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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
THE STORY OF THE CONVENTION[edit]
The day preceding the twenty-fifth annual Bahá’í convention was one of great joy and anticipation as delegates and friends from all corners of the United States and Canada, drawn as if by some great centrifugal force, arrived by train, stage, automobile, airplane, and even on foot, in Evanston and Wilmette to consult together for four days on recent developments in the progress of the Cause in the western world. For many of the friends this day was one of happy reunion with those who had attended the conventions more or less regularly in the past, while for others it was a first and wonderful experience of the kind. Almost without exception the first act of the friends after removing the dust of travel was to visit the Temple.
The first glimpse of this glorious and imposing symbol of our Faith filled one with rapture followed in a moment by a certain sense of disappointment and failure because the dome, contrary to the great hopes of the Guardian, was still unclothed. Only the first clerestory section of one dome rib was in place but, as one gazed, one’s imagination pictured the completed dome and the events which are to follow this work, and there was born a deep determination that nothing whatsoever must be allowed longer to delay or interrupt the achievement of the objective which the Guardian had hoped we would attain before the opening of the Century of Progress Exposition.
The convention opened at 9:30 Thursday morning, June first, with 69 delegates present representing 35 Bahá’í communities. In addition approximately 175 non-delegates were present to receive the information and inspiration of the discussions which were scheduled to occupy the attention of the official delegates during the succeeding days. Almost at the same moment there arrived in New York, later transmitted to Wilmette, a cablegram from Shoghi Effendi which furnished the real motive for the convention and called for the most determined efforts of the American believers to set in operation those forces that will usher in the New World Order. This message, read by the Chairman at the first afternoon session, was as follows:
“Entire Bahá’í world stirred with expectation witness results American believers momentous convention. On its proceedings hang issue of incalculable benefit world-wide faith Bahá’u’lláh. To its delegates given great opportunity release forces which will usher in era whose splendor must outshine heroic age our beloved Cause. Supreme Concourse waiting for them to seize it. SHOGHI.”
In opening the convention Mr. McDaniel, Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, called the attention of the friends that this year marks the fortieth anniversary of the International Congress of Religions where, during the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, the name of Bahá’u’lláh was first given to the western world. He spoke briefly of the steady development of the Faith in America in the intervening years, the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to this country, and the leadership of Shoghi Effendi, and expressed the hope that this convention would through harmonious consultation generate the power which would make it possible to achieve that spiritual objective which the Guardian sets forth in the closing paragraph of his latest letter to the American Bahá’ís, “America and the Most Great Peace.”
Following Mr. McDaniel’s welcome to the delegates and friends on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Alfred S. Lunt was elected by the delegates to serve as convention chairman and Mr. Horace Holley as convention secretary. Mr. Holley then read the Guardian’s letter, “America and the Most Great Peace,” in which Shoghi Effendi reviews the momentous events that have transpired since the first announcement of the Faith in America and calls the American believers to still greater heights and responsibilities. All during the reading of the letter, and as if to stir every physical sense to its mighty appeal, the structure of the Temple resounded with the vibrations of the material operations going on in the dome, and one felt that it truly symbolized “the roar of the leviathan of the spirit” spoken of by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In order that the full power of the message might penetrate the very depths of their souls, several moments of silence were observed by the friends following the reading of the Guardian’s letter and in this silence there surged through the hearts of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh not only the sense of the responsibility which the Guardian has placed upon the American believers to bring forth the harvest referred to in his letter, but also a consciousness of the mercy which has been shown them in overlooking their failures and lost opportunities.
In commenting on the letter, Mr. Lunt called attention to the fact that the Guardian’s message is a record of tests followed by triumphs and triumphs followed again by tests and suggested that the American Bahá’ís might do well to ask themselves which of the two they are now passing through. “May we not, through the guidance of our beloved Guardian, and by the uplifting of this structure,
THE GUARDIAN’S CABLEGRAM TO THE CONVENTION
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the clothing of the body with its garment, achieve the highest ideals he sets for us?” he asked.
In response to these stirring messages from Shoghi Effendi the following cablegram was prepared and dispatched before the close of the day’s sessions:
“Devoted Bahá’í servants United States and Canada assembled twenty-fifth annual convention beseech God to protect us and others results of our failure to complete Temple (in) allotted time. Deeply moved your stirring epistle. Evokes our gratitude, obedience your divine leadership. Renews our dedication, inspires determination (to) strain all resources spiritual and material (to) fulfill highest hopes (of) Greatest Holy Leaf and Guardian’s fondest wishes for service (of the) American believers.”
The remainder of the first session was devoted to a discussion of ways and means for giving greater publicity to the activities of all Bahá’í communities and making known more generally the qualifications and capacities of the individual Bahá’ís to the end that the election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly may be done with greater conformity to the principles of Bahá’í Administration. Growing out of the various suggestions from the delegates the following recommendations were made for the consideration of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly: (1) that the BAHÁ’Í NEWS be edited by a committee appointed for the purpose; (2) that there be wider dissemination of Bahá’í news through this organ; and (3) that the National Spiritual Assembly emphasize to the Local Spiritual Assemblies the importance of intercommunication by means of letters from Bahá’í communities as suggested by the Guardian both in his letters and to pilgrims. It was further recommended that the National Spiritual Assembly endeavor to furnish before the next convention a list of the believers and the personnel of the various Local Spiritual Assemblies.
