Bahá’í Youth Bulletin/114 (Mar)/Text

Youth Bulletin

FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

" YEAR 114

PUBLISHED BY YHE NATIONAL Bahá’í YOUTH COMMITTEE OF THE UNIYED STATES OF AMERICA

,2“

NATIONAL BAHA' I YOUTH COMMITTEE-YEAR 114

RonaldL.Hauck ............... ...... ..........Chairman Hugh Wayne Steffes .......... . . ...... Vice-Chairman & Treasurer Helen H. Hauck. . . .................. . . . . Corresponding Secretary Carol Eggert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. Recording Secretary

Mary Frances Baral Judy Bernstein Larry Cooper

Jean K. Mickelsen Thomas Schwandes Steve Suhm

Helen Svendsen

AREA CO-ORDINATORS

New England States ............... . . . . . . . . . . .Mrs. M. F. Baral North Atlantic States & Illinois .................. Ronald L. Hauck Central Atlantic States . . . .......... . . . . . . . . . . . Jean K. Mickelsen South Atlantic States & Iowa ........... . ............. Carol Eggert Tennessee Valley States ........................ . . Judy Bernstein Gulf States ...... . . . . ....... . . ......... . ......... Helen Svendsen East Central States ........ . ........ . . ....... . . . Tom Schwandes Central States ..................... . ....... Co-ordinated by State South Central States & Wisconsin ......... . . . . . Hugh Wayne Steffes North Central States .................. . ........... Larry Cooper Rocky Mountain States & Nebraska .......... Mrs. Helen H. Hauck Southwestern States & Minnesota ....... . . . . . . ........ Steve Suhm Northwestern States. . . . . . . . . .............. . . . . . .Ronald L. Hauck

Address all correspondence intended for your area co-ordinator to:

Mrs. Helen H. Hauck Corresponding Secretary 716 South 5th Avenue St. Charles, Illinois Attention: (Name of your Area Co-ordinator)

The Bahá’í Youth Bulletin is published monthlyby the National Bahá’í Youth Committee or the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha' is of the United States. This Bulletin is circulated to declared Baha' is only and is published under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. All copies are distributed without charge.

[Page 1]MARCH

Know thou assuredly that Love is the mystery of divine revelations! Love is the effulgent manifestation! Love 13 the spiritual fulfillment: Love 13 the light of the Kingdom!

Love is the breath of the Holy Spirit inspired into the human spirit!

Love is the cause or the manifestation of the Truth (God) in the phenomenal world:

Love is the necessary tie proceeding from the realities of things through divine creation!

Love 18 the means of the most great happiness in both the material and spiritual worlds!

Love 15 9. light of guidance in the dark nights!

Love 13 the bond between the Creator and the creature in the inner world!

Love 19 the cause of development to every enlightened man!

Love 13 the greatest 1m: in thin tut universe 01' God!

Love 1: the one law which causeth end eontroleth order among the ousting atoms!

Love 13 the universal magnetic power between the planets and stare shining in the lofty rimnentl

Love is the cause 01' unfoldment to e. eeu-ehing mind, of the secrets deposited in the universe by the Infinite.

Tablets 01' Abdu'l—Behe. Vol. III p. 525

1.

[Page 2]/

/

r w 33¢. F 4‘ ‘ ’.' /

/ /

,,

CIRCUIT TEACHING

The bounties are indeed great for one who rises to travel through the country to teach the Faith. It presents a marvelous opportunity for one to travel, to teach, to meet new Believers, and to become invigorated with the spirit. As one is sharing his efforts with many different commities, groups, and centers, she cannot but succeed. He read in America's Spiritual Mission the words or Abdu’l-Bahá:

"Nearly two thousand years ago, .Amenia was enveloped with; impenetrable _ darkness. One blessed soul from among the disciples of Christ hastened to that part, and his effort, ere long that province became illumined. Thus it has become evident how the gower of the Kigadom works! "

The NEW is at present planning a. circuit teaching program which will facilitate more youth to travel for Baha'u'llah within their own area. If you know now that you will be able to circuit teach at a certain time and desire to share in this great bounty, write the NBYG immediately for information. 7

The following is a report on a circuit teaching trip by Jim Holmlund of New York. How great must have been this

Joy!

