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Bahá’í News

September 1976

Bahá’í Year 133

Paris, Anchorage—The drive toward victory

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Contents

Universal House of Justice Message	1
Message to the International Bahá’í Conference in Paris.
Preparation for Harvest	2
The International Teaching Conference in Paris
God’s Call to the Arctic	7
The International Teaching Conference in Anchorage.
The Moral Education of Children	11
by Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Hand of the Cause of God
Around the World	14
Chile, El Salvador, Italy, Rhodesia, United States

The cover shows the representatives of The Universal House of Justice to the International Teaching Conferences in Paris and Anchorage. Above, Rúḥíyyih Khánum addresses more than 6,000 believers attending the Paris Conference. Below, the Hand of the Cause Collis Featherstone reads a message to the 1,300 Bahá’ís in Anchorage.

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Bahá’í News is published monthly 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. Manuscripts submitted should be typewritten and double spaced throughout; any footnotes should appear at the end. The contributor should keep a carbon copy. Send materials to: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091, U.S.A.

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Copyright © 1976, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

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Universal House of Justice Message

Message to the International Bahá’í Conference in Paris
August 1976
To the Friends assembled at the International Teaching Conference in Paris Dearly-loved Friends, The brilliance of Paris in the story of European civilization bids fair to be renewed with even greater splendour during the Day of the Lord of Hosts and the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth. The annals of Paris in this Day have already acquired eternal lustre from events of mightier import, of greater universal significance and more sacred character than any which its past history has witnessed. The visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Centre of God’s inviolable Covenant, alone outshine in historical importance anything in the long history of France, and are immortalized in the greatly-loved collection of His discourses given in that capital city. Beyond this, we recall with awe and pride that it was at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s instruction that the illustrious May Maxwell succeeded in establishing in Paris the first Bahá’í centre on the European Continent, a continent described by Shoghi Effendi as “the cradle of a civilization to some of whose beneficent features the Pen of Bahá’u’lláh has paid significant tribute; on whose soil both the Greek and Roman civilizations were born and flourished; which has contributed so richly to the unfoldment of American civilization; the fountainhead of American culture; the mother of Christendom, and the scene of the greatest exploits of the followers of Jesus Christ”, and experiencing “the first stirrings of that spiritual revolution” which must culminate in the permanent establishment throughout its diversified lands of the divinely ordained Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The first centre was rapidly reinforced by the conversion of the first English believer and of the first Frenchman to accept the Faith—the distinguished Hippolyte Dreyfus, whose “pre-eminent role” it was to kindle “the torch which is destined to shed eternal illumination upon his native land and its people”—and by Laura Barney, whose “imperishable service” was to transmit to posterity Some Answered Questions. The steadfastness and devotion of the Paris Bahá’í Community during the dark and sombre days of the Second World War earned great praise from the beloved Guardian of the Faith, while the recent signs of widespread and effective teaching work throughout France lend wings to the hope that this veteran, sorely-tested and steadfast community is about to gather the harvest of those potent seeds sown and nourished so lovingly by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It is highly propitious that this city, thrice blessed by the presence of the Master, should be the scene of the first International Bahá’í Conference in France and one of the eight International Conferences to be held around the world during the Five Year Plan. You are gathered in this historic spot to deliberate on the fortunes of that Plan, to derive inspiration from the deeds performed there in the heroic age of our Faith and from your association together, to rededicate yourselves to the service of Bahá’u’lláh and to determine, each and every one, how best you can promote the victory of the Five Year Plan. We call to your attention ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words: The call of Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá can be heard far and wide. It is my hope that this soul-stirring melody of the Abhá Kingdom may also be raised high in Paris, for Paris is tumultuous in all things. I pray the Almighty that the music and singing of the beloved of God will be so loud that the vibrations thereof may cause the limbs of Paris to quake. I await very joyful tidings from the friends in Paris. Unquestionably the divine melody will in the future be raised in that city, but I long that this may happen in these days of the Covenant, and that you will be the enchanting songsters and the sweet-singing nightingales of that land. Our hopes are high and we pray at the Sacred Threshold that from this Conference will surge throughout Europe a wave of such sacrificial teaching as will impel large numbers of its diverse and highly-talented peoples to embrace the Faith of God and dedicate themselves to the redemption of mankind under the glorious banner of the Prince of Peace. THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

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Preparation for the Harvest

The International Teaching Conference in Paris

[Page 3] A total of 6,050 Bahá’ís from 55 countries gathered at the International Teaching Conference in Paris, France, August 3-6, the biggest conference ever held under the auspices of The Universal House of Justice.

Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, representative of the Supreme Institution, said it would be the greatest conference of the Five Year Plan. It was the most important Bahá’í event in France since the historic visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1911 and 1913.