The first part of the afternoon session was devoted to consultation on what action should be taken by the convention on a cablegram from the Guardian dated May 18th concerning the plight of the Persian Bahá’ís. This message read as follows:
“Recent reports confirm the fact that Persian brethren are still maltreated. Ban entry of Bahá’í literature still maintained. Printing and circulation of literature within Persia prohibited. Urge convention delegates earnestly consider grave issues involved.”*
Mr. Lunt informed the delegates that during the past year the National Spiritual Assembly had sent messages to the Persian government and Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler had talked with the Prime Minister and believed that the order had been revoked. It was later found that the Prime Minister had meanwhile been removed from office and that the maltreatment of the Persian Bahá’ís continues is proven by the Guardian who asks that the National Spiritual Assembly send a strong representation to the government through Keith.
Dr. Ali Kuli Khan, for the information of the delegates, explained that the Court Minister referred to was the only man of authority in Persia except the Shah who is all-powerful and that during his incumbency the cabinet was only a name. Keith approached him and secured the changed policy which brought so much joy to the believers everywhere. Since his removal from office, two of the cabinet members, who do not believe in any religion, but who were unable to do any harm during the regime of the Prime Minister, have now become very powerful and active. The only one to whom the American believers can appeal is the Shah himself who is very just and has risen above all prejudices and is interested in the advancement of the country. Mr. Holley, after reviewing briefly the various steps that had been taken by the National Spiritual Assembly in the past, expressed the feeling that the Guardian wished the convention to take such action as will enable the National Spiritual Assembly to make the sort of representation to the Shah that will be effective. A committee was chosen to study the matter and to draft a recommendation or resolution for the consideration of the delegates. The report of this committee submitted and adopted at a later session was as follows:
“Resolved, that the delegates of the twenty-fifth annual Bahá’í convention representing sixty communities of the United States and Canada, realizing the burdens of oppression still laid upon their brethren of Persia, recommend and urge the National Spiritual Assembly to take immediate action to bring about the cessation of the reported maltreatment of our Bahá’í brethren, to secure the entry of Bahá’í literature and to restore the constitutional provision for the printing and circulation of Bahá’í literature within Persia;
“And be it further resolved that the delegates pledge the support of the local Bahá’í communities in the achievement of our Guardian’s appeal to the believers of America.”
Before taking up the convention agenda proper, the delegates requested that two subjects in the order of items be changed: postponement of election of the National Spiritual Assembly until Saturday afternoon in order to allow more time for the delegates to become acquainted with each other, and postponement of the discussion on the completion of the Temple until Friday morning, following the address of Mr. John J. Earley Thursday evening. Therefore, the First subject for consultation was “The Non-Political Character of the Bahá’í Faith.”
In opening the discussion, the chairman pointed out that with the receipt of the Guardian’s letter, “The Golden Age of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh,” the opposition of the Guardian to participation in party politics became apparent and that later individual Bahá’ís as well as the National Spiritual Assembly received communications saying that Bahá’ís must not vote in any election based upon personal allegiances or partisanship. These instructions seem to have been misunderstood by a number of the friends and it was felt wise that they should be thoroughly discussed in order that some general understanding and action might be formulated by the convention. Mr. Holley in giving the highlights of the subject said that the first intimation that the National Spiritual Assembly had had that the Guardian did not desire the American believers to vote was on receipt of a
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*The cablegram was addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly, which referred to the Convention that portion of the message intended for the delegates. The full text is published elsewhere in this issue.
“PERSIAN BRETHREN STILL MALTREATED”
Cablegram from the Guardian Recent reports confirm Persian brethren still maltreated. Ban (on) entry Bahá’í literature maintained. Printing (and) circulation within Persia prohibited. Urge Convention delegates earnestly consider grave issues involved. Feel essential National Assembly renew through Keith strong representations Tihran authorities. Appoint also delegation (of) American representatives (to) meet Persian Minister (at) Washington, pressing him intervene remove intolerable burden present disabilities.
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letter to a believer containing this instruction from the Guardian. About the same time another believer sent in a copy of a tablet from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Thornton Chase in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said American citizens must vote. With these apparently conflicting instructions before it, the National Spiritual Assembly wrote to the Guardian to inquire if he were now setting aside the tablet. In his reply the Guardian said that the instruction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is not conclusive under present conditions and expressed his abhorrence of political affairs, pointing out that the National Spiritual Assembly is obligated to carry out his instructions on the subject. The National Spiritual Assembly therefore drafted the article which appeared in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS of December, 1932, and which was considered by some as somewhat drastic. It resulted in the exchange of several communications between the National Spiritual Assembly and the Guardian, the Guardian’s latest letter having been received too late to appear as yet in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS. A number of the delegates speaking on the subject expressed the opinion that there are many ramifications of the application of the instructions which certainly in this instance rank as Bahá’í law. It was the opinion of many that most people are unable to discriminate between partisan and non-partisan politics and that when Bahá’ís begin to question the matter they may be endangering every other Bahá’í community. Bahá’ís must never forget that they are members of a community that extends beyond the borders of one country and the Guardians instructions concerning non-participation in politics are not based upon human representations in any given communities but upon his vision over eons of time and the results which would follow the actions of the present time. Many of the delegates stressed the universality of the Cause and that the question is not one of interpretation of the instructions of the Guardian but rather one of strict obedience to him in the assurance that the wisdom of the principle will become more and more apparent as time goes on. It was also pointed out that one of the causes of the persecutions of the early Christians was due to the non-political character of their faith. Politics was first introduced into the new community when Constantine tried to get them to support his political camp. As the Bahá’ís gain in strength attempts will be made to gain their support. As the new consciousness is universal and not local the believers cannot lower this standard by participation in divisional activities. It was pointed out that in “The Goal of the New World Order,” the Guardian referred to the condition of the world and the fact that statesmen, no matter how altruistic their motives, cannot hope to improve it. It was generally agreed that if the world cannot be saved, it matters not at all whether one or another is elected, whereas the Bahá’ís are called by Shoghi Effendi to establish the new world order of Bahá’u’lláh. Some of the delegates spoke also of the danger of subjecting the Cause to adverse publicity because of their association of the Bahá’í with churches, clubs and other non-Bahá’í organizations, and a motion calling for the appointment of a committee to make a study of the instructions of the Guardian with a view to preparing a resolution for the consideration of the convention on the subject included a recommendation that this matter, too, be included in the study. This committee gave much time and thought to the whole subject and at the closing session of the convention introduced a resolution recommending that the incoming National Spiritual Assembly make a thorough study of all of the communications from the Guardian concerning the non-participation of Bahá’ís in political matters and that that body prepare and publish as clear-cut and detailed instructions as possible for the guidance of individual Bahá’ís as well as for the Local Spiritual Assemblies which may be called upon to investigate the nature of local non-Bahá’í organizations in which Bahá’ís may be invited to membership.
