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FOR BAHÁ’ÍS ONLY

[Page 1]

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. 128

AUGUST, 1939

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NATIONAL OFFICE IN THE TEMPLE AREA

The National Spiritual Assembly announces to the America Bahá’í community that beginning October 1, 1939, the Office of its Secretary will be maintained in the former Bourgeois studio (now part of the Temple property) at 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

This action was taken subject to approval by the Guardian, whose endorsement was conveyed in the following cablegram, received June 22: “Delighted welcome transference (to) Temple area. Loving appreciation.”

The members wish to point out that this step, which represents the beginning of the establishment of a National Administrative Office in the Temple area, conforms to words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed in the series of Tablets now known as “America’s Spiritual Mission,” and to several passages in the Guardian’s general communications. Of these latter, the following are cited:

“The seat round which its spiritual, its humanitarian and administrative activities will cluster are the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and its Dependencies.”—The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 156-157.

“But however inspiring the conception of Bahá’í worship, as witnessed in the central Edifice of this exalted Temple, it cannot be regarded as the sole, nor even the essential, factor in the part which the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, as designed by Bahá’u’lláh, is destined to play in the organic life of the Bahá’í community. Divorced from the social, humanitarian, educational and scientific pursuits centering around the Dependencies of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Bahá’í worship, however exalted in its conception, however passionate in fervor, can never hope to achieve beyond the meagre and often transitory results produced by the contemplations of the ascetic or the communion of the passive worshiper. It cannot afford lasting satisfaction and benefit to the worshiper himself, much less to humanity in general, unless and until translated and transfused into that dynamic and disinterested service to the cause of humanity which it is the supreme privilege of the Dependencies of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár to facilitate and promote. Nor will the exertions, no matter how disinterested and strenuous, of those who within the precincts of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will be engaged in administering the affairs of the future Bahá’í Commonwealth, fructify and prosper unless they are brought into close and daily communion with those spiritual agencies centering in and radiating from the central Shrine of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. Nothing short of direct and constant interaction between the spiritual forces emanating from this House of Worship centering in the heart of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, and the energies consciously displayed by those who administer its affairs in their service to humanity can possibly provide the necessary agency capable of removing the ills that have so long and so grievously afflicted humanity. For it is assuredly upon the consciousness of the efficacy of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, reinforced on one hand by spiritual communion with His Spirit, and on the other by the intelligent application and the faithful execution of the principles and laws He revealed, that the salvation of a world in travail must ultimately depend.”—General letter dated October 25, 1929, included in Bahá’í Administration.

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THE VISIBLE EVIDENCE

Every member of the American Bahá’í community is urgently requested to ponder the importance—nay, the immediate necessity—of meeting the requirements of the Annual Budget adopted in order to achieve the tasks set for us this year under the Seven Year Plan.

As reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for May, the total Budget of $150,000 falls into three separate classifications: $35,000 for Administration; $40,000 for teaching in North and South America; and $75,000 for new Temple construction.

What is apparently not yet clearly realized is the fact that the essence of the Seven Year Plan consists of the Guardian’s clarion call for two tremendous tasks in addition to all those activities which a few years ago represented our normal Bahá’í schedule of undertakings. These “normal” activities can be maintained on an Annual Budget of $35,000, or less than $3,000

[Page 2] in contributions per month. The growth of the American Bahá’í community has been such that an average of $3,000 per month can be confidently anticipated by the National Spiritual Assembly from year to year. It is the difference between this $35,000 and the total Budget of $150,000 which represents the vital distinction between collective spiritual success and our mutual failure to meet the Guardian’s appeals.

Community Prayer and Consultation

And now, that this paramount issue may be energetically handled, the National Spiritual Assembly wishes each and every local Assembly to devote three successive Nineteen Day Feasts, beginning with that to be observed on August 20, to prayer and discussion, during the consultation period, for the furtherance of the Budget for the Third Year of the Seven Year Plan. A spirit of deep devotion is needed, and such a unified response that the members of the community will feel that they are, indeed, drops in the one Ocean of a regenerated mankind, and leaves on the one Tree of fruitful service under the heat and light of the arisen Sun.

The members of the National Spiritual ‎Asesmbly Assembly‎ likewise make appeal to the local groups and isolated believers to ponder their own capacity to join in the mighty effort, whose aim is the ‎continunace continuance‎ of Temple construction beyond the present contracts which will soon be completed, and the sending and maintenance of pioneer teachers to all areas which Shoghi Effendi has named for settlement this year.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.

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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FUND

The friends are informed that the National Spiritual Assembly has increased its monthly offering to the International Fund, through the Guardian, from $190 to $285. The heartfelt hope is expressed that the sacrifice of the believers will make it possible to increase greatly its contribution.

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SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

The schedule of National Assembly meetings has been revised as follows: The meeting to be held February, 1940, will be on the 23, 24 and 25, at Wilmette.

