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| No. 416 | BAHA’I YEAR 122 | NOVEMBER, 1965 |
Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh in Adrianople[edit]
The history of the life of Bahá’u’lláh can be described as a book whose pages are darkened with unbearable cruelties inflicted on Him by a perverse generation, but whose characters shine with the splendors of God’s Revelation, shedding their luster upon a world steeped in ignorance and prejudice. This contrast of light and darkness, of majesty and imprisonment, of glory and abasement reaches its climax in Adrianople. For it was in this city, situated on the continent of Europe, that a century ago the Sun of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation mounted to its zenith and the proclamation of His Message was made to the whole of mankind; and it was there, at the same time, that He suffered most and sustained the heaviest blow in the whole period of His ministry.
He entered Adrianople in December, 1863, at the age of 46, full of vitality and vigor, and left it four and a half years later bent with sufferings, visibly aged, His hair turned white. His half-brother, Mírzá Yahyá, the leader of the Bábí Community, had witnessed the ascendancy of Bahá’u’lláh. Prompted by an intense jealousy and encouraged by a notorious Bábí, he mustered such audacity as to open a campaign of opposition to Bahá’u’lláh. Through the spread of voluminous letters of calumny among the believers in Persia, as well as the authorities in Constantinople, he misrepresented the Cause of God and its Author. He actually succeeded, around 1864-65, in poisoning Bahá’u’lláh’s food, planned His assassination and, above all, challenged the Fountainhead of a mighty Revelation by his own so-called declaration of prophethood, which soon was to make him the laughing-stock of the mass of believers as well as members of the general public.
The aftermath of the poisoning left Bahá’u’lláh with a shaking hand till the end of His life. After this time He seldom took His pen to write. Today, a mere glance at any of the Tablets written by His own hand after this tragic event bears witness to the shaking of His blessed hand.
The sufferings inflicted on Bahá’u’lláh by the breakers of the Covenant of the Báb find no parallel in the whole period of His ministry. Little wonder that in some Tablets revealed in that land He pours out His heart and laments His afflictions.
In the midst of hopelessness and agony, and at a time when the Cause of God had undergone an internal convulsion and a temporary breach had been made in its rank and file, Bahá’u’lláh, with a tremendous power, arose to proclaim His Mission to the world at large. About a year before His departure from Adrianople and through the operation of His irresistible Spirit in a dramatic way, He established His ascendancy over Mírzá Yahyá. Swiftly and decisively that “Most Great Idol” was broken with the Hands of Power and Might and cast out from the people of Bahá. The Sun of Truth, which had suffered a momentary eclipse, now began to shine in all its splendor.
The beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, has referred to this episode as the fulfilment of St. Paul’s prophecies recorded in the New Testament (II Thess. 2:3-4,8):
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God .... And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
Soon after Mírzá Yahyá’s humiliating downfall, a glorious chapter opened in the annals of the Faith. As if the gates of heaven had been flung open, the vernal showers of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh began pouring down with unprecedented intensity. Innumerable Tablets were revealed with such rapidity that within the span of one hour His amanuensis would record the equivalent of one thousand verses. After being transcribed, these Tablets were dispatched to Persia. For months a number of secretaries, including ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, then in His early twenties, were busy day and night and yet were unable to cope with the task.
The community of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers in the land of His birth, now being identified as the “people of Bahá” as distinct from the “people of Bayán,” were reinvigorated and inspired through the dissemination of these soul-stirring Tablets. They chanted them and copied them with much eagerness as they gathered at a certain house, sometimes in the dead of night to insure their own safety.
These Tablets which at this time streamed forth from the Supreme Pen constitute some of the most historic and significant of Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings. There was the Súriy-i-Ghuṣn (Tablet of the Branch) in which He foreshadows the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and which can be regarded as the harbinger to that Covenant which He explicitly established years later in ‘Akká. The Kitáb-i-Badí‘ was written to refute accusations brought against Him.
In His weighty Tablet to the Sháh of Persia, Bahá’u’lláh familiarized that ruler with, and demonstrated to him, the authenticity of His Mission. It was written in a language of unsurpassed beauty and eloquence, partly in Arabic and partly in Persian. In the Lawḥ-i-Ra’ís, revealed on the way to ‘Akká, He addressed ‘Ali Pasha of Turkey, admonishing the Grand Vizir in strong language for the cruelties he had inflicted on Bahá’u’lláh and His loved ones.
The most momentous of all, the Súriy-i-Mulúk, which was revealed about a year before His departure, was addressed to the entire company of the monarchs of the East and the West in a language most majestic and penetrating, entirely in Arabic. In this Tablet He proclaims His Mission and discloses the dazzling greatness of His own station, admonishes the sovereigns for their indifference to His Message and that of the Báb, summons them to embrace His Cause, urges them to be united among themselves, counsels them to reduce their armaments, exhorts them to be just, warns them of the chastising calamities which will befall them if
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they do not heed His Message, and states in unequivocal language the ascendancy of His Faith even
without their assistance or allegiance.
Thus a mighty process for the proclamation of His Message was set in motion. The initial phase of this can be said to have occurred soon after Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in Constantinople in 1863 through the revelation of a special Tablet addressed to Sulṭán ‘Abdu’l-‘Azíz, the text of which we do not possess. The process reached its plenitude in Adrianople around 1867-68 through the revelation of the Súriy-i-Mulúk—His clarion call to the rulers and ecclesiastical leaders of the world whom He addressed collectively and in many instances, separately; and it was fully completed, at a later stage in ‘Akká, through the dispatch of individual Tablets to some of the outstanding monarchs of the time and also in the revelation in 1873 of memorable passages addressed to certain sovereigns in His Most Holy Book, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Book of Laws).
