Bahá’í News/Issue 140/Text
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| No. 140 | YEAR 97, BAHÁ’Í ERA | December, 1940 |
“THE ONE REMAINING COMMUNITY”[edit]
Present world chaos, exhibiting (the) impetuosity, follies, rebelliousness characteristic (of) humanity’s adolescent stage (of) development, and harbinger (of the) long-promised, Golden Age (of the) maturity (of the) human race, (is) relentlessly spreading (and) distressingly intensified. (The) alternating victories (and) reverses, heralding parallel transition (of) proscribed Cause (of) Bahá’u’lláh struggling towards emancipation, world recognition (and) spiritual universal dominion, (are) simultaneously multiplying. (The) recrudescence (of the) chronic persecution afflicting (the) cradle (of the) Faith, (the) grave danger threatening (the) appropriated Temple (and) disbanded centers (in) Turkistan (and) Caucasus, (the) repressive measures successively choking (the) life (and) paralyzing (the) action (of both the) long-standing (and the) newly-fledged communities (of) Central, Western (and) South-Eastern Europe, (the) intermittent outbursts (of) religious fanaticism directed (against the) North African Assemblies, (and the) aggravation (of the) situation (at the) world Spiritual (and) Administrative Center, contrast with, (and are) outweighed by, (the) surging spirit, (the) startling expansion, (the) sweeping conquests, (the) superb consolidation (of the) swiftly-accumulating resources (of the) one remaining community singled out (for the) proclamation (of the) Administrative Order throughout (the) length (and) breadth (of the) Western Hemisphere. (I) appeal (to the) New World champions (of the) New World Order (of) Bahá’u’lláh (to) stand fast (at) this tragic hour (in the) fortunes (of) mankind (and the) challenging state (of the) evolution (of the) Faith. (I) beg them (to) close their ranks jointly, severally (and) vow themselves (to) incomparably sublime task whose operation must hasten (the) ascendancy (of the) beloved Cause (and the) spiritual redemption (of a) reconstructed mankind.
- —SHOGHI RABBANI.
Cablegram received October 29, 1940.
“ITS NECESSARY AND VITAL ROLE”[edit]
The American Bahá’ís, under the guidance of Shoghi Effendi, are being educated to understand the mystery unfolding so rapidly in this Day of God, when the nations and peoples are summoned before the high court of destiny to answer for their failure to attain peace.
Far removed from the attitude of the pacifist on the one hand, and that of the nationalist on the other, is the view which the Guardian has been expounding over a period of years with increasing emphasis. Only by rising to the clear height of his spiritual insight can we hope to avoid entanglement in one or other of the extreme positions which today are irreconcilable by the forces of human reason or will.
“Though powerless to avert the impending contest,” the Guardian pointed out in his letter dated July 28, 1939, “the followers of Bahá’u’lláh can, by the spirit they evince and the efforts they exert, help to circumscribe its range, shorten its duration, allay its hardships, proclaim its salutary consequences, and demonstrate its necessary and vital role in the shaping of human destiny. Theirs is the duty to hold, aloft and undimmed, the torch of Divine Guidance, as the shades of night descend upon, and ultimately envelop, the entire human race. Theirs is the function, amidst its tumults, perils and agonies, to witness to the vision, and proclaim the approach, of that re-created society, that Christ-promised Kingdom, that World Order whose generative impulse is the spirit of none other than Bahá’u’lláh Himself, whose dominion is the entire planet, whose watchword is unity, whose animating power is the force of Justice, whose directive purpose is the reign of righteousness and truth, and whose supreme glory is the complete, the undisturbed, and everlasting felicity of the whole of humankind.”
The essence of the insight we need as
Bahá’ís is to be found in these words.
While detesting war, the Bahá’í recognizes
the destructive phase of Divine
power as the counterpart of its construction[Page 2]
There can be no peace as the mere
perpetuation of all the organized disunities
which preceded, led up to and made
inevitable, the present world conflict.
Peace means the harmonious relationship
of all peoples and all social agencies in
one organic world order. Evil must be
destroyed, mankind must be purified,
before the Kingdom can be revealed to
human sight.
Though the Bahá’í cleaves to the constructive phase, he must recognize the dual process which Shoghi Effendi described in The Unfoldment of World Civilization: “As we view the world around us, we are compelled to observe the manifold evidences of that universal fermentation, which, in every continent of the globe and in every department of human life, be it religious, social, economic or political, is purging and reshaping humanity in anticipation of the Day when the wholeness of the human race will have been recognized and its unity established. A twofold process, however, can be distinguished, each tending, in its own way and with an accelerated momentum, to bring to a climax the forces that are transforming the face of our planet. The first is essentially an integrating process, while the second is fundamentally disruptive. The former, as it steadily evolves, unfolds a System which may well serve as a pattern for that world policy towards which a strangely-disordered world is continually advancing; while the latter, as its disintegrating influence deepens, tends to tear down, with increasing violence, the antiquated barriers that seek to block humanity’s progress towards its destined goal ...”