The 1940 Convention will be held on April 25, 26, 27, and 28, with the Public Meeting on Sunday evening instead of afternoon. A meeting of the National Assembly will precede, on April 24, at Wilmette instead of Evanston.

View of Model of First Story Pylon at Earley Studios

“EVENTS OF UNIMAGINABLE MAGNITUDE ... ORDEALS MORE SEVERE”

There is, in The Advent of Divine Justice, one passage which calls for the most profound understanding and most powerful response the American Bahá’í community can achieve at the present time.

After disclosing the teaching tasks and reformation of character the Divine Plan requires, the Guardian States:—

“Such, beloved friends, is the vista that stretches before the eyes, and challenges the resources, of the American Bahá’í community in these, the concluding years of the First Century of the Bahá’í Era. Such are the qualities and qualifications demanded of them for the proper ‎dischage discharge‎ of their responsibilities and duties. Such are the requirements, the possibilities, and the objectives of the Plan that claims every ounce of their energy. Who knows but that these few remaining, fast-fleeting years, may not be pregnant with events of unimaginable magnitude, with ordeals more severe than any that humanity has as yet experienced, with conflicts more devastating than any which have preceded them. Dangers, however sinister, must, at no time, dim the radiance of their new-born faith. Strife and confusion, however bewildering, must never befog their vision. Tribulations, however afflictive, must never shatter their resolve. Denunciations, however clamorous, must never sap their loyalty. Upheavals, however cataclysmic, must never deflect their course. The present Plan, embodying the budding hopes of a departed Master, must be pursued, relentlessly pursued, whatever may befall them in the future, however distracting the crises that may agitate their country or the world. Far from yielding in their resolve, far from growing oblivious of their task, they should, at no time, however much buffeted by circumstances, forget that the synchronization of such world-shaking crises with the progressive unfoldment and fruition of their divinely appointed task is itself the work of Providence, the design of an inscrutable Wisdom, and the purpose of an all-compelling Will, a Will that directs and controls, in its own mysterious way, both the fortunes of the Faith and the destinies of men. Such simultaneous processes of rise and fall, of integration and of disintegration, of order and chaos, with their continuous and reciprocal reactions on each other, are but aspects of a greater Plan, one and indivisible, whose Source is God, whose author is Bahá’u’lláh, the theatre of whose operations is the entire planet, and whose ultimate objectives are the unity of the human race and the peace of all mankind.

“Reflections such as these should steel the resolve of the entire Bahá’í community, should dissipate their forebodings, and arouse them to rededicate themselves to every single provision of that Divine Charter whose outline has been delineated for them by the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”

That message was not conceived to be directed to a community uncertain of the fundamental Teachings, divided as to the form or operation of the administrative order, or victim of the bewildering doubt that confuse and betray the childish and the immature. On the contrary, the very fact that we have been honored by such portentous words is the true evidence that the community has arrived in its course at the very portals of mature accomplishment. The day of words is done. The day of deeds has dawned.

What the Guardian points out with such impelling power is that, by Divine decree, the American Bahá’í community has been given a great, a significant task to perform, and perform within an allotted time. Our thoughts and our feelings must be subdued to the end of performance. They are no longer subjective activities which can be considered ends in themselves. The long march of the Faith in America has now forever passed those older landmarks

[Page 3] of belief, inevitable and right for an early stage of development, which began and ended with the expression of the sincerest sentiment.

One meaning of this present, so crucial era, is that our personal and group faith must be raised from feeling and mental speculation to the plane of will. We must learn how to live religiously, in the vital vigor of work and sacrifice for one common aim, and not merely select from our religion a few attitudes that seem best fitted to our human personality. Only when it arrives at the fusion of will is faith mature and complete. Resolution brings thought and feeling to their degree of fruitfulness. Action, imbued with thoughtfulness and pure sentiment, has become the criterion of faith.

The Guardian has patiently prepared the community for fitness to fulfill the Seven Year Plan. The letters published in ‎Batá’í Bahá’í‎ Administration expounded the principles of the administrative order. The letters more recently published in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh revealed the larger implications of the institutions which had been raised. There is no turning back to the era of details and procedures now that the Plan has been begun. We are committed to a definite and a supreme task. By achieving each portion of it within the allotted time we cling to the robe of His mercy and blessing. We make our destined contribution to the victory of His Faith upon earth.

The newer and younger believers can assimilate the essential truths of the Teachings and of the administrative order far more swiftly and more readily than those who were obliged to learn them by experience and in relation to actual problems that existed and had to be solved. We can not turn back to the past, nor can they who now in increasing numbers join our ranks. The third year of the Seven Year Plan is already one-quarter gone, and we have not yet responded adequately to its allotted task. How to create capacity for action is the paramount question of these days and weeks.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.