TEACHING TRI? REPORT: (Jan. 12, 1958)

During the past vacation period I embarked on a five day Youth Circuit Teaching trip to la. southern commities. My first stop was Washington, D. 0. where a very fine discussion by Bahá’í Youth was held at the Inspiration House. The subject discussed was, "How to teach the Faith through one's every-day actions"; there were 8 youth and 2 adults participating. .

Moving on to Durham mm the next day I found that the Durham commmity had arranged a picnic fireside at the home of the Van Sombeeks that evening. The evening' 8 activities included a wonderful discussion on the principles of the Bahá’í Faith followed by a delightful social hour. There were in all _2__9_ non-Bahá’í 0 ea 1e and 3 Bahá’í youth present, The group Includeg g oreign students, representing Thailand, China, and Germany. A thoroughly, unified, international atmosphere prevailed throughout this gathering. .

Sunday evening found me in Greensboro, N.G. for a fireside at Kim Kenney's apartment. This meeting was arranged by the Greensboro youth comnittee and included a talk on the need today for greater universal love and understanding - a Universal Faith. The discussion which followed centered largely on the racial problem in the South and the solutions which the Bahá’í teachings offer for this problem. I noticed a great feeling of warmth and love among all in attendance ; there were 3 non-Baha' is in the

2.

[Page 3]CIRCUIT TEACHING (GONT'D)

group- .

My final stop in Hortelk, VI. was also most rewarding and wonderful. The Norfolk group held the fireside ate the home of Harry Reid that Monday evening. After my talk on the teachings of Baha'u'llsh and their importance in bringing lasting security and world peace to Mankind, a very interesting and spirited discussion ensued. muons the 9 non-Bahá’ís‘ and 9 Bahá’ís present were a philosophy professor and some of his students from Hilliam and Mary Oolle e.

Incsleed, this teaching trip held many bounties for me, and after seeing the. response to the Bahá’í teachings of those whom I met, it is much clearer tome how eagerly many, many people are seeking a means to eradicate prejudices -- to create a greater love and understanding amongst all mankind. Teaching of the Faith is the prime responsibility of each and every Bahá’í - indeed the time for action is £133. Giving of the Faith, whether it be on the local level or through circuit teaching, carries with it bounties of immeasurable value. '

COLLEGE BUREAU PLEA

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Homoz Sabet, a senior at the University, reports that he is graduating in June and there is need for a Bahá’í to take over the work which he has begun.’ , We quote from his letter, "I have ' firesides at my home regularly with attendance from campus as well as the city. I am graduating in June. 11‘ no one comes and takes over where I left off it will mean some very good contacts will be lost. I am .willing to turn over my apartment and give all assistance ‘to anyone interested." NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

I Northwestern University is in dire need of Bahá’í students. Ihere is a Bahá’í Club there with one Bahá’í student on the campus who graduates in June. Once there are no students on this campus, the constitution for the club lapses and it'will be very difficult to have it reestablished. ‘

Here are two excellent opportunities for Bahá’í college students to pioneer and help teach the Faith where they are badly needed. Anyone interested in these Opportunities should contact the College Bureau as soon as possible. Address all letters to: Bahá’í College Bureau, Miss Barbara Roberts, Corres. Seoty., P.0. Box 956, Stanfopd, California. "

3.

[Page 4]CAVEAT WTOR

Caveat mtor --- "Let the buyer beware." This was the warning given in Roman market places to make the consumer aware that he was in danger of being cheated by being sold false merchandise. The, phrase could find much use today in the midst of a modern, vrconsumer-oriented, consumptionmad society. Today, however, it is not only material goods which are being mass-produced and mass-consumed, but attitudes and ideas. It is the mass consumption of these ideas and attitudes which is poisoning the bloodstream of humanity and leading society to its swift and certain doom. If the Bahá’í is to survive, he must be on constant guard that he does not unknowiggly purchase any of the abundance of false merchandise available. The Bahá’í youth especially must be on guard, for the ideas which he accepts as true now will be the whole expression of his personality when he matures. L_aveat @tor --- "Let the buyer beware."