It was in August, 1868, that Bahá’u’lláh was banished to ‘Akká. Many of the inhabitants of the city of Adrianople, both Muslim and Christian, assembled outside of His house, and all, especially the Christians, wept at His departure.
Now a century has passed. Bahá’u’lláh’s Message has encircled the world, and the rising institutions of His World Order, erected by peoples of all races, colors and classes in every continent of the globe, stand strong and incorruptible as the only refuge for a tottering world civilization. Yet, with the exception of an illustrious Queen who three decades ago acclaimed the greatness of this Cause, the leaders of the world have so far turned a deaf ear or remained indifferent to His summons and warnings; and consequently, mankind has been plunged further and further into tormenting calamities and sufferings.
Who knows that as the valiant band of Bahá’u’lláh’s spiritual warriors battle against the forces of darkness what spiritual forces may be released to hasten the advent of a blissful era for the earth? Supported by the Concourse on High and guided by that divinely-inspired body — the Universal House of Justice — this band of the faithful marches confidently forward for the prosecution of the goals of the Nine-Year world-encircling Plan as a further move toward that glorious consummation which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá foretold during His darkest days while incarcerated in the city of ‘Akká. In glowing terms, too, the beloved Guardian in His letters to the believers in the Cradle of the Faith described that future era when the kings and rulers of the world will recognize the glorious station of Bahá’u’lláh, and, ranking as foremost among the proclaimers of His Cause, will arise with matchless courage and faith to win memorable victories in His Name.
| From | BAHÁ’Í JOURNAL, published by the |
| National Spiritual Assembly of the | |
| Bahá’ís of the British Isles, February, 1965. |
Western Canadian Bahá’í Summer School held at Banff, Alberta from August 15 through 21.
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Teaching conference held at Madina, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea June 12 and 13, 1965.
Teaching Conference in New Guinea[edit]
The Bahá’í Center at Madina on New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago was the scene of a teaching conference on the weekend of June 12 and 13, attended by about forty believers coming from New Guinea and Australia as well as from both the east and west coasts of New Ireland. The beautiful setting contributed to the spirit which prevailed during the weekend. The Center, constructed of bush materials is just across the road from the Pacific Ocean rolling in across a coral reef. The swaying coconut palms and the fireflies twinkling in the fragrant tropical undergrowth gave the impression of paradise, while the floral decorations of the center, artistically arranged by the believers of Madina reminded the friends of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s many references to the flowers of one garden.
The sessions led by members of the local assembly of Madina, as well as by visiting believers from the Bismarck Archipelago, stressed this year’s message from the Universal House of Justice and the goals to be won in this area and in the surrounding islands. There was a talk on how the Bahá’í Faith fulfills Christian prophecy, another on “Diffusing the Fragrances” by a local believer, as well as time for loving fellowship, prayers and singing. Two languages were used as well as English, showing how great is the need for a universal language especially in places like this where, on one island with a population of 30,000 several languages are spoken.
The end of the conference brought regrets at parting, renewed plans for future gatherings and increased dedication to the tasks ahead.
Newly enrolled believers of the Ancoraimes Department of La Paz, Bolivia taught by a young Persian Pioneer, Ziaollah Vojdani.
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Regional teaching Congress held
in Georgetown, British Guiana,
August 20 through 22. Believers
came from British, French and
Dutch Guiana, Northern Brazil,
Eastern Venezuela and Trinidad. Hand of the Cause Jalál
Kházeh is shown holding the
Greatest Name.
Summer Teaching Trips Bring Victories in the Caribbean[edit]
The Cause of God is sweeping forward in the islands of the Caribbean! No sooner are statistics set forth than they are outdated, so rapidly is the picture of progress changing. By the time these lines are published there will probably be one hundred island believers and fifty pioneers in these goals which are the foremost responsibility of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
Two notable volunteer teaching trips of this past summer added inestimably to the progress of the Faith in these islands. Mr. David Schreiber journeyed all the way from Hawaii on his own to take an island hopping trip through the Leeward Islands enrolling believers and making valuable contacts. He flew to Antigua and from there, accompanied by a Bahá’í of the islands, took native sailboats between islands, a method that was both less expensive and more fun than travel by plane. Mr. Schreiber’s report glows with enthusiasm. He tells us that the best way to get information about sailboats is by going to the piers and asking. He found that in the island villages, of which there are many, it was much easier to teach and interest people than in the cities. Busses were a cheaper and friendlier way of going from city to village than private car or taxi. Most rewarding of all was the list of believers enrolled and the names of the many who showed interest in learning more.
Another exciting teaching trip to the islands was made by a young Bahá’í college student, Mr. Daniel Conner, during his vacation. He spent several weeks on the Turks and Caicos Islands. These are described as “little orphan” islands in the Bahamas which have been bypassed to a large extent by the changes of the present times. They are primitive with no agriculture or industry. Formerly salt was exported, but last year that industry closed down. The settling of pioneers in these islands seems formidable. In the first letter received from Dan Conner after his arrival on Grand Turk Island he writes, “After just a little more than a week, I have managed to become integrated pretty much into community life here. The natives are charmingly friendly.... As I suspected, living conditions are somewhat primitive, although I have electricity, a comfortable bed, and plenty of boiled water. I seldom get lonely, for my hut is inhabited by an assortment of flies, cockroaches, and a few crabs and lizards.” The progress this enterprising young man made in these islands during his six weeks stay, made possible by the financial contribution of another dedicated Bahá’í, is another victory for the goals of the Nine Year Plan. There are now six declared Bahá’ís on Grand Turk. The Cause of God is sweeping forward in difficult areas in the islands of the Caribbean!
