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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
LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
Beloved Friends:
The response to the Temple appeal published last month has been gratifying and significant. The members of the National Spiritual Assembly are convinced that the determination of the American believers to complete the dome by June first has become unshakable. Despite the overwhelming material and economic difficulties, the Bahá’í community stands firm in its faith that “a mysterious power” will confirm the union of minds and hearts in one supreme resolve.
The fact that one section of the dome ornamentation can be made and put in place for $270, and one section of a rib ornament similarly costs $430, has inspired individuals and communities alike to contribute definite sums which already assure the completion of a number of sections.
At the meeting held on December 27 and 28, the Assembly adopted a plan which Local Communities will find extremely helpful and interesting. Large drawings of the Temple dome are being prepared on which will appear the 243 sections costing $270 each, and the 126 rib sections costing $430 each. One of these drawings will be sent to each Local Spiritual Assembly early in January.
The aim of this plan is to make it possible for each local community to follow each step in Temple construction.
The plan will work out as follows:—
One a month in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, and two weeks later by postcard, all Local Assemblies will be notified of the amount which the National Assembly has been able to appropriate for the Temple Fund. When the financial reports are received, each Local Assembly can fill in with a colored pencil on the drawing as many sections of the dome as are provided for by the appropriation announced in the report.
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPH
(New Series) No. 4
Two panel sections, showing details of design.
For example: if on February first Local Assemblies are informed that $9,700.00 has been appropriated since the previous report, the friends can check off 20 dome sections at $270, and 10 rib sections at $430. If $4,050 is reported, that would mean the completion of 15 dome sections at $270 each. Thus, every two weeks the Assemblies can bring the drawing up to date, and have before them at all times a simple, graphic illustration showing how much of the external decoration has been provided for, and how much still remains awaiting further donations.
Each Spiritual Assembly is requesting
to have its copy of the drawing on
view at its meeting place, so that the
entire community may follow the
progress of our glorious enterprise.
In the case of the larger local communities,
it would add further interest
if the sections paid for by local
contributions are given a different color
than is used in filling in the other
sections.
The status of the Temple Fund on January first, 1933, is as follows: A total of $18,500 has been received toward the expenses of the preliminary work of making the models and moulds. About $5,000 additional will be required for the preliminary work. After that amount has been received, every contribution will go directly toward casting the actual sections in final form, ready for putting in place on the Temple dome.
As stated in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for December, contributions in the amount of $25,000 a month must be made from January to June in order to complete the task which our Guardian has assigned.
The members of the National Spiritual
Assembly fully realize their own
heavy responsibility in effecting the
utmost economy in all departments of
activity, so as to concentrate every
possible resource upon the Temple
Fund. At the meeting held on December
27 and 28, it was voted to suspend
the entire Budget adopted after
the Convention of 1932, and to pass
upon every individual request for
funds from the various Committees.
For example, a Committee which received
an appropriation of $2,000 in
the Annual Budget, and has received
$1,100 up to December 28, can no longer
expect to receive the balance of
$900 between now and April 1. If
that Committee needs additional
amounts before April 1, it must apply
for a special appropriation, and the
National Assembly will only approve[Page 2]
appropriations which seem absolutely
necessary.
Moreover, the Assembly has notified the Green Acre Trustees that it will contribute only enough to pay the fixed annual charges this year—taxes, fire insurance, etc.—and that the Trustees must therefore adopt some plan by which Green Acre can be used throughout the season of 1933 without any Budget.
These two decisions will reveal to the friends how important the National Assembly considers it to subordinate all activities to the needs at the Temple Fund until the dome has been completed.
Now let us ponder these words written by Shoghi Effendi to the National Treasurer on December 4, 1932: “The photograph of a section of the exterior decoration of the dome has thrilled me. What a great and priceless opportunity lies before the American believers! How great a responsibility rests upon their shoulders! It is in their power by their self-denial, their heroism and concerted efforts, to lend an impetus to the world-wide spread of the Faith, such as no believer has ever yet witnessed ever since the inception of our glorious Cause. Let them ponder the assurances, the promises, the warnings, of our departed Master and, despite the prevailing depression, arise to carry out the last wishes of His beloved sister, the Greatest Holy Leaf.”
May each Local Spiritual Assembly appreciate the fact that to its members the National Assembly looks as the instrument to arouse the ardor and sacrificing effort of ever) individual Bahá’í in its community.
- Yours faithfully,
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
- By: HORACE HOLLEY,
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY AND ITS COMMITTEES[edit]
Their Inter-Relationship Explained
The focal point of effort on the part of the National Spiritual Assembly is to encourage greater initiative and activity among all local Bahá’í communities.
In the gradual application of this principle, the Assembly has found it desirable to make a distinction between the special services rendered by each National Committee and the general problem of making these services available throughout the body of the Cause.
