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| No. 489 | BAHA’I YEAR 128 | DECEMBER, 1971 |
Lua Getsinger, “Mother Teacher of the West”[edit]
Lua Getsinger—Herald of the Covenant[edit]
Mrs. Louisa A. Moore Getsinger was affectionately known by the Bahá’ís as ‘Lua’. She was also called
“The Flame” and “Livá” which in Persian, means “Banner”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá named her “Herald of the
Covenant”. (See this story in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, November 1971, page seven.) The Guardian wrote of her as
“the mother teacher of the west”. (God Passes By, page 257). She was born on November 1, 1871 and
passed on May 2, 1916.
“Lua in Persian means ‘Flag’, and you must be my
flag and wave it in the East and in the West!” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said to Lua Getsinger when she visited Him as a
prisoner of ‘Akká, a member of the very first pilgrimage
from America in 1898.
Stepping up to the lovely young woman standing beside Dr. Edward Getsinger, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, seeing with His spiritual vision her capacity to become one of the great teachers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, put something into her mouth, saying,
“I have given you the power to speak and loosened your tongue!”
Dr. Getsinger tells us of the scene. “Then, the glorious Servant of God gave an exhortation into which He put such spiritual force and emphasis that it seemed as though the very walls trembled, and we were hardly able to stand on our feet. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was declaring that the millennium had come and the Kingdom of God was to be established on earth, and that he wanted Lua to proclaim it everywhere in a loud voice.” (1)
And from the beginning, she was able to speak fluently and brilliantly and without fear in any gathering, because of the precious gift bestowed upon her by the Master. In May Maxwell’s words,
“As Qurratu’l-‘Ayn was the Trumpet of the Dawn in the Orient in the Day of Bahá’u’lláh, so Lua Aurora shall wave forever and ever the Banner of the Dawn in the Day of the Covenant.” (2)
During the next eighteen years she returned again and again to ‘Akká and Haifa to receive ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s instructions, as He entrusted her with many delicate and difficult missions, and she travelled far and wide, in the Orient, Europe, Africa and America, under His guidance.
On one of these visits, He said to her: “Thou must be firm and unshakable in thy purpose, and never, never let any outward circumstances worry thee. I am sending thee to India to accomplish a certain definite result. Thou must enter that country with a never failing spirituality, a radiant faith, an eternal enthusiasm, an inextinguishable fire, a solid conviction, in order that thou mayest achieve those services for which I am sending thee.
“Let not thy heart be troubled. If thou goest away with this unchanging condition of unvariability of inner state thou shalt see the doors of confirmation open before thy face, thy life will be a crown of heavenly roses, and thou shalt find thyself in the highest station of triumph.
“Strive day and night to attain to this exalted state. Look at me! Thou dost not know a thousandth part of the difficulties and seemingly unsurmountable passes that rise daily before my eyes. I do not heed them; I am walking in my chosen highway; I know the destination. Hundreds of Titanics may sink to the bottom of the sea, the mad waves may rise to the roof of heaven; all these will not change my purpose, will not disturb me in the least; I will not look either to the right or to the left; I am looking ahead, far, far. Piercing through the impenetrable darkness of the night, the howling winds, the raging storms, I see the glorious Light beckoning me forward, forward.
“Qurratu’l-‘Ayn had attained to this supreme state. When they brought her the terrible news of the martyrdom of the Bahá’ís, she did not waver; it did not make any difference to her; she also had chosen her path, she knew her goal, and when they imparted to her the news of her impending death, no one could see any trace of sorrow in her face; she was rather happier.
“Although she never cared for dress, that day she wore her best white silk dress and jewelry and perfumed herself with the most fragrant attar of roses. She hailed the chamber of death as a happy bride entering the nuptial bower of the bridegroom.
“To this lofty summit of unchanging purpose thou must attain; like Qurratu’l-‘Ayn nothing must shake thy firm faith.” (3)
With such divine confirmation and assistance, Lua’s teaching tour of India, accompanied by her husband, was a complete triumph. She lectured at Theosophical Society Hall in Surat on “Purity and Divinity”; in Bombay, she spoke in Pratana Mandir Hall for an hour on “The Bahá’í Movement—Its Rise and Progress.” She addressed the students of the Theistic Society on “Individual Spiritual Progress”; and in the Ideal Seminary she spoke on “Service as an Act of Worship.” In addition to the public lectures, to large and enthusiastic audiences, Dr. and Mrs. Getsinger were kept busy meeting people of various creeds. Lua’s most important interview, and the one which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of as a “certain definite result”, was with the Maharajah of Jalowar whom He had met in London. He wished to acquaint this receptive enlightened person with the Bahá’í Teachings, and chose Lua to seek him out. The Maharajah received her most graciously, and afterwards corresponded with her, remaining a staunch friend of the Faith. (4)
Another mission entrusted to Lua, probably the most far-reaching in its influence, was the interview in Paris with Muẓaffarí’d-Dín Sháh of Persia. She presented to him a petition asking that he stop the martyrdoms of the Bahá’ís in his kingdom. This he promised her he would grant.
In 1910, Lua and her husband were in America, making their home in Washington, D.C., teaching in the surrounding cities, notably Baltimore and New York. In December of that year, there was an exchange of letters to and from the Holy Land, written by Lua for the community, on the ever recurring subject of a visit to America by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
“To the attracted maid-servant of God, Lua M. Getsinger; ...
“Your epistle was received and the desire and request of the loved ones and the maid-servants of the Merciful became known. The conditions requisite for the coming of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to those regions have just been written for the friends and the maid-servants of the Lord—through you. I am hopeful that those conditions will be carried out, perchance at some time a trip to those regions may be taken; but if these conditions be not
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realized, this will hinder a trip to those parts ...”
(signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás.
The “conditions” of His coming were given in the general letter, “If the beloved of God in all America strive for unity and harmony, attain perfect love and accord, and act according to the divine teachings and the precepts of the Blessed Perfection, this will prove a magnet attracting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá so that, perchance, He may journey to America. But, until the light of oneness, unity and love shine forth from the lamp of America, and the beloved act in accordance with the Divine Teachings and precepts of the Blessed Perfection, and all the believers in America become united and harmonious, my coming ... will be hindered—nay, impossible. Therefore, strive ye that ye may become the embodied Teachings of the Blessed Perfection, confirmed in the divine precepts, resurrected in holiness and purity, severence, humility and meekness, set aglow with the fire of divine love; and loosen your tongues with the praises and commendations of the Heavenly Kingdom.
- Thus may the great attainment be realized.
- Upon ye be Bahá’u’lláh-el-Abhá!
- (signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abbás” (5)
Accepting this challenge, as well as a call for more intensive teaching in preparation for the longed-for visit, Lua, with Dr. Ameen U. Fareed, traveled to the West Coast, and began to call the people to the Kingdom of Bahá’u’lláh in Southern California.
In the spring of 1911, glowing reports of the success of their efforts were circulated. They began their work in San Diego where there were no known believers. Here, among strangers, they gave the new Glad Tidings in a public hall, and to two men’s clubs. Soon, some prominent citizens became attracted and opened their homes for meetings and the number of believers grew.
The two messengers of peace even spoke on the battleship California and across the boundary in Mexico. Dr. Fareed was asked by the Red Cross commander to act as surgeon in the field, and Lua was installed as one of the nurses. Several newspapers reported this work and called attention to the two Bahá’í volunteers, so that when they returned to Los Angeles many came to their lectures. Lua addressed an audience of four hundred; also a large session of the World’s Spiritual Congress in Long Beach. A center was established in La Jolla. It was estimated that during this campaign at least five thousand heard for the first time the Words of Bahá’u’lláh. (6)
In the San Francisco Bay Area where they continued their work, interest was rapidly developed. Dr. Fareed was introduced at some of the prominent clubs, and spoke at lunches and functions of the Masons and Knights Templar. He and Lua were invited to lecture at the Unitarian Church of Alameda. President Taft, in the city for the dedication of the 1915 Panama Exposition, was a guest at a luncheon of the Union League where Dr. Fareed talked with him briefly, congratulating him in the name of the Faith, on his efforts for arbitration treaties and promotion of peace between nations.
Lua’s work was no less strenuous and important, as she was invited to speak before the women’s clubs. One outstanding presentation was given at the Jewish Ladies Council of San Francisco. Over nine hundred were present.
