Bahá’í Youth Bulletin/116 (Dec-Jan)/Text

[Page 1]PUIUSHED IV THE NATIONAL BAHA'

[Page 2]NATIONAL BAHA'I YOUTH COMMITTEE - mm 116

Zahrl Schoeny. Dan Jbrdan . . Nancy Jordan‘. Gail Meyer . . Larry Cooper

Glory Fraser

Deanne Fraser Joanna Thomas

Donald‘streets Mrs. Vivian Fellows - Adult Adviser

AREA CO-ORDINATORS New England Wtates. . .

O a '0 I O o I Chairman . Vice- Gha imman as Treasurer . .GOrreaponéing‘SBcretary . . . .Reaording Secretary

0 o o o c I n 0 o I o o o a I o o n I o I o a O I I u o

i .Glory Fraser

North Atlantic States o o o o o_ g c ,o a o 0 .Gail Mayer central Atlantic states . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Meyer South Atlantic States . . . . . . . . . .Donald Streets Tennessee valley States . . . . . . .‘a .Vivinn Fbllows Gulf States . . . . . . . . . . . . . , .Glory Fraser East Central States . . . . . . . . . . . .Larry Cooper Central States. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vivian Fellows South Central states. . . . . . . . . . . Jbanna Thomas North central states. . . . . . . ... . . .Nancy Jordan Rocky Mountain-states . . . . . ._. 9-. . . .Dan Jbrdan Southwestern states . . . . . . ; . . .‘. Zahrl Schoéhy Northwestern states . . . . . . . . . . . Jhanna Thomas

Please address all NBYC obrreapondanca to: Mrs. Nancy Jordan 907% East 60th Street Chicago 37, Illino-is

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The Bahgli Ybuth Bulletin 13 published every other month by the National Bahá’í Youth Cemmittee under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. All copied are distributed without charge to Bahá’í Youth. This Bulletin is circulated to declared Bahá’ís only.

[Page 3]DECEMBER 1959 = JANUARY 1960 BAHA'I YEARS 116 & 117

EPIGRAM Then ....... Three wise men found Him, Adoringly knelt

At His feet.

The world is on its knees, Praying for Three wise men.

--By Mary Swank

Good will toward men Is the price of peace.

-- By Mary Swank

The first attribute of perfection is learning and the cultural attainments of the mind, and this eminent station is achieved when the individual combines in himself a thorough knowledge of those complex and transcendental realities pertaining to God, of the fundamental truths of Qur’ánic political and religious law, of the contents of the sacred Scriptures of other faiths, and of those regulations and procedures which would contribute to the progress and civilization of this distinguished country. He should in addition be informed as to the laws and principles, the customs, conditions and manners, and the material and moral virtues characterizing the statecraft of other nations and should be well versed in all the useful branches of learning of the day, and study the historical records of bygone governments and peoples. For if a

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[Page 4]learned individual has no knowledge of the sacred Scriptures and the entire field of divine and natural science, of religious jurisprudence and the arts of government and the varied learning of the great events of history, he might prove unequal to an emergency, and this is inconsistent with the necessary qualification of comprehensive knowledge.

The Secret of Divine Civilization. -‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

THE ACTIVE BELIEVER AS A PROBLEM lst of a Series Dan J ordan

One of the most recurrent and tiresome themes vocalized time and again at every Feast, conference, convention, committee and assembly meeting is the problem of the inactive believer. The active believer claims his problem to be the inactive believer. I am suggesting that the problem of the inactive believer is, conversely, the active believer. All of the dis cussion about what to do for the inactive believer never reaches his ears directly because he never attends the meetings where he is discussed. He gets it, though, by "social osmosis," and it probably serves to keep him inactive. Now, since the active believers are more likely to read this exposition than are the inactive, we will feel comfortable talking about ourselves and not about those who "are not present."

What evidence is there for making such a rash statement? The more I contemplated the matter, the more convincedI became that the evidence is so abundant that a book would be required to present it. However, we shall content ourselves with demonstrating the validity of the statement by a few convincing anologies, and analyze it further in successive articles.

A "bad" child is naughty and misbehaving because of the way his parents have treated him since he was born. (A statement easily supported by volumes of evidence.) Likewise the inactive believer is more than likely inactive because of the way the active believers have treated him since he bacame a Bahá’í. (Many believers, of course, are active in spite of the way they've been treated.) Parents of naughty children will feel very defensive about the first statement and active believers may reject the second. Let us remember, however, that guilt always puts us on the defensive and can make us reject just those ideas we need to solve our problems.

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[Page 5]Mothers of delinquent children as well as LSA's who are plagued with the "problem of inactive believers" may say, "But we have given them everything, we have tried everything, but to no avail."

