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No. 406

BAHA’I YEAR 121

JANUARY, 1965

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UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE REPORTS MEETING WITH HANDS OF CAUSE

The Most Great Prison, ‘Akká, Israel, taken in 1907 by the late Hand of the Cause, Roy C. Wilhelm.

Beloved Friends:

Once again the World Center of our Faith has been the scene of historic events, affecting profoundly the immediate prosecution of the Nine Year Plan and the future development of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The occasion was the gathering in the Holy Land, for a period of fourteen days, of the Hands of the Cause of God to discuss their vital responsibilities, and particularly as Standard Bearers of the Nine Year Plan.

The Universal House of Justice took advantage of this opportunity not only to receive the advice, opinions and views of the Hands on the progress of the Nine Year Plan but to consult them on the highly important goal announced by Riḍván 1964 under World Center Goals as “Development of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, in consultation with the body of the Hands of the Cause, with a view to the extension into the future of its appointed functions of protection and propagation.”

It was apparent that the elucidation of this vital goal, affecting as it does the relationship of the Hands of the Cause of God to all other institutions of the Cause, was imperative to the prosecution of the all-important teaching work and the development of the Bahá’í World Order.

Accordingly, the Universal House of Justice gave

[Page 2] Meeting of the Hands of the Cause of God with members of the Universal House of Justice at Bahjí in October, 1964. Regrettably, Hands of the Cause Dr. Hermann Grossmann and Hasan Balyuzi were unable to be present in the Holy Land.

its full attention to this matter and, after study of the sacred texts and hearing the views of the Hands of the Cause themselves, has arrived at the following decisions:

There is no way to appoint, or to legislate to make it possible to appoint, Hands of the Cause of God.

Responsibility for decisions of matters of general policy affecting the Institution of the Hands of the Cause, which was formerly exercised by the beloved Guardian, now devolves upon the Universal House of Justice as the supreme and central institution of the Faith to which all must turn.

It is with great joy that we are able to share with you the initial steps now taken to attain the goal.

The assignment of the Hands to various continents remains unchanged but, in order to expedite the work, the continents of Asia and the Western Hemisphere will each be divided into zones for the day-to-day work of the Hands, one or more Hands being responsible for each zone. Asia will consist of two zones: the Middle East comprising the countries from and including Pakistan westwards and also Asiatic U.S.S.R.; and South and East Asia comprising the remainder of the continent. The Western Hemisphere will consist of three zones: North America, Central America (including Mexico) and the Antilles, and South America. The Hawaiian friends will be included in the Australasian continental area, as listed in the recently issued statistical summary.

Members of Auxiliary Boards Increased

The number of members of the Auxiliary Boards for the propagation of the Faith will be increased in every continent, raising the total number of Auxiliary Board members in Africa from eighteen to twenty-seven; in Asia from fourteen to thirty-six; in Australasia from four to nine; in Europe from eighteen to twenty-seven; and in the Western Hemisphere from eighteen to thirty-six.

The Hands of the Cause in each continent are called upon to appoint one or more members of their Auxiliary Boards to act in an executive capacity on behalf of and in the name of each Hand, thereby assisting him in carrying out his work.

The exalted rank and specific functions of the Hands of the Cause of God make it inappropriate for them to be elected or appointed to administrative institutions, or to be elected as delegates to national conventions. Furthermore, it is their desire and the desire of the House of Justice that they be free to devote

[Page 3] their entire energies to the vitally important duties conferred upon them in the Holy Writings. The importance of close collaboration between the Hands of the Cause and National Spiritual Assemblies cannot be overstressed, and a separate communication is being addressed to National Assemblies on this subject, supplementing guidance given in earlier letters.

We anticipate announcing at Riḍván 1965 plans for Oceanic and Intercontinental Conferences, an overall plan for world-wide proclamation of the Faith during 1967-68, the centenary year of the revelation of the Súriy-il-Mulúk, involving co-operation of national and local assemblies throughout the world, and conditions of entry for a competition for the design of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Panama.