“Our hopes are high and we pray at the Sacred Threshold that from this Conference will surge throughout Europe a wave of such sacrificial teaching as will impel large numbers of its diverse and highly-talented peoples to embrace the Faith of God and dedicate themselves to the redemption of mankind under the glorious banner of the Prince of Peace,” a message from The Universal House of Justice said in part.

Whatever Bahá’ís are asked to do by the divinely-guided Universal House of Justice, “we must have the confidence that we can do it,” Rúḥíyyih Khánum said in one of her talks. “We have no time to lose,” she added, referring to the tasks remaining in the Five Year Plan, particularly the establishment of Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Responding eagerly to a call for more pioneers, a total of 367 Bahá’ís volunteered to fill international posts.

In addition to Rúḥíyyih Khánum, other

[Page 4] Hands of the Cause of God present at the historic conference were Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, H. Collis Featherstone, Dhikru’lláh Khádem, Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, John Robarts, and ‘Alí-Muḥammad Varqá. One of the highlights of the conference was an evening with the Hands of the Cause at the Palais des Congres on August 4.

Many opportunities for teaching and proclamation developed before, during, and after the conference. Approximately 2,000 persons, half of them non-Bahá’ís, attended a public meeting on August 5 at which Continental Counsellor Louis Hénuzet spoke. Many dignitaries were present and a reception was held for them after the meeting.

Amatu’l-Bahá held a press conference before the sessions and about 15 newsmen attended, including reporters from French and American media. In addition, a short presentation of the Faith was broadcast on the French national television station.

In another significant development, a message to the conference from Kurt Waldheim, secretary-general of the United Nations, was read. Mr. Waldheim wished the conference success and pointed to the “substantial and most important contribution” of the Bahá’í Faith.

The French Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was dedicated on August 8 with readings by Dr. Varqá and Amoz Gibson, member of The Universal House of Justice.

In addition to Rúḥíyyih Khánum, other conference speakers included Mr. Hénuzet, Counsellors Erik Blumenthal, Anneliese Bopp, and Adib Taherzadeh, Firuz Kazemzadeh of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, and Auxiliary Board members John Paul Vader and Nosrat Tirandaz. Counsellor Betty Reed also attended the sessions.

Musical groups from France, the United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Austria, the United States, and the Central African Republic performed during the conference.

One of the most moving moments of the conference came on the final day when Amatu’l-Bahá spoke in three languages. The 2,500 Persians who attended the conference applauded warmly as Rúḥíyyih Khánum, speaking in Persian, told stories about the life of the late Hand of the Cause of God Ṭarázu’lláh Samandarí and how he served the Guardian.

Amatu’l-Bahá also spoke in French, urging European Bahá’ís to work for the advancement of the Cause. The remainder of her closing address was in English. She urged the friends to carry forward the spiritual energies released by the conference,

[Page 5] the third of eight called by The Universal House of Justice at the midpoint of the Five Year Plan.

In other talks, Rúḥíyyih Khánum stressed the importance of attempting to follow the examples set by Abdu’l-Bahá. “If we follow the command of God to teach, follow Abdu’l-Bahá’s methods, look back at the previous victories, we must realize that we can surpass the goals of the Five Year Plan,” she said.

Amatu’l-Bahá talked about the importance of Paris in the history of the Faith. She spoke lovingly of her mother, the late May Maxwell, who established the first Bahá’í center in Europe—Paris. “Her life should encourage each one of us to serve more actively,” Rúḥíyyih Khánum said. “She made herself the flute on which the divine melody could be played. This is what can happen to each one of us. This is the lesson of the lives of people like my mother,” she said.

The Hand of the Cause discussed the development of the World Center and the present need to support the building of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice and the Temples in India and Samoa.

“Little things can often have as great an impact as very big things,” she said. “For instance, there was an old woman in Africa who heard there was an appeal for a Temple in Panama, so she brought three eggs. A pioneer bought the eggs and the money went to the National Spiritual Assembly of Nigeria. The National Assembly of Nigeria sent it to the National Assembly of Panama and the National Assembly of Panama sent back a receipt. And the old woman received it.”

Rúḥíyyih Khánum said that “anything we have to sacrifice is so insignificant compared to what has already been sacrificed by other Bahá’ís, let alone by the Central Figures of the Faith.”

Rúḥíyyih Khánum, who has traveled throughout the world for the Cause of God, closed her final talk with these words:

“I don’t know what other Bahá’ís are afraid of, but I know what I am afraid of. I am not so afraid of all the things that I did I shouldn’t have done in my life because God is forgiving. But what I am very much afraid of is that I will have to have the leisure after I die to look back on the things that I did not do. I didn’t do what I could have done. I was complacent. I made excuses. I was lazy. I was selfish. And this to me is hell. It’s not a hell that God imposes on us, it’s a hell we impose on ourselves. So, let us seize our opportunity now.”

