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| No. 491 | BAHA’I YEAR 128 | FEBRUARY, 1972 |
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From The Universal House of Justice
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| December 19, 1971 | —UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE |
The obelisk marking the site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár on Mount Carmel was recently erected after many years of difficult negotiations for a permit. The obelisk, which was manufactured in Italy in 1954, is 10.856 meters in height and contains more than 20 tons of marble. Inside one of the facings of the foundation stone is an inscription prepared by the beloved Guardian stating that this stone is placed in dedication of the site. A small formal garden is being developed around the base of the obelisk.
The area of undeveloped land along UNO Avenue, to the extreme southwest corner of the property surrounding the Shrine was cleared and a beautiful garden, patterned after the style of the garden on the slope to its immediate north, was completed in the spring of 1971. The small white iron gate leading from UNO Avenue has been replaced by a new ornamental gate, similar to the one at the approach to the monument of the Greatest Holy Leaf.
The Bahá’í World Center[edit]
In connection with latest developments at the Bahá’í World Center as announced in the cablegram from The Universal House of Justice published on page 2 of this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, it seems appropriate to reprint the following portions of the very informative article on “The World Center” written by Robert McLaughlin which was published in the U. S. Supplement to BAHÁ’Í NEWS No. 118, December 1967.
Any account of the World Center can give only a glimmering of the spiritual potencies of that sanctified spot
and only an inkling of the power of the nerve center of
the divinely ordained Administrative Order. But, mercifully for us, the Bahá’í World Center is a place with
quite definite characteristics of natural environment, and
with buildings to be experienced, gardens to be enjoyed,
history to be learned, and people to be known. It is
through these human experiences that we can sense something of the great spiritual and administrative forces that
are at once an unfathomable mystery and a bounty, joy
and satisfaction in this troubled world.
The World Center lies in the Holy Land, on the shore of the Mediterranean. Its shrines and endowments are within two cities. One is the ancient and medieval stronghold of ‘Akká, to which Bahá’u’lláh came when its buildings were decayed, its air putrid, and its streets dank. Haifa was then an Arab village nestled at the foot of Mount Carmel, across the crescent-shaped bay from ‘Akká.
Today ‘Akká is no longer a penal colony of untold misery, but a picturesque town whose medieval character is being preserved to a considerable degree by the government of Israel. Haifa has become a bustling, growing metropolis, climbing up the slopes of Mount Carmel. It is the chief seaport of Israel and the center of its heavy industry. Factories and refineries have been built on the arc of white sands that connects the twin cities, so that ‘Akká and Haifa are growing together as one megalopolis.
In ‘Akká, the cell in the Most Great Prison where Bahá’u’lláh spent the first two years, two months and five days of his imprisonment in the Holy Land has been set aside by the government as a Bahá’í Holy Place. Of the four houses within the city walls to which Bahá’u’lláh was successively moved, only the House of ‘Abbúd is now Bahá’í property. The Book of Aqdas was revealed here in 1873, where Bahá’u’lláh spent approximately seven years. It was lovingly furnished by the Guardian and is now maintained and offered as one of the rich experiences given to the pilgrims.
Outside the city walls to the west lies the Riḍván Garden, a small island in a river that is now, temporarily at least, dried up because of changes in the drainage system of the area. It was named by the Blessed Beauty in memory of the Riḍván Garden in Baghdád and referred to by Him as “Our Verdant Isle”.
Mazra’ih is the house to which Bahá’u’lláh first went in response to the entreaties of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when the rigid confinement within the city walls was relaxed. It stands in the open country, and its grounds are still to be restored or developed.
We know Bahjí so well from photographs or from the visits as pilgrims, and we know of the peace, the anguish and the ultimate triumph woven into its Bahá’í history. The beautiful gardens designed and built by the beloved Guardian, are only the fore-runner of the environment of the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world. Shoghi Effendi contemplated an adequate structure to be built perhaps around or above that delightful and fragrant little apartment where the remains of the Manifestation rest. The architectural development of this most sacred spot lies in the future, whether near or distant, and in whatever form we shall learn from The Universal House of Justice in due time. At this time we must continue to provide the means for the maintenance and development of the gardens and of the Mansion and Shrine.
Bahá’u’lláh Himself set foot on Mount Carmel four times, once for a period of about three months, and here He revealed the Tablet of Carmel, setting in motion the forces of which the Bahá’í World Center is the visible, spiritual and administrative expression. The Master built the Shrine of the Báb while He was a prisoner of the Turks. The Guardian acquired the land up the mountain, virtually alone, with funds, we can assume, from the then tiny group of Bahá’ís scattered over the planet. His statesmanlike wisdom in making these acquisitions at a time when only rare foresight could envision their importance is apparent as one now sees the city crowding up around them. He executed the delicate design and intricate structure of the mausoleum over the Shrine of the Báb, in a then technically primitive country, and carried on construction in the midst of civil war. He built the nine terraces leading up to the Shrine of the Báb.
The Guardian built the Monuments to the members of the Holy Family and set them in gardens of mysterious
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loveliness. He laid out, built, and commenced the landscaping of the Arc in the environs of the Shrine of the
Báb, facing Bahjí across the bay. He established the
physical as well as the spiritual direction of the World
Administrative Center, with its buildings to be erected
about the Arc. Of this extensive plan he brought only the
Archives Building into being during his life-time.
In giving us the Nine Year Plan, The Universal House of Justice established as tasks to be accomplished at the World Center: “The preparation of a plan for the befitting development and beautification of the entire area of Bahá’í property surrounding the Holy Shrines” (and) “extension of the existing gardens on Mount Carmel”.
The BAHÁ’Í NEWS August 1968 refers to the photogrammetric survey which had been prepared for the development of these two specific tasks in consonance with the wishes expressed by the beloved Guardian. Certain steps essential to the development of the plans had already been taken, such as, the fencing of the Bahá’í property on Mount Carmel, including the Temple site; the development of gardens and parking lots adjacent to the Pilgrim House; the paving of the Arc; the building of a wall and the extension of the sidewalk along UNO Avenue adjacent to the Bahá’í gardens and adding new soil to higher levels of the gardens where erosion had taken place. The Guardian’s plan for the floodlighting of the Shrine of the Báb and the Monument Gardens had been extended, and all of the electrical circuits in the gardens had been rewired. These were in addition to extensive repairs that were made on the various structures in the preceding five years. All of these developments called for protracted negotiations with Haifa and Jerusalem Municipalities and with agencies of the Government of Israel.
One of the first major acquisitions of important property under the Nine Year Plan was adjacent to Bahjí, that of the Master’s tea house announced to the Bahá’í World Community by The Universal House of Justice on November 17, 1969. (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, January 1970, page 2). The latest in the series of tasks to have been accomplished at the World Center is that announced in the cablegram from The Universal House of Justice which appears on page 2 of this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. In connection with these goals for the development of the World Center it should be remembered that a specific goal given to the American Bahá’ís in 1964 by The Universal House of Justice is to: “Sharply increase the annual allocation to the International Fund, thereby enabling The Universal House of Justice to meet the expanding needs of the Cause throughout the world, accelerate the embellishment of endowments in the Holy Land, and develop institutions at the World Center”.
Garden in the Vicinity of the Shrine of the Báb—Mount Carmel[edit]
The new garden at Bahjí—a previously undeveloped quadrant lying south and east of the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh and adjacent to the garden completed in 1968.
THE GREAT SAFARI[edit]
of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum[edit]
Part five
Just over two years from the inception of Amatu’l-Bahá’s African Safari in August 1969, we returned to
Ghana, West Africa after an absence in Europe of two
months. The Universal House of Justice had expressed
the hope that she would accept the request of the European Counsellors and attend the first European Bahá’í
Youth Conference to be held in Fiesch, Switzerland;
Rúḥíyyih Khánum combined this with a period of much
needed rest and medical care. As the reports of that
exciting conference and the burst of enthusiasm it has
released have been already befittingly publicized there
is no need for repetition here.
Before going to Europe Rúḥíyyih Khánum several times commented that she was at a loss about how to speak to the Youth in Europe. She said all she wanted to say was why are you wasting your time in this spiritually barren continent; go to Africa, go to South America, go where there are receptive souls waiting to accept this wonderful message of Bahá’u’lláh! However, during our brief stay in Germany prior to the conference she felt a marked change in the people, especially the Youth, in Europe. This feeling was later on confirmed by observing a new receptivity in the people in Switzerland and particularly around the village of Fiesch. Encouraged by this Amatu’l-Bahá poured her own enthusiasm into the Bahá’í Youth, and they in turn, stimulated by her example of service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, arose to go on teaching missions and achieved what, as far as I know, no one had yet achieved in Europe.
As we had a deadline to reach Ghana on August 6th and move the car out of that country before its permit expired on the 10th we spent a feverish four days of washing, ironing, airing damp clothes, and repacking the Land Rover. Finally we said a reluctant farewell to the devoted pioneers in whose home we had stayed as well as to the Accra Community—by now, after five visits to that city—our old friends. I remember in particular, how a mother whose non-Bahá’í daughter had just graduated from medical school, who, in spite of her maternal pride and joy, told us that she could think of nothing more precious to give to her daughter at her graduation than the gift of the knowledge of the Faith in Bahá’u’lláh and that in writing to her this innermost wish of her heart she was trying to give her eternal joy and happiness.
