Bahá’í News Bulletin/Issue 14/Text
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BAH!“ N E W 5
Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Sydney.
BULLETIN
Published by NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’iS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
2 LANG ROAD, CENTENNIAL PARK, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.
NO. 14. MAY, 1949 YEAR 106 BAHA'I ERA
OBEDIENCE
To none is given the right to act in any manner that would run counter to the considered views of those who are in authority.
What mankind needeth in this day is obedience unto them that are in authority, and faithful adherence to the cord of wisdom.
Lay not on any soul a load Which ye would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for any one the things ye would not desire for yourselves.
§§HA'U'LLAH
The law must reign and not the individual; thus Will the world become a place of beauty and true brotherhood will be realised.
'éng'L—BAHA
"O army of God'” writes Abdu' l— —Baha, ”Through the protection and help vouch.safed by the Blessed Beauty — may my life be a sacrifice to His loved ones — ye must conduct yourselves in such a manner that ye may stand out distinguished and brilliant as the sun among other souls“ Should any one of you enter a city, he should become a oe nter of attraction by reason of his sincerity, his faithfulness and love, his honesty and fidelity, his truthfulness and loving-kindness towards all the peoples of the world, so that the people of that city may cry out and say: 'This man is unquestionably a Bahá’í, for his manners, his behaviour, his conduct, his Imorals, his nature, and disposition reflect the attributes 01' the Baha' is.‘ Not until ye attain.this station can ye be said to have been faithful to the Covenant and Testament of God.
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CONVENTION CABLES
Sent to the Guardian from the Convention: "DELEGATES FRIENDS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 'ANIMATED.LOVING DECISIVE SPIRIT UNI‘EDLY
SUPPLICATE YOUR PRAYERS SPIRITUAL-ACCELERATION FULFIL BLESSED TASKS ELECTION CONSULTA TION BESEEMING MAJESTY'CAUSE OF GOD.” Received from the Guardian to the Convention: “ASSURE DELEGATES FRIENDS DEEPEST LOVING
APPRECIATION NOBLE SENTIMENTS STOP ARDENTLY PRAYING BEFITTING DISCHARGE SACRED RESPONSIBILITIES STEADY EXTENSION CONTINUED CONSOLIDATION MAGNIFICENT\LABOURS AUSTRALIAN NEW
ZEALAND BAHAI COMMUNITIES STOP DEEPLY GRATEFUL HISTORIC SERVICES ALREADY HENDERED FAITH
BAHAULLAH” — SHOGHI —_——__...-————The National Spiritual Assembly extends a welcome to the
newly enrolled Believersz Bridge, Miss L. M. - Newstead, . Queensland Farley, Mrsa D. M. Moorooka, " Farley, Mr. F. T. Meorooka, ” Squelch, Miss M. Brisbane, " ‘_ Lyle, Mrs. F. W. Coniston, New South Wales Squelch, Mr. A. H. Brisbane, Queensland ‘ Squelch, Mrs. G. Brisbane, ” Cussions, Mrs. E. St.Peters, South Australia Cussions, Mr. J. St.Peters, ” Roe, Mr. Wm.A.E. Albert Park, "
THEME — Teaching, more Teaching
OBJECTIVE - More Assemblies, more Groups
FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The N.S.A; wishes to share with the Australian and New Zealand Believers a letter from the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
"Acting under the direction of the Guardian, the American believers for two years will concentrate their resources on the interior ornamentation of the House of Worship, on the teaching work in _ Latin America and Europe, and on stimulating small
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”communitie s and groups in the United States.
In.order to accomplish these purposes; it is necessary, as the Guardian has directed, to suspend the Bahá’í Schools in 1949 and 1950, suspend publication of World Order Magazine and The Bahá’í World, ebandon.our public -advertising campaign, and make drastic reductions in many committee budgets."
This, indeed, is an important decision and may serve to bring to the attention of the Ans tre lien and New Zealand believers the ulgent necessity demanding the completion of the House of Worship and the vast teaching undertakings of the American community.
We know that the American community will rise to these challenging requirements as they have done so meritoriously in the past.
It may also serve as a stimulus and encouragement to the Australian and New Zealand believers in the tasks immediately ahead of this small 37et flourishing Community, and urge every believer to pursue more vigorously the requirements of its Six Year Plan.
The N.S.A. is rejoicing in the formation of three new local Assemblies on April 21st, 1949, in three goal cities Hobart, Perth, and Brisbane. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has now bridged the vest Australian Continent, but our work must and will continue to expand? as never before, in striving to bring to successful fruition.the first Collective endeavour of the Australian and New Zealand Bahá’ís.
HOLY DAYS ~ -'
The N.S.A. would like-to draw-to the attention of the believers that special leave on full pay has been granted Mr. Ron Cover9 a teacher in the employ of the Education Department of Victoria to a request directe d in that State for recognition of the Baha' i_Holy Days.