1. Some 2,000 believers from Iran attended the Paris Conference. Here two of the friends are shown strolling along a Paris Boulevard in their provincial dress. 2. Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh of the United States represented the U.S. National Assembly of which he is Chairman. Dr. Kazemzadeh, a professor of history and director of graduate history studies at Yale University, was recently named Master of Yale’s Davenport College. 3. A simultaneous translation of the proceedings was given for the Persians on headsets at every seat. Simultaneous English and French translations were given from the stage over the loudspeaker system. 4. Registration was handled quickly and efficiently for the more than 6,000 Bahá’ís attending. It was the largest conference ever held in Europe and, according to Rúḥíyyih Khánum, it will be considered the most important conference of the Five Year Plan.

[Page 6] Bahá’ís from more than 55 countries were represented at the Paris Conference. A small but diverse group of them posed for this photo beneath Paris’ famous Arc de Triomphe.

U.N. Greeting Text of message by United Nations Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim to Bahá’í International Teaching Conference, Paris, France. The message was read at the opening session of the Paris Conference August 4 by Luc Van Bellinghen, Director of the United Nations Information Office in Paris. I am pleased to have this opportunity to wish the International Bahá’í Conference, and all those participating in it, every success in their work. Nongovernmental organizations, such as yours, by dealing comprehensively with the major problems confronting the international community, and striving to find solutions which will serve the interests of all nations, make a very substantial and most important contribution to the United Nations and its work. We live in a world which is undergoing a transformation in its attitude towards finding solutions to the great global challenges of the day. We must strive to insure, therefore, that effective solutions come about, not in anger and anarchy, but through the reasoned and concerted determination of all. Whether the object is to complete the great task of development, to secure respect for the rights and dignity of all men, to halt the disastrous arms race, to solve such diverse and complex problems as those of food, population, the environment, and employment, the United Nations must be able to rely on the support of the peoples of the world who are the cornerstone of its Charter. This implies an important responsibility for those organizations who, like you, work hard to support the United Nations and the principles and objectives laid down in the Charter. In recent years, the United Nations has embarked upon an unprecedented collective endeavor to create global strategies to meet problems that are beyond the power of any single nation to resolve. Our task is now to implement the decisions taken by the sixth and seventh special sessions of the General Assembly on the establishment of a new international economic order, as well as at the world conferences on trade and development, environment, population, food, the role of women in society, industrialization and human settlements. In this respect, your own contribution as a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations is important, and I wish you every success in your deliberations.

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God’s Call to the Arctic

The International Teaching Conference in Anchorage

1. John Robarts was one of three Hands of the Cause attending the Alaska Conference. He is shown here making a presentation to the friends in which he urged them not to allow timidity, apathy, or complacency to deter them from completing their urgent responsibilities. 2. The Bahá’ís on stage are those who responded to a call for traveling teaching to win goals of the Five Year Plan.

[Page 8] More than 1300 Bahá’ís attended the International Bahá’í Conference in Anchorage, Alaska, July 23-25, the second of eight international conferences called for in the Five Year Plan.

The conference was opened by John Kolstoe, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, which recently celebrated the 19th anniversary of its formation.

Three Hands of the Cause attended: Collis Featherstone of Australia, the representative of The Universal House of Justice, and William Sears and John Robarts, both residents of Canada.

Mr. Kolstoe noted that in preparing for the conference the Alaskan friends had launched an intensive teaching program which netted more than 250 new believers and caused to be formed four Local Spiritual Assemblies. The first hardcover Bahá’í book done in Alaska, High Endeavors, a collection of the Guardian’s letters to Alaska, was published to mark this event, he said.

Before the close of the conference 71 Bahá’ís volunteered to pioneer and 244 volunteered to travel and teach. More than $93,000 was contributed to the Fund. Bahá’ís from 22 countries attended. In addition, 17 Indian tribes were represented. Six hundred of the participants were Alaskan; 200 were from the United States, 200 from Canada, and 100 from Iran.

The friends were greeted at the opening session by Lieutenant Governor Lowell Thomas, Jr., who attended on behalf of the Governor. Mr. Thomas especially welcomed the Iranian believers, saying he had spent the summers of 1948 and 1949 at work in Iran. He praised the Bahá’í community for its labors toward the goals of peace and unity. Mr. Thomas read a poem by Governor Jay Hammond, in which the Governor expressed a longing for peace and brotherhood.

In one of his two talks, the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts urged the friends not to allow timidity, apathy, or complacency to deter them from their responsibilities. “There never, never, never, has been a time when man has been given the opportunity to serve that we have now,” he said. He recalled a formula for

1. Lt. Governor Lowell Thomas, Jr. of Alaska reads a greeting from the State of Alaska to the International Teaching Conference in Anchorage. Mr. Thomas had visited the House of Worship in Wilmette and spoke favorably of the Bahá’í Faith. 2. The Hands of the Cause of God William Sears, left, and John Robarts, center, chat about Mr. Sears’ book God Loves Laughter. Mrs. Robarts, right, looks on.