The crass nature of much of the false goods of today makes their detection an easy matter (Though our sales resistance is often dangerously 10w). Materialism, race prejudice, mass indifference to world problems, and petty pleasure seeking are attitudes whose falsity few would question. The Bahá’í, however, is in danger of buying an idea the falsity of which is much more difficult to detect and the consequence of acceptance much more devastating. It is the idea that the purpose of religion is to helg us solve our problems. Far from being the case, religion has always been the brings:- 01‘ problems. Religion inevitibly challenges each human being to an eternal. battle with his own ego, a battle involving pain, frustration and self-sacrifice. This battle must be fought by each individual until all of his wayward desires come finally and completely under the direction of God.

Religion is the historical and dynamic force which places the challenge squarely and unmistakably before mankind. For any of us as individuals to refuse to take seriously this battle is for us to miss the _f_____ina1 ando _n1_y meaning of life itself.

In Bahá’í World Faith, Abdu'l Baha says: "For, no veil is greater than egotism, and no matter how thin that cov- . ering may be, yet it "111 finally veil man entirely and prevent him from receiving a portion of the eternal bounty." In his introduction to the Hidden Words, George Townshend affirms : "The quelling of the ego, ‘Efie severance from selfish desires is indeed the essential task that confronts the aspiring soul." Gravely serious indeed is this battle.

What are the reasons, we may ask, that make this false ides an easy one for the Bahá’í to consume? There are several.

4.

[Page 5]CAV'EAT EMPTOR (CONT'D)

A brief glance at the history of western culture will yield the realization that few people in the whole history of our culture have taken this battle seriously. While the East has a tradition of mysticism and spiritual strug-a gle, the West has a tradition of conceptual thinking divorced from action. With the exception of a few great mystics such as St. Francis, Brother Lawrence, Thomas A. Kempis, and others, the West, for centuries, has been entirely devoid of any truly fresh impulse which could turn man to the seriousness of the "battle of the ego." Toynbee affirms that technology has been the religion of the West since the Renaissance. 7

There are several aspects of the contemporary scene which also make the idea of religion as a solution to our problems an attractive one. There is the wave of "adjustment" psychology which has permeated the churches, the business, and the educational institutions of today. The whole emphasis is a tendency to justify "human nature. " What is wrong, says this psychology, are these morals, challenges, and disciplines that frustrate peeple. - In general, the psychologist accepts unregenerate "human nature" as "natural". .

In accepting the repressed hatreds, hidden hostilities, and imoral acts of people as the true expression of human nature, society has committed itself to complete moral anarchy and abando’ns-any semblance of an objective standard of moral behavior. Religion becomes an aid to "good adjustment" andGod becomes a cosmic ps chiatrist,

There is also the "positive thinking' type of psychology. This has held before people the hope that by conscious (or unconscious) direction of their thoughts they can escape the frustrations and anxieties of life. The method involved is vague at best. Some theories ask man to make suggestions to his subconsious (sometimes called "supercomiousfl and this will miraculously remove all struggle from his life. The positive thinker is often refusing to accept the sin that is necess for s iritual

rmIth. The positive War is not seeang to ¥ace the reaflties of life, but to escape from them. Positive thinking in most of its forms assumes that man can, if he will, save himself and is, therefore, basically an egocentric doctrine. ' '

Not only. is it the history of culture or even the contemporary false ideas which make the Bahá’í miss the point of his religion. There are aspects of the Bahá’í Faith itself which can cause the Bahá’í to take his faith for granted.

