Bahá’í News/Issue 148/Text
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| No. 148 | YEAR 98, BAHÁ’Í ERA | November, 1941 |
To the Spiritual Assemblies, Communities and Groups of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.
Beloved Friends:
This communication is issued after an exchange of cablegrams with Shoghi Effendi on a most urgent situation which has arisen in connection with the completion of the Temple exterior. The matter is sufficiently urgent to justify the Assemblies in arranging for an immediate, special meeting with the community. It is imperative for the realization of our collective determination to live up to the Guardian’s explicit appeals that all American Bahá’ís be informed of the latest developments, and that the local communities pray and act vigorously upon them without delay.
“Unhesitatingly advise insure completion by December (of) sixth and seventh faces. Urge contractor (to) redouble efforts during winter months (to) prepare two remaining faces to be placed as soon as weather permits next spring. Owing (to) international situation strict economy (in) administrative expenses and supreme sacrifice needed (to) complete nine faces by end (of) spring.” —Shoghi Effendi, in cablegram received October 14.
This clear and emphatic message was in reply to word cabled to him that work would have to cease by October 31, when five of the nine mainstory faces will be finished, on account of another revision in the estimate of cost. The contractor has informed the Temple Trustees that the cost of completing the work will be about $22,000 above the estimate made as late as the middle of August.
Temple Schedule[edit]
The schedule made by the Guardian calls for continuance of the work into December, until two more faces are completed, and this part of the work will cost $6,500, of which some $4,200 will be received by the Temple Trustees from the sale of land for the realignment of Sheridan Road. The balance, $2,300, is dependent on contributions from the believers between now and January 10, 1942.
The second part of the schedule means that work on the last two faces is to begin early next spring and be carried forward as rapidly as possible until finished. The cost for the work next spring is estimated at $13,500. Meanwhile, to take care of the extra cost of $10,000 on work done in August, September and part of October, plus costs incurred under the contract for the steps, an arrangement has been made with the contractor for a series of monthly payments from October 31, 1941 to December 31, 1942. This arrangement means that, in addition to what the Guardian wants done by December, the Trustees must be able to maintain monthly payments of between $1,000 and $1,500 for fourteen months.
Maintain Both Teaching and Temple Construction[edit]
In another cable received from the Guardian on this subject, he declared. . . “feel however absolute necessity (to) refrain (from) interruption (of) teaching work. Appropriations (for) National and Intercontinental teaching activities must remain undiminished. Otherwise repercussions (on) pioneer work (would be) deplorable.”
Thus we perceive that both branches of the Seven Year Plan—the Temple and teaching activities—are to be maintained with all possible vigor. The end of Temple construction under the Seven Year Plan is now in sight. The costs have been increased to the estimated total of $67,000 since the middle of April, 1941, and this considerable expense would have put a stop to construction work of any ordinary type. Because we are raising Bahá’u’lláh’s House of Worship, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves as evidence that we know and worship Him.
While, therefore, the National Spiritual
Assembly is obligated to present
facts and figures bearing upon
[Page 2]
all phases of the Seven Year Plan,
it is the National Bahá’í Fund in
general that we are called upon to
support, since this Fund is the “life
blood” of all our collective activities.
Could we but see the meaning
of these passing days as they will
be evident to the whole world in
later generations? Could we but realize,
each for himself, the blessing of
subordinating one’s own personal affairs
for the affairs of the Kingdom!
Tests of Devotion[edit]
What the Guardian calls for, that we must give in full measure, without stint or limitation. How much can we increase our capacity to serve during the few remaining years of the Seven Year Plan? These unexpected difficulties that come to us are but tests of our sincerity and devotion. They will be surmounted when, in a spirit of reverence and unity, we come together in our meeting of consultation and pray for assistance to do our share at the mighty work.
May we ask each Spiritual Assembly to report on the results of the meeting called to discuss this letter —not a financial report so much as a presentation of the spirit of the friends, and the degree of their resolve to meet the Guardian’s appeal.
- Faithfully yours,
Letters From the Guardian[edit]
Regarding the question whether it is necessary to obtain the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá’í participant in a marriage with a Bahá’í; as Bahá’u’lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the Aqdas does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required.