In The Goal of a New World Order, written more than eight years ago, Shoghi Effendi declared: “We have but to turn our gaze to humanity’s blood-stained history to realize that nothing short of intense mental as well as physical agony has been able to precipitate those epoch−making changes that constitute the greatest landmarks in the history of human civilization.... That nothing short of the fire of a severe ordeal, unparalleled in its intensity, can fuse and weld the discordant entities that constitute the elements of present-day civilization, into the integral components of the world commonwealth of the future, is a truth which future events will increasingly demonstrate.”
| CABLEGRAM FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI
Cablegram received October 21, 1940. |
The Bahá’í, therefore, is able to balance and reconcile truths and events which to others mean but hopeless agony and supreme defeat. What makes the unbeliever cry out that there is no Justice in the universe, makes the Bahá’í realize that nothing can happen except what divine Justice decrees. We must try to convey these convictions to the public. This is the type of teaching to which masses will respond. The Bahá’í view enhances the intensity of prayer without confounding reason. It recognizes the depth of the tragedy moving human hearts, but joins tragedy itself with the inmost virtue of faith in God.
But when understanding has been attained, we as Bahá’ís make only the beginning of obedience to the urgent call. The supreme and vital matter is to teach. Never again can there be just this combination of forces on earth, which makes it possible to establish a Faith which is the fulfillment of the entire prophetic era! Our capacity to teach is the pure flame of all action, all worship and all prayer. No believer, and no Bahá’í body, can afford to hesitate a single instant. Divine reinforcement will come to every person and every agency striving to spread the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
“Would it seem extravagant ... to expect that in the midst of so enviable a region of the earth and out of the agony and wreckage of an unprecedented crisis there should burst forth a spiritual renaissance which, as it propagates itself through the instrumentality of the American believers, will rehabilitate the fortunes of a decadent age?”—SHOGHI EFFENDI, America and the Most Great Peace.
REMAIN ALOOF FROM POLITICAL AFFAIRS[edit]
We should—every one of us—remain aloof, in heart and in mind, in words and in deeds, from the political affairs and disputes of the Nations and of Governments. We should keep ourselves away from such thoughts. We should have no political connection with any of the parties and should join no faction of these different and warring sects.
Absolute impartiality in the matter of political parties should be shown by words and by deeds, and the love of the whole humanity, whether a Government or a nation, which is the basic teaching of Bahá’u’lláh, should also be shown by words and by deeds ...
According to the exhortations of the Supreme Pen and the confirmatory explanations of the Covenant of God, Bahá’ís are in no way allowed to enter into political affairs under any pretense or excuse; since such an action brings about disastrous results and ends in hurting the Cause of God and its intimate friends. (Words of Shoghi Effendi, published in Bahá’í News Letter of the NSA of India and Burma, December, 1939).
IN SERVICE TO THE SPIRIT[edit]
The Bahá’í community represents the coming together and perfect blending of two orders of reality—the reality of the Spirit, and the reality of the Form. What we see in the individual as the struggle between body and soul is true also for society. Perfect health for the individual is the condition of harmony. Human society today is in torment because its form no longer corresponds to the needs of the spirit, and hence a new form must be created.
This creation is the miracle of our experience as Bahá’ís. The unified Bahá’í community is nothing less than the sole type of social health existing in the world today. Its form, that is, its institutions and procedures, offers itself as a channel to the dynamic force of the Holy Spirit without which civilization is dead. The form of itself is nothing, like the wooden form of a violin. But in the hands of the Musician, its instrumentality becomes the channel by which the higher world can interpenetrate the lower and raise the lower from dream to waking, from death to life.
In every phase of existence, the Form is necessary to the Spirit, but it is the Spirit which establishes the aim, the purpose and the activity of the Form. The child is the man in the body–building period. When the Form is complete, the Spirit descends in the fulness of in power. Likewise, a period of time is needed for new communities to adjust to their Bahá’í institutions and learn how to operate them for Bahá’í ends. But we must take care lest the time of body-building be extended too long.
In this crucial hour, with the Guardian’s
successive messages resounding in
our hearts, each local Assembly is called
upon to examine carefully its plans and
methods in order to concentrate upon
constructive measures for the entire community.
