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No. 154

YEAR 99, BAHÁ’Í ERA

July, 1942

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“The Prosecution of the World Mission”

A Letter from Shoghi Effendi

Dearly Beloved Co-Workers:

Viewed in the perspective of Bahá’í history, the Seven Year Plan, associated with the closing years of the First Bahá’í Century, will come to be regarded as the mightiest instrument yet forged, designed to enable the trustees of a firmly established, steadily evolving Administrative Order to complete the initial stage in the prosecution of the world mission confidently entrusted by the Center of the Covenant to His chosen disciples. The Divine Plan, thus set in operation, may be said to have derived its inspiration from, and been dimly foreshadowed in, the injunction so significantly addressed by Bahá’u’lláh to the Chief Magistrates of the American continent. It was prompted by the contact established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself, in the course of His historic journey, with the entire body of His followers throughout the United States and Canada. It was conceived, soon after that contact was established, in the midst of what was then held to be one of the most devastating crises in human history. It underwent a period of incubation, after His ascension, while the machinery of a divinely appointed Administrative Order was being laboriously devised and its processes set in motion. Its initial operations were providentially made to synchronize with the final years of a century that witnessed the birth and rise of a Faith of which it is the direct consequence. The opening stage in its execution has been faced by, and will survive, the severe challenge of a crisis of still greater magnitude than that which baptized its birth. The conclusion of the first phase of its tremendous and irresistible unfoldment is now approaching. The hopes and aspirations of a multitude of believers, in both the East and the West, young and old, whether free or suppressed, hang on its triumphant consummation. The Temple itself, that fair incarnation of the soul of an unconquerable Faith, and the first fruit of the Plan now set in motion, stands in its silent beauty, ready to reinforce the strenuous endeavors of its prosecutors. Towering in grandeur and resplendent in its majesty it calls aloud incessantly for a greater, a far greater number of pioneers who, both at home and in foreign fields, will scatter to sow the Divine seeds and gather the harvest into its gates. The Author of the Plan Himself, looking down from His retreats above, and surveying the prodigious labors of His defeatless disciples, voices, with even greater insistence, the same call. The time in which to respond to it is relentlessly shortening. Let men of action seize their chance ere the swiftly passing days place it irretrievably beyond their reach.

SHOGHI

Haifa, Palestine, May 26, 1942

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This Crucial Year

Progress Report No. 1 Issued by the National Spiritual Assembly for the Period May 4—June 30, 1942

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to present to the entire Bahá’í community of North America a definite and a continuous picture of the plans and activities undertaken this year for completing the unfinished task of the Seven Year Plan. There need be no time spent on appeals or explanations. Our spirits, our strength, our resources, are pledged to action and to action alone.

1. Recognition has been extended to 101 local Assemblies, with a possibility that the question involving the area of another Assembly can be settled in favor of its continuance, thus giving us 102 Spiritual Assemblies as the basis of the Administrative Order in the United States and Canada.

2. The National and Regional Committee appointments have been made for the year beginning July 1, 1942, and the list is published, with [Page 2] addresses for correspondence, in Bahá’í News for July. Each Committee list is accompanied by a brief description of its function, for the guidance of its members and the information of the believers. Our National and Regional Committees are instruments for activity of increasing scope and variety. Let us learn better how they can assist.

3. At the May and June meetings, the National Spiritual Assembly acted upon a great number of projects submitted by the National Teaching and Inter-America Committees. Not all such projects can be reported definitely at the time they are approved, because some are contingent upon later conditions, and many activities now contributing to the success of the Seven Year Plan are the result of projects initiated some months ago. Still more are being carried out by Regional Committees and by the Extension Committees of local Assemblies without need of specific approval.

4. The following teaching projects approved since the Convention, however, can be presented as a progress report, with fuller details in the form of news items later on:

Eastern Canada Regional Teaching project for Ottawa; Mrs. Doris McKay, teaching in Prince Edward Island; Teaching Conference for Southern areas at Vogel Park; Mrs. Beulah Proctor, teaching in Halifax; Mrs. Annie Romer, teaching in Iowa; Mrs. Margaret Ellis, teaching in Jackson and Greenwood, Miss.; Mrs. Marguerite Bruegger, teaching in the Dakota area; Mrs. Ruth Moffett, project in the Kansas-Missouri region; Wm. Kenneth Christian for teaching in Ontario; Harlan Ober, teaching in Eastern Canada; Helen Griffing, pioneer teaching in Reno, Nev.; Artemus Lamb, teaching in the Wyoming-Utah area; Mrs. Marion Little, teaching in the Mississippi area; Virginia Camelon, teaching in Tennessee area; Mark Tobey, project for Denver and Colorado Springs; Muriel Stillson, teaching in North Carolina; Evelyn Cliff and Mrs. Ann McGee, project for Western Canada; Mildred Elmer, pioneer teaching in North Carolina; Mrs. Della Quinlan, teaching in Omaha; Mr. and Mrs. William Sears, project for the Dakotas; Farrukh Ioas and Sally Sanor, pioneer teaching in Boise, Idaho; Mrs. Valeria Thornton, pioneer teaching in Laramie, Wyoming.

5. Inter-America teaching projects

Cablegrams from the Guardian “Remaining copies (of The) Bahá’í World received.” —SHOGHI RABBANI Received June 17, 1942. “Overjoyed impetus (given to) pioneer activity (throughout the) Americas, completion (of) ornamentation (and) commencement (of) steps. Assure pioneers and Mrs. Collins (of my) Profound admiration, abiding gratitude (and) special prayers.” —SHOGHI RABBANI Received June 20, 1942.

have been planned and all possible preliminary steps taken to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Chile; and continued teaching activities arranged for Havana and San Domingo.

The matter of passports for travel to Central and South America has become extremely difficult. Restrictions are rapidly increasing. All our plans for settling new pioneers are subject to their receipt of passports. Until applications made during May and June are definitely settled no detailed report can be made of the new projects. It can be stated, however, that if all pioneer projects now approved are able to proceed, the basis for the fulfilment of this vital part of the Seven Year Plan will have been laid.

6. In order to stimulate the teaching activities with a powerful spiritual reinforcement, the National Assembly has authorized the publication of three special pamphlets as soon as possible. One to be a compilation of words of Bahá’u’lláh; one to contain words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; the third to include selections from the writings of the Guardian. The plan is to print a large quantity and make the cost low enough to free these compilations for widespread teaching use. Titles and prices to be announced.

7. A special committee consisting of Mrs. Loulie Mathews and Mrs. Helen Bishop has made a general compilation of the Bahá’í Writings to be translated into Spanish for Inter-America is teaching use. This project was initiated by the National Assembly in order to provide, in Spanish, a one-volume selection giving students and believers in Latin American countries access to the Teachings in their majesty and power. The translating work has begun. It is hoped that this work can appear before the end of 1942.