We left Ghana to cross the border to Togo and discovered with horror that the travelling documents of the car had only one more sheet left, which meant we could enter Dahomey but go no further until we received a new Carnet des Passages from the Automobile Club in Nairobi, Kenya. Because of this complication and the fact that it took twenty-six days for documents to reach us by air mail, we were delayed a whole month in Cotonou.
When impatient over this delay and worried over the possibility of the papers being lost Amatu’l-Bahá calmly assured me there must be some reason for it and we would eventually find out what it was. She met with believers as well as the pioneers in both Cotonou and Porto Novo, teaching and helping them and on one
Meeting in Ilaro, Yoruba, Nigeria, at which Amatu’l-Bahá addressed the believers and the public.
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particular occasion counselling and guiding a very
dear Bahá’í family who otherwise might have fallen into
serious disaster. Many times Rúḥíyyih Khánum said, “I
feel like a straw held motionless in cross currents of air,
there must be a reason for this, we must not struggle
against it.”
In the meantime the Bahá’ís of Nigeria were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their beloved guest. A delegation of some of the members of the Nigerian National Assembly came one afternoon to find out about Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s arrival and later on the Secretary of the National Assembly accompanied by the Counsellor Dr. William Maxwell came again to get the latest news. Rúḥíyyih Khánum assured them that the moment the documents arrived she would leave for Nigeria.
During this enforced sojourn in Cotonou Amatu’l-Bahá was able to meet two of the three Presidents of the Republic of Dahomey which she had not been able to do on her previous visit. On August 17th she was received by His Excellency Sourou M. Apithy at his office in Porto Novo and on August 21 by His Excellency Justin Ahomadegbe Tometin at his office of the President in Cotonou, who was then Acting President during the absence abroad of the Head of State. Dahomey has solved a number of problems through having a triumvirate of presidents, each representing a powerful group in the country, taking the presidency in rotation. Both of these gentlemen were charming to Rúḥíyyih Khánum and her visits lasted about a half an hour during which she spoke of the purpose of this long African transcontinental tour and also of the Bahá’í Faith and it’s teachings.
The last few days of our long wait in Dahomey were overshadowed by the sad news of my dear father’s serious illness and followed by the news he had passed on to the next world. In haste and distress we finally left for Nigeria on September 7 and on that same night I flew to Kampala to attend the funeral of my father, Musa Banání. As beloved Rúḥíyyih Khánum had been ill with
His Excellency President Sourou M. Apithy with Rúḥíyyih Khánum. He is another of Dahomey’s three Presidents.
Amatu’l-Bahá visiting His Excellency Justin Ahomadegbe Tometin, one of Dahomey’s three Presidents.
a bad cold, I was very reluctant indeed to leave her at a
time when all the pressures of a new tour in a new
country would be weighing upon her. However, she was
very sure that I must by all means go and pay my last
respect to my dear father and be at the side of my
mother on this sad occasion. I was away for eleven days.
During the nine days Amatu’l-Bahá spent in Lagos she
was able to meet the local believers at a welcoming
meeting held at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds as well as
on several other occasions. She visited with three members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’ís
and their friends in the Yoruba town of Ilaro, fifty-five
miles from Lagos, where a successful public meeting
was held with the Bahá’ís and their friends. A number of
students of the Faith enrolled at the end of the meeting.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum appeared twice on different television programs and was interviewed on the radio as well
as at a Press Conference shortly after her arrival. One
of the feature writers in one of the most important
national newspapers, the Daily Times headed his article
“Princess Feather”—taken from Amatu’l-Bahá’s Sioux
Indian name of “Princess Pretty Feather”.
As Rúḥíyyih Khánum resents waste of time, when 12,000 newly printed pamphlets were delivered at the National Headquarters where she was staying as the guest of the National Spiritual Assembly she set all the Bahá’ís at one of the meetings to tying the pamphlets up into bundles of fifty so they could be properly counted and distributed to Local Spiritual Assemblies, teachers and so on. In doing this it was discovered about 2,000 were missing. Efficiency is needed in our urgent Bahá’í work in many parts of the world.
Driving the Land Rover Rúḥíyyih Khánum crossed Nigeria from the West to East, visiting Benin for five days, where she was able to secure a very good interview on the national radio. She also visited Eneugu, the capital of the South Central State in the heart of Ibo land where she had a radio interview, a public meeting and met with the Bahá’ís and a number of their friends at an informal meeting in the home of one of the Bahá’ís. Her visit to this state was announced over the radio and heard throughout both the Central and Eastern states of Nigeria.
On September 21st Amatu’l-Bahá, accompanied by the National Secretary arrived in the city of Port Harcourt, where I rejoined her on my return from Uganda. During the one week period of her visit in the South Eastern State she was the guest of Counsellor Dr. William Maxwell and his wife. A reception was given in her honor by the Bahá’í community in the leading hotel. It was attended by a number of prominent people as well as by the Press, who asked her many questions. It ended up in being an animated Bahá’í discussion group. This resulted in favorable articles in the papers, in addition to a dinner party given by the Maxwells for a select group of people interested in the Faith. Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke to the students at the Teachers’ Training College in Port Harcourt, at a public gathering held the
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Rúḥíyyih Khánum meeting with the Bahá’ís of Enugu, the capital of Iboland, East Central State, Nigeria.
Some of the Lagos Bahá’í community with Amatu’l-Bahá at a reception given the National Spiritual Assembly in her honor.
same day, and at the Government Comprehensive Secondary School, of which Dr. Maxwell is the Principal.
During her first talk she spoke of the importance Bahá’u’lláh has attached to the station of the teacher in human society. She said that to a great extent the destiny of a nation is in the hands of its teachers. The academic subjects they teach are really of minor importance when compared with the influence they should exert in shaping the minds and the characters of the youth. She mentioned that in the Bahá’í society of the future, for people who fail to comply with the advice of Bahá’u’lláh that every one should write a will, an automatic will has been provided in which the great and noble role of the teacher is recognized through receiving a small share of the inheritance.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum almost invariably warns her audiences of a new and a very cruel prejudice which has come into the 20th Century—the prejudice of the literate against the illiterate. She points out that none of our ancestors were literate. She says “even my own ancestors in Scotland six or seven generations back may have been illiterate”. She points out that even such great civilizations as those of the Incas and the Mayas and the Aztecs were illiterate. She states wisdom and intelligence are different from the ability to read and write and therefore no one should look down upon his unlettered parents or relatives back in the village. With the present scientific advancement in the world most probably in two or three generations illiteracy will be completely eradicated, but in the meantime we should guard against this unreasonable and cruel prejudice which produces so much hurt and such a sense of inferiority among the villagers.
At the Government Comprehensive Secondary School she spoke to over 400 students on the importance of the influence of the individual in the society. She said that the individual is a component of the whole; that if each one of them in that room possessed a better character and became a better human being, the standard of the entire group would be raised. She quoted the words of U Thant, on the tenth anniversary of his General Secretariatship of the United Nations, to this effect that “every year that I get older the more I am convinced of the importance of the influence of the individual in society.”
At her public meeting Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke on the “Spiritual Destiny of Africa”. This is a theme that she often uses in her public talks. It is a superb resumé of the present state of the moral and spiritual powers of the different sections of the human race. She begins her talk by saying that economically as well as politically “Africa’s star is on the rise, there is no doubt about this, it is the spiritual and moral future of Africa that I am concerned with.” Here she points out that the continent of Asia has a very old, mature and spiritual culture, which has created a deep sense of spiritual values. However, it seems that at present their wisdom and these spiritual values are like the characteristics of an old person, though deep and precious in themselves the vitality and ability to expound them and export them to the rest of the world is lacking. The block of the white race, originally Europe and now most of the Americas, is the seat and source of our modern western materialistic civilization, the fountainhead of our present technological development. It is from this area the force of materialism, in spite of all its technological benefits, pours out to the rest of the world. Rúḥíyyih Khánum points out that unfortunately this civilization is devouring itself as it seriously lacks moral and spiritual values. It has reached its peak and now it is on the decline. The third block of humanity is the black race, whose cradle is Africa. Its peoples, although very old, are at present among the youngest of all the nations of the world. Africa has the vitality of youth, Africa is coming into her own. However, she must choose the right path in her upward climb, the path of moral and spiritual values, the path which leads her to her brilliant destiny. Amatu’l-Bahá quotes the words of Bahá’u’lláh, likening the black race to the pupil of the eye of humanity.
In describing the relationship of destiny to free will she gives that beautiful example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who likens the life of man to a loom; the long threads, or warp, are the factor of heredity, over which man has no power of choice. She points out she did not choose to be white or to be born into a Canadian family, to have her particular color of hair and eyes and so on, anymore than her audience chose to be black, to be born in Africa and to have their own particular characteristics. These are factors over which man has no control. The woof or cross thread of the loom, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likened to the force of environment over which likewise a man has little choice or control; most men, all over the world, remain in the environment into which they are born and which they did not select for themselves. What then is due to the individual’s initiative? The pattern he weaves. A man, through the factors of heredity and environment, may have thread of pure gold or silk, yet weave nothing into it but one long, blank, uninteresting piece of cloth. Another man may have the poorest grade of cotton thread yet weave into it a design so wonderful that it is treasured as a work of art for thousands of years and preserved in a great museum for all to see. So individuals and nations must pay attention to the design they weave, for that is the domain of their choice, therein they can fulfill their spiritual destiny. God only desires good and great things for his children.