The Thursday evening session was devoted to a discussion of the Temple. Mr. Allen McDaniel was the first speaker and he briefly outlined the progress that had been made in the construction since the 1932 convention. In June, 1932, a contract was entered into with Mr. Earley that the work of the ornamentation of the dome would be done as funds were released to him. At that time $10,000 was available and it was immediately turned over to him. Since that time twelve authorizations, amounting to $52,281.47 have been made. The work was started within a week and has continued as funds have been made available. All the preliminary work has been completed—the preparation of the original clay models, the molds, and the making of the casts, and the plant is ready to proceed on a production basis. The tentative schedule now calls for the completion of this work before the close of the Century of Progress Exposition.
Mr. John J. Earley was introduced by Mr. McDaniel and in language that was truly poetic he related to the friends the various steps in the construction of the models, molds and casts of the dome sections, illustrating each process by excellent slides. His address was so instructive, beautiful and spiritual that many of the delegates expressed the wish that it might be recorded and made available for the permanent records of the Cause. His humility and his great reverence for the thing he is doing made a deep impression on the friends and his address was considered by many as one of the outstanding events of the convention.
The second day of the convention opened, as did the succeeding days, with devotional services in the auditorium of the Temple. Chanting and the reading of the Holy Utterances mingled with the sounds of material construction and filled the hearts of the friends with great happiness and determination for greater efforts in both the spiritual and administrative growth of the Cause in America.
The first subject of consultation for this second day was that of the completion of the Temple. Inspired by the addresses and picture of the preceding evening, the friends began to bring in not only contributions in cash but also some of the most precious gifts which have yet found their way into the archives. These gifts continued to come in all during the remainder of the convention period and many of them had associated with them exceedingly beautiful and touching stories. Space does not permit relating more than two or three although all of them are worthy of permanent record. Perhaps the most precious contribution was the
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small sum of ninety cents—coins sent
through one young delegate by the parents of a young man whose life was
snuffed out when the rope which had
been let down to rescue him from the
well into which he had fallen suddenly
snapped and dashed him to his death as
he carried in his hand a lighted candle
which was to have guided his rescuers.
One cent for each one thousand dollars
required to complete the ornamentation
of the dome—a priceless gift of the
parents in memory of their son!
Another gift, a priceless treasure of the body of the believers throughout the world, was presented by the hands of a small child, Paree Zia, through Dr. Ali Kuli Khan. This was a lock of the hair of Bahá’u’lláh, encircled by the words of a supplication in the hand writing of the Blessed Perfection Himself, presented to Paree’s parents by the grandmother of Shoghi Effendi when Paree was three days old. Little Paree presented this lock to the archives and offered the friends who wished to make large contributions to the Temple fund the custodianship of the gift for a year. Dr. Khan read the supplication in the original and later provided the translation in English for the records.
Several precious gifts were also presented by Madame Bethlen who carried them to the convention all the way from St. Louis, Among them were a comb used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a small bag of rose petals from the Tomb of the Báb, a rosary from the Greatest Holy Leaf, a handkerchief used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and two rubies from India. Another friend presented for the archives a tea set used by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on his visit to Minneapolis and St. Paul, with the coffee stains still on the saucer and the undissolved portion of a cube of sugar in the cup. Other gifts similar to these, each of priceless value to the Bahá’ís, rings and other articles sacrificed by those who had nothing else to give, as well as cash and pledges were announced from time to time throughout the sessions. Some of the articles were sold and others will be sold later, but at the close of the convention a total of approximately $10,000 in cash had been received for the National Fund.
In opening the discussion of the Temple construction, Mr. Holley outlined the three types of trusteeship which had been set up in order to comply with the laws of the United States, the state of Illinois and the Bahá’í laws and he also spoke of the importance of not labelling funds intended for general use in the Cause. He reported that funds which are labelled pass under legal restrictions as to their use
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPH
- (New Series) No. 9
Model of Dome Panel and Plaster of Paris Models of Dome Panel and Rib.
which might under certain conditions
deprive the National Spiritual Assembly of the capacity to meet some emergency in the Cause while at the same
time it might have more than enough
funds on hand to meet the needs of
other activities. A general Bahá’í
fund, on the other hand, creates an
agency by means of which the National Spiritual Assembly can render
effective service.
