Bahá’í News/Issue 123/Text
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The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of the United States and Canada
General Office: 130 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, New Jersey
“THE RAREST PRIVILEGE EVER CONFERRED BY PROVIDENCE UPON THE AMERICAN BAHA’I COMMUNITY”[edit]
Letter from Shoghi Effendi[edit]
Dearly beloved co-workers:
I have, in a recent cable addressed to your Assembly, felt it necessary to stress the paramount need of maintaining the proper balance between the Temple construction work and the teaching activities which have been initiated and are being so energetically conducted under your direction in accordance with the Seven Year Plan. The twofold aim you are now pursuing should at no time become obscured, nor should either one of the dual responsibilities you have assumed be allowed to preponderate over the other. The urgency of the task connected with the ornamentation of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar has been rightly recognized, and its immediate needs have been generously and promptly met. A similar, nay a mightier effort should now be deliberately and persistently exerted in the field of pioneer teaching, in both the United States and Canada. Every facility and encouragement, moral and material, should be extended to the National Teaching Committee and its auxiliary agencies to insure the speedy termination of the first stage in the teaching campaign to which every American believer is now pledged.
Very soon we shall be entering the second half of the last decade of this, the first century of the Bahá’í Era. The five remaining years should essentially be consecrated to the imperative, the spiritual needs of the remaining Republics of both Central and South America, for whose entry into the fellowship of Bahá’u’lláh the Plan was primarily formulated. The prime requisite for the definite opening of what may come to be regarded as one of the most brilliant chapters in American Bahá’í History, is the completion of the initial task which American Bahá’í pioneers must perform in the nine remaining States and Provinces as yet unassociated with the organic structure of the Faith.
The period ahead is short, strenuous, fraught with mortal perils for human society, yet pregnant with possibilities of unsurpassed triumphs for the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s redemption Cause. The occasion is propitious for a display, by the American Bahá’í Community, in its corporate capacity, of an effort which in its magnitude, character, and purpose must outshine its past endeavors. Failure to exploit these present, these golden opportunities would blast the hopes which the prosecution of the Plan has thus far aroused, and would signify the loss of the rarest privilege ever conferred by Providence upon the American Bahá’í Community. It is in view of the criticalness of the situation that I was led to place at the disposal of any pioneer willing to dedicate himself to the task of the present hour such modest resources as would facilitate the discharge of so enviable a duty.
The Bahá’í World, increasingly subjected to the rigors of suppression, in both the East and the West, watches with unconcealed astonishment, and derives hope and comfort from the rapid unfoldment of the successive stages of God’s Plan for so blest a community. Its eyes are fixed upon this community, eager to behold the manner in which its gallant members will break down, one after another, the barriers that obstruct their progress towards a divinely-appointed goal. On every daring adventurer in the service of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh the Concourse on high shall descend, “each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light.” Every one of these adventurers God Himself will sustain and inspire, and will “cause the pure waters of wisdom and utterance to gush out and flow copiously from his heart.” “The Kingdom of God,” writes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “is possessed of limitless potency. Audacious must be the army of life if the confirming aid of that Kingdom is to be repeatedly vouchsafed unto it. ... Vast is the arena, and the time ripe to spur on the charger within it. Now is the time to reveal the force of one’s strength, the stoutness of one’s heart and the might of one’s soul.”
Dearly-beloved friends! What better field than the vast virgin territories, so near at hand, and waiting to receive, at this very hour, their full share of the onrushing tide of Bahá’u’lláh’s redeeming
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grace? What theatre more befitting than these long-neglected nine remaining states and provinces in which
the true heroism of the intrepid pioneers of His World Order can be displayed? There is no time to lose.
There is no room left for vacillation.
Multitudes hunger for the Bread of
Life. The stage is set. The firm and
irrevocable Promise is given. God’s
own Plan has been set in motion. It
is gathering momentum with every
passing day. The powers of heaven
and earth mysteriously assist in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and
himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to insure ultimate and complete victory.
- SHOGHI.
- January 28, 1939.
LETTER FROM THE GUARDIAN[edit]
The Guardian’s letter of January 28, 1939, the postscript of which, in his own hand, is reprinted above, contains other passages here brought to the attention of the friends:—
Regarding Ahmad Schrab’s recent compilation of the reported words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá published under the title “I Heard Him Say,” the Guardian wishes the believers to ignore this book, as it is wholly unreliable, as evidenced by a passage in which the Master is reported to have indirectly stated that Babu’l-Báb, the First Letter of the Living, had survived the Báb.
Concerning the nature of the activities to be conducted in the Foundation Hall; for the present, the Foundation Hall can be used for the holding of administrative gatherings, feasts, and public meetings, but the auditorium should be reserved exclusively for purposes of worship.