Second Teaching Institute in British Honduras[edit]
Burrell Boom, British Honduras was the scene on August 15, of a one day teaching Institute, the second planned and conducted this year by the believers of British Honduras and attended by twenty believers and guests. A wide range of subjects covered in the two sessions included: Who is Bahá’u’lláh? Why are you a Bahá’í? A Survey of the Life and Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and The Riḍván message from the Universal House of Justice.
The Bahá’ís in this country have as a goal the establishment of at least four local assemblies by Riḍván 1966 and ultimately, during the Nine Year Plan the formation of a National Spiritual Assembly.
Picnic in Uppsala, Sweden enjoyed by Bahá’ís and their friends. Following this happy outing two of the guests declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh and others of the group continue to attend firesides.
Benelux Summer School Held in De Vechtstrom, the Netherlands[edit]
The three Benelux countries held their schools at a combined site at De Vechtstrom in the northern Netherlands from August 23 through 30. After having formed separate national spiritual assemblies in 1962, it was the will of the three communities to join ranks and partake of the spiritual atmosphere of having summer school together. The 150 friends attending represented fifteen countries including Morocco, Tunisia, Japan, Great Britain, United States and others on the Continent of Europe.
The school was greatly blessed with the presence of Hand of the Cause Abu’l-Qásim Faizí throughout most of the school. Time will prove the worth of the jewels of wisdom and inspiration which he opened through his superb courses on: The Meaning of History, Bahá’í Education, and the Hidden Words. He discussed the Universal House of Justice, the Guardianship, the meanings found in the Greatest Name, and the true spirit of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings.
The courses took many forms: conferences, workshops, lectures and seminars and were given in Dutch and French. Three Auxiliary Board members, Mr. Gert van der Garde of Holland, Mrs. Dorothy Ferraby of England and Mrs. Lea Nys of Belgium presented the functions of the Hands of the Cause of Europe and the teaching goals. All of the classes were well attended and all present reached new levels of understanding and enthusiasm.
For the first time in this area an effort was made to reach people in the nearby villages and as a result seventeen guests attended a special meeting at which slides of the Holy Land and a brief presentation of the Faith were offered. Several of these guests, among them a reporter for a local newspaper, were so much interested that they returned for other meetings later, and this resulted in an invitation to the Bahá’ís to speak to another group in a nearby village.
To add variety and relaxation to the program of intensive studies a trip to the nearby seacoast towns of Urk and Giethoorn, “the Venice of the North” was enjoyed by the Bahá’ís. Evening programs also lent added variety and richness to an already joyous and full program. Truly, when the Unity Banquet was held on the last night all felt that a never to be forgotten experience of rich spiritual value had been theirs and that they were thus reinforced and strengthened in rendering services to the Faith in the months ahead.
Benelux Summer School held in the Netherlands from August 23 through 30.
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First Spiritual Assembly of Ixelles, Belgium. Seated,
left to right: Mrs. H. Beugoms, Mrs. L. Henuzet (secretary), Mrs. E. de Koninck, Mrs. M. Molitor. Standing,
left to right: Parvis Samii (treasurer), Miss H. Deutshle, L. Henuzet (chairman), G. Molitor (vice chairman). Absent Mrs. D. Rasquinet.
Display in a large window in the center of Brussels.
Used permanently for display by the Bahá’ís of Brussels
this feature has been successful in attracting many
seekers to inquire about the Faith and to attend
meetings.
New Goals Set in Southeast Asia[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia and Brunei first established at Riḍván, 1964 reports mounting victories in new as well as established areas. Teaching institutes and many trips by individual believers have been the means by which these achievements have been accomplished. The National Assembly has undertaken a systematic teaching campaign, appointed national teaching and consolidation committees, begun the publication of a quarterly newsletter. The building for the first teaching Institute of Malaysia was completed at Malacca in August, and in April the national Haziratu’l Quds was opened in Kuala Lumpur. So rapid has been the spread of the Cause in Borneo that the Universal House of Justice has called for the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of Brunei at Riḍván 1966. This is a supplementary goal of the Nine Year Plan.
National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia 1965-1966. Left
to right: Dr. John Fozdar, K. Rajah (vice chairman),
Yan Kee Leong, E. A. Fernandez, Mrs. George Lee, Dr.
Chellie Sundran (chairman), A. Raman, Inbum Chinniah (treasurer), S. Vasudevan (secretary).
Some of those who attended the Malayan Summer School held in August at Malacca.
The Bahá’í Society - An Experiment in Bahá’í Living[edit]
At the Davison Bahá’í School during the week of August 16 to 21, an experimental course on “The Bahá’í Society: The Bahá’í Faith in Life” was conducted with Dr. David S. Ruhe and Margaret K. Ruhe as directors of the program. The Bahá’í year was compressed into a week so that the important Bahá’í events, their spiritual meaning and significance could be experienced intensively. The workshop method was used, with every single person participating not only in the planning but in the enactment of all events. Role-playing was utilized as an effective way to learn about action in the communities.
