Bahá’í World/Volume 8/Australia and New Zealand Annual Report 1938-1940
ANNUAL REPORT—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
1938-1940
THE CAUSE in Australia and New Zealand during the two fateful years in the history of mankind, 1938 and 1939, has made really heartening progress. New names have been added to the membership rolls in each center, the development of Bahá’í institutions has proceeded steadily and naturally, a Bahá’í Summer School has been established and two successful sessions held, teaching activity has been extended and become more zealous and the growing strength and vitality of the Bahá’í community is becoming increasingly apparent.
As the world situation deteriorates and the masses of the people are torn by doubt, conflicting ideologies, fear, and uncertainty, the believers in their calmness and unshakable faith in the world-redeeming power of the Cause, are attracting more and more attention. Hearts grim with foreboding are drawn and eyes dulled with apprehension are turning to the light of faith, hope, and certainty which shines so brightly in the Bahá’í community.
The second convention which was held in Sydney, New South Wales, in April, 1937, marked the beginning of a new stage of development in the history of the Cause in Australia and New Zealand; so illuminating and instructive were the addresses given by the delegates and so powerful was the spirit of dedication animating those present, from that time a deeper realisation of the responsibility and mission of the Australian and New Zealand Bahá’í community as a component part of the world wide Bahá’í community destined in the fullness of time to expand into a glorious new civilization, the Bahá’í Commonwealth of nations, intensified the zeal and determination of the believers and lent an impetus to their efforts which has produced gratifying results.
The teaching field is steadily widening; in all the centres advertised lectures are given regularly; large fireside meetings are held by the believers in their homes; opportunities to give the Bahá’í Message on other platforms are courted and a wider circulation for our literature is being obtained.
In all the centres, increased efforts are being made to gain the attention of the press and in this we were greatly helped by Miss Martha Root on the occasion of her teaching tour of Australia and New Zealand during the first half of 1939. Miss Root obtained more press publicity for the Cause than we had had previously; indeed, she gave a much needed stimulus to our efforts in this direction and we learned much from her methods.
The receipt of the news that Miss Root was coming was the signal for intensive planning and preparation for a vigorous teaching campaign in all the centres. Everything possible was done in the way of advance publicity and arrangements were made for her to make broadcasts and to speak on the platforms of numerous societies and in schools and churches.
The famous Bahá’í teacher arrived in Perth, Western Australia, on January 10th, and was given a warm welcome by the believers there. The Perth Spiritual Assembly had arranged a fine programme and from the first the work went with a swing; many new contacts were made and a great deal of interest was aroused; the Perth believers themselves being greatly stimulated and uplifted by this soul refreshing season of activity and by Miss Root’s inspiring influence.
From Perth, Miss Root went to Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney. In Adelaide, in addition to the radio broadcasts and the lectures arranged for and widely advertised by the Spiritual Assembly, Miss Root spoke to the Spiritual Mission Church, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, the Radiant Health Club, the Theosophical Society, at many informal gatherings and at a reception held at the Hotel Grosvenor.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne and Miss Hilda Brooks of Adelaide, accompanied Miss Root to Tasmania and Melbourne and the little group of four travelling to promote the
Study Class, Baghdád, for training of children.
Bahá’í Faith, awakened considerable interest and gained publicity and press notices for the Cause. Miss Gretta Lamprill, sole believer in Tasmania at that time, and Miss Eloise Jensen, who became enrolled during the visit, were overjoyed, to see them, as never before had there been such a number of Bahá’ís together in Tasmania. Miss Jensen was enrolled at a little meeting of the Bahá’ís held at the Hotel where the party was accommodated. The occasion was celebrated with prayers and joyous thanksgiving; this, it was felt, would be the turning point of the Cause in Tasmania and the first of many enrolments. That hopes were justified was proved by the enrolment some weeks later of Miss Kitty Crowder. Now these three capable workers have commenced teaching activities which are gradually gathering momentum.
Miss Lamprill had arranged for Miss Root to give several broadcasts and to speak at three High Schools, the Spiritualistic Church, the Workers’ Education Association, the Lyceum Club, the Theosophical Society, the Esperantist Association, the Rotary Club, the Bellerive, Sandford Country Women’s Association, and two public meetings in Hobart and one in Launceston. Great interest was evinced by all who heard the addresses and the little group of believers was delighted with the result of the teaching campaign in Tasmania.
In Melbourne, through the efforts of the indefatigable Secretary, Mrs. Wheeler, doors were magically opened and warm invitations for Miss Root to address meetings were received. In addition to broadcasts and informal talks, Miss Root lectured to the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the Australian Church, the Writer’s Cultural Club, Trinity Grammar School, Chinese Women’s Society, Esperanto Club, Women’s League of Health, Journalists’ Luncheon, Kilvington Girls’ School and the Unitarian Church.
The Sydney friends had been eagerly preparing for Miss Root’s visit and had arranged for broadcasts, receptions, interviews and public meetings. In addition, Miss Root delivered addresses at the Millions Club, the United Association, the English Speaking Union, the Board of Social Study and Training, the Women’s League of Health, the Quota Club, Australian League of Nations, Esperanto Society, the Rotary Club, Journalists’ tea, the Newport W.E.A. Summer, School, the Feminist Club, the Y.M.C.A., the Women’s League of Health, and the Fellowship of Australian Writers.