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BRIEF OUTLINE OF PROCEDURE ON APPEALS

I. When a Local Spiritual Assembly acts in its juridical capacity, the final verdict and the points in brief should be given to the party concerned in writing and placed on the Assembly file. The party at interest is encouraged to accept the decision.

II. If appeal is made, the N.S.A. will acknowledge the appeal and immediately obtain from the Local Spiritual Assembly its filed information.

Model for detail of First Story of Temple, in Process at Earley Studios

III. The party at interest is given opportunity to point out any miscarriage of justice in the verdict.

IV. The National Spiritual Assembly may then sustain the decision of the L.S.A. or indicate to it, points justifying reconsideration, or it can reverse the original decision.

V. The National Spiritual Assembly acts directly only in matters which it considers of national importance and concern.

For additional information the friends are urged to study the following references in Bahá’í Procedure: Sec. 4; Sheet 15, 16, 17, 18.

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THE FORMATION OF NEW ASSEMBLIES

The National Spiritual Assembly completes the details of procedure to be followed when new Assemblies are formed.

1. Groups having nine or more declared believers, all resident in the same civil community, are to apply before February 1 for authority to form an Assembly on April 21 of that year.
2. Any member of the group who is a voting believer in an already established adjacent community must withdraw from that community before joining the group applying for the right to form a new Assembly.
3. When a group is qualified to form an Assembly, all its members are obliged to join in asking for the authority to elect.
4. All established Assemblies are to report their voting list to the National Assembly by February 1 each year, and the voting list is not to include the names of any believers who have joined a group which is planning to form a new Assembly on April 21.
5. Applications from groups, and voting lists of established communities, must be in the hands of the National Assembly by February 1.
6. Groups which form a new Assembly on April 21 cannot be represented at the Convention held that same year.
7. Groups authorized to form a new Assembly will receive notice from the National Assembly not later than April 1, together with copies of the proper form for use in reporting its formation to the National Assembly.

In a recent letter written by the Guardian to the National Assembly he emphasizes one aspect of the matter as follows: “He wishes me to stress the fact that from now on any group that is formed must belong to one civil community, as otherwise endless confusion and misunderstanding would ensue. The limits of each civil community must be clearly recognized, and no overlapping should be allowed under any circumstances.”

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY.

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NATIONAL COMMITTEES

(Corrections and revisions of list published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS of July, 1939)

Library

Duncan MacAlear added.

Inter-America

Myrtle Dodge appointed Recording Secretary.

Bahá’í News Service

Mrs. Edna Eastman (now Mrs. D. Lindsey Atkins) and Robert Thiess unable to serve.

Reviewing

Mrs. Patrick Quinlan and Helen Campbell added. Mrs. Doris Holley unable to serve.

Child Education

Mrs. Peggy True added.

Youth

Margaret Kunz, Chairman.

Mrs. Annamarie Kunz Honnold, Editor.

Mrs. Mae Dyer, Business Manager.

Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia

Mrs. F. Woodward Hipsley, Secretary. New address, 4512 Wentworth Road, Baltimore, Md.

Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia

Stanley Kemp unable to serve.

ASSEMBLY ROLL

(Corrections and revisions)

Montreal, P. Q., Canada, Wm. Suter, 1396 St. Catherine Street, W.

Baltimore, Maryland, Miss Mildred Elmer, 2214 Roslyn Avenue.

St. Paul, Minnesota, Kenneth K. Kadrie, 2021 Randolph Street.

Local Bahá’í Groups

(Additions and corrections)

California, Miss Mary Lillian Fenn, 1744 Second Avenue, San Diego; Mrs. Juanita Storch, 4770 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa.

Georgia, Miss M. Doris Ebbert, 1049 Juniper Street, N. E., Atlanta.

Illinois, Mrs. G. E. Terry, 1522 Melrose Avenue, Waukegon.

Montana, Mrs. Evalina Caldwell, 1345 Hobson Street, Butte.

Texas, Mrs. C. W. Nichols, 317 East Myrtle Street, San Antonio.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE TEMPLE PROGRAM COMMITTEE

“The Bahá’í House of Worship stands as a flaming beacon and a symbol of hope amidst the gloom of a despairing world.” We are wondering if those who are asked to speak in that hallowed spot and proclaim the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to a suffering humanity realize the great privilege that is theirs. One of the prayers revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is that “our voices may be raised from great assemblies and from our lips may stream the flood of God’s praise.” Here, in our Temple, this opportunity is presented to the speaker. It is our earnest plea that any of the friends who is invited by the Temple Program Committee to address a public meeting in the Bahá’í House of Worship will exert every effort to accept this invitation, even to the point of personal sacrifice.

As the Guardian declares in The Advent of Divine Justice: “Every instrument in the administrative machinery which, in the course of several years, they have so laborously erected must be fully utilized, and subordinated to the end for which it was created. The Temple, that proud embodiment of so rare a spirit of self-sacrifice, must likewise be made to play its part, and contribute its share to the teaching campaign designed to embrace the entire Western Hemisphere.”

