Bahá’í World/Volume 8/United States and Canada Supplementary Report 1939-1940
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA—1939-1940
Beloved Friends:
A few days before the opening of the Thirty-second Annual Convention, work was resumed on the exterior decoration of the House of Worship. The nine pylons will be completed during the next few months under a contract made possible by the balance in the Bahíyyih Khánum Fund. Those attending the Convention, moreover, have noted that the grounds have been filled in and a new level attained corresponding to the level of the exterior stairs, almost around the edifice. The approach to Foundation Hall from Linden Avenue is being left ungraded for a time, as it will be necessary to provide a tunnel from the street to the entrance into what will then be the underground basement of the Temple. The Temple Maintenance Committee has been able to obtain all this fill at a cost of only one-third the quotation obtained a year ago.
In the April bulletin the friends were informed of the Guardian’s cablegram received March 31: "Suggest if feasible place immediate contracts for completion (of) pylons and ornamentation (of) one whole face. Praying early success.” Investigations have been made to determine how best to carry out this wish, and how to proceed with the balance of construction as funds are made available from time to time. The re sult of these investigations, not determined at the date of this writing, can be reported orally to the delegates and later issued to the entire Bahá’í community.
The important matter at this time is to realize the present status of the amount of Temple construction work definitely allocated to the seven years ending 1944. Financially, the work to be undertaken amounted to $350,000 in June, 1937. The work to be completed henceforth amounts to $79,680.50, plus an estimated $50,000 for metal doors, grilles and landscaping. Within three years of a period covering seven years the American Bahá’ís, with those munificent donations made by the Guardian himself, have thus accomplished Temple construction work amounting to about $220,000.00. Through contracts amounting to less than $40,000 a year for the next two years, the exterior of the House of Worship can be completed two years before the termination of the Seven Year Plan. This, truly, is a notable achievement to contemplate, and a high standard to set for future generations of believers.
Another current accomplishment comparable
in importance is the addition to the
number of local Spiritual Assemblies made
at the time of the annual election on April
21. While all reports are not yet received,
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the National Assembly
can state that since mentioning the
eleven applications on hand
by the middle of March, groups in Oak Park,
Illinois, North Augusta, South Carolina,
Hamilton, Ontario, Salt Lake City, Utah,
and Alhambra, California, have developed
to the point of electoral capacity, the group
at La Crescenta, California, may
have likewise qualified, while
Knoxville, Tennessee,
has resumed Assembly status and Scranton,
Pennsylvania, has emerged from the
difficulties caused by the loss
of two active believers who moved
to another city. These conditions
mean that the American Bahá’ís have
in all probability met the
Guardian’s expressed hope that
one hundred Assemblies exist
after April 21, 1940.
In a previous section of the report, reference was made to the new properties donated to the Faith this year. This information can now be amplified by the news that Mr. and Mrs. Schopflocher are prepared to execute an Indenture transferring to the Green Acre Trustees title to their property in Eliot, Maine, with the provision that they retain full use and control during their lifetime, the same provision written into the gift of properties at Geyserville and at Colorado Springs. The Eliot property includes the cottage known as “Ole Bull” and the famous "Nine Gables” house, studios and farm.
The Assemblies of Boston, Honolulu, Peoria, Binghamton and Helena have recently incorporated, and By-Laws have been approved for the Newark Assembly.
Beginning with the April number, World Order Magazine has worked out a more directly Bahá’í function and is prepared to provide material for study as well as articles based on the Teachings or on personal experience of avowed Bahá’ís. This change was made under authority given by the National Assembly, with the twofold aim of serving the believers and of making the magazine self-supporting. The essential point to note in the change is that experience has proved the only effective way to reach non-Bahá’ís is through Bahá’ís.
The two World’s Fair Bahá’í exhibits, at New York and San Francisco, will be conducted again this year. New exhibit material has been prepared by the Bahá’í Exhibit Committee and is to be seen at the Convention. The element of visual education is being rapidly developed for Bahá’í teaching, and no doubt the number of regional and local exhibits will greatly increase during the coming year.
Material on Bahá’í marriage certificates, with request for advice and instruction, has been sent to the Guardian. The National Assembly hopes that it will soon be able to provide a proper form for use by those Assemblies which have satisfied the legal requirements laid down by their state codes. The Guardian is also being consulted concerning any changes in the local By-Laws necessary to define this new authority of local Assemblies. A standard By-Law will be added to the approved local By-Laws when the Guardian’s instructions have been received.
The Assembly is pleased to report that through its Chairman, Bahá’í Teachings on peace have been conveyed to the President through his Secretary, and assurance received that the material was placed in the President’s hands.
