Bahá’í News/Issue 195/Text

From Bahaiworks

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BAHÁ’Í NEWS
No. 195 MAY, 1947   YEAR 104 BAHA’I ERA

First European Believer Under the Seven Year Plan[edit]

On April 18, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Marangella sailed for Italy where they will go to Rome to join Mr. and Mrs. Ugo Giachery, to further the work in that city. On April 25, Miss Dagmar Dole, who has been serving as pioneer in Alaska, sailed with Mrs. Elinor Gregory of the San Diego Community, on the Drottningholm. Miss Dole goes to Denmark to work with Mr. and Mrs. Anders Nielsen in Copenhagen and Mrs. Gregory goes to Oslo, Norway, to reinforce our pioneer there, Mrs. Solveig Corbit.

On March 15, the European Teaching Committee received the joyous news that the first native believer under this new Seven Year Plan, had declared himself. He is Signor Augusto Salvetti of Italy. Signor Salvetti heard of the Faith from a Persian believer while he was a prisoner of war in India. After returning to his native Italy, Signor Salvetti corresponded with the International Bureau and the office of the European Teaching Committee in Geneva. Since he was living in one of our “goal” countries, Mrs. Graeffe put him in touch with our pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. Ugo Giachery. After some wonderful personal interviews with the Giacherys, Signor Salvetti became confirmed and when signing his application card wrote to Mr. Giachery the following:

“My heart had an upsurge when I started to speak with you. The holiness of your principles, the wisdom of your words, the beauty of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, were expressed by you with words so simple, but so beautiful and touching, that I had the sensation that a light from heaven had touched me.” These wonderful words of Signor Salvetti give us a glimpse of what the Bahá’í Faith will bring to the suffering peoples of Europe and they make us further understand the Guardian’s statement that now is the time to bring the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to this distressed continent.

The Committee is assured that before very long they will be able to report similar news from our other goal countries, as all of our Pioneers are writing that there are some individuals who are very close to the Faith in each country.


On the Eve of the Election in Latin America[edit]

“Personal Participation or Appointment of Deputies”


I am impelled to appeal to all American believers possessing independent means to arise and supplement the course of the second year of the second Seven Year Plan through personal participation or appointment of deputies, the superb exertions of the heroic vanguard of the hosts destined, through successive decades, to achieve the spiritual conquest of the continent unconquered by Islám, rightly regarded as the mother of Christendom, the fountainhead of American culture, the mainspring of western civilization, and the recipient of the unique honor of two successive visits to its shores by the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

SHOGHI

Cablegram received April 28, 1947

As this article goes to press, pioneers are working feverishly in 12 of Latin America’s 19 goal cities, striving to bring them to Assembly status before election night; Assembly status based upon fully instructed, deeply confirmed and truly devoted Bahá’ís. The 19 cities are those which have been chosen by the friends out of Latin America’s 37 groups, as the most likely to attain sufficient numbers for an Assembly within the first two years of the beloved Guardian’s second Seven Year plan. Of the 37 groups 22 are new this year and indicate the fervor with which the native believers and teachers have united with the North American pioneers in striving to greatly extend the basis of Bahá’í representation in preparation for the election of their two National Assemblies four years from now.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund J. Miessler, assisted by Dr. Thomas Sanchez de Egea, report that they feel assured of their nine in Sao Paulo, which would give Brazil a third Assembly. They write that they have met some of the most delightful scientific and artistic people, as well as business men, in that thriving metropolis, and that some of these will be included in their new Assembly. Among their students is the author of the new grand opera based upon the life history of the Jewish people. He has asked permission to write an opera based upon some of the early episodes of the Bahá’í Faith.

Gayle Woolson reports from Colombia that Cali, with an adult membership of 20 and 2 youths, will elect its first Assembly, and that Medellin is striving to do the same. Cartagena and Contratácion are runners-up, while three other groups are showing growth. Cali will make the third Colombian Assembly. It includes among its members scientific and business people of importance.

Hascle Cornbleth sends word from Quito that this first Ecuadorian group founded by John Stearns, has now grown to the point where it expects to elect its Assembly and become

[Page 2] the second organized community in that country.

Louise Baker in Mexico is praying that Puebla may reach Assembly strength in time to organize as a complete community. During the seven months that she has been teaching in Puebla and Coatepec, six ‎ believers‎ have been confirmed in Coatepec and 6 new members have come in, in Puebla. There is one mother Assembly in Mexico City. The Coatepec group centers about a young teacher, Srta. Victoria Méndez, whose body is paralyzed, but whose mind and spirit are so awake and active, that she quickly recognized Bahá’u’lláh, and helped to draw others together to study. The class meets at her bedside, since Srta. Victoria cannot go elsewhere to be with them.

With seven believers almost ready and two more assured within a short time, Louise Caswell and James Facey are striving to bring through Colón, goal city of Panama. An immense amount of fine work has been done here under some unusual difficulties.

Gwenne Sholtis is laboring confidently and prayerfully in Sucre. This group has contributed members to four other Bolivian cities and has now brought its own membership back up to 6. It is striving to confirm at least three more of its students.

Eve Nicklin and the Assembly of Lima, Peru, are working against time in Callao. They have a foundation of 5 members and have built up a large class of students. Eve reported that 100 attended their last public meeting. They are trying out the plan of visiting the various lodges, especially the workmen’s lodges, and offering a speaker on any cultural topic which may be selected by the lodge. This topic is then presented from the Bahá’í point of view, without being a direct Bahá’í talk. At the close, the members are invited to come to the Bahá’í Center to hear the “real stuff.”

Bahá’í Addresses


National Office:

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

Treasurer’s Office:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Bahá’í Publishing Committee:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Jean Silver has sent in her first four membership cards from Cienfuegos, Cuba. No one in that city had ever heard of the Faith prior to the first visit Jean made accompanied by Josephine Kruka last summer. One of the four is a man of much capacity, a former clergyman of the Liberal Catholic church.

Six are assured for Argentina’s new goal city of La Plata, Shirley Warde writes us. Mary and Antronik Kevorkian are helping there, under conditions which are very difficult. A group is also growing in Rosario.

Marcia Steward reports 10 new Bahá’ís in Costa Rica and sends us a description of an interesting correspondence campaign carried on there by the teaching committee of San José including Sr. Gerardo Vega, Sr. Oscar Castro and herself. Their method was to run a 2 by 5 advertisement in the principal papers of some of the larger cities, stating frankly: “We are seeking people of good will to organize a Center of Study and Teaching founded on the following principles:” following with the 12 Bahá’í principles, then continuing: “This movement already has affiliated groups established in all the major countries of the world, which function by means of the collective consultation of all their members. Without obligation, you may ask for literature and every kind of information by writing to Post Office Box 884, San José, Costa Rica.”

