| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 444 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 444 | BAHA’I YEAR 124 | MARCH 1968 |
The Mansion at Bahji[edit]
Garden in front of the Mansion at Bahjí near ‘Akká, where Bahá’u’lláh lived during the last years of His life.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi in California[edit]
Bahá’ís in California had the great joy of meeting with Hand of the Cause Mr. A. Q. Faizi when he stopped there on his way across the United States from Asia. He spent the evenings of December 4th, 5th, and 6th in Los Angeles where over three hundred and fifty believers came each evening to hear him explain The Hidden Words, outline the Bahá’í way of bringing up children, and speak of Prophets of past eras. Each session was followed by an enlightening question and answer period, and this dear and radiant Hand of the Cause brought new meaning to the phrase “Rejoice with the joy of your own heart.” In his words and manner he showed the friends the importance of true happiness.
Mr. Faizi’s visit marked the last time the Los Angeles community met in its old center. Friends who had belonged to the community years ago, when it was first purchased, were present to serve as hosts for the happy occasion.
San Francisco and surrounding areas of northern California were privileged to entertain Mr. Faizi December 7 and 8 in San Francisco. During his short stay he spoke on three separate occasions to the Bahá’ís only. His first talk was given on the afternoon of December 7 at the newly acquired San Francisco Bahá’í Center to an audience of approximately 120 Bahá’ís. He spoke on The Hidden Words. That evening he gave his second talk, on Bahá’í Education, at the San Francisco Hotel to an estimated 230 believers. The next evening, shortly before he was to leave for Wilmette, he spoke again at the San Francisco Center on The Kitáb-i-Iqán.
The friends expressed gratitude for the bounty of hearing and meeting this dedicated Hand of the Cause who, with his fund of knowledge, enhanced by stories of the early days of the Faith, brought to each a clearer vision of the meaning and implications of this Faith of God for today.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi addresses the friends in Los Angeles.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizi with some of the friends attending one of his talks in San Francisco. The picture was taken in front of the Baha'i Center.
Hand of the Cause Paul Haney Visits London[edit]
After the Frankfurt Conference Mr. Haney visited the Scandinavian countries and then came to London, arriving late on Monday afternoon, October 16th, and staying two nights in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. His program in Europe had been a full one and he had many engagements in London, but when he met and spoke to more than seventy Bahá’ís in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on the Tuesday evening, he brought to the meeting a buoyancy of spirit and a great love that refreshed and strengthened everyone there. He went back to the Continent on Wednesday morning, visiting Brussels and Paris en route to Spain and Portugal, and then went to Italy and the Mediterranean before returning to Haifa.
Youth School In Spain[edit]
Third National Youth School held in Murcia, Spain December 24-26, 1967. Seventy-four friends from sixteen different communities attended. In addition to the class sessions, unity banquets, consultation periods and social meetings were held, stimulating the youth to greater participation in the Faith.
Board Team Conference Brings Light and Understanding[edit]
The joy of fellowship with other believers together with a heightened sense of the responsibility resting on the shoulders of each Bahá’í marked the Auxiliary Board Team Conference held in San Francisco December 2 and 3, 1967.
Over 425 believers, gathered for the four sessions at the Sheraton Palace Hotel, heard Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem, members of his Auxiliary Board, and other speakers explain the unique responsibility which the Bahá’ís of today bear for the future of mankind. To meet this tremendous challenge each individual must deepen his knowledge and understanding of the Faith, of the teachings of the Master and the Guardian, and must strive to be a living example of these. The obligations which each believer accepts upon joining the Faith were stressed and the importance of bringing the Faith to the American Indians was told.
In addition to Mr. Khádem, speakers included: Chester Kahn, Anthony Lease, Mrs. Florence Mayberry, all members of his Auxiliary Board; Hooper Dunbar, Auxiliary Board member from Argentina; and Dwight Allen, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
After the conference there was a well-attended public meeting at which Mrs. Mayberry and Mr. Dunbar spoke, telling of the influence of the Prophets of the past and of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, and relating some of the experiences of one who brought the Faith to Latin America.
It was the expressed feeling of many who attended the sessions that this conference, both uplifting and humbling, was a great blessing to all who came and that it helped immeasurably in deepening their faith and enabling them to serve Him better.
Bahá’í Participation in Westminster Abbey Observance[edit]
For the First time the Words of Bahá’u’lláh were read in Westminster Abbey, London, on December 9, the eve of Human Rights day. The Dean of Westminster led the congregation in periods of meditation following each of the readings from the scriptures of the revealed religions of the world — Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Christian, as well as from the Bahá’í Faith. It was a solemn and historic moment when Richard Backwell gave a three-minute reading from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles has written: “ . . . Queen Victoria, like other English monarchs, was crowned in Westminster Abbey, and it was a bounty from Bahá’u’lláh that His Words were read there at the beginning of the Proclamation period.”
Bahá’í-Briefe Sent to 43,000 German Schools and Colleges[edit]
Bahá’í-Briefe is a magazine published in Germany in the German language for Bahá’ís and for the public, with articles on the events and activities of the Bahá’í World Community and on subjects related to the Bahá’í teachings. A recent issue commemorating the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was sent to 43,000 schools and colleges throughout Western Germany with a covering letter from the National Spiritual Assembly. The Swiss National Spiritual Assembly also sent out 6,000 copies of the same issue. This is the highest circulation given so far to a Bahá’í publication in the German language. Among other features this issue (October, 1967) carried an interesting, profusely illustrated article entitled 100 Jahre Bahá’í-Religion.
The magazine is attractively printed and German-speaking friends in other countries may well wish to subscribe to this journal and to give gift subscriptions to their friends. The subscription rate for this quarterly is $1.00 per year. It is to be ordered from Bahá’í Verlag GMBH, Westendstrasse 24, Frankfurt am Main, 6, Germany.
Above map shows locations of Kashmir and Sikkim, mentioned in accompanying stories. Small inset map at upper right shows Malaysia in relation to surrounding areas.
A Visit to Sikkim in the High Himalayas[edit]
The tiny state of Sikkim flashed into focus on the Bahá’í map in Riḍván, 1967, when the Universal House of Justice announced the formation of its first National Spiritual Assembly. Situated in the Himalayan mountains, this little independent country is surrounded by Bhutan on the east, Nepal on the west, India to the south and the mysterious land of Tibet to the north. Not readily accessible at the best of times, its strategic position on the uneasy border between India and China makes it even more difficult to reach in these troubled days.
Nonetheless, the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has been slowly accepted by its people and today there are approximately 3,000 believers and forty-eight local spiritual assemblies, whose delegates elected their National Spiritual Assembly this year at the capital city of Gangtok. The Convention was honored by the presence of Hand of the Cause ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
Quite by chance, through the kindness and hospitality of the Political Officer and his wife, I was able to stop over at Sikkim enroute to the Intercontinental Conference in Delhi. Through uncertainties of dates and events it had not been possible to make any prior contact with the Bahá’ís, and for the first few days I searched in vain in Gangtok for a trace of the elusive 3,000. Everyone had heard of the Bahá’í Faith. They recalled Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s visit, but beyond that no one knew where the Bahá’ís were!
Eventually Mr. Kedarnath Pradhan, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, was contacted and I
was able to visit Pakyong, a village about seventeen miles from Gangtok and the heart of Bahá’í activity. The road wound through spectacular scenery with rugged mountains and plunging precipices on either side, often becoming a narrow, muddy track as it crossed over streams and boulders in its path. In a particularly beautiful site on the banks of a river lay a sprawling Tibetan refugee camp where several hundred Tibetans who had escaped from their war-torn country were being helped to build new lives. I was told later that plans have been made to take the Faith to these people.