“The platform was arranged like a Persian home, and a Persian tea party was given by Mrs. Getsinger, assisted by several friends, all in costume, appearing as Persian, Turkish, Egyptian and Jewish ladies. After the tea serving, Mrs. Getsinger talked of the Bahá’í influence and effects upon the lives of the women of the Orient, and Dr. Fareed arriving as a guest at the party, and garbed as a Persian Sheik, also addressed them. It was a successful and delightful way of presenting the Glad Tidings of the Bahá’í Movement for women.” (7)
Mount Carmel as it appeared to the first American pilgrims to
visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The building at the foot and on the left
marks the place where Elijah, the Prophet, found shelter. On
the summit is a convent.
Thousands were hearing the Message in the Bay Area.
In Berkeley, she met with a group of writers; at Santa
Rosa with the Saturday Morning Club, where many
school teachers and a few ministers heard the Message.
At San Mateo the Federation of Women’s Clubs invited
her; and with Dr. Fareed she made a trip across the Bay
to San Quentin. In Palo Alto, she addressed a large
meeting of faculty and students at Stanford University,
preparing the way for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit there the
following year. In San Francisco, they were given a
reception at the Sequoia Club, composed of literary and
professional people. They were entertained at the Century Club and spoke on Persian poetry by request. A
series of nine lectures was given in San Francisco at the
California Club presenting the Faith in detail. These
were well attended by a thoughtful, earnest audience;
they were repeated at the Bellevue Hotel. (8) So Lua
gave her whole time and divinely bestowed talent of
beautiful speech to sowing the seeds for the coming of
her beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Finally, the great message of acceptance arrived. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would come to America!
Dated December 16, 1911, the Tablet reads:
“O ye friends of God and the beloved maidservants of the True One!
Dr. E. C. Getsinger on the right, during an early pilgrimage to Haifa. Mishkím-Qalam, noted Persian calligrapher, is second from the left.
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An early picture of Haifa as seen from the Tomb of The Báb on Mount Carmel.
“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has the utmost longing to meet you ...
and hopes that during the next spring no obstacle may
arise, so that with infinite joy and fragrance he may
hasten to America to meet the friends, to unfurl the
banner of rejoicing, to spread the Glad-Tidings of the
Kingdom of Abhá, to illumine the meetings and gatherings with the Rays of the Sun of Truth, to perfume the
nostrils with the Fragrances of Holiness, to impart gladness and delight to the hearts, to attract the souls to the
Realms of Might, to grant the outpourings of the Holy
Spirit so that in this nether world the congregation of the
Righteous Ones may be firmly established.” (9)
During the months that followed His arrival on April 11, 1912, on the Steamship Cedric, it was Lua’s great joy and privilege, shared by several others of His “near ones”, May Maxwell and Juliet Thompson prominent among them, to be with Him constantly and to serve Him.
They followed Him from city to city, arranging His appointments, preparing His apartments with flowers and every comfort, receiving His many guests and the seekers who streamed to Him day after day and far into the night. When they tried to protect Him from these demands when He was weary to exhaustion it was not permitted, for He always insisted that every guest, especially the poor and humble, be shown utmost courtesy. The children, too, He never denied, but drew them into the circle of His arms, lifting them to His knees, whispering loving words in their ears. On one occasion, when He was particularly tired but would not stay in bed and rest, He said to His anxious friends “I do not work by hygienic laws. If I did I would get nothing done. I work by the confirmation of the Holy Spirit.” (10)
On the great occasion when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was announced at the National Convention in Chicago, April 30, Lua was on the platform speaking. As the Master walked down the aisle with His stride of a king, the vast audience rose as a man and in breathless silence stood while He proceeded to the stage.
The story of those exalted days of His presence in America cannot be told here. Lua was always near, sharing with May and Juliet intimate moments and an ocean of profound experiences. May Maxwell said afterwards, “The months I spent near ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in New York have done more for the education and enlightenment of my heart and conscience than all my life’s experience.” (11) The three close friends were present at a moving and significant scene which took place on the porch of a home in Montclair, New Jersey, when the Master spoke to them of the death of an early martyr.
Juliet writes:
“Suddenly, His whole aspect changed. It was as though the spirit of the martyr had entered into Him ... With His head thrillingly erect, snapping His fingers high in the air, beating on the porch with His foot till we could scarcely endure the vibrations set up—such electric power radiated from Him—He sang the martyr’s song, ecstatic and tragic beyond anything I had ever heard.” (12)
Lua Getsinger, herself, possessed the qualities, enriched through love and obedience, of the martyrs. No doubt, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá saw these attributes of her soul at their first meeting, as did her husband when throughout the years he accompanied her on her arduous tours. He wrote after her death: “In these journeys she never spared herself. Time and again, I have seen her in a state of utter exhaustion yet she would pull herself together by sheer will power in order to keep her appointments ... She knew but little rest, for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, ‘Day and night thou must engage in spreading the Message. Nothing else will avail thee.’ ” (13)
She was often ill, having to remain in bed after a heart attack for long periods. In referring to one of these illnesses, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “I told the angel of death to stay away!” (14) Such was the importance of Lua’s qualities and services for the establishment of the Cause during those early days when believers were so few and scattered, when there would be but one Bahá’í in a whole nation, even on an entire continent.
January, 1915, Lua arrived in Haifa and remained there as a guest of the Holy Family for seven months. This was her last visit. When news came of the possibility of America declaring war, and a United States gunboat came to the very port of Haifa, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told her that now was the time to leave and take news to the friends in Egypt, Europe and America who had been cut off from correspondence with the Holy Land during the war. “It is a long time that they are without any word,” He said, “and I desire to send you to them, after which you are to go and teach.” (15)
From Port Said, Egypt, September 20, 1915, Lua wrote to Zeenat Bagdádi in Chicago,
“I arrived in Port Said so tired and exhausted that I could do nothing but talk to the friends ... Praise be to God! when I left He (‘Abdu’l-Bahá) was in good health, though surrounded by difficulties and dangers which I am powerless to describe.
“What He has not done for Syria! Such suffering as was manifest on all sides can scarcely be believed. People were coming day and night begging and weeping at His gate. He became the sole comfort and hope of the people whether they are believers or unbelievers. I am sent forth again ‘to herald the Covenant’ by its Holy Center, and I shall do it with His divine assistance, better and more powerfully than I have ever done.” (16)
To Mr. Joseph H. Hannen, Washington, D.C. she wrote:
“ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, ‘Tell everyone now is the time to teach and spread the Cause!’ O these days of trial and test! The whole world has been flung into the melting pot. Each individual soul must be put into the crucible and ‘tried as gold is tried and refined as silver is refined.’ The Center of the Covenant now sitteth as the Refiner, and it is He who judgeth the purity, capacity and station of every servant. He is the Divine Assayer Who accepts and rejects. He alone knows the hearts, and in Him only can one find justice and truth. He is the Judge of the high court in the Supreme Concourse, Who renders judgments in righteousness and stations the souls of His sincere worshippers. In this day all must be sure that He is the Center from which every living soul is sent forth, and to which every faithful and sincere one must turn.” (17)
At this same writing, she enclosed a most important Tablet in which He confirmed her loyalty, which on the surface would seem completely unnecessary.
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“To the beloved of God in America—on them be glory
and bounty! The maid-servant of God, Lua, was a long
time occupied in India in spreading the fragrances of
the love of God. She is now ready to return to the regions
of America. Show her every consideration. She is firm in
the Covenant of love. In reality she worked vigorously
during her sojourn in India, and she is worthy of love.”
(signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás. (18)
By this Tablet, He was restating His instructions of several years’ standing:
“Highway robbers are many, and hypocrites are innumerable. The wolves clothe themselves with the shepherd’s garment, and thieves show themselves in the form of watchmen. Hereafter, if any Persian or Oriental come to those parts, even though he be from the very city of ‘Akká, if ye find he does not possess a letter written by the hand and sealed by the seal of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá you must decidedly avoid him.” (signed) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Abbás. (19)
Leaving Port Said, Lua sailed to Cairo expecting to depart shortly for America, but was taken ill and was forced once more to take to her bed. She was cared for most tenderly in the home of her Bahá’í host, Mírzá Takí Esphaim and his family, but her weakness lingered on through the winter.
