Bahá’í News/Issue 160/Text
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February, 1943
Bahá’í Era
| BAHÁ'Í |  |
NEWS |
Messages from the Guardian[edit]
Just informed by mail of the magnificent response made by American believers in recent teaching appeal. Convey to pioneers of the newly launched sacrificial campaign assurance of my inexpressible gratitude. The area of the unfinished tasks is visibly diminishing as Bahá’í century speeds to close. Urge every hesitant believer, however unprepared and inexperienced, audaciously to arise, determinedly to press forward, nobly persevere to reinforce the ranks of the trailbreakers of the Formative Age now unitedly arisen to seal the triumph of the initial undertaking marking the opening phase of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan.— January 6, 1943.
The immortal Lua, mother-teacher of the American Bahá’í Community, herald of the dawn of the Day of the Covenant, has been ceremoniously and reverently transferred by Egyptian brethren representing the local Bahá’í communities in the immediate vicinity of the grave of far-famed Abu’l-Fadl in the newly established Bahá’í cemetery in Cairo. The Ismá‘ílíyyih believers together with Assembly delegates of Egypt have held an inaugural ceremony at the second Bahá’í cemetery allocated by the Egyptian authorities. The sacred rights of the persecuted, expelled community, repeatedly denied legitimate burial, are now vindicated. The progressive emancipation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh from the traditional shackles of religious orthodoxy is increasingly evident and humbly, gratefully recognized by the followers of the Faith the world over. —January 7, 1943.
Heart aglow with pride, love, gratitude for superb achievement of completion of exterior of the House of Worship, Mother Temple of the West. Bahá’u’lláh’s high behest, enshrined in His Most Holy Book, has been brilliantly executed. The thirty-five year old enterprise, initiated on the same day that the Báb’s sacred remains were transferred to Mount Carmel, has been triumphantly consummated. The unique Edifice, singled out for consecration by the hands of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has been nobly reared. The Greatest Holy Leaf’s last ardent wish has been befittingly fulfilled. The Concourse on high is jubilant. Myself bow head in joyous, reverent recognition of prodigious accomplishment which deserves to rank among the outstanding enterprises launched in the Heroic Age and the most signal victory won since the inception of the Formative Period of the Bahá’í Dispensation. — January 18, 1943.
Assure relatives of Mathew Kaszab of my heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy for the loss of this heroic pioneer. His services are unforgettable and abundantly rewarded, Loving prayers.— January 19, 1943.
This Crucial Year[edit]
Progress Report No. 6 Issued by the National Spiritual Assembly for the Period January 1-31, 1943
34. An event of unique importance throughout the Bahá’í world is the construction of the Memorial to May Maxwell at Quilmes Cemetery, in the suburbs of Buenos Aires. After a block of Carrera marble was purchased, and a number of prominent sculptors consulted by representatives of the Spiritual Assembly of Buenos Aires, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins made a special journey there to represent the National Spiritual Assembly in making final arrangements, selecting the sculptor, and placing the contract. Mrs. Collins has fulfilled this mission, and the work is now proceeding. The dedication of the Memorial by the Bahá’ís of Buenos Aires and other Latin American cities is planned for March 21.
35. Between January 22 and 25, twelve Area Conferences were held in order to concentrate energy upon the importance of increasing the number of pioneers and settlers going forth to the key cities where Assemblies are to be formed. The meetings were held in the following cities: New York, Boston, Montreal, Washington, Cincinnati, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee. At ten of these gatherings a member of the National Spiritual Assembly presented the urgent teaching needs, and at all the meetings a National or Regional Teaching Committee representative explained the definite requirements of the key cities and handled questions raised by volunteers. The movement of the American Community in the direction of service established by the Guardian gathers momentum with each passing day.
