Bahá’í News/Issue 207/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í |  |
NEWS |
| No. 207 | MAY, 1948 | YEAR 105 | BAHA’I ERA |
| Assembly Goal Achieved
The following statistic’s show the sweeping victory of the believers in achieving the goal for Local Spiritual Assemblies.
|
Joyfully acclaim brilliant achievements transcending fondest hopes and setting the seal of complete victory on the stupendous labors undertaken by American Bahá’í Community in the second year of the second Seven Year Plan. The constitution of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, the heroic feat of raising to almost two hundred the number of Spiritual Assemblies in the North American continent, the marvelous expansion of the daughter communities in Latin America, the successful conclusion of the preliminary phase of the interior ornamentation of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, and the crowning exploit of the formation of no less than seven Assemblies in the newly opened transcontinental field, endow with everlasting fame the second epoch of the Formative Age, immeasurably enrich the annals of the opening decade of the second Bahá’í Century, and constitute a landmark in the unfoldment of the second stage of the execution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Plan. The primacy of the American Bahá’í community is reasserted, fully vindicated and completely safeguarded. Recent successive victories proclaim the undiminished strength and exemplary valor of the rank and file of the community whether administrators, teachers or pioneers in three continents regarded as the latest links in the chain of uninterrupted, achievements performed by its members in the council and teaching field for over a quarter of a century. I recall on this joyous occasion with pride, emotion, thankfulness, the resplendent record of stewardship of this dearly-loved, richly-endowed unflinchingly resolute community whose administrators have assumed the preponderating share in perfecting the machinery of the administrative order, whose elected representatives have raised the edifice and completed the exterior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West, whose trail-blazers opened an overwhelming majority of the ninety-one countries now included within the pale of the Faith, whose pioneers established flourishing communities in twenty republics of Latin America, whose benefactors extended in ample measure assistance in various ways to their sorely pressed brethren in distant fields, whose members scattered themselves to thirteen hundred centers in every state of the American Union, every Province of the Dominion of Canada, whose firmest champion succeeded in winning Royalty’s allegiance to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, whose heroes and martyrs laid down their lives in its service in fields as remote as Honolulu, Buenos Aires, Sidney, Iṣfáhán, whose vanguard pushed its outposts to the antipodes on the farthest verge of the South American continent, to the vicinity of the Arctic Circle, to the northern, southern, and western fringes of the European continent, whose ambassadors are now convening, on the soil of one the newly won territories, its historic first Conference designed to consolidate the newly won prizes, whose spokesmen are securing recognition of the institutions of Bahá’u’lláh’s rising world order in the United Nations. Appeal to members of the community so privileged, so loved, so valorous, endowed with such potentialities to unitedly press forward however afflictive the trials their countrymen may yet experience, however grievous the tribulations the land of their heart’s desire may yet suffer, however oppressive an anxiety the temporary severance of external communications with the World Center of their Faith may engender, however onerous the tasks still to be accomplished until every single obligation under the present
First Convention Cable[edit]
I am moved to share with assembled delegates of the fortieth American Bahá’í Convention the following facts and figures testifying to the present status of the World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and disclosing the marvelous acceleration in the double process of the extension of its range and the consolidation of the institutions of its administrative order in the Eastern and Western Hemispheres in the course of the first four years of the second Bahá’í Century.
The number of countries opened to the Faith total ninety-one. Bahá’í literature is translated and printed in fifty-one languages. Representatives of thirty-one races are enrolled in the Bahá’í World Community. Eighty-eight Assemblies, national and local, are incorporated. The number of localities where Bahá’ís have established residence has been raised to over thirty in Australasia, to over forty in Germany and Austria, over sixty in the Dominion of Canada, over eighty in the Indian subcontinent and Burma; over one hundred in Latin America, over seven hundred in Persia and to over twelve hundred in the United States of America.
The value of international Bahá’í endowments in the Holy Land and the Jordan Valley is estimated at over six hundred thousand pounds. National Bahá’í endowments on the
Brilliant Achievements—Cont’d.[edit]
Plan is honorably fulfilled, enabling them to launch in its appointed time the third crusade destined to bring glorious consummation to the first epoch in the evolution of their divinely appointed World Mission, fulfill the prophecy uttered by Daniel over twenty centuries ago, contribute the major share of the world triumph of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh envisaged by the Center of His Covenant, and hasten the opening of the Golden Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation.
Haifa, Palestine
April 26, 1948
United Nations Essay Contest Open to Bahá’ís[edit]
The Department of Public Information, United Nations, Lake Success, N.Y., is requesting essays on the role of the individual in United Nations, from persons between the ages of twenty and thirty years. Each contributor must be a member of an accredited organization. All Bahá’ís of the age limit indicated, who are enrolled members of the Bahá’í community in any country having a National Spiritual Assembly, can participate, since the United Nations has now recognized the Bahá’í International Community as an international non-governmental organization.
The final date when essays will be received is June 26, 1948. There are many subjects available to Bahá’í authors — human rights, work for race equality, work for religious unity, etc. It is suggested that believers contributing an essay have it approved by their local Assembly.
Around the Bahá’í World[edit]
ÍRAN. Within a two-month period last year, more than 731 relief packages were sent to Germany and other European countries. More than 50 families from Ṭihrán have settled in goal communities .... A works of art exhibition was recently arranged by the Bahá’í youth at the National Bahá’í Center ... Among recent Bahá’í visitors to Írán was Khanum Zaki el Kurdi of Egypt, “.... one of the outstanding Bahá’í women of the East.“
ETHIOPIA. A spiritual assembly has been re-established here in Addis Ababa.
AUSTRIA. Bahá’í youth of Vienna held a symposium on January 25.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. The magazine New Orient has published a long article on the Faith.
POLAND. A regular Bahá’í study group has been started in Warsaw.
| The Emergency Teaching Campaign
Cablegram from the Guardian Greatly encouraged by the splendid progress of the tremendous drive initiated in response to my appeal. The zero hour is inexorably approaching. Nineteen additional settlers can and must be provided. Praying with increasing fervor for total success, complete victory. (Signed) SHOGHI
Received April 6, 1948 |
GERMANY. The friends have been able to secure a building in Frankfort, which, upon restoration, will serve as a National Headquarters. In October a teaching conference was held with representatives from all the communities of western Germany and Berlin .... In November a meeting at the University of Heidelberg had an attendance of 150 .... In Stuttgart, the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated in the Kammer theater with about 500 present .... In several cities the Faith has attracted sufficient attention to be the subject of sermons by the orthodox clergy .... All the centers report steady and increasing activity, despite the many difficulties that hamper the Germany community.
INDIA, PAKISTAN, AND BURMA.