“Before and after this illness,” wrote a friend, “though she never recovered her strength, Lua went about with heroic will giving the Bahá’í Teachings, her work being chiefly among the young men, as they are the only ones among the Egyptians who know English. All listened to her eagerly, and all were wonderfully uplifted and blessed by her influence. Such was the power of the words of Bahá’u’lláh upon her lips.” (20)
In the early spring, she moved to Shoubra, a suburb, to the home of a believer who greatly desired that she should remain with his wife and family for the sake of her uplifting influence. It was here that she spent her last days. She writes to a friend, less than a month before her death:
“Little by little I am seeing all the reasons why many things are as they are, and the lessons I have to learn thereby. I am sure that until the last day of our lives, we will be learning lessons, for this world is a school, from which we graduate only when we leave it.
“The lessons of the earth world, she learned beautifully in those last days of illness and trial. Her suffering had a purifying influence upon her, and seemed to burn away all the dross and leave her pure gold. She had only love and forgiveness for all. She saw that every experience had been for the best. Like an angel ready to enter the kingdom of Light, she turned her face, a few days before her departure, to the picture of the Center of the Covenant, which hung on the wall, and said, with tears in her eyes, but with manifest firmness, ‘All I want to do is His will, and to be severed from aught else save God.’ ” (21)
During the night of the second of May, 1916, she woke with a severe pain in her heart. Although the doctor was called, she had passed to the kingdom of Abhá before he arrived.
The grief of the friends was very great, for all loved her as a devoted sister. A choice site was purchased for her tomb, and every loving service performed for this beloved of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to honor her in her last resting place.
There In Cairo, Egypt, Lua, the Banner of the Dawn, the Herald of the Covenant, lies buried—“far from the land where she sowed the seed from the Atlantic to the Pacific—from the land where she arose like the dawning star heralding the light of Bahá’u’lláh, in those days when the Occident lay frozen in the grasp of materialism—without home, money, or earthly hope or refuge, after her years of suffering, service and sacrifice, she attained her supreme desire and lay at last a martyr.” (22)
- (1) Star of the West, vol. VII, No. 4 .
- (2) Bahá’í World, vol. VIII, p. 642-3
- (3) Star of the West, vol. IV, No. 12, p. 208
- (4) ibid. vol. V, No. 2, p. 21-22
- (5) ibid, vol. I, No. 16, p. 1-2
- (6) ibid, vol. II, No. 13, p. 6-7
- (7) ibid. vol. II, No. 14, p. 13-14
- (8) ibid. vol. II, No. 16, p. 12-13
- (9) ibid. vol. II, No. 16, p. 8
- (10) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s First Days in America, p. 22
- (11) Bahá’í World, vol. VIII, p. 637
- (12)‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s First Days in America, p. 34
- (13) Star of the West, vol. VII, No. 4
- (14) ibid
- (15) Star of the West, vol. VI, No. 12, p. 90
- (16) ibid. p. 89-90
- (17) ibid. p.90-91
- (18) ibid. p. 92
- (19) ibid. p. 93
- (20) ibid. vol. VII, No. 19
- (21) ibid
- (22) Bahá’í World, vol. VIII, p. 642-643
Tasmanian Wedding Proclaims Faith[edit]
The Victory Campaign in Tasmania (island southeast of Australia) got off to a magnificent start with the Bahá’í marriage of Harry Penrith, of aboriginal ancestry, to Leonie Smith, of European ancestry, on the grounds of the University of Tasmania on May 15, 1971. Both the bride and groom are law students at the University. Upon graduation, Mr. Penrith will be the third aboriginal to gain a degree in the history of Australia.
Distinguished guests among the 200 who attended included the Lord Mayor of Hobart, members of the university faculty, many of the Tasmanian Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís from other nearby locations, in addition to relatives and friends, many from aboriginal descent.
A number of press representatives were present at the wedding as well as film crews from both local television channels. Television and news items appeared within hours of the event, with extensive mentionings of the Faith. The wedding news was also broadcast extensively by various affiliated radio stations. Press coverage brought 182 column inches of space with a front page photo and two other photos; also a story in a weekly magazine. There was newspaper coverage of the event in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Bahá’í wedding ceremony included the taped voice of the first Bahá’í of Tasmania, Gretta Lamprill. The couple left the next day for the Oceanic Conference in Suva, Fiji.
NEW ZEALAND BAHÁ’Í NEWSLETTER
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Rose Bush[edit]
It was cherry blossom time in Washington, D. C., in
the year of 1912. The air was soft and balmy, carrying
upon its breezes the fresh smell of earth and the fragrance of spring. People were hurrying to the palatial
home of the United States Government official, Mr.
Arthur J. Parson, 1700 Eighteenth St., N.W., to hear a
venerable man from the Holy Land speak. People were
coming not only from Washington but from the surrounding area as well, including Baltimore, Maryland.
Those present were thrilled by the words and spirit of this man with the white robe, white turban, white beard and shining face, as He spoke of the power of the Love of God which is reflected by Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told His audience that the power of the spirit was bringing East and West, rich and poor, erudite and illiterate together in the utmost love, harmony and unity, like many flowers in one garden. He said that the power of the Love of God has already exercised a wonderful influence in the world, in the hearts of people under the divine guidance of Bahá’u’lláh, of which, pointing to a large vase of flowers on the table beside Him, the many colored flowers in this beautiful arrangement is a symbol ... He added, “The world is like a garden ... and the heart is like a garden!” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “Supplicate to God that the seed of knowledge in the soil of thy heart may soon develop and grow into hyacinths and roses and that the flower garden of the love of God may be thereby perfumed.” ’
The friends from Baltimore carried His words in their hearts, and they longed to have ‘Abdu’l-Bahá come to their city to speak on His return from the West Coast in the fall of that year. However, when He came back to Washington, His time was so filled that He was unable to speak in Baltimore. On November 9, 1912, a large Bahá’í banquet was given for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Raucher’s Hall in Washington, and a huge bouquet of American Beauty roses was presented to Him. Most of the Bahá’í friends in Baltimore were unable to attend, and, knowing it might be the last opportunity to see their beloved Master, they were brokenhearted.
Speaking at the banquet, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that the reality of a rose is known only by its attributes—by its beauty, its fragrance, its form and its color, and that the rose is a symbol of the wisdom which man can develop to unfold his inner reality, so that the rose garden of humanity may become perfumed by the Love of God. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that at the gate of the garden some stand and look within, but do not enter; others step inside, behold its beauty, but do not penetrate far; still others encircle the garden inhaling the fragrance of the flowers, and having enjoyed its full beauty, pass out again by the same gate; but there are always some who enter, and becoming intoxicated with the splendor of what they behold, remain for life to tend the garden.1
At the close of the banquet, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, realizing the disappointment of the friends in Baltimore in being unable to be present, took the whole big bouquet of American Beauty roses from the large vase on the table and sent them to those friends with His love. Those roses sent to them by the Master were very precious. Some of the friends kept theirs in vases until they were withered and dried. Some pressed theirs, and sent petals to other friends. They all caught the fragrance of the love and spirit of the Master.
One of the friends, Mrs. Maud Thompson, who loved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with her whole heart, planted four of the cut flowers in her garden, praying over them as she did
L. Wyatt Cooper and Fujita in the Temple gardens. Could this be ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose?
so. There were those who laughed at her and said she
was carrying the idea of faith too far. By the law of
nature all of the flowers died, as they had no roots.
However, Maud Thompson continued to water them and
pray for them, and one day she saw a tiny little leaf bud
on one. She remembered then that the Master had said,
“According to thy faith, so shall thy powers and blessings be. If ye have faith.”2 She said, “I will have faith. I
shall do all that I can to preserve His rose, not only in
outer form but spiritually in my heart and in the heart
of all those I meet.”
The rose bush grew and grew. Each year it was full of blossoms, which she shared with many people, always telling them the beautiful story of the life and teachings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
It was in June of 1945, while lecturing at the University of Baltimore, that Ruhaniyyih Ruth Moffett was invited to luncheon by Maud Thompson, to visit her home and to “... see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush.” Together they read prayers and quoted from the Writings as they stood beside it. As they were turning away from the bush, Maud suddenly said, “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wishes you to preserve His rose bush!”