Bahá’í News is published by the

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada as the official news-letter of the Bahá’í community. The first issue appeared in December, 1924.

On April 10, 1925, the Guardian wrote: “The News Letter which you have lately initiated fulfills a very vital function... I would urge you to enlarge its scope ... that in time it may devote a special section to every phase of your activities, administrative, devotional, humanitarian, financial, educational and otherwise.

“It should become a great factor in promoting understanding, providing information on Bahá’í activity, both local and foreign, in stimulating interest, in combating evil influences, and in upholding and safeguarding the institutions of the Cause.”

Bahá’í News is edited for the National Spiritual Assembly by its Bahá’í News Editorial Committee: Garreta Busey, chairman, John Ashton, Alice Simmons Cox, Marzieh Gail, Doris Holley, Annamarie Kunz Honnold, Eleanor Sweeney Hutchens, Mabel Hyde Paine, Margaret Swengel. Editorial office: Miss Garreta Busey, 503 West Elm Street, Urbana, Illinois.

Please report changes of address to which Bahá’í News is to be sent and other matters pertaining to its distribution to the Bahá’í National Office, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

Forty-five replies came in. Each letter of inquiry was answered individually, enclosing two pamphlets, one dealing with the Bahá’í peace plan, and the other a general pamphlet. When a second letter came, pains were taken to answer all questions individually, and the inquirer was asked if he would like to establish a study class and receive Bahá’í books. Then, writes Marcia, “When he has again replied, we send the books, ‘The New Era’, ‘Wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ and ‘Some Answered Questions’. After he has acknowledged and studied these, we send the Bahá’í Administration. When, as in all the cases to date, he becomes more and more interested and has established his group of friends, we send him the ‘Dispensation’. If he can take this, then we send him the ‘Will and Testament’ with a detailed letter explaining clearly its importance. Then we send him a registration card. When he has returned this signed, as has for example Sr. Noe Cordero of Barba de Heredia, we send him credentials, authorized by our teaching committee, to form a group. The case of Sr. Cordero is a proof of the efficacy of this system. We went to see him and he is marvelous.” Quepos, which is fast approaching Assembly strength, Limón, Turrealba and San Carlos, as well as Barba de Heredia, were first organized in this way.

Artemus Lamb is completing his survey of the 10 new groups in southern Chile and plans to return to the United States in time to assist at the Latin American session at Colorado Springs International School scheduled for June 18th to 27th inclusive.

The Inter-America Committee asks that all those planning to attend the Latin American session at the International school, will please notify the Committee secretary, Miss Elisabeth H. Cheney, 4500 Magnolia Ave., Chicago 40, Ill., since accommodations are limited to 24 students and the Committee is anxious that all those deeply interested should have an opportunity to take the practical pioneering course.

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International School Opens[edit]

Two practical pioneering courses will be given this year at the International Bahá’í School at Colorado Springs. The school has been placed by Mrs. Loulie Matthews under the direct supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly, and will be used especially to help prepare those, who wish to teach in Latin America or Europe. The Latin American session will be given June 18 to 27 inclusive, the European session from July 1st to 10th inclusive.

Mornings will be devoted to deepening in the Faith, including a study of “Dispensation” and “Advent of Divine Justice,” and some of the more personal teachings such as prayer, moral attitudes, personal problems, etc. Four sheets of quotations useful for different types of addresses, will be prepared by the students, so that they may have readily available in brief and exact form excerpts from the direct Word useable for six diverse topics. These will be prepared in both English and Spanish during the first session. Mrs. Matthews will have charge of the morning classes.

Afternoons from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. will be devoted to a practical workshop during the Latin American session, in which students will have an opportunity to practise teaching, the audience representing the various types of backgrounds found in the 22 countries now being opened to the Cause. They will learn the Latin American psychologies and customs, how to approach these people with understanding and obtain their cooperation, how to open up cities and how to deepen and stabilize communities already established. Those assisting the students will include Artemus Lamb, who has now visited and taught in 8 Latin American countries, and Elisabeth H. Cheney, who has visited and taught in 14 countries. An effort will be made to help those interested to prepare themselves for actual service in the 12 countries which urgently need pioneers.

Election Report 1947 Annual Convention
Mrs. Dorothy Baker, 144
Mr. Horace Holley, 134
Mr. Philip G. Sprague, 123
Mr. Wm. Kenneth Christian, 117
Mr. Paul E. Haney, 116
Miss Elsie Austin, 113
Miss Edna M. True, 104
Mrs. Amelia E. Collins, 91
Mr. George O. Latimer, 58
Certified by:—
DOROTHY BAKER
Convention Chairman
HORACE HOLLEY
Convention Secretary

Five evenings will be devoted to public meetings, including a musical and two lectures in the town and two Latin American evenings at the school, when Artemus and Elisabeth will describe some of the unique experiences which come the way of the pioneer. Five evenings will be left open for relaxation and for study.

The European Teaching Committee has announced that their session will follow approximately the same type of curriculum, their afternoon session teachers to be announced a little later.

Those desiring to attend either session, are requested to please write as quickly as possible to Miss Elisabeth H. Cheney, 4500 Magnolia Ave., Chicago 40, Ill., for the Latin American session, June 18 to 27, or to Miss Edna True, 418 Forest Ave., Wilmette, Ill., for the European session, July 1 to 10.


Geyserville — The 1947 Program[edit]

The Geyserville Bahá’í School session will extend over six weeks this year—June 23 to August 2. Each course is planned for a two weeks’ period, and each will be repeated with such variation as is desirable and practical for the students who plan to remain longer than two weeks.

In accordance with the expressed wish of the Guardian and the National Spiritual Assembly, the needs of the Seven Year Plan and the training of Bahá’í teachers and workers have been kept clearly in mind by the committee in developing the program, and in order to enable every student to engage in intensive research and training in an area of the Faith of special interest to him, the following courses or “workshops” are being offered:

A. Research in the Spiritual Teachings of the Faith. A course for those


Pioneers sailing to Europe on the Veendam, March 12, 1947. Left to right: Eunice Shurcliff, Anita Ioas, John Cane, Sally Sanor, John Shurcliff and Gladys Anderson, at the right of the picture, sailed for Haifa, March 15th.

[Page 4] who wish to gain a deeper and more practical knowledge of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings on the spiritual life of man.

B. The Planning and Delivery of Bahá’í Talks. This workshop will provide opportunity for the enrollees to gain new knowledge and skills for presenting the teachings of the Faith.

