Bahá’í News/Issue 106/Text

Bahá’í News
Issue 106

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. 106

MARCH, 1937

RIDVAN TABLET[edit]

“The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new. Speak, and hold not thy peace. The day star of blissfulness shineth above the horizon of Our name, the Blissful, inasmuch as the kingdom of the name of God hath been adorned with the ornament of the name of thy Lord, the Creator of the heavens. Arise before the nations of the earth, and arm thyself with the power of this Most Great Name, and be not of those who tarry.” (Gleanings, pp. 27-28. Only the first portion of this Tablet is quoted here).

CONVENTION ANNOUNCEMENT[edit]

Convention Sessions: Thursday, April 29, morning, afternoon and evening; Friday, April 30, morning, afternoon and evening; Saturday, May 1, morning and afternoon.

Ridván Feast: Saturday evening, May 1.

Bahá’í Congress: Sunday, May 2, 3.30 P. M.

Convention Committees: Information Bureau, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill, Housing Committee, Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, Carl A. Hannen, Secretary, 536 Sheridan Road. Devotional Program, Mrs. Amelia Collins, Chairman, Willard Hatch, Mrs. Oni Finks. Ridván Feast, Albert Windust, Chairman.

Headquarters of National Spiritual Assembly: Hotel Orrington, Evanston, Ill.

Agenda: To be published in Pre-Convention issue of Bahá’í News, and also sent to each delegate whose election is reported.

Ballots and Information: To be sent each delegate whose election is reported.

“TRUTHS WHICH LIE AT THE BASIS OF OUR FAITH”[edit]

Note: A section of BAHÁ’Í NEWS will hereafter be devoted to excerpts from the Guardian’s interpretation of the fundamental Teachings.

Dearly-beloved friends! I feel it incumbent upon me, by virtue of the obligations and responsibilities which as Guardian of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh I am called upon to discharge, to lay special stress, at a time when the light of publicity is being increasingly focussed upon us, upon certain truths which lie at the basis of our Faith and the integrity of which it is our first duty to safeguard. These verities, if valiantly upheld and properly assimilated, will, I am Convinced, powerfully reinforce the vigor of our spiritual life and greatly assist in counteracting the machinations of an implacable and vigilant enemy.

To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents. An exact and thorough comprehension of so vast a system, so sublime a revelation, so sacred a trust, is for obvious reasons beyond the reach and ken of our finite minds. We can, however, and it is our bounden duty to, seek to derive fresh inspiration and added sustenance as we labor for the propagation of His Faith through a clearer apprehension of the truths it enshrines and the principles on which it is based....

The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh should indeed be regarded, if we wish to be faithful to the tremendous implications of its message, as the culmination of a cycle, the final stage in a series of successive, of preliminary and progressive revelations. These, beginning with Adam and ending with the Báb, have paved the way and anticipated with an ever-increasing emphasis the advent of that Day of Days in which He Who is the Promise of All Ages should be made manifest....

In confirmation of the exalted rank of the true believer, referred to by Bahá’u’lláh, He reveals the following: “The station which he who hath truly recognized this Revelation will attain is the same as the one ordained for such prophets of the house of Israel as are not regarded as Manifestations ‘endowed with constancy.’ ”

In connection with the Manifestations destined to follow the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá makes this definite and weighy declaration: “Concerning the Manifestations that will come down in the future ‘in the shadows of the clouds,’ know verily that in so far as their relation to the source of their inspiration is concerned they are under the shadow of the Ancient Beauty. In their relation, however, to the age in which they appear, each and every one of them ‘doeth whatsoever He willeth.’ ”

“O my friend!” He thus addresses in one of His Tablets a man of recognized authority and standing, “The undying Fire which the Lord of the Kingdom hath kindled in the midst of the holy Tree is burning fiercely in the midmost heart of the world. The conflagration it will provoke will envelop the whole earth. Its blazing flames will

[Page 2] illuminate its peoples and kindreds. All the signs have been revealed; every prophetic allusion hath been manifested. Whatever hath been enshrined in all the scriptures of the past hath been made evident. To doubt or hesitate is no more possible ... Time is pressing. The Divine Charger is impatient, and can tarry no longer. Ours is the duty to rush forward and, ere it is too late, win the victory.” And finally, is this most stirring passage which He, in one of His moments of exultation, was moved to address to one of His most trusted and eminent followers in the earliest days of His ministry: “What more shall I say? What else can my pen recount? So loud is the call that reverberates from the Abhá Kingdom that mortal ears are well-nigh deafened with its vibrations. The whole creation, methinks, is being disrupted and is bursting asunder through the shattering influence of the Divine summons issued from the throne of glory. More than this I cannot write.”—From “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHA’S AMERICAN VISIT[edit]

The year 1937 is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the visit made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to North America. It will be the high privilege of the American Bahá’í community to observe this Anniversary in a befitting manner.

The following plan has been adopted by the N. S. A. and has already been reported to the local Spiritual Assemblies with a request for their cooperation.