The Guardian approves the use of the form of report to be filled in by all Latin-American Assemblies. This form, however, should be closely considered by your Assembly, and need not be forwarded to him, as the final action in such matters rests with the N. S. A. This body should exercise the utmost patience, good will, care and vigilance in such delicate and vital matters, should stress the importance of the institution of the local Spiritual Assembly, should take into special consideration the Latin temperament and character, should exercise a general, though not too rigid, supervision over newly formed groups and Assemblies, and should, by every means in its power, maintain, nay, increase, the flow of pioneers and financial assistance to these countries, that constitute, in these critical years, the greatest trust delivered into the hands of the champions of the Bahá’í Faith in North America. He is delighted to learn that there is a possibility of one or more Spiritual Assemblies being formed in South America, besides those of Buenos Aires, Costa Rica and Bahia. There is no doubt that in this particular field the North American believers are exceeding the expectations of the Guardian when he conceived and formulated the Seven Year Plan. What he would urge at the present stage is to insure that an anchorage for the Faith be firmly laid in every Latin Republic. This need not involve the formation of an Assembly, but presupposes the formation of a group of resident believers, who will safeguard permanently and definitely the interests of the Faith during the critical years which lie ahead of the Continent of America.—Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, August 12, 1941.
The paramount and urgent importance of the teaching work both in the North American continent and throughout Latin America cannot be over-emphasized. The attention of the entire company of the American believers should be focused on the requirements of this vast undertaking that has been so gloriously initiated, and which must be pursued, extended and consolidated by every means in their power. This is the National Assembly’s supreme objective, upon which must depend the success of the Seven Year Plan. I will pray that this goal may be attained and this great mission be nobly fulfilled.——To Allen B. McDaniel, Chairman, July 18, 1941.
It is such a pleasure to learn from your letter that the extremely generous donations of our dear and esteemed Bahá’í sisters, Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Morton, will enable the N. S. A. to concentrate its attention on the vital requirements of the inter-continental teaching campaign, which during the remaining years of the Seven Year Plan constitutes the predominating and decisive issue confronting the American believers. I feel certain that you will continue, as it has been your wont ever since its inception and long before it was initiated, to lend your outstanding assistance to the historic task entrusted by our Beloved to the American Bahá’í community. I will continue to pray for your precious health.—To Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer, August 13, 1941.
Canadian Bahá’í Fund[edit]
The Canadian Bahá’í Fund came into existence in October, 1940, made necessary by Foreign Exchange Board regulations restricting the sending of money out of the country. It was started by two contributions in total of Six Hundred Dollars and at the time of the last Convention had increased to about Nine Hundred Dollars.
At the time of the Convention, the Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Schopflocher, presented a proposition to spend part of the money to propagate teaching in Canada. The pioneer from Winnipeg, who was present at the Convention, consented to act also as a teacher at large throughout Canada. Meanwhile, other projects came up such as the pioneer work to settle Saskatchewan, so that in spite of regular contributions by the end of July the amount had dwindled to about Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars. Other projects came into operation such as teaching work in the East. To keep up the traveling teacher work until May, 1942, the pioneer work in Saskatchewan and teaching in the Eastern Provinces, an expenditure of about Three Hundred Dollars a month is called for, starting this month. After two months a monthly budget of One Hundred and Fifty to Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars will be necessary.
The Assistant Treasurer is glad to
report that in consequence of the
last letter released from the N.S.A.,
contributions have increased
substantially by some Assemblies
formerly somewhat delinquent. Only
yesterday, September 6, a letter was
received by an individual believer
enclosing a check for Two Hundred
Dollars to be followed by regular
contributions of One Hundred Dollars
a month. The letter is most
encouraging as the Assistant-Treasurer
feels that this contribution and the
promise of more to come plus
[Page 3]
increased contributions from groups
and Assemblies will insure the teaching
program and fulfill the obligation
of the Seven Year plan to establish
the Faith in every Province
of Canada.
In future regular monthly statements will be released and will be included with receipts issued by the Assistant Treasurer.
Inter-America News[edit]
“The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the people of the world to the Divine Guidance, until at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth and even to the last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that Beloved one of God.”
