Bahá’í World/Volume 8/British Isles Annual Report 1939-1940
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE BRITISH ISLES
1939-1940
THE year through which we have just passed must stand as a permanent witness to the mysterious working of the almighty power of the Manifestation of God in His Day. His Creative Word, consciously recognised by a numerically insignificant community, instils into it a vigour and unity which enables it to forge ahead in the midst of chaos, to consolidate its painfully wrought institutions and extend the range of its major activities in the heart of a society which has been engulfed in the most destructive war of history. Such a catastrophe, overwhelming mankind, and now directly affecting our own nation, cannot but have an effect on the individual and collective life of the Bahá’í community. But it is this very impact of distintegration in the world around us which discloses the source of our strength. For while the circumstances of our life have been disrupted, the Cause which we serve and the vision which we hold has become stronger in our hearts and has evoked an expression of community effort greater than any we have made previously.
The preparation, encouragement, and guidance which the Guardian has bestowed upon us, both in his general letters and in messages to the National Spiritual Assembly, becomes more significant as the forces of the age move swiftly to a climax. In The Unfoldment of World Civilisation he drew attention to the two processes of disintegration and construction operating side by side throughout the world. The constructive process, he showed to be directly associated with the rise and consolidation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. In the light of this analysis of the Age of Transition it is not insignificant that the Incorporation Certificate of the National Spiritual Assembly was received one month before the outbreak of war. For two years prior to this we had, as our Annual Reports mention, been striving to achieve an organic life in the national community which would enable us to go forward as one body in our great task of Teaching. That this has, in some measure, been achieved is proved by the spirit of the Summer School and Teaching Conference, as well as by the extension of teaching work to new centres. It is only on the basis of such spiritual achievements that we can ever think to play a part in the reshaping of human society, or try to comprehend the generous praise and thrilling promises which the Guardian has recently showered upon us. “I wish to re-affirm my deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the splendid manner in which the English believers are discharging their duties and responsibilities in these days of increasing peril, anxiety and stress. Their tenacity, courage, faith and noble exertions will as a magnet attract the undoubted and promised blessings of Bahá’u’lláh. They have, at a time when the basis of ordered society itself is rocking and trembling, laid an unassailable foundation for the Administrative Order of their Faith. Upon this basis the rising generation will erect a noble structure that will excite the admiration of their fellow-countrymen. My prayers for them will continually be offered at the holy Shrines.” Such a message is the greatest challenge and bounty to us, for no one dare accept it unless it be true in intention, but when it is accepted its promise will be assured.
Let us not, however, present a picture
which would exaggerate the size of our
achievements or our effectiveness. We can
as yet make no claim to influence
consciously, the spiritual or moral
life of our nation. Far from it. We
are a small community just beginning
to achieve the necessary unity for
effective action; we are still in
a state of preparation and purification for
our greater task. We have yet to win to our
cause people of capacity and influence, and
the Name of Bahá’u’lláh is as yet
unproclaimed to our fellow-countrymen. Certain
weaknesses in ourselves must be overcome
before we can successfully accomplish this
task. Chief among these weaknesses is an
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insufficient support
of the Bahá’í Fund, an
inadequate knowledge and understanding of
the administrative processes of the Faith, and
and a too casual response to measures
initiated by the National Spiritual Assembly.
First and foremost of our activities has been Teaching. At the last Convention it was recommended that we should concentrate on five cities with a view to establishing communities there whenever possible. The National Spiritual Assembly adopted this plan but only two of the cities mentioned by the delegates, Leeds and Bournemouth, were included in the list. Other places, Nottingham and Brighton, presented better opportunities through the presence of resident believers, so these were included. One city, Newcastle, where there are no Bahá’ís at all, has been given special attention.
In Leeds the Bradford Spiritual Assembly has continued teaching work throughout the year, and there is every prospect of success here. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wilkinson have made their home there, bringing the number of resident believers up to four. Meetings have been held, and the Military Tribunal there granted the application of a Bahá’í for exemption from combatant service, which resulted in some publicity.
Three believers have moved to Bournemouth and the Group there now numbers ten. The Feasts and anniversaries are observed and it is hoped to have a Centre as the chief aid to a teaching campaign.