C. Building the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The objective of this course is to enable each student to gain a deeper appreciation of his place in the greatest spiritual conquest of the ages. It will include a study of the origin and early beginnings of the Divine Plan, the unfoldment of America’s spiritual ‎ mission‎ during the past fifty years, and a review of the spread of the Faith throughout the world, with special consideration to the needs of the current Seven Year Plan.

D. Effective Teaching Methods. This workshop will consist of study, discussion and demonstrations of individual and group teaching techniques, and the application of these techniques to at least one public meeting in each two weeks’ period. The use of current teaching materials will be emphasized and demonstrated.

E. Fundamental Teachings of the Bahá’í Faith. A course designed for non-Bahá’ís attending the Summer School, for the purpose of assisting them to develop a clear understanding of the tenets of the faith.

F. Laboratory on Bahá’í Administration. This daily afternoon session will offer opportunity for the Bahá’ís to discuss the principles of Bahá’í administration and procedure and their application to numerous activities such as Bahá’í elections, committee meetings, and general problems which arise from time to time in Bahá’í communities.

Each student will enroll in two courses of his choice, within each of which he may select one or more subjects, projects or problems on which to concentrate his major attention for the two weeks’ period. In addition to individual study and research, each course or workshop will include a number of lectures and much group discussion. General assemblies and demonstrations will be held from time to time in order that the entire student body may benefit from the work and study of all the groups.

The Children’s Program. Organized classes for children will be conducted during the period, July 7 to 20, only. There will be five groupings, each with its special program, as follows:

Junior Youth—12 to 15 years
High Intermediate—10 to 12 years
Low Intermediate—9 to 10 years
Primary—6 to 8 years
Pre-school—children under six years

On Sundays the school will hold “open house” with programs and demonstrations planned to interest visiting Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. The evenings will be devoted to recreation, entertainment and cultural activities.

There will be no separate program for youth members, but young people will be included in all courses and activities and may, if they wish, undertake certain projects of special interest to themselves.


Wanted for Louhelen[edit]

WANTED: Voluntary services of a Bahá’í to act as Registrar for the 1947 Sessions of Louhelen Summer School. Duties: assign rooms, collect fees, keep accurate account of all


Miss Jennie Anderson, pioneer to Sweden, sailing on the Gripsholm, March 14, 1947.


money collected, notify supervisor of number of guests for each meal. Board and room will be furnished in exchange for above services. (Attendance at some of the classes will be possible).


Adult Study at Green Acre[edit]

The past two summers at the Green Acre Summer School have been characterized by a marked increase in the amount of study carried on by adult students. Much of this work has been done in the Research Seminar, a course which continues throughout the season. The School has been fortunate in having as leader of this course Professor Glenn Shook, whose many-sided interests and knowledge make him ‎ particularly‎ valuable in guiding research on a variety of topics.

Each student in the course chooses a topic on which he wishes to do research, and for five sessions each week he pursues this study in the library. This time will be given to individual conferences with Professor Shook, to reading, and to the organization of the results of study. On Saturday mornings all the students meet as a group, and two or three report on their findings. Professor and Mrs. Shook serve coffee and cookies at the beginning of this Saturday conference, and this adds to the social atmosphere of the sharing of the results of research.

Some students work in the Seminar for only a week or two, and complete a comparatively simple piece of research in a limited area. Others may work for five or six weeks in a complex area, and produce studies which are of graduate college level. The research completed during the summer of 1946 included work on the following topics: The Life of Buddha (to assist in teaching the Bahá’í Faith to Buddhists); The Influence of Religion on Civilization (resulting in a 17-page typed report); an article for a non-Bahá’í magazine on “The Marriage of Religion and Science”; a course of study for Bahá’í children, arranged for three age groups; The Bahá’í Teachings on Social Justice; A Study of the Bahá’í Writings about Prayer.

Three other Workshop classes often send students to the Library to do intensive study on some aspect of the work. Those in the Workshop in Effective Speech prepare material on a great variety of topics

[Page 5] for the talks they give in the course. Students in the Workshop in Administration look up points on which there may have been some question in their discussions and demonstrations. Gathering material to use in radio scripts sends members of a third Workshop to use the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í books in the library.

During the summer of 1947 two other Workshops will be added to the program:— (1) a course in Public Relations, which will include arranging for, and presenting, public Bahá’í programs in nearby towns; (2) a Workshop for teachers in Bahá’í children’s classes, which will provide opportunity to observe and do practice teaching in the Green Acre Children’s School, as well as a study of principles of child psychology and education.


National Public Meeting Campaign[edit]

Miami[edit]

The Miami Public Meeting was held in the YMCA, Friday March 7th at 8:30 p.m. The attendance is reported as between 120 to 125. Being in the deep south, the friends were well pleased to see a representation of both races. The Program Committee mailed out 550 invitations.

“The House Committee responsible for decoration of the hall, did a beautiful job. On the right of the stage was the Temple Model framed in palms. On the left of the stage, on top of the piano, was a plaque with the Greatest Name, surrounded by pink begonias. On the center wall of the platform, was a gold leaf plaque with the Statue of Liberty in bas-relief, and above this in the shape of an arc, were the flags of all Nations, surrounded by palms. The palms were donated by T. R. Baumgartner, an isolated believer of North Miami Beach. A stranger in the audience asked ‘Who was the Florist responsible for the lovely decorations?’ Usherettes, representing the variegated garden of humanity, were selected from the Inter-racial Youth Group. Each was dressed formally and wore a wrist corsage.”

A book display of various Bahá’í books also included the Bible, the Qu’ran, and the Light of Asia, which is a good idea for all Bahá’ís to adopt in book displays.

A half hour of preludial piano music preceded the lecture with a vocal solo before and after the address.

A buffet luncheon for Press and Radio Representatives was held at the Center on March 7th, but they were conspicuous by their absence. In spite of this and a curtailment of publicity because of paper shortage, five papers carried from three to five ads apiece, over a period of one week, preceding the meeting. Three hundred window posters were distributed throughout the City, and two displays of the picture of the Temple were obtained in local shops.

Radio time was bought over WQAM on Sunday March 2nd at 1:45 p.m., at which time the radio transcription “A New Interpretation of History” was used. Three spot announcements were also made from this station, WQAM of Miami. Time was also bought from WKAT at Miami Beach for two evening programs and the transcriptions used were, “Meet Mr. Justice” and “World Language.” The station WKAT then offered the friends a 15 minute free program and Mr. Ober spoke on “An Answer to the Atomic Bomb.” This script was supplied the friends by the National Public Meetings Committee.

Harlan Ober’s talk “World Order Through World Faith,” was very well received by his audience, as was shown by the willingness of so many people to remain for further informal discussion. After the address, the chairman announced that anyone wearing a pink flower, was a Bahá’í delegated to answer questions to the enquirer. This was to replace an Open Forum, so as to make individual contacts. A good idea that we can all copy.

