The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is
of the United States and Canada
PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS FOR THE MOST GREAT PEACE[edit]
Bahá’u’lláh
Tablet of Victory
He is God, exalted is He!
It has been known that God, glorious is His mention, is sanctified from the world and what is therein, and that the meaning of victory is not this, that anyone should fight or strive with another. The Lord of “He doeth what he willeth” has committed the kingdom of creation, both land and sea, into the hand of kings, and they are the manifestations of the divine power according to the degrees of their ranks; verily, He is the potent, the sovereign. But that which God, glorious is His mention, has desired for himself is the hearts of His servants which are treasuries of praise and love of the Lord and stores of divine knowledge and wisdom.
The will of the Eternal King has ever been to purify the hearts of His servants from the promptings of the world and what is therein, so that they may be prepared for illumination by the effulgences Of the Lord of the Names and Attributes. Therefore, must no stranger find his way into the city of the heart, so that the Incomparable Friend may come unto His own place—that is, the effulgence of His Names and Attributes, not His Essence, exalted is He—for that Peerless King has been and will be holy from everlasting above ascent or descent.
Therefore, today’s victory neither has been nor will ever be opposition to anyone, nor strife with any person; but rather what is well-pleasing is that the cities of men’s hearts, which are under the dominion of the hosts of selfishness and lust, should be subdued by the sword of wisdom and of exhortation. Every one, then, who desires of the United States and Canada victory must first subdue the city of his own heart with the sword of spiritual truth and of the Word, and must protect it from remembering aught beside God; afterwards, let him turn his efforts toward the citadel of the hearts of others. This is what is intended by victory; sedition has never been nor ever will be pleasing to God, and that which certain ignorant persons formerly wrought was never approved by God. If you are slain for His good pleasure, verily, it is better for you than that you should slay.
Today the friends of God must appear in such wise among God’s servants that by their actions they may lead all unto the pleasure of the Lord of Glory. I swear by the Sun of the Horizon of Holiness that the friends of God never have regarded nor will regard the earth or its transitory riches.
God has ever regarded the hearts of His servants, and this too by reason of His most great favor, that perchance mortal souls may be cleansed and sanctified from earthly states and may attain unto the everlasting places. But that Real King is in Himself sufficient unto Himself and independent of all; neither does any advantage accrue to Him from the love of contingent beings, nor does any hurt befall Him from their hatred. All earthly places appear through Him and unto him return, and God singly and alone abides in His own place which is holy above space and time, mention and utterance, sign, description and definition, height and depth. And no one knows this save Him and whosoever has knowledge of the Book.
There is no God but Him, the mighty, the bountiful!
‘Abdu’l-Bahá Prayer for the Most Great Peace
O Thou kind Lord! Thou hast created all humanity from the same parents, Thou hast destined that all belong to the same household, and in Thy holy presence, all are Thy servants, and all mankind is sheltered beneath Thy Tabernacle. Thy children are gathered at Thy table of bounty and have become radiant through the light of Thy providence. O God! Thou art kind to all, Thou has provided for all, Thou dost harbor all. Thou conferest life upon all, Thou hast endowed each humble being with ability and talent and submerged all mankind in the ocean of Thy mercy.
O Thou generous Lord! Unite Thy servants in every land, suffer the diverse religions to be in harmony, make of the nations a single nation, so they may see each other as one family, denizens of one country. May mankind associate with perfect amity and unity.
O God! raise the banner of the oneness of humankind. O God! Establish the Most Great Peace. O God! Weld our hearts into one heart. O Thou kind Father! Exhilarate us through the fragrance of Thy love; brighten our eyes through the light of Thy guidance; cheer our ears with the melody of Thy Word, and shelter us in the shelter of Thy Providence.
REPORTS FROM TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
1.—Bahá’í Contacts, by Mrs. May Maxwell.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in an early Tablet to the beloved of God in Teheran, says:
“Oh Friends! It is the wish of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá that the friends may
establish general unity . . . . We
are all servants of one threshold,
attendants at one court, waves of
one sea, drops of one stream, dust
before one door and plants of one
garden. The beloved of God must[Page 2]
be friendly, even with strangers, and
intimate even with outsiders . . . .
There must be gatherings for matters
which concern the well being of
men . . . which concern all in general
and not a particular number.”
When this continent was quickened into new life by the presence of the Master in 1912, He said that through the seeds sown at that time we “should reap many great and wonderful harvests”, and the doors of opportunity which have been open to the Bahá’ís are too numerous to mention. In the fields of religion, learning and education, societies banded together for the solution of world problems and human welfare, our Bahá’í teachers and the friends everywhere have had an ever–increasing part and established deeper and more vital contacts.
It seems to your National Teaching Committee that in this field of activities lies the most potent possibilities and new fresh approach for the friends in this most critical period of human affairs. Opportunities are daily arising for these wider affiliations for humanitarian and social progress with groups whose general aims are similar to our own, but who lack the insight and spiritual dynamic to make them effective agencies of progress and reform. We should collectively study and develop such contacts and relationships which will strengthen and inspire us to a deeper realization of our divine responsibility.
Among such groups in America, Mr. Leroy Ioas has called our attention to the social welfare workers who, in the present social crisis where suffering is acute, are striving to break down barriers of religious and racial prejudice and to create a sense of human solidarity, and during a Congress of Social Welfare Workers on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Ioas found them eagerly responsive to the vision and unifying power of the Bahá’í Cause.
Sound judgment is required to make such service acceptable to these groups as well as of real value to the Cause, not absorbing either the energies or finances of the friends, but being rather a means of their ever-increasing vital association with their fellowmen. A typical instance of effective service was where thousands of women and children were suffering from a strike and in a state of semi-starvation. The Bahá’ís formed a committee of leading citizens and within a few days $1500, was raised, the Bahá’ís contributing only normally but being the means of tiding over the danger point.
The beloved Master was our mighty example in carrying the Word of God and His love and compassion into every field of life, and we know that his services during the World War in salvaging the lives of thousands of families drew to him the recognition of the British government.
In a future issue of BAHÁ’I NEWS, we hope there will appear an account of the prison work of the Bahá’ís, especially of one prisoner who has ardently embraced the Faith and who is circulating articles through the Prison Press on Bahá’u’lláh and His divine teachings.
Another important and fruitful contact is Bahá’í representation at Congresses and Conventions convened for purposes of world peace, religious unity, progressive education, all movements in short which have arisen as the flower of thought in the great field planted by Bahá’u’lláh, and it is the purpose of this Committee to facilitate in every way the efforts of the friends to find such contacts and opportunities in their various centers. At a recent Conference in New York, the first Conference on Mysticism ever held in America, a youthful Bahá’í was given the opportunity to present a paper on mysticism in the Bahá’í religion which received a standing vote of appreciation from the audience.
The following reports of “contacts” work recently carried on with organizations and individuals furnish a vivid picture of what may be achieved. “You must rest assured and let there be no traces of doubt in your soul that God is your assistant and helper, the heavenly confirmation will descend on you more and more. God will protect you and give you new strength continually. Your world motives will Conquer the world of men, all obstacles will disappear before your advance. No earthly power can resist the onrushing power of Peace, for this power is assisted by the power of God, and that which is divinely assisted must prevail.”
2.—Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler’s Activities on the Pacific Coast.
Perhaps the most spectacular example of contacts work with outside organizations has been that of Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler, who since August has been carrying on a remarkable teaching campaign on the west coast arranged by the Pacific Coast Sub-Committee. Reports of her work in Vancouver, Spokane, Seattle, Portland and Pasadena show a wide range of organizations who have opened their doors wholeheartedly to this gifted Bahá’í teacher.
In Vancouver she appeared before the Inter-national Club and the Woman’s Inter-national League, spoke from the pulpit of the Universalist Church, addressed the Lion’s Club luncheon.