[Page 9] teaching given by the Guardian: first study deeply the Divine Word, meditate on its import, pray for spiritual understanding, arise to teach and serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Hand of the Cause of God William Sears also had teaching uppermost in his thoughts. At a public meeting on the first evening he outlined emphatically the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, inviting the guests to discern the unity of God’s Manifestations. “What can I tell my kids when they say we’re living in a world that is disintegrating?” he asked. His answer: “... in the midst of it all there is a world that is integrating—the Bahá’í World.”

Counsellor Velma Sherrill, when her turn came, said that one of the objectives of The Universal House of Justice in calling the conference was to foster new opportunities for teaching the Faith. “Do we ever sit down with our prayer book and call upon Bahá’u’lláh for assistance that every soul may be summoned to Him?” she asked. The institution responsible for doing the summoning, she said, is the Local Spiritual Assembly. But, if love and unity do not exist at the level of these Assemblies, attractive characteristics will not be shown and the people will not come to the Faith, she said.

The law of Bahá’í consultation is the process that when applied correctly will set in motion forces of unity and inspiration,” she said. The adherence to the requirements of consultation can create an atmosphere that will result in the accomplishment of the remaining goals of the Five Year Plan before the current year is ended, she insisted.

In a moving and informative session Sunday morning a panel of Indian believers discussed the challenge of teaching among the native people of the Arctic region.

Among their conclusions:

• indirect teaching, though slower, is usually more effective, as it produces lasting results;
• the key to teaching is to make friends with the people;
• speaking the language is a great asset;
• traveling teachers are readily accepted in the Indian areas because it is believed that Bahá’ís are not “pushy people”;

1. An important consideration at the Alaska Conference was discussion on ways to extend the Faith among the American Indian tribes in the region. An informative panel discussion was held one morning at which Indian believers and active teachers discussed the challenge of teaching in the Arctic region. The key to teaching here, the panel concluded, is making friends and learning the native languages. Indirect teaching, though obviously slower, is most effective in winning new believers to the Cause, they said. The teachers should try to dispense with the notion that the people in the villages are to be treated differently from other people. Approach the task with the attitude that you are visiting your own family, the panel concluded. In the photograph at right is one of the Eskimo friends who took part in the program. 2. The program encouraged many of the friends to pursue individual studies of the Bahá’í Writings. The bookstore was a busy place throughout the conference period.

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• pioneers must live in the villages and they must be resigned to staying at their posts. It is discouraging to the people to become friends with pioneers after much effort, only to have them move away in a short time;
• it must be stressed that the Faith honors all cultures. It does not weaken what is there already, but adds strength to it;
• Bahá’ís must learn to appreciate differences; they must cultivate an attitude of service to the people;
• the sense that village people are “different” should be resisted; one should look upon visits to village areas as visits to one’s own nuclear family;
• because many of the believers are youth who are rejected by their families for abandoning the traditional ways, the friends who live and teach in these areas should be prepared to become surrogate families.

“Ours is the task of service, love, and devotion and our total support of our National and Local Spiritual Assemblies,” Mr. Featherstone said in his closing remarks. “Please just make Bahá’u’lláh number one in your life.”

A variety of musical and dance performances were provided. Groups from the Eskimo, Macaw, Athabascan, Haida, Salteaux, Cree, and Tlingit tribes demonstrated traditional dances.

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The Moral Education of Children

by Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í, Hand of the Cause of God

Adapted from a talk given Tuesday, July 6 at the International Teaching Conference in Helsinki.

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The subject of Bahá’í life and what distinguishes the life of a Bahá’í is the central theme of the current Five Year Plan. My topic today, “Character Building and Moral Education of Children and Young Adults,” underpins the entire subject of Bahá’í life.

In approaching the subject, I shall begin with citing from the beloved Guardian’s overall analysis of our time of troubles. He has said that there are three distinct forces at work in the world today, laying the foundation of the new World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

First, there is the force of the Holy Spirit, that has willed to save mankind from extinction on this earth.

Second, there is the man-made destructive force that by necessity purges and cleanses the planet from the corrupt.

Third, there is the force of self-disciplined and self-sacrificing Bahá’ís, who should tirelessly promulgate the Cause of God and the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to all peoples, races, creeds, classes, and nations.

Concerning the second of the three forces, Bahá’u’lláh wrote: “The world is in travail, and its agitation waxeth day by day. Its face is turned towards waywardness and unbelief. Such shall be its plight, that to disclose it now would not be meet and seemly. Its perversity will long continue. And when the appointed hour is

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No amount of effort is too much, or even enough, to guard and protect our children and youth from the dehumanizing and corrupting influences of a decadent society.

come, there shall suddenly appear that which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake. Then, and only then, will the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.”