First, the great confirmations of spirit which access:pany the declaration or Bahá’í belief often lead to a great change in one's life. One too often accepts this in [Page 6]GAVEAT EMPTOR (CONT'D)

itial transformation as sufficient to carry him‘along. He now goes about his Bahá’í work, perhaps obediently and faithfully, without ever fighting the sgiritual battles before him. We read: "The dying from self is not the complete destruction of human personality but its spiritual perfection, the subordination of the ego to the spiritual state of selflessness and sacrifice....This kind of subordination and transformation is necessarily slow. A man may suddenly realize the significance of the Prophet's message, but character building is quite another matter." (Mysticism, Science $12.9 Revelation, Shook) The slowness of the process is irrelevant, for what God requires of every man is that he make a sincere effort. Every man must fight the battle of the ego. We can choose to do it 'now, or we can wait, but we can never escape the battle.

There is also another attitude which can creep into 9. Bahá’ís outlook. Many people come to the Bahá’í Faith only after years of search. When one becomes a Bahá’í,~ he is aware that within the Faith are all the aide necessary to spiritual development. He has the sense of assurance that here, at last. is the answer to all questions. The Bahá’í knows he is right, for after all, this is the Cause of Goa. Bahá’ís, he feels, are above the ills which plague other 19non-Bahá’ís".

In short, the Bahá’í can be led to the conclusion that he is, at last, rid or spiritual problems when actually he is Just W to have them. His recognition of the Manifestat on puts his spiritual battle on at higher plane than one who is still wandering the labyrinthing paths of modem dam, but this increases his spiritual responsibility, instead of decreasing it. The only admt’sge Baha' is have over others is that they have at hand a greater knowledge of what the battle is about and how to fight it 1.; they age t_hg knowle e. We read: "Unto each one (man; hath been prescri e a preordained measure, as decreed in God's mighty tablets. All which ye potentially possess can be manifested only as a result of your own volition." Baha' is have an advantage only if they use the knowledge available to them. The tacit assumption that Bahá’ís posess a "greater spirituality", simply because they are Bahá’ís, is false. ‘ '

The Bahá’í must be aware of buying false merchandise. To purchase the ego-centered idea that religion is to help solve our problems will cheat us of our priceless opportunities for spiritual growth. At a time in history when pleasure seeking and mediocrity are the watchuords of youth, the Bahá’í youth must fight a battle whose existence very few, young or old, are ever aware. Willingness to accept the challenge to grow and the suffering which growth necessarily entails can only result in a glorious

[Page 7]GAVEAT MTOR (CONT'D)

victory. Refusal to accept the challenge can result only ,

in mediocrity, emotional apathy, and spiritual death. There is no middle ground. L_aveat Qtor -- ”Let the buyer beware."

By William Hatcher'

’ IMPORTANT

The N.B.Y.C. has been asked by the National Spiritual Assembly to remind youth that they must not invite any Persians to any Bahá’í meetings, including firesides, unless they have first seen the current Bahá’í credentials of the Persian. It is not sufficient to take the word of another Persian Bahá’í that they are properly accredited. Any disregard of this injunction is a veg serious matter which should be reported immediately. Our Beloved Guardiah,’ Shoghi Effendi, has repeatedly informed the American Bahá’ís that Persians must become Bahá’ís in their own country, and therefore the believers in America must concentrate all of their efforts on teaching the Americans and not the Persians.

NEW _B__________AHA'I _Y_________OUTH: ~Miss Barbara Jean Walker, Miss Peggy Ann Walker, 621 Hadley Ave" Kettering 19, Ohio.

~ 1*" ss Shirley Hathaway, 5, 05 N. Shaman BIVdo, #106 Arvada, Colorado.

Miss Suzanne Martin, R. R. # 2, Box 256, St. Charles, Illinois.

The NBYC is happy to announce the marriage of: Miss Sharon Homick of Helena, Montana. to, 'Mr. Arlen Erickson,

1001 lst Ave" N.W.‘, Great Falls, Montana.

'7.