This seemed impossible to Ruth Moffett at that time, since she was on a lecture circuit for the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, traveling by train and bus, and staying only a few days in any one place. However, Maud gave her four cuttings of the bush, all wrapped together in one roll, and said to take good care of them. Ruth Moffett succeeded in getting them safely home to Chicago, and she gave three of the cuttings to friends who asked for them. The last cutting she carefully nourished in her apartment until she had to leave for another lecture tour, and at that time she took it to the home of her sister-in-law in Villa Park, 30 miles from Chicago. With the enthusiastic assistance of two little nieces, and with much ceremony and prayer, she planted the cutting, which appeared to be dying.
A few weeks later Ruth received a letter in a childish hand. “Aunt Ruthie, be sure to come out Sunday. We
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have something to show you!” When she arrived the
children led her out into the garden. There was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush, one foot high and with nine roses on it!
The children counted the roses several times. Ruth said,
“I wish that I had a picture to prove that a little rose
bush one foot high could have nine roses on it.” It was
too dark then to take a picture, so the children’s mother
said that she would take it in the morning.
A few days later Ruth received a letter edged in black from the little girls. “Dear Aunt Ruthie, it rained last night and knocked all the petals from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush. Now people won’t believe that it had nine roses. But tell them to ask us and we will tell them that it truly did. Maybe it will have some more to prove it!”
Next season, and each season thereafter, the rose bush blossomed abundantly, and it became such a big bush that Ruth’s sister-in-law, Mamie Irene Atchison, divided it into two bushes. A florist in Elmhurst, hearing the strange story of the rose, took a cutting to graft with another type of rose to give it added strength. During the Intercontinental Conference held in Chicago in 1953, Ruhaniyyih Ruth Moffett met her old and dear friend, Maud Thompson, who fell into Ruth’s arms and burst into tears, saying that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush and all of the cuttings from it were now dead. Ruth said, “Yes—all except the one that you gave to me when you said, “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wishes you to preserve His rose bush!”
The story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush came to the attention of some of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, and to the superintendent of the Bahá’í House of Worship, who were asked by Ruth Moffett whether the bush could not be preserved in the Temple gardens. In April of 1958, Wyatt Cooper transplanted a part of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s rose bush on the north bank of the gardens, under the flowering crab apple trees, and there it lives and blooms today.
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 479 (note: hyacinths typify knowledge; roses typify wisdom)
- Attributed to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in The Garden of the Heart, p. 14.
Wyatt Cooper Retires[edit]
In December 1971, Mr. L. Wyatt Cooper will end eighteen years of dedicated service as Superintendent at the
Bahá’í House of Worship. Throughout this time the
beauty and excellence of the gardens has impressed
both visitor and Bahá’í alike. The softly splashing fountains, surrounded by differing floral displays not only
exemplifies unity from diversity, but associates the
Faith with things lofty and beautiful.
The story of Wyatt and the Bahá’í House of Worship began when he was very young. As a Bahá’í child, at a time when there were very few, Wyatt remembers going to Mrs. Corinne True’s Bahá’í class in 1908.
Wyatt first met Saichiro Fugita in 1913, who a few years later was called by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to service in the Holy Land, which included the building of the first gardens around the Sacred Shrines. He and Wyatt have been fast friends ever since.
Some years later while attending school in Chicago Wyatt saw the beginning of the construction of the foundation of the House of Worship. He returned to his home in Michigan but some years later he found himself at Lake Forest College near the Temple and began working in the gardens on his day off each week. Later on Mr. Cooper and his family moved to Claremont, California and was able to attend some of the early sessions of the Geyserville Bahá’í school which in those days had no kitchen or dining room. As soon as facilities were available Wyatt and his wife, Dotha, undertook to provide meals on the school property and in cooperation with the school committees he began to develop a long range project for establishing a regular kitchen and dining room.
In 1953, while in the process of settling in the Green Acre area, Wyatt was called by the National Spiritual Assembly to come to Wilmette to assist in preparing the landscaping around the Bahá’í House of Worship. He arrived on March 16, 1953 and had only one month and seventeen days to prepare the gardens for the official dedication.
Wyatt was in charge of both maintenance of the Temple and related buildings as well as his beloved gardens until 1968 when the press of increasing work divided the two positions.
Today Wyatt looks back on a long series of prizes and
L. Wyatt Cooper and Fujita—two who remained to tend the garden.
[Page 8]
Fujita enjoying the Temple gardens while one of the gardeners look on.
awards in garden shows which his “green thumb” and
tireless dedication have acquired for the Faith he so
loves and has spent his life serving. He is well known
locally as a “master gardener”, and the reputation of the
gardens around the House of Worship has spread by the
constant stream of visitors from all parts of the globe.
Here people find peace; here they find beauty, both
spiritual and material.
As Wyatt retires after these many long years we may well recall the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:
“Whosoever arises for the service of this building (the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár) shall be assisted with great power from His Supreme Kingdom, and upon him spiritual and heavenly blessings shall descend which shall fill his heart with wonderful consolation and enlighten his eyes by beholding the Glorious and Eternal God.”
Action Camp—A British Happening[edit]
Action Camp at Great Paxton. Over seventy people camped
under canvas at Manor Farm and each day about 110 attended
sessions in the barn which had been cleared of farm machinery
and decorated with posters from Írán and Israel. Auxiliary Board
member Mary Kouchekzadeh and Mrs. Gloria Faizí helped with
the sessions.
The first of its kind in the British Isles, Action Camp
was held at Manor Farm, Great Paxton on the bank
holiday weekend, August 27-30, 1971. The occasion provided plenty of action and inspiration. The spirit of fun
and adventure which existed throughout the weekend
was accentuated by a gale which flattened several tents
and threatened to carry away several more.
A number of cars made excursions into St. Noets, three miles away, carrying groups of Bahá’ís to the center of town for teaching in the streets and advertising the show planned for Sunday morning. Posters and a large quantity of handbills were used. The workers were quite thorough as one could learn when persons who were approached said they had already received a pamphlet.
Sessions of the camp were held in a large barn which was cleared of farm machinery. Seats were bales of hay. Special decorations were posters from Írán and Israel. Auxiliary Board member Mary Kouchekzadeh and Gloria Faizí helped with teaching.
On Sunday morning the “Happening” was put on at the new and modern Public Hall in St. Noets. First was shown the film “It’s Just the Beginning” and then a live stage show, “Dawn-Breaker” style.
After lunch at the camp back at the farm, it was suddenly decided to put the whole show on again at the same place in the afternoon. All cars were hurriedly loaded and once more the town of St. Noets was infiltrated by Bahá’ís giving out advertisements for the show.
The second playing attracted quite a different type of public and at times the words were lost in light-hearted remarks from the largely youthful audience, who especially applauded the battle scene and called out directions on how to do it more efficiently.
At the end of the show a public announcement invited them all back to an evening of song, fun and talk at the farm. A stream of cars and vans picked them up and brought them to the farm where soon the hilarity and fun reached deafening proportions. The Bahá’ís valiantly tried to turn the group to singing, and soon the song
A new “Dawn-Breaker” group put on a stage show in St. Noets.
This shows the story of the cavemen waking up and in the
present day becoming aware of the new day brought by
Bahá’u’lláh.
Four farm picnics were held at Great Paxton during the summer. Visitors came from about a hundred mile radius. Here a
load of picnickers are going on a tour of the farm by tractor
trailer.
booklets were gone. Free coffee and biscuits were
served. After a time, discussions took place. At the end,
a youthful visitor was heard to say “These Bahá’ís are
really a rather fine lot.”
Monday was given over to sessions of the audience participation type, practicing consultation the Bahá’í way.
About seventy people actually camped at the farm and attendance increased by day to 110, reaching a peak of 170 on Sunday evening after the public show. Popular music was supplied by “Tamgama”, a local group of disc jockeys from the Peterborough Bahá’í Community. There was good publicity in the local press. Twelve declarations resulted from the weekend.
Panama Temple Nears Completion[edit]
Guniting has been completed. Men at top are beginning to lay dome tile.
Sample of slabs which will cover wing walls.
Inside top of dome showing nine pointed star.
Jean Harriss, Curtis Doss and Tanya Romaniec visit Temple on their arrival in Panama to participate in summer youth project.
