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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
“One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.”— Shoghi Effendi, September 24, 1924.
A PLEA FOR INCREASED EFFORT IN BAHA’I TEACHING
A Statement by the National Spiritual Assembly
In order to give release to all available resources for teaching at this time when world depression is quickening the hearts of countless people, the National Spiritual Assembly authorized and heartily endorsed the outline of plans and policies prepared by the Teaching Committee and published in the July issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
The Teaching Committee, through both its Western and Eastern divisions, has with notable energy and devotion labored to carry out the aims adopted after consultation with previous Teaching Committee members and careful thought of the changed conditions in the outer world. Every Local Spiritual Assembly has received valuable suggestions, and each individual believer has, through successive issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, been urged to feel his or her measure of responsibility in promoting the Cause.
As friends of our Faith point out, if Bahá’ís cannot carry this Message to the people now, when do they hope to prove their knowledge and vindicate their loyalty?
Perhaps, as seems inevitable, there still exists here and there among us a conception of teaching based on facts and conditions of former years. When we realize how everything else has progressed, how the world has been transformed, how our administrative institutions have all been renewed and revitalized since the appointment of the Guardian only eleven years ago, development of teaching activities cannot lag behind.
In the early days, most of the teaching was carried on by a relatively few people, whose capacity was such that Bahá’í communities gradually appeared in all parts of this vast country. Lacking our present supply of published authentic literature, seekers turned to these teachers as the only available source of information about this new and mighty Revelation. Without knowledge, moreover, of the law of consultation as exemplified in the institutions of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies, the early gatherings rallied around human personalities and took courage from the constant devotion of these outstanding pioneers. Little by little, some of the Bahá’í texts were translated and circulated, but the friends for a time still continued to look for inspiration and guidance to the Master’s Tablets revealed in reply to personal letters.
The first step toward unity was the adoption of Bahá’í Temple Unity as the national organization, which above all emphasized the construction of the Temple as the centralizing responsibility and most important task. Teaching and other Committees existed from year to year, but could not be fully coordinated as aspects of Bahá’í community life as a whole. The older friends will recall periods when individual believers were uncertain whether to contribute to the Temple or to the Teaching Fund, since these matters seemed somewhat separated before the present National Fund came into existence. Generous believers made it possible for teachers to give their whole time to visiting local communities and extending the fame of the Cause. The Star of the West was a separate activity, carried on with tremendous sacrifice by a few, while for years Green Acre was also distinct and separate, with only bonds of sympathy uniting it with the Cause in other fields.
With the establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly began a new era which we still understand only in part, so tremendous are its possibilities with the full unfoldment of the innate capacities of the worldwide Faith. But we can already see that a real beginning has been made in unifying and coordinating all Bahá’í activities, and in constituting true centers of unity not only for the local but also for the national and international community of believers. With one central Fund, it is now for the first time possible to decide between the relative needs of the different activities, bring them all into harmony not only one with another but all with the ultimate aims of the Cause as a whole. The Bahá’í Faith, in brief, has under the Guardian already become a federated world” and hence a prototype of the World Order which is the outer goal of the teachings.
Nearly all our difficulties and misunderstandings have arisen from the need to adjust ourselves mentally and spiritually to this organic unity. Not only did each national committee have to subordinate its special work and function to the authority of the Cause as a whole, but each local community also found much of its early independence and spiritual isolation sacrificed to the new principle of true unity explained in the Guardian’s general letters.
It is perfectly clear today that the
teachings of Bahá’u’lláh contained all
these provisions from the beginning.
The principles of the Faith have not
been altered, but due to our immaturity
they could only gradually be applied.
The change has been in ourselves.
As children who pass from
class to class in a school, so we
collectively were first given easy, simple
lessons, then little by little more difficult
ones, and this process will surely
continue through all the worlds of God.
Until our daily attitude and outlook[Page 2]
corresponds to the worldwide immensity
of the Cause, we are behind
in our Bahá’í education.