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MISS MARTHA L. ROOT RETURNS FROM THE EAST

With grateful joy is announced the fact that Miss Root, after heroic and most remarkable teaching activities in India, China, Japan and Australia, will arrive at San Francisco from Honolulu during August. After her arrival the National Spiritual Assembly will consult with her in order to carry out the Guardian’s wish that her great experience be drawn upon for the promotion of Inter-American teaching.

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ARTICLE ABOUT BAHIYYIH KHANUM

The institution of the Bahíyyíh Khanum Fund for Temple construction has led to many interested inquiries for copies of the beautiful article concerning the Greatest Holy Leaf written by Mrs. Marjory Morten for The Bahá’í World. It is readily available in a recent volume of that work. As the Guardian has written through his secretary, “the friends who are keen to have a copy of the article will do well to purchase the volume in which it appears.”

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RECENT OBSERVANCES OF BAHA’I ANNIVERSARIES

Following the date of May 29, when the Anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh was observed by a number of communities at the early morning hour indicated by the Guardian, the National Assembly has received communications emphasizing the confirmations which came to those who found it feasible to carry out the Guardian’s wishes.

By conducting the Anniversaries at the definite hour given by Shoghi Effendi, the observance is made continuous for twenty-four hours around the world, an unbroken chain of holy devotion binding the members of the World Faith more firmly to its Author and Source.

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CHILD EDUCATION

TRUTHFULNESS

“Truthfulness,” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asserts, “is the foundation of all human virtues. Without truthfulness progress and success in all the worlds of God are impossible for any soul. When this holy attribute is established in man, all the divine qualities will also be acquired.”

Mrs. Amy Dwelly sends us the four following suggestions for teaching truthfulness:

1. Always be truthful with the child himself, even in the smallest details.
2. Refrain from teasing him when he is too young to understand that you are joking. It is taking an advantage of a little child to tell him fabulous tales just because he is gullible enough to believe anything a grown person tells him.
3. Guard against accusing a child of untruths. Often he may simply be telling a manufactured story about something he has imagined. Pleasantly help him to see the difference.
4. Refrain from unduly harsh discipline which makes the child afraid to tell the truth. Examples such as the following are numerous. Little Jenny, an orphan, spilled some pudding on her dress. Dismayed, she stared with frightened eyes at the nurse. “I didn’t do it,” she exclaimed. A few days later, we had Jenny in an ice-cream parlor, where she again dropped food on her dress, making a stain. This time she looked up not with fear but with regret in her eyes and said, “I did it. I’m so sorry.” In the first instance the child was afraid of punishment and therefore attempted to escape by denial. In the second, she had no fear and therefore responded naturally.

It is especially important to separate fear from the adventures in truthfulness in order that courage and fearlessness may become the habit. Dr. Stanwood Cobb, in relating his early experience

[Page 5] at Roberts College in Turkey, speaks often of the habit of untruth into which his fearful and oppressed young students had fallen, and of their complete emancipation from this form of spiritual illness when unnecessary causes for fear and distrust were removed, and encouragement to fearlessness replaced them. Long before adulthood the young soul may become conscious of the sovereignty of standing alone if necessary against a world for the sake of truth. Consider how the mother of Ashraf is immortalized by Bahá’u’lláh Himself for urging her son to the highest act of truthfulness, a testimony of his faith even in the face of death itself.

“Call thou to mind the behavior of Ashraf’s mother, whose son laid down his life in the Land of Zá (Zánjan). He, most certainly is in the seat of truth, in the presence of One Who is the Most Powerful, the Almighty.

“When the infidels so unjustly decided to put him to death, they sent and fetched his mother, that perchance she might admonish him, and induce him to recant his faith, and follow in the footsteps of them that have repudiated the truth of God, the Lord of all worlds....

“And when addressing him she said: ‘My son, mine own son! Fail not to offer up thyself in the path of the Lord. Beware that thou betray not thy faith in Him before Whose face have bowed down in adoration all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth. Go thou straight on, O my son, and persevere in the path of the Lord, thy God. Haste thee to attain the presence of Him Who is the Well-Beloved of all worlds.’

“On her be My blessings, and My mercy, and My praise, and My glory. I Myself shall attone for the loss of her son—a son who now dwelleth within the tabernacle of My majesty and glory, and whose face beameth with a light that envelopeth with its radiance the Maids of Heaven in their celestial chambers, and beyond them the inmates of My Paradise, and the denizens of the Cities of Holiness. Were any eye to gaze on his face, he would exclaim: ‘Lo, this is no other than a noble angel.’

So closely, then, is truthfulness bound to our loyalty to God Himself!