Teaching the masses is the greatest challenge now facing the followers of Bahá’u’lláh. No work is more important than that of carrying His Message with utmost speed to the bewildered and thirsting peoples of a spiritually parched world. Now, as the Hands return to their various continents, reinforced by a wider and more efficient organization of their work, we are confident that the whole Bahá’í world will, with rising enthusiasm and ever-increasing success, press forward with the teaching work, greatly increase the flow of pioneers, more widely participate in the financial support of the work of the Cause and add rapidly to the list of goals already accomplished.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Bahá’í World Center
Haifa, Israel,
November, 1964

All-Irish Conference on Nine Year Plan Held in Belfast

The Irish Teaching Committee was overjoyed to find, on reading the memorable message from the Universal House of Justice on “Universal Participation,” that they had arranged a consultative meeting for the whole of Ireland the very next day in the Belfast Bahá’í Center, September 13.

The consultation was based on the Nine Year Plan — opening new areas and developing those already opened. One of the goals, obtaining an Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Dublin, is already accomplished. The meeting ended with a devotional period.

The Teaching Committee of Ireland was highly encouraged, stating: “We came away full of enthusiasm and with dedicated hearts and minds to face the very great task before us.”

A weekend school in the Belfast Castle followed shortly after the conference on October 10 and 11. Just prior to the school, a public meeting drew sixty in attendance, including many inquirers.

The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at the right and Meeting Center on the left of photo of the South West Pacific Ocean of Honiara, British Solomon Islands. The first National Spiritual Assembly for this region was elected here, Riḍván, 1964.

[Page 4] Bahá’í Summer School of Gilan sector of Iran, held in one of the gardens at Rasht, July, 1964, with fifty-six attending.

Swiss Newspaper Commends Bahá’í Programs

Seven out of the twelve Swiss Bahá’í communities observed United Nations Day in October. Public meetings included talks in German, French, English and Italian. Bahá’í speakers travelled as far as 600 miles to speak on the work of the UNO. The Locarno community, in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, invited Mr. Nasser Sabet from Torino, Italy, on this occasion.

Exhibits of photographs on the activities of the UNO were arranged in display-windows in Biel, Zürich, Basel and Bern. A display emphasizing the work of the UNO and its specialized agencies was organized at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds where Mrs. Etty Graeffe, member of the Swiss National Assembly, spoke on “How does the UNO work?”

It is interesting to note that, because of her neutrality, Switzerland is not yet a member of UNO, although it participates in UNESCO and other specialized agencies. Apart from an important concert broadcast by European radio networks from a concert hall in Geneva on UN day, the humble efforts of the Swiss Bahá’í communities may well be the only observances of this occasion in Switzerland on such a large and scattered basis. Bern’s largest daily, Berner Tagblatt, published a favorable report on the display and the public meeting organized on UN day by the Bern Bahá’í community.

Baha’i Day in Fribourg

On November 1, 1964, the National Teaching Committee of the French-speaking part of Switzerland invited the Bahá’ís of that area and their friends for Bahá’í Day, the second Journée Baha’ie Romande in 1964, in the Swiss Catholic stronghold city of Fribourg, capital of a canton to be opened to the Faith under the Nine Year Plan. About seventy-five Bahá’ís participated. Talks were given by Mr. Gerald Saudan and Dr. William S. Hatcher.

Third Luxembourg Summer School Featured in Magazine

The third Luxembourg Bahá’í Summer School was held August 28-30 in Larochette, a small scenic village having two 11th Century castles, whose picturesque ruins perched on the rocks above. Speakers included Hand of the Cause John Ferraby, Auxiliary Board members Louis Henuzet and Dr. Eugen Schmidt and Madame Erna Schmidt. A very good photograph of the assemblage appeared in the Luxembourger Revue, a weekly picture and news magazine, thus affording the Faith excellent publicity.

Third Luxembourg Summer School held August 28-30, with Hand of Cause, John Ferraby.

Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone describes expansion of Faith in South Pacific area to seventy Bahá’ís gathered in Bern, Switzerland, October 26, 1964. Mrs. Etty Graeffe, member of the Swiss National Assembly, is interpreting in German.

