Bahá’í News/Issue 126/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
MY PLEA, MY SUPREME ENTREATY[edit]
Letter from Shoghi Effendi[edit]
Dear Co-workers:
I have in two recent, successive messages, cabled to your Assembly, giving expression, as far as it lay in my power, to the feelings of overpowering gratitude which the response of so many pioneers to the call of teaching has evoked in my heart. I have moreover felt impelled to convey my congratulations to the members of your Assembly who, through their resource, unity and single-mindedness, have lent so needed and timely an impetus to the mighty work associated with the second year of the Seven Year Plan. There can be no doubt whatever that what the American believers, no less than their elected national representatives, have accomplished, the long and assiduous care of the former and the potent methods employed by the latter, have witnessed to the uprising of a new spirit on which the defamers of the Cause may well pause to reflect, and from which its lovers cannot but derive deep joy and solace. I again wish to thank with all my soul those whose acts have stirred the imagination of friend and foe alike.
In my desire not to omit anything that might help to spur on or reinforce the community of the American believers as they move on to their destiny, I feel it necessary to add a word of warning in connection with the work that has been so splendidly begun lest it should be jeopardized or frustrated. The initial phase of the teaching work operating under the Seven Year Plan has at long last been concluded. They who have pushed it forward have withstood the test gloriously. By their acts, whether as teachers or administrators, they have written a glorious page in the struggle for the laying of a continent-wide foundation for the administrative Order of their Faith. At this advanced stage in the fulfilment of the purpose to which they have set their hand there can be no turning back, no halting, no respite. To launch the bark of the Faith, to implant its banner, is not enough. Support, ample, organized and unremitting, should be lent, designed to direct the course of that bark and to lay an unassailable foundation for the fort destined to stand guard over that banner.
The National Spiritual Assembly, the National Teaching Committee, the Regional and local teaching committees, no less than the itinerant teachers, should utilize every possible means calculated to fan the zeal, enrich the resources and insure the solidity and permanency of the work, of those who, actuated by so laudable and shining a spirit of self-sacrifice, have arisen to face the hazards and perils of so holy and historic an adventure. Indeed every believer, however humble and inexperienced, should sense the obligation to play his or her part in a mission that involves so very deeply the destinies not only of the American Bahá’í community but of the nation itself.
Whether through the frequency of their visits, the warmth of their correspondence, the liberality of their support, the wisdom of their counsels, the choice of the literature placed at the disposal of the pioneers, the members of the community should, at this hour when the sands of a moribund civilization are inexorably running out, and at a time when they are preparing themselves to launch yet another stage in their teaching activities, insure the security and provide for the steady expansion, of the work initiated in those territories so recently set alight from the torch of an inextinguishable Faith.
This is my plea, my supreme entreaty.
- Your true and grateful brother,
- SHOGHI
- April 17, 1939.
- Your true and grateful brother,
The following portion of the same letter was written by the Guardian through his secretary:—
Before closing I wish to express once again the feelings of unbounded satisfaction and gratitude that fill the heart of our beloved Guardian at the repeated evidences of the steady extension of pioneer teaching in both the Northern and Southern America, and at the unanimous and unconditional response made to his recent teaching appeals by the individual believers, local Assemblies, regional and national teaching committees and last, but not least, by the distinguished members of our own Assembly who have assuredly spared no effort to coordinate, guide and reinforce the activities and resources
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of the entire community
towards the accomplishment of the collossal task set forth by the Seven Year
Plan. Such exemplary response, truly
reminiscent of the intrepid faith, fearless courage and irreproachable fidelity
so characteristic of the immortal pioneers of the Heroic Age of the Cause,
indeed befits the high spiritual rank
which the American believers so deservedly and incontestably enjoy. It
surely cannot but excite the envy and
the admiration of all their sister communities, whether in the East or in the
West, and, in particular, offer true and
abiding solace to those of their co-religionists who, though harassed and
persecuted, turn their eager and confident hearts to their dear American
brethren, whose inestimable privilege it
is now to compensate, through their
heroic exploits, what their disabled
fellow-believers are prevented from accomplishing for the further spread and
greater glory of their faith.
PRAYER FOR THE TEMPLE[edit]
O God! O God! We implore Thee with throbbing heart and streaming tears to aid each one who strives in the erection of the house of the Lord wherein Thy Name is mentioned at morn and eventide.
O Lord, send down Thy benediction on whosoever serves this edifice and aids in the upraising of this Temple for the unity of all sects and religions. Confirm him in every good deed among mankind; open the doors of riches and wealth unto him; and make him an inheritor of the treasures of the Kingdom which perish not; cause him to be a sign of giving unto the people; uphold him by the sea of Thy bounty and generosity which forever surges with the waves of Thy grace and favor.
Verily, Thou art the Generous, the Bountiful, the All-Glorious!
- —‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ.