Even a young child could be taught to say and to practice these admonitions of His Holiness, Bahá’u’lláh: “Let your eye be chaste, your hand faithful, your tongue truthful, and your heart enlightened.” “Let truthfulness and courtesy be your adorning.”

CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

BOOK EXHIBIT NEAR TEMPLE ARRANGED DURING CONVENTION BY WILMETTE ASSEMBLY

LIBRARY COMMITTEE

The Library Committee is happy to report that librarian receptivity is far greater than at any previous period. Believers write that they are finding no difficulty in placing books in new libraries.

We should like to avoid all misunderstandings with librarians concerning these gift sets. Therefore, will the believers always interview the head librarian and try to secure her written confirmation that she will accept the books before writing to this committee? We also ask you to try to judge the library needs closely before offering the complete gift set. In less important libraries, we suggest that the librarians are offered the basic set of Foundations of World Unity and Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. Follow up the circulation of these books before placing additional books on library shelves. In this way, we can meet the book demands where the need and receptivity is greater.

The friends have responded enthusiastically to the appeal for library pioneering, and our activities have more than doubled in the past several months. A total of 84 libraries have accepted books for their shelves. These libraries included 16 college and university libraries, and 68 public libraries.

It is gratifying to report that much of this activity was in the Southern and New England States. One of the most outstanding library pioneers is Duncan McAlear of the Boston Assembly who has devoted a day a week to library interviews for some time. Through his efforts, a survey was made of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and about forty libraries were supplied with books. He is now planning a similar survey in Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island; in cooperation with the North Eastern Regional Committee. He reports excellent receptivity everywhere, and has sent in many written confirmations from librarians, and Library Boards.

The Vermont project will interest other groups. They are planning to place an Esslemont furnished by the Regional Teaching committee in 25 important libraries, and will call on the library committee for other books where the need is greatest. This is a splendid idea, and the library committee is willing to cooperate with other Assemblies or committees undertaking similar projects.

Southern college and university librarians have been most responsive. The librarian at Southern University, Baton Rouge, wrote that there was great interest in the Bahá’í teachings there. A professor in the Department of Religion at Goucher College, Baltimore has asked for two sets of books, one for Goucher College and the other for the University of Virginia. He intends to study the teachings during his summer vacation. Dillard University, Tuskegee Institute, Telledega College, Atlanta University, Fisk University,

[Page 6] Miles Memorial College, and others have graciously accepted books.

We are also happy to tell the believers that the Department of Education for the Philippine Islands accepted a set of books for the National Library at Manila. A set of books was sent to Finland recently. Books have also been requested for the Juneau, Alaska, library, and for the Canal Zone Library, Panama. Another request is for the Chinese Embassy at Washington.

This brief summary indicates the widespread activities of library pioneers.

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NEW LIBRARY BUILDING AT LOUHELEN SUMMER SCHOOL

Gifts from two believers have made it possible to erect and partially complete a simple library building at Louhelen Ranch. This will fill a real need for even in its unfinished condition it will furnish a quiet place for study which will be greatly appreciated by all attending the school. It is called the Memorial Library.

The school is also grateful for gifts of Bahá’í books which have been made by a few individuals and Assemblies. It is the wish of the committee to build up a good working library to include Bahá’í books and general books for reference in subjects related to the Bahá’í teachings. Gifts of new or used books in good condition will be acceptable.

LOUHELEN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

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THE GUARDIAN’S WORDS ABOUT “CHARACTER” BY STANWOOD COBB

The following excerpt is reprinted with Shoghi Effendi’s permission, from a letter written to Prof. Cobb on January 9, 1939:—

“He has noted with particular satisfaction the references made to the Master and the Cause, and trusts this will serve to attract the attention of many thoughtful leaders to the Faith, and awaken widespread and genuine interest in the teachings. A single seed when planted at the right time and the right way will take root, grow well, and yield abundant fruitage. Your book, likewise, is of such simple and beautiful expression, and presents the spiritual ideals and teachings of the Cause in an indirect but most effective and convincing language that every serious and unbiased reader is bound to be impressed by its perusal, and to be stimulated to investigate and study the Cause. This volume represents your experiences of many years as a Bahá’í, and is the fruit of your labors as a student of the teachings in the field of educational philosophy. May it serve to inspire the educationalists of our time to assist in spreading and vindicating those spiritual ideals which Bahá’u’lláh and the Master have set as the highest and noblest goal of every education.”

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INTER-AMERICA REFERENCE LIBRARY

The following works have been selected for the new Inter-America Reference Library, established by Mrs. Mathews at Colorado Springs. They are recommended to believers preparing themselves for later teaching work in the Inter-America field:

The South American Handbook for 1939, by Wilson.

The People and Politics of Latin America, by Prof. Williams.

The Other Spanish Christ, by John A. Mackay.

Union Now, by Clarence K. Streit.

Venezuela, by Erma Ferguson.

Guatemala, by Erma Ferguson.