The third force consists of our own effort and endeavor to overcome our shortcomings, deficiencies and prejudices. The people of Bahá have the grave responsibility to serve mankind throughout the world, without the expectation of reward or reciprocation. Perhaps we cannot say when the present troubles will be over, but we are confident that they will end, and then we shall witness the rising World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The central theme of the Five-Year Plan is: How to Live Up to the High Standards of Bahá’í Life. The Bahá’í life begins in the cradle and in the arms of mothers, where the characters of children are molded. The Guardian has said that the triumph of the Cause of God depends solely upon the character of individual believers. The life of a Bahá’í should reflect and mirror forth the high standards of moral conduct proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. No excuse is accepted from those who fail to comply with the moral precepts of the Bahá’í Faith.

All Local and National Spiritual Assemblies ought to give most serious attention and thoughtful consideration to the moral education of children and the development of their characters, and should take firm actions to carry out their programs of inculcating Bahá’í principles in their children and youth. Such services as libraries, reading rooms, conferences, regular and special courses, discussions, seminars, etc., should be organized and provided in every Bahá’í community. No amount of effort is too much, or even enough, to guard and protect our children and youth from the dehumanizing and corrupting influences of a decadent society. The youth should be encouraged to participate in all Bahá’í community activities, such as pioneering, and in teaching the Word of God and giving the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Regarding the aims and purposes of children’s character building and moral education ‘Abdu’l-Bahá states: “Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved—even though he be ignorant—is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.”

In one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s addresses He states: “If the mother is educated then her children will be well taught. When the mother is wise, then will the children be led into the path of wisdom. If the mother be religious she will show her children how they should love God. If the mother is moral she guides her little ones into the ways of uprightness. It is clear therefore that the future generation depends on the mothers of today. Is not this a vital responsibility for the woman? Does she not require every possible advantage to equip her for such a task?”

Again ‘Abdu’l-Bahá instructs us: “O maidservants of the Merciful! It is incumbent upon you to train the children from their earliest babyhood! It is incumbent upon you to beautify their morals! It is incumbent upon you to attend to them under all aspects and circumstances, inasmuch as God—glorified and exalted is He!—hath ordained mothers to be the primary trainers of children and infants.” “A child is as a young plant: it will grow in whatever way you train it. If you rear it to be truthful, and kind, and righteous, it will grow straight, it will be fresh and tender, and will flourish. But if not, then from faulty training it will grow bent, and stand awry, and there will be no hope of changing it.”

“... Therefore is it incumbent upon the mothers to rear their little ones even as a gardener tendeth his young plants. Let them strive by day and by night to establish within their children faith and certitude, the fear of God, the love of the Beloved of the worlds, and all good qualities and traits. Whenever a mother sees that her child has done well, let her praise and applaud him, and cheer his heart; and if the slightest undesirable trait should manifest itself, let her counsel the child and punish him, and use means based on reason, even a slight verbal chastisement should this be necessary. It is not, however, permissible to strike a child, or vilify him, for the child’s character will be totally perverted if he be subjected to blows or verbal abuse.”

On the same subject, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has also said: “Beware! Beware! that ye fail not in this matter. Endeavor with heart, with life, to train your children, especially the daughters. No excuse is acceptable in this matter.”

Among the many recommendations

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The unity of the world of humanity is impossible except by the establishment of common moral values through education, and the development from earliest childhood of self-disciplined, stoical characters in the believers.

made by Bahá’u’lláh to mothers, is that they entone melodious sonnets of Bahá’u’lláh’s while the child is going to sleep, and when it is fast asleep, for its unconscious mind will be filled with divine guidance, its soul purified, its spirit uplifted, its character ennobled. Such are the powers of the sonnets of the Blessed Beauty that their influence will remain even after the child grows to adulthood.

In the light of such specific instructions given us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, it is incumbent upon parents to expose their children at an early age to the moral and spiritual teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. Children’s minds are not cluttered with the worries and irrelevancies of adult life. They are highly receptive and impressionable, and whatever they hear is registered and deeply imprinted upon their unconscious minds, thus remaining with them throughout their lives. Parents and other adults should be very careful in the conversations they have in front of children. They should use polite language and refrain from ugly words. Children repeat what they hear from their parents and other adults. If children hear Bahá’í prayers, poems, and sacred tablets frequently, they will retain them, and will repeat them.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá says of education that it “... is of three kinds: material, human, and spiritual. Material education is concerned with the progress and development of the body, through gaining its sustenance, its material comfort and ease. This education is common to animals and man.

“Human education signifies civilization and progress: that is to say, government, administration, charitable works, trades, arts and handicrafts, sciences, great inventions and discoveries, and elaborate institutions, which are the activities essential to man as distinguished from the animal.