Guatemala
Mrs. Louise Caswell, who is traveling throughout Central America, has written enthusiastically regarding the Bahá’í work being done by the pioneers. She says, “It has been a rare privilege to visit these countries where the fires of God’s struggling Faith have been so recently kindled, and to watch the gentle, precious pioneers faithfully fanning the flames which are rising to unsuspected heights. Already there is the promise of a second Assembly in Costa Rica. Bahá’u’lláh’s banner is firmly planted in Nicaragua, a country which is a center of spiritual power. Salvador has already yielded more than enough Bahá’ís for an Assembly, believers who yearn for deeper knowledge and study regularly. In Guatemala the enthusiastic believers are scattered because of the lack of a pioneer teacher. For two weeks, my room is their center where they can come for meetings. Last night we were ten in spite of the rain. Tonight others will come. I wish I could stay six months, but surely some one will come and enjoy the high privilege of teaching in Guatemala. If the Bahá’ís at home knew the joy that is here for them in these Republics of Central America they would drop everything and come to help the new brothers and sisters. The call of the newly-born Bahá’ís will reach
Main Story Ornamentation No. 7, October 11, 1941.
the listening ears of some Bahá’í
teachers who will be unable to resist
the urgency and will rush here
to gather the ripe harvest.”
“On August ninth at the Cristobal Y.M.C.A. an Ecuadorian evening was held. Among other things I gave a talk on Ecuador, quoting ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words on American Indians, also mentioned a Bahá’í, John Stearns, who was pioneering there. A young man in the audience had been to Quito and knew John well so Cora and I were thrilled to hear news of John and Quito.”
“Now is the time for eloquent traveling teachers to fly through here.”
Costa Rica
Gayle Woolson has sent a brief report of the progress of the Cause in Costa Rica where there are now thirteen believers including herself. Thirteen of them live in San José, and formed an Assembly last April, 1941. She expressed great enthusiasm about the new work which they have started in another part of Costa Rica, and enclosed a report written by the Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly in San José, who writes as follows: “We were very, very happy to have been visited by Johnny Eichenauer from July 9 to September 5 and by Mrs. Louise Caswell from August 12 to September 10, and greatly appreciate the splendid cooperation they both gave us.”
“It is a great joy to be able to report to you the formation of a splendid Bahá’í study group in Puntarenus, one of the provinces of Costa Rica, and the registration of the first Bahá’í of that province. . . . The group is very enthusiastic and surprisingly eager, for such a young group, to be able to form a Spiritual Assembly in 1942. There are six others studying hard, preparing themselves to become declared Baha’is.”
Argentina
Mr. Tormo, Chairman of the Spiritual Assembly in Buenos Aires, writes of the painstaking care that some of the members of that Assembly are taking in making new translations. He also tells of extension work being done by their Assembly in the southern part of Argentina.
Nicaragua
It was formerly published in the
Bahá’í News that Mr. Henry Wheelock
was the first registered believer
in Nicaragua. This should be
corrected, as Senora Blanca Mejia
registered first, after hearing the
[Page 4]
A Group of the Friends in Panama at the lime of the visit of Mrs. Marcia Atwater and Mrs. Eleanor Adler.
Teachings from Mrs. Frances Stewart.
San Salvador
Clarence Iverson reports great progress in the Cause in San Salvador and writes that it received much impetus from a visit by Mrs. Caswell. We quote from his letter: “Louise was well pleased with our group and thinks that it was time we were having an Assembly. . . . They are all enthused about doing something for the progress of the work, and by having an Assembly more interest and unity would be created and they would be able to do more. There have been eleven (including two youths who have signed the registration cards) and I think that there are three or four more in the study class who want to sign the cards.” “It would be grand if more pioneers would be able to come and also visiting teachers would be very much appreciated and could do a lot of good.”
Brazil
Miss Beatrice Irwin writes that she has found many sympathetic listeners in Brazil. She tells of speaking to two groups arranged by Mrs. Leonora Holsapple Armstrong and Miss Eisenberg, and of giving an illustrated lecture on Palestine and the Master’s life before about 100 people at the English Cultural Forum. Miss Irwin has been in South America for the past few months and has made many interesting contacts among South Americans.
Paraguay
The Inter-America Committee has heard with great sorrow of the serious illness of Miss Elizabeth Cheney, our pioneer in Paraguay. This necessitated her leaving Asuncion immediately in order that she might secure proper medical care. Miss Cheney has been doing valiant work for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh under the most trying conditions, but greatly regrets leaving Paraguay and the small, but well grounded group of Bahá’ís without a pioneer teacher.
