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| No. 432 | BAHA’I YEAR 123 | MARCH 1967 |
A Flame of Fire[edit]
THE STORY OF THE TABLET OF AḤMAD
By A. Faixi
Part 1
THERE ARE TWO TABLETS each bearing the name of Aḥmad: one in Persian and the other in Arabic. The latter is the one used throughout the Bahá’í world, which the beloved Guardian characterized as being imbued with a special potency.
The Persian Tablet is quite a long one and is written to Aḥmad of Káshán. Ḥájí Mirzá Jání, who was the first one to embrace the Báb's Faith in Káshán, in whose house the Báb sojournedl some days and who was finally martyred in Țihrán, had three brothers. One was never moved by his brother's faith, no matter how much the latter endeavored to teach him. He remained a Muslim and died as such. The second was called Ismái’l, entitled by Bahá’u’lláh Dhabiḥ2 (sacrificed) and also Anis (companion); the third one who went to Baghdád was called Aḥmad. He remained with the Ancient Beauty and had the honor to be amongst those who were chosen by Him as one of the companions in His exile to Istanbul. But unfortunately in the storms of tests and trials this Ahmad departed from the right path and sided with Azal. He then caused much suffering for the Blessed Beauty, His family and friends. In order to warn this man against such evil deeds and the detrimental consequences for the nascent Faith, Bahá’u’lláh sent him this long Persian Tablet full of exhortations, elucidations of the divine power and advice as to how a true seeker should act and behave. Aḥmad remained heedless, unmoved and unchanged, but when he found out that he could no more live in Turkey, he returned to ‘Iráq where he found his old associates and resumed his iniquitous life with them. One of his worst habits was to insult people and curse them in the most bitter and vile language. In one of his disputes with his evil friends, he lashed them with his sharp tongue and the victims, to get rid of him, killed him one night.
Selections from this Persian Tablet appear in the Gleanings3
Aḥmad Begins His Search[edit]
As to the Aḥmad in whose honor the well-known Tablet is revealed, he was born in Yazd (circa 1805) to a very noble and rich family. His father and uncles were the chieftains of the town, but Aḥmad even at the age of fourteen showed a great inclination towards mysticism and endeavored to find new paths to truth. When he was fifteen, he had already started his investigations during which he heard from some of the people that there are saints or holy men who know special prayers which if read and repeated so many times and in accordance with certain rituals would definitely enable the reader to behold the countenance of the Promised Qá’im (The Messiah).
This flared up the fire of his ever-growing longings. He began to practice an ascetic life with long prayers, successive days of fasting and secluding himself from people and from the world. His parents and relatives never approved of such practices, nor did they permit him to continue this seclusion which was contrary to their ways of life and ambition. Such opposition could not be tolerated by a man like Aḥmad who was wholeheartedly searching and striving to reach his heart’s desire — reunion with his eternal Beloved. Therefore one day early in the morning, he made a small bundle of his clothes and belongings and under the pretext of going to a public bath, departed from his father’s home and set out on his way to search for God’s manifestation.
In a beggar’s outfit he roamed from village to village, and wherever he found a “pir” — spiritual leader — with great devotion and rectitude of conduct he sat at his feet in the hope of finding a path to the mysterious worlds of truth. He invariably begged such people for the special prayer, the reading of which would draw him near the court of his Beloved. Whenever someone would suggest to him any practice, he was so ardent in
Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, viewed from the north.
his search that he would invariably carry out the instructions with absolute sincerity no matter how time-consuming or arduous those practices were. But all of this was of no avail.
Losing hope and faith in such pursuits, he made his way to India, a land so well known for its mystic teachers and hermits with special powers and spiritual gifts. He reached Bombay and took up his residence there, still looking for someone to give him a glimpse of the glorious court of the Promised One.
He heard that if one would perform a specific ablution, put on spotlessly clean white garments, prostrate oneself and repeat the following verse of the Qur’án, “There is no God but God” twelve thousand times, he would definitely attain his aim and heart’s desire. Not once, but several times Aḥmad prostrated himself for hours to repeat the above-mentioned verse 12,000 times, but still found himself in darkness.
In his dismay he returned to Persia, but did not go to his own home town of Yazd. He settled in the city of Káshán and started his own craft of cloth-making in which he was an expert. In no time he became a very successful businessman; but still in his inmost heart he was restlessly searching.
A Stranger Points the Way[edit]
“Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” “Ask, and it shall be given you." No true seeker ever returned from His door of mercy deprived or unanswered.
It was here in Káshán that the rumors about One claiming to be the Promised Qá’im were heard by him. Ceaseless in his efforts and sincere in his search, he asked many people in many different ways. No one ever gave him a clue.
Then one day an unknown traveller arrived in this town and stayed in the same inn where Aḥmad had established his successful business. A certain inner urge drew Aḥmad close to this unknown man. In their conversation, the traveller was asked about the already spreading rumor. “Why do you ask this question?“ he inquired. “I want to know if it is true. If it is, I shall follow it, with all my might,” was Ahmad’s rejoinder.
The traveller With a smile of triumph on his face, instructed him to go to Khurásán find a certain famous learned man called Mullá ‘Abdu’l Khaliq who would tell him the whole truth.
The very next day Aḥmad was on his way to the province of Khurásán. The owners of the neighboring shops were very much surprised when they did not find Aḥmad at his work as usual. “What passed between him and the unknown traveller?" they asked one another, and no one knew the right answer.
Aḥmad crossed deserts and mountains on foot, and his heart overflowed with joy and longing. Every step he took he found himself nearer to the time when all his efforts would yield the desired fruits — his reunion with his Beloved in the search of Whose presence he spared no effort and found no sacrifice too great.
He reached Mashhad, Khurásán, exhausted and so ill that he had to stay in bed. After two months’ struggle to overcome his weakness, he mustered the last ounces of his strength and courage and went directly to the door of the desired house. Here are his own words as related to his friends and companions of these days, “When I reached the house, I knocked at the door and the servant of the house came forth. Holding the door ajar, he asked me, ‘What do you want?’ ‘I must see your Master,’ I answered. The man went back into the house and then the Mullá himself came out. He admitted me to his house and when we stood face to face I explained to him all that had happened to me. When I finished, he at once grasped my arm and told me, ‘Do not say such things here!ʼ and he pushed me out of his house. There was no end to my sorrows. Heartbroken and utterly astounded I said to myself, ‘Are all my efforts in vain? To whom shall I turn? Whom shall I approach? . . . But I will never leave this man, I will persist till such time as he will open his heart to me and will guide me to the right path of God. It is incumbent upon the one who searches to drain the bitter cup of hardship.’ The next morning I was at the door of the same house. I knocked harder than the previous day. This time the Mullá
himself came to the door and the moment he opened it, I said, ‘I will not go away. I will not leave you until you tell me the whole truth.’ This time he found me earnest and true. He became sure that I had not been at his door to spy or cause difficulties for him and his friends.”
Aḥmad was then instructed to attend the evening prayers at a certain Mosque where the same Mullá led the congregational prayer followed by a long sermon. He was also told to follow the Mullá after the sermon was over. The next night Aḥmad tried his utmost to find the Mullá after the prayer and the sermon, but crowds of people surrounded him and Aḥmad did not have the slightest chance to even approach him. The next day when the two met again Aḥmad was instructed to go to another Mosque at night and a third person would be there to show him the way. Accordingly Aḥmad was at the Mosque at sunset and as promised, after the evening prayers, a certain person came to him and beckoned him to follow. Without hesitation or fear Aḥmad followed. Now the three men started to walk like shadows in the darkness of the night, through narrow and obscure lanes. Aḥmad, a complete stranger, never wavered nor faltered nor fled. He took every step with great determination and was ready for any outcome.