Several hours were spent in presenting and discussing ways and means for stimulating regular contributions to the Bahá’í fund and it seemed to be the opinion of most of the delegates that it was not the response to more or less intermittent appeals but rather the steady flow of contributions, large and small, from all of the believers in every community which would bring the desired results. In order that some practical plan for achieving the objective of one hundred per cent contributing membership might be evolved, the convention elected a committee to draft a resolution for the consideration of the delegates. This committee reported at a later session, offered the following recommendations which were approved by the convention:
- That the National Spiritual Assembly consider the distribution of this resolution together with Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá relevant to the principles of love, service, unity and solidarity in their internal and external relationships necessary to the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, including the Master’s Tablet to a believer in New York City which appeared in the Bahá’í Magazine, Vol. I, No. 17, page 1;
- That various practical suggestions for the establishment of a system of economy amongst all our communities for stimulating a permanent and steady flow of funds into the national Bahá’í Fund made by delegates in convention be distributed to the Local Spiritual Assemblies;
- That the incoming National Spiritual Assembly discourage independent attempts made on the part of individual believers in the interest of wider contacts with the outside world because of expenditure of money and efforts involved, since it is only by direct contribution of such monies to the National Bahá’í Fund that the desired goal can be achieved. If such activities should be undertaken they should be carried on only with the permission of and in consultation with the Local Spiritual Assembly and the National Spiritual Assembly.
- That stress be laid upon the permanent support of the National Bahá’í Fund for the ever-increasing activities in the promotion of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
- That the National Spiritual Assembly consider the advisability of ascertaining from the Guardian whether or not the present time is opportune for the principle of tithing enjoined by Bahá’u’lláh to the end that believers desiring to do so may voluntarily assume the responsibilities and obligations involved in the development of Bahá’u’lláh’s divine economy.
The third subject on the agenda,
“The Functions of a Local Spiritual
Assembly,” although permitting of a
general discussion of all of the duties
and responsibilities of that body,
seemed to revolve about the question of
enrolling Bahá’ís in the community
and of removing names from the membership list. A number of questions
were asked and these were all answered
by references to Bahá’í Administration
and articles in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Several
friends expressed the opinion that Local Spiritual Assemblies are sometimes
over zealous in the matter of increasing Bahá’í membership and new believers are enrolled before they have sufficient understanding of the requirements of membership which often results in later tests and difficulties both
THE GUARDIAN’S CABLEGRAM TO INCOMING NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
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on the part of the individual and the Local Spiritual Assembly concerned. It was generally conceded that Local Spiritual Assemblies should give more thorough study to Bahá’í administration as well as to the BAHÁ’Í NEWS which is published for the information and instruction of the friends in the application of administrative principles. One delegate speaking to this point said: “When Bahá’u’lláh said: ‘Ye are all the leaves of one tree,’ He not only meant that the principle of equality should apply but that each individual in a community should assume his or her own responsibility. This spirit can be preserved only so long as every member of the community does his part, but if he does not read and study these things, no matter how many laws are made, he fails to live up to the spirit of equality. If only a few of us study we may become experts because of our study. If the spirit of equality is to be preserved, then all must study these things.” The importance of more careful study of Bahá’í Administration and the BAHÁ’Í NEWS, with study and consultation of the latter at the Nineteen Day Feasts, was emphasized also in connection with other subjects on the program.
Friday evening the friends observed a spiritual Feast. Mrs. Shantz Waite presided. A number of very beautiful vocal selections were rendered by the male quartet of the Chicago Bahá’í Community, and by Mrs. Walrath and Mrs. Matthisen, and Mrs. Ernst. These friends were most generous in their contributions to other sessions of the convention and added greatly to the joy and happiness of the delegates by rendering selections written and composed by Bahá’í artists. A number of Tablets particularly appropriate to the occasion were read and at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, the Guardian’s Tribute to the Greatest Holy Leaf was read in order that the friends might invoke her aid and arise for the completion of the Temple by November first.
Saturday morning the delegates discussed the subject, “The Qualifications of Voting Members in Local Communities.” Leroy Ioas, speaking first, pointed out that this question is becoming one of vital importance. He said that when a person comes into contact with the appearance of a Divine Manifestation, there is born within him a new consciousness or a new spirit of growth. When this growth is recognized then he is qualified to become a voting member, but unless he makes application of this growth to his daily activities he is not ready to become a voting member. Because the teachers of these newly attracted souls have a great variety of qualifications and methods it seems necessary that there should be some course of instruction in Bahá’í Administration which would help them to understand that Bahá’í Administration is not simply a set of laws for conduct and work in Bahá’í community life but the very ethics of Bahá’í living. Dr. Lenore Morris of Racine, pointed out that the variety of methods and capacities of teachers is often very confusing to new people and expressed the opinion that there ought to be some sort of measuring rod by which one could measure his or her own ability to instruct these people. She recalled that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had once said that three things were needed in every institution: good intentions, confirmation, and action. She felt that it was the duty of every teacher to so teach and so live the life that he would influence every person with whom he came into contact. A great many delegates spoke of the grave responsibility which rests upon Local Spiritual Assemblies in determining whether or not a soul is qualified for Bahá’í membership, and here again the importance of careful study of Bahá’í Administration was stressed. The Chairman pointed out that no detailed qualifications can be defined at the present stage of our development and that the highest outpouring which a Local Spiritual Assembly can hope for is the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
A short time was spent on reports and announcements on plans for the three Bahá’í summer schools this year. Mrs. Dorothy Baker speaking for Louhelen Ranch, Mrs. Greenleaf for Green Acre and Mr. Leroy Ioas for Geyserville. All of them spoke of the growing importance of these schools in the training of Bahá’í teachers and the preparation of Bahá’í students for more intensive study and participation in Bahá’í community life.
The workmen having completed the placing of the first clerestory section of the Temple dome, and seven sections of a dome panel having arrived, it was arranged that a short service of dedication would be held at the noon hour. Prayers and tablets were read as the friends gathered before the beautiful stone sections which were unveiled in a most impressive manner, after which all assembled on the steps of the Temple to be photographed.
