Bahá’í News/Issue 152/Text
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| No. 152 | YEAR 99, BAHÁ’Í ERA | April, 1942 |
Communications from the Guardian[edit]
“(My) overburdened mind relieved, (my) saddened heart comforted, (by) American Bahá’í Community’s high resolve (and by) National Assembly’s dual decision (to) consummate exterior ornamentation (and) authorize construction (of) steps (of) Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. Undismayed (by) vastness (of) unfinished tasks, undaunted (by) physical obstacles raised (by) world-encircling conflict, fortified (by) consciousness (of) past victories, spurred on (by) urgency (and) solemnity (of the) hour, undeflected (by) machinations (and) faithlessness (of the) breakers (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s (and) ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Covenants, American believers must unanimously pledge themselves (to) subordinate every activity, canalize every resource, exert every ounce (of) effort (to) insure befitting discharge (of their) supreme one responsibility (to) carry (the) light (of the) Faith (and) cast (the) anchor (of the) administrative order (in) every Canadian province, every North American state, every republic (of) Latin America. (The) Concourse on high applaud, bless (and) envy (the) mission fallen (to the) lot (of) such stalwart champions laboring so ably, (so) valiantly, for so mighty (a) Cause, under such tragic circumstances, in so promising (a) field, at so significant (a) period (in) Bahá’í history.”
Cablegram received March 14, 1942.
Dear and valued co-workers:
The entry of the United States of
America into the war invests it with
the character of a truly world-embracing
crisis, designed to release
world-shaking, world-shaping
forces, which, as they operate, and
mount in intensity, will throw down
the barriers that hinder the emergence
of that world community
which the World Religion of Bahá’u’lláh
has anticipated and can alone
permanently establish. It marks a
milestone on the road which must
lead the peoples of the North American
continent to the glorious destiny
that awaits them. It confronts the
American Bahá’í community, already
so well advanced in the prosecution
of their Seven Year Plan,
with a challenge at once severe and
inescapable. The exterior ornamentation
of their consecrated Edifice
has been providentially expedited to
a point where its completion is now
assured. The intercontinental and
national teaching campaigns, that
constitute the second and even
more vital aspect of that plan,
though progressing magnificently in
the States, in Canada and throughout
Latin America, are still far from
having attained their consummation.
The obstacles which the extension
of the war to the Western Hemisphere
has raised are, I am well
aware, manifold and formidable.
The heroic self-sacrifice exhibited by
the North American Bahá’í community
will, I am confident, surmount
them. The Hand of Omnipotence,
which has led so mighty a member
of the human race to plunge into
the turmoil of world disaster, that
has provided thereby the means for
the effective and decisive participation
of so promising a nation in the
immediate trials and the future
reconstruction of human society, will
not and cannot allow those who are
directly, consciously and worthily
promoting the highest interests of
their nation and of the world, to fall
short of the accomplishment of their
God-given task. He will, more than
ever before in their history, pour
out His blessings upon them, if they
refuse to allow the present circumstances,
grievous though they are, to
interfere with the full and the uninterrupted
execution of this initial
undertaking in pursuance of their
world mission. The coming two
years must witness, fraught as they
may well be with the greatest ordeal
afflicting their countrymen, a
manifestation of spiritual vitality and an
output of heroic action, commensurate
with the gravity and afflictions
of the present hour, and worthy of
[Page 2]
the concluding years of the first
Bahá’í century. —SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine
January 15, 1942.
Shoghi Effendi, much as he deeply appreciates the donations of the N.S.A., representing as they do the contribution of the friends to the World interests of the Faith, feels very strongly that from now on the N.S.A. should concentrate all their resources on the fulfillment of the Seven Year Plan, including any money they might, in their love and devotion, wish to send to him for the Faith here. Will you kindly convey to your fellow-National Assembly members, both the expression of his deep gratitude for this latest contribution, and his wish that it be the last of them until the Plan is completed in triumph?
Haifa, Palestine
January 13, 1942.
Tablet to the Americas
Regarding the efforts that have been made by Mr. Remey in connection with the Tablet supposed to have been revealed by Bahá’u’lláh to the Americas: the Guardian has already written Mr. Remey that no such Tablet was revealed. In the Aqdas, however, Bahá’u’lláh addresses the rulers and presidents of the American Republics. This has given rise to the misapprehension that He addressed a Tablet to them similar to His Epistles to some of the rulers in Europe.
Acceptance of Election
Concerning the question of refusal by certain believers to accept election to an administrative post: the Guardian strongly feels that criticism, opposition, or confusion do not provide sufficient grounds for either refusal or resignation. Only cases of physical or mental incapacity, which, by their very nature, are extremely rare, constitute valid reasons for such an act. The difficulties and tests involved in the acceptance of administrative posts, far from inducing the believers to dissociate themselves from the work of the Cause, should spur them on to greater exertions and to a more active participation in the privileged task of resolving the problems that confront the Bahá’í community. Only in cases where individual believers, without any valid reason, deliberately refuse the repeated exhortations, pleas, and warnings addressed to them by their Assemblies, should action be taken in removing them from the voting list. This is a measure designed to sustain the institutions of the Faith at the present time, and to insure that the abilities and talents of its, as yet, limited number of supporters are properly consecrated to its service. The believers, for the sake of the Cause, now in the period of its infancy, should accept their duties in a spirit of self-sacrifice, and should be animated by the desire to uphold the verdict of the electorate, and to lend their share of assistance, however difficult the circumstances, to the effective administration of the affairs of the Faith.