“MUST USHER IN ... THROUGH LIVING SACRIFICE”[edit]
The objectives chosen for the Third Year of the Seven Year Plan were presented to every American believer in the May issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
Those objectives are nothing else than the next vital steps of progress which the American Bahá’í Community is privileged to undertake in the fulfilment of the magnificent goal set ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and clearly defined by the Guardian.
“OFFICIAL INAUGURATION ... WORLD MISSION”
Cablegram from Shoghi Effendi Newly-launched Central American campaign marks official inauguration (of) long-deferred World Mission constituting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s distinctive legacy (to the) Bahá’í Community (of) North America. Chosen Community broadening its basis, gaining (in) stature, deepening (in) consecration. Its vanguard now entering arena monopolized (by) entrenched forces (of) Christendom’s mightiest ecclesiastical institutions. Laboring amidst race foreign in language, custom, temperament embracing vast proportion (of) New World’s ethnic elements. American believers’ isolated oversea teaching enterprises hitherto tentative, intermittent, now at end. New epoch opening, demanding exertions incomparably more strenuous, unflinchingly sustained, centrally directed, systematically organized, efficiently conducted. Upon alacrity, tenacity, fearlessness (of) present prosecutors (of the) unfolding mission depend speedy (and) fullest revelation, in the First (and) Second Centuries, (of the) potentialities (of the) birthright conferred (upon) American believers. Convey (to) pioneers (in) North, Middle (and) South America my eagerness (to) maintain with each direct, personal contact. Assure Teaching (and) Inter-America Committees (my) delight (at) successive testimonies (of) believers’ glowing spirit reflected (in) Minutes, letters (and) reports recently received. Entreat every section (of) community (to) labor unremittingly until every nation (in) Western Hemisphere (is) illumined (by) rays (and) woven (into) fabric (of) Bahá’u’lláh triumphant Administrative Order.
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The first step consists in thorough, widespread understanding of the details of the Plan of Action involving the extension of teaching in North and South America, and the steady prosecution of Temple construction. The Annual Budget required, as reported, is $150,000, or an average of $12,500 in contributions each month from May 1, 1939 to April 30, 1940.
Until this first step is taken, the necessary foundation for true collective effort will not be laid. Therefore the National Spiritual Assembly appeals to every local Assembly, group, National Committee and isolated believer to seize every opportunity to impress the friends with the need of consideration of the details of that Plan. The entire American Bahá’í Community, and not merely parts of it here and there, must be fully conscious that the value and significance of the present Bahá’í year depend upon our success in achieving this minimum of result.
The next step beyond knowledge of the Plan is the spirit of consecration by which every dormant faculty will be quickened and the latent capacities awakened to the plane of decisive action. We are but dimly aware of what one consecrated personality can accomplish through the power of the Holy Spirit, though we have before us the inspiring record of the Bahá’í heroes, saints and martyrs to attest the validity of the supreme miracle. Even less have become aware of what a united Bahá’í Community can achieve, when imbued with one spirit, resolved upon one goal, concentrated upon one effort and advancing along one path.
The Seven Year Plan, marking the successive stages to the Advent of Divine Justice, not a period of time which we can traverse passively as passengers in a ship. It is a field of spiritual struggle, each soul with itself, for the attainment of that Victory which the Divine Will can alone achieve through humble and devoted servants.
The Third Year is already advanced. We now have but eleven months remaining. The task can not be laid down a single day, but every hour has its vital part. Through living sacrifice we are to reveal ourselves as Bahá’ís and not by doctrinal belief alone.
The necessities of the Seven Year Plan, in fact, are our Divine protection from the visible and invisible onslaughts of a collapsing civilization. Our tasks and difficulties are our mysterious endowment of grace from on High. In single-heartedness of devotion and consecration of effort we shall stand within the Providence of assurance in this Day when the foundations of the nations tremble and are laid low.
Therefore let us employ, more unitedly, more courageously and more determinedly than ever before, those blessed means given us to acquire capacity to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh:
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prayer and meditation, study of
the Holy Texts, consultation, loyalty to
the Fund, and daily teaching by word
and deed.
These days are days of continuous emergency, not relaxation, striving, not passivity, unity, not aloofness, consecration, not division of soul.
The National Spiritual Assembly prays in all earnestness that the flame of zeal will enkindle the hearts and produce a conflagration that shall ignite the continents and islands of the Western World!
- NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.
CONVENTION GREETINGS AND GRATITUDE TO PIONEERS[edit]
The following greeting was prepared and adopted by the 1939 Convention with the recommendation that it be dispatched to all pioneer teachers who have set forth into new areas as result of the Guardian’s appeals:—
“Guardian cables joy over earnest Teaching Campaign, urges ‘resolutely prosecute momentous enterprise. Fervor prayers intensified.’ Convention assembled also wishes you God speed. Holds prayers for your success and expresses gratitude your services.”