He is also delighted at the progress of the ornamentation work on the Temple and has every reason to hope that the recently inaugurated Bahiyyih Khanum Fund will receive such steady flow of contributions from the individuals, groups and Assemblies as to insure the completion of the entire external decoration on that unique edifice even before the time fixed under the Seven Year Plan. He wishes you to send him two large size photographs showing the latest progress of the ornamentation, for the Mansion in Bahji and for the International Archives of Mt. Carmel.
In conclusion, I wish to renew once more his plea conveyed in his successive messages to the American believers regarding the paramount urgency of intensifying the campaign of teaching in Northern and particularly in
Regional Conference, Los Angeles, February 5, 1939, Held During Sessions of the N. S. A.
Southern America. Now that the Temple work is progressing so satisfactorily and may well be completed before
the year 1944, the American believers
should concentrate with added determination on the fulfilment of the second task they have pledged themselves
to accomplish under the Seven Year
Plan. The teaching campaign which
under the guidance and exemplary
leadership of your Assembly has been
steadily advancing is far from having
attained the objective and will require
much greater self-sacrifice and resourcefulness than have so far been displayed. The remaining five years will
have indeed to witness a renewed and
added consecration by each and every
one of the friends in the supreme task
of opening up not only the remaining
states and provinces in the United
States and Canada, but also the Latin
countries of South America, where the
difficulties of language, and the age-old
religious conservatism of the masses,
coupled with the growing economic and
political nationalism of their respective governments, create barriers which the
combined and united exertions of the
American believers, reinforced by Divine confirmations, alone can remove.
The Guardian will ever pray that the American Bahá’í Community may continue to be sustained in its efforts for the attainment of this high and noble objective. For there can assuredly be no victory more brilliant and befitting with which they can celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the Declaration of the Faith, than the triumphal termination of the inter-American campaign of teaching.
A DEEPENING OF SPIRIT[edit]
To the American Bahá’í community has come from the Guardian three communications which call for a deepening of our personal and collective life in the Faith: the cablegram of January 26, a general letter dated December 25, 1939, and the letter dated January 28, reprinted above.
“Nine Holy Souls”[edit]
Within the brief period from the receipt of the cablegram to the meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly at Los Angeles on February 3, the inspiration to arise as a pioneer teacher had seized upon a number of friends. These offers were received with gratitude and admiration. In addition, one believer has offered to contribute the expense of settling a teacher in Alaska for one or two years. This effect is evidence of the spirit of consecration which has been quickened in the Bahá’í community.
It was found possible to take action on three unoccupied areas, and other actions will be reported after the next meeting.
Miss Honor Kempton will proceed to Alaska, Miss N. Grace Bissell to Vermont, and Miss Helen Griffing, to Nevada, with the loving, best wishes and full cooperation of the Teaching Committee and the National Assembly. Their sacrifice and devoted efforts to establish the Faith in those areas will no doubt be prayerfully followed by all their coworkers.
These facts were reported to the Guardian by cablegram, and on February 11, Shoghi Effendi sent the following cabled reply:—
“Heart flooded (with) joyous gratitude (at) realization American believers
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(are) rising magnificently (to meet
the) challenge (of this) unutterably
precious hour. Convey (to) Alaska,
Nevada (and) Vermont pioneers (my)
immense appreciation (of their) marvelous, instantaneous, exemplary response. Prayers continually accompany them.”
“The Advent of Divine justice”[edit]
This is the title of the Guardian’s general communication to the American Bahá’ís, in the form of the printed pamphlet which will be sent as soon as possible to all the believers. Members of communities will receive them through their Spiritual Assembly, members of groups through their correspondent, and the isolated friends direct.
It would appear that in “Bahá’í Administration” the Guardian had described and created our functions and duties within the community, in “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” he had revealed the relations of the community to the entire world, and now he creates the realities of the spiritual life in action to obtain the universal goal of the Cause of God.
Temple Construction[edit]
| CABLEGRAM FROM THE GUARDIAN
|
The February meeting acted also to further the other precious aim, that of completing the exterior of the House of Worship before the end of the first century of the Bahá’í Era.
From the National Fund the sum of $3,000 was appropriated to the Bahíyyíh Khanum Fund, and the Temple Trustees were authorized to enter into a contract with the John J. Earley Studios for making the molds required for the first story.
Thus, there are three contracts proceeding simultaneously: that for the gallery section, almost completed; that for the first story models, begun in December, 1938; and the new contract for molds. In addition, the quartz needed for the castings of the first story units is being acquired by monthly purchases under very favorable conditions, an economy that will not show until the next contract, that for casting the units and applying them to the first story surface, is under way.