In Nottingham excellent work has been done through the efforts of the resident believer, Esther Richardson. She has arranged meetings with the Esperantists and the Theosophists which have been addressed by visiting teachers, and has gathered together a number of her friends and aroused their keen interest. It is expected that a few of them will come to Summer School.
Work in Brighton is hampered by the small amount of time at the disposal of the resident believers, Mr. and Mrs. Lee. A member of the London community lived there for a few weeks, but a planned and sustained campaign is needed.
New ground has been broken in Newcastle and much interest aroused. A teacher spent five weeks there before Christmas, and three months after Christmas. Many clubs and societies were addressed, and a series of public lectures given from the platform of the Theosophical Society. Contacts were made in the University, a number of study meetings were held, a good deal of literature has been purchased by interested inquirers and it is hoped that some of them will come to Summer School. The last report of the work there states: “The situation now requires steady and continual work. About two hundred people have heard of the Faith directly, and a regular study meeting is required.”
The local communities have maintained fireside and other teaching meetings. A series of regular study meetings was held in Altrincham during the summer by the Manchester Spiritual Assembly, and a successful meeting was arranged with the Rover Scout Crew by Miss Ada Williams, when the interest of about twenty young men was aroused. The first extension work of the Torquay Spiritual Assembly was in Exeter when Mrs. Stevens addressed the Psychology Club.
We have begun to teach as a community, co-ordinating local effort and using national resources, but there is great scope for more individual effort. Two years ago the Guardian cabled us to “subordinate all activities (to) teaching objective.” In our community effort we have attempted to do this, but this command, voiced by Bahá’u’lláh, the Master, and now by the Guardian, surely applies to our personal lives as well.
Minute 47 of the National Spiritual Assembly’s meeting on December 30th reads as follows: "The whole teaching campaign was reviewed. It was suggested that the plan adopted at the Convention of concentrating on five centres, tended to make the growth of a Bahá’í community artificial and hasty. It was suggested that a longer plan—such as achieving 19 Spiritual Assemblies by 1944, would not only increase the scope of the National campaign, but prevent undue pressure from being exerted on new communities, which would develop far more strongly and healthily by a slower and more natural process of unfoldment. The meeting expressed agreement with this plan, but decided to refer it to Convention for general discussion.”
Incorporation
This task was nearly complete at last Convention, and it only remains to record that our Certificate was obtained on August 5th. Legal records are maintained at the London centre, and our first annual return has been made to the Registrar of Companies, and to the Income Tax authorities.
The National Spiritual Assembly, by virtue of its Loan Account, was chief creditor of a business owned by one of the Bahá’ís. It was able to use its influence to prevent the business being forced into bankruptcy, and to make an arrangement which it is hoped will eventually benefit both the debtor and the creditors.
The Bradford Spiritual Assembly, upon presentation of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, was granted exemption from the payment of rates on its Centre. This same document has been of use to the Publishing Trust when entering business contracts, for which guarantees would otherwise have been required.
Military Service
Following the Guardian’s instructions and upholding the principles of the Faith, Bahá’í young men who have been conscripted have applied for exemption from combatant service, at the same time stating their unqualified readiness to serve in any non-combatant capacity which the Government may indicate. In order to make this application, it is necessary to register as a conscientious objector, a term which does not accurately describe the Bahá’í attitude. So far one young man has appeared before a tribunal. His application was granted and the local newspapers printed accounts of a new Faith.
Three Bahá’ís are already serving in the forces, a number are awaiting their tribunals, and a few are in reserved occupations. A great many members of the community are serving the country in one or other form of National Service such as A.R.P., ambulance driving, etc.
Publicity
The chief effect of the War has been, so far, to bring to a stop our plans for publicity. At the last Convention it was recommended that the N. S. A. should examine the possibilities of wide publicity, such as buying time on the wireless. Plans had been made for a Bahá’í stand at the Sunday Times Book Fair last autumn, and negotiations were in progress for obtaining a model of the Temple from the American National Spiritual Assembly. The latter was not available and the Book Fair was cancelled because of the war. At the same time the commercial broadcasting stations closed down, so that no publicity was possible in that direction.
The Torquay Spiritual Assembly paid for a brief notice about the Faith in a local paper, and report that their regular meetings are advertised. Meetings have also been advertised in Bradford and Newcastle with good results.