Each local Assembly to arrange a Public Meeting on Sunday, April 11, the anniversary of the date on which the Master arrived. A sample program was sent as a suggestion. Each local Assembly is perfectly free to use this program or modify it in accordance with the views arrived at after consultation.
The National Publicity Committee is preparing a feature article, copies of which will be sent each Assembly for release to the local press.
In all cities which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited, the Spiritual Assembly is requested to arrange a second Anniversary meeting this year, on some date corresponding to the date of His arrival or departure from the city in 1912. All the details of this strictly local meeting are left to the local Assembly.
On December 5, which this year is also a Sunday, all local Assemblies are requested to hold a third Anniversary meeting, to commemorate the date on which the Master sailed from America. In advance of that date, any suggestions adopted by the N. S. A., and any special publicity material prepared by the National Committee, will be reported to the local Assemblies.

The N. S. A. regards these Commemoration meetings as occasions of the utmost importance for conveying the Bahá’í Message to the general public. The historic significance of that Journey is to be emphasized in every possible way. They are likewise occasions for us to deepen our own understanding of the Faith and intensify our devotion in its promotion.

PUBLIC MEETING IN NEW YORK[edit]

The concluding Public Meeting in the series conducted by the National Spiritual Assembly this year was held at the New York Bahá’í Center, 119 West 57th Street, New York, on Sunday afternoon, February 28. The program as arranged included Allen B. McDaniel, chairman, and an address on “The Divine Elixir” by Alfred E. Lunt, followed by one on “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” by Carl Scheffler, with a musical program provided by Saffa Kinney. In the absence of Mr. Lunt, on account of illness, his subject was assigned to Horace Holley.

The preliminary arrangements, including printed programs and publicity, were placed in the hands of the five local Assemblies of the New York Metropolitan District. After consultation, these Assemblies decided to make their contribution to the success of the public program in the form of a Bahá’í Radio Program to precede the public meeting. The committee jointly appointed by the neighboring Assemblies arranged for a series of six daily broadcasts over WHN, New York, from February 22 to 27, 2.15 to 2.30 P. M. Mountfort Mills delivered the broadcasts.

With each broadcast, announcement was made of the public meeting, and free copies of the Bahá’í Radio Program were offered.

The result of this new and interesting teaching effort was to attract so many to the meeting that a large number could not be admitted to the hall. Requests for the Radio Program were received from points as distant as New Hampshire and Virginia, many expressing a deep interest in the Bahá’í teachings. An unexpected additional result has been that many inquirers are calling daily at the Bahá’í Center for literature and information.

The public meeting was preceded by a brief consultation with believers from a number of communities in the North-Eastern area.

RULINGS OF THE N. S. A.[edit]

The National Spiritual Assembly calls the attention of the local Assemblies and believers to the Article in the By-Laws which defines the area of jurisdiction of the local Spiritual Assembly, which definition provides that believers living in adjacent and outlying districts can be enrolled as voting members of a local Assembly, pending the establishment of a local Assembly in their own city. This By-Law clearly makes it impossible for a believer living in a city which has a local Spiritual Assembly to hold membership in any other Bahá’í community. In accordance with this constitutional provision, the National Spiritual Assembly requests local Assemblies to adjust their voting list at their early convenience. This general instruction does not in any way mean that believers are not free to attend a Bahá’í meeting in any city, but merely controls their voting rights.

When a Bahá’í author wishes to obtain orders from Assemblies and believers for a book published by a non-Bahá’í firm, the author is to make arrangements satisfactory to the Publishing Committee; and the Publishing Committee, not the author, is to report the matter to the National Spiritual Assembly.

The Publishing Committee will cooperate with a Bahá’í author only when the Reviewing Committee has specifically recommended the book and not merely approved it, and when the National Spiritual Assembly has specifically approved and adopted the Reviewing Committee’s recommendation.

The following rulings have been adopted by the Temple Trustees, and are here published with the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly:—

Any model or reproduction of the Temple must be submitted to the Temple Trustees, and the Trustees will then determine whether the model or reproduction is acceptable, and also will determine the conditions under which it can be sold. Local Assemblies, or other Bahá’í bodies, or individual be-

[Page 3] lievers, are not to purchase or exhibit any Temple model except through the Temple Trustees.

It should be explained that it is the Temple Trustees, and not the National Spiritual Assembly, which holds title to the architect’s design of the Temple, and to the Temple edifice itself. This legal authority is, of course, exercised for the entire Bahá’í community, and it is for the sake of the interests of the Bahá’í community as a whole that the above rulings have been adopted.

ADDRESS OF NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]

In a recent issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS the address of the Secretary of the National Teaching Committee was inadvertently published incorrectly, with the result that some confusion has arisen.

The correct address is: Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary, 376—60th Street, Oakland, Calif.

ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]

During the past few weeks, local Assemblies have reported gains in membership as follows:—

Chicago, four. Worcester, four. New Haven, two, and two youths of non-voting age. Los Angeles, two. Urbana, two, and four youths. Washington, two youths. Glendale, two youths. Milwaukee, three. Phoenix, one. New York, three. Vancouver, one. Jacksonville, one. Oakland, one. Detroit, one, San Francisco, one, Boston, one.

LOCAL ASSEMBLIES[edit]

Further corrections in the Assembly list published some months ago:—

South Bend, Indiana, address until further notice, Mr. Howard Longaker, Recording Secretary, 2414 South Michigan Street.