The completion of the Temple structure, the economic depression, and the Guardian’s translation of The Dawn-Breakers, are all recent factors compelling us collectively to take another great step in our growth. An attitude which became crystallized and rigid before we received the inspiration of The Dawn-Breakers must, if we do not willingly abandon it, become a source of inner conflict and suffering and a cause of outer confusion in the general work of the Cause. The principle operating here does not and cannot arise from the exercise of Assembly authority—it is a universal and divine law. It is for Local and National Spiritual Assemblies to strive to make their decisions conform to the everchanging conditions of a living, irresistibly widening and deepening world movement. No Assembly could endure as an instrument of Bahá’í service if it failed to keep pace with this growth and development emanating from the invisible realm.
No where more than in the mighty field of teaching does this truth apply. Teaching is identical with living the life. Teaching opportunities surround every faithful believer at every moment, attracted by the presence of radiance, enthusiasm, knowledge and integrity. Greater and greater opportunities will come to us without artificial effort on our part, when our local communities manifest unity among all the friends. In this blessed Faith, teaching is far removed from the methods and practices of the creeds, where one is set apart in a special position, and religion is divided into “lay” and “clerical” bodies.
In taking the attitude that all believers are teachers, each according to his or her capacity, the National Assembly has brought forth no “new” teaching policy, but has on the contrary succeeded in asserting a vital Bahá’í principle that has always existed in the Sacred Writings but has not sufficiently become part of our daily lives.
Since all believers are teachers, it follows that the National Spiritual Assembly could not always be justified in maintaining an institution or method, begun before the National Assembly was instituted, which tends to make Bahá’í teachers a special class of believers and thus tends to keep the local communities undeveloped and passive in their highest spiritual function.
The members of the National Assembly can only point out the underlying reasons for terminating this method during the present Bahá’í year, when difficult conditions make it imperative to study the operation of all activities more intensely than ever before, and to trust that the friends will see for themselves that the decision was not arbitrary but arose from fresh consideration of the nature of the Cause itself.
It is profoundly hoped that the period of transition will not be difficult, and that as all communities begin to appreciate their responsibility for teaching, individually and collectively, a great new wave of sacrificing and ardent effort, like that displayed by the heroes of The Dawn-Breakers, will sweep over the continent of America. Divine protection will surely be extended to any sincere and loyal believer on whom this transition lays any special burden.
In a letter dated Haifa, September 10, 1932, the Guardian has written the National Spiritual Assembly, through his secretary, as follows: “The Guardian fully agrees with your idea that the permanent welfare of the Faith demands the steady development of local Bahá’í community life. The policy your Assembly has adopted regarding the publication of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, the signing of a new contract regarding the dome of the Temple, and various measures involving a strict retrenchment of administrative expenditure, have met with the Guardian’s whole-hearted and unqualified approval. He truly admires the spirit which enables you to face the rigors and surmount the obstacles of a crisis unprecedented in its gravity and worldwide in its effects. The constancy, wisdom, courage and loyalty you have so thoroughly displayed are beyond all praise, and are worthy of your high station as the standard-bearers of the Administration of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
To this letter the Guardian added the following words: “I am moved to add a few words with my own pen, to what has been written on my behalf, renewing my plea to you, and through you, to each member of your beloved community, to prosecute, with undiminished vigor, the enterprise which you have so splendidly inaugurated. The Greatest Holy Leaf, from her retreat of Glory, is watching over you, is interceding for every one of you and is expecting you to play your part in the great task with which the prestige of her Father’s glorious Cause is so closely associated. You have, while she lived among us, contributed to a remarkable degree to the brightening of her earthly life. By your persistent, your heroic endeavors, you will, I am sure, bring added joy to her soul, and will vindicate afresh your undying loyalty to her memory.”
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The prayers of the friends are asked for these believers who have passed into the Kingdom.
Mr. Thomas Lovemore, New York City.
Miss Georgiana Dean, Pasadena, Calif.
Mr. Charles Stewart Campbell, Portland, Ore.
PROGRESS OF TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION[edit]
The Temple Trustees have received from The Research Service the following interesting report on the work up to October 8.