The same sanction should apply to those who persistently refuse to dissociate themselves from political and ecclesiastical activities. This is a general principle which is being maintained throughout the Bahá’í world, and the believers throughout the East are already aware of the absolute necessity of refusing any political or Moslem ecclesiastical office.
Formation of Assemblies in Villages
The Guardian approves the action taken by your Assembly recognizing villages as civil units suitable for the formation of local Assemblies in States where there are no townships, and the county unit is too large for united action by a Bahá’í community.
Assembly Members and Committee Appointments
Regarding the non-appointment of Assembly members to membership on national committees, the Guardian firmly believes that no such principle should be recognized. Those who are best fitted for the specific work assigned to the committees should be elected, irrespective of their membership on either national or local Assemblies. The greater the pressure on those who shoulder both committee and Assembly responsibilities, the greater the reward and the richer the blessings vouchsafed to those who willingly and gratefully sustain this double burden.
Concentration on Seven-Year Plan
In conclusion, the Guardian wishes to re–emphasize the necessity of concentrating during the remaining two years, and in spite of America’s entry into the war, all the resources of the Community on the final aspect of the Seven Year Plan, which can alone bring it to a successful consummation. The difficulties that have arisen should stimulate the friends to greater and still more heroic exertions on behalf of a Cause which they have served and are still serving with such exemplary tenacity, fidelity, vigor, courage and devotion. January 15, 1942.
Corrections in Cablegram Received February 9, 1942[edit]
The cable company has corrected one sentence in the text of this cablegram received from Shoghi Effendi, and the friends are advised to note the following sentence which replaces the sentence as phrased in the February issue of Bahá’í News—
“The enviable North American Bahá’í community must, supported by (its) daughter Assemblies in the Western Hemisphere, hold the fort alone it necessary.”
Letters to Believers[edit]
With the Guardian’s consent, the two following excerpts from letters written by him to believers share with the friends.
“There is a fundamental difference between Divine Revelation as vouchsafed by God to His prophets, and the spiritual experiences and visions which individuals may have. The latter should, under no circumstances, be construed as constituting an infallible source of guidance, even for the person experiencing them.” —From letter to Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, November 1, 1940.
“In the matter of teaching, as repeatedly and emphatically stated, particularly in his ‘Advent of Divine Justice’, the Guardian does not wish the believers to make the slightest discrimination, even though this may result in provoking opposition or criticism from any individual, class or institution. The call of Bahá’u’lláh, being universal, should be addressed with equal force to all the peoples, classes and nations of the world, irrespective of any religious, racial, political or class distinction or difference.
“In America, where racial prejudice
is still so widely prevalent, it is
[Page 3]
the responsibility of the believers to
combat and uproot it with all their
force, first by endeavoring to introduce
into the Cause as many racial
and minority groups as they can
approach and teach, and second by
stimulating close fellowship and
intercourse between them and the rest
of the community.”
“It should be the paramount concern of your committee to foster this aim through every means available. Not only the colored people, who because of the increasing receptivity they are evincing to the Message truly deserve special attention, but all other minorities, whether racial or religious, such as Jews or Red Indians, all alike should be contacted and confirmed. The greater the receptivity of a particular class or group, the stronger should work the desire and determination of the believers to attract and teach its members. In a time when the whole world is steeped in prejudices of race, class and nation, the Bahá’ís, by upholding firmly and loyally this cardinal principle of their Faith, can best hope to vindicate its truth, and establish its right to bring order and peace out of the chaos and strife of this war-torn world.”—From letter to Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Chairman, Race Unity Committee, February, 1941.
“A Challenge at Once Severe and Inescapable”[edit]
To the Spiritual Assemblies, Communities and groups of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.
Beloved Friends:
The revered Guardian bids us measure our spiritual responsibility of the unit of the single hour. Each span of sixty minutes allotted to us brings its own unique opportunity and its challenge. To rise into this new and holier atmosphere of light we must leave personal preoccupations and treasures behind.
“The Hand of Omnipotence . . . will not and cannot allow those who are directly, consciously and worthily promoting the highest interests of their nation and of the world, to fall short of the accomplishment of their God-given task.”
How can we grasp, and utilize, an occasion for service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh whose immensity is so far beyond our limited powers?
Obedience to a spiritual command implies, first, a turning of the whole
Temple model displayed at Keen’s Flower Shop, Phoenix, Arizona, February 16 to March 4, 1942
being to the command, then a complete readiness to permit the command to use our lives for its perfect consummation. We need not lament that we are not wiser, stronger, more learned, younger or having more liberty of action. For that lament is in itself a distraction from the command. All we can give is what we have and are at the moment the command comes.
If the power behind the command were not greater than we, it would not be a spiritual summons. That power knows us better than we know ourselves. It simply asks for obedience—not for reasons why we are unable to obey conveniently until some later time. The spiritual power has but one criterion, whether the individual believer wills to obey or interposes the veil of self-will which would bar the spirit out.
For the institution likewise, the command brings supreme challenge and test. Does our Assembly, our Committee, our fireside group, our Nineteen Day Feast concentrate all its forces upon response to the command to teach; or do we allow ourselves to be diverted by secondary matters which blind us to the Divine command that we establish His Cause throughout North, Central and South America?