“Divine education is that of the Kingdom of God: it consists in acquiring divine perfections, and this is true education; for in this state man becomes the focus of divine blessings, the manifestation of the words, ‘Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.’ This is the goal of the world of humanity.”

Adherence to oneness in the world of humanity, and to the precepts of justice, humility, fairness, and objectivity is rooted deeply in early childhood upbringing and conditioning. Children must be oriented to giving to and serving others, rather than to exploiting them. For the higher qualities, positive character traits, and divine attributes to become second nature to a child, it must have wise and dedicated Bahá’í parents.

Bahá’u’lláh has given the world a common body of principles in order that all men may become united in one universal Faith, one common Cause. The unity of the world of humanity is impossible except by the establishment of common moral values through education, and the development from earliest childhood of self-disciplined, stoical characters in the believers. By giving children the same values and spiritual conditionings, they develop mutual understanding, common bonds of fellowship, and unity and harmony with their geophysical environment.

Bahá’u’lláh’s promise: “The Most Great Peace shall come,” is predicated upon the fulfillment of moral education, and high standards of character building in children over the entire face of the planet. Wars are made inevitable by neglecting moral education and character building, and concentrating solely upon formal schooling, rudimentary mental training, superficial expertise, and the like. There is no shortcut to universal peace; there is no panacea or magic formula for solving economic problems of unemployment and inflation. Long, hard and tedious moral education and firm character building processes must be instituted and executed with utmost determination over many generations before mankind arrives at its destination: the maturity and the coming of age of the human race.

I suggest that we ought to begin establishing Bahá’í kindergartens for our children and the children of non-Bahá’ís concerned with the moral education of their offspring. Results will come gradually, after several generations of hard work and inculcation of Bahá’í values in children and young adults. Our children will develop a universal outlook, a superior understanding of life, a balanced mind, a strong character, and distinct individuality. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá says “... that man, if he is left without training, becomes bestial, and moreover, if left under the rule of nature, becomes lower than an animal; whereas if he is educated he becomes an angel.”

It is our responsibility to establish for our children and youth—in addition to academic training—character building centers with classes for moral instruction. This is the only worthwhile service that we can now render to future and as yet unborn generations.

We live in an age of inner emptiness, tension, and conflict. As a dehumanizing civilization approaches its terminal phase, let us join our effort to transcend and survive.

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Bahá’í International Community

Paper praises role Faith Habitat Conference

The United Nations Conference on Human Settlements was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from May 31 to June 13, 1976. A Non-Governmental Organizations Habitat Forum was held concurrently, from May 27 through June 11.

Bahá’í participants at the Conference included Mr. Jameson Bond, Dr. Glen Eyford and Mr. Donald McLaren of Canada; Mrs. Sheila Banani of the United States; and Mrs. Lei Chapman of Alaska.

The main purposes of the Habitat Conference were defined as:

• the stimulation of innovation and to serve as a means for the exchange of experience, and ensure the widest possible dissemination of new ideas and technologies in the field of human settlements;
• the formulation and making of recommendations for an international program in this field which will assist governments;
• the awakening of interest in developing appropriate financial systems and institutions for human settlements among those making financial resources available and those in a position to use such resources.

Mr. Kenneth Goldstone, an urban geographer, represented the Bahá’í International Community at the Forum, which was attended, as well, by a sizable delegation selected by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.

In addition to valuable contributions to workshops and various informal gatherings, the Bahá’ís were able to present a specially prepared statement relating to the Conference theme. A Habitat brochure “Building a Unified Community” and other literature outlining the Bahá’í view were also distributed.

The June 3, 1976 issue of The Vancouver Sun carried a sympathetic and lengthy article, as a result of interviewing Bahá’í delegates to the Conference and Forum, prominently featured in the newspaper and bearing the headline: “Members of Bahá’í Faith Lend Spiritual Direction to Habitat Discussions”.

(Based on various reports by the Bahá’í International Community)

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Around the world

Chile

Indian enrollments surging in Chile

An accelerated program of teaching in the Mapuche Indian territory of Central Chile has resulted in a surge of new enrollments, the Chilean National Assembly reports.

Teaching efforts conducted jointly by

In photograph at top right, Mapuche Indian teachers and resident pioneers have joined together in a new effort to spur enrollments in Central Chile. Shown here is one of the teams that has been active in bringing news of the Faith to the Indian territory. From left to right, Jorge Muñoz, Antonio Lizama, Robert Seigel, Reed Chandler, and Pedro Salvador.

At right, the Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir spent time with Indian believers during his recent visit to Chile, urging them to make efforts to teach their children of the Faith. He is shown in the center of the photograph with Mapuche believers and their children during the inauguration of a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.