On Monday three local Spiritual Assemblies were elected, and at once each local Assembly set up an ideal Feast. Together all analyzed carefully the meaning of the three parts of the Feast, discovering a general dissatisfaction with the manner in which Feasts are often carried out. The devotional period was found to be too long, often tedious and boring; the consultation was criticized as lacking the true spirit of creative, constructive consultation. Each local Assembly then worked out an ideal Feast; and a splendid social part was prepared by a committee who provided a beautiful setting with flowers and candle-light, and a variety of fruits, cold drinks, and sweets for refreshment.
Tuesday was devoted to a study of the meaning, significance and conduct of a Bahá’í wedding, a Bahá’í funeral, and a declaration and enrollment. The friends were greatly excited by the opportunity to participate in setting up programs for these events. Many had never been present at a Bahá’í wedding nor funeral, but found these practice sessions enormously helpful. A mock Bahá’í wedding was conducted with beauty and dignity, as was a funeral. For the enrollment candidate a brand new Bahá’í was chosen and presented with a book signed by everyone on campus.
On Wednesday the group planned the Intercalary Days, and on Thursday studied the true meaning of the ten Holy Days. The friends came forth with wonderful and creative plans for celebrating these great events; as one of the Bahá’ís said, “I never realized the potentialities in these historic events.”
For the purpose of the course Friday was the day of the Fast, and almost all kept the Fast. The day began with pre-dawn prayers, followed by a beautiful family hike through the green countryside. At night-fall Naw-Rúz was celebrated with a refreshing and colorful program. The children presented a play dealing with the various Prophets of God; Vinson Jamir read Fereshteh Nurani’s brief talk on the meaning of Naw-Rúz; David Ruhe gave the third in a series on the Life of Bahá’u’lláh entitled “The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh,” showing slides of Adrianople, Akka, and Haifa.
Thus, through daily workshop sessions, by role-playing and enactment of Bahá’í events, the friends learned together how better to carry out the events of the Bahá’í life-year. One person summarized his reactions by saying “We’ll all be more flexible when we go home, for we realize that there are many unusual ways to bring vitality and life into our programs.” All felt the need for more study and research, since to arrange befitting observances of the Holy Days and other events a more thorough understanding of their inner, spiritual meanings is necessary.
The Bahá’í society is a nascent society. All can have a creative hand in making it steadily more beautiful and meaningful.
Second Summer School of Morocco held in Meknes, August 23 to 29. An attendance of one hundred included inquirers and for the first time a greater number of ladies were present than at previous schools.
Youth Projects 1965: Bahá’ís in Training For the Golden Age[edit]
The Bahá’í Faith in the United States is becoming a “youth movement” in spirit and in fact, spontaneously recreating those stirring days of the Dawn-breakers of a century ago. The new young believers are gaining a vision of themselves as standard-bearers of today, trained pioneers for tomorrow, and stable building blocks of Bahá’í communities for their lifetimes. With this vision the youth projects of 1965 have brought to some 150 youth and fifty communities various measures of healthy, if often bruising, group experience.
Many Bahá’í concepts are implicit in the youth projects. First and strongest is obedience to Bahá’u’lláh’s admonition to teach the Cause of God; reaching the racial minorities is that crucial corollary goal emphasized by Shoghi Effendi. For the youth, teaching and reaching people for the Faith must be achieved by emergence from Bahá’í isolation into that true worship which is work performed in the spirit of service. “Let deeds, not words, be your adorning,” is the touchstone motto of all the youth. Real experience away from home’s shelter is the way of conviction. Teamwork for the great Cause of God is the heart of the Bahá’í group psyche. And true morality is forged in life challenges, for there a stainless character is finally felt to be the ultimate weapon of religious teaching, without which the love of God cannot penetrate the veils of materialism and deprivation.
Simultaneously, it seems obvious that the youth projects are a splendid preparation for each youth for his future chapter of pioneering for the Cause. All the virtues of Bahá’í activity are soon brought forth. Each youth knows that he is on the ideological front lines. There he speaks of the Cause and absorbs opposition, labors and endures, cooperates and takes initiative, lives marginally in food and shelter, yet richly in life experience. In short, he learns to pray and strive, and thus becomes a true Bahá’í, to himself and palpably to all.
Youth who helped with project at Indianapolis, Indiana. L. to R.: Greg Dahl, Linda Drake, Susan McMann, Glen Morgan.
East and West: Veterans and Beginners[edit]
The summer projects began with systematic and inspiriting training sessions at Davison and Geyserville Bahá’í Schools, as reported in the September BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
For its second year the veteran Eastern Projects Committee developed a most provocative group of endeavors. A community “invasion plan” was launched in Indianapolis; community work and teaching programs operated together in Chicago, Illinois, Pontiac, Michigan, Washington, D.C. and Conyers, Georgia. Indian Reservation teaching was begun at Cherokee, North Carolina and Fort Yates, North Dakota. Spot projects were carried through at South Berwick, Maine and Racine, Wisconsin. A singing quartet triumphantly toured eastern Canada.
In the West’s first year, Indian reservation projects took precedence, at Sparks, Nevada, Flagstaff and Klagetoh, Arizona and Gallup, New Mexico. At-home programs were undertaken in Hermosa Beach and San Francisco, California. And a trio of working, singing wanderers went from Geyserville to the Yukon, thence through Alaska and British Columbia homeward down the Pacific Coast.
