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No. 504

BAHA’I YEAR 129

March, 1973

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Portico of the Shrine of the Báb

Photo by Paul Slaughter

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Renowned First Royal Believer

By O. Z. Whitehead

Queen Marie of Rumania was a charming and radiant personality; she was talented and devoted to all humanitarian enterprises. The Message of Bahá’u’lláh brought to her by Martha Root, an ardent and audacious pioneer, evoked an almost instantaneous response in this illustrious Queen. Marie thus became the first Crowned Head to embrace the Bahá’í Faith.

Born at Eastwell, Kent, England, in 1875, Marie was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria. She was the granddaughter of Czar Alexander II, through her mother. In 1893 she married Prince Ferdinand, nephew of King Carol and Queen Carmen Silva of Rumania. Prince Ferdinand and Marie became King and Queen of Rumania in 1914.

This young English Princess who, until her marriage had always remained sheltered from the harsh realities of life, found it difficult to be the wife of a foreign prince and to live in Rumania. At first she had neither close friends nor a suitable occupation. She felt useless and lonely. After the birth of her first child, Prince Carol, however, she began to feel more at home in her new country.

The Queen recounts her life in considerable detail in her autobiography The Story of My Life, from its beginning until the end of World War I. This was first published in 1934 in an American magazine of wide circulation, The Saturday Evening Post, and was later published in book form by Cassell of London.

From the outbreak of the war she was keenly opposed to the policies of the German government. Despite strong opposition from many prominent people in Rumania, she did not hesitate to make her views entirely clear. Through Marie’s strong influence, Rumania declared war against Germany. Deserted by its close ally, Russia, because of the revolution in that country, Rumania suffered greatly. With a large amount of its territory occupied, the situation was desperate for a period of many months. Sincerely grateful when King George V offered safe residence in England to herself, King Ferdinand and their children for the duration of the war, she still did not accept it.

Always confident of ultimate victory for her country, Marie never for a moment relaxed in her efforts to help achieve it. Without fear for her own safety, she visited soldiers in trenches close to the scene of battle, organized field hospitals for the Red Cross, and took care of some of the wounded soldiers personally. Professor Seton-Watson in his The History of the Rumanians has written the following passages about her courageous services:

At this point it would be unpardonable to omit a brief eulogy of the sustained heroism of Queen Marie. For months she courted danger daily amid the epidemics of the hospitals and the overcrowded city and set an example of calm and confident endurance which many Rumanians are proud to follow, and which did much to uphold British prestige in southeast Europe.¹

To raise money for the Rumanian Red Cross in English-speaking countries, she wrote a book, published in 1917 called My Country. This book describes with fine feeling the simple peasants of Rumania, its beautiful countryside, interesting historic buildings, and the death on October 20, 1916, of her youngest son, Mircea, not yet four years old. Deeply grieved at losing Mircea, Marie consoled herself with the thought that possibly his death was necessary then, so that he would be in the next world to welcome those brave soldiers who were dying for their beloved country.

Martha Root in Rumania

During the last week of January 1926, Martha Root, already well-known throughout the Bahá’í world as a great teacher, but certainly not known to Queen Marie, arrived for a visit of two weeks. Without delay Martha sent the absorbing and comprehensive book Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by the distinguished Dr. J. E. ‎Esselmont Esslemont‎, together with a note, to Her Majesty. This was the first Marie had ever heard of the Cause. The Queen was so impressed with this book that she sat up until three o’clock in the morning reading it. The next day she invited Martha to call on her two days later on January 30, 1926, at Contracemi Palace, situated about a half-hour drive by carriage from the center of the city of Bucharest.

Martha has vividly described her journey there through the crowded road until she saw in the distance “the splendidly wooded grounds of the palace,” which she likened to “a winter fairyland, enchanting with light

[Page 3] snow and icicles, half revealing, half concealing their forest greens.”² After men in livery and the butler had guided her into the palace and up a wide circular stairway to a drawing room³ a lady in waiting led her down wide halls into a beautifully furnished music room. The Queen appeared immediately. After she had done so, the Lady in Waiting whispered to Martha, “Her Majesty,” and left the room. After a warm greeting, the Queen said to Martha, obviously in reference to the contents of the book that she had sent her, “I believe these Teachings are the solution for the world’s problems today.”⁴ One cannot help reflecting for a moment on the joy that must have filled Martha’s heart when she heard the Queen make this overwhelming statement.

As they sat together by the table Her Majesty spoke to Martha about the responsibilities that fall upon a King and Queen to do all in their power to help develop their country, and explained to her how when “justice has not been found anywhere else, theirs is an ear that can still listen, a hand that can still give, a heart that can still pardon,”⁵ and that never can a King and Queen refuse to see someone who is in need. She spoke about religion. The Queen felt that religious intolerance only dissipated human love and that what gave vitality to religion was the spirit, not the form.

She asked Martha some questions about the Bahá’í plan for world peace. The Queen showed a deep interest in the Bahá’í principles and in what Bahá’u’lláh has revealed about the progress of the soul. As she was saying goodbye to her, Martha gave the Queen The Seven Valleys.

Greatly elated by the Queen’s spontaneous acceptance of the Bahá’í Teachings and filled with admiration for her as a noble, wise and beautiful Queen, Martha left the palace with this most inspiring thought, “Though one can hardly vision it with earthbound eyes, those thousand years of peace foretold in the Bibles of the world are to begin in this century.”⁶ Martha naturally informed the Guardian about this historic interview.

The Queen’s Testimony

As a result of Martha’s meeting with her, without further prompting, the Queen wrote her first testimony in support of the Bahá’í Revelation in her syndicated series, entitled “Queen’s Counsel,” which appeared in newspapers throughout the United States and Canada on May 4, 1926. She has stated, “It teaches that all hatreds, intrigues, suspicions, evil words, all aggressive patriotism even, are outside the one essential law of God, and that special beliefs are but surface things, whereas the heart that beats with divine love knows no tribe or race—It is Christ’s Message taken up anew, in the same words almost, but adapted to the thousand years and more difference that lies between the Year One and today ... If ever the name of Bahá’u’lláh or ‘Abdu’l-Bahá comes to your attention, do not put their writings from you. Search out their books and let their glorious, peace-bringing love-creating words and lessons sink into your hearts as they have into mine.”⁷

On May 29, 1926, the day after he had received a copy of the Queen’s testimony from Canada, Shoghi Effendi wrote to Martha that this is “a well deserved and memorable testimony of your remarkable and exemplary endeavours for the spread of our beloved Cause. It has thrilled me and greatly reinforced my spirit and strength; yours is a memorable triumph, hardly surpassed in its significance in the annals of the Cause.”⁸

The Guardian wrote the Queen herself a joyful expression of his gratitude for her public testimony.

She answered him with an unforgettable letter:⁹

Bran, August 27, 1926

Dear Sir,

I was deeply moved on reception of your letter.

Indeed a great light came to me with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It came as all great messages come at an hour of dire grief and inner conflict and distress, so the seed sank deeply.

My youngest daughter finds also great strength and comfort in the Teachings of the beloved Masters.

We pass on the Message from mouth to mouth and all those we give it to, see a light suddenly lighting before them and much that was obscure and perplexing becomes simple, luminous and full of hope as never before.

That my open letter was balm to those suffering for the Cause, is indeed a great happiness to me, and I take it as a sign that God accepted my humble tribute.

The occasion given me to be able to express myself publicly, was also His Work, for indeed it was a chain of circumstances of which each link led me unwittingly one step further, till suddenly all was clear before my eyes and I understood why it had been. Thus does He lead us finally to our ultimate destiny.

Some of those of my caste wonder at and disapprove my courage to step forward pronouncing words not habitual for Crowned Heads to pronounce, but I advance by an inner urge I cannot resist. With bowed head I recognize that I, too, am but an instrument in greater Hands and rejoice in that knowledge.

Little by little the veil is lifting, grief tore it in two. And grief was also a step leading me ever nearer truth, therefore do I not cry out against grief!

May you and those beneath your guidance be blessed and upheld by the sacred strength of those gone before you.

Marie

Late in the summer of 1926, the Guardian heard that the Queen planned to visit the United States of America.

[Page 4] For this reason he wrote, through his secretary, instructions to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada: “We read in The Times that Queen Marie of Rumania is coming to America. She seems to have obtained a great interest in the Cause. So we must be on guard lest we do an act which may prejudice her and set her back. Shoghi Effendi desires, that in case she takes this trip, the friends will behave with great reserve and wisdom, and that no initiative be taken on the part of the friends except after consulting the National Assembly.”¹⁰

During her trip the Queen wrote further “open letters” which appeared respectively on September 27 and 28 in the same syndicated series as the first one.

She has written “God is the voice within us that shows us good and evil. But mostly we ignore or misunderstand this voice. Therefore did He choose His elect to come down amongst us upon earth to make clear His Word, His real meaning. Therefore the Prophets; therefore Christ, Muḥammad, Bahá’u’lláh, for man needs from time to time a voice upon earth to bring God to him, to sharpen the realization of the existence of the true God.”¹¹

On October 7, 1926, the Guardian wrote a most moving message to the believers of the West concerning Queen Marie’s response. He included this statement: “With bowed heads and grateful hearts we recognize in this glowing tribute which royalty has thus paid to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh an epoch-making pronouncement destined to herald those stirring events which, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has prophesied, shall in the fullness of time signalize the triumph of God’s holy Faith.”¹²

On October 5, 1927, Martha again visited Bucharest. Although while there she planned to lecture on the principles of the Bahá’í Cause and to write her customary articles for the newspaper, the main purpose of her visit was to bring the love and sympathy of the Bahá’í world to the Queen in mourning for His Majesty, King Ferdinand, who had died less than three months before. Although because of her grief, the Queen was not receiving visitors she made an exception regarding Martha. Her Majesty’s lady in waiting, Simone Lahovary, invited Martha to visit the Queen on October 8, at Peleshor, one of two palaces in Sinaia, a short distance from Bucharest.

