tree-studded camp grounds both days. The setting was inspiring — the Pacific Ocean to the west, a fresh water stream bordering the south, and miles of sandy beaches and grassy meadows to the north and east. A large banner of Blessed is the Spot and bearing the Makah symbol of the Thunderbird and Whale was the stage background.
Bahá’í prayers, a roll call of states and tribes, sacred Indian dances and songs, and greetings from members of the twelve Indian tribes present, made up the Saturday afternoon program. Tribes represented were: Makah, Tlingit, Klamath, Ehattasett, Colville, Seattle, Chetco, Yakima, Sioux, Quillayeut, Snohomish and Chinook Nation.
A delicious salmon dinner was provided that evening, prepared and cooked by the Makah Indian Bahá’ís in the Indian fashion, over an open fire. Vinson Brown of Healdsburg, California, author of Warriors of the Rainbow, was the principal speaker of the evening. He spoke glowingly of the return of the Indian spirit and the fulfillment of Indian prophecies. Bahá’u’lláh’s prayer set to music, From the Sweet Scented Streams, concluded the program, which was followed by a community sing around the large council fire.
After a cooperatively prepared pancake and Indian bread breakfast Sunday morning, a newly declared Indian youth was enrolled. As the last welcoming strains of Alláh’u’Abhá died away, the morning program began. Bahá’í prayers were offered by Indian friends, and expressions of gratitude for the Council Fire by others. Mr. Brown gave the concluding address, stating again that the Indian prophecies were fulfilled and the day had come when all could drink of the “nine springs of pure water.”
Each guest was presented with a Blessed is the Spot memento card bearing the Makah symbol, and several copies of Makah prophecies and prayers. Throughout the one and one-half day meeting, a true feeling of love, unity and brotherhood pervaded the camp grounds.
New groups formed in Negara, Bali. LEFT: New believers of Sarikuning. RIGHT: Group just formed in B.B. Agung.
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Buffet and meeting held in Foundation Hall gave friends final opportunity to see Hugh and Margaret Chance. LEFT: Before and after the program everyone had a chance to extend personal wishes. RIGHT: Charlotte Linfoot, Edna True and Dan Jordan on speakers stand with the Chances.
Official Farewell Held for House of Justice Member[edit]
Over 200 attended a buffet dinner held in Foundation Hall August 11 to provide friends with a final opportunity to say goodbye to Hugh and Margaret Chance and to wish them well in their new service to the Faith in Haifa.
A short program followed the buffet. Miss Charlotte Linfoot told of Mr. Chance’s contribution to the Cause as secretary of the National Assembly and of his future service as a member of the Universal House of Justice. Miss Edna True bid the Chances farewell on behalf of the National Assembly and all the Bahá’ís of the United States. Dan Jordan expressed the feelings of those in the Temple area who have known and worked with them. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chance spoke to the friends, and it was obvious that they were torn between sadness at leaving their work and fellow believers in Wilmette and anticipation of the new challenge in Haifa.
Duluth Mayor Proclaims Race Amity Week[edit]
After two assembly members visited him, the Mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, issued a proclamation for Race Amity Week beginning June 16. The proclamation was announced over the two radio stations and the Bahá’ís of Duluth were given credit for its sponsorship. In addition, the public was urged to attend the Race Amity Day observance at a local park on June 16. A lengthy write-up of the event appeared in the Duluth paper.
A follow-up public meeting was held at the Y.W.C.A. on June 19 and eleven contacts attended. One out of town person wrote to inquire about the Faith as a result of the publicity.
Third Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Honduras
held May 23, 24 and 25 in Tela. The number of assemblies increased from eight last year to fifteen this
year and convention attendance doubled.
Group of believers from Danang, Central Vietnam,
gathered together to celebrate the Martyrdom of the
Báb. The local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is in the background.
Summer Spurs Activities for Children and Youth[edit]
In Pine Springs, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, Bahá’í children’s classes were held for two weeks, July 15-26, through the cooperation of the Pine Springs believers, the Gallup, New Mexico, Assembly and the American Indian Service Committee. The school session was preceded by a week-end campout. On Saturday afternoon, July 13, friends from Phoenix, Flagstaff, Zuni and Gallup joined the Pine Springs believers at the site of the memorable “Different Races Gathering for Prayer” proclamation event held in June 1962. In the evening there was a program of prayers and slides following which all enjoyed watermelon and soft drinks. Sunday morning the friends gathered again for prayers and consultation regarding the classes.