With the Miami, Birmingham and Nashville meetings an attempt was made for better coordinated effort between the work of the National Teaching and the Public Meetings committees, which we hope was the harbinger of greater coordinated effort in future work.


Birmingham[edit]

The Birmingham Public Meeting was preceded by a luncheon on March 13th, in the Tutwiler Hotel, attended by fifteen leading representatives of the Press and Radio. The chairman, Mr. John Inglis, introduced the speaker, Harlan Ober, and stated the purpose of the luncheon conference. Mr. Ober spoke briefly and very much to the point, and as a result many intelligent and interesting questions were asked. Two young men, one a radio announcer and the other a reporter, lingered long after the luncheon was over to ask more about the Faith. The result was excellent publicity the next day with a full half-column write-up on Mr. Ober’s speech. The Birmingham friends feel that the luncheon conference was very successful.

On Friday, March 14th, Mr. Ober spoke to the gentlemen of the Civitan Club, 125 leading business and pro-

Continued on page 8


Los Angeles Public Meeting, March 21st Speakers: Elsie Austin and N. Forsyth Warde, (center), with the Men’s Glee Club, University of California, at Los Angeles.

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The Guardian’s Message to the Thirty-Ninth Annual Bahá’í Convention[edit]

My heart is filled with delight, wonder, pride and gratitude in contemplation of the peace-time exploits, in both hemispheres, of the world community of the followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, triumphantly emerging from the crucible of global war and moving irresistibly into the second epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation.

The opening years of the second century of the Bahá’í Era, synchronizing with concluding stage of the memorable quarter-century elapsed since the termination of the Heroic Age of the Faith, have been distinguished by a compelling demonstration by the entire body of believers, headed by the valorous American Bahá’í community, of solidarity, resolve and self-sacrifice as well as by a magnificent record of systematic, worldwide achievements.

The three years since the celebration of the Centenary have been characterized by a simultaneous process of internal consolidation and steady enlargement of the orbit of a fast-evolving administrative order.

These years witnessed, first, the astounding resurgence of war-devastated Bahá’í community of Central Europe, the rehabilitation of the communities in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Far East; second, the inauguration of a new Seven Year Plan by the American Bahá’í community destined to culminate with the Centenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Prophetic Mission, aiming at the formation of three National Assemblies in Latin America and the Dominion of Canada, at completion of the holiest House of Worship in the Bahá’í world, and at the erection of the structure of the administrative order in ten sovereign States of the European continent; and third, the formulation by the British, the Indian and the Persian National Assemblies of Six Year, Four and One-Half Year, and Forty-Five Month Plans respectively, culminating with the Centenary of the Báb’s Martyrdom and pledged to establish nineteen Spiritual Assemblies in the British Isles, double the number of Assemblies in the Indian sub-continent, establish ninety-five new centers of the Faith in Persia, convert the groups in Bahrein, Mecca and Kabul into Assemblies and plant the banner of the Faith in the Arabian territories of Yemen, Oman, Ahsa and Kuweit.

Moreover, the number of countries opened to the onsweeping Faith, and the number of languages in which its literature has been translated and printed, is now raised to eighty-three and forty-seven, respectively. Four additional countries are in process of enrollment. Translations into fifteen other languages are being undertaken. No less than seventeen thousand pounds have accumulated for the international relief of war-afflicted Bahá’í communities of East and West. The Bahá’í endowments on the North American continent have now passed the two million dollar mark. The value of the endowments recently acquired at the World Center of the Faith, dedicated to the Shrines, are estimated at thirty-five thousand pounds. Bahá’í literature has been disseminated as far north as Upernivik, Greenland, above the Arctic circle. The Bahá’í message has been broadcast by radio as far South as Magellanes. The area of land dedicated to the Mashriqu’l Adhkár of Persia has increased by almost a quarter-million square metres. The number of localities in the Antipodes where Bahá’ís reside has been raised to thirty-five spread over Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. Twenty-seven Assemblies are functioning in Latin America. In over a hundred localities Bahá’ís are resident in Central and South America, almost double the localities at opening of the first Seven Year Plan. Historic Latin American conferences have ‎ been‎ held in Buenos Aires and Panama. Summer Schools are established in Argentina and Chile. Land has been offered in Chile for site of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Latin America. Additional Assemblies have been incorporated in Paraguay and Colombia. Seven others are in process of incorporation. A notable impetus has been lent this world-redeeming Message through the concerted measures devised by the American National Assembly designed to proclaim the Faith to the masses through public conferences, press and radio.

Such remarkable multiplication of dynamic institutions, such thrilling deployment of world-regenerating forces, North, South, East and West, endow the preeminent goal of second Seven Year Plan in Europe with extraordinary urgency and peculiar significance. I am impelled to appeal to all American believers possessing independent means to arise and supplement the course of the second year of the second Seven Year Plan through personal participation or appointment of deputies, the superb exertions of the heroic vanguard of the hosts destined, through successive decades, to achieve the spiritual conquest of the continent unconquered by Islám, rightly regarded as the mother of Christendom, the fountainhead of American culture, the mainspring of western civilization, and the recipient of the unique honor of two successive visits to its shores by the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

SHOGHI

Cablegram received April 28, 1947.


National Spiritual Assembly[edit]

The New Assemblies[edit]

Beloved friends:

The formation of new Spiritual Assemblies in North America on April 21, 1947 and April 21, 1948 is a sacred mission laid upon every believer, and a tremendous responsibility assigned to the National and Regional Teaching Committees.

To arrive at a total of 175 Assemblies by election time, 1948, the American believers must attain a powerful surging movement concentrating the forces entrusted to every soul and the well-directed facilities of every administrative body.

It has been estimated that seventeen Assemblies might be formed this year, counting the restoration of some Assemblies which had lost their status. Two or three of these will form part of the Canadian Bahá’í community which in another year will hold its own annual convention and elect its own National Spiritual Assembly. Since the formation of a national Bahá’í community

[Page 7] is among our greatest achievements, on account of its importance as one of the electoral bodies which will create the first Universal House of Justice, the year 1948 will mark one of the great dates signalizing the progress of the present Seven Year Plan.

Let us ponder for a moment what a local Spiritual Assembly means to a new Bahá’í community.

It is a foundation stone on which the House of Justice must find secure support. It is the God-given agency for unification of believers in an organic social body, successor to priests and preachers of former dispensations. It is the magnet which alone can attract into active demonstration the new qualities conferred by the Holy Spirit for realizing the oneness of mankind. It is the vehicle by which personal opinion can be transmuted into authoritative decision, and personal feeling flower into the glory of justice.