The Faith was represented at the Southport Convention of Religions, when a good deal of interest was aroused. Several of those present have subsequently come to meetings in other parts of the country.
A number of books have been sent to the agency for distributing books among the services.
Mr. Townshend’s book, The Heart of the Gospel, was very favourably reviewed in the Irish papers, and has had a good reception there.
Bahá’í Publishing Trust
The establishment of the Publishing Trust has proven to be a sound and invaluable undertaking. It must surely be included in “the unassailable foundation” of which the Guardian speaks. With the incorporation of the N. S. A., the three original Trustees resigned their office, and the N. S. A. became Trustee. The chief work this year has been the following publications:
A new edition of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Dr. Esslemont’s standard work on the Faith. With the permission of Mrs. Esslemont a few alterations and some slight additions were made. It is now available at half a crown.
The Heart of the Gospel. A brilliant and scholarly work by the author of “The Promise of All Ages.”
A Bahá’í Prayer Book, published in a complete and abridged form. The abridged copy has been found very acceptable by non-Bahá’ís.
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The Bahá’í Faith. Five
thousand more copies of the penny pamphlet,
which every Bahá’í needs frequently.
New World Order. A reproduction with a few alterations, of the December number of the N. S. A.’s periodical New World Order. Three thousand copies, for sale at a penny.
In addition the publication of Lady Blomfield’s book, The Chosen Highway, is well advanced and copies should be available by the end of June. Advanced notices have been printed and circulated.
The war presented a grave problem to the Publishing Trust, for restrictions were imposed on the sending of money abroad for non-essential supplies, and in America goods could not be shipped to belligerent countries without cash payment. The standard works of Bahá’u’lláh and the Guardian are printed in America and we are unable to obtain them. Lady Blomfield, even after her passing, was the means of solving this problem. The American friends ordered a thousand copies of her book, thereby establishing a credit for us, so we have been able to place a large order with the American Publishing Committee, sufficient to meet our needs for some time to come. The friends should realize that the Publishing Trust, to continue its service, will need more money than receipts from books. In order to make literature available at a price within everybody’s reach, large stocks have to be carried, and this inevitably ties up liquid capital. Generous donations have been made during the year, but larger sums are needed if we are to have the standard works of the Faith available to the believers and the public. At present it would be possible to publish the Kitáb—i-Íqán at a sale price of five shillings if the necessary capital, £75, were subscribed.
The capital fund of the Publishing Trust has increased by cash donations already mentioned, and by the gift of a large stock of Paris Talks from Lady Blomfield, and of The Drama of the Kingdom, by Mrs. Basil Hall. In addition the Trust has been given all rights in The Chosen Highway and copyright in the Paris Talks. Mrs. Basil Hall has provided for full rights in Paris Talks to revert to the Publishing Trust after her death.
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to thank Miss Clayton and Mr. Louis Rosenfield for their capable and devoted service in the dispatching and accounting work.
In order to distribute the stock of the Trust to a certain extent, local Spiritual Assemblies have been sent large supplies of standard literature such as Dr. Esslemont’s book, penny pamphlets, etc. An insurance policy in the amount of £500 has been taken out on a large part of the stock.
Summer School
This has now become an established feature of our national activity. Continuing the progress of the first three years, the fourth Summer School was more ambitious, better attended, and marked by an even greater vitality than the earlier ones. For the first time the National Spiritual Assembly took the risk of guaranteeing a minimum attendance during the bank holiday week-end. Its confidence in the support of the friends was justified by an attendance greatly in excess of the number guaranteed. The radiance and unity pervading the Summer School were in direct contrast to the turmoil and darkness of the outside world, which at that time was within four weeks of war. The morning lectures presented the Bahá’í reading of history, surveyed modern problems and explained Bahá’u’lláh’s solutions. In the evening, experts in various arts, the dance, drama, music, pottery, spoke on their own subjects and all declared the need for a new creative impulse which must somehow be linked with social conditions.
Arrangements are complete for the fifth Summer School which will be held at Cawston House, Rugby, in the very centre of England. It remains to be seen what effect the war will have on this basic institution of Bahá’í life.