The Inter-America Committee knows that the Bahá’í Community will add their prayers for the speedy and safe recovery of Miss Cheney and for the continuation of her fine work in Asuncion, Paraguay.
Appeal for Inter-America Pioneers[edit]
The divine purpose as manifest in the Tablets, commands and utterances of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian, is the spread of the Glad Tidings of the coming of the Promised Day and the quickening of the souls in Latin America through the outpouring of His Divine Grace. Those who are to be the torchbearers and the advance guard in this glorious adventure are among us! How can we find them?
If they do not arise others will be called in their stead and will seize the opportunity and gain the bounty. Bahá’u’lláh has testified that “They who have forsaken their country for the purpose of teaching Our Cause, these shall the Faithful Spirit strengthen through Its power. By My Life! No act however great, can compare with it except such deeds as have been ordained by God, the All-Powerful, the Most Mighty. Such a service is indeed the prince of all goodly deeds and the ornament of every act.”
The Inter-America Committee is prepared to furnish information and as much assistance financially as the sacrifices of the friends will justify but we cannot work without pioneers, and we cannot send pioneers without funds! We are at a complete standstill! Where are those lamps that are “lighted by the Fire of Thy love and ablaze with the flame which is ignited in the tree of Thy mercy”?
Any day, we may learn that it is too late! We cannot know what obstacles will arise in our path which will plunge us into everlasting sorrow or wound us with the consciousness of failure! The pioneers are the Dawn-Breakers of the western hemisphere: “their assistance is the assistance of the Blessed Perfection; it is a sword which can never be dulled, a magazine which will always be full.” Let them stand forth!
- By Nellie S. French,
Temple Teaching[edit]
The latest report of the Temple Guides Committee presents some impressive figures. “Since July 1, 1932, records show that 130,307 visitors have made tours of the Bahá’í House of Worship. In August of this year 4,027 visitors were shown through the building, representing 44 of the 48 states, the District of Columbia, and in addition visitors from Ottawa, Riverside, Toronto, Burlington and Niagara Falls, Ontario: Vancouver, B. C.; Buckinghamshire and Gloucestershire, England; Manila, P. I.; Montevideo; Panama; Puerto Rico; and Cuba.”
The August registration compares
with the 2,609 visitors who came in
August, 1940. Among the guests
were groups including 65 students
[Page 5]
from Northwestern University Summer
School, 34 women from the
First Christian Church of Waukegan,
and 28 women from the Presbyterian
Church of Waukegan, Illinois.
A class for prospective guides will be held in the Temple each Sunday beginning January 4, 1942, the hour now being set from one to three thirty p.m. All believers wishing to take part in this far-reaching and thrilling activity are invited to attend this class and enroll on January 4.
World Order Magazine[edit]
In its October issue the Bahá’í magazine presented the following: The Development of the Creative Individual, by Genevieve L. Coy; His Highness Christ Called All Men, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet to South America; The Basic Principle of Truth, an excerpt from The Promised Day Is Come, by Shoghi Effendi; Youth Looks Ahead, by Horace Holley; Book review of The Social Role of the Man of Knowledge, by G. A. Shook; Study Outline on The Continuity of Revelation, prepared by Alice S. Cox from an outline made by Harry Jay; and With Our Readers, the department of editorial comment.
The November number contains: The White Silk Dress, by Marzieh Gail, on the great Bahá’í heroine and martyr, Táhirih: poems by Ella Louise Rowland and Blanche Young; Why I Am a Bahá’í, by Zeah Holden; The Real Life of Man, a hitherto unpublished public talk of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America; Whom I Worship, a prayer revealed by Bahá’u’lláh; A Bahá’í Pioneer in Paraguay, by Elizabeth H. Cheney, the first of a series; and With Our Readers, the department conducted by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick.
World Order Magazine, the business department reports, is arousing believers to a broader appreciation of its monthly array of instructive and stimulating articles reflecting the teachings of the Faith.
The steadily-increasing enrollment of new subscriptions from Bahá’ís, supplemented by subscription gifts to non-Bahá’í friends, gives evidence that the magazine is proving helpful for teaching work. One active worker last year sent in 51 gift subscriptions and has already renewed 26 of these gifts for a second year.