New publications under way since the publication of the Annual Reports include: Spanish edition of Esslemont’s Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era; Spanish edition of excerpts from the Master’s Will and Testament; Study Outline and Aids for the Guardian’s World Order Letters, prepared by the Study Outline Committee; a Comprehensive Study Course for children, prepared by the Child Education Committee; and three Bahá’í Reprints which make it possible to hand out important excerpts from the writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and words of Shoghi Effendi in attractive and convenient form.
Actions taken at the meeting of the National Assembly held immediately prior to the Convention include authorizations for continuance of Temple work, decision to transfer the Treasurer’s Office to the National headquarters at Wilmette, and approval of the brief prepared by the attorney in connection with the legal suit against the parties misusing the name “Bahá’í.”
The friends are urged to give their careful attention to the passages in which the Guardian refers to the nature of attacks against the Master and His Will and
The well used by the Bábís in the fortress of Shaykh Ṭabarasí in Mázindarán, Írán.
Testament, appearing on pages 89 and 90 of The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. Here we find the clearest statement in the writings for discussion of the New History publication dated April, 1940, with new believers and with those attracted to the Faith who have not yet gained the background of understanding and experience to discern the hollowness of any argument and claim based upon failure to accept the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The matter will soon come to trial, and the friends can rest assured that the true nature of the Bahá’í Faith and of its Administrative Order will be established in accordance with the power and scope of the written and authentic Teachings.
Let us realize now the significance of the first collective spiritual gathering of the Bahá’ís of all the Americas as meetings are held in all Bahá’í Centers on April 26 to commemorate the martyrdom of Mrs. May Maxwell. It is indeed a historic occasion, a point of renewal and fresh beginning in the Inter-America teaching work. We recall Bahá’u’lláh’s mighty Tablet to the Presidents of these Republics, the Master’s call sounded in the Tablets of America’s Spiritual Mission, and the Guardian’s vision of the future expounded in The Advent of Divine Justice. The Bahá’ís of America stand at the converging center of the most tremendous power ever to stream into the hearts of mankind. This is the power ordained to remove mountains of prejudice and cross all the seas of ignorance and division. Ours but to make ourselves instruments to serve those ends and be used by that power! While the world is engaged in political debate and struggle, may the friends of God drink the cup of unity which contains the mysterious ingredient of all success.
In conclusion, the recent messages from the Guardian are recorded.
Cablegram received February 27: "Congratulate alike (the) National Representatives, (the) newly fledged Assemblies, (the) recently despatched pioneers (and the) freshly enrolled believers all concurring (in) common mission (to) energize processes propelling Plan along destined course. Appeal once again (to) every participant, notwithstanding (the) threatening tempest, (to) steadily maintain high aim, dare greatly, toil unremittingly, sacrifice worthily, endure radiantly, unflinchingly till very end. Harvest to be reaped (is) fore-ordained, incalculably rich, everlasting glorious, visibly approaching.”
In a letter sent to the Treasurer on
January 3, but delayed in transmission, Shoghi
Effendi, through his secretary, emphasized
again the Memorial to be raised in honor of
Martha L. Root: "With regard to the
Memorial which the N. S. A. is proposing to
erect in honor of our beloved Martha, the
Guardian is hopeful that the fund which is
now being raised for that purpose will
receive the full support of the believers, and
that the donations which will be sent in will
be sufficient to enable your Assembly to erect
a befitting monument in memory of our
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departed sister. The
friends should be impressed with the
importance and significance of this
undertaking, and should seize
this opportunity of paying their last tribute
to so outstanding and indeed matchless a
pioneer and servant of the Cause in the
West.”
A letter dated February 23 made it clear that the Teaching and Inter-America Committees have different jurisdictions and distinct fields of work.
Excerpts from a number of letters written by the Guardian to individual believers were published with his consent in the March issue of Bahá’í NEWS. These explanations cover a wide field of Bahá’í interest, and add to our understanding of the Faith.
The most recent communication at this date (April 23) is the cablegram received April 11: “Delighted immediate action (on) pylons. Prompted urge, if not too uneconomical, (to) proceed (with the) completion (of) one face. Complete (the) remainder (in) manner most advisable. Welcome contemplated memorial gathering. Moved (to) invite national representatives (and) community join me contribute (to) construction (of) grave being designed (by) Mr. Maxwell at such (a) significant spot for so outstanding (a) pioneer during such momentous stage (in the) dynamic expansion (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh.”
It is in the spirit of such words that the Bahá’ís convene at their Annual Convention and prepare themselves to enter the fourth year of the Guardian’s Plan.
Faithfully yours,