No wonder that every local Assembly, especially in its formative years, seems to be plunged into an ocean of trials and tribulations. The responsibility of its members often seems too heavy to be borne or too complicated to be fulfilled. Problems involving teaching policy, family unhappiness, mental aberration, financial budgets, committee personnel


“Assist Me–”[edit]

Glorified art Thou, O my Lord! Thou beholdest my tribulations and all that hath befallen me at the hands of such of Thy servants as keep company with me, who have disbelieved in Thy most resplendent signs, and turned back from Thy most effulgent Beauty. I swear by Thy glory! Such are the troubles that vex me, that no pen in the entire creation can either reckon or describe them.

I implore Thee, O Thou Who are the King of names and the Creator of earth and heaven, so to assist me by Thy strengthening grace that nothing whatsoever will have the power to hinder me from remembering Thee, or celebrating Thy praise, or to keep me back from observing what thou hast prescribed unto me in Thy Tablets, that I may so arise to serve Thee that with bared head I will hasten forth from my habitation, cry out Thy name amidst Thy creatures, and proclaim Thy virtues among Thy servants. Having accomplished what Thou hast decreed, and delivered the thing Thou hast written down, the wicked doers among Thy people would, then, compass me about and would do with me in Thy path as would please them.

In the love I bear to Thee, O my Lord, my heart longeth for Thee with a longing such as no heart hath known. Here am I with my body between Thy hands, and my spirit before Thy face. Do with them as it may please Thee, for the exaltation of Thy word and the revelation of what hath been enshrined within the treasuries of Thy knowledge.

Potent art Thou to do what Thou willest, and able to ordain what Thou pleasest.

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
Prayers and Meditations, p. 242

and functions, internal strain and external pressure — the catalog of tests is far from brief, but the effect is a mighty blessing for all who survive.

Why should it be simple and easy? The path trodden by Assembly members is the path leading upward through new spiritual realms, where


Miss Charlotte Stirratt, Mrs. Fritzi Shaver, and Miss Elsa Steinmetz, sailing on the Westerdam, March 26, 1947


the reins of option are held by a higher Power.

The Master, and later the Guardian, showered most ardent love and affection upon the new and inexperienced Assemblies. Perhaps some of the members of these newly formed bodies would like to stand in the light and warmth of that paradise. If so, let them read the Tablets published on pages 400 to 410 of Bahá’í World Faith; and then turn to the letters written by the Guardian to America during the first two or three years following the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Imbued with that new spirit, the Assembly can begin its historic mission with mature faith and radiant vision, knowing that every test is a blessing, every trial a sign of the nearness of the Holy Spirit.

The names of the new Assemblies will be published as soon as election reports are available.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Treasurer’s Report[edit]

In the last Bahá’í News your Treasurer brought to your attention the fact that during the month of February we spent almost three times more than we took into the National Fund during that month.

Disbursements up to March 29th totalled $18,409.12 and receipts from March 1st to March 29th totalled $15,601.88. This means that we spent $2,807.24 more than we received.

[Page 8] Much of the money which comes into the Fund is earmarked, particularly for the interior decoration of the Temple and these earmarked funds are not available to the Treasurer for general expenses.

On April 1st we had twenty-one pioneers in the European field. Transportation expenses for these pioneers are expensive and, due to conditions beyond their control and ours, employment is not open to them. In fact, guarantees have had to be given that they will not become charges of the government under which they will live. By the first of May, twenty-five pioneers will be in the European field, and the Guardian has cabled the National Spiritual Assembly that ten more are to leave during the next six months.

All that your Treasurer can do is to bring these matters to your attention. If the work is to go forward at its present rate, more money will have to come into the general Fund.

Faithfully,
PHILIP G. SPRAGUE, Treasurer

National Bahá’í Records[edit]

The membership list maintained by the National Spiritual Assembly is the most important record in the files of the National Office. This list has grown and developed throughout the years, and the work involved in making the necessary additions and revisions has become a matter of daily routine.

In mailing out to individual believers their personal copy of “A God-Given Mandate” the National Assembly learned that much information concerning changes of address and other data had not been supplied. The need of a permanent master alphabetical list, and several lists classifying the names under different arrangements, became apparent, and action has been taken, with the efficient and devoted assistance of Mr. Clarence Niss, to set up a permanent organization of the membership records.

The constant vigilance and cooperation of local Assemblies, group correspondents, Regional Teaching Committees, and individual Bahá’ís is indispensible, as the records of the National Office can only reflect changes and developments of the Bahá’í community duly reported from day to day. An urgent and loving appeal is made at this time for action on the part of all concerned, to report each and every change of membership, as follows; new enrollments by local Assemblies, new enrollments by Regional Teaching Committees, changes of residence either within the city or from one city to another, changes of name, as by marriage or court authority, deaths, withdrawals from the Bahá’í community, etc. Since every Bahá’í of twenty-one years and more is now a voter at the state elections, and every enrolled Bahá’í youth receives his or her personal copy of Bahá’í News and whatever else may be issued from the National Office, it is apparent that the National Spiritual Assembly has a deep spiritual as well as legal responsibility to maintain a full and accurate membership list of American Bahá’ís. Please help the members in their effort to strive for the utmost degree of perfection in these unique records.

From time to time some local Assembly inquires what to do in the case of the names of believers who remain inactive, not attending meetings, not taking part in Bahá’í elections, nor contributing to the fund, nor joining the Bahá’í community for the celebration of the great Anniversaries of the Faith, nor associating with the Bahá’ís even outside the regular meetings. Since this question is very important, the National Assembly has consulted about it and offers the following simple statement of principle in the hope that it will guide the Assemblies and also the Regional Teaching Committees whenever they are called upon to compile the membership list of their city or area.

1. Inactivity alone is not a cause for removing a believer from the Bahá’í membership list. Removal can be done only when the believer himself withdraws from the Faith or is removed from the list of voting members by formal administrative action.

2. There is a twilight zone of inactivity where the believer gives no evidence of faith in Bahá’u’lláh but does not serve notice of abandonment of the Cause. This twilight zone is the greatest challenge to the Assemblies themselves. The inactivity of a few believers can only continue year after year because the Assembly is equally inactive as far as such believers are concerned. The National Spiritual Assembly wishes this twilight zone of passivity and inaction to be illumined by the full light of ardor and fellowship from the Assembly. Let special committees be appointed, or individual representatives selected, to make direct and friendly contact with all inactive Bahá’ís, urge them to take part in the Bahá’í work, offer help and assistance if they are in difficulty, and if the effort proves fruitless, to ask such Bahá’ís whether they themselves wish to be retained on the membership list. When the reply definitely indicates abandonment of the Faith and desire not to be regarded as a Bahá’í, the matter is to be reported to the National Assembly for final action.