On the afternoon of October 7 Martha left for Sinaia and spent the night there. The next morning Martha walked to the palace because deep in her heart “was the longing to go on foot and humbly to the first Queen of the whole world who had publicly written of Bahá’u’lláh’s great principles for this universal cycle.”¹³ She met the Queen in her drawing room. Radiantly beautiful, she was dressed “in black draperies with bands of white about her head and binding the wrists.”¹⁴ Bahá’í books lay on the table and sofa next to it. She had just been reading in them certain passages about eternal life. She spoke of these passages to Martha.

The Queen felt that everyone should teach the Cause humbly. She admired “the spirit of selflessness found in the Teachings”. She said: “With bowed head I recognize that I, too, am but a channel and I rejoice in the knowledge.”¹⁵ Martha told the Queen that her public testimonies had been translated into many languages and that ten million people on the European continent alone had read them. She explained, too, what a balm they had been to those suffering persecution for the Cause. This gracious Queen replied: “I am very thankful; I take it as a sign that God accepted my humble tribute.”¹⁶

Her Majesty thought that Bahá’ís should start to teach the younger generation. She felt that the best book for everyone to read first was Dr. ‎Esselmont’s Esslemont’s‎ Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.

Martha gave the Queen an illuminated sheet, inscribed with a prayer of Bahá’u’lláh and a lock of His hair. This was a sacred gift from the Bahá’ís of Mashhad, Persia. The Queen was so delighted with this gift that she decided to have a special frame designed to hold the hair and a small photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

On October 25, 1927, in a letter to Martha Root, Shoghi Effendi expressed the great happiness that the news of her meeting with the Queen and Princess Ileana had given him and concluded by asking Martha to extend his warm invitation to them both to visit Bahá’u’lláh’s Home in the Holy Land.

Early in 1928 Martha received an invitation from Princess Ileana saying, “Mama and I would be so glad to have you take tea with us at half past four. Ileana.”¹⁷ As soon as Martha had entered the royal drawing room, Princess Ileana and the Queen arose to give their guest a warm greeting. The Queen spoke of the meaning of God and true religion. She made this beautiful statement: “The ultimate dream which we shall realize is that the Bahá’í channel of thought has such strength, it will serve little by little to become a light to all those searching for the expression of Truth.”¹⁸

A Gift from the Queen

Many years before she had heard about the Bahá’í Faith, the Queen’s royal relatives in Russia had given her a precious brooch. It consisted of “two little wings of wrought gold and silver, set with tiny diamond chips and joined together with one large pearl.”¹⁹ As she picked up this brooch and held it in her hand, Her Majesty said to Martha, “Always you are giving gifts to others, and I am going to give you a gift from me.”²⁰ With apparent delight the Queen clasped the brooch onto Martha’s dress. During the same week of this meeting Martha sent the brooch which she had received from the Queen to Wilmette, Illinois, as a gift to the first Bahá’í Temple of the West. At the National Bahá’í Convention in Riḍván of that year this question came up: “Was it right to sell this brooch that had belonged to the first Queen who had served the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh?” After some consultation it was decided that because of the urgent need of money to continue building the Temple that it would not be wrong to sell the brooch. Mr. Willard Hatch of Los Angeles, California, already a devoted believer for many years, bought this precious brooch. In 1931 he took it with him when he went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and with the Guardian’s approval it was placed in the Archives on Mount Carmel to remain there always.

Martha has referred to another happy meeting that she had with Queen Marie in October 1929 at her beautiful summer palace Tehna-Yuva at Balcic on the Black Sea. The following beautiful letter from the Guardian to Her Majesty certainly indicates that this meeting like all the others had important results.²¹

Haifa, Palestine
December 3, 1929

The Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania

Your Majesty:

I have received through the intermediary of my dear Bahá’í sister Miss Martha Root, the autograph portrait of Your Majesty, bearing in simple and moving terms, the message which Your Majesty has graciously been pleased to write in person. I shall treasure this most excellent portrait, and I assure you, that the Greatest Holy Leaf and the Family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá share to the full my feelings of lively satisfaction at receiving a photograph of a Queen whom we have learned to love and admire.

I have followed during the past few years with profound sympathy the disturbed course of various happenings in your beloved country, which I feel must have caused you much pain and concern. But

[Page 5] whatever the vicissitudes and perplexities which beset Your Majesty’s earthly path, I am certain that even in your saddest hours, you have derived abundant sustenance and joy from the thought of having through your glowing and historic utterances on the Bahá’í Faith as well as by your subsequent evidences of gracious solicitude for its welfare, brought abiding solace and strength to the multitude of its faithful and long suffering adherents throughout the East. Yours surely, dearly beloved Queen, is the station ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in the realms beyond to which the strivings of no earthly power can ever hope to attain ...

May I, in closing, reiterate the expression of profound appreciation and joy which the Family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Bahá’ís in every land universally feel for the powerful impetus which Your Majesty’s outspoken and noble words have lent to the onward march of their beloved Faith ...

Shoghi

Not long after she received this letter Queen Marie, while traveling through the Near East with Princess Ileana, made known her intention of visiting the Holy Land. In the keen hope that she would do so Shoghi Effendi saw to the careful preparation of a gift for Marie. It was to be the Tablet that Bahá’u’lláh had sent to her grandmother, Queen Victoria “copied in fine Persian calligraphy and illuminated in Ṭihrán.”²²

The Queen at Haifa

Failing to receive news from the Queen when she was in Egypt, on March 8 the Guardian sent her a personal cable in which he warmly renewed his invitation and stressed not only the historic importance of such a visit, but also the joy and hope that it would bring “to the silent sufferers of the Faith throughout the East.”²³ Still not hearing from her, on March 26 he cabled her another invitation and concluded, “Deeply regret unauthorized publicity given by press.”²⁴ As he later informed Martha, “Reporters who called on me, representing the United Press of America, telegraphed to their newspapers just the opposite I told them. They perverted the truth.”²⁵

Shoghi Effendi learned that Her Majesty had actually sailed for Haifa. For this reason he was of course encouraged to think that she would succeed in making her pilgrimage. Two days after Shoghi Effendi had sent his second cable to the Queen, the Rumanian minister in Cairo answered: “Her Majesty regrets that not passing through Palestine she will not be able to visit you.”²⁶ This was not the truth. The Queen and Princess Ileana actually arrived in Haifa on their boat, but members of her government met her at the dock, cruelly forbade her to stay in Haifa even for a few moments, led her into an automobile and quickly drove her out of the country. In the meantime The Greatest Holy Leaf waited for many hours in the Master’s house for the Queen and her daughter who never arrived.

On April 2, 1930, in a letter to Martha, the Guardian explained fully the unhappy events that had ruined the Queen’s plan for her pilgrimage and suggested to Martha that she write to the Queen explaining and assuring her of his great disappointment. He concluded, “I cherish the hope that these unfortunate developments will serve only to intensify the faith and love of the Queen and will reinforce her determination to arise and spread the Cause.”²⁷

On June 28, 1931, the Queen wrote Martha: “Both Ileana and I were cruelly disappointed at having been prevented from going to the holy shrines and meeting Shoghi Effendi; but at that time we were going through a cruel crisis and every movement I made was being turned against me and being politically exploited in an unkind way. It caused me a good deal of suffering and curtailed my liberty most unkindly ... But the beauty of truth remains and I cling to it through all the vicissitudes of a life become rather sad.”²⁸

On August 8, 1932, and again in February 1933, the Queen and her daughter, Ileana, then Archduchess Anton of Austria, received Martha at the latter’s home near Vienna. At this meeting Her Majesty made a now famous statement quoted on the front page of The Bahá’í World, Volume IV.²⁹

The Bahá’í Teaching brings peace and understanding.

It is like a wide embrace gathering together all those who have long searched for words of hope.

It accepts all great prophets gone before, it destroys no other creeds and leaves all doors open.

Saddened by the continual strife amongst believers of many confessions and wearied of their intolerance towards each other, I discovered in the Bahá’í Teaching, the real spirit of Christ so often denied and misunderstood:

Unity instead of strife, hope instead of condemnation, love instead of hate, and a great reassurance for all men.

Deeply moved by Her Majesty’s sustained interest in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh despite the ever increasing tragic events to which her country was being subjected, and her own advancing years, on January 23, 1934 Shoghi Effendi wrote her a letter which expressed his “heartfelt and abiding gratitude”³⁰ for a new appreciation that she had just written for The Bahá’í World.

A few weeks later on February 16, the Queen received Martha for a second time in Controceni Palace in Bucharest. Martha has written, “How beautiful she looked that afternoon, as always, for her loving eyes mirror her mighty spirit; a most unusual Queen is she, a consumate artist, a lover of beauty and wherever she is there is glory ... She received me in her private library where a cheerful fire glowed in the quaint built-in fireplace, tea was served on a low table, the gold service set being wrought in flowers.³¹ At this meeting Martha told the Queen that the Rumanian translation of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era had just been published in Bucharest. Her Majesty was most happy to hear that her people would now be able to read this precious book.

The Queen made this beautiful statement which was published in The Bahá’í World: “The Bahá’í Teachings bring peace to the soul and hope to the heart. To those in search of assurance the Words of the Father are as a fountain in the desert after long wandering.”³²

On February 4, 1936, Martha had her last meeting with Her Majesty. It took place again in her softly lighted library at Controceni Palace. Large bowls of yellow tulips adorned the apartment.³³ The Queen spoke with much feeling about a dear friend of hers since childhood, Lilian McNeill. The Queen and her friend had heard about the Cause and recognized the Station of Bahá’u’lláh at about the same time. The friend was now living near ‘Akká in the Mansion of Mazra’ih where once Bahá’u’lláh had lived.