The January issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS summarized the steps in Temple construction. To bring the report to date, the financial statement of March 1 gives this information about the Bahíyyíh Khanum Fund.
| Cash on hand Feb. 1 | $53,460.41 | |
| Received in February | 3,199.91 | |
| __________ | ||
| $56,660.32 | ||
| Expended in February | 4,820.30 | |
| __________ | ||
| Cash on hand, March 1 | $51,840.02 | |
| Reserved for Gallery contract |
$13,091.71 | |
| Reserved for Models contract |
16,610.95 | 29,702.66 |
| __________ | ||
| Available for Molds contract | $22,137.36 |
These figures are very impressive, in
that they show that the Gallery and
Models contracts are financially provided for in full, and of the $29,000
needed for the Molds contract the sum
of $22,137.36 is now on hand. The
purchase of quartz need not alter these
figures, as the monthly payment is
small and can readily be appropriated
from the National Fund.
However, gratifying as it is, the question of Temple construction still requires the following sums through new donations:
Balance needed for Molds contract | $ 6,862.64 |
Needed for casting and applying units | 95,000.00 |
Needed for external staircase and metal work | 75,000.00 |
| ________ | |
| $176,862.64 |
The first of these three items will be
payable in four or five months, and the
second item will be needed immediately after the models and molds are completed, unless the contract for casting
and application is to be divided into a
series of smaller and partial contracts.
Formation of New Assemblies[edit]
The February meeting considered a very large number of applications from groups requesting authority to form a new Assembly on April 21.
Of these, authority was given to the groups of Huntington Park, Calif., Scranton, Pa., Helena, Mont., Knoxville, Tenn., Jamestown, N. Y., East Cleveland, O., and Wauwatosa, Wisc. Since the meeting, the group in Eagle River, Wisc., has qualified. At the March meeting it is hoped that authority can be given several more groups.
Annual Convention[edit]
Plans for the Convention were adopted, and the Convention Call has already been issued to the local Assemblies. The Thirty-first Annual Convention will open Thursday morning, April 27, and continue through Sunday morning, April 30, with a public meeting in Foundation Hall Sunday afternoon.
Los Angeles Meeting[edit]
In addition to the regular meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly, a rich and varied program had been prepared. Thursday, February 2, a radio broadcast shared jointly by Horace Holley, Allen B. McDaniel and Roy C. Wilhelm. This was the last in the radio series conducted by the Los Angeles Assembly leading up to the public meeting Thursday evening. This meeting was held in the Music Room, Hotel Biltmore, and those attending exceeded
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550. Allen B. McDaniel presided,
Horace Holley spoke on “World Community: A Divine Creation” and
George O. Latimer on “The Future
Civilization.” On Saturday, the members had the pleasure of luncheon with
the Spiritual Assembly of Los Angeles.
Sunday afternoon was devoted to the
Regional Conference, which dealt with
an agenda containing fourteen interesting topics. About 200 believers were
present, and all remained for supper
after the conference. Monday afternoon
a number of believers with the members of the National Spiritual Assembly gathered for prayer and devotion
at the shrine of Thornton Chase and
the graves of Thomas Collins and Elmore Duckett.
These few words fail to describe the importance of such gatherings for consultation and for fellowship and devotion, which tend so much to unify the deeper consciousness of the believers and make them an instrument for more inspired service.
The World’s Fairs[edit]
The World’s Fairs being conducted this year at San Francisco and New York are a remarkable coincidence in relation to the vast stimulus given to teaching at the present time. The Teaching Committee presented a beautiful design of a Bahá’í exhibit, and this was authorized. Further interesting details will be available very soon. The New York Assembly through its Committee reported a number of projects under way. The space necessary for a paid exhibit at the latter Fair is extremely expensive, but it is hoped to surmount this obstacle and also have the Faith represented in several other ways.
Inter-America Teaching[edit]
Reports were presented which show that Mrs. Stewart has had far-reaching results from her mission carried out under the direction of the Inter-America Committee. Study groups have been established at Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Valparaiso, the details of which will be reported as soon as possible. It is hoped that Mrs. Stewart can prolong her visit to South America and consolidate the results already achieved.
Action was also taken to adopt a regular schedule for printing Spanish translations of the Bahá’í literature, and a member of the newly formed Assembly in Mexico City is being invited to attend the Convention as the guest of the National Assembly, thus bringing this group into closer touch with the American believers and enabling their representative to consult with
Philadelphia Bahá’í Community at Opening of New Public Bahá’í Center
the Inter-America Committee and the
National Assembly on plans for extending the Faith throughout Latin
America.
May we all become so open to the power of the Spirit that we can begin to realize what confirmations await every sacrificial act, and every ardent effort, every increase in the unity of the Bahá’í Community!
- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
BAHA’I NEWS[edit]
A Bahá’í News Editorial Committee, consisting of Allen B. McDaniel, Harlan Ober and Horace Holley, has made recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly which have been approved and adopted, as follows:
- That the contents of each issue
be arranged according to the following
departments:
- The Guardian.
- The National Spiritual Assembly.
- The Temple.