Preparations for Dedication of Panama Temple[edit]
The dedication of the Panama House of Worship will be during Riḍván 1972, from April 29 to May 2. Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum will represent The Universal House of Justice.
The photo shows a team inspecting the Nuevo Panama gymnasium where meetings will be held during the dedication ceremonies. These facilities are available at a nominal fee, to cover only janitorial services and electricity. The head of the government, Brigadier General Omar Torrijos, is sympathetic with the Bahá’í Teachings and is impressed by the work of North American pioneers with indigenous people. It is with his help that such facilities are open to the Bahá’ís, and he has assured the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama of his assistance wherever possible. He appointed a liaison officer, Jorge Carrasco, who arranged the inspection and procured the use of the gymnasium for the Bahá’ís.
The Panama Tourist Bureau (IPAAT) is also working hard in helping to find sufficient housing and buses and in arranging for the elimination of customs inspection.
The government and Bahá’ís are doing everything to make the stay of visitors at the dedication a pleasant and memorable one.
Inspection tour of the Nuevo Panama gymnasium by Mrs.
Raquel Constante, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly
of Panama, and Jorge Carrasco, (left) appointed as liaison officer
between the Panamanian government and the Bahá’ís; to her
right, Paul Thiele, Temple Project Engineer and member of the
Temple Dedication staff.
UGANDA NEWS[edit]
Issue No. 1 of the UGANDA BAHÁ’Í NEWSLETTER was dated October 1971, with Zylpha O. Mapp as Editor and published by the National Spiritual Assembly. A Victory Conference held in Kampala on September 12, 1971, was evidently the impetus for this publication for it quoted a member of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ali Nakhjavání, as saying “One of the life-lines of the Faith is universal participation. We can be assured of this if we have in Uganda a Bahá’í network of communication ... a National Bahá’í Newsletter. Friends will then know what is happening in their district, in Uganda, and in the Bahá’í world. Friends will then be inspired to serve, to teach, to win the goals!” This first issue deserves praise as it is replete with news and abounds in items of inspiration. Below we give some excerpts:
Hand of the Cause Mr. Abu’l-Qásim Faizí talked on prayer at this conference and said that our soul doesn’t belong to this world, and through prayer we purify our soul so as to make it an instrument of God. Prayer is a ladder by which one increases his capacity to reach the bounties of God. Prayer will never change the Will of God. But it will put you on the straight path of God.
Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Enoch Olinga said that if we should realize the importance of this Day, we would not sleep nor even walk to achieve the goals, but would run. What we had to sacrifice was our own imperfections. “If we could do this”, Mr. Olinga said, “then the goals of the Nine Year Plan would be achieved in an instant. The only problem is ourselves.”
The timing of this conference was exceptionally blessed with the spirit of Hand of the Cause, Mr. Banání, whose remains had just been laid to rest close by. Mrs. Banání said a few words assuring the conference of the very presence of Mr. Banání who had so steadfastly served Africa for twenty years, eleven of which had been spent in sickness and suffering, and that his many hours of daily prayer in life were now continuous in the Abhá Kingdom.
Funeral service for Hand of the Cause Músa Banání.[edit]
The funeral of Aghajan (Músa Banání), which took place on Thursday, September 9, was very moving, beautiful, inspiring and dignified. It was an important event in the proclamation of the Faith in Uganda. The cooperation from the Uganda police, the officers of the City Council and the authorities at Mulago Hospital was befittingly admirable.
Among those attending the funeral were two Hands of the Cause, Mr. Enoch Olinga and Mr. A. Q. Faizí; a member of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ali Nakhjavání; all the members of the Banání family, Hosni from Toronto, Canada (a Consulting Electrical Engineer), Jack Banání (a surgeon) from West Germany, Amín and Sheila Banání (Amín is a Professor at the University of California), Farshid Banání, who qualified at Makerere University and is now in Írán, Violette Nakhjavání, who came from her safari in Northern and Western Africa with Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Violette’s daughter, Bahaiyyih, whose wedding took place two years ago in Kampala to Paul Adams; all members of the Board of Counsellors; all Auxiliary Board members (for this area); six members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Uganda; and many other Bahá’ís from all over Uganda and other parts of Africa.
Bahá’í Cemetery Established[edit]
Our new Bahá’í cemetery has been established on Kikaaya Hill near the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds (Bahá’í Center) in the position recommended and approved by the City Council authorities who were extremely cooperative. The Uganda police gave wonderful assistance with the traffic arrangements.
The Gayaza Road was crowded with people watching the procession and one could hear them cry “They are Bahá’ís”. Many floral pieces were laid on the resting place of dear Aghajan after a beautiful and prayerful burial.
New Auxiliary Board Members[edit]
The Continental Board of Counsellors for Central and East Africa announces the appointment of four new members to the Auxiliary Board for Propagation to serve as follows: Mbeng Jacob Ayuketang, of Abong Mbang, Federal Republic of Cameroons; Ghodrat’u’llah Azemikhah, of Brazzaville, People’s Republic of Congo; Sadegh Eghtassadi, of Mombo, Tanzania; Sylvain Nginda, of Luluabourg, Democratic Republic of Congo.
BAHA’I NORTHPACIFIC OCEANIC CONFERENCE SEPT·3-5·1971 SAPPORO[edit]
Tokyo Bahá’í Chorus sings at the Unity Feast of September 2, 1971.
Bahá’ís of various lands who appeared on the TV station of the Hokkaido Broadcasting Company.
Hands, Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members present at the Conference.
Mr. Mumtází, Counsellor for North East Asia, introducing the Hands, Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members.
[Page 13]
Ainu dance performed during one of the noon recesses.
Toshio Suzuki, extreme right, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia, enjoys fellowship with friends from Guam.
Mr. Takeichi Moritake, first Ainu believer of Hokkaido and Ainu chief, seated in the audience.
[Page 14]
Miss Kawaii, Miss Saito and Miss Vedat Mumtazi of Japan assist at the registration counter. Miss Koyama is at the right.
View of the book sales table at the Conference.
Group of Persian and Japanese friends. At left, Mrs. Kazempour, pioneer from Írán to Japan.
Poster extensively used at the conference at Sapporo.
Miss Tomita from the village of Shiraoi on the island of Hokkaido, performs a Japanese dance.
[Page 15]
Hand of the Cause ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan.
Hand of the Cause Mr. H. Collis Featherstone.
Miss Charlotte Linfoot, representative and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, conveys greetings from the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Mr. Hiroshi Yamazaki, chairman of the conference and Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia.
Some of the Ainu believers from Hokkaido. Miss Washiya in center. Mr. Hideya Suzuki, second from left.
Barbados Teaching Spiritually Explodes[edit]
A planned three-week mass teaching and three-week
consolidation project in Barbados, West Indies spiritually exploded into a continuing effort of simultaneous
teaching, deepening, and consolidation. Under the
auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward, and Virgin Islands, the project began
on August 7. Two months later (at the writing of this
report) not only were the newly declared friends teaching and enrolling on an average of 150 new Bahá’ís
weekly, but also they were enthusiastically deepening
and already functioning as independent Bahá’í communities.
Mrs. Patricia Paccassi, the project coordinator and a member of the National Spiritual Assembly, reported, “In less than two months the new Bahá’ís were teaching both independently and in organized teams, celebrating the Nineteen-Day Feast, contributing to the Fund, assisting in administrative work, and making arrangements for obtaining a center.”
Mrs. Paccassi attributes the exciting success to three major factors: the spiritual unity and dependence on prayer of the teaching teams; the immediate involvement of the newly declared believers in teaching work; and the consolidation assistance of Mrs. Ruth Pringle, Auxiliary Board member of Panama.
The consolidation program planned by Mrs. Pringle recruited newly enrolled believers in carrying out specific assignments designed to bring the friends into community-oriented activities. “To have obtained the services of Mrs. Pringle for a five week period,” reported Mrs. Paccassi, “was what made the difference between a project that enjoys instant success but fades out for lack of a continuing program and one which flourishes and continues to expand.”
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward, and Virgin Islands paid tribute to the teaching team from the United States and to the participating teachers from other islands of the area. The dedication of their talents for sixteen to eighteen hours a day was called “both inspiring and heroic.”