In Spokane the word Bahá’í appeared seventeen times in the headlines of local newspapers during her stay. She writes, “Among the platforms extended to me through the untiring efforts of the local Bahá’í committees have been: the Public Forum, The Bureau of Education of the Chamber of Commerce, The Woman’s Realty Extension Club, The Church of Truth, The Business and Professional Woman’s Club, Athaneum Club, The Rizwan Club, The Truth Library in Spokane in addition to many private group meetings. Bahá’í lectures and classes . . . . At Victoria through the kindness of someone who had heard me in Vancouver, I spoke before the Kumtucks Club to a crowded meeting of professional women who said that it was the first time the message had been publicly given there . . . . In both Spokane and Seattle (the seat of Communistic activity in America) I addressed large I. W. W. meetings. Several hundred men were in attendance.” Her subject was “The Bahá’í Solution of the Economic Problem.” In a report of the Spokane meeting the “Spokesman—Review” says: “In her talk on world problems even the fire-eaters who at times delight in asking questions to befuddle their speakers declared themselves in accord with Mrs. Ransom-Kehler’s views. She was applauded repeatedly.”
During the month that Mrs. Ransom-Kehler
was in Seattle she spoke
forty-five times to theosophical
lodges, truth centers, universities,
churches, Clubs and Bahá’í meetings.
Her last reported engagement
in Seattle was addressing a hundred
or more men at an Armistice Day
dinner at the Congregational
Church. The Amity Meeting at the
Zion Church had an audience of[Page 3]
about four hundred.
Mr. George Latimer reporting Mrs. Ransom-Kehler’s work in Portland, Ore., writes as follows: “Among the luncheon groups she spoke before such prominent organizations as the Women of Rotary on ‘Human Relations’; the Portland Women’s Club on ‘Tragedy and the Comic Muse;’ the Social Service Workers of Oregon on the ‘Modern Trend in Education’ and The Professional Business Woman’s Club on ‘Making the Most of Ourselves.’
“Many afternoon teas and meetings were held, the largest of which was a tea given by the University Women of Portland at which Keith spoke on ‘A Woman’s Place in the World.’ Other meetings included a federated colored woman’s club; a community club which asked to hear about the Bahá’i Cause; the Portland Peace Society which is associated with the National Organization and several large groups that asked her to be a guest speaker.”
“One of the most interesting evening meetings was a dinner arranged by the Assembly for the promotion of amity between the colored and white races. This was attended by a number of prominent citizens including five or six judges, prominent educators, negro ministers and social workers. . . . This was followed a few days later by an address before the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.”
The record of Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler’s journeys in the west is significant in that it gives undeniable evidence of the willingness of representative groups outside the Cause to furnish a platform to a Bahá’is speaker if rightly approached; their response to the sublime principles of Bahá’u’lláh presented with the tact, wisdom, and love of an inspired Bahá’i teacher gives promise of a country-wide invasion of new territory in the days that are to come.
3.—Bahá’i Contacts in Harlem, New York City.
A year ago last July a visiting Bahá’i in New York City decided to visit Harlem on one of the weekly tours of the Reconciliation Fellowship. During the afternoon a church, a branch library, the Urban League and the Y. M. C. A. were visited. A representative of each organization spoke for fifteen or twenty minutes after which a forum opportunity to ask questions was afforded. The guest from upstate following a blind lead managed to ask questions that attracted the attention of Mr. S. A. Allen, Industrial Sec’y
Construction of Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Photograph No. 7—December 6, 1930
of the Urban League and Mr. Walter
White, Sec’y of the N. A. A. C. P.
A valuable social contact was later
established with Mr. White but the
results of the Urban League venture
show indeed the guiding hand of the
spirit.
When our Bahá’i friend left the colored Y. M. C. A. she found Mr. James H. Hubert, Sec’y of the New York Urban League waiting to present his card and ask for an interview. Several months later while again in New York the Bahá’i guest and her husband had luncheon and a two hour talk with Mr. Hubert in Harlem in which the aims of the Urban League and the Bahá’i Cause were frankly discussed. A copy of the Bahá’i World was sent to Mr. Hubert.
Correspondence followed and Mr. Hubert accepted an invitation to attend the Blossom Picnic in western New York State. Here he heard a further presentation of the Bahá’i Principles and met forty or fifty representatives of his own race. A few weeks later his hostess was invited to attend a three-day session of the National Urban League in Buffalo and a place was made on the program for her ten minute presentation of the Bahá’i Cause. This brief message reached Urban League secretaries from almost every state.
On the return journey the two New York executives were entertained by the Geneva Bahá’i Assembly. An interesting result of the informal conferences with our distinguished guests was when one of our number, a member of the State and Inter-national Board of Kiwanis becoming cognizant
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Address for Correspondence News Editor Office of the Secretariat Evergreen Cabin West Englewood, New Jersey BAHÁ’I NEWS is the official organ of the American National Spiritual Assembly. Its cost is defrayed from the National Bahá’i Fund and copies are distributed free of charge to recognized believers throughout the United States and Canada, and to National and Local Spiritual Assemblies in other lands. News articles and reports of general Bahá’i interest and value are requested from Assemblies, National Committees and other representatives of the Cause. The Guardian’s statement concerning the purpose and scope of this publication can be found in the volume entitled “Bahá’i Administration.” |
of the situation for the first time promised his support of the economic and vocational welfare of Negro youth. He carried his point at the state convention, later in a national committee meeting he succeeded in putting this issue through as one of the policies of the 1930 objective.
At the June meeting of the National Teaching Committee in New York City, representatives of the Urban League were invited to consult with us on the Inter-racial Amity problem at a small informal gathering in the home of Mr. Edward Kinney. At that time Mr. Allen extended an invitation to visit Bahá’is to be the guests of Harlem at whatever date a future conference should occur, also offered his cooperation in procuring distinguished colored and white speakers for our program. In August at the invitation of Mr. Louis Gregory both Mr. Hubert and Mr. Allen took a leading part in the Greenacre Racial Amity conferences and with their families were entertained as guests of the Teaching Committee.
When, in the fall, the New York local Assembly asked the National Teaching Committee to work with them in a series of three inter-racial amity conferences sixteen visiting Bahá’is spent the weekend in Harlem homes, distinguished speakers and fine music were secured, interesting social events and publicity followed. On Nov. 8th a conference was held in the Urban League Auditorium, the next afternoon another was held at the Bahá’i Center. The New York Contacts committee, the Bahá’i youth group and interested individuals are through follow-up work cementing the bonds of friendship and unity in this important association—and the end is not yet!
Bahá’u’lláh has said that “one deed in this day is equivalent to deeds performed during one hundred thousand years.” The above sequence of events is related here at length as evidence of the power of the Spirit which will confirm even our humblest efforts in the direction of the establishment of the Divine Kingdom. Work with colored Associations in almost every center meets with the heart-warming response and intelligent cooperation of their leaders.
4.—Master’s Tablet Delivered to Tagore.
Some years ago ’Abdu’l-Bahá sent Mrs. Lua Getzinger and Mrs. Stannard to India, instructing them to visit Dr. Tagore. Their description of the Hindu poet and mystic, with flowing robes, walking in a palm grove in the silvery moonlight, listening with deep attention and respect to the Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; and of his subsequently establishing his International School on the foundation of these universal principles, links itself strangely with the present. Among certain Tablets revealed by the Master and found in His room after His departure was the following:
“To the dear daughter Miss Juliet
- Thompson,
Upon her be greetings and praise,
- He is God.