The believers in this vast sub-continent face many difficulties in the transition being experienced in the political life of the country. The National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has been requisitioned by the government .... The conditions of riot and turmoil have caused the death of several believers, and others are missing. Three assemblies have had to be dissolved. Several stocks of Bahá’í books were also lost .... The spirit of the Indian believers has not been impaired. They continue without cessation in their teaching Plan. “Time, energy, riches, life itself, if need be—all the wealth that Bahá’u’lláh has blessed us with are His and are freely given in His service.”
Rejoicing in Europe[edit]
Naw-Rúz this year brought special rejoicing in the European Bahá’í Centers and was the occasion for a number of new declarations of faith, bringing the total number of declared believers now in the ten goal countries, to 75, with some in every one of the goal cities. The letters telling of the various Naw-Rúz Feasts being celebrated for the first time in these capital cities are most inspiring and touching. In Oslo for instance, ten Bahá’ís and fifteen guests were present and a lovely buffet supper preceded the spiritual program and a very wonderful spirit of fellowship and unity marked the whole occasion.
From the Stockholm friends has come a copy of their first letter from the Guardian, a paragraph of which the Committee wishes to share with all the friends:
“Now you are witnessing the first stirrings of our Bahá’í Cause in your country. The shoot is small and tender but it will grow to become a mighty tree and cast its blessed shade over Sweden. To the degree to which you unitedly and lovingly watch over it, will it grow and thrive. The very breath of life for this Faith is the love and unity which prevails amongst its followers; and for the protection of the Cause each one must be willing to sacrifice personal feelings and opinions to the good of the community.”
The Committee is deeply grateful to report the following results from the April 21 elections:
This veritable miracle has been accomplished under the inspiring and wise leadership of the Guardian and through the selfless sacrificial efforts of our valiant pioneers.
World Youth Day[edit]
A recent issue of the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin carries interesting reports of observances of Bahá’í World Youth Day from the following places: Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Olivet, Boise, Kenosha, Urbana, Miami, Kansas City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Syracuse, and Baghdád.
First Convention Cable—Cont’d.[edit]
North American continent are valued at over two million dollars. The area of land dedicated to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Persia is approximately four million square meters. The value of the national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the capitals of India and Persia respectively is six hundred thousand rupees and fifty thousand pounds. The area of land dedicated to the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in South America is ninety thousand square meters. The number of pieces of Bahá’í literature sold and distributed in the course of one year in North America is over eighty thousand pieces. The record of the number of visitors to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in America in one year is over seventeen thousand and the total number of visitors since its erection is over one quarter of a million. The number of States in the American Union formally recognizing Bahá’í marriage certificates is now eight. The number of National Assemblies functioning in the Bahá’í world is raised to nine through the formation of the first Canadian National Assembly, to be shortly reinforced through the constitution of two additional Assemblies in South and Central America and the West Indies.
The second seven-year, the six-year, the four and one-half year, the six-year, the three-year, the five-year and forty-five month plans, respectively launched by the American, British, Indian, Australasian, Iraqui, Canadian, and Persian Nation Spiritual Assemblies, some culminating at the first Centennial of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s mission, others the Hundredth Anniversary of the Báb’s Martyrdom, are aiming at the establishment of three National Assemblies in Canada, and Latin America, the completion of the interior ornamentation of the Mother Temple of the West, the formation of Spiritual Assemblies in ten sovereign States of the European continent, the constitution of nineteen Assemblies in the British Isles, doubling the number of Assemblies in India, Pakistan and Burma, the reconstitution of the dissolved Assemblies and the establishment of ninety-five new centers in Persia, the conversion of groups in Bahrein, the Ḥijáz and Afghanistan into Assemblies, the formation of administrative nuclei in the Arabian territories of Yemen, Oman Hasa and Koweit; the formation of thirty-one groups and seven Assemblies in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania; the multiplication of centers in the provinces of ‘Iráq, including the district of Shattu’l-Arab; the incorporation of the Canadian National Assembly; doubling the number of Assemblies and raising to one hundred the centers in the Dominion of Canada; the constitution of nuclei in Newfoundland and Greenland and the participation of Eskimos and Red Indians in the local institutions of the administrative order.
Plans and specifications have been prepared, and preliminary measures taken, to place contracts for the arcade of the Báb’s Sepulchre. Historic International Bahá’í congresses held in South and Central America and an inter-European Teaching Conference projected for Geneva paving the way for future World Bahá’í Congress. Recognition extended to the Faith by United Nations as international non-governmental body, enabling appointment of accredited representatives to United Nations conferences, is heralding world recognition for a universal proclamation of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
Haifa, Palestine
April 16, 1948
Guardian’s Cable to Canadian Convention[edit]
Hearts uplifted in thanksgiving to Bahá’u’lláh for the epoch-making event of the coming of age of the dearly beloved Canadian Bahá’í Community, the formation of the first national Convention in the City of Montreal and the forthcoming election of Canada’s National Assembly constituting the ninth pillar of the institution of the universal House of Justice. I acknowledge with reverent gratitude and deepest joy the marvelous influence of the operation of the initial stage in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan enabling the northernmost community of the followers of the Faith on the American continent to pass the stage of infancy and attain the status, and to assume the functions of, an independent existence within the World Bahá’í Community. I recall on this auspicious occasion with profound emotion the heroic services to the mother community of May Maxwell whose life and death forged unbreakable links binding the body of the Canadian believers to the sister communities of the United States and Latin America. I am moved to appeal to assembled delegates to arise in conjunction with the first Canadian National Assembly, as a token of gratitude for the manifold blessings of Divine Providence, to initiate in the hour of the birth of their national activities a Five Year Plan designed to associate them, formally and systematically and independently, with their sister community of the United States, in the common task of the prosecution of their world-encompassing mission. The fulfillment of this collective task confronting the rapidly maturing community necessitates the incorporation of the Canadian National Assembly, the establishment of national Bahá’í endowments, doubling the number of local Assemblies throughout the Dominion and raising to one hundred the total number of localities where Bahá’ís reside
| First National Spiritual Assembly of Canada | |
John H. Robarts | Chairman |
Emeric Sala | Vice Chairman |
Laura R. Davis | Secretary |
Siegfried Schopflocher | Treasurer |
| Roland Estall, Lloyd Gardner, Ross Woodman, Rosemary Sala, Doris Richardson | |
throughout the Provinces, the constitution of a group of Newfoundland and the formation of a nucleus of the Faith in the Territory of Greenland, singled out for special mention by the Author of the Divine Plan, and the participation of Eskimos and Red Indians in membership to share administrative privileges in local institutions of the Faith in Canada. I fondly hope and ardently pray that the celebration of the first Centenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic mission will witness the triumphant consummation of the first historic plan launched by the Canadian Bahá’í community in a land whose future greatness and glory, both materially and spiritually, the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant twice emphatically proclaimed in His immortal Tablets.