During the journey I discovered that the taxi driver’s own sister and brother were Bahá’ís. He himself was not, and gave a sheepish smile when I inquired the reason. Here and there along the way he pointed out places where Bahá’ís lived and worked. Eventually he stopped at a crowded, colorful terraced market place teeming with village folk who had come to shop at the weekly bazaar. I thought that perhaps he expected me to do some sightseeing here, but it turned out that the Bahá’í Center, home of Mr. Pradhan, was right in the heart of this place.
The chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Penchogyalpo, a landowner and prominent citizen of Pakyong, had been a high priest in a Buddhist temple and his father before him had been a head priest. About five years ago he accepted Bahá’u’lláh as the Maitrya Buddha but said that he still attended temple services, chiefly to explain to the other priests the teachings and significance of the Bahá’í Faith. Among the friends present were a number of local spiritual assembly members from different localities and also a young Sikkimese girl, Nimkit Richards, who came from a Catholic family and was now teaching in a Bahá’í village school. She was the only one in her family who became a Bahá’í. One fact which struck me was that in many families only some members were believers, while others were still investigating. They had obviously not accepted the Faith lightly. There are three Bahá’í schools in the villages and ten students from Sikkim are at present studying at the Rabbani Institute in Gwalior.
Walking through the teeming bazaar I was greeted by many “Alláh’u’Abhá’s” as different stall holders and shoppers were introduced as Bahá’ís. Many of them mentioned the visit of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, which was a treasured memory. ‘Amatu’l-Bahá has described the people of Sikkim as “precious gems, radiant and joyous.” Mr. Pradhan informed me that the estimated figure of 3,000 believers was a conservative one, as members had increased since this figure was reported.
How had all this activity taken place in such an inaccessible country? “Through Bahá’u’lláh’s blessing,” was the simple reply. On further inquiry it turned out that the first believer had been Pradhan himself, and that he had accepted the Faith years ago while in college in Bombay. Returning to his homeland, he had worked persistently and confidently and Bahá’u’lláh has more than blessed his efforts. Today there is a small hard core of active friends who have not only done tremendous work in Sikkim but have opened up the neighboring states of Nepal and Bhutan.
The Bahá’ís of Sikkim expressed their gratitude to the National Spiritual Assembly of India, which has been a generous big brother to this young National Spiritual Assembly, supporting many of its projects with both financial and pioneering aid.
—SHANTHA SUNDRAM
Malaysian Bahá’ís Proclaim Faith[edit]
“. . .and in the wilderness, the mountain, the valley,
the forests, the prairies and the seas, be Thou their
confidant, so that they may cry out through the power
of the Kingdom and the breath of the Holy Spirit . . .”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The tourist coach rumbled and rattled through the wilderness, the forests and mountains of northern India to the beautiful valley of Kashmir, carrying among its passengers a happy group of Malaysian Bahá’ís who were overflowing with the spirit of the Intercontinental Conference at New Delhi. Thus inspired they poured out the Bahá’í message to their fellow travelers through song and words and prayers which took on new meaning in the majesty of the mountains and the valleys.
With Tony Fernandez as team leader, thirteen friends from Malaysia and Singapore, including Auxiliary Board member Leong Tat Chee, made up the Bahá’í delegation that visited Kashmir and offered their services in the proclamation program of the capital city of Srinagar. The original Indian plan for this area had been called off because of political tensions, so this Malaysian tour was very warmly welcomed by the National Spiritual Assembly of India.
The group was certainly a mixed one — men and women, old and young, of Chinese and Indian racial origins and from Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. Traveling as a Bahá’í delegation, with their New Delhi Conference badges pinned on prominently, their identity was established before even a word was spoken. The thousand-odd miles of the trip were covered by coach, train and plane with several stopovers at crowded terminals, waiting rooms and eating places where opportunities for proclamation were wide and varied.
Arriving at Srinagar, they were booked into a houseboat on the River Jhelum. It belonged to a venerable gentleman who was the accepted leader of the whole lake and river community of Kashmir. Both he and his son, who was a most able guide throughout the trip, shared an extraordinary interest in the teachings and the origin of the Bahá’í Faith. They asked many revealing questions themselves and listened most attentively when the message was given to others.
For the first few days the delegation was not able to contact the local Bahá’í community, as most of the friends were still away in New Delhi. However, they managed to arrange lively firesides with small groups of Malaysian students who were studying in colleges in Srinagar. These firesides in the houseboat may perhaps have far-reaching results as the interested students promised to convey the Bahá’í challenge to their colleagues.
Mrs. Shantha Sundram writes: “Kashmir has often been called paradise on earth, but though it is difficult
Pakistan
Regional Proclamation Conference held October 27-28, 1967 at Bahá’í Hall, Karachi, Pakistan.
The Bahá’í assembly of Karachi, Pakistan was host to A. A. Badii of the Agricultural University of Morogoro and a member of the National Assembly of Tanzania in August of 1967. Guests included executive engineers, attorneys, businessmen and industrialists, doctors, press representatives, bankers and university students. Mr. Badii spoke about the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and the spiritual victories throughout the world.
Malaysian Bahá’ís Proclaim (con.)
to imagine a more enchanting place. . . this ‘paradise’ is hardly peopled by angels: Religious bigotry, fanned by political parties, has resulted in a state of tension, unimaginable poverty and hardship. As Bahá’ís, aware of the divine solution — so obvious, so simple and so perfect — we lost no opportunity to give Bahá’u’lláh’s message to everyone we met; and whether they were shopkeepers, taxi drivers or guides on mountain expeditions, people shared the same eager interest in the Faith when they realized that it held the solution to Kashmir’s particular problems.
“The climax of our visit was when the owner of the houseboat revealed the reason for his particular interest in the Faith. It appeared that he had been a close friend of one of Kashmir’s earliest and most prominent Bahá’í’s who had many years ago invited him to accept the Faith and assist in its spread. This he refused to do, and a few months later the friend died. Now the Bahá’í Faith had come into his life in quite a different way. Here was a living demonstration of the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. His interest aroused, he had one important question to ask as a Muslim. What had Bahá’u’lláh to say of the station of Muḥammad? The answer not only satisfied him, but he could see the miracle of prophesy fulfilled, for here in his own houseboat were strangers who had been Buddhists, Hindus and Christians, but who as Bahá’ís had completely accepted Muḥammad as a manifestation of God. As the light dawned on him his eyes clouded with tears and he promised that he would try to make up for all the lost years during which he could have spread the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
“As leader of the river and lake communities stretching from Islamabad to Baramulla, he would be able,
God willing, to influence eighty thousand people in the
Kashmir valley. The impact of such a possibility was so
far-reaching that as Bahá’ís we could easily envision
the history of Kashmir being changed!”
—Malaysian Bahá’í News
Participants in summer school held in Bukit Tinggi, Sumantra, Indonesia, December 20 — January 6, 1968.
Some friends from Mentawai who visited the Indonesian Summer School.
Indonesian Summer School Held in Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra[edit]
Bukit Tinggi, which in Indonesian means “high hill,” has a beautiful cool climate and is situated at a high altitude. Fourteen Bahá’ís from Mentawai and a number from Java and Sumatra attended the summer school there December 20-January 6, 1968. The friends were especially delighted to have some of the Bahá’ís from north of the Mentawai Islands attending. Those from the south were not able to catch the boat. Commuting there is uncertain and sometimes a boat is not available for months.
