The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is
of the United States and Canada
The Holy Manifestations who have been the sources or founders of the various religious systems were united and agreed in purpose and teaching. His Holiness Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, are one in spirit and reality. Moreover each Prophet fulfilled the promise of the one who came before Him and likewise each announced the one who would follow.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION[edit]
Reported by Louis G. Gregory
Another convention, the twenty-third annual of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, has written its fine record upon the plane of Reality and has given both inward and outer signs of constructive achievement. As the years pass, the believers in the most High, Bahá’u’lláh, as shown by these annual gatherings, seem to reach increasing heights of consultation, spiritual insight and application of the divine teachings to the needs of humanity. Faith is strengthened, courage is more resolute and voices attain more eloquence and penetration in the delivery of the great message. The power that arises from the unity of our productive strength, the wisdom that shines with free consultation, the darkness that flees from the Light of Reality, the wounds that are healed with the balm of love, the answers that respond to prayers for Guidance and the signs which descend to the minds and hearts of the sincere are visible in spiritual gatherings which many incidents combine to make unique. This convention was one of the most impersonal ever held. How largely free from negative currents! Accounts of things done, the progress of activities, expressions of appreciation and gratitude, constructive ideals, incentives to nobler deeds, purer lives and greater sacrifices; treatment of the world’s ills, the significances of the Master's love and the Guardian’s protection, the planting of the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh among all the nations of the earth, reverence for His Holy Sanctuary, happiness in its progress and the thoughts of its happy completion which will be fraught with such wondrous results in future, effaced all thoughts of earth.
The inspiring words of our Guardian were read by the Chairman during many intervals of the convention. These were often quoted from the volume, Bahá’í Administration but were further contained in letters and cablegrams. They lifted deliberations to the highest plane which combines the ideal and the practical and seemed to bring heavenly illumination and guidance. The following cable was read soon after the opening:
“The Greatest Holy Leaf joins me in requesting delegates assembled under Mashriqu’l-Adhkár’s sacred dome convey all American believers expression our heartfelt congratulations, boundless joy, profound gratitude practical completion superstructure glorious edifice. Fervently appeal all associated this holy enterprise, consummate their achievement by upholding whatever manner national representatives may deem necessary for provision exterior ornamentation. Inestimable blessing shall crown America’s sustained, self-sacrificing endeavor.
The convention replied by cable to this beautiful message, expressing happiness, pledging loyalty and obedience as the means of success among the friends and the hope that our inward lives may at all times mirror forth the great peace that is found at the shrine of Bahá’u’lláh.
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” says a well known poet. Wondrously beautiful is the Temple of God. It is the Divine Sanctuary in which only the praises of God are to be sung. Rising so majestically over the lake, graceful in outline, unique in structure, resting upon a foundation supported by the ribs of the earth and symbolizing in its structure the body of the manifestation of God, how mysterious and vast is the influence of this wonderful place! Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is a name which will be engraven upon the heart of humanity with the passing of the years. In the foundation of such a noble structure the friends of God were assisted in holding their annual convention.
The first and only official business of the convention is the election of the National Spiritual Assembly, the body of nine to whom are committed as servants of the Cause the direction of its activities for the period of a year. Although several members of the existent assembly would for various reasons have preferred to give way to others, the result was the reelection of the entire membership. The transmission of this news to Haifa by cable brought the following reply from the Guardian:
“Welcome your action as befitting tribute to National Assembly’s magnificent record of service. Deeply appreciate. Profoundly moved. Striking evidence Bahá’í solidarity. Continued self-sacrifice.”
This election was held on the first
day of the convention in order that the
delegates might have ample time to
confer with the newly elected body.
The other part of the work was hearing
reports in order that the delegates
upon the basis of what they heard,
might make recommendations to those
who represent them. The report of
the secretary showed the completion of
the part of the Temple as planned and
the essential unity of the Cause.