- (Signed) SHOGHI
Cablegram received April 14, 1948.
| National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States | |
Dorothy Baker | Chairman |
Paul Haney | Vice-Chairman |
Horace Holley | Secretary |
Philip Sprague | Treasurer |
| Elsie Austin, Kenneth Christian, Edna True, Amelia Collins, George Latimer | |
Our Sources of Guidance and Inspiration[edit]
The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh provides His followers with two sources of guidance and inspiration: one, in the unparalleled Sacred Literature of the Faith, embracing the whole realm of Divine Revelation train the beginning of the Adamic cycle to this Day of God.
The other, participation in the Holy Feasts and Anniversaries, where the Master assures us He is present in Spirit.
There is no doubt whatever but that the Feasts and Anniversaries have power to guide and inspire the soul of the faithful. This is a Faith for the unification of the peoples of the world, and not for the perfection and exaltation of individual souls to the peaks of solitary grandeur. Therefore the urgency to attend is great, even though no law compels us to do so. Where hunger exists, it is not necessary to have laws compelling us to partake of life-sustaining food.
Let us cherish our attendance at these Bahá’í gatherings, and do all we can to make them radiant and joyous. Non-Bahá’ís may attend Anniversaries but not Nineteen-Day Feasts.
In addition to those gatherings listed in the Bahá’í calendar, the local community can hold an occasional Feast with a special program adapted to non-Bahá’ís. Dinner unions are conducive to fellowship, and fellowship creates interest in the Teachings.
While the Nineteen-Day Feast is particularized for the local community, since it includes consultation and discussion of current Bahá’í activities and local plans, there is no reason why adjoining groups and communities may not for special occasions jointly hold a Bahá’í Anniversary and enjoy it together. But the most effective way to stimulate group development is for the group to assume responsibility for observing the Bahá’í calendar, rather than merge itself in the nearest community when Feasts and Anniversaries are held.
Marriage Notices[edit]
Because Bahá’í marriages are sometimes reported to Bahá’í News, the N.S.A. has approved the policy that the News may report marriages without stories.
Letters from the Guardian to Individual Bahá’ís[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly has adopted the policy that individual believers who receive letters from the Guardian, and who wish these considered for publication in Bahá’í News, are to submit either the original signed letter or a photostat copy. Without this verification of the Guardian’s messages the N.S.A. will not consider them.
In general the believers are reminded that all general letters, bulletins, reports, compilations, study material, etc., which are circulated as Bahá’í material, should carry evidence of an authorized and responsible source — the name of the Assembly or Committee which has prepared, or assumed responsibility for, the material. Lacking such signature, the material can only be considered an anonymous communication. The communication should also be dated whenever possible.
From the Guardian[edit]
“... Regarding your question: The Devotional part of the 19 Day Feast means the reading of Prayers by Bahá’u’lláh and the Master. If, after this, there is a period of reading the teachings, his (the Guardian’s) writings may be included, but this does not form part of the devotional aspect of the meeting.
“Attendance at 19 Day Feasts is not obligatory but very important, and every believer should consider it a duty and privilege to be present on such occasions.
“If the N.S.A. should wish to publish the above in Bahá’í News it may do so. He leaves such matters to the discretion of that body.
“He wishes the Bahá’ís to press for recognition of their right to observe their own Holy Days, and to observe them whenever possible in strict accordance with our teachings.”
Misrepresentation of the Faith[edit]
A recent book, entitled “Religion in the Twentieth Century”, includes a chapter by Ahmad Sohrab called “The Bahá’í Cause”. This chapter gives a sketchy account of the Faith, including mention of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament and the appointment of Shoghi Effendi as Guardian. The account ends with a discussion of the origin of the New History Society, written so as to give the impression that it is a well-established world-wide movement.
This chapter is a good example of the deceit which marks the attacks on the Faith by Sohrab. A reader would get no idea of the social teachings of the Faith and Bahá’u’lláh’s plan of world order, or the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant and the function of Guardianship, or the extent of the Faith throughout the world. Sohrab ignored basic truths and facts in the effort to exalt himself.
The Guardian has described him as an avowed enemy of the Faith. “Obscure in his origin, ambitious of leadership, untaught by the lesson of such as have erred before him, odious in the hopes he nurses, contemptible in the methods he pursues, shameless in his deliberate distortions of truths he has long ceased to believe in ... he ... cannot but in the end be subjected, as remorselessly as his infamous predecessors, to the fate which they invariably have suffered.” (Messages to America, p. 49)
Needed at Green Acre[edit]
The Junior School of Green Acre is greatly in need of all kinds of children’s equipment; from dolls, their clothes and furniture and blocks, for the three-year-olds; to a printing press, (there might be a Bahá’í printer who has an old hand press about to be thrown out, that the children could work with,) for the older children; and all kinds of books for all ages. Could the Bahá’ís comb their attics for the fun and occupation of the children at Green Acre?
And wouldn’t some Assemblies, even groups, like to give a shower for sports equipment; baseball and other sporting equipment; playthings for the water; any games of all kinds! They would love you dearly for it.
Goals for this Bahá’í Year
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
|
Assemblies Contributing In March[edit]
Alaska—Anchorage; Arizona—Phoenix; Arkansas—Little Rock; California— Alhambra, Berkeley, Beverley Hills, Burbank, Burlingame, Carmel, Cloverdale Twp., Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Oakland, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Mateo; Canada—Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Moncton, Halifax, Hamilton, Toronto, Charlottetown, Montreal, St. Lambert, Scarboro, Vernon; Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver; Connecticut—New Haven; Delaware—Wilmington; Dist. of Columbia—Washington; Florida—Jacksonville, Miami; Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui; Georgia—Atlanta, Augusta; Idaho—Boise; Illinois—Chicago, Danville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Maywood, Oak Park, Peoria, Springfield, Urbana, Wilmette, Limestone Twp.; Indiana—Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, South Bend; Iowa—Cedar Rapids; Kansas—Topeka; Kentucky—Louisville; Louisiana—New Orleans; Maine—Eliot; Maryland—Baltimore; Massachusetts—Beverly, Boston, Springfield, Worcester; Michigan—Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville; Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul; Mississippi—Jackson; Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis; Montana—Butte, Helena; Nebraska—Omaha; Nevada—Reno; New Hampshire—Portsmouth; New Jersey—Dumont, East Orange, Montclair Red Bank, Teaneck; New Mexico—Albuquerque; New York—Binghamton, Buffalo, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Yonkers; North Carolina—Greensboro; North Dakota—Fargo; Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lima; Oklahoma—Oklahoma City; Oregon—Portland; Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester; Puerto Rico—San Juan; Rhode Island—Providence; South Carolina—Greenville; South Dakota—Sioux Falls; Tennessee— Memphis, Nashville; Texas—Houston; Utah—Salt Lake City; Vermont—Brattleboro; Virginia—Alexandria; Washington—Richmond Highlands, Monroe, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma; Wisconsin—Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Racine, Wauwatosa. Wyoming—Laramie.