Pioneer Dr. F. Astani and his family held classes for the summer school in their home and graciously accommodated all present. Courses in history, administration, protection and propagation of the Cause were taught. Though portions of the talks had to be translated from Indonesian into the Mentawai language, nevertheless the subjects were thoroughly investigated and studied. Four of the friends from Mentawai volunteered to leave their villages and go to areas where teachers are needed. Considering that they are still young in the Faith and that, according to their centuries-old tradition, members of one community do not leave their villages and take residence in a new one, this is both remarkable and significant.
Class in session at Indonesian Summer School in Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra, December 20—Janurary 6, 1968.
Proclamation School Held in Yerrinbool, Australia[edit]
Some of the ethnic groups represented at the Yerrinbool Bahá’í school held October 10-14, 1967 immediately after the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney, Australia. Represented are: Australian Aboriginal, New Guinea, New Ireland, Cook Island, Tonga, Fiji, British Solomon Islands Indian and English, Malaysian and Australian Bahá’ís.
The Proclamation school held at Yerrinbool immediately following the Intercontinental conference in Sydney gave the visitors an opportunity to weld all of their experiences into a unit of intercommunity participation.
One hundred friends participated, with an average attendance of eighty each day. Twelve nationalities were represented and Bahá’ís from eight Pacific islands, pioneers and Board members from Mariana Island, Hawaii, Guam, New Guinea and New Zealand joined in never-to-be-forgotten experiences of Bahá’í community living and learning.
The highlight of the school was the memorable visit of Hands of the Cause of God Dr. Ugo Giachery and Collis Featherstone and Auxiliary Board members Marc Towers, Violet Hoehnke, Thelma Perks and Madge Featherstone. The school attendants were thrilled with the address given by Dr. Giachery, and the visit of both Dr. and Mrs. Giachery lent much to community development in the Antipodes.
Many at the island friends had their first experience with a Bahá’í school and their first endeavors to speak publicly with the friends evoked much admiration. The bond of fellowship has been greatly enhanced throughout the Australasian area, and the will to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan strengthened.
Dynamic Australian Proclamation Initiated[edit]
Australia has been carrying out a systematic and vigorous campaign of proclamation in the weeks following the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney. In New South Wales, the Governor, His Excellency Sir Roden Cutler, graciously received a presentation of Bahá’í books and asked several questions. The Premier, leader of the opposition, and all members of the legislative assembly and council were either presented with books or received a special letter with pamphlets. Books were provided to the press, radio and TV personnel. The State Proclamation Committee ensured that every mayor, shire president and council in New South Wales received a suitable letter with books or pamphlets. In many cases, special meetings were held with mayors, town councils, aldermen, shire clerks and other officials, or appointments were made to meet with them individually. All of this has coincided with a number of public meetings or addresses given to special groups and societies. At the University of New South Wales, Gina and Russ Garcia spoke, as they have at several other meetings in Australia.
Mayor Attends Temple Service[edit]
The mayor and his wife, Alderman and Mrs. MacDonald of Kuring-Gai, in New South Wales, accepted an invitation to attend a Temple service and also received gift books. A reporter attended one of the presentations to the mayors of Young and Grenfell which resulted in a front page newspaper article. Other cities and towns of New South Wales which have been in various proclamation activities as reported in the January issue of the Australian Bahá’í Bulletin include: Five Dock, Hornsby, Moruya, Mudgee, Newcastle, Parkes, Randwick, Sutherland, Yerrinbool, Young and Canberra. In the district of Queensland, the towns of Cairns, Ipswich and Townsville have held a number of public meetings.
The Premier of Victoria, Sir Henry Bolte, cordially received a Bahá’í delegation in his office and the gift of a Bahá’í book, later reported in the newspaper. The mayors of Brunswick, Geelong and Prahran in Victoria also gave audiences and received books.
In Tasmania, the Launceston Bahá’í Group presented
literature to nine councils. A presentation to the mayor of Launceston was covered by TV, as was also a film presentation of Auxiliary Board member Niu Tuataga from Western Samoa in his native costume.
250 Attend Adelaide Meeting[edit]
The book, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to the Premier of South Australia and invitations and literature were mailed to 250 state parliamentarians, the judiciary and other dignitaries. Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone and Niu Tuataga addressed an audience of 250 at a meeting at the Adelaide Town Hall. Six hundred similar letters were sent to the local council, various dignitaries and social groups in Port Adelaide where Niu Tuataga spoke at the town hall.
Murray Bridge, Elizabeth, South Perth, Bunbury, Perth, Northern Territory and Darwin have carried out similar programs or are in the process of doing so, with marked success in meeting with their mayors and other officials and in obtaining good press coverage. In Northern Territory, Roger Dean, administrator, received a copy of The Bahá’í World Faith, resulting in an illustrated article in Northern Territory News.
Australia is off to a splendid start in its Proclamation program! Their success will give added initiative and encouragement to other communities.
The Governor, Sir Douglas Kendrew, and Premier D. Brand of Western Australia received copies of Bahá’í books, and the governor in particular showed a warm and appreciative interest.
Buddhist Monk Becomes Bahá’í[edit]
A highlight of the Thai-Malaysian summer school held in Songkla, Thailand in August, 1967, was the story of the first monk from Thailand to become a Bahá’í. This was told by Mrs. Fozdar, who presented Maha Boon Song to the friends and related the interesting steps which led to his giving up the orthodox robes of a priest and accepting the modern mantle of an active Bahá’í. She explained how this learned Buddhist monk, who had a degree in philosophy and a wide knowledge of comparative religions, first came in contact with the Faith through Bahá’í travelers in Bangkok who had stayed in his monastery as guests and talked to him of Bahá’u’lláh’s message. Maha Boon Song continued these discussions at the Bahá’í Center with Shirin Fozdar, who was most pleased to answer his questions. Finding him such a sincere seeker after truth, she invited him to teach morality in the Bahá’í school newly opened at Yasothern in northern Thailand. Maha Boon Song sought permission from his own abbot for this job, but it was refused.
By now, Maha Boon Song understood enough of the Faith to realize that he would have to give up his priesthood if he were to be a follower of the returned Buddha. This was no easy decision to make as he had been a monk for fourteen years, having entered the monastery at the young, impressionable age of thirteen. He prayed earnestly for guidance and then took the bold step that has now earned him a place in the Bahá’í history of Thailand as the first priest to be thus enlightened.
Thrilled by this story, the friends present asked Maha Boon Song to speak. He stood up with great diffidence, but once started held his listeners’ attention to the last word. He spoke in English and, as he went along, translated his own talk rapidly into Thai. He explained how his greatest difficulty had been to understand the “God theory” of the Bahá’ís. The Buddhists of the Hinayana sect who dominate Thailand apparently do not believe in the existence of God such as we know Him. This one factor is normally such a big stumbling block for most Buddhists that very few get over it to extend their search. Maha Boon Song, however, was finally convinced that the “First Cause” referred to in Buddhist theology corresponds to this same All-knowing, Almighty One.
Bahá’í’s and their guests at Bermuda Centenary celebration. Several members of the Bermuda Esperanto Association attended.
Those who attended the Bahá’í Youth Congress in Bolivia, January 5-7 at the National Bahá’í Institute, Cochabamba. Youth representatives from five Departmentos of the country attended. Right: Chairman and Secretary preside at one of the sessions.