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Since the Temple exterior is to be completed in 1942, the individual believer has only a limited time to make his contribution—his final contribution —to this great enterprise entrusted to the American Bahá’í community. The House of Worship will stand to future ages as the dawning place of the Most Great Peace, the evidence of our faith and the sign of our worship in deeds not words. Such a glorious opportunity will not return to this generation. |
Race Unity
On Saturday, September 27, an area gathering of Bahá’í friends met at Foundation Hall to discuss ways and means of reaching racial minorities and their leaders with the Bahá’í call to unity.
Mr. Eli Powlas announced the good news that he will be free from his former work for one year, during which he, together with his wife, will visit western and south western Indian communities for the purpose of spreading the Faith. Indian developments near Milwaukee resulted from such contacts, and with the aid of meetings and social events, have been carried steadily forward. Mr. Powlas attended in August the tenth annual American Indian Exposition, at Anadarko, Oklahoma. Delegates and visitors from more than fifty tribes were present, numbering in all approximately ten thousand. Bahá’í literature was given to many leaders. Mr. Powlas himself is the chief of the Milwaukee Council of Indians.
Work among the Negro minority will be carried forward this month by the visit of Mrs. Dorothy Baker to Kentucky and North Carolina, where she will address the student bodies of nineteen colleges, twelve of which are white groups, six Negro, and one Indian.
Discussion moved around the Good Neighbor policy and the need of more individual friendships with the Jews and understanding of their present-day problem. Mrs. Sarah Walrath reported attending a seminar conducted by the Quakers of New Hampshire, where eighty refugees from six European countries were guests. It was possible to entertain many of the Jewish friends, who responded not only to this friendly gesture but to the Bahá’í Teachings as well. Mrs. Corinne True quoted ’Abu’l-Fad’l in his warning that it would be necessary to know the Prophets of Israel and their Teachings, in order to point out to the modern Jew the limitations in the old Christian philosophy concerning Bible fulfillment, and the wonderful consummation of God’s plan in the present day.
Coordination of Race Unity With Other Committee Activities[edit]
1. Mr. Gregory has been asked to write an article based on the course he gave on Race Unity at Green Acre, with special emphasis upon the contribution of the Jewish people to the world in ancient and modern times. It is recommended that this article be used in the World Order Magazine and that extra copies be given to this committee for Jewish distribution and to Regional Committees and Assemblies on request.
2. Our surveys are at the disposal of individuals, groups, and committees who find themselves geographically located favorably to working with one or more of the American minorities.
3. We are aware of the need of coordination with the National Publicity Committee, and will make a special effort this year to tie up the winter’s activities with their timely news releases. Mr. Powlas and Mrs. Baker have especially been urged to send in not only news but pictures of notable minority groups and leaders whom they contact in their oncoming projects.
4. The Race Unity public meets and group conferences should stimulate general teaching as well as special Race Unity work, and it is our intention to turn over all contacts, public and private, to Regional Committees and Assemblies, for follow-up.
5. We suggest that the National Radio Committee be encouraged to make up fresh and timely little talks on such themes as ours, as well as on the other spiritual and social principles of the Faith, and send us notices when something especially adapted to our work is published.
Louhelen School Winter Session[edit]
The Louhelen School Committee has planned a winter session to be held from December 26 to January 1, inclusive. The morning program will be devoted to deepening in the Bahá’í teachings through study, prayer and meditation, and the afternoons to discussion of some of the fundamental questions taken up in The Promised Day Is Come.
Believers wishing to attend this session should apply as soon as possible to Mrs. L. W. Eggleston, Secretary, Louhelen Ranch, R.D., Davison, Mich.
Braille Transcription[edit]
The Committee on Braille Transcriptions wishes to correct the statement published in Bahá’í News for June, 1941, that the Red Cross charges $1.65 for a course of ten lessons in Braille transcribing. In a letter from “Service for the Blind,” American Red Cross, Washington, D.C., I am informed that there is no charge for this instruction. The only charge for a student is that of $2.73 for necessary equipment which includes manual, slate, stylus, and one hundred sheets of Braille paper and an eraser. If there is no local Red Cross Braille teacher, each lesson is sent (free of postage) to Washington, corrected and returned.
