| The Bahá’í World Volume 1 |
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DURING February, 1924, the suggestion was made to Shoghi Effendi that the time seemed opportune for the organization of a committee of Bahá’í editors, chosen from the Orient, Europe and America, to gather together the necessary data, facts, and other information for an annual reference book on the Bahá’í Cause. During the eighty years that have passed since the announcement of the Báb, the movement has penetrated into many countries and made an indelible impression upon the thoughts of the age. If all the activities of the Bahá’ís could be gathered together, and the work of the Cause be properly edited each year, the result, it was felt, would be to advance the unified thought and action of the adherents of the Faith and disclose to others something of the significance of the world-wide movement called into being by the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
As the result of that suggestion, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada was requested, pending the formation of an international board of Bahá’í editors, to assume responsibility for the work.
The editors appointed by that body present this first Bahá’í Year Book in full knowledge that it falls all too short of the ideal. They request its readers to accept the book merely as a preliminary forecast and simple working model of an annual Bahá’í work of reference the facilities for which can be developed as time goes on.
Particularly do they regret the unavoidable emphasis placed upon the activities of the Bahá’ís in the United States and Canada in comparison with those of other countries. In future issues of the Year Book equal emphasis can be secured through closer co-operation with the other National Spiritual Assemblies than could be asked for or received in the brief space of time at the disposal of the editors this year.
Sympathizers with the ideals of the movement are asked to give special attention to Part Four, consisting of a series of contributed articles on those universal principles promulgated so lucidly by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and already generally accepted as the indications and proofs of a new day stirring in the heart of mankind. It is hoped that this section of the Bahá’í Year Book will develop into a true review and analysis of world events from a spiritual point of view—an interpretation surely most desirable and helpful to students and workers in all fields.
Suggestions and assistance leading to improvements in future volumes of the Year Book will be heartily welcomed from any source, particularly from the various National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world. Correspondence on the subject should be addressed to Year Book Committee, care National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, 48 West 10th Street, New York, N. Y., U. S. A.
- Nellie S. French,
- Mariam Haney,
- Horace Holley,
- Charles Mason Remey,
- Albert Windust,
- Editors.