It has therefore been voted to record the fact that the function of each Committee is of an advisory rather than of an administrative character. The results of Committee consultation are to be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly for approval, and then (as far as possible) after approval, issued to the friends in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Thus will be established one definite, responsible channel of communication representing the National Assembly and its Committees as one spiritual unit and organism.
The National Spiritual Assembly assumes responsibility for applying Committee recommendations and plans to the conditions of local community life, and also for meeting any administrative problems that may arise therefrom. Each Committee is requested to submit, as far as possible, its recommendations and suggestions in a form adapted to publication in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for the information and encouragement of all believers.
In explaining this general principle, the National Assembly is conscious at the fact that the National Committees are entrusted with different types of activity. For example, the three Summer School Committees not only make programs but carry them out in classes, while the Publishing Committee has its own continuous and direct contact with communities and individual believers through the sale of the literature. The essential principle, however, is clear, and the members of the Assembly believe that as time goes on the result will be a tremendous concentration of our collective spiritual and material resources for the development of the Cause along the lines laid down by the Guardian.
INFORMATION FOR BELIEVERS OWNING LAND ON MOUNT CARMEL
Believers who purchased land on Mount Carmel are informed that the National Spiritual Assembly has received from the Guardian, through his secretary, a form of Power of Attorney for use in transferring title of such land to the Cause. A copy of this Power of Attorney, and necessary details, may be obtained by writing the National Secretary.
It should he pointed out that this transfer must he made during the owner’s lifetime, and not attempted through a codicil in the owner’s last will and testament, on account of a specific provision in Palestinian law. Lands not transferred during the owner’s lifetime must, under the law, revert to heirs according to certain principles of proportionate shares. Thus, in cases where the believer who owns land has natural heirs not believers, control of the land on Mount Carmel would pass outside the Cause.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The prayers of the believers are besought for the following Bahá’ís who have entered the spiritual Kingdom.
Mr. Frank Miller, Los Angeles, California.
Mrs. Ellen Davies, Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Miller for many years was a member of the New York Bahá’í community, and Mrs. Davies was one of the early believers of Chicago.
1933 ANNUAL CONVENTION[edit]
Preliminary Announcement
On December 15 an application form for participation in the next Annual Convention was mailed to all Local Spiritual Assemblies elected on April 21, 1932. The Assemblies are requested to fill out and return these forms to the National Office by January 15, so that the National Assembly may have all the data necessary in order to assign the 95 delegates by proportionate representation among the Local Bahá’í Communities.
By February 15, the National Assembly plans to issue the Convention Call, as provided in the By-Laws of the Declaration of Trust.
The Annual Reports of the National Assembly, Temple Trustees and Green Acre Trustees, as well as of all National Committees, will be published in a special number in‘ BAHÁ’Í NEWS in advance of the Convention. The Convention Agenda will be entirely devoted to the discussion of important current Bahá’í subjects, aside from the act of electing a new National Spiritual Assembly, and no time will be spent on the presentation of Reports already supplied to delegates in printed form.
The Convention can therefore function as a consultative body, concerned with the discussion of such subjects as: The Qualifications of Voting Membership. The Place of Bahá’í Summer Schools in the National Teaching Program, Bahá’í Youth Activities, etc. It is confidently expected that the result of this plan will be to clarify many important matters and stimulate greatly our collective capacity to serve the Cause throughout coming years.
A detailed announcement will be published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for March.
TEACHING THROUGH UNITED COMMUNITY ACTION[edit]
A Statement by the National Teaching Committee
The world is looking for a way out.
At no time since the birth of our Faith has the call for guidance from the whirlpool of material civilization been so forceful. Every member of the human family has been seriously affected, first by the World War, later the post-war adjustments, and now by the world-wide depression. Everyone realizes that existing religions do not respond to the spiritual hunger of the people, nor do the existing institutions of social control respond to the complex problems of social life.
Where is the Divine Call and where the life of the New Day to solve these problems? There have been so many new movements arising from day to day, claiming the panacea for spiritual and material problems but which like the mirage have faded away, when put to the test of actual correction of life’s problems, that humanity is now seeking a movement born of the spirit, with teaching of universal scope; and demonstrating in the organism it necessarily develops a perfect coordination of all human actions and relations.
The article in the November BAHÁ’Í NEWS “A Plea for Increased Effort in Bahá’í Teaching” outlines the gradual growth of the organism of the Cause in America particularly as it has brought into play the unifying element of the Faith. Now that methods of administration under the guidance of the Guardian are responding to the ever-widening activities and capacities of the friends, we must give increasing consideration to the spirit that must motivate all these services.
Only as each individual and each community carries forth the full Bahá’í life can the Movement go forward and its influence be felt in the world at large. If the Faith does not solve our problems and establish among us a new life, then how can it solve the problems of, or establish a new life in the world at large?