An average of fifteen children aged from five to sixteen years met for four hours each morning in the local Community House, which was provided for this use. A program of Bahá’í study, arts and crafts, stories, songs and games was carried out. One of the popular group projects was study of the kingdoms illustrated through materials collected during nature walks. The children consulted together and planned a last day program of greetings and prayers in the three languages represented. All sang Alláh-u-Abhá and another African song which has been translated into Navajo. Displayed around the room were note books, prayer books and art work made by the children, including a mural representation of the prayer Blessed is the Spot which covered three walls. The children said they would like to have classes for four weeks next year.
In Astoria, Oregon, the Northwest Children’s Summer School was held July 14 through 20. Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem was among the 106 adults, children and youth attending. Classes were held for all age groups and there was a varied recreation program. Mrs. Khádem spoke to the adult classes.
Some of the students at the Navajo Reservation Bahá’í children’s school, Pine Springs, Arizona.
The Urbana, Ohio, Bahá’í Community hosted a
Youth Conference the week end of July 27, at which
adults as well as youth were welcome. A total of fifty-three people, ten of whom were non-Bahá’ís, were
present from the states of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan.
Bettijane Walker and Thomas Hooper spoke and
directed general discussion on the subjects, “One Shepherd — One Fold” and “God’s Rose Garden.” Entertainment and films of the London Conference occupied
Saturday night. All activity took place at Bahá’í homes
representing three different neighborhoods, and the
Urbana college campus grounds were used for Sunday
morning devotions for which permission was granted
by the college. Publicity appeared in the Urbana Citizen before and after the Youth Conference.
Attendants at the Northwest Children’s Summer School held in Astoria, Oregon. Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem holds Greatest Name.
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A young Shoshone performs at festival sponsored by Bahá’ís and Bannock-Shoshone Indians.
Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Belgium held in Brussels on May 25-26.
Assembled delegates and visitors at the second National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Italy held in May
1963 at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Rome.
Bahá’í Conference Sparked by Indian Festivities[edit]
A thrilling and memorable highlight of the Bahá’í Intermountain Summer Conference held July 8-12 at Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho, was the Bahá’í Festival held at the Fort Hall Indian Agency on Wednesday night, July 10.
Co-sponsored by the Bannock-Shoshone Indians and the Bahá’í community of Pocatello, the event featured a before-the-program picnic, after which Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem extended a loving greeting and welcome to the four or five hundred assembled guests. The song and dance festival which followed presented the Shoshone-Bannock Indians in their striking native dances, and the international art of such countries as China, Russia, Mexico and the United States.
Splendid publicity not only preceded, but followed the event with equal emphasis being given to the contribution of both Indians and Bahá’ís. A follow-up photo appeared in the Idaho State Journal.
Memorial Service for Long-Time Teacher Held at Green Acre[edit]
Memorial services were held at dusk on August 10 in Green Acre’s Bahá’í Hall for Genevieve Coy. Dr. Coy passed away on July 9 in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, where she had gone to pioneer after her retirement as principal of the Dalton School in New York City. A well known child psychologist, author and educator, Dr. Coy had served the Faith for fifty years. Before pioneering to Africa she was chairman of the program committee and senior administrator for Green Acre Bahá’í School. Many of her writings appeared in The Bahá’í World, World Order Magazine and Star of the West.
The services included a recording of the African singers at the London Conference, a talk describing Dr. Coy’s contributions to the Faith by Katherine McLaughlin, reading of excerpts from Dr. Coy’s writings and verses from The Hidden Words.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
(This column contains only references to the Faith itself. References to individuals or purely local activities are not included except incidentally when mentioned in articles about the Faith which appear in mass news media.)
In his book Challenge of the World Religions Georg F. Vicedom, professor of missions at Augustana Seminary, Neuendettelsau, Germany, and lecturer in missions at the University of Erlangen, briefly mentions the Faith. The author is reasonably fair and accurate although he calls the Faith a sect of Islamic origin. He concludes his comments by saying: “The influence of this sect is greater than we suspect. Every urban minister runs into its influence. It is primarily its message of peace which impresses people.”
The July issue of the National Jewish Ledger contains an article called “Mediterranean Cruise to Israel” by Trude Dub. The writer describes her first view of Haifa as the ship approaches the port at dawn. “Soon the majestic sweep of Mount Carmel came into view, with the golden dome of the Bahá’í temple glistening in the morning sun.”