THE FAITH IS RECOGNIZED IN BOLIVIA[edit]
The above document is a recognition by the Minister of Justice and Immigration of Bolivia, recognizing the Bahá’í Faith as a registered and incorporated religious institution. The document reads as follows: “The Bahá’í Faith is a spiritual, religious institution, with incorporation granted February 8, 1963, through the Supreme Resolution #119603, which has for its objective the promotion of religious, spiritual, educational and humanitarian ideals and of human cooperation. Its members, known as Bahá’í’s, deserve the help, cooperation and guarantees for the fulfillment of their objectives on the part of the authorities.” (Signed) Dr. Fernando Costa Arduz, Secretary of Government, Justice and Immigration. Copies of this document have been issued to all regional teaching committees and full-time instructors in the mass teaching areas as a guarantee of the safety of the teaching work in their areas.
Youth Hold Congress in Bolivia[edit]
Youth in Bolivia are active and seriously interested in studying the Faith in preparation for teaching, as shown by the recent congress held in Cochabamba in early January. This was the fourth annual conference of this kind and was well attended by an enthusiastic group of youth who came from five different departments of Bolivia. It is interesting to know that the youth group in Sucre, Bolivia is probably the only one of its kind in South America, the entire community being composed of university students, the oldest one 24 years of age.
“BE THOU THEIR CONFIDANT”[edit]
In September, 1967, a group of Bahá’í teachers from Argentina left for a teaching journey to some distant Indian tribes. The group was made up of Auxiliary Board member Hooper Dunbar, Shoa’u’llah Ishraghi, Zia’u’llah Vojdani, Hushmad Sabeti, Oscar Salazar and his two sons, ages three and six.
After traveling thirty-five kilometers to Batallano, where they were well received by the Bahá’í friends, they met Ramon Lezcano, who had been in this zone for about five weeks. The following morning they started for Macueta, fifteen kilometers distant, arriving tired and with sore feet, for the earth is very rough in that zone. The next morning they again set out on foot for Campo Largo, twenty kilometers away, where they expected to visit the Bahá’ís of the Chuancc tribe. They arrived a little after midday.
Aware that a military patrol was passing through the area, they presented themselves and their documents and were informed that they would be detained. There was guerilla movement in this zone and the authorities questioned their status as religious teachers. They were forced to accompany the police on foot under armed guard to the chief in Acambuco, some forty kilometers climb. After walking for seven and a half hours they arrived exhausted and the police sent for a doctor to care for those who were prostrate with bleeding feet. After questioning they were given a place to sleep, still under armed guard, and the next morning they returned to Pocltos, forty-two kilometers on foot. The children, and the adult who was in the worst physical condition, were put on mules. In Pocitos, after much questioning by the police, they were set free.
On the forced march L. to R.: Hooper Dunbar, gendarme, Oscar Salazar. Shoa’u’lláh Ishraghi (seated), gendarme, Zia’u’llah Vojdani, Ramón Lezcano. The children are Oscar’s.
The friends reported that as they walked they remembered the first Bahá’ís who, to avoid being separated from Bahá’u’lláh, accompanied Him in His exile and walked, in the cold of winter, from Ṭihrán to Baghdád. They remembered how Bahá’u’lláh suffered the bastinado, “. . . so that humanity would be freed from its captivity . . . and all the world attain true liberty.”
The military police had been impressed when they saw the spirit of unity and devotion among the Bahá’ís, and some of them asked for literature about the Faith.
All of this resulted in a proclamation of the principles of the Cause to the officers of the national police, the federal police and even the U.S. Embassy. These bodies became convinced that the Faith and the Bahá’ís who had been detained were fully obedient to the government. Another victory was the entrance of the first Mataco Indian into the Faith. When put at liberty Hooper Dunbar and Sabeti set out for Embaracion to visit Sr. Martin Zamora, who had been studying the Faith for several months and made his declaration during this three-day visit. As the friends know, the Mataco tribe was mentioned by Shoghi Effendi as a goal of the World Crusade.
The National Assembly of Argentina states: “We are sure that Sr. Zamora will be an outstanding teacher of the Faith of the Cause of God and we extend to him a warm welcome into the Bahá’í world family. We have also succeeded in obtaining, with Sr. Zamora’s help and that of the members of his family, the first translation of a pamphlet into the Mataco dialect. This pamphlet will soon be printed. It consists of prayers, words of Bahá’u’lláh and general teachings on the Faith. These two events will fill the hearts of the Bahá’ís in all parts of the world with joy.”
—Carta Noticiosa of Argentina
At the last report there are, as of mid January, more than fifty Bahá’ís in the village where Martin Zamora came in after the Batallani—Campo Largo trip. Hand or the Cause ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Hooper Dunbar and Ramon Lezcano were at the time in the heart of the most primitive area of the Chaco (the desert region which is the home of the Mataco tribe).
Martin Zamora, the first Mataco Bahá’í, whose enrollment filled a goal of the Nine Year Plan.
Those who made the first translation of Bahá’í literature into Mataco, accomplishing a Nine Year Plan goal. The group is at the Zamora home.
Some of the friends of Batallano with several pioneers. Ramón Lezcano in back row, far left, is now a pioneer among the Matacos.
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY-DECEMBER 10, 1967[edit]
Prelude to International Year for Human Rights — 1968
On December 10, 1967 Bahá’ís in over 75 communities within the United States held commemoration of United Nations Human Rights Day. In anticipation of further programs to be held during 1968, the Bahá’ís once again demonstrated their wide support for the United Nations in its endeavors in the field of Human Rights.
Study and Discussion Groups[edit]
For this commemoration both study groups and public events were held. About one-third of the communities used the material provided by the Committee for the United Nations in their study and discussion of the Human Rights Conventions. The study programs themselves were quite varied. In one community in Florida, the study group included poetry reading and music pertinent to the theme. The Fargo, North Dakota Community used a most effective method for including all those attending in the discussion. Cards printed with a single article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were handed to each person. Following an introductory presentation of the subject, each read the article on his card and discussed it from his own background and point of view. From this audience, international in representation, a real world view was presented. Though some study programs were small in attendance, much publicity was obtained in the local papers and on radio stations. Most communities were able to include quotations from the Bahá’í statement on human rights; thus preparing their communities for the programs to follow throughout the next year.
Public Events[edit]
In addition to these study groups, there was a variety of public events reported by the US communities. A contest of essays on Human Rights was offered to the high-school students in Greenwich, Connecticut. Cash prizes were awarded during the celebration on December 10 to highlight their public meeting. Included in many programs were music and poetry. From the meeting in Leonardtown, Maryland, in which folk songs and prayers were artfully integrated, came reports of a program that was both educational and entertaining. Other communities reported using films and slides from the United Nations to highlight the subject. In Niagara Falls, New York, a UN film strip on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was shown with a tape commentary arranged by the Bahá’ís. Slides from Africa added color and appeal to the program in Bakersfield, California. Programs were also made enticing when combined with luncheon buffets, as in Geyserville, California, and with a smorgasbord banquet, as in Madison, Wisconsin.
Nancy Mondschein, left, reads opening prayer during Human Rights Day observance in Rockland County, New York. Panel members seated from left to right are: Mrs. Kenneth Herman, Ethical Culture Society; Miss Ellen Parmelee, U.N. Observer of U.S. Baha'i Community; Edward Carpenter, Headmaster Harlem Prep School (Baha'i Chairman); Rev. Robert Grant, Pastor Methodist Church, Suffern, New York and Joseph Biggs, Director Rockland County Human Rights Commission.