“The work during the month of September has largely consisted of the moulding and carving of the two lower segments of sub–panels of the field of the dome. This work has been completed and these two sections are ready for the preparation of the moulds in which the casting of the final segments of the dome ornamentation will be made. The completed plaster of Paris models of the two dome sections begin to reveal the real beauty of the final structure. Every one who sees these models is impressed with the uniqueness of the design and the impressiveness of the structure.
“The clay models for the third and fourth sections of the sub–panel of the field of the dome have been completed and steps are being taken to convert these into the permanent plaster of Paris form. This work will be completed during the month of October.
“The lower section of the dome rib has been started and will also be completed during the month of October. This part of the ornamentation is especially beautiful in its conception. . . .
“You will be interested to learn that this work has already aroused considerable interest and a statement concerning the work to date is to appear in the October 13th issue of our leading civil engineering journal, Engineering News-Record, of New York City.”
TEMPLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM OTHER LANDS[edit]
American Bahá’ís will rejoice to
learn that contributions have been
made to the Temple Fund this year[Page 3]
or are soon to be made, by the following
National and Local Spiritual Assemblies
in other lands: National Assemblies
of Egypt, Persia, India and
Burma, and the British Isles; Local
Assemblies of Adelaide, Baghdad and
Pretoria. In addition, individual believers
have contributed from China,
Japan, France, Germany, Geneva,
Turkey and Irish Free State.
Such evidence of solidarity in sacrifice, in thought and in faith, manifested at a time when the civil populations of these countries are desperately divided by material and also moral barriers, should redouble the efforts of the American friends.
Recently the National Assembly received a letter from a believer in another country inquiring why we did not apply the “New Plan of Unified Action” outside the United States and Canada. The reason, of course, is that the American National Assembly, while conscious of the unbreakable spiritual tie uniting all Bahá’ís, has no jurisdiction outside the United States and Canada, and moreover is unwilling even to suggest that believers elsewhere should assume any of the responsibility placed upon America. Each country and locality has its own direct responsibility in promoting the Cause, and the Temple is first and foremost a goal set up for American Bahá’ís.
The Guardian has, however, greatly encouraged Mrs. Victoria Bedikian in her service of international correspondence on the subject of the Temple, and to her is due most of the credit for bringing the Temple close to the hearts of our coworkers abroad. In a recent letter to her the Guardian has written, through his secretary: “I need not remind you of the importance the Guardian attaches to your worldwide correspondence on behalf of the Bahá’í Cause, and he wishes me to assure you, once more, that such an exemplary effort on your part constitutes an inexhaustible source of spiritual and moral strength.”
LETTERS FROM HAIFA[edit]
“The present condition of the world —its economic instability, social dissensions, political dissatisfaction and international distrust—should awaken the youth from their slumber and make them inquire what the future is going to bring. It is surely they who will suffer most if some calamity sweep over the world. They should therefore open their eyes to the existing conditions, study the evil forces that are at work and then with a concerted effort arise and bring about the necessary reforms—reforms that shall contain within their scope the spiritual as well as social and political phases of human life.” (To Mrs. Maude Gaudreaux, Yonkers, New York, through Ruhi Afnán, Haifa. March 13, 1932).
“He (Shoghi Effendi) was very glad to see you offer to help Mr. and Mrs. . . . . . . to stay in . . . . . . and serve the spread of the Movement. They are surely wonderful souls and very competent to deliver the message to others. They are versed in the teachings and have the true Bahá’í spirit, and these are the only capital a real teacher of the Bahá’í Cause needs to be successful in his work. Moreover, it is the duty of the Bahá’ís to help one another in time of difficulty—in times such as these when our economic life is disrupted and as a result innumerable people are left without work and proper means of livelihood.
“But though your offer is most commendable, Shoghi Effendi would prefer to have the local Assembly of . . . . . . or the National Assembly decide whether the stay of Mr. and Mrs. . . . . . . in . . . . . . is vital enough for the Cause as to necessitate so much sacrifice on your part.” (To Mrs. Bessie F. Seker, Pittsburgh, Pa., through Ruhi Afnán, Haifa, April 26, 1932.)