A laudatory article, by Carl Alpert, about Haifa as a tourist attraction appeared in a recent issue of the weekly newspaper The National Jewish Post and Opinion,
The National Spiritual Assembly of Italy elected Riḍván
1963. Left to right, seated: Mario Piarulli, Teresa Taffa,
Hossein Mahboubi, Agnese Boerio, Alessandro Bausani.
Standing: Augusto Robiati, David Ned Blackmer, Hossein Avaregan, Mario Fiorentini.
published in five separate editions in Indianapolis,
Indiana. Listed second among “three classical drawing cards which almost nobody misses” was the
“beautiful and exotic gold-domed shrine of the Bahá’í
Faith.” The other two drawing cards are the campus
of the Technion (the Israeli institute of technology)
and the view of Haifa and northern Israel from lookout posts.
Gathering of some of the friends at Green Acre Bahá’í Institute in Eliot, Maine, August 1963.
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National Spiritual Assembly of Norway, 1963-1964, with
Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery. Left to right,
seated: Bodil Skodstrup, Kirsten Bonnevie, Amelia
Bowman, Gerd Strand. Standing: Aud Jervell Pettersen, Johan Jervell Pettersen, Ernst Holm, Lecile
Webster, Dr. Giachery, Trygve Nielsen. The commemoration of the Declaration of the Báb was the high
point of the annual convention in Bergen. The King
visited the city to open the Music Festival so that the
entire populace was celebrating at the time.
A paperback book called God is a Millionaire by
Richard Mathison, originally published in hard cover
as Faiths, Cults and Sects in America, contains a
three page article about the Faith.
The Wilmette House of Worship’s home town frequently points with pride to its chief religious and architectural landmark. On August 22, for instance, the cover of Wilmette Life, widely read weekly tabloid newspaper, showed a beautiful edge-to-edge picture of part of the Temple, taken by a local camerist. The view was repeated inside the paper, accompanied by brief explanatory information.
An article in Esperanto by Roan Stone entitled “Lidia Zamenhof, Mia Spirita Fratino,” which ran in the April-June issue of the International Language Review, contained considerable information about the Faith. The late Miss Zamenhof was the daughter of the founder of Esperanto, and became a Bahá’í. It is of particular interest that the quarterly in which the article appeared is an organ of the Association for a World Language, founded in 1961 specifically to provide a clearinghouse for discussion of the subject of an international auxiliary language.
An installment of the Soraya Memoirs, autobiographical story of Princess Soraya Esfendiary, onetime queen of Iran, appeared in the June 30 issue of the magazine Quick, published in Munich, Germany. Several pages were taken up by the article and its illustrations, the first of which showed the Shah and his former consort with Dr. Ayadi, the faithful Bahá’í physician whom Princess Soraya credits with saving her life. Temporarily relieved of duty, as a protective measure, during the Bahá’í persecution, Dr. Ayadi now ranks high in the Shah’s service. Facts about him, the Faith and the persecution form a prominent part of the installment.
The Faith was mentioned at some length, along with Buddhism, Islam and Mormonism, in a “missionary program” printed in the August issue of Royal Service, published by the Women’s Missionary Union, an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist Convention, in Birmingham, Alabama. The “program,” accurate in some respects as far as the Faith was concerned, was slanted to provide material for refutation of the four “false doctrines.”
The July issue of Fieldglass, a publication circulated to employees of Marshall Field & Company, famous Chicago merchandising concern, illustrated and described a prize-winning photomontage study of the Wilmette Temple. The picture, made by a Marshall Field employee, had initially publicized the Temple in Augusta, Georgia, when it won first place among photographic entries at Augusta’s annual art show.
Two unexpectedly well publicized events in the same week recently furthered the fortunes of the Faith in Kokomo, Indiana. On August 20 the Kokomo Tribune ran a by-line story prominently identifying young Bahá’ís with a forthcoming Interfaith Youth Conference. A second article after the conference helped present the Faith in a clear light as an independent religion.
Meanwhile Miss Josephine Kruka, Bahá’í pioneer to Finland, came to visit, whereupon a staff writer’s article, containing considerable general information about the Faith and accompanied by a picture of Miss
First Spiritual Assembly of Devonport, Tasmania. Left
to right, front row: Mrs. G. Smith, Miss G. Parke,
Albert Benson (chairman), Miss G. Lamprill, Mrs.
