Bahá’í News/Issue 212/Text
| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 212 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| BAHÁ’Í |  |
NEWS |
| No. 212 | OCTOBER, 1948 | YEAR 105 | BAHA’I ERA |
The Outpouring of His Grace[edit]
Message From the Guardian[edit]
Welcome Assembly’s high resolve to insure uninterrupted Temple construction. Deeply moved and thankful for continued evidence of the inflexible determination with which the rank and file of the clear-sighted, high-minded, divinely-sustained American Bahá’í community, its representatives, national, local and regional, its pioneers at home and overseas, discharge in distant fields, despite the smallness of their numbers and their limited resources, tasks of such vast dimensions, of so diversified a character, of such great moment, at so significant a stage in the declining fortunes of an imperiled society. I feel convinced that unflinching maintenance of so exalted a standard of stewardship at the threshold of Bahá’u’lláh must release in still greater measure the outpouring of His grace so essential and befitting the consummation of a Divine Plan deriving its authority from the Pen of the Center of His Covenant and propelled by agencies created through the generative influence of His Will and Testament.
Cablegram received September 14, 1948.
Consolidation of the Bahá’í Community[edit]
Beloved Friends:
By November 15 the National Spiritual Assembly desires a complete report from the four Area National Teaching Committees of the status of each local community which on April 21, 1948 had a membership of less than fifteen. The goal of our common effort this year in strengthening the American Bahá’í community is to develop each small community to that minimum.
The task is great but the determination is unprecedented and the facilities we collectively employ are more effective than ever before.
On April 21 there were one hundred twenty-two local Assemblies whose community membership ranged from nine to fifteen. Of these, forty-one communities had the minimum of nine.
As of September 22 the records show the following condition after five months:—
Communities of nine having this same membership—seventeen.
Communities of nine having a larger membership—thirteen.
Communities of nine which have less than nine—eleven.
Communities which on April 21 had more than nine, by September 22 having less than nine—two.
This picture shows the need of a greatly stimulated effort by Extension Teaching Committees of the larger communities, by circuit, weekend and fireside teachers, and by the individual believers in the small communities, to generate the force needed to transform the weaker towns to a state of power and effectiveness. The Faith has a titanic task to perform in carrying out its world mission, so much of which is assigned to North America. Let us count the moments, intensify our efforts, resurvey our opportunities and resolve that by November 15 the losses will be made up and decisive gains won.
From the Guardian[edit]
(The following excerpt is from a letter from Shoghi Effendi to Miss Jessie Revell of Philadelphia in answer to a letter she wrote him thanking him for the book Prayers and Meditations).
“... He is indeed pleased to know that the book of Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh has been out in time to enable the friends to read it during the Fast, and he has every hope that the perusal of such a precious volume will help to deepen, more than any other publication, the spirit of devotion and faith in the friends, and thus charge them with all the spiritual power they require for the accomplishment of their tremendous duties towards the Cause....”
Enrollments[edit]
Enrollments reported by Local Spiritual Assemblies:
Cleveland, Ohio 1; Indianapolis, Ind. 1; Chicago, Ill. 1; Sioux Falls, S.D. 1; Washington, D.C. 1; Macy, Nebr. 2; Seattle, Wash. 1; YOUTH 1.
Enrollments reported by Regional Teaching Committees:
NORTHEASTERN STATES
- Eastern New York 1
- Western New York 1
CENTRAL STATES
- Michigan 1
WESTERN STATES
- So. Calif., Ariz. 4
- No. Calif., Nev. 2
- Colo., Wyo. 1
NEW GROUPS FORMED
NEWPORT, ORE.
- Mrs. Cora Altree, Corres., Box 463
ASTORIA, ORE.
- Mrs. Zarah Dunne, Corres. Court M- Apt. 1, Riverwood Park
BOZEMAN, MONT.
- Mrs. Betty Bennett, Corres., 411 N. Tracy
EL PASO COUNTY
- Mr. Walter Mason, Corres., Palmer Park Blvd., Rt. 1, Colo. Spgs., Colo.
Indexing Project[edit]
In this issue of Bahá’í News the Publishing Committee announces the publication of indexes for five books which have no indexes in them—the three volumes of the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, God Passes By, and the Iqán. These indexes provide greater opportunities for getting at the treasures in these books.
|
Louhelen Winter Session Dec. 26—Jan. 1, Incl. For reservations, write: |
Although it is more than a year since the NSA formally appointed an Index Committee, yet the work of preparing indexes has continued under NSA direction. There now exists a backlog of enlarged indexes which can be drawn upon as new editions of books come out.