36. The Bahá’í News Service Committee has carried out a very extensive program of publicity releases to announce the completion of the Temple exterior. A letter, an article, a photo or offer of cut or mat, and a copy of the New Temple pamphlet, was sent out to 500 daily papers and technical journals. 500 Temple pamphlets have been given the Temple Guides Committee for special distribution in 1943. The Race Unity Committee has sent 175 of the pamphlets to its list of papers representing minority groups, while about 100 copies have been mailed out to Negro leaders. The Contacts Committee has developed a list of 1000 persons of capacity and influence, and a complimentary pamphlet is being sent to each of these. Pioneer teachers in both North and South America have been given a copy, while a sample copy was mailed to local Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees. Finally, a shipment has been made to the National Spiritual Assemblies as well as to the Guardian.
37. At the January meeting, approval
was given to a number of
projects submitted by the National
Teaching Committee: Mrs. Mable
Ives, Louisville, Ky; Mrs. Virginia
Camelon, Charleston, W. Va.; Mrs.[Page 2]
Ruth Moffett, North Augusta, S. C.,
and Augusta, Ga.; Mrs. Zenobia
Dorsey, Augusta, Ga.; Elsa Steinmetz,
Sioux Falls, S. D.; Mrs. Florence
Reeb, for Regional Teaching.
The following projects were begun,
or completed, between November
and January: Gladys Bodmer,
Reno; Mrs. Helen Inderleid, Greensboro,
N. C.; Faye Roberts, Omaha;
Anita Ioas, Edmonton; Loretta
Voelz, Regina; Mr. and Mrs. Wm.
Doull, Providence; Mrs. Flora Valentine,
Portsmouth; Mr. and Mrs.
Fred Dennis, Louisville; Mrs. Jessie
Higman, Brattleboro; Mrs. Marie
Hopper, Brattleboro; Maud Mickle,
Brattleboro; Alta Wheeler, Brattleboro;
Doris Skinner, Edmonton;
Carl Scheffler, Omaha and Cedar
Rapids; Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Vermont,
Rhode Island; Mrs. Florence
Holsinger, Omaha; Mrs. Ruth Cornell,
Little Rock; Stanwood Cobb,
Charleston, W. Va; Mrs. Mable Ives,
Albuquerque; V. P. China, Regina.
38. In the Inter-America field, a number of projects are in the process of development which can be reported later. The National Spiritual Assembly has extended cooperation to the Spiritual Assembly of Buenos Aires to take over the bulk of the Bahá’í literature on hand in Spanish, and to set up a publishing and distributing center in that city for South America. This plan will require some months for working out the details. A very generous special donation has been made to help finance the printing work in Buenos Aires. To fulfil the tasks of the Seven Year Plan in the Latin America teaching field, the Inter-America Committee has been requested to concentrate upon the work in Paraguay, Guatemala and Nicaragua.
39. From May 1, 1942 to January 31, 1943, the National Bahá’í Fund received contributions amounting to $83,736.99, on the annual budget to $150,000. In January, $10,905.62 was donated. 77 Assemblies made contributions, 93 groups and 98 isolated believers also donated during the month. Expenditures in January amounted to $10,028.06, including $1,872.67 administrative expense, $1,139.12 Temple maintenance, $3,200 on construction account, $1,835.00 for National and Regional teaching, $407 free literature supplied under Committee literature budgets, and $628 for Inter-America teaching.
World Significance of Temple Completion[edit]
Since the news of the completion of the exterior ornamentation spread out into various parts of the Bahá’í world, five National Spiritual Assemblies have sent special messages to the American Bahá’ís.
“British believers thrilled by heroic achievement of Temple, grateful for inspiring example.” Dorothy Cansdale, Secretary.
“Egyptian believers heartily congratulate American believers on magnificent blessed historic achievement of completion of the first Temple in the Western World.”—Dr. Mohammed Saleh, Chairman.
“Heartily congratulate completion of exterior of edifice of Bahá’í House of Worship the foremost historic achievement of emblem of universal peace and oneness of mankind.” —Abbasally Butt, Secretary (India).
“With cheerful hearts full of love of beloved American Bahá’ís, on behalf of the Bahá’ís of Iran and ourselves sincerely, humbly convey to the representatives of the American Bahá’í community and friends Abhá congratulations on completion of thirty-five year old enterprise, the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the West, consummation of task ranking among the outstanding achievements of the First Bahá’í Century, and with complete submission supplicate His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh to continue to shower His blessings on those marvelous supporters of the beloved Cause.” — Rouhani, Secretary.