[Page 5] Left above, a group of Indian believers of the village of Juan Montalvo, Ecuador, on occasion of electing first of nineteen all-Indian Local Spiritual Assemblies. Right above, a visit to an Indian Bahá’í home in the mountains of Iluman, Ecuador, by pioneers (left to right, back row) Rufino Gualavisí, Julio Hidrobo, Gayle Woolson (Auxiliary Board member) and Rául Pavón. Another pioneer in the Indian area, Teresa Jara, is shown in the lower photo at left of group.

‎Sante Santa‎ Fe, New Mexico Youth Conference Features Challenging Discussions

A Bahá’í youth conference sponsored by the local Spiritual Assembly of Santa Fe, New Mexico, October 23-25, drew an attendance of 64 persons, ten of whom were not Bahá’ís. The classes consisted of a keynote speaker after which the gathering divided into three groups for discussion on one aspect of the main topic. The subjects were: What is an Educated Man?, Choosing an Occupation, Being of Service to Other People and to Bahá’u’lláh. All were led by well qualified Bahá’í teachers: Bransford Watson, David Smith, Gordon Laite, and Ted Claus.

The youth panels dealt with the subjects: “The Bahá’í Standard and the Accepted American Standard: Is There a Difference — What and Why,” and “Chastity, Courtship and Marriage.” There was also a general discussion by everyone on aspects of Indian teaching and teaching in general.

John Cook, folk singer from Southern California, provided entertainment and led singing between sessions and in the evening.

The groups were made up of representatives of the American Indians, East Indians, Persians, Negroes and Caucasians.

Weekend Schools Being Held Throughout England

The English Teaching Committee has scheduled a series of Weekend and One Day Schools to afford Bahá’ís an opportunity for fellowship and for the spiritual reinvigoration that comes with studying together to deepen in knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings. These are being held in the months of September through November in Nottingham, Canterbury, Torbay, York, Bristol, Winchester, Leicester, with another planned for Dalston Hall in February.

The classes are also open to students of the Faith and inquirers, with exception of one session which is set aside for Bahá’ís only. Its purpose is to encourage each believer toward personal identification with the goals of the Nine Year Plan and enthusiasm for the work of achieving these goals, as well as a strengthening of the link that binds each one to the World Center of the Faith in the Holy Land.

The Teaching Committee reports: “There is evidence of a growing awareness of the urgency of responding at once — and there is something for everyone to do!”

[Page 6] Pioneers Carmelo Jachakollo and Esaollah Rezvani witness enrollment of first Negroes of Bolivia in Miguilla, Sud Yungas, a fertile valley south of La Paz.

“A Certain Attraction Towards Unity”

At a lecture recently sponsored in New South Wales by the University of New England, Armidale, the guest speaker, Dr. E. G. Parrinder, Reader in the Study of Comparative Religions, University of London, gave a talk on “Christian Theology and Two Asian Faiths.” At the end of question time, a Presbyterian minister in the audience asked Dr. Parrinder if he could tell them about the Bahá’ís they had been hearing so much about lately, to which the speaker replied: “I’ve been waiting for someone to bring this up ... everywhere I have been in Australia, the subject of the Bahá’í Faith crops up. This subject is too vast to cover now — it would take over an hour. The Bahá’í Faith is very interesting and we are hearing more about it every day. The Bahá’ís have a certain attraction towards unity.”

Eight members of the fourth National Spiritual Assembly of Nicaragua left to right (seated): Jose Marin Vazquez (vice-chairman), Octavio Gomez Mejia, Maurico Fajardo Forbes (a Miskito Indian), Edgar Gomez Fonseca (recording secretary); (standing): Salomon Escalante Elizondo (secretary), Mrs. Cecilia King Blake, Mrs. Leticia A. de Escalante (treasurer), Jorge A. Harper.

A portion of the 300 Bahá’ís and guests celebrating the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, Saigon, Vietnam. Among those present were charge d’Affaires of Malaysia and representatives of the Interfaith Liaison Committee.

Bahá’ís Have First Session at World Esperanto Congress

During the first week of August, 1964, the forty-ninth Esperanto World Congress took place in The Hague, Holland, under the patronage of Queen Juliana. About 2500 persons from forty-three countries participated.