Whenever the contact cannot be made personally by local Assembly members, a letter should be written by the Assembly to the inactive believer, requesting him or her to advise the Assembly whether he wishes to be retained on the membership list. All replies indicating abandonment are to be reported to the National Assembly, and if there is no reply within thirty days the Assembly is to report the case to the National Assembly for decision.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

National Public Meetings[edit]

Continued from page 5

fessional men being present. They proved to be a most receptive audience.

At 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 16th, the Public Meeting was held in the main studio of station WTNB, a beautiful auditorium that had once been a ballroom. The Birmingham friends, armed with the knowledge that a beautiful setting means very much in the south and their own desire to present the Cause, “the most beautiful thing in the world today” in a setting commensurate with its beauty and dignity, decorated the front of the room with smilax, ferns, palms and tall vases of peach gladioli. Two large pictures of the Temple were displayed amidst the greenery, with the words “BAHÁ’Í WORLD FAITH” in block letters along the white railing directly behind the speaker.

Mrs. Cora Dyer was chairman, and the following will be of special interest to those who know the race

[Page 9] prejudice of the south: “The musicians were especially well received and we had almost held our breath on this one point alone, for they were both colored! One lady remarked on Mrs. Dyer’s addressing them as ‘Mrs.,’ as that is unheard of in this part of the country, but Mrs. Dyer, as is usual with her, gave a most fitting and gracious response, and the lady left feeling very much enlightened over her experience. She said it was the first time in all her years of life in the South that she had attended a meeting where both races participated! Many remarks were made on the beauty and dignity of the meeting.”

Harlan Ober’s presentation of the subject “World Order Through World Faith” the friends feel was masterfully done. The first half hour of the program was recorded and rebroadcast that evening at 6:30.

Outstanding were the radio broadcasts achieved by the Birmingham Bahá’ís. The recorded ‎ transcriptions‎ issued by the National Radio Committee were broadcast March 8th, 9th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th. An interview with Mr. Ober was broadcast at 13:30 p.m. the day of the Public Meeting, and the first half hour of the Public Meeting program was broadcast at 6:30 that evening.

While the friends were rather discouraged that their audience only numbered around seventy people, still a vast unseen audience was reached by their many broadcasts. They state that the eight recordings broadcast brought glowing reports from listeners. “They are the most wonderful presentation of the Faith we have heard. They are so entertaining and present the Message so painlessly, to the headless ones in our midst.” Congratulations and appreciation to all the Birmingham friends who worked so ceaselessly to make their meeting a success!


Nashville[edit]

The Nashville Public meeting was held at the YMHA on March 23rd with Harlan Ober as speaker. Taking advantage of the fact that Mr. Ober was able to be with them for the Naw-Rúz Feast, the friends arranged for their Naw-Rúz Feast at the International Student Center at Fisk University, with Mr. Ober as speaker. There were about fifty present, mostly students, white and colored,


Naw-Ruz Feast in Butte, Montana. Twenty-three non-Bahá’í were guests.


one a young woman from Algiers. Many in the group were highly orthodox, and so the discussion was quite lively at times.

Preliminary work for their Public Meeting consisted in mailing out 500 of the printed invitations, which elicited much praise for their beauty and dignity. They were displayed on the bulletin boards of most of the chief schools of Nashville. The secretary received one letter of inquiry from this source.

One hundred very attractive posters containing a large picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship, were distributed in the uptown area, and in several suburban shopping districts. These brought very favorable comments. Effort made to obtain radio time was unsuccessful.

Marion Little, of New Orleans, presided as chairman. The music was provided by Burney Morriss, vocalist, with Claire Jones at the piano. The Nashville friends report that Mr. Morriss had made Bahá’í contacts while in the army, which guided him in his musical selections. In their titles one can read the journey of the soul to God: “The Pilgrim’s Song‎ ‎ by Tschaikowsky, “By a Lonely Forest Pathway” by Griffes and, after the talk, “My Journey’s End” by Foster.

About seventy-five attended the Public Meeting, with white, Negro and Jewish people present. Mr. Ober gave a most excellent presentation of his subject to a highly appreciative and attentive audience. Many intelligent and earnest questions were asked by the audience after the close of the meeting.

The National Public Meetings Committee feels that Nashville is an outstanding evidence of how “... in this day when one arises to herald the Kingdom of God, a magnetic power is produced which attracts the rays of confirmation to the one who is sincere, and makes him victorious.” In the beginning they felt they just couldn’t put on a Public Meeting because of a lack of workers familiar with this type of work—but they did, and admirably. One hundred and twenty-five people and more, now know something about the Bahá’í Faith through their efforts.

To Marion Little, who assisted them in every way, they feel greatly indebted; also to Hart Friedland of Atlanta, Georgia, who came over and nobly assisted them; last but not least, to Nellie Roche, who as chairman of the local public meetings committee, carried the heaviest part of the load by reason of her mature experience, and to her assistants who served at the Naw-Rúz Feast, arranged book and photograph displays and helped to design posters — a grateful “thanks” goes forth from this committee.


Pittsburgh[edit]

The Pittsburgh Public Meeting was held Saturday evening, March 29th, in the Auditorium of the Stephen Foster Memorial on the University of Pittsburgh Campus.

The lecture by Kenneth Christian on the theme of “World Order Through World Faith” was attentively listened to by an audience of 150 people. Musical selections opened and closed the meeting.

“Publicity for the meeting was developed

[Page 10] by a Public Relations Agency. The cooperation of the press and radio was most encouraging. Newspapers printed a number of notices and gave our paid advertisements favorable location. Two popular radio-programs interviewed a Bahá’í who discussed the Faith and announced the Public Meeting. Also the use of spot announcements brought the program to the attention of many listeners. We are receiving requests for literature from neighboring States.”

Many questions were asked after the lecture and many left cards for notification for subsequent meetings.

A series of four weekly meetings have been planned as follow-up work.


Kenosha, Wisconsin[edit]

The Kenosha, Wisconsin meeting was held Tuesday, March 25th, at 8 p.m., in the ballroom of the Elk’s Club. Though not listed as a Key City meeting by the National Public Meetings Committee, we feel that this meeting should be reported along with the other Key City Meetings, as it certainly represents the devotion of the Bahá’ís of Kenosha who worked unceasingly to make their meeting a success.

Two weeks before the meeting the Kenosha Public Meeting Committee mailed out 1,468 Questionnaire Cards to Kenosha residents. One week before the lecture, 1,910 printed programs, similar to the ones used by Winnipeg and other Key Cities, were mailed out to the names on their mailing list. The public library gave them space for a book display the week preceding the lecture. The local newspaper printed two write-ups and they had 3 paid advertisements. Window cards were also used.

