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The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of the United States and Canada
General Office: Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, New Jersey
A LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
Beloved Friends:
Last month we quoted excerpts from the Guardian's letters which refer directly to the supreme urgency of Temple construction at this time. While each group of believers is inclined to lay chief emphasis upon some one detail of Bahá’í activity, the Guardian alone brings us the world vision by which matters of primary and immediate importance can be separated from lesser matters or from matters which may be deferred to a later time.
Therefore the National Spiritual Assembly desires to renew, again and again, its conviction that the steady, uninterrupted prosecution of Temple construction is our greatest privilege and unequalled responsibility—every other affair must be made not merely secondary but directly contributive to that end.
In order to bring home to all the friends what has already been accomplished on the external decoration of the dome unit, and what remains to be done before June 1, 1933, this letter will quote passages from the three reports received to date by the Temple Trustees.
From the first report, dated June 30, 1932: “Mr. Earley has set aside his plant in Virginia near Washington for the work involved in this project. The preliminary work involves the laying out on the ground of a dome panel and its adjacent rib and the establishment of definite points of reference and of elevation. On the points located on the ground will be erected a wooden frame work that will afford a full size templet which will he an exact replica of the steel frame work of the present dome. This entire structure has been designed, using the dimensions given on the general structural drawings and checked with the structural steel shop drawings. Mr. Earley expects to start the laying out of this structure at the plant on the first of July and to proceed with it uninterruptedly until completed.
“As soon as this dome frame work has been erected it will be carefully checked and templets made. These templets will be taken to Chicago and checked with the existing dome structure.”
From the second report, dated August 2, 1932: “During the month of July, Mr. Earley and his associates made layouts of the plan or horizontal projection of a dome panel and rib and of a vertical cross-section or projection of the outer dome frame work. The outlines of the outer steel frame work which will support the dome ornamentation were first accurately outlined on concrete. On the outline plan a wooden frame work has been erected and will give a full-sized model of a section of the actual outer steel frame work of the Temple dome.
“As soon as this frame work has been completed, templets will be made and shipped to Wilmette where they will be checked up with the dome structure. This check will make it possible to reproduce the wooden frame work as an exact model of the steel frame work of the present dome structure.
“The purpose of this wooden frame work is to serve as a basis for the study of the architect’s design and the preparation of the models and molds of the various sections that will constitute the external decoration of the dome, including the dome panels and ribs. . . . “A large sign will be erected on the top of the structural frame work at the plant and this will explain to the thousands of people who pass the plant yearly the nature and purpose of this project.”
From the third report, dated September 3, 1932: “About the middle of August the check templet was completed and shipped to the Temple, where it was applied to the steel frame work of the dome by Mr. Taylor and three assistants.
“During the latter half of August plaster surface molds have been prepared to serve as a base on which to model the panel sections.
“At the date of this report the modeling of the first and lowest section of a dome sub-panel is being finished. This panel as modeled in clay has a width of about ten feet and a height of about seventeen feet. If cast in one section it would weigh about four tons, hence the panel will be cast in two sections weighing about two tons each.”
These interesting facts enable us to visualize just what is going on during the present, preliminary phase of the work. The present month of October will probably conclude this preliminary work and bring us to the point where Mr. Earley can commence casting some of the dome sections.
Up to the present time, $15.000 has been available for Temple construction, and this amount will be used up by November. The sum of $135.000 is still required in order to complete the dome unit by June, 1933. The National Spiritual Assembly reports this fact with full conviction that every American Bahá’í will do his utmost to make this tremendous achievement possible.
The devoted believers of Persia, longing to assist their American brothers and sisters, but unable to send any donations in the form of cash on account of the law that prohibits exporting gold or currency, have sent four bales of rugs to be sold here for the benefit of the Temple Fund. The believers of the British Isles likewise have a Temple fund which will be made available later on. What an inspiration this worldwide unity brings to us in our effort to meet the Guardian’s high standard!
Above all, we can appreciate the
urgency of this task in the light of the
prevailing international economic and
political difficulties, analyzed so clearly[Page 2]
by Shoghi Effendi in his letter on the
“Goal of a New World Order.” Our
Bahá’í House of Worship is more than
a beautiful structure—it is the evidence
of the new Revelation, the new
manifestation of the Holy Spirit,
which can alone afford guidance and
protection to mankind.
- Faithfully your co-workers,
- The National Spiritual Assembly,
- HORACE HOLLEY, Secretary.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The prayers of the friends are besought for the following believers who have entered the spiritual Kingdom.
- Mother Beecher, Lima, Ohio.
- Mrs. Ann Marshall, San Francisco.
- Dr. Frederick W. D’Evelyn, San
Francisco.
- Mr. Charles Greenleaf, Texas.
- Miss Mary Vistue, Denver.
- Miss Martha Robinson, New York.
- Miss Ann Boylan, New York.
- Miss Jennie Bishop, New York.
- Mrs. Cora C. Horn, New York.
- Mrs. Marion Hotchkiss, New York.
THE SUSPENSION OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVITIES[edit]
On September 12, the National Spiritual Assembly wrote the Local Spiritual Assemblies to announce the Service of Commemoration for the Greatest Holy Leaf, and in that letter quoted a cablegram received from the Guardian which explains what religious festivities are to be suspended. “Festive Anniversaries should be suspended. Administrative gatherings, including Nineteen-Day Feasts, should be held with utmost simplicity.”