Warm tribute was paid all committees
for their efficient services. Other matters
were a report of the new translation
of the Book of Iqán as a labor
of devotion and love by the Guardian;
a warning against the reception of
Orientals who lack credentials from a
recognized spiritual assembly; information
about the rich treasures contained[Page 2]
in the History of Nabil, one of
the devoted followers of both the Báb
and Bahá’u’lláh. This work contains
authoritative records of the early days
of the Cause, among them being the
geneologies of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh
for several generations, also twenty
Tablets of the Báb including one to
Bahá’u’lláh and another to Himself
and the others to the other Letters of
the Living. There are photographs
and drawings to be printed with this
book. Other items of the secretary’s
report brought out the value and confirmation
which go with contributions
to the Bahá’í Fund, that needs for
construction and other activities may
be more adequately met; the organization
of seven new spiritual assemblies
during the year; a tribute to the late
Louis ]. Bourgeois, temple architect,
described as “both a sincere servant of
Bahá’u’lláh and a master of design;”
six hundred and thirty-nine separate
matters which were passed upon by the
assembly during the past year and a
high tribute to Miss Martha Root our
great international teacher.
The treasurer’s report showed a check for $2,000.00 from the Research Service as a contribution to the Bahá’í Fund, along with their fine report to the trustees of the Temple. The treasurer exhorted us to “massage our financial nerves” and not to let ourselves think, despite the fine progress of the work, that our task is finished. He reminded that about ten thousand dollars a year will now be needed for the upkeep of the Temple.
Devotional Service
During the afternoon of the first day, the delegates and friends went to the main auditorium where standing in a silent and reverent attitude, they listened to the prayers and Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh as read and chanted by a little band of angels who occupied the gallery above. An atmosphere of sanctity pervaded this meeting.
“The Lord is in His Holy Temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him!”
“O people of the earth, advance to Him who hath advanced toward you! Lo! the Promised One hath come !”
“Glory be to Him who hath caused the signs to descend to those who understand!”
“Verily I am God! There is no God but Me, the Precious, the Beloved!”
These brief quotations from Tablets may well suggest the solemnity and beauty of the service during which all stood. It is characteristic of a place which will be used for worship, meditation and prayer, where also beautiful music will pay homage to God, but where no speeches will be made. Even the foundation hall is being used only temporarily for other kinds of meetings, this by permission of the Guardian.
Recent Pilgrimages
Three noble friends who have recently had the joy of visiting the sacred shrines and consulting with the Guardian shared their spiritual treasures. Emphasis was given by them to the value of holding informal conferences for consultation between delegates and non-delegates; the vital necessity of organizing spiritual assemblies when it appears that the number of declared believers in any city aggregates nine, no matter what the racial identity of such believers may be; the urgent need of studying the teachings and of extending our acquaintance and knowledge of the friends; of meeting always in a prayerful spirit; of living the teachings in order to solve the race problem. In conferences, we should make a careful investigation and decide only after hearing all sides of a question. A majority should not give up and let people have their way for the sake of peace. Protection comes to the friends through obedience to the divine commands. The friends of God have no idea of what the future has in store for them. This Cause will affect both the political and social life of the whole world.
Another pilgrim told how Shoghi Effendi at a time of difficulty sent aid to both Jews and Arabs in Palestine. Each received his help, but each was unhappy over the assistance extended the other. Each also feared to leave their homes on account of danger. Then it was that the Bahá’ís went to them and served by doing their marketing, thus demonstrating the power of the Cause and impressing its lessons.
Still another spoke of the Greatest Holy Leaf now eighty-five years old, so frail that her life seems to hang by a thread, yet living ever upon the high ethereal plane of spirituality and radiant faith. In the opinion of the Guardian, there is no present imminent danger of war. The friends should register the Cause with the government as do the Quakers, committing ourselves to peace. We should be willing to take our part in administrative service of the government but not to do that which requires us to kill our fellow beings.