Each meeting should devote
time to the subject of teaching locally,
and to support of the national Temple
and teaching plans. This is the paramount
aim of the Administrative Order today,
and should not be obscured or deferred[Page 3]
on account of relatively unimportant
matters. By establishing an order of
business in which the important matters
come first, local Assemblies can prevent
their time and strength from being wasted
by lesser questions presented by individual
believers. The principle of spiritual
efficiency surely means that Assemblies
give first consideration to the Guardian’s
wishes, then to national needs, then to
matters affecting the whole local community,
and only then deal with personalities.
Miraculous achievement is assured the people of Bahá, but on condition that they do the will of Bahá’u’lláh and not substitute their own wishes and desires. If a community has not accomplished any services to the Cause for a period of years, but has simply existed in a passive condition, let the friends honestly face the situation and attempt strongly to became an instrument for the Spirit. No institution, no group, no person is ever an end to itself. Its vital life depends on capacity to become a means for some higher end. This is why the new Revelation produces such perturbation in the old society: it rends the veil from those conventional and materialistic methods by which self-interest has long remained concealed.
Many Assemblies would be surprised and gratified to learn how many different kinds of teaching material has been provided by the devoted effort of National Committees in recent years. For example, to list some of them, we have:
- Exhibit and display material, including a Temple model.
- Braille literature for the blind.
- Radio scripts on a number of subjects.
- Slides for illustrated lectures.
- Moving picture film of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
- The Master’s voice record.
- Bahá’í News Service, providing publicity material.
- Child education material.
- World Order Magazine.
- Books for Library Placement.
- Study Outlines.
- Pamphlets and leaflets presenting the Cause in many different ways.
TEACHING ACTIVITIES, NORTH AMERICA[edit]
Regional Teaching Committees report news of constructive activities of many different types in all parts of the United States and Canada.
From Nellie J. Roche, Secretary of the Regional Committee for Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee, Northern Alabama and Northern Georgia, we learn of the special teaching project developed at Vogel Park,
Main Story Ornamentation No. 2. This view, taken October 23, 1940 show how much has been done since the first picture was taken October 3. A number of units are in place on face to right, and the grading nears completion
Cleveland, Georgia last June, already
mentioned briefly in Bahá’í News:
“The history of the spread of the Bahá’í Faith in the South entered a new phase during the week of June 8-15, 1940, when, in all, twenty-nine Bahá’ís and their friends, from seven southern states and Ohio, were privileged to live together in spiritual love and unity in Vogel Park near Cleveland, Georgia. There were nineteen in residence, the others being guests for a day or so.
“The high point was on Friday evening, the last one together, when two persons declared themselves Bahá’ís! What joy there was!
“The program of instruction was brilliantly conceived and as brilliantly presented by Mrs. Howard Ives, Mrs. Orcella Rexford, Dr. Glenn Shook and Mrs. Terah c. Smith, chairman of program. Two phases of Bahá’í life were stressed: (1) the development of the individual Bahá’í on all planes of life as a preparation for his greatest personal participation in (2) the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, as presented from Bible prophecy, various historic concepts of government and religion, and their relationships, culminating in Bahá’í Administration.
“Program:
- Standards for the New Age, Mental and Physical Health—Mrs. Orcella Rexford.
- Standards for the New Age, Prayer and Spiritual Health—Mrs. Terah C. Smith.
- Prophecy Fulfilled—the Promise of All Ages—Mrs. Howard Ives.
- Building the New Government for the Golden Age of Bahá’u’lláh—Mrs. Howard Ives.
- The New World Order—Dr. Glenn Shook.
“Several sessions of a most helpful teaching seminar were held with Mrs. Ives, Mrs. Rexford, and Mrs. Smith taking part.”
The adjoining area of North Carolina, South Carolina and Southern Georgia, through Esther Sego, gives particular mention to the teaching work of Mrs. Amalie Bodmer and of Louis G. Gregory. “Mrs. Bodmer has done excellent work in and near Ashville, N. C. On September 6 she wrote that she had made 68 contacts since her arrival June 22, all of whom received a copy of Bahá’í Principles and The Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ... Eight people in Ashville proper have had the message... In the three years she has been teaching from the trailer, 221 persons have been contacted and only ten refused to take copies of Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era.”
“In Columbia, Mr. Gregory spoke briefly at Benedict and at Allen University. He also spoke at Mrs. Pearl Dixon’s home where there were eleven present and a fine spiritual atmosphere. Interest in a further meeting was expressed... Miss Mickle and Miss Wheeler were invited to the church of a minister present. Augusta had the great privilege of having Louis in their midst the following day. He made several valuable contacts, among them a Methodist minister and professor at Paine College who opened two classes to him although it was during the examination period.”