The local Red Cross Chapter must assume charge of the proofreading of the books transcribed by the student after completing the course and receiving the certificate of “Certified Braille Transcriber”; or, if the local Chapter is small, the individual may pay for his own proofreading —which, at three cents a page, would amount to $3.00 for a book of one hundred pages, with $0.50 extra for binding.
A book transcribed by a Red Cross certified Braille transcriber, proofread by a certified Red Cross proofreader, after binding may be offered to any Braille Circulating Library that the transcriber wishes, or will be placed in some Braille Library by the National Red Cross.
It takes 35 to 45 minutes to transcribe a page of Braille on the slate, and a certain degree of concentration is necessary.
Shoghi Effendi has always stressed the importance of the Braille work, and a believer who has international
A morning study class, Green Acre, 1941.
contact told me recently
that many taking part in the great
tragedy of war are becoming blind
and deaf from the shattering of the
nerves. What a bounty it is to be
able to braille the Holy Writings for
such souls, that their spiritual sight
and hearing may be quickened.
COMMITTEE ON BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTION
Youth Activities for The Bahá’í World, Vol. IX[edit]
Today Bahá’í youth are helping to mold Bahá’u’lláh’s new world order. They are quietly but certainly making history. Shoghi Effendi desires a permanent record. Volumes of The Bahá’í World, appearing every two years, will tell the future how the new world order was established.
One small division in the ninth volume of The Bahá’í World will portray youth’s part during the period April 21, 1940 to April 21, 1942. It is not known just when the Guardian will ask for the delivery of the manuscript, and therefore material must be gathered and written up now, though it will not cover the entire period. The international secretary for Bahá’í youth has received very little information from abroad. These troubled times call for a double responsibility from the Americas.
All readers of Bahá’í News who have any news, reports, articles, photographs (glossy print, if possible), helpful letters, newspaper clippings and editorials, which pertain to Bahá’í youth anywhere in the world, should send them immediately to Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, 902 S. Orme Street, Arlington, Va. It is thought that some individuals may have received letters containing valuable information on youth work during the above-mentioned period from friends abroad. This material is most important, and the cooperation of all Bahá’ís, not only the youth, is sought.
What are young people doing in the pioneer field? What do you hear from friends in distant lands, and in Central and South Americas? How are Bahá’í men facing the draft? What experiences are they having? What organizations are listening to Bahá’í youth speakers? How do the newspapers react? What are some new approaches and some outstanding achievements of our youth? Do you have any group pictures? These questions should receive many answers. And many others could be asked. Children are not to be forgotten.
Please help make this issue of The Bahá’í World informative and helpful. Information must be sent to the already-mentioned address now.
- THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD
- EDITORIAL COMMITTEE
- THE BAHÁ’Í WORLD
West Chester Assembly Observes Anniversary[edit]
On September 14, 1941, along the historic Brandywine, a picnic was held at the summer home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lewis, to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of the Bahá’í Center, by the West Chester Community of Bahá’ís.
The large gathering was comprised
of thirty-one Bahá’ís and twenty-five
non-Bahá’ís from New York,
Philadelphia, Wilmington, Del.;
Clifton Heights, Pa.; and West Chester;[Page 7]
who were greatly impressed
with the spirit or friendship and
brotherhood.
The following speakers of the day were introduced by Mr. William Bowers, chairman; Mrs. Mary Belle Hammond, West Chester, Pa; Mrs. Charles Hornung, West Chester, Pa.; Mr. Benjamin Shreibman, Philadelphia, Pa; Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Kalantar, Wilmington, Del.; and Mr. Butler, one of the colored friends from Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Nancy Lee Bowers, one of our Bahá’í Youth, brought to a close the speaking part of our program by reading the Prayer for Unity.
In Memoriam[edit]
I have made death a messenger of joy to thee; wherefore dost thou grieve?——BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
- Mrs. Mary D. O’Shea.
- Pebble Beach, Calif.
Enrollments and Transfers[edit]
Baltimore, five. Los Angeles, four. Chicago, three. New York, four. Newark, two. Peoria, two. St. Paul, two. Richmond Highlands, two. Seattle, two. Springfield, Mass., one. Indianapolis, one. Boston, one. Glendale, one. Washington, one. Phoenix, one. New Haven, one. Urbana, one. Syracuse, two and one youth.
Enrollments of isolated believers reported in October—fourteen.
Bahá’í Calendar[edit]
Nineteen Day Feasts: Power, November 4; Speech, November 23; Questions, December 12; Honor, December 31.