8. The exterior ornamentation of the main story faces of the House of Worship has been completed except for a few hours of work which are to be done at times when it will not interfere with the rapid progress of the work on the steps. One of the last two scaffolds can be taken down shortly, but the scaffolding with the hoist must remain in place until the steps are finished. If the friends will go back over their files of Bahá’í News and trace the successive contracts under which the dome, clerestory, gallery, pylons and main story ornamentation have been completed, and to these contracts add those made necessary for grading the grounds and providing tunnels and areaways, they will be overjoyed at the contemplation of a tremendous task now complete except for the steps. May our joy be transmitted into increased determination to teach the Cause.

As of June 19, the total of the additional funds needed to finish the Temple construction work in the Seven Year Plan is estimated to be $25,757.53. This sum must come into the National Fund at the rate of about $5,000.00 per month from June 15 to October 15, that there may be no interruption this calendar year.

Any interruption of the contract this summer and early fall will mean a complete suspension for an indefinite period, probably a number of years, too late for the Seven Year Plan.

9. The resolutions voted by the Convention have been respectfully considered by the National Assembly, and definite decision made on each one. The record of the resolutions and the subsequent action is to be presented to the believers in Bahá’í News for August as the July number is taken up with the list of committees and other current items.

10. A summary of current financial items. From May 1 to June 30, the National Fund received $16,131.47. Contributions came in from 76 Assemblies, 70 groups and 79 isolated believers, in June. Expenditures included: for Temple construction, $7,232.95; National and Regional Teaching, $2,185.00; Inter-America Teaching, $1,263.77; Deputizations, $225.00; The Bahá’í World, Vol. VIII, $8,249.59.

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With the inspired help of the “chosen disciples” of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, each progress report will present more and more record of action and accomplishment. From time to time the work of National Committees other than Teaching and Inter-America will be featured.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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Letters from the Guardian

The following excerpts are taken from a letter written by Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, to Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer, on May 15, 1942.

“The Convention response, as well as all the recent news from the U.S.A., have greatly encouraged him. He feels the strong, purposeful determination of the believers as well as of their representatives, to see the Plan through to complete victory. In the view of his own burdens and cares, this greatly cheers him.

“He hopes that every available agency of the administration will be used to insure the speedy fulfilment of this year’s teaching requirements and that everything will be done to encourage new pioneers to volunteer and go forth while there is yet time. As he already pointed out in his Convention cable, this year is the year. The major part of the work must be gotten under way now, so that before 1944 it will have yielded its fruit; otherwise it will be too late.”

With the Guardian’s permission, this excerpt is published from letter written by Mrs. S. W. French, Secretary of the Inter-America Committee, on November 21, 1941.

“I wish to add a few words to what has been written on my behalf and stress afresh the vital importance of increasing by every means in our power the number of pioneers who for however short a period are able to help in promoting the establishment of the Faith in South America. The utmost encouragement, moral and material, should be extended to those heroic workers who are willing in these days of uncertainty and turmoil to travel to or settle in those regions. You will, I am sure, with your co-workers, strain every nerve to stimulate the friends and facilitate their journey and reinforce their endeavors in such a vital sphere of Bahá’í activity.”

With the Guardian’s consent also are published these excerpts from

Temple Steps Progress Picture No. 1, July 1, 1942. At right, wood form for casting the concrete supports on which the completed step sections are to rest.

letters written to Mrs. Amelia Collins on October 5, 1941, and February 3, 1942.

“Mrs. Greenleaf’s passing deprives the friends of yet another veteran and outstanding teacher. The Guardian hopes and prays that among the younger Bahá’ís many will train themselves to follow her example and profit by the methods she used so successfully in spreading the Cause. Deep knowledge of the teachings, profound human sympathy, a heart which mirrored the Master’s love, and a winning sweetness and friendliness were hers. She will indeed be greatly missed.”

“His thoughts are increasingly turned to the American believers at the end of the First Bahá’í Century approaches, as he feels so strongly the tremendous, worldwide importance which their success involves. They are not merely struggling for the furtherance of the Cause in their native land, but for the achievement of parts of a Divine plan which involves the progress and happiness of all men. Their individual and collective responsibility is, therefore, very great, very precious, and presents them with an opportunity to serve mankind, which they may never again have because mankind’s life may never again pass through such critical years. His ardent prayers continually surround them.”

Similarly, the National Assembly is permitted to share with the friends these excerpts from a letter written to Mrs. Marie Hopper on October 26, 1933.

“Perhaps the reason why you have not accomplished so much in the field of teaching is the extent you have looked upon your own weaknesses and inabilities to spread the Message. Bahá’u’lláh and the Master have both urged us repeatedly to disregard our own handicaps and lay our whole reliance upon God. He will come to our aid if we only arise and become an active channel for God’s Grace.

“Do you think it is the teachers who make converts and change human hearts? No, surely not. They are only pure souls who take the first steps and then let the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh move and make use of them. If any one of them should even for a second think, or consider his achievements as due to his own capacities, his work is ended and his fall starts. This is the fact why so many competent souls have, after wonderful services, suddenly found themselves utterly impotent and perhaps thrown aside by the spirit of the Cause as useless souls. The criterion is the extent to which we are ready to have the will of God work through us.”

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NATIONAL AND REGIONAL BAHÁ’Í COMMITTEES

1942-1943

American Memorial to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

To maintain in Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, N. J., an exhibit of books and photographs commemorating the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to North America in 1912; to recommend other appropriate activities such as meetings and lectures which will contribute to the Memorial in perpetuating the spiritual significance of the Master’s mission; to conduct the annual gathering which has been known as the “Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” on the anniversary of the Unity Feast held in 1912.

Mrs. Edith Inglis, Chairman, 474

West 238th Street, Fieldston, N.Y.

Juliet Thompson

Curtis Kelsey

Roy C. Wilhelm

Philip Sprague

Mrs. Carrie Kinney

Mrs. Charles Krug

Mrs. Amy Raubitschek

Mrs. Archie Tichenor

Archives and History

To receive Tablets and other material suitable for the National Archives; to maintain the National Archives and organize its contents; to assist local Assemblies to develop local Archives; to obtain and organize historical data on special subjects as may be required from time to time.

Edwin Mattoon, Chairman

Mrs. Florence Zmeskol, Secretary,

418 Tenth St., Wilmette, Ill.

Mrs. May Scheffler

Bertha L. Herklotz

Hashim Hassan

Mrs. Doris Holley

Mrs. Mineola Hannen

Assembly Development

To assist in the development of Assemblies in arranging for personal visits by members of the Committee or by selected teachers, in order to take up with the Assembly the essential matters on which its services to the Cause and the growth of the community depends, and help outline teaching plans, etc.

Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Chairman

Louis G. Gregory, Secretary, Eliot,

Maine

Mrs. Amelia Collins

Bahá’í Exhibits

To prepare material suitable for use in public exhibits; to supervise and conduct exhibits in state Fairs and regional or national Expositions.