“A class of seven to ten Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís has been meeting at Mrs.
[Page 4]
Sego’s home to study and discuss race
origins, race relations and similar topics
under the direction of Prof. Fred Steely
of Paine College... Mrs. Eason of Raleigh
reports that there will be five believers
in Raleigh this winter.”
The Regional Teaching Committee of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and District of Columbia has lacked a Secretary for some months, but interesting news comes from individual teachers.
From Harold Hunt, Huntington, West Virginia:
“The Huntington group of interested pupils and believers on October 27th were greatly favored by the visit to this beautiful city of Mrs. Frank Baker.
“The meeting was held in the large dining room or ballroom of the Frederick Hotel. Only two dollars was asked for this privilege, and the hotel further graciously accorded Mrs. Baker the use of a private mezannine parlor without charge for the evening circle of interested ones.
“At the conclusion it seemed that no one wished to leave. It was very striking.
“The meeting was an entire success, interesting contacts being made, and a deep impression of the value of the Bahá’í Teachings, their effectiveness being left with all present.
“That evening a group met including Mr. Long, Miss Jessie Burgess, a new-comer, Mrs. Edwards and an occasional visitor, Mr. Mortison. This circle went further into the teachings for the purpose of a more intense diffusion of the power of the Cause. It was regrettable that Nason Adkins, the first one here to verbally declare himself, had cut his foot with an ax, and Miss Hazel Bragg, also studying and ready for declaration was sick, forced to remain at her post in a Kentucky Hospital. She works at River-view Hospital, Louisa, Ky.
“Plans are under way for group contacts for Stanwood Cobb on November 9 and 10. The Superintendent of schools, Mr. Nutter, is endeavoring to have a group meet Prof. Cobb at a Dutch Treat luncheon. And Mrs. Pritchard, a social leader, (the leader) has expressed a desire to meet him also. Later preparations will be started for interracial contacts for Mr. Schurgast of Cincinnati.”
The New England region is being stirred up through visits from Amelia Bowman, Secretary of the Regional Committee, who is carrying out a comprehensive teaching plan. Her first report deals with results in a number of cities in Vermont. From October 11 to 31 she was active in Rutland, Springfield, Chester, Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, Northfield, Randolph, Windsor, Montpelier and Barre.
The Twelfth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma, held at Poona, April 29, 1940
In Rutland Mrs. Bowman met the
Rabbi of the local Synagogue who had
visited the Temple at Wilmette and was
sympathetic. He will help promote her
plans for talks before organizations on
The Destiny of America. The radio station broadcast the entire text of A Pattern for future Society by Shoghi Effendi
in connection with her local meetings.
On October 28 she spoke before the Lions
Club on the Bahá’í Peace Plan, giving out
literature and discussing the theme a half
hour beyond the usual time.
Mrs. Bowman also spoke at a meeting of the Lions Club in Barre on the 29th, with over forty young business man present. The theme of world federation produced a wonderful response. She presented a number of books to the Public Library, and has arranged a later public meeting in the city for Florence Morton.
Two public meetings were held in Montpelier, at the Kiwanis Club and at the Montpelier Tavern. The latter meeting attracted the president of the Women’s Club. Mrs. Bowman is laying a foundation for increased Bahá’í activity in Vermont, and incidentally creates interest in Green Acre in this nearby but hitherto inactive state.
INTER-AMERICA TEACHING[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of North America will rejoice with the Inter-America Committee at the acceleration of the Latin-American work. In obedience to the call of our beloved Guardian for more pioneers in South and Central America, the Committee reports the following pioneers and visitors who are sailing this historic month of November for service in this Field.
Two pioneers from Los Angeles, Mrs. Eleanor Adler and Mrs. Marcia Steward Atwater, are sailing together from New Orleans on the S.S. Santa Marta, November 16. Mrs. Adler is to settle in Bolivia at La Paz. She is the first to carry the message of Bahá’u’lláh to this country. Mrs. Atwater disembarks at Valparaiso, but intends to establish residence in Santiago, Chile.
Miss Elizabeth Cheney of Lima, Ohio, is sailing November 30 on the S.S. Uruguay. She will disembark at Buenos Aires December 17, where she will spend a few days before going on to Asuncion, Paraguay, to settle.
Miss Gertrude Gewertz is leaving shortly for Costa Rica, where she will assist in the pioneer work in Port Limon.