The Eastern Projects: Work, Service, and Teaching[edit]
Indianapolis. From Davison School with Miss Thelma Cooley went youth Linda Drake, Glenn Morgan, Susan McMann, Gregory Dahl, and Richard Kochman to staff the Indianapolis community’s excellent direct-teaching experimental plan. “The project was just about ideal,” said one youth of the careful preparation and follow-through. Mr. Dale Keirn and Dr. George Winder expended a week’s vacation; surrounding communities supported the Indianapolis friends most generously. Housed by local Bahá’ís and trained in doorstep contact methods by Ronald Hauck, the youth canvassed three chosen city areas: Haughville, a low-income Negro neighborhood, and two middle-income integrated and white neighborhoods. Systematic planning, training, letter-mailing, home calls, meetings with those interested, and confirmation of a chosen few provided a most intensely rewarding experience. A presentation manual and a “home deepening” technique were tried. Of 550 homes visited and 150 good contacts made, there were seven confirmations, ten brought to serious study of the Faith, and thirty-five concerned inquirers almost all from Haughville. The community is continuing the effort, with Susan McMann remaining as youth worker.
Chicago, Woodlawn Project. In the National Teaching Committee’s August and September teaching Bulletins a full story is given of the first phases of this continuing project. Woodlawn has become a pilot program for intensive urban teaching of the Faith.
Conyers, Georgia. Into a rural Georgia town near Atlanta poured a dedicated small task force of Bahá’í youth and adults to support the twenty-year-long hopes
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Day School led by Bahá’í youth at Conyers, Georgia.
Songs and fellowship at Pontiac, Michigan.
of Mrs. Essie Robertson, lone Bahá’í of Conyers. Merri
and Charmian Gordon, Greg Dahl and Peter Johnson,
Vera Varner, David Howard and Dan Conner teamed
with young adults Patti Lowery and Nancy Larson, Don
and Ruhiyyih Streets, and with the devoted friends of
the Atlanta community who supplied housing, support,
an audience, love, and a 1948 Packard. A day school
succeeded wonderfully with its ninety-odd children
who, in one parent’s words, “learned more in five
weeks than in a whole year of winter school” because
their teachers helped them “to discover love, and self-confidence, and facts for themselves.” One youth summarized the feeling of all: “It was a most emotional
and loving experience for me.” And, we add, for the
children, for their parents, for the Atlanta friends, for
Mrs. Robertson. (See also NTC Teaching Bulletin, September.)
Washington, D.C. At Barry Farms, a federal housing unit in southeastern Washington, a playground school was staffed by projecteers Joyce Pitchford, Peter Johnson and Norman Hodge, with cooperation from Mrs. Frances Coley, Steven Coley and Terry Randolph of the local community. Difficult physical circumstances and a short term project were made rewarding by the children’s responses; “young, rigid and stern faces ... blossomed into glowing smiles” under the love of the youth. It is a project which, hopefully, will be reborn.
Pontiac, Michigan. Off-the-street child supervision plus a classroom tutorial effort at the Hayes Jones Center was the basic community service program staffed by youth Steven Moore, Pamela Moreen, Leandra Sanders and Steven Waite, with principal young adult supervisors Chris and Julie Ruhe. A well-publicized interfaith Human Rights Panel was a key proclamation achievement, while the Pontiac community provided homes, support, songs and guidance throughout an intense experience.
Cherokee, North Carolina, and Fort Yates, North Dakota. At two far apart Indian reservations youth groups undertook teaching programs: in Carolina’s Smoky Mountains among the Cherokees and on the Dakota high prairies among the Sioux. The Asheville community sponsored and supported the Cherokee group of Jae Voelz, Steven Yamamoto, Ellen Owen, and young adults Janet Cutler and Fereydoun Jalili, working with elder pioneer Ethel Murray and three Indian believers. Children’s classes and innumerable teaching contacts provided an unforgettably meaningful experience; “For ourselves,” said one youth “there was a real bond of unity, and ... the success was immeasurable.”
John and Audrie Reynolds at Fort Yates then sponsored Steve Yamamoto and Sioux youth Ellen Owen, back among her relatives. Pow-wows at Bullhead and Standing Rock Reservation were highpoints of the two-week project which culminated in Mrs. Reynolds’ adoption into the Sioux tribe as “Good Feather.”
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South Berwick, Maine; Grand Turk Island; Racine Wisconsin; and a Singing Tour in East Canada. The
Green Acre youth developed a big community-opening
proclamation effort in South Berwick, Maine, at the
Spring Hill Recreation Center. With song and story and
speech the Bahá’í message was given in depth by a
youth team including Claudia, Steven and Alicia Waite,
Daniel and Gloria Reimer, Sharon, John and Gregory
Davis, Eric Byrd, Robert Anderson, May Khádem,
Linda Richter, Douglas Raynor, Grant and Sandra
Rohde, and many others.
Dan Conner (who cannot bear the heat) set forth single-handed to open the hot and humid Grand Turk and Caicos Islands for the Faith. And as a music student he studied the songs of these isolated islanders throughout a four weeks’ stay. His Bahá’í prize, Joseph Astwood, Sr., came into the Faith during his brief stay, and five Bahá’ís have now followed his conviction.
Home from Davison School’s exhilaration to Racine, Wisconsin came Carolyn, Linda and Susan Drake, Terence and Sheila Amerson who planned and carried out, with great spirit and industry, a public meeting, a picnic and a group of youth discussions, developing enroute an extensive community-wide informational program.
Across eastern Canada went a handsome teaching-by-singing group whose enthusiasm was so infectious that “it brought an absolute transformation of the Canadian communities” which they visited. Danny and Gloria Reimer, Kathy Lee and Doug Raynor travelled eastward through Ontario into Quebec and downward through the Maritime Provinces on a wave of sheer spirit set to music.