The National Assembly wishes to thank the following people who have assisted in various ways in this project: Mr. Paul Pettit, Miss Gretchen Westervelt, Miss Marie Christian, Mrs. Della Quinlan, Mrs. Bahíyyih Ford, Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Mrs. Roberta Christian, Miss Clara Edge, Mrs. May Harvey Gift, Mrs. Dudley Blakely, Mrs. Marian Lippitt, Mrs. George A. Kent, Miss Mabel Kitchenmaster, Mrs. John Faily, Mrs. Oscar Ketels, Mrs. Emma Link, Mrs. George R. True, and Mr. Kenneth Christian.
Calendar[edit]
FEASTS:
- Nov. 4 - Qudrat - Power
- Nov. 23 - Qawl - Speech
ANNIVERSARIES:
- Nov. 12 - Birth of Bahá’u’lláh—(suspend work)
- Nov. 26 - Day of the Covenant
- Nov. 28 - Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—(1 A.M.)
NSA MEETING
- Nov. 5, 6, 7.
First Canadian National Spiritual Assembly. Front row, left to right: Rosemary
Sala, Siegfried Schopflocher, Laura Davis, Ross Woodman, John Robarts. Back row,
left to right: Emeric Sala, Rowland Estall, Doris Richardson, Lloyd Gardner.
Ruhiyyíh Khanum’s Message to First Canadian Convention[edit]
(Ed. Note: The first Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada, story of which appeared in the June, 1948 issue of Bahá’í News, was held in Montreal at the former home of Ruḥiyyíh Khanum, wife of Shoghi Effendi. This letter is of great historic interest and value to all the friends, although it is addressed specifically to the Canadian Bahá’ís. We are grateful to them for sharing it with us.)
To the Delegates and Friends attending the First
Canadian National Bahá’í Convention.
Dear Friends:
What a blessing and privilege to be allowed to raise my voice on this historic occasion, even though from across two seas, and address these words to you in my own home. You who are gathered here see this room, these walls and doors clearly, but I assure you they rise up before my eyes dimmed by the passing years, sanctified by memory and longing, and what comes to my mind is a nostalgic co-mingling of the past and the future.
Strangely enough the most vivid picture is one neither I—nor probably one of you—can remember as an eye witness: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressing in this very room, a group of believers and guests. The strong, sad, wise face; the silvery hair; the beautiful, understanding blue eyes that saw the reality of things, the reality of evil, the reality of error, of failure and deviation, and yet looked upon all men with a loving and gentle spirit and filled them with hope,—this is the first and most vivid imprint of all, which surely clings to this house so blessed by His presence. And what He said on that occasion must have for you, I feel, now gathered here to carry on His work at such an important juncture in Canadian history, a special message and a special significance. He opened his speech with these words:
“An hour ago a young man came here and we discussed together whether nature is perfect or imperfect, light or darkness. I wish now to complete
[Page 3]
that conversation. Nature—that is, generally speaking, the physical world,
the world of nature, if we observe it carefully and seek to probe its
mysteries,—this world of nature is seen to be imperfect, to be dark. Consider
carefully: if we leave a plot of earth in its natural state it will remain a
field of thistles, it will grow useless weeds; if we leave the hills to themselves
the trees will remain fruitless, it is a jungle with no harvest, no order.
Therefore, this world of nature is dark, it must be illumined. In what will its
illumination lie?”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá then went on to answer His own question and to point out that cultivation and training in the world of nature has converted the wilderness into orchards and into harvest-bearing fields, and that just as the physical world would, if left untended, revert to a state of nature which is dark, wild, and fruitless, so men, if abandoned to themselves, if left uneducated, revert to a state resembling that of animals—nay, even worse than animals, for they can become like the cannibals of Africa, their human qualities of mind and soul remaining wholly undeveloped. Through one simile after another he pointed out that the physical world must be redeemed from its gross state of imperfection through training.
In that speech he struck at the root of the materialistic philosophy dominating the world at present. He said:
“In these days all the philosophers blindly say that the world of nature is perfect. They are not aware that it is imperfect and must become perfect through training.” For, said He: “If we leave nature to herself she is dark, therefore we must educate man until this dark creature becomes illumined, this ignorant one becomes wise, boorishness becomes mannerliness, imperfection becomes perfection, bad character becomes good character; until this animal becomes a human. There is no doubt that man, untrained, is worse than an animal.”