Teaching Conference
Pursuing the plan of previous years, to maintain three annual rallying points for the national community, the midwinter Teaching Conference was held in Manchester. (The other points are Summer School and Convention.) There was a slight decline in attendance, but all local communities were represented and two isolated believers from
The interior of the fortress of Shaykh Ṭabarsí in Mázindarán. The X marks the spot where Mullá Ḥusayn is buried.
Birmingham were especially welcome. The report of the Conference reads: "It was generally felt that the Conference itself was better than in previous years. There seemed to be more weight in the discussions, and a more real sense of something actually being accomplished. Specific matters were discussed and there was no time for generalities.” Two speakers examined the teaching resources of the community, one from the point of view of individual effort and one from the viewpoint of collective action. One session was devoted to the Bahá’í Fund, and one to discussion between the National Spiritual Assembly and the community.
Recent messages from the Guardian were read, calling for "still greater tenacity, fidelity, vigour and devotion.” A cable was sent to him saying, “Teaching Conference resolves achieve high standard devotion teaching campaign called for your recent messages. Deepest love English friends.” His reply was, “Welcome noble resolve prosecute energetically teaching campaign praying ardently signal success.”
"New World Order”
The outbreak of war and the consequent rising price of paper made it necessary to change the National Spiritual Assembly’s periodical from an eight page magazine to a four page leaflet. With this change came a change in price and policy. The price was reduced to a penny and the paper was made into a definite teaching organ, using a great deal of quotation from the Writings and setting forth directly the Bahá’í principles. This change was welcomed on all sides, and especially from Bahá’ís, who now have new teaching material every month.
New World Order is an expense to the National Spiritual Assembly, and would be so even if every copy were sold, but it is felt that the expenditure is justified by the value of the paper to the teaching work. Local Spiritual Assemblies have been allotted a specific number, which they are asked to buy every month, and this helps to reimburse the National Fund. It is felt that much greater use could be made of the paper by individual Bahá’ís; if everyone would buy two or three copies a month and give them away to non-Bahá’í friends or strangers, the teachings would be spread more effectively.
A few complete sets of volume 1 have been preserved and may be purchased.
In Memoriam
Lady Blomfield passed away on December
31st, the Feast of Honour. In the first shock
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of her parting, we could
only think of the actual fact. Now we
begin to realise something of the
tremendous loss which we have
sustained. Summer School, the Rizwan Feast,
the Presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in England,
were all associated in our minds with her.
She it was who told us of the Master, who
showed us what it meant to follow the True
Exemplar. A bulwark in need, a friend in
trouble, a companion in happiness, may her
spirit be ever with us and assist us
to manifest those qualities of kindliness,
consideration, and graciousness of which
she was the embodiment.
The news of her passing reached the friends during the Teaching Conference, and was sent on to the Guardian in the cable already mentioned. His reply was: “Profoundly grieve passing dearly beloved outstanding co-worker Sitarih Khánum. Memory her glorious services imperishable. Advise English community hold befitting memorial gathering. Assure relatives my heartfelt sympathy and loving fervent prayers.”
Accordingly memorial meetings were held in all communities. The funeral took place in Hampstead, and out of consideration to some of Sitarih Khánum’s relatives the service was Church of England. Two members of the National Spiritual Assembly read from the Prayers and Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, and a number of the friends gathered round the grave afterwards.
Archives
The National Archives, which had been properly arranged and classified, were greatly augmented by a number of original Tablets and other objects which were left by Lady Blomfield. There are two copies of the Paris Talks signed by the Master, a samovar which He had given to Lady Blomfield, some signed photographs, and a few other things. The National Spiritual Assembly has placed all these precious objects in a lined box, and they are now in the vault of a bank in the west of England.
Bahá’í World
The Guardian has appointed Mr. David Hofman to the editorial staff of Bahá’í World, as representative for the British Isles.
Registration
At the beginning of the year the National Spiritual Assembly commenced to register all declared believers. The friends have been very slow in responding to this plan, which is of importance to the welfare of the community. Believers are asked to send a photograph and details of name and address, which are then entered on a special card printed for the purpose. One copy, stamped with the seal of the N. S. A. is returned to the believer, and a duplicate is retained in the National files. Believers travelling abroad, one to Írán and one to America, have found this invaluable as a Bahá’í passport. Lately two communities have been imposed upon by a person claiming to be a Bahá’í, a thing which would not happen if all believers were registered. But the most important reason for registration, as explained in the Journal, is to protect the Faith against unauthorised representation, and to enable the National Spiritual Assembly to accept responsibility for the community.