On the other hand the teachers were all highly impressed by the warmth and the level of understanding of the Barbadians. Quickly accepting Bahá’u’lláh as God’s Messenger for today, they were eager to learn more about the Teachings and how to apply them. The question most frequently asked, particularly by the youth, was “What are the laws?” This is what they wanted to know, what new laws would change the world.
The focal point of the project was a vacant sugar cane cutters’ house in what is geographically the center of the island. A small wooden structure, it not only housed the teachers in dormitory style, but it also served as a center for meetings and for teaching efforts. From here the teams dispersed to other areas of the island in an ever-widening circle. One hundred sixty-seven localities were opened. All of the island’s areas, known as parishes, now have Bahá’ís.
Old and new believers are shown here just prior to one of the
regular study classes held throughout the mass teaching project
in Barbados. Holding The Greatest Name is Mrs. Ruth Pringle,
Auxiliary Board member of Panama who provided valuable
assistance and guidance in the consolidation work of the project.
By October 15 nearly 1,700 new believers were enrolled, in all age brackets from under fifteen to eighty-eight years. Children who wanted to be Bahá’ís were
enrolled, except in one instance when a parent objected;
then the child was told he must be obedient to his
parents. The children accepted their responsibilities
and many became active teachers. One example is that
of an eleven-year old boy whose first spiritual children
were his grandparents and who, in less than two months,
enrolled close to thirty new believers, most of them
much older than himself.
Basic deepening kits were given to all new believers, and deepening was based on the information in these kits. Simultaneously with the teaching work, there were study classes and consolidation activities. Two island conferences were held.
The team from the United States, experienced in mass teaching and sent to Barbados, upon request, by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, consisted of: Miss Shirley Yarbrough, Leon Sternberger, Van Gilmer and Jim Taylor. Other teachers came from the islands of St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, Grenada, and Barbados. During the consolidation period in September the “New Era Trio” from the United States added further assistance and inspiration.
The Barbados mass teaching project is not over. The new Barbadian believers, inspired by the visiting teachers who brought the Faith to their attention, are enthusiastically carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to their fellow Barbadians.
Pioneer Experiences Power of Prayer[edit]
I just got back from a teaching trip with the Bahá’í
trio, the “New Era,” and, oh, what an experience for me!
It was mass conversion! In the nine days we spent
teaching, five hundred new souls joined Bahá’u’lláh’s
army!
It was the greatest bounty for me, because I have never experienced these things before. The greatest test for me in pioneering was getting rid of my timidness. When I learned that I was to be interpreter for the “New Era Trio,” I was scared stiff! I prayed fervently to the Blessed Beauty to “make me a hollow reed” and I was shown how He never forsakes us when we sincerely call out to Him, and all my doubts turned into certainties and fears into a beautiful calm. It was for me like a miracle that I should feel so confident standing and giving the message to hundreds of souls. My cup runneth over with love and awe at what Bahá’u’lláh has the power of doing.
The greatest thing happened on this trip when, with the “New Era Trio,” consisting of Charles and Sandy Bullock and Jeanne Rebstock, we went to a town called San Juan de la Maguana. The Bahá’ís asked where the public speaker was that they had asked for from the capital. I laughed uncomfortably and said “Well, I guess you’re looking at her!” There wasn’t anyone there who could have given the Message except myself. I was, how would you say, cornered.
The Bahá’ís, who know me and my shyness asked, “But how can you?”, “It will be in City Hall”, “With lots of people—we’re going to present The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the Governess of this Province!” ...
We got to City Hall and it was like a palace and when I was on the stage and saw all those people my heart went into my toes! I gulped and almost ran outside. I have never before been so sincere in saying prayers. I gave the talk, presented the book and the trio sang their beautiful songs that really touch the heart and we invited the people to become Bahá’ís.
After a few signed their cards, I went to thank the Governess for her presence and I received the shock of my life. After thanking her, she asked if her declaration card was in the book or could I give her one. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing so I asked her “Do you want to be a Bahá’í?”, and she said “Oh, yes!” I hugged her so hard it is a miracle I didn’t break her ribs. She enrolled under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh right after having received His Proclamation. The next day we sent a cable to The Universal House of Justice and received a loving and encouraging reply. I couldn’t sleep all night!
What was also amazing was after saying those prayers before the presentation, all my fears and doubts had turned into confidence and calm. Oh, the power of prayer!
Pioneer Grace Bracamonte presenting The Proclamation of
Bahá’u’lláh to the Governess of the province, Mrs. Argentina Fuentes de Peña. Mrs. Peña and eighty-three others enrolled that evening.
Grace Bracamonte, United States pioneer to the Dominican Republic, speaks to a gathering at City Hall in San Juan de la Maguana. Second from the aisle in first row is the Governess of the Province.
Breakthrough in the Dominican Republic[edit]
In the Tablets of the Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states
that one of the conditions for success in teaching the
Cause is that “Teachers must continually travel to all
parts of the continent, nay, rather to all parts of the
world....” As a result of obeying this injunction,
traveling teachers visiting the Dominican Republic
since the Jamaican Conference have helped to achieve
startling breakthroughs; the size of the Bahá’í community has more than tripled and the number of centers
where Bahá’ís reside has more than quadrupled in just a
few months time.
In striving to achieve the national goal of opening new centers, the National Teaching Committee routed traveling teachers through unopened territory whenever this was possible.
The first of the teachers to arrive was Mrs. Edna Ford, a pioneer living in Yucatán, Mexico. For three weeks she traveled throughout the island with a slide program featuring progressive revelation. It was the sincerity of her love for Bahá’u’lláh and for everyone she met which brought in many enrollments. In San José de las Matas, while waiting for it to become dark so that she could begin her program, she was visiting with the pre-Bahá’í family which had made all of her arrangements in that town. With tears in her eyes, she described just some of the physical sufferings Bahá’u’lláh had endured in His lifetime. “Why would He claim to be a messenger from God, suffering all these hardships, if it weren’t true?”, she said. Every person who was in the room at that time declared himself that night.
Arriving shortly after Mrs. Ford, Juan Bautista Reyes from El Salvador provided his services to the Dominican community for two months. Although public meetings were arranged for Mr. Reyes in many of the larger towns, the most brilliant teaching successes came just in meeting people informally or while resting in parks. No one was a stranger to him, everyone was his friend immediately. Such overflowing warmth was bound to have its influence, especially upon the youth in this country who are searching desperately.
In August, Mr. Lionel Gonzalez, who lives in the United States and is an official of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, spent ten days traveling through the southwestern part of the country, consolidating some of the gains made earlier. While in the capital, Santo Domingo, he received substantial newspaper, radio, and television coverage.
When the “New Era Trio,” a musical group from the United States consisting of Charles and Sandy Bullock and Jean Ribstock, arrived for a ten day trip in September, the time was ripe for really large gains to be made. For example, in San Juan de la Maguana, over 300 people were present for a public meeting at which the group sang and where the Governess of the province was presented with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. There were over eighty declarations at this meeting, including the Governess herself. (See separate story in this issue.) Dale Woods, a pioneer in that town wrote that there were thirty-four new Bahá’ís in Corral de los Indios, the town which is the very center of the island. There are fifty homes in this settlement and the total number of Bahá’ís there is now around fifty. They are already working on a combined project with the Bahá’ís from San Juan de la Maguana to make a park. Now with the Governess a Bahá’í it will be easier to get water put in; of course, by doing that, it will mean water in many more homes that have never had it before.
In Neiba, where pioneer Linda Custer resides and which was visited by the trio, over fifty people declared.
Wishing to take full advantage of the opportunities available by the presence of the trio, the National Teaching Committee had developed a heavy schedule of at least two, and sometimes three, public meetings every day. On their last day, for example, the trio spent the morning traveling, then were present on a TV show, two radio shows, and gave two public meetings. Never did they allow their fatigue to overcome them; they were always cheerful and happy, delighted to be spending their time completely in service.
While it is true that the Bahá’í community in the Dominican Republic maintained and even increased its teaching activities during and between the trips made by traveling teachers, the greatest advances in teaching were directly related to the travel-teaching trips. It is as Bahá’u’lláh says, “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the world.” (p. 70, The Advent of Divine Justice)
The “New Era Trio”, left to right: Sandy Bullock, Jean Ribstock,
Charles Bullock. Grace Bracamonte, on the extreme right, acted
as interpreter and presented a talk.