At last they reached a certain house. They knocked at the door very gently and it was opened immediately. The new-comers went in very quickly. They passed through a covered passageway, reached a small courtyard, climbed a few steps and were at the door of an upper chamber where a very dignified figure was sitting. The Mullá approached that revered personage with great humility and absolute reverence and courteously whispered, “This is the man I told you about," and indicated Aḥmad, who had been standing at the threshold with utter respect and high expectation. “Welcome. Please come in and be seated” said the man. Aḥmad then entered the room and sat down on the floor.
The host was no less a person than Mullá Șádiq (Truthful), one of the early believers during the Báb’s ministry and very distinguished for his erudition, audacity and steadfastness. During Bahá’u’lláh’s ministry the same Mullá Șádiq (Truthful) displayed such great ardour and zeal that he was entitled ‘Aşdaq (the most truthful) by Bahá’u’lláh.4
A Treasure Is Found[edit]
Aḥmad who for twenty-five years had been wandering in the valleys of search and had nowhere found even a drop to quench his thirst, now found a path to the main spring. With parched lips and an insatiable longing he drank in the sweet scented stream of the verses of God through His new Manifestation. Three sessions were sufficient and he embraced the Faith with all his heart and soul. So elated, exalted and over-enthusiastic he looked, that ‘Aşdaq exhorted him to return to his family in Káshán and insisted that he should not mention the Faith to the people, not even to his own wife.
Those days were days of extreme danger to the nascent Cause of God. The few followers recruited from the poor people of the world were forever the targets of many atrocities. Even the air was imbued with suspicion, spying and slander. Therefore the friends had to be very careful, lest the slightest unwise deed or even a foolish word would ignite a never-ending conflagration that would consume the believers in its flame.
Relics and seals of Bahá’u’lláh
‘Aşdaq, knowing how Ahmad had suffered, felt that he had no money to go back home; therefore, he gave him some small gifts for his family and the sum of three tumans ($1) and again advised him to be very wise. Commenting upon his return to Káshán, Aḥmad has said: “When I reached Káshán, everyone asked what had happened that I had left everything so abruptly. I told them: ‘My longing for pilgrimage was too great to resist, and I was right.’ What else could take me away from my work, my house and my family except that innermost yearning? The instant I heard these words from the traveller there was no more patience left in me.”
In Káshán he resumed his work, but longed to teach the Faith. He heard rumors that a certain man by the name of Ḥájí Mirzá Jání had changed his faith and had become the follower of a new obscure religion. He searched for him and when the two found each other, there was no end to their joy and excitement. They become fast friends, constant companions and the first and only Bábis of that town.
One day Ḥájí Mirzá Jání went to Aḥmad and with great enthusiasm and uncontrollable excitement asked him: “Would you like to visit the countenance of your Lord?” Aḥmad heart leapt up. With much joy and ecstasy he immediately got up from his seat and asked, “How and when?” Ḥájí explained to him how he had arranged with the guards to have the Báb in his house as a guest for two or three nights. Therefore at the appointed hour Aḥmad went to Ḥájí's house. When he entered, his eyes fell on a face the beauty of which surpassed heaven and earth. A young Siyyid was sitting with such meekness, grandeur and majesty that one could not help but behold the light of God in His countenance. Some of the divines and dignitaries of the town were seated on the floor around and the servants stood at the door.
One of the Mullás faced the Báb and said, “We have heard that a certain young man in Shíráz has claimed
to be the Báb. Is it true?" “Yes”, answered the Báb. “And does he reveal verses, too?” said the same man. The Báb responded, “And We reveal verses, too.”
Aḥmad has further said: “This clear and courageous answer was sufficient for anyone who had ears to hear and eyes to see and find the whole truth immediately. His beautiful face and His powerful words and presence sufficed all things. But when they served tea and a cup was offered to the Báb, He immediately took it, called the servant of the same Mullá and very graciously gave it to him. The day after, the very same humble servant came to me and with great sorrow deplored the stupidity of his master. A little explanation as to the station of the Báb brought him to our fold and our number grew to be three.”
This small nucleus started to grow and the number of the adherents increased. This angered the divines who used all their cunning to stop the flow of the already powerful stream of life. They instigated the cruel ignorant mob to plunder, confiscate and kill all those who bore the name of the Báb. Every day they would go to a house, so enraged that they would break its doors and windows, destroy the building and plunder and loot the contents. In the evening one would find the bodies of people dead in the streets and lanes and even scattered over neighboring mountains and plains. This continued and Aḥmad’s house was no exception. Aḥmad then had to hide in a tower for forty days and the friends used to take him food and provisions.
Journey to the Abode of Peace[edit]
Finding life unbearable in Káshán and hearing that Baghdád had become a point of attraction, he decided to go there.
“And God calleth to the Abode of Peace (Baghdád) and He guideth whom He will into the right way.”5
In the darkness of the night, Aḥmad emerged from his hiding place and scaled the walls of the city to make his way to Baghdád. He travelled on foot, full of love, enthusiasm and eagerness to behold the countenance of the One Whom God would make manifest As he was walking, he came across another man travelling in the same direction. Afraid of being molested further, Ahmad tried to ignore the stranger, uttering not a word, but the man persisted in walking by his side. Taking great care never to even allude to the Faith or the purpose of his journey, Aḥmad and his fellow traveller reached their destination. On arrival in Baghdád, they separated and Aḥmad immediately set out searching for the House of Bahá’u’lláh. When he found the House and entered therein, he found, to his utter astonishment, that his companion was there, too. He then understood that his friend was also a Bábi and had been on his way to attain the presence of the Blessed Beauty.
1. Dawn-Breakers, page 217-222.
2. Gleanings, No, 115, page 240.
3. Gleanings, No, 153, page 323.
4. Dawn-Breakers, page 100
5. Qur’án 10:25
(to be continued)
Fifth National Summer School held in Írán, 1966.
In The Most Holy House of Worship[edit]
By GARRETA BUSEY
THERE IT IS! we say as we enter Wilmette on the way to the Convention and see the dome of the Temple above the treetops; and our hearts give a little leap of happiness. It is like the thrill we feel on coming home, and we look forward to a reunion with our family, the Bahá’ís we have not seen for many months or years. They greet us on the sidewalk as we go down to register, and they embrace us so warmly that we are caught up in the spirit of fellowship and sometimes give little thought to the place in which we meet. We forget that this is the House of Worship, the central Shrine of the only Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, in the western world.
What is the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the Dawning Place of the Worship of God? Its central point, the Temple, is, in the words of Shoghi Effendi, “a House solely designated and entirely dedicated to the worship of God.” (Bahá’í World, X, 404) It symbolizes the unity in prayer and meditation of all the diverse peoples of the world. It is the point from which spiritual energies arise, to be translated into service in the dependencies which surround it. But it is infinitely more than this. For upon this, the House of Worship, the Guardian tells us, depends the salvation of the world. “Nor will the exertions,” he wrote in 1929, “no matter how disinterested and strenuous, of those who within the precincts of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will be engaged in administering the affairs of the future Bahá’í Commonwealth, fructify and prosper unless they are brought into close and daily communion with those spiritual agencies centering in and radiating from the central Shrine of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. Nothing short of direct and constant interaction between the spiritual forces emanating from this House of Worship centering in the heart of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, and the energies consciously displayed by those who administer its affairs in their service to humanity can possibly provide the necessary agency capable of removing the ills that have so long and so grievously afflicted humanity. For it is assuredly upon the consciousness of the efficacy of the Revelation of the Bahá’u’lláh, reinforced on one hand by spiritual communion with His Spirit, and on the other by the intelligent application and the faithful execution of the principles and laws He revealed, that the salvation of a world in travail must ultimately depend.” (Bahá’í World X, 405)
Built of Devotion and Sacrifice
Of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár which Bahá’u’lláh commanded to be built in every city, this is the first to arise in the western hemisphere, the second in the world. It was built out of pure love.