Carl Scheffler, Chairman, 1821 Lincoln

St., Evanston, Ill

Betty Scheffler

Clarence Niss

Bahá’í News

To edit Bahá’í News for the National Spiritual Assembly.

Horace Holley, Secretary, 536 Sheridan

Rd., Wilmette, Ill.

Mrs. Dorothy Baker

Louis G. Gregory

Bahá’í News Service

To release articles suitable for publicity use by local Assemblies; to insert approved articles in the press, direct on a national scale; to provide information on publicity for Assemblies, groups and active teachers; to provide data and illustrations on special subjects.

Mrs. Sarah Walrath, Chairman, 4639

Beacon St., Chicago, Ill.

Virginia Russell, Secretary

Mrs. Hazel Rawitsch

Bahá’í World Editorial

To obtain material from all parts of the Bahá’í world community, including reports, articles, historical data and illustrations, suitable for use in the successive volumes of The Bahá’í World, which material is then sent to the Guardian and the selection of the contents is made by him.

Garreta Busey, Chairman

Mrs. Mabel Paine, Secretary. 606

West Pennsylvania Ave., Urbana,

Ill.

Mrs. Anna Kunz

Jessie E. Revell

Rex Parmelee

Mrs. Marzieh Gail

Robert Gulick, Jr.

Mrs. Annamarie Honnold

Virginia Orbison

Louis G. Gregory

Mrs. Victoria Bedekian, Photograph

Editor

Braille Transcriptions

To provide Bahá’í literature in Braille for the blind; to place Bahá’í Braille literature in libraries and other institutions; to encourage the formation of groups of Bahá’í workers to increase the supply of Braille transcriptions.

Ella Quant, Chairman, 1089 Glenwood

Blvd., Schenectady, N.Y.

Hilda Stauss

A. C. Engelder

Mrs. Lothar Schurgast

Mrs. H. O. Bolton

Mrs. Amédée Gibson

Mrs. Elmer Duckett

Mrs. Paul Schoeny

Mrs. Mayme Jackson

Child Education

To compile the Bahá’í teachings on this subject; to prepare lessons suitable for classes of Bahá’í children; to cooperate with Bahá’í child education activities maintained in local communities.

Harry E. Ford, Chairman, Fairfield

Rd., Little Falls, N. Y.

Mrs. H. E. Ford

Mrs. A. B. Bevan

Mrs. Reva Belcher

Mrs. Roberta Christian

Contacts

To mail selected literature to non-believers of capacity and influence; to develop the mailing list for the public teaching bulletin, A World Faith.

Ethel Revell, Chairman, 2531 No.

19th St., Philadelphia, Pa.

Lucy J. Marshall

Mrs. Florence Keemer

Mrs. David Earl

Mrs. Hilbert Dahl

Mrs. Evelyn Kemp

Mrs. John DeMille

Mrs. George R. True

Julia Goldman

Inter-America

To plan and supervise teaching activities throughout Central and South America; to assist the pioneers; to encourage the formation of local groups and guide their development in administrative practice; to supervise the translation of Bahá’í literature into Spanish, Portuguese and other languages as required.

Dagmar Dole, Chairman

Mrs. S. W. French, Secretary, 786

Chester Ave., San Marino, Calif.

Edna True, Legal Adviser and

Travel Agent.

Mrs. Edward Bode

Edward Bode

Mrs. Octavio Illescas

Octavio Illescas

Mrs. Shirley Warde

Charles Wolcott

Gwen Bell

Mrs. E. R. Mathews

International Auxiliary Language

To develop and encourage the interest in the Bahá’í principle of an international auxiliary language, without giving endorsement to any of the existing languages in this field; to make possible effective co-operation with other workers in the field of international language; to provide Bahá’í literature in Esperanto and other languages.

Roan U. Orloff, Chairman, 73 Stanton

St., Dorchester, Mass.

Mrs. Patrick Quinlan

Mrs. Luella Beecher

Hugh Rouse

Dr. C. R. Witt

Mrs. Elsa Chaslon

Lucy J. Marshall

Mrs. Anna Kincaid

A. E. Regal

Mrs. Mabelle Davis

Josephine Kruka

Mrs. Mabel Vicary

David Earl

Legal

To examine the incorporation papers prepared by local Assemblies;[Page 5] to provide information needed for local incorporation; to assist the National Assembly in meeting any other legal questions that might arise.

George O. Latimer, Chairman

Horace Holley, Secretary, 536 Sheridan

Rd., Wilmette, Ill.

Elsie Austin

Judge Chester F. Barnett

Library

To place literature in public and university libraries; to encourage local Assemblies to provide books for local libraries; to maintain a record of all Bahá’í literature in public libraries as far as can be determined.

Mrs. S. H. Sims, Chairman, Box 116,

Avon, N. J.

Florence King

Beryl Edgecomb

Mrs. Charles Krug

Mrs. Frances McComb

Duncan MacAlear

Publishing

To print and sell the literature approved and authorized by the National Assembly.

Horace Holley, Chairman

H. E. Walrath

Carl Scheffler

Staff: Clara R. Wood, Manager, 110

Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill.

J. T. Wood

Race Unity

To compile the teachings on this subject; to prepare bulletins of information for local Assemblies and active teachers; to plan race unity activities and programs; to conduct special meetings; to cooperate with Assemblies in race unity activities; to bring the Bahá’í teachings to the minority groups in America.

Mrs. Frank A. Baker, Chairman

Mrs. Elcore Ebersole, Secretary, 924

No. Main St., Findlay, Ohio.

Louis G. Gregory

Mrs. Sarah Walrath

Clarence Niss

Lothar Schurgast

Eli W. Powlas

Mrs. Alice S. Cox

Radio

To make available approved radio scripts on a variety of Bahá’í subjects; to cooperate with local Assemblies, groups and traveling teachers in the extension of radio work; to stimulate the use of radio for teaching.

Mrs. Florence Morton, Chairman, 5

Wheeler Ave., Worcester, Mass.

Mrs. W. E. Bacon

W. E. Bacon

Prof. Glenn A. Shook

Mrs. A. F. Matthisen

Reviewing

To pass upon the accuracy of manuscripts submitted through the

Temple Steps Progress Picture No. 2, July 1, 1942. Six concrete supports are bolted to the sloping deck between each pair of pylons, making fifty-four supports for the complete circle of steps. The next pictures will show step sections cast and in place.

National Assembly; to examine manuscripts for literary quality and effectiveness and their usefulness as contributions to the published literature.

Mrs. Mary Collison, Chairman, 681

Castle St., Geneva, N.Y.

Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi

Gretchen Westervelt

Bahá’í Schools

To provide instruction and study courses; to train teachers; to conduct the school program; to encourage attendance at the school.

COMMITTEES FOR 1942 SUMMER SESSIONS

GREEN ACRE

Lorna Tasker, Chairman

Helen Marjorie Wheeler, Secretary,

59 Davidson Rd., Worcester, Mass.

Mrs. Hattie Chamberlin, Recording

• Secretary

Louis G. Gregory

Glenn A. Shook

Rachel Small

Harlan Ober

Mrs. Harry Ford

Harry Ford

Jeanne Steed

Justin Williams

GEYSERVILLE

A. M. Yazdi, Chairman

Gladys Linfoot, Secretary, 156 Nova

Drive, Piedmont, Calif.