He went on, with caustic sarcasm, to point out that: “All animals are natural. All materialists have physical sensations just like animals. They have no spiritual sensations. They deny the existence of God, they have no information about Him, they have no knowledge of the Prophets, of the Kingdom of Heaven, they know nothing. All animals likewise, are without tidings of the Divine Teachings. All animals are the slaves of sensation. In truth, the philosophers of this age are like animals because these too have no knowledge of God, of the Prophets, of spiritual perception of the outpourings of the Holy Spirit, of supernatural things. Every animal enjoys such perfections as these. With the greatest of ease philosophers, after twenty years of study, deny God, deny spiritual power and divine inspiration. Animals, without taking any trouble, are perfect philosophers, like Her Highness the Cow, who knows nothing about anything. She knows nothing about God, she knows nothing about spiritual perception or spirituality. All animals know nothing of the spirit. These philosophers, likewise, know nothing except physical things. They are like animals. But in spite of this they say we are philosophers because we acknowledge nothing but that which we perceive. Now Her Highness the Cow, without the acquisition of all these sciences, yet with perfect dignity, is the possessor of these same distinctions. This is not glory! Glory is that man should know of God, should be the possessor of spiritual sensations, should be informed of supernatural things. The glory of man is in this that he should inhale the breath of the Holy Spirit. The glory of man is in this that he should imbibe the Divine Teachings. This is the Glory of man, otherwise, ignorance cannot be glory, it is foolishness, ignorance is foolishness.”
He then pointed out that Jesus Christ was obviously in every way superior to philosophers in His wisdom, His conduct, and convictions, why should a being like Him accept to forego the honours, comforts and pleasures of this world if He was not convinced that there was a spiritual condition which conferred infinitely greater benefits on man than the world of mere senses ever could?
It was during the course of this lecture that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá became so engrossed in His subject, and spoke with such vehemence, that His turban fell from his head and rolled on the floor. He voiced His protest, here in this room, 46 years ago, against the materialistic philosophy of the West which has gradually engulfed the thinking element of mankind, and which, if it
European News[edit]
The believers of Denmark, Norway and Sweden were greatly assisted in their work this summer by the visit of Miss Jeanne Bolles of the New York Community. Reports have been received that Miss Bolles did outstanding work in all the fields of teaching: public talks, fireside meetings and contacts work. This visit of Miss Bolles has been an invaluable contribution to the European teaching project. Other American Bahá’ís visiting the goal countries included Mrs. Clara Weir of the Los Angeles Community and Mrs. Joel Stebbins of Madison, Wisconsin. From the Denver Community, George Clark has gone to Oslo to join his wife, Mildred Clark.
The teaching work in the goal countries has been further reinforced by the visits of believers from one country to another. Two members of the Geneva Community spent their holiday in Brussels. These two young students entered wholeheartedly into the teaching activities there.
A definite and exciting new stage in the development of the E.T.C. project has been the recent opening of a Center in Amsterdam and in Brussels. This shows a most commendable maturity of responsibility amongst these new believers that they, so soon, are assuming.
The Bahá’ís were invited to send observers to the Third World Spiritual Congress held in Lausanne, Switzerland, August 11 to 15. As this organization is very prominent and important throughout Europe the recognition of the Bahá’í Faith through this invitation is an evidence of the growing prestige of the Faith on the Continent. Mrs. Etty Graeffe and Mr. Mason Remey were the official observers and Mrs. Graeffe gave one of the principal addresses in French during the Congress and both she and Mason Remey were able to make very valuable contacts.
The Committee is constantly in receipt of testimonies of what the Faith means to the European believers and wishes to share with the friends the following communication:
“Dear Bahá’í friends:
“Coming from Denmark we, after a tiresome travel through different refugees’ camps, have come thither and settled here privately. That is
[Page 4]
a great relief for us after four years
living in refugees’ camps.
“The beautiful pictures, which you have sent us are like a sunbeam of a better world, since long not existing for the greatest part of Europeans. And in the Bahá’í Writings’ (p. 24) we found a prayer, which possibly will help to find our home again: ... ‘Enable me then to return to my home by Thy power and Thy Might.’
“We are much obliged for your kindness and love.”
A. Fridenbergs with family.
Bardel-Kloster,
Post Gildenhaus,
Kr. Bentheim
Germany, British Zone.”
First Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Canada—April, 1948
Suggested Daily Readings for November
Nov.
|
has not directly produced, has certainly not hindered two catastrophic world wars and is now facing us with the appalling possibility of yet a third world war.
It seems befitting, singularly befitting, that you—who are now about to have the spiritual destiny of this beautiful and promising land of ours entrusted to your exclusive care, through the election of your first and own National Assembly—should harken again to the Master’s words and realize the true implications of the responsibility you are assuming of playing a direct part in ushering in a spiritually based civilization as opposed to our highly faulty, purely materialistic civilization of the present day. For we Bahá’ís must not forget for a moment that, without any mental arrogance or conceit, we nevertheless believe our concept of nature, of the purpose of life, and of God, to be inherently different from that commonly held and based on a true interpretation of evolution and of the universe.