In addition to these public lectures a unique radio interview of one hour was arranged in which Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave four talks of about 15 minutes each, dealing with the history and teachings of the Faith. These were to be broadcast over Port Harcourt radio for one month, each talk repeated twice during a week.
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Meeting with believers at Porto Novo, Dahomey.
The Saga of a Pioneer[edit]
Raymond Irving Betts was alone in his Volkswagen bus and it was stuck in the mud in the wilds of British Honduras. Darkness was approaching, and this was as far as he could go. There was only one person he knew in this section, and this one was subject to drinking sprees which might last a week. Ray knew the statistics said there were about fifteen persons to a square mile. Darkness, uncertainties and loneliness were closing in on him. What next?
Then Ray was discovered by a Mayan family. Shelter, food and human companionship were once more his. This was the beginning of a friendship which would last for several years, even longer, eternally, for the Lino family became Bahá’ís.
Ray Betts, an American, had, during the thirties, been in business in Peru where he met the Bahá’í pioneer John Stearns. He took John into his home when he became ill. It was in the Betts home that John died, radiant in his suffering. But John had accomplished the aim of his life, for an Assembly had been established and the Betts family became Bahá’ís.
Ray gave up his business in Peru, and, his health impaired, returned to the United States to raise and educate his family. When his children had families of their own, it became unthinkable to remain in the States, a maelstrom; keep up with the Joneses, turn a fast dollar. No, his tired body and his soul cried aloud for the solitude of the forests and the jungle, the heat and warmth of the tropics, the temperament of the Latins and the indigenous peoples. He felt at one with the poor of the land; their dependence on God was his dependence. He loved these people, who, if they had one chicken, would give you the egg.
So it was natural for Ray Betts to settle, in the winter months, in British Honduras. The Mayans helped him to find a plot of land and to build a house. He was interested in organic methods of gardening and had located in a land where “slash farming” was practiced, cutting down trees, then burning as a preparation for planting, then moving to another location to repeat the process. The result barely sustained life. But Ray took land that was not of the best, and in the same location and out of the usual cultivating season grew varieties which were unknown locally. One was the Irish potato. It was considered a great treat to dig into a hill and bring out a tuber for a visitor.
Mr. Betts was, in effect, a one-man “Peace Corps”, and in addition, regained his health in the process.
When the Lino family first offered to work for him, Ray offered them certain wages, which they refused. Ray thought they wanted higher wages but found instead they wished to give their services to learn from him. Finally they accepted wages and also learned. They were fascinated with new tools, gadgets, and delighted with Polaroid photos of themselves. Neighbors came from miles around to learn from Betts. With nutritious new food, they ceased being “Zombies” and became healthier and more prosperous. The Mayans, a minority in relation to the prevalent blacks, were encouraged to be proud of their ancient heritage and to arise to achieve their potential.
Last year, when the Dreyers came to Corozal, British Honduras and put on a musical performance in which they gave the Message, the Lino family, with hosts of relatives on both sides, came en masse to the meeting.
Mr. Betts will now go to be the resident Bahá’í teacher at the Martha Root Institute at Mima, Yucatan. Again, with his empathy and calm understanding, he will assuredly find new ways of serving the people of the land and his beloved Faith.
Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s Letter to the Deep South Committee[edit]
“... The news from your part of the world has been thrilling the hearts of the Bahá’ís everywhere and proves that when, far too long ago, Shoghi Effendi told the Americans if they were not meeting with a response in the North, then they should concentrate in the South, he meant what he said; but we so seldom listened.
“Our whole experience at that gathering was so thrilling and I would not have missed it for the world. It was my first time farther South than Charlottesville and a revelation in many ways. Do keep up the momentum, for such waves are not steady but have to be ridden right in to the shore; I think all over the world there are opportunities right now that are priceless and unique, and if we think they are a new and permanent situation we are fools; whatever is going to come will be such an upheaval that the entire picture everywhere will be changed; so now is the time to run ahead like a grass fire and let nothing stop us but some major change, over which we have no control, and not our own folly or a fit of cautiousness, or ‘Let us consolidate before we go any further.’ The Guardian said we must never stop the teaching, and the consolidation must just go along with it. I often wonder what we think consolidation is; surely teaching itself helps to deepen the new Bahá’í who is teaching. And we are all learning all the time—we never finish and graduate as perfect believers!
“Violette (Nakhjavání) joins me in sending you all the most loving greetings and best wishes for ever greater victories.”
(Editor’s note: The gathering referred to above was the Southeastern Summer School.) From THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í.
Youth Conference in the Dominican Republic[edit]
The Dominican Republic acted as host for the first Bahá’í Youth Conference for the Antilles, November 13-14, 1971. Over eighty Bahá’ís from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic attended the two-day conference held in the Hotel Guaricano in the city of La Vega. Representing the Board of Counsellors for Central America was Mrs. Carmen de Burafato from Mexico. Also present was Felix Ramón Gómez, Auxiliary Board member.
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In Memoriam
GRIEVED LEARN PASSING SYDNEY DEAN
HIS SERVICES MANY PIONEER POSTS MEASURE HIS DEVOTION CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
CONVEY DEAR WIFE FAMILY ASSURANCE
PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD PROGRESS HIS
SOUL ABHÁ KINGDOM —UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
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Pervasive throughout the conference was the atmosphere of joy shared by all Bahá’ís whenever they meet together. Demonstrated by those participating was a desire to learn and understand the Bahá’í approach to practical problems of living in this day of the Bahá’í era. Noted were the efforts of the teachers to emphasize whenever possible the inherent strictness of Bahá’í life.
The conference was structured around the presentation of two topics in each half-day session, each speaker answering any questions addressed to him following his presentation. A short break for the purpose of fellowship, singing, and refreshments was allowed between each set of presentations.
The topics were planned to cover aspects of Bahá’í life both from the special viewpoint of youth and as Bahá’ís in general. Hence, attention was devoted not only to the role and responsibility of youth in the administrative order, but to prayer and meditation, to the Bahá’í laws, and to the development of our spiritual lives.
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Passing of Charles C. Howard Mr. Charles C. Howard, Canon City, Colorado, ascended to the Abhá Kingdom on December 31, 1971 after a long period of failing health. Mr. Howard and his wife Anna pioneered in Mexico for fourteen years, beginning in 1954. Gradual loss of his eyesight necessitated retirement from the pioneer field in 1958. |
A public meeting was held the Saturday evening of the conference in the municipal building in La Vega. Approximately one hundred listened as Auxiliary Board member Felix Ramón Gómez and Julio Torres, a youth from Puerto Rico, spoke about the role of youth in the new world order. A copy of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to the Governess of the province, Doña Milagros Mendoza de Cáceres. Two youths who were at this meeting presented themselves at the conference the next morning to enroll in the Faith. Also, a local reporter enrolled who was covering this meeting and the rest of the conference.
At noon of the day the conference closed, a Unity Feast was offered by the Continental Board of Counsellors to those who attended. The closing words of the conference urged everyone to action, to begin immediately by teaching that afternoon in and around the city of La Vega. As a result of the efforts made that afternoon, thirty-one people enrolled in the Faith, bringing the total of enrollees that weekend to thirty-four.
The foregoing cablegram was sent by The Universal House of Justice on receipt of news of the sudden passing of Dr. Sydney I. Dean on December 25 in Concord, California, where he and Mrs. Dean had been visiting friends for a few days prior to their scheduled departure the following day to settle as pioneers in Zambia. Last summer Dr. Dean had spent a short time in Zambia where he participated in a week of intensive public teaching with the Bahá’ís of Lusaka. Dr. and Mrs. Dean have pioneered in many pioneer posts, including Hawaii, India, and Singapore.
Dahomey: Mr. and Mrs. Ferdows (left) on the occasion of their
visit to Mr. and Mrs. Apithy Sourou Migan, next in line. Mr.
Migan is a member of the Dahomey Presidential Council. They
are accompanied by three Bahá’í pioneers: M. Francois Charles,
Madam Francois-Charles and M. Djoneidi. On this occasion
Mr. Ferdows offered Mr. Apithy the book Bahá’u’lláh and the
New Era and the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh while Mrs. Migan presented Mrs. Apithy a Bahá’í Prayer book and Christ and
Bahá’u’lláh.
Bahá’í United Nations Reports[edit]
The Mayor of the town Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius, signing a declaration on the occasion of United Nations Day.
Standing: Counsellor Mr. S. Appa, Miss Guilda Navidi,
Mr. Ramasawmy, Mr. S. Mooten, Dr. H. M. Munje and
Mrs. E. Andee. Seated: Mr. Osman, Secretary of the
town and Mr. Jubbee, Mayor.
The readers at the special service at the Sydney House
of Worship to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary
of UNICEF’s Universal Children’s Day, October 17, 1971.
(Photo by permission of News Limited).
Victoria, Cameroon[edit]
Many officials were among the 325 people who attended a United Nations Day program in Victoria, Cameroon. The program included speakers from both UNESCO and the Prime Minister’s office. The guest speaker was Hand of the Cause, Rúḥíyyih Khánum. Included on the program were a message of Secretary-General U Thant, a talk by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Prime Minister’s office, music and a closing prayer by Mrs. Violette Nakhjavání, travelling companion of Madame Rabbani.
Karachi, Pakistan[edit]
Over one hundred people attended the celebration of United Nations Day in Bahá’í Hall, Karachi. Lectures dealt with the elimination of racial discrimination. The Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights submitted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States to the General Assembly in 1948 was read. The United Nations Information Center supplied posters, flags and literature for free distribution.