Finance
The treasurer’s report will give detailed accounts, but the outstanding feature is the large excess of expenditure over income. During the twelve months this has amounted to about £115. Some £70 has been needed for Incorporation but the balance has been used for current expense. This matter must receive the immediate attention of the believers if the teaching work is to continue.
* * * *
Our own progress is inevitably bound up with the world body of the Faith, and although we do not, as yet, play any great part in the international activities, we are an organ of that body and receive from it as well as give to it.
An event of “capital institutional
significance,” described by the
Guardian in a general letter which
has been circulated among
the friends, calls for our deep
attention and an earnest effort
to understand its significance.
This event is none other than the
permanent interment of the remains of the
Purest Branch, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s younger
brother, and of Asiyih Khánum, His Mother,
on Mount Carmel in the neighbourhood of
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the shrine of the
Greatest Holy Leaf. The
news was received by cable from the
Guardian: “Remains Purest Branch and
‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Mother permanently
laid (to) rest (in) close neighbourhood
(of the) shrine
(of the) Greatest Holy Leaf. Hearts
rejoicing. Shoghi Rabbani.”
In his letter he writes: “For it must be clearly understood, nor can it be sufficiently emphasised, that the conjunction of the resting place of the Greatest Holy Leaf with those of her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the spiritual potencies of that consecrated Spot which, under the wings of the Báb’s overshadowing sepulchre, and in the vicinity of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár which will be reared on its flank, is destined to evolve into the focal centre of those world-shaking, world-embracing, world-directing administrative institutions, ordained by Bahá’u’lláh and anticipated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and which are to function in consonance with the principles that govern the twin institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice.”
This letter was mimeographed under the title The Heart of the Entire Planet and a copy sent to each believer. An effort to understand this letter thoroughly, will increase everyone’s understanding of the Faith itself.
An attack made on the Cause in America had repercussions in this country and a statement from the National Spiritual Assembly was circulated to each community for the information of the friends.
A word should now be said about the conditions in our own community. One of the most hopeful and encouraging signs is the renewal of vigour in London. The Spiritual Assembly had given much thought and prayer to the enervated condition which undoubtedly existed for some time. The outbreak of war brought immediate problems and disclosed still further the lack of unified action. Many believers were evacuated and the community was forced to take some action to maintain itself. It is in the solution of this problem that the unfailing, creative, "society building power of the Faith” has been again demonstrated. For the London Spiritual Assembly realised that the problem was a spiritual one, and would not be resolved by administrative action. It therefore called upon the community for a re-examination of its spiritual life, for concentration upon the primary virtues and for a prayerful attitude in daily life. The result is the appearance of a new life in the community, a more serious and purposeful spirit, and a truly encouraging activity among the youth.
The new communities of Bradford and Torquay have each developed in their own way. They have both settled into the administrative pattern of Bahá’u’lláh’s Administrative Order, and both have extended the range of their teaching activities. It is interesting to note that both communities have advertised in the local press.
The Summer School and Teaching Conference gave undoubted evidence of a still growing unity, a process which is fostered by the single purpose of teaching. Concentration on this purpose, with all its implications of spiritual effort, reliance on God, purity of life and radiant faith, will take us far on that course which the Guardian has mapped out for us, and will ensure the ultimate victory. His most recent message contains, for the first time, a statement to the effect that this community has a definite part to play in the re-shaping of human society through the establishment of the Faith of God in the West. “May the Almighty bless, sustain and protect the English believers, who in these days of unprecedented turmoil, stress and danger are holding aloft so courageously the banner of the Faith, and who will, in the days to come, contribute, through His grace and power, a notable share to its establishment and recognition in the west. Your true and grateful brother, Shoghi.”
Humanity has now entered that final Armageddon, “which shall cause the limbs of mankind to quake.” Let us turn to Bahá’u’lláh, and with unshakeable faith in His all-embracing sovereignty pray to be the instruments through which “shall the Divine Standard be unfurled, and the Nightingale of Paradise warble its melody.”
Faithfully in His Service,