Suggested Daily Readings for June
“Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My Words.” —Baha’u’llah
God’s Law, a Refuge and Comfort | |
| 1. Bible: | Psalm 119: 1-8 & 97-104. |
| Psalm 19: 7-14. | |
| Matthew 5:17-20 | |
| 2, 3. Gl., p. 93-98. 4. Gl., p. 122-124.
Some of God’s Laws for Today
10, 11, 12. B. W. F., p. 166-172. | |
| Key: | Gl.—Gleanings |
| A.H.W.—Arabic Hidden Words | |
| P.H.W.—Persian Hidden Words | |
| B.W.F. Bahá’í World Faith | |
Assemblies contributing | 136 |
Assemblies not contributing | 7 |
Individuals contributing | 182 |
Groups contributing | 82 |
Quiz Answers[edit]
- True.
- False.
- False.
- True.
- False.
- False. Much good Bahá’í teaching can be done before any unfamiliar names are mentioned.
- True.
- True.
- False. They are often excellent subjects and easy to introduce.
- False. It means the failure of any constructive teaching.
- True.
- False. If any real interest has been aroused your guests will not try to change the subject.
- True.
Contributions Are Voluntary[edit]
“In connection with the institution of the National Fund and the budgetary system set forth in the minutes of the National Spiritual Assembly, I feel urged to remind you of the necessity of ever bearing in mind the cardinal principle that all contributions to the Fund are to be purely and strictly voluntary in character. It should be made clear and evident to every one that any form of compulsion, however slight and indirect, strikes at the very root principle underlying the formation of the Fund ever since its inception. While appeals of a general character, carefully worded and moving and dignified in tone are welcome under all circumstances, it should be left entirely to the discretion of every conscientious believer to decide upon the nature, the amount, and purpose of his or her contribution for the propagation of the Cause.”
Quiz on Fireside Teaching[edit]
How well do you understand the fireside method of teaching? Here is a true-false test on the subject. Read each statement carefully and opposite each one mark either “true” or “false” according to your opinion as to whether it is a correct or an incorrect statement. After you have checked all the statements turn to page 5 to see how many you have marked accurately.
- Experience has proved that the informal fireside meeting in the home is the most effective teaching method.
- A fireside requires a speaker.
- Local Bahá’ís should be invited to any fireside in the community.
- One non-Bahá’í is sufficient for a fireside meeting.
- The best fireside meetings are those with the most people present.
- Mrs. X. casually invited a neighbor in to listen to a radio discussion on world government and then they exchanged ideas on the subject. Mrs. X. never mentioned the word “Bahá’í” so it was not a fireside meeting.
- It is not desirable to have more Bahá’ís than non-Bahá’ís at a fireside meeting.
- Refreshments help to make a successful fireside meeting.
- Current events should never be discussed at a fireside meeting.
- A heated argument gives life to a fireside discussion.
- Magazine articles, radio talks, or home movies that can be related to the Faith are good materials on which to base fireside discussions.
- As soon as refreshments are served, all serious discussion should be dropped in favor of light conversation.
- A sense of humor and hearty laughter adds to the most serious discussion.
⊗ On Your Calendar
| |
| WHEN: | June 26, 12 to 6 P.M. |
| WHERE: | West Englewood, N.J. |
| WHAT: | Annual “Souvenir”—Commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Unity Feast. |
| Picnic, Music, Program. | |
| WHOM: | Bahá’ís and their friends |
Sweden, Stockholm, July 29, 1934
When we feel it is the last straw, Bahá’u’lláh blesses some effort which proves glorious beyond anything we could dream. The blowing of the Breaths of the Holy Spirit do not depend upon our poor physical bodies, thank God, but on Bahá’u’lláh’s bounty ... I came through the gates of this station in Stockholm, so tired, so ill, so almost discouraged, not knowing where I was going to stay, but Bahá’u’lláh helped me and I did get settled and my room is just a little, a very little, like my room at home, and He has helped me to get started...
Iceland, 1933
On July seventh, I started to Iceland and spent one month in Reykajavik, the capital. It was so heavenly, so much interest there, and the pure, bracing air, the bounty of Bahá’u’lláh helped me to get stronger.
Finland, 1933
Two months were spent in Helsinfors. There are great opportunities in Finland ... I hope some Bahá’í teachers can go there and to all Scandinavian countries ... and also to the Baltic states. Too long they have been neglected. These sons of the north possess the vitality of the magnetic Arctic. They are deliberate, determined, they are pioneers and can become valiant blazers of the trail of the Bahá’í Cause in the West...
Lithuania. Kaunas, 1934
Here are people who will study the Teachings. Perhaps the part of a Bahá’í teacher is only to point the way to Truth, to books, to contacts ... I tell you that the Bahá’í culture of the north may be a rose that blooms later, but when it does bloom it will be fresh, fragrant, exquisite. The flowers of the north possess a freshness all their own!
Czechoslovakia, Nov. 26, 1935
As I travel to these countries, I try to make friends, teach the few who are interested, to try to get them books to study, try to get them into contact with Bahá’ís in other parts of the world, try to get Bahá’ís in other countries interested in them. Also I try to get publicity about the Bahá’í Cause into the newspapers, over the radio, and to the peace workers, the Esperantists, the modern religious organizations; and sometimes I have the bounty to speak of the Teachings to rulers, statesmen, educators and heads of the press.
How do I do it? Every breath, almost, is a prayer to be a “channel” so that Bahá’u’lláh can do His work. The secret is: be ready when your opportunity comes! If I do not read the Holy Writings, if I do not pray much, in two or three days I see the difference, the work is not so good. “Work in the spirit of service is worship” I know, but the spirit must be nourished constantly. Sometimes I fail, but I KNOW the way to interest people in the Bahá’í Teachings is through love and deeds rather than through too much information ... They themselves will ask fully when they are really attracted. It is very difficult to be a worthy Bahá’í.
Also, dear brothers and sisters, it is possible to teach the Bahá’í Cause even in illness and in hard difficulties. If we do it then, the Bounty of Bahá’u’lláh is very tremendous ... so in every time of our lives, we can be a help if we keep our hand in God’s hand, and keep looking only to Him.
United States, West Coast, May 1937
(Sentences from a talk on Teaching)
If I have been a Bahá’í teacher, I have had many examples to follow from the West. I got my inspiration to teach from studying the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh to the Mullas and the Kings and from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets.
It is the countries who accept these Teachings and arise for the great peace ideal which will establish the divine civilization. Rulers statesmen and educators are more and more promulgating the Cause.
If you want to give the Message to anyone, love them, and if you love them they will listen and they will study the Teachings and become confirmed. If we sow the seeds, Bahá’u’lláh will do the rest.
We should make an event of giving the Message. We forget that they are receiving it for the first time and therefore we should make an occasion of it. It has been said that we live in moments, not in years. When we meet
[Page 7]
in San Francisco tonight this is one of the great moments of life. I used
to pray that I could give the Teachings to one person each day, and afterwards I prayed that I might give them to millions.