[Page 8]conssnnscns‘gggwgggggggs," 111m snows, mama, pm. 28-29

The topic or the conference was T'The Purpose of Man“; _

Discussion on the first day was divided into four groups in order to encourage greater consultation among all the

youth. Following group discussion, all the youth net to- j, .‘ gether and further discussed the'topic. That night a go- -'

ciaJ. gathering was held of singing, playing records, and participating in games. The conference continued the main

theme of discussion Sunday morning. Such questions as the.

following were discussed: “what is God's purpose for man? How do we gain knawledge of God? How do we worship God? Can we know God through His creation? Does teaching. enter into everyone' 3 life? when we find our purpose in life, how do we fulfill it? Does sacrifice enter into everyone” life?" The attendance was 18 , six of these being non-Bahá’ís.

wEsm Inemoon, m JERSEY, OCTOBER 26

The theme of this A.Y.G. conference was "Teaching 31‘forts in the Gaming Year." The three basic tepies under this theme were: (1) Measuring our spiritual success in Bahá’í activities, (2) Youth's role in revitalizing themselves and the home front, (3) Suggestions to the A20 and NEW for activities in the coming year. Discussion cen tered around pioneering abroad, pioneering on the home- '

front, teaching in' our own community, contribution to the Fund. Twenty-three Baha' 1 youth attended the conference. The spirit achieved was conveyed in great measures to the NEW in receiving an 18 page report of the discussions, recomendations, and conclusions which were developed at the conference.

SALEM, OREGON, nov. 29, 3o, nEc.1

13 youth, 5 Bahá’ís and 9 non-Bahá’ís, attended a semi- ,

nar. The first morning of the seminar consisted of a question and answer period on basic Bahá’í beliefs. That afternoon teaching problems were discussed. On Sunday following devotions, a symposium open to the public was held, the tepic of which! was "Bahá’í Youth and the World of Tomorrow". 'At the symposium the sub-topics discussed were: (1) This Earth One Country, (2) World Citizenship, (3) Changing Human Nature, and finally (in It's Up To You.

ASTORIA, OREGON, JAN. 3, 14., 5th.

A seminar was held with the program based on the twelve basic principles. There were three, twa hour study sessions with everyone participating. Recreation and Followship were arranged for the two evenings. Eight Bahá’í youth and five non-nBaha' 1_ youth attended the seminar. The seminar received recognition in the local newspaper.

8.

[Page 9]am-mm

no Youth Omittoe has received the following letter with a request that it be printed and brought to the attention of youth throughout the ommtry.....1t needs well to be pondered.

* *

We read your teaching column with great interest and would very much like to know what the youth in this country are doing to accomplish anything toward spiritual unity. How is each group working to gain...direction from theHoly Spirit - how many really knew what direction from the Holy Spirit means? We can now clearly see that our only hope is to establish new methods of teaching: _ for can we not see that the old methods have failed?

what is the Youth Committee doing that is inspiring, stimulating, and new towards leading others to the path of safety? What is the eonmittee doing to achieve 99; EurEo’se and to seek divine confimations? How many you around the country are united by the breaths of the Holy Spirit? How many are "mysteriously and surpisingly finding the way?

How many of us in this country know in what ways we are devitalized and how many are doing anything about it? How many care that we are devitalized? How many think that this devitalization could not possibly to attributed to them - but to somebody else?

we, here in Tucson, need desperately the answers to the above questions. We would like to discover what new ways are being used to teach the Cause of God. In what ways are the believers uniting? In what ways are youth around the country different from Christian youth, Muslim youth, Buddhist youth? what are youth, who are enamored to the Cause of Baha'iu'llah, doing to become united through the breaths of the Holy Spirit? What are Bahá’í youth in this country doing that is different and more spiritual than gorga‘tjia'i youth? If something is being done, how are you

0 t?

* *

Perhaps the methods mentioned in this letter have mtl‘g to do with the question of revitalization. Perhaps we have always had the answer to the questions proposed by this letter. Perhaps we have failed to use the formula to solve the questions and it still resides amidst us. Let us now read the following teaching column with this idea in mind. Let us imagine the formula to be, for instance in part, the Tablet to the True Seeg_e_g, and let us imagine that the scientists in the following article are Bahá’ís, 16:1 gs think and meditate on what is presented in this 8? C 9000.00

9.