Handbook of Latin American Studies, edited by Lewis Hanke.

Some, if not most of these titles, can doubtless be found in the local public library.

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PUBLISHING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, translated by Shoghi Effendi. A new compilation, assembling the Guardian’s translation of prayers given hitherto in different sources. Pamphlet, 24 pages and linen cover. Per copy, $0.10.

Translation of French Foot-Notes in The Dawn-Breakers, by Emily M. Perigord. A necessary reference to accompany the reading and study of The Dawn-Breakers, with reproduction of letter written by the Guardian to the translator, included with Shoghi Effendi’s approval. Paper bound. Per copy, $0.75.

Christians, Jews and Muhammadans, Bahá’í Reprint No. 2, consisting of excerpts from the Address delivered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Temple Emmanuel, San Francisco. Pamphlet, 8 pages, paper cover. Sold in lots of 100 only. For 100, $2.50 net.

The above are new titles. The Committee also refers particularly to A Traveller’s Narrative, translated by Edward G. Browne from the manuscript given him by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as an accurate source of information about the early days of the Faith. Per copy, $2.50.

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CREDENTIALS FOR TRAVELING BELIEVERS

In view of the fact that an imposter, claiming to be a Bahá’í, has recently visited several communities and obtained funds from believers, it is again pointed out that traveling believers should have credentials from their local Assembly or, if they are isolated believers or members of unorganized groups, credentials from the National Assembly. In cases of doubt, local Assemblies and groups should always request credentials from visitors.

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BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTIONS

This Committee reports the helpful work being undertaken by the Cleveland group of volunteer workers who are transcribing into Braille for the blind, and proof-reading and binding the transcriptions.

This group, which is composed of members of the Cleveland community, have organized to establish a Reserve Braille Library where transcriptions of some of the smaller pamphlets can be held in readiness to send out on short notice, for loan or donation, to blind believers or seekers.

Mr. A. C. Engelder is the organizer of this group and the teacher of bookbinding. The proof-readers of Braille literature are Mrs. Turner and Mr. Adolph Feher.

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ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS

Augusta, one. Glendale, Calif., two. New Haven, one. Vancouver, four. Philadelphia, one. Milwaukee, one. Washington, one. Phoenix, two and two youth. Spokane, two. Pasadena, two. Detroit, two and one youth. Huntington, Park, one. Indianapolis, three. Jamestown, one. Sacramento, one,

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IN MEMORIAM

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 and 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,

[Page 7] whose existence and life are to be regarded as the originating purpose of all creation.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.

Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Los Angeles.

Miss Lillian James, Chicago.

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THE NINETEEN DAY FEAST FOR ISOLATED BELIEVERS

The isolated believer must celebrate the Nineteen Day Feast alone unless he is fortunate enough to be able to meet with a believer in a nearby city or town. When we are alone the Cause is apt to take secondary importance in our daily lives, but when we know that we are a part of the great body of isolated believers all celebrating the Feasts there is an added warmth and nearness in the hour devoted to it. It might be advisable to recall to mind some of the instructions about Nineteen Day Feasts and their observance.

“Only members of the Bahá’í Community, and visiting Bahá’ís from other Communities, may attend these meetings, but young people of less than twenty-one years of age, who have studied the teachings and declared their intention of joining the Community on reaching the age of twenty-one may also attend.

“Regular attendance at the Nineteen Day Feast is incumbent upon every Bahá’í, illness or absence from the city being the only justification for absence. Believers are expected to arrange their personal affairs so as to enable them to observe the Bahá’í Calendar.” (BAHÁ’Í NEWS, Aug., 1925.)

Shoghi Effendi has said that the Bahá’ís should regard this Feast as the very heart of their spiritual activity, their participation in the mystery of the Holy Utterance, their steadfast unity one with another in universality raised high above the limitations of race, class, nationality, sect, and personality, and their privilege of contributing to the power of the Cause in the realm of collective action.

“Their privilege of contributing to the power of the Cause in the realm of collective action,” can be the thought of every isolated believer as he celebrates the Nineteen Day Feast. Throughout the country and world the Communities celebrate the Feasts but great power could be added if the hundreds of isolated believers would join them in praying for the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

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NEWS OF EAST AND WEST

Illustrated Temple lectures were delivered by Allen B. McDaniel at the Schenectady Museum and before the Syracuse Society of Architects early in June. These meetings were arranged by the Regional Teaching Committee. The lectures were so enthusiastically received that other invitations were extended to Mr. McDaniel.

A Religious Unity Service was held by the Bahá’ís of the San Francisco Bay Region at the Temple of Religions and Tower of Peace, Treasure Island, on Sunday, July 16. The program as issued included: Mrs. E. G. Cooper, Chairman, address on The Unity of Religion by Willard Hatch, The Oneness of Mankind, by George O. Latimer, and The Era of Peace, by Leroy Ioas. It is hoped that further details of this meeting at the San Francisco International Exposition will be reported.

