Bahá’í News/Issue 104/Text

Bahá’í News
Issue 104

BAHA’I NEWS

Published by
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of the United States and Canada
General Office: 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, New Jersey

No. 104

DECEMBER, 1936

LETTERS FROM THE GUARDIAN[edit]

1. To the National Spiritual Assembly
The Importance of the Archives[edit]

“The importance of the institution of Bahá’í Archives is not due only to the many teaching facilities it procures, but is especially to be found in the vast amount of historical data and information it offers both to the present-day administrators of the Cause, and to the Bahá’í historians of the future. The institution of Bahá’í Archives is indeed a most valuable storehouse of information regarding all the aspects of the Faith, administrative as well as doctrinal. Future generations of believers will be surely in a better position than we are to truly and adequately appreciate the many advantages and facilities which the institution of the Archives offers to individual believers and also to the community at large.

“Now that the Cause is rapidly passing through so many different phases of its evolution, is the time for the friends to exert their utmost in order to preserve as much as they can of the sacred relics and various other precious objects that are associated with the lives of the Founders of the Faith, and particularly the Tablets They have revealed.

“Every believer should realize that he has a definite responsibility to shoulder in this matter, and to help, to whatever extent he can, in rendering successful the valuable work which national and local Bahá’í Archives committees are so devotedly accomplishing for the Faith in America.”—September 25, 1936.

Promulgation of the Divine Plan[edit]

“Dear and prized co-workers:

“I cannot allow this communication to be sent without adding a few words in person and stress afresh the significance of the undertaking in which the entire Bahá’í community has embarked. The promulgation of the Divine Plan, unveiled by our departed Master in the darkest days of one of the severest ordeals which humanity has ever experienced, is the key which Providence has placed in the hands of the American believers whereby to unlock the doors leading them to fulfil their unimaginably glorious Destiny. As the proclamation of the Message reverberates throughout the land, as its resistless march gathers momentum, as the field of its operation widens, and the numbers of its upholders and champions multiply, its potentialities will correspondingly unfold, exerting a most beneficent influence not only on every community throughout the Bahá’í world, but on the immediate fortunes of a travailing society. The repercussions of this campaign are already apparent in Europe, India, Egypt, Iraq and even among the sore-tried communities in Persia and Russia. The Faith of God is gaining in stature, effectiveness and power. Not until, however, the great enterprise which you are now conducting runs its full course and attains its final objective, at its appointed time, can its world-encompassing benefits be fully apprehended or revealed. The perseverance of the American believers will, no doubt, ensure the ultimate realization of these benefits.”—November 14, 1936.

2. To Individual Bahá’ís (Published with the Guardian’s Consent)[edit]

To Mr. Bernard Gottlieb, April 17, 1936.

“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 pitfalls 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 Bahá’u’lláh. 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 combined 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.”

THE SPIRIT OF TEACHING[edit]

If we regard Bahá’í teaching only in terms of lectures and other formal public activities, the inherent capacity of the Bahá’í community to serve the Faith can never be fulfilled. It will not be possible solely by methods conforming to past religious practices to establish the Faith over the vast area of the world in the allotted time. In order to meet the Guardian’s supreme appeal, the believers must consider teaching from a more intimate, a more universal point of view.

Why should any small group of Bahá’ís remain inactive until some

[Page 2] “teacher” arrives from another city to conduct meetings? Why should any isolated believer feel helpless merely from lack of experience in public speaking? Is a divine Faith impotent to find true expression simply because a believer happens not to possess certain qualities most conspicuous to nonbelievers?

The source of all qualities is faith. He who has faith can serve even if he be deprived of health, wealth and the talents which the public most readily recognizes. For faith is a condition of universal love stirring within the soul. The true believer can at all times be conscious of a supreme blessing, a positive joy which conveys its essence to others by powers no school can teach. The man or woman of sincere faith stands forth as a lighted candle in spiritual night. From within emanates a reflection of the Holy Spirit which will reveal itself to others without formal eloquence or external ritual.

It is from this deep, joyous, constant possession of certitude and blessing that we must all pray to be able to serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. Because the law of unity is variety and not uniformity, that inward devotion will fulfil itself in myriad ways, in some through eloquence, in others through steadfast ethical qualities, in still others through a calm elation shedding its perfume upon other souls. The spirit of teaching, far from being dogmatic insistence, consists solely in our love for God which we cannot help but share.

At this level of inner experience, all believers are teachers. The most remote Bahá’í, apparently deprived of human advantages, can all unconsciously so reflect the Light as to inspire an entire community. Deprived of this universal essence, the most humanly favored of individuals will fail to serve the Faith. Let us remember that surpassing Tablet in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá guided the souls: “The essential purpose of Faith and Belief is to ennoble the inner being of man with the outpourings of grace from on high.... Wherefore it is incumbent upon all Bahá’ís to ponder this very delicate and vital matter in their hearts, that, unlike other religions, they may not content themselves with the noise, the clamor, the hollowness of religious doctrine. Nay, rather they should exemplify in every aspect of their lives those attributes and virtues that are born of God ... ”

If we can but learn humbly to perceive the teaching activity of the American Bahá’í community as a deeper awareness of this truth, the formal and definite plans now under way will be reinforced a thousandfold. Nothing but the power of the Holy Spirit can conquer the nations and continents. That power surrounds each and every soul sincerely turned to Bahá’u’lláh. Let us base our efforts upon radiant joy that we have been admitted into the Kingdom. Let us not be overawed by an external power, nor succumb to a merely human restlessness. Holding fast to the firm cord of divine Guidance, let us march forward, one and all, with the hosts of Destiny itself.