St. Augustine, Florida, new Secretary elected, Mr. Allerton Spicsegger, Dixie Highway West.

Geyserville, California, new Secretary elected, Mrs. John Bosch.

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.

Mr. Paul K. Dealy, Fairhope, Alabama.

Mr. T. C. Gunning-Davis, Chicago, Ill.

Mr. Charles Parker, Hales Corners, Wisc.

Mrs. Rose Henderson, Toronto.

Mrs. Mae Stone, Topeka, Kansas.

Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford, Toledo, Ohio.

Mr. Worsley G. Hambrough, San Diego, Calif.

Mr. Claude Warren, Binghamton, N. Y.

Mr. Charles Edsall, Montclair, N. J.

Mrs. Addie L. Cole, Los Angeles, May, 1936 (not previously reported).

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS[edit]

To the Regional Teaching Committee for California-Nevada-Arizona, Miss Marian Holley has been added.

DETROIT ASSEMBLY A LEGAL CORPORATION[edit]

The Spiritual Assembly of Detroit filed its incorporation papers on February 18, 1937, and now has the status of a legal body under the Statutes of the State of Michigan.

The Assembly has sent two photostat copies of these papers to the National Spiritual Assembly, one of which has been forwarded to the Guardian.

Detroit has also adopted By-Laws approved by the N. S. A. through its Legal Committee.

BAHA’I YOUTH[edit]

The International Bulletin published by the National Youth Committee issued its first number of Vol. III on March first.

Its Contents include an Editorial, report of New York Youth Conference, “Why I Am a Bahá’í,” answered briefly by eight young believers, Current News, announcement of the March Youth Symposiums, and articles by Philip Sprague, Teresita E. Ryan, Lewis Zerby, Betty Shook, Tahirih K. Mann, and Rosemary Dallinger.

Bahá’í Youth is published quarterly, at ten cents a copy, forty cents per year. Manuscripts and subscriptions should be sent to Miss Zeah Holden, Secretary of the National Youth Committee.

MISS MARTHA ROOT’S MESSAGE TO HER FELLOW-BELIEVERS[edit]

Miss Martha L. Root is now proceeding to California, where she will remain for a few months, after which she will go to Japan, China and India in accordance with the Guardian’s plan. The many meetings which had been arranged for her in the American cities en route have had to be cancelled in order to safeguard the health of this eminent Bahá’í teacher.

To her beloved friends in America, Miss Root addresses these words: “Allah’u’Abhá! Love to you all! Am so sorry I could not come to your cities. I thank you for your warm and welcome invitations. As this servant could not travel to all our cities because of illness, she sends to you this message as an S. O. S. from the depth of her heart, knowing that on the inner plane we can meet.”

DEATH OF BAHA’I PIONEER IN POONA[edit]

The following excerpts are taken from a circular letter issued by the Spiritual Assembly of Poona dated January 24, 1937.

“We regret to announce the death of Mr. Khosrove Beman Sabit of Poona, a Bahá’í pioneer, who passed from this life on the first of Sharaf, 93 (December 31, 1936) at the age of over a hundred years.... His faith was marked by an intense zeal and devotion which led him constantly to seek new channels of service to the Cause, in the support of whose institutions he was a stalwart champion. ... In one of the Tablets he was privileged to receive from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Master writes: ‘O Khosrove! ... Crowned heads will pay you tribute—that is, they will eulogize you. Yea, they will envy you your state, saying, “Would that we were submissive servants at the Divine Threshold like unto him, forgetful of all else save God.” ’ ... We are privileged to add to this obituary notice the following cable dated Haifa, January 17, addressed by our beloved Guardian to Mr. Sabit’s two sons: ‘Just heard passing dearly beloved distinguished father. Profoundly grieve irreparable loss. Ardently praying. Extend relatives deepest sympathy. Memory his historic services imperishable. Love.—Shoghi’ ”

YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN INDIA AND BURMA[edit]

Acting on a resolution passed by the National Spiritual Assembly at their annual meeting some of the local Spiritual Assemblies have already reported re-organization of local Youth Committees while news from other centers are awaited. It is hoped that the Bahá’í Youth of India and Burma shall soon organize themselves into a strong National Youth Committee and begin serving the Divine Faith with energy and enthusiasm which are in an inheritance of the youthful age.

The Bombay Youth Group launched into their new life with giving an “At

[Page 4] Exhibit of Sacred Scriptures, New York Bahá’í Center, December 20, 1936. See accompanying Report.

Home” to the students of the Islamia College, Andheri, near Bombay. They have also started a study-class for studying the sacred literature and training Youth in the art of teaching the Cause.

Karachi and Poona had already strong Youth Groups. Karachi Group reports of having held a meeting on March 22, in accordance with the request of the International Bahá’í Youth Committee, and submitted by Air-Mail to the Beloved Guardian the International Resolution of the Bahá’í Youth. They received a very encouraging Letter from the Beloved Guardian in answer to this Communication. We hope we shall be in a position to give some very good news in our next issue from the Youth of India and Burma.