If you cannot go on a teaching mission, make a compilation and prepare things for others. The Teachings on immortal life are very interesting to people. It is well to be prepared to fill in for any emergency.
Try to meet as many groups as you can as the time will come when people will come into the Cause in groups. A thousand teachers will go up and down Europe according to the statement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mrs. Gregory. There is no place for the training of teachers like our country.
Japan, Tokyo, 1937
For years I had wished to meet Dr. Toychiko Kagawa, one of the bright spiritual lights in Easter Asia, a Christian ... I did have the bounty to meet him ... He said he had heard of the Bahá’í Teachings when he was a student but had no books. I gave him Gleanings, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and others. He said what he knew of the Bahá’í Faith he liked ... Read his book “Christ and Japan,” and it will help you to understand the SOUL of Japan, this country that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said would “turn ablaze” ... I wish every one of you who read my letter would promise his or her own heart that he will do something, ONE deed at least, to help get these Bahá’í Teachings to Japan! You can send a “torch” to Japan ... letters (‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that letters are half a meeting), books, prayers, even if you cannot go in person.
Kobe.
After three days in Tokyo I came here to Kobe. Here I met Dr. D. Inouye, the Buddhist priest who is a devoted Bahá’í and who translated Bahá’í into Japanese...
As I sailed out from Japan (after sending out from the ship one last article to those Japanese papers) I thought of the great Buddha in Japan, said to have a thousand hands, and I prayed Bahá’u’lláh to join your thousands of hands with mine to help Agnes Alexander and the Japanese Bahá’ís in establishing the New World Order in Japan. Shoghi Effendi has sent them such brave and tender instructions. Every country knows our Guardian never lets them go, he is helping every country ... Truest, deepest love to you, each one, and happiness in all your work. Our happiest moments are when we can bring to others these Bahá’í Teachings which have given us the best we know. Just to have the strength, the opportunity to do anything at all is the greatest blessing. “Appreciate the value of the time for these great days are swiftly passing.”
India, Poona, Feb., 1938
Poona is a Bahá’í paradise and one of the high spiritual lights in India. The first morning, Feb. 5, we had a beautiful program of welcome in the Bahá’í Hall in the National Hotel. The pupils from the Bahá’í school marched to the Hall ... The entire stay was so WELL arranged that even New York and Tihran would say “Bravo!”
... I think this plan could with profit be carried out in other cities: At seven P.M. that first day, the President of the Local Spiritual Assembly gave a tea in the Bahá’í Hall for the twenty-four journalists of India. I had prepared my speech, (the resume) to journalists very carefully and made carbon copies. I spoke on Journalism and the Cause and then read to them my interview and distributed it to them. Questions were asked and answered, and some of the journalists came each day afterwards and were very interested. (If it had been a big reception we could not have spoken intimately of journalism and the Cause and what Bahá said about the press.)
The SECRET of the very wonderful Bahá’í work in Poona is mobilized UNITY for service! The Holy Spirit is with them, attracted by their unity. The Bahá’í world over the five continents has been gripped at times by Poona’s work. In traveling over India three times as I have, I have met a number of fine people who said that they first heard of the teachings when staying for a few days in the National Hotel of Poona. I must give the tribute to Poona because since 1915, when I first met them, I feel they are “living the life” up there.
Directory Additions and Changes[edit]
Local Spiritual Assembly Secretaries
St. Louis. Mo.:
- Mrs. George Ferrill, Sec’y.
- 2924 Lawton, Zone 3
Champaign, Ill.
- Mrs. Dorothy Underwood, Sec’y.
- 509 W. University
Houston, Texas
- Miss Dorothea Sligh, Sec’y.
- 3409 Mt. Vernon, Zone 6
Pasadena, Calif.
- Mrs. Emma Walters, Sec’y.
- 609 N. Madison, Zone 4
Birmingham, Ala.
- Mrs. Rose Terry Brown
- 988 North First st.
Detroit, Mich.
- Mr. Lester Long, Sec’y.
- 8105 Midgarden, Zone 10
Louisville, Ky.
- Bahá’í Assembly of Louisville
- P. O. Box 2004
Portsmouth, N. H.
- Mrs. Deane Waite, Sec’y.
- 90 Circuit Rd.
Group Correspondents:
North Phoenix (Formerly called East Phoenix group)
- Miss Edith Goranson, Corres.
- P. O. Box 1005
- Phoenix, Ariz.
Elsinore
- Mr. Paul Park, Corres.
- 122 N. Main st.
Green Bay, Wis.
- Miss Florence Delany, Corres.
- 1133 12th Ave.
Brewer, Maine
- Mrs. Sherman A. Calahan, Corres.
- 4 Fling St.
Delmar, N. Y.
- Mrs. Margaret K. Holt, Corres.
- 18 Delmar Place
Berea, Ohio
- Mrs. Avis Ress, Corres.
- 347 Oaktree Place
New Group:
Venice Township
- Mrs. Francis Johnson, Corres.
- 5129 Escalon Ave.
- Los Angeles 43, Calif.
Groups Dissolved:
Beverly Hills Twp.
- Mrs. Mildred Swingle Bates, Corres.
Tucson Twp. No. 14
- Dissolved temporarily
RTC Secretaries:
Okla., Ark.
- Mrs. Roberta Wilson, Sec’y.
- 215 Spring St.
- Eureka Springs, Ark.
National Committees:
Appointments and withdrawals were reported by the N.S.A. at its March meeting as follows:
Fla. Regional
- Mrs. C. M. Davison, Jr.—unable to serve
Ohio, West Pa. Regional
- Mrs. Catherine Alio—unable to serve
Ala., Tenn. Regional
- Mrs. John Inglis—unable to serve
Address Change:
- Bahá’í Public Relations
- 112 Linden Avenue
- Wilmette, Illinois
- Phone: Wilmette 6743
[Page 8]
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has joined the march of those Latin American Assemblies which have become incorporated this year. The assembly is shown seated in front
and some of the community members standing behind them. Rio is the center of
publishing in Portuguese. Members of the assembly include Mrs. Leonora Holzapple
Armstrong, first of the pioneers to Brazil, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Bode, who
have done noble service in helping to build the community. The three are shown
seated in the center. Edward in the middle, Leonora right and Mary Bode left.
New Day Dawns in Latin Work[edit]
A new day is dawning in the Latin American work. This year the native National Teaching Committees of the two great areas are taking over the task of planning and directing all of the teaching projects; planning in such a way as to make the native contributions to the fund and the diminishing funds being contributed by the National Spiritual Assembly, go as far as possible toward providing improved literature, the necessary teachers for the hundreds of cities which should be reached, the new radio recordings for the many radio stations ready and willing to contribute their part toward building a new world order, the perfecting of existing summer schools and the addition of new ones, arrangements and programs for the important annual congresses, forerunners of the conventions, when the independent National Spiritual Assemblies will be elected; arrangements for public meetings at key points, regional projects and publicity work of all types.