The teachers to whom this message was addressed are: Mr. and Mrs. Allah K. Kalantar, Delaware; Mr. Wilfrid Barton, Wichita, Kansas; Miss N. Grace Bissell, Vermont; Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert Dahl, West Virginia; Mr. Rowland Estall, Winnipeg; Miss Helen Griffing, Nevada; Miss Honor Kempton, Alaska; Mr. and Mrs. Don T. MacNally, Rhode Island; Miss Lydia J. Martin, Arkansas; Mrs. Beulah Proctor, Nova Scotia; Mrs. Marguerite Reimer Sears, Utah; Miss Doris Skinner, Calgary; Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Wade, Nova Scotia; Mr. Harold Hunt, West Virginia; Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Bidwell, South Carolina; Mr. Mathew Kazsab, Panama; Mrs. Frances B. Stewart, Buenos Aires.
PRAYER FOR TEACHERS[edit]
O God! O God! Thou seest my weakness, lowliness and humility amongst Thy creatures; nevertheless I have trusted in Thee and have arisen in the promotion of Thy Teachings amongst Thy strong servants, relying on Thy power and might!
| CABLEGRAM FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI
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O Lord! I am a broken-winged bird and desire to soar in this Thy space to which there is no limit. How is it possible for me to do this save through Thy providence and grace, Thy confirmation and assistance!
O Lord! Have pity on my weakness and strengthen me with Thy power!
O Lord! Have pity on my impotency and assist me with Thy might and majesty!
O Lord! Should the breaths of the Holy Spirit confirm the weakest of creatures, he shall attain to the highest station of greatness and shall possess anything he desireth. Indeed Thou hast assisted Thy servants in the past, and they were the weakest of Thy creatures, the lowliest of Thy servants in the past, and the most insignificant of those who lived upon the earth; but through Thy sanction and potency they took precedence over the most glorious of Thy people and the most noble of Thy mankind. Whereas formerly they were as moths, they became royal falcons and whereas before they were as bubbles, they became seas. Through Thy bestowal, Thy mercy and Thy most great favor they became stars shining in the horizon of guidance, birds singing in the rose-garden of immortality, lions roaring in the forests of knowledge and wisdom and whales swimming in the oceans of life.
Verily, Thou art the Clement, the Powerful, the Mighty, and the most Merciful of the Merciful!
- —‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ.
“THE GREATEST DIVINE INSTITUTE”[edit]
The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is the most important matter and the greatest divine institute.
Consider how the first institute of His Holiness Moses, after His exodus from Egypt, was the “Tent of Martyrdom” which He raised and which was the traveling Temple. It was a tent which they pitched in the desert, wherever they abode, and worshipped in it. Likewise, after His Holiness Christ—may the spirit of the world be a sacrifice to Him!—the first institute by the disciples was a Temple. They planned a church in every country. Consider the Gospel (read it) and the matter of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will become evident.
In fine, I hope that all the beloved of God, collectively, in the continent of America, men and women, will strive night and day until the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár be erected in the utmost solidity and beauty.—‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ (Tablets, III, pp. 633, 634).
NATIONAL ARCHIVES[edit]
Announcement[edit]
Among the gifts made to the National Archives during the Convention were two collections of the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, one of these comprising thirty original Persian Tablets addressed to Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons, and the other, eighteen original Persian Tablets to Mrs. Marie A. Watson. Both collections are accompanied by typed copies of original translations, and both were presented by Miss Leone S. Clair Barnitz of Washington, in whose keeping these Tablets had been placed by Mrs. Parsons.
A number of sacred relics which belonged originally to members of the Holy Household were presented by Mr. Roy Wilhelm and by Miss Jessie E. Revell. The gifts made by the latter were formerly the possessions of Miss Elizabeth H. Stewart, who received them from Persian believers.
FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS[edit]
Prayer[edit]
There is no habit as necessary to the spiritual well being of our children as the habit of prayer.
From Mr. Harry Ford, superintendent of schools in Little Falls, New York, comes a helpful statement based on his own experience. “Prayers may come as naturally from the child as the songs that flow through his lips when he feels physical and mental happiness. ... Prayer may be a part of helping a child catch happy thoughts or see lovely things. When he is filled with joyous feelings, it is easy to instill the idea of a kind God, a just God, a loving God.... Early he may feel the need of help in being good, in heeding the instructions of parent or teacher, in being kind and gentle. What greater help can he find than talking it over, conversation with God Who has given the promise of help?
“Teach the child the value of the
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pause, the ‘rest’ in the symphony of
life. (Later we may call it meditation.) The pause renders the soul receptive toward God.
“The child loves the rhythmic sounds that come from the read or repeated word, even before he can understand them. There are many simple prayers from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. They may be read to the child. If he wants to repeat or learn some of them, it is an indication that his capacity has developed to a point where he can benefit by such learning.”
As children grow older, sit down with them until prayer becomes a habit. Bahá’u’lláh enjoins: “Chant (or recite) the Words of God every morning and evening. The one who neglects this has not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His agreement, and he who turns away from it today is of those who have turned away from God.”