- National Committees, beginning with the Teaching Committee.
- Summer Schools.
- International.
- Miscellaneous items.
- That the National Assembly request committees, in preparing their reports intended for publication, to give the right value to news items, as at present some committees write extensively about comparatively unimportant matters, and other committees will deal with an important matter in a few words.
- That news concerning local Assembly activities be solicited and published.
- That a summary of the actions be published after National Assembly meetings.
- That the Convention issue be no longer called “Bahá’í News” but be a bulletin carrying the Annual Reports and be entitled “Annual Reports of the National Spiritual Assembly, Trustees and Committees”; that the first page contain the Guardian’s words about the Convention, and that any special statement concerning the Convention which the National Assembly might issue with the Convention Call be also included.
HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR PUBLICATION IN BAHA’I NEWS[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes BAHÁ’Í NEWS to reflect the varied activities of the American Bahá’í Community, and at the same time constitute the means by which the Guardian’s messages, the plans of the National Assembly itself, and important news from other lands, can be brought to every American Bahá’í.
In order to stimulate the flow of news items available for publication,
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the following procedure has been
adopted and is now recommended to
the friends.
- All activities conducted directly under the jurisdiction of the local Spiritual Assembly should be reported by the Assembly itself, and submitted as news and not as part of a communication to the National Assembly dealing with other matters. Individual members of the local community should report their activities to the local Assembly, which can work them into their general news reports.
- Teaching activities conducted under a Regional Committee should be reported to that Committee, which in turn should forward all teaching news to the National Teaching Committee, and the National Teaching Committee prepares regular news reports for BAHÁ’Í NEWS based upon all this information.
- Other National Committees, like the Bahá’í News Service, Radio Committee and Child Education Committee, the Committee on Braille Transcription, and the Committee on International Auxiliary Language, should receive from individual believers, groups and Assemblies such news items as are specialized in each committee. For example, make reports on publicity direct to the Bahá’í News Service; and each of these committees will then, as frequently as possible, prepare general news reports for BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
- The remaining National Committees, like the Summer Schools and Publishing Committees, will prepare their own news items and submit them for publication.
- In order to fix a uniform publishing date for BAHÁ’Í NEWS the friends are informed that hereafter it will appear the first of each month, and all items intended for a certain issue must be received not later than the twenty-third day of the preceding month.
- The National Spiritual Assembly prefers each issue to consist of eight pages, which calls for simplicity and brevity of treatment in the handling of all items and reports.
“DRAW NIGH UNTO BAHA’U’LLAH”[edit]
I render Thee thanks, O Thou Who hast lighted Thy fire within my soul, and cast the beams of Thy light into my heart, that Thou hast taught Thy servants how to make mention of Thee, and revealed unto them the ways whereby they can supplicate Thee, through Thy most holy and exalted tongue, and Thy most august and precious speech. But for Thy leave, who is there that could venture to express Thy might and Thy grandeur; and were it not for Thine instruction, who is the man that could discover the ways of Thy pleasure in the kingdom of Thy creation? (Prayers and Meditations, p. 283).
In all Dispensations the law of prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the Prophets of God.... Moreover, in the traditions the terms ‘sun’ and ‘moon’ have been applied to prayer and fasting, even as it is said: ‘Fasting is illumination, prayer is light.’ (Kitab-i-Iqan, p. 39).
That which Thou didst ordain for such of Thy handmaidens as circle round the throne of Thy majesty, and gaze, at eventide and at dawn, on Thy beauty. (Prayers and Meditations, p. 79).
For Thine ardent lovers Thou hast, according to Thy decree, reserved, at each daybreak, the cup of Thy remembrance, O Thou Who art the Ruler of Rulers! These are they who have been so inebriated with the wine of Thy manifold wisdom that they forsake their couches in their longing to celebrate Thy praise and extol Thy virtues, and flee from sleep in their eagerness to approach Thy presence and partake of Thy bounty. (Prayers and Meditations, p. 143).
My remembrance of Thee, O my God, quencheth my thirst, and quietest my heart. My soul delighteth in its communion with Thee, ... I give thanks to Thee, O my God, that Thou hast suffered me to remember Thee. What else but remembrance of Thee can give delight to my soul or gladness to my heart? Communion with Thee enableth me to dispense with the remembrance of all Thy creatures, and my love for Thee empowereth me to endure the harm which my oppressors inflict upon me. (Prayers and Meditations p. 195).
Commune intimately with His Spirit, and be thou of the thankful. (Gleanings, p. 280).
CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE[edit]
A correction of last month’s news column is regretfully offered. The price of each course, including “To Live The Life,” posted in the January News at 20c per copy, will be 25c. Mailing charges in the United States and Canada are included in this rate.