A similar case has been reported by Mr. C. J1 Easey, of Melbourne, Victoria, with a private firm.
The N.SgA. onld stress hat, wherever_possible,_the believers should observe the Bahá’í Holy Days.
———.... _n_.--_.... —_....‘-_.. LOVE OF GQQ
For every one of you his paramount duty is to choose for himself that on which no others may infringe and none usurp from him. Such a thing . . . is the love of God, could ye but pe r-eeive it. ‘ - §AHA‘U'LLAH
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-4BAHAiI INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
The Bahá’í International Community, which comprise the nine National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world, is represented by the NosoA. of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Mrs. Mildred R, mottahedeh of New York is the accredited representative of the Bahá’ís to the United Nations.
From a recent communication.of the Bahá’í International Community, the following extract is taken "Bahá’í representatives have served at conferences of international non-governmental organizations under
~UN auspices in Paris, France and Lawrence, Kansas, and delegates will represent the Bahá’í International Community at conferences to be held at Lake Success, New York, during April.
Reports of these successive meetings will appear in Bahá’í News for the information.and encouragement of all believers. ' ~ - - We regret to advise you that the Bahá’í application for consultative status has not been approved, the reason being the lack of information about the Faith among the various UN personnel from the member countries. This condition is now being remedieq by "regular distribution of Bahá’í literature. We hope that the consultative status can be granted next year, or very soon thereaftera"
The N. S. A. would epprecwi te any suggestions which would make this UN conne ction helpful in our Bahá’í work.
THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY of thel MHA'IS of EGYPT and SUDAN has acknowledged the receipt of our News Bulletins and Wishes to share with Baha sthroughout the world the glad tidings of the fulfilme ht OI the first year's programme of their Five Year Plan. Four new Bsha i centres have been formed in different districts of Egypt.
The Spiritual Assembly of Khartum plans to establish a Spiritual Assembly in Port Sudan and three Bahá’í centres .within.the period of their Five Year Plan for Sudan.
Efforts to acquire buri—al grounds in Port Said and ¥Alexaniria are gaining success. Land for this purpose has , been allotted in Port Said, but SOElG formalities still have
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to be completed before final acquisitionq In Alexandria,
there are some diff erences between the Assembly and the
Municipality as to which body is responsible for the payment of the land.
There is still some difficulty in printing Bahá’í literature in Egypt due to Martial Law. .
This yeer, Ethiopia is aiming at incree sing the number of believers in Addis Abebe.
The believers of Egypt and Sudan are still unable to communicate with our Beloved Guardian, and ask for the prayers of the believers all over the world.
Let us, especially, remember in our prayers all the
believers in the world who do not enjoy the Freedom of Worship which we have in Australia and New Zealand.
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FORMAL RECOGNITION-OF LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
In.accordance with the instructions Of the Guardian, and provisions of By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly, the N. S.A. has afforded formal recognition to the L. S.A' s of CARINGBAH, N.S.W., YERRINBOOL, N.S. W. ,WOODVILLE, S.A.,
MELBOURNE, ViC . 9 JLDZLJLI DE, 7 S a 1.5.9 SYDNEYg N n S o W a 9 H6?Xfif7" Tas., PERTH“‘ W.A., & BRISBANE Q'ld.
aha Hes made the appropriate entries in the Enrolment Register of L.S.A's under the jurisdiction of the N.S.A.
This formal recognition has been recorded by Certificate, under the Seal Of the N.S.A., which has been forwarded to each Spiritual Assembly.
The Register of Enrelments of Local Spiritual Assemblies, drawn.up by the Legal Committee end approved by the N. S.A., is a register in which entries are made by the Secretary of the N. S. A. at the appropriate time, thes e entries being checked periodically by the Chairman.
ORDERING OF PAMPHLETS
An order has been plaLed with George Ronald, England, for more copies of the excellent tee ehing pamphlets — '
”HEADLINES TOMORROW” and ”A PATTERN FOR FUTURE SOCIETY."
These pamphlets will soon be available. "THE BRILLIANT PROOF" reprinted by the N.S.A., is now available and-on sale.- Price ls.3d. ea.
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I —6'INTERVIEW WITH NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE
The N°S.A. met in.consultation with the NOTBC. at its recent meeting to discuss the teaching plan as submitted by the N.T.C. I
This plan, which will he reported in detail in the next Bulletin, was endorsed by the N.Sifi. as a necessity in extending teaching work under the Six Year Plan and in consolidating the work already accomplished.
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CONSULTATION WITH SYDNEY COMMUNITY
The N.S.L. met in consultation with the Sydney Bahá’í Community at 8. pmfi Monday, April 25th, 1949.
After a welcome by the Chairman, on behalf of the N.S.A., the meeting was opened with a prayer by Mother Dunn.
The whole discussion centred around ways and means of teaching: A very profitable hour was spent.