The teaching work has become our first concern. “The exterior ornamentation of their consecrated Edifice has been providentially expedited to a point where its completion is now assured.” The value of each institution will be estimated in these days by its capacity to contribute to the intercontinental teaching campaign. The administrative elements of consultation, authority, function—all today must bear fruit in the spreading of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in the North, in the South, in the East and in the West.
Great and mighty tasks have been done in the history of the Cause in America, but the past has been the making of the tools and the acquirement of capacity to use them, for the Victory which is to crown the conclusion of the first Century of the Bahá’í Era in 1944.
May we all become more mindful
of the teachings and the sacred
[Page 4]
nature of consultation and unity in
service to Bahá’u’lláh. “He will,
more than ever before in their history,
pour out His blessings upon
them, if they refuse to allow the
present circumstances, grievous
though they are, to interfere with
the full and the uninterrupted execution
of this initial undertaking in pursuance
of their world mission.”
- Faithfully yours,
Annual Convention[edit]
Announcements
Dates of Convention sessions: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, April 30, May 1, 2 and 3, 1942, to be held in Foundation Hall, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette.
Public meeting, Wednesday evening, April 29. Plans are under way for a Race Unity dinner and public program in Chicago, Wednesday evening, April 29, conducted by the National Race Unity Committee and the Chicago Assembly jointly at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly. Tickets to the dinner are $1.50, and orders should be sent at once to Mrs. H. E. Walrath, Secretary, 4639 Beacon St., Chicago, Ill.
Convention Committee: Edna True, General Chairman; Mrs. Carl Hannen, Chairman of Housing and Hospitality Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.; John Haggard, Chairman of Information Bureau; Mrs. Harriet Hilpert, Mrs. May Scheffler, Committee on dining arrangements.
Ridvan Feast, Friday evening, May 1, after sunset. Program by Milwaukee Assembly; Refreshments by Chicago Assembly.
Morning devotional period, conducted by Waukegan Assembly.
Convention photograph, early Saturday afternoon, May 2.
Public meeting in Foundation Hall of the Temple, Sunday, 3:30 p.m. May 3.
Believers wishing rooms in Wilmette should make reservations through the Housing and Hospitality Committee. The Committee will also secure rooms at a hotel in Evanston for those who prefer these accommodations. Believers who make their own hotel reservation can select any available hotel they prefer, among them being: North Shore Hotel, Hotel Evanston, Orrington Hotel, The Homestead, and the Georgian.
Convention theme: “The Unfinished Tasks of the Seven Year Plan”—
- a. Unoccupied States and Provinces
of North America.
- b. Restoration of Dissolved Spiritual
Assemblies.
- c. Latin American Countries Without
Pioneers or Groups.
- d. Completion of Temple Construction.
For presentation of reports, plans and projects for the coming year in relation to these tasks, as well as general discussion, a session has been assigned to the National Teaching Committee, the Inter-America Committee, the Committee on Assembly Development and the Temple Trustees respectively.
The general subject of “Our Facilities for Accomplishing These Tasks” is assigned in the Agenda to three consecutive sessions, with reference to the functions and activities of the following Committees: Race Unity, Bahá’í Schools, Publicity, Radio, Contacts, Library, Exhibits, Child Education, Youth, and World Order Magazine.
A printed Agenda will be sent each delegate with a blank ballot about April 1.
Canadian Bahá’í Fund[edit]
Since its inception in October, 1940, a total of $2,875.03 was received. On January 31, 1942, there was a bank balance of $653.44, with two outstanding checks amounting to $150.00, leaving a net balance of $505.44 on hand. During this period, five pioneer teachers were maintained in the Middle West and Maritime Provinces. A great deal of work has been accomplished by these devoted and sacrificing friends; a great deal remains to be done to fulfil our obligations to establish an assembly in every Province of the Dominion before April, 1944. There are excellent prospects that before long a few of the remaining Provinces will be settled, but some of the other Assemblies are working and need strengthening and the help and assistance of outside teachers are indicated in order not only to keep alive these Assemblies but to insure their strength and endurance.
In order to attain our goal, a constant flow of funds is necessary and we are confident that the sacrifice and devotion of the believers will not fail in answer to the repeated appeals made by our beloved Guardian and the reward of happiness promised for us who have proven and are proving their sacrifice and devotion is so great as to dazzle our greatest imagination.
The writer wishes to express his gratitude and satisfaction and would like to refer to a letter received lately from one of the largest contributors to the Fund, which stated that ever since he contributed, his business is prospering and the more he contributes the more his business is increasing.
How to Send Contributions[edit]
In sending contributions to the National Fund, the friends are advised to use checks or postal orders and not to send cash. A number of letters have been received inquiring about contributions sent by believers which have failed to arrive at the Treasurer’s Office. Lost postal orders or checks can be replaced, but if cash disappears in transmission it is difficult to recover.
Notice About Status of Believers Absent from Their Community for Civil Defense or Draft Service[edit]
The important question has arisen whether to transfer to the isolated list the believers who leave their community temporarily in connection with civil defense or military duty. The National Assembly has adopted the principle that such believers should not be transferred, but listed as voting members temporarily absent, where the intention is to return and permanent residence has not been established elsewhere. Their local Assembly is urged to keep in close touch with these friends and see that their copy of Bahá’í News is forwarded.
Village Unit a Recognized Civil Area[edit]
Shoghi Effendi has approved, in a letter published in this number of Bahá’í News, an action of the National Spiritual Assembly taken in August, 1941, in order to meet a situation reported by a Regional Teaching Committee.