To those of us who are old enough in the Faith to remember when the Temple was only a hole in the ground, a cluster of memories will enrich our meditations as we sit in the auditorium or before foundation stone of the Temple, placed there by the Master Himself. We think of all the love and sacrifice that went into its building and are somehow still embodied in it — how dear it was to the Master, to the Greatest Holy Leaf, to the beloved Guardian, and to all the believers in the Bahá’í world, who gave of their substance to build it, and we are grateful to that self-sacrificing group of Bahá’ís who now devote themselves daily to its service.
The building of the Temple began with the deep devotion of a few believers in Chicago, who, fired by the example of the Bahá’ís of ‘Ishqábád, Turkistan, petitioned ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for permission to do what must have seemed at that time the impossible and received in 1903 His enthusiastic approval. In 1907, now just sixty years ago, Mrs. Corrine True, later appointed Hand of the Cause of God, visited ‘Akká, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was a prisoner. Some of us have heard her tell the story, which her daughter Edna has now kindly written out for us:
On the steps of the House of Worship in Wilmette, “the most hallowed Temple ever to be erected by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.”
Rug sent by Shoghi Effendi from the Holy Shrine on Mt. Carmel to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette.
“It was very early in 1907, when she made her first pilgrimage to Haifa and ‘Akká, that she carried the ‘appeal’ to the Master to allow the American believers to start, to commence, to begin the project of building a Temple, which was to be in the Chicago area. My mother had sent this petition around the country, to obtain as many signatures as possible, and later pasted the pages of ordinary writing paper together, rolling up the whole as a sort of scroll, to make it easy to carry. Many of the friends had sent gifts to the Master and so, during her first night in His presence, Mother thought she would get through with these before presenting the ‘scroll’. She had only given Him a couple of the gifts when He strode quickly across the room, reached behind her (where she had tucked the scroll) and raising it said, ‘Mashriqu’l-Adhkár! This is what gives me great joy.’ And then He began immediately to sketch it on a piece of paper, remarking quickly as He went along: It must have nine sides, nine gardens, nine fountains, etc.! Mother said it was most thrilling and as though He already saw the Temple built! When He asked her to go home and work for this important project, she murmured something about how gigantic the task. And then is when He said that wonderful thing which I have heard all my life — ‘Make a beginning and all will come right.’”
Temple Linked With Shrine of Báb[edit]
Two years later the history of the Temple was mysteriously linked with that of the Báb and the World Center in Haifa. In ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to the believers announcing the joyous news that the body of the Báb had, after sixty years been deposited in the Shrine on Mt. Carmel, He added: “By a strange coincidence, on that same day of Naw-Rúz, a cablegram was received from Chicago, announcing that the believers in each of the American centers had elected a delegate and sent to that city . . . and definitely decided on the site and construction of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.”
The Master Himself, as we all know, visited the site in 1912 and set with His own hands the stone to mark the exact location of the building, thus making it, as the Guardian has said, “the most hallowed Temple ever to be erected by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.” “Neither the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Bahá’í world, reared in the city of Ishqábád, nor any House of Worship to be raised in succeeding centuries," he wrote in 1943, “can claim to possess the vast, the immeasurable potentialities with which this Mother Temple of the West, established in the very heart of so enviable a continent, and whose foundation stone has been laid by the hand of the Center of the Covenant Himself, has been endowed.”
—(Messages to America, p. 61)
Shoghi Effendi’s Concern[edit]
Shoghi Effendi’s deep concern for the Temple was evident throughout his Guardianship. For its construction he sent (to be sold if need be) in 1929 what he described as “the most valuable and sacred possession in the Holy Land,” “the most precious ornament of the tomb of Bahá’u’lláh,” and in his letter announcing the gift he told of the yearning of the Greatest Holy Leaf, in the declining days of her life, to hear that work on the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár had been renewed.
He emphasized its importance by making its completion one of the principal goals of the two Seven Year Plans. “No sacrifice," he wrote, “can be deemed too great to insure the completion of such an edifice — the most holy House of Worship ever to be associated with the Faith of the Most Great Name — an edifice . . . whose fairest fruits will be garnered in the Age that is to come, the last, the Golden Age of the initial and brightest Dispensation of the five-thousand-century Bahá’í Cycle.
“ ‘A most wonderful and thrilling motion will appear in the world of existence,’ are ‘Abdu‘l-Bahá’s own words, predicting the release of spiritual forces that must accompany the completion of this most hallowed House of Worship. ‘From that point of light,’ He, further qualifying that edifice, has written, ‘the spirit of teaching . . . will permeate to all parts of the world.’ And again: ‘Out of this Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, without doubt, thousands of Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs will be born.’ ‘It marks the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth’” (Citadel of Faith. 69)
To further sanctity this House of Worship, the beloved Guardian sent at appropriate times other gifts of inestimable value to “repose for all time beneath the dome of the Holy Edifice within the heart of the North American continent,” a lock of the hair of the Blessed Beauty and one of the Exalted Báb, and Their portraits. These mementos of the human temples in which the
Revelation of God clothes itself are not to be worshipped and they are exhibited to the friends only on very momentous occasions. But treasures almost equally precious are frequently on display, the original manuscripts of the Revealed Word, written by the pen of Bahá’u’lláh, that pen which He made a symbol of the Holy Spirit Which animated Him, Addressing it He cries “Tell out to the nations, O Pen of the Ancient of Days . . .“ or He proclaims: “The Pen of Revelation exclaimeth: ‘On this Day the Kindom is God’s!’”
—(Gleanings, p. 131; 35)
Worldwide Contributions[edit]
Gifts came to the Temple, not only from the Holy Land, but from all over the Bahá’í world, and not the least valuable of these were small donations made at great sacrifice. Roy Wilhelm, National Treasurer for many years, used to tell how the poor widow of one of the martyrs, knitting socks for a living, would say that one of each pair was for herself, the other for the Temple. The American believers sold their jewelry, and some of us remember one woman who postponed for a long time much needed dental care in order to contribute the whole of a legacy to build the Temple.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá said it would be the great silent Teacher, and so it has proved to be. Tens of thousands of people from all faiths and all backgrounds visit it each year, many of whom become aware of the power of the spirit within it. Only recently a young Methodist minister told me that he and his wife had been to the Bahá’í Temple. “And we had a real religious experience," he said, surprised that one could have such an experience in these days.
Need for Reverence[edit]
Sometimes it seems that one of the things we westerners can learn from the East is reverence. We love the Temple, but, because of our familiarity with it, we sometimes treat it casually, as we would our own houses, forgetting that when we enter the House of Worship we are standing in the presence of the Almight God. Our speech, our silence, our demeanor, even our attire should attest our reverence. Sylvia Ioas, for long years a resident of Haifa with her husband, Leroy Ioas, one of the Hands of the Cause of God most closely associated with the beloved Guardian, tells of his surprise when one of the pilgrims asked whether people visiting the House of Worship should be permitted to enter it they were dressed in shorts or beach wear. “Don't the believers know,” he said, “that this is the holiest House of Worship that has ever been and ever will be built? Of course they must be properly dressed.” “While these may be called pilgrim’s notes,” Mrs. Ioas adds, “I heard them at the table of the beloved Guardian."
We take the Temple for granted, and only occasionally do we get a glimpse of its significance, its majesty, and power. Such a moment of realization may come, as it did to me last April in the gardens, which are close to the world but seem lifted above it in an atmosphere of quiet and serenity. The water from the fountains sparkled in the sunlight and the great dome rose high above me, guarding those treasures so intimately connected with the Manifestations of God. This, I realized, is the center, the heart of the western hemisphere. This is a fountain of spiritual life, showering its waters on the whole thirsty world.
Gardens at Wilmette House of Worship. Intersection of Linden Ave. and Sheridan Road is shown in the background.
First Guaymi Indian Pioneer Arise: in Panama[edit]
The first Guaymi Indian Bahá’í has arisen to pioneer in Panama. Luis Aténcio Pinedo, a graduate teacher of the national Bahá’í school of Villa Virginia, Cermeño, Panama, his wife and two infant children left their village of Quebrada Loro in the mountains of Chiriquí Province early in January, 1967. They will teach the Faith to the Choco Indians in Boca del Tigre in the heavy jungle of Darien Province. Here Mr. Aténcio will have to travel by “piragua” or dugout canoe on meandering rivers through the dense swamps. The Choco believers will provide him with a home, food, and land to cultivate.