“Oh, thou Dear Daughter: Thy letter has been received. From its contents it became evident that Rabindranath Tagore was going from India to America. This personage has exercised the utmost consideration to the maid-servant of God, Mrs. Stannard, in India. From what has been heard, he is one of the promotors of peace and reconciliation. He is kind to all people and now he is going to America to travel and see all the States. Therefore, the friends of God in all the cities should receive him and exercise toward him utmost respect so that it may become apparent how kind and appreciative the friends of God are. On his arrival in New York show ye great reverence and present to him the divine teachings. The friends and the maid-servants of the Merciful must be well-wishers and kind to all. Convey greetings and praise to all the friends and maid-servants of the Merciful.”
Through the will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “who doeth whatsoever he willeth,” the recipient of this Tablet was enabled to meet Tagore during his recent brief sojourn in New York, and to present to him the blessed Tablet revealed in his honor.
5.—Further District Conferences.
On November 8th and 9th a District Teaching Conference was held at Washington, D. C. at which representatives from Baltimore and Philadelphia were among those present. Mr. F.St. G. Spendlove, inter-Assembly secretary, in summing up his report says. “The spirit of . . . the whole conference seemed to be a desire to get away from teaching methods which began and ended in words, and to formulate some definite plans for teaching activities which could be expressed in concrete action in the near future. . . . The whole conference was well attended, perfectly united in spirit and thinking only of one object, the spread of the Cause of God in the Washington District. All the friends present seemed to have a sure faith that this wonderful opportunity for true Bahá’i consultation would bring divine confirmations in the fullness of time, and that a new impetus had been given to inter—Assembly activities in this district.”
November 11th and 12th an inter-Assembly conference at which eleven cities were represented was held at Foundation Hall in the midst of the activities of Temple building. They sent the following expression of joy to the Guardian, “Illinois-Wisconsin Teaching Conference thrilled by rising Temple. Send love.” Two days later, Shoghi Effendi’s answering cable was received. “Assure members Illinois-Wisconsin Conference my loving prayers Holy Shrines. Heartily share their joys. Shoghi.” Mrs. H. A. Harding, sec’y for the district, reports a series of interesting discussions presided over by Dr. Zia Bagdadi, to which local friends and visiting Bahá’is contributed. Mrs. Mabel Ives of Hartford, Conn. was there by arrangement of the National Teaching Committee.
The Northern Ohio Conference was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Brooker of Akron, where over fifty of the Cleveland and Akron friends gathered Nov. 23rd. Mrs. Smith writes “. . . interwoven throughout the fabric of the entire session, there were three prominent threads of thought:
- a. the need for the acquisition of
- knowledge of the Cause.
- b. the need for the daily reading
- of the revealed Word.
- c. the need for the radiant living
- of the life.”
She adds, “The general spirit was one of a new, more sincere dedication of our lives to the Most Great Cause. All expressed the desire to be worthy of following Shoghi Effendi’s example of being impatient ‘for action, for the growth of the Cause, for the deep results of real unity.’ ”
A conference has now been held in
each of the nine geographic centers defined
in August by the National Teaching
Committee. Viewed as a whole,
these initial conferences have awakened
new enthusiasm for the spread of
the teachings, created a closer bond of
unity between the various groups,
stimulated a valuable interchange of
ideas on topics of vital interest,
inaugurated inter-Assembly organization
with a view to the exchange of teachers,
arrangement of future conferences,
handling of inter-Assembly programs
and problems. We are looking
forward with much anticipation to the
results of the follow-up conferences,[Page 5]
many of which have already been
arranged. Active inter-Assembly committees
are meeting to discuss the details
of cooperation between groups;
we feel that when these plans are put
into motion the spread of the Cause
will be greatly accelerated.
- Faithfully yours in El Abhá,
- NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE.
- By: Doris McKay, Secretary.
REPORT ON THE FIRE AT BAHA’I TEMPLE[edit]
Dear Co-workers:
I have just returned to Washington after a week’s visit to Chicago and the Temple, and am taking this earliest opportunity of sending you a brief report of the conditions of the Temple, especially after the recent fire which occurred on the morning of Thursday, Jan. 15, 1931.
During the past week and beginning with the morning of Sunday, Jan. 18, 1931, I made a series of careful and thorough inspections of the physical condition of the Temple as a result of the fire. These inspections were made in company with our engineer, Mr. Shapiro, the representatives of the general and sub-contractors, and with outside experts from the Robert W. Hunt Company and the Portland Cement Association.
Briefly the conditions are as follows:
The fire started as a result of a tarpaulin on the southwest side of the building blowing loose and against a salamander and thus catching fire. The high wind quickly ignited other tarpaulins and the wooden formwork. Before the laborer, who was attending the fires, could reach this particular spot, the fire got beyond control.
The high wind blew the fire quickly into the temporary suspended platform, on which were piled a large part of the glass and aluminum bars for the dome. This platform was early destroyed and the material stored on it damaged and fell to the main floor.
As a result of the fire, it will be necessary to clean the outer surfaces of several of the upper sections of the first gallery story, and replace the concrete on the second gallery deck, and the underside of this same deck and adjacent girders and beams.
Very fortunately no damage was done to the structural steel work, and the dome was not affected.
No estimate has yet been made of the total loss, but the insurance adjusters are working on this matter at the present time. Last Friday we made a very careful inspection of the extent and amount of the damages and presented a detailed statement to Mr. Collison, the local representative of the George A. Fuller Company. It is understood that the payment of insurance and repairs of damages will be made on the basis of this report. The larger part of the damage was due to the loss of the glass and aluminum bars of the dome, which will have to be entirely replaced by the sub-contractor, the Robertson Company of Pittsburgh.
The building of the Temple is covered by insurance and it is our understanding that this recent fire will involve no loss to the general contractor, the sub—contractors, or to the Cause. This fire has called our attention to the fact that at the present time we have no insurance on the basement foundation. While the latter was not injured by the fire, it would be desirable to carry a reasonable amount of insurance on this part of the structure. It seems almost miraculous that not even one drop of water entered the Temple Foundation Hall, in spite of the fact that tons of water were poured on the building for several hours during the morning of the fire.
It is possible that this accident will prove to be a “blessing in disguise.” While no serious or permanent loss has accrued to the building, the Cause has received a tremendous amount of publicity, especially in the Middle West. The Chicago papers featured the fire and the Cause through front page statements and pictures for several days, and the news seems to have spread pretty well throughout the country.
The important thing at this time is to assure the friends that no serious damage has been done to the Temple, which seems to have undergone a rather severe fire test with miraculous results. What seemed at first to be a severe test of our work and faith, seems now to further and more fully confirm our loving and united efforts in the building of the Temple.
- ALLEN B. MCDANIEL.
- Chairman, Trustees for the Benefit
- of the National Spiritual Assembly.
FEAST FOR WHITE AND COLORED CHILDREN[edit]
The friends who gathered at the Bahá’i Center in New York City on Christmas day were truly exhilarated with the joy of life as they witnessed the spirit of racial amity in a new flight. This was the celebration of Yuletide by the young people's group of the local community and showed a departure from the old order. Mindful of the world’s economic depression, this company decided upon a party that would combine real pleasure with real service. So they entered into a genial conspiracy with various welfare workers, to borrow one hundred children for a Santa Claus’ party. Three-fourths of these children were colored and were brought in omnibuses from Harlem. The others were white and supplied by workers in other sections.
When these dear children entered the large Assembly hall, their eyes shone at sight of the tables so neatly and daintily bedecked. On the back of each chair was hung a bag containing all sorts of goodies. All were pretty, some in the shape of a kit and others of a large boot. As they explored these bags a number of horns were found and this made the jocund din of the party all the merrier.
Called to silence for a few minutes, a Bahá’i prayer for children was read as an expression of thanks for the blessing of Christmas. Then it was that Santa Claus himself appeared with all his famous beard, dazzling robes and genial smile. This role was so admirably played by a young Jewish Bahá’í that the children thought him real and as he went about beaming upon them some of them admitted their shortcomings and besought his pardon!