The Anniversaries affected by this message are: the Birth of the Bab, the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Fete Day of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Feast of Naw-Ruz.
PURCHASE OF LAND ON MOUNT CARMEL[edit]
On September 2, Shoghi Effendi cabled this important information: “Prolonged delicate negotiations resulted purchase (for) $5,000 a lot adjoining the precincts of the Bab’s Shrine. The deed has been officially registered (in the name of) American National Assembly, Palestine branch. Mailing documents to national Secretary. Inform all believers who, in response to my appeal, transmitted their donations through the National Assembly.”
This refers to the appeal which the Guardian made in his letter dated October 24, 1925, at which time it had become apparent that certain non-Bahá’í interests were contemplating the purchase of land on Mount Carmel. As the result of that appeal, a number of believers sent contributions to the Guardian, who purchased various pieces of land in the name of the individual donors. Other believers contributed to this special fund through the National Spiritual Assembly, and it is these combined and joint donations which have made possible the latest purchase mentioned in the cablegram.
Within the past few months, the Spiritual Assembly of Honolulu has taken steps to transfer to the National Assembly, Palestine branch, the title to the property on Mount Carmel which they purchased some years ago through the Guardian and had held in the name of one of their members as trustee.
It is for the best interests of the Cause that as many individual believers as possible, who now hold land on Mount Carmel, follow the example of the Honolulu friends. The Guardian will have the transfer of title made at Haifa, and believers may write him of their intention.
THE SPIRIT OF SUCCESSFUL TEACHING[edit]
As conditions change, it is incumbent upon local Spiritual Assemblies to initiate new methods and policies in the teaching field.
Having accepted as its first responsibility the promotion of Temple construction, the National Spiritual Assembly is unable to provide facilities for teaching sufficient to meet the needs and opportunities made known by local communities and groups. The National Assembly feels this inability keenly, and longs for such resources as will make it possible to establish teaching circuits covering the entire country.
There is a mystery, however, in the contrast between the material weakness and the spiritual power of our Faith. Perhaps the time has come when Local Assemblies are called upon to develop a greater degree of responsibility in all that concerns the progress of the Cause in their own communities. This reflection seems to be confirmed by a statement which the Guardian wrote on August 25, through his secretary, to Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Brown, members of the National Teaching Committee: “You have rightly realized that there is a great need for the Local Spiritual Assemblies to learn to function, and they have hitherto been rather passive in the hope that the National Assembly can by itself do all the work.”
What is a Local Assembly to do in the teaching field when its community possesses no trained public speakers?
It is the conviction of the National Assembly that this condition offers an opportunity and not merely a hardship. Public speaking is by no means the only or most important method by which to attract qualified souls to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. It is merely one of many channels of service.
In the case of small communities, the method of intimate home meetings offers the greatest possibility for successful teaching at the present time. The older religious organizations have no provision for such meetings, because they function through a professional clergy and not through the body of the believers. Even in the largest cities, thousands of seekers will respond to the appeal of true fellowship and frank discussion, who have given up all hope of religion in its traditional forms.
The National Assembly offers this suggestion, with an earnest prayer that all Bahá’í communities, large and small, will abandon false conceptions of religious meetings and realize the overwhelming power of sincerity and devotion. May Local Assemblies encourage and cherish every effort to begin as many intimate home study groups as possible this year, trusting to the Spirit to confirm new souls and increase our ranks of faithful workers.
TEACHING REPORT FOR WESTERN STATES[edit]
July, 1932
All Assemblies report their major activities during the summer period being, first, the study of the “Dawnbreakers,” concentration on the Unified Plan of Action and careful consideration of the re-constructed Teaching Program of the National Spiritual Assembly.
These efforts became crystallized in the gathering of the Friends at the Summer School of the Bahá’ís of the Pacific Coast area, at Geyserville, the first two weeks of July, and the Teaching Conference held during the Summer School on July 10th.
Outstanding, and unequalled, was
the new spirit continuously sustained
in all the meetings. Nothing was able
to disturb the quiet and calm of this
elevating force that seemed to lift
everyone from the things of the world,
into a new realm that knew only the
onward roll of progress. This spirit
was directly attributable to the study
of the lives of the heroic examples of
perseverance and selflessness of the
early pioneers of the Faith in Persia.
Their indomitable courage permeated[Page 3]
the souls of the Friends bringing a
renewed determination to assist in the
glorious work Shoghi Effendi has
given the American Bahá’í.
In considering at the Teaching Conference, the new Teaching program, the following are briefly the more important fields of service that may he advantageously carried out:
Individual Service:
As never before is it realized that the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh is one of increasing joy and enthusiasm; that it is a vibrant life, looking ever to the happier paths of human fellowship. No Bahá’í should permit the gloom and distress of the distracted and chaotic world to enter his consciousness. Each Bahá’í should radiate that spirit of alluring spiritual felicity that will become a beacon light to all.
The Bahá’ís should not separate themselves from the activities of the world, but engaging in, and taking part in the progressive efforts of all, become the centers of guidance. Each Bahá’í, to the extent possible should associate himself with some liberal progressive movement in his community, not in order to become mere attachments, but to seek out people of capacity who are looking for fresh hope and inspiration.