“Whoso reciteth in the privacy of his chamber, the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrance of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect, yet the virtues of the grace vouchsafed unto him must needs sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul.” (Gleanings, p. 295).

REGIONAL CONFERENCE AND PUBLIC MEETINGS IN SAN FRANCISCO[edit]

The members of the National Spiritual Assembly are most gratified over the results of the conferences and meetings held at San Francisco on November 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Surrounded by a beautiful hospitality and deeply conscious of the unity and vigor of the believers who attended the meetings from the Pacific Coast communities, the members feel that the spirit of teaching was truly exemplified during those five days.

The program carried out included two public meetings in the Palace Hotel, a Feast provided by the Assemblies of the Bay region, a day of consultation with the believers, dinner with the Spiritual Assembly of San Francisco, a visit to the Summer School at Geyserville, where the members dined with Mr. and Mrs. Bosch, besides the sessions of the N. S. A. devoted to current matters.

Despite the fact that the city was engrossed in celebrating the opening of the great bridge, the two thousand invitations which had been issued for the public meetings, and very extensive publicity carried on in the press for more than a week produced two large and interested audiences for the public meetings. It was estimated that about four hundred persons attended the meeting on November 12, and about seven hundred on November 15.

Mrs. Stuart W. French presided at the public meeting on November 12. An address on “Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to a Chaotic Age” was delivered by Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, followed by one on “The Implications of a World Faith” by Mr. Horace Holley.

On Sunday evening, November 15, before an audience filling the Gold Room of the Palace Hotel, Mr. Leroy Ioas served as chairman, the speakers being Mr. George O. Latimer, with the subject “Order for a Troubled World,” and Mr. Mountfort Mills, who spoke on “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm presided at the Bahá’í Feast held in the auditorium of the Sorosis Club Saturday evening, November 14, and Mr. Mills conducted the regional consultation Sunday morning and afternoon.

The spirit of unity and devotion characterizing these meetings was truly exemplified in the announcements which the N. S. A. was privileged to make, first, that donations of more than five thousand dollars had been received for the Teaching Fund, second, that a contribution of five thousand dollars has been received to meet the cost of publishing The Bahá’í World, Vol. VI, third, that a special contribution had been made to make final payment on the Temple loan, and fourth, that a believer has offered to construct a new Bahá’í Hall at Green Acre, and finally, that a believer has also offered to construct a new dormitory at the Geyserville School.

It is surely significant that the final Temple construction bill now having been paid, the teaching work can now go forward with full energy. Since 1925, the American Bahá’í community, with the Guardian’s constant help and with valued help also from believers in other lands, has completed three Temple construction contracts—the body of the edifice, the external decoration of the dome, and the decoration of the clerestory section.

“THE AMERICAN BELIEVERS MUST PRESS ON”[edit]

Report from National Teaching Committee[edit]

“By the righteousness of God! Should a man, all alone, arise in the name of Bahá and put on the armour of His love, him will the Almighty cause to be victorious, though the forces of heaven and earth be arrayed against him ...”

Stirred by this and numerous other assurances of divine assistance in the “Gleanings,” and in the Teaching Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the American Bahá’ís are now responding with con-

[Page 3] fidence and vigor to the Guardian’s call to inaugurate a widespread teaching campaign in the American continents. That this effort will exert a tremendous influence upon the trend of events during the next few years is implicit in the Guardian’s letter quoted in the October BAHÁ’Í NEWS: “The opportunity is unutterably precious. It may not occur again.” The Guardian is praying for our success and already many evidences that his prayers are being answered have come to the attention of the National Teaching Committee. Many new doors, both spiritual and material, have opened to those who have arisen to obey the divine command. There can no longer be any hesitation. Confirmations are descending in floods upon all who set forth with perseverence and confidence to spread the Light of Truth near and far.

Space does not permit the publication of a detailed account of all that has been accomplished during the past few weeks, but the following statements are offered to indicate in what manner the believers are discharging their new responsibilities and translating their faith into the action called for in the recent messages of the Guardian.

In New Fields[edit]

Miss Gertrude Frazier’s pioneer work in Omaha reported in the last BAHÁ’Í NEWS continues to produce inspiring results. Mrs. Mabel Ives of Chicago is now assisting her with the study class that has been established. The students are diligently preparing themselves for Bahá’í membership and are cooperating in all the efforts being made to awaken the city to the Teachings. One book store has asked to carry Bahá’í books for sale and these are being displayed in a special section with the photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Mr. and Mrs. Raphael Lillywhite who were among the first to answer the call for pioneers, have reported unexpected changes in their material affairs which will enable them to follow through their teaching objective which is the establishment of the Cause in Wyoming.