The greatest teacher of the Cause, therefore, is the perfect Bahá’í Community. In such a community all difficulties have been overcome, a happy, radiant, and enthusiastic group of people have coordinated their activities to the welfare of humanity and are motivated by a spirit of love and devotion that exists nowhere else and could only come from the force of a new Manifestation of God.
Let us see how the Teaching Program can aid in bringing this most important result into fruition.
The head cornerstone of Bahá’í life is teaching the Cause. Bahá’u’lláh says, “Verily, God hath made it incumbent upon every soul to deliver His Cause (the Message) according to his ability. Thus hath the Command been recorded by the Finger of Mighty and Power upon the Tablet of Majesty and Greatness . . .” How can a Bahá’í individual or community mirror forth the full splendors of Bahá’u’lláh when its most important virtue, that of teaching the Cause, is not adequately developed?
The doors of service are open on all sides as never before and only waiting for the friends to step forth. So astonishing are the confirmations that the National Teaching Committee hesitates to offer specific suggestions as to methods to be used in the new teaching service, feeling that these suggestions themselves might crystalize effort into too definite channels. As the dynamic spirit which animated the early pioneers of the Faith sweeps through the body of the American believers, new methods and new opportunities will present themselves unequalled in previous American Bahá’í experience. The magnet the individual requires to gain these confirmation is: self-analysis, increased study of the teachings, meditation and prayer, to become a purified channel, and then action; not a single attempt, but, continuous sustained teaching effort, Persevere! “Learn ye perseverance from your Heavenly Father, Bahá’u’lláh,” is the injunction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In this perseverance in service will one finally find how and where he can best serve and thus perfectly perform his responsibilities in the Cause.
As one becomes more active in the work of promoting the Cause, he becomes more enthusiastic over the efforts of other believers, complete confidence is established and the full fellowship of a spiritually united group becomes manifest. Increased individual service will establish a resplendent Bahá’í Community life.
In encouraging each Spiritual Assembly to endeavor to establish the Faith in a new center there will develop a new attitude in each Spiritual Assembly toward all its problems and responsibilities. Shoghi Effendi says, “As the administrative work of the Cause steadily expands, as its various branches grow in importance and number, it absolutely necessary that we bear in mind this fundamental fact that all these administrative activities, however harmoniously and efficiently conducted, are but means to an end, and should be regarded as direct instruments for the propagation of the Bahá’í Faith.” Therefore, this effort will tend to divert our attention from merely routine data, and bring constructive and positive action in all our deliberations. The Spiritual Assembly will become the source of inspiration to all the Bahá’í’s; and will direct by leading.
Inter-Assembly Teaching Conferences are of greatest importance. They give to each and every one the benefit of the experiences of every other. They bring to small Communities and groups the benefits of the work and experience of the larger Communities. The general understanding of the tenets of the Faith, the sanctity of Bahá’í service, as exemplified by those of wider and longer periods of service, and the raising of the consciousness of every one is brought about. In this way the entire body of the believers is elevated to the degree of understanding and service of the most devoted of the friends.
When we realize that ours is the privilege of expounding a new world order, wherein all human difficulties are solved and all men are at peace, we can see that our program can succeed not by aggressive service on the part of a few, but only by each and every individual and unit doing its part; the entire Cause surging forward as a single organism. The secret of our success in saving humanity from the destruction into which manmade theories are plunging it, is by our promoting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh and shedding its radiance by our teaching activities. Let us have unending Faith in the efficacy of Bahá’u’lláh and realize that He will direct our efforts to victory if we act and serve with complete devotion.
- TEACHING COMMITTEE.
- By: LEROY C. IOAS, Chairman
REPORT OF CENTRAL STATES BAHA’I SUMMER SCHOOL[edit]
The Central States Summer School
held its second session at Louhelen
Ranch, Davison, Michigan, July 31 to
August 9 inclusive. Mr. and Mrs.
Eggleston own this farm and plan to
turn over 80 acres of it to the N. S. A.
for Bahá’í use as soon as it is able to
take charge of it. Meanwhile the Egglestons,
in consultation with the N. S. A.
and a committee appointed by it,
use the buildings and ravine for a
summer school for Bahá’ís. This lasts
for only nine days, but the house is
open all summer and is used for weekend
outings for Bahá’í groups and[Page 4]
short vacations for city folk who want
a quiet rest in the country.
The natural environment of the place is beautiful and conducive to the development of “the world of the heart and spirit.” Besides that, the owners have done much to improve the place, adding and remodeling buildings for the convenience and comfort of the guests and making the grounds attractive and usable.
The average attendance for the week was a little less than sixty. This was twice as many as last year and just about as many as could be cared for comfortably. On one or two days when groups came from Detroit there were severity or seventy-five. This increase is largely because it is becoming more widely known that there is a summer school for the Central States. But the fruits were not measured by numbers merely and never can be.