The lecture “World Order Through


Miss Dagmar Dole just before leaving Anchorage to pioneer in Denmark.


World Faith” was ably given by Dr. Edris Rice-Wray, with Albert Windust of Chicago presiding as chairman. Music was furnished by George Tozzi, baritone with the Chicago Theater of the Air. Inclement weather, with slippery streets, tested the earnestness of Kenosha people in their search for this truth, but about 100 people, including the Bahá’ís from surrounding communities, attended this meeting. Well planned follow-up lectures were arranged and advertised.

Truly, the Kenosha Bahá’ís have arisen courageously to do their part in bringing the Cause to the masses, and they feel “it is the beginning of a new spiritual growth in Kenosha.”


Reinforcement of Weaker Assemblies[edit]

Annual Reports


This year there are two forms of Annual Reports from National Committees:

Condensed reports sent to Convention delegates early in April, and the full reports which should be brought up to April 30 and sent to the National Spiritual Assembly for publication in printed form for distribution to all believers.

Local Assemblies are reminded that Annual Reports are requested of their community activities, covering the year April 21, 1946—April 20, 1947.

The reinforcement and strengthening of the weaker Assemblies has been the focus of the attention of the National and Regional Teaching Committees during the months of March and April to insure the maintenance of the Assemblies on April 21st. Despite these efforts it appears that four or five Assemblies may have to revert to group status because the loss of members through transfer has been too large to warrant replacements. Five of the “spiritual prizes,” however, that were endangered, have been held intact through the settlement of believers to replace those who have transferred to other countries and communities.

These settlers are: Mrs. Robbie Wilson, who moved to Little Rock; Mr. Frank Ashton, who moved to Laramie; Mrs. Pearl Bagge and Mrs. Vera Esinhart, who have settled in Sioux Falls; Mr. Robert Imagire, who has transferred to Reno; Miss Carol Nunn and Mr. and Mrs. Pennington Lewis, to Providence, R. I.

Owing to the great effort that has been put forth to strengthen and reinforce the smaller Assemblies, the National Teaching Committee feels that not more than four or five will revert to group status; and with the hoped for increase in new Assemblies on April 21st it is expected that there will be one hundred fifty Assemblies in North America as the second year of the Second Seven Year Plan opens with twenty-five new Assemblies to be won by 1948 to achieve the Guardian’s goal of one hundred seventy-five.


Response to Request for The Guardian’s Letters[edit]

The Archives and History Committee wishes to express their deep appreciation of the response which the friends have made to the committee’s request for letters of the Guardian to be placed in the National Archives. There have been about 230 letters received this year, a large proportion being those sent since the request made at the time of the Anniversary of the Guardianship.


World Fellowship in Anchorage[edit]

The Anchorage Assembly sponsored a World Fellowship Dinner at the log-cabin USO on December 6. Although this event came during a very cold spell, with the temperature ‎ between‎ 20° and 30° below zero, nearly 60 people attended. Among them were representatives of the following minority groups: Negro, American-Japanese, Alaskan Native, Mexican; natives of Ireland, Scotland and England were also present. Mrs. Frances Wells served as chairman. Short talks were given by Mrs. Eloise Hirt and Loyd Cleaves of the USO staff; Father Warren Fenn of the local Episcopal Church; Major David Hamilton, who is in charge of a Negro squadron in Alaska; Corp. Arnold Simmel, refugee from Germany; Mr. Zelmar Lawrence, Negro representative; and Miss Dagmar Dole, Chairman of the Anchorage Bahá’í Assembly. Mrs. Wells asked

[Page 11] for volunteers to form a committee to arrange similar world fellowship dinners and it was gratifying to note that four members of the audience (three non-Bahá’ís) signified their intention of joining this committee. The program was concluded with the reading by Mrs. Helen Robinson of the Prayer of All Nations, which had been printed and distributed at each place at the table.

Six Bahá’ís attended the Jewish Feast of Hanukah, which was held on December 18 at the USO. The public was invited to this Feast, but aside from USO staff members and one other, the Bahá’ís were the only non-Jews in attendance.

The Anchorage Bahá’ís are proud that Donna Robinson, the first Alaskan Bahá’í Youth, is setting a worthy example in the community by her friendliness toward youth of minority races. She entertained an Eskimo in her home on Christmas Eve, and was invited for Christmas dinner to the home of the only Japanese family there.


Anniversary of the Guardianship in New York[edit]

The celebration of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Guardianship on January 6 in New York was beautiful—dignified and at the same time happy—one of the most outstanding events ever held in the City of the Covenant. It was planned by Rafi Mottahedeh, assisted by an able committee. Special invitations were sent to each believer, so that attendance was exceptionally good. The hall was decorated with looped garlands of greens. A large copy of The Greatest Name, done in Persia, hung over the platform with beautiful spring flowers on a table beneath it. On each side of the platform tall crystal floor chandeliers with crystal hurricane shades held lighted candles. The edge of the platform was garlanded with greens. At the door each believer was given a boutonniere to wear. The program consisted of beautiful music by Bruce Wendell, followed by readings from “The Will and Testament” of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and from the Guardian’s Letters; singing of the Twenty-Fourth and Twenty-third Psalms by Walter Olitzki, set to music by Saffa Kinney; and readings woven together by short narrations by Helen Campbell, some of which were quoted from Ruhíyyíh Khanúm’s article. “Twenty-five Years of Guardianship.” Every individual present signed an illuminated letter to the Guardian from the Community done on a parchment scroll. A cablegram was sent to the Guardian, photographs were taken, and dainty refreshments were served.


In Memoriam[edit]

Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.—

Bahá’u’lláh
Mrs. Harriet Beauchamp, Lima, Ohio.
Mr. Nicholas Herman, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. March 26, 1947.
Mr. Herman Bonds, Chicago, Illinois. March, 1947.
Mrs. Emma Studebacker, Carrizo Springs, Texas. April 3, 1947.
Mr. Sol Flaumenbaum, Chicago, Illinois.
Mrs. Cecilia Weston, Columbia, South Carolina. March 24, 1947.
Mr. Alfred Marvin Holmes, Peoria, Illinois. April 4, 1947.
Mr. Charles Morgan, Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 1947.
Mr. Charles H. Hache, Riverside, California. April 19, 1947.
Mrs. Sylvia Sandenburg, Urbana, Illinois. April 15, 1947.
Miss Lydia Wentworth, Brookline, Massachusetts. March 19, 1947.

News from Australia[edit]

On November 28th, 1946, the marriage of Miss Hilda Brooks to Mr. Ewart Thomas was celebrated at Adelaide, South Australia. Bahá’ís the world over will join the Australian friends in thanking Mrs. Thomas for the outstanding service she has given to the Cause and in praying that she may continue this service with the loving help of her husband, who has been a devoted follower of Bahá’u’lláh for many years.