The question was, whether to approve
the formation of a Spiritual
Assembly in an unincorporated village
[Page 5]
located in a State which has no
townships, and in a county too large
to serve as area for one local Spiritual
Assembly.
The National Assembly, recognizing the need for clarification of this important matter in localities having conditions not met by any previous definition of areas of local jurisdiction, recorded the following view:—
“Voted to adopt the principle that in the matter of Assembly areas in a county which is too large to be a Bahá’í administrative unit, and which county contains no townships, in such cases the National Spiritual Assembly will recognize a permanent unincorporated civil community having definite geographical boundaries as an area suitable for the establishment of a Spiritual Assembly.”
The action was then referred to the Guardian and approved by him.
This means, in brief, that nine or more Bahá’ís living in an unincorporated village can form a local Spiritual Assembly, provided the village has a definite area for establishing the fact of residence, and provided the county has no township which could serve as an Assembly area for believers residing outside any incorporated town or city in the township.
Passages Suitable for Reading Prior to Bahá’í Elections[edit]
1. Bahá’í Administration, p. 21, par. 1
2. Bahá’í Administration, p. 21, par. 3,
- “The prime requisites . . . Threshold.”
3. Bahá’í Administration, p. 78, par. 2,
- sentence 5, 6, 7, “How great . . .
- experience.”
4. Bahá’í Administration, p. 126, “The
- elector is called upon . . . uphold.”
5. Bahá’í Administration, p. 55, 56,
- “Again . . . fulfilled.”
Prayers
Bahá’í Prayers, ed. 1941, p. 55, par. 1 Bahá’í Prayers, ed. 1941, p. 56 Prayers and Meditations, p. 173, “I
- beseech Thee . . . p. 174, the
- Self-Subsisting.”
Inter-America News[edit]
The whole Bahá’í world should be very gratified at the reports of our pioneers in the Latin - American field. We may, with security, expect to see the organization of Spiritual Assemblies in several of the countries
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Atlanta, Georgia
on April 21. Clarence Iverson
has sent us several new registration
cards and assures us that San
Salvador now has the required number
for organization. Clarence also
reports that he was recently invited
to be the announcer of a Salvadorian
Radio program which went to 62
stations over CBS.
John Eichenauer will remain in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, until after the organization of a Spiritual Assembly in that country when he will proceed to Guatemala to take up the teaching work there. These two young men have made a very estimable reputation in Central America and we find them becoming valuable factors in the life of the countries apart from their actual teaching efforts.
Chile
Mrs. Atwater sends the most cheering news from Chile. Several of those who have accepted the Faith in Santiago have removed to other cities and are planning to establish study classes there. Mrs. Atwater has been at her post for some time over a year and she has returned home for a change but will make arrangement to go back. Work is now going on in Valparaiso and the Assembly in Santiago will organize on April 21.
Brazil
As mails are very slow we do not hear regularly from the cities on the east coast, but a recent letter from Mrs. Leonora Holsapple Armstrong offers to any pioneer to Brazil the use of her apartment in Rio or of part of her house in Bahia. We are so greatly in need of pioneers in that huge country and with the Guardian’s words still ringing in our ears to do everything to facilitate the teaching work in Central and South America we are earnestly appealing to the friends to give this subject their prayerful consideration.
New Spanish Translation
Very recently the manuscript of the Spanish translation of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh was received. The work of translating was done in Buenos Aires by Dr. Tormo and Sr. Ricci with some assistance of Miss Lillian McRae. After that was completed the manuscript was brought to this country where Sr. Ricci and Sra. Arias of New York reviewed it together. We are assured of the excellence of the translation, and hope that it will soon be in print. (The book is now on the press.)
Radio Broadcasts
We are reminded by Mrs. Sylvia
King that she has arranged two
Spanish broadcasts which are the
first which have occurred and that
Mrs. Amalia Ford and she were the
speakers. Word has been received
[Page 6]
from Chile and also from Brazil that
they were picked up and although
not very plain, furnished great joy
to the listeners among the Bahá’ís
when they heard for the first time
the name of Bahá’u’lláh spoken over
the air.
Publicity
San José (Costa Rica), Havana and Santiago have recently had fine publicity about the Cause, and there is scarcely a month passes that we do not receive word that John Eichenauer has written an article for some Central American paper; and also Buenos Aires has done her share of bringing the Cause before the reading public. To all centers recently we have sent copies of the planography of the Temple hoping that this may awaken interest and can be used in the news.
Havana
Miss Josephine Kruka writes from Havana that the Center is used every day for meetings of one kind or another and that she has a class for children which is quite remarkable as they are learning English and at the same time learning about the Cause, that they are very enthusiastic and as we have seen a photograph of the group we are assured of the radiance of their faces.
Bolivia
Arrangements have been made to send Miss Flora E. Hottes as a pioneer to Bolivia and we understand that she will depart about April 2 on her important mission.
Venezuela
The matter of Venezuela is still concerns us and we are hoping to hear of someone who will take up this work. This country is said to be so lovely and we know that Miss Rhoads loves it, but she finds it difficult to introduce the Faith and we feel that we would like to assist her by sending someone who has a profession by which he would be able to support himself.
Opening in Panama
Word has come that a new believer in Panama has a photograph studio, which he offers to a pioneer wishing to settle in that country, one who can conduct the business. This seems to be an opportunity for some American Bahá’í to enter the pioneer field under conditions enabling him to become self-supporting. For details, write the established pioneer teachers, Mrs. Cora Oliver and Mrs. Louise Caswell, P. O. Box 1296, Canal Zone.