Anniversaries: Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12; Day of the Covenant, November 26; Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, November 28.
Meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly: at Wilmette, November 14, 15, 16; at Wilmette, January 2, 3, 4, 1942.
Bahá’í Schools: Louhelen School, Winter session, December 26, 1941 to January 1, 1942.
Bahá’í Directory[edit]
Additions and Revisions to October 29
ASSEMBLIES
Honolulu, T. H. Change pf address. Miss Henrietta From, Secretary, 70 North Judd Street.
Scranton, Pa. Until further notice address
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of West Chester, Pennsylvania, newly established April 21, 1941.
Mrs. Rachel Lloyd, Acting Secretary,
325 Adams Street.
Oak Park, III., Omaha, Neb., and Pittsburgh, Pa. Dissolved for lack of numbers.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
COMMITEE ON THE AMERICAN MEMORIAL TO ’ABDU’L-BAHÁ
Mrs. Edith Inglis, Chairman, 4641 Grosvenor Street, Fieldston, New York, N. Y.
Miss Juliet Thompson
Curtis Kelsey
Roy C. Wilhelm
Philip Sprague
Mrs. Carrie Kinney
COMMITTEE ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS
BRAILLE TRANSCRIPTIONS
New members added: Mrs. Frank Duckett, Mrs. Mayme, Jackson.
WORLD ORDER EDITORIAL
Editorial correspondence to be conducted by Mrs. Alice S. Cox, 1109 West Gift Avenue, Peoria, Ill. New member added: Miss Garreta Busey.
CHILD EDUCATION
Mrs. George R. True unable to serve.
CONTACTS
New member added: Mrs. George R. True.
GEYSERVILLE SCHOOL
New member added: Mrs. Amelia Bowman. Mrs. Olive Meyer unable to serve.
REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEES
The title of the committee appointed as the Regional Teaching Committee for Western Ontario changed to Committee for Ontario.
Southern New York. New member added: Miss O. B. Crum. Mrs. John O. Honnold unable to serve.
Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia. New members added: Mrs. John O. Honnold, Miss Elsie Austin.
California, Nevada. Mrs. Violet Currie unable to serve. New member added: Robert Willis.
International News[edit]
1. Australia and New Zealand
The N.S.A. teaching campaign has
been uppermost in our thoughts during
the last weeks and the friends
in all centers have prayed earnestly
for its success. The main effort
was centered on Brisbane which no
Bahá’í Teacher has visited since
Father and Mother Dunn worked
there some twenty years ago. They
met with very little response at that
time, notwithstanding the great effort
put forward. Miss Brooks, her
sister Mrs. Hawthorne, Mrs. Moffitt
and later Mrs. Routh made a frontal
attack with nothing more than
a few introductions from friends to
people they thought might be interested
in the message. As soon as
they arrived in Brisbane unexpected
doors opened and, reinforced by
the prayers of the Guardian and
friends, they went from victory to
victory. After the classes and lectures
several sought membership
and an enthusiastic group was
formed. The enormous distances,
the scarcity of teachers and lack
[Page 8]
of adequate funds have been factors
preventing much teaching work being
undertaken in the past. This new
group in Brisbane must be nurtured
into the Faith and we believe that
the means both in personnel and
funds will be forthcoming for further
follow-up work.
It was amply demonstrated during the campaign that the time is now for a concentration of effort on introducing the message to new districts. The Sydney Assembly is increasing its membership rapidly and we feel confident that both from here and Adelaide teachers will be raised up for the spreading of the great glad tidings all over Australia.
Miss Brooks and Mrs. Routh, the two lecturers, deserve the thanks and congratulations of all the friends for their fine work, also Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Hawthorne for their wonderful support and help in organizing the campaign. Surely Bahá’u’lláh has blessed abundantly their selfless labors.
A Study Group has been formed in Brisbane, Queensland, and is now functioning with Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, as a result of the teaching campaign in that city undertaken by Mrs. Moffitt, Mrs. Hawthorne and Miss Hilda Brooks, for one month, and Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Routh for another three weeks.