Fireside group meetings to attract Friends and develop discussion of the Teachings is a most effective manner of serving. These informal home gatherings should be semi-social, so the spirit of true hospitality may reign. They give an opportunity to discuss the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh in an intimate manner otherwise difficult to bring about.
Expansion of Assembly teaching activities:
Isolated Believers, if given continuous assistance afford one of the most effective immediate doors of endeavor in establishing new Bahá’í Communities. The Teaching Committee will give to each Assembly a list of the Isolated Believers in its territory, so this important field may early be utilized.
Whenever a group of Bahá’ís can travel together to a new center or group, this is most effective. The presentation of the Cause by the various ones in a slightly different manner, proves particularly impressive, and the contagion of the Bahá’í spirit more potent. A group of the Portland Friends, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bishop, Mrs. Louise Caswell, and Mrs. Alta Kreuger, recently made such a trip to the Bahá’í centers in the Pacific Northwest, Vancouver, B. C., Seattle and Monroe, Washington. In Vancouver, at one of the meetings, Prof. Charles Hill-tout, eminent anthropologist, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, stated that the fact that the Bahá’í Teachings were given to the world from darkest Persia in the nineteenth century, was proof of the divine origin of Bahá’u’lláh. Professor Hill-tout is president of the International Club, and has aroused much interest in the Cause by his many favorable comments to people of capacity. At this same meeting a former member of parliament of British Columbia was asked to speak about the doings of the League of Nations at Geneva. She replied that anything she had to say was less important than what had been said and she felt the Bahá’í Teachings held the most prominent solution of world problems.
Each Assembly should make it a duty of first importance to see that Bahá’í Literature is properly catalogued and available in public libraries. Increasing demands are being made for Bahá’í books in the libraries, and it is our duty to see that the latest and best books are continuously available. Shoghi Effendi has particularly stressed the importance of the Dawn-breakers; and to make it possible to have these priceless books in all public libraries, the Publishing Committee has made a special price of $5.00 for library copies.
Teachers should endeavor to spend a month or two in new centers until either a strong group is actively studying the Teachings, or the basis laid for the establishment of a new Bahá’í Assembly. Mrs. Laura Luther in response to this advice of Shoghi Effendi, has gone to Monroe, Washington, for an indefinite period to assist the Friends there in establishing an Assembly.
Inter-Assembly Cooperation:
The benefit of inter-assembly cooperation cannot be too strongly emphasized. Inter-Assembly Conferences are of the greatest benefit, as they give all the Friends the benefit of the wider service and experiences of the Bahá’ís of other centers, a fuller feeling of mutual dependence is developed, and a greater spirit of enthusiastic service achieved.
Most important is the continuous exchange of speakers, as each new speaker, brings a new wave of interest; and often contacts are made, which the local friends had been unable to accomplish. As an illustration, Mrs. Gale Marsolais, of Monroe, Washington, visited the Bahá’ís in Vancouver, B, C. and while there, contacted the outstanding Bible prophecy authority among the Jews of Great Britain. He became greatly interested in the Bahá’í explanation and fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and promises to visit with the Bahá’ís at their study group in Monroe in August. Up to that time the Bahá’ís of Vancouver had not been able to contact this distinguished gentleman.
The Bahá’ís in Southern California are to hold two important meetings of International Friendship during the Tenth Olympiad at Los Angeles, July 28th to August 13th, inclusive. The first meeting will be in the nature of a seminar, with speakers from interracial and international groups, while the second will he purely a Bahá’í meetings to explain the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
Study classes to gain a closer knowledge of the Cause, and a more intimate contact with its conquering spirit, are being held in all Assemblies, the text book being of course, the Dawnbreakers. Teachers’ preparation classes are also being organized with great effect.
All of the Bahá’í centers are anxiously awaiting the course of instruction for Children, which the new National Committee on Training and Teaching of Children are shortly to issue. Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary of this Committee, urges that any Friends or Assemblies having important data of Bahá’í training of children, send it to her, for correlation with the data already in hand.
Radio Stations are becoming more liberal in their attitudes towards addresses on progressive movements, looking to the betterment of the social conditions, and many Assemblies are able to make openings for Bahá’í discussions. In Seattle, many talks are given on Esperanto, while one or two have been given on the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Likewise in Portland, talks have been given on Esperanto, with a recent talk by Mrs. Louise Caswell, on the “New Era,” being an exposition of the Declaration of the Bab, and His Teachings.
All Assemblies report renewed activity
in the Inter-Racial activities.
The Oakland Assembly holds interracial
gatherings once a month, in the
homes of the various Bahá’ís. They
now have a study class, developed
from these inter-racial gatherings,
which promises to be beneficial in furthering
our contacts with the colored
races of that city. In Berkeley interracial
gatherings have been held with
good effect; one of the largest being a[Page 4]
dinner, May 23rd, at which there were
some 100 present and great interest
developed in the Bahá’í attitude toward
the Oneness of the World of Humanity.
INTER-RACIAL AMITY CONFERENCE[edit]
The National Committee on Inter-Racial Amity, through Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Secretary, reports on its activities as follows:
“Your Committee on Racial Amity is happy to report that its major activity since the Annual Convention has been the holding of an Amity Conference at Green Acre. It was carried through as planned, except that Miss Orcella Rexford very capably supplied the place of Mrs. Grace Ober, unavoidably absent. The number of sessions, six, was greater than before attempted in Amity Conferences since their beginning in 1921. They were interesting and well attended and supported by an enthusiasm which did not lag from beginning to end.”