Such meetings were held elsewhere in Pakistan with great success.
In connection with Universal Children’s Day, a children’s gathering was planned for late October.
Mauritius[edit]
The Mayor of Vacoas and Phoenix received the Bahá’ís in his office and signed the declaration proclaiming the 24th of October 1971 as The United Nations Day of the International Year for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination.
At a tea party, attended by the United Nations Representative in Mauritius, the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Dr. H. M. Munje, talked on the activities of the United Nations and the part played by the Bahá’ís to promote United Nations activities.
The National Spiritual Assembly organized a public exhibition at Ghandi Ashram Hall in Vacoas. United Nations and Bahá’í posters were on display. The Mayor gave the opening speech after which Miss Guilda Navidi presented him with a copy of the proclamation book. Dr. Munje spoke on “Man One Family.”
Finland[edit]
From Helsinki we learn that about 99% of the Bahá’ís were active on United Nations Day. Twelve public meetings were held in ten towns. Many of these occasions consisted of nonstop programs for several hours with talks, films, etc. In addition, groups and isolated Bahá’ís had special coffee parties and minor activities. Hundreds of people are known to have attended the public meetings. The Finnish United Nations Association was especially impressed by the Bahá’í activity in many localities. They received requests for audio-visual materials and literature.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia[edit]
The Local Spiritual Assembly of Addis Ababa sponsored a public talk marking the 26th United Nations Day. The Chamber of Commerce Assembly Hall was full to capacity for the event. Mr. Kingsley Dube from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa was guest speaker. He mentioned the ceaseless efforts of the Bahá’ís and the United Nations towards world law and order and supported his statement by pointing out some of the Bahá’í principles to which he referred as: “Some of the basic things man has struggled to achieve throughout the ages.” Bahá’í and United Nations posters were displayed at the entrance of the Assembly Hall.
Other than the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the Bahá’í Community was the only organization that sponsored a public talk to mark United Nations Day.
Australia[edit]
A service was held at the Bahá’í House of Worship at Ingleside to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of UNICEF’s Children’s Day in October 1971. The event proved to be an unprecedented success. The young readers and choir were well rehearsed. Some 250 children and adults attended and these included United Nations and UNICEF officials, religious ministers and government and official representatives. Newspaper coverage was excellent and included a charming photograph on the front page of The Australian, the national newspaper.
Universal Children’s Day is the day dedicated by the United Nations to “world-wide fraternity and understanding among children.” This year’s theme was “Young Human Resources. The Key to National Development.”
Observances of this occasion were planned by the National and Regional Goals Committees throughout Australia, and in addition, all communities were urged to plan their own functions. UNICEF posters were given to the headmasters of eight primary schools. Children and adults of the Sydney Bahá’í Community made over 6,000 paper flags which were distributed throughout Australia for Universal Children’s Day by the National Goals Committee.
[Page 11]
Successful Universal Children’s Day activities also
took place in several other Bahá’í communities in Australia. In Port Adelaide, S.A., the Bahá’ís persuaded the
management of a shopping center to sponsor a display
for United Nations Children’s Day. In addition, four
members of the Bahá’í community assisted the local
United Nations office with its official display, giving
clear evidence that Bahá’ís are prepared to actively help
with United Nations projects wherever possible. In
Devonport, Tasmania, an evening film program included
one on Danny Kaye’s UNICEF work in Asia, and one
relating the story of a Cambodian boy and his elephant.
In Sutherland, UNICEF posters and approximately 100
invitations were given to the headmasters of eight Primary Schools for display and distribution among the
teaching staff; while in Randwick, a soccer field was a
colorful sight on Saturday afternoon when the children
received their brightly colored flags for Universal Children’s Day. These flags, bearing a picture of children in
many lands, with the inscription, “Children Understand
Unity,” were distributed by Randwick Bahá’ís. The
program featured a number of excellent band performances; and a competition of children’s art. In the
evening, a public meeting had as guest speakers the
Secretary of the New South Wales Branch of UNICEF
and the Head of the Faculty of Education at Goulburn,
who spoke respectively on the work of UNICEF and on
education in bringing out the inherent goodness in
people, in eliminating prejudice and creating a truly
human society. Brisbane, Queensland, in turn, held a
successful program with a party for children, featuring
games, popular songs, balloons, music and refreshments.
United Nations Day was celebrated by the Bahá’í communities of Orange and Adelaide with programs on the elimination of racial discrimination. In Adelaide a seminar held by the Bahá’ís in conjunction with the United Nations Association stressed the concept of unity in diversity.
The Bahá’í community of Perth, Western Australia, celebrated Universal Children’s Day with a comprehensive talk on education, giving particular emphasis to education of the child. In Mudgee, N.S.W., the focal point of the celebration for UN Universal Children’s Day was a very favorably received week-long display of UNICEF material in the foyer of the Commonwealth Bank. A complementary display on the Bahá’í theme was mounted in a shop window on premises owned by Bahá’ís. One thousand specially printed UN-Bahá’í flags were distributed to children in three schools and through twenty local businesses. The Bahá’ís received good radio coverage on all activities in a program entitled “This Concerns You,” in which the host described events the day before and on the actual day. The Mudgee Guardian also printed the Bahá’í-UN release in full.
In Brisbane, Queensland, fifty people attended a United Nations program, featuring a speaker from the United Nations Association and a member of the Bahá’í community. At an informal buffet supper following the program, the UNA speaker suggested that a close relationship be established between her organization and the Bahá’í community.
- —BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
- 866 United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017
CORRECTIONS[edit]
Because one aspect of the BAHÁ’Í NEWS is to serve as an historical record, we wish to clarify that the mass teaching team from the United States which visited Barbados (according to the article in the December 1971 Bahá’í News) was not sent, upon request, by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States. Rather, the team was sent under the auspices of the Continental
United Nations Day, 1971 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, held
at the Chamber of Commerce. Left to right: Mr. Kingsley
Dube, speaker; H. E. Lidj Endankachw Makunnen, Minister of Communications and Honorary Chairman; Mr.
Gila Michagn Bohta, Chairman, also Chairman of the
National Spiritual Assembly of North East Africa.
Pioneer Committee for the Americas, which is not a committee of the United States. The project was jointly funded by the National Assembly of the United States and the International Deputization Fund through the Continental Pioneer Committee.
Errors in November 1971 BAHÁ’Í NEWS: On page 20,
the man standing to Dr. Peter Khan’s left is not Günter
Maltz, but Mr. Richard Backwell of Northern Ireland.
He and his wife Vida pioneered for a number of years in
British Guiana, and he served on the British National
Spiritual Assembly before appointed to the Auxiliary
Board.
On page 25, the caption under the picture in the right column indicates that Norman Bailey and Sylvia Schulman Benetar are German Bahá’ís. Both live in England.
Correspondents: Please note the necessity of checking copy before it is sent to the BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Check spelling of all names of persons and places, and all pertinent information. We are dependent upon you. Many times it is difficult or at least time consuming, to check the accuracy of data sent.
Please, when using a quotation give the source. If we are unable to locate the quotation in the Writings, it is omitted. (Editor’s note)
Youth Conference
Salzburg Austria[edit]
Hands of the Cause, Mr. Olinga and Dr. Mühlschlegel
greet the Mayor of Salzburg, who addressed the conference.
Beautiful faces from the crowd at Salzburg. In this picture are faces from Italy, France, Germany, Austria
and England.
On two days the participants in the conference went out to teach the diverse people on the streets of Salzburg.
[Page 13]
Street teaching extends itself to the drivers of horse
drawn carriages used to carry tourists throughout scenic
Salzburg.
This photo identifies the location and the duration of
the conference. An American pioneer to Germany is in
the foreground.
Photographs by UNIFOTO
Salzburg Youth Conference[edit]
The youth of Europe are arising to fulfill the goals of the Nine Year Plan for Europe. From December 26 until January 2, 1972, these youth gathered at the Kongresshaus Hall in Salzburg, Austria, to discuss their successes and failures since Fiesch last summer and to plan their new goals, preparing for the Summer Youth Conference in Padua, Italy this coming July.
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is one of the most picturesque towns in the world. The entire city nestles below the schloss or castle which dominates the landscape.
The Kongresshaus is the pride of Salzburg. The hall, with a capacity of a thousand people, was crowded at times during the conference. Against the back wall of the mezzanine was a display of pictures of Hands of the Cause, pictures of different groups at Fiesch and Iceland, and a small display of color pictures from the Holy Land.
Another large hall was used for workshop sessions and study classes as well as the perpetual fireside during the Conference. A bookshop did a brisk business.
Hands of the Cause of God, Mr. Enoch Olinga and Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, represented the Institution of the Hands at the Conference. Mr. Olinga was also the representative of The Universal House of Justice and read their letter of welcome which included the following:
“It is now almost nine months since the representatives of European youth gathered in Belgium to consult on the launching of the Two Year Youth Campaign. What were then ideals and hopes you now see as concrete accomplishments. You have with your own eyes seen what can be achieved when the believers enthusiastically and confidently set out to obey the divine summons to teach the cause, and are reinforced by the hosts of the Supreme Concourse—indeed many of you gathered in Salzburg are no doubt Bahá’ís now as a result of these stirring achievements.
“The great task has been well begun, but what has happened so far is but a foretaste of what is still to come. Our thoughts are centered upon you and our prayers are with you. May Bahá’u’lláh inspire your deliberations, aid you to exemplify His Teachings in your lives and unloose your tongues to proclaim His Cause and teach His healing Message to all who have ears to hear.”