Santiago, Chile, will continue to be the seat of the executive committee of the South American Teaching Committee, while Mexico City will become the center of the National Teaching Committee for the 12 Caribbean countries. Each executive committee will have one corresponding member carefully chosen in each of the countries of the area served. During the past year, while these committees and their regional arms in each country have been becoming trained and ready to operate fully, the Inter-America Committee has been gradually retiring itself from the post of directing all Latin activities, and choosing the place of a cooperating agency, so that the native genius of the southern countries may have full sway, as they learn to use their capacity in a Bahá’í way.
A new race of teachers is arising: devoted men and women, most of them young; women who dare to go alone from city to city in spite of the age old tradition requiring heavy chaperonage of every woman, binding her to her parents’ home and then to her husband’s house until she passes from this world. One of the great women of this new age is Sra. Natalia Chávez of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Julie Regal of Panama City joined her recently in Mexico to carry on another step the task of reinspiring and deepening communities and teaching new cities there, while Natalia went on to help Guatemala.
Julie wrote of her: “Natalia Chávez has done a wonderful work here in Puebla, Coatepec and Jalapa, reviving the community in Puebla, which for lack of a pioneer had ceased all activity, animating the believers, attracting friends, explaining clearly, tactfully and appealingly the Bahá’í Teachings (and also everywhere, diplomatically but effectively, stressing that the Bahá’í Cause is not rich, but advances on the sacrifice of its supporters). She stimulates the friends everywhere to do their part in contributing to the fund, and not to expect the U. S. believers to do everything, while they themselves merely accept the help. She works indefatigably, sacrificing her comfort. She demonstrates her zeal in actions, not just in words. All the friends greatly love her and hold her in high esteem.”
Another unusual Latin woman, who has recently set out as a pioneer, is the well known Chilean sculptress and artist, Sra. Lucha G. de Padilla, wife of the former consul general of Chile to the United States. Highly educated, delicately bred, deeply devoted to the Faith, this lady of high Chilean society has dared to break with ancient restrictions and has undertaken a mission in Costa Rica.
Success is crowning the efforts of another new native pioneer, Oscar Castro, who graduated recently from the University of Costa Rica and set out to serve his Lord in Santa Ana, goal city of El Salvador. After various sufferings, violent tests and fervent prayers, he found a brilliant and fine young man, Jose Cordoba, who became confirmed, and set forth enthusiastically to help. Together they interested the noted professor and intellectual, Dr. Alfredo Betancourt, and Oscar found himself called upon to address a public meeting at the university, attended by professors, students, intellectuals and a variety of representative people of the city. He described “The New World Order of Bahá’u’lláh” and this was so enthusiastically received that a study class developed out of it, and he has been invited to address the normal school
A View of Pioneering[edit]
By Dorothy K. Baker
Pioneering is ecstacy and tears; bad food, cold rooms, dark pensions, and periods of fruitless waiting; yearning souls, sudden illumination, an outreaching public and new conviction of the “power that is far beyond the ken of men and of angels.”
Europe is frustrated and often skeptical, living in fear and believing in nothing. But Europe is groping too, and in search of a soul, and the part of her that finds it will go to almost any length to keep it. The new believers are the eyes of Europe; they alone can look ahead. To them the Cause is the difference between everything and nothing. Even the unbeliever asks, “And if there comes another war, shall we know that you haven’t given up?” The European believer feels that he is the yeast in the loaf; even a little of him can go a long way. A large number of sympathizers wish him well but lack his courage. The believers face a period of proving.
From Oslo to Lisbon the pioneers are singularly suited to their tasks, as if by Providence ordained to them. In Oslo a strong invasion into the strata of university life and thought is impressive, as is the first fruit in radiant believers. A representative tea and a crowded public meeting gave testimony of amazing contact ability and unceasing devotion to the task.
In Stockholm large classes flourish, and the open doors of numerous peace groups pay tribute to pioneer prestige. Nobility and peasant mix freely at meetings with no sense of division, and even language is not a barrier, for as in Oslo, English is considered the world language and is spoken generally.
| and other schools of the city. When
he was to be transferred to a city in another country, Dr. Betancourt went to the regional chairman to describe the important work that Oscar is doing and to ask that he be allowed to remain long enough to complete it. Sometimes we do not realize how far our voices may reach, if we remember always to speak of the Cause lovingly and devotedly. This is demonstrated in one of the many Latin American high lights which have just reached us. Six years ago in Venezuela Gwenne Sholtis spoke to a Hungarian gentleman in the Consulate about the Faith. Out of this a contact has come in another corner of the world, in the form of a very touching letter from a young Hungarian medical student in Budapest. He describes how he went through the long agony of European war, first as a child, when his parents were killed, then as a youth in a labor camp. His first contact with the Faith was when all in the camp were slowly dying of starvation after seven days without any food, following upon prolonged starvation diet. An attorney, known as a Bahá’í, who was gentle and not brutalized like the rest, gave the youth half a carrot that he had saved, the only bit of food that he had. His second contact was when he recently met the Hungarian to whom Gwenne had spoken in Venezuela. He hastened to write to Gwenne, hungry to find a new faith, something in which he can believe. He wrote Gwenne that he plans to serve Bahá’u’lláh through his profession when he receives his degree as a doctor two years from now. |
Copenhagen, rugged and thorough in its approach, arranged an outstanding press conference, several firesides, and a talk before a prominent peace club. A touch of adventure was enjoyed when, on our last morning through the efforts of a youthful pioneer, a radio recording was made, outlining the Bahá’í Peace Plan and the dawn of a World Faith. More than a month later Copenhagen was visited by two members of the British government, who conducted a series of discussions around the problem of peace. The last day found them still in search of a common agreement. The radio director, with well-timed precision then broadcast the Bahá’í Peace Program in full, and a fresh wave of thoughtful interest passed over the city! In addition to the alertness of our pioneers, one also remembers the Words of His Holiness Muḥammad, “And God is the greatest of plotters”.
There was abundance of youthful interest in Amsterdam. A press conference, a well organized public meeting, a university talk, and a club opening were features of intense interest. Both within and without the city there is unusual teaching, translating and organizing ability. The pioneers and resident believers have a wide circle of friends and sphere of influence. Holland will especially miss the assistance of Henry Jarvis.
Brussels was the scene of day and night activity, with the Hotel de
First Spiritual Assembly of Oslo, Norway, April 21, 1948
[Page 10]
Boeck, except for one large downtown meeting, the stage center for
peace leaders and the many friends
and contacts of the Bahá’ís. On the
last evening the little parlors overflowed into the hall. A tender note
was struck by a Dominican priest,
recently disrobed for the sake of his
conscience. He sat in the farthest
row back. A pioneer who had given
him a book some months before,
recognized him and spoke to him.
“What do you think now?” she
asked. He lowered his head for a
moment and then replied with unaffected simplicity: “I have found
the truth.” A hero had found Bahá’u’lláh.