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Various slides, pictures, etc.; available for local communities, are in the process of being prepared and catalogued.
Information will be given.at a later date, in the Bulletin, When this work has been completed. - ..r_—~__——IMMI GRAN T S
Regarding the question of an official representation on behalf of the N.S.A. to immigrants arriving in Australia, the N.S.A. feels that it is not advisable to approach such matters on a collective scale, due to the political implications which may be involved but that individual contacts could be encouraged to advantage.
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-7HAZIRATU’L—QUDS
At e~reeent-N.S;A. meeting5”the following motion was passed:—_
”That in View of a number of trivial complaints from sections of the Bahá’í Community regarding the use and maintenance of the National Heedquerters' building, the N.S.A. feels that the attention of the friends should be drawn to the duties of the House Committee and/or res1dent Secretary or Hostess.
The N.S.A. is wholly satisfied at the efforts of the House Committee and resident Hes ess in caring for the property, and invites the friends to make full use of the Headquarters through the medium of the House Committee."
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION
The following members represent the N.S.A. of Austra lia and New Zealand for Bahá’í Year, 106. Mr. S. W. Bolton.- Chairman, Yerrinbool, N.S.W.
Mr. M} Appleton Vice—Chairman, " ” Mrs. M. G. Beltefi‘ N Secretary, ” ” Mr. A. Tunks Treasurer, Sydney, N.S.W. Miss G. Lamprill Tasmania; Mr. A. Blum New Zealand Mr. J. Reggie Queensland Mrs. B. Dobbins . South Australia MT. H.C.Featherstome 1 South Australia
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CONSULTATION WITH AUCKLAND DELEGATES
The N.S.A. consulted with the Auckland delegates at its meeting of April 26th, 1949, en the subjects of gag delegates fares
b summer school
éc) teaching fun.ds and visiting teachers, and
d) legal technicalities with the legal representative.
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-8CONVENTION REPORTS
An.extremely successful Cenvention.has just closed.
The Special Convention Brochure will be available shortly. ' ' This publication will set out fully the National Spiritual Assembly's Annual Report, Treasurer's Statement and recommendations of the Delegates to the N.S.A., together with National Committee reports.
HOMEWARD BOUND from the Convention, Mr. & Mrs»'Dobbins from Aaelalae Had a remarkable experience. ' '
During dinner at the "Travellers‘ Aid Depot" in.Melbourne, they sat at a table occupied by a newly arrived immigrant, his wife, and three children. His name was Gottieb Woerz (which means God's Love) and his father was a gardener for Abdul—Baha.
Mr. Weerz was born in Haifa and knew Abdul—Baha and all the Holy Family. He also-knows Shoghi Effendi and his father, Fujitag and Effie Baker.
A number of the New Zealand delegates and visitors spent an enjoyable day at Yerrinbocl after the Convention sessions had closed.
They were driven to the Summer School and shown.the HydeeDunn Memorial Hall, the library, the annex, the gardens, and the proposed site for the first dormitory.
___—__.—___—_._. Here is another appreciation of the "Herald of the South” from Mr. Joseph T. Kuperberg, 362 Gold Street, BROOKLYN 1, New York, USA., dated march 31st, 1949.
"Dear Bahá’í Friendsg
Enclosed you will find my remittance for a renewal subscription to your Bahá’í Magazine; I appreciate the splendid way you get up each issue and in some ways you do even better then our American Bahá’ís. With every best wish for the success of our Cause in your part of the world,
I remain - A Bahá’í.
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-9TRANSFES
Miss Avilda Johansson.from Yarrinbool, NOS.W. to Sydneyy N.S,W. Mr. Ala'i Manuchihr from T ahers n, Iran, . to Auckland, N.Z. Mr. David Miller from Bathursts N.S.W. to Bonegilla, Vic.
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E h A s T 3 MONTH ARABIC NAME TRANSLATION-' FIRST-DAYS 4th 'Azamat , Grandeur May 17 V 5th Nur _ Light June 5 ANNIVERSARIES
FEAST OF RIDVAN (Declara tion,of Bmah 'u' llah) April 2l — May 2, 1863. DECLARATION Of the RAE, Lflay 23, 1844.
ASCENSION Of BAHA'U'LLAH May 29, 1892.
MARTYRDOM of the BAB July 9, 1850. BIRTH of the BAB October 20, 1819 BIRTH of AABDUAL— A A _ November 12, 1817 DAY of the COVENANT . November 26.
ASCENSION of 'ABDU'L—BAHA November'28,.1921' PERIOD of the FAST, nineteen days beginning March 2. FEAST of NAW~RUZ (Bahá’í New Year,) March 21.
IF YOU HAVE.NEWS TO SHARE WITH YOUR FELLOW BELIEVERS, KINDLY SEND IT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT DELAY AND HELP US TO KNOW
EACH OTHER BETTER. Editor.