The Australian Bahá’í quarterly, “Herald of the South,” corresponding to our “World Order” magazine, is seeking more subscribers. It is a valuable teaching medium, frequently having features which will interest inquirers. A subscription may be secured by writing to the Treasurer, N.S.A., Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, 2 Lang Road, Centennial Park, Paddington, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia, inclosing international money order for 5 shillings. The Bahá’í group of Bahrein, Persian Gulf, in renewing


Speaker’s platform at the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Guardianship, January 6, 1947, in New York City.

[Page 12] their subscription, write that the Australian publications with their “love and enthusiasm for the Cause, so beautifully and amply radiated are continual sources of our happiness.”


European Relief[edit]

The German friends are in great need of clothing, particularly underwear and stockings. Dresses and coats, of light weight now, and heavier for fall and winter, would also be acceptable. See April Bahá’í News for a description of the new CARE packages.

We need to remember that, although our international relief fund sent 200 CARE packages these will not last long.

Food and clothing can now be safely sent to Hungary. A believer of long standing in Budapest wrote February 7: “Our home was completely destroyed, the whole district where we lived is a heap of ruins ... Our Bahá’í community has dwindled to nine members. All of us are in a very bad situation ... No Bahá’í literature and no relief has reached us as yet ... All of us are in need of clothing and shoes. Is it not possible to send food to our small community?” Address Mrs. Renee Szanto-Felbermann, Hidegkuti ut. 31/a, Budapest II.


Marion Jack Teaching in Bulgaria[edit]

A Bulgarian Bahá’í who visited Sofia last December found Miss Marion Jack, known to her nearer friends as “Jackie,” living “in a very small room without any comfort. She has to do everything for herself.” She still teaches the Cause, holding three gatherings a week, one for English speaking, one for French speaking and one for those who speak only Bulgarian. Any friends of Miss Jack who would like to give something for her comfort may send their small contributions to Mrs. Etty Graeffe, 6, Cours des Bastions, Geneva, Switzerland or, as the Geneva News Exchange suggests, to Miss Edna True, 418 Forest Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, who will forward them to Mrs. Graeffe.


Enrollments by Assemblies[edit]

Peoria 1, Halifax 1, East Orange 1, Los Angeles 2, San Francisco 1, New York 2, 2 youth, Minneapolis 2, Winnipeg 1, Sacramento 3, Wauwatosa 1, Montreal 1, Teaneck 1, Dumont 1, Albuquerque 2, Butte 1, Helena 1, Chicago 1, Muskegon 1, South Bend 1, Providence 1, 1 youth, St. Lambert 1 youth, Ann Arbor 1, 1 youth, Lansing 1.

Regional areas, March, 7 adults, 3 youth.


Calendar[edit]

Nineteen Day Feast

May 17
June 5
June 24

Anniversaries

May 2nd—the twelfth day of Ridván.
May 23rd—Declaration of the Báb, at about two hours after sunset.
May 29—Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, at three A.M.

National Bahá’í Convention

May 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Directory Changes[edit]

Assemblies

Regina, Saskatchewan, Miss Edith Slack, Secretary, P. O. Box 264.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Mrs. Ayned McComb, Secretary. P.O. Box 524.

Committees

Regional Teaching Committee for Alaska. Miss Dagmar Dole resigned.

List of Assemblies Contributing to National Fund for March, 1947[edit]

Alaska—Anchorage. Arizona—E. Phoenix Rural, Phoenix. Arkansas—Little Rock. California—Alhambra, Berkeley, Burbank, Burlingame, Cloverdale Twp., Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Barbara. Canada—Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moncton, Halifax, Hamilton, Regina, St. Lambert. Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver. Connecticut—Hamden, New Haven. Florida—Jacksonville, Miami. Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui. Georgia—Augusta. Idaho—Boise. Illinois—Chicago, Danville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Maywood, Peoria, Springfield, Urbana, Wilmette. Indiana—Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, South Bend. Iowa—Cedar Rapids. Kansas—Topeka. Louisiana—New Orleans. Maine—Eliot. Maryland—Baltimore, Bethesda-Chevy Chase. Massachusetts—Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester. Michigan—Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville. Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul. Mississippi—Jackson. Missouri—Independence, Kansas City. Montana—Butte, Helena. Nebraska—Omaha. Nevada—Reno. New Jersey—Dumont, Teaneck, Newark. New Mexico—Albuquerque. New York—Binghamton, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Yonkers. North Carolina—Greensboro. North Dakota—Fargo. Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, East Cleveland, Lima. Oklahoma—Oklahoma City. Oregon—Portland. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester, Rhode Island—Providence. South Carolina—Greenville. Tennessee—Memphis. Vermont—Brattleboro. Virginia—Arlington. Washington—Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma. West Virginia—Charleston. Wisconsin—Kenosha, Madison, Racine, Wauwatosa, White Fish Bay. Wyoming—Laramie.


Table of Contents
Page Col.
Words of Bahá’u’lláh
   “Assist Me ...”
72
Words of the Guardian
   “Personal Participation of Appointment of Deputies”
13
   The Guardian’s Message to the
   Thirty-Ninth Annual Convention
61
National Spiritual Assembly
   The New Assemblies
62
   Election Report 1947 Annual Convention
33
   Treasurer’s Report
73
   List of Assemblies Contributing to the National Fund
122
   National Bahá’í Records
82
Progress of the Seven Year Plan
   First European Believer under the Seven Year Plan
11
   On the Eve of the Election in Latin America
11
   National Public Meetings
      Miami
51
      Birmingham
53
      Nashville
91
      Pittsburgh
93
      Kenosha
101
   Reinforcement of Weaker Assemblies
102
Summer Schools
   International School Opens
31
   Geyserville—the 1947 Program
32
   Registrar Wanted for Louhelen
42
   Adult Study at Green Acre
43
Response to Request for the Guardian’s Letters
103
News from local communities
   World Fellowship in Anchorage
103
   Anniversary of the Guardianship in New York
111
News from Other Lands
   News from Australia
113
   European Relief
121
   Marion Jack Teaching in Bulgaria
121
In Memoriam
112
Enrollments
121
Calendar
122
Directory
122
Bahá’í Addresses
21
Photographs
   Pioneers Sailing to Europe March 13
3
   Miss Jennie Anderson, sailing to Sweden
4
   Los Angeles Meeting
5
   Pioneers sailing to Europe March 26
7
   Naw Rúz Feast in Butte
9
   Miss Dagmar Dole in Anchorage
10
   Speakers Platform at Celebration of 25th
   Anniversary of the Guardianship in New York
11