Ten two—day institutes have been held by the Guaymi Indian Bahá’ís since July, 1966, three of which were planned and conducted entirely by the Guaymi teachers themselves. More Spanish readers for first and second grades, workbooks and other school supplies have been carried up to the four Bahá’í mountain schools where children, youth and adults are learning to read and write Spanish and studying the Bahá’í teachings.
Conference called in Peru by Hand of the Cause for South America, Mr. Jalál Kházeh, with three Auxiliary Board members present, as well as members of National Spiritual Assemblies of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru.
Children’s class at two-day Bahá’í Institute in Plan de Chorcha in mountains of Chiriqui Province, Panama, with Guaymi Indian teacher, Valentin Garcia.
The Panama-American daily newspaper published an article on December 1, 1966, concerning Bahá’í pioneering efforts of two American young ladies who spent several months teaching Indian children of the San Blas Comarca on the island of Manchucun. The article mentions their admirable adaptation to the living habits of the Indians, their success in being accepted by the Indians and the eagerness of the children to attend school and learn. Photos above show Linda Martin (left) and Susan Hoy (right), who taught the children, and in the center a group of San Blas Bahá’í's in their colorful native dress.
Light to All Regions[edit]
International News Briefs[edit]
The light of the Bahá’í teachings has recently come into the life of Jose Santos, young Indian father living in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, who, along with his family, has accepted the Faith. Now the Santos family are eager to carry that light, with the help of their fellow Bahá’ís, to their own large pueblo where they feel certain the Indians will eagerly receive the new Teachings.
Writing of the urgency in teaching the Indians of America, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said: “. . . there is no doubt that through the divine teachings, they will become so enlighted as in turn to shed light to all regions.”
There are many like Jose Santos who are waiting for that light to reach them so that they in turn shed it upon others. Juanita George, assistant secretary of the National Assembly of Honduras who is pioneering among the Indians writes: “Doors to many new Indian communities are now opening to the Faith and we need more pioneers who will deepen and consolidate (not abandon) them when we have received their declarations.”
The photo (left) shows the smiling face of Jose in the center, with his wife and four children. Pioneers Dale and Alice Sinclair appear in the back and at the left is an Honduran youth who taught the young Indian father to read and write.
Enoch Olinga, Hand of the Cause, has been traveling throughout Uganda during October, November and December. The news has already come of 150 new believers in one of the areas that he visited.
More than fifty Bahá’í‘s gathered at Ikot Uba, Akpabuyo, in East Nigeria, December 18, 1966, for the dedication ceremony of the Bahá’í Teaching Institute. This moving and historic ceremony included prayers in several languages, messages from the Hands of the Cause (read by Auxiliary Board members) and also from the National Spiritual Assembly, three of whose members were present. After a bountiful meal served under a palm-leaf shelter, more than 200 Bahá’ís and their guests enjoyed a colored slide showing of the Bahá’í World Center and the World Congress in London. Nigeria’s national radio network, NBC, announced the dedication on December 31 thus publicizing the Faith to minions of listeners in Nigeria and West Africa.
Bill Foster, pioneer to Yekepa, Liberia, some of the friends and the first woman Bahá’í in the Nimba Mountain area of Liberia—Mrs. Sah Wesson.
Second National Youth School held in Murcia, Spain, December 24, 25 and 26. Most of the Spanish communities were represented at the school. A message was received from Hand of the Cause in the Holy Land, A. Faizi.
Spanish Youth Hold Second School[edit]
When the second national youth school was opened on December 24, in Murcia, it carried the memory and inspiration of the school held in Valencia in July, the first teaching event organized in Spain by youth. About fifty Bahá’ís came to this institute representing most of the Spanish communities. Two talks by members of the Murcia community highlighted the morning session, one by Miss Aurora Lopez who discussed the spiritual impetus of past civilizations, and the other by Miss Carmen Sanchez who spoke on the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Charles Ioas, Auxiliary Board member, led an all afternoon discussion on the Nine Year Plan, with a series of questions to stimulate participation.
Other interesting talks during the three-day institute were given by: Ali Otmani, Moroccan youth of Madrid who spoke about the Prophet Mohammad and the spiritual influence of the Islamic Revelation; Miss Monserrat Bolet, a new Bahá’í from Tarrasa, who impressed her listeners deeply with her talk on the education of women and also with the answers she gave to a number of questions generated by her talk; Deyhim Foroughi, who read an inspiring message of greeting from Hand of the Cause, Mr. Faizi, and also spoke on the material, rational and spiritual needs of humanity, with emphasis on attaining spiritual riches as the door to real freedom. Emilio Egea, chairman of the youth committee and a member of the Cartagena community, opened and closed the sessions.
A reporter from the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat in Finland contacted the national secretariat in order to give a more thorough explanation of the Bahá’í Faith in an article concerning religious communities registered in Finland.
Week-end Youth School held in Perugia, Italy November 26-27, 1966.
Intensified teaching among university students in the Philippines — especially in the islands of Luzon, Negros Occidental and Cebu as well as in Greater Manilla — has brought many new enrollments. There is also an increase in declarations among professional and village people in Occidental Mindoro and their harmonious association in the Faith is a demonstration of its unifying power. On this island the Sablayan Penal colony is building its own Center. Another Center was built by the Bahá’ís of the D’Baboan area on Mindanao. Five local assemblies on Oriental Mindoro are concentrating on community development. Here also the superintendent of the Iwahig Penal Colony has requested that regular Bahá’í classes be held. Greater Manilla is gearing its work toward the coming Proclamation by a tremendous increase in contacts with people in business, education, government, diplomatic, radio, TV and other circles.
The Bahá’ís of Milan, Italy held two conferences on December 8, 1966, at the Hotel Diana Majesta, with members of various cultural clubs, the Press Club and representatives from Editor Rizzoli. Eighty-three guests attended the first conference (left, above) and fifty guests were present at the second conference (right). Col. Alai is shown at right above welcoming the guests, preparatory to an address given by Prof. Bausani, at left of Col. Alai.
Intense Participation Sparks Australian School[edit]
The theme of “universal participation" emphasized by the Universal House of Justice with the launching of the Nine Year Plan, showed results at the Australian Summer School held at the end of December, 1966 and early January, 1967 in Yerrinbool, in the marked increase in initiative and interest. The study sessions, more intense in themselves, were augmented by attractive book displays, flowers, posters and charts of the Nine Year Plan. The Devotions Committee created an atmosphere of spiritual serenity through carefully planned programs, participated in by children and youth, and by a half-hour period of meditation in the early afternoon. A number of improvements made by the Property Committee effected greater comfort and participation for the attendants. This was especially appreciated inasmuch as working bees must be conducted regularly by people living in distant areas in order to accomplish the improvements.
Broad Spectrum of Courses Offered
Two school sessions were held, since the Health Department has placed restrictions on the number who can attend, resulting in a total of nearly 100 for the two schools. The classes consisted of both inspirational lectures and workshops and sometimes a combination of both. A high sense of responsibility in respect to the school was created by introductory talks given by Mrs. Muriel Handley and Miss Iolee Leedham. Courses that covered the Central Figures of the Faith and Bahá’í history were given by the following: Mrs. Pauline Mason, S. Matthews, John Walker, John Davidson, Fred and Eva Grant, Kurt Speath, Ursula Hall. A study of Islam was given by Frank Khan. Aspects of Christianity and Biblical prophecy were covered in sessions given by William Johnston, John Stevenson, David Hoffman and Joy Vohradsky. A lecture on group dynamics was given by Pam Ringwood. Courses related to problems in modern living were given by David Benson and Reg Priestley. Barry O’Brien discussed the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and gave a workshop on Bahá’í books. Others who contributed their teaching talents were: Erica Salter, Mrs. Pat Pennington (on administration), Madge Bourke (teaching of children), P. de Vogel, and Mr. and Mrs. Aubrey Lake, the latter giving the story of the London Congress and of the traveling teachers in the Pacific area.