The Queen and Martha had hoped to have a reunion in Haifa during 1938 but because of Her Majesty’s failing health and the unsettled condition of Palestine such a plan became impossible. After a painful illness that lasted many months Queen Marie died in July 1938.

Hand of the Cause George Townshend has made this moving comment: “Her death and obsequies were attended with all the ceremonials that befit the passing of a Queen. But who can tell what was the greeting that awaited her on the other side where she learned in an instant how true had been her intuitions of the Manifestation of God and where she saw unobscured now by any

[Page 6] mortal veil the white eternal splendor of the Truth that she, alone among the earth’s queens, had risen to proclaim.”³⁴

The Guardian has assured us, “Queen Marie’s acknowledgment of the Divine Message stands as the first fruits of the vision which Bahá’u’lláh had seen long before in His Captivity and had announced in His Kitáb-i-Aqdas. ‘How great’, He wrote, ‘the blessedness that awaits the King who will arise to aid My Cause in My Kingdom, who will detach himself from all else but Me!’ ”³⁵

Notes:

1. R. W. Seaton-Watson, The History of the Rumanians, (Cambridge at the University Press, 1934).
2. The Bahá’í Magazine, Star of the West, Vol. 17, No. 3, p. 84, June 1926
3. Ibid., p. 84
4. World Order, Vol. 2, No. 1, April 1936
5. The Bahá’í Magazine, Star of the West, Vol. 17, No. 3, p. 85
6. Ibid., p. 87
7. Bahá’í World, Vol. XII, (Wilmette, Ill., Bahá’í Publishing Trust) p. 618
8. Rúḥíyyih Rabbani, The Priceless Pearl, (London, Bahá’í Publishing Trust) p. 109
9. Ibid., p. 108
10. Ibid., p. 107
11. Bahá’í World, Vol. XII, p. 619-620
12. Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í Administration, (Wilmette, Ill., Bahá’í Publishing Trust) p. 111
13. The Bahá’í Magazine, Star of the West, Vol. 18, No. 12, p. 367, March 1928
14. Ibid., p.368
15. Ibid., p.369
16. Ibid., p.369
17. The Bahá’í Magazine, Star of the West, Vol. 19, No. 6, p. 170, Sept. 1928
18. Ibid., p. 172
19. Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, (Wilmette, Ill., Bahá’í Publishing Trust) p. 394
20. Ibid., p.394
21. Rúḥíyyih Rabbani, The Priceless Pearl, p. 112-13
22. Ibid., p. 113
23. Ibid., p. 114
24. Ibid., p. 114
25. Ibid., p. 114
26. Ibid., p. 114
27. Ibid., p. 114-15
28. George Townshend, The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, (London: George Ronald) p. 61
29. World Order, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 100
30. Rúḥíyyih Rabbani, The Priceless Pearl, p. 116
31. World Order, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 102
32. Ibid., p. 102
33. Ibid., p. 103
34. George Townshend, The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 63
35. Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, p. 395

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Passing of Distinguished Teacher, Winston G. Evans

Winston G. Evans, well-known among the Bahá’ís of the United States for his many years of active and successful proclamation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to prominent Christian scholars and clergymen and to college students and faculties, passed away in Sewanee, Tennessee on January 13 following several months of illness. He was buried January 15 in nearby Shelbyville, Tennessee, his birthplace, following a beautiful Bahá’í service for which he had himself selected passages from the Sacred Books in anticipation of his death.

Mr. Evans, with the encouragement of the beloved Guardian, devoted special efforts to bring the Bahá’í Faith to the attention of many eminent clergymen and Christian leaders. He played a prominent role in this respect at the Second Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Evanston, Illinois, in August 1954, helping to arrange and publicize a meeting in the Bahá’í House of Worship for all interested representatives and extending special invitations to the delegates to visit this edifice during their free hours.

In October 1968, with the encouragement of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Evans attended gatherings of religious leaders in Switzerland and that year’s session of the World Council of Churches in Uppsala, Sweden, where again he gave the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to many persons of prominence in Christian thought and theology.

Early in the Nine Year Plan Mr. Evans pioneered for the Faith in the Caribbean area, particularly in Granada, a post to which Mrs. Dorothy Baker and her husband, Frank Baker, were planning to move at the time of Mrs. Baker’s sudden death while enroute to the United States from India in 1954.

A more complete record of Mr. Evan’s unique and memorable services to his beloved Faith will appear in a forthcoming volume of The Bahá’í World. The Winter 1972 issue of World Order will carry an article by Mr. Evans entitled “A Russian Response.” Meanwhile each reading of his widely distributed pamphlet, “The Lord of the New Age,” will renew the loving gratitude of the Bahá’í World Community for the particular talents bestowed upon him by God for carrying Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to the leaders of Christianity.

The following messages were conveyed to Mr. Evans’ family after his passing:

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING WINSTON EVANS DEVOTED SERVANT BLESSED BEAUTY INDEFATIGABLE TEACHER HOMEFRONT AND PIONEER CARIBBEAN AREA. HIS DEDICATED EFFORT CAUSE BAHÁ’U’LLÁH WITH EMINENT CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS CLERGY CONSTITUTE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION ANNALS FAITH AMERICAN COMMUNITY. EXPRESS SYMPATHY FAMILY ASSURE PRAYING SHRINES PROGRESS HIS SOUL KINGDOMS GOD.

—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

January 15, 1973

GRIEVED PASSING WINSTON EVANS DISTINGUISHED UNTIRING TEACHER FAITH BAHÁ’U’LLÁH. SALUTARY EFFECTS HIS SINGLEMINDED EFFORTS RECONCILE DIFFERENCES AMONG RELIGIONISTS WILL SHINE AS CANDLE TO HIS MEMORY. PLEASE CONVEY OUR CONDOLENCES HIS BEREAVED RELATIVES

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

January 14, 1973

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A Wedding in Finland

The wedding of Marjorie Seiffert and Daniel Williams, both Bahá’í pioneers from the United States to Finland, was the occasion for more than a three-page spread in a leading magazine APU, published in Helsinki.

“The First Bahá’í Wedding In Kuopio” was the headline.

Issue No. 44 for November 1972 also included a photo and write-up on the title page, referring to the complete article. A reporter for the publication was invited to the wedding and wrote the story which not only described the occasion in detail but commented extensively on the Faith: how, without clergy, the wedding was performed, and the joyous spirit which included all who attended—a departure from the usual behavior of reserved Finns.

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Passing of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, Matthew W. Bullock

GRIEVED PASSING KNIGHT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH MATTHEW BULLOCK DISTINGUISHED PROMOTER FAITH. CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCES PRAYERS HOLY THRESHHOLDS PROGRESS SOUL. ADVISE HOLD MEMORIAL GATHERING MASHRIQU’L-ADHKÁR.

This was the message sent by The Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and family of Mr. Matthew W. Bullock who passed away in Detroit, Michigan on December 17 in his ninety-third year.

As instructed by The Universal House of Justice a special memorial service will be held for Mr. Bullock in the auditorium of the Bahá’í House of Worship Saturday, February 17 at eight o’clock in the evening to which all Bahá’ís, relatives, and friends of Mr. Bullock are invited.

Mr. Bullock lived a life of distinguished service in many areas of activities including sports, law, and the Bahá’í Faith, which will be recounted in an In Memoriam article concerning him in a forthcoming volume of The Bahá’í World.

In 1949 and 1950 Mr. Bullock pioneered in Haiti and Europe. While a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, to which he was first elected in 1952, he resigned in 1953 to pioneer in Curacao and was named by the Guardian as the Knight of Bahá’u’lláh who opened the Dutch West Indies to the Faith. In 1960 he moved to Jamaica briefly and later, after a period of time at home in Roxbury, Massachusetts, he visited Curacao periodically until 1964 when he returned to his law practice in Roxbury. In 1966 he moved to Philadelphia. At the time of his passing he was living in Detroit, Michigan.

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San José, Costa Rica, Site of International Youth Conference

The first international Bahá’í Youth Conference held in Costa Rica was a great success. It was sponsored by the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central America and the National Spiritual Assembly of Costa Rica through its National Youth Committee for youth of Central America, Panama, and Mexico. The location was the Dr. Ugo Giachery Bahá’í Institute near Alajuela, a lovely spot in the beautiful countryside where a large tent borrowed from the Government had been raised to provide additional sleeping facilities for the boys and girls who attended.

Two days before the Conference the devastating earthquake in Managua, the capital of neighboring Nicaragua, cast a shadow on preparations. It seemed to mean that no one could come from Nicaragua or even El Salvador or Honduras to the North. However, through heroic sacrifice and the infallible protection of Bahá’u’lláh, a minibus full of young people came through Honduras with only minor difficulties. A bit late, two Nicaraguan youth got through. Total attendance was about seventy-five persons from Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Írán, the United States and from different sections of Costa Rica. Many more came daily from the capital area near San José.

The youth were active in teaching all classes except one by Resident Counsellor Artemus Lamb on “The Importance of the Administration” and one by Auxiliary Board member Rodrigo Tomas on “The Covenant”. Evenings were devoted to discussions, music and practice classes on public speaking, all handled by the youth. On the final day of the school the morning was devoted to discussion of teaching the masses and selecting teams for the afternoon mass teaching and proclamation effort in a park of a suburb of San José. The afternoon provided valuable experience but no new declarations.

The youth were inspiring in their enthusiasm; their loving service was evident throughout the event. Resident Counsellor Artemus Lamb wrote: “Surely the immediate future of the Faith lies with the youth and any and all efforts made with them will pay off huge dividends.”