The first business of Saturday afternoon was the election of the National Spiritual Assembly for the coming year. At the request of some of the delegates the convention cablegram from Shoghi Effendi was reread and then, following the instructions of the Guardian having to do with election of national representatives, the delegates cast their ballots while the majority of the non-delegates sat in silent prayer for their guidance.
Following the election the agenda was resumed with brief discussions on the importance of inter-Assembly activities, amity activities, and teaching methods. Mr. Louis Gregory was invited by the delegates to participate in the discussion of amity work particularly and in his usual eloquent manner he spoke of the necessity of harmonious relationships and of teaching people the reality which will enable them to stand the severe tests which come to try their progress. Mr. Bishop Brown, also participating in this discussion, spoke of the importance of studying and following Bahá’í Administration, as well as the necessity of each Local Spiritual Assembly working out for itself the best possible plan of action and type of program suited to the needs of its community. He spoke also of the sense of humility that ought to be present in all Bahá’í service, and particularly in the face of the disappointment caused the Guardian by the failure of the American Bahá’ís to complete the Temple dome in the time desired by him. Mr. Philip Sprague, also invited to speak, continued this latter thought of Mr. Brown’s and called upon the delegates to appreciate the full significance of the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when He spoke of the Temple as the “mystic chain which links us to the Source.” He urged that all return to their communities mindful of the fact that the first link in that chain has been broken, that the body of the Temple is still unclothed, and with the determination that the work must be done forthwith.
Mrs. Orcella Rexford gave some very helpful suggestions for developing teaching technic and for the organization and conduct of new classes. She said the Bahá’ís are “standing in the smile of God” and recalled the instruction of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that the friends of God in this day must be happy and radiant; “If you cannot be
[Page 6]
happy in this day for what day are
you waiting?”
The report of the tellers was presented at this session and the elected members of the new National Spiritual Assembly were announced as follows: Mr. Allen McDaniel, Mr. Horace Holley, Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, Mr. Fred Schopflocher, Mr. Leroy Ioas, Mrs. Nellie S. French, Mr. Carl Scheffler, Mr. George O. Latimer.
The session closed with a showing of the moving picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and some scenes in the Holy Land.
Sunday morning the gifts of money and precious possessions for the Temple poured in more profusely than ever before and it was some time before the convention program could be resumed. It began with a discussion on publicity, led by Mrs. Doris McKay who outlined what sort of publicity is acceptable by editors and how it must be prepared for their use. Dr. Lawrence Morris of Racine gave an interesting story of some personal experiences in getting space for BAHÁ’Í NEWS articles, and Mr. Holley outlined the steps which are taken by the National Spiritual Assembly for the release of news of national or international character through the press associations. The question of the representation of the Cause at the Century of Progress Exposition came up at this point and it was announced by Mrs. May Maxwell that it would be possible to secure a hall on the grounds once a week at a very moderate cost. A motion was adopted by the convention recommending to the National Spiritual Assembly that it consider the advisability of this suggestion.
Miss Marion Holley, reporting on behalf of the Bahá’í Youth Committee, spoke of the purpose of the Bahá’í youth activities as being (1) to educate themselves and (2) to educate those with whom they come into contact. She stressed elasticity in organization for youth work in Bahá’í communities and suggested two methods of procedure: the gathering together of young people in an informal manner for the discussion, under the leadership of a Bahá’í chairman, of the subject of the place of religion in society or some similar topic, gradually drawing the group into actual and systematic study of the Bahá’í teachings; and in order that the Bahá’í youth may
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION PHOTOGRAPH (New Series)
- No. 10—Finished Surface, Dome Panel
be trained to lead such discussions she
recommended a course of this nature
in connection with the Bahá’í summer
schools this year. Miss Mary Maxwell, following Miss Holley’s report,
spoke of the need of the energy and
enthusiasm of youth in the Cause and
mentioned particularly the contribution they can make to the cause of amity. There was some discussion as to
the ages which might be considered as
belonging to the youth group and it
was suggested by Mr. Paul Haney
that since Bahá’í Administration makes
no provision regarding age groups, the
discrimination should be left to the
Local Spiritual Assemblies concerned.
It was suggested by another delegate
and adopted by the convention that in
organizing the Youth Committee for
the coming year the National Spiritual
Assembly consult the Local Spiritual
Assemblies concerning those best
qualified to serve in this capacity. The
young people were permitted to adjourn following this discussion to
gather together for dinner and the discussion of questions of particular interest to themselves. Later in the evening there was presented to the convention a contribution of a considerable
sum of money and some jewelry collected by these young people as their
special gift to the Temple.
Although the convention was planned to continue only to Sunday noon, it was found necessary to call an extra session in the evening to complete several items which had not been covered earlier. These included the consideration of the resolution on the non-political character of the Bahá’í Faith referred to above. Just before adjournment a motion was adopted that the convention send words of greeting to the Bahá’í teachers abroad, including Miss Agnes Alexander who at that moment was on her way to Honolulu from Japan. Because of the rapidly expanding activities of both the National Spiritual Assembly and the Local Spiritual Assemblies it was suggested that consideration be given to extending the convention next year over at least six days in order that there may be ample time for the discussion of some subjects which could not be more than briefly touched this year.
To those who had not attended a convention for some years the twenty-fifth gathering impressed them with the rapid growth which is taking place in the understanding and appreciation of the opportunities and responsibilities of those who have been chosen to set in motion those forces which are destined to establish a new social order, while those who experienced for the first time the meeting of the friends left with a sense of grave concern and yet joyous determination to make of themselves channels through which there might be released some of that force which the Guardian promises will usher in an era more glorious than has yet been recorded in the history of the Cause.
Convention Reporter.