A highlight of the 1966-67 school, and for a number of years in the past, was the presentation given by Auxiliary Board member Thelma Perks, her subject this year being the Guardian, the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause. A special workshop was developed from the article “What Is Happening to the Bahá’ís?” by Horace Holley, originally published in BAHÁ’ÍS NEWS in September, 1954 and recently reprinted in the October, 1966 issue.
The children attended morning sessions and also helped with some communal duties in the spirit of service. The youth gave a playlet, “Dynamics of Youth Teaching,” and also illustrated good and bad consultation in an original sketch. Music was an important part of the school, both the a capella prayers arranged by Avilda Reid and Dorothy Stoney, as well as informal recreational singing especially enjoyed by the youth.
Hand of the Cause Sends Message to Bahá’í Youth[edit]
A Youth Conference held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. December 30 through January 1 was privileged to receive a letter from Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi in Haifa. The Oklahoma State Goals Committee which sponsored the very successful Conference is happy to share this message with all the believers.
We are living in an age when every aspect of human life has lost its prestige and sacredness, and when a young man rises and proclaims his faith in the sacred destiny of man and his glorious future, hundreds of destructive forces attack him to knock him down. Unless his feet are set firmly in the path of our Beloved Faith, he will surely be doomed to failure, disgrace, and (be) downcast. Therefore my heart leaps up with endless joy and gratitude when I hear of the Bahá’í Youth Conferences, pioneering, teaching plans, etc. In this way they demonstrate that they have stood firm against all the destructive forces so abundantly prevalent in the world of today.
How I yearn to be amongst them, embrace each one and tell them stories of the illustrious life of our Beloved Guardian who gave so much to the world, with so much glory, generosity and under endless burdens, anguish and sacrifices! The world is deprived of all these heavenly bounties. Mankind is lost in the chartless desert of self and ego, but Bahá’í youths have the plans which are destined to spiritualize this planet. The others yearn for a draught from the eternal cupbearers and the Bahá’í youths have oceans. The others are in the ways of perdition and the Bahá’í youths are firmly established in a path trodden by thousands of martyrs and heroes and illumined by the ever increasing torches of divine institutions throughout the world. May they remain under His tabernacle of love and abiding glory is the ardent and sincere prayer of your
Devoted servant,
Faizi
Hand of Cause Tarázúlláh Samandari To Attend Chicago Intercontinental Conference[edit]
The friends who plan to attend the Intercontinental Conference for the North American continent to be held in Chicago and Wilmette October 5 to 8 will be overjoyed to learn that beloved Hand of the Cause Mr. Tarázúlláh Samandari will represent the Universal House of Justice at that event. Those who had the bounty of hearing Mr. Samandari at the World Congress in London will remember the dramatic account which he gave of his meeting at the age of sixteen with the Blessed Beauty, Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká. He is one of the very few Bahá’ís now living to have this great blessing.
Two members of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bangor, Northern Ireland, and one member of the United Nations Association at the presentation of the United Nations flag to the Mayor of Bangor. The flag was flown outside the Bangor Town Hall on United Nations Day.
Human Rights Day Celebrated in Solomon Islands[edit]
Human Rights Day was observed in the Solomon Islands for the first time December 19, 1966. A public observance sponsored by the Bahá’ís was held at the Bahá’ís Center, Honiara, Guadalcanal. Fifty persons attended, including most of the elected members of the Legislative Council and several prominent religious figures. Silas Sitai, well-known Solomon Island administrative officer, was guest speaker. In addition to explaining the significance of Human Rights Day, he read the articles of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The Bahá’í recording by the United Nations Bahá’í Committee was played. An animated and friendly discussion followed, including further explanation in pidgin English by the speaker. One Christian minister asked how it happened that the Bahá’ís were so actively fostering the aims of the United Nations. The chairman, Mr. Laing, made an appropriate reply, paralleling some of the goals of the United Nations and the Bahá’í Faith.
The meeting was given free publicity on the local radio station.
Greater Anchorage Demonstrate the Meaning of Proclamation[edit]
What would an ideal society be like? More than a hundred people came to hear the answer at the World Religion Day meeting in the Anchorage-Westward Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska. In doing so they learned about the principles of the Bahá’í Faith and why religion is the foundation of an advancing civilization. As guest speaker, Mrs. Roberta Christian provided the answer to the question and to many others that were asked daily through a series of paid ads prior to the meeting. Fifty spot announcements, two lengthy TV interviews, invitations and posters were part of the
advance publicity. The setting was ideal: flowers, music, an attractive literature display —— all of which led to pleasant mingling and discussion among the guests.
It didn’t just happen that way. It was carefully planned, long in advance, by the six—member proclamation committee from the three local assemblies of Greater Anchorage — Anchorage, Spenard and Matanuska Valley — who made this meeting the opening note of their proclamation campaign. Don and Marie Van Brunt, Vivian Ayerst, Kathryn Alio, Katy Main and Lloyd Sutton and all of the Bahá’ís of the area who gave their support are eagerly going forward with follow—up plans as the results of this major proclamation are beginning to appear.
An ideal society begins at least with a Bahá’í community alerted to its opportunities and eager to employ them! Today, since World Religion Day, a great many more people in Greater Anchorage know about the Bahá’í Faith. That is the real meaning of proclamation.
First National Youth Conference in Seoul, Korea, held in October, 1966, at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Plans were made to establish youth clubs in every Bahá’í community and arrange for conferences twice a year. With a view toward an intensified study of the Faith, several Bahá’í texts were distributed at the conference. The youth were housed in the Teacher’s Institute building recently acquired, located near the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
Dr. Rosey Pool Brings Faith to Wide Audiences in Alabama[edit]
Dr, Rosey E. Pool, the gifted poet, lecturer and traveller who is a devoted Bahá’í, awakened the people of Montgomery, Alabama to the truths of the Bahá’í Faith during her recent visit there. Well known for her writing, and especially as teacher of Anne Frank and translator of the famous Diary of a Young Girl, Dr. Pool was given excellent publicity, had radio and television interviews and spoke to a capacity audience, January 8, on the theme “So Many People in One World.”
The meeting, with over 150 in the audience was attended by people of both races and only a small fraction of those in the packed room were Bahá’ís. A well known “disc jockey” Ralph Featherstone, was her chairman and served with a humility and warmth which provided an excellent “bridge” from Christianity to the Bahá’í Faith. Many, of course, came to hear of the life and personal experiences of Dr. Pool, which she gave, relating these incidents to the Faith and providing an excellent introduction to the teachings. Bahá’ís in Montgomery are happy in the realization that Dr. Pool’s visit has been tremendously successful in that it has brought the Faith to the attention of everyone, and in a wise and appealing manner.
Hand of the Cause Janabe Tarázúlláh Samandari in Taiwan on his recent trip to the far-eastern countries.
Taiwan Acquires Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds[edit]
The purchase of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Taiwan, through the cooperation of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and North East Asia, was formalized under direction of Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir. The center is located in one of the main roads of Taipei. Construction will be completed before Naw-Rúz, fulfilling one of the main goals of the Nine Year Plan for this island.
First Bahá’í wedding held in Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Seoul, uniting Bahá’í, Pak, Chog—chul and his bride. Vice-chairman of National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Kim, Chan-zin, who conducted the ceremony, can be seen between bride and groom.
Auxiliary Board Conference Stresses Service to the Cause of God[edit]
The Auxiliary Board Team Conference held at Omaha, Nebraska on December 3 and 4 attracted seventy Bahá’ís who were happy to partake of the joy of being with fellow believers as well as to gain knowledge and inspiration to make their efforts more effective.