[Page 8]

Counsellors Sponsor Youth Conference in The Gambia

December 29-31, 1972, the Continental Board of Counsellors sponsored the first West African Bahá’í Youth Conference in conjunction with the National Spiritual Assembly of Upper West Africa. The Conference was held in The Gambia on the campus of Yundum College some fifteen miles from the capital city of Bathurst. Youth representing nine countries in this zone attended: Nigeria, Upper Volta, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania, plus pioneers originating from the United States, Mauritius, Malaysia, Írán, and Íráq. A young Bahá’í from Sweden was able to greet the friends during a brief stop on a boat cruise. Counsellors Mr. H. R. Ardikání and Dr. William Maxwell Jr., were present as well as six of their Auxiliary Board members, Mr. Amos Agwu, Mr. Muḥammad Al-Salihi, Mrs. H. Vera Edwards, Mr. Friday Ekpe, Mr. Shidan Kouchekzadeh and Dr. B. Sadiqzadeh. A total of fifty-six persons attended.

Unprecedented publicity was given to this Youth Conference by the government news media and four other papers. The National Teaching Committee of The Gambia prepared full-page spreads on the Faith as well as numerous articles which appeared almost daily for two weeks. The articles covered the Conference news and the history, principles, Central Figures, Administration and Laws of the Bahá’í Faith. During the week of this happy event nearly all Gambians living in the Bathurst area heard the name and basic facts of the Bahá’í Faith. The Parliamentary Secretary who opened the public meeting said he had known nothing of the Bahá’í Faith prior to this Conference.

Counsellors Mr. H. R. Ardikání (far left) and Dr. William Maxwell, Jr. (far right) with their Auxiliary Board members at the Conference: (from the left) Mr. Muḥammad Al-Salihi, Mr. Friday Ekpe, Dr. B. Sadiqzadeh, Mrs. H. Vera Edwards, Mr. Shidan Kouchekzadeh, Mr. Amos Agwu.

Counsellor Maxwell addressing the public meeting. Seated to his left (with the white cap) is the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Social Welfare.

Counsellor Dr. Maxwell was interviewed on Radio Gambia, the official government station, as was a Gambian youth, and the impromptu singing group formed by youth of Ghana, Liberia and Senegal and was featured at the public meeting.

Conference sessions included several aspects of Bahá’í history. Dr. Maxwell reviewed God Passes By, noting the cycles of crisis and triumph which mark the epoch-making progress of the Faith. Mr. Ardikání reviewed the history of the Faith in Upper West Africa since its introduction in this area in 1953. Mr. Kouchekzadeh spoke on youth in the heroic age of the Faith citing the life of Mullá Husayn, his example, and concluded with “Let deeds not words be your adorning.”

The Nine Year Plan was reviewed in terms of the goals and achievements in West Africa. Dr. Maxwell explained the seven stages of the Faith from obscurity to the Bahá’í World Commonwealth and pointed out that most of the National Spiritual Assemblies in the world are striving to go from stage three—emancipation; to stage four, recognition, through the goals of the Nine Year Plan. “Some Bahá’ís sit around and dream of stage seven” said Dr. Maxwell, “others long for stage five. But the thing to do is to act, following the guidelines of the infallible Universal House of Justice given in the Plan, and help the National Spiritual Assembly and therefore the Bahá’í Faith to go on to the next stage of development.” Heartening reports were given by the National Spiritual Assemblies represented at the Conference and their progress toward these goals.

A panel discussion was held on the best ways to teach the Faith. Participants were Auxiliary Board member

[Page 9] Mr. Friday Ekpe, Chairman of the Conference; Dr. B. Sadiqzadeh and Mr. Shidan Kouchekzadeh. Conclusions reached were: 1) Live the Bahá’í life, 2) Study the Teachings deeply, and 3) Teach the Faith in its purity.

Auxiliary Board member Mrs. H. Vera Edwards gave a class on the Institutions of the Hands of the Cause and the Continental Boards of Counsellors. She observed that all Bahá’í Institutions are divinely ordained. Regarding the Hands she said that the Hands of the Cause serve the needs of the Bahá’í Faith throughout the world. The Continental Boards of Counsellors have been appointed by The Universal House of Justice to assist the Hands in the “protection and propagation of the Faith” since no more Hands can now be appointed. The Auxiliary Boards were established by the Guardian originally to aid the Hands in their administrative tasks and leave them freer to carry on their devoted and inspiring teaching. They now aid the Continental Boards of Counsellors.

Saturday evening featured a public meeting attended by over 100 people, including the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Social Welfare who opened the meeting and welcomed the Bahá’í youth; the Permanent Secretary of the same Ministry; and several other dignitaries and high ranking civil servants. This meeting was held in The Gambia High School Hall. The Permanent Secretary, an alumnus of the school, stated that he had never seen the hall so attractive.

Dr. Maxwell delivered a talk “A Challenge to Youth: World Peace”, a thought-provoking and enlightening introduction to the Faith with references such as these statements of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: “Oppose the thought of war with the thought of peace,” and “Mankind has tried war for 6,000 years. Now let’s try peace. If we don’t like it, we can always go back to war.”

Sunday morning Dr. Maxwell made an inspiring presentation of fundamental Bahá’í laws to illustrate that

Singing group formed during the Conference. From left: Sterling Glenn (Ghana), Satara Hill and Francis Dennis (Liberia), Chahin Ardikání (Senegal).

God’s laws are a blessing, not a privation. After a lively question and answer session, advice from the National Spiritual Assembly of Upper West Africa and brief remarks by the Counsellors, the Conference closed with all the friends joining hands in a large circle which filled the room, all singing “Alláh-u-Abhá.”

Throughout the Conference songs were shared in many languages. An evening of slides and mass teaching was added. The keynote of the whole Conference can be summed-up in the oft-repeated words of the song, “Will you give your life to Bahá’u’lláh?”

West African Bahá’í Youth Conference, December 29-31, 1972 held at Yundum, The Gambit

[Page 10]

DUTCH WINTER SCHOOL

The inspiring surroundings of the Kapellerput in Heeze, Holland, provided the setting for the Dutch Winter School, December 29, 1972 to January 1, 1973. Some 140 attended from all parts of the country. The daily programs of prayers, classes, recreation, informal evening activities, singing, fellowship and the co-operation of all contributed towards a truly fine School. Classes focused on the central theme: “The Faith and the European Continent”. They revolved around informative topics: “The Beginnings of Christianity in Europe” by Mr. Gert van der Garde; “The European Travels of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” outlined by Mrs. Rigtje Fienieg; “Establishing the Faith in Europe” and “The Divine Plan” explained by Auxiliary Board member Mr. Lout van Veenendaal; “Applications of Education” by Mr. Theo Schoenaker; and a workshop devoted to the Administrative Order, lead and organized by Mr. Charles Hamburger. The guest speaker, Mr. Adib Taherzadeh, from Ireland, conducted several inspiring sessions on “The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.” Simultaneous sessions were held for young Bahá’ís on corresponding subjects. Classes were provided for the many children, creative and educational.

Highlights from the variety of evening programs were the showing of two films “Give Me That New Time Religion” and one on the recent Padua Youth Conference, a slide program about Írán taken by a Dutch Bahá’í youth during a recent visit, a Bahá’í quiz, and a special prayer gathering on the eve of December 31, 1972.

The celebration of the Feast of Honor on the afternoon of December 31, 1972 was beautifully arranged and was the high point of the school. A chain of declarations—eight of them, charged the atmosphere. An enthusiastic reception was given to the announcement by the National Teaching Committee of the first National Teaching Conference to be held in February to inaugurate a large-scale summer teaching plan. To The Universal House of Justice was sent a cable from the school announcing: “We have entered a new phase of action in Holland!”

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Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir spent two days in Holland, enroute to other European countries and the Dutch Bahá’ís were afforded the unexpected bounty of meeting with him. The first day, November 30th, 1972, Dr. Muhájir journeyed to the northernmost city, Groningen, to meet with the ever-swelling Bahá’í Community there, and was greeted with joyous love. He greatly inspired the group that gathered in the home of a local friend. The next evening, December 1, 1972, the Dutch Community was privileged to meet the Hand in the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Over one hundred and twenty Bahá’ís from all parts of the country flocked to listen intently to his highly illuminating and challenging talk, followed by a question and answer period. Long shall the bright, warm memory of the visit of this dear Hand glow in the hearts of the friends.

[Page 11]

A Pioneer from India in Tanzania

During November 1972 Mr. A. K. Forudi, a pioneer from India, traveled and taught the Faith in towns and villages in northern Tanzania, not far from the Kenya border. His reports to the National Assembly of Tanzania tell of long hours of walking, of difficulties in finding sleeping accommodations, of carrying food and water long distances, and of the joy of finding villages where the great majority are Bahá’ís and of bringing the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to those who had not heard of it before. Village officials, teachers and even clergy in many instances gave him a warm and interested reception and the opportunity to address classes and congregations. Most of his journey was in the company of one or two traveling teachers who could serve as interpreters.

Accompanied by Mr. Karyooki, Mr. Forudi set out for Musoma, first by bus and then by foot for eight hours. In this area, the Ngurimi area and virgin territory for the Bahá’ís, the villagers were hospitable and ready to listen. The Governor, Dr. Samson, invited them for an interview, the Faith was proclaimed and more than fifty declarations were received, making it possible to form two Assemblies.

Deepening classes were held in Mugumu, a town that could be reached only by walking for one hour. Students attending had to bring water and then walk a long distance to grind maize for their meals. Mr. Forudi said to one of them: “I’m really very sorry that you all have to spend two hours every day in walking.” His listener replied: “But you told us that Badí walked three months to deliver the Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh to the King of Írán and how he suffered. What are these two hours compared to that?”

Deepening classes were an important part of achieving the goals. One young Bahá’í attending said: “I have learned two things from the deepening class and it helped me a lot. One is that Bahá’u’lláh said to mention His Name in the presence of big people and not to be afraid. Second: I only open my mouth in the teaching of the Faith and the rest is with Bahá’u’lláh. These two points in teaching made me brave and hold fast unto Him.”