There are nine great holidays in the Bahá’í Cause. These are the first, ninth and twelfth days of the Riḍván Feast, beginning April 21. This is the greatest celebration of all, marking as it does the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh. The other holidays are the Nawruz Feast, March 21; the declaration of the Bab, May 23; the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh May 28; the Martyrdom of the Bab, July 9; the birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, Nov. 12, and the birthday of the Bab, October 20. These occasions and the memorial services held because of them will be generally observed in future and make them all holidays.
The members of the Holy Household with radiant love and obedience turned to Shoghi Effendi after the ascension of ‘Abdu’l Bahá and this despite the Guardian’s youth. They recognized in him the voice of authority. His extraordinary way of administering affairs attracts the hearts of all who approach him. He is extremely active, rising at six and eats no breakfast. He works all day and takes no luncheon. He takes his dinner at midnight. His way of accepting all difficulties makes his life most beautiful to see.
Bahá’i Administration
The special value of Bahá’í administration, the need of training in it and its exercise in a way that will keep all the people of a community busy received much emphasis from the delegates in conference.
Teaching Report
The chairman of the National Teaching Committee announced that the annual report would be presented in several sections. The first was the general teaching activity presented by the Secretary who began her brilliant address by saying: “The Sea of the Love of God is colorless.” This was followed by a generalization of the activities in the Eastern States, with stress upon the need of more teachers and funds to defray their expenses; the fact that in one section, as the result of a regional conference thirty-one teachers had been made; account of the happy responses to a questionnaire; the number of classes for study organized; consideration of the vast regions to be covered and the number of workers needed to accomplish the desired end.
The committee of the far West reported intense activity in the San Francisco region on both sides of the bay, with the whole Pacific Coast interested in and helpful in the spread of interracial amity. They recommended that information should be
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NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA General Address: Bahá’í Secretariat, Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, N. J. ALFRED E. LUNT, Secretary, 89
NELLIE S. FRENCH, International
ROY C. WILHELM, Treasurer,
CARL SCHEFFLER, Financial Secretary,
The Bahá’í News is the Organ of
SARAH WALRATH, Chairman. ALBERT WINDUST, Editorial Manager. SOPHIE LOEDING. ALBERT VAIL.
Editorial Office: SARAH WALRATH, 1415 Sherwood Terrace, Chicago, Illinois. |
To Local Spiritual Assemblies and
- Teachers:
The Editorial Committee wishes very much to receive items of interest from each Community and from the teachers every month, feeling that this is essential to the welding together of the believers scattered throughout the country. We earnestly urge that each Community appoint a “Reporter”, whose duty it shall be to keep us informed of Community activities, and that the teachers in the field send, each month, a brief resume of their work. To help us in our work, we would ask that when quotations are used in these articles, the authority be stated also. Send all communications to the Editorial Office at the above address.
EDITORIAL
THE DIVINE ELIXIR[edit]
“On that Day God will satisfy them all with His abundance.”
Bahá’í Scriptures, page 149, verse 110.
In a time of world stress and depression perhaps unexampled in history, when many Bahá’í hearts are sorely tried with the external problems of life, this divine word flashes upon the consciousness with striking force. We know that the promise of God faileth not, and that this storehouse of divine sustenance is already prepared and ready in the realm of reality. Within the “Sleeves of Might” the Hand of God holds the flame which will ignite the lamp of unity upon the earth, but the glass-holder, the burner, the wick and the chimney must first be ready, clean and immaculate; the oil, with its innate fire, must likewise fill the globe of the lamp. Then nothing can prevent the ignition, for a capacity has been set up.
Today, all mankind are enmeshed in the hampering cords of the net they have themselves fashioned, even as shoals of fishes confused and gasping afar from their native element. In a certain sense, the Bahá’ís are subjected to these destructive forces which have been set in motion by the trend of the race-thought or consciousness. This is a definite force, and there is no escape from it by means of any remedy this consciousness can offer, for it is the working of the law of cause and effect. The minds of statesmen and financial experts, alike, are appalled and impotent to grasp and control the reins of this mad steed that ever plunges more headlong through the barriers that humanity has relied upon so long for stability and composure. Nothing less than this could bring proud nations to the brink of bankruptcy, or reduce millions of men to the necessity of seeking public aid. If we say the pendulum will swing again to the right, the history of past financial depressions bears this out, but their disturbances were less basic and deep-seated. A stronger remedy is necessary to heal the prostrating disease that Bahá’u’lláh tells us has now brought the race nigh unto dissolution.