More than twenty organizations had asked for room for their special arrangements. The Bahá’ís were assigned a small, nice hall. A portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá decorated the room, and Bahá’í literature in Esperanto was placed on the table. The congress management had set the Bahá’í session at the very beginning of the extensive program.

Dr. A. Mühlschlegel, Hand of the Cause, opened the session with greetings to the forty-five participants. Mrs. Etty Graeffe, Locarno, Switzerland, read a prayer and gave a short introduction to the Faith. Then Mr. W. Von der Ley spoke on the subject “Bahá’í — Religion of Peace.” He concluded with mention of Abdu’l-Bahá’s talks in Stuttgart, Paris, London and the United States, stressing the importance of Esperanto and of an international language.

Fifth Annual Summer School in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, September 25-30 with Indians present from the Alto Plano and believers from all parts of the country. During the sessions, a trip was made in pouring rain to Belgica, thirty-five kilometers distance, to visit the new Indian Group of the Guarayes.

[Page 7]

INSTITUTES ON UNIVERSAL PARTICIPATION HELD ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

More than 2,400 Bahá’ís in the United States gathered in forty-one nation-wide Institutes on October 31 and November 1 to concentrate attention on Universal Participation in the Nine Year Plan set for us by that supreme body, the Universal House of Justice. Universal Participation is one of the two major objectives of that Plan, and detailed guidance for bending our efforts and thoughts to its requirements and resulting blessings have been given us by the Universal House of Justice in its Message to the Bahá’ís of the world of September 1964 (printed in November issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS).

The 2,400 and more staunch and devoted members in the “army of God” came together in groups of from fourteen to over 200 in the forty-one cities. They witnessed a slide program reviewing the historic series of events which took place at Riḍván 1963 beginning on Mt. Carmel with the launching of the institution of the supreme and august administrative body of the Faith, the Universal House of Justice, and culminating in London with the great and glorious first World Congress.

They prayed together earnestly for guidance and assistance to be enabled to gain a clear understanding of their part in the great new Nine Year Plan, to achieve self-free consultation and unity of purpose, and to offer their hearts and resources toward the fulfillment of the goals.

The reports on the Institutes evidence a high spirit of consultation shared by both youths and adults, eagerness to serve the Faith and achieve the objective of “universal participation,” a desire to gain a greater depth of understanding of the significance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, and a genuine interest in the institution of the Bahá’í Fund.

Governor Endicott Peabody of Massachusetts signs Proclamation for World Peace Day September 20, 1964 as Bahá’ís of Brookline, Cambridge and Boston look on. From left to right: Dr. Alfred Neuman, Miss Marina Kazemzadeh, Dr. Sam McClellan, Mrs. Mildred McClellan, Mr. Harold Scott.

The believers reviewed and discussed together the meaning and ways of achievement of universal participation, its effect upon the Bahá’í World Community and upon the individual member, and the real secret of it, as explained by the Universal House of Justice in its Message. They came to realize that “in addition to teaching, every believer can pray, every believer can strive to make his ‘own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh,’ and every believer can contribute to the Fund.” And they contemplated the secret of universal participation given in the Master’s oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, and be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true, organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit. They were assured that “in such a body all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth.”

To quote from a few of the reports coming in on these Institutes: “The slide program was received with glowing enthusiasm and was an inspiration to the friends.” “There was very good discussion on those points that lent themselves for participation, and again there was much emphasis upon teaching and on exemplifying the high standards of the Faith in our every-day lives.” “The spirit of the Institute was so great that a magnificent effort was made to express to the National Spiritual Assembly willingness of the friends to achieve universal participation.” “All participants were elated at the close of the day. The spirit throughout was very wonderful and we all consider this type of conference a bounty.”

And from some of the larger gatherings: “There was an excellent attendance and very mature participation from the youth present, which added a great deal to the joy of the conference.” “From the very beginning there was a joyous spirit manifested by those present, and continuous participation.” “We are sure that the words of the many who were inspired to speak gave each one who heard them some inspiration or thought that will aid them in their participation in the Nine Year Plan.... All resulted in an extremely happy day, each one leaving with a sense of inspiration and many spoken expressions of having partaken of a wonderful institute.”