Cooperation With Other Groups[edit]
Increased respect for and prestige of many local Bahá’í communities were gained during Human Right Day celebrations. By inviting community leaders to their panels and public meetings. Bahá’ís report being brought in touch with important groups. In Phoenix, Arizona many were attracted to hear a State-Senator as he spoke in the Negro-Spanish section of the city, Mayorial Proclamations were achieved in at least three cities: Bakersfield, California; Detroit, Michigan; and McLaughlin, South Dakota. Cooperation with local chapters of the United Nations Association and coordination of plans with other interested groups helped to demonstrate the sincere concern of the Bahá’í community in their support of the United Nations. For example, in Cottonwood, Arizona, the President of the local United Nations Association, a teacher who sponsors a model UN Assembly in the high-school, and a member of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom participated on a panel. In Durham, North Carolina, the Bahá’ís cooperated with the Quaker Community in their Human Rights Day celebration and in Toledo, Ohio, three professors from the University held a panel discussion on the Human Rights Covenants.
In other communities, the Bahá’í's proved to be the outstanding citizens in support of UN HR Day. For example, in Gallup, New Mexico, through their Human Rights Day celebration, the Bahá’ís have become recognized as the group most active and best informed on the United Nations. Also, in Winnebago, Nebraska the first meeting in commemoration of the UN to be attended by both white and Indian citizens was held by the Bahá’í community on December 10. Publicity was
broad in approach, using not only the local newspapers but also the church and community organization newsletters and successive radio announcements.
Activities of Small Communities[edit]
This year particularly there has also been clear evidence that a Bahá’í group of any size can demonstrate support for this commemorative day. Three Bahá’ís in Bainbridge Island, Washington held two public events in their near-by communities. There was a study-class on Saturday evening which was repeated with films and discussion the next afternoon.
The Bahá’í Example of Unity[edit]
It is most significant to report what the Bahá’ís, through the quality of their support, have offered to their community’s celebrations of Human Rights Day. Through these events the Bahá’ís, approaching minority groups, have been able to broaden the understanding of the universality of Human Rights. They have been able to more fully exemplify through their fully integrated groups, the recognition of the spiritual unity of all mankind. To further this approach, the community in Pismo Beach, California, contacted the local grassroots organizations. Many from the minority groups were thus attracted to the meeting. And in Miami, Florida, the Bahá’ís gained much publicity from their commemorative efforts. Their newly formed theater group, Kalimat Players, presented a dramatic program entitled ‘Where are You Going: an original program including poetry, satire, dance, and music written especially for Human Rights Day.’ The program was followed by an art exhibit which proved to attract many. In the subsequent newspaper publicity the Bahá’í community was clearly cited as one fully integrated racially and united with ‘the goal of harmony’.
A heart-warming report came from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. For the first time on the Sioux Reservation, the Mayor of McLaughlin, South Dakota, and the Tribal Chairman, both, received and signed the Proclamation presented by the Bahá’ís in commemoration of HR Day. Though, once suspicious, the Tribal Chief, is now learning the sincerity of the Bahá’ís in their wholehearted support of the unity of all mankind. The contribution of the Bahá’ís in including this Indian Group in the nation’s celebration of United Nations-Human Rights Day is significant to the entire world’s efforts in this field.
Through these reports of Human Rights Day, 1967, we can more fully see the kind of opportunity our celebrations during International Year for Human Rights will offer. In our support of the United Nations and its endeavors in the field of human rights we will be able, with approach to the minority groups, and universal participation, to demonstrate our concern for the recognition of the rights of man, and our firm belief in the oneness of the human race. Thus we will not fail to be known as heralds of the Divine Standard: the spiritual unity of mankind.
—COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
For the Triumph of His Cause[edit]
On October 25, 1967 on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, the physical life of a courageous Bahá’í pioneer came to an end. Mrs. Catherine Huxtable with her husband and young son went there from Canada in April 1966 and through loving deeds as well as in words exerted themselves to awaken people in this out-of-the-way spot to the Faith of God for this day. The Huxtables had pioneered previously in Regina and the Gulf islands, Catherine’s life was a triumph over almost every conceivable difficulty, a lifelong illness forcing her to use a wheel chair during most of her Bahá’í days.
The island of St. Helena was one of the virgin goals named by the beloved Guardian for the Ten Year Crusade and during most of the time since then a devoted believer has resided there. The loving services of those who have worked to establish the Faith there enhanced by the example of Catherine’s life and death will surely bring great results in the future. In writing of her passing Mr. Cliff Huxtable states;
“Catherine is buried high in the center of the island overlooking the majestic scenery of St. Helena to the South Atlantic beyond. We spoke often of her death. As a newcomer and outsider to this insular community I expected her funeral to be the loneliest journey of my life. Over eighty cards and letters of sympathy poured into the house; ranging in source from the Bishop to an impoverished leper. Although no one was asked to attend, and the burial was during working hours, and I refused to comply with the local custom of hiring buses for the ‘professional’ funeral goers, it was the biggest funeral procession I had seen since our arrival 19 months ago. The Governor, clergy, laborers, shopkeepers, school children — all were there. The Governor’s wife, the Vicar of Jamestown, our servants, Education officers, and a police constable (members of both races) read the Bahá’í sacred writings at her graveside. All stood deeply moved and silent, through the chill wind and rain, until the earth had been replaced. Then the people came forward and heaped the entire grave with bouquets and wreaths of fresh flowers.”
BE YE GUIDED BY WISDOM[edit]
A Pioneer’s Beginning Day:
For an individual pioneer to offer advice to others would be presumptuous. From Bahá’u’lláh Himself comes all that is required in the way of direction, and guidance for particular instances flows in consultation, through the channels of the Administrative Order.
But there is the sharing of human experience that may assist in avoiding heartbreaking misunderstandings and reveal shortcuts through the impossible, to save some of that precious time of which Bahá’ís have so very little to spare. Having found that there is a stream of attraction and good will to be tapped among the inhabitants of every country by means rather different from those used so frequently at home, it would be neglectful not to make this available for the consideration of the friends, now that so many of the Bahá’í community are actively pioneering.
To Teach the Faith[edit]
. . . To tell people about the Faith in initial stages of arrival and settlement — the formal, open approach with pamphlet and information about the Faith, saying that one has come to their land to settle so as to teach it to them, this, even in home front pioneering, can be a factor causing periods of alienation between the pioneer and his new neighbors that may last as long as he stays there; may be restricted to the few, or extended by their word-of-mouth to include the population of a whole town or locality.
. . . There is no suggestion here that inquiry about the pioneer’s religion and any other questions should not be replied to, nor under any circumstances anything done that might later be wrongly interpreted as a denial of faith through silence; but the teaching that is effective is the teaching which seekers ask for themselves, flowing into the empty spots in their own souls. It will stay when it is asked for — or some of it will. If the Teachings are pushed on them before the existence of some need . . . has been ascertained, the potentially waiting souls may be driven to further waiting.
Establish Bonds of Understanding[edit]
. . . Everybody up and down the world has his own big or little trouble and if we engage in the relief of that trouble by kind and sincere interest and inquiry, by asking them about it, and by letting them tell us, at whatever length and with whatever repetition they may wish, a human relationship of sympathy between the residents and the newcomer is established much more quickly and more naturally...