John Bosch

Irvin Somerhalder

Louise Groger

Mrs. Marian Yazdi

Anita Ioas

Mrs. Amelia Bowman

LOUHELEN

Edmund J. Miessler, Chairman

Mrs. L. W. Eggleston, Secretary,

Louhelen Ranch, R. D. Davison

Mich.

Phyllis Hall, Recording Secretary

Mrs. Beatrice Eardley

Harry Whang

L. W. Eggleston

Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick

Mrs. Dorothy Graf

International School

To provide instruction for the training of Bahá’í teachers wishing to serve in other lands, especially, at present, in Central or South America; to stimulate Latin American contacts and activities by local Assemblies in North America.

Mrs. E. R. Mathews, Chairman, P.

O. Box 1064, Colorado Springs,

Colo.

Mrs. Charles Bishop, Secretary

E. R. Mathews

Mrs. Enos M. Barton

George O. Latimer

Mrs. Marion Little

Mrs. Florence Morton

Philip Sprague

Mrs. R. Y. Mottahedeh

Study Outline

To compile outlines suitable for Bahá’í study classes; to examine and recommend outlines submitted to the committee; to encourage and promote the practice of organized Bahá’í study.

Dr. Genevieve L. Coy, Chairman, 117

West 10th St., New York, N. Y.

Helen Campbell

Mrs. Frank Dyar

Selective Service Advisory

To prepare bulletins explaining how drafted believers are to fill out the questionnaire; to advise on ways [Page 6] and means for obtaining non-combatant status under the draft.

Allen B. McDaniel, 1000 Chandler

Bldg., Washington, D. C.

Paul Haney

Teaching

To prepare plans for and assist the National Assembly in the execution of: nation-wide teaching projects; inter-regional teaching projects; preparation of information, material, plans and methods that will lead to more effective teaching. Supervision of Regional Teaching Committees; receipt of reports from them.

Leroy Ioas, Chairman

Charlotte M. Linfoot, Secretary, 156

Nova Dr., Piedmont, Calif.

George O. Latimer

Mrs. Amelia Collins

Ali M. Yazdi

Marion Holley

Mrs. Amelia Bowman

Temple Guides

To conduct visitors through the House of Worship; to hold classes for training Temple guides.

Mrs. John Haggard, Chairman, 1229

Cleveland Ave., Wilmette, Ill.

Edwin W. Mattoon

Mrs. Mineola Hannen

Mrs. Harriet Hilpert

Edvard Lindstrom

Laurence LaRocque

Temple Library and Sales

To maintain the sale of literature in Foundation Hall; to provide facilities for the purchase of Bahá’í photographs, ringstones, display and exhibits material, slides, and other facilities for teaching.

Harry E. Walrath, Chairman, 4639

Beacon St., Chicago, Ill.

Mrs. Flora Ernst

Mrs. May Scheffler

Temple Program

To conduct the weekly public meeting in Foundation Hall; to conduct such other devotional or public meetings as may be approved from time to time by the National Assembly.

Edna True, Chairman.

John Haggard, Secretary, 1229

Cleveland Ave., Wilmette, Ill.

Monroe Ioas

Mrs. Janet Lindstrom

Dr. James Lewis

Mrs. Edna Coleman

Mrs. Harriet Hilpert

Youth

To stimulate and coordinate activities of Bahá’í Youth throughout the American Bahá’í Community; to initiate worldwide Youth Symposiums; to issue a quarterly bulletin of youth news and information; to provide study material.

(Members to be announced)

World Order Magazine

To edit the periodical representing the American Bahá’ís.

Mrs. Alice S. Cox, Secretary, 1109

West Gift Ave., Peoria, Ill.

Garreta Busey

Mrs. J. E. Kirkpatrick

Horace Holley

Regional Teaching

To coordinate inter-community conferences; to cooperate with local Assemblies in organizing teaching circuits; to route traveling teachers within the region; to assist groups and prepare them for the election of a Spiritual Assembly; to encourage and stimulate teaching activities of isolated believers; to extend the teaching work to areas within the region where no Assemblies or groups exist; to supervise the work of the Extension Teaching Committee of local Assemblies; to exercise initiative in the areas outside the jurisdiction of local Assemblies; to endorse applications for enrollment and transfer of isolated believers. The Regional Teaching Committee reports to the National Teaching Committee on all teaching matters and is under its supervision. On matters concerning enrollments, transfers and other administrative details it reports directly to the National Spiritual Assembly.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA

Mrs. Katherine Moscrop, Secretary,

6009 Alma Rd., Vancouver, B. C.

Mae McKenna

Doris Skinner

Austin Collin

Evelyn Cliff

Harold Moscrop

MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN

Rowland Estall, Secretary, P.O. Box

121, Winnipeg, Man.

Ernest Court

Elizabeth Brookes

Mrs. Sylvia King

ONTARIO

John Robarts, Secretary, 4 Millbank

Ave., Toronto, Ont.

Mrs. Laura Davis

Amy Putnam

Lucille Giscome

Lloyd Gardner

Mrs. John Roberts

QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, PRINCE EDWARD ISLE, NOVA SCOTIA

Mrs. Rosemary Sale, Secretary, 423

Riverside Dr., St. Lambert, P. Q.

Ragnar Mattson

Margaret Mosher

Ernest Sala

Siegfried Schopflocher

John DeMille

Winifred Harvey

Mrs. Beulah Proctor

Mrs. Agnes King

MAINE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, RHODE ISLAND, CONNECTICUT

Mrs. H. E. Chamberlin, Secretary,

11 Maple Ter., Three Rivers, Mass.

Mrs. Florence Morton

Mrs. Wendell Bacon

Mrs. Victor Archambault

Richard Gladding

Roushan Wilkinson

Harlan Ober

Ralph Bates

NEW YORK

W. Kenneth Christian, Secretary,

Morrisville, N. Y.

Mrs. Roberta Christian

R. C. Collison

Mrs. Marguerite Firoozi

Mrs. Morris Bush

Ida Noyes

Mrs. Helen Inderlied

Zeah Holden

Elizabeth Brooks

Mrs. Gertrude Atkinson

NEW JERSEY, DELAWARE, PENNSYLVANIA

Curtis Kelsey, Secretary, 502 Grenville

Ave., West Englewood, N. J.

Archie J. Tichenor

Stuart H. Sims

Helen Reynolds

Charles Krug

Mrs. Ida Huff

Jessie E. Revell

Frances H. Bent

Mrs. Ruth Randall Brown

MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA

Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, Secretary,

902 South Orme St., Arlington, Va.

Wm. Burns Patzer

Mrs. Hazel Langrall

Mildred Elmer

Mrs. J. E. Rice

Mrs. Sarah Eason

Elsie Austin

Allen B. McDaniel

Paul Haney

OHIO, INDIANA, KENTUCKY

Mrs. Florence Reeb, Secretary, 2512

Bryden Rd., Bexley, Ohio.