Bolivian Conference[edit]
Friends from all parts of Bolivia and several guests from Peru gathered with Continental Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members and National Spiritual Assembly members in Sucre, Bolivia, from August 27 through 29, 1971 for a successful conference. A contingent of young pioneers with their songs and musical instruments, created an especially happy spirit. The Indian friends were radiant. During the conference, twenty-five prepared souls accepted the Faith.
Immediately after the conference a youth mass conversion effort attracted more than thirty new believers.
The conference can best be summarized by the cable of the Counsellors to Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, as follows:
HANDS FAITH HAIFA ISRAEL: DESPITE GRAVE DISTURBANCES NEW GOVERNMENT GRANTED PERMISSION HOLD NATIONAL CONFERENCE SUCRE RADIANT GATHERING ATTENDED THREE HUNDRED FRIENDS OVER FIVE THOUSAND ATTRACTED EXPOSITION CITY HALL BANQUET HIGH OFFICIALS SUCCESSFUL YOUTH PROJECT LAUNCHED DEEPLY GRATEFUL PRAYERS HUMBLY PLEAD FURTHER CONFIRMATION EXPANSION CONSOLIDATION FAITH WHOLE COUNTRY LOVE COUNSELLORS
Bolivian Conference[edit]
Counsellors, Auxiliary Board members and National Spiritual
Assembly members at the Bolivian conference. Counsellors are
(beginning fourth from left) Hooper Dunbar, Donald Witzel,
Masud Khamsi, Athos Costas; Auxiliary Board members are
(at far left) Andres Jachacallo, Manucher Shoai and Mrs.
Marilyn Dunbar (next to Athos Costas). All others are members
of the National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia.
National Conference held in Sucre, Bolivia from August 27 to 29, 1971.
Teaching Activities in Ecuador[edit]
School for Teachers in Cachaco[edit]
Surrounded by the ample vegetation of a sub-tropical climate in Cachaco, isolated from the distractions of the city, twenty-six Bahá’í teachers from all regions of the country came to live together and study for ten days at the invitation of the National Teaching Committee. This spot, hours by train from the nearest small city, was chosen to revitalize the spirit by praying, working and studying together. New techniques for electing and deepening Local Spiritual Assemblies were studied, methods to help Assemblies function in mass conversion areas were practiced, and much time was devoted to the history of the Faith. The basis for the studies were the Teachings themselves and the teachers’ own experience, acquired through long months of struggle in the mountains and valleys of the majestic Andes as well as on the tropical Coast. Those attending were people from the city, North American, Canadian and Persian pioneers, native Indian teachers. They all took turns in the kitchen preparing meals, washing dishes, cleaning house, repairing the roof, building a kitchen area, and participating in the classes. They helped in a teaching campaign in the villages along the railroad line, and in free hours exchanged experiences in teaching. This group experience refreshed their spirits and was an augury of the unity of all humanity yet to come. The school lasted from August 21 to 30 and all returned to their homes full of enthusiasm to start out again on their teaching trips.
Youth School in Esmeraldas[edit]
On September 4 and 5, amid the beautiful flowering trees in the city of Esmeraldas, a tropical land where dark skins prevail, where the music of the marimba and the sound of the drums mark the accelerated rhythms of life, a Youth School, with Bahá’ís from Quito, Cuenca, Quinindé and Esmeraldas, was held and was enriched by the presence of Habib Rezvani, Auxiliary Board member from Colombia, and Larry Kramer, one of the first pioneers in Ecuador, who was on a visit to his family. Though the attendance was not as large as had
Harp music played by a Chibuleo prepares the atmosphere for the meetings.
School in Cachaco. The rustic house in the background was built
by the Bahá’ís some years ago to serve as a school. This year the
Bahá’í teachers who attended the school, after terminating the
construction of the kitchen, pose satisfied with their work.
been anticipated, much enthusiasm was engendered for
the participation of youth in the teaching work.
Visit of Habib Rezvani to the Chibuleos and Salasacas[edit]
After the Youth School, Mr. Habib Rezvani visited the Indian communities of the Chibuleos and the Salasacas, virgin areas opened to the Faith in the center of the country in the Andes barely a year ago, but because of their great spirit and mental capacity, they promise to become an invaluable source of native teachers in the near future. There are already a number of Indian teachers who have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the teaching work, receiving help only for bus trips and food on the way. They find Indian homes always open for the Bahá’í meetings. One of the proofs of their spiritual development is their detachment from material things. One of the Chibuleos, Angel Chaca, has offered a plot of ground where a Bahá’í Center can be built for his village.
Pioneer Troubadours[edit]
Two intrepid pioneers, Ralph Dexter and Edward Jones, armed with intense love for the Faith, a prayer book, a guitar and a melodion, on foot or in fragile canoes traversed the province of Esmeraldas visiting the communities of Tachina, Rio Verde, Palestina, Peñas Blancas, Tala, Hacienda El Paraiso and Limones, giving classes in administration and the history of the Faith, teaching Bahá’í songs and enrolling thirteen new believers in the province.
After resting a few days from this exhausting trip, they set out for the intense cold of the Andes to visit the Chibuleos and Salasacas where wonderful meetings made up for all their effort and sacrifice. Several days later they followed the cordillera to the eastern provinces of Zamora-Chinchipe and Morona-Santiago, where free as the wind they gave the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to innumerable people who had never heard it. In each of these provinces they found a young man whose heart was ready for the Message and who immediately accepted Bahá’u’lláh, winning a great victory for the Faith, as these were two of the three provinces in Ecuador where there were no believers.
[edit]
Over one hundred persons from nine countries attended the Scandinavian Summer School, held from June 22 through
27. There were four declarations. Ten traveling teachers volunteered to visit the northern part of Scandinavia and
especially the Samerna (Lapp) regions.
Italian Summer School[edit]
The Italian Summer School took place at Cesenatico, a little town on the Adriatic coast, from September 4 to 12, and was attended by over 200 people. Friends came from seventeen countries, near and far away. Special guests at the school for the first days were Mr. and Mrs. Hooshmand Fatheázam and Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí. During the last days, Hand of the Cause Mr. Giachery and Mrs. Giachery attended. Courses were held in English, French and Italian. Some of the subjects were: Social Aspects of the Faith, Prayer, the Spiritual Assembly.
The first night at the school all the Bahá’ís were invited by the authorities of the nearby Republic of San Marino to attend a performance given on the occasion of the Rumanian Festival held in that little country. Another event was an afternoon dedicated to teaching in the neighboring towns. Following what had been done at the conference in Fiesch, groups were formed, each with a different destination where they would approach the people and tell them about this new Message of world unity.
One evening the “Dawn-Breaker” group sang in the square of Cesenatico and on the following nights two debates were held. One was preceded by a program consisting of slides, songs and brief explanations of the Teachings. Many came to hear about this new Faith and several made their declarations.
On the last day, delegates from the Italian National Spiritual Assembly and Mrs. Lea Nys, Auxiliary Board member from France, gave a stimulating report on the conference held in Iceland and of the progress of the Faith in that country during the past months.
When the school closed on September 12, it was announced that twenty new believers had accepted the Faith, more than double the number of the previous year. The friends departed from Cesenatico with even more enthusiasm to work in their respective communities so as to reach those who are ready to hear the Message Bahá’u’lláh has brought for the world today.
National Convention in Venezuela[edit]
Because the majority of Venezuelan Bahá’ís are currently of Guajiro Indian origin, the National Convention was held in Los Mochos, a hamlet in the heart of the Venezuelan Guajira. Los Mochos has an active Local Spiritual Assembly, is the home town for two of the National Spiritual Assembly members, has its own Bahá’í Center, a beautiful little white building in the middle of the Guajira desert and bears the Greatest Name in Arabic. It has the first Bahá’í cemetery in Venezuela.
Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem was present and related many stories about the life of Bahá’u’lláh. A highlight was the reading of the message from The Universal House of Justice which was translated directly by the National Spiritual Assembly member, Cecilia Yguarán, into Guajira which is considered a difficult language.
During Convention time, an early morning walk was made to visit the Bahá’í cemetery, which was impressive with simple white tombstones placed horizontally, each with a beautiful blue nine-pointed star molded into it.
A cause for rejoicing was the historic achievement of the election of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago, which until then had been under the aegis of Venezuela. It was announced that the Nine Year Plan for 50 Local Spiritual Assemblies had been exceeded, and 101 already achieved!