“FELLOW BELIEVERS IN THE AMERICAN CONTINENT!”[edit]
With these words our Guardian in his latest general letter to the believers of America initiates the following spiritual challenge:
“Great indeed have been your past and present achievements! Immeasurably greater are the wonders which the future has in store for you! The Edifice your sacrifices have raised still remains to be clothed. The House which must needs be supported by the highest administrative institution your hands have reared is as yet unbuilt. The provisions of the Chief Repository of those laws that must govern its operation are thus far mostly undisclosed. The Standard which, if ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s wishes are to be fulfilled, must be raised in your country has yet to be unfurled. The Unity of which that standard is to be the symbol is far from being yet established. The machinery which must needs incarnate and preserve that unity is not even created. Will it be America, will it be one of the countries of Europe, who will arise to assume the leadership essential to the shaping of the destinies of this troubled age? Will America allow any of her sister communities in East or West to achieve such ascendency as shall deprive her of this spiritual primacy and which she has thus far so nobly retained? Will she not rather contribute, by a still further revelation of those inherent powers that motivate her life to enhance the priceless heritage which the love and wisdom of a departed Master have conferred upon her?
“Her past has been a testimony to the inexhaustible vitality of her faith. May not her future confirm it?”
Friends of the Cause of God in America, what is to be our reply to this clarion all from our beloved Guardian? Shall we weakly, supinely and blindly continue on our way, or shall we arise as one great soul in many bodies, set aside the trivialities and restrictions of our personalities, and press forward, united, to do His Will?
We have a great spiritual opportunity and responsibility before us now. We must raise $90,000 to finish the ornamentation of the Temple dome. The delegates and visitors at the recent Annual Convention at the Temple were thrilled at the sight of the clerestory section of a great rib and the seven sections of the field of the dome—radiantly beautiful in the sunlight of those glorious days of the first of June. All who glimpsed this unique work, caught a vision of “the wonders that would be” of the marvellous beauty and glory of the dome when it is finally clothed with its “faery envelope.”
After months of planning and sustained effort by your contractor and engineers, the work of the preparation of the ornamentation has reached the production stage. The progress of the casting of the concrete sections is directly dependent on the funds that can be made available to the contractor, Mr. Earley, especially during the coming five months. Our minimum schedule calls for the completion of the dome ornamentation by December first of this year. This schedule involves the expenditure of $18,000 per month for the period of July 1 to November 30. But our Guardian has besought us to complete the dome at the earliest practicable date—“ere it is too late.”
Let us make the intensest effort to make available large resources at once so that the work may be performed on the basis of the highest efficiency and economy of construction operations. How wonderful it would be to complete the dome this Fall, say by October first, so that the thousands of visitors who will visit the Century of Progress Exposition during its closing weeks, may have the privilege of seeing, even from afar, the glorious symbol of Unity, Brotherhood and Universal Peace of the New Day.
Now is our golden opportunity to “release forces which will usher in an era whose splendor must outshine heroic age our beloved Cause.” As Shoghi Effendi has stated in his momentous cable to the recent Convention concerning the opportunity confronting the delegates: The “Supreme Concourse waiting for them to seize it.” Shall we not seize our great opportunity?
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY,
- By: ALLEN MCDANIEL, Chairman.
PLANS AND POLICIES FOR THE COMING BAHA’I YEAR[edit]
A Statement by the National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly since its election has given deep thought to the ever-increasing opportunities and responsibilities laid upon the faithful believers throughout the United States and Canada. The sacred obligation to complete the external decoration of the Temple dome: the urgent need to assist in bringing about immediate amelioration of the hardships and disabilities still afflicting the Bahá’ís of Persia; the grave problem of forging steadily onward through a society stricken with severe malady and tormented with suffering; the proper discharge of our collective duties as Local Spiritual Assemblies, National Committees, and as National Spiritual Assembly; the fulfilment of our personal and individual obligations as members of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh—these and the many other issues confronting us at this time require our most earnest consideration if we are to meet even the most modest measure of our loving hope.
In this brief summary, the National Spiritual Assembly will attempt to emphasize some of those means and instruments afforded to American believers, the full and proper use of which will continually augment our combined power to render effective service to our holy Faith. A Cause destined to encircle the earth and to unify mankind possesses, even in its early days of weakness and inexperience, latent powers and instrumentalities for the eventual achievement of all its essential aims. Let us, therefore, attempt to examine with new and deeper insight some of those spiritual and material institutions already in existence, no matter how unassuming and how undeveloped they may hitherto have appeared.
Bahá’í News[edit]
This publication, established by the National Spiritual Assembly several years ago, affords the only responsible and authoritative medium of communication among the American Bahá’ís.
Its functions include: the publication of letters received from the Guardian; the publication of announcements, statements and letters prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly; the publication of National Committee reports approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the publication of such letters and news items as are
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received from other National Spiritual
Assemblies and also from Local Assemblies in America as have general
interest and importance.
National Committees and Local Spiritual Assemblies are invited to send in regularly reports and news items suitable for use in BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Individual believers are requested, in order to avoid confusion, to submit their news items through their Local Assembly or through the National Committee directly concerned with that branch of Bahá’í activity—as for example, teaching—under which each news item is classified.
It was the opinion of a number of delegates at the recent Convention that all believers should give more careful attention to BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Since the Bahá’í Faith goes forward by the power of unity, and unity is based upon common knowledge of all important instructions and policies issued from time to time, as well as upon the deeper element of adherence to the same Revelation, it would appear to be a very special duty for each believer to inform himself concerning what the Guardian wishes and what the National Spiritual Assembly advices.