Everywhere this clear and selfless servant
of the Cause won all hearts by her
graciousness,
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her loving kindness
and her eagerness
to serve humanity. Everywhere she diffused
the fragrance of her beautiful radiant spirit
and will ever be remembered by the
believers of Australia and New Zealand
with loving grateful appreciation.
Youth
In Adelaide, South Australia, a Bahá’í youth group has been formed and steady development maintained, the members are enthusiastic and bring their friends to the meetings to hear the Bahá’í Message. Australian youth are excellent material for Bahá’í teachers to work upon for on the whole they are singularly unprejudiced in their outlook and the Bahá’í teachings make instant appeal to them.
The youth meetings are made interesting and attractive; lectures are given by the convener; papers they have prepared are read by the young people; all present are encouraged to take part in the discussions on Bahá’í subjects and a lesson in Esperanto is conducted by Miss Dorothy Dugdale. The youth readily appreciate the value of an international language as a medium by which understanding and liking among the different races may be promoted and are pleased to have this opportunity of learning Esperanto.
Members of the youth group have been very active in spreading the Message among fellow students in schools, the university and young members of religious societies and we feel that in these young people we have a potent teaching ally.
The Cause is gradually spreading into the country districts, the number of isolated believers is increasing, the largest country group being that of the family of Mr. David Brooks, "Rockwood,” Booleroo Centre, South Australia.
Summer School
The Summer School held at “Bolton Place,” Yerrinbool, New South Wales, the summer residence of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bolton of Sydney and lent and dedicated by them for the school sessions, is becoming a source of pride and joy and high hopes are entertained for its future development and usefulness.
Arrangements are under the direction of a committee and two successful sessions have already been held, the first in January, 1938, the second in January, 1939.
The proceedings commence with a public lecture given in the Yerrinbool district hall. During the week, morning and afternoon classes for the study of the Teachings are held at the school; enquirers sometimes attend these. Picnics and social evenings have been the means of providing relaxation and entertainment for the attendants at the school and of contacting people of the neighbourhood. Plans are now being made for the third session to be held in January, 1940.
National Spiritual Assembly
In view of the fact that owing to the great distances which separate them, the members are able to meet only once each year, the National Spiritual Assembly functions with surprising efficiency and effectiveness. This body, by its devotion to duty and its adherence to the principles of the administration, has attained administrative capacity and efficiency which have won for it the spontaneous love and confidence of the believers. It has been greatly heartened by the Guardian’s assurance that the foundation laid is “broad, solid and unassailable.”
Except for the meetings lasting a week, sometimes longer, held annually, consultations have to be conducted by correspondence; this is a disability, but one which is not allowed to prevent the proper functioning of the N. S. A.
Teaching Committee
In 1939, a National Teaching Committee was appointed; the aim of this committee is to help the smaller groups which are hampered by scarcity of numbers and teachers, by providing literature for circulation and by sending them public speakers from time to time to give impetus to their teaching efforts. A magnificent gift of thirty-five copies of the BAHÁ’Í WORLD, Vol. VII, presented to the N. S. A. by Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher of Montreal, Canada, will greatly assist this Committee.
"Herald of the South”
The enterprising and progressive editorial
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staff, having raised the standard
of our publication Herald of the South,
this magazine is gaining popularity
with both believers and enquirers.
Bahá’í Quarterly
The N. S. A. keeps the believers informed of affairs and happenings through the medium of a news letter published every three months and called Bahá’í Quarterly. The national news letters from other countries are a source of guidance and inspiration and are greatly appreciated.
National Fund
The flow of contributions to the National Fund has been steady—all the Assemblies and groups contributing spontaneously and in proportion to their resources.
Convention
Owing to the great distances which separate the centres, it has only been possible to have a Convention every three years; the first was held in 1934, the second in 1937 and the third, we trust, will be in 1940. The election of the N. S. A., in the intervening years, has been conducted by correspondence.
The symbol of the “Greatest Name” and the word “Bahá’í,” have been registered as a Trade Mark. This, according to the law, will remain in force for a period of fourteen years.
No record of this period is complete without mention of the love of the believers for Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Cause, and their gratitude for his ever present guiding hand to which they cling with all their might. He has directed our efforts, led us forward, encouraged our N. S. A., protected us from error and inspired us all with an entrancing vision of the New Day. Our love for him, although few of us have seen him, is so great that his name is constantly on our lips, our prayers that we may assist him in his work are fervent, and our trust in him complete. For the Precious Relic, the lock of Bahá’u’lláh’s hair which he sent us in 1938, we are deeply grateful. To the believers of Australia and New Zealand living in this period nearly a half a century after Bahá’u’lláh’s ascension and so far from the scenes amid which his life was spent, this precious gift has brought a sense of nearness and contact with his personality. Gazing upon it, the immortal words of Professor Edward G. Browne, describing his impression of Bahá’u’lláh, whom he was privileged to see once, came to mind, “The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one’s very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead and face implied an age which the jet black hair and beard flowing down in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie. No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain.”
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’Í OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
By: HILDA M. BROOKS, Secretary