If the pioneer goes to a ‘foreign’ country and quietly secures a toehold; quietly stays there observing the life of the town, inconspicuously watching for opportunities as well as going out to seek them, then the magnet of the Faith will start drawing in, not only people akin to the Bahá’í spirit, but also those very situations and opportunities which can be adapted by the pioneer to help him in his settlement. But in order to recognize this invisible assistance it is most vital to have no preconceptions, and to be without fear.
A great deal of self-disciplining is necessary in order to subjugate reason and previous judgments to these waftings of the Holy Spirit; all the more so as the fruits that spring from them so often become apparent only at second or even at third remove. The only brand-mark to be watched for is the extended hand.
Any offer of help, when it comes, represents an offer of help to Bahá’u’lláh, insofar as it is extended to His pioneer. It should never be lightly refused, even though it may take a surprising or unexpected form. Pioneers may be offered houses of a quality, or in an area, they would never have dreamed of accepting up to that time; they may be given openings for work for which they seem to lack all qualifications; they may be introduced to people of most strange character. Reason alone would dictate refusal of the unknown, the untried, and prudence might suspect the motives of the flamboyant or over-simple ‘character’. This is where the waiting and the quiet sympathy come in; the situations for which they need to be consciously cultivated in advance.
Wisdom must be constant, but it has been proved a thousand times and beyond any doubt whatsoever, that the spirit of the Master’s instructions applied in this way, and all things accepted for the sake of God, yields results that speed progress towards the goal of living harmonious association and integration with the people, as well as permanent settlement in the new land. And no theoretical scheme yields such good results as the wise and observant response to local reaction, whatever form it may take, to the pioneer’s arrival.
Unlock the Gates of the Hearts[edit]
This does not so much involve the pioneer turning in upon himself, as living in the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s explicit promise:
“Verily, We behold you from our Realm of glory, and shall aid whosoever will arise for the triumph of Our Cause with the hosts of the Concourse on high and a company of Our favored angels.”(1)
The pioneers are the beloved of Shoghi Effendi. Every event, from the moment a believer can no longer contain his desire to go forth, is endowed with added sharpness and more vivid potentiality. He is living in the light of the Holy Spirit to a degree beyond what was possible for him previously, no matter how active in local or national teaching and administrative activity. As he advances through consultation after consultation, through departure and arrival, the tension as well as the tempo of his life as well as his Bahá’í life will subtly increase and this increased spiritual dynamism of living can be transferred to the things, and especially the people, whom he contacts. This functioning in a higher gear carries dangers as well as blessings.
Our own eagerness and enthusiasm can be allowed to irritate our relationship with our fellow-believers, slowing up the general work through differing interpretations of what is understood by ‘giving the Message’ — something of which Rúḥíyyih Khánum writes so brilliantly and wittily in Success in Teaching. . . .
Light Small Fires First[edit]
Although what has been said might be epitomized as simply developing a capacity for improvisation, coupled with keeping an open mind, it needs repeating again and again, that as well as being done in the light of the Holy Spirit, the pioneer’s activities can only be truly effective when he is himself always conscious that he is standing, living, and acting — all the time — in that Light.
Yes — the quiet arrival and unobtrusive settlement; the gaining of a foothold in the goal territory — whether this be a suburb in his own city, a provincial town or village, a country where the Faith is already established, or a virgin territory — and then the staying there, the staying quiet. This is it, the staying quiet. . . .
Any society or human group will continue its normal living, before the eyes of the attentive pioneer, if he does not ruffle the calm with abrupt interposition of himself and of the background he brings with him — a background essentially strange, no matter how much wisdom and restraint he employs.
Then — as local life begins to move again, the pioneer can adjust the length of his stride and join in, taking up the themes that occupy the people among whom chance (that may not be chance) may have cast him.
This is the Standard[edit]
There is no escaping tests and trials. In material life any worthwhile accomplishment is extremely difficult. In Bahá’í life the living of it presents a never ending challenge. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, speaking of life in the fortress of ‘Akká: “without the assistance of the Holy Spirit it would have been impossible.”
Pioneering, transfer of permanent residence, and staying at the chosen post, is often a seemingly impossible task.
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”(2)
Even reason can be a barrier. The reasonableness, the necessity of making good as we go, so ingrained in western business tradition, keep many would-be pioneers on their native soil, laboring at the essential task of consolidating and strengthening their local community or home front goal, just as thoughts of securing some personal qualification before leaving, as a base from which to work for the Faith, can sometimes involve months or years of pre-pioneering activities.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that all of these considerations are matters for the individual believer alone to weigh, to examine and to judge; he cannot be coerced, even though he has the right to seek advice from any Bahá’í body with which he consults.
If One Love God[edit]
Just as belief in the religion of God is based fundamentally upon love alone, so pioneering is the fullest expression of that love which our age, the Formative, the Iron Age of the Faith, can offer. Love is the foundation of service and effort. Wisdom is the channeler of love and the hoarder of experience. Reason is as a sidesman frequently referred to, but never blindly idolized.
“Be ye guided by wisdom in all your doings,”(3) admonishes Bahá’u’lláh, implying that action has been initially motivated by love; and it is this love that assures the ultimate victory. “Should a man, all alone arise in the name of Bahá and put on the armor of His love, him will the Almighty cause to be victorious, though the forces of earth and heaven be arrayed against him.”(4) . . .
Take Thou Thy Portion[edit]
With simplicity will come certainty. Then the sneaking uncertainty of whether one is guided or no, a state of mind leading to incapacitating and over-anxious self-concern, will vanish into a carefree detachment enabling one to deal with events as they arise and by the means that happen to be then at hand and to live empirically rather than by rote or tradition. . .
Then will the pioneer find himself, and the goal territory — and the people whom he meets; he will find the true city in which he is dwelling to pioneer the same city as the city he left; symbol of the eternal city, the city of the heart.
He will see that the strangers he meets and the new friends he makes are the old friends, the relations and the deeply loved that he left behind in his home town. The end will have become manifest in the beginning. . . from the seed of his declaration grew the tree of his pioneering service; from the seed or his pioneering service grows the tree of a new believer and a new center opened to the Cause of God; from that seed there will arise the lordly tree of what must become a Local House of Justice — giver of Divine light and order to that further portion of the human race.
— Excerpted from “Pioneer Fire” in Bahá’í Journal, October, 1967, published by National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles.
1. Gleanings p. 139
2. Mark 10:27
3. Gleanings p. 197
4. Quoted in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 47
Bahá’ís at the Temple site near Managua, Nicaragua November 26, 1967, celebrating the Day of the Covenant. Talks were given on the Covenant and on the purpose of Bahá’í Temples.
Winter Schools and Institutes[edit]
The enthusiastic reports received of Bahá’í winter schools and institutes indicate that Bahá’ís and their friends welcome the opportunity to gather during the holiday season. In addition to the schools which have been held for a number of years there are two “firsts” reported this year. Winter sessions will undoubtedly continue and increase and, as more opportunities are offered to the friends to enrich their understanding of the Faith and to enjoy the opportunity to be together, the results will become evident in growth of the Faith in every area.
“Bahá’ís Love to Arrive . . .”[edit]
An Account of the Southeastern Bahá’í Winter School Held December 26 — January 1, at Camp John Hope, Fort Valley, Georgia
“Being new to the Faith, having declared only in mid-November this was my first experience at a large Bahá’í gathering. I sat among the early arrivals outside the auditorium at Camp John Hope and watched somewhat in amazement as Bahá’ís arrived from all over. No. Bahá’ís don’t just arrive. Young Bahá’í’s ‘roar up’ in their automobiles and come ‘leaping out’ with a great noise to be greeted by other young arrivals who run to them waving and shouting across grass and gravel and all meet in a great, warm collision . . . (it’s a wonder anybody survives the greeting.) Older Bahá’ís move a little slower, do not collide so hard but embrace long missed friends with an equal warmth, less spontaneous maybe, but somehow deeper, gladder.