The Bahá’í Center of Los Mochos, showing the tent raised up for the convention.
In the Venezuelan News[edit]
Tommy Kavelin, a professional actor and singer, was interviewed by Venezuela’s English language newspaper The Daily Journal, while performing in a Caracas production of “My Fair Lady.” The interview included several paragraphs about his career in the United States, and concluded with seven paragraphs about the Faith and about Tommy Kavelin’s role as a Bahá’í pioneer, stating that this was the most interesting thing about him.
Program notes for both “My Fair Lady” and an earlier production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” mentioned the connection of Mr. Kavelin with the Faith. The program stated: “Since the founder, Bahá’u’lláh, teaches that the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens, Tommy feels quite at home in Venezuela!”
The Local Spiritual Assembly of Los Mochos prepared this tent
to shelter the delegates and friends from the fierce sun of the
Guajira Peninsula.
Honduras and Its Nine Year Goals[edit]
At last Riḍván, of the fifty Assemblies stipulated for the Nine Year Plan, only nine were lacking in Honduras. Of the twelve incorporated Assemblies of the Plan, six more were needed. It is expected that these goals will be reached by Riḍván 1972 and the planned number of Assemblies exceeded.
The visit of the Youth Project from the United States this past summer provided the spark that lighted the fire. The visits began with success as they went to all sections of Honduras.
During the first week of the Youth Project, on a visit to the Departmento Olancho, the youth went to the various parts of town and gave out handbill invitations to a slide showing, “What is Bahá’í?” Visits were made to the office of the Mayor and head of police. Free radio announcements were made. In three days, in two towns, 120 new Bahá’ís enthusiastically entered the Faith. In the first week of the Project, enough adults entered to form five new Assemblies, along with the enrollment of many youth.
The tremendous work of consolidation has already begun. Plans have been made for Teaching Institutes in each of the twelve regions for which there is a Regional Teaching Committee. The National Spiritual Assembly will welcome traveling teachers from other countries, and upon receiving written requests, will be happy to send a copy of the dates for Institutes.
Pioneers to Honduras are dedicated and the native brother and sister Bahá’ís are enthusiastic and have faith that all the goals of the Nine Year Plan will be exceeded, and that it will happen this year.
A successful Teaching Institute in Honduras. Teachers were
Auxiliary Board member Parvis Rohani, Professor Nelly Vasquez and Professor Wanita M. George.
Geodetic Dome Creates Teaching Opportunities[edit]
In Honduras, the erection of a geodetic dome, used for Bahá’í exhibits, draws people to it as a flower attracts bees. Instead of seeking people out on street corners, seekers come to the dome and ask questions which lead to giving the Message.
Dale and Jeanie Morrow, pioneers to Honduras, related details of this unique teaching structure in a recent visit to the BAHÁ’Í NEWS editorial office.
The dome was used in September in Tegucigalpa, at a live stock show which lasted for a week. The first day drew 300 visitors. When Bahá’ís appeared to set up the structure, Hondurans flocked to help and stayed to find out what it was all about. The dome gives protection and space for exhibits by day and slides by night. “Mass conversion is just starting in Honduras” according to the Morrows.
The frame of the dome is 20 feet in diameter and 10 feet high. It is covered with cloth made of brightly colored stripes in yellow, orange and pink. This is covered with plastic to make it rain-proof. The whole dome can be erected in an hour and a half and can be taken down and transported in a station wagon or VW bus. The cost was about $100. The frame was made by Jack Burwell and Dale Morrow. The cloth cover was made by Gina Laite and the plastic cover by James Henshew and Allan Fryback.
Exterior of the erected dome.
Inside the dome where exhibits are shown and teaching goes on.
Showing the frame-work of the geodetic dome.
The Power of Universal Participation[edit]
Hand of the Cause William Sears told a true story about how universal participation consecrates money contributed to the Fund, regardless of the amount. To paraphrase: There was a small community that wanted to initiate a proclamation project but needed money to do it. They decided to employ the principle of universal participation. Even husbands and wives gave separately. Everyone gave. The amount collected was a relative pittance. The treasurer was quite skeptical, but a boy in the community said that since they had used universal participation, God would bless the money somehow and their effort would bear fruit.
The only idea they came up with for the money was to buy a copy of Some Answered Questions which an Assembly member said she would read. On the way home, due to the fullness of the bus, she found herself seated beside a gentleman who continued to show an interest in her reading matter. This bothered her until the light dawned that maybe something was happening. She changed her attitude from impatience to cordiality. He told her he was a newspaper man and asked to borrow the book since he was doing a series of articles on different religions. She didn’t refuse! What grew from this was his beginning and ending his series with articles about the Bahá’í Faith and giving radio, newspaper and TV publicity worth thousands of dollars. Imagine their joy! Certainly each individual was inspired! Their community must have been awed by the evident power of universal participation!
August-September, 1971)
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Summer Pioneering in Mexico[edit]
Lani Smith, one of the “Summer Pioneers” from the United States to Mexico, shared some impressions of their travels. Other projecteers who accompanied her were Jan McAuslen, Patty Treadwell and Liz Trotman. They were assisted by pioneers at the Amelia Collins Institute in Choula, Puebla: Paul and Mavis Vaughn, Joe and Bobbie Savage.
Places where her group visited and taught were Mexico City, Puebla; Oaxaca; Cuadepec, Veracruz; Gudalajara; Cocorit, Sonora; Pensacola and Papalotla, Tlaxcala.
Some items of advice she received were: If you can’t love it don’t go. Take clothes that do not need ironing, sandals and shoes good for walking in the mud. Take $50 to $75 for a medical fund. You will spend it. Take the medicine at the first sign, you may not have to take a lot more later. Expect your plans to change. Build a bridge of friendship first.
Said Lani: “We prayed, deepened and learned, went from coast to coast, in and out of villages and towns. We were stoned (literally) by rude young boys. We were spat upon, laughed at and with, stared at, lied to and insulted. We joked and sang and chatted about the Faith with a doctor and four nurses when two Bahá’ís were in the hospital. We found the most beautiful and pure souls such as we never before knew existed.
“We learned to love and obey the institutions. We consulted with the National Spiritual Assembly twice. We learned it’s Bahá’u’lláh working through us and it is not us. I ran all over with Knight of Bahá’u’lláh Frances Heller and National Spiritual Assembly member Edna Ford. I had to run to keep up with them.”
Result, 125 new Bahá’ís from the group effort. Jan, Patty and Liz returned to go to the University of the Americas in Cholula, Puebla where they are active in the formation of a Bahá’í club on campus.
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST[edit]
Bahá’í Wall Calendar, 1972. The calendar for 1972 has a view of the Shrine of the Báb with the Bay of Haifa in the background. A new feature is the indication of Bahá’í months by alternating blocks of colored numerals. Gregorian months are indicated in the usual manner. Feast Days and Holy Days are indicated by open circles and squares around the colored numerals. Detailed information on special observances is printed on the back of the calendar.
Overseas orders should be sent as soon as possible, and airmail shipment should be requested as long as the dock strike continues. All orders within the United States should also be sent in soon to avoid last minute rush mailings. (No standing orders except overseas.)
Per copy | $ .25 |
10 copies | $2.00 |
25 copies | $4.00 |
NOTE: Minimum orders are $5.00. It is very costly to process orders for less than this amount, or for a single calendar. Community members should combine their calendar orders and order only through local librarians. Isolated individuals who order the calendar should try to make up an order of at least $5.00 of various items. This is much appreciated. Calendars may be ordered with literature or special materials orders.
Bahá’í Pocket Calendar, 1972. Feast and Holy Days are indicated on this convenient billfold or purse calendar, with detailed information on special observances on the back. (No standing orders except overseas.)
5 copies | $ .25 |
100 copies | $4.00 |
BAHÁ’Í LITERATURE: Orders under $5 add $.30 handling and postage fee. Personal orders must include payment.
SPECIAL MATERIALS: Order through your Bahá’í Community Librarian for postpaid handling on orders of $10 and over. Personal orders must include payment plus 10% postage and handling fee. Minimum postage and handling fee $.30.
- Bahá’í Publishing Trust
- 415 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois 60091
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís 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. Evelyn Hardin, Managing Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee, Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee.
Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to Membership and Records, National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