Mrs. Marion Little, pioneering in the states of Louisiana and Mississippi, recently made a trip as far north as Memphis, Tennessee, speaking to high school and community audiences where she was received with much enthusiasm and made many friends for the Cause through whom good follow-up work will be possible.

CABLEGRAM FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI

American Bahá’í Community, c/o Bahá’í, New York:

Overjoyed, unspeakably grateful (for) American believers’ signal response (to) my reiterated appeal. (The) inaugurated campaign (is) fraught (with) consequences involving (the) immediate destinies (of the) American community. (The) shadows encircling sore-tried human society (are) noticeably deepening. (The) world crisis (is) inexorably moving towards climax, challenging (the) torch-bearers (of) Bahá’í civilization (to) scale loftier heights (of) individual heroism, (to) scatter more widely throughout (the) length (and) breadth (of the) American continents, (to) participate more strenuously (in) concerted effort organized by National, Regional (and) local agencies dedicated (to the) prosecution (of) noble enterprise, (to) pour forth more abundantly (their) resources in support (of the) fund created for its furtherance, (and) resolve more determinedly (to) conquer whatever obstacles might retard its ultimate fruition. (The) Dawn-Breakers (in) previous age have on Persian soil signalized by their acts (the) birth (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh. Might not American believers, their spiritual descendents, prove themselves in turn capable (of) ushering in on world scale the civilization of which that Faith is (the) direct source and sole begetter.

SHOGHI.

(Received October 29, 1936).

Mrs. Margaret Kruce of Seattle who will go to Alaska in the spring to remain for a year is preparing herself in every possible way in the interim for effective teaching work in the Territory.

Miss Julia Culver, living at Chemeketa Park, California, has aroused the interest of a large group of inquirers, several of whom have expressed a desire to affiliate with the Faith. A number of young people have become enthused and have asked for Bahá’í speakers to appear before their student organizations in the high school.

Mrs. Mildred Crossey of Portland, Oregon, recently arranged for a transfer in her position to Boise, Idaho, where she is aiding the two isolated believers there in their follow-up work among the group taught by Mrs. Louise Caswell and others during the past two years.

Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, of Berkeley, California, previously reported as planning to teach in Reno, Nevada, found the door of service suddenly and unexpectedly opening in another direction. She is leaving the middle of November to live and teach in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Offering their services to an isolated believer in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Mrs. Ruth Moffett and Miss Margaret Reimer did some intensive teaching work in that city during the summer and established a study class of twenty students with whom further work is being done this fall. Several have indicated a desire to enroll as members of the Bahá’í Faith.

Mrs. J. E. Rice and Mrs. Caroline Stewart, isolated believers at Arlington, Virginia, within a brief space of time have interested a group of seven or eight persons in studying the Teachings with them. Plans are being made for a series of public addresses to attract a larger number of inquirers.

Extension Work by Assemblies[edit]

The foregoing are but a few of those who have already undertaken sustained teaching programs in new cities and states. Many others on behalf of their local Assemblies have opened up neighboring cities. Monroe, Washington, for example, recently arranged for the presentation of the Cause to a women’s club of 150 members in Marysville, Washington. This same Assembly is sponsoring teaching work in Everett where a study group will be organized this winter.

Mrs. Myrtle Campbell of Portland, Oregon, arranged for an address by Mr. George O. Latimer before the Kiwanis Club in Oregon City, Oregon, recently. The daily paper published a front page report of the address and included some excellent statements on the basic teachings and principles of the Faith.

Members of the Los Angeles Assembly are cooperating with Mrs. Elvira Paxton in San Fernando, California, where an interested group has begun the study of the Teachings and where good newspaper publicity is given the meetings.

As a result of public addresses by Miss Marion Holley and Miss Virginia Orbison of Los Angeles given in San Bernardino, California, recently, a Bahá’í study class has been formed. Miss Holley will serve as the teacher with occasional assistance from her home Assembly.

[Page 4] The Cleveland Assembly reports pioneer work undertaken in Painsville, Sandusky, Norwalk, and Oberlin, Ohio. Dayton is holding bi-weekly meetings in Xenia, Ohio, and has made valuable contacts with the university there.

Members of the Lima Assembly have initiated work in Defiance, Celina and West Unity, Ohio. New cities recently opened in Michigan are: Hillsdale, Pentwater, and Mishawaka. Library books have been placed by the Bahá’ís in the public libraries of all these cities.

Mr. Philip Sprague reports that Port Chester, Wantagh and Hempstead, New York, have recently formed study groups.

In order to acquaint the prominent citizens of Colorado Springs with the Bahá’í Faith, Mrs. Loulie Mathews recently gave a series of four carefully planned lectures on “The Great Religions,” paving the way for a later series on the Cause itself. A lecture on the Cause at Colorado University was another important piece of work done by Mrs. Mathews this fall.