In Musoma Mr. Forudi was able to give the Message to the Regional Director of Education who said it was the first he had heard of the Faith and that he would read the books and would like to be a Bahá’í and work for these principles for which he had been waiting.

An incident in Ramadi village indicates the hidden powers of Bahá’u’lláh to influence the hearts. One evening a priest of the area came on a visit and started asking questions and wanting proofs of Bahá’u’lláh. He did this in a loving way. Mr. Forudi, to test his intentions, told him: “Our purpose and your purpose are the same. You should continue to serve humanity in your area and let us continue in the way Bahá’u’lláh wants us to progress.”

The priest then assured Mr. Forudi: “I am very eager to know fully about this Faith because some power is attracting me. Please do not deprive me. I have come alone in order to be free to ask all sorts of questions.” Then they had a loving discussion until midnight. The priest said. “Please consider me a Bahá’í. We are four pastors. I am going to explain this Cause to all of them and I do not know our destination. Let us pray to Bahá’u’lláh.”

In Magumm the pastor of the church, after a long discussion with the Bahá’í visitors, invited Mr. Forudi to his home and to speak in his church. As a token of appreciation the audience gave him a gift of flowers and eggs.

In the villages of Isenye and Lwam Changa deepening classes were held outdoors under the trees, the classes lasting for six hours. Also in the Maru region deepening classes were held for five days, attended by over twenty students.

On November 17 five teachers walked nineteen miles over mountains and across rivers to reach the village of Namona where the Bahá’ís greeted them with “Alláh-u-Abhá” until the mountains echoed. A meeting was held in a school hall, Bahá’í songs were sung and a three hour deepening session was held. There were seven declarations, including a lady teacher. In the next village visited, Mayambe, they found the same exultant spirit.

In this area at night one can hear rhinoceros, wild buffalo and other animals. Mr. Forudi invites those who love nature to come to this area and see what God has created.

At the hut where Mr. Forudi was staying a knock on the door disclosed a weary traveler, thirsty and tired. After he had a drink of water he said: “My name is Elisha John. I come from a far village. I know most of the Bible by heart and I am teaching the people. But I have heard that you came here to spread the Bahá’í Faith.” After a visit of a few hours Elisha John declared himself a Bahá’í, received some books with gratitude and affection, and returned to his village.

Mr. Forudi closed his report with this plea: “Is there anyone in the big cities to tell others that there are many like this man waiting for the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and crying for help like children who are sick and lamenting for assistance and refuge? Are you not going to give a little of your time, a little of your money ... for this Divine Plan before it is too late? ... I have just come back from a long and tiring journey, crossing so many rivers with water up to the waist and continuous walking except for a few hours each night. When I looked in the mirror I found myself ten years older—but I should have come here ten years sooner!”

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National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden

National Spiritual Assembly members for Sweden are, front row, left to right: E. Jazayeri, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Mehrí Afṣaḥí; Allan Petrusson, Treasurer; Paul Ojermark, Secretary. Back row: Hans Odemyr, Chairman; F. Golmoḥammadí; Torleif Ingelog; Sven Mårds; R. Golmoḥammadí, Vice-Chairman.

[Page 12]

THE GREAT SAFARI

of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum

By Violette Nakhjavání, Companion
Part fourteen

The official tour of Rhodesia did not begin until Amatu’l-Bahá returned from her historic trip to Panama where she dedicated the Mother Temple of Latin America for public services and in Barbados attended the first Convention of the Windward Island Bahá’ís for the election of another pillar of the august body of The Universal House of Justice as its special representative.

A group of university students had invited Rúḥíyyih Khánum prior to her departure for Panama to give a talk on the Faith and its influence on society. This was held in an informal atmosphere in one of the smaller halls at the university campus in Salisbury, attended by over forty students, most of them Africans. An atmosphere of freedom of discussion and exchange of thought was markedly present, in the spirit of students all over the world today. They especially wanted to know if there is really a need for religion or not.

Rúḥíyyih Khánum explained that religion acts like a brake on society. It controls and protects society from the danger of freedom carried to extremes. She also spoke of the destiny of Africa and the great hopes of the Bahá’ís for its future, based on the words of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. Afterwards a number of serious minded and eager students invited Amatu’l-Bahá and those accompanying her to the cafeteria for refreshments and the discussion was continued. Among this group was a young white postgraduate who was a student of theology, fanatical in his view regarding Satan as a personified being and with power over individual souls. This student’s views were so narrow and illogical that after we left one of the young African students said: “It is this kind of religion that has made us abhor and resent and deny the necessity of any religion at all! According to people like him our ancestors were idolaters, damned forever, yet our ancestors believed in one God and in a life after death and were tolerant of other people’s beliefs.”

The month-long tour of Rhodesia, from May 11 to June 10, 1972, was packed with many happy incidents. As a preliminary Rúḥíyyih Khánum was able to meet with the National Spiritual Assembly and discuss her program and hold a number of meetings in the Salisbury area. In the class room of the Salisbury Motel Bahá’í School many of the Bahá’ís came to see some slides of the Panama Temple and Conference and were thrilled by Amatu’l-Bahá’s description of these places and events.

The youth had arranged for a youth meeting in the community hall of Highfield, one of the African communities near Salisbury where some Bahá’í young men from Swaziland joined with the local youth in a festival evening of music and singing. At this meeting Amatu’l-Bahá gave a brief address on the Faith which was followed by animated questions from the young people attracted by this informal entertainment.

Mr. Shidan Fat’he-Aazam, one of the Counsellors for the Southern region of Africa, accompanied us on a three-day trip to a number of villages. In Mudarikwa where there is a strong Local Spiritual Assembly we were delighted to find some wonderful Bahá’í ladies actively educating the children in the Faith. Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke to them on the importance of the role of women in

Children attending the Bahá’í Sunday School class at Salisbury Motel school

[Page 13] Bahá’ís of Sakubva, Umtali, Rhodesia after Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s public talk

the community and pointed out that wherever the women are strong Bahá’ís we find a strong and active community.

In Chidenga, deep in the interior over a very rough road, we met with a small group of believers who had recently achieved Assembly status but were eager to learn more and expand their activities. We were also able to visit with some of the Bahá’ís in the village of Musanhi near Mrewa.

On returning to Salisbury from this excursion Amatu’l-Bahá met with the believers, mostly the pioneers for the last time of this stay. She spoke of the importance of their services and the tasks entrusted to the believers, particularly the pioneers. She said she vaguely recalled a story she had read as a child about St. Anthony who, in the garb of a beggar, knocked at the door of a woman who was baking bread and asked for something to eat. The woman took a loaf out of her oven to give him but felt the loaf was too big and too good to part with. So she baked a smaller loaf and still it seemed too good to give to the beggar. In the end she baked a very small loaf and gave it to St. Anthony. He was annoyed and said, “I came to your house to bless you but because of your greed I shall give you nothing at all.” Rúḥíyyih Khánum said, “Bahá’u’lláh has knocked at the door of our hearts; we must not deny Him the best we have which is His right.” She urged the women to arise and participate actively in the teaching work, going out to neighboring towns and villages where the friends are longing to receive help and instruction. She pointed out that women, and especially women who take their children with them to the villages, can reach the women better than anyone else. She said: “Your children are most precious to you, and if you take what is most precious with you the villagers feel that you trust and love them.” One of the Africans confirmed this and said that when families take their children to a village the news spreads very rapidly.

In the beautiful mountain district of Umtali, 160 miles from Salisbury in the African township of Sakuba, Bahá’ís and their friends gathered to welcome their distinguished visitor and as a number of them were not Bahá’ís Amatu’l-Bahá’s talk was an introduction to the Faith and its principles.

The last function Rúḥíyyih Khánum attended in Salisbury on the eve of our departure was the celebration of the declaration of the Báb at the Salisbury Motel. She explained to them various slides of the Bahá’í Holy places.

Two happy days were spent in the Gokwe district in the village of Mufungwo which is in the middle of the wilderness. We met with about sixty wonderful adults and children. Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke on the importance of Bahá’í education for the children. “This”, she said, “primarily falls on the shoulders of the women as the mother is the first educator in society.” The subchief in this village is a Bahá’í and regular children’s classes are held as well as a special ladies’ club where a devoted young woman teaches them the Writings, prayers and some handwork such as sewing, knitting and embroidery. She proudly exhibited the work of her club and the writings and colored drawings of the children. There is no regular school in this area and the united cry of the villagers was for a school. It was truly pathetic to see the need, not in one place alone, but multiplied by dozens and dozens of places, and yet know that at this stage it is not possible for the Faith to embark on such projects. Amatu’l-Bahá, with great love and reasoning, explained to them that our Faith is like a big family, and like a well-organized family everything must be carefully planned and budgeted. If in a family there is not enough money then naturally they have to cut down and deprive themselves of certain things. Our situation in the Faith at this point is that we cannot, alas, afford schools in the hundreds of villages all over the world where mass teaching is developing.

Chief Nemangwe, one of the principal chiefs in Rhodesia who represents his people in the National Council of Chiefs, is a Bahá’í. For two nights we were his guests in the village of Nemangwe. He gave us the village Court House for living quarters while Mr. Fat’he-Aazam slept in his own tent outside. We were very comfortable and hung our clothes on the prisoner’s dock, put our stove on the raised platform where the Chief presides as Judge and ate our meals off the Recording Clerk’s table. We turned the main hall into a delightful dining room-living room and slept in one of the adjacent empty rooms.

This Chief has given land for an endowment for the

In front of the Court House at Nemangwe, Rhodesia. Rúḥíyyih Khánum with Counsellor Shidan Fat’he-Aazam (extreme right), Chief Nemangwe and the sub-Chief of the Gokwe area, a Bahá’í.

[Page 14] Faith as well as for a Bahá’í Center. He is a loyal defender of the Cause of God.