“As regards the statement of our own views and explanations of the teachings: Shoghi Effendi believes that we should not restrict the liberty of the individual to express his own views so long as he makes it clear that these views are his own. In fact, such explanations are often helpful and are conducive to a better understanding of the teachings. God has given man a rational power to be used and not killed.
“This does not, however, mean that the absolute authority does not remain in the revealed Words. We should try and keep as near to the authority as we can and show that we are faithful to it by quoting from the Words of Bahá’u’lláh in establishing our points. To discard the authority of the revealed Words is heretic and to suppress completely individual interpretation of those Words is also bad. We should try to strike a happy medium between these two extremes.” (To Dr. E. C. Getsinger, Los Angeles, Calif., through Ruhi Afnán, Haifa, June 18, 1932.)
“Shoghi Effendi wishes me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated May 1, 1932, as well as the enclosed general letter of the Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly. He was deeply interested to read of the activities of the friends in attracting new souls to the teachings of the Cause.
“Of special interest was the fact that the talents of the younger members of the group were also used. The best Assembly is the one that capitalizes the talents of all the members of the group and keeps them busy in some form of active participation in serving the Cause and spreading the message.” (To Oni A. Finks, Corresponding Secretary, Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles, through Ruhi Afnán, Haifa, August, 1932.)
“Every day has certain needs. In those early days the Cause needed Martyrs, and people who would stand all sorts of torture and persecution in expressing their faith and spreading the message sent by God. Those days are, however, gone. The Cause at present does not need martyrs who would die for their faith, but servants who desire to teach and establish the Cause throughout the world. To live to teach in the present day is like being martyred in those early days. It is the spirit that moves us that counts, not the act through which that spirit expresses itself; and that spirit is to serve the Cause of God with our heart and soul.” (To Tahirih Mann, Baltimore, Md., through Ruhi Afnán, Haifa, August 3, 1932.)
PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENT[edit]
Through the generous action of the Teaching Committee in foregoing part of its annual budget, the Publishing Committee has been able to issue a new edition of the Guardian’s letter, “The Goal of a New World Order.”
Shortly after the first edition was published, the National Assembly received word from Haifa that the Guardian would like the believers to make the contents of that letter known to “every man and woman in the world.”
Local Assemblies and also individual believers can thus make an important effort in the teaching field by arranging to distribute copies of this pamphlet far and wide. The new edition sells for only 5c a copy, but the Publishing Committee can supply orders only in lots of ten copies, and units of ten. Please order, then, at least ten at a time, the cost of which will be 50c plus postage.
Announcement is also made of a
Study Guide based upon The Dawn-Breakers,
prepared by Mr. and Mrs.[Page 4]
Willard McKay and Mrs. Bahiyyih
Lindstrom. This Study Guide will
enable classes and also individual students
to become thoroughly acquainted
with the contents of this inspiring
book. Per copy, 25c.
In view of the fact that some of the earlier pamphlets dealing with Bible Prophecy are no longer in print, the Publishing Committee reminds the friends that the book “Bahá’í Revelation,” by Thornton W. Chase, is a remarkable approach to the Cause from the Christian standpoint. This book may be obtained for $1.00 per copy.
The Committee feels very responsible for repaying, from sales of The Dawn-Breakers, the sums advanced by the National Assembly to defray the cost of this work. It is therefore hoped that Local Assemblies which received copies on consignment will remit for these as soon as possible.
BAHA’I NEWS SERVICE[edit]
The publicity committee during October issued a general letter to the Local Assemblies enclosing a newspaper article on the subject of the Persian Government’s action in raising the ban on entry of Bahá’í literature. The general letter offered very useful suggestions on how to secure publicity on local events of interest.
In connection with this important phase of our activities, the words written by the Guardian on November 27, 1924, should be borne in mind: “It is our bounden duty to give the Cause from day to day a fuller publicity, to maintain and stimulate the interest aroused, and to concentrate at the same time our attention on a chosen few, endeavoring tactfully and persistently to make them earnest and unreserved supporters of the Bahá’í Faith.”