Ably organized by Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Hawthorne the work went with a swing from the first days. Contacts were made, invitations to lectures sent out and the lectures impressively advertised. In the first week the assistance and advice of Mr. O’Bryen Hoare, poet and teacher of public speaking, opened many doors. He had heard from a non-Bahá’í source that the Bahá’ís were in Brisbane and although unacquainted with them, he ’phoned soon after their arrival and proffered his advice and assistance. In him the Bahá’ís found a good friend whose advice and introductions enabled them to make many contacts.
Miss Brooks was the lecturer. Her first lecture, “Bahá’u’lláh and a New World Order,” were given on the evening of May 12th, and was attended by sixty people. The lecture was most enthusiastically received and proved to be the prelude to a successful campaign. The press report of the lecture enhanced the prestige of the Bahá’ís, assisted in spreading the knowledge of the Teachings in Queensland and led to inquiries and requests for literature. This report was also broadcast over the air, and as a result an interview was requested by the Social Editress of “Queensland Country Life,” a weekly publication which reaches the graziers and primary producers throughout Queensland. A report of this interview appeared later in that paper. The Social Editress arranged an interview for Miss Brooks with the Assistant Manager of The Queensland Primary Producers’ Co-operative Association.
In addition to the advertised lectures Miss Brooks gave talks at meetings for inquiries and at social gatherings. A Study Group was quickly formed and by the end of the month, three Brisbane men and one lady had spoken at Study Group meetings. At one Study Group meeting, Mr. Jim Heggie, a Bahá’í of Sydney who was in Brisbane for some days, delighted all with his fluently expressed viewpoints. Mr. Bedgood was elected Chairman of the Brisbane Study Group, Mr. Richards Secretary and Mrs. Donald Treasurer.
Many people visited Miss Brooks at her hotel for personal interviews, one of these being a representative of 4BK Broadcasting Station. Miss Brooks gave a lecture at the Theosophical Society’s meeting after which there were many requests for literature.
Bahá’í books were in great demand throughout the visit. Miss Brooks said, “Although we took a parcel of books with us we had to send for three more parcels.”
Beginning June 2nd Mrs. Routh gave a series of lectures and talks all of which were cordially received. Whilst making new contacts Mrs. Routh and Mrs. Moffitt energetically followed up and consolidated the work done in the first month. The good attendances and interest were fully maintained and the Study Group placed on a firm footing. The two ladies were given a farewell social by the Study Group on the eve of their departure from Brisbane. On this occasion Mrs. Routh took ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the subject of her talk and so vividly did she portray His exemplary life her hearers were deeply moved.
The splendid organization and publicity work of Mrs. Moffitt and Mrs. Hawthorne in the first weeks contributed largely to the success of the campaign and the united prayers of the dear believers of Australia and New Zealand and the beloved Guardian at the Holy Shrines, assured the teachers of protection, guidance and success. They felt assisted every moment.
The election results have been delayed owing to a tie vote necessitating a second ballot for one member. This has caused the publication of the Quarterly to be later than usual. The full list is not yet to hand but the following are declared elected to the National Spiritual Assembly for 1941-42:
Miss Hilda Brooks, Mrs. Emily M. Axford, Mrs. Silver Jackman, Mrs. Charlotte Moffitt, Mr. Robert Brown, Mrs. O. J. Routh, Mr. O. A. Whitaker, Miss Ethel A. Blundell, (9th name not yet received).
2. British Isles
Summer School was held in Bradford from July 26th to August 4th, and was a great success. For a long while we searched for a suitable place in the country in which to hold it, but in vain; and, as a last resort, and in some doubt, we decided to have it in one of the big towns where there is a Bahá’í Center. There seemed to be difficulties in such a scheme, and we were afraid it would not be nearly so successful as in previous years, but these fears were unjustified. In spite of the fact that most of us lived in a hotel quite a walk away from the Bahá’í Center, which meant a great deal of coming and going through the town, and in spite of the fact that the Bradford friends did not, of course, live with us at all, but went to their own homes each night — in spite of all this, Summer School was all we hoped for and more, and was a truly wonderful experience for those who attended it.
During Summer School the following cable was sent to the Guardian:
“Summer School opens auspiciously public attracted friends happy. Hearts warmed your loving messages. Beg continual supplication divine assistance. Deepest love.”
And just after Summer School closed the following reply was received:
“Overjoyed success attending ever expanding institutions Faith. Continually supplicating unfailing protection ever increasing blessings. Eternal gratitude.”