A Jewish Santa Claus at Christmas! What transformations are wrought by the amity spirit among Bahá’is! Next came a delicious dinner prepared by loving hands and served steaming hot
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SECRETARIAT OF THE AMERICAN NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Address: Bahá’i Secretariat, Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, N. J. Members: For correspondence with Bahá’ís Of the United States and Canada, Alfred E. Lunt; for correspondence with Bahá’ís on other lands, and with non-Bahá’ís in the United States and Canada, Nellie S. French; editor of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, Horace Holley; Treasurer of the National Assembly and of the Trustees for the Benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly (Temple and Green Acre Funds) Roy C. Wilhelm; Financial Secretary, Carl Scheffler. |
and ice cold with the many dainties of the season. To be sure it was keenly relished. Then came the movies, with two reels of a play, one of the most rollicking and mirth–provoking ever seen. The “old devil man” appeared upon the scene and himself exhilarated by the Yuletide spirit actually became so good as to cooperate with parents to make naughty children do their chores! Several children and their parents including a colored boy and his ma were the other characters and the many stirring and amusing scenes made the children clap their tiny hands with glee while the elders were convulsed with laughter. It would be difficult to tell who enjoyed the party the most, the children who came as guests, the young people who were hosts and hostesses, or the few elders who as a special favor were invited to attend. The behavior of the children without exception was excellent throughout and the tender love showered upon them by those in attendance was impressive and beautiful. The spirit of Bahá’u’lláh was apparent in many ways and one could readily imagine ‘Abdu’l—Bahá and Shoghi Effendi would have enjoyed such an occasion.
The work of planning and preparation for this party brought much happiness by anticipation. The meeting of the young people previous to the party, wherein ways and means were under consultation, was a visible sign of confirmation, so happily did they make the sacrifices involved and so completely were all difficulties removed. In the party itself the three hours sped so rapidly that the time of meeting and parting seemed one. A group of teachers followed the children to the hall of the Urban League in Harlem where the plan was for the message and teachings to be given their parents. Thus was the cause of racial amity advanced through the cooperation of the Bahá’i and Yuletide spirit to make this occasion rare and exceptional for teaching.
- LOUIS G. GREGORY,
- Secretary, Inter—Racial Amity Activities
- of the National Teaching
- Committee.
ANNUAL CONVENTION GERMAN BAHA’IS[edit]
(From “Sonne Der Wahrheit”, May, 1930, translated by Mr. Herman Pauli.)
(Concluded) To our great joy Mr. Maxoud Nieron, who had already been announced to us by our Guardian some time ago, had arrived here in company with Ahmedoff whom we have esteemed as a friend for some time past. Mrs. Schwarz introduced him to us and greeted him cordially.
Maxoud Nieron spoke about his impressions gathered at Haifa and especially about Russia. He believes that the Bahá’í Movement will in future play a very important part in Russia, and that already a beginning has been made. Ahmedoff translated his words in fluent German, and said: Shoghi Effendi greeted all the German friends most sincerely, at the present time he was very busy with work as the number of Spiritual Assemblies spread over all the entire world are still increasing and that he is in close touch with them. The friends in Haifa admire the personality of Shoghi Effendi, his working-power and his feeling of responsibility. He alone confronts the great problems to toil in an organized manner and to support the friends in the whole world. He permits himself but a few hours of rest and only partakes of one meal a day.
Maxoud Nieron emphasized the necessity of unity, which today is most important. The words of Bahá’u’lláh, that religion must lead to unity, should always be before our eyes and should this not be the case, it is better to have no religion. Religion should operate in an educative manner and should lead man step by step. On this path, we would always meet with tests which we have to consider and through which we must pass, of which we must have no fear. It is only today that Unity among the Bahá’ís can rejoice the heart of Shoghi Effendi. It is the earnest desire of Maxoud Nieron, that an intimate union could be arranged between the German and Russian Bahá’ís. He will report in Russia, what he has seen and what he has experienced in Germany.
Mr, Brueckner reported the result of the election and delivered the following address :
“My dear Friends: With pleasure and satisfaction we have been permitted to report to you the result of the vote for the election of the members to the National Assembly. All present are fully aware of the responsibility. The first vote in accordance with the wishes of Shoghi Effendi, resulted at once in the desire for unity and harmony in a splendid expression. Dark years of tests are behind us, they were not in vain, even when many dear friends withdrew. We are of the firm conviction and of the unshakable belief, that through these tests, a deepening and a firmness of our inner being has taken place. With joy and trust we can look into the future, because the New Day is ours. Should we contemplate the progress in the understanding of the Bahá’í teachings, in the happenings in the world, we are overcome with a deep feeling of humility, by the prophetic predictions and requirements of our Master: the international thought: the thought of Oneness and Unity: The world-embracing problems of the social questions: the endeavors on the plane of world peace: the equality of women: the oneness of speech and of writing: the World Court: they have all been taken in hand, are in the making, are advancing to their accomplishment: The Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh is developing everywhere, consciously or unconsciously, men, and nations are assisting at the solution of humanity’s problems. This Day should be a mile—stone in the history of the Bahá’í Cause. All of us are called and we have the obligation to transform the consciousness gained into deeds. We were favored by a special happiness through the visit of two dear friends from Persia, one of them delivered to us the sincere greetings and wishes of Shoghi Effendi for this Day. To the bearer and to his worthy translator we extend our heartfelt appreciations, they see, we have all reasons to be happy. Our watchword must be: Lift up your head, joyful in service, and God with us!”
Following this address, some of the Words from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá were read by Mrs. Bopp and poems by Mr. Gruenzweig were rendered.
With the reading of a prayer, the
morning meeting found its conclusion.
In connection with the impressive Convention
days in Stuttgart on the 19th
and 20th of April, the friends in Esslingen
invited all the Bahá’ís to Esslingen
for a little celebration on the
grounds of the Bahá’ís. Although frequent
showers appeared during the
day, some 60 people met at the railway
station at Esslingen from where the
ascent was made by autobus to the
heights, which in spots were covered
by flowering bushes and trees, and it
seemed as if heaven wanted to provide
us with a special blessing, for as we
arrived on the grounds on the heights
the sun burst forth its rays over the
beautiful valleys of the river Neckar.
Already from a distance the white flag
with the gold-glittering Greatest Name
beckoned us. All were delighted at
the beginning of the structure of the
house and the plans of the house were
studied. The friends of Esslingen had[Page 7]
arranged for a larger festival of the
children of the “Rosegarden” which
was abandoned on account of the inclement
weather conditions. A little girl
recited the “Benediction:”
- “May God's Spirit be upon us,
- as a white dove, His Peace gladden
- our hearts, and our faith be
- strong. How great is His Love,
- His Aid so near. We feel ourselves
- as in God’s Lap in the
- Kingdom of El—Abhá.”
Then Miss Anna Koestlin spoke the following Words:
- “Dear Bahá’í Friends:
What we did not dare to hope hours ago, has become true. We are permitted here, on our Bahá’í property to greet our many clear friends from near and from far, and bid them a welcome under the rays full of promise of the much desired sunshine. Just as often as a Bahá’í Congress is in session in Stuttgart it found its conclusion in Esslingen at a children’s festival. It is not possible this year to invite you to a festival, we all love. We have asked you to ascend this day of Riḍván to our airy heights, where you today will observe not a complete house, a Bahá’í Home, but the indications of one. The preparations for it have cost us a whole year’s effort. Many disappointments were overcome and many obstacles had to be removed. But we rejoice to be so far advanced and we are glad, that all of you have come. What we desire and hope for is, that today you unite with us in supplication, that you will sink into this ground and soil good thoughts, thoughts of Light, that you will assist us to create a spiritual atmosphere, that it will be possible to act feelingly and attractively in all the hearts of the people. In the beginning, this Home was thought of as expressed then as a home for the youth and the children, the severity of the times however as well as the natural strivings of the youth has permitted us to happily grasp the thought of our dear and honored Dr. Youness Khan to erect a home to meet in. Because, what is really needed here is a place where one can meet with the friends without disturbances, a place where the Spirit and the soul can find rest to pray, a place for festive gatherings, a place for the youth and the children, with their many requirements, a center point for the Bahá’ís from near and far. May this place become a haven for all. And as the physical eyes rejoice at the splendid and magnificent view over the distant valleys and heights, may to the inner eye be revealed the Beauties of the Abhá Kingdom.