Appeal for Pioneers[edit]
The Inter-America Committee begs the friends to consider the fact that in all the vast continent of South America we have only about ten teachers, yet the Guardian has so stressed the work of the Inter-Continental teaching that he has contributed towards its success! Our pioneer teachers have done and are doing yeoman service, but we must have assistance. We seek young people and particularly request that even if it is not possible to go into the field at once that any intention to go be made known to us and that it be borne in mind that in Brazil, where the greatest need seems to be, only Portuguese is spoken. We are assured of financial assistance from the National Fund and there is work for those who are prepared and are resourceful.
- INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE
Publishing Committee[edit]
Study Outlines
Announcement is made of two new Study Outlines which offer a helpful group approach to the study and discussion of subjects of fundamental Bahá’í importance.
Introduction to the Study of the Qur’án, prepared by Study Outline Committee. This 25-page outline enables a group to take up the study of the Qur’án, knowledge of which is so important for Bahá’ís. It includes: The Guardian’s words on how to study the Qur’án, Explanation of Qur’anic symbols, and 10 Lessons preceded by a Plan of Study which explains that certain general and important topics of the Qur’án have been selected as subjects for the 10 lessons, which may be studied by individual believers or made the basis of group discussion. References are to the Rodwell translation of the Qur’án. The price per copy, $0.35.
The Kitáb-i-Iqán, Bahá’u’lláh’s Book of Certitude, prepared by Horace Holley. This outline carries the student through the work which the Guardian described as “this book of unsurpassed preeminence among the writings of the Author of the Bahá’í Revelation,” not by dealing with the book consecutively but considering it as a number of fundamental subjects: The Path of Faith, Prophecy and Symbol, God in Manifestation, The Presence of God, The Return. Each subject indexed with sub-subjects and their references in the text. 6 pages. Per copy, $0.20.
Send orders for these and other books and pamphlets to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
World Order[edit]
With the publishing of the March 1942 issue, World Order Magazine completes its seventh yearly volume, and subscribers can now send in their 12 copies dating from April, 1941, to and including March, 1942 for binding.
Bound copies of Vol. VII, dating from April 1941-March 1942 are obtainable at $2.00 per copy, postage prepaid, to any address in the United States, American possessions, Canada, or wherever postal service is available. Subscribers who wish their own copies bound, can mail them in World Order, 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois, and have them bound for $1.20, return postage included. Missing copies are supplied at 15c each.
The new volume is bound in dark green pebbled fabrikoid, head and foot band, gold letter stamping on back-strip, uniform in style and finish with previous volumes.
Complete index of titles and name of authors covering all articles in this volume, appears in the March, 1942 issue and illustrates the wide scope of the many all-important features reflecting the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and of lasting value to all believers of the Bahá’í Faith.
Address Business Manager, World Order Magazine, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
National Press Book[edit]
The American press is responding to the increased activities of the American Bahá’í Community in their Seven Year Plan. The Press Books of 1941-1942 as of February 15th this year carry clippings from 30 states and provinces of the United States and Canada as well as from Alaska, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Cuba, Nicaragua, Argentina, China and India. The English, Spanish, German and Finnish languages are represented.
Four factors predominate in local
[Page 7]
news items about which long and
short articles have been written.
These include Convention activities,
Regional Teaching Conferences,
Summer School Sessions and Temple
progress.
The Press Books close March 31 this year to be prepared for the Convention. Many publicity clippings will be mailed in on or before that date which we will report later as the Press Books grow.
In May last year our friend Dave Hoff of the Associated Press asked for material on the Temple for a special article to be released through their special feature department. In November the Associated Press released Mr. Hoff’s well-written article with a picture of the Temple which was timely last May. Since November 16 we have received in clipping form this article from eleven different papers. In many cases the local editors had changed the wording. The article appeared in Birmingham, Alabama; New Haven, Conn.; Springfield, Mass.; Rochester, N.Y.; Portsmouth, N. H.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Allentown, Pa.; Omaha, Neb.; Indianapolis, Ind.; San Francisco, Cal.; and New York City in a German language paper.
The Chicago metropolitan papers are taking an increased interest in the Temple as it nears completion. During last Convention all four papers carried good articles on the meetings and personnel. In June, one paper carried a short story on the nine texts over the entrances. In September the Tribune carried a long article in its Sunday metropolitan section. In October this same paper carried material on the Temple twice in the “Line ’O Type” column on the editorial page. The first quarter column was given to this at one time, later a poem written by an outsider appeared in this column. At present three papers have special material and pictures for releases of their own later in the year.
In Illinois new towns appear on the index sheet as a result of the Regional Teaching Committee. These include, Lake Forest, Skokie, Glenview and Moline. Morton, Illinois published material on Bahá’í meeting through the efforts of Hazel Foster of Peoria. Dixon, carried picture of the Temple with an article through a Bahá’í friend of the editor, Mrs. Hopper of Port Chester, N. Y. The
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Honolulu, incorporated under charter granted July 12,1940, amended 1942
friends of Oak Park, Urbana and
Peoria have been successful in their
publicity efforts. Mrs. Matthisen
has been successful in many types
of publicity in the Antioch paper;
announcements of radio talks,
Bahá’í prayers published without
comment, Library book gift, Temple
activities and meetings. The
Waukegan friends have been very
successful in using a great deal of
publicity in two papers for every
meeting.