The program enclosed with this report lists the following speakers: Mr. Harlan F. Ober, Judge Edward H. Adams, Portsmouth, Mr. Samuel A. Allen, Industrial Secretary, New York Urban League, Mrs. Mabel Ives, Mr. Carl Cartwright, Cambridge, Mass., Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Mr. Philip A. Marangella, Mrs. May Maxwell, Mr. F. St. George Spendlove, Rev. Henry Benton Harris, and Mrs. Grace Ober.
LETTERS FROM HAIFA[edit]
“Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler is now with us in Haifa and in a few days will start for Persia. She rendered wonderful services in both Australia and India and Shoghi Effendi trusts that she will do the same in Persia. One of the things the Guardian has asked her to do is to obtain the permission of the authorities to bring Bahá’í literature into Persia. This is a very difficult task but it is also so important that Shoghi Effendi feels we ought to attempt it.
“Regarding the boarding of gold, Shoghi Effendi would not advise that, but have your investments very secure.” (To the Secretary of the National Assembly, through Ruhi Afnán, June 8, 1932.)
“Shoghi Effendi hopes that you two, who have come to appreciate the light of guidance shed so gloriously by Bahá’u’lláh, will first try and deepen your knowledge of the teachings and then arise to lend an effective help in spreading them throughout the world. For it is only with the saving grace of God, revealed this day through the Bahá’í Faith, that the world can hope to be relieved from its many social and spiritual ills.” (To Mr. John B. Richardson, Chicago, through Ruhi Afnán, April 6, 1932).
“Shoghi Effendi has never said that the members of the National Assembly have to be renewed partially every year. The important thing is that they should be properly elected. It would be nice if there should be new members elected, for new blood always adds to the energy of the group and will keep up their spirit. But this depends entirely upon the will of the delegates as represented in the result of their voting.
“The teachers of the Cause can surely become members of any Assembly or committee. There should be no incapacity attached to them. But Shoghi Effendi would just prefer to see them devote all their time to teaching and leave the administrative functions for those who cannot serve as teachers.” (To Mr. Willard Hatch, Los Angeles, through Ruhi Afnán, April 27, 1932.)
“How wonderful it would be if all the friends could arrange to spend at least a few days in one of these summer schools and take an active part in their development. These centers could attract many souls if properly arranged and made interesting; those non-Bahá’ís who visit them will then have some time to get into the spirit of the place and make a study of the Cause . . . We constantly receive letters from people who became Bahá’ís by visiting one of these centers and obtaining the Message there.” (To Miss Cora Gray, received about May 1, 1932, through Rubi Afnán.)
The Dawn-Breakers
“You may be interested to know that many of the distinguished men to whom Shoghi Effendi sent a copy of The Dawn-Breakers as a present, wrote him in answer that it is one of the most beautiful books they have seen for a long time. This proves how successful you have been in that important task.” (To Mrs. Marion Little, Secretary of the Publishing Committee, New York, through Ruhi Afnán, May 7, 1932.)
In the same letter, written by the Guardian: “I wish to reaffirm in person the cable I was moved to send to your address expressing my keen appreciation of and profound gratitude for the manner you as well as your collaborators have cooperated in producing such a splendid and impressive edition. It is a striking and abiding evidence of the efficiency and exemplary devotion which characterize your work for the Cause.”
“Shoghi Effendi was glad to hear of your work among the ranchers. He sincerely hopes that they will advance in spirituality and become imbued with the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh. Country people should be much readier for the Message, for they are not so completely carried away by material civilization and its blinding influence. They ought to be more receptive and more pure in heart.” (To Mrs. Shahnaz Waite, Los Angeles, through Ruhi Afnán, May 13, 1932.)
“Shoghi Effendi undertook the translation of The Dawn-Breakers only after being convinced that its publication will arouse the friends to greater self-sacrifice and a more determined way of teaching. Otherwise he would not have devoted so much time to it. Reading about the life and activities of those heroic souls is bound to influence our mode of living and the importance we attach to our services in the Cause. Shoghi Effendi therefore hopes that the friends will read, nay rather, study that book, and encourage their young people to do that as well.
“It is also very important to hold study classes and go deep in the Teachings. A great harm is done by starting to teach without being firmly grounded in the literature. ‘Little knowledge is dangerous' fully applies to the teaching work. The friends should read the Writings and be able to quote from the Tablets when discussing subjects pertaining to the Faith.” (To Mrs. Edith Hildebrand, Clearlake Highlands, California, through Ruhi Afnán, May 9, 1932.)
On Teaching
“Administrative work and teaching do not exclude each other. Even though you will find yourself forced to give more time to the former, Shoghi Effendi hopes that you will keep up the latter form of service and continue to draw new souls into the movement.
“Shoghi Effendi read the plan of work you have set for the National Teaching Committee with great care. It surely depends ultimately upon the National Assembly to approve it, or to modify it, but it seems as a whole to be most promising.
“Shoghi Effendi has seen through
the experience of the international
teachers that keep him informed regarding
their activities, that intensive
work is ultimately of a more lasting[Page 5]
nature. It has proven to be far better
that a teacher should spend a month
or two in one center and wait until a
group is formed, than to cover a larger
area and not stay enough in a center
to help the progress of those interested
to the stage that they would feel themselves
able to embrace the Cause and
identify themselves with it.” (To Mr.