“The spirit at this conference was powerful. Great love and unity were manifest. Indeed, I am sure that all the friends felt kindled within them a renewed sense of dedication. Approximately the last thirty minutes were devoted to specific action to accomplish the goals of the Nine Year Plan — individuals volunteered to find some way to re-activate a Bahá’í; others offered to pioneer abroad and at home some time during the nine years; some volunteered to teach among the minority groups in the city, and all evidenced a deep realization of the importance and need for universal participation in the Bahá’í Fund.”

—U.S. NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

[Page 8]

Observance of U.N. Day Marked by Great Variety

Public meetings, suppers, teas, and informal parties held on the weekend of Oct. 24 throughout the United States once again marked the observance by Bahá’ís of the anniversary of the adoption of the U.N. Charter. Using the theme “United Nations and Justice for All,” Bahá’ís in communities both large and small demonstrated to the public their loyalty to the principles of world government and justice. Reports have been received from over forty communities, many of which arranged public meetings. Among those are:

The Bahá’ís of Kitsap County, Washington who held a panel discussion among three well known local speakers who gave pro and con views in a lively discussion of “Can the U.N. Help Us Attain a Peaceful World?” The meeting was well attended, the Bahá’í speaker clearly establishing the Bahá’í viewpoint. At the Peterborough, New Hampshire meeting, guest speaker Grenville Clark (author of “World Peace Through World Law”) expressed astonishment at finding his thoughts expressed in the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. Visitors composed more than a majority of the audience at this very stimulating meeting. In Burbank, California Mayor Dallas Williams addressed the gathering, complimenting the Bahá’ís the world over for their fine principles. The Chico, California group arranged a meeting at which two college professors of Chico State College participated as speakers, thereby becoming aware of the Faith. Again, in Alhambra, California the Mayor of the city was present. The Yakima, Washington community entertained the chairman of the local U.N. Association as guest speaker. This speaker, Mr. Lukins, noted that the Bahá’í community was the only local organization to mark U.N. Day with a public meeting. The Lawrence, Kansas community, using a local church as a meeting place, held a public panel in which members of the clergy, both Protestant and Catholic, a professor from the University of Kansas, and a Bahá’í, Mr. Sam Jackson, participated. This well attended meeting generated so much interest in the Faith that two spontaneous gatherings were held afterwards. The professor expressed his feeling that world unity was being brought about as a result of the “spirit” of these times, whereas both members of the clergy showed interest in holding such meetings more often.

In the south, where enthusiasm for the U.N. is sometimes difficult to generate, the Bahá’ís held public gatherings in Houston as well as in Fort Worth, Texas and in Gallup, New Mexico.

Resourcefulness in obtaining publicity was demonstrated by the LaCrosse, Wisconsin Bahá’ís who placed large U.N. displays at the University and donated a book on the U.N. to the University Library. In addition to this a Bahá’í spoke on a local television program, giving the Bahá’í viewpoint on U.N. In Fort Wayne, Indiana a month long window display, television coverage of the Mayor signing a proclamation concerning U.N. Day, as well as interviews with college officials, posters and spot radio announcements all arranged by the local Bahá’ís preceded a well attended public meeting. The Bahá’í speaker, Mr. Dan Jordan, was interviewed on TV and radio, all of which resulted in further public awareness of the Faith and its support of U.N. principles.

Celebration in a lighter vein, including parties, teas, international suppers were also held, thus showing how the Bahá’ís practice their beliefs in lighter as well as more solemn moments. Among the communities reporting such activities are: Cheyenne, Wyoming, with an international dinner, and Birmingham, Alabama where an international supper at which were served dishes from many lands followed by movies, games and a social hour. Ferndale, Michigan with an “International Potluck Supper” cooked from recipes of European, Asian and African origin, included a program with a brief talk on the Faith and a U.N. film, “Worlds Without End.”

Among the communities holding teas were: Fargo, North Dakota and Madison, Wisconsin. In the latter community over thirty organizations cooperated under sponsorship of the Bahá’ís to hold a “United Nations Day Women’s Tea” in one of the churches. Recipes for the international desserts served were printed on file cards as gifts to the guests. Each card included also a short appropriate Bahá’í quotation. A talk given by Mrs. Beth McKenty on “United Nations and Justice for All” served to tell the 175 guests how the Faith supports the principles of world government and brotherhood. There was excellent publicity including television coverage, both before and after the event and the Bahá’í committee was invited to sit on the Mayor’s Committee for the U.N.