In Indiana both the Fort Wayne and South Bend groups have reported notices of meetings in clippings. The Indianapolis friends found a Race Unity Conference a successful medium for publicity.
In Iowa, the Davenport papers carried a number of articles on the activities of the Regional Committee there.
From Wisconsin, our Press Books have pages of publicity from Milwaukee and Racine. The Racine friends have been unique in their consistent success in having notices, articles and pictures published.
Michigan state reports material from the papers of Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Flint, Davison, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Ludington. New this year is the report of an Inter-Community conference in the Hart Journal. Also new is the clipping from the Houghton Mining Gazette resulting from Miss Josephine Kruka’s work. The numerous activities at the Louhelen School as well as many inter-Community Conferences are reflected throughout the Bahá’í publicity of the state. Mrs. Bertha Kirkpatrick, alone in Olivet, has sent us clippings on the Cause. One unusual article on the Bahá’í attitude toward war appeared in Grosse Pointe.
The Canadian friends found their Western Canadian Regional meeting of August 29 lucrative in publicity. The papers of Vernon, B. C. Armstrong and Enderby replied to their efforts; The Calgary Herald of Winnipeg reported this Conference as well as other activities of Rowland Estall. The Edmonton papers reported the Bahá’í work of Emeric Sala in that city. The Vancouver paper reported the Bahá’í marriage of Ann Wylie and Roland McGee.
This report will be continued monthly to include all the publicity which has come from the files of the Bahá’í News Service Committee. We sincerely hope that the friends will send all their material in, as it will be invaluable in the future as archive material when history is rewritten.
Study Outlines[edit]
As there is no study outlines on
several important books and subjects
at the present time the Study
Outline Committee wishes to suggest
to believers that the contribution of outlines
[Page 8]
on the following would be gladly
received for consideration as to
suitability and usefulness for Bahá’í
study: The Promised Day is Come,
a letter from Shoghi Effendi; The
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, by
Bahá’u’lláh; Will and Testament of
‘Abdu’l-Bahá; and on the subject of
the Bahá’í Covenant.
If there are other subjects to which any students or teachers have given particular time and effort in the matter of outlines these would also interest the Study Outline Committee. All outlines should contain references that include the page numbers of the text or texts being studied. Outlines may be of the formal type which follow a text in its natural sequence or they may be of topical nature which sometimes requires several texts. Aids other than the outline itself are often also useful.
The use of study outlines by the believers is increasing as Bahá’í communities become acquainted with this helpful means of studying. The Study Outline Committee takes this opportunity to encourage wider use of the many outlines that can now be secured from the Publishing Committee.
Spring Session of Geyserville School Program[edit]
The Geyserville School Committee, unable to use the school property for a Spring Session this year, has arranged a most interesting study program for the San Francisco Bay area. The purpose is to “review the background of our Faith, the prophecies that are being fulfilled, and the pattern of the new world.”
Spring Session
March 29-April 3, 1942
GRAND OPENING
Sunday, March 29th—2 P. M.
- Bahá’í Center, San Francisco.
- 1. Explanation of the purpose and
- method of the Spring Session.
- 2. News of current Bahá’í activities.
Wm. Sears, Chairman—Short talks to be given by selected speakers. Refreshments.
EVENING CLASSES 8.10 P. M.
Monday, March 30
- Review of events leading up to the
- present world crisis.
- Trends and forecasts.
- The Babi-Bahá’í Era.
- Prophesies of this day.
- Marion Holley
Tuesday, March 31
- The Bahá’í in the World Crisis.
- Attitudes toward current issues.
- Participation in current activities.
- Contribution to the present and future.
- Charlotte Linfoot
Wednesday, April 1
- The Coming World Order.
- Lesser Peace—Most Great Peace.
- Bahá’í Solutions.
- Administration—
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will, etc.
- Leroy Ioas
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will, etc.
Thursday, April 2
- Application in Teaching.
- How to use this material in teaching
- the Faith.
- A summing up and a plan for action.
Friday, April 3
- Public Meeting
- In cooperation with the 3 Bay Assemblies.
- A first application of the knowledge and
- enthusiasm gathered from the Spring
- Session.
AFTERNOON CLASSES
2-4 P. M.
Techniques of Teaching
General assignment: Prepare a 15 to 20 minute Bahá’í talk.
Monday, March 30
- Purpose of the course: Theory and
- Practice of effective presentation of
- the Bahá’í Faith.
- Brief analysis of some factors that
- contribute to effective teaching.
- Spiritual Pre-requisites.
- Psychological considerations.
- Essentials of Public Speaking.
- General considerations.
Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday
- Building the talk.
- Discussion of principles involved.
Friday, April 3
- Giving the talk
- To be followed by discussion based on
- above requirements.
Library Committee[edit]
The Library Committee would like to make it clearly understood by the friends that books cannot be sent out to libraries unless the requests received by us are accompanied by written evidence that the books will be received and used in the libraries. Will the friends kindly cooperate with us in this matter to prevent any return of book shipments to the Publishing Committee? Always make certain that the librarian knows that the books will be sent as gifts, that they will be shipped from the Publishing Committee and will not come directly from the Library Committee and that our books are primarily religious publications of the Bahá’í Faith and not merely treatises on world unity and universal peace.
Bahá’í World, Volume 7, is no longer available for free distribution to libraries. Again, may we list the books which are on our donation list to prevent offering other titles to librarians with subsequent delays, and cross-correspondence: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Foundations of World Unity, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Some Answered Questions, Advent of Divine Justice, Promise of All Ages, and The Promised Day Is Come.