Mrs. Mary Elmore

Charlotte Lindenberg

Lothar Schurgast

Mrs. Addie Miller

Arthur Patterson

Mrs. Arthur Patterson

ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, IOWA

Mrs. Margery McCormick, Secretary,

503 Chestnut St., Winnetka,

Ill.

Clarence Niss

Charles Reimer

Mrs. Gertrude Struven

Dr. Katherine True

Mrs. Adelaide Duff

Phyllis Hall

Monroe Ioas

Chris Leins

KANSAS, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA

Mrs. Bertha Campbell, Secretary,

403 Huntoon St., Topeka, Kans.

Mrs. Opal Winans

Mrs. Paul Brown

Mrs. J. B. Becktel

J. B. Becktel

N. Forsythe Ward

Nayan Hartfield

Velma Vetter

Bertha Matthisen

Mrs. Eunice Baker

MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA

Elsa Steinmetz, Secretary, 3950

Aldrich Ave., So., Minneapolis,

Minn.

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Mrs. Marguerite Bruegger

Mrs. E. C. Ayer

Mrs. Marie Tetu

Maria Montana

Mrs. O. E. Bergstrom

NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA

Mrs. Terah Smith, Secretary, 572

Page Ave., N.E., Atlanta, Ga.

Mrs. P. D. Cunningham

Frederick Babo

Mrs. Frederick Babo

Mrs. Elsie Robertson

Mrs. Esther Sego

Maud Mickle

Betty Shook

Mrs. Daisy Jackson Moore

Mrs. Christine Bidwell

Mary Ann Leslet

FLORIDA

Mrs. M. E. Buffin, Secretary, 49 S.E.

6th St., Miami, Fla.

Mrs. Frances Guy

Winifred Richards

Kathryn Vernon

Esther Webster

Eugenia Meyer

TENNESSEE, ALABAMA

Nellie J. Roche, Secretary, 703 Commerce

Union Bank Bldg., Nashville, Tenn.

Winston Evans

Mrs. Elizabeth Walker

Martha Fettig

Virginia Taylor

Mrs. Eugene Keller

Gertrude Gewertz

Mrs. F. L. Drye

LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, ARKANSAS

Mrs. Marion Little, Secretary, Box

55, Covington, La.

Mrs. Dorothy Logelin

Mrs. W. H. Bivins

Mrs. Margaret Ellis

Mrs. Anna Smith

Reszi Sunshine

Roberta Wilson

Mrs. Dorothy Campbell

OKLAHOMA, TEXAS

Mrs. Doris Corbin, Secretary, 3409

Mt. Vernon St., Houston, Tex.

Mrs. Dwight Edson

Mrs. Kathryn Frankland

Leslie Hawthorn

Max Greeven

Albert Entzminger

Mrs. Chas. Ittner

Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey

Charlotte Stirratt

ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO

Mrs. Miriam Bugbee, Secretary,

1738 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix,

Ariz

Dr. E. Leonore Morris

Mrs. Amy E. Dwelly

Paul Schoeny

Mrs. S. Ellis

Mrs. Nancy Phillips

Mrs. L. Engelder

CALIFORNIA, NEVADA

Robert Thiess, Secretary, 4575 Finley

Ave., Los Angeles, Calif.

Mrs. Marion Longear

Virginia Orbison

Mrs. Sylvia Ioas

Mrs. Jessie Kemper

Mrs. Nan Crouchley

Mrs. Valerie Allen

Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Arlington, Virginia, newly established April 21, 1942.

Mrs. Helen Robinson

David Mayberry

William Sears

WYOMING, UTAH, COLORADO

Artemus Lamb, Secretary, 405 Felt

Bldg., Salt Lake City, Utah

Mrs. Gladys Roberts

Raphael Lillywhite

Theresa Lillywhite

Mrs. N. R. Wallace

Mrs. Florence Lilliendahl

Mrs. Hazel Roberson

Mrs. Valeria Thornton

MONTANA, IDAHO

Charles Adams, Secretary, 106 So.

Main St., Helena, Mont.

Charles Bryan

Mrs. Lorrol Jackson

Mrs. Mildred Cossey

Mrs. Betty Nelson

Mrs. Ethel Thompson

WASHINGTON, OREGON

Mrs. Harry Taylor, Secretary, 412

So. 4th St., Tacoma, Wash.

Mrs. Louis Speno

Mrs. Clara Rainboth

Mrs. Myrtle Campbell

Mrs. Hilda Wilks

Mrs. Alta Kruger

Mrs. Lavina Sprau Walters

Harry Taylor

Mrs. Margaret Stange

Levi Munson

ALASKA

Honor Kempton, Secretary; Temporary

Address, % Charlotte Linfoot,

156 Nova Drive, Piedmont, Calif.

Janet Whitenack

Myrtle Dodge

Betty Becker

Mrs. Beatrice Edmonds

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Publishing Announcements

Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. II. The Committee is able to supply a few copies of Vol. II in the large size in which the original edition was printed. No doubt a number of the friends would like one of these in order to complete their set of three volumes in uniform size and binding. While available per copy ....... $1.00

Mysterious Forces of Civilization, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Only a few copies of this work are available, and the Committee does not know when a new edition will be made. Bahá’ís who wish to possess this text for their collection of the literature are urged to order a copy at this time. (This title was not included in the recently revised Bahá’í catalog because the Committee believed that the supply will soon be exhausted). Per copy ......................$1.50

Heart of the Gospel, by George Townshend, This book has proved helpful in presenting the Faith to students of the Christian Revelation. A new printing has been made and copies are once more available. Per copy ...........................$1.50

Security For a Failing World, by Stanwood Cobb, This interesting and helpful introduction to the teachings has been revised. The omission of several chapters dealing with aspects of the Cause found in other books has enabled the author to concentrate attention upon the vital issue suggested by the title of the book. (It is now published by the Bahá’í Publishing committee). Per copy, paper cover, 140 pages .....$0.50

[Page 8]

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Marangella, pioneer teachers, with Bahá’í study group in Havana, May, 1940—foundation of the present flourishing community.

Study Courses

Course of Study Based on Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, prepared by Mrs. Gertrude Robinson. This material enables an individual or a group to study the teachings with one text, the Esslemont book. It is recommended to communities for use in preparing all their members to face the task of teaching the Faith. Per copy ..................$0.25

Children’s Study Course for Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, compiled by Child Education Committee. This course was designed for a class of young people averaging twelve to fifteen years of age. It gives the adult teacher a simple, direct and flexible outline for use in taking up the Esslemont book with the children, The sheets are punched to fit any standard 8½ by 11-inch three-ring binder. Per copy ..................$0.50

Study Outline on The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, sold in lots of five for $0.25.