Also among those celebrating U.N. Day in the lighter vein was Ann Arbor, Michigan with a “Hootenanny and Folk Dance” attended by about eighty-five Bahá’ís and guests. Another unique type of observance was in Urbana, Ohio, where for several weeks preceding U.N.

Gene O. Moore, Mayor of Marion, Indiana is here signing a proclamation of United Nations Week with members of the newly-formed Inter-Faith United Nations Committee looking on. At left is Dr. George E. Winder, Bahá’í.

[Page 9] New York window display in Niagara Falls, New York.

Day, the Bahá’í children’s study class concentrated on the U.N. theme. Then at the public fireside on October 24 the children gave a dramatization of the U.N.

Bahá’ís of the whole North Shore (Lake Michigan), Illinois area cooperated to make a distinctive occasion of this important day in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship. For the first time in this area there was official and active support of a Bahá’í sponsored U.N. Observance by the League of Women Voters, the United World Federalists, a number of Girl Scout Troops and area members of the American Association of United Nations. Two excellent new UNESCO movies about the developing nations preceded a brief discussion by Dr. David S. Ruhe about the Bahá’í Faith’s support of the work of the U.N. Refreshments served afterwards included food representative of many nations. About 225 people attended, many for the first time, and one veteran U.N. supporter called this the most meaningful event she had ever attended because of the “spirit of cooperation.”

San Diego, California display in hotel lobby, October 19-25, showing flags of member nations flanked by dolls in dress of various countries.

In Vallejo, California where there are only one adult Bahá’í and five youth members, a youth conference on U.N. Day, attended by twenty-four youth, drew special attention to the occasion. At least one hundred persons attended the public meeting which was addressed by two Bahá’ís, Mr. Willis Sprattling, Jr., Aerojet Space Corporation ‎Egnineer Engineer‎, and Mr. Vinson Brown, California naturalist, author and publisher. After the program several dozen youth and contacts remained for an informal party.

The Oak Park, Illinois community observed U.N. Day with a dinner for approximately thirty-five guests among whom was a young man from Rhodesia, four student nurses from the Philippine Islands and one from Korea who came in their native formal costumes. Miss Charlotte Linfoot, the speaker, described how the United Nations was helping to put into effect certain of the social principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

The Euclid, Ohio Bahá’í community followed one of the suggestions of the U.S. United Nations Committee and presented a large United Nations flag to the Euclid Public Library, together with a commemoration folder showing a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette with the inspiring inscriptions over the entrances to the Temple printed on the page of the folder opposite the picture. The library officials were so pleased that they themselves arranged for photographic and newspaper coverage of the presentation.

More than 150 persons attended the United Nations Day meeting in Los Angeles, California, where one of the features was the showing of a motion picture, “A Gift to Grow On,” regarding the activities of UNICEF in Central and South America.

Two of the many costumed guests in front of the Bahá’í exhibit at the UN festival in Casper, Wyoming. More than 250 people attended the international supper and program sponsored by nine organizations, including the Bahá’í community.

[Page 10] Student guests at UN Day Meeting, Hamburg, New York. Kenya, Tanganyika, Argentina and Mexico are represented. In center Dr. Carl Hatch, professor from the University of Buffalo who spoke at the meeting.

The Bahá’ís of Bakersfield, California joined with other local organizations interested in United Nations for the observance of United Nations Week. Mayor Gene Winer (center) signed a proclamation calling for cooperation. John Verhoeven, left, was the Bahá’í publicity representative.

Beverly, Massachusetts Bahá’ís celebrated United Nations Day with a supper at Cove Community Center. Guest speakers, Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Lucas of Ipswich, are seated in front with Mrs. Walter Rogers, right. Standing are, Moses Wasonga, Arthur Edwards, and John Otieno. Wasonga and Otieno are exchange students from Nigeria.