Mrs. Enos Barton sails on November 15 on the S.S. Brazil, for a visit with her son, Mr. Wilfrid Barton. Mr. Barton is a pioneer in Uruguay.
Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Wood of Cabin John, Maryland are prospective pioneers. They have been accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly to go to Rio de Janeiro.
Mrs. Sara Ellen Peake left in October to marry Mr. John Stearns, who is pioneering in Ecuador. She will be able to assist greatly in the work of spreading the Cause in that country.
Panama—Mrs. Louise Caswell writes asking that all the believers assist in the Latin-American work: “I believe that kindness, hospitality and true warmth (we should never stop short of a handshake with a Latin) will bring forth spiritual fruit seven hundredfold.” (She refers
[Page 5]
to the reception which the Latin-Americans should receive in North America.)
Mrs. Caswell also reports that her son Peter, who returned to Panama with her, obtained a job just eight days after applying for it. She says there are jobs for able-bodied men and an immediate need for women stenographers who speak Spanish. Anyone interested should correspond with Mrs. Oliver, (Mrs. Cora Hitt Oliver, P. O. Box 1296, Ancon, Canal Zone) giving their qualifications, to be presented by her to the Head of Personnel in the Canal Zone.
Uruguay—Wilfrid Barton reports a recent visit in Montevideo by Miss Jeanne Bolles which has given a fresh impetus to the Bahá’í work.
Havana—Mr. Philip Marangella has returned to this country and Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg has gone to Havana to supplant him. Mrs. Hoagg is one of our most distinguished international teachers. She has spent long periods in the Holy Household when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was in our midst and has been greatly valued by the Guardian with whom she worked in typing The Dawn Breakers. She was also in charge of the International Bureau at Geneva, Switzerland for some years. We feel that Cuba is especially fortunate. The address of the Center remains the same as listed in the last Bulletin.
Before leaving Havana Mr. Marangella reported the names of three new believers:
- Mrs. Irene Brauchbar, Calle E. No. 503, entre 21 y 23, Vedado, Havana.
- Sr. Jose Cevedo, San Miguel, 22, Havana.
- Sr. Carlos Ortiz Portas, Aguilar, 368, Havana.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras—Before leaving Tegucigalpa, Mr. Gerard Sluter writes that newspaper publicity brought an inquiry from Sr. David Medina Benegas in Tela, on the north coast of Honduras. Sr. Benegas said that he is secretary of a Masonic Lodge and a Theosophist. He asked for literature and offered his cooperation. He had previously heard of the Cause and was interested in learning of the work being done in Honduras.
Mr. Sluter reports stopping at Costa Rica on his way to Bogata, Colombia. A meeting was arranged by Mrs. Woolson and Mrs. Ford where he spoke to a group of twenty. He tells in glowing terms of the work being done by these Pioneers and reported four new believers.
Philippine Islands—Sr. Felix R. Maddela, Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly in Nueva Vizcaya, writes that there are twenty members in their community. Regular classes are held for those interested in learning about the Cause, having an average attendance of eight persons.
There is also a children’s class of nine young people.
Buenos Aires—A letter received just in time to be briefly mentioned before sending off the news of the Inter-America Committee for Bahá’í News tells of the very fine reception which Philip Sprague had on his arrival in Buenos Aires. He speaks of the cordiality of the friends there, of their delight to receive the Teachings which Mr. Sprague is so well qualified to present, and of the fact that many of the friends speak English perfectly and therefore should have a larger number of Bahá’í books. Mr. Sprague sends a splendid clipping from a newspaper in Buenos Aires which for want of time we cannot now translate even in brief, but suffice it to say that the Cause was given wide publicity and very well received and many valuable contacts made.
Rio de Janeiro—From Mrs. Mathews we have received a copy of a most delightful letter from Mr. Cecil Best of Rio who thanks Mrs. Mathews for the copy of the Proceedings of the First Latin-American School Bahá’í Session and expresses his pleasure at the visit of Miss Jeanne Bolles and Philip Sprague and says that it is their intention to remain in Rio to form a Spiritual Assembly there. Miss Holsapple was with them, and having been so long a resident of Brazil, she will be most helpful.
Quito, Ecuador—Mr. John Stearns still retains the same address for his mail although he has taken up other quarters. His address is: Pension Neumann, Calle Flores No. 12, Quito, Ecuador.
INTER-AMERICA ADDRESSES[edit]
A correction should be made in the address of Mr. Mathew Kaszab. It is now: Mr. Mathew Kaszab, c/o American Consul, Managua, Nicaragua, C. A.
TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION[edit]
From the progress report dated October 29, issued by Allen B. McDaniel as Supervising Engineer for the Temple Trustees, we note the following items which can be read in connection with the illustrations which graphically show how much has been done.
| MESSAGES FROM THE GUARDIAN
|
“The remaining work involved in the preparation of the models and molds has been continued ... and consists of the carving of the inscriptions over the main arches. As soon as these inscriptions are completed* the molds will be prepared. This method of making the molds of the main arches will delay the final completion of the erection of the ornamentation of the first three faces of the main story this calendar year. This method is being followed by the contractor, however, in order to effect a saving of several hundred dollars, as this additional expense would be required if separate molds were made for each one of the faces with its respective inscription.
“During this four week period (i.e., October), the casting of the various sections of the ornamentation for the nine faces of the main story has been continued and excellent progress has been made.
“All of the small columns have been cast; the last of the nine doorway arches was cast during the last day of the period (i.e., October 31), and the large panels over the nine main entrances have been completed.... The casting of the large columns will proceed during November.
“On October 1, a car containing eight small columns, six arches, 12 large grilles and six small grilles was shipped from Rosslyn. On October 3, a similar car containing 87,084 lbs. of crushed stone and 12 small columns, 10 pieces of ornament and 40 pieces of reinforcing steel was shipped...”
_____
* The inscriptions on the nine texts selected by the Guardian from Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh. They were published in Bahá’í News No. 127, July, 1939; and in World Order Magazine for May, 1940.
BAHÁ’Í CALENDAR[edit]
Nineteen Day Feasts: December 12, December 31, January 19.
Anniversaries and Festivals: Day of the Covenant, November 26; Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, November 28 (to be observed if feasible at 1:00 A. M.)
Meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly: December 27, 28, 29 at Wilmette, Illinois.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH FRENCH ESPERANTISTS[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly has been advised that for the present it will be better for the friends to discontinue any correspondence with Esperantists in France, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í.
TEMPLE TEACHING[edit]
From the August report of the Temple Guides Committee the following excerpts are taken for the information of the friends:
“A brief resume of the visitors attending the Temple will show the results secured in guide Work. During August, 1940, there were 2,609 visitors guided through the Temple. Although this is 192 fewer then in August, 1939, the explanation, I believe, is quite obvious; namely, that people coming onto the Temple grounds on the East side of the building, and finding no proper sign to instruct them where to find the entrance, leave without knowing they can go through the Temple or that guides will be provided. July and August, 1940, are the only months of this year that have shown a decrease over the same months of 1939. We should have had from 2,000 to 3,000 more visitors during these two months. And yet, despite this loss, the first eight months of 1940 shows an increase of 478 over the same period of 1939, the total during the eight months of this year being 10,900.
“A very interesting point is the widespread area from which visitors come. The August visitors were from 35 different States and also from the following foreign countries: Kingston, Jamaica, B. W. I., Plymouth, B. W. I., Montague, P. E. I., Manila, P. I., The Hague, Holland.
“Apprentice seamen from the Great Lakes Naval Training station are coming to the Temple in increasing numbers, 635 of them having visited the Temple in August. A total of 2,046 seamen have visited the Temple since January 1, 1940.
“Other visiting groups include: The Phi Beta Kappa Society of Chicago and a Teachers’ Class from the summer school of Northwestern University were shown through the Temple during August.
“A further idea of how the total of visitors through the Temple is mounting is shown by the fact that since July 1, 1932, the number of visitors totals 113,635.”
LOUHELEN WINTER SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT[edit]
A Winter Session at the Louhelen Bahá’í School is being planned for the week of December 26th to January 1st, inclusive. This winter session will be devoted
Arch Over Each of the Nine Entrance Doors. Two of these beautiful units were set in place during the last week of October and first week of November, 1940
to study methods and teaching
methods. A course will be offered on the
Foundations of World Unity, as outlined
for the Youth Study Days. Here is an
opportunity to spend an enjoyable winter
holiday at the Ranch while getting intensive training, in preparation for the task
ahead.
Regarding the Bahá’í school, the Guardian has written: “every one without exception is urged to take advantage of attending it—let him consider such an occasion as welcome and precious opportunity so to enrich, through lectures, study, and discussion, his knowledge of the fundamentals of his Faith as to be able to transmit, with greater confidence and effectiveness, the Message that has been entrusted to his care.”
“The field is indeed so immense, the period so critical, the Cause so great, the workers so few, the time so short, the privilege so priceless, that no follower of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, worthy to bear His name, can afford a moment’s hesitation.”
All those who are at all interested in attending this winter session or who have any suggestions to offer regarding the session, please communicate as soon as possible with Mrs. L. W. Eggleston, Davison, Michigan. (Rate—$2.00 per day.)