The Nineteen Day Feast[edit]
This institution, established by Bahá’u’lláh, has been described by the Guardian as the foundation of the new World Order. The National Spiritual Assembly understands that it is incumbent upon every believer, unless ill or absent from the city, to attend each of these Feasts.
In a general letter issued to Local Spiritual Assemblies several years ago, it was pointed out that the Guardian instructs that the Nineteen Day Feast be held according to the following program: the first part, entirely spiritual in character, is devoted to readings from Bahá’í Sacred Writings; the second part consists of general consultation on the affairs of the Cause, at which time the Local Spiritual Assembly reports its activities to the community, asks for suggestions and consultation, and also delivers messages received from the Guardian and the National Assembly. The third part is the material feast and social meeting of all the friends. Only voting believers are invited to attend the Nineteen Day Feasts, but young people of less than twenty-one years of age, who are declared believers, especially when members of a Bahá’í family, can also be present.
These meetings may be regarded as the very heart of our Bahá’í’ community life. When properly conducted, and attended by a Bahá’í community which fully appreciates their importance, the Nineteen Day Feasts serve to renew and deepen our spirit of faith, increase our capacity for united action, remove misunderstandings and keep us fully informed of all important Bahá’í activities, local, national and international in scope.
The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár[edit]
A letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, published through its chairman, appears on another page of this issue. It deserves, and will surely receive, not merely close individual attention but also extensive consultation on the part of each local community. The financial needs of these coming months are great beyond our human capacity. They in fact call for a truly superhuman response.
The very greatness of this undertaking, its call for more and more sacrifice, more and more faith, more and more unity, is of the very essence of the mystery of the edifice blessed and dedicated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. It is the mighty purifying instrument by which God tests the hearts of His friends in a land where general social oppression and state restrictions do not obtain. Without this test, the body of the Cause in America could not undergo that purification requisite in the Cause of God.
Therefore let us throw off every feeling and attitude except that of being blessed with a task of superhuman immensity. May our resolution deepen day by day, until our will has become fused in one steadfast determination, one calmly burning zeal of achievement and triumph.
Unity and Intimacy in Service[edit]
The physical immensity of the area served by the American National Spiritual Assembly makes impossible that frequent personal association among the believers of the different cities, towns and villages, and between the National Spiritual Assembly and all the friends on which one aspect of mutual intimacy is always based.
To offset this factor of distance, the members of the National Assembly have resolved this year to pay individual visits to as many local communities as possible. It is hoped that this practice will assist in removing some of those subtle veils that so frequently intervene when personal association and intimate knowledge cannot obtain.
But beyond these considerations the friends are reminded that the true intimacy on the spiritual plane is independent of time and space. Greater than the immediate unity derived from physical gatherings is that perfect and permanent unity arising from a complete sharing of the same faith, the same knowledge, and the same intentions.
In truth, there is no real justification for any believer to feel that he is remote from the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly, though he may never find it possible to make physical meeting with its various members. Let us remove all feelings of remoteness and isolation by entering more understandingly into the general activities of the Cause and more thoroughly into the Guardian’s luminous exposition of what a Local and a National Assembly is and should do. It will be found that while the field of service is infinite, no arbitrary authority exists for any responsible Bahá’í body. On the contrary, the authority of any Assembly is entirely limited to the application of principles supplied in the writings of the Cause.
Irrespective of place of residence, believers who follow closely the Guardian’s general letters, and his expression of hopes concerning the Temple, teaching and other matters of vital Bahá’í importance, can enter into perfect intimacy with the institution which, in America, feels most responsibility for realizing those hopes. By a careful study of the volume “Bahá’í Administration,” the friends will draw near in spirit to Shoghi Effendi himself, and by this real nearness will find themselves in the flowing stream of Bahá’í progress. This is the essence of the activities—and if one may have the essence, all else is rumor and opinion without lasting importance.
Convention Resolutions[edit]
The recommendations made by the delegates, in the form of resolutions and also of suggestions, will as soon as possible all be carefully considered by the National Spiritual Assembly and its decisions and actions duly reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
Central States Summer School[edit]
The Central States Summer School will hold its third session at Louhelen Ranch, Davison, Michigan, from June 25 to July 3 inclusive. Sunday, June 25, will be a special teaching conference with Mr. Bishop Brown of the National Teaching Committee as leader. This is an opportunity for us all to get in touch with the plans of our teaching committee and receive inspiration from direct contact with Mr. and Mrs. Brown.
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Classes will begin Monday morning
and continue for eight days through
Monday, July 3.
As planned so far the courses include one on Bahá’í Administration conducted by Mr. Allen McDaniel, chairman of our National Assembly, and one on the influence of Religion on Society, conducted by Mr. Harlan Ober. There will also be a course bringing out the high lights of Nabil’s Narrative. The day will open with a period of Iqan meditation. There will be a special forum for young people and the young people will undertake the planning of the evening programs for all. Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf and Mrs. Dorothy Baker will be there as advisors for the young people and cooperators in the program for adults. Mrs. Ober, Miss Fanny Knobloch and Dr. Lillian Sielken will also be there to lend inspiration and service. A course in public speaking will be arranged if desired.
As the session lasts only nine days it is a time for intensive study and concentration, but the afternoons are to be largely free for recreation and personal and group conferences. The life is that of one big family, simple, free, outdoors as much as possible. The Ranch is beautifully located. There is opportunity for swimming, horseback riding, croquet.