Albert Benson. Second row: R. L. Priestley (secretary), Mrs. E. Marrison, Mrs. W. van den Dool (vice-chairman), W. van den Dool (treasurer).
[Page 11]
Kruka with a large photograph of the Wilmette Temple, fortuitously dominated the Tribune’s religious
page, forcefully completing a Bahá’í “scoop.”
After many efforts the Bahá’ís of Duluth (Minnesota) obtained in July a half-hour TV program, as a public service special feature, entitled “The Gate and the Glory of God.” The first ten minutes, devoted to the history of the Faith, embodied maps, slides and other visual aids to accompany the narration. The director then interviewed four believers on the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. His comments indicated an appreciative understanding of the Faith, and he later promised additional time. Immediately following the telecast an informal discussion meeting drew nine contacts.
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Items for BAHA'I NEWS
News stories and any photographs illustrating an event should be mailed at the same time, and immediately after the occasion. Information or pictures that are weeks and months old lose news value, and are often omitted. In this connection all reporters and correspondents are reminded that it takes several weeks to produce and mail BAHÁ’Í NEWS, which explains why material must reach Wilmette by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue.
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Editors Request Cooperation
It is essential that references be furnished with all articles and reports which contain quotations from Bahá’í literature. References must be from current, authentic sources and include page numbers. |
First Spiritual Assembly of Petersburg, Alaska, formed April 19, 1963. Four Tlingît Indians are included. Left to right, seated: Charlotte Schwartz (secretary), Gertrude Brown, Lea Brown, Elsie Clausen, Helen King. Standing: Paul Kahklen (vice-chairman), Charles King (treasurer), Robert Schwartz (chairman), Howard Brown.
First Spiritual Assembly of Fairfax County, Virginia,
formed April 1963. Left to right, seated: Frank Stewart,
Mrs. Ramona White, Mrs. Lillian Stewart, Mrs. Soo
Fouts. Standing: Joseph Cowan, Norman White, Allen
Connor, Mrs. Sheila Cowan, Lee Fouts.
First Spiritual Assembly of Decatur, Illinois, formed
Riḍván, 1963. Left to right, seated: Mrs. Dorothy Underwood (vice-chairman), Mrs. Swan Hirst, Mrs. Verna
Johnson (treasurer), Mrs. Augusta Reagle. Standing:
Melvin Carter, Mrs. Virginia Eilers (chairman), Mrs.
Mable Amidon (secretary), Mrs. Maude Carter, Huston Hirst.
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
Literature of the Bahá’í Faith. An attractive brochure that gives an explanatory statement on the Faith, its spread around the world and the origin of its sacred literature and expository texts. Basic Bahá’í books are illustrated with information on content and prices. No pamphlet literature is listed as the purpose is to further the interest of contacts who are ready for an introductory book or a deeper study of the Writings. The Publishing Trust is absorbing half the cost of this item as a promotional expense, although its primary purpose is to assist the teaching effort, encouraging seekers to secure the books through the local centers. A local address for securing the books should be rubber stamped on circulars. Regular community discount applies to this self-mailer.
25 copies | $1.00 |
100 copies | $3.50 |
Communion With God. A new printing has been made
of this small, pocket size compilation of prayers to
make it more useful and attractive as a gift item.
There is a presentation space on the title page, a new
cover has been designed and a new prayer for youth
added on the last page from the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, not presently appearing in any other compilation of prayers. A suggestion for using these booklets
is to enclose them with “get-well,” sympathy and
other types of greeting cards. Prices remain the same.
Place orders through your local community librarians.
Per copy | $ .15 |
100 copies | $ 9.00 |
200 copies | $15.00 |
NOTE: Minimum mail order for one or several items combined, $3.00.
Bahá’í Center recently acquired by the community of Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii.
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National Bahá’í Addresses
Please Address Mail Correctly
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Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- October 16 — ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
- November 4 — Qudrat (Power)
- HOLY DAY
- October 20 — Birth of the Báb
- PROCLAMATION EVENT
- October 24—United Nations Day
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- October 18-20
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
- Weekdays
- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays and Holidays
- 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, October 20
- 4:15 p.m.
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: James Cloonan, Managing Editor; Mrs. Lilian Cloonan, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte 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 to National Bahá’í Office. 112 Linden Avenue. Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