In addition to this course, “To Live The Life,” adapted to ages 7 to 10, two more courses are now in mimeographed form and ready for distribution. “Bahá’í Principles,” adapted to children from 8 to 15, is offered in twelve lessons, each lesson stating a suggested presentation for the teacher, an applicable story from scriptural Books or accepted Bahá’í publications, and a suggested memory passage in keeping with the theme of the lesson. This outline should be purchased for the teacher only. For the children themselves, however, a set is offered of twelve pictures for coloring, portraying the theme of each lesson. Each individual child may have one of these sets at 10c per set. Each lesson will deal with one of the principles, and the color plates will coincide with the lesson in every case.
“Bahá’í Founders,” ages 9 to 15, in 18 lessons, is a text book course, based on “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.” The chapters on the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Guardian, and the chapter on the qualities of a Bahá’í, are used with stimulating questions and memory passages. It is suggested that each child have both text book and course. No hand work. Course 25c.
The friends are requested to order as nearly as possible each time in full amounts because of the very definite saving in express costs. Address orders to the secretary, Miss Elcore Georgenson, 615 W. Elm St., Lima, Ohio.
A careful study of the teaching of tiny tots is being made, with the view of making definite recommendations in a spring number of the NEWS.
The Parents and Teachers column, to begin in the April issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, will seek to discuss, in the light of the Bahá’í Faith, our common problems in teaching and training children. The friends are invited to submit questions of general interest, or to contribute to the column. For this department, address the chairman, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, 615 W. Elm St., Lima, Ohio.
FINAL REPORT ON MISS ZAMENHOF[edit]
A very good report of Miss Zamenhof’s activity in Cleveland has been sent in lately, making it possible for this Committee to complete their report of her work.
The Cleveland Spiritual Assembly arranged a reception and public meeting for Miss Zamenhof at International House, which was well attended. She also spoke at their rooms one evening and at a meeting which she herself arranged,
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Bahá’í Children’s Party, New York Bahá’í Center
on a Sunday afternoon at the
home of one of the Esperantists. There
were 20 persons present and Mrs. Moffat was the second speaker. I understand that this Esperantist is definitely
interested and is corresponding with
Miss Zamenhof about the Revelation.
The following quotation from the letter sent from the Cleveland Spiritual
Assembly is relevant to the interest
aroused: “Miss Zamenhof during the
entire (Esperanto) course included
some hint of the teaching so near to our
hearts and I am sure we shall see the
maturing of the many seeds planted
during her stay.”
Her Esperanto propaganda, in the charge of a group of young High School and college students, was very well planned and an immense amount of work went into it. Unfortunately, they did not reap the reward which such labor merited, as her arrival in Cleveland coincided with the breathless days before the Munich Conference. Although she was interviewed by the 3 principal papers, Cleveland Press, Plain Dealer, and Cleveland News, also Urban Newspapers, Inc., nothing appeared. In spite of the fact that one paper had an illustrated article all set up, ready to print. However, she did receive generous publicity from the foreign language press and foreign English publications. A representative of the Polish press met her at the Union Station on her arrival. Another publicity item is her interview over Station WHK by Professor Frank Tomich of Fenn College.
This last is representative of the good arrangements that the Esperantists made for her talks. She spoke for them at Cleveland College, Schauffler College, Henry George School, Shaker Heights High School, Lincoln Boulevard Club of Cleveland Heights, Intaglio Youth Club of the 1st Unitarian Church and the Epworth League of the Epworth Euclid Methodist Church. This work shows how much the young Esperantists of Cleveland would be worth cultivating by the Bahá’ís.
They sent in to the Esperanto Committee a cordial appreciation of the generous support of the Cleveland Bahá’ís for the use of their rooms and chairs.
The Committee is glad to send in this interesting news regarding Cleveland, as the difficulties that Miss Zamenhof encountered while there, relative to her remaining longer in America, had unconsciously thrown their shadow over her Cleveland work. So that we were pleasantly surprised to receive such good reports from the Bahá’ís and the Esperantists.
- DELLA QUINLAN, Chairman,
- International Auxiliary Language Committee
- DELLA QUINLAN, Chairman,
YOUTH STUDY DAYS[edit]
The Fourth Outline in the series prepared for the Youth Study Days is based on Part IV of “Some Answered Questions.”
Suggested Preliminary Readings: Reality of Man, pp. 6-36: index references to Evolution, Soul, Mind and Spirit, Immortality and Healing, in “Bahá’í Scriptures” and “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.”
Questions raised by non-believers? Do Bahá’ís accept the Darwinian theory of evolution? Is not man a species of animal, sharing the same powers and senses? In man’s vertebral column there is an indication that he once possessed a tail. Does this not prove that our ancestors were apes? How long has man existed? Has man always had a soul? God “Made man in his image.” Are we then not all parts of the Divine Spirit? Is the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity accepted by Bahá’ís? Can human nature be changed? Are all men born with equal capacities? Can we know God? Does God forgive sin? If a man consciously performs good deeds throughout his life, is this sufficient for salvation? Is the course of our lives predestined? Has man free will? Can we speak with the dead? (See pp. 206, 215, 223, 229, 230, 239-67-74, 241, 249, 247, 256-58, 261-77-82, 269, 276, 283, 287, 292.)