“Australian believers delighted at the announcement of the completion of the exterior of the edifice of the first Bahá’í Temple of the Western World. Heartiest congratulations to the American believers for their wonderful achievement.”—Hilda Brooks, Secretary.
The following message also has come: “New Zealand friends rejoice in completion of the Temple.”—Dulcie Burns, Secretary, Auckland.
Publishing Announcements[edit]
Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh; Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; Selected Writings of Shoghi Effendi: three pamphlets which provide the basic teachings and explanations of the Faith for individual and group study. Not sold separately. For the three, $0.25.
The Bahá’í Temple, House of Worship of a World Faith: illustrated pamphlet describing the Temple, explaining its purpose, giving the historical background of the development of the American Bahá’í community, and presenting the supervising engineer’s statement of the technical problems solved in construction. With excerpts from the words of ’Abdu’l-Bahá and the Master’s photograph. Ten copies for $1.00.
World Order Magazine: the magazine prepared for the believers, to increase their knowledge and further their capacity to teach and serve the Cause. The necessary contact with the Faith for isolated believers and groups. Yearly subscription, $1.50, for U.S., Canada, Cuba, Mexico, Central and South America. Other countries, $1.75.
Address Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
World Order Magazine[edit]
The October, November and December issues contain Albert R. Windust’s series of compilations on The Covenant. This material goes to the heart of the Message, and has value for permanent reference.
The October number included The Purpose of Affliction, Elizabeth Hackley; In Haifa, poem, Polly McClennen; Independent Investigation of Truth, William Kenneth Christian; Education for Armageddon, Garreta Busey; The Repudiation of Materialism, Robert Louis Koehl; The Timeless Land, Book Review, Arthur Dahl.
In November the contents, in addition to the Windust compilation, were: The Word Is Made Flesh, Mary Hammond; On Carmel’s Aged Slopes, poem, William Kenneth Christian; The Bahá’í Community, A Divine Creation, Chester F. Barnett; A Divine Policy, Horace Holley; Love and Justice, Henry C. Beecher.
December contents include: Cycles of Civilization, J. M. Haggard; The Covenant, Part III, Albert Windust, This Challenging Hour, Charles S. Krug; Creation and Revelation, Editorial, Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick; The Bahá’í Community, — Community Not The Church, — William Kenneth Christian; and the regular department, With Our Readers.
Race Unity[edit]
Reports from the Assemblies (Continued)
Binghamton — “Our first project under our teaching plans for this year was a visit by Mrs. Zenobia Dorsey of Scranton, Pa., and Miss Alice Higginbotham . . .Binghamton has just had to wake up to the race problem this summer when a large number of Negro troops was sent here to do guard duty. . .We asked for ways in which to be of service, and gave magazines and games for the rooms. We were also able to serve by giving sandwiches for a dance which was planned. A committee from the Assembly had an interview with the Commanding Officer and he explained the wisdom of the central location for activities. On October first we are moving the Bahá’í Center back to the downtown district, and hope for more ways to be of service there.”
New Haven — “We have many friends among the Negro race here. Two of that race are members of our community. These friends have been made by personal calls at the homes; by attending meetings from time to time to which we are invited, such as anniversary teas given by the Phyliss Wheatley Home for colored girls; parties given by a Neighborhood Reading Club at Christmas time or one attended recently to honor the President of the National Federation of Colored Woman’s Clubs, Mrs. A. B. DeMent, who had not heard about the Faith and was very glad to receive literature. Also at the affair, we met two young men, both graduates of Fiske University who had heard about the Faith through Bahá’í teachers who had lectured there. One of these young men is blind and he will receive Bahá’í books in Braille very soon We have a long list of these Negro friends who receive information about and invitations to all our open meetings, to which quite a few responses.”