Under the thatched grass awning outside the Court House people can meet and attend to their affairs protected from the sun in the hot weather. Some thirty people gathered there to hear the wonderful news of the Coming of Bahá’u’lláh. The questions and discussions centered on the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh regarding life after death and the purpose of this life. Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example of the unborn babe, how in the womb of the mother it grows and develops the members of its body it does not need or use before it is born; and yet, if it should not grow these hands, feet, eyes, ears, etc., it will be forever deprived and handicapped after birth. She said: “This world also is a period of preparation for the eternal world and we must develop here what we will need in the next world after death.” The Chief was greatly impressed and excited by this example and said, “Now for the first time I understand why we are unable to ever understand the conditions and the state of the next world.”

In the village of Karambe, where the sub-Chief is a Bahá’í and has also given a piece of land for the Bahá’í Center, we likewise met with a number of believers and their friends.

Near Enkeldorn, in the village of Unyetu, in explaining the difference between the Word of God and all other words, Rúḥíyyih Khánum used the example of a stone and a grain of corn. She said: “If you plant this stone, in a hundred years it will not change; but if you plant this grain of corn in a short period it will grow and yield a hundredfold. The difference is that the grain of corn has life while the stone has no life. When we plant the Word of God in the soil of the heart it grows, blossoms and multiplies because the Word of God is endowed with spiritual life.”

An Audio-Visual Lesson

In the village of Daramombwe, where over fifty people gathered to hear about the Faith, Rúḥíyyih Khánum gave a vivid example of how man, through ignorance covers up the light of God and therefore the need arises for the renewal of this Divine Light. Practically the only audio-visual aid she ever uses is her kit of about seven

Singing Bahá’í songs at the meeting in Mufungwo, Rhodesia, May 25, 1972

different colored ladies’ handkerchiefs, including black ones, carried in her handbag. She uses any handy object; a glass, a bottle, a pocket flash light to help illustrate her point. This object is imagined to be a lamp; in it the light of God is burning as left in this world when Jesus Christ was crucified. She then takes up one of the handkerchiefs and puts it over the supposed lamp, saying: “After a passage of time, a man, through his love for the lamp shining with the Light of God, decides to offer a beautiful covering in order to make a gift to the light he loves. As time passes more and more people want to make gifts to the lamp, each saying ‘I can give something better than the other man’ ”.

While she is talking Rúḥíyyih Khánum keeps on adding one handkerchief on top of another, ending up with the black ones. Of course everyone can see there is less and

Amatu’l-Bahá with villagers in Daramombwe, Rhodesia

[Page 15] less light. But if one man would say to the other “Take your covering off” this would cause anger, and quarreling as another would say, “Don’t touch my gift, remove your own which is obscuring the light.” “The result of all this”, Rúḥíyyih Khánum says “is that God looks down at this world and sees nothing but darkness, so he calls Bahá’u’lláh and says to Him ‘Go down and see what has become of my light.’ Bahá’u’lláh comes to the world, He looks for the light, He sees the coverings put on it by men and He removes them.” At this point Rúḥíyyih Khánum lifts off the whole bunch of handkerchiefs. “Once again”, she says, “the light of God in all its splendor is revealed to man.” She then explains that the coverings are like the different sects of Christianity, each sect interpreting the Teachings of Christ in its own way until no Divine Light remains, in spite of the fact that Jesus was one person, and gave only one Teaching. This example she uses not only in villages but often in her public lectures in cities where it is equally well received.

Finding ourselves with a day of rest we went to the famous Zimbabwe Ruins and spent a peaceful morning climbing about them before continuing on our way on May 31 to Bulawayo, Rhodesia’s second largest town. There in addition to meeting more than once with our local Bahá’ís she had a press conference which resulted in a very favorable article on her travels and on the

Faith in the Daily Chronicle, a local newspaper. During a six-minute television interview she was able to mention the name “Bahá’í” and some of the major Teachings of the Faith several times. In the Y.W.C.A. hall a public meeting was attended by over fifty people. Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s subject was “Progressive Revelation and the Purpose of Religion in the World.” A three-day trip to Wankie, a big mining town in the North West, enabled Rúḥíyyih Khánum to meet with a number of friends. It was on this evening that one of the believers burst into the room with the news of the birth of a baby girl, and that she was to be named Rúḥíyyih in her honor because the baby arrived on the same day as Amatu’l-Bahá to their town.

We also visited the village of Chikandakubio, forty-five miles from where the Wankie Bahá’ís had been actively teaching. Here Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke on the purpose and importance of prayer. She used the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, explaining that the heart of man is like a mirror on which the desires, temptations and cares of life fall each day and dust on the mirror prevent it from reflecting the heavenly virtues. Prayer wipes away this dust from living and enables the heart again to receive the light of God within it.

(To be continued)

Rúḥíyyih Khánum with Bahá’ís in Chikandakubio near the Wankie Mines in Rhodesia.

[Page 16]

El Salvador’s Successful Proclamation

For the third time in the past six years, the Salvadorean Bahá’í Community has made use of the biennial “Feria International de El Salvador” to proclaim the Faith to the Central American area. This year’s fair, held from November 3 to 20, 1972, had stands from twenty-eight nations. While primarily a trade stimulus, it has always included cultural and other exhibitions and provides an ideal opportunity for an extensive public presentation of the Message.

Both by its situation and its design, the Bahá’í staff was particularly successful in attracting a large proportion of the 390,000 visitors to the fair. A wide scale radio campaign of well-made musical spots—over 406 in all, invited the public to view the stand and to investigate the Faith.

The Continental Board of Counsellors held a scheduled meeting in San Salvador during the opening week of the fair. Press coverage, a radio and a TV interview for that occasion also helped to attract attention to the Faith and to the stand. The anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh provided another opportunity and an attractive and informative article appeared in three of the leading newspapers.

The stand itself was designed by close collaboration of the National Spiritual Assembly, a Fair Committee and two young architects who are interested in the Teachings. Its technique was to attract at first glance, associate the name Bahá’í with unity and harmony and leave the viewer with a positive, unconfused impression. The design consisted of a raised plywood mural of a heterogeneous group of races, silhouetted against an illumined background. This took up most of the curved wall area. To one side in raised bold letters the words: “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine the whole world.—Bahá’u’lláh.” This was in Spanish. Near the outside in order to be readily seen by the approaching public was a circle upon which was superimposed a white, nine pointed star which served as a screen for the projection of a series of short slide programs. These consisted of three slides each accompanied with recorded words such as: “A new era, a new name: Bahá’í. The fulfillment of the ancient promise of one God, one mankind, one faith. Investigate the Bahá’í Faith.”

A very attractive pamphlet was edited and printed especially for this occasion, to be given to those who choose to investigate. This pamphlet had both color and black and white photographs of Haifa, Temples and varied groups plus text. It also included a postal paid reply card for those who wished further information.

The volunteer believers (mostly youth) who attended the stand were instructed to offer the pamphlet, but not to insist. In the two previous fairs 51,000 and 73,000 pamphlets (in simple black and white) were distributed during the three week period. The National Spiritual Assembly had designated 100,000 for this occasion, but it was not enough and it was necessary to offer other literature on the last day. About 108,000 pamphlets in all were distributed, many books were sold and some even accepted the Faith at the stand. About 28 percent of the total attending the Fair received literature.

Volunteers not only took turns at the stand, but helped to fold the cards into the 100,000 pamphlets. They, the Fair Committee, the Proclamation Committee, and the National Teaching Committee under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly made this multi-pronged effort of bringing the Faith to the public eye and ear, by far the most successful proclamation to date in El Salvador.

The arrival in El Salvador of a teaching-team of twelve youth from the United States who spoke Spanish, more or less, was an exciting event this past summer.

In one pueblo, San Pedro Puxtla, there were no Bahá’ís, and no proclamation had ever been held in the vicinity. On the first day of arrival the youth announced an open meeting for that evening where slides would be shown with music.

The Salvadorians love the guitar, so at dusk the people began assembling in the village square—numbering 200. Fortunately there were loudspeakers. The townpeople were very receptive and the first night there were thirty-two declarations; every day there were more, and by the fourth day there were sixty Bahá’ís, over half adults. They elected their Local Spiritual Assembly.

The sense of responsibility rested strongly on the new Assembly members at their first meeting, but they expect to establish a vitally functioning community through keeping in close touch with the National Office in El Salvador.

Some of the youth of San Pedro Puxtla went on the next teaching trip with the visiting youth—and further trips were planned with guitars and songs.

Another village, Salcoatitan, in the same part of the country, received its first proclamation from a youth trip, and there were forty-five enthusiastic declarations.

In still another village a lone Bahá’í, who had been in correspondence with Bahá’ís for two years, now had a visit in person with other Bahá’ís and was so happy. In Conghagua there had once been a hundred Bahá’ís who had become inactive. Now the youth were finally able to locate a few souls willing to carry on Bahá’í activities. One entire family made their declarations.

In the all-Bahá’í village of San Isidro, Labrador, the children sing Bahá’í songs frequently during the day. The youth visited during the rainy season and without rain gear it was difficult to travel. A meeting was announced for the end of the second day—and no one arrived! The youth packed to leave but the roads were impassable, so they simply sat waiting, when people began to appear, eager with questions. Several of those who came to the group were men living in Portio del Norte, up steep hills a mile and a half north. They are building a rock road with their own hands so the Bahá’ís will be able to come to them and their families and teach them about the Faith.

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The volume The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to Mr. Louis Santos, Mayor of Davao City, Philippines, in September 1972 by Mr. Soheil Rowshanzamir and Miss Shakin Rouhani, both pioneers from Írán, and Sara and Allan Lewis, American pioneers.

[Page 17]

GERMANY AND ITS GOALS

Five new Local Spiritual Assemblies were formed in Germany from October 28, 1972 to November 10, 1972. These are Bitburg, Augsburg, Mainz, Berlin-Zehlendorf, and Fürth.