However, it is well, even as adults, to measure our capacity; how much more the capacity of the child! Bahá’u’lláh makes this further statement: “To chant but one verse with joy and gladness is better for you than reading all the Revelations of the Omnipotent God with carelessness... Burden not the soul so as to cause exhaustion and languor, but rather refresh it that thus it may soar on the wings of Revelation, to the dawning place of proofs. This brings you nearer to God, were ye of those who understand.” This is very important, for the child’s spirit should be made bright with prayer.
To the Bahá’í child there is a world of meaning in one short prayer. A mid-western mother reports that Carol, aged five, astonished a neighbor by taking the hand of her small child who was unhappy, saying, “Come, we will sit down and have a prayer to remove difficulties, and you will be happy again!”
Every child is a little bundle of growing habits, and every day is important in forming them. You may use a verse from the supplications of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, or even a single line from the matchless utterance of His Holiness, Bahá’u’lláh; it is all good. The important thing is to get started.
Summer Reading[edit]
Vacation days for the children are here, and summer reading offers innumerable opportunities to broaden the sympathies, appreciations and qualities desirable in child mind and heart. A brief story and book list is suggested below, and to this every mother or teacher, with the help of a good reference librarian, may add.
NAW-RUZ FEAST, NEW YORK BAHA’I COMMUNITY
March 21, 1939
The Islamic countries, forever endeared to us as the natural cradle of
our Faith, are often disliked and even
feared by the American child. Stories
inclined favorably toward Moslem life
and background will begin the long
trek toward full appreciation of Islam.
“The Story of Rustem the Hero of
Persia,” by Firdusi, retold from the
Book of Kings, may be found in Book
House, Vol. 5, and the story, “Hassan
the Arab and His Horse,” in Vol. 2 of
Book House. “Ali Lives In Iran” is
an interesting little book published by
the Holliday Press. “The Quest of the
Four Leaved Clover,” by Walter Field
is adapted from the French Laboulaye’s “Abdallah.” “Children of the
House Tops,” by Mirza Ratzer, and
“The Lance of Kanana,” by French,
conclude our list of suggestions for this
division.
In Compton’s Encyclopedia for children may be found delightful stories of great lives, such as that of Booker T. Washington and Dr. George Carver; lesson in race appreciation.
The Book House, present on most library shelves, offers a great variety. Patience is the theme of “Boyhood of Fulton,” in Vol. 4, “The Boy of Cadver,” Vol. 4, “The Little Engine,” Vol. 1, “How the Finch Got Her Colors,” Vol. 2. Cheerfulness is the theme of “Piccola” and “Old Johnny Appleseed,” in Vol. 2. In Vols. 4 and 5 may be found stories on trustworthiness: “The Exile of Rama,” “The Rough Riders,” and “Knights of the Silver Shield.” The protection of God is strongly suggested in “The Sand-Piper and I,” Vol. 4, “Joseph and His Brethren,” Vol. 5, “The Babe Moses,” Vol. 1, and “Daniel in the Lion’s Den,” Vol. 4.
Collections of legends and other short stories offer bases for teaching many desirable attributes of the young Bahá’í. “The Flying Dutchman,” by Scudder, “The Bird of Truth,” by Wiggin, and “Truth’s Triumph,” by Wiggin, stress the quality of truthfulness, most fundamental of virtues. “The Brazen Head,” by Scudder, “Casabianca,” in the Baldwin collection, and “A Son of Adam,” by Jacobs, are fine examples of stories whose theme is obedience.
One further word. While the suggestive power of the story book is not to be minimized, again and again let us remind ourselves that familiarity with the words of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and our Guardian are more effective in moulding character than every other branch of learning. Before introducing these meaningful stories to the children, it is suggested that some of the more simple, direct quotations that seem related to the themes of the stories be read to them, and a few lines memorized. Summer lessons in faith may thus be combined with the happy reading hour.
- CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE
PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENTS[edit]
The Bahá’í World, Vol. VII[edit]
The international Bahá’í record for the period 1936-1938 is now in print The current volume is larger than any previous volume, containing 920 pages. There are 152 illustrations, frontispiece in six colors of the Seal of Bahá’u’lláh, map showing teaching areas,
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84 reproductions of documents and 58
reproductions of music, a total of 294
halftone plates.
The Guardian has given special emphasis to this work, both in its value to believers in keeping them informed events throughout the Bahá’í world, and as an impressive medium for teaching. Bound in cloth. Per copy, $3.00 net.
Advent of Divine Justice[edit]
This is now available in fabrikoid at $0.75, and in paper cover at $0.25 per copy.
Goal of New World Order[edit]
An Esperanto translation of the Guardian’s letter has been made by Miss Lidia Zamenhof. A mimeograph edition. Per copy, $0.15.
The Image of God[edit]
A four-page folder reproducing the Master’s address on the oneness of mankind to the Annual Convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1912. Prepared by the National Assembly for Bahá’í amity teaching. Sold only in lots of 100. For 100 copies, $2.00 net.