Sacramento — “An Interracial U.S.O. has been started in Sacramento. I understand it is the first interracial one in the country, but Mr. Ben Ellison, its direct, incidentally a Negro and a Bahá’í, hopes that later additional ones will be started all over the country. Mr. Ellison is a gifted, talented man and is an adept at putting on interesting
Study Class conducted by Miss Adelaide Sharpe, in Tihrán, Persia.
programs for the servicemen of all races. He was transferred to our community from Pasadena and we looked him up immediately. Our group is cooperating with him, sponsoring a canteen night once a month. Various other groups from churches and clubs, white, colored, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican, etc., also have canteen nights, each taking one night a month. Mr. Ellison asked if it might not be a good idea to have a table with Bahá’í pamphlets.”
New Orleans—“Up to the present time we have had no group activities in this connection. However, a few of our members are in contact with some colored people who seem interested in the principles of the Faith and we are planning to direct our efforts towards forming a study group among these people where one or more of our members will aid in their study until such time as they are ready to become believers and attend the Feasts. Bahá’í books have been placed in libraries of some of the colored universities and this practice will be continued and followed up.”
Stimulating letters have also come from Santa Barbara, Cal.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D. C., Madison, Wid.; Buffalo, N. Y.; Winnipeg, Canada; Dayton, Ohio; Teaneck, N. J.; Greenwood, Miss.; Racine, Wis.; Kansas City, Mo.; Springfield, Ill. Ypsilanti, Mich.; South Bend. Ind.; Boston, Mass.; Vancouver, Canada; Detroit, Mich.
Inter-America News[edit]
The members of the Inter-America Committee is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mathew Kaszab, that faithful and energetic pioneer in the service of Bahá’u’lláh. No details have as yet reached us beyond the fact that Mathew was enroute home and reached the end of his earthly journey in Brownsville, Texas. Mathew’s service was fraught with many trials and much suffering and the welcome which must have been his as he ascended to the Abhá Kingdom must have been such as is accorded to a martyr in the Faith! Nicaragua will have been quickened by his presence and the believers whom he has left there will ever keep his memory alive.
Many plans are developing as a result of the suggestions of Mr. Sprague and Mrs. Collins, who are now back from their long journeys. We are rejoiced to report that Miss Eisenberg has volunteered to go to Paraguay for a sojourn of three months or longer.
The photograph of Srta. Leonora Marin, the first registered believer in Venezuela, has reached us. Congratulations to this beautiful young woman and to her teacher, Miss Sholtis.
Miss Kruka has returned to Havana and Miss Hottes to her post in Bolivia while we learn that Mrs. Marcia Atwater is now again in her beloved Chile after a difficult journey down the west coast of South America.
We are in receipt of some beautiful publicity arranged by Mrs. Leonora Armstrong in Portuguese in Recife, Brazil. Mrs. Armstrong’s unremitting labors for the Faith in Brazil and other countries in S. America over a long period of time are of the utmost importance and place her in the forefront of Latin American pioneers. She has left no avenue of service untried and spared no effort, however difficult to awaken the people of that vast country of Brazil.
Dr. Malcolm King writes from Jamaica of the splendid work he is doing. He is not satisfied with the results, but experience has taught us that he has succeeded far beyond the usual results of a pioneer in so short a time. The pioneers find that in every case they must make haste slowly. Congratulations and loving greetings to all.
Braille Transcriptions[edit]
The Committee on Braille Transcriptions urges that those Assemblies who have not already done so, fill in and return the questionnaires sent them as the committee would like to have as complete a record as possible of the needs in the communities for this type of Bahá’í work. Please address replies to Miss Ella C. Quant, 1089 Glenwood Blvd., Schenectady, N.Y.
Library[edit]
During the three months ended December l6, 1942, the Library Committee placed 97 books in 41 different Libraries, including seven Public, five States, six Army, two Conscientious objector camps, one College, eight Peace Organizations and fourteen State Prison Libraries. The latest news regarding Army Libraries is the acceptance of ten sets of books by the Headquarters of the Seventh Corps Area to cover the additional libraries opened in that region since the previous Bahá’í donation.