The Western Projects: Getting Started With a Rush[edit]
After the Geyserville session, five groups of youth went to their assignments; twelve to Flagstaff, Arizona, for Indian reservation orientation by the Indian Service Committee, three to the Yukon, four each to Gallup and Sparks, and the rest to home projects in San Francisco, Hermosa Beach, et al.
Three to the Yukon and Alaska. Philip Lucas, Larry Jordan and Jere McKinney undertook a colossal trip beginning at Geyserville to Whitehorse in the Yukon, where they assisted in construction of a permanent teaching institute at Jackson Lake, and there taught among the Tlingit Indians. “The enthusiasm of the three” at the Alaska Summer School, Juneau, was so musically infectious that the “three wonderfully dedicated people” returned for an invited tour down the Alaska Marine Highway into British Columbia, and so home, leaving a great impetus behind “this tremendous team.”
Flagstaff and Klagetoh, Arizona. After a week at Flagstaff, Arizona where they received intensive training on the Indian culture, Reginald Newkirk, George Danenberg, Lynda Somerhalder and Margaret Derman spent four weeks at Klagetoh on the Navajo Reservation in a rich, frustrating and also rewarding camping out month.
Gallup, New Mexico, utilized the services of Cynthia Nolen, Pamela MacIntyre, Diane Schnable and Paul Vaughn for the operation of a children’s summer school, and for extensive house-to-house teaching at Gamarco on the Navajo reservation. A folk-singing concert and dance in Gallup were highpoints of special teaching.
Reno-Sparks, Nevada, welcomed Jane Kerns, Susan Hoy, Lee Urquhart (of Canada) and Iris Danenberg to staff a six weeks summer school for 70 children of the Indian colony with the aid of non-Bahá’í youth and the Sparks community. Later Reggie Newkirk and Margaret Derman arrived from Klagetoh to replace Jane and Susan. Five public school teachers from the Reno and Sparks communities were the regular staff; the projecteers became their teaching assistants. A spaghetti dinner, a door-to-door teaching survey combined with newspaper publicity, a hootenanny, children’s Sunday classes and sundry activities ended in a graduation ceremony and farewell of “happy shining faces,” all looking forward to a lively summer in 1966.
Bahá’í youth with the Indians at Fort Yates, North Dakota.
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At home in San Francisco and Hermosa Beach. An
afternoon neighborhood school was organized to “develop unity between all races and religions.” Held at the
San Francisco Center, Margaret Bedford, Vikki Hoover
and Michael Monroe planned and staffed a three week
effort, adding also a neighborhood information survey
program. In a campaign to alert the people of Hermosa
Beach to the presence of the Faith, a door-to-door
distribution of invitations to a weekend meeting
brought keen stimulus to the entire community.
YOUTH PROJECTS 1966: A PROSPECTUS[edit]
The successes have been real. And we all have learned from any failures. The projects have had galvanizing effects upon the youth themselves, upon the summer schools and upon the communities. For the summer of 1966 there will be three mid-June youth training sessions, one at each of the permanent schools. Six U.S. areas will have small executive committees administering area projects, while international cooperative projects may be sponsored with Canada, Alaska, and Mexico. High school age youth and pre-Bahá’ís will be trained for at-home assignments; college age or older youth, after full training sessions, will be sent on away-from-home projects. Projects will be relatively few, better chosen, better and earlier planned for, better executed. For the expanded program with its improved project designs and administration, many young adult supervisors will be critically needed.
At work in the school at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center.
Children of the Indian colony who came to the school taught by the Bahá’í youth at Sparks, Nevada.
Left to right: Jere McKinney, Phil Lucas, Larry Jordan, Bahá’í youth who went from Geyserville to the Yukon and thence to Alaska to assist with teaching and at summer institutes.
Through the Eyes and Hearts of the Youth ...[edit]
The “spiritual invasion” plans of the many projects succeeded best and most with the youth themselves, of course. Personal youth confirmations of Faith were the rule. Each youth learned to teach through teaching of so strenuous a variety as to exceed almost all adult Bahá’í experiences. Singing became a daily exercise of love, habit-forming. Each learned to organize meetings, programs, themselves; learned to live with each other with consultation, real-life labor and racially integrated activities in the public eye.
On Teaching. Said Vera Varner: “A wonderful and enlightening experience ... preparing me for a greater teaching experience.” Linda Drake: “We went to make friends with these people.” Said Nancy Drake: “More talking and teaching should bring amazing results,” since “there are a lot of Bahá’ís in this area and they should be in the Faith.”
“Most of the time we met warm responses,” said Jae
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Voelz, “excluding the dogs ... Whatever effort we
made was always rewarded double.”
Terry Amerson: “It all made me feel that I really accomplished something,” when, as Ellen Owen commented, “you learn to open up your heart to all people.” “Our being there, integrated, really helped to imprint upon their minds the oneness of mankind.” Vera Varner at Conyers: “All the kids responded to love and laughter” “... and there was no end to our joy and satisfaction at the little things we had done (Pam Moreen).”
On Work and Service. “It was very hard work” was the almost universal verdict, spoken by Greg Dahl, “this experience of teaching the Cause directly and full time”
David Howard felt that “close contact with the children was the most rewarding thing about the project.” Ellen Owen: “We made most of the people know about the Faith, and trust us” so that as Vera Varner put it “seeing the work we did made people want to investigate....” Introspective Carolyn Drake: “I must make an effort to get to know the interested people better ... then they will not be so reluktent (sic) or skeptical of it all.”