The general theme of “The Heroes of God” set the prevailing note to the gathering and kindled in each the desire to be more nearly a hero of God in work for His Faith.
Hand of the Cause, Mr. Khádem was present at all the sessions, answering the many questions on the Nine Year Plan and speaking with deep reverence about the Guardian. Mr. Khádem showed how Shoghi Effendi again and again drew from the friends, through his love and guidance, great deeds of service to the Faith. “He looked always for believers willing to become instruments to serve Bahá’u’lláh," said Mr. Khádem. “He knew in what way they could best render service and he always made each Bahá’í feel able to serve."
Miss. Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary to the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. outlined the goals and accomplishments of the two Seven Year Plans and the Ten Year Crusade, showing that at present, during the Nine Year Plan Bahá’ís again have unique opportunities for service. “We can never again contribute to the building of the Mother Temple in the West, or the Shrine of the Báb, but there are unique opportunities enjoyed by us now which other generations of Bahá’ís will envy.” She cited building the Temple in Panama City, attending the Centenary conferences this fall, and helping to win the goals of the Nine Year Plan as examples.
A comprehensive survey of the functions of local spiritual assemblies, referred to in the Writings as Primary Houses of Justice, was given by Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Velma Sherrill. She underlined the vital role of local spiritual assemblies in maintaining unity among the believers and in bringing to the world an awareness of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh.
A Successful Five-Day Teaching Program in South Carolina[edit]
A radio interview and newspaper feature story head the list of successful efforts to bring the Faith to the people of Sumter, South Carolina during a five day visit in early January by Mrs. Jane Czerniejewski, of Hamburg, New York. As guest of the Columbia Group and South Carolina State Goals Committee, Mrs. Czerniejewski appeared at two public meetings, lectured before two college classes in religion, as well as numerous firesides and a children’s class. The “live” radio interview was on a leading NBC station and lasted one hour, while the newspaper feature story, giving factual account of the Faith, appeared under a banner headline in the State, South Carolina's largest daily paper.
Mr. Z. Khádem, Hand of the Cause, is shown at center, front, at the Auxilliary Board Conference held in Omaha. With him are: National Assembly member Miss Charlotte Linfoot, rear right; Mrs. Velma Sherrill, center rear, and Mrs. Beth McKenty, front left, both of the Auxiliary Board. Chairman of the Conference, Mr. Shinji Yamamoto is shown and also, at the from, right, Mrs. Arden Lee, pioneer.
Speaking on “Heroes of God”, Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Beth McKenty recalled the accomplishments of Bahá’ís of earlier years, stressing the confirmations promised by Bahá’u’lláh to any believer willing to serve Him. As an example of serving in the Nine Year Plan, Mrs. Arden Lee was introduced and invited to tell and show slides of her month-long trip to the U.S. goal areas in the Caribbean Islands during the period of the Fast in 1966.
A special closing session of the conference was held on the afternoon of December 4 at the Indian reservation in Macy, Nebraska. Being the site of the first all-Indian Local Spiritual Assembly in the United States, a place where Hand of the Cause Amelia Collins taught, it was a fitting place for this closing session.
NOTE: CORRECTION: Reference to the meeting at Macy is included in page 18 of Bahá’í News for February, with the month given as “September” instead of December. The editors regret this error.
Mrs. Czerniejewski, center, with (left to right) David Menck, Fred Aftahl, and Jessie Entzminger of the Bahá’í Group of Columbia, South Carolina.
World Religion Day — 1967[edit]
Theme: World Religion—Foundation of World Civilization[edit]
Reports were received from over forty communities describing the eighteenth annual Bahá’í observance of World Religion Day on January 15, 1967. World Religion Day was initiated by the Bahá’ís of the United States in 1950 for the purpose of spreading the knowledge of the oneness of all revealed religions and gaining recognition of religion as the motivating force for world peace. Specifically the purpose is: To proclaim the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh as the quickener of souls and the unifier of races and nations. The event is listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events and is receiving increased recognition with each annual observance. This year there was excellent representation by members of the clergy at many of the observances held throughout the nation.
Some Highlights[edit]
The Day was observed in Foundation Hall of the House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois with a public meeting designed to appeal especially to people from Jewish and Christian backgrounds. Mrs. Clarice Weil of Clayton, Missouri, a Bahá’í of Jewish background, explained how the moral laws of Moses were similar to the spiritual teachings of Bahá’u’lláh Who was the “Lord of Hosts” and “King of Glory" referred to in the Jewish writings. The 614 Mosaic social laws, she said, were abrogated, reinforced or replaced with new ones to solve today's more complex social problems. Mr. David Kellum, a Bahá’í and former Christian from Chicago reviewed the history of Christianity to show that it is not able to cope with today's needs for a peaceful world community. He showed how Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings provide for today's living which demands the recognition of the oneness of mankind under one universal Faith. The gathering concluded with refreshments and a social hour when many of the 130 who attended could ask questions and meet the speakers.
The Boston and Cambridge Communities coordinated activities for the commemoration which included an ecumenical program of prayers for world peace with thirteen participants (twelve of whom were non-Bahá’ís). The Boston and Cambridge observance also included a half hour television presentation of the Bahá’í Faith on the program: “Our Believing World," on WBZ-TV on the same day.
The friends of St. Paul, Minnesota, observed this event over a two-day period which included a news conference (the first for St. Paul) on January 14, a panel program, and a public meeting on January 15, with Dr. David S. Ruhe participating in all three. Three television stations responded to the news conference by including the interview on their respective evening broadcasts. The panel program was co-sponsored with the North Central Voters League and was held in their headquarters in the heart of the Negro community in St. Paul.
Alameda, Hayward and Oakland, California communities sponsored a very successful observance. The program consisted of an Inter-Faith panel that answered the question, “Has Modern Man Outgrown Religion?” 200 were in attendance — the largest single attendance reported for this year’s: commemoration. Publicity included coverage by the newspapers, nineteen radio stations, television spot announcements and a fifteen-minute personal interview on television.
Charles H. Andress, Mayor of West Chester, Pennsylvania, holds World Religion Day Proclamation. With him are, left to right: Frank Talley, Mrs. Mae Anderson, Mrs. Ashton Smith and Erwin Schwacker, Bahá’ís of West Chester. This photograph was printed on the from page of the Daily Local News of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Youth Participation and Sponsorship[edit]
The Intercommunity Bahá’í Committee of North Dade, North Miami, Miami Beach, and Miami in Florida co-sponsored an all-Bahá’í youth panel program with the topic: “Religion — Its Contribution to Civilization.” Three of the youth on the panel had recently embraced the Faith.
The Bahá’í Club of Michigan State University, with the cooperation of the Lansing and East Lansing communities sponsored an on—campus program in observance of World Religion Day with Dr. Peter J. Khan as a guest speaker.
Bahá’í students of the University of Wyoming participated in a panel discussion in Laramie, Wyoming namely, James Rissler, Eva-Jeanne Olson and James Wonders.
College student, David Phelps of Spokane, Washington, with Mrs. Emmalu McCandless spoke at the observance in Spokane.
Munir Bahá’í, senior at the Utah State University, spoke at the World Religion Day meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, showing the need for renewal of religion and for uniting all people in one common Faith, and pointed out that this need is even more apparent in other parts of the world, such as the Near East, than here in the West. The numerous visitors in attendance commented especially on the peaceful spiritual atmosphere which
Mr. Bahá’ís talk evoked. The community of Phoenix had a special display in the main Public Library to mark World Religion Day.
What Just a Few Bahá’í Can Do[edit]
It is always inspiring to receive reports from small groups of Bahá’ís as it shows that success does not necessarily depend on numbers. Miss Helen M. Callaway and Dr. Virginia P. Harden of Ellensburg, Washington, reported that they arranged a public meeting with twenty-seven people in attendance at the Grupe Conference Center on the campus of Central Washington State College in Ellensburg with Victor Frank of Tacoma as speaker. This was the first public meeting to be held there and excellent newspaper and radio coverage was received prior to the meeting.