Leroy Ioas, San Francisco, through
Ruhi Afnán, May 30, 1932.)
On Collection of Bahá’í Funds
“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 8th, 1932, telling him of some incidents that transpired during the Convention this year, especially when funds were collected for the Temple. He was very glad to learn of the wonderful spirit that prevailed in those gatherings; for it is only through such a spirit of devotion and sacrifice that the Cause can prosper and its message embrace the whole world. It was also wonderful to see the interest shown by the public in the general gatherings that formed part of the Convention program.
“Shoghi Effendi hopes that as the Temple is gradually completed this interest will increase and they will try to share in the spirit that motivates the friends and accepting the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, arise to serve it and dedicate their life to its spread.
“Such gatherings for collections of funds are permissible if it is done with a true spirit of sacrifice, not when the audience is especially aroused to a frenzy and mob psychology is used to induce them to pay.
“Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated that no pressure should be used upon the friends and psychological pressure falls under that category. But there is much difference between such gatherings often used by religious bodies, and a true quiet, prayerful atmosphere when a person is, of his own accord, aroused to make some sacrifice. The distinction is very delicate, but it is for the Chairman to use his power to see that one desirable form is not corrupted into the other. All the activities of the Cause should be carried through in a dignified manner.
“Shoghi Effendi is sure that the funds gathered at the last Convention was not due to the play of mob psychology but to the prayerful attitude of the friends and their desire to make further sacrifice.” (To Mrs. Corinne True, Wilmette, through Ruhi Afnán, May 28, 1932.)
PERSIAN GOVERNMENT REMOVES BAN ON ENTRY OF BAHA’I LITERATURE
One of the great obstacles in the path of the Cause has apparently been removed by the recent action of the Persian government in raising the ban on entry of Bahá’í literature into that land, and its free circulation within Persia.
Information of this important action was conveyed to the National Spiritual Assembly by Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler in a cablegram dated Teheran, August 20, 1932. Following this announcement the Assembly has received from Mrs. Ransom-Kehler a letter containing the following explicit statement: “On August 15 I saw his Highness Teymourtash and received from him the direct, unqualified assurance that Bahá’í literature would be admitted freely into Persia and permitted to circulate.”
Mrs. Ransom-Kehler in this meeting with the Court Minister was the personal representative of the American National Spiritual Assembly, in accordance with the wish of the Guardian, who had requested her to journey from Haifa to Teheran and undertake the important mission of presenting a petition to the Shah.
The successful performance of this mission reveals the power of the Cause in the land of its birth, where only a few years ago martyrdom was still inflicted upon faithful followers of Bahá’u’lláh.
On September 14, the National Assembly dispatched the following cablegram: “His Highness Teymourtash, Court Minister, Teheran. On behalf American Bahá’ís we express abiding gratitude for removal of ban on entry of Bahá’í literature into Persia. This noble action of His Imperial Majesty's government has profoundly impressed Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, who have already felt strong attachment to Bahá’u’lláh’s native land. We wish to assure your Highness of our sympathy for his Imperial Majesty, our great interest in the progress and welfare of his empire and our desire to assist in enhancing its prestige throughout the world.” (signed) American Bahá’í Assembly.
NEWS FROM OTHER LANDS[edit]
As space permits, every effort will be made to publish the important news received in letters from Local and National Assemblies throughout the world. The following excerpts are taken from communications received by the American National Assembly since the Convention.
“You would be very much pleased to learn that Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler, who recently visited Burma under the direction and with the sanction of our dearly beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, rendered excellent services to the Cause in Mandalay and Rangoon, and was the cause of creating great zeal and enthusiasm among many enlightened persons for investigating the truth of the Bahá’í Revelation. Her heart-stirring speeches given at the Brahmo Samaj and the Theosophical Society of Rangoon were simply wonderful.” —S. G. Murtaza Ali, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Rangoon, March 7, 1932.
“In this hour of world-encircling gloom when the very thought of the rest of mankind falters, does not the work we Bahá’ís have set our hands to demand of us a more continued and tenacious devotion than ever before, does it not call for a persistent and unyielding effort greater than any we have displayed in the past? We are blessed, indeed, in that we know the cause, understand the significance and are assured of the outcome of the crises that convulse present-day society. But every blessing carries with it a responsibility—and grievous will be our loss if we fail to set aside our cares and carry the Message of Salvation to a despairing world.”—Hormuzdyar Khodabaksh, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Poona, March 12, 1932.
“The friends in India and Burma are extremely pleased and very happy for the visit of Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler to India and Burma. She addressed public meetings in Rangoon, Mandalay, Benares, Lucknow, Alighar, Amritsar and Lahore, was welcomed in the universities at Benares, Lucknow and Aligar and did very splendid work in spreading the Most Great Cause in India and Burma. She was in Bombay for a week and addressed large meetings almost every evening. She has gone to Deccan Hydrabad and will be there for a week. We in India are most grateful to the friends in America for sending such able teachers to India to spread the Holy Cause.” —N. R. Vakil, President and Treasurer, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í of India and Burma, April 8, 1932.