You nine people, whoever you may be who will have the privilege of humbly serving the rest of the Canadian Bahá’ís as the trustees of the national affairs of our Faith in Canada during the coming year, are now opening a new door. Not only new to you, but new to the entire Bahá’í world. This Canadian Assembly has great significance from many standpoints: it adds one more National Assembly to the small but strong group of national bodies already existing; by being loosed from its spiritual twin, the American National Assembly, it creates yet another pillar of the International House of Justice, and it forms, significantly enough, the ninth National Spiritual Assembly to come into being.
Now that your affairs are being entrusted to your own hands, now that you are opening this new door spiritually, you are likewise being given a new opportunity as Bahá’ís and members of our world community. You can go very far. A new area of work in the New World is being born amongst you. God surely never creates great occasions without likewise conferring great capacities and powers. You, profiting by past experiences and example and your maturity in the Faith, can determine to create your National Assembly and its functions closer to the Divine pattern, more dedicated to its noble purposes, more purified of the dross of selfish shortcomings and limitations than any other Bahá’í body hitherto constituted. For you are free and this is the morn of your work, you come to your task fresh, exhilarated by the Guardian’s bright picture of your future possibilities and the important role you must play.
Whenever one thinks of Canada one thinks of cultivation. Out of her virgin forests, her wildernesses, her barren North lands and lakes, has already been wrung a great and promising nation. The darkness of nature, as the Master said, has given way to cultivation and out of imperfection has risen the splendour of government, industry, trade, settlement, and the arts and sciences of human life. But spiritually the land is still dark, promising, but dark. Primarily the measure of spirituality radiated by your national body will be the measure of Bahá’u’lláh’s life directly available for Canada. For He created the concept of your institution. You exist because of the functions He desired you to perform, and your fundamental function is to be the spiritual heart of Canada. I say spiritual advisedly, for we all know from now on you are the administrative heart of the Bahá’í work here—but that
[Page 5]
is negligible compared to your spiritual position. You are elected to lead, at
a fast and valiant pace, let it be said, the united efforts of the Canadian
Bahá’ís, and however great the capacities of various individuals within the
community may be, it is unlikely they can do more than you provide for
them to do. Upon your vision, your dedication, your eagerness and reliability,
rest the fortunes of the work of the Cause of God in Canada. You are the first
servants in the land, servitude being the highest station as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
demonstrated by choosing it for himself, and your responsibility to the
people of this Dominion is thus very great.
Unfortunately government in the world to-day, even in the so-called democracies, has come to be domination from above. The original ideal of a representative form of government whose members are the servants of the Nation, of the common man and of the common good, a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” has disappeared and in its place too often we see the ensconced handful of public servants looking upon themselves as a superior class, free to dictate to the masses just about what they please. Only at election time is there a rapid volte face in order to secure a prolongation of their own privileges—not a prolongation of humble service to the public weal. We see in the world to-day the governing and the governed as two almost separate forms. The elders of the community, the shepherds of the flock, those whose constant thought should be for the welfare of each and every individual, who should be accessible to the public, if not in person then at least in thought, have become a self-inflated, self-righteous, haughty minority. This is in the world where democratic forms of government are still in practice.
You, however, are about to elect your Bahá’í governing body for the coming year. I only mention the current picture of governing bodies in order to point up the difference between it and our concept of those who are the elected representatives of the people. In the first place to accept election is a Bahá’ís duty. In other words from the very beginning we do not consider it a privilege to be sought but a duty which cannot be shirked. Nowhere in the teachings are we given to suppose that administrators are a special or nobler class than others. On the contrary, anyone, elected by the free and secret ballot of his fellow believers, can find himself suddenly an “administrator,” unlike the world, where politicians are a class by themselves and not usually a very savoury one! Once elected, our Bahá’í governing body finds itself entirely free to pursue the dictates of its own joint conscience in managing the affairs of the community it represents, for, unlike the ordinary concept of a governing body, it is no longer responsible to the electorate but only to its superior body, and not particularly esteeming or coveting the job of being an administrator and also realizing no “career” lies in it and no electioneering technique exists, the members of a Bahá’í Assembly do not have to be swayed by the ordinary fears and ambitions of most elected representatives. They can get down to the business of attending to the affairs of the Cause with minds and hearts divorced from a sense of personal pressure, personal ambition, or personal pride. Bahá’u’lláh’s system is not only good for the characters of those who govern, and good for the welfare of