Construction of Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Photograph No. 8—December 30, 1930
“These are our wishes and hopes for
that Home that is to be and in case no
further and greater difficulties are put
into our way, we hope with God’s help
to complete this Home this year and to
be able to welcome the friends at the
next Bahá’í Convention in Stuttgart
in the Home itself.”
Dr. Grossmann spoke feeling and encouraging words and gave expression of his hopes during the hoisting of the flag, that the friends of Esslingen would illumine the world with their faith, their loyalty and their unity, just the same as this banner, now being hoisted.
With the reciting of a prayer the festival found its end, and a letter of thanks to the Beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi was written, which was signed by all present.
In the afternoon of Easter Monday, another meeting took place at the Bahá’í Bureau Alexanderstrasse 3 where our Persian friends were given a special opportunity. This meeting was also opened with a prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. After which Maxoud Nieron told of the visit of Miss Martha Root in Persia about which the Persian newspapers gave long accounts. She caused such great ado through the extensive preparation for her reception from city to city, that anonymous letters were sent her requesting her to leave the country as otherwise her life would be endangered. The government took special care of the Bahá’ís and demanded that the population should remain quiet and not create any disturbances for the Bahá’ís. Miss Martha Root had the opportunity to speak to one of the ministers on several occasions and was also received graciously at the German Embassy. Thus, the times have changed since so much innocent blood of the martyrs was spilt in that country for the Holy Cause.
All participants at the Ridván Feast were rejoiced by the spirit of love and harmony and by happiness which the gathering brought forth. Truly the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh were plainly felt and Shoghi Effendi who is our inheritance from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá can rely trustfully on his loyal ones in Germany.
An answer arrived to our greetings at the Ridván as follows:
“Loving appreciation Riḍván greetings fervently supplicating Beloved continued blessings upon His dearly beloved loyal and valiant followers in that Land. Shoghi.”
Everyone of us has vowed in his heart to always sink deeper into the Holy Scriptures, to become more selfless, to be worthy to serve the Holy Cause.
A second cable to the Chairman followed with the contents:
“Convey Bahá’í Congress my admiration[Page 8]
for their loyalty, noble endeavor
praying for harmony your selection
Spiritual National Assembly
deepest love Riḍván greetings. Shoghi.”
We rejoiced at this proof of love and recognition of our Beloved Guardian and we express to him the sincerest and most expressive thanks in the name of all the friends that attended the Ridván Convention or were with us in thought.
To the German National Assembly the following cable arrived April 29th:
“Rejoice announce sacred and i111pressive ceremony inaugurating resumption temple construction Riḍván greetings.
- “American National Spiritual
- Assembly.”
- “American National Spiritual
THE BAHA’I WORLD[edit]
Volume III—1928-1930
The third in the series of volumes recording the aims, teachings and historical incidents of the Cause Of Bahá’u’lláh, prepared by the National Assemblies under the direction and editorship of the Guardian is now available.
CONTENTS[edit]
PART ONE
I. “The City of Certitude”—Words of
- Bahá’u’lláh.
II. Aims and Purposes of the Bahá’í
- Faith.
III. Bahá’u’lláh: The Voice of Religious
- Reconciliation.
IV. The Dawn of the Bahá’í Revelation.
- (From Nabil’s Narrative).
V. Survey of Current Bahá’í Activities
- in the East and West.
PART TWO
I. Excerpts from Bahá’í Sacred
- Writings.
II. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
- 1. Present-day Administration
- of the Bahá’í Faith.
- 2. Excerpts from the Will and
- Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
- 3. The Spirit and Form of
- Bahá’í Administration.
- 4. Declaration of Trust.
- 5. Excerpts from the Letters
- of Shoghi Effendi.
- 6. Text of Bahá’í application
- for civil recognition by
- the Palestine Administration.
- 7. Facsimile of Bahá’í marriage
- certificates adopted
- and enforced by the National
- 1. Present-day Administration
|
GREETING FROM SHANGHAI BAHA’I COMMUNITY On the inauguration of direct China-American Radio Circuit, Shanghai Bahá’ís pray that this will serve to harmonize the world. (Signed) OUSKOULI.
|
- Spiritual Assemblies
- of the Bahá’ís of
- Persia and Egypt.
III. Bahá’í Calendar and Festivals.
IV. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
V. Green Acre and the Bahá’í Ideal
- of Inter—racial Amity.
VI. References to the Bahá’í Faith.
VII. The Case of Bahá’u’lláh’s House
- in Baghdád before the
- League of Nations.
VIII. Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney.
PART THREE
I. Bahá’í Directory 1930
- 1. Bahá’í National Spiritual
- Assemblies.
- 2. Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies.
- 3. Bahá’í Groups.
- 4. Bahá’í Administrative Divisions
- in Persia.
- 5. Bahá’í Periodicals.
- 1. Bahá’í National Spiritual
II. Bahá’í Bibliography.
- 1. Bahá’í Publications.
- a. of America.
- b. of England.
- c. in French.
- d. in German and other
- Western Languages.
- e. in Oriental languages
- (Partial list).
- 2. Alphabetical list of Bahá’í
- Books and Pamphlets.
- 3. References to the Bahá’í
- Faith in non-Bahá’í works.
- 4. References to the Bahá’í
- Faith in magazines.
- 1. Bahá’í Publications.
III. Transliteration of Oriental words
- frequently used in Bahá’í
- Literature with guide to the
- transliteration and pronunciation
- of the Persian Alphabet.
IV. Definitions of Oriental Terms
- used in Bahá’í Literature.
PART FOUR
I. Bahá’u’lláh’s Divine Economy: a
- letter of Shoghi Effendi.
II. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh:
- A Reflection; by G. Townshend.
III. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit to Woking,
- England.
IV. Impressions of Haifa, by Alain
- Locke, A.B., PhD.
V. The World Vision of a Savant, by
- Dr. Auguste Henri Forel.
VI. The Cultural Principles of the
- Bahá’í Movement, by Dr.
- Ernst Kliemke of Berlin.
VII. The Relation of the Báb to the
- Tradition of Islám, by Wanden
- Mathews LaFarge.
VIII. The Bahá’í Movement in German
- Universities, by Martha L. Root.
IX. The City Foursquare, by Allen B.
- McDaniel.
X. Religion for the New Age, by
- John Herman Randall.
XI. Before Abraham Was, I am! by
- Thornton Chase, “The First
- Bahá’í in America.”
XII. The Races of Men—Many or
- One, by Louis G. Gregory.
XIII. Haifa and the Bahá’ís, by Dr.
- John Haynes Holmes.
XIV. A Visit to Rustum Vambery,
- by Martha L. Root.
XV. The Bahá’í Cause at the XXth
- Universal Congress of Esperanto
- at Antwerp, Belgium,
- August, 1928, by Martha L.
- Root.
XVI. Shrines and Gardens, by Beatrice
- Irwin.
XVII. An Audience with King Feisal,
- by Martha L. Root.