“We learn with the greatest joy
of the activities and wonderful efforts
which are being made by the friends
in that beloved country (America) for
the completion of the construction of
the Temple in Wilmette. We had[Page 6]
some time ago collected a small sum to
be offered as a contribution to the
Mashriqu'l-Adhkár Fund, but we have
so far not been able to transmit the
money to you owing to the difficulty
we had in connection with the obtaining
of foreign exchange. . . . The
Spiritual Assembly in Tihran has
thought it advisable to purchase some
carpets for the equivalent of the
contributions collected and send the same
to America.
“We have learned with greatest satisfaction and joy of the completion of the wonderful portrait of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. This is indeed a wonderful and important service rendered by the beloved friends in America which will be remembered through ages to come and of which the friends in that country should rightly be proud. . . . Another noteworthy service rendered by those souls is the publication of the Nabil Narrative, translated by our beloved Guardian. We have so far received a few copies of this book. It is indeed a wonderful work.”—Massoud Vedad, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tihran, April 20, 1932.
“Bahá’ís of Persia, and especially the older ones who have been subject to all kinds of humiliations and tortures until recent years, now shed tears of joy to see the evident glory of the Cause and the freedom of Bahá’ís. In many of the Bahá’í public meetings of Tihran one meets non-Bahá’ís who are naturally attracted to these meetings and among them are many who formerly opposed the Bahá’ís. Now when these individuals see with their eyes the Bahá glory they pretend to call themselves Bahá’ís or at least friendly toward them. True is the promise of His Holiness ’Abdu’l-Bahá who said a time will come when many a person would pretend to be a Bahá’í and would try to prove this by saying that he had a distant relationship with a Bahá’í. Bahá’ís of Persia feel certain that the Bahá’í Glory will, most decidedly, he established in its fullest form in the time of their Master, Shoghi Effendi.
“You will be pleased to hear that a Bahá’í Committee called ‘Association of the Bahá’í Youth’ is progressing well. The plan of this Committee is to manage a Bahá’í Club and prepare the means of progress for Bahá’í youth, mentally, physically and spiritually. It has two hundred and forty members at present.
“For the first time the Bahá’í Library of this Association called by the Spiritual Assembly ‘Central Bahá’í Library of the Bahá’ís of Persia’ has announced its establishment in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS Letter of Tihran, and would like to have all Bahá’í Assemblies and Committees of Bahá’í Publications informed that copies of Bahá’í publications together with any contributions will be thankfully accepted.” —Zikrulláh Khadium, Unity Relations Committee Between East and West, Iráq Legation, Tihran, April 21, 1932.
“Here in Persia we still have our difficulties to fight with; the general tendency in the world against religion is gradually gaining ground here still worse than the prejudice and religious bigotry and persecution which it replaces and which led to martyrdoms so many thousands of our dear brethren in the past. The Mullas, although on the decline, still have enough malignancy left to incite their congregations, whose ranks are admittedly thin and wavering, to passive animosity and revengeful hatred. No persecution is manifest but still no freedom or even recognition is accorded. . . . We would advise you to address all letters to us as follows in order to avoid all possible delays, in care of Parsian, Tihran.” A. A. Rouhani, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of Persia, April 24, 1932.
“A fit termination to an eventful year was the visit of Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler to our city. She was with us the three days prior to Riḍvan. . . . The three days she was with us were truly remarkable. For each succeeding lecture the hall engaged chanced to be larger than that of the previous day and yet it proved too small to hold all those who had come to hear her. What better evidence of the attractive spirit of this noble teacher? . . . Our beloved sister speaks as one inspired. . . . Poona, like all the other cities that she has visited, was enraptured by her engaging personality and pleaded that she extend her stay here. Owing to other engagements elsewhere it was not possible for this tireless worker to comply with this wish.
“Some Poona friends have donated outright to the Bahá’í Archives Committee of America all the original Tablets received by them from the beloved Master. The Guardian has approved of this course of action and has recommended that all the Indian friends likewise adopt this measure to ensure for future generations the preservation of these precious relics of the Founders of our Faith.”—Hormuzdyar Khodabaksh, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Poona, April 21, 1932.
“The Annual Convention of this year was very successful and proved more clearly its great significance. Delegates as well as many friends from various centers in Egypt have attended. Redoubled by the visit of our radiant sister, Mrs. Schopflocher, whom our Guardian wished to attend the meeting, was the joy of the Convention and also the celebration of Riḍvan. It might be mentioned that Mrs. Schopflocher took some moving pictures of the gathering of the friends. It is hoped that these pictures will be of interest to our western friends.
“During the last months of last year negotiations (with the Egyptian government) have made wider progress. Directed by the beloved Guardian, friends kept up a continuous appeal to the Prime Minister. Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice. Petitions were submitted and copies of the statute lately coded and revised by Shoghi Effendi have also been furnished. The National Assembly of America has supplied this body with an appeal together with a copy of the official recognition of the American Government, which documents were duly submitted to the Egyptian authorities. The Convention has also sent a telegram to the Prime Minister soliciting sympathetic consideration of the Bahá’í case. We have great hopes in the final success and will keep you acquainted with further results.”— Abdul Fattah Sabry Effendi. Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt, May 1, 1932. (Note: the Bahá’í case mentioned above was described a few years ago by the Guardian in one of his general letters published in Bahá’í Administration.—Editor).