[Page 10]swans comm

A FABLE:

This is the fable of the four scientists. may worked in those days before science really was science, es we know it now. They came together one day to work on s. formula. Said Hans, "I have read it over, and it has very great potential! Let us begin work at once.u And so they did. And they read the name of the first ingredient. Immediately each scientist reached into his box and brought out a container.

_ "Wait a minute," said Hans, "none of you have the right ingredient. I have it here. This is what the formula calls for." ‘ "No," said Jergins, "you are mistaken. All my life I have heard the interpretation of this term. It refers to this powder I have." ’

"Why; you both must be mistsken,"exc1simed weaver, "for I have the fluid here in this flask, and it doesn't resemble your materials."

And so it went. Every time a word was read, each man reached into his box and brought out an item. But they very. seldom brought out the same material. As a result, each was mixing a different compound, all from the same formula. , '

At last Hanz said, "Men, we must come to 9. common understanding of what these terms mean. Otherwise we shall never be able to work together." .

"Wait, " interjected Weaver, ”we cannot do that. We each have the right to our own individual interpretation. We would give up our freedom if we came to mutual understandings and agreed on toms." And so it continued. A long time passed in this way. .

And when young inquirers came, wanting to study the teachings to learn to be scientists, each of the scien tists taught his own understandings, so that each inquir- ‘

er went away with a different view. And when any of them met, they could only talk about the trees and the woods, and the sunlight and how good it felt, for these were things they all understood together. But they could not talk of scientific matters, for then Opposing views and difficulties arose. And so it was that they could live in the world together, but they could not work effectively together in their life's job, nor teach others a common understanding.

Every once in a while, by chance, one of the scientists would put tegether several ingredients correctly, and a little or big reaction would take place, and they would all be quite excited at the limited results, but having seen only limited results, they knew nothing else.

And the formula is still there, waiting. (The directions say it will transform the world.)

10';

MIL

[Page 11]V- - ?;W

LOST SOULS

It is indeed sorrowful to find that we have lost contact with some of our Bahá’í brothers and sisters. The following youth have had their bulletins returned to us because they have moved and have not left a forwarding address. How much the NBYC would appreciate your infom1ng us of their whereabouts if you know their locations. The "lost Asoul" would undoubtedly appreciate it too.

Dawn A. Belcher 1805 23rd St., s.w. Washington, D. '0.

ms. 00 De Chase, 31? N. Phillips, Sioux Falls, 8. Dak.

E.K. Hagan, 191.9% Haste Ste, Berkeley 11., Calif.

Betty Dent,

.Youngs ton, Ohio

Mr. Z. Hehaidzadeh,

c/o HOE. E1180,

Foreign Agriculture Serb, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture washington 25, D. 6.

Mrs. Karen Irwin, 914.? South Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois

Miss Monica Lagan, 101k. Perry, Davenport, Iowa

Miss Carolina Keck, Box 109 Union Bldg" Arizona State College, Flagstaff, ~ Arizona.

Mrs. L. Parker, 1115, - ’42de St., Mahattan Beach, Calif.

Mr. George Penner, 1116 South Race Ste, Princeton, Indi ana.

Hrs. Gail Reynolds, 1600 Hadrone St” Apt. 29, West Sacramento, Calif.

Mr. Marvin Schmidt, 0

02 N. Patrices,

Phoenix, Arizona.

Miss Caryl Ann Smith, 2602 E. Admiral Place, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Norma K. Switzer,

57 Sherman South,

Denver, Colorado.

Don't let yourself become a "lost soul'k When you are preparing to move fill out the card on the inside cover of the Youth Bulletin and send it to the National Bahá’í

Youth Committee.