Inter-Community Teaching Conferences[edit]

Five regions thus far have held Inter-Community Teaching Conferences under the plan approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. The first one, for the Bahá’í Communities of Michigan, was held during the summer school at Louhelen. Every Bahá’í Group and every Assembly in the state was represented and definite plans were made to capitalize the enthusiasm which was generated for increased teaching service.

The second conference, held at Greenacre in August, had as its central theme: individual teaching service. Many concrete suggestions for both individual and group work opened the way for an active winter campaign in the eastern states.

The conference of Arizona and Southern California Bahá’ís held in Los Angeles in September was devoted to a discussion of successful teaching methods. The evening session which was open to the public attracted a very large number of new people.

The Bahá’ís of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon held their Inter-Community Conference in Seattle early in October. As a result of the consultation, each Community was assigned a specific area within which to undertake new teaching work. Several new cities have already been opened, and a number of new teachers have been called upon to serve.

The largest area to be included in an Inter-Community Teaching Conference was that composed of the states of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, meeting in Foundation Hall for a two-day session. The inspiration and exchange of teaching ideas and experiences stimulated much new enthusiasm which will be directed toward greater Assembly activity during the fall and winter months.

Teaching Circuits[edit]

One of the purposes of the Inter-Community Conferences held thus far has been the formation of teaching circuits among Assemblies located fairly near each other. A number of Assemblies have reported more or less progress in circuit programs and several have proved them to be a most effective and efficient method for extension work in near-by cities where the Cause has not yet been established.

The program for the Upper New York circuit which includes eleven cities is completed through April with Mr. Mason Remey, Mrs. Marzieh Carpenter, Miss Julia Goldman, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Mr. Horace Holley and Mr. Louis G. Gregory as speakers. A local “Circuit News” prepared by the Geneva Assembly, keeps the cities in the circuit informed of plans and suggestions for follow-up.

A circuit of nine cities in the vicinity of New York and another in New Jersey of fifteen cities will be inaugurated this fall. Assemblies in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois, are also lining up programs and speakers for circuit work.

Assembly Activities[edit]

Bahá’í Communities which are too widely scattered to participate in circuit programs are not remaining inactive. Many have reported plans for more intensive local teaching campaigns with extensive advertising of all kinds. Glendale, California, has arranged for a public center and is arranging an attractive winter program.

Portland, Oregon, has sent out several hundred invitations to important people announcing a forum on social and religious subjects.

San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley Assemblies have planned special series of public meetings to follow up the interest aroused in the San Francisco Bay area as a result of the two large public meetings held in connection with the recent session of the National Spiritual Assembly in San Francisco.

The teaching work in Toronto, Canada, received new impetus this fall through a visit of Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher. Excellent publicity was given her address in the Toronto newspapers which are circulated throughout the province and as a result the way has been opened for articles on the Cause.

Individual Service[edit]

As Bahá’í Communities increase their local public teaching work and release for service in new fields many on whom they have depended for much of their teaching activity, the responsibilities of all the believers are greatly increased. Souls who are attracted must be confirmed and every Bahá’í has the capacity to teach and guide some one. Therefore, the fireside gatherings and small study groups are becoming more and more important and offer to those who cannot travel or do public teaching work a rich opportunity to prepare the quickened souls for Bahá’í membership.

Teaching by community and individual example is a valuable concomitant in the great public campaign which the American believers have undertaken. The Guardian has repeatedly stated that the qualities of love, unity and enthusiasm among the believers constitute a powerful example of the high standards of our Faith and are essential prerequisites to successful teaching. This was strikingly illustrated in a letter recently received from an individual who wrote that he had “read and heard of so many good deeds of the Bahá’í religion and its followers” that he had decided to become one and asked for instructions as to the necessary steps.

Surely today, no less than in the days of the Letters of the Living, should the friends of God heed these words of the Báb: “You are the bearers of the Name of God in this day. You have been chosen as the respoitories of His mystery. It behooves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory.”

TEACHING CONTACTS IN NEW AREAS[edit]

The international teaching campaign which has been inaugurated by the American Bahá’ís under the recent instructions of the Guardian calls for the establishment of the Cause in every State of the United States, every Province in Canada, and every Republic in Central and South America within the next eight years. Examination of

[Page 5] the map which accompanied the June issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS reveals the magnitude of the task before us in the United States alone, for there where the Cause has made more rapid progress than in the other countries of the western hemisphere there are still ten states without a single believer and twenty-five without Local Spiritual Assemblies. The cooperation of every believer in the United States and Canada is essential to the achievement of the objective set for us by the Guardian. We are therefore appealing to the entire Bahá’í Community to report either to the secretary of the Regional Teaching Committee or of the National Teaching Committee, depending on jurisdiction, the following:

Names and addresses of friends or ‎acquaitances acquaintances‎ in all states and provinces, and particularly where there are now no Bahá’ís, so that literature may be sent or some contacts made for work there.
Names of cities where you have done some Bahá’í work or where you know someone else has made some contacts, with the names and addresses of interested individuals and whatever pertinent details are necessary to adequate follow-up.