Behind the confused panorama of events, the claws of war, financial greed, international speculation, prejudice and above all, fear, have been tearing at the vitals of human civilization. Wholly unbalanced military and naval expenses are consuming the substance of national wealth. Nothing is left for the constructive and creative life. Simultaneous and general disarmament is the material key to a measure of relief from this madness, and we should serve this ideal in a practical and definite way, but the major key is that which unlocks men’s hearts and opens the door to the slumbering spiritual consciousness. The story of Beauty and the Beast may be likened to the existing situation. Beauty is the sleeping reality of human souls. All the world of reality slumbers heavily with her. The Beast is the soul-sick, objective spirit of the age, hideous in his ignorance, unguided and unhappy. Through deep suffering and the gradual realization of his helpless state, stunned and oppressed by the beneficent forces he has so long ignored and disobeyed, he is drawn in the fulness of time and without knowing why, to the palace of Beauty. He beholds her and at last dimly conscious, seeks the kiss of reunion. And lo, she awakens and in that instant he is transformed again into his true manhood, and sees with the eyes of a child of God. Then the earth awakens, the palace of Beauty is adorned, for the objective and subjective man are reunited, the reality of his spirit has resumed its sway, and there is “Light upon Light.”
Let us fully realize the sense in which even the followers of Bahá’u’lláh are experiencing the common suffering of the race. Our outward and material lives are bound up with the industrial and business limitations of the moment. In this sense, their weakness is our weakness, as is their strength ours. But the world is not mindful of the blessed Word, “God doeth whatsoever He willeth.” This implies the fact of divine intervention in this world. Nevertheless, the Divine Promise quoted at the head of this article is conditioned upon certain action on our part. Reading the text of this great Tablet, all will note that this promise is preceded by these significent words; let us meditate upon every word—
“The light of men is justice; quench it not with the contrary winds of oppression and tyranny. The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among people. In this exalted Word, the sea of God’s wisdom is moving, all the books of the world are not sufficient to contain its interpretation.
“If the world is adorned with this
mantle, the sun of the saying, ‘On
that Day God will satisfy them all
with His abundance’ will appear[Page 4]
and shine forth from the horizon of
the heaven of the world. Know ye
the station of this utterance, for it
is from the loftiest fruits of the
tree of the Supreme Pen. Happy
is he who heareth and attaineth.”
The preciousness of unity above all else is the key to the text. Even the Supreme station of justice becomes the handmaiden of the peerless place that unity occupies in this age, for the Divine Unity is the first and greatest of the stations desired by God to enter and reign over human consciousness. Only through this can His Image become imprinted and active upon this earth, and the Kingdom be established on this planet. Upon this fulfillment rests the mighty promise of abundance. This abundance is not material alone, but spiritual in its satisfaction. But the material need is, likewise, a human necessity and a foundation of the order of the world.
We have endeavored to show that no remedy exists today in the present consciousness of the masses of humanity. Yet the divine promise is not to Bahá’ís alone, but to all men. But there must needs be a nucleus which, believing in the Word of God, will establish through their faith and knowledge, the conditions which He has imposed, and thus attract, according to the Divine Law, the Hand of Power and Strength. We must, as never before, make ready the lamp of Unity for that prepared and luminous Flame. What does this mean? No less than a far deeper consciousness of what He desires for us to attain. The “fire of separation” that here and there divides and cleaves asunder the hearts must be wholly quenched. Sacrifice for one another, the recognition of the reality that dwells within each, and cessation of all the petty and personal differences that are like wet blankets to the flame of Bahá’í life, are essentials. In other words, the active force of Unity is Love and only this can weld us together to meet the conditions of His Law, to receive the calm light of His Promise, and witness the guiding cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Nothing short of this can envelop the friends of God with the Mantle of protection from the destroying forces of the world. God has created the realities that dwell within each of the friends. It is these that are worthy of our holy and consecrated love and service. From this standpoint, the eyes no longer occupy themselves with the differences of personalities which, in their turn are but, at the most, fleeting shadows.