The little duchy of Luxembourg, fine in type, rich in worldy things, perceptive in spirit, waits upon a friendlier time to express itself publicly. It believes in peace, and a group of Federalists made a vital impression upon the public with five headlined newspaper accounts of its meeting, although no direct mention was made of the Faith. The pioneers here are masters of courage and discretion rightly blended, and work entirely through individual contact and firesides.
Switzerland has the thrilling advantage of three working centers with two possible assemblies soon. This land, summer host to a world Guardian, and couched in peace for many generations, offers a background of free thought and sturdy living. Geneva with its bureau and Persian student life; Zurich in its effort to form, in however small a way, following upon one of the largest public meetings sponsored in all Europe, a systematic class for new study; and Bern with its highly successful series of sponsored meetings, and truly impressive response in actual students, all give glorious promise.
A day in Rome was long to be remembered, with a beautifully appointed tea for 95 rare and high-minded friends, and a dinner for the pioneers and new believers of Rome, Naples and Florence. The most outstanding power to attract the highly intellectual was evidenced in Italy! And here especially the exquisite effect of the very recent visit of Marion Little was gratefully remembered.
I cannot refrain, in closing, from mention of France, and a brief but glorious visit to Britain. Through the courtesy of the Paris assembly a delightful meeting was held with the friends of that city, and two fraternal days in Lyon were arranged, in company with Marion Little and a brilliant youth of Luxembourg. Here the high-spirited work of Lucienne Migette has done much to make an assembly probable, and the mother assembly in Paris plans visits of instruction and deepening. In Dublin, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and London, and throughout the two extraordinary days of the Birmingham All-Britain Conference, January 17-18, a wonderful acceleration was manifest on the part of our British brothers.
Gathering of Bahá’ís for the Florida State Convention in North Miami, Fla., Feb. 1, 1948
Summer Schools[edit]
Rates and Reservations[edit]
International
- Rates: $30.—10-Day Session
- Reservations: Miss O. B. Crum
- P. O. Box 1064, Colorado Springs.
Geyserville
- Rates: Rates this year include room and three meals a day. Bedding and linen will be furnished tenants of Bosch Hall. The rates will be, Collins Dormitory, upstairs, adults—$20.50, under 14—$10.25; downstairs, adults (2 to a room)—$24.50, under 14 (1 or more on cots, with parents)—$8.75; Bosch Hall, men and boys only, adults—$17.50, under 14—$10.50. Meals for off-campus students, 3 a day, by the week, $14. Transient meals: Breakfast, $.60, Lunch, $.60, Dinner, $1.20. The N.S.A. has authorized the Geyserville School Committee to charge a registration fee of $1 for each student over the age of three for each period of from four to 14 days spent at the School. This fee will be used to pay for paper and mimeographing of syllabi for the use of the students and for working material for the childrens’ program. This registration fee will be in addition to the above rates for board and room.
Reservations
- Mr. Al Zahl, 826 W. Grant Place, San Mateo, Calif.
Louhelen
- Rates: Adults: Single Room $3.00, Double Room 2.50, Dormitory 2.00, Youth: 1.75, (During Youth Session only.)
- These rates are for room and meals, per day, per person.
- Reservations: Write Registrar, Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 S. State Rd., Davison, Mich.
Green Acre
- Rates: Room and board $21—$39 per week; $3.50—$6 per day, depending on size and location of rooms. Rooms engaged by month or season, 8% discount on rooms of $24 or more. Additional 10% discount on rooms to July 18. Youth weeks, dormitory rate $18 per week, $25 for two weeks. (10-21 years old). Single meals: Breakfast, $.50, Luncheon $.80, Dinner $1.25, Sunday Dinner $1.50.
Reservations:
- Mr. Emanuel Reimer, Eliot, Maine
The Home Front[edit]
RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS. The Bahá’ís living in Cicero, Berwyn, Riverside, Hollywood, Brookfield, LaGrange, and Western Springs conducted a teaching campaign centering in Riverside. Three public lectures on Feb. 5, 12, and 19, covering the subject “Bahá’í Faith and its Teachings concerning Universal Peace and World Order” were given by Mr. Leroy Ioas, in the Riverside Public Library. The public was notified by 700 mailed invitations, newspaper write-ups, paid advertisements, and placards in all the towns. Response to the talks was excellent so discussion meetings were continued in the same building through March. Also, social gatherings of attraction were held afterward to continue the interest of the contacts, with special attention in some, for the young people.
COLUMBIA, S.C. Radio, films, and personal interview marked the points of a weekend trip to Columbia, by Mrs. Margaret Kunz Ruhe of Atlanta. The radio broadcast over WKIX on Friday, March 12, at 7 p.m. made use of the Interview prepared by the National Radio Committee and came off well. Mrs. Annie Romer had arranged a Film Forum to be held at the Chamber of Commerce at 7:30 p.m. The stirring film, “One World or None” was followed by Margaret’s talk, “A United World.” Question period afterward was lively and the spirit fine.
On Saturday morning, Margaret and Mrs. Romer had a visit with Dr. Ward of the University of South Carolina, in which they were able to make references to the Faith. Margaret reports that Mrs. Romer’s contact technique has opened many doors in Columbia. That evening, at the home of a seeker, Mrs. McKim, there was a warm response to the talk entitled “Renewal of Religion.”
Quoting the report, “I am beginning to understand a little more about the why and wherefore of the Guardian’s plan. By going out and doing even a little, one’s inner resources are enhanced and developed. The Bahá’ís themselves will be transformed inwardly as they meet the challenge before them. A new race of men is being created in us, the Bahá’ís of this day. How wise and knowing is our Guardian ....”
NILES, AND ROSEVILLE, MICH. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ceaseless service and encouragement of all humanitarian and cultural activity is our constant reminder that this is the key to our teaching effort — “An ounce of deeds is worth a ton of words.” Niles is demonstrating this. Their newly established school for children collected food for the Friendship Train and stepped in with practical help when a baby arrived in one of their homes.
Roseville’s oldest member, Mrs. Katherine Page, has become an outstanding influence in her community which calls upon her for speakers, guidance in literature, and admires her as an artist. This has been invaluable in combating prejudice against the Faith.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. On Thursday, March 19, three Bahá’ís answered the invitation of the Lincoln Society of Brown University to attend their Coffee Hour and speak of the Bahá’í Faith. They found there a lively interest in every aspect of the Teachings, as about forty students took part in the discussion. With the close of the meeting they were extended an invitation to come again.
PERRYSBUBG, N.Y. The Young Adult Fellowship group of the Methodist Church in Cattaraugus, numbering thirty-six, met on Naw-Rúz day to hear a presentation of the Bahá’í Faith by Dr. James M. Shamey of Perrysburg. The meeting was advertised locally in the newspaper and by a novel use of poetry on postal cards. A favorable follow-up article appeared later in the newspaper. Question and answer period was the most interesting to the group, and the minister accepted a copy of the “New Era” to read. In addition to this meeting, Dr. Shamey has been giving fireside chats in neighboring Gowanda, N.Y.