XVIII. Bahá’u’lláh and His Teaching,
- by the Editor of the “Japan
- Times and Mail,” Sept. 1,
- 1929.
XIX. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Rabbi, by
- Willard P. Hatch.
XX. Some Experiences among the
- Poor in Brazil, by Leonora
- Holsapple.
XXI. A Trip to Tahiti, by Louise Bosch.
Letters from Shoghi Effendi to the Editorial Secretary
My Dear Mr. Windust:
I am directed by the Guardian to thank you for your letter of January 8th with enclosures, all of which he has read with much interest.
In view of the importance which, as you are well aware, Shoghi Effendi attaches to The Bahá’í World publications, he wishes me to express his grateful and profound appreciation at every available opportunity for the painstaking efforts you lavish upon its publication.
He is already looking forward to a
still more instructive and attractive
production this year and he patiently
awaits the Manuscript next April.
You can collect on the other side of
the Atlantic all the material you want.
He will sift and decide upon them here[Page 9]
after having your recommendation.
With the assurance of his affection and prayers for you and your daughters, and with his sincere trust in the materialization of your visit to Haifa,
- Sincerely yours,
- SOHIEL AFNAN.
- Sincerely yours,
My dear and precious co-worker:
I feel strongly that the forthcoming issue of The Bahá’í World, to which you are so devotedly attached, will arouse keen and widespread interest. I eagerly await the Manuscript by the end of April. I would like to urge that the original colors of the Manuscript which has been sent to you for reproduction should be distinctly and faithfully reproduced, inasmuch as the colored reproduction of the Master’s photograph on the frontispiece of Vol. II is slightly different and inferior in shade as compared with the original. May the Beloved guide you, sustain you, and fortify you in your historic task.
- Your affectionate brother,
- Haifa, January 30, 1930.
Dear Mr. Windust :
Shoghi Effendi desires me to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of April 6th and March 23rd. The packages of photographs that you sent for The Bahá’í World have all reached him. He has selected the most appropriate and has returned the rest to your address in a number of packages. He is deeply grateful to you for the painstaking efforts and the thoroughness and the devotion with which you have collected the material for the forthcoming issue. The entire manuscript has reached him safely. He went over it most carefully, rearranged the whole material, added a few articles, prepared a table of contents which he inserted in the manuscript, arranged the photographs and the captions for each, divided the material into Four Parts and sent them under three separate covers a few days ago to your address.
He is delighted with the illuminated manuscript insert which he has chosen as a frontispiece of the book, and has placed it in its proper place in Part One. We need not insert the translation of the text of the manuscript. He prefers the non-varnished copy. If you think, however, that moisture will affect it, he has no objection to your inserting instead the varnished copy. The photographs for The Bahá’í World, he has inserted them all in the manuscript. He would advise the Committee neither to add to, nor to discard, any of the photographs already inserted. He has divided each of the Four Parts into Sections. He has grouped the photographs of each Section and added them to their respective Sections. As to the exact locality of each photograph in these Sections, he has left it to the discretion of the Committee. He would not advise to displace these photographs from one part to another. He would ask you to kindly return to him all the photographs that are within the manuscript after the printing of the book. Among these photographs are two collective ones. On each page of these two collective photographs are nineteen reproductions of outstanding Bahá’ís in the East and in the West. The one is entitled, “Apostles of Bahá’u’lláh”; the other, “Disciples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” He has joined to each a list of the name and title of these Bahá’ís. He would request the Committee to arrange the two collective photographs in a manner that they would face each other in the book. In the back of each he feels the list of their respective names should be inserted. Shoghi Effendi has not yet received Horace’s article on “Survey of Current Bahá’í Activities in the East and West.” He would advise you to insert it immediately if it is finished without awaiting a further word from Shoghi Effendi. He feels that the sooner the book is printed the better. He would advise the utmost care both on the part of the proof reader and the printer. Particularly regarding the transliteration of Oriental terms, he would urge you to exercise the minutest care. He has carefully revised both the list and the articles in this connection. The book should present a distinctive scholarly character and should be free from all manner of type error. The appreciative replies he has received from eminent men to whom he has sent The Bahá’í World and to whom he hopes to send Volume III, makes it absolutely imperative to maintain, nay even to improve if possible, the standard already attained. He would particularly request you to insert in the beginning of the book, on a separate page, a statement saying that all the photographs in Volume III are strictly copyrighted and should not, without specific authorization, be reproduced. As to the color of the book, Shoghi Effendi feels that as Volume I has a green cover and Volume II a blue one, that Volume III should be red. He is sending you enclosed the particular shade of red which he feels it advisable to adopt. He would request you to ensure that the cloth cover of Volume III should be exactly in this shade.
Shoghi Effendi is sending enclosed a check for twenty pounds as his promised contribution towards the expense involved in the preparation of the illuminated manuscript. He has already informed the friends in the East and particularly Persia to take the necessary measures for a prompt and substantial order immediately the book is published. The sacred photographs, most of which have never been published before, are of such a nature as to excite the interest of both the Bahá’ís of the East and the West. The graphic and detailed description of the declaration of the Bab in Shiraz, which Shoghi Effendi has included in Part One, is bound to arouse much interest, as the details of that historic meeting are unknown to even the old believers in Persia. That is why he feels that the greatest care should be exercised in the printing of the book.
Shoghi Effendi would wish to have mailed to his name, immediately the book is published, which he hopes will be by the middle of the summer, one hundred (100) copies. He hopes that the friends in every part of the world will cooperate in making the issue of this book a successful financial undertaking. He wishes in conclusion to express his deepest appreciation of your continued and devoted endeavors and wishes me to assure you of his prayers for your success in your many services to the Cause. This letter should not be published in The Bahá’í World. It is only for the information of The Bahá’í World Committee.
- Yours Sincerely,
P. S.—Shoghi Effendi will be pleased to send the price of the hundred copies he has ordered immediately he receives them. R. A.
My dear and precious co—worker:
I cannot refrain from adding a few
words to this already detailed letter,
the expression of my deepest admiration
for your unsparing efforts in the
service of our beloved Faith. Your
whole-hearted devotion, conscientious
labors, and thoroughness of service are
greatly valued and prized by me, and
I trust that in the days to come your
scope of service may increasingly
widen and bear the richest fruit. I
have asked Ruhi to convey my messages
and suggestions in my behalf in
this letter regarding The Bahá’í
World, and I am sure that they will
be duly considered, as I have great
hopes in this publication. I am sending
you under separate cover a photo[Page 10]
of the London friends which I would
suggest to be inserted before or after
George Townshend’s “Reflection” on
the Hidden Words in Part IV.
- Lovingly and gratefully,
- SHOGHI.
- Lovingly and gratefully,
- Haifa, May 29, 1930.
THORNTON CHASE MEMORIAL DINNER[edit]
In 1912, in speaking to the friends of Southern California regarding Thornton Chase, His Holiness ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked them, if possible, to give a feast to the poor, in commemoration of Mr. Chase, and on the date on which he passed from this world to the divine Kingdom.
Accordingly, it became the wish of the Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly to carry out this request. A committee, including the chairman of the teaching committee, Mr. Waite, and the chairman of the program committee, Mrs. Waite, and this servant, called at the Midnight Mission, 396 So. Los Angeles St., and made arrangements to give a feast to the poor there at six o’clock on the evening of September 30th, 1930, in commemoration of this great Bahá’í pioneer of America, visiting the various departments of the Mission at the same time.