Needed before Riḍván: 18 Assemblies and 124 new locations where Bahá’ís reside. Locations already achieved number 377.

The plea goes out for assistance: “If you think you cannot teach, you can make a cup of tea, have a friendly smile, radiate love and invite some friends.”

The Stuttgart community has a Bahá’í bus with signs and posters displayed, which brings many opportunities to teach in surrounding areas.

A teaching group from Iceland and Canada were touring Germany in December, all from ages eighteen to twenty-eight.

Information week was held in Ludwigshafen/Rhein from September 18-24. Hand of the Cause of God Mr. A. Furútan presented a book to the Mayor of the town. Four new believers enrolled as a result of Information Week.

On September 2, 1972, 20,000 young people attended a pop-concert in Koblenz. Among them were ten Bahá’ís from five countries. They had three information tables and gave out 13,000 pieces of literature. The name “Bahá’í” became known and many firesides resulted.

The young Bahá’ís who took part in the summer teaching project were greatly appreciated. Special mention was made of the singing group, “The New Garden”, and a special note of appreciation was given to Roberta Barrar, American coordinator, and Foad Hedayati, coordinator for Germany, for outstanding services.

—Translated from BAHÁ’Í NACHRICHTEN,
September-December, 1972

Some participants of the summer project in Germany were, front row, left to right: Inese Grikis, Bonnie Hogue, Patricia Gorman, Gene Granroth, Karen Thurston, Tom Rockwell. Second row, kneeling: Julia Devendorf, David Rome, Terri Rome, Rosann Velnich, Deborah Sanden, Barbara Jennrich. Top row, standing: Roberta Barrar (American coordinator), Emily Frontezak, Phil Johnson, Jan Hutton, Jim Law, Dennis Lovell.

[Page 18]

College Courses on the Bahá’í Faith

Miss Schole Raoufi teaching at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Miss Schole Raoufi, a twenty year old Junior from Írán, is now teaching an accredited course at the University of California, Santa Cruz on the Bahá’í Faith.

She submitted a plan for her course on “Írán—Birthplace of the Bahá’í Revelation” to the University authorities, which was approved. In her description she made a careful outline of content. The first part is devoted to the historical and cultural background of Persia, its ancient glory, leading to its present situation. The second part concerns the birth, rise and struggle of the Bahá’í Faith, its main figures, its impact on Írán and its historical relation to the world at large. The third part relates to Bahá’í principles and goals as related to the social needs of our time, showing the emergence of a new type of community in Írán. This includes a study of the method of Bahá’í administration with its provision for local, national and international units evolving to a worldwide unity, the unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh as in operation today.

Reading required: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era by Dr. J. E. Esslemont; Bahá’í Revelation by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Renewal of Civilization by David Hofman, Foundations of World Unity by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Stanwood Cobb.

The student is expected to write a term paper, also to give an oral report to the group, thereby encouraging discussion, intended to develop some awareness of current social problems and their relation to Bahá’í Teachings.

Miss Raoufi assured the authorities of the University that she was prepared to provide aids such as films, tapes, and to invite outside speakers.

The University of Yale is offering an accredited course on the Bahá’í Faith, taught by Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

In addition to the two courses reported above, a number of unaccredited classes have been held in numerous “Free Universities” in widely scattered parts of the United States, including Mobile, Alabama; Denver, Colorado; and Evanston, Illinois.

God willing, this will begin a new phase whereby the Faith can be taught on campuses throughout the United States!

High School and College Bahá’í Clubs in the United States

Although high school Bahá’í clubs are a fairly recent development in the United States, there are now sixty-three of them. Where there are two or more Bahá’ís on a high school campus, the National Spiritual Assembly encourages the formation of a club. Each Bahá’í club is sponsored by either a Local Spiritual Assembly or a District Teaching Committee and is assisted by an advisor appointed by the sponsoring body. The Office of Youth and Student Activities at the National Bahá’í Center in Wilmette serves in a coordinating capacity and sends out mailings each Bahá’í month. These consist of suggestions for teaching and deepening, news events, club functions, etc., and encourage reports. The emphasis is in improving the quality of spiritual life and encouraging club members to set personal goals.

All Bahá’í college clubs in the United States were encouraged to fulfill the following goals: 1) To bring to the awareness of everyone on campus the Message of Bahá’u’lláh; 2) To make special efforts to reach all minorities and foreign students on campus; 3) To adopt a small college as a teaching goal; 4) To attend a “WE” Institute; and 5) To encourage all Bahá’í students on campus to strive always to be at the head of their classes through hard study and true merit and to help them to accomplish this in whatever way possible.

Among reports is one from the University of Michigan telling of a Tri-State Bahá’í College Club Conference held from October 6 to 8, sponsored by the Bahá’í Student Group of the University of Michigan. Those who attended shared stimulating ideas which had already been tested and came up with some new, exciting and dynamic ways to promote the Faith.

The University of Chicago Bahá’ís, in an effort to reach everyone on campus held a concert featuring “Sphere”, a musical group comprised of Bahá’ís of different nationalities who play a variety of musical instruments, and put to music some of the verses of Bahá’u’lláh. Afterwards some from the audience approached to ask questions about the Faith.

Kent State University Bahá’í club started planning early to book Seals and Crofts, successful and popular musicians who have composed Bahá’í songs and use them extensively in their performances in the United States and abroad. Finally the concert occurred on January 19. Following the concert there was a fireside attended by 200 to 250 non-Bahá’ís. Both the club and Seals and Crofts received excellent publicity in the campus newspaper.

The University of North Dakota at Grand Forks has a large number of young Bahá’ís, who, besides teaching on their own campus have been involved in teaching at three high schools and in the town. Almost every Sunday morning club members meet for devotions. The club has adopted Devil’s Lake Junior College, and is in touch with a new Bahá’í there in order to assist in teaching and deepening.

[Page 19] Bahá’í club members at the University of Wisconsin at Madison meet for prayers once a week and club meetings once every two weeks. They are attempting to reach other groups through firesides directed toward them: the Afro students, the Latin-American and Japanese students, etc. Firesides are announced on campus bulletin boards, both campus newspapers, the campus activities calendar and over both campus radio stations.

Smith College at Northampton, Massachusetts, has a Bahá’í club which gives firesides every Thursday night, conducted by black couples and interracial couples. A deepening class is held each Wednesday night. They have selected Northampton Junior College and Northampton High School as teaching goals.

The Bahá’í club at St. Cloud State College, Minnesota, has been placing emphasis on reaching foreign students who are contacted individually as well as in small groups and receive invitations to firesides which are held weekly on campus. They are adopting nearby St. John’s College where they plan to present the film “It’s Just the Beginning.”

—Adapted from THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í, December 1972

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Teaching Institute in Paraguay

A Teaching Institute in the Chaco region of Paraguay. Victor and Janet Alexander, pioneers from the United States, are in the center. Their son, Bradley is in the left foreground with his dog. Janet Alexander wrote: “Here we are in one of the most remote spots of the world, in the least inhabited part of a country with a very small population, three million for the whole nation, so, what happens? The world comes here. In the last four months we have taught these different peoples: Indians in the area, civilian Paraguayans, members of the military, families from California and Oregon and a man from Georgia, someone from Canada, Germany, Israel and the Japanese Ambassador who upon arriving asked especially to visit the Bahá’í Institute and asked questions for one and a half hours about the Faith. We also shared the Message with several radio announcers and newspaper men from the Capital, Asuncion.”

[Page 20]

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Holds Institute

The village of Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica was recently the scene of its first Bahá’í Teacher Training Institute. Richard Mirkovich, long time pioneer to Costa Rica, has established his home there and it was there the Institute took place. Many Negro and some Latin people live in this area, it is also adjacent to the Indian territory of Talamanca where a large portion of the Indians are Bahá’ís.

The Institute was held for six days in a beautiful spot on the brink of the sea. Classes were given throughout the day on all facets of the Bahá’í Faith with much practice of vital subjects such as: how to give a fireside, electing Local Spiritual Assemblies and their officers, and how to elect delegates to the National Convention. Favorite classes were on prayer and meditation. There were special classes on the history of the Indian people,

Class under almond tree, Jose Baltodano, at center, is a pioneer to the Indians.

Practicing elections

emphasizing the greatness of their past. This class was very popular and many questions were asked.

By way of recreation, there was swimming in the hot afternoons, and singing and the telling of Bahá’í stories in the evenings. The classes were kept small so all could consult, ask questions and practice giving Bahá’í talks. At general meetings mostly in the evenings there were as many as forty people coming from miles around, but most were living right there for the duration of the Institute. Spirits were at all times high and happiness reigned throughout the week.

All participated in the hard work of preparing food for so many. Friends came from as far away as the community of Newcastle, 60 kilometers away down the coast, to help in the kitchen. Sharing became a reality, the students bringing foodstuff from wherever they came.

All departed for their homes after six days of intensive training, full of enthusiasm for the teaching work which lies ahead, sad at parting, but happy to have been living and working so happily together.

Some of the group attending the Institute

[Page 21] Bahá’í teachers of Talamanca

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Dutch Community Commemorates Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Over 300 Bahá’ís and their friends gathered for a nation-wide celebration of the commemoration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh on November 12, 1972 in the heart of the land, Utrecht at the University House.

The official welcome at 11:00 a.m. was followed by a befitting program set against the background of soul-stirring music. A point of interest was an illuminated “Greatest Name” surrounded by nine white lighted candles and white roses.

The friends shared a meal together. Later a moving account of the greatness of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation was presented. A tape recording was played recounting the visit with the Blessed Beauty by the late Hand of the Cause of God Ṭaraẓu’lláh Samandarí.

Light refreshments were served after which all gathered to listen to a lively program of joyous Bahá’í songs by the Dutch Song Group “The Great Day”.

The many Bahá’í children present took part in various activities, seeing a film, children’s class, recreation, and joined in the singing session. All viewed the slide program “Carmel, the Mountain of God.”