Let me say this in reply: WHAT YOU GIVE THEM AND WHAT

YOU TRY IS NOT NEARLY SO IMPORTANT AS HOW YOU GIVE

AND now YOU TRY.

The child does not experience his mother's love through what she does and says as. how she says and does. It is common knowledge that many parents who tell their children they love them, and provide them with an abundance of clothes, food, shelter, and other material comforts, etc, still have delinquent Children - the socalled Rebels without Cause.

We know ourselves that the real meaning of what someone says is not always to be found in the words he uses, but in the way he speaks them. In other words, meaning gets across from one person to another in subtle ways -- on unconscious as well as conscious levels. The effective and true meaning is nearly always found on the unconscious level. This is why it is possible for active believers —- say, an assembly or committee -- to appear to be doing the right things, but with no result. But we must deal with facts. If believers remaininactive, there is a reason, a cause, somewhere. The community who has inactive believers whose inactivity has been caused by the active believers will also find that they cannot attract new believers. The two situations are, of course, intimately related. This is the criteria by which an assembly can determine whether or not they are the cause of the inactive believer's inactivity. On the other hand, if a community has inactive believers but has great success in bringing in dedicated believers, the active believers can be fairly certain that the inactivity of some members is due to old age, illness, etc., and that these people are spiritually, if not physically, active.

Now, how can an active believer be the cause of the inactivity of the others? What are those subtle and sometimes unconscious ways of doing things that keep a believer from becoming active? The few hints given here will be developed in full and analyzed in the succeeding issues of the Bulletin. This article is the first of a series on the "Active Believer as a Problem." Iam using the name active believer in contradistinction to 'True Believer' throughout this series. True believers are, of course, active. But, as I hope to demonstrate, active believers are not necessarily true. Activity in itself will get us nowhere. Itis HOW we act that counts.

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[Page 6]A "PIONEER"

Between the material security of conventional life and the depi'ivation of asceticism is a delightful creature called a "Bahá’í Pioneer". Pioneers come in assorted sizes, weights, and colors, but all pioneers have the same creed: To spread the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh every second of every minute of every wake-hour of every day, and to mirror forth radiant acquiescence.

Pioneers are found everywhere -- on the home front, in a grass hut in Africa or Asia, in metropolitan Paris, in the jungles of South America, in the wheat fields of Kansas, and even in the South Sea Islands.

The "friends" love them, personal inadequacies worry them, the Hands rely on them, and the Greatest Name protects them.

A pioneer is Truth spreading the greatest story ever told, Integrity and Steadfastness when adversity befalls him, and Hope to an overwhelmingly lost and failing world.

He likes firesides, members of all races and cultures, deepening sessions, conferences, and the COOperation of all the "friends". He's not much for pettiness, back—biting, personality problems, and lack of unity among the Bahá’ís "up with which he shall not put".

No one else is so eager to spread the Cause or so neglectful of personal needs. No body else gets so much satisfaction out of a new declaration or so muchembarrassment if mention is made that to a large extent he was responsible for teaching that individual.

He's Patience with adversity before him; he's Authority with an understanding of the word of God; he's Love with unsaturated feelings of kindness for mankind; and he's the wayfarer for the New World Order of that prophetic prayer, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". By the way, he considers himself the most fortunate person in the world. He's a Bahá’í.

"The wayfarer in this Valley seeth in the fashionings of the True One nothing save clear providence, and at every moment saith: 'No defect canst thou see in the creation of the God of Mercy: Repeat the gaze: Seest thou a single flaw?"

1* "The Seven Valleys "

[Page 7]"Arise, O wayfarer in the path of the Love of God, and aid thou His Cause. Say: Barter not away this Youth,0people, for the vanities of this world or the delights of heaven."

"Gleanings"

Professor Leicester F. Hamilton Executive Director

Department of Chemistry Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge 39, Massachusetts

Dear Professor Hamilton,

It is with mixed emotions that Iwrite this letter to you, withdrawing from my appointment as a National Science Foundation Regular Fellow for the academic year 1959-60. I am at once regretful that I must cause you and the staff at M.I.T. the trouble of processing this change, and happy that I am about to perform in a far more important capacity as a Bahá’í "pioneer" in Colombia, South America.

Such a decision as this obviously requires some explanation. As you have seen by my application for admission, I am a member of the Bahá’í World Faith, a religion originating in Iran in the midnineteenth century and claiming to be the religion for all mankind in this day, the day in which God's Kingdom shall be established on earth as it is in Heaven. The Bahá’í Faith teaches the oneness of mankind and the oneness of religion; that God is one, but that His Prophets (great world teachers) were many, bringing from time to time chapters in the great book of God's one religion. It accepts and upholds all the previous Prophets, but adds to and continues their teachings. Bahá’u’lláh (Arabic for Glory of God), who lived from 1817 to 1892, was the Prophet of the Bahá’í Faith.