Review questions: How does ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explain our evolution through various forms? p. 225. Has man always been a distinct species? p. 214. What great gift does man possess which is not possessed by the animal? pp. 218-272. What is the reality of man? pp. 228-291. What is the relationship between man and the world? p. 234. Between God and man? p. 236. Explain Emanation, Manifestation. pp. 237-239. Into what categories is spirit divided, and how does it differ from mind? p. 243. What are the five outer and the five inner powers possessed by man? p. 246. What differences exist between the Manifestation and man? pp. 253-257. Explain “second birth.” p. 260. Are we permitted to pray for the dead? p. 268. Can we supplicate Bahá’u’lláh to intercede before God for us? p. 269. Upon what great crossroad does man stand? p. 273. What is the meaning of eternal life? p. 281. Does chapter 69 imply a belief in astrology? p. 281. What are the four kinds of healing without medicine? p. 293.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Los Angeles, twenty-two. Boston, two and one youth. San Francisco, one. Philadelphia, two. New York, ten. Jersey City, three. Topeka, two. Oklahoma City, two. Maywood, three. Eliot, one. Urbana, two. Worcester, one. Teaneck, two. Pasadena, four. Chicago, nine. Milwaukee, one. South Bend, one. Phoenix, one and one youth. Glendale, Calif., one. South Bend, one. Peoria, two. Cincinnati, eight.
ASSEMBLY ROLL[edit]
Denver, Colo., change of address. New address, Dr. C. E. Meyer, Secretary, Route 2, Box 226, Arvada, Colo.
Oakland, Calif., Change of address. New address, Mr. Lorne H. Matteson, Secretary, 1082 East 33rd Street.
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Toronto, Ontario, new Secretary.
Address correspondence to Miss Elsie
Beecroft, Secretary, 443 Jarvis Street.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
Regional Teaching Committee for Alabama and Florida. Change of name and address. Address correspondence to Mrs. Maxwell E. Buffin (formerly Mrs. Lucille Hoke), Secretary, 49 S. E. 6th Street, Miami, Fla.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
It is clear and evident that when the veils that conceal the realities of the manifestations of the Names and Attributes of God, nay of all created things visible or invisible, have been rent asunder, nothing except the Sign of God will remain—a sign which He, Himself, hath placed within these realities. This sign will endure as long as is the wish of the Lord thy God, the Lord of the heavens and of the earth. If such be the blessings conferred on all created things, how superior must be the destiny of the true believer, whose existence and life are to be regarded as the originating purpose of all creation.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
- Miss Margaret Klebs, Augusta, Ga.
- Miss Frances Starr, Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Mrs. Isobel Chamberlain, Oakland, Calif.
- Mrs. Charlotte Dixon, Washington.
- Mrs. Alletta B. Martin, Long Beach, Calif.
- Mrs. Olga Niemeier, Milwaukee.
- Mr. Otto Heyden, Green Bay, Wis.
TENTH ANNUAL CONVENTION, INDIA AND BURMA[edit]
Every year the days of Ridvan are days of happiness and joy for the Bahá’ís. They hold their annual Convention in these days to consult together on recent developments in the Holy Cause in India and Burma. With a world full of chaos and class hatred and a country torn with communal riots and charged with a spirit of division and disunity on all sides these lovers of the Abhá Beauty gather together calmly and without any regard to the struggle that rages around them, to discuss ways and means to promote the Divine Teachings of “Oneness of Humanity” and of “World Peace” in a world which, though yearning for such beneficial Teachings, yet ignores them out of sheer craze for war which seems to be the sure and culminating end of the present muddle.
The delegates and visitors all arrived a day previous to the date of the Convention. The representatives had come from Bombay on one side and from Rangoon on the other.
One of the distinguishing features of this year’s Convention was the presence of our most beloved sister, Miss Martha L. Root. She is love incarnate and her loving influence gave the delegates and the visitors a fresh impetus. She joined us in public lectures and inspired us with a spirit of sacrifice that is peculiar to her.
After the office-bearers of the Convention had been elected a cablegram was sent to the beloved Guardian supplicating for his blessings and prayers for the success of our deliberations. He sent us the following encouraging reply and our hearts flow with gratitude for his unique favors for us:—
- Assure Convention Delegates Loving Fervent Prayers Success Deliberations Dearest Love Martha.
- —SHOGHI.
Telegrams were also received from Bombay and Calcutta Bahá’ís, congratulating the Convention and the incoming National Spiritual Assembly.