Security for a Failing World[edit]
The well-known book by Stanwood Cobb brought out in a paper-bound edition at a lower price which should make it possible to use it more extensively in teaching. Per copy, $0.75
Character[edit]
This work, by Stanwood Cobb, the Publishing Committee can now supply, but as the Committee does not carry stock, but fills orders through another source, cash should be sent in ordering it.
Concerning this book, the Guardian wrote to Prof. Cobb the following on December 15, 1938, which is published with the Guardian’s consent:—
“He fully approves of the method you have adopted of presenting the teachings indirectly in that book, and in a way that would not seem propagandic, and trusts that this will serve to attract the interest of the non-Bahá’í leaders to the Cause.
“The book, the Guardian feels, is not only of considerable value to the teaching work, but should also prove of special interest to the believers, and in particular to the young Bahá’ís, who can derive from its perusal the knowledge and guidance necessary for the training and upbuilding of their character. The friends should therefore welcome this new publication, and endeavor
TEMPLE MODEL EXHIBITED IN SACRAMENTO FLOWER SHOW
April 22, 23, 1939
to use it in their studies, and also as a means for the teaching and spread of the Cause.” Per copy, $1.25.
The Song Celestial[edit]
The Publishing Committee can now receive orders for this poetic work by Howard Colby Ives, inspired by the author’s deep study of words of Bahá’u’lláh. Please send cash with orders. Per copy, $1.10 net, which includes postage.
Bahá’í Catalog[edit]
A new catalog is available, corrected to April 1, 1939. Copies will be supplied to Assemblies on request, and Assemblies are urged to make use of them, but with discrimination.
Study Outline[edit]
The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
The compiler requests the friends using this Outline to note the following corrections: Page 13, Lesson I, No. 4, False p. 9; Lesson VI, No. 4, True p. 40; Lesson VIII, No. 5; False p. 56, No. 7, True p. 55.
INTER-AMERICA TEACHING[edit]
The Inter-America Committee shares with the believers the following excerpt from a letter written by Mrs. Frances Benedict Stewart dated Buenos Aires, May 19, 1939.
“The group here is delighted that I am remaining one more month and I spend one afternoon a week with the people helping in translations and then we meet every Friday evening for our regular Bahá’í Study Group, meeting at the home of Miss Elizabeth Howard Saavedra—a wonderful young woman, widely known and dearly loved here. Her ancestors are of the old colonial families and her grandfather an admiral of the Argentine Navy. She is tireless in introducing me to very important people and the Bahá’í interest grows every week. I have met with Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, German, Jewish and American groups and out of each are people prepared for this message and anxious to write of it to friends in their respective home lands. Tonight I am invited to the home of he who was the Ambassador from Czechoslovakia. He and his wife and two wonderful sons have invited a group of friends to hear me speak of the Bahá’í Cause. Among their guests will be some French, Belgians and Yugoslavs. May Bahá’u’lláh give me the right words, for these are all very important people in this city and can be a great force for the Cause here. Somehow my heart is very happy and I feel much will come from this gathering. After every group meeting people come up to me and urge me to meet other groups—to come to their homes to meet individuals they know would be interested in this message and so the Blessed Name is being repeated more and more each day and I feel so certain the Cause will have deep roots here and grow into a great Tree of Blessing to the whole nation.”
NATIONAL PRESS BOOK REPORT[edit]
Since the last Press Book report of November 1938, many news clippings have been mailed in to this Committee indicative of a great increase of publicity work in pioneer territory.
From the state of Arizona, Phoenix and Glendale have mailed in a large number of splendid news articles from Coolidge, Mesa, and Tucson as well as from Phoenix and Glendale. A picture of the Temple with a long article on the Temple appeared in the Coolidge Examiner. Such an article and picture appeared also in the Glendale News among other articles of explanation on the Faith. Mesa is a new project, and the friends have succeeded in obtaining space for publicity in the Mesa Journal Tribune.
Miss Georgy Fitzgerald of Los Angeles has been most successful in obtaining publicity for the Cause during the National Assembly meeting there in February. Many, many articles, pictures of the Temple and National Assembly members were printed not only in Los Angeles papers but also in Santa Monica, Hollywood and Huntington Park papers. This year, news clippings have also come from Riverside, Whittier and Long Beach through the efforts of the Los Angeles friends. Los Angeles has covered a large amount of territory with very effective publicity.
Mrs. French still writes her column, Loom of Reality, with great success. Most outstanding was the newspaper publicity in connection with Pasadena’s Amity Banquet last December. Both the Pasadena Star-News and the Pasadena Post carried long accounts of the speeches after the dinner and long articles about the dinner before the event.
Glendale, California, through the efforts of Mrs. Shirley Warde succeeded in obtaining newspaper space concerning the meetings of Mrs. Helen Bishop.