[Page 15] Indian believers and resident pioneers and traveling teachers has pushed the total of Mapuche believers to 4,000 at Riḍván 1976; up from 1,800 the year before. More than 250 entire families are among the new believers.

The National Spiritual Assembly, following consultation with the Hand of the Cause of God Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir, has set a goal of 7,000 Indian believers enrolled in Central Chile by January 1977.

The new activity is centering around the city of Temuco, a trade center of 91,000 people about 100 miles northeast of Valdivia, on the Cautín River. Temuco deals in grains, fruit, and timber, primarily.

The launching of systematic efforts to reach individuals and families in the Indian areas is a relatively new development. For many years the Mapuche believers have been reluctant to teach their religion openly. Now, however, conditions have changed dramatically.

“Through the encouragement of the Institutions and the other teachers, and, above all, the grace and confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, these souls are now joyfully advancing to assume their rightful place in the forefront of the teaching work,” the Bahá’í News correspondents in Chile report. “The area’s one foreign pioneer family and several newly settled Chilean families provide an essential base and core for many of these activities.”

Efforts are also being made to deepen the new believers in their understanding of the Faith. More Bahá’í literature is being rendered in the Mapuche language and deepening classes, particularly for the children, are held regularly.

During his stay in Chile the Hand of the Cause Muhájir visited with Indian believers, assuring them of their magnificent destiny and of the importance of the work they were carrying forward. He stressed the importance of developing a personal bond with the Manifestation of God through prayer, daily efforts to exemplify His teachings, and through the promotion of unity among all people.

He stressed too the need for regular children’s classes. Working with the children, he said, was the real consolidation of the Faith. By 1 June at least 7 different programs for children were functioning regularly throughout the Mapuche area, the National Spiritual Assembly reported.

It sometimes takes only 10 minutes to introduce a person to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, Dr. Muhájir said, but a whole generation to see the fruit of that teaching reflected in solid, well-established communities.

El Salvador

Publicity efforts rewarded by the U.N.

A special award, the United Nations Peace Medal, was given to the Bahá’í Community of El Salvador for assisting in publicizing the programs of the United Nations throughout the country. Mrs. Dee de Lamb, Bahá’í representative to the U.N. office in El Salvador, received the award at a special ceremony July 21. Vincent M. Piola, Director of the United Nations Information Center for Central America and Panama, third from left, is shown reading the award citation. Two distinguished newspaper publishers and a local U.N. organization also received medals for their contributions. The ceremony was given good coverage by the city newspapers and on television news broadcasts.

Italy

Faith in Italy receives important recognition

Italy’s prestigious La Stampa, published daily in Turin, ran a 1,000-word article on the Bahá’í Faith on May 23, which was described by the National Spiritual Assembly as the most important newspaper publicity received in Italy during the Five Year Plan.

The author publishes a regular column called Religions and Society. He said he heard of the Faith from a reader who corresponded with him, and whose letters instilled in him an urge to inform himself of the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith.

In preparing for his article the writer spoke at length with the Secretary of the Italian National Assembly. Consequently, the distinguishing features of the Faith are accurately presented in the article, the National Assembly reports.

[Page 16] Rhodesia

Training for children given encouragement

A training institute for children’s teachers, the first in Rhodesia, was held July 11-12 at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Salisbury. Approximately 30 Bahá’ís from different areas of the country attended.

The purpose of the session was both to encourage the Bahá’í communities to hold children’s classes and to introduce teachers to methods and materials that could improve the quality of instruction. Different sessions covered such topics as the Bahá’í Writings on child education, lesson planning, the use of visual aids, and organizing effective classroom presentations.

Lowell Johnson, a visiting lecturer from South Africa, showed how to use felt board displays in teaching. Other speakers were Irma Allen, Thomas Kufa, Beth Fat’he-Aazam, Tapuwa Zauyamakando, Enoch Zauyamakando, and Nuri Beheshty. Phibion Ngondo demonstrated games and songs that would please the children.

United States

Bahá’í display shown at Catholic gathering

A Bahá’í exhibit was on display, July 30—August 7, at the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was attended by more than a million Catholics.

The display, the same used by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for its Bicentennial observance in other locations, occupied a prominent position in the exhibit hall in Philadelphia’s Civic Center.

A Bahá’í attendant was with the display much of the time and had an opportunity to converse with hundreds of visitors. Many priests and nuns expressed interest in the work of the Bahá’í Faith and spoke warmly of individual Bahá’ís with whom they were acquainted.

The Congress explored the theme: “The Eucharist and the Hungers of the Human Family.” The delegates were addressed by James Cardinal Knox of Australia, representing Pope Paul VI, who was unable to attend because of illness, and by other prominent Catholics.