What is termed the “first international Bahá’í picnic embracing Canada and the United States” was held at Queenstown Heights, near Canadian Niagara, on Sunday, June 25. Two Canadian and four New York cities cooperated, with an attendance of 74. The program carried out, with Willard McKay as chairman, provided talks by Doris McKay, John Stearns, Mrs. Pettibone, Elizabeth Brooks, Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi, Lulu Barr, Mrs. Enos Barton, Mr. and Mrs. John Robarts and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives. “The day was perfect and the enthusiasm of the believers and their friends knew no bound.” Four students of the Teachings applied for enrollment as result of this meeting. The invitations were issued by the Toronto Assembly, and arrangements are under way for a similar picnic at Queenstown Heights on Sunday, August 13. Bahá’ís will note the significant fact that a battle was fought on this site during the Revolutionary War.

The Twenty-seventh Annual Souvenir of the Unity Feast given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at West Englewood, N. J., was held Saturday afternoon and early evening, June 24, under the auspices of the National Committee appointed for that purpose. The topic selected for the principal meeting was “This Changing World.” Mrs. Dorothy Baker delivered the address, before an audience of several hundred believers and guests, who responded deeply to her beautiful exposition and spiritual appeal. The chairman was William DeForge. A later meeting was devoted to brief remarks by a number of believers, including Mme. Laura Dreyfus-Barney of Paris, Mountfort Mills, Mrs. Walter Guy, Orcella Rexford, Mrs. Barry Orlova, Dr. Albert D. Heist, Roy C. Wilhelm, Kenneth Christian, Horace Holley.

The Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette kindly shares with the friends the following news:

“During the Convention this last year, Mrs. Mineola Hannen who has served as housing chairman for several years was able to arrange for the accommodations of 125 friends in the homes of 34 Wilmette residents.

“After the Convention, each of these residents was personally contacted and thanked for her and his hospitality and kindness to the visiting Bahá’ís and tactfully given an opportunity to express any opinion.

“We were delighted when they all, without exception remarked upon how happy their relations with the Bahá’ís had been and how exceptionally gracious and courteous they felt the Bahá’ís always were.

“As a result of these contacts the Wilmette Community decided to invite those who had indicated a special interest to a special meeting at the Hannen home to hear more of the Teachings.

“On the evening of June 2nd, such a meeting was held when 39 guests and resident Bahá’ís attended. Mr. Ed. Struven introduced the subject with a brief talk on the Temple. Mrs. Corinne True and Mrs. Maxwell carried on the theme with short talks on the Teachings.

“The social period which followed when refreshments were served was opened to questions from the visitors and guests. Their response was of interest and the Community feels that the meeting was successful.

“Another such meeting will be held shortly for those who showed a particular interest in the Cause and more particularly for some of those who had been invited but expressed regret because of a previous engagement. Some of these we know to be genuinely interested.

“We expect a fireside group to materialize from these contacts. Many of the friends who attended the Convention assisted with these contacts, probably unbeknown to themselves.”

A number of interesting letters have been received by Mrs. Lorol Schopflocher testifying to the quickening effect of the teaching work she has carried on in Finland, Lapland and other countries of Northern Europe. From a letter written by a clergyman is quoted: “Alláh-u-Abhá. I wish you all the greatest blessings in the Prophet’s name. You (addressing the Green Acre believers) are so fortunate to be gathered together to discuss the most important present-day affairs under the leadership of those inspired through the grace of the Prophet. It is now a year

[Page 8] since my eyes opened to behold these great truths (Miss Kruka first gave him the Message) and since then I have been a thirsty deer searching deeply in order to quench the thirst.”

A gathering at Green Acre was privileged to hear details about Mrs. ‎Schopflohcer’s Schopflocher’s‎ unusual experiences, which it is hoped will be made available in a later issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

From Mrs. Bertha Matthisen comes a letter relating recent phases of her teaching activities in Europe.

“Following Shoghi Effendi’s instructions I spent three months in the North, one month in Copenhagen, two in Stockholm, and due to a hotel strike, only a few days in Norway. The North offers ‎opportunty opportunity‎ for a more or less free teaching field. It takes long residence, however, to accomplish satisfactory work.

“I returned to Budapest via Vienna and on the evening of April 21, in Alag, Hungary, we established a Spiritual Assembly. There were present twelve believers, one of whom is a minor. There is a wonderful opportunity for a worker in Hungary, but it should be one who understands European conditions.

“After Budapest I remained in Vienna for a month and was often with the friends, individually of course.”

From the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles we have this news of the annual election.

“Immediately following the election, the N.S.A. met to elect its officers with the result that it is now organized as follows:

Chairman: Miss Grace Challis.

Vice-Chairman: Mr. Arthur Norton.

Secretary: Mr. David Hofman.