It is very important to have this information centralized both for the use of those who are going out into new states to teach and to insure adequate follow-up of all teaching opportunities.

—NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

LOCAL ASSEMBLIES[edit]

Please note the following corrections in the list of Assembly Secretaries published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, October:

South Bend, Indiana, Miss Nayan F. Hartfield, new address, 762 Portage Avenue.

Topeka, Kansas, Miss Maude Tegart, new address, 406 West 11th Street.

Rochester, New York, until further notice address communications to the Chairman, Mr. Robert Meinhard, 335 Wilmot Road.

IN MEMORIAM[edit]

Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.—Bahá’u’lláh.

Miss Jessie Bush, Newark, New Jersey.

Miss Elizabeth Chandler, Ithaca, New York.

Mrs. Elizabeth Hurlbut, San Francisco, California.

Bahá’í Summer School, Esslingen

Miss Lillie Kendall, Aptos, California.

Mr. S. A. Roberts, Kelvin, Arizona.

Mrs. Frances Carre, Mariposa, California.

Dr. Albert Johnston, Montreal, Quebec.

Mrs. Evelyn Moore, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Miss Antoinette Sealts, Lima, Ohio.

ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]

New memberships in local Bahá’í communities have been reported as follows:

Boston, two. Kenosha, one. Milwaukee, one. Vancouver, six. Newark, one. Evanston, two youths of non-voting age. Washington, D. C., three. San Francisco, six. Chicago, nine, four being youths of non-voting age. Muskegon, three. Columbus, three youths of non-voting age. Glendale, two youths of non-voting age. New York, seven. Colorado Springs, two. Phoenix, one. Flint, two. Augusta, four. Detroit, six. Baltimore, one. Urbana, three youths of non-voting age.

LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]

The Library Committee wishes to bring to the attention of the local Spiritual Assemblies the main objectives of its program for this year.

The plan is to concentrate upon placing Bahá’í books in as many College and University Libraries as possible.

It is the expressed wish of Shoghi Effendi that University students be informed of the Teachings, therefore this work forms an important aspect of the general teaching effort.

The National Spiritual Assembly has given the Library Committee a definite book budget by which the Committee will be enabled to supply six important books to about seventy-five Libraries this year.

The Committee wishes to ask the cooperation of every local Assembly and suggest that each Assembly appoint a special committee to call on the Librarian of any College or University within their area. The Assemblies are requested to send the Library Committee a list of all Bahá’í works already in the Libraries visited by the special committee, not only for the permanent records of the Library Committee but also to avoid duplication.

Another suggestion is that at public meetings, the chairman mention the fact that Bahá’í literature can be obtained in the Public Library. This statement could also be added to the newspaper advertisements of Bahá’í meetings.

In concentrating upon College and University Libraries this year, the Committee does not mean that the important work of placing literature in Public Libraries is to be neglected, especially where the important books are not now available. Many Public Libraries, however, have received good donations of books in previous years, while less attention has been paid to Colleges and Universities.

[Page 6] The Committee hopes to have an early response from each local Assembly.

MARTHA WOODSUM, Chairman

GRACE BASTEDO, Secretary

1332 Riverside Drive,

New York, N. Y.

INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE[edit]

The work of this Committee is full of extraordinary possibilities, but the preliminary planning must be carefully done in order to meet the special problems arising from such a vast teaching area.

With the limited funds so far available, the first task is to publish necessary pamphlets and literature in Spanish and Portuguese, and also to make available literature in German, Italian and other languages used by extensive groups in South America. As rapidly as possible, a number of book depots will be arranged at strategic points in South America, so that as the demand for the literature increases the books and pamphlets can be supplied from a nearby point.

The Committee is also developing a special mailing list of editors, liberal organizations and influential persons which can be used from time to time, thus preparing the way for the traveling teachers.

To review the work already done. First of all we have the pioneering journey carried out by Miss Martha L. Root many years ago. Then Miss Holzapple established herself at Bahia, and has translated and published “The Goal of a New World Order,” a small prayer book, “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” (Spanish and Portuguese), and has translated Kitab-I-Iqán but this is not yet printed. Mrs. Dodge, another American Bahá’í, is now resident in Chile. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews traveled to South America in 1935 and Mr. and Mrs. Blakely taught in several cities during 1936. As the result of all these efforts, a good beginning has been made, but the effort must be intensified a thousandfold.

Mrs. Frances Benedict Stewart accompanied the delegates who attended the women’s peace meeting at Buenos Aires preceding the meeting now being held by the American Nations. Mrs. Stewart speaks Spanish and was in fact born in South America of missionary parents. Her report of her Bahá’í teaching is awaited with great interest.

Mr. and Mrs. Mathews plan to make another journey, beginning January, 1937, which will take them to South America and afterward to other countries.

As funds are available, the Inter-America Committee hope to assist in making it possible for other teachers to work in this field. A believer able to undertake this pioneering work should appraise the Chairman of the Inter-America Committee and also write the American Consul in the city where he or she plans to reside, inquiring what work is available in that center and mentioning the believer’s experience and qualifications.