Send orders to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.

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Inter-America News

The Inter-America Committee was greatly heartened and deeply touched by the immediate and enthusiastic response of the friends to the Committee’s appeal, at the recent Annual Convention, for pioneers in the Latin-America teaching field. Each offer was most gratefully received and has been very carefully considered by the Inter-America Committee and the National Spiritual Assembly. The Committee’s only regret is that it has not been possible so far to accept the valued services of all who so selflessly offered themselves in this tremendously important phase of the Seven Year Plan. Because of the increasing difficulties in obtaining passports and the necessary visas, and even in procuring transportation during the international crisis, the outcome of the efforts now being concentrated on the vital Inter-America work is still uncertain, but the Committee hopes, in the next Bahá’í News, to be able to give some definite report to the friends on the posts being filled at this time and on the pioneer chosen for each post.

Bolivia

Recent letters from Flora M. Hottes mention her increasing happiness in her work, the new acquaintances she is making, her progress in Spanish, and report a beautiful contribution to the Temple Fund from one of the Bahá’ís of La Paz, Sra. Yvonne de Cuellar. As the first contribution from a Bolivian, this is truly an historic event.

Ecuador

The Committee is delighted to receive an enthusiastic letter from Hanz Dore, secretary of the group in Quito, reporting the activities of the friends there and enclosing some excellent snapshots.

Guatemala

The believers will be glad to hear that John Eichenauer is now well established in Guatemala City and plans to remain there until an Assembly is formed in this important Republic.

Peru

Reports from Eve Nicklin in Lima bring very interesting news of her little school for children, which continues to work so successfully. She also tells of some very heartening and encouraging results from some former work and contacts which she had thought had been in vain.

INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE

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Library Committee

The Library Committee is planning to present copies of The Bahá’í World, Volume VIII, to some of the leading college and university libraries throughout the country. However, we cannot furnish copies to the main public libraries in some of the large cities as we have in the past. Several of the Gift Departments of leading libraries have expressed the desire to receive copies of new publications as released to keep their collections up-to-date. It would seem important to place a copy of this volume in such libraries as the Main Library in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, etc. Such a gift would have to be made through local Assemblies. Any Assemblies making such a gift of this important volume might drop a card to the national library committee for our files.

MRS. STUART SIMS, Chairman

Box 116, Avon, New Jersey

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Race Unity Banquet

The Convention Race Unity Banquet this year inspired a new sense of fellowship. Like the International Nights of New York, the banquet sought to produce, under Bahá’í auspices, a unity in diversity of gifts.

There was the varied music of Beatrice Hammett, Walter Deppe, Dorothy Rice, Robert McFerrin and Walter Olitzki. There were represented six languages; among them the Esperanto greeting of Mrs. Etty Graeffe, the Indian prayer of the Mr. Asa Hill, and the musical flow of Persian [Page 9] as spoken by Mr. Habib Sabet and interpreted by Marzieh Gail. The brief talks of Albert Windust, Marian Steffes, Ali-Kuli Khan and Mrs. Stuart W. French imbued the meeting with Bahá’í spirit and gave background to a number of guest speakers, each of whom represented a racial or national group of importance.

The banquet is typical of what every community can do. The oneness of mankind, our watchword and uncompromised standard, is graphically taught by such efforts of the friends. These gatherings are prototypes of the new society. They are the proof that a new race is slowly growing up.

RACE UNITY COMMITTEE

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The Third Latin-American Session

The International School Committee announced a program of great interest for the sessions of its third season at Temerity Ranch, Pine Valley, Colorado Springs, the property dedicated by Mrs. Loulie Mathews to the Cause.

July 1, public meeting at Halfway House, Colorado Springs, a Round Table discussion by Mrs. W. M. LaFarge, Mrs. R. D. Little and Max Greeven.

July 2, at the School, talks on Appreciation of Art by Percy Hagerman and showing of paintings of the Renaissance by Mrs. LaFarge.

July 3, at the School, Symposium on The Rhythm of Creation by Mrs. R. D. Little, Mark Tobey and Velma Vetter.

July 5, at the School, lecture by Raphael Lillywhite on The Influence and Evolution of Art.

July 6, at Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, talks by Mrs. Gladys Wells and Mrs. W. M. LaFarge on Bringing Spanish American Appreciation to our children.

July 7, at Fine Arts Center, readings on the Prophecies for This Day from All Religions and all Ages, and Summary, Pattern for Future Society, by Mrs. E. R. Mathews.

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National Press Book

The awakening of Latin America reports itself in the few but excellent articles on the Cause mailed to the Bahá’í News Service in recent months. The magazine, Alma Tica

Two years later, April, 1942 the Havana believers formed their own Spiritual Assembly. This group was taken at the Feast of Ridván.

from Costa Rica, carried long articles on the Bahá’í activities there in its September, October and December issues with pictures of ‘Abdul-Bahá, the Temple and the friends, The papers, LaRaron and Deario de Costa Rica, published articles on the activities of John Eichenhauer. A paper of Managua, Nicaragua, also carried an article on John’s work. Just after last year’s Press Books closed, we received copies of the Argentine magazine, Aqui Esta, for January, 1941, which printed a lengthy article on Bahá’í activities in connection with Philip Sprague’s visit. The Havana Post of Cuba reported the work of Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg.

The North China Daily News of Shanghai, China, is represented again this year with four long articles on the Faith. Mrs. Margaret Atwater of Miami, Florida, sent Bahá’í material to this paper. The Rangoon Times of Burma also carried a long article which has come to our files.

Several non-Bahá’í magazines published material on the Cause. Health News used the “reflection picture” of the Temple for its cover of the April 11, 1941 issue. The Christian Century carried a short notation of the Faith in its October 22, 1941 issue. Pure Oil News for November, 1941 published a picture of the Temple and Wilmette Harbor taken from the air with an accompanying explanation.

In October the friends of Honolulu dedicated their new Center before Hawaii became active in the theater of war. A number of clippings report their dedication service and other activities including the donation of books to the Public Library. The Fairbanks, Alaska, News-Miner carried several articles on the School at Geyserville and Janet Whitenack’s trip to the States. Their articles included many details of the Faith.

From Washington state we have a long article in the Chelan Valley Mirror reporting the successful Northwest Regional Teaching Conference. The Spokanesman-Review of Spokane carried a very good survey of the four Bahá’í schools.

The California friends have had unusually consistent success with the medium of publicity. The activities of the Geyserville School are reported in many papers in and near Geyserville as well as farther south. The Geyserville Press carries full pages of ads and the detailed program of classes and meetings. The merchants welcome the Bahá’ís in their advertisements.