SACRED SCRIPTURES OF ALL RELIGIONS EXHIBITED[edit]

The Public Conference Committee of the New York Spiritual Assembly arranged a special public meeting on Sunday afternoon. December 20th, 1936, with Dr. Emmet Fox, noted New York lecturer, as the guest speaker, Mr. Mountfort Mills as the Bahá’í speaker and Mr. Horace Holley as chairman.

To commemorate the Christmas season, the subject chosen for this occasion was “The Power and Glory of God’s Revelation Through the Ages,” and to further emphasize this subject, it was planned to have a Book Exhibit of “The Sacred Scriptures of the Divine Revelators of Religion”.

Through the generous cooperation of The Union Theological Seminary, The Oxford University Press and Mr. R. Y. Mottahedeh the Book Exhibit Committee was able to assemble a most unique and beautiful collection of Holy Books.

Perhaps it was the first time in history that the Sacred Scriptures of the basic Religions of the World, including the Bahá’í Religion, have been assembled together under the Principle of the Oneness of all revealed Religion.

The Book Exhibit was arranged in chronological and geographical order as follows: the Hindu, Zoroastrian, Chinese and Buddhist Scriptures, then the Jewish, Christian, Muhammadan and Bahá’í Scriptures, dating from 2000 to 5000 B.C. to the 19th Century A.D.

The collection of loaned Books was valued at about $2000, including old original Manuscripts and modern facsimiles.

Among the rare old Manuscriptures, were two hand-illuminated Qur’áns of the 8th-9th and the 14th Centuries in the Kufic and Arabic Scripts, a Buddhist and a Western India Manuscript of the 12th and 16th Centuries with 20 illuminated miniatures, the text written in Sanskrit. These four Books were of exceptional beauty.

Some of the interesting Books of the Christian Scriptures were: the original translation of the Gospel into Greek by Erasmus done in the 16th Century, a copy of the noted Tilden’s Gospel of St. Matthew translated in 1525 about which there is an interesting history, a copy of an exact facsimile of the King James Bible in 1611, and a modern Bible specially bound in one of the beautiful exhibition bindings for which the Oxford University Press is noted. Other Holy Books were copies of the Rig Vedas, the Zend Avesta Of Zoroaster, the Books of Lao Tze and Confucius, the Hebrew Torah and an original copy of the ‎Sihk Sikh‎ Religion, an off-shoot of Hinduism, this entire Book is recited orally every day by a relay of priests. All these Books were in the original scripts with English translations.

The Bahá’í Exhibit included The Bayan of The Báb, French Translation, The Iqán, Gleanings, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, Some Answered Questions, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, Bahá’í Scriptures opened to the page on which is that stirring Tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá “Do you know in what Day you are living”, the de luxe edition of the Dawn-Breakers opened to the facsimile of The Báb’s Letters to the Living, and the World Order Magazine opened to Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to America. Grouped separately were Bahá’í Worlds, World Order Magazines, and copies of Bahá’í Literature in 35 foreign languages.

The Exhibit was enhanced by having a beautiful old embroidered tapestry for a background. At the sides were hung two large ornamented Temple Panels and several specially framed pictures of interest such as views of the Temple and “The Star” of The Báb.

PUBLICITY[edit]

Once again the Press Clipping Book has been brought up to date, a much

[Page 5] greater task this time because, we are happy to say, of the tremendous amount of publicity clippings received since the last article printed in the October issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

First, we wish to express our sincere appreciation to all the publicity chairmen for their splendid cooperation in cutting the clippings from the papers and pasting name of paper and date line over first column, so that they are ready to put in the Clipping Books without further trimming. This is a great help.

Turning the pages, we first have the glorious Message headlined in the “Knickerbocker Press” of Albany, New York, with a three column article topped with photographs of Mrs. Bartlett J. Brooks. Mrs. Dorothy Baker and Miss Zeah Holden, and the headlines “Proponents of Bahá’í Faith Who Preach Oneness of Mankind” and “Principles of World Faith Outlined to Albany Group.” The feature here which catches the eye is the unique manner in which the article is begun:

“The Bahá’í Faith has come to Albany.
The movement born in the cradle of religion, the Near East, and designed as an all-embracing world faith brought together last night a group to hear Mrs. Dorothy Baker of Lima, O., who spoke at Harmanus Bleecker Library. Christians, Jews and members of all other faiths were welcomed at the meeting, where ‘the oneness of mankind’ and the unqualified search for truth to effect unity in all phases of life was the central theme.” Then followed a history of the Faith and further report of Mrs. Baker’s talk. The “Times-Union” also gave a fine write-up.

Baltimore has a “Shopper’s Guide” that is publishing long articles on the Faith and has recently begun publishing “The Goal of the New World Order” as a series. Many cities now have these “Shopper’s Guides” which are good mediums of Bahá’í Publicity, especially of meetings held in the shopping districts.

Toronto, Ontario, through the recently organized publicity committee, obtained two-column articles in the “Evening Telegram” and the “Toronto Weekly”—reporting talks given by Lorol Schoflocher.