The information desired by the Inter-America Committee includes the following points: knowledge of Spanish or other language used in South America; how long the teacher can remain; and whether he or she can be self-supporting after reaching the new post of service.

The official language of South America is Spanish but Portuguese is spoken throughout Brazil, Spanish in the ‎Arentine Argentina‎, Northern Chile and Peru, German in Southern Chile and Patagonia.

The official religion is Roman Catholic but in every city there are Theosophists who are friendly and will share their platform with Bahá’ís. The branches of the Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. are not allowed to extend privileges to strangers unless the visitor presents a letter from the American headquarters. This is located at 420 Lexington Avenue, New York.

Women traveling alone should endeavor to join a party or organization, since Spanish customs are rigidly preserved. Hotels often make their prices prohibitive for a woman without escort.

Correspondence intended for the Inter-America Committee should be addressed until further notice to Mrs. E. R. Mathews, c/o Bahá’í Center, 119 West 57th St., New York, N. Y.

INDEX COMMITTEE[edit]

The Index Committee would like short general subject indexes of all the writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. If any believer has worked on these, or is now working, or would like to work, will he or she please communicate, as soon as possible, with the Chairman of the Index Committee, Mrs. H. A. Harding, 704 West Nevada Street, Urbana, Ill. The plan is eventually to publish a general index, in one alphabetical sequence, of all these basic works of our Faith.

PUBLISHING COMMITTEE[edit]

Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, by J. E. Esslemont. The Publishing Committee would like to explain why copies of this work have been unobtainable for the past few months. The N. S. A. has taken up with Shoghi Effendi the matter of making a few corrections in the text before authorizing a new printing. The Guardian has passed upon these suggestions, and as soon as possible the book as revised will be sent to press. The publishing date cannot be announced at this time, but the Committee will inform the friends through BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

Bahá’í Study Course. This course has been sold with three books for reference—Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Foundations of World Unity, and Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Until the ‎Esselmont Esslemont‎ book is again available, the Study Course and the other two books will be sold at the special price of $1.15 net.

Life Eternal, compiled from Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Mary Rumsey Movius. This work, very attractively printed and bound by the Roycroft Shops, is promised for December 15. The contents are arranged under the following chapter heads: Kingdom of the Spirit, Divine Instruction, Prayers for the Departed, Divine Promises, and Resurrection of the Spirit. 178 pages. It is intended especially for those non-believers conscious of spiritual needs not fulfilled by their own religious affiliation. Per copy, $2.50.

A World Faith, Studies in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. The nine articles contributed to World Order Magazine under this title last year have been issued in book form, with a prefatory statement taken from words of Shoghi Effendi. Bound in blue paper, 68 pages, $0.25.

A believer wishing to complete a Bahá’í Library has requested the Committee to obtain one copy each of the following titles, which are now out of print. Any of the friends willing to sell one or more are requested to communicate with the Publishing Committee.

The books and booklets wanted are: The New Revelation, Fitzgerald; Peace of the World, Remey; Whence? Why? Whither?, Dodge; Letter from St. Jean D’Arc; Tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to E. E. Wrestling Brewster; Utterances to Two Young Men, 1901; Akka Lights, Hannen; Divine Revelation Basis of Civilization, Haddad; Letter Written in Behalf of Friends of Isphahan to American Believers; Martinist’s Report, Sassi; Table Talks Concerning Reincarnation, etc.

Send orders to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Annex, New York, N. Y. or to Western Division, Mrs. Emma F. Smith, 940 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, Calif.

[Page 7]

WORLD ORDER MAGAZINE[edit]

The attention of the friends is called to the fact that the November issue of World Order contains reproductions of the two-page engrossed copy of the Tablet revealed by Bahá’u’lláh to the “Rulers of America” which the National Spiritual Assembly recently caused to be presented to President Roosevelt, together with engrossed copies of two Prayers revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The original presentation copy was engrossed in color and beautifully bound.

In the November issue also was presented the text of the Bahá’í paper prepared and read by Dr. G. Townshend before the session of the World Fellowship of Faiths held in London last July.

From a far-off region of the world has come this letter, signed by the General Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at Launceston, Tasmania: “I am particularly desirous of letting you know that a group of men in this Y. M. C. A. have become tremendously interested in the articles of ‘World Order’ and we have found the matter of great value in our educational and spiritual activities.”

The Editors desire once more to impress upon the friends their desire to receive contributions in the form of articles, poems or suggestions. Believers who possess artistic talent are cordially invited to assist in improving the appearance of the magazine through decorative designs in keeping with the nature of the Faith.

In the October number began a new series, entitled “Seven Candles of Unity,” the first article being in the nature of an introduction—Dr. Townshend’s article on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

“PORTALS TO FREEDOM”[edit]

The friends will recall the notice of this new book by Howard Colby Ives which was published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for August, 1936.