WORLD ORDER MAGAZINE[edit]
The November number, devoted to the theme of prophecy, offers the friends an unusually interesting and helpful treatment of one of the most difficult subjects in connection with teaching work. By the Mouth of His Prophets, by Maye Harvey Gift, the leading article, presents a Bahá’í approach and explanation which no doubt has been gratefully noted by the friends as valuable teaching material. The remainder of the issue also contributes to the same theme. For example, The Epic of Humanity reprints a chapter from Townshend’s The Promise of All Ages; the book review consists of excerpts from the new book by Virgie Vail, The Glorious Kingdom of the Father Foretold; the Study Outline deals with references to Spiritual Prophecy; Bahá’í Answer to World Questions selects passages on Is Bahá’u’lláh the Promised One? and on What Attitude For the Seeker? The compilation on The Divine Art of Living deals with the subjects of Faith and Certitude.
For December, the magazine revolves around the theme of Civilization and Culture. The leading article, with this title, is by Helen Bishop, and reproduces the remarkable address she delivered at the 1940 Convention public meeting. Beauty and Conduct, by Florence DeBell Keemer, presents the subject of the esthetic aspect of the inner life, while Alta M. Gaines, in For Him Who Would Find God, emphasizes the vital part filled by character in promoting the Faith. This number contains two poems: Vision, by Gertrude W. Robinson, and Infinitudes, by Henry c. Beecher. The book review is by Robert Gulick, Jr., on Anthropology and Religion by Peter Henry Buck. Material and Divine Civilization is the subject of the monthly Study Outline.
The Editorial Committee hopes that
[Page 7]
both these numbers are proving useful,
especially to the groups and isolated
friends who welcome means of fresh information and contact with other Bahá’ís.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF BAHÁ’Í MANUSCRIPT[edit]
When a manuscript is sent in to the Reviewing Committee to be passed on for Bahá’í content and literary style, an author often has to spend a great deal of time in revision because he has been unacquainted with the acceptable procedures for preparing manuscript. We offer these Suggestions for the Preparation of Bahá’í Manuscript to facilitate the work of the author and of all committees concerned and to save time and expense in handling inadequately prepared manuscripts.
The Reviewing Committee has the right to assume that there will be no need for them to verify statements and quotations or to alter or correct construction, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Before the writer has typed the final draft he should carefully revise his manuscript in terms of the preceding suggestions.
Only typewritten manuscript can be accepted for review. It should be typed on the standard commercial sheet 8½ inches wide by 11 inches high; neither onion nor paper of similar weight should be used; an original, not a carbon copy, should be presented to the Reviewing Committee.
The following definite instructions are given for the final draft.
- Page Arrangement:
- The maximum length of line should be six inches.
- The main text should be double-spaced.
- One side only of the sheet should be used.
- Leave a margin of about an inch on all four sides of the typing.
- Do not economize too much on paper, as this makes the reading difficult.
- Type the same number of lines to each page, if possible.
- Do not divide a word at the end of the line, go over to the next line with the whole word.
- Paragraphing:
- Paragraph indentation should be uniform and four or five spaces are sufficient.
- If block typing is used there must be a triple space between paragraphs.
- Chapter Headings:
- Begin each chapter or other large division of manuscript on a new page.
- Omit periods after centered heading.
- Headings in the Table of Contents and the text should agree in wording, sequence and number.
- Titles Quoted:
Titles of books, poems, periodicals, etc., mentioned in the text should be underscored, not quoted. - Quotations:
- Quotations exceeding two lines in length should be typed without quotation marks, with lines single-spaced, in separate paragraphs, indented on each margin about six spaces more than the normal margin.
- Quotations of two lines or less should be included in the body of the text.
- Mark carefully open and close quotes and open and close parentheses and brackets, to be sure that they are always present in pairs.
- Brackets should be used, not parentheses, when words are inserted in a quotation for the sake of clarity.
- The source of a quotation should be made clear either in the context or by a reference. The reference should include author, title, page, and date of issue. The date of issue is especially important if the quotation is from a magazine article. If few quotations are used in the manuscript the source can be given directly after the quotation. But if there are many, they should be numbered and listed with corresponding numbers in an index at the end of the manuscript.
- All quotations from Bahá’í books should be taken from the latest edition. If the latest edition is not available, the edition used should be stated. In quoting follow the text exactly. No quotation should be taken from another quotation; the original source must be used. It is the custom of the Reviewing Committee to check a few quotations for accuracy. If they are badly quoted, the manuscript is returned at once to the writer for correction, without further reviewing consideration.