Columbus, Ohio, has some fine publicity on lectures by Dr. Khan, Prof. Cobb and Ruth Moffett. One short article from “The Columbus Dispatch” is headed: “Bahá’ís Again. Who are the Bahá’ís? Once or twice a year an announcement that they are holding a meeting somewhere in the city comes to this office, and puzzled desk men always ask that question.” Then followed a brief explanation of the Faith. Some times we are apt to forget that the world at large does not know what the Bahá’í Faith is. The names which have become music to our ears are strange to theirs, therefore an explanatory article should be sent to the papers occasionally, or a pamphlet sent each time notices of meetings are sent.

Buffalo, N. Y., has a page of meeting notices and several full column lecture reviews.

Chicago has its weekly notice of meetings. Much publicity has been obtained through the tours at the Temple, especially those conducted by the Board of Education, who say the Temple is one of the most popular tours. In August the Czecho-Slovakia “Denni Hlasatel” published an article on Martha Root’s return to this country and telling of her interview with President Benes. The race-amity meetings have been well publicized. Through the efforts of the Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Fred Mortenson, write-ups about the meetings have appeared in all the Chicago and suburban papers. The “Chicago Defender” has been most generous, printing in their entirety all articles and notices submitted. Fireside Group meetings, Regional Conference and Youth Group activities are among the clippings.

An Oslo, Norway paper is next with a picture of Mrs. French and an article on the Faith. Also one reporting a lecture by Mrs. Charles Bishop in the September issue of the same paper. Two other foreign language papers the “Torstaina, Toukokuun” Duluth, Minn., and the “Opas” Calumet, Michigan both published the same half-page article on the Faith. The “Theosophist” published in India, in its September issue, printed a six and one half page address on “The Bahá’í Religion” which was delivered before the Diamond Jubilee of The Theosophical Society in the conference on Zoroastrianism, by Shirin K. Fozdar. To our knowledge this is the finest presentation of the Bahá’í Faith ever to appear in a Magazine.

Winnetka, Illinois, secured publicity in the “Glencoe News” with such interesting captions as “Open House of Bahá’í Discussions” “Bahá’í Forum” as well as Anniversary and Lectures notices.

Green Bay, Wisconsin, has a page which shows the results of Pioneer Work done under the auspices of the Milwaukee Assembly, with Ruth Moffett giving a series of lectures in June and one in October, all of which were well publicized in the “Press-Gazette.”

Japan and the articles placed in the papers by Miss Alexander from “World Order” are always inspiring.

Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, Michigan are represented on the next page. In Kalamazoo, Elizabeth Dickerman, an isolated believer, obtained publicity on Bahá’u’lláh’s birthday and The Day of the Covenant. Dr. Dickerman has recently moved to Vernon, Michigan, so we hope in the near future to have clipping from Vernon. In Grand Rapids, Ruth Moffett has again done some pioneer work and her series of lectures were given publicity by the “Grand Rapids Herald”. The “Muskegon Chronicle” has given the Bahá’í meetings good write-ups.

Kansas City has placed the notices of their meetings in the “Kansas City Star” in the unique method of quotations from the writings as the following: “The Bahá’í Revelation is destined to unite all religions. All are one. You are invited to meet with us on Tuesday at 8 p.m.”

Lima, Ohio, shows much activity in the Publicity field with their headlines of lectures, study classes, conference notices, Dinners, Bible discussions, World Turmoil, Famous Savant lectures and the notices of the various Bahá’í Anniversaries.

Miami, Florida—Mrs. Atwater is still making good use of the forum column with such captions as “‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Message” “Bahá’í Movement and Peace” “Sixty-Year Old Formula” “Persian Knew Secret of Life” and “Unity Coming.”

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, through the medium of 5 papers has obtained fine announcements of their activities. The forum column of the “Milwaukee Leader” has been most effectively used in answering an article “What Shall We Do To Be Saved.”

Moline, Illinois—here we have some more pioneer work done by Kenneth and Dorothy Smith, in a picture of the Temple and a long article about the Temple and Faith. An old clipping from the “Chicago Tribune” was instrumental in interesting this Editor.

New York’s “World-Telegram” published the account of Martha Root’s return to this country, together with a picture of the Temple, as well as a two column write-up headed “Bahá’í Now Visualize Happy World Order” by Dr. W. A. Nichols, religious editor of the “World-Telegram,” giving a concise and complete statement of Bahá’u’lláh’s plan for the establishment of a World Commonwealth. From the “New York Times”

[Page 6] book review page of January 3rd, we have an advertisement by the Roycrofters who have published “The Life of the Soul” compiled from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, by Mary Rumsey Movius. According to the December BAHÁ’Í NEWS, this book was to be ready by December 15th. This should be a fine opportunity to get book reviews on it in our papers.

Pasadena, California—Mrs. French has resumed “The Loom of Reality.” A column called “The Philosopher’s Stone” from the ”Altadena Press” edited by Rena Sheffield, an interested friend, with the sub-title “From the Bahá’ís” gives us five Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh.

Norwich, Connecticut—a member of the New Haven Community, Mrs. Walter Duffy, has through her untiring efforts done some remarkable publicity work in the Norwich papers, considering that she is the only believer there and has to draw upon New Haven activities for the most part, for her material. One thing Mrs. Duffy has done well worth copying, is to present a Bahá’í book to the library from time to time and then send the information to the papers with a description of the book.

Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Council Bluffs and DesMoines, Iowa—these four cities bring evidences of the fine pioneer work done by Gertrude Matteson and Mabel Ives.

Philadelphia’s page shows us what fine publicity is to be obtained when Martha Root is lecturing in a city. A New Jersey paper, “The New Era,” in which the Philadelphia friends have been placing Bahá’í news, has quotations from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá boxed in a corner of their front page.

South Bend, Indiana has done remarkable work in getting the pure teachings into their papers, as well as the notices of their meetings.

Seattle, Washington, amongst their many other items of interest received a two column write-up in “The Seattle Star” about the Esperanto Class conducted by Mrs. Lorrol Jackson, in the Bahá’í rooms. In the “Nachrichten” the American German Press for the Northwest published in Portland, Oregon, we find another outstanding piece of work, printed in English. This is a three column spread which includes a recent picture of the Temple and is headed:

What’s the Answer?—A Library in Minature—Unique Temple

Who is building the Bahá’í Temple at Wilmette, Ill.?
How long has it been under construction, and when will it be finished?
What is the purpose of the Temple, and to whom will it be open?
Who designed the edifice?
What is its shape and general plan?
Are there any similar Bahá’í Temples elsewhere, or will others be built in the future?

Then follow the answers to the six questions ending with the statement “For further information please write 4111 Arcade Bldg., Seattle, Wash. Miss Doris Foy, Secretary.” This is the finest kind of publicity.

Summer School pages present the most remarkable Bahá’í publicity yet obtained in this work. Louhelen has splendid items from many Michigan papers, in fact, much more than the press book shows, as we are told that it was not all collected. We would suggest that each Summer School appoint a publicity committee for advance publicity work and to see that two copies of all clippings are sent in for the Press Books. Green Acre has more publicity this year than ever before, the same articles and notices having been published in many papers in the East. Geyserville—we do not need to rehearse or try to tell about the marvelous column after column of publicity given the Summer School work, as each publicity Chairman received copies of the publicity in the “Geyserville Press,” which we are sure was shared with their communities. Not only did the Geyserville Press give the Summer School wonderful recognition, but papers of Berkeley, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Hollywood, San Francisco, Santa Barbara and Santa Paula carried articles about the Summer School at Geyserville, as well as notices about their local activities.

Syracuse, N. Y., gives us the splendid results of publicity work done by an isolated believer, Minnie R. Setz.

Teaneck, N. J., most certainly knows how to get publicity by drawing in people of prominence, Amity Conferences, Announcements of Weekly Schedules and Meetings and Bahá’í Parties.

Nashville, Tennessee—we rejoice in reporting that at the last meeting of the N.S.A. which was held in conjunction with a Regional Conference, that the newspaper reporters hounded the N.S.A. members. A picture of the Temple and N.S.A. members was published with six different articles, on the Temple and reporting talks on the Teachings. Publicity just received from Mrs. Francis Guy of St. Augustine, Florida, “our first” she states; as a result of her attendance at the Conference held in Nashville. A request for literature came as one known result of the publicity item.

Toledo, Ohio, in the “Toledo Blade” and “Toledo Eagle” remarkable publicity has been given the Teachings.

Urbana has been getting fine write-ups on their activities in “The Daily Illini” and “The News-Gazette.”

Wilmette, the home of our beloved Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, has good publicity on all the Temple activities in the “Wilmette Life” through the untiring efforts of Gertrude Struven.

Other communities sending in publicity obtained about their activities are Geneva and Rochester, N. Y., who have obtained splendid write-ups for their circuit speakers; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Boise, Idaho, where Mrs. Caswell has done great work; Boston, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Peoria, Phoenix, Oregon City, Racine, and Vancouver, B. C.

Since beginning this report we have received “The Mineralogist,” January, 1936 issue, which contains a most interesting article by F. S. Young of Portland, Oregon, together with a late picture of the Temple and a close-up of the Dome cleverly arranged on one page. The article is headed “The Five Billion Carat Gem Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette, Illinois.” In the March issue of “The Mineralogist” are short quotations from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on four different pages.

Saint Paul, Minnesota, has just sent a clipping in headed “Temple Model Here” with a picture of a Temple Model owned by Mrs. Gayle Woolson, taken in her home with Mrs. Woolson standing beside it.

Binghamton, N. Y., always receives fine press items on their lectures. A new and interesting method of indirect teaching is through a lecture on “Wayside Shrines” given by Mrs. Inderlied and reported in the papers. Needless to say the Bahá’í Shrines on Mt. Carmel were included in this lecture.

San Francisco just sent in two immense envelopes of clippings. Among these are the reports of the N.S.A. meetings held there in November. One item which caught our eye and which it would be well for us all to remember is to send a copy of the revised edition of “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” to our papers with an article stating that it is from a new edition of 5,000 just published (more than 20,000 copies of previous editions having been sold) and that it is a standard text book about the Bahá’í Faith. Also, that it is now published in 32 languages.

The “Illinois Bell Telephone News” for February, a monthly Magazine for

[Page 7] their employees, has for its cover design a striking picture of the Temple, with a brief explanation on the next page.