The Publishing Committee has received advance orders in the amount of nearly $500, to which is now added the sum of $100, sent by Shoghi Effendi with the following words to Mr. Ives: “He hopes that the response of the friends, both in the East and the West, will be such as to enable you to start immediately with the printing. He is confident that when published the book will be of valuable assistance to the extension of the teaching work. You should, therefore, persevere in your efforts, and strive by every means in your power, to enlist the support of the believers for the publication of this volume, which, he trusts, will be fully utilized as a teaching medium throughout the United States and beyond its confines.”

Advance orders in the amount of $300 are needed for binding and delivering 500 copies of the book, and, a final sum of $300 later on will complete the full contract with the non-Bahá’í publisher. The pre-publication price of $1.85 will be allowed on all orders received by the Publishing Committee for a brief period. Orders should be placed through local Assemblies and forwarded with remittance to Bahá’í Publishing Committee as soon as possible.

BAHA’I MAGAZINES IN OTHER LANDS[edit]

The attention of the friends is called to the Bahá’í Magazines published under the direction of National Spiritual Assemblies in Europe, India, and Australia and New Zealand.

Sonne der Wahrheit (Sun of Truth) is the title of the magazine issued by the German Bahá’ís. The Editors are Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel, Dr. Eugen Schmidt and Frau Alice Schwarz-Solivo. The address is Stuttgart-W, Reinsburg-strasse 198, Germany. It is published in the German language.

Bahá’í Magazine, Herald of the South, is published quarterly by the N. S. A. of Australia and New Zealand, the address being Box 447D, Adelaide, South Australia. The subscription rate is five shillings per year, one shilling sixpence per copy.

New Era, edited by S. Hishmatullah, Bahá’í Hall, Karachi, India. This attractive publication has been received recently for the first time, and appears to be a new publication. No price is indicated, but information will be supplied as soon as furnished by the N. S. A. of India and Burma. The address of Bahá’í Hall is Dipchand Ojha Road, Garden Quarters, Karachi, India.

PUBLICITY IN INDIA AND JAPAN[edit]

Through the kindness of the N. S. A. of India and Burma, we have received a copy of the “Illustrated Weekly of India” for May 31, 1936 in which is reproduced the architect’s design of the Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, together with text explaining the aims of the Faith.

From Miss Agnes Alexander comes a copy of “The Japan Times & Mail” of October 3, 1936, in which is reproduced the entire text of the article on “The Oneness of Mankind” contributed by Mr. Hussein Rabbani to World Order of February, 1936.

THE CAUSE IN ENGLAND[edit]

First Bahá’í Summer School[edit]

The first Bahá’í Summer School in this country was successful beyond all expectations. Nothing short of Divine Guidance could have achieved the results that were obtained. Forty-three people attended and went away with a deeper understanding of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and a rich experience of harmony and fellowship. It was keenly felt that a new page had been turned in the history of the Faith in these Isles. The spirit of unity and concord engendered by the Summer School will go a long way to serve the eventual triumph of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The School opened on Saturday, August 8, with a very illuminating talk by Mrs. Bishop on “Bahá’í Summer School—the University of the Future.” During the remaining nine days the following lectures were given. “The Dawn of the Bahá’í Dispensation”, by Mr. H. M. Balyuzi; “The Life of the Spirit and the Life of Today”, by Mme. Gita Orlova; “The Bahá’í Administrative Order”, by Mrs. Bishop; “The Integration of the Individual with the Universal”, by Mr. Mark Tobey; “World Commonwealth”, by Mr. David Hofman; “Economic Aspects of World Order”, by Mr. Alfred Sugar; “The Word of God”, by Mr. E. T. Hall. A final session was devoted to a discussion of the work of Summer School.

On one evening Mme. Orlova gave a short address on the Cause to all the guests at Cromford Court and that was followed by an impromptu entertainment arranged by members of the Summer School. Many Bahá’í pamphlets were distributed. Mr. Richard St. Barbe Baker spoke, at a Sunday evening service, on his work in Africa; he referred to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the esteem in which He was held in Palestine. Besides these formal meetings there were many informal gatherings and discussions which proved of immense benefit to everyone.

It is hoped to collect the talks given, in the form of a booklet.

World Congress of Faiths[edit]

The Congress was held in London during July and representatives of all the major religions of the world were present. The Bahá’í paper, approved by Shoghi Effendi, was presented by Rev. G. Townshend.* Mrs. Charles Bishop and Madame Orlova made short addresses afterwards, and Mr.

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* This paper was published in World Order for November.

[Page 8] Hirst of Leeds, a sympathizer with the Faith made a thoughtful and effective plea for consideration of the Principles of Bahá’u’lláh. The subject of the Congress was “World Fellowship Through Religion”, and the Chairman, introducing the Bahá’í paper said that if he were asked which of all the various Faiths represented came nearest to the aims and Ideals of the Congress, he would say the Bahá’í Faith.

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF EGYPT[edit]

The twelfth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Egypt for the year 93 (1936-37) was held at Haziratul Quds (Bahá’í Headquarters) of Cairo, on April 29, 1936, the ninth day of the Feast of Ridvan.