Address for correspondence: Mrs. S. H. Sims, Chairman, Box 116, Avon, N. J.
Notice[edit]
During the changing of the editorial office for World Order magazine from Wilmette to Peoria in December a memorandum bearing the name of the author of a manuscript was lost. Will the writer who contributed “The Synthesis” make his name known to Mrs. Alice S. Cox, 1109 West Gift Ave., Peoria, Ill. He will then receive delayed acknowledgement of his manuscript.
Bahá’í News Service[edit]
Announcement
The friends are requested to send to Bahá’í News Service all the clippings which are intended for the permanent publicity record of the current year. The Committee wishes to complete two Press Books by Convention time, and as several weeks are needed for this work the clippings should be sent as soon as possible. Kindly address them to the Bahá’í News Service, % Virginia Russell, 2622 Prairie Avenue, Evanston, Ill.
Bahá’í Youth Bulletin[edit]
Bahá’í Youth, dated February, 1942, is Vol. VII, No. 4 of the bulletin issued by the National Youth Committee through its editorial member.
The Contents include: Actions Today, Rubíyyíh Khanum; Challenge and Opportunity, Winifred Louise Baker; The Guardian, Ruth Moffett; Teaching in the Colleges, Dorothy Baker; Youth in Paraguay, Elisabeth Cheney; Youth Notes; Symposium Outlines.
Subscriptions, 40 cents a year, ten cents a copy, received by Robert A. Gaines, Brighton, Mich.
Alaska Pioneer Receives Eskimo Teaching Post[edit]
The National Teaching Committee has received a letter from the Secretary of the Alaska Regional Teaching Committee, which reports a most interesting situation, and the news is shared with the friends.
“Janet Whitenack has actually received a temporary probational appointment with the Office of Indian Affairs to teach at Tulaksak on the Kuskokwim River, about 80 miles east of Bethel. It is near Akiak and is a 100% Eskimo community — no whites at all and no liquor.
“Janet writes ‘I cannot tell you just how it affects me, but I feel that my destiny is there, and that I shall make that my life work. I’ll be entirely on my own, and will be nurse, doctor, etc. as well as teacher. The responsibility is tremendous, but I am praying for guidance and help. If I am satisfactory, apparently I can stay there indefinitely. . .will be able to build the lives of about 100 Eskimos, with practically no interference from any other whites.’ . . . Janet was very frank with the Supervisors and spoke of the Cause. They had heard of the Bahá’í Faith but knew nothing about it.
“Janet will write and tell you more particulars. We talked over long distance today and she said it was extraordinary, the interview with the Supervisors of the Office of Indian Affairs. (The Office of Indian Affairs covers the whole Territory of Alaska — both Indian and Eskimos.) A month or so ago I had an interesting talk with Mr. Hirst, who is the chief supervisor of the whole of Alaska. Doctor Ruth Gruber arranged for us to meet. We talked of Janet and of her splendid qualities and of her desire to serve with the Eskimos. He was impressed and said he would do what he could. No doubt he approved the appointment. Dr. Gruber is in Alaska for one year —appointed by Mr. Harold Ickes, Secretary of the Department of the Interior. She is presumably writing a book about Alaska and possibly working on the possibility of evacuees colonizing in Alaska later on. She is an exceptionally fine person and is already deeply interested in the Bahá’í teachings. So you see she was partly instrumental in bringing about this great happening.
“. . .How pleased our Beloved Guardian will be to know that this minority race is to be included under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh. . .”
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Jamestown
Latin America Activities of New York Community[edit]
The Latin America Committee of New York has this year continued its series designed specially to contact the Latin American residents of this City. The first of this series was an evening devoted to the Inca Civilization. The program presented “Highlights of Inca Civilization,” featuring Godfrey Macdonald, authority in South America, with music, moving pictures, and an exhibit of modern Inca handcraft. The printed announcement carried, in Spanish, the “basic principles of the Bahá’í Revelation.”
We were fortunate in being able to secure all of the talents for the evening without charge. The Grace Line very kindly presented a sound and color film of the west coast of South America and also sent us a speaker who was well versed in the subject of Inca Art. Bearing in mind the fact that a large part of the audience spoke better Spanish than English, one-half of the Bahá’í talk was given in Spanish. The chairman of the evening gave the message in English and it was very warmly received. Much literature was taken and many of the smaller pamphlets sold. The New York Latin American Committee takes very great pleasure in saying that we had an overflow audience so large that it is estimated that between seventy-five and one hundred people were turned away, despite the fact that both the library and the hall were crammed full and all of the Bahá’ís were asked to stand and give their seats to the guests. A rough count showed the audience present to be between three hundred seventy-five and four hundred people.
After the formal presentation of the program, everyone inspected the exhibits of Inca Art, including pottery, silver, Peruvian dolls and a comprehensive display of photographs showing the ancient art of the Inca Kingdom and scenes of present-day Peru and Ecuador.
Three ads were inserted in the best Spanish newspaper of New York, “La Prensa,” and this paper also gave us three very nice write-ups. Everyone was unanimous in saying that this evening was one of the finest of its type that we have had in New York.
The Inca Evening is to be followed by a Mexican Evening on March 26 at which time it will be announced that those who have been attending these various Latin American programs and are interested in knowing more about the Bahá’í faith can attend a special weekly study class which will be given in both Spanish and English.