Let us from this hour turn to the realities. This is the Divine Elixir for every outer affliction. And through the attainment of this degree of devotion, the friends of God will become real servants of all mankind, and attain their true destiny. Then the lamp of Unity will be ignited, the Divine Abundance will pour forth upon the united hearts and through them upon the world of humanity.
NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í COMMITTEES[edit]
1931-1932
(To be added to list published in July issue of Bahá’í News)
The Bahá’í Magazine
- Stanwood Cobb, Editor
- Mariam Haney, Associate Editor
- Margaret E. McDaniel, Business Manager.
The Economics Committee, formed for the purpose of studying the economic teachings and of trying to find ways and means of applying them, feel that one of its first duties is to compile a complete collection of all the utterances on the subject which have been translated into English, from the words of Bahá’u’lláh and ’Abdu’l-Bahá.
As a start on this undertaking, all of the references given in the Outline on Material and Divine Civilization have been collected and indexed.
Any of the friends who know of further authentic material on the subject will greatly aid the work of the Committee by sending such references to the Secretary of the Committee. This request applies especially to unpublished Tablets or authentic copies of discourses.
As soon as the work of compilation is completed, it is hoped that it may be put in such form as to be available to those desiring to study the matter.
The interest shown in the work of the Committee on the floor of the convention made it very evident that the matter is close to the hearts of everyone, which leads the Committee to hope for much valuable assistance.
- DALE S. COLE, Committee Sec’y,
Announcement has been received of the marriage of Mr. Charles Mason Remey and Mrs. Karl Daenzer Klemm in Paris, July 11th, 1931. The Bahá’í News, on behalf of its many readers, extends best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Remey.
(Concluded from page 2) of the Dayton friends, lunched with three prominent newspaper women of the city. All three of these women have shown great interest in the Cause.
April 25th, Miss Thompson was interviewed before the microphone of Radio station WSMK by Mrs. Perrill, Dayton’s best known newspaper woman. The interview was in the form of questions and answers relative to the Cause and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. A list of seven questions was given to Mrs. Perrill as a guide and from that she reconstructed them as she chose.
April 26th, a group was again addressed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy. A week later found two of this group at the Convention in Chicago.
Plans are also under way for six, fifteen-minute progressive talks to be given over the radio by Mrs. Sylvia Margolis. These talks were inspired by and are the outcome of Miss Thompson’s work here.
CABLEGRAM FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI[edit]
RELATIVE TO PUBLICATION or NABÍL’S NARRATIVE “THE DAWN BREAKERS”
“Heartily endorse plan to secure co-operation believers publication Nabíl’s Narrative. Mailing October check for hundred copies.—SHOGHI.”
Please refer to Publishing Committee’s Announcement in July Bahá’í News, issue No. 53, for detailed information.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Mr. John Bierma, one of the much loved Chicago friends, passed on suddenly July 3rd in Los Angeles, where, because of ill health, he had made his home for the past two years. All those who knew him will greatly miss the charm of his truly Bahá’í character. Mr. Bierma received the Message in Chicago, where he also had the privilege of meeting ’Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912. We extend to Mrs. John Bierma and to Mr. Bierma’s parents our loving sympathy.
On July 16th, Mrs. Frances Chase Schneider, a much loved member of the Minneapolis Assembly, ascended into the Abhá Kingdom. Mrs. Schneider received the Message from Lua Getsinger about twenty-five years ago, and has been an ardent worker in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh ever since. Mrs. Schneider’s many friends throughout the country will feel her physical absence very keenly, and to them and her family we tender sincere sympathy.