The delegates as well as a very large number of Bahá’ís from all parts of Egypt were present.

The delegates have assembled and elected, from among the believers throughout the country, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for the current year.

The Assembly elected at the recent Convention has organized as follows:

Muhammad Said, Chairman and Treasurer.

Muhammad Taqi, Vice-Chairman.

Muhammad Mustafa, Secretary.

The members are:

Dr. Muhammad Saleh.

Abdul Fattah Sabri.

Ahmad Husni.

Mahmud El Nushuqati.

Ali Saad Edin.

Iskandar Hanna.

General address, Secretary-Treasurer, P. O. B. 13, Daher P. O., Cairo, Egypt.

Cables, Bahabureau Cairo.

PERSECUTIONS IN EGYPT[edit]

In June last the people of Belkas, aroused by certain enemies of the Cause, persecuted our dear brother Saad Eff. Salim Nosseir following a visit paid by the friends of Tanta and the interest showed by some few persons in the Cause.

Sustained by the local paper, which launched bitter attacks against the Bahá’í Cause, claiming that Bahá’ís are anti-Muhamadan in faith, persecution was redoubled in its intensity to such an extent that those persons who showed interest were confined within their homes, unable to go out of doors. Appeals were made to local and high authorities to have that friend, being an official, transferred to another district. Inquiring about his conduct and behavior the Mamour of the District, upon receiving the answer of the persecutors stating that that Bahá’í is of a good behavior, refused to order his transfer. Two friends were delegated by Cairo S. A. to meet that friend and consult with him about measures to be taken in this matter. An article was prepared by our National Publishing Committee which was published by that paper.

At last that firm and sincere friend was transferred to Foua from which he writes that the Cause is progressing and that he is very happy by those persecutions which drew him nearer to his Beloved. He was protected by Bahá’u’lláh while those who at first showed their interest and then recanted under the severe persecutions fell into the depths of humiliation.

The publishing committee of Alexandria published the Tablet of the Hague in one of the local papers on the occasion of the question of peace.

NEWS FROM NORWAY[edit]

(Sent by Miss Johanna Schubarth)[edit]

Never has the truth of these words* appeared as significant to me as they have lately, and as I cannot in person consort with Bahá’ís as much as I would love to and am in need of, I am going to try regularly—if not often—to write in order to send my greetings and to inform you of the Bahá’í activities in Norway.

Perhaps the friends remember Miss Martha Root’s report of her work in Norway, appearing in the Haifa News Letter about a year ago. During last winter calls were made and the Norwegian Esslemont was given to a number of people, but only very few are really interested in the Cause and due to different obstacles we have not yet formed any group with regular time for meetings.

This summer Oslo has been favored with visits of several Bahá’í friends for which we are very grateful to our Guardian and to the friends. In the month of May Mrs. Louise Gregory was here for two weeks. In July Miss Martha Root came en route for U. S. A. and stayed three days, and in August Mrs. Ruhangiz Bolles spent three days with us. People who already had heard of the Cause and others were invited, and each time we had lovely little meetings at the Hospitz where these dear friends stayed. On July 15—Miss Root was just here—we had a welcome although brief visit of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart W. French. They were on a cruise and the boat stopped at Oslo for the afternoon. Martha Root had arranged for an interview which appeared next day in one of our best papers, and Mr. and Mrs. French had tea on board the ship for those who came to greet them. They had made short visits to Norway twice before, this time they had taken the most northern tour and came by Iceland and Svalbard (Spitzbergen). Mrs. French distributed Bahá’í literature in Iceland and Svalbard as well as in a few of the most northern towns of Norway. For Oslo she had valuable books for the libraries.

In the month of August I had the great joy of being present at the Bahá’í Summer School in Esslingen, Germany, and I hope that the spirit of love, fellowship and devotion, manifested by the friends in that lovely place will inspire and help me in the work here.

When I came home I was greatly surprised by finding that Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bishop were visiting Oslo, having arrived two days before, Sept. 4. We have the joy of still having them with us, next week however they are leaving for Sweden. Mrs. Bishop has given lectures, both public and in clubs, one of them was at the Nobel Institute Hall. In the absence of a Bahá’í Assembly the Theosophical lodge met the requirements, and the general secretary for Norway acted as interpreter for this Bahá’í lecture on “Religion and Peace”. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have also had many smaller gatherings at their hotel. Where Mrs. Bishop spoke people listened intentively and did not want to leave but lingered and talked. This is the first time that Bahá’í lectures have been publicly given in Oslo, and we are encouraged to see that the audiences were good. For me personally it has been the greatest joy, blessing and inspiration to be with Mr. and Mrs. Bishop.

We are now really hoping to form a group with regular time for study, but I want to add that although the Norwegians are liberal in their thoughts and views, they are not quick in changing their religious ideas. Most of the people belong to the State Church, Norway being of the first countries where the Lutheren Church was established. So I beg you not to expect too much of us here, and I ask the Bahá’ís to please remember Norway in their prayers.

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* “Consort with all the people with love and fragrance.”