“Over two hundred people from twenty seven states (as far away as Maine and Indiana) and four countries (Iran, Colombia, Kenya and Haiti) gathered in the piney woods of south central Georgia to hear excellent teachers and to have the rare privilege of meeting Hand of the Cause, Mr. Tarazu’lláh Samandari and his son, Dr. Samandari. . .
“Jane McCants, Auxiliary Board member, spoke Wednesday morning on: The need of assurance. Bahá’ís must come forward now, bringing to the world the one spiritual reality. No one can bring the Cause unless he first believes in the power of his own prayer as well as others. We have the responsibility to convince unbelieving man that he does have spirituality, for man left to himself is base, selfish, brutal and indifferent. . .
“Mr. A. Kalantar then spoke of the necessity of immersing oneself totally in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh or the power of Bahá’u’lláh will not manifest itself in one’s work. William Hatcher outlined the various tenets and rituals which early Christianity adopted from various pagan religions, namely Mithraism, Dr. Peter Khan explained in what ways American Bahá’ís are the spiritual descendants of the Dawn Breakers. . .
“. . . On Friday morning Mr. Samandari arrived and all note taking (for this reporter) came to an end. Somehow what he brings does not go down on paper very well. . . ‘Mr. Samandari brings the Holy Spirit and you can’t put that down on paper, can you?’ . . . He emphasized the importance of schools and of deepening ourselves in knowledge and spirituality. He pointed out how Bahá’u’lláh Himself went out into the countryside to teach the Faith of the Báb. Afterwards the friends approached Mr. Samandari and to all he gave a hearty embrace, making one wonder at his ninety-three years. But that evening the long, hard years he has spent furthering the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh were vividly brought home, for he was unable to rise from his bed to address us. Dr. Samandari talked instead and this too was a rare treat. . .
“If any doubt remained among us as to whether the Holy Spirit of God was working through Mr. Samandari it was devastated Saturday morning . . . when he stood for well over two hours addressing the assembly, his voice booming to the far reaches of the auditorium. He was the only speaker definitely not needing a microphone. He . . . noted the important contributions youth have made to the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith, the youthful age of the Báb. . . and of the majority of the early followers. And he stated that youth have much to contribute today. . . . He told how youth are the first to feel changes, and were the first to be won over to the Faith.
“. . . It was emphasized that the time is rapidly running out and that the need . . . for pioneering is NOW.
“Partings are the saddest, the last meal may well be salted with one’s own tears, but there is so much to do and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to carry the brunt of the load in this age.
“. . . and they hate to leave . . . But if we spread the Faith far enough and deep enough we will never have to leave.”
—EDWARD DAVIS
At the Pennsylvania Winter Institute.
Class sessions at Pennsylvania Institute
Second Pennsylvania Winter Institute Brings Innovations[edit]
One hundred sixty Bahá’ís and their friends attended the second Pennsylvania Bahá’í Winter Institute held at YMCA Camp Hilltop, near Downingtown, Pennsylvania, from Thursday evening, December 28, through noon Monday, January 1. In addition to those from Pennsylvania and surrounding States, participants came from as far as Georgia, Kansas, and Massachusetts.
A full range of classes was offered for each age group. Adult classes included those conducted by Auxiliary Board members Mrs. Jane McCants, “Arming for Assurance,” and Dr. William Tucker, “Faith in Action.” Also, James Keene, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, spoke each day on proclamation, “The Creative Community Proclaims Justice.” Sally Sanor, of Maryland, spoke on “The Development of the World Center,” and Helen Underhill, of Philadelphia, conducted an inspiring workshop on “Creative Speech.”
Varied Program for Youth and Children[edit]
Classes for Youth, ages 13-18, were “Bahá’í Morality,” conducted by Mary Kaye Radpour of Baltimore County, Maryland, “Social Crisis in The Advent of Divine Justice,” conducted by Eric Byrd of Baltimore, and “Adolescent Psychology and Personality Development,” by Dr. Sam Woodard of Philadelphia.
The children’s program was particularly successful. In addition to a play written by Elizabeth Hadden and presented by the 10-12 age group and a puppet show written by the 6-9 year olds, the two groups of children had their own supervised activities and classes running from 9:00 am. to 8:00 pm. Since the teachers of these classes were assigned for no more than one hour each day, they were also able to attend most of the adult classes, and the children benefited from the variety of approaches. Each group had a member of the sponsoring Pennsylvania Goals Committee as a coordinator who was responsible for continuity.
Special Workshops and Evening Programs[edit]
Another innovation of this year’s institute was a series of one-hour workshops on subjects ranging from “The Bahá’í Family” and “A Survey of Bahá’í Materials for Children” to “How to Make a Poster.” Institute participants could choose one of two or three of these workshops for one period each day. Special evening programs included presentations on pioneering. Sam Lynch, American pioneer to Togo who was in the U.S. for a brief time, showed slides of Africa. Ben Schreibman, a former Pennsylvanian who has pioneered both in Europe and in the Caribbean, also gave a talk on pioneering.
Winter School Inaugurated in the Southwest[edit]
The first Southwestern Bahá’í Winter School was held December 26 through 30 at the Lake Bridgeport Methodist Camp near Bridgeport, Texas. The forty-three people who attended appreciated the spiritual atmosphere set by class leaders and it was felt that this first Winter School in the area filled a vital need.
Winston Evans spoke on “Arming for Assurance” using as references “American Bahá’ís in Time of World Peril”; and the 1966 and 1967 Riḍván messages from the Universal House at Justice. A course on Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh presented by Eileen Norman was also well received by all the students. There were classes for youth on The World
Order of Bahá’u’lláh conducted by Mrs. Allene Squires which led to discussions lasting far beyond the assigned class time. A second class for youth on the social issues that must be faced by Bahá’í youth was directed by Mr. Harry Craig. In the evening Mr. Orval Minney talked on “The New Race of Man” based on the book by ‘Abdul’-Bahá, The Secret of Divine Civilization. Five weeks of study were condensed by Mr. Minney into three hours of Class to the intense interest of all who were present.
Well-planned children’s classes made the session a happy experience for the youngsters who came.
As so often happens at Bahá’í schools, there was a declaration on the closing day. All who participated expressed the wish that these sessions may be repeated and grow.
Davison Winter Session Includes Institute[edit]
The Winter session at Davison Bahá’í School Davison, Michigan opened on December 23 with a stimulating three-day institute on Public Information conducted by Mr. Salvatore Pelle and Mrs. Natalie DiBuono. Designed to emphasize the importance of reaching the masses during the coming period of proclamation the program, prepared with great care and diligence, included beautiful displays of poster arrangements and photograph groupings used in recent proclamation programs and gave new ideas for utilizing the media of television, radio and newspapers. Also offered were: a unique slide presentation and new tapes for broadcasting of world news featuring well-known recording artists singing songs that are related to the peace program of the Bahá’ís.