The Chairman, in closing urged all to take an ever increasing share in proclaiming the Faith. Five waiting souls declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

The Utrecht Local Assembly, which was responsible for the arrangements for the day, felt pleased over the response.

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Netherlands Launch Teaching-Deepening Plan

A joint effort aimed at forming eighteen healthy Local Spiritual Assemblies by Riḍván 1973 was set in motion in September 1972 by the National Teaching Committee and the National Consolidation Committee of the Netherlands.

Embracing all areas of the land, each effort is sponsored separately by the responsible committee. Included in the plan are teaching weekends in goal cities or places needing support and institutes for intensive study and fellowship. Children’s classes and recreation are also included. These teaching weekends have attracted favorable publicity and knowledge of the Faith is more widely spread because of the devoted direct teaching efforts of the friends.

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands: As a result of a successful teaching project just completed by a team of five French speaking Bahá’ís from Canada, close to one thousand new Bahá’ís were enrolled in the French Antilles thereby doubling our national membership.... Additional settlers are presently on their way from Canada and the United States to take up residence in the French Islands.

—ST. THOMAS BAHÁ’Í NEWSLETTER, February, 1973

Argentine Believers Present Library Books

A group of Bahá’ís in Tartagal, Salta, Argentina, when presenting books to the local public library during a teaching project in July. Left to right: Mr. Gustavo Zamora (Mateco Indian); Mr. Eugenio Aragón (native Argentinian); Mr. Aldo Bustos, Director of the library with copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in his hands; behind him, Mrs. Barbara Genge, American pioneer; Mrs. Lola de Caballero, Argentinian, member of the National Spiritual Assembly; Mr. Juan Millalaf, Mapuche Indian from the South of Argentina; behind him, wearing glasses, Mr. Deane Genge and two friends.

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Observing the Fast

“It is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary adjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul.”

—Shoghi Effendi, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, March 1936

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National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Belize, British Honduras elected at Riḍván, 1972. Standing, left to right: Miss Helen Taylor, Mrs. Bernice Yorke, Mr. Nathaniel Neal, Mrs. Grace Grant, Mrs. Gladys Stuart, Mrs. Lois Nolen. Seated, Mrs. Shirley Warde, Mrs. Rezvan Ahmadiyeh, Mrs. Emma Lawrence.

[Page 22]

Ethiopia inaugurates Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh the evening of November 11, 1972, the first program was held in the new national headquarters in Addis Ababa. Nearly one hundred people attended.

Mr. Gila Michgan Bohta, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, presided. Several appropriate selections from the Sacred Writings of Bahá’u’lláh were read which deepened the appreciation of those attending the celebration of this twin event. Prayers were read in English and Amharic and chanted in Persian.

Guest speaker was Auxiliary Board member Mr. Foad Ashraf who with his wife, Maghbule, flew from Kenya for the event. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ashraf were formerly pioneers in Ethiopia. He expressed his delight in returning to the country and having the opportunity of greeting the friends, many of whom he had personally introduced to the Faith, some now members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Mr. Asfaw Tessema, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, gave a detailed report of how the friends began to make plans to build the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds after this goal was assigned by The Universal House of Justice at the beginning of the Nine Year Plan.

Dr. and Mrs. Farhaumond, pioneers from Írán who have spent eighteen years in Ethiopia, donated the land on which the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is built. They were warmly thanked for their gracious gift and many years of outstanding service.

At first the project seemed impossible. Mr. Tessema related how funds seemed to arrive mysteriously from abroad and from pledges made by Ethiopian friends.

Special congratulations were extended to Mr. Mehtzun Tedla, a building engineer, for his beautiful design of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and to Mr. Techesta Ahderon, city planner and architect, both members of the National Spiritual Assembly, who saw the building to completion. Mr. Sertzu G. Meskel, construction engineer, though not a Bahá’í, was praised for his Bahá’í manner and patience displayed in the many problems involved in the building.

On Sunday morning, November 12, 1972, a public meeting was held in the new building with attendance of over one hundred, including children. Bahá’í literature was displayed and a large photograph of the Báb’s Shrine was presented to each guest. The second edition in Amharic of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era was available for those interested in more information about the Faith.

Dr. Farhaumond spoke eloquently on progressive revelation and told many stories of the tragic and heroic events of Bahá’í history. Another speaker was Dr. Malik, of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. He stated that the spiritual life must be lived according to the revelation of the prophets of the various religions, and if mankind did this, the world would not suffer from its present division and conflict.

In the evening “A New Wind” was shown for the first time in this country, again to about a hundred people. This film was a gift of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for the celebration of the dedication of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and was deeply appreciated. It favorably impressed guests with the world scope of the Faith.

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The Sydney House of Worship is the background for the red van owned by Paul and Beverly Stafford which has been used for much teaching activity as far as Perth, Western Australia. Left to right, Scott Stafford, Bob Evans, Sima Eshraghian. The Staffords were originally from Santa Rosa, California, U.S.A.

Friends at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, who devote several hours each week to mass teaching and holding discussion meetings. They find the students broadminded and tolerant, eager to build a new world, socially aware of man’s plight and disenchanted with the old world systems.

[Page 23]

Teachers and Pioneers in Bolivia

In Pareden, Chuquisaca, Bolivia, Augustin Gareca, native teacher, and pioneers Lynn Anille and Al Cannon are standing in back. Manigeh Cannon is holding her seven-week old daughter Jamalliyyeh. One sleepless night she protected the baby from a dangerous insect, the vinchuga, whose bite weakens the heart. Another time, entering an Indian community where there was an epidemic of scarlet fever causing deaths of both children and adults, Manigeh called out: “Oh, Bahá’u’lláh, please take care of my baby” and went on teaching.

A study course in Mesa Verde, Chuquisaca, Bolivia. Auxiliary Board member Manucher Shoai is at right, next to him a devoted woman of Quechua background. Illiterate, and in need, she was assisted by her National Spiritual Assembly to obtain a small piece of land from the government where she can raise her own garden and poultry or goats.

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In Melbourne, Australia recently, National Spiritual Assembly members assisted in mass teaching. Some of them with the friends are: front row, left to right: Dr. Ray Myers, Joy Stevenson, Mahvash Master, Len Jackson and Frank McLeod. Back row, Pieter de Vogel, Joy Vohradsky, Rhonda Andrews, John Walker, Saba Payman and Ken Robinson.

On a teaching trip in Yamparaez, Chuquisaca, Bolivia with Sergio Ortiz from Puerto Rico teaching a youth group. At right is Manigeh Cannon and her new daughter, Jamalliyyeh. Six youth and three adults made their declarations of belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

[Page 24]

CONTENTS

Portico of the Shrine of the Báb (Photograph) 1 Queen Marie of Rumania, Renowned First Royal Believer 2 Passing of Distinguished Teacher, Winston G. Evans 6 Wedding in Finland 6 Passing of Knight of Bahá’u’lláh, Matthew W. Bullock 7 San José, Costa Rica, Site of International Youth Conference 7 Counsellors Sponsor Youth Conference in The Gambia 8 Dutch Winter School 10 A Pioneer from India in Tanzania 11 National Spiritual Assembly of Sweden (Photograph) 11 The Great Safari of Hand of the Couse Rúḥíyyih Khánum 12 El Salvador’s Successful Proclamation 16 Philippines Presentation (Photograph) 16 Germany and its Goals 17 College Courses on the Bahá’í Faith 18 High School and College Bahá’í Clubs in the United States 18 Teaching institute in Paraguay 19 Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, Holds institute 20 Dutch Community Commemorates Birth of Bahá’u’lláh 21 Netherlands Launch Teaching-Deepening Plan 21 Argentine Believers Present Library Books 21 National Spiritual Assembly of Belize, British Honduras (Photograph) 21 Ethiopia Inaugurates Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday 22 Teaching in Australia (Photographs) 22-23 Teachers and Pioneers in Bolivia (Photographs) 23 Local Spiritual Assembly of Ryde, Isle of Wight, England (Photograph) 24 Mayor of Monaco Receives Bahá’ís 24

BAHÁ’Í NEWS

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First Local Spiritual Assembly for Ryde, Isle of Wight, England, formed at Riḍván, 1972. Members are, left to right, standing: Bill Barry, Artin Dixon, Tig Williams, Jacki James, Doris Corkett, Ted Ball. Seated: Marzi Skipper, Kittie Glover, Dorothy Brown.

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Mayor of Monaco Receives Bahá’ís

The National Spiritual Assembly of France reports the new Mayor of Monaco, Mr. Jean-Louis Medecin, granted an audience to Bahá’ís on November 3, 1972. Mrs. Andrée Blagovestchensky, Chairman of the Monaco Spiritual Assembly, and Miss Anne-Marie Dupeyron were courteously received in his private office.

The occasion was used to present the Mayor with The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, while informing him that this book had been given to over 140 Heads of State in 1967, in commemoration of the hundredth anniversary of the sending of letters by Bahá’u’lláh to the kings and religious leaders of His time. Quite touched, Mr. Jean-Louis Medecin thanked them and also showed interest in the last French edition of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era which will give him a general idea of the Faith. He promised to read these two books.

In the course of the conversation the Mayor expressed the idea that only a spiritual authority would be able to unite men from all over the world and give them an ideal capable of inspiring them to build a new civilization. He accepted the Bahá’í belief that Divine Revelation is continuous and progressive. He listened with much interest when the two delegates from the Assembly explained the functioning of the Administrative Order and the plan for World Order given by Bahá’u’lláh.

Among other things, the Mayor inquired about such matters as Bahá’í marriage and burial, Bahá’í Holy places, temples, the expansion of the Faith throughout the world. Though the interview lasted only thirty-five minutes, the Mayor of Monaco proved to be open minded concerning the need for a universal renewal in the world.

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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.

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