Dr. Mühlschlegel also welcomed the youth to the Conference as did the Burgermeister of Salzburg.
Members of the Continental Board of Counsellors of Europe present during the Conference were Counsellors Eric Blumenthal, Analiese Bopp, and Betty Reed. Several members of the Auxiliary Board were also present.
Over thirty countries were represented in the roll call of nations during the Conference, with 634 registered participants.
Mass teaching in Salzburg and the surrounding areas was also one of the goals of this Conference with two days dedicated to this end. Over forty groups of ten or more were sent out either to tell the inhabitants of the surrounding areas about Bahá’u’lláh or to invite them to the two public entertainment evenings at the Kongresshaus.
Many of the groups went into Salzburg to teach the people on the streets. Groups of Bahá’í youth were seen sitting in the parks singing and drawing crowds or standing in groups on the sidewalks and bridges and with the aid of simple guitar accompaniment, were singing together of world peace and unity and Bahá’u’lláh. Others invited the people to the teaching evenings at the Kongresshaus. Even the drivers of the horse-drawn carriages, touring the streets filled with holiday tourists, were included in these efforts.
Tuesday, December 28 and Friday the 31st were the two evenings of proclamation entertainment. Different Dawnbreakers singing groups representing many of the countries of Europe entertained. The group from Austria was popular, also a group of five musicians put together by Reza Rehani and introduced by Reza. The five musicians were from Scandinavia, United States, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Germany.
For those who did not choose to go to the public events or mass teaching, Counsellor Betty Reed offered a class on “The Hidden Words” and Counsellor Erik Blumenthal offered a class on “Living Together in Modern Society”. Both were well attended. Alternative workshops were going on simultaneously on “Bahá’í History”, “Bahá’í Life and Laws”, “Administration,” “The Covenant” and “Spiritual Teachings: Prayer and Meditation, Life After Death, Christian Subjects.”
Analiese Bopp of the Continental Board of Counsellors, gave a history of the European Youth Campaign from its inception in Namur through Fiesch and now to Salzburg. Reports were heard from all of the different countries on their successes and failures since Fiesch. Counsellor Erik Blumenthal’s talk on statistics was fascinating.
Mrs. Eileen Norman, Secretary of the International Goals Committee of the United States of America, addressed the Conference on youth teaching projects planned for six countries in Europe next summer. At least 150 youth from the United States will be coming. She asked that the youth present set their priorities and goals so that they could help these visiting youth to make a success of their summer plans.
During the course of the Conference, one hundred and eleven people declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh. Several more declared after the close of the Conference, but are not considered a part of the Conference statistics. Seventy of these new Bahá’ís are from Salzburg. The National Spiritual Assembly of Austria immediately began very careful plans for consolidation and deepening classes which were begun before the end of the Conference.
Small groups were gathered around the building at the end of the Conference, making plans for Padua next summer. Excitement is growing in Europe. As Mr. Blumenthal said, “Linda (Youseffian) showed us that we can mention the name of Bahá’u’lláh in Europe and not suffer dire consequences.” Now it is up to us to tell all the people about Bahá’u’lláh.
—From a report by Haynes C. McFadden. Photos by UNIFOTO.
Hartford, Connecticut Hosts First of a Series of Seminars of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Hartford, Connecticut, was the site of the first of forty Local Spiritual Assembly Seminars to be held through this summer to strengthen the authority and influence of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and equip them to handle the affairs of the rapidly growing numbers of Bahá’ís.
Mr. Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, with the assistance of Mrs. Caterina Kazemzadeh, conducted the meetings and workshops. Local Spiritual Assembly members from Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts expressed great enthusiasm for the presentation and felt their Assemblies would benefit greatly from the education they received.
COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER
Wilmette Bahá’í Home[edit]
Public Health officials of the State of Illinois, early in November, visited and examined The Bahá’í Home in Wilmette, the first dependency of the House of Worship, for a period of five hours. They found the home beautifully kept, with superior nursing care and superior food served to guests.
The contrast to other homes of a similar purpose in the area is great, as disturbing details about them have recently been exposed in the news. According to George Walker, Administrator of the Home, as the officials were leaving one said: “It really does my heart good to come to a home like this. It restores my faith in humanity.”
Recently a new dining room has been opened at the home. There are also new quarters for employees where they can lounge, change clothes, see TV, etc. The officials were astonished to note these quarters as other homes do not usually have such facilities.
A recreation program for residents is in operation. There is a bridge club, movies twice a week. A program on comparative religion, with movies, will soon begin. Entertainers come regularly; Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, groups of school children. A hobby and craft class will begin soon. The home is affiliated with the North Shore Senior Citizen’s Club.
Open to all races, creeds and colors, the minimum age requirement of the home is sixty-five years. There are three residents in their nineties, but the average age of those who live there is eighty-four. Nursing care is provided but hospital care for a retirement home is forbidden by state law.
The rate, in comparison to other homes, is very reasonable. The monthly rent covers all items. Many homes require an entrance “founder’s fee” of $12,000 which is not recoverable.
The management does not keep a waiting list, but a written application is a requirement before a guest is accepted.
The most enthusiastic fans of the home have been found to be doctors. In residence are three family members of doctors.
Visit of Mr. Cyrus Towfiq to the Gambia[edit]
Mr. Cyrus Towfiq has been on a business trip in the Gambia for two weeks (August 26 to September 2), as an economic consultant with the International Monetary Fund to the Central Bank of the Gambia. On arriving, Mr. Towfiq sought out the Bahá’ís and graciously offered any time available after his working hours to serve the Faith.
Mr. Towfiq’s visit brought great joy to the hearts of the friends. He brought news and loving greetings from many friends, especially from Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum whom he met in Ghana. He showed a profound interest and concern for the work of the Faith in this country.
On Sunday, August 22, Mr. Towfiq met the friends in Lamin, Churchiltown and Serekunda. At this time he arranged for future meetings. Unfortunately, due to sickness, he was unable to return to Lamin, but the following Thursday he visited the communities of Serekunda and Churchiltown with great success. The friends were all delighted to meet him and to learn more about the Faith from him.
On Friday, August 27, the Central Bank held a reception in honor of Mr. Towfiq to which he arranged to invite the four pioneers. Mr. Towfiq made use of this and every other opportunity to mention the Faith. Through his efforts the Faith was proclaimed to some high level government officials. His work added to the prestige of the Faith and reinforced the favorable impression made by the visit of beloved Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum this past spring.
On Saturday, August 28, Mr. Towfiq visited Sotokoi, a small village about thirty-four miles inland. There, gradually the whole village is coming into the Faith. He spoke to the chief and all present. His talk was followed by a slide program. His visit to this village helped to establish the world character of the Faith and the fundamental principle of unity. His words were cordially received by all.
Panama Temple Nearing Completion[edit]
Friends congregated in the memorial service for Hand of the Cause Musá Banání.
The most recent photographs of the Panama Temple. The Greatest Name in the dome.
The gates open.
The gates closed.
THE PANAMA HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]
Standing high atop a hill near the Transisthmian Highway, overlooking the green hills to the west and the north, the low plains to the east, the Bay of Panama, with parts of the City of Panama and the Canal Zone on the south, is the Bahá’í House of Worship, the Mother Temple of Latin America.
The structural portion has been completed and the silhouette is already a focal point magnetically drawing the attention of the local populace and tourists alike, making them aware of the Bahá’í Faith. The structure stands out prominently for miles around.
Ever since the start of construction of the House of Worship, rather, since the start of construction of the access road to the site, a certain spiritual “presence” has been growing steadily stronger in Panama. This spiritual growth is characterized by the exuberance with which the friends forge ahead in the many tasks before them, and more especially the exaltation shining in their faces.
Among the visitors to the construction site have been several groups of engineers, architects, professional societies, women’s clubs, and innumerable individuals who have braved the steep and rocky access road to reach the sanctified spot. All are awed by the architectural balance and symmetry portrayed here of the design by the world-renowned architect, Mr. Peter Tillotson of London, England.
The work continues steadily to progress on the adornment of this magnificent structure, including the tile surfacing, which will accent the simple beauty of the sparkling, parabolic dome resting majestically on the formidable buttress walls—yet to be clad in rust colored, Verona marble chips. The final stages of the decorative portion require the highest quality of workmanship.
The opening in the dome near the apex of the parabola does not detract from the form, but rather gives the impression of a crown on the dome. The light which it emits will give a soft elegance to the Greatest Name, resting high in the apex of the dome, which is otherwise darkened except for the natural light from the unglazed arches and decorative iron gates at the nine entrances. This opening is so cleverly designed that rain, which is plentiful in tropical Panama, will be excluded.
The interior of the thin-shelled concrete dome is accented by nine prefabricated concrete arches reaching up to form a nine-pointed star encircling the Greatest Name. The wide gallery serves as a promenade, circling the auditorium, thus permitting access to the ramparts of nine buttresses, where one has breathtaking views in all directions. Circular stairs have been designed in two of the alcoves formed by the buttress walls for access and egress to and from the gallery.
The completion of this consecrated edifice will be evidence of the self-sacrificing devotion of the friends throughout the entire world who have contributed towards its erection. Prayers are urgently needed in order to bring into the material world, at its appointed time, and without a burden of difficulties, this portion of the divine Nine Year Plan. Dedication of the House of Worship in Panama is April 29 through May 2, 1972.