As a suggestion to other Centers attempting this variety of programs, we would like to say that the success has been due to the building up of a good mailing list, proper advertising, and careful preparation so that each of these affairs is a finished professional job. These Assemblies will find that the travel bureaus are very helpful in offering material for such evenings, and that in many cities where there are consulates, help can be obtained from this agency also.
Temple Guides Committee[edit]
The following report presents the activities of this Committee for the months of September, October, November and December, 1941:
The following are statistics on visitors to the Temple for the last four months of 1941:
In September the total number of visitors was 2,838, which was greater than any number that previously visited in September. These came from 39 states, the District of Columbia, Winnipeg and Manitoba, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Uruguay, Straits Settlements, Monterey and Mexico City, Mexico, the Philippines and Puerto Rica. Included among the September visitors were the following organizations, each of which attended as a group:
22 members Women’s Society, Lutheran Church, Waukegan, Ill,
40 members Chicago Ass’n. of the Blind.
12 students National College of Education, Evanston. Ill.
51 members Women’s Society, 1st M. E. Church. Waukegan, Ill.
In October, in spite of the heavy rains, the total number of visitors was 1,782. These came from 33 states and from Jamaica, British West Indies, and Mexico. Attending in a group were these organizations:
28 students National College of Education, Evanston, Ill.
12 public school pupils, Western Springs, Ill.
109 members Art Institute, Chicago.
20 soldiers, Fort Sheridan, Ill.
20 Zeta Tau Alpha Alumni, Chicago Area.
57 Senior Class, College of Civil Engineering, Univ. of Illinois.
40 delegates to U. S. Postmasters’ Convention, Evanston, Ill.
In November there were 847 from 22 states, the District of Columbia, Windstates, and Winnipeg, Canada, Vienna, Austria, and Manila, P. I. Organizations visiting were:
39 youth Union Church, Kenilworth, Ill.
21 youth Congregation Israel, Glencoe, Ill.
13 members Unitarian Church, Hinsdale, Ill.
In December there were 427 — a large number for this cold month. They came from 14 states, the District of Columbia, Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada, and from Brussels, Belgium. The only organization visiting was: 9 members Class in History of Religion, College of Naperville, Naperville, Ill.
The number of Sunday visitors in September and October was much greater than in previous years, the larger attendance numbers, including, per Sunday, 490, 468, 258, 294, 378, and 218 as examples.
Bahá’í Calendar[edit]
Feast of Ridván: April 21-May 2. The first day of Ridván to be observed at about 3:00 P.M., April 21.
Declaration of the Báb: May 23. To be observed on May 22, at about two hours after sunset.
Nineteen Day Feasts: Glory, April 9; Beauty, April 28; Grandeur, May 17.
Annual Election of local Spiritual Assemblies: April 21.
Meeting of National Spiritual Assembly: April 29, at Wilmette.
Annual Convention: April 30, May 1, 2, 3, in Foundation Hall, Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette.
National Race Unity Banquet, April 29. (See Convention announcements).
Bahá’í Directory[edit]
Additions and Revision to March 9, 1942
COMMITTEES
CONTACTS—Mrs. Catherine Hall unable to serve.
RACE UNITY—Mrs. Alice S. Cox added to Committee.
REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE—
Ontario. Lucille C. Giscome and Lloyd Gardner added to Committee. Dr. Thelma Colman and Frank Harvey unable to serve.
California, Nevada. Virginia Orbison appointed Secretary. Address for correspondence, 1505 East Windsor Road, Glendale, Calif. Mrs. James E. Crouchley, Mr. and Mrs. William Sears and Charles Bishop added to the Committee. Artemus Lamb unable to serve.
Colorado, Utah, Wyoming. Artemus Lamb added to Committee.
Washington, Oregon. Mrs. Harry Taylor appointed Secretary. Address for Correspondence, 412 South 4th Street, Tacoma, Wash. Mrs. Janet Ward added to the Committee.
Ohio, Indiana, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia. Mrs. Addie T. Miller added to the Committee.
New Jersey, Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania. Francis H. Bent added to the Committee.
ASSEMBLIES
Rochester, N. Y. Change of address. Christine McKay, Secretary, 201 Rutgers Street.
Park Ridge, Ill., Scranton, Pa., and Albquerque, N. M., dissolved for lack of numbers.
Enrollments and Transfers[edit]
Los Angeles, eleven. San Francisco, four. East Cleveland, three, Lima, three, Detroit, three. West Chester, two, Peoria, three. Washington, two, Chicago, two. Wilmette, two. Danville, one. New Haven, one. Urbana, one. Madison, one. Memphis, one. Philadelphia, one. Berkeley, one.
Eighteen isolated believers enrolled in February
In Memoriam[edit]
Grant, O my Lord, that they who have ascended unto Thee may repair unto Him Who is the most exalted Companion, and abide beneath the shadow of the Tabernacle of Thy majesty and the Sanctuary of Thy glory.—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH.
Mr. Thurston Vaughn, New York.
Miss Charlotte E. Bingham, New York.
Mr. A. W. Randall, Vista, California.
Mr. Will Stewart, Topeka.
Mrs. S. D. Montgomery, Santa Maria, California.
Mrs. Revella Ackerman, Riverside, California.
Miss Ethel Byler, San Antonio.
Mrs. Alma Russell, Evanston.
Mr. Johannes Anderson, Chicago.
Mr. Herman Huber, Chicago.
Mrs. Louis Keller, Lake Harbor, Michigan.