Reprints of the Bicentennial editorial of World Order magazine, the article on the Faith in the Encyclopedia Britannica, and a postcard of the House of Worship in Wilmette, were offered to those requesting information. Direct teaching of the Faith was avoided out of courtesy to the hosts.

Assistance with planning was given by the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Philadelphia.

“Many enthusiastic comments were made by visitors,” one full-time attendant at the Bahá’í exhibit later reported. “Many deep questions were asked, and large quantities of literature were taken. The postcard was particularly popular, as so many were there from distant places and would be writing home.”

Participation in this event is part of an increasing effort, under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, to make known the aims and purposes of the Bahá’í Faith to all strata of the nation.

The Eucharist is the Christian sacrament commemorating Christ’s Last Supper, also called Communion. Gatherings such as the one in Philadelphia are held periodically to recall the sacrifice of Jesus and to revitalize dedication to the service of mankind.

Observance of Master’s visit held

More than 400 persons attended the 64th Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the grounds of the Wilhelm Properties in Teaneck, New Jersey, on June 26.

The program included the reading of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk given there on June 29, 1912, a talk by Mildred Mottahedeh on the Master and the destiny of America, and musical selections.

The commemorative services were held in the grove where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave His Unity Feast that memorable day in 1912. A special event was the opening of the Wilhelm House and its beautiful meditation room to guests.

Large numbers of people visiting the display area of the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia obtained information about the Bahai Faith.

[Page 17]

Local proclamation activities increase

Imagine a special 200-page edition of the New York Times devoted entirely to articles about Bahá’u’lláh and the Bahá’í Faith. That would be the result if all of the free newspaper space devoted to Bahá’í activities in 1975 in the U.S. were published at once.

Such proclamation activities by local Bahá’í communities are creating a heightened awareness of the Cause in ever-widening circles, the National Spiritual Assembly said in its annual report.

Figures compiled by the Bahá’í National Information Committee show, for example, that 30,834 column inches (about 200 pages) of newspaper articles about Bahá’í activities were published. The figures were gathered in a media survey of Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups and show that last year was the greatest period of proclamation activities in the United States.

Bahá’ís participated in 140 hours of television programs and 325 hours of radio programs.

In the advertising field, Bahá’ís received eight hours of television airtime, 27 hours of radio air time, and purchased 21,000 column inches of newspaper space. The Faith was proclaimed by 297 bus posters and 154 billboards. There were 1,727 proclamation meetings sponsored by Bahá’í communities and 107 communities made direct mailings. A total of 143 communities presented the Bicentennial issue of World Order to local officials and 70 communities participated in Bicentennial parades.

Indian youth among volunteer workers

Twenty-four Bahá’í youth, including five American Indians, participated in the Youth Work/Study Project at the Bahá’í National Center June 13-25.

Emphasis at the project was receiving first-hand exposure to the Administrative Order and assisting the National Center staff with such duties as typing, filing, mailing, working in the gardens, and maintenance.

During the evenings, the youth attended classes conducted by the Hand of the Cause of God Dhikru’lláh Khádem; Auxiliary Board member Thelma Jackson; Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly; and members of the National staff.

One highlight of the project was participation in a teaching campaign in nearby Niles, Illinois, on June 20 which was preceded by a Design for Victory Conference. The projecteers and youth from nearby communities also attended a square dancing party.

The American Indian youth who participated in the project were Marie Chiago (Papago) of Tucson, Arizona; Lorraine Cowboy Kahn (Eastern Navajo Agency) of Crownpoint, New Mexico; Regina Steffes (Eastern Navajo) of Ontario, California; Ermie Torres (Apache) of Mescalero, New Mexico; and Scott Tyler (Makah/Ehaitiset) of Neah Bay, Washington.

Other youth who attended were Katherine Perna of Millbrook, New York; Belinda Tremper of Chico, California; Tahirih Lee of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; Stephen Olszanski of Torrington, Connecticut; Charlotte Richardson of Lincoln, Massachusetts; Leslie Antone of Wheeling, Illinois; Michele Kelly of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Paul and Michelle Duiker of Springfield, Illinois; Ken Bowers of Charlotte, North Carolina; Wade Logue of Birmingham, Alabama; Bruce Schulte of Topeka, Kansas; Lynne Butler of Largo, Florida; Kianoush Ostovari of Baltimore, Maryland; Paul Khavari of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin; Reiko and Naomi Power of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Soheil Moshtael of Park Ridge, Illinois, and Michael DiMauro of Woburn, Massachusetts.

Another Youth Work/Study Project will be held at the National Center December 26-January 7. Youth interested should apply to the Bahá’í National Youth Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Kianoush Ostovari, above, gets his assignment at National Teaching Office. Ermie Torres, at right, lends a hand with typing. At Publishing Trust, youth volunteers Soheil Moshtael, bottom right, and Bruce Schulte, second from right, pitch in with paperwork.