Bahá’í News—Forty Years Ago[edit]
- The following article was taken from BAHÁ’Í NEWS, February 1932, #59, just forty years ago.
THE HOUSE OF WORSHIP: Some American Bahá’ís
were visiting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the old prison city of ‘Akká
in 1908 and he said to them: “To have it (the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár) built is most important. Some material things
have spiritual effect and the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is a material thing that will have great effect upon the spirits
of the people. Not only does the building of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár have an effect upon those who build it, but
upon the whole world.”
Again and again have we Bahá’ís been called to unity by the beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He explained to us the dormant forces hidden in this unity, waiting release by our united efforts.
Since the beginning of history no people have had placed in their grasp the power to so benefit mankind as have the Bahá’ís. Theirs is the most glorious opportunity—to fail, the greatest ignominy.
The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár was designed by Bahá’u’lláh, a perfect outer expression of the inner reality, the form indicating the meaning. He commanded the Bahá’ís to construct such institutions in all countries, and make them the focal points for the development of the religious, philanthropic, educational and charitable life of the people. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will become the center around which all these universal Bahá’í activities will be clustered. From that point of light, the spirit of teaching, spreading the Cause of God and promoting the teaching of God, will permeate to all parts of the world.”
The voice of the appointed Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, is calling the Bahá’ís, in the most earnest tones, to unite and establish this center. Nothing succeeds until it has an established center around which to revolve. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says: “Know thou that there is in the world of existence a center for each great matter and bounties shower from that center.” Clearly then, the Bahá’ís of America have within their power, through their united sacrificial efforts, the opportunity to construct a material edifice that will affect “the whole world”. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote: “When the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár with its accessories is established in the world, aside from its religious or spiritual influence, it will have a tremendous effect upon civilization. Aside from the religionists who will feel its influence, materialists will not be exempt therefrom. Moreover, it contains divine wisdoms, spiritual effects upon the intellects and thoughts. Subsequent to its erection these will become evident.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has unfolded to us the great potentialities of this Mashriqu’l-Adhkár so that the Bahá’ís might work with the divine enthusiasm which comes from first knowing and then doing. If this spirit of co-operation and sacrifice should be sustained it will indirectly affect all the other phases of our activity and usher in a new era in the history of the progress of the Movement in that country.”
In early winter a Baha’ i friend invited me to drive to Chicago “To Pray in the Temple”. Needless to say we went.
Readers, the wish of my heart while there was that every believer on this Continent might have that experience, and privilege. Words cannot express the ‘Power’ that reaches down to the depth of heart and soul as one steps inside the upper part of that Divine House of Worship. Turning eastward toward “That White Spot, from which all regions have been perfumed” one faintly glimpses the significance of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prophecy regarding the mighty tumult that would be set in motion upon its completion.
Standing outside the building quite a different reaction
[Page 18]
was realized. Beautiful as it is even in its unfinished state,
these words rang in my heart—“I am naked. Will ye not
clothe me?” If every believer in America could see it in
its present stage there is no question that added sacrifices
would appear in each individual life—“ere it is too late.”
Shoghi Effendi views the great sacrifice the friends are making to complete the Temple with great admiration. He, however, hopes that this will be continuous and not spasmodic. We have to show the world that though our number is small, our spirit of service is beyond measure and we can face any emergency with absolute assurance as to the final victory. That the Temple edifice should arise under such circumstances, that its elaborate and exquisite ornamentation should be carried out, through the efforts of a mere handful of Bahá’í followers despite the gloom, the uncertainty and the dangers which surround them is but another evidence of the mysterious all-compelling power of Bahá’u’lláh whose blessings will be bountifully vouchsafed to all who arise to carry out His purpose.
On December 16th the National Spiritual Assembly sent to its Local Spiritual Assemblies the third in its series of letters devoted to the Plan of Unified Action. In this letter the Assembly stated its “firm confidence, that every true believer will also arise in full devotion and sacrifice, is based upon the conviction that the completion of the beloved Temple of Bahá’u’lláh is not merely an economic but far more a spiritual task. We are convinced that the apparently overwhelming obstacles on the path leading to that success are the means of discipline, purification and unity given us all from the wisdom and mercy of the Manifestation Himself.
On January 14th the fourth letter was sent. “... for consideration at every Nineteen Day Feast, that all the believers may concentrate their minds and hearts on the success of the Plan of Unified Action. No one can estimate the full measure of that blessing which shall be poured out upon the co-workers of Shoghi Effendi when the mysterious power of unity takes effect in all the local gatherings of Bahá’ís.... Only what we give—of love, devotion and wise counsel, as well as of material wealth—will be saved in this Great Day of God. What we hold back will be lost....”
Shoghi Effendi has directed me to write this ...
As to material sacrifices toward the welfare of the Cause, he wishes you to understand that the general interests of the Cause take precedence over the interests of the particular individuals. For instance, contributions to the welfare of individuals are secondary to contributions to the National and Local Funds and that of the Temple.
This is a general instruction ...
The chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New York City has received from Shoghi Effendi a letter and also a cablegram which indicate his approval of the Local Declaration of Trust recently adopted by that body....
The first portion of the letter was written through his secretary: “It is surely very important to give to the Local Spiritual Assemblies some legal standing, for as the Cause progresses and its adherents increase, they will be confronted with duties they cannot even imagine at present....
“For such duties that will naturally devolve upon the Local Spiritual Assemblies there will be an increasing need for a legal standing. They will have to be considered as a legal person with the power of making binding contracts....”
The Guardian added the following words in his own handwriting:
“It (Declaration of Trust) will serve as a pattern for every Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly in America and a model for every local community throughout the Bahá’í world. This document, being the first of its kind, should, I feel, be published, in its final form and in its entirety, in The Bahá’í World.”
Distinguished Malaysian Visitors to Wilmette[edit]
Among the many foreign visitors to the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette in November were Mr. and Mrs. Appu Raman of Malaysia (center) shown here with the Coordinators of the House of Worship, Mr. Caswell Ellis (left) and Mr. Albert King (right). Mr. Raman, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, had just completed a Bahá’í teaching mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan. After visiting Bahá’í friends he had made while in Michigan several years ago, he and Mrs. Raman planned to continue around the world, stopping in New York and Washington to consult with persons in health and welfare education and service to the handicapped, thence to London to visit the resting place of the Guardian and the Bahá’í House of Worship in Germany.
Since 1965 Mr. Raman has been the principal of a rehabilitation center for the physically handicapped which not only provides vocational training for physically handicapped persons but also aids them to whatever extent is possible to find employment.
In speaking of their visit to Hong Kong Mr. Raman referred to that city as “the doorway to China” through which the Message of Bahá’u’lláh would soon be carried to the teeming millions of people living in that vast land. He stated that at Riḍván 1971 The Universal House of Justice called upon the Bahá’ís of Malaysia to concentrate on teaching the Chinese in Hong Kong. It is his belief that this is an important task to be shared with all Bahá’ís throughout the world, especially the youth, and he strongly recommends that they start now to learn to speak Chinese and thus be ready for the opportunities that very soon will arise for mass teaching in the mainland of China.
The First Latin American Bahá’í Club[edit]
On August 4, 1971, the first Bahá’í Club in all of Latin America was officially approved and recognized by the presiding Student Senate of the University of the Americas, located in the pueblo of Santa Catarina Mártir, adjacent to the fourth largest city in Mexico—Puebla, and an area which is the center and focus of the most conservative, the most Catholic stronghold in all of Mexico.
Beginning this fall quarter the Club, consisting of nine members from both nationalities, those of Mexican and those of United States origin, determined to establish the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh upon a firm, stable and secure foundation at this University, undertook to initiate activities which would, on the one hand, create an awareness of our origin, aims, and purposes within the student body, and on the other hand, lay the groundwork and gain the support of the Administration. We have been compelled from the outset of our program to exercise the utmost tact and caution (in the midst of the audacity of which our beloved Guardian speaks) because of the strict division of church and state which exists in the Mexican Republic.
The former has and is being accomplished through regular, sustained weekly Wednesday night informal presentations of the principles of the Bahá’í Faith. Working carefully and with discretion, the first of these was the presentation of a talk on Hinduism; the second, the history and social aspects of the Philippines; the third, a discussion with the newly installed President of the University; the fourth, a general overview of the Bahá’í Faith; the fifth, a discussion of the equality of women and men; the sixth, another, deeper presentation of the overall Bahá’í Program; the seventh, a discussion on prejudice; the eighth and last of this quarter, a discussion, in Spanish, on the possibilities of a world government.
The second aim is being fulfilled through repeated and close contact with the office of the President of the University. The Club presented the book One in All* to the newly appointed President of the University, with a letter from the Club stating our aims and purposes, and offering to his office any assistance which we might be capable of rendering. Thereafter, we had the bounty of serving as ushers at his inauguration and receiving a letter from him
Club Bahá’í membership, fall quarter 1971, University of the Americas, Pueblo, Mexico. Left to right, Back row: Ann King, California, Carlos Enrique Martinez, Mexico City; Fred Cooprider, Oregon; Paul Vaughn, New Mexico; Middle row: Roberta Graham, Illinois; Lois Bierley, Ohio; Cherie Tagg de Martinez, New Mexico; Front row: Fred Frazelle, Indiana; Amy Black, Pennsylvania.