On the Pre-Pioneering Experience. Lynda Somerhalder of Klagetoh, bluntly: “These projects weed out the glamor of pioneering. The youth who are physically able to walk across the finish line at the end of a summer ... and on into a pioneering goal ... will truly be the experienced ones.”
Opined Jim Sim’s of Woodlawn: “Now I know I can pioneer anywhere.”
On Difficulties. “Let’s face it—it wasn’t all great. There were many painful spots ... that made the time very rough.”
“... lack of communication between the youth and adults ... because the youth, raring to go from Davison, clashed with the adults who wanted to think about ideas a little while and slow down a little.”
“... just getting exposed to the group concept really directly for the first time ... working with the same people 16 hours a day for six weeks straight ...”
“... I need friends to admit the discouragement, then pass on to find the mountainous good things that really happened ...”
On Dedication. Behind every project was the devotion of some or many. There was “the beautiful patience of Essie Robertson ... (with) an almost perfect situation awaiting us” at Conyers (Greg Dahl). And at Fort Yates Steve Yamamoto felt that “it was a real blessing staying with the Reynolds, seeing their complete devotion.”
In the end, each youth lived a small slice of the true Bahá’í life. “A wonderful and exciting experience.” “I enjoyed every minute of the whole summer project,” “Extremely rewarding to me what I learned about the Indians.” “The transforming elixir was the Bahá’í smile.” “It has been one of the most wonderful and inspirational experiences of my life.”
Veteran Glenn Morgan expressed his conviction that “as the projects progress from year to year, they grow better and better.” May it be so. But Ellen Owen eloquently and happily said it for all: “Thank you for a learning summer.”
Ninth Japanese Bahá’í Summer School held at Takarazuka, Japan, August 21 and 22. The attendance was over one hundred.
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Some of those attending the summer Institute near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Broward County Expands Teaching[edit]
The Broward County, Florida Bahá’í Community reports a summer teaching project which has proved to be successful especially in bringing each and every member into the role of actively teaching the Faith. It grew out of efforts of last winter and is continuing to draw the members into greater and more frequent teaching activity.
Last winter two deepening classes were held each week led by Terah Cowart Smith, Zella Svendsen and others. These classes were to deepen the friends in the meaning of the Writings, prayer, and the history of the Faith. Round the clock prayers were also held from the end of January until Riḍván. With all of these wonderful classes and prayers, the feeling of love and unity grew among the believers with the result that they decided to start more individual firesides. A chart was made showing a large tree, its limbs bare of leaves, as they are just before Spring. Every time the message of Bahá’u’lláh was given to an inquirer, whether in the home, on the street or even in casual telephone conversations a leaf was added to the tree, showing the date and location and the name of the Bahá’í. Immediately the believers started having little coffee sessions, evening firesides or inviting fellow employees to lunch or coffee and telling them of the Faith. In addition to all these individual firesides a study class and fireside is held weekly for the whole community.
At present the tree, bare of leaves last Spring, has forty-five leaves, with many more about to bud.
Bahá’í float entered in the annual Gooding County Fair in August by the Bahá’í group of Gooding, Idaho. This float entitled “God’s Flower Garden” carried the Bahá’í children and their friends and attracted many favorable comments. It was one of three religious entries in the Fair.
Albuquerque Sponsors Summer Institute[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Albuquerque, New Mexico sponsored a weekend Institute August 14 and 15 in the Sandia Mountains. The theme was “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Exemplar in America” and the leader Dr. Allen Ward of Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee. Sixty-two attended, coming from eight states besides New Mexico. All were refreshed and inspired by the warmth and love which came from learning about the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Perfect Exemplar of our Faith.
Third Annual Council Fire Held on Makah Reservation[edit]
In the beautiful setting of the Makah Reservation, in Washington, amid towering spruces with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Sooes river on the other, the third annual Council Fire attracted 275 guests, including representatives from eleven Indian tribes. The Bahá’í speaker, Auxiliary Board member Chester Kahn, a Navajo Indian, represents to Bahá’ís a living example of the significance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statements about the importance of teaching the American Indians.
The Makah believers greeted their friends and guests and the elders of the tribe sang traditional tribal songs. All joyfully shared in the spirit of the occasion which included prayers and music as well as inspiring messages.
Two enrollments took place at the time and there have been two more subsequently as a direct result of the spirit of this gathering. Although these new believers are not Indian the spirit of the Indian Council Fire was the cause of their illumination.
The fourth Council Fire is already joyfully anticipated and the Bahá’ís are sure that the day will soon come when these Indian friends will increasingly respond to the love of Bahá’u’lláh.
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Bahá’í children’s class in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The
teacher, Paul Lanberge is shown in center rear. Started
in 1953 this class meets weekly on Saturday mornings.
Children in St. John, New Brunswick sing with Miss
Leila Morris, a Bahá’í from Prince Edward Island who
came to help conduct a children’s summer school in
July. This Bahá’í school which lasted one week had
steadily increasing attendance and received fine publicity in the local papers.
National Assembly Visit to Green Acre Publicized[edit]
Thursday, September 2 was a special day for Green Acre. Thanks to the combined efforts of the Green Acre Council, the National Assembly publicity representative, Jessyca Gaver, and Green Acre’s publicity representative, Tim Rost, a very productive press conference and luncheon were held at Fellowship House that noon for the visiting National Spiritual Assembly.