San Francisco obtained publicity in large amounts for their January meeting on the Oneness of Mankind. Miss Lucy Marshall has now taken over the publicity work of Mrs. Kevah Munson who has moved to Los Angeles. Many papers in towns near and far have been successfully contacted by the San Francisco publicity committee. We covered the splendid work done for the Geyserville session in the last report. San Francisco also reached as far as Reno, Nevada where the papers carried Bahá’í publicity at the time of Mrs. Seto’s teaching visit there. The papers of Budde carried a picture of the Temple with an article.
In Canada, the Hamilton and Toronto, Ontario, papers have carried a great deal of publicity due to the successful efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives. Mrs. Gertrude King of San Francisco stopped last year in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and stopped at the editor’s office. The result was a short notice of her visit and a mention of the Cause.
Mrs. Anna L. Duffy has consistently obtained space for long articles on the Cause in the Norwich, Connecticut, Bulletin.
Washington, D. C., obtained space for a picture of the Temple showing the actual work on the gallery section.
Margaret Atwater of Miami has been successful in her efforts in Gainesville as well as Miami. Long articles signed with her name have appeared from time to time all this last year. Jacksonville, Florida has obtained space for meeting notices with quotations from the writings in the Times-Union. There also appeared in a German paper, the Florida’s Deutsches Echo, in Miami, two articles on the Cause by Margaret Atwater: one article on the Temple with a picture and one on Bahá’u’lláh, the Manifestation of God, also with a picture.
Outstanding work is being done in Key West, Florida by Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf who is the only Bahá’í in that city. Recently she was successful in having the picture of the Temple printed with a long article on the Temple and the Faith.
Our international section of the Press Book has grown to include an article on Esperanto appearing in a South African paper written by Miss Roan Orloff of Boston. Phillip Marengello made a teaching trip to Havana, Cuba and obtained publicity in a Cuban paper. The picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was printed and notices about Mr. Marengello. While in Duluth last spring, he was instrumental in receiving a great deal of publicity for the Cause in a Finnish paper.
William DeForge of Teaneck made a trip to Santo Domingo last fall and was responsible for a publicity article in Spanish. A long article in a San Juan, Puerto Rica paper also was due to his effort.
Marvin Newport who was responsible for such splendid publicity work last summer in Liberty, New York, has done equally fine work in many places since then. In the early autumn he visited Coleraine, Minnesota where he obtained space for a picture of the Temple and an article. He visited Pekin and Carlinville, Illinois where he interested the local papers in carrying articles on the Cause. Later he stopped in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was instrumental in having an item printed about the Cause.
In Illinois there are several pioneer ventures that have included newspaper interest. Some clippings from Moline, came from the effort of Mrs. Gertrude Struven of Wilmette and Mrs. Gayle Woolson of St. Paul. Newspapers of Batavia, Aurora and St. Charles carried many articles and pictures both of the Temple and of Mr. Holley who spoke at a large pioneer public meeting in St. Charles. This great amount of publicity was due to the efforts of the members of the publicity committee of Maywood. Maywood has also done a splendid piece of publicity work in the local papers arranging the reproduction of the Temple picture many times as well as various articles on the Cause.
Nina Matthisen of Bristol, Wisconsin, gave a set of Bahá’í books to the public library of Antioch, Illinois—a neighboring town—and was responsible for placing the book reviews of these books with the local paper, which were printed. Newspaper clippings on the Cause have also been received from Marion, Illinois.
Many neighborhood papers in Chicago have printed notices, reports and articles on the Cause through the efforts of Mrs. Katherine Mortensen.
Mrs. Gaines of Urbana did an outstanding piece of publicity work in Champaign and Urbana when the National Assembly met there in December. Long articles on the meetings, the personalities and the Regional Teaching Conference were printed in the three local papers. Danville, Illinois, is a pioneer teaching project of Urbana, this year, and the Danville Commercial-News has carried quite a number of pictures of speakers and the reports of meetings held there.
Mrs. Gertrude Struven has been most successful in obtaining space for progress pictures of the Temple and a number of articles on events at the Temple as well as explanatory articles on the Cause in the Wilmette Life. This publicity has come about after years of patient and consistent work.
Peoria and Springfield have had publicity in relation to a number of public meetings with out-of-town speakers, some of them members of the National Assembly.
It is with great deference that we speak of the very splendid work being done by Mrs. Gayle Woolson in Iowa. She has spoken to a large number of
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organizations. These meetings have
been reported in the papers with some
principles of the Cause mentioned from
time to time. Long articles on the
Temple with pictures have been printed
in many papers. She has sent us innumerable clippings from papers of five Iowa towns near Cedar Rapids. Des
Moines, Mt. Vernon, Marion, Davenport and Iowa City papers have carried a number
of articles on the Cause.
Mrs. Woolson was also instrumental in obtaining publicity for the Cause in Hudson, Minnesota, where she and Miss Steinmetz held meetings and did pioneer work under the auspices of the St. Paul Assembly. St. Paul itself has been successful in having notices of its meetings printed and several large pictures of the Temple.
In a St. Louis, Missouri, paper there appeared a large picture of the Temple.