Mrs. Patricia Hanson, an isolated believer in Burlington, Wisconsin, with Jack and Phyllis Brower of Burlington Township, held an open house from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Burlington National Bank Building. The program included many exhibits, the showing of the CBS-TV color film, “And His Name Shall be One," and a talk by Mr. James B. Cloonan, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois.
Signing of Proclamation Telecast[edit]
KXLY-TV of Spokane, Washington, photographed the signing of Mayor Fosseen's proclamation, and this was shown on two evening newscasts the same day. The Mayor of West Chester, Pennsylvania signed a proclamation as shown in the picture.
Other proclamations were received from the mayors of Great Falls, Montana; Madison, Wisconsin; Houston, Texas, and Monterey Park, California.
Music and Drama Used in Observances[edit]
A wonderful example of how the beautiful words of Bahá’u’lláh can be depicted in musical form was displayed by the Jana'i singers of Seattle, Washington. This group presented a musical program in combination with talks with talks by three of the group’s members for the friends in Washington County, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Oregon. The programs opened with the singing of two songs, a talk by one of the members, another two songs, followed by more talks by the other two members and then closing with two more songs.
The Bahá’í Singers, another singing group which has presented programs from South Carolina to Connecticut provided entertainment for a meeting sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Fairfax County, Virginia. “. . . set to music the verses and the divine words so that they may be sung with soul-stirring melody in the Assemblies and gatherings, and that the hearts of the listeners may become tumultuous and rise towards the Kingdom of Abhá in supplication and prayer.” (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 378)
Mrs. Claire Handy presented an original meditation entitled, “The Word Was God,” at a tea held on January 14 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Filstrups of St. Joseph, Michigan. Mrs. Handy’s meditation deals with the progressive revelation of God’s message to man.
The Ada County, Idaho, community sponsored an unusual and interesting program including music and art. The observance was held at the Kimmerling Art Studio in Boise, and the program consisted of a Bahá’í float using a model of the House of Worship, a globe of the world surrounded by national dolls, with a background on the walls of lovely art objects of the Studio.
In addition, reports were received on observances held by the following communities: Urbana and Champaign, III.; Port Washington, New York; Chico, California; Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Florida; Decatur, Illinois; Teaneck, New Jersey; Peterborough, New Hampshire; Nogales, Arizona; Walla Walla, Washington; Yakima, Washington; Albany, California; Green Bay, Wisconsin; South Gate, California; Springfield, Illinois; San Diego, California; Hamburg, New York; Arvada, Colorado; Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; Melrose Township Group, Illinois; Danville, Illinois; Montgomery, Alabama; El Paso, Texas; Kettering, Ohio.
Third annual Southern California Bahá’í School held during the first week in September at Pacific Palisades, California. There were over 100 full term students with larger audiences at evening public meetings. With a carefully planned program and plenty of teachers the needs of all were met and the program included classes in a wide range of Bahá’í subjects, devotional periods and time also for fellowship and recreation. The school also enjoyed the bounty of the presence of Hands of the Cause William Sears and Dr. Ugo Giachery.
Well Attended Winter Sessions Bring Enthusiastic Response[edit]
The holiday period during the last week in December provided an appropriate opportunity for Bahá’ís and their families to gather at winter schools and institutes where, in varying ways, many of the aims of such schools, as outlined by Shoghi Effendi, were put into practice. These general objectives include: training of Bahá’í teachers, providing opportunity to study the history and teachings of the Faith and to gain a better understanding of its relation to society, and fostering the spirit of fellowship in a distinctly Bahá’í atmosphere.
Southeastern School Draws from Many Areas[edit]
At Covington, Georgia the loving Bahá’í spirit engendered during the week of the Southeastern Winter School, held from December 26-31, was apparent from the start and was fostered throughout the well planned sessions. With 320 in attendance this was the largest Southeastern winter or summer school ever held and was noteworthy for the number of areas as well as countries represented. Believers from twenty-two states and eight countries were present and gave the gathering a really international flavor.
Well planned classes for the large number of children were under the general direction of Mrs. Virginia Johnson of Jackson, Mississippi. She was assisted by Mrs. Barbara Hubbart of Louisiana, Mrs. Annalean Schwandes of Florida and Mrs. Margaret Jensen of Illinois. The highlight of the entire session was the program presented by the children on the last night when they sang songs, recited verses, related stories of the Faith and presented individually made gifts to the audience. The importance of teaching children was given further emphasis in a course, “The Family in the Bahá’í Community” given by Mrs. Elizabeth Rochester who pointed out that children deserve special attention in teaching because they will remember and understand many things about the Faith very easily at an early age. In the near future they will face the rigors of adjusting to a rapidly changing society and hence deserve far more than merely custodial care at schools and institutes.
Other highlights of the school included the talks by Hand of the Cause, Mr. Khádem both in his course on “The Community of the Greatest Name” and his informal talks about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as well as about many heroes of the Faith. Florence Mayberry, Auxiliary Board member gave an illuminating course on “What It Means to Be a Bahá’í” and told in a very moving way, during an evening session, of her personal experience and feelings when she met the Guardian. The many aspects of understanding how to use and appreciate the Institutions of our Faith were clarified by two courses; “How a Local Spiritual Assembly Should Function” by Fred Graham, Auxiliary Board member from Canada, and “The Divine Institutions” by Michael Rochester, chairman of the Canadian National Assembly. Dr. Daniel Jordan, chairman of the U.S. National Assembly used his musical talent to demonstrate “Harmony in an Age of Dissonance" by drawing parallels between the various aspects of music and the Faith.
A standing ovation given, was given on the last night, to Auxiliary Board member Dr. William Tucker in appreciation for the radiant and loving way in which he functioned as camp director, doing all the big and little services, from administering baby sitting schedules to handling news conferences and meeting all emergencies.
Youth Meet at Green Acre[edit]
During the same six days in the chilly north, youthful believers from New York, New Jersey and New England gathered at Fellowship House at Green Acre to partake of the “spirit of the Dawn-Breakers” and dismiss their own roll as “Bearers of the Name of God in This Day.” The program was under the guidance of Auxiliary Board member Albert James and Mrs. Ben Kaufman with talks during the weekend on personal implications of obedience to the Covenant given by Auxiliary Board member Katherine McLaughlin. Friends joined the youth at a party to usher in the year 1967, the occasion being made truly Bahá’í by having a presentation, early in the evening by Kathleen Javid on “The Triumph of Spiritual Forces as illustrated in Bahá’í History”, a talk which recipitated discussion on how Bahá’ís could best serve their fellowmen in the New Year.
Southeastern Bahá’í Winter School held in December 1966 at a camp near Atlanta, Georgia and attended by over 300.
Pennsylvania Winter Bahá’í Institute held December 29 through January 1 at Y.M.C.A. Camp Hilltop near Downington, Pennsylvania. There were 170 believers and friends from thirteen states.
The spirit of service and unfailing humor of “Manny” Reimer, devoted Manager of Green Acre, the Feast lovingly offered by the Eliot Bahá’ís, the joyful singing of Gloria Reimer and the final inspirational talk by Ethelinda Merson added to the spiritual repast.
Besides remembering sledding on the hills of Green Acre, and braving the unaccustomed icy stillness of Sarah Farmer Building to offer prayers in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s room, youth will remember the 1966 Green Acre Winter Session as a period of loving fellowship when they gathered to play together, pray together, and discuss their spiritual obligations to humanity.
Pennsylvania Holds First Institute[edit]
Pennsylvania’s first Winter Bahá’í Institute was described as a “smashing success". Held at Camp Hilltop, near Downington, Pennsylvania this Institute, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Goals Committee attracted at least 170 Bahá’ís and friends from thirteen states. Dr. Peter Khan, former chairman of the National Assembly of Australia, gave a fascinating course on the Tablets to the Kings in which he traced the history of each country named, showing how the downfall of each of the kings addressed followed their rejection of the Tablets sent them by Bahá’u’lláh, and of how many events today show the result of the disregard shown by the religious leaders to warnings issued them by the pen of Bahá’u’lláh. The class brought new perspective to those who attended and filled each with a firm resolve to restudy the Tablets to the kings and rulers.