[Page 20]
thanking us for our services performed. We then offered
to him an opportunity to speak at one of our meetings,
which he accepted, and in his turn, he invited the President of the Club to a banquet at his home in order to
promote unity and international understanding among
the members of the student body and faculty of the University. The offer was accepted and the ties between the
Club and the Administration were thereby strengthened.
Added to this was the bountiful opportunity to inform the
President and his wife more fully of the background and
character of the Bahá’í Faith.
During the coming quarters the Club hopes to become more bold and outspoken concerning the name of Bahá’u’lláh, and to eventually launch an unprescribed and unrestricted campaign of proclamation on the campus, so that everyone, both those of Mexican as well as other descent, may hear and become fully informed as to who Bahá’u’lláh is and the nature of the Plan which He has conceived for the ultimate and final salvation of a sorely tried and grievously striken humanity.
*One in All is a compilation in the Wisdom of the East series, by Edith B. Schnapper and contains comparative quotations from various religions, including the Bahá’í Faith.
Music Lends Prestige to the Faith[edit]
By Maud Grasselly[edit]
Alfredo Speranza (in bow tie) after one of his proclamation concerts in Uruguay, with Bahá’ís. Second and third
from left, Auxiliary Board members Ramon Moreira of
Uruguay and Maralynn Dunbar of Argentina.
Alfredo Speranza, a renowned pianist, is a Uruguayan
citizen who has been living in Italy for the last twenty-two years. He is Professor of Music in Bologna and
directs the Speranza Academy of Music in Rimini.
Mr. Speranza became a Bahá’í in Italy in 1968 at which time he began composing music inspired by the Bahá’í teachings. Since then, he has been proclaiming the Faith through his music throughout Italy and other European countries. On July 17, 1971 he arrived in his native country, Uruguay, to proclaim the Faith through proclamation concerts and television appearances. He played his Bahá’í compositions in seven Uruguayan cities, as well as Buenos Aires, Argentina and three Brazilian cities, accompanied in many of them by Counsellor Athos Costas and Auxiliary Board members Maralynn Dunbar and Ramón Moreira. Board member Sr. Moreira was instrumental in making arrangements in every city where proclamation concerts were held, in the three countries mentioned. Sr. Costas and Mrs. Dunbar spoke to several audiences on the Bahá’í Faith prior to the concerts themselves and through this means hundreds of people heard about the Faith. He has given about 1,500 concerts in Europe and South Africa.
In addition to the proclamation concerts Sr. Speranza appeared on at least ten television programs during his stay in Uruguay, and in this way many thousands heard about the Faith. On August 25, 1971, Sr. Speranza returned to Italy and shortly thereafter went to Iceland to perform during the Oceanic Conference held there.
We quote from Sr. Speranza’s own words regarding his desire to promote the Faith through music:
“When I began composing Bahá’í music in 1968, it had been ten years since I had composed anything. I had been suffering from a feeling of spiritual emptiness and had not been able to create anything for lack of inspiration. That is why the desire to compose new music, a renewed desire to express myself, was a decisive moment in my life. The cause of this desire was vital and important: my spirit had begun to overflow with faith and with love for all people. I had become acquainted with the Bahá’í Faith, and so great was its impact on my soul and mind that it was as though a wall inside me had fallen, enabling me to compose for hours on end. It was thus that the ‘Poema Bahá’í’ was born, which visualizes Bahá’u’lláh, addressing His followers, and these same believers carrying His words around the world—words of brotherhood, of peace, of happiness, of the complete unity of man. The ‘Poema’ ends in a triumphal march, visualizing all men marching hand-in-hand toward the Supreme One, full of great happiness in their knowledge of the truth ...
“I beg of God to give me the strength to continue with my work and thus enable me to carry the Bahá’í Faith, through music, to all corners of the world.”
Announcement from India[edit]
The Bahá’í Publishing Trust of India has announced a Bahá’í Book Subscription Plan whereby any Bahá’í institution or individual can become a member of the plan by paying $10 annually. Each member of the plan receives one copy of each publication brought out by that Trust, in English, during the year in which the subscription is purchased.
Send in your name, along with a certified check or money order for ten United States dollars ($10.00), payable to:
- Bahá’í Publishing Trust
- P.O. Box 19 New Delhi—1, India
[edit]
A Scandinavian Summer School will be held in Norway, the first week of July 1972. The location of the school is at a special beautiful place, Ringsaker Folkehoyskole, three hours by train from Oslo, not far from Lillehammer, one of our goal cities. A program with details will be announced as soon as possible.
A Letter from a Pioneer[edit]
Japan has been given the goal of trying to achieve their 60 Local Spiritual Assemblies (the Nine Year Goal) by this Riḍván, then spend the last year of the Plan for consolidation and deepening. This was presented to the Bahá’ís by Dr. Muhájir about three weeks ago during a two-day visit to Tokyo. Since then small teams of Bahá’ís have been going each Sunday to another town to support firesides. For various reasons (such as custom and very small homes) most of the meetings are held in rooms, rented or loaned, that occupy a small corner of a business establishment. In Kofu, we meet in a nice little room ...
Another fireside that I’ve attended on Wednesday evenings is at a Tea Room in Toyoda, another suburb of Tokyo. We meet around three little tables pushed together—have tea and sandwiches and talk in English and Japanese. Since the group is diverse in looks and language we do attract attention from the other diners. No one has come over to question us yet—maybe we should have some pamphlets and at least tell the owners and waiters.
Jack Davis (a long time Philippine Bahá’í) is here in Japan for six months to set up a National Information Center—to begin a gigantic mailing operation all over Japan. Lists are being compiled from all possible sources, so that eventually about three million letters will go out. The mailing consists of a general information pamphlet—a short letter from the National Spiritual Assembly Secretary saying that the world is in chaos and this pamphlet will give a new direction and answers to the world problems. (I have not seen a literal translation of letter or pamphlet so am vague re exact information given). There is also a reply card, stamped and addressed to the Center here with boxes to check off for: more information, visit, membership card, etc. This type of proclamation has worked very well in the Philippines and the hope is that it will help to fulfill the Guardian’s promise that “Japan will turn ablaze”, the words said by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
A young Japanese man stopped in—for a few minutes that turned into an hour. He’s been here twice for firesides, has read some little pamphlets and wanted more—in English. He reads and understands spoken English well and speaks it fairly well but haltingly. He wanted Bahá’í material in English as the Japanese translations “are hard to understand”. He questioned. I think that the Bahá’í library, sale and loan, of English books needs strengthening. That may be something I can tackle—we shall see ...
So there is a stress of helping the Japanese perfect their English. They all are exposed to English in school, so can read it fairly well—often when I go into a store if I write down what I want (in English) the shopkeeper can understand, but if I try to say it in English he’s lost. Once they leave school, often there is very little contact with English and in school it’s taught by Japanese with emphasis on grammar and reading and little conversation. So I try to speak slowly with my best diction and watch the face for comprehension. No one likes to admit they don’t understand so I usually repeat or say it a different way until the light dawns. Occasionally the same thing is done for me in Japanese, but it’s a slow and challenging way to talk. Stretches my brain to think of synonyms.
I mentioned Jack Davis and his “project”. Well, inadvertently he’s also taken on a remodeling job of Bahá’í Centers. When he was in Hokkaido, he and two other Americans repainted and refurbished the little Center there—they had no one to do this and no money for several years. Word got around that it really looked great now so he was asked to tackle this Center—and tackle is the right word. For nearly two weeks we painted, repaired, cleaned out closets, cleaned in general, moved furniture—offices changed around, I’m at the other end of the building now in a cozy little newly painted room, right next to the kitchen and bathroom and separate from the offices and activity centers. The work is not quite finished—painting all done, but two ceilings need plywood panels ...
The young American airman doing the work had to go back and work for Uncle Sam for a few days—but he’s due back for three days later this week. He’s a carpenter, electrician and painter by avocation—how fortunate! There is a lovely garden in back of the Center and in the Spring he has promised to put his landscaping talents to work there! So you begin to see what my days are like—the life of a pioneer: stuffing envelopes, painting, cooking, serving coffee, traveling and meeting lovely new friends, struggling with the language, always something new and challenging, but then when the new things get a bit wearing I do something old and familiar.
Today I took my courage in both hands and walked alone about one mile to a park—it had been pointed out to me several weeks ago by my red-haired and bearded American grocery store acquaintance. Well, the park is lovely—broad lawns, trees, pavilions, ponds and people doing just what they’d be doing in parks in the United States, children climbing the trees, parents and children playing ball and flying kites, couples strolling along the paths, sitting on the benches, lolling on the grass (a little chilly but they didn’t seem to notice), taking pictures. This was the last day of the New Year holiday and many young ladies were out in their gorgeous kimonos—like the Easter parade—and just like the pictures of traditional Japan—bright colors, brocades and satin, hair up with flowers and long fancy pins through the buns. Unfortunately I didn’t have my camera—but then I’m not sure how to ask for permission to take a picture so it’s just as well I forgot it.
I must finish this up and get back to my studying. I’ve nearly memorized the pre-kindergarten set of fifty Japanese characters—now must get on to the other fifty Japanese characters, then start on the 1850 Chinese characters. If I live long enough and stay here long enough I may be able to read the signs! There’s no time to worry or fret or wonder what I’m doing 8000 (or so) miles from home. I’m really very happy and content and feel at home. The prayers really do make a difference—home becomes anywhere you are with the Greatest Name.