The Berkeley Gazette reported many local Bahá’í activities. The Burlingame paper carried the Temple picture. The Sacramento Union reported Geyserville activities. The Pasadena Star-News consistently carries Mrs. Stuart W. French’s fine articles under the heading of “Loom of Reality”. The San Francisco Chronicle and the News both carried long and short articles on the local and Geyserville activities, printing pictures of ‘Abdul-Bahá and the Temple. The Mission Merchant’s News carried a picture of the Temple [Page 10] and several short reports of meetings. The Chinese Press reported the Inter-Faith, Inter-Racial Music Festival sponsored by Bahá’ís at the California Club. The Philippine Interpreter of San Francisco reported at length a Race Unity meeting. The Examiner carried Dave Hoff’s article by the Associated Press on the Temple.

So far this year we have splendid clippings also from Cloverdale, Palo Alto, Engelwood, Healdsburg, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa, Woodlake, and Ventura.

The state of Colorado is represented by clippings from the Denver Post reporting our International School activities and the Colorado Springs Gazette and Telegraph printing fine material not only to the personnel and activities of the School but also local Bahá’í meetings.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS SERVICE COMMITTEE

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Regional Teaching Bulletins

The National Spiritual Assembly is impressed by the increasing usefulness of the bulletins which a number of Regional Teaching Committees have been distributed. They can more and more render important service by unifying the teaching efforts of groups and isolated friends. In order to set a standard to which all the Regional Committees can conform in preparing and distributing such bulletins in the future, the National Assembly has adopted the following principle:—

1. Size — not over four 8½ by 11–inch pages a month, or eight pages of half that size. 2. Contents— the essential feature of these bulletins is the presentation of Regional plans and Regional activities. Anything further is duplication of National bulletins or News, but excerpts from plans reported by the National Teaching Committee or the National Spiritual Assembly might be permitted, with some excerpts from the Bahá’í teachings, the Guardian’s messages, etc. 3. Distribution— to groups and isolated believers in the region; to Extension Teaching Committees in the region; to the National Teaching Committee; and eleven copies to the National Spiritual Assembly for the Guardian, the members, and the permanent files.

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Teaching Project at San Jose

The San Francisco Assembly Extension Teaching committee in conjunction with the Regional Teaching committee of California planned an “all out” teaching campaign for the city of San Jose, California, for October, 1941.

It was their plan to utilize all the teaching facilities which had been developed by the various National committees, and to synchronize these activities into a workable and impressive method of introducing the Faith into a new city.

The plan worked out included the following activities:

1. Publicity in Newspapers.

2. Sending out of invitations to build

up the public gatherings.

3. Exhibit of Bahá’í Temple model.

4. Placing of Literature in the Public

Library.

5. Radio broadcast.

6. Assemblies, groups and Isolated

Bahá’ís, holding Fireside meetings,

the night of the Broadcast using

the Broadcast as a basis of the

discussion.

7. Public Meetings.

8. Distribution of Free Literature.

9. Follow-up study class,

The Committee surveyed the entire situation very carefully well in advance, and worked out in detail, just how and when each element of the project was to be carried forward.

The Public Library was visited, and when it was found appropriate Bahá’í books were not available, arrangements were made to place books in the Library. Books were also placed in the Hospitality House, which had been established in the heart of San Jose, for army and navy men.

A survey was also made by the newspapers in San Jose, as well as the surrounding area. Contacts were made with the Editors of Newspapers, to be sure that the notices of activities would be published. Releases concerning the public meetings were sent to 11 local papers; while releases were sent to an additional 21 newspapers in Northern California as well as 2 newspapers in Nevada, on the Radio Broadcast. Of the 32 papers to whom releases were sent, 17 printed the notices. In addition to this, the Floral company using the Bahá’í Temple Model, as a part of their exhibit in the County Fair, also sent releases to newspapers, some of which mentioned the Temple, and the Faith.

The efforts to have the Temple Model exhibited finally met with the request of one of the most important Floral companies in San Jose for permission to use the model, as the center of a booth they had planned at the Santa Clara County Fair to be held in San Jose, at the time of our Teaching Campaign. The Fair is attended by all the people of San Jose and the surrounding area. The Exhibit arranged by the Floral Company, in conjunction with the Bahá’ís, prominently portrayed the Temple on a most attractive pedestal, with a prayer altar before it; all imbedded in a bower of beautiful white flowers. The theme of the exhibit was “United Prayer for the Peace of All Nations”. This exhibit took the Blue Ribbon for the best theme.

The radio talk was arranged for 7:30 p.m., October 28, over station KQW, two days before the first of the public meetings. The subject of the Bahá’í talk, “After this War”, was for 15 minutes. KQW is one of the large stations of the coast, and therefore the talk could be heard from Arizona to Oregon, and inland through Nevada. Letters were sent in advance to all Isolated Believers, Groups and Assemblies, notifying them of the Broadcast, and encouraging them to hold Fireside Gatherings, making the Subject matter of the Broadcast the theme of their discussion at the Fireside Gatherings. There were 16 Fireside Gathering, in 15 cities and towns. These cities extend from Phoenix, Arizona to Reno, Nevada to centers throughout Northern California. Thus, it will be seen how a Bahá’í talk over a Radio station, can be made a teaching medium for all our groups and Isolated Believers, who are normally deprived of outside teaching help because of their location, etc. One interesting aftermath of the Radio project was the “Fan Mail” which was received by the radio station. There were about 75 who wrote in asking for further data, or expressing appreciation for the broadcast.

The public meetings were held in a Hall of the Civic Center. Invitations had been sent to some 700 selected people in San Jose and the surrounding area; including educators, business people, those interested in Universal matters as well as students of the State College. The theme of the campaign was “Security for a Failing World”.

Follow-up meetings were announced, and study class arranged. The class is now in progress, and it is confidently expected a number of [Page 11] people will become Bahá’ís as a result of this program.

The opportunities for publicizing the Faith, as well as carrying forward active direct teaching, through the excellent facilities the National Assembly has been making available through their various committees, go far beyond the average thought when a plan is worked out for coordination and synchronization of these facilities into a general program of activity.

The time is short, and we must make coordinate use of each and every facility made available to us, so as to insure reaching the goal set by Shoghi Effendi for the Seven Year Plan.

REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

By: Sylvia Ioas

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Supplement to Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly 1941-42

A few words are offered in order to bring the report up to the end of the current Bahá’í year.

Realizing the extreme importance of the Guardian’s The Promised Day Is Come, the Assembly turned to the Contacts Committee for assistance in the compilation of a list of one thousand persons outside our Bahá’í ranks in the United States and Canada, to whom complimentary copies of this work might be sent. The Contacts Committee responded with a list representative of all regions, and we need not doubt but that spiritual influences and outcomes resulted from this direct mode of teaching.

Similarly the Assembly has continued its distribution of the public teaching bulletin, now entitled A World Faith, to a public list of about two thousand persons. Through other channels such as the Contacts and Regional Committees, local Assemblies and a few individual believers, several thousand more copies are placed in the hands of potential Bahá’ís. Years ago the Guardian urged us to concentrate on a few persons of capacity as part of the general teaching effort, and one method of doing so is to make use of this brief reprint of the words of Bahá’u’lláh, utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and writings of the Guardian.