The first Sunday was largely devoted to a teaching conference under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Brown of the new National Teaching Committee. What an inspiring beginning their leadership, enthusiasm and devotion made for the week! For one of the chief objectives which our Guardian has set for the summer schools is the instruction and inspiration of teachers. In the morning Mrs. Brown explained the new outline for the study of “The Dawn-Breakers” which the teaching committee in collaboration with others have developed and which they told us would be available for all this fall. This outline has been worked out on the foundation laid by our Guardian in his cablegram dated June 21, 1932. (see BAHÁ’Í NEWS for July, 1932). In the evening Mr. Brown unfolded for us the reconstructed teaching plan. Earnestly and convincingly he showed us that this plan puts greater responsibility not only on all local Assemblies but on each individual Bahá’í. This calls for larger knowledge of the teachings, greater devotion, greater severance. It gives an opportunity for individual as well as group initiative. It demands the cooperation of the Assembly with the individual desiring to serve and the consultation with and dependence on the Assembly of such individuals as arise to serve.
This conference between the group and Mr. Brown was continued during the consultation period Monday morning.
On the afternoon of that first Sunday a public meeting was held at a community hall about sixteen miles from the ranch. The meeting was arranged for by the Reverend J. M. Pengelly who became interested in the Cause during the summer school of 1931. This was the beginning of seed sowing in an entirely new field. Mr. Pengelly also invited Mrs. Ruth Moffatt to speak un the Bahá’í Cause from his own church pulpit on that Sunday morning.
The daily program for the week was: a period of prayer and meditation conducted by Miss Pearl Easterbrook; a period devoted to the study of Nabil’s Narrative conducted by Mr. Vail; a consultation period for adults and one for youth; a public lecture; a class in public speaking; and informal evening talks around a camp-fire when conditions were favorable. This left some of the afternoon free for recreation.
We were proud of our fine group of eighteen or twenty young people. A few of these were glad of an opportunity to pay their way by assisting in the kitchen and dining room. Some of this group of youth were awakened to the true meaning and power of the Bahá’í Cause and went away eager to serve in spreading the Glad Tidings. One of this group writes: “I love to think of the days at Davison; it really was almost perfect.” Mrs. Dorothy Baker was the wise, inspiring and loved guide of these young people. The young people conducted their meetings as a forum, headed by a chairman elected from among their own number. Their own program committee, working in consultation with the summer school committee, planned the course of study and called upon two ten minute speakers for each meeting, one from their own group and the other a guest speaker. At the close of these talks an open forum was held to which all contributed. At all times the guest speaker remained silent unless called upon, thus insuring delightfully free expression among the members.
Mr. Vail’s contribution to the study of Nabil’s Narrative was especially valuable as he gave us some of the history of Muhammedan religion, of the long line of saints,—material which it is difficult for the average reader to get hold of and which furnishes a valuable background for the understanding of the early history of the Cause.
On the last Sunday afternoon ten or a dozen young people from Detroit drove out and were present at the public lecture. Some of these who had understand little of the Cause before were greatly stirred if we can judge from their words.
Appraising as well as we may the results of this brief session we think we did accomplish something in each of the objectives set us by our Guardian: our study did deepen our knowledge of the Cause; our widened acquaintance and friendship and knowledge in each other’s problems strengthened the unity in the Cause; much teaching was done right there and those in attendance became better fitted to teach; new souls were attracted. One very tangible result was the collection of a gift of $50 for the Temple. This was inspired by Orcella Rexford at a sewing and tea party where she helped us make little orange colored “prosperity bags.” We hope these bags are still collecting money for the Temple!
- PROGRAM COMMITTEE,
- L. W. EGGLESTON
- MRS. DOROTHY BAKER
- MRS. JOHN KIRKPATRICK
REVISED GLOSSARY FOR KITAB-I-IQAN[edit]
The Publishing Committee has issued a revised Glossary to be inserted in all copies of the new edition of the Kitáb-Í-Íqán translated by Shoghi Effendi. Believers who possess copies of this book may obtain the revised Glossary by applying to their local Librarians. The Glossary will be sent without charge by the Publishing Committee to Librarians in whatever quantity is requested. Believers not members of a community having a Librarian may write direct to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York City.
REGISTRATION OF LOCAL GROUPS[edit]
A general letter has been issued by the National Spiritual Assembly to all local groups of Bahá’ís in the United States and Canada, requesting them to meet and appoint one of their number as Corresponding Secretary. When this is done, it will be possible for the National Assembly to cooperate more closely with these small groups and assist them to develop to the point of electing a Spiritual Assembly.
With the letter was enclosed a number of registration cards, to be filled out and returned to the National Office.
Any group which failed to receive a copy of this letter is requested to apply for one as soon as possible.