The spirit built up at the institute carried over in the remaining sessions which lasted through December 31. The classes were most ably conducted by: Mrs. Ona Koppe, Miss Bahia Deloomey, James Keene, Richard Thomas and Gerrold Bagley. Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Beth McKenty gave a moving course of lectures on “Bahá’u’lláh”. She also spoke on two evenings, giving an introduction to the Faith as well as glimpses of her recent trips to Uganda for the Intercontinental Conference and to Iran. There was one declaration at the School, touchingly received by Mrs. McKenty.
Some of the evenings were given to accounts and stories of early American believers, told by those who had done special research in the library. The youth who were well represented offered spontaneous singing that was especially beautiful because of the musical talents and professional training which several of them had.
The whole happy session was blessed with a tremendous spirit of love and unity and it was with reluctance that the friends departed.
First Northwest Bahá’í Winter Institute is Judged a Success[edit]
Almost forty young people from fifteen communities participated in the first Northwest Bahá’í Winter Institute held December 29 to January 1 at Salmon Le Sac, Washington. The institute, sponsored by the Northwest Summer-Winter School Committee, was a happy occasion at which there was excellent participation in the classes and despite the necessity to “rough it” (a heavy freeze made running water unavailable), people gave praise and favorable comment on the program.
Mrs. Helen Wilks, Auxiliary Board member in Africa, who was in the Northwest on a visit, gave, on the first evening, a very inspirational talk on teaching. This set the tone for the whole Conference and provided the ideal basis for the classes which came later. The general theme was “How Youth Can Live the Life and Teach Their Contemporaries” and in exploring this very important subject Mrs. Alda Spell skillfully led discussions on the problems which face youth today.
A highlight was the declaration by one youth, a declaration which was especially significant for Mrs. Wilks as the declarant was her great granddaughter.
Sled and toboggan rides, hikes in the snow along scenic mountain trails and song fests around the huge fireplace in the lodge brought comments from the youth that there was a good balance between recreation and study at this Bahá’í gathering.
Davison Winter Session
First Northwest Bahá’í Institute for youth held at Salmon Le Sac, Washington.
— Bessie Neill Photo
Staff for the winter session at Geyserville, California, held in December. Left to right: David Baral, Susan Baral. Richard Meier, Ellen McAllister, Beatrice Morgan, Margaret Brankamp, Patrick Conway.
— Bessie Neill Photo
Walter Brown from Pleasanton with a group of Job Corps trainees who attended the winter session at Geyserville. For many of them it was the first visit to a Bahá’í school.
News from Geyserville[edit]
Thanksgiving Weekend Sessions
The San Francisco Youth Committee sponsored an experimental weekend at the school during the Thanksgiving holiday with adults and youth participating together in classes and activities.
The first class, given on Friday night, covered the message to youth from the Universal House of Justice. Saturday’s sessions included discussions of Bahá’í attitudes on current problems, and the Covenant. In the evening the Covenant was commemorated and the final class on Sunday morning was on The Tablets of the Divine Plan.
There was time for social activities, too, with a party on Saturday evening. The success of the weekend, which brought over 130 people to the school has stimulated plans to make the Thanksgiving session at Geyserville an annual event.
“I Had the Best Time Ever”
With beautiful weather and an ample number of students, (over 100) the 1967 Winter Session dealt with many growing problems and developed spirit and maturity as shown in the various actions and conscientious attempts to solve problems in the Bahá’í way. There were special sessions for youth, as well as children and in addition to the Bahá’í courses of study there was an art class, attended by lots and adults alike. The teaching and training of pioneers is coming to be seen as a prime purpose of Geyserville, and the staff at the Winter Session included two (David and Susan Baral) who have pioneered in South America and one (Richard Meier) who is pioneering on the Winnebago Indian Reservation.
An excellent writeup with pictures was carried in the Geyserville Press for Jan. 4, 1968. It told about the people who attended and of their pioneering activities for the Faith.
Dr. Fred Littman conducting a morning class for youth and adults at the Thanksgiving Institute at Geyserville, California.
News Briefs[edit]
New Zealand newspapers have been running a number of feature stories on Bahá’ís from outside of the country living in New Zealand. The most recent articles concerned Mrs. Edith Danielsen, pioneer from the United States, and Miss Tahereh Vatanparast, the only Persian girl in the whole of New Zealand. Their activity as Bahá’ís was mentioned in both cases.
The first newspaper mention of the Bahá’í Faith in Greece occurred on October 27, 1967, in the Athens News, a daily, mentioning the forthcoming international Bahá’í convention in Haifa, April, 1968.
The Royal Commonwealth Society Hall in London was the scene of the largest gathering ever of British Bahá’ís, with over 500 assembled September 30 to give the Proclamation program of the British Isles a thrilling start. In addition to inspiring talks and a concert of musical numbers, the friends were privileged to view a fragment of the actual handwriting of Bahá’u’lláh, presented by Hand of the Cause of God John Ferraby. An unexpected joy was a brief visit from Hand of the Cause Țaráẓu’llah Samandari enroute to the Conference in Chicago.
The most exciting project underway in Penang, Malaysia is the formation of a Bahá’í Society at the Malayan Teachers College. One active student, Tan Keat Fong, has been responsible for creating an interest among his colleagues and the Penang Bahá’ís have enthusiastically held firesides and meetings at the college.
Bahá’ís in the News[edit]
Kuching, Sarawak, has had some recent publicity. For five consecutive days The Vanguard, Sarawak’s leading newspaper, published in serial form an interesting account of the history, teachings and aims of the Faith. The feature, under the title “Bahá’í World Faith,” has been responsible for an increase in Fireside attendance at the Center in Kuching.
A full page of articles on the Faith has appeared in The Southern Courier for January 13-14, 1968. This is a weekly published in Montgomery, Alabama and circulated throughout the State. It includes a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, one of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette and a photo of a group holding a fireside in Montgomery. There are three excellent articles, written by a reporter who became interested, attended a number of meetings and read extensively about the Faith. The three articles on “The Story of the Bahá’ís” are titled: “ ‘You Learn to Love People Instead of Hating Them’ ”; “New Religion Survived in Spite of Persecution” and “Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh Stress Racial Equality.” This publicity has already led to inquiries about the Faith.
Dr. and Mrs. David Ruhe of Wilmette, Illinois visit Mrs. Dora Bray (center) of Pasadena, California. An active believer at the age of 100 Mrs. Bray is also achieving fame as a painter.
A Bahá’í artist now living in Pasadena, California, Mrs. Dora Bray has won acclaim in the press for her paintings and for the scholarship to paint which she, now at the age of 100, has received. The scholarship was awarded by the Famous Schools in Westport, Connecticut. The accounts of her in local papers mention the fact that she is an active and devoted Bahá’í and that her Faith is “the one thing she takes seriously.”
The recent passing of Lummi Indian Chief Joseph R. Hillaire, Bahá’í of Bainbridge Island, Washington, was reported extensively in local papers including reference to his membership in the Bahai Faith. He was famous for his beautiful carving of totem poles, being best known for the 31 foot pole he carved for Seattle’s Japanese sister city, Kobe, and the 33 foot pole he carved for the Seattle World’s Fair. Mr. Hillaire was active in the Bahá’í Faith, serving as a member of the local Spiritual Assembly.
CORRECTION
The photo at the bottom of page 7 of BAHA’I NEWS for December 1967 shows Celestina Sima Euán standing before the microphone. Mr. Euán is from Muna, Yucatan and was one of the two Mayan representatives from Mexico to the Conference in Panama. He was erroneously identified in the December issue as Alberto Perez, blind Indian teacher.
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; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette. Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
Changes received by the 15th of the month will take effect in the next month’s mailing.