Mr. R. K. Oliani read the Annual Report in the Iranian on behalf of the National Secretary. The Treasurer also presented his report. The delegates then took up the general discussion of the Report and after discussing the various propositions suggested in the Report recorded them as recommendations for submission to the new N. S. A.
The most important of these recommendations are probably those of a Summer School in India and Burma and of the 6-year Teaching Plan.
Evenings were devoted to public lectures in the various public halls of the town. The subjects were well chosen and the speakers gave interesting and impressive talks to the audiences.
On April 27 these lectures were arranged in Khaliqdina Hall in the heart of the city under the chairmanship of Mr. Hatim Alvi, present Mayor of Karachi. Miss Martha Root spoke on the Teachings of the Divine Educator, Bahá’u’lláh; Abbas Ali Butt spoke on Bahá’í Faith and the Oneness of Humanity and Prof. Pritam Singh recounted the History of the Bahá’í Faith. The Chairman wound up with an elaborate exposition of the Divine Faith and impressively supported the views expressed by the speakers.
On April 28, Theosophical Hall had a fairly good audience and the lectures began under the chairmanship of Mr. Durgadass Advani, the then Mayor of Karachi. Miss Martha Root gave an account of her world tours in the interest of World Peace; Mrs. Shirin Fozdar explained the Bahá’í Faith in its bearing on the World Unity; and Mr. H. M. Manji addressed the audience on Divine Remedy for Economic Ills. April 29 was the 9th day of Ridvan and the Friends of Karachi were all on holiday. They all gathered in the Hazirat-ul-Qods and we had a sumptuous dinner followed by a tea-party in the afternoon to which about 500 of the important personages of the town were invited. The garden of the Bahá’í Hall was gaily decorated and tables were laid on the lawns. By 5 p.m. the guests had all arrived and tea, pastry, ice-cream and aerated waters were served. Beloved Martha all aglow with divine splendor moved here and there among those noble guests and talked to them about the Divine Faith in her own sweet manner.
The President of the local Spiritual Assembly thanked the guests for their presence there; Mr. Mehrban Jamshedi on behalf of the local Bahá’í Youth Group presented an address of welcome to Miss Martha Root in which glowing tribute was paid to her incomparable services for the Holy Cause. In her moving reply Miss Martha Root surveyed the progress of the Bahá’í Faith in the five continents of the world. She was followed by Abbas Ali Butt who traced the progress of the Faith in India and Burma. Mr. Pradhan, the first Principal of the Shivaji High School, moved by a loving remembrance of his meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá while returning from Europe, rose up and in words expressive of his noble emotions thanked the Bahá’ís of Karachi for their hospitality and incidentally spoke of the greatness of the Bahá’í Faith and of its suitability for the present-day world.
On April 30 public lectures were again held in the Theosophical Hall under the chairmanship of Mr. Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta, a great citizen of Karachi and for a long time the Mayor of that town. Miss Martha Root spoke on “How we can work for World Peace”; Prof. H. C. Kumar spoke on the “Oneness of Humanity” and Prof. Pritam Singh delivered a speech on “The relations of Bahá’í Faith with other Religions.”
On May 1 two of the interested Hindu friends arranged for public lectures in the Jain Temple under the chairmanship of their chief religious
[Page 8]
leader, Muni Maharaj. The temple
was full to its capacity and the audience heard the Bahá’í Message with
wrapt attention. Miss Martha Root,
Mrs. Shirin Fozdar and Mr. H. M.
Manji spoke impressively and conveyed
the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to those
noble souls. In the afternoon public
lectures were held in the Bahá’í Hall
under the chairmanship of Prof. H. C.
Kumar. Miss Martha Root spoke on
“Teaching the Bahá’í Faith”; Mr.
Hishmat’u’lláh Koreishee spoke on the
“New World Order” and Abbas Ali
Butt spoke on the “Power of the Holy
Spirit.”
May 2 was the last day of Ridvan and once more the friends of Karachi had gathered in the Bahá’í Hall to observe the Day. After the formal meeting they dispersed in groups in the gardens, chanted prayers and recited the Holy Word. Their sonorous voices rose in varying cadence once from one corner of the garden and then from the other and it seemed as if the whole atmosphere was charged with the spirit of real joy and happiness. Dinner was served and was followed by chanting of prayers in the garden. Meanwhile some of the Hindu friends came and carried Miss Martha Root, Mrs. Shirin Fozdar and Mr. H. M. Manji to Sharda Mandal where to an audience of students and scholars they spoke on the “Progress of the World of Humanity” and delivered the Message in most interesting and attractive words. At 6 p.m. Messrs. Hishmat’u’lláh Koreishee and H. M. Manji were invited to speak at the Karia High School to the students and teachers of the school. They spoke on the History and Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. At 7 p.m. Mr. Sohrab Katrik, one of the leading Parsees of Karachi and President of the Young Men’s Zoroastrian Association, had arranged for Bahá’í lectures under the auspices of his Association in Katrik Hall under the chairmanship of Mr. P. C. Tarapore, editor of the Daily Gazette. Miss Martha Root spoke on the Challenge of Tomorrow and Mrs. Shirin Fozdar spoke on the Bahá’í Faith and its relation with the Zoroastrian religion. Mr. Sohrab Katrik thanked the lecturers and the chairman and garlanded them, presenting them each with a copy of the Jubilee Book as a memento of the occasion.