Even more impressive is the fact that the United States Steel Corporation has reproduced the House of Worship on the front cover of its “U. S. Steel News” for March. This house organ has a very extensive distribution, and goes to many countries outside the United States.

Out of seventy-one Assemblies, forty-nine have sent in Clippings since April, which leaves twenty-two we have not received any from. We hope before April 15th that some will be sent in from the other twenty-two. Let us know what your problems are, perhaps we can suggest something to help. Read over your “Publicity Bulletins” sent out by this and former committees. Remember: Newspapers like action. Give a dinner, a musical, reading the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about music between the selections; arrange a book display in your public library or some book store; use Forum columns; interest the foreign language papers of your city by presenting them with an Esslemont book published in their own language together with a well written article which they can translate for their papers; and the many other unique methods of obtaining dignified publicity, mentioned in the foregoing report.

Please remember, also, to send two or more clippings to this committee. We say two or more, because extra ones are often requested by publicity chairman as they help them in securing publicity in their papers.

NATIONAL PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

By: Nina Mattisen, Chairman

4612 Malden Street

Chicago, Illinois.

THE PUBLICATION OF BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS THROUGH NON-BAHA’I PUBLISHERS[edit]

From time to time, the National Spiritual Assembly has published statements intended to clarify the various questions raised in connection with the functions of the Reviewing and Publishing Committees. Such statements were published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS of February, 1932, March, 1932, and July, 1934.

In none of those statements was the matter of the publication of compilations of Bahá’í Sacred Writings fully and definitely considered.

It must be assumed that the fundamental literature of the Faith—the Writings of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and ‎Shogi Shoghi‎ Effendi—is and will always remain the sacred trust of the Bahá’í community, and therefore, as far as is humanly possible, to be published through the established Bahá’í channels. This fundamental literature, however, has in the past appeared in two different forms: the original text, such as in the publication of the Iqán, Hidden Words, Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’í Administration, etc., and in the form of compilations like The Reality of Man.

While it is inconceivable that any circumstances could ever now arise making it proper or necessary for any believer or administrative body to arrange for the publication of an original text, like the Iqán, through a non-Bahá’í publisher, an opportunity might arise from time to time for the publication of a compilation outside the Cause, with facilities for bringing the book to the attention of the general public in ways not yet possessed by the Bahá’í community.

With reference to this particular question, the publication of compilations through non-Bahá’í channels, the National Spiritual Assembly feels it advisable to issue the following statement, with the request that it be conscientiously upheld and observed.

A compilation is subject to review by the Reviewing Committee in the same manner as are other Bahá’í works. Every compilation must include the latest available translation of each excerpt, and the source of each excerpt must be supplied. If the plan of the book makes it inconvenient to add the source at the end of each excerpt in the printed work, the source must be noted in the manuscript supplied to the Reviewing Committee.
The compiler should not conclude any arrangement with a non-Bahá’í publisher until the compilation has been officially approved. If the compiler intends to print or publish the compilation outside the Cause, the proposed arrangement is to be submitted to the National Spiritual Assembly through its Publishing Committee for approval.
In giving its approval for such printing or publication, the National Spiritual Assembly, in consultation with its Reviewing and Publishing Committee, will consider not merely the question of accuracy in the text, but also the general question of policy involved in allowing Bahá’í literature to be published outside the established Bahá’í facilities.
In giving its approval, the National Spiritual Assembly will in each case hereafter request the compiler to assign to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee any copyright taken out on publication of the book or pamphlet. Otherwise, the control of Bahá’í literature would pass outside the Cause.

The purpose of this statement is to assure proper protection of the interests of the Bahá’í Faith, while providing sufficient freedom of action to individual believers under all circumstances.

LOUHELEN SUMMER SCHOOL[edit]

Season of 1937

Youth Session, June 27-July 1. Registration and Get-together, June 27.

Daily Morning Program[edit]

Devotions.

The New World Order, Forum conducted by Willard McKay.
a. For those knowing little of the Cause, History and Principles of the Bahá’í Faith, Annamarie and Margaret Kunz.
b. For those longer in the Cause, Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, study conducted by Garreta Busey.
The Bahá’í Teachings in Daily Life, Marzieh Carpenter.

Afternoons[edit]

Sports, recreation, informal discussions and conferences as planned by youth committee.

Evenings[edit]

7:30-8:00—Informal talks by Marion Holley and others.

8:00-10:00—Varied programs planned by youth.

Youth Advisor, Garreta Busey. (During the year Mrs. Baker has held this position, advising the youth committee about their plans.)

Rates for Youth.[edit]

Meals and room per person for the youth session.......... $5.00

Note: Youth—bring your copy of “Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

First General Session, July 3-11, inclusive.

Registration, afternoon and evening program, July 3.

Daily Morning Program[edit]

Devotions.

[Page 8]

a. Aspects of the New World Order, Allen B. McDaniel.
b. Muhammad and His Teachings, Marzieh Carpenter.
Pillars of the New Civilization, Busey, lectures and discussion.
Science of the Love of God, Marion Holley.

Afternoons[edit]

Recreation, social, informal conferences or lectures.

Evenings[edit]

Bahá’í programs or lectures as planned by committee to meet the desires of the group and the outside world.

Second General Session, July 31-August 8.