Among the encouraging letters received the following excerpts are shared with the friends:—
“Dr. R. B. von Klein, Chancellor, is very much interested in peace and will be interested, I know, in reading your publications” — Los Angeles Library of World Affairs. “We shall be very glad indeed to receive these publications which represent the Bahá’í views on International Relations and World Peace. This is a subject in which the Hoover Library is vitally interested and we shall welcome the contributions of the Bahá’í Faith.” — Hoover Peace Library. “It is a real pleasure to add this inspiring, important and attractive book to our collection.” — Tuskegee Institute. “Prisoners as a general rule are interested in comparative religions. Your donations will be placed in circulation immediately upon arrival.” — Alabama State Prison.
Temple Display[edit]
In addition to the map-type of Temple display announced in Bahá’í News for January, the Exhibits Committee has now received delivery of a smaller Temple display with folding easel back for use in window displays or where the illustration is to be placed on a table or other flat surface. The intention was to make this display a cut-out, so that the Temple would show in silhouette, but this proved to be unfeasible. The new Temple display measures 18¼″ by 17½″. It is a photographic enlargement of a painting of the House of Worship on linen with heavy board backing and easel, packed in a carton for convenient mailing or other transportation. The price is $3.50 each, postpaid. Send order to Temple Library and Sales Committee, H. E. Walrath, Chairman, 4639 Beacon Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Bahá’í Calendar[edit]
Nineteen Day Feasts: Dominion, February 7; Loftiness, March 2; Splendor, March 21.
Period of the Fast: Nineteen days beginning March 2.
Feast of Naw-Rúz: March 21.
Meetings of National Spiritual Assembly: March 5, 6, 7, 8. At Wilmette.
Committee List[edit]
Inter-America: Miss Christine Lofstedt added. Mrs. Shirley Warde unable to serve. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bode unable to serve. Mrs. Octavia Illiscas returned to the membership.
The Bahá’í World Editorial Committee, Vol. X: Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick and Mrs. David Ruhe added. Mrs. Honnold unable to serve.
Bahá’í News Service: Mrs. Margot McNamer Johnson added.
Race Unity: Mrs. Sarah E. Walrath appointed Secretary. Mrs. Ebersole unable to serve.
Louhelen School: Paul Pettit, Clement Perry, Dick Suhm added.
Contacts: Mrs. G. I. Geary added. Mrs. DeMille unable to serve.
Regional Teaching: Mrs. Kathryn Frankland added to committee for Arizona and New Mexico and taken from committee for Texas. Mrs. Edna Maloney added to committee for Eastern Canada. George Sulerud added to committee for Minnesota, North and South Dakota. Ingenuus Bentzar added to committee for California and Nevada. Reginald King added to committee for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Mrs. Clair Gillespie added to committee for Wyoming, Utah, Colorado. Dr. A. H. Kessler, Homer Dyer, Mrs. Edna Williams added to committee for Tennessee and Alabama.
Committee for Translation of Bahá’í Texts into German: Siegfried Schopflocher, Chairman, Mrs. Anna Neumann, Carl Neumann. Chairman’s address for correspondence, 1102 University Street, Montreal, Quebec.
Bahá’í College Foundation: Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Chairman, Mrs. Marzieh Gail, Wm. Kenneth Christian. Chairman’s address for correspondence, 615 West Elm Street, Lima, Ohio.
Library: change of address, Mrs. Stuart Sims, R. 2, Box 189, Neptune, N. J.
Youth Committee: Changes in membership. Margaret Miller, Chairman, 1330 26th Avenue, San Francisco, Calif. Anita Ioas, Leila Storch, Alex Holcombe, Doris Birtcil, Ann Holt, Marion Holley, Youth Advisor.
Geyserville School: Changes in membership — Mrs. Sylvia Ioas, Chairman, Gladys Linfoot, Secretary, 156 Nova Drive, Piedmont, Calif., Mrs. Amelia Bowman, John Bosch, Anita Ioas, Irvin Somerhalder, Mrs. Louis Groger, Mrs. Amelia Collins, Mrs. Marguerite Sears, Ted Groger.