The National Assembly has found it impossible to maintain its teaching program during the past two years consisting of a schedule of

Temple Model displayed at San Jose County Fair, California, October, 1941, expressing the theme of United Prayer for All Nations.

public meetings and regional conferences in different cities, and this has been a matter of regret, but the press of business and the increasing difficulty of the times has made it necessary to concentrate its meetings upon its own agenda of work. However, the decision to recognize the Race Unity banquet, which the Chicago Assembly has held for years on the evening preceding the Convention, and consider this a national activity conducted jointly by the Chicago Assembly and the National Race Unity Committee, has resulted in a most gratifying extension of the Convention period to include a second public meeting.

To contribute to the influence of the Cause in Latin America, the Assembly has donated a copy of The Bahá’í World (Vol. VIII) to eighteen leading Public Libraries in the various countries as well as to the Library of the Pan American Union in Washington.

It will be of profound interest to the friends to note that local Assemblies and also individual believers may now obtain a photostatic copy of the Will and Testament of Bahá’u’lláh, and of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, reproduced from certified copies sent us by the Guardian in the form of photographs of hand written originals. How can any human being realize the privilege of being able to draw near to and behold for himself such documents of universal meaning and divine power! It is by Their authority that we serve the Cause, and under Their protection that the communities and institutions of a World Faith survive world chaos in order to lay the basis of the Most Great Peace!

The formation of new Assemblies represents the harvest of all teaching and administrative effort during the year. Although the returns are not yet complete, nevertheless the list of new Assemblies and of those which have been restored is most impressive.

In North America the newly established Assemblies so far reported are: New Orleans, Halifax, Houston, East Orange, Winnipeg, Ann Arbor, Shorewood, Arlington, Englewood, Beverly.

Assemblies restored are: St. Lambert, Moncton, Salt Lake City, Lansing.

From Latin America comes fervent greeting from newly-formed Assemblies in Port au Prince, Haiti; San Salvador, El Salvador; Havana, Cuba; Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Puebla, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Montevideo, Uruguay. As a [Page 12] small dial may show a reading of the power of a mighty current, so these reports from our sister Republics are an indication of how rapid has become the flow of the spiritual force in these days of destiny for the friends of God. A new Assembly may be outwardly weak and inexperienced, lacking facilities for public teaching work, but inwardly it is a drop in the ocean of the new World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and a pillar in the advent of divine Justice on earth.

But the number of Assemblies alone is not a full measure of growth in the American community. Individual initiative and community or committee resourcefulness also disclose the degree of development. Glancing back over the whole field of activity of the year we discern clear signs that the power to live and to spread the Faith has been greatly augmented.

Among these signs are: the use of the regional conference as a source of unity and power for increased teaching by groups and isolated friends; the regional bulletin, a direct communication to groups and isolated believers; the Race Unity Committee’s presentation of the Message to more than sixty colleges; the preparation of new types of Temple display by the Exhibits Committee and of colored slides for illustrated lectures by Edwin Mattoon; the extension of Bahá’í Summer School activity to winter and spring sessions; the publication of unpublished Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in World Order Magazine; the Radio Committee’s more concentrated method of presenting Bahá’í material to broadcasting stations; the beginning of a Memorial of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Evergreen Cabin, under a new National Committee; the Child Education Committee’s attractive hand-lettered prayer book for children and youth; the development of Latin American programs by some of the larger Assemblies; the step taken by the Temple Program Committee in emphasizing the national character of the Temple public meetings by means of a new type of printed announcement.

In conclusion we report the latest messages received from the Guardian.

Writing to Mr. McDaniel on December 21, 1941, the Guardian declared: “The prosecution and completion of the task to which the American believers have pledged themselves must be insured, despite and in the very midst of the ordeal which they are now facing. The greater the anguish which this ordeal must entail, the most formidable the obstacles it will raise, the more meritorious their achievement, and the greater the spiritual power which their enterprises must and will exert in the future. I will pray that their efforts will be crowned with success that will cause the whole Bahá’í world to marvel.”

To Mr. Wilhelm, through his secretary, the Guardian wrote on February 28, 1942: “Shoghi Effendi hopes that the N.S.A. and Teaching Committees are meeting with a wider response to the call for pioneers and teachers. The American believers have carried on with such enthusiasm and devotion, and established such a record, that now all the Bahá’ís the world over have the impression that they can do almost anything! They must exceed their own past records for speed and accomplishment in order to triumph in the Seven Year Plan.”

On April 25, after cabling Shoghi Effendi that the amount of the Abul-Fadl Memorial Fund had been cabled to the National Assembly of Egypt, he sent this reply: “Deeply appreciate your efforts. Abul-Fadl (has been) buried (in the) Bahá’í cemetery.”

This brings us to the great message cabled to the Convention as received April 26. Copies have been made for delegates and Bahá’í guests. Comment is not made here as the National Assembly has been merely the channel through which the message could be conveyed to the Convention itself. No doubt its effect will be so profound that the character of the coming Bahá’í year will be reflected in the pure mirror of the Guardian’s sacrificial participation in the pioneer teaching work.

By Shoghi Effendi’s wisdom we have this year learned that it has been destined for America to be immersed in the world disturbances in order to have a preponderating share in the achievement of the Lesser Peace. We have learned that the part played by the Bahá’ís will affect the future of the American Republics. We have learned that divine assistance comes to every worker through whatever obstacles of difficulty and hardship may exist. As the light of the sun is transmitted through space as energy, to be transmuted into heat and light when it meets the atmosphere of the earth, so the Holy Spirit penetrates all substances and resistances exerted by human conditions, revealing itself as grace and mercy wherever it encounters the pure heart of faith. Not in spite of difficulties, but on account of them does His work proceed. If we can but learn the deeper mystery of faith, the tasks of the coming year can all be done.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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Bahá’í Calendar

Martyrdom of the Báb, July 9, at about noon (standard time).

Nineteen Day Feasts: Words, July 13; Perfection, August 1; Names, August 20.

Meetings of National Spiritual Assembly: July 17, 18, 19, 20, at Wilmette; September 11, 12, 13, 14, at Wilmette.

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Enrollments and Transfers

Chicago, three and two youth. Los Angeles, three. Milwaukee, two. Washington, two. Halifax, one. Flint, one. Cabin John, one. Boston, one. Miami, one. Scranton, one. Wauwatosa, one. Yonkers, one youth. Salt Lake City, one. East Cleveland, one.

Isolated believers enrolled in May, 12; in June, 10.

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Corrections

Immediate opportunity is taken to correct three errors which were inadvertently overlooked in proofreading the pages of Bahá’í News for June, 1942.

Page 1, in date of issue. Instead of “Year 98” it should be “Year 99.”

Page 4, lines 14 and 15 of first column. Instead of “many futile suggestions” it should be “many fertile suggestions.”

Page 7, second column, lines 4 and 5. Instead of “New Orleans” in the list of unoccupied States and Provinces, it should be “Louisiana.”