First Local Spiritual Assembly of Glencoe, Illinois, formed April 21, 1964. Seated, left to right: Dr. Lillian Dove, Mrs. Maria Jones, Mrs. Jean Rankin, Mrs. Catherine Jefferson. Standing, left to right: Robert Bartlett, Robert Hammond, Wilson Rankin, John Bush, Mrs. Helen Hammond.

[Page 11]

THE TONGUE OF POWER — Part III (concluded)

by Eunice Braun

Classifying Baha’i Literature

Bahá’í literature can be classified into three general categories for the student of the Faith. Works of Original Source include the writings of Central Figures of the Faith for which we possess the original written document, signed and sealed by the Authors. Preeminent among these are the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, followed by the Words of the Báb, their special position explained by the Báb Himself in His statement: “The Bayán deriveth all its glory from Him Whom God shall make manifest,” and by a statement from Shoghi Effendi in The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh: “Allied, though subordinate in rank ...” The Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá come next, concluded by the works of Shoghi Effendi. These are the authoritative utterances.

Transcripts of Oral Talks is a further classification for works of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which received His approval for publication, but which were transcribed from the translator’s immediate, oral English rendition, consisting mainly of The ‎Promulation Promulgation‎ of Universal Peace and some talks given in Europe. These talks are eventually to be translated from the original Persian notes.

Secondary Sources comprise the third and last category, consisting of all books and pamphlets published on the Faith that express the understanding of various authors of the teachings. Leading the list, however, must be such works as Nabil’s matchless narrative The Dawn-Breakers, which Shoghi Effendi translated, followed by the basic text, Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era, a portion of which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself edited. In addition to these, there are many books and pamphlets giving various approaches to the Bahá’í teachings, as well as study outlines on basic texts, so that altogether, there are currently close to 200 published items available in the English language in the West.

Many stories were recalled about the Master during His lifetime, from pilgrims who visited Him in the Holy Land and especially those which accumulated during His western tours. They have formed a vivid, many-faceted portrait of Him, coming as they have from the viewpoints of many observers. While Shoghi Effendi did not suppress them, he made it clear that all diaries and records of visits to Haifa, or various stories recounted about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, must be clearly removed from the “list of what we might call the authoritative utterances,” being only the understanding of the writer or commentator. Shoghi Effendi further stated: “Bahá’u’lláh has made it clear enough that only things that have been revealed in the form of Tablets (i.e., written, signed and sealed) have a binding power over the friends. Hearsays may be matters of interest but can in no way claim authority. This basic teaching of Bahá’u’lláh was to preserve the Faith from being corrupted.... This being a basic principle of the Faith, we should not confuse Tablets that were actually revealed and mere talks attributed to the Founders of the Cause. The first have absolute binding authority while the latter can in no way claim our obedience. The highest thing this can achieve is to influence the activities of the one who has heard the saying in person.”¹³

This further emphasizes the great gift God has vouchsafed to humanity in this Dispensation through an authentically preserved Revelation.

Bahá’í literature will be further enriched in the future. There are Tablets not yet adequately translated into English. There are letters from the Master and from Shoghi Effendi not yet in available, published form. One thing is certain however — Shoghi Effendi did not cease in his labors until the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh was abundantly and authentically rendered into the English language, from which it has since been translated into hundreds of languages and tribal tongues. In the midst of the overwhelming task of guiding a world community, and in addition to his own writings, he translated The Kitáb-i-Íqán, The Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Hidden Words, Prayers and Meditations, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, many prayers and tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and The Dawn-Breakers (a work he advocates as an “unchallengeable textbook” for summer schools and an “inspiration in all literary and artistic pursuits.”)

Guardian Specifies High Standards

With the original publication of these works in America, initiated by Shoghi Effendi, the principles concerning Bahá’í publishing came into being. They involve a careful adherence to accuracy combined with a high standard to maintain the dignity of the faith. Shoghi Effendi has written: “... everything put before the public should be of the highest type both literary and artistic.”¹⁴ Founded upon basic principles of the Faith, made applicable to publishing by Shoghi Effendi, the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. is invested with the authority for effecting policies of publishing and distribution in America. Central responsibility for carrying out these tasks is placed upon the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

The matter of literary and artistic standards naturally brings up the inevitable and difficult question of defining the substance of good taste. Final judgement has to rest with those upon whom the burden lies and on the administrative body which places the responsibility. Extremes to avoid are a fixation on transitory, contemporary modes, or an inability to adapt to any change.