Treasurer: Mrs. K. V. Brown; Mr. Balyuzi, Mrs. Langdon-Davies, Mr. Lee, Mr. Sugar, Miss Wellby.

“The Ridvan Feast on Saturday evening was a happy occasion when the friends were entertained by Lady Blomfield at her home in Hampstead.”

The N.S.A. of Australia and New Zealand reports the sessions of the Second Annual Summer School.

“The second Bahá’í Summer School in Australia was held at Bolton Place, Yerrinbool, from January 7 to 15, 1939. Friends from other States arrived at Yerrinbool on Jan. 7th, and those from Sydney on January 8th. It was most gratifying that there was an increase of numbers over last year. On Sunday, January 8th all friends gathered at Bolton Place at 11 a.m. The Chairman, Mr. Stanley Bolton, opened the first session, asking Mr. O. Whitaker to recite the Prayer for all Nations, after which Mrs. Mariette Bolton spoke and extended a welcome to all present. The following cable from our Beloved Guardian was read:— “Assure attendants Summer School special prayers, signal success, urge intensely study Teachings, deepen spirit Bahá’í Fellowship, extend scope activities. SHOGHI.”

“Our Guardian’s words of encouragement and assurance of his prayers were received with gratitude and joy by the friends. The chairman then read greetings from the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand, the local Spiritual Assembly of Sydney, also from Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn, the Australian Pioneers, Miss Margaret Stevenson, Miss D. Burns, Miss E. A. Blundell and Miss F. de Lisle of Auckland, New Zealand; Mrs. Miller of Perth, W. A.; Mrs. M. Dixon and Mrs. Wheeler of Melbourne, Vic.; Miss Effie Baker of Goldsburough and Mrs. M. Almond of Adelaide, S. A.; Miss Gretta Lamprell and Miss Jensen of Hobart, Tasmania. Mrs. M. Dewing of Auckland, N. Z.; Miss Dorothy Dugdale and Miss Ethel Dawe of Adelaide, who attended the Summer School, personally gave greetings and love from their respective communities. The meeting then closed with a Prayer for Unity. Afterwards luncheon was served.

“On January 8th at 2.30 p. m., the friends and local residents assembled in the Yerrinbool Public Hall where a lecture entitled, ‘The Bahá’í Message to Mankind’ was given by Mrs. O. Routh of Sydney. Although it was a very hot day everyone listened most attentively. The chairman, Mr. O. Whitaker, invited all visitors to attend the Summer School sessions. Bahá’í literature was distributed. Afterwards, outside the Hall, all gathered to be photographed.

“Some of the friends in Australia and New Zealand who were unable to attend the Summer School kindly contributed to the programme by sending in papers on Bahá’í subjects which were read and much enjoyed. Those sending in papers were: Mr. Miller, Mr. David Miller, Mrs. M. Almond, Mrs. Dixon, Miss M. Rowling, Miss Gretta Lamprell, Miss F. de Lisle, Miss D. Burns, Miss E. A. Blundell.

“The session began each morning at 9.30 a. m. with a devotional period followed by the subjects and helpful discussion. On Monday evening, January 9th, the friends visited the home of a local resident. During this happy time many subjects on the Summer School Programme were discussed, closing with prayer.

“On Tuesday afternoon, January 10th, the friends journeyed to Mittagong, seven miles from Yerrinbool, where they had been invited by an investigator to attend a Conference of the Student Christian Movement, held at Frensham College, one of the State’s leading colleges for Ladies. There were 300 attending the Conference, and the Bahá’ís were asked and answered many questions on the Bahá’í teachings. The Conference was also told of the coming of Miss Martha L. Root to Sydney. In the evening the Bahá’ís were invited to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dains of Bowral, where they had invited some 20 people, among whom were Clergy and a representative of the local newspaper. Here again questions were asked, during the evening discussion, which were answered by the Bahá’ís.

“On Wednesday, January 11th, at 3.30 p. m., the friends gathered at the home of a local resident to hear a radio broadcast by Miss Ethel Dawe of Adelaide. In the evening a round table discussion took place, followed by prayers.

“On Friday evening the local residents held a Social in their Hall to which the Bahá’ís were invited. A most enjoyable evening was spent by all.

“On Sunday, January 14th at 10 ‎a. m,. a. m.,‎ the children of Yerrinbool residents were invited to the Bahá’í ‘Rose Garden’ Sunday School, held at ‘Bolton Place.’ Some of the visiting Bahá’ís spoke to the children. On Sunday afternoon a picnic was held at which over 60 friends were present. This brought the 1939 Bahá’í Summer School to a close in the spirit of love and harmony in which the session began. All those who have had this ‎privliege privilege‎ of time set apart for ‘intense’ study of the ‘Teachings’ will go away strengthened to ‘extend their scope of activities,’ which is our beloved Guardian’s desire and prayer for us all.”