BAHA’I MAGAZINE RENEWALS[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly desires to assist the business office of THE BAHÁ’Í MAGAZINE by reinforcing their effort to maintain old subscriptions and also secure new readers. At present it appears that a considerable number of subscribers have not sent in their renewals. The difficulties and hardships of the friends are fully appreciated, but it is necessary to point out that the National Fund is responsible for all deficit incurred in publishing the magazine. In cases where believers feel it preferable to contribute for the Temple the amount formerly given for a magazine subscription, there is no real gain to the National Fund. The Temple Fund can receive only what the National Spiritual Assembly has left after defraying the cost of all current Bahá’í activities.
Local Spiritual Assemblies are requested to consider the needs of our magazine in the light of the many Tablets revealed concerning it, and to make this a subject for discussion at a Nineteen Day Feast.
INTER-ASSEMBLY CORRESPONDENCE[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly makes grateful acknowledgment of the receipt of the following general letters issued by Local Spiritual Assemblies: Los Angeles, dated April 15; Honolulu, dated July 15; and San Francisco, dated May, June-July, and September-October. The Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco appears at present to be the only one which issues a circular letter at regular intervals.
These Inter-Assembly general letters play an important part in upbuilding the solidarity of the Bahá’í world. Until BAHÁ’Í NEWS can be developed to the capacity of serving as a national or international newspaper, with sections devoted to local affairs in all parts of the world, no medium exists by which local communities may convey to fellow-believers detailed information about their plans and activities, their methods for rendering service, their overcoming of special problems, and their loving interest in the general progress of the Faith.
This matter is commended to all Assemblies for their careful consideration. Even the smallest community might issue at least an annual letter, while the larger communities, like San Francisco, can prepare a general letter or news bulletin at frequent intervals.
CREDENTIALS FOR TRAVELING BELIEVERS[edit]
A few years ago the suggestion was published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS that believers planning to visit other centers should secure from their local Secretary a letter of introduction which would constitute proper credentials establishing their status as recognized Bahá’ís. At the suggestion of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago, this thought is once more advanced. Particularly should such letters he carried by friends who change their residence and therefore are required to transfer their voting right to a new community.
Such a practice may at first glance appear to be excessively formal in a spiritual Cause. Deeper consideration, however, will lead to the realization that it rests upon a sound basis. The word “spiritual” has too long been associated with the idea of some type of individual “freedom” whose greatest duty is to resist the false claims of “organization.” In a Cause, possessing a worldwide administrative plan, spiritual values become identical with common sense. There is every reason why a Local Spiritual Assembly should inform itself about the status of a person before granting him the great privileges due to a true Bahá’í.
HOW TO ENROLL NEW BELIEVERS[edit]
Following the outline supplied by the National Spiritual Assembly in its article on “The Qualifications of a Voting Believer,” published a few months ago, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago have recorded in their minutes the acceptance of a new believer in such a clear and comprehensive manner that an excerpt from these minutes is now published as a model that might well be followed by other Assemblies.
“This is to certify that on . . . . . . (date), 1932, the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Chicago met in consultation with . . . . . . who had made application for affiliation with the Chicago Bahá’ís, and in compliance with suggestions made by the National Spiritual Assembly, the following procedure was carried out: The Chairman, Mr. Windust, read to the applicant excerpts from Bahá’í Administration, the qualifications for voting membership in a Bahá’í Community as outlined in the By-Laws and excerpts from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and gave a very interesting and complete explanation of Bahá’í organization.
“It was ascertained that Mr. . . . . . . had carefully studied Bahá’í Administration and the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as well as much other Bahá’í literature, and following the above procedure acknowledged his understanding and complete acceptance of the tenets of Bahá’í Faith. It is thereupon the unanimous vote of those present that Mr. . . . . . . be accepted as a voting member of the Chicago Bahá’í Community.”
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