Based upon Bahá’u’lláh’s principle of moderation, Shoghi Effendi offers enlightenment in this area. Moderation, he states, must be exercised “in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements and all artistic and literary avocations.” In stronger language, he declares that the Bahá’í standard (including art and literature) “can tolerate no compromise with the theories, the standards, the habits and excesses of a decadent age.”

To facilitate having written materials accurately reflect the exalted nature and purpose of the Faith and to assist the National Assembly in its responsibilities in this respect, a Reviewing Committee was established in the early years of the guardianship. This principle

[Page 12] of review had been previously demonstrated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself in having a translation of His own sent to a Spiritual Assembly for approval “so that things may be arranged in an orderly manner.” Shoghi Effendi fortified this action by sending his own literary works, such as God Passes By as well as his translations of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and The Dawn-Breakers, to the American Reviewing Committee that “he might be the first to abide by that rule ...”

All of this admittedly places the scope of Bahá’í publishing on a high plateau involving continual vigilance and personal obedience. However, although authenticity of the written works and fidelity to accuracy in any presentation of the Faith is mandatory, there is no censorship of personal reading. Bahá’u’lláh does not hamper anyone in his search for truth, even though he may for a time be searching in the dust.

In a transitional age, beset with the moral collapse of an old order, it is difficult to discern the relationship of liberty to law or to equate the delicate balance between freedom and discipline. At such a time in history extremes prevail. Modern man looks back to centuries of injustice and views any restriction as an obstruction to freedom. He begins with a high protest against tyranny and ends with self-imprisonment, sealed off, through a lack of faith and humility, from his own spiritual potential. At the other extremity, fearful that liberty becomes libertinism, he lays a heavy hand upon all that does not conform to his traditional pattern, however outworn its application to man’s contemporary needs.

Only the Manifestation of God has the key to this dilemma. Bahá’u’lláh has expanded the boundaries of man’s freedom by releasing him from the lower part of his nature into a higher arena where his true spiritual potential can be exercised and more fully developed. The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, increasingly understood and practiced by its adherents, will in the future bring about a new, golden age of literature as in all of the arts of man. In this formative age, when the “new humanity” has not yet come into being, this flowering cannot spring forth. This is the day of planting, rooting and nurturing the Creative Word of God in the hearts of men. Man’s most creative act in this day is the revivifying of souls so that the whole world can one day bring forth its finest fruit, the Kingdom of God, a divinely inspired civilization.

“Unloose your tongues and proclaim unceasingly His Cause. This shall be better for you than all the treasures of the past and of the future ...”

13. Bahá’í News, May, 1939

14. Bahá’í News, May, 1932

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BAHA'I IN THE NEWS

Mrs. Beverly Stafford of Santa Rosa, California, has called attention to a new supplementary textbook for seventh grade students in the California public schools, Understanding Israel, which carries on the cover a beautiful view of Haifa in which the Shrine of the Báb is clearly visible. The introductory page carries the same photograph with the legend: “A View of Haifa from the Persian Gardens.” The text is written by Marion Gartler, Judith Laken and George Hull of the California State Series Textbooks, and the photograph is by A. L. Golman of the Photographers Guild.

“The Embrace of the Bahá’í” is the title of a superior five-page article about the Bahá’í Faith written by Joel Lieber in the October, 1964 issue of Kiwanis Magazine, published for the members of the Kiwanis Organization in more than 5,000 communities throughout the world. Many favorable reactions have already been received from members of Kiwanis Clubs, some indicating they would welcome more information about the Faith.

Calendar of Events

FEASTS

January 19—Sultán (Sovereignty)

February 7—Mulk (Dominion)

WORLD RELIGION DAY

January 19—Unity in Religion

U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

February 12-14

Baha’i House of Worship

Visiting Hours

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

Sundays

3:30 to 4:10 p.m.

Public Meeting

Sunday, January 17

4:15 p.m.

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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: Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Managing 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.