Other subjects which occupied the students during the three day period were: “The Guardian” conducted by Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Khádem who showed how the beloved center of the Faith directed its growth and spread throughout the world and of the incomparable skill, inspiration and perfect guidance with which he did this. Concrete assistance to individual teaching efforts was given in a course, on Creative Speaking and Fireside Teaching, by Helen Underhill, and a talk on “Bahá’í Principles of Attitude Change” by Dr. George Larimer, and the ever important subject of the Bahá’í Family and Training of Children was ably presented by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meyers. There were classes for the youth and the junior youth and fun was mixed with study by scheduling of active play periods with sledding and tobogganing. The youth had a panel for the entire group one evening in which moral and other problems of today were discussed under the general title of, “Why Bahá’í?” There was music and laughter and happy fellowship which always comes when the believers are gathered together in the right spirit, and on one evening the friends took an imaginary trip to the Holy Land by seeing the slides of Joel Caverly who came all the way from Massachusetts to share them. And all too quickly this gathering, which could be described only in superlatives, came to an end, leaving in the hearts of all a heightened desire to serve more selflessly and a strong resolve to have another such gathering again.
Inspiring Study Sessions at Davison[edit]
A smaller, but no less enthusiastic session was held during this same period at Davison Bahá’í School, in Michigan where a total of eighty believers came together from December 26 to Jan. 2 for a program of study of several important Bahá’í Writings. Auxiliary Board member William Maxwell taught a course on the Guardian’s letters to America as contained in the Citadel of Faith; while the history of the Faith was covered by Mr. Gerrold Bagley, a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, who used God Passes By as a text. Mrs. Forence Bagley, also a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, led the students through a close investigation of Bahá’u’lláh’s Seven Valleys and Mr. Ed Rivers conducted a research seminar in which students studied carefully certain topics of their own choice presenting the results of their work orally in class. Added inspiration and realization of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s kingship was given by Auxiliary Board member Jack McCants who came as a representative of Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem. Highlights of the sessions included: one of the friends from Quebec opened his heart to all in his first talk, given in connection with the class in research, illustrating what he said with beautiful colored cards and a painting he had made as a way of showing the meaning of the prayer, “Blessed is the Spot.” He told beautifully of how the love of God is expressed to us everywhere in the beauty of nature; A friend from Japan told with wit and humor of his experience as a visitor to this country for the first time; A youth related the story of how he was attracted to the Faith by attending a youth conference where he experienced such warmth of true fellowship that he became completely won over to the Faith. And thus, for one week the friends were able to forget the outside world of turmoil and rebuild their spiritual strength for more devoted service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.
Participants representing Amarillo, Dallas, Lubbock, Odessa, Texas and Chicago, Illinois in the Bahá’í Institute held December 30-January 2 and sponsored by the West Texas State Goals Committee and the Lubbock Bahá’í Group. The Institute, open to the public, was combined with a Public Proclamation both aided by the able teaching of Fred and Geneva Bell and Gerald and Ann Arp.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Local Assembly at the time
of their incorporation, September 19, 1966.
Bahá’ís and friends in the Washington, DC. area at a “surprise” party in the Washington Center on November 27, 1966. The gathering was in honor of Prof.
Stanwood Cobb who spoke movingly of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
and of his personal experiences in meeting Him. A
telegram of greeting from the National Spiritual Assembly was read and tribute paid to Prof. Cobb’s
years of distinguished service to the Faith through
his lectures and the many publications which he has
written.
The Bahá’í Community of Kansas City, Kansas, presents fourteen Bahá’í books to the new public library in January, 1967. Shown are (left to right): Miss Gwen Rose, of the public library; Mrs. Georgia James, Bahá’í Librarian, Mrs. Carol La Vine, Secretary of the Local Assembly.
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Costa
Mesa, California on the occasion of their legal incorporation, October 18, 1966.
Passing of Early Believer, Miss Lucy J. Marshall[edit]
Miss Lucy J. Marshall of San Francisco, California, a Bahá’í since the early 1900s passed away on January 26 at the age of eighty-seven years. Miss Marshall was in the company of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when He visited San Francisco in 1912 and from that time she served Him faithfully by serving His loved ones. When the early American pioneers and travellers set out to carry the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to the far corners of the earth, Miss Marshall kept in touch with them through correspondence and indeed served as their more or less permanent mailing address. Miss Martha Root and many others of her time made their home with Miss Marshall and her family while they were in San Francisco.
On learning of the death of Miss Marshall, the Universal House of Justice cabled: “Grieved news passing devoted maidservant Lucy Marshall. Her steadfastness and labors behalf Cause since time Master long remembered. Assure family friends prayers sacred threshold progress her soul Abhá Kingdom.”
News Briefs[edit]
Dr. Chester M. Pierce, Chief Psychiatrist at the Veterans Administration Hospital at Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, was presented with a Bahá’í prayer book by Mrs. Arabelle Haywood of that city when he left in October, 1966 to serve as International Advisor to the Peace Corps on Government Expedition to the South Pole. He promised to read the prayers en route and upon reaching the South Pole. In December Mrs. Haywood received a letter from Dr. Pierce saying: “The prayer book you gave me has been well used down here at the end of the world.”
The Bahá’í Faith: Dawn of a New Day, a 220-page book by Jessyca Russell Gaver, a Bahá’í of New York, has been published simultaneously by Hawthorne Books, Inc., New York City, and Prentice-Hall of Canada, Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. The book was not officially approved by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and therefore is not available through official Bahá’í channels. It can be purchased from regular book stores. The price is $5.95 per copy.
Bahá’ís of Butte, Missoula and Great Falls, Montana joined with Jamshed Taleb-Reza in holding a public meeting in Deer Lodge, Montana where Jim works as an engineer to help improve the water supply system. The gathering received good publicity in the local paper, in an article describing Jim’s belief in the Bahá’í Faith and his moving to this city as an effort to establish the Faith. Jim finds that thus he is able to obtain publicity for the Faith through his profession.
Bahá’í Publishing Trust The God Who Walks With Men[edit]
An Appeal to the Searching Mind and Heart
The God Who Walks with Men has been reissued in a new gold and black cover design to increase its eye appeal. This is perhaps one of the most inspired articles to come from the late Hand of the Cause and eminent Bahá’í scholar, Horace Holley. The Message of Bahá’u’lláh is given in all its power but with a reassuring love that makes the story of progressive revelation a “joyous quest" for the “seeking heart.” The historical aspects of religion, the “mighty waves of faith” that have swept the world in past ages are recounted, but the appeal is to the human heart: “It is very plain to us now that nothing can compensate for the loss of the direct, heart-transforming power of the love of God. . . . Beneath the clamor of religious systems we find with disconsolate fear that the human heart stands alone . . . there are people who love us and people we love. There are many useful things to do from morning until night . . . (yet) we know there is solitude even in the happy heart. The world about us is terrifying, people become more and more abandoned to pleasure as a flight from the solitude . . . the emptiness where God has not brought His compassion, . . . His healing.”
“God walks with men! Let us fear no longer to search out for ourselves the tenderness, the ardor and the compassion of the love which God has poured forth through His Prophets, and to learn, with new minds, the infinite wisdom of His counsel.”
Here indeed is a call to searching minds and hearts that find “no connection between our modern universe and the simple spirit of pure love for which we long,” and who are ready to become aware of the “miraculous bounty of our times.” The need is even greater today than a few years ago when this essay was written. Hundreds of thousands of people have not yet read it. We can each make it a personal teaching plan to bring it to them now and in the great Proclamation years that are just ahead!
10 copies ............................ $1.00
50 copies ............................ $4.00
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Bahá’í Publishing Trust
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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.
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