A number of Bahá’í groups and Assemblies in Michigan have obtained publicity for the Cause through the public meetings held with Mrs. Margery McCormick and Mrs. Ruth Moffett. Battle Creek, Ludington, Grand Rapids, Grosse Point, Detroit, Grand Haven, Muskegon, Ann Arbor and Marysville have all carried on publicity work through the work of circuit teachers.
Butte, Montana, has received numerous mentions in newspapers through the agency of Bahá’í public meetings and other activities. Mrs. Lorol Jackson and Mrs. Edwina Powell have assisted in this effort.
The Red Bank, New Jersey, Standard has carried a large number of articles on the Cause as a result of the successful efforts of Mrs. Stuart Sims. Teaneck, New Jersey has continued its usual persistent and continuous publicity effort by arranging for the printing of notices, and articles.
In New York state, Ithaca, Washington Heights, Syracuse, Rochester, Yonkers, Geneva, Binghamton and Buffalo have been active in obtaining publicity for the Cause in local papers. Mrs. Marzieh Carpenter assisted with public meetings in Buffalo. Her picture and a report of the meeting were printed.
In a Plainesville, Ohio, paper there was space given to the principles of the Cause. Mrs. Ruth Moffett was responsible for this work. The Lima School of the Air is given much in Lima, Ohio. The friends have been ingenious in arranging effective display ads for the newspapers. They have been most successful also in obtaining space for long articles on local activities with pictures of speakers.
The newspapers of Columbus, Cincinnati,
Baha’i Exhibit, Communications Building, New York World’s Fair
Toledo and Dayton, Ohio, have
carried notices of Bahá’í activities and
notices about the Cause through the efforts of the friends in each of these
cities. The items about Convention
delegates seem to be of special interest
to newspapers.
Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania, have been consistently active in arranging for space for comment on Bahá’í activities and explanations of the principles of the Cause.
Knoxville, Tennessee, papers have accepted items on Bahá’í activities and ideals through the successful efforts of Mrs. Louise Caswell. Mr. Klus of Chicago has received mention for the Cause in a Houston, Texas, newspaper.
South Bend, Indiana has been active and successful in obtaining newspaper space for the reporting of Bahá’í meetings, notices of activities and explanations of the Bahá’í principles.
In the state of Wisconsin we have received many publicity clippings from Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee. Kenosha has found effective publicity in reporting in some detail the outline of Forum discussions held every week.
Mrs. Russell of Madison has continued to receive space for articles on the Cause.
Although the National Press Book, so far this year, has had clippings from only fifty-one Assemblies, nevertheless its pages are filled with newspaper articles and notices from many pioneer centers where there are only groups or isolated believers.
The Press Book that will go to Shoghi Effendi will be on display at Convention. We hope that the Friends will take the time to look through its pages and share with us the thrill of watching the growing interest in the Cause.
- BAHÁ’Í NEWS SERVICE.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
By the sorrows which afflict the beauty of the All-Glorious! Such is the station ordained for the true believer that if to an extent smaller than a needle’s eye the glory of that station were to be unveiled to mankind, every beholder would be consumed away in his longing to attain it.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
- Mr. Henry Grasmere, Montclair.
- Mrs. Shahnaz Waite, Los Angeles.
- Miss Emma Reed, Boston.
- Mrs. Doris Richards, Yonkers.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Miami, 1. Evanston, 1. Kenosha, 1. Los Angeles, 3. Eliot, 2. South Bend, 1. Glendale, Calif., 1. Yonkers, 1. Philadelphia, 1. New York, 1.
NEWS OF THE EAST AND WEST[edit]
The monthly news letter of the National Spiritual Assembly of Irán contains the following excerpt from a letter received from the Guardian on the characteristics of a Bahá’í.
“Today greatest foundation and most reliable criterion is good deeds, not words. Whatever body of men has
[Page 8]
this basis is confirmed and has Truth
on its side, and whatever group lacks
it is deprived of God’s bounty. All
fame, all argument, if not supported
and accompanied by good deeds and
conduct and worthy morals, is rejected
and reprobated by the entire world.
“Good conduct, a spirit of fellowship, affection, union, cooperation, purity of heart and honesty are the distinguishing characteristics of the friends. For these qualities, of which the people of the world are deprived, are the first and last convincing proof of this Cause. This is the reliable touchstone, and the only distinguishing feature of Bahá’ís as compared with other peoples. It is the prime object of all Prophets, and the sole purpose and the greatest desire of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. For the purpose behind the martyrdom of the Báb, the banishment, imprisonment and captivity of Bahá’u’lláh, the sacrifice of the martyrs, and the innumerable disasters borne by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is not the creation of a new sovereignty, a new name and repute, and the propagation of a special religion, but the real object is rather the realization of the oldest desires of the past, that is, the brotherhood of man.”
The following account of Youth Activities is taken from the Bahá’í News Letter of the National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma, March, 1939.