This was written by Jean Goss. You will see her photograph included with those who attended the Pioneer Institute in Wilmette in December, which is in the January issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Jean spent six weeks at the Bahá’í national headquarters in the United States before receiving her permission to go to Japan. While in Wilmette she volunteered for every kind of service from guiding in the House of Worship to addressing envelopes. To her surprise, when she arrived in Japan she was situated in the national headquarters of Japan, and with one other staff member, she assists again, in whatever needs to be done. Her letter was dated January 5, 1972. (Editor’s note)
MISSISSIPPI[edit]
The momentum gathers as operation “Lazarus” begins to awaken masses. One hundred and fifty near Jackson responded to the call in two weeks.
Mass Teaching in Wanganui, New Zealand[edit]
In Wanganui, New Zealand, mass teaching over Labor Weekend was fantastic. The Bahá’ís started arriving Friday afternoon, believers from Napier, Hastings, Wellington, New Plymouth and Lower Hutt. Many communities whose members could not come had prayers for the success of the effort. First declarations started with a trickle of two on Saturday morning and Monday they were accepting in groups, three, four or five at a time. The group ran out of declaration cards and had to beg or borrow some more from another team.
Bahá’í Week got off to a good start with a photograph of Auxiliary Board member Gertrude Blum and Shirley Charters. A window display in a central shop and a pamphlet table in the center of town were well patronized, thanks to the efforts of a certain Bahá’í who walked up and down the street asking if people would like to read about the Bahá’í Faith. Flowers made of paper, each with a quotation tied to its stem, were popular and 2,000 were distributed. The Mayor was presented with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, also a bowl of flowers with Bahá’í quotations.
Pre-teaching preparation was stressed: “It is important that everyone be enthused before going out to teach—to hurry is silly. We went out too quickly on Friday with the result that there were many enquirers but no declarations. However, on Saturday morning we made a point of singing and praying ... and having a pep talk ... and results came. There was much love and laughter and many people were attracted by the different nationalities and accents—American, Persian, English, Fijian, Austrian and Kiwi.”
Wanganui now has a community of thirty-nine believers, most of them youth and about one-third Maori, with seventeen adults.
Newly established Bahá’í group of Lyngby, Denmark present Proclamation book to Mayor (from left to right) Mrs. Johanne Høeg (first Danish believer who accepted the faith in 1925 on Hawaii), Mr. S. Payman, Mayor P. Fenneberg and Miss Else Holdt.
Iranians in Togo[edit]
Mr. Ahyi presenting Mr. Ferdows to His Excellency the
President of the Republic of Togo, General Etienne
Eyadema.
Mr. and Mrs. Q. Ferdows, of Iran, recently toured
Togo, where they were granted written permission from
the Ministry of Education to visit primary schools
throughout Togo, speaking to faculty and students. Mr.
and Mrs. Ferdows took full advantage of this wonderful
opportunity and were enabled to give the Message to
many students and teachers whom they met with on
their tour.
On 6 October a Bahá’í delegation which included Mr. and Mrs. Ferdows was invited to meet with the President of Togo. The delegation was warmly and graciously received by the President and enjoyed an interview of thirty minutes. Press photographers were present at the meeting and the leading newspaper of Togo carried the report on the front page of the paper with an accompanying photograph.
A radio interview was also arranged at which the Faith was introduced and the Teachings were spoken of at length. The interview was broadcast at 8:00 p.m., an hour when a great majority of the people of Togo were enabled to listen to the radio, and undoubtedly will have a great effect.
First of Her Tribe[edit]
The picture is of Mrs. Irene Harris, who is the first believer of the Kitwancool tribe and is 92 years old. She was also elected to Prince Rupert’s Assembly. Mrs. Harris was presented to the Queen when she visited Prince Rupert, as she is a celebrity herself in these parts. She likes the Bahá’ís to call her ‘grandma’ because she says she is “grandmother to all people—Chinese, Japanese, white people—to everyone!” Most stirring to all of us is her persistence in learning how to pronounce the Greatest Name which we shower upon her as a greeting.
August—Sept. 1971
[Page 23]
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bethel,
Alaska, Riḍván 1971. Front row: Blu Mundy, Maynard
Eakan, Sandra Etageak, Andrea Baumgartner. Also, left
to right: Natalie Baumgartner, secretary; Ernest Baumgartner, chairman; Bud Revet, vice-chairman; Ken L.
Suel, and Jim Baumgartner, treasurer.
Patient Effort Results in Alaskan Assembly[edit]
The culmination of sixteen years of intermittent teaching activity and pioneer settlement resulted in the establishment of the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Bethel, Alaska, last Riḍván, 1971. This Assembly was composed entirely of Bahá’í pioneers who converged there beginning in the summer of 1970.
The first to move there were Ken and Beth Suel from the Matanuska Valley, who established residence in the spring. Blu Mundy of Fairbanks went in early fall to teach in the State Operated School. That same fall, Bud Revet went in the last part of August from Mekoryuk; then Margie Revet in December from Eek. They were followed in December by Jim and Andrea Baumgartner of Fairbanks who went for the Teacher Corps; next by Sandra Etageak and Maynard Eakan in January; then by Ernie and Natalie Baumgartner of Klawock, and David and Nathana Rhines from Anchorage.
Before and after the formation of the Assembly, the Bethel Bahá’ís were extremely active in spreading the Faith. They had radio programs, firesides, children’s programs, and carried on much individual teaching. Ken and Beth, residents of the Receiving Home, the Revets at the Bethel Heights Housing Development, Maynard Eakan in the program to combat alcoholism, Blu Mundy with her music lessons and social studies programs in the State Operated School, Sandra Etageak working with the Family Social Services at Welfare Office, Ernie and Nat Baumgartner with the telephone utility and in the housing area, Jim and Andrea in an educational program—all spread the Faith by their daily lives.
Northernmost Local Spiritual Assembly[edit]
The first Local Assembly of Inuvik, the northernmost Assembly on the shores of the Arctic Sea. From left to right, sitting: Paul Jones, Arthur Peel, Diane Jones, Willie Thrasher. Back row: Don Cole, Cliff Peters, Bill Watson, DiAnn Watson, Chris Cole. Photo at right.
August—September 1971
IN MOMBASA, KENYA[edit]
Sunday school class in Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa. Photo was sent in by pioneers Richard and Sima Mellman.
In Zambia — an Outstanding Event[edit]
On 10th August at 7 p.m. there was a seven-minute radio interview that had been recorded in the afternoon, while at 7:20 there was a live interview which lasted eight minutes. On 12th August there was a public meeting attended by approximately fifty non-Bahá’ís. All this activity was organized by the Local Spiritual Assembly in Lusaka, and the response came through personal invitation and poster advertising.
The interviews were made possible by the arrival of Dr. S. I. Dean from Singapore where he and his wife assisted with the Oceanic Conference in January. The public meeting also involved Counsellor Shidan Fatheázam, who shared in the question and answer period. The speaker was not perturbed by the barrage of questions following his talk on the development of man under the title “6,000 Years from Adam.” So interested was the Program Manager of Zambia TV that he requested a recorded interview for release at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, 21st August. This interview, a full half-hour, appeared under the title “The Bahá’í Faith.”
This has been our most outstanding proclamation achievement so far.
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International Distribution of Bahá’í News[edit]
Bulk orders and shipments of Bahá’í News to National Spiritual Assemblies are now being handled by the Publishing Trust in Wilmette. It will continue to be necessary for each National Assembly to provide for the distribution of Bahá’í News within its national area of jurisdiction. Local assemblies, groups, and individuals outside the continental United States (with the exception of Canada) must request subscriptions from their National Spiritual Assembly.
The subscription price for BAHÁ’Í NEWS is $6.00 a year, and it is for Bahá’ís only. Changes of address for the mailing of BAHÁ’Í NEWS and/or World Order should be marked to the attention of:
- Subscription Service
- 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
| Have you ever heard of CHILD’S WAY? |
| Have you seen CHILD’S WAY recently? |
| Some children like it. We don’t hear from the others. |
| Youth like it. |
| Adults like it. |
| Adolescents wouldn’t be caught dead with it—it says Child’s on the cover. |
| Why? |
| Children enjoy having their own Bahá’í magazine. |
| They love to have their elders read it to them, or to read it themselves, if they can read. They memorize illustrated prayers. They like the stories. They look at the pictures. |
| Adults are happy to have simple answers to difficult questions. |
| They enjoy excerpts from unpublished gems, such as Mahmúd’s Diary informally translated by Marzieh Gail, or from Ramona Brown’s memoirs. |
| They are glad to find reprints from out of print books and magazines. |
| They feel young again. |
| Sometimes, they share CHILD’S WAY with children. |
| Teachers are delighted to have materials for children. |
| The editor is frustrated because so much is available, but who will re-write it for children? and there isn’t enough space to print it. and too few Bahá’ís contribute original stories and games and songs. But a few wonderful people do. |
| It is the ONLY Bahá’í children’s magazine published on this continent. |
| WON’T YOU SUBSCRIBE? |
| $4.50, with your name and address, for 6 issues per year. |
| A group can get together to obtain a subscription also. |
| If you want only one copy, the cost is 75¢. |
| CHILD’S WAY MAGAZINE |
| Box 551, Amherst, Mass. 01002 |
HONDURAS: The Legal Committee has been given the go-ahead to proceed with incorporation of the six additional Assemblies to fill the goal of the Nine Year Plan. It seems assured that they will elect far beyond the number of Local Assemblies required in the plan.
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.