HONOLULU, T.H. (The following illustrates the power of united prayer.)
In Honolulu a few Bahá’ís joined at the time of the daily noon prayer to repeat prayers for the removal of difficulties surrounding a Bahá’í friend. After the noon prayer, the “Remover of Difficulties” was repeated, then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer which begins, “Oh my God, unite the hearts of Thy servants ....,” followed by the Tablet of Aḥmad.
On the ninth day at the hour of noon, the friend who was in difficulty received a telephone call from the causer of the circumstances, promising a solution.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Mr. Thomas W. Fleming, Cleveland Ohio. Date not reported.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Miriam Van Patten, Burlington, Vt. March 14, 1948.
- Mr. Albert Galle, West Chester, Pa. February 18, 1948.
- Dr. William F. Slater, Chicago, Illinois. March 13, 1948.
- Mrs. Edith Pemberton, Sherman Oaks, Calif. March 24, 1948.
Colón, goal city of Panama, has the honor of being one of the new cities to elect its spiritual assembly this April. Louise Caswell has worked indefatigably to help Colón and also to help develop the nucleus in the new goal city of Santiago, Panama. Members of the Panama City assembly have cooperated valiantly in this work. Louise is seated second from the left.
[Page 12]
This group of Bahá’ís and friends from Oceanside, Escondido, Elsinore, Fallbrook, Rainbow, Los Angeles, and Pasadena gathered to commemorate Naw-Ruz, 1948, at an Oceanside home, where John Falk of Pasadena spoke on the New Year.
Enrollments[edit]
Enrollments Reported by Local Spiritual Assemblies
Los Angeles, Calif., 2; Kansas City, Mo., 1; Wilmette, Ill., 2; Detroit, Mich., 1; Muskegon, Mich., 2; Roseville, Mich., 1; Jamestown, N. Y., 3; Seattle, Wash., 1; Richmond Highlands, Wash., 1; South Bend, Ind. 1; New York, N. Y., 2; Independence, Mo., 1; Chicago, Ill., 2; San Francisco, Calif., 1; Racine, Wis., 1; Lima, Ohio, 4; Eliot, Maine, 1; Toronto, Ont., 2; Regina, Sask., 1; Winnipeg, Man., 1; Youth—2.
Enrollments Reported by Regional Teaching Committees
New England, 6 and 2 youth; New York, Conn., 5; New Jersey, 1; West Pa., Ohio, 4; Ill., Iowa, 2 and 1 youth; Michigan, 1; Kan., Mo., Nebr., 1; Ala., Tenn., 1; Okla., Ark., 4; Texas, 1; So. Calif., Ariz., 2; No. Calif., Nev., 3; Idaho, Mont., Utah, 3; Wash., Ore., 2; Ont., Can., 2; British Columbia, Can., 1.
Home Front, Cont’d.[edit]
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. Always of interest is the forward stride in the life of a community and of the Faith, when incorporation is attained. This time it is Anchorage which this February completed and filed its Articles of Incorporation and approved the By-Laws. Publicity for the Faith was gained when the Anchorage Daily Times ran it as a front page article.
| Publishing Announcement
‘Abdu’l-Bahá the Center of the Covenant by Juliet Thompson reprinted from World Order Magazine, March 1942. An attractive pamphlet 28 pages with stiff cover. In these pages the reader, and especially the new believer, can recapture some of the delicate essence distilled by the beloved Master in the hearts of those who made pilgrimage to Haifa or were near Him during His stay in the West. price $.25
|
A unique aspect of their Intercalary Party was that in place of exchanging gifts, a special contribution of $217.64 was made to the National Fund.
Another novel feature in the teaching work of this community is the Sunday morning waffle breakfast firesides of Betty Becker.
CARRIZO SPRINGS, TEXAS. We congratulate Mrs. Alvin Rouse of Carrizo Springs for getting two splendid Bahá’í articles into rural journals. The title, “Heralds of Unity” in Farm Talk magazine and in February, Texas Citriculture. Mrs. Rouse took the occasion of Lincoln’s birthday and the theme and tied the freeing of the slaves in this country with the same period in which Bahá’u’lláh, on the other side of the globe was releasing a new world program.
View of Pioneering, Cont’d.[edit]
Eight campaigns of the year, combined with a settlement project comprising over 12 percent of their membership, will complete assemblies in the three virgin areas and carry forward their total assemblies in the Plan. Humbled by a moving vision of the ceaseless labors of our pioneers abroad, an American also salutes France and Britain. All Europe is on the march!
Calendar[edit]
Feasts: Calendar
- July 13—Kalimát—Words
Anniversaries:
- May 23, 1844—Declaration of Báb (observed on May 22nd, at about 2 hours after sunset)
- May 23, 1844—Birth of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- May 29, 1892—Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (observed May 29th at 3:00 A.M.)
| Page | Col. | |
Around the Bahá’í World | 2 | 2 |
Assembly Goal Achieved | 1 | 1 |
Calendar | 12 | 3 |
Canadian Convention Cable | 3 | 2 |
Canadian National Assembly | 3 | 3 |
| Convention | ||
Election results | 4 | 2 |
First Cable | 1 | 1 |
Second Cable | 1 | 2 |
Directory | 7 | 3 |
Enrollments | 12 | 1 |
| Fund | ||
Assemblies Contributing in March | 5 | 1 |
Contribution Voluntary | 5 | 3 |
Where We Are | 5 | 2 |
| Guardian | ||
Brilliant Achievements | 1 | 2 |
Contribution Voluntary | 5 | 3 |
Emergency Teaching | 2 | 1 |
First Convention Cable | 1 | 1 |
Letters to Individuals | 4 | 2 |
Letter to Marzieh Gail | 4 | 2 |
Home Front | 11 | 1 |
Latin America | 8 | 1 |
Marriage Notices | 4 | 1 |
Memoriam | 11 | 3 |
Misrepresentation of Faith | 4 | 3 |
| National Spiritual Assembly | ||
Election, 1948 | 4 | 2 |
“Our Sources of Guidance” | 4 | 1 |
| Pictures | ||
California Naw-Rúz | 12 | 1 |
Colon. Panama | 11 | 2 |
Florida State Convention | 10 | 1 |
Rio de Janeiro | 8 | 1 |
Oslo, Norway | 9 | 2 |
“Pioneer” | 6 | 2 |
Publishing Announcements | 12 | 1 |
Quiz—Study Aids | 6 | 1 |
Answers | 5 | 1 |
Souvenir Feast | 6 | 1 |
Suggested Daily Readings | 5 | 2 |
| Summer Schools | ||
Needed at Green Acre | 4 | 3 |
Rates and Reservations | 10 | 3 |
United Nations Contest | 2 | 1 |
View of Pioneering | 9 | 1 |
World Youth Day | 2 | 3 |