Today the Bahá’ís in over 250 countries and dependencies are actively engaged in aten-year global crusade, aimed at the spiritual conquest of the planet. At this particular time (just 3-1/2 years before the end of the crusade) the most important fields of endeavor are 31 countries in Europe and Latin America, in which National Spiritual Assemblies (administrative bodies for the affairs of the Bahá’ís in a given nation) must be established by 1962,

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[Page 8]just one year before the end of the crusade. In order for me to be honest with myself, I can do nothing but the maximum of my capacity in serving this Faith I have espoused, because of love for it.

This decision, then, to be a Bahá’í "pioneer", as we term one who goes out, self—supporting, to teach the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, is 'the one which I feel I am now in a position to undertake, and one which is the only one Ican honestly make, recognizing the need which the world has for the Bahá’í Faith. It is my hope someday to return to my studies and to deveIOp further in my vocation. I'll be leaving on or about October 1 for Manizales of Pereira, Colombia, hoping to get a job as a chemist.

The reason Iam writing atthis late date, just before classes begin, is that this decision was made fairly recently, and since that time, I have had to apply for a Visa and for a draft deferment, both of which are even now in the process of coming through. Now that assurance in these practical things has been given me, I can actually leave and do what I feel I must.

These words of Bahá’u’lláh have given, and continue to give me the assurance in spiritual matters that my proposed move is indeed my only alternative:

"It is incumbent, in this Day, upon every man to place his whole trust in the manifold bounties of God, and to arise to disseminate, with the utmost wisdom, the verities of His Cause."

"By the righteousness of God' Shouldaman, all alone, arise in the name of Baha (i,e, for the Cause of God) and put on the armor of His love, him will the Almighty cause to be victorious, though the forces of heaven and earth be arrayed against him. . . . "

"They that have forsaken their country for the purpose of teaching Our Cause-—these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through its. power. A company of Our chosen angels shall go forth with them, as bidden by Him Who is the Almighty, the All-Wise. How great the‘ blessedness that awaiteth him that attained the honor of serving the " Almighty! By My life: No act, however great, can compare with it except such deeds as have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, the Most Mighty. . . ."

"Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfill that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present-day order be rolled up, and a new one spread

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[Page 9]out in its stead. :Verily thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen." (”America's Spiritual Mission", Bahá’í, Publishing Committee, New York, 1948, pp 4-7.)

I hope that this letter does not cause too much trouble, and that its contents have offered an explanation for my actions. I thank you for all your time and patience with me in all the admission procedures. I remain,

Sincerely yours, ' V 3 Kenneth Kalantar

As a note of explanation, this. classification to be given the pioneering mission should be under the direct authority of the National Spiritual Assembly. It is necessary for the National Spiritual Assembly to inform the Draft Board that the individual concerned has been requested to undertake such a mission.

Poetry Column

THE CHANTING OF THE PRAYER

She warbled strange words in her lute-like voice Like garden fountains gushing, bubbling on,

They come cascading down restraint's cold rocks And dash them into. little broken bits.

The walls around me shake With echoing.

I am convulsed

Stricken with dumbness

Choking on thoughts,

Filled to the breaking.

On spill the words as I come alive in them, Surging to meet them like a mighty wave. Beating and sweeping out to join the sea,

A Pow'r tossed slave to ceaseless restlessness ‘ That reaches up taut hands to heights untouched, Up through the storm,

Through the sound's torrent,

Stretching to grasp,

Closing on nothing.

[Page 10]A thousand vibrant blades have pierced my skin, Needless of light and sound intense.

I think a light has split the crystal veil

And flings out shattered bits that fly on sparks Showering down lightning, stabbing souls with pins, Light--dazzled eyes

Fail to be blinded.

Beautiful pain!

Torment ecstatic!

I feel the passion of a fire—mad love.

The agonies of dark cells throb through me. I learn of sacrifice from words unknown. The Prophet wrote, "My words have stirred the world."

Never until this day did I know why.

When before this,

When have I worshipped?

All has been chaff

Now burned to Cinders.

- -Janet Cutler

CONFERENCE RE PORTS

Milwaukee, Wis cons in

The Bahá’í Youth Conference of Milwaukee began on the 24th of October with a very informative talk on The Function of Youth in

America given by Mr. Emanuel Reimer. The youth present became more aware of their part in aiding the crusade through work such as youth panels, circuit teaching, and pioneering. During the Saturday afternoon sessions Mr. Robert Niss conducted a brain storm session on ways to contact and teach people on the homefront. That evening, Mrs. Arden Lee showed slides and talked about Asia and the areas of the East. On Sunday morning Allan Ward's article, "1001 Days", was discussed. A meetingwas planned where definite action could be planned to be taken on the suggestions given in the article.