Among the press were representatives from the York County Star, Portland Telegram, Manchester Union-Leader and United Press International. All these papers used stories in one form or another, and the UPI bulletin was also used by a Boston radio station, in addition to being sent on the wire to all New England papers using the service.
The fact that this was the first time in fifteen years that the National Assembly had held its meetings in this New England area made a great impact on the local press.
Stories of youth activities both at Green Acre and across the country were given by youth represented by Greg Dahl who had been on the Davison and Indianapolis projects this summer, and Gregg Davis who had been working on the Green Acre staff this season and helped with the very successful South Berwick youth efforts.
A tour of the facilities of Green Acre and the work projects on the buildings and grounds completed by Green Acre students of all ages was led by Dr. Sam McClellan, representing the Green Acre Council. Paul Marston, a free lance photographer who was assigned to take pictures for the Manchester Union Leader, was so captivated by seeing people of a religious group as “un”stuffy, that he returned over the weekend to take additional pictures of Hand of the Cause William Sears, Dr. McClellan and Robert McLaughlin for another local interest story in the same paper.
Teaching the Mormons[edit]
Bahá’ís frequently ask whether there is any relationship between the Bahá’í Faith and Joseph Smith and the Mormon (Latter Day Saint) religion. This question was answered by the beloved Guardian in 1941 in a letter written on his behalf by his secretary to an American believer (Mrs. Helen Robinson), part of which was published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 175. The complete letter is as follows:
“Regarding your question concerning Joseph Smith and the ‘Book of Mormon’; as the Bahá’í Teachings quite clearly outline the succession of Prophets from the days of Christ as being Muḥammad, the Báb, and finally Bahá’u’lláh, it is obvious that Joseph Smith is not a Manifestation of God.
“The Bahá’ís should deal with the members of all religious sects, however, with the greatest tolerance and friendliness, and try to point out to them the significance of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh to the world in this great Day. The Guardian would advise you to teach the Mormons, like everyone else, the Faith, when you find them receptive. They have many good principles, and their teachings regarding chastity, not drinking or smoking, etc., are quite similar to ours, and should form a point of common interest.”
A Radio Fireside Quiz[edit]
On August 16 Miss Juliette Whittaker of Peoria, Illinois and Mrs. Alice Cox of Washington, Illinois were the speakers on WMBD radio program, “Topic”, an informative forty-five minute program during which people may phone in their questions on the topic of the day. Their topic was “What is This Bahá’í Faith?” which brought forth a very spirited discussion. The radio announcer himself was keenly interested and
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asked many questions. Phone calls came in from the
entire Peoria area at such a rate that the announcer
asked the Bahá’ís to make their answers as brief as
possible because of the many people waiting on the
telephone lines with questions about the Faith.
The request to participate on this program came from Rev. Story, head of the Council of Churches in Peoria.
New Publication by Reference Library Committee[edit]
The National Reference Library Committee has prepared a 110-page compilation from all Bahá’í Writings giving detailed definitions of the (approximately 20) BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF EXISTENCE approved for use in preparing the future Master Index of the Bahá’í Revelation. A small number of copies are immediately available for distribution at $3 per copy. It is believed that this is the first compilation in English that puts together all that is in current Bahá’í literature about the soul and human make-up, and the most vital quotations about the other fundamental elements of the over-all “God’s-eye” view of the three conditions of existence (Deity, Prophethood and Servitude).
In addition to clarifying the general subject headings of the prospective Master Index and Subject Indexes, the compilation also offers a new and interesting way to study our Teachings. It is the source-material used for a course on “New Door to Power Through Study of the Creative Word,” and the Committee hopes that this mimeographed book may prove useful to the friends in many ways.
A summary form (excluding the actual quotations) of this material will be a part of the indexing course which is in preparation and which is expected to be launched on a pilot basis this winter.
To order your copy of THE BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS OF EXISTENCE: A COMPILATION, send $3 to Edward G. Lippitt, Treasurer, National Reference Library Committee,
- 1556A Quarrier Street
- Charleston, W.Va. 25311
How to Have Success in Teaching[edit]
A new printing of Success in Teaching by Rúḥíyyih Khánum has been prepared in a convenient 9 x 6 size. This is a down-to-earth discussion of teaching, emphasizing both personal and community attitudes and actions. It contains a discerning analysis of many of the weaknesses that exist in this area of endeavor as well as giving practical suggestions for action. A reading and discussion of this material by the entire community at least once a year could do much to forward positive teaching efforts. An editorial statement has been added to update the administrative status of the Faith, especially concerning establishment of the Universal House of Justice. The price is $.15 per copy (no quantity price), available from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette 60091.
There are a number of booklets and documents in the published literature all prepared in identical size (9 x 6). A practical thing to do is to secure a pinch binder, approximately 7 x 10 inches, available from most office supply companies, and assemble several booklets into a single, hard cover volume, or perhaps two volumes. Such items are Tablets of the Divine Plan, Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Community, Your Experience as a Bahá’í, Declaration of Trust, Analysis of the Nine Year Plan and many others, including Success in Teaching. This is convenient to keep on a bookshelf for ready reference and also for carrying intact to study sessions, or for reference at local assembly meetings.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- November 4—Qudrat (Power)
- November 23—Qawl (Speech)
- HOLY DAYS
- November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
- November 26—Day of the Covenant
- November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 a.m.)
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- November 19-21
- U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS
- November 7
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
- Weekdays
- 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays and Holidays
- 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, November 21
- 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: 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, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office. 112 Linden Avenue. Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