“We are overjoyed to report that five of our youth groups participated in the 4th Annual Youth Symposium on February 26th. The program chalked out by the American Youth Committee was adopted at all centers with some modifications suited to our Country. Youth Plans for the whole year have also been formulated. There will be three meetings during the year and weekly study classes in which ‘Some Answered Questions’ will be studied according to the outline published in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS of America. Iranian and Urdu translations of this outline may be called for direct from the National Secretary. We give below the proceedings of those Groups’ meetings which have come to our hands before going to press.
“Karachi:—The Symposium was held on February 26th; and although the weather was abnormally bad, the attendance was most satisfactory. Press publicity had preceded the meeting. Prof. H. C. Kumar was in the chair. The following program was gone through:—
“1. Opening Prayer by Jamshid Pur-i-Khursandi; (2) Poems and Prayers by Children; (3) Ibrahim Manji, Duties of the Youth (in Gujrati); (4) Shah Behram Mazkori, Universal Faith (in Iranian); (5) Faridoon Yazamedi, Lost Horizon and the History of the Bahá’í Faith (in Urdu); (6) Azizullah Rasti, Oneness of Religions (in Iranian); (7) Mehrban Jamshedi—Oneness of Religions (in English); (8) The President summed up and concluded his speech with the following words: ‘The Remedy for the ills of the world today is the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.’ The meeting came to a close with a chanting of prayers in English by Rustom Ardshir Janshadi and in Persian by Faridoon Yazamedi. Light refreshments were served.
“Bombay.—The Bahá’í Youth Group of Bombay observed the Fourth Annual World Bahá’í Youth Symposium on February 26; in the Bahá’í Hall when Mr. Jamnadas Mehta, M. L. A., presided. The Hall was packed to its utmost capacity and many prominent ladies and gentlemen were present.
“The proceedings opened with a prayer by Miss Daulat Jamshid Hakimian. In explaining the real significance of the Symposium the president said that the Bahá’í Youth all over the world today observed this day with great eclat and the real object of doing it was to convey the Message of Peace and Unity, as propagated by Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, to the leading citizen of the world. He further said that it was a praiseworthy object and we should all greatly admire and encourage their efforts in this direction.
“Mr. K. B. Manavi spoke in Gujerati on the ‘Horizon Regained.’ Dr. K. M. Irani explained in English the fundamental Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. Miss Meherangiz Boman Irani told the audience what real leadership ought to be like. She was followed by Mr. Shaukat Hashmi who spoke in Urdu on the Bahá’í Teachings.
“The President in his closing remarks, said that what greatly attracted him towards the Bahá’í Faith was its principle of the Independent Investigation of Truth. This same Teaching is in the Bhagwat Gita but as it is not followed in practice it needed reiteration and therefore Bahá’u’lláh has laid great stress on it. There is no coersion whatever in the Bahá’í Faith. Every one is free to investigate and find out the Truth for himself or herself and then to accept it.
“Miss Roohangiz Kaiomars proposed a vote of thanks to the chair and Miss Behia Boman Irani garlanded the President. After Mr. Rustom M. Naimi had recited the closing prayer, the friends partook of light refreshments and the meeting dispersed.
“Poona.—The Bahá’í Youth, as usual, showed exceptional zeal and devotion in the observance of the Annual Youth Symposium. An impressive meeting was held at the National Hotel, opposite Railway station. Extensive press publicity had been done and the meeting was well attended. Bahá’í Literature was tastefully exhibited and the display roused the interest of some sincere seekers who finally carried away some books with them. The following program was gone through:—(1) Prayer; (2) The Bahá’í Faith (a lecture); (3) Thy Remembrance is my Remedy (a song); (4) Words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; (5) World Order (a lecture); (6) Reading from the Hidden words of Bahá’u’lláh; (7) Benediction (with music). Light refreshments were served.”
“Bahá’í Magazine: Herald of the South” is published quarterly by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, at Box 447 D, G. P. O. Station, Adelaide, South Australia, subscription rate five shillings. The Editors are L. V. Clark and D. M. Dugdale.
The latest issue received, dated January, 1939, contains an Editorial, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Warning To the Jews (the interview with a Jewish Rabbi in Washington, D. C.), Answered Questions, a series of questions with brief answers taken from Bahá’í literature, Aims and Purposes of the Bahá’í Faith, continuation of Esperanto translation of “The Goal of a New World Order,” words of Bahá’u’lláh on This Day, Current Topics, by E. A. Blundell, Thou Hast Asked, by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick.
Our distinguished International Bahá’í teacher, Miss Martha L. Root, is arriving at San Francisco from Auckland, N. Z., on board the Mariposa, due in that city on June 13. The National Spiritual Assembly will consult with her as to how best may be fulfilled the Guardian’s wishes as expressed in the Guardian’s first cablegram to the Convention. Miss Root plans to spend two weeks at the Geyserville Summer School after a stay in San Francisco. She is accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Bolton, two Bahá’ís of Australia, who will leave the boat at Los Angeles. They also will attend the Summer School.