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[Page 11]University of Arizona, Tuscon, Arizona

On Sunday, November 23, Janet Dodge, Bahzad Rouhani, and Evelyn Baral spoke before twenty-one members of the Wesley Club. The chairman, Don Steinwachs, with the aid of the panel members, answered many questions during a stimulating hourand-a-half questioning period. This inspiring meeting stimulated among some who attended the desire for a follow-up meeting.

Boston, Massachus etts

The youth conference of Boston, Massachusetts was held on the week-end of October 24 - 25. During the morning session of October 24 attention was centered on the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and Abdul— Baha, followed by readings from the Advent of Divine gustice. Mr. Charles Moore gave a short talk in the afternoon in regard to the goals of the Ten Year Crusade. The thirty-five youths who attended then split up into four groups and discussed the ways to achieve these goals.

WashingtonL D. C.

The Youth Conference of the Central Atlantic Statesbegan on October 24 with a discussion of the article from the June Bahá’í News, "This Crucial Hour". Recognizing opportunities for teaching the Faith to high school individuals were discussed. During the afternoon session, the members of the conference discussed the responsibilities and functions of the Area Youth Committees, and how they are related with the other Bahá’í committees.

Quincy, Illinois

The Central States Area Youth Committee met at 2p.m. on November 8th at the McClymond's residence in Quincy. The discussions were centered around adult-youth cooperation. It was felt that publicity in the Area Teaching and the Youth Bulletins was necessary to encourage the youth of their various responsibilities.

[Page 12]ATTENTION: A Must On Your Calendar!!!

A conference sponsored by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee in twelve areas of the United States ---February

IMPORTANTII!!!

SUCCESS IN TEA CHING ......

Start preparing yourself NOW by studying Success in Teaching by Rúḥíyyih Rabbani. Don't miss this excellent opportunity!!!

The Youth Committee of your area will inform you regarding the details of this conference.

A CTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Dan Jordan was speaker for the public meeting held in Foundation Hall commemorating the Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb.

On November 29, Joanna Thomas, Glory Fraser, Dan Jordan, and Zahrl Schoeny, members of the N.B.Y.C ., presentedapanel at the Bahá’í Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin entitled: "Religious Freedom and Thanksgiving." Larry Cooper read the openingprayer and Mrs. Vivian Fellows acted as moderator. Approximately fifty attended.

Joanna Thomas of the N.B.Y.C. was co-chairman and speaker at ‘ the conference for the South Central States held in Kansas City, Kansas on October 30 and 31. The conference was set into motion with a keynote address by Joanna concerning "The Function of Youth in the World Crusade". On Sunday, Joanna spoke on "Bahá’í Administration”. On November 28 and 29 Joanna spoke at the area conference sponsored by the Bahá’í Youth of Waterloo and Castle

Hill, Iowa.

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[Page 13]Past itinerary of Mrs. Vivian Fellows, adult adviser and member of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee:

September 7: Spoke before the Lutheran Student Center. November 6: Spoke at Park Ridge, Illinois on "The

Effect of Religion on Civilization".

November 12: Spoke to a grmip of foreign students in Lincoln, Nebraska on "The Effect of Religion on Civilization".

Vivian will fly on a circuit teaching venture to Nashville, Augusta

and North Augusta, Georgia, South Carolina, and Jacksonville and Miami, Florida.

EVENTS FOR PUBLICIZING THE FAITH

World Religion Day J anuary 17

Naw-Rúz March 21

Bahá’í World Youth Day March 25 Announcement:

Fresno State College! Fresno, California

Help! We need one or two Bahá’í youth to further teaching here at the college. Those interested can gain information concerning the college program by writing to Fresno State College, Fresno, California, and information in regard to Bahá’í activities by writing to Miss Ruth Fair, 2438 Thorn Avenue, Fresno 5, California.

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[Page 14]ENCE A TTENDE R333

’(ZCI

A LL CONFE Are ail of you sure that you have these following points firmly in mind before attending conferences?

1. Study and meditate on the suggested references before attending the conference.

2. Bring the books suggested to the conference.

3. Realize the responsibility one has to share one's ideas and suggestions during the consultation and discussion periods.

4. Become recognized by the chairman before sharing your thoughts with the group.

5. Follow the plan of housing facilities as arranged by the adult supervisors present at’ the conference.

6. Leave the conference not only with enthusiasm and love, but with a practical plan for assisting the work of the local group or local spiritual assembly.

Attend the conference in February with this spirit of earnestly striving to evaluate ourselves and how we are going to contribute to bringing about unity in this world.