TEACHING comm! (comm)

-~Iryeuarea youthina eonmmni

ty, a group, 9. center,

can you not come together as these scientists did? However, can you not begin deep consultation between selves on such or the Writings u the Tablet to the True

Seeker, the unity, affinity, failed to find?

the Tablet of Ahmed and attain the understanding, and harmony that the scientists

[Page 12]‘ REFERENCES T0 YOUTH FROM THE GUARDIAI‘: IN BAHA'I NEWS

175 ,3 The world that lies ahead of us after this war

is going to be in a terrible condition, and if the believers are going to accomplish their duty and present the Divine Solution to mankind, they must prepare themselves » for the great tasks that lie ahead. This particularly

- applies to Bahá’í youth. Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its teachings, So that they can teach in a way that will convince people that all the problems facing them have a remedy. ll'hey must grasp the Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the ever-growing affairs of the Cause; and they must exemplify the Bahá’í way of living. All this is not easy--but the Guardian is always greatly encouraged to see the spirit animating such young believers as yourself. He has high hopes of what your generation will accomplish.

101; ,1 He quite agrees that the dangers facing the

modern youth are becoming increasingly grave, and call for immediate solution. But, as experience clearly shows, the remedy to this truly sad and perplexing situation is not to be found in traditional and ecclesiastical religion. The dogmatism of the church has been discarded once for all. What can control youth and save it from the pitfall of the crass materialism of the age is the power of a genuine, constructive and living Faith such as the one revealed to the world by Baha'u'llah. Religion, as in the past, is still the world's sole hope, but not that form of religion which our ecclesiastical leaders strive vainly to preach. Divorced from true religion, morals lose their effectiveness and cease to guide and control man's individual and social life. But when true religion is come bined with true ethics, then moral progress becomes a possibility and not a mere ideal.

The need of our modern youth is 'for such a type of ethics founded on pure religious faith. Not until these two are rightly combined and brought into full action can there be any hope for the future of the race. .

71 ,6 The activities, hepes and ideals of the Bahá’í

youth in America, as well as in all other parts of the world, are close and dear to my heart. Upon them rests the supreme and challenging responsibility to promote the interests of the Cause of God in the days to come: to 00-. ordinate its world-wide activities, to extend its scope to safeguard its integrity, to exalt its virtue, and translate its ideals and aims into memorable and abiding achievements. Theirs is a mighty task, at once holy, stupendous and enthralling. May the. spirit of Baha'u'llah protect, inspire and sustain them in the prosecution of their divinely appointed task.

12.

[Page 13]usws_snlsrs sermons mmsxn, cnmoma

Students at Stanford University report they have an active Bahá’í Club which is chartered by the Stanford Associated Students organization and have a constitution approved by both the National Spiritual Assembly and the Stanford University student legislature. . There are four Bahá’í students on the campus, two of whom are new declarations, one staff member and one faculty member. The Bahá’í Club is open to non-Baha' is as well and there are four non-Bahá’í members. Other activities of the club besides regular business meetings include firesides every Sunday afternoon, and study classes every Friday evening. The firesides are held off campus and consist of a short devotional part, lunch and discussion. Attendance has been very good. Friday evenings, held in a private dining room of one of the dormitories on the campus, include dinner and deepening 1n the Faith. They also have free announcements in the campus newspaper, plus a paid ad once ‘ a week which has brought many interested students. As a charter organization on the campus, the Bahá’í Club is represented on the Inter-Faith Council. During the Autumn Quarter the Bahá’í Representative was asked to be in charge of the weekly candlelight service held at the church on campus and was able to use some of the Bahá’í writings.

MANHASSETT, LONG ISLAND

Linda Kavelin, Pat Tate and Richard Baboock have been holding firesides. for youth in the local high school in Manhasset, Long Island. On September 23, Kenneth Kalantar gave an introductory talk on the Faith, emphasizing progressive revelation and world unity. Ten contacts were present. Recently more attention has been given to teach, in% thgse contacts who have shown a deep and searching

n eres .

NEW YORK CITY and LONG ISLAND

Youth and Bahá’í children from New York 01 ty and Long Island gathered in the New York Bahá’í center on the afternoon of Saturday, December 113., to discuss future activities for stimulating interest and teaching youth. The group primarily consisted of: young people from age eleven to the middle teens. It was reselved that in January 9. birthday party for the Kavelin twins be held at the New York center, to which young non-Bahá’í friends shall be invited. Informal diacussions as well as social events are planned for the future.