More Pullman apartments have been added in the big barn and the lower floor made into an assembly room. The rates are such as to just cover the immediate expense for food and service. Since these expenses were not covered last year the charge is somewhat higher than last year. The rates below include room and three meals a day for nine days:—
Dormitory or hayloft | $12.50 |
Double rooms, courtyard | 15.50 |
Single rooms, courtyard | 18.50 |
Double rooms, house | 18.50 |
Single rooms, house | 23.00 |
Louhelen Ranch is situated on route
M15 three miles south of Davison and
nine miles southeast of Flint. Persons
arriving by train or bus at Flint will
be met there if notification is given in
advance. Buses from Detroit and
Flint pass the door. Communications
should be addressed to Mrs. L. W.
Eggleston, 201 East Kirby Street, Detroit, Michigan and reservations made
as soon as possible, as a number have
already been made.
If any expect to bring young children (5-12) please let Mrs. Eggleston know as soon as possible. If there are five or six such an effort will be made to secure a play director.
This brief session at Louhelen Ranch offers an opportunity for friends of the Central States to promote fellowship and unity and by intensive study to gain a real and inspiring knowledge of the Bahá’í Cause. Shoghi Effendi wishes the summer schools to become more places for genuine study and for training teachers.
- The Program Committee:
- L. W. EGGLESTON, Chairman,
- DOROTHY BAKER,
- BERTHA HYDE KIRKPATRICK.
Green Acre[edit]
The program announced last month can now be somewhat supplemented.
During July, before the four weekly study courses which begin on Monday, July 31, Dr. Glenn Shook of Wheaton College will deliver a series of four lectures on “Modern Aspects of Science and Religion.”
Next will be three addresses by Mr. Harlan Ober on “The New World Order.”
Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford is to take the third week of July and deliver lectures on a subject to be announced at a later date.
Mr. Saffa Kinney, on whose supplication ‘Abdu’l-Bahá consented to visit Green Acre in 1912, will present discussions on “Bahá’í Technology.”
In addition, Mr. George Winthrop Lee will hold Esperanto classes, and the Activities Committee has arranged for poetry evenings, music and picnics on Mt. Salvat. It is hoped that a Youth Conference can be arranged under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf.
In Memoriam[edit]
The friends are requested to bless with the reading of prayer the spirits of these departed believers:
- Miss Mabel Sankey, San Francisco.
- Mr. Herman Pauli, New York.
REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMICS COMMITTEE[edit]
Notwithstanding that the economic question has been the most widely discussed issue before the American people, the past year, and acute suffering has been experienced by millions of unemployed and their families, your Committee has been unable to make any substantial headway in any practical sense, owing largely to lack of appropriations for carrying out some of the things that might have been undertaken. This is in no sense a criticism, since all the branches of administrative work have had to be subordinated to the pressing needs of the Temple.
The actual application of the Bahá’í economic principles to the upbuilding of a Bahá’í Community, as outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, must evidently be postponed to the future, although we are informed of efforts being made to that end by little groups of believers, notably in Eliot, Maine, to formulate the beginnings of this great spiritual possibility. To attempt this, however, in any national sense is apparently not our immediate task, in view of our Guardian’s letter to this Committee published in full in the May number of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Briefly, the Guardian emphasizes two immediate possibilities, or, rather, urgent steps that ought first to be carried out. First, a deeper understanding by the believers themselves of the real basis of the Bahá’í teachings on this question. This, of course, means careful reading and analysis of the Word in all Its references to the subject. This would be greatly helped by a broad distribution of the compilation made by the Committee, and by intensive reading and study of the various articles and commentaries of Bahá’í origin that have been published and circulated in America.
The second point emphasized by our Guardian is that, once having acquired understanding of the Bahá’í position on economics, there should be launched an educational effort to bring these healing remedies to the serious notice of the public generally, including students of business operations, agriculturists especially, and other classes of society including of course the worker’s organizations.
Your Committee has during the year been active in planning, although we think the number of the Committee should be reduced, and a selection of personnel made from those capable of meeting together at least occasionally, and possessing a keen interest in the subject. Besides preparing the compilation referred to, the Committee, at the instance of the National Spiritual Assembly, drew up questionnaires directed to all the Bahá’í Communities, dealing with various phases of economic needs of the believers, exchange of unemployed believers from community to community where they could be employed in their particular vocation, and other data.
- NATIONAL ECONOMICS COMMITTEE,
- by ALFRED E. LUNT, Chairman,
- DALE S. COLE, Secretary.
- by ALFRED E. LUNT, Chairman,
REPORT OF SALES COMMITTEE[edit]
Owing to the fact that the enclosed financial report of the Sales Committee for the last Bahá’í year covers the period of greatest depreciation in the value of jewels and other contributed articles, it has not been found possible to equal our first expectations of results. It is hardly possible to realize, unless assisted by actual experience, the difficulties in the way of selling almost anything but gold for an adequate price under present conditions.
Jewelry contributions in general have not proved satisfactory, owing to the divergence between the contributor’s idea of the value and the actual amount realizable; the one exception to this has been the contributions of old gold for “scrap” purposes, an estimated amount of $271.00 having been received from this source during the year.
A total of $1,105.07 has been remitted to the Treasurer from all sources, leaving accounts collectible of $389.50, sixteen Persian rugs valued at about $1,500.00, a string of Oriental pearls which may realize $1,000.00 and some “scrap” gold (included in the above estimate) for which we may receive $200.00. The total gross sales for the year (to May 10) were $1,648.21.
It is to be hoped that it will be possible to dispose of the articles still unsold without further delay. Although the prices realized are disappointing from the standpoint of purchase price, the buying power at the money realized is greatly increased per dollar.
- SALES COMMITTEE.
- By: F. ST. G. SPENDLOVE, (Chairman),
- R. Y. MOTTAHEDEH
- ALI M. YAZDI.
DELEGATES AND BAHA’I GUESTS AT TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL CONVENTION