(Registration, afternoon and evening program, July 31.)

Daily Morning Program[edit]

Devotions.

The World’s Debt to Islam, N. M. Firoozi.
The True Relation of Religion to Government, Prof. Glenn Shook.
a. The Bible Unsealed; b. The Bahá’í Life, Dorothy Baker.

Note: Those who play a musical instrument are requested to bring it. (Afternoons and evenings as in first general session.)

Rates for general sessions including meals.[edit]

Per person per day, single room	$2.15
Per person per day, double rm	1.80
Per person per day, dormitory	1.50

Reservations and Information[edit]

Please make reservations as soon as possible with Mrs. L. W . Eggleston,

201 E. Kirby Ave. Detroit, Mich.

Louhelen Ranch is located on M 15 about 50 miles from Detroit, 10 miles from Flint and 3 miles south of ‎Divison Davison‎, Michigan.

Those coming by train or bus to Flint can be met at Flint if notice is sent to Mrs. Eggleston in advance.

Post Office address, Louhelen Ranch, Route No. 1. Davison, Michigan and this will be Mrs. Eggleston’s address after April 1st.

Program Committee for all Sessions[edit]

L. W. Eggleston, chairman: Bishop Brown, E. J. Miessler, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Miss Garreta Busey, Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, sec‘y.

Louhelen Youth Committee.[edit]

Marguerite Reimer, Florence Mattoon, Wilfrid Barton (appointed from National Youth Committee by N.S.A.) and Youth of Lima, Ohio, (appointed at 1936 session by ballot of youth present).

MME. ORLOVA IN DENMARK, SWEDEN AND GERMANY[edit]

Detailed reports, with interesting comment and analysis of the spiritual conditions encountered in her teaching work, have been received from Mme. Gita Orlova. These cover activities in Copenhagen from September 22 to October 27, and in Stockholm from October 28 to November 3, and in Germany from August 24 to September 21, 1936.

At Copenhagen, Mme. Orlova discussed the Faith with a number of prominent scholars, musicians and diplomats. A number of press clippings attest the success of this activity. Among the public meetings held there, Mme. Orlova spoke at the American Woman’s Club and in the same hall where previously she had given a lecture recital on a cultural subject. This meeting was followed by questions and answers on the Cause.

From November 6 to November 17, Mme. Orlova returned to Copenhagen, where a number of meetings were held in the studio of Mrs. Ingred Nybo. A study group was formed at these meetings.

Mme. Orlova found it possible in Copenhagen to bring the Faith to the attention of persons of influence, and associate the Bahá’í conception of World Order with the fundamental trend of the age.

At Stockholm, Mme. Orlova had the same facility to meet the responsible type of person, and through such influence an interview was arranged with the four largest newspapers of the city. Much attention was attracted by this dignified presentation of the Teachings. A public meeting held at the Lyceum Club led to many questions and interested discussion. One of the leading artists of the city arranged to start a study group. Mme. Orlova impressed upon her audiences the fact that the leaders of society have the greatest responsibility for striving to establish the new World Order. The following centers were visited by Mme. Orlova in Germany: Esslingen, Stuttgart, Geislingen, Zuffenhausen, Karlsruhe, Heppenheim, Heidelberg, Frankfurt, Leipsic, Dresden, Berlin, Hamburg, Bremen, Rostock-Warnemunde. Most of her meetings in Germany were in the homes of believers, although several public meetings could be arranged. It is impossible to read this report without realizing the importance of clarifying, in every section of the Bahá’í world community, the Guardian’s fundamental instructions on which the future progress of the Faith depends. Besides finding continuous opportunity to discuss these matters with believers, Mme. Orlova met certain people, like Paul Peroff, a scientist, whose interest in the Cause can become very important.

MRS. JEANNE AND MISS JEANNE BOLLES IN EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST, 1935-1937[edit]

The reports received from these two devoted teachers are very detailed and extensive. Only a brief summary can be made for the information of the friends, but it is hoped that more complete statements can be recorded in some volume of The Bahá’í World relating the important activities of all those American teachers who have so valiantly served in other lands.

The scope of their journey is indicated by the mere list of cities visited, in which Bahá’í activities were carried on: London, Orpington, Brussels, Luxembourg, St. Moritz, Sils Maria, Munich, Garmish ‎Prartenkirchen Partenkirchen‎, Mittenwald, Innsbruck, Venice, Rome, Florence, Capri, Cairo, Beirut, Aleppo, Istanbul, Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Castolovice, Prague, Dresden, Leipsic, Falkenberg, Halberstadt, Mungersdorf, Berlin, Hamburg, Warnemunde, Rostock, Graal, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Esslingen, Zurich. This journey included a pilgrimage to Haifa.

From September, 1936 to February, 1937, the Bahá’ís were active in Cambridge, England, Holland, Germany, Hungary. A recent letter states that a journalist in Buda Pest has become so interested that he is preparing an illustrated feature article on the Cause.

The intimate details of this teaching work, the many personal contacts it made possible, the amount of literature distributed in many languages, and the unfailing fervor of the Bahá’í teachers who uphold the new World Order in the face of such difficulties as Europe now represents, is indeed an inspiration.