“In compliance with the repeated instructions of the Guardian, the National Assembly last year held several extraordinary sessions to discuss the important matter of application to the local government for the recognition of the Bahá’í Cause. The Assembly, with the cooperation of committees appointed for the purpose, prepared and submitted to the Guardian the necessary drafts and documents which included: Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, By-Laws of Local Assemblies. Shortly afterward a letter from the Guardian revealed the fact that all the National Assemblies in the world should adopt without any alteration one kind of Trust and By-Laws. The best model existing being that of the U. S. A. and Canada, which he strongly recommended; and as to the By-Laws of Local Assemblies, that of the New York Local Assembly, which is to be published in the forthcoming Bahá’í World, Volume IV, must be actually adopted.
“We are delighted to say that the Cause, in Iraq in particular, has been gaining widespread publicity while its prestige and dignity has been greatly enhanced in the estimation of non-believers. The people have begun to perceive that the Bahá’í Cause, which has attracted the deep attention and concern of all the nations of the world, is other than what they were taught by those who did all in their power to disparage its fair name and noble purpose. The minutes of the Council of the League of Nations, declaring the urgency of expropriating the House (of Bahá’u’lláh) were duly published by the local press, thereby causing joy to the believers. And although, in the words of the Guardian, gloom and humiliation has now beset Bahá’u’lláh’s Holy Habitation in Baghdad. His startling prediction and reassurance have never been forgotten. . . . Now this mention and publicity, which could not be attained by the efforts of even hundreds of teachers, is certainly due to this crisis which proved to be an unbounded blessing in disguise. (The minutes of the League, referred to above, will be found quoted in The Bahá’í World. Volume III.——Editor).
“For the first time in the history of the Cause in Iraq a public address was given before non-believers. The Y. M. C. A., which is a British organization in Baghdad, expressed a desire that Dr. Aflatum, Vice-Chairman of the N. S. A. of Iraq, address it on ‘Bahá’ism: Its History and Teachings.’ This invitation was gladly accepted by Dr. Aflatum and in February last he very ably and remarkably delivered the address before a large gathering chiefly composed of the members of the British community as well as enlightened Iraqis. . . The meeting was a signal success.”—Munir H. Vakil, Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Iraq, May 1, 1932.
“The Bahá’í Cause is steadily progressing in Britain. It is little use troubling ourselves about the rise and fall of the wavelets in our activities; the tide is coming in—and it is the tide that matters. It is not a long time since there were no friends of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in Britain; the Bahá’í Glad Tidings of the Kingdom were unknown, unvoiced, even unimagined— but today scores of earnest souls are alive to the subject, voicing it, loving it, magnifying it, awakening people to the Glory of the coming era; and it is true to say that thousands of people in Britain have now heard the first faint but certain notes of the sweet call of the Abha Kingdom. In fact. the Call for the Unification of the World in the Glory of God is being more and more definitely heard by the people through the efforts of a steadily increasing number of friends.
“During the last three months the London friends have had the pleasure of welcoming these visitors from abroad: Mr. Dorakhshan, of Paris and Tihran; Mr. Mountfort Mills, of New York and Geneva; Mr. Albert Windust, of Chicago, on his way home to America from Haifa; and Mr. Faridoon, of Kerman and Berlin. At a Unity Feast held at the Bahá’í room on February 29, short talks were given upon the subject, ‘The World Crisis and the Bahá’í Movement.’ Professor Shastri joined whole-heartedly in the appeal for more enthusiasm in spreading the universal Message of Bahá’u’lláh in this critical time. Lady Blomfield, Mrs. Slade, Miss Pinchon, Miss Baxter, and Mrs. Romer have given the Message in many places, including New Thought, Quaker, and Esperanto meetings, the International Guest House, and the London Fields Fellowship. In connection with this latter Mrs. Romer and Miss Phillips have spoken to a group of about one hundred children from eight to sixteen years of age.
“Mrs. George, indefatigable and faithful at all times, has continued her Sunday afternoon meetings, the most precious function of which is to deepen in the souls of people the profound spiritual teachings of the Cause.”— News Letter from Bahá’ís of the British Isles, March, 1933.
“The most pleasant and encouraging feature of the year ending April 21, 1932, was the visit of our international teacher, Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler; with her transparent sincerity and honesty of purpose, she has enthused in us the spirit of real work which, we hope, will enable and hearten us to work for the general welfare of the community and the teaching work in particular. The account of our beloved Keith’s activities in Bombay is enclosed.” (The account mentioned is, unfortunately, too long for publication here. It gives details of addresses made by Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler of the Ridván Feast, at the Arya Samaj Mandir, at Theosophical Hall, and at meetings of the Bahá’í community.— Editor)—O. Mollier, English Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bombay, May 3, 1932.
“The construction of the ‘Hazíratu’l-Quds’ was the first decision of this Assembly. A plan was drawn and a copy sent to our beloved Guardian.
. . . The building work took five months, and it was decided by the Assembly to hold the opening ceremony on the first day of the month of Bahá, the Bahá’í New Year Day. To our great joy we heard that our spiritual sister, Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler, of New York, . . intended to come to Karachi to dedicate the Bahá’í Hall. . . . It was a miracle that an American lady could come at such a time to India for opening the ‘Haziratu’l-Quds’ which is the first Bahá’í Hall in India.”—M. A. R. Momenzadeha, Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Karachi, May 5, 1932.
As frequently as possible, similar excerpts from our International Bahá’í Correspondence will be published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
IMPORTANT WORK ON THE BAB[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Paris, in a letter dated August 19, 1932, announce that they are consulting with M. Nicholas, the well known French historian, who has written a number of books concerning the Bab. As result, it is hoped that a new edition, in French, can be published of his work “Seyyed Ali Mohamed le Bab.” The book will contain 350 pages and sell for 15 francs, postage additional.