On Sept. 30th, after a commemorative program at the grave of Thornton Chase at Inglewood Cemetery in the afternoon, a few of the friends gathered at the Midnight Mission about six P. M. The executive secretary of the Mission gave a short talk to the crowd of men gathered in the chapel of the Mission previous to adjourning to the dining-room. She spoke of Mr. Chase as a man who was a philanthropist and humanitarian. The news had spread that there was something unusual going on, so about 234 men had gathered and were fed in commemoration of Mr. Chase. When the meal was almost over and the empty stomachs were filled, then, and then only, in accordance with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s advice not to talk religion to a man with an empty stomach, without at first feeding him, there was a talk given by one of the friends, briefly telling of the universal spirit of Mr. Chase; of his love for all people, irrespective of their race or religion, and that the Great Exemplar, Whom he followed, was a wonderful soul with heart filled with love for all humanity; and that He had said that the Prophets of God had all known poverty; that God especially loved the poor, etc., telling something of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s address on the Bowery of New York City. Mrs. Kuehne and Mrs. Bickhart further added to the spirit of the occasion by helping the men who were waiting on the long tables filled with diners.
Altogether, the evening and day were a great success and the Los Angeles Bahá’í Community hope that it became acceptable to Bahá’u-lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the true brother Shoghi Effendi and was a cause of happiness to Them and to the heart of Mr. Chase.
The secretary of the Mission told the friends that already this deed had borne fruit, because she had told of it to her church, and that they too, were to give a dinner to the poor at the Mission.
- Memorial Dinner Committee,
- By: WILLARD P. HATCH.
- Memorial Dinner Committee,
NEW YORK AMITY CONFERENCE REPORTED IN LEADING NEGRO PAPER[edit]
The Chicago Defender, the largest colored newspaper in the world, which has a circulation of approximately a quarter of a million, carried in a recent number the cut made from a picture of the Racial Amity Conference held in New York City in which the Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People cooperated with the National Teaching Committee and the Spiritual Assembly of New York.
The news item which accompanied the cut follows:
Race Question Theme of Bahá’i Conclave
NEW YORK, Nov. 14.—The conference for the interracial amity under the auspices of the national teaching committee of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada was held here Nov. 2, 8 and 9. The conference drew prominent speakers and workers for interracial goodwill from various sections of the country.
The conclave began with sessions held at the Bahá’í center, 119 W. 57th St. Mrs. Ludmila Bechtold presided. Addresses were made by Miss Mary White Ovington of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Louis G. Gregory, lecturer on race relations.
The session Nov. 8 was held at the New York Urban League, 204 W. 136th St. Mrs. Doris Mckay of Geneva, N. Y., presided. Addresses were made by J. M. Ragland, secretary of the Urban League of Cincinnati; Rev. Paul E. Baker of the Federal Council of the Church of Christ, and Mrs. Jessie Faucett Harris. The final session was held at the Bahá’í center.
Harlan F. Ober of Pittsburgh presided. Addresses were made by Eugene Kinckle Jones, secretary of the National Urban League; Mrs. Hanford Ford, and James H. Hubert, secretary of the New York Urban League. All of the addresses stressed the need of greater interracial cooperation. Miss Lorenza Jordan Cole rendered several musical selections at the first session. The Bahá’ís have a number of adherents in Harlem. The movement has attracted the attention of hundreds of persons of both races who believe in the principles of brotherhood.
KAUKAB-I-HIND[edit]
This Bahá’í publication was started in the year 1924. It is the only organ of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma in Urdu, the language of a large part of the people of the country. It first started publication in Agra as a weekly and was later on transferred to Delhi, the Capital of the Indian Empire, where it began to appear on the first of every Bahá’í month.
Needless to say that the Kaukab is rendering a unique service to the Divine Cause in India. Its literary and historical articles have proved a fertile source of information to the true seekers after Truth and its argumentative dissertations have shielded the beloved Cause from the wanton attacks of the enemies of progress and civilization. In fact this wonderful publication in the most common language in India is doing the work of a great teacher.
One fact looms above all the others: The Kaukab has been presenting the Cause in such a manner that not a single voice has been raised against the Divine Teachings—even the most bigoted organs of the different religious societies have admitted the loftiness of the Divine Word and have accepted its adaptability to the present-day world. If many people have not come under the Divine Banner, it is because they are tied down by fashion and by the bonds of their societies.
Besides publishing articles, the Kaukab has been publishing in its pages, by installments, the translations of most of the Bahá’í literature.
Most of the Holy Tablets of
Bahá’u’lláh have been published—both
original and translation—and a selection
is now published in book form.
“Tablets to the Kings” have all been[Page 11]
translated and published. “Epistle to
the Son of the Wolf” has also been
translated and published in book form.
A large collection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets and Addresses have been translated and published in the Kaukab. Prominent among these are His addresses in Europe and America, the account of His Travels in the West. “Some Answered Questions” has been translated in Urdu and published by installments in the Kaukab. It will soon be published in book form. Besides contributing often to the Kaukab fund our Beloved Guardian has very graciously contributed £.9/- towards the publication of this Book.
A fairly large number of the Epistles of our beloved Guardian have also been translated and published in the pages of the Kaukab.
“Ten Days in the Light of Acca,” Dr. Esselmont’s “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era,” “The Dawn of Knowledge” have also been translated and published in the Kaukab.
In a word, the Kaukab has been a source of teaching the Cause to the intelligent people of all religions and a strong advocate of peace and goodwill to the warring people of this land of many religions. Its articles are always so serene and inspiring that almost all the papers of the country have commented upon them in the most glowing terms.
Its annual subscription is Ps.4/-/- for India, Sh.10/-/- for British Empire and other countries: $2.00 for America and T.2/- for Persia.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Mrs. Jennie Peterson, for 31 years a devoted Bahá’i, a Pioneer in Racine of the Cause of El-Abha, departed this life Monday morning, December 29th, 1930 and was laid to rest in West Lawn Cemetery December 31st, 1930. The funeral was attended by hosts of friends, coming from Kenosha, Sturtevant, Milwaukee and the whole membership of the Bahá’i Community of Racine. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. The services as conducted by Reverend Hogan of the First Presbyterian Church and the Bahá’i Service given by Mr. Albert R. Winddust of Chicago were very impressive and spiritual. Mrs. Jennie Peterson was a true friend, an active worker, a spiritual guide, in the council of the local Assembly, where she never shirked a duty. She was a member of the Spiritual Assembly since its reorganization in conformity to the Administrative Plan of Shoghi Effendi since April 21, 1923, served one year as its President and the last 3 years as Treasurer, served on committees and has been representative of Racine at the National Spiritual Assembly Convention. Many are the friends and traveling teachers Who shared her welcome hospitality. Surviving her is her husband Mr. F. J. Peterson, one of the first to bring the Bahá’i message to Racine, and her two loving daughters, Lola and Muriel Peterson. Mrs. Peterson will be mourned by a wide circle of friends both within and outside the Bahá’i circle as well as her family.
Mrs. Mary Capers Newton, for many years a beloved member of the Brooklyn, N. Y. Bahá’i group, passed on suddenly October 18th, 1930, at the home of her daughter, at Bristol, Connecticut.
The interment was at Rose Wood Cemetery, Manhasset, Long Island, Tuesday, October 21st. She is survived by her husband, Henry W. Newton, her daughters, Amelia (Mrs. William Bowes), Ethel Newton, and three grand children, Agnes Marie, William, Jr. and Henry Bowes.
For her loving devotion to home and friends alike, and as a club member and writer, Mrs. Newton will long be remembered. Her greatest joy as a generous and self-sacrificing Bahá’i, long lay in the fact that she had been of the privileged one to meet the Great Master, ’Abdu’l-Bahá face to face, during His visit to America in 1912, and to receive His blessing.
One of the pioneers of the Bahá’i Cause in the western world, Miss Ethel J. Rosenberg, passed away at her home in London on November 17, 1930, crowned with age and the service of the Master. The end was peaceful for this devoted servant of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, whom He knew and loved so well and to whose devotion and untiring labors He had often paid priceless tribute by voice and pen.