15.

[Page 14]ms BRIEFS (comm) ' OHIO UNIVERSITY

0n the Ohio campus the Religious Council has adopted as the theme for Brotherhood Week the phrase "SAY: ALL ARE CREATED BY GOD". The preliminary promotion for this week is encouraging a search for the "moral equivalent to the atomic bomb". This phrase will be offered as a potential moral‘equivalent to the atomic bomb. Perhaps this is a slogan that other colleges could use in their Observances of Brotherhood Week.

WAUWATOSA - MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

The weekly youth firesides in Wauwatosa began on Dec. 13, 1957, at the R. G. Lewis home, with Mr. Lewis as the teacher. The attendance has been very regular; the non-Bahá’í ercentage has alwa 3 been 25%. The lectures began at :00 and lasted to 3:30 P.M. Aftera refreshment period there was the informal question and answer period which usually lasted until 10:30. Many Bahá’í youth came in order to take notes on how Mr. Lewis presents the Faith.

There has been a splended flirit of co-operation in ‘ this area. As a result the functions of each youth committee were supported by each other. Milwaukee Sponsored deepening classes, extension teaching trips, and socials while Wauwatosa' put its emphasis on firesides. Individuals in the area gave soci'als between the Bahá’í functions; thus, "keeping in contact with the contacts".

The future plans for this. area include a toboggan party planned by the Milwaukee Youth Committee on January 26 and a Valentine party to be given by wauwatosa. These are to attract new contacts and to stimulate the interest among the Baha' 1 youth.

The NBYG suggests that other youth groups in the country develop a closer sgirit _o_f_ coogeration with those in neighboring comnunities. Perhaps teaching activities could be planned together by two local youth committees who are in neighboring locations.~ A public meeting, for instance, could be held first in one community, then in the other. A regular circuit-teaching plan could be set up by neighboring youth comittees. A coordination of activities betwaen youth in different groups presents a wonderful Opportunity for better teaching results, deeper love and fellowship and most important - a greater mnityo ’14.

[Page 15]Fireside at the Von Sombeck Home in Durham, North'Carclina with 29 Non-Bahá’í youth

Seminar of youth in Astoria, Oregon.

Youth Fireside at Mr. R.C. Iewis‘s home in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

National Bahá’í Youth Committee January 12, 1958

15.

[Page 16]To Baha'u'llah

Only Beloved! With a heart on fire And all my longinga set in one desire To make my soul a many-stringod lyre For Thy dear hand to play, I hand beneath Thy mercy-soat and pray That in the strength of perfect love I may Tread with firm feet the rod and mystic way Hhoreto my hopes aspire.

I have forgotten all for love of Theo

And ask no other joy from destiny

Than to be rapt within Thy unity Andnwhataover befallTo hear no voice on earth but Thy sweet call,

To walk among Thy people as Thy thrall

And see Thy beauty breathing throughout all Eternal octasy.

Lead me forth, Lord, amid the wide world's ways,

To bear to Thee my witness and to raise

The dawn song of the breaking day of days. Make my whole life one flame

or sacrificial deeds that shall ‘proolaim

The now-born glory of Thy ancient name; 7

And let my death lift higher yet the same Triumphal chant of praise!

By George Townshend (Mission of Baha'u'llah p. 121)

Please send all teaching or news articles to the editor-Judy Bernstein, 51433 8. Cornell Ave” Chicago, Illinois.

by the 15th of each month in order to be published in the following month' 3 bulletin.

"SOCIETY, DESTINY, AND. YOU" BAHA' I WORLD YOUTH DAY

Reminder to all youth! Do not pass up this wonderful opportunity to bring the Faith to an interested audience. It is your responsibilitg to plan a program for WORLD allogtpn DAY, March 25, 195 . Details are in the last Bul 9 1n.

16.