On May 3 at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Momenzadih gave a tea party to which he invited the Iranian Consul-General H. E. Aqa Fahimi and his wife, Mr. Hatim Alvi, Miss Martha Root and members of the N. S. A. After the tea Miss Martha Root gave an account of her impressions of Irán during her tour in that holy country.
On May 4 Mr. Sohrab Katrik invited Miss Martha Root, Dr. and Mrs. Fozdar and the President of the local Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Isfandiar K. B. Bakhtiari, to a tea party to which he had also invited some of the notables of the town. After refreshments conversation turned on the Bahá’í Faith and the guests and the host all expressed their appreciation of the Divine Teachings.
On May 5 Mr. Pradham gave tea to Miss Martha Root, Mrs. Shirin Fozdar and some of the delegates to the Convention. He was very kind and his lovely daughter left nothing undone to serve her guests with the delicacies which she had prepared with her own hands. The talk about the Divine Faith was really very uplifting and impressive.
MARTHA L. ROOT IN INDIA[edit]
Colombo, Ceylon—Dr. and Mrs. Fozdar and I went to Colombo, Ceylon, for ten days, January 5 to 16, 1938. It was my second trip to Colombo since September 13. The press used many favorable and long articles about the Bahá’í Faith, the editors and journalists were our true friends. A newspaper in Tamil language also published the history and principles translated into Tamil. I spoke before the Rotary Club of Colombo and the speech was broadcast from the luncheon table. Shirin spoke over the radio about Quarrtu’l-‘Ayn and sang one of the latter’s poems. A gramophone record was made of this song. Both broadcast speeches were printed in full in the Colombo papers. One public lecture was given in Colombo University under the auspices of the University College Economics Society, and another public lecture took place at the Ramakrishna Mission School. We spoke before the teachers of a Buddhist school for girls, and Dr. and Mrs. Fozdar spoke at the Parsi Club. Some very fine Muslim people invited us to their homes, so also did some Christians, Hindus and Buddhists. We invited a number of friends to our hotel. The Mayor of Colombo called. Shirin spoke before the Women’s International Club. It was all a most worthwhile visit to Colombo. Dr. Fozdar after helping us much, returned from Colombo to his hospital work at Ajmer.
Bangalore.—Mrs. Fozdar and I came via Madras to Bangalore and Mysore where she had been ten months before. Three Bahá’í lectures were scheduled for the three days of our stay, January 24, 25, 26, at the Mythic Society, a high Cultural Society in Bangalore, in Daly Memorial Hall, a building given by the Maharaja of Mysore. The Secretary of the Mythic Society, a lawyer, Mr. S. Srikantaya, ably presided at the three lectures; all were reported in the Bangalore Post. Questions were asked and answered and each day the audience increased. Teachers from the Fort High School present invited us to come over to their school and speak to seven hundred boys. The Dewan of Mysore, an Iránian, a Muslim, is so fine in his character that Bahá’ís could well say he is “Bahá’í” in spirit, in the sense that he seems to have “all the human perfections in activity.” He received us and did everything to help us—he helps the Muslims, the Hindus, the Jews, the Christians. He invited us to a great garden party where he was the guest of honor and introduced us to some friends as Bahá’ís. The Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University and his wife were in Bangalore and invited us to their home; he was most kind and helpful both times Mrs. Fozdar came. One of the Magazines in Bangalore promises to publish three articles about the Cause. One man in Bangalore said in fun: “The people swarm like locusts to eat the Bahá’í Teachings!” It was not quite like that, but certainly people were interested and you can see from this account that we found friends everywhere who helped us to spread the Fragrances of the Teachings.
Mysore City—The next days, January 27, 28, 29, were spent in Mysore City. Mrs. Fozdar and I each gave two lectures in the University and she spoke to an Educational Association. One Professor who presided at my lecture said that he had read seven or eight Bahá’í books carefully, and that when a distinguished Ramakrishna Swami spoke in that same University Hall on “Modern Religions” and did not mention about the Bahá’í Faith, this Professor who was acting as Chairman said that one of the most important modern religions had been left out and he gave the history of the Bahá’í Movement.—I told the audience it was like that in our country; at the World’s Parliament of Religions, in Chicago, Exposition, in 1893, a Professor, founder of Beirut University, has spoken about the Bahá’í Faith and now we have thousands of Bahá’ís in America.