Known and loved by all the members of the Holy Family in Haifa where she had visited for months at a time in the earlier stages of the outpouring of the Bahá’i spirit from the East to Europe and America, Miss Rosenberg played no small part in the adaptation of the Bahá’í Message to the western mind. Ever modest and unassuming the full value of her work in this capacity seldom appeared on the surface but those who knew her well and were in close touch with her activities were and are well aware of the great assistance she gave to the Master and how valuable was the help she rendered in the translation and transcribing of some of the outstanding works through which the truths of the Bahá’i Message were made known to the peoples of the western hemisphere.
No one is more fully cognizant of the worth of this servant’s labors for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, as developed and expounded by the Center of the Covenant, than the beloved Guardian of the Cause Shoghi Effendi, who, when he was advised of her passing cabled forthwith to the friends in London a heartfelt message of condolence and appreciation.
“Deeply grieved passing Rosenberg” wrote the Guardian, “England’s outstanding Bahá’i Pioneer worker. Memory of her glorious service will never die. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family join me in expressing heartfelt condolences to her brother and relatives. Urge friends hold befitting memorial service.”
- “Shoghi”
Services were held on the afternoon of November 20th, attended by the London Bahá’is and a Memorial Meeting was arranged at the Bahá’i Center for suitable expression of the love all the members of the Bahá’i Community felt for this long-time friend and counsellor. Here was voiced that reverent recognition due her for the clear vision she had of the Bahá’i Message and purposes and the lucid and authoritative expositions she was able, through contact with the source of inspiration and the pure spirit that burned within her, to give to those who sought.
Miss Rosenberg, who was seventy-two years of age, was born in England and had lived for many years in London. She was one of the most prominent and active believers in Great Britain up to a short time before her removal to the higher plane.
During her long connection with the Cause her correspondence with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had been voluminous, and to her He had revealed numerous precious tablets, many of which, of a general nature, have already been included in the Bahá’i writings.
- ANNIE B. ROMER.
REPORT FROM MRS. ORCELLA REXFORD[edit]
We have had glorious results in
Denver. I have been there since the
first part of September carrying on
my work and from the start was[Page 12]
impressed by the interest of the people
along our line of thought. I met many
people who had met our blessed Master
when He was there but due to no
study classes having been formed had
lost track of the Cause for one reason
or another.
Five thousand people signed cards to be sent invitations to the two Spiritual Lectures as I refer to the Bahá’i Cause. The theatre seats 1800 people and was packed at both performances. Four hundred people turned out to the evening class and seventy-five to the morning class. Mrs. Powell was sent from California to teach these classes but due to the death of her mother had to return as soon as she came and then Beulah Lewis, that gifted orator, came to be with them a month until another teacher can be found to follow her. Mrs. Lewis has had great success in taking over my classes and I wish that she might follow me in every city where I raise up classes. I also gave two Bahá’i lectures in Colorado Springs and was able to pack the theatre of three hundred seating capacity each night, which is quite a feat for that town. About a hundred turned out for the classes there and Mrs. Lewis holds four classes a week in Denver and four in Colorado Springs. Of course the classes will dwindle, they always do, but there will be a substantially sized Assembly in Denver I am sure if the right teachers remain with them long enough. We have some very prominent and lovely people in these four classes and many are so happy and delighted over receiving this message.
I have had called to my attention a notice which appeared some time ago in the News Letter regarding the Long Beach Assembly The credit for establishing this Assembly was given to Mrs. Waite and Mrs. Greenleaf. Neither of these people had anything to do with the formation of the group to my knowledge. I called these people together as the result of a whole summer’s work in Long Beach. Mrs. Waite was present at the lectures and favored us with some songs, but she had nothing to do with the forming of the group, either before or afterward, and Mrs. Greenleaf was not even present. Mrs. Beulah Lewis was assigned by the Los Angeles Assembly and the Pacific Coast Teaching Committee to teach the class and for six months, she and Mrs. Orol Platt made the trip every Friday to Long Beach to teach the class, through all kinds of weather and under difficult circumstances. I think the least we can do in these matters where the teachers sacrifice their time and efforts is to give credit where it is due. I do not know how such an erroneous report could have been sent in. Perhaps Mrs. Waite or Mrs. Greenleaf happened to be present the evening the group were formed into an Assembly, I do not know, but the actual work of getting these people ready for an Assembly was done by Mrs. Lewis and no one else. All of these people were spiritual children of mine, and barring two or three others who have come in since, the entire group have been my students.
I plan to go throughout the South this winter calling to the people the message of Bahá’u’lláh and trust that many will be awakened in the region where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was so eager for them to arise.
- With kindest regards
- In Unity and Service,
- ORCELLA REXFORD.
- In Unity and Service,
- Denver, October 31, 1930.
- With kindest regards
NATIONAL RADIO SPEAKER REFERS TO BAHA’I CAUSE[edit]
On Monday evening, Nov. 10th at 7:30 over Station WABC, Evangeline Adams, the noted Astrologer, at the request of Velaska Suratt, spoke on Bahá’u’lláh. She said, the next day the 11th being Armistice Day it was significant that the following day the 12th was the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh who had given to the world a wonderful peace message. That His Followers claimed that our own Woodrow Wilson had gotten his famous 14 points the basis of the League of Nations from the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. And it was true that this teaching had been given to the world by Bahá’u’lláh 50 years previous. At that time, He had written to all the Crowned Heads of Europe and that Queen Victoria had answered, that if it was of God it would live. Miss Adams continued that it was most fitting that Spiritual Teachings such as He had given should come from the regions around Mt. Carmel.
ALL-ASIAN WOMEN’S CONFERENCE[edit]
LAHORE—INDIA.
This Conference will be held in Lahore from January 19th to 24th, 1931 and Women Delegates from the Eastern countries such as Persia, Arabia, Palestine, Mesopotamia, Turkey, China and Japan will be meeting their sisters of India and of the West. Mrs. Margaret E. Cousins is the Honorary Secretary.
The N. S. A. of India and Burma have asked Mrs. Shirin Fozdar of Bombay to represent the Bahá’i Community of India. She will read a paper at this Conference which will be published in due course.
Objects of Conference
The objects of the conference are summarized as follows:
- 1. To promote the consciousness of
unity amongst the women of Asia as members of a common Oriental culture.
- 2. To take stock of the qualities of
Oriental civilization So as to preserve them for national and world service (simplicity, philosophy, arts, the cult of the family, veneration for motherhood, spiritual consciousness, etc.)
- 3. To review and seek remedies
for the defects at present apparent in Oriental civilization (ill-health, illiteracy, poverty, under-payment of labor, infantile mortality, marriage customs, etc.)
- 4. To sift what is appropriate
for Asia from Occidental influences (education, dress, freedom of movement, cinemas, machinery, etc.)
- 5. To strengthen one another by
exchange of data and experience concerning women’s conditions in the various countries of Asia (economic, moral, political and spiritual status).
- 6. To promote world peace.
I consider it my duty to warn every beginner in the Faith that the promised glories of the Sovereignty which the Bahá’í teachings foreshadow can be revealed only in the fulness of time, that the implications of the Aqdas and the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the twin repositories of the constituent elements of that sovereignty, are too far-reaching for this generation to grasp and fully appreciate. I cannot refrain from appealing to them who stand identified with the Faith to disregard the prevailing notions and the fleeting fashions of the day, and to realize as newer before that the exploded theories and the tottering institutions of present-day civilization must needs appear in sharp contrast with those God-given institutions which are destined to arise upon their ruin. I pray that they may realize with all their heart and soul the ineffable glory of their calling, the overwhelming responsibility of their mission, and the astounding immensity of their task.—SHOGHI EFFENDI.