- Transliteration of Oriental Words:
In order that the spelling and marking of Bahá’í words conform to the rules for the transliteration of Oriental words, a sheet of these transliterations should be obtained from the Publishing Committee before the last typing of manuscript (or refer to transliteration section in The Bahá’í World). - Inserts:
Any page that needs inserts or has material scratched out, should be retyped. No author’s comment should be left in the margin.
RACE UNITY PROJECTS[edit]
Milwaukee was recently the scene of unusual activity among minority groups of the city. On Saturday, September 28, the community entertained fifty Indian friends, representing the Indian councils of Milwaukee. On Sunday the Race Unity Committee were guests of the city, and a public meeting was held at the Center,
[Page 8]
with friends from many race groups attending. Indian guests offered music; a
Jewish friend acted in the genial capacity
of chairman; and the speakers represented
the white and colored groups of American
life. At the close of the meeting, one of
the visitors said: “There can be no question; this is a proof.” On Monday evening, Rev. Battles acted as host to the
speakers in his own church, the Calvary
Baptist. Milwaukee’s busy week-end impressed every heart with the reality expressed in the vivid words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’; that “all are one in the color and
beauty of servitude to Him.” An Eskimo
speaker was announced for the coming
week at the Center.
The Temple area was particularly heartened by the outstanding accomplishment of Chicago this summer, when the friends were permitted to display a Temple model at the National Negro Exposition, celebrating the 75th year of Negro freedom. It is estimated that 12,500 pamphlets were distributed. An evening of the Exposition was given over to the Bahá’í Faith, and 600 attended the program. Fireside meetings have resulted for the fall, and a fine public follow-up meeting was held at the Center on October 3rd, when members of the Race Unity Committee were invited to share in the program. The committee feels deeply the high significance of these meritorious deeds at the very heart and center of the Bahá’í Faith in America, for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has said: “When such meetings are established, and the participants associate with each other with perfect love, unity, and harmony, the angels of the Kingdom praise them, and the Beauty of Bahá’u’lláh addresseth them, ‘Blessed are ye! Blessed are ye!’ ... When a gathering of these two races is brought about, that assemblage will become the magnet of the Concourse on high, and the confirmations of the Blessed Beauty will surround it.”
Every Assembly and group is urged to send in to the Race Unity Committee, reports of projects in race fellowship. All are urged to use the direct message at such meetings, and to present the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh as the common meeting place of every heart, for “opposition, enmity, and prejudice among white and colored cannot be effaced except through faith, assurance, and the teachings of the Blessed Beauty.”
- RACE UNITY COMMITTEE
- MRS. FRED MORTENSEN, Secretary
- RACE UNITY COMMITTEE
BAHÁ’Í DIRECTORY[edit]
Kindly note the following corrections:
Assemblies
- Boston. Mrs. M. C. Oglesby, Corresponding Secretary, A., Tyler Hall, Trinity Court, 175 Dartmouth St., Boston, Mass.
- Springfield. Miss Harriet St. Laurent, Sexretary, Box 105, Highland Station, Springfield, Mass.
- Oak Park. Mrs. L. W. LaRocque, Secretary, 915 Augusta Street, Oak Park, Ill.
- Oakland. Mrs. J. J. O’Neill, Secretary, c/o Bahá’í Assembly, 1454 Alice Street, Oakland, Calif.
Groups
- Santa Rosa. Dr. G. Sadler Pittock, Correspondent, 631 4th Street, Santa Rosa, Calif.
- Laramie, Mrs. Ada M. Fadner, Correspondent, 312½ Garfield Street, Laramie, Wyoming.
- Glendale, Ariz. Mrs. Helen Burnett, Correspondent, 521 East E. Avenue, Glendale, Ariz.
- East Orange. Mrs. Amie B. Wright, Correspondent, 105 Leslie street, East Orange, N. J.
- Haworth. A. G. Tichenor, Correspondent, Hennessy Street, Haworth, N. J.
Monroe. Mrs. Levina Sprau, Correspondent, Munroe, Wash. Sultan. Miss Lillian Marsolais, Correspondent, Sultan, Wash.
ENROLLMENTS AND TRANSFERS[edit]
Chicago, eight and one youth. Evanston, one. Los Angeles, three. San Francisco, four. South Bend, three. Washington, two. Nashville, two. Vancouver, one youth. Milwaukee, one youth. New York, three. Worcester, one. Philadelphia, two. Phoenix, three. Flint, three.
This casting of the Greatest Name fits the under side of the arch over each entrance door. Two are now in place (November 9, 1940)