American believers who read French will find this work of great interest. While not listed as an authoritative Bahá’í publication, it nevertheless has importance as a source of historical information.
Advance orders can be sent to: Mr. C. Kennedy, 104, Avenue de Versailles, Paris, France.
Mr. Kennedy has received a letter from the Guardian strongly encouraging the publication of this new edition and offering to contribute to its expense.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY PUBLISHING COMMITTEE[edit]
A new edition is available of the Study Outline, and copies may be obtained with or without the three Bahá’í books needed as sources of reference in the use of this Outline.
Price of Study Outline ........$0.50
Price of Study Outline and one
- copy each of the following
- books: Bahá’u’lláh and the
- New Era; Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá;
- and Foundations of
- World Unity .................. 1.50
This Study Outline is invaluable for individual students of the Teachings, and especially for communities and groups who desire to follow a definite course of study.
A small number of copies of Religious Education Magazine for September, containing Mr. Albert Vail’s review of The Down-Breakers, are offered for sale at 60c each, postpaid.
The Publishing Committee will cooperate with Assembly Librarians in promoting the sale of The Dawn-Breakers, by sending copies on consignment, to be paid for when sold. The price of the Standard Edition is $7.50; of the Limited Edition, autographed by the Guardian, $35.00. In view of the fact that the cost of this book has been guaranteed by the National Spiritual Assembly, no discount can be allowed to local Librarians. Local Assemblies are requested to give all possible consideration to the spiritual importance of having every believer possess a copy of this unique work. In a number of cities, arrangements have been made by which believers can purchase copies on instalment payments.
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF A LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
From New York By-Laws Approved by the Guardian
Article III—The Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its obligations and responsibilities under this Corporation, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the local activities and affairs of the Bahá’í community of the City of New York, including paramount authority in the administration of this Corporation. It shall be responsible for maintaining the integrity and accuracy of all Bahá’í teaching, whether written or oral, undertaken throughout the local community. It shall make available the published literature of the Faith. It shall represent the community in its relations to the National Spiritual Assembly, in its relation to the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, to other local Bahá’í communities, and to the general public in the City oi New York. It shall be charged with the recognition of all applicants requesting membership in the local Bahá’í community. It shall pass upon the right of any and all members of the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the community. It shall call the meetings of the community, including the Bahá’í Anniversaries and Feasts, the meetings of consultation, the Annual Meeting and the meeting for the election of delegates to the Annual Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall appoint and supervise all committees of the Bahá’í community. It shall collect and disburse all funds intended for the maintenance of this Corporation. It shall have full and complete custody of the headquarters or meeting place of the Bahá’í community. It shall report to the National Spiritual Assembly annually, or when requested, the membership roll of the Bahá’í community, for the information and approval of the national Bahá’í body. The Spiritual Assembly, however, shall recognize the authority and right of the National Spiritual Assembly to declare at any time what activities and affairs of the Bahá’í community of the City of New York are national in scope and hence subject to the jurisdiction of the national Bahá’í body. It shall likewise recognize the right of any member of the community to appeal to the National Spiritual Assembly for review and decision of any matter in which the previous decision of the local Spiritual Assembly is felt by the member to be contrary to the explicit teachings of the Bahá’í Faith or opposed to its best interests. It shall, on the other hand, have the authority and right to appeal from the decision of the National Assembly to the Guardian of the Faith for review and final decision of any matter related to the Faith in he City of New York.
Article IV—The Spiritual Assembly, in administering this Corporation, shall ever bear in mind the ideals upheld in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Faith respecting the relationships of a Spiritual Assembly to its Bahá’í community, respecting the relations of Bahá’ís to one another in the community, and the relationships of Bahá’ís to all non-Bahá’ís, without prejudice of race, creed, class or nationality. The Assembly shall therefore above all recognize its sacred duty to maintain full and complete unity throughout the Bahá’í community, to relieve and comfort the sick and distressed, to assist the poor and destitute, to protect the orphans, the crippled and the aged, to educate the children of Bahá’ís according to the highest religious and intellectual standards, to compose differences and disagreements among members of the community, to promulgate the principles of Divine Civilization revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, and to promote in every way possible the Bahá’í aim of the oneness of mankind. It shall faithfully and devotedly uphold the general Bahá’í activities and affairs initiated and sustained by the National Spiritual Assembly. It shall cooperate whole-heartedly with other local Spiritual Assemblies throughout North America in all matters declared by the National Spiritual Assembly to be of general Bahá’í importance and concern. It shall rigorously abstain from any action or influence, direct or indirect, that savors of intervention on the part of a Bahá’í body in matters of public politics and civil jurisdiction. It shall encourage intercourse between the Bahá’í community of the City of New York and other recognized Bahá’í communities, issuing letters of introduction to Bahá’ís traveling from New York and passing upon letters of introduction issued by other Bahá’í Assemblies. It shall regard its authority as a means of rendering service to Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís and not as a source of arbitrary power. While retaining the sacred right of final decision in all matters pertaining to the Bahá’í community, the Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek the advice and consultation of all members of the community, keep the community informed of all its affairs, and invite full and free discussion on the part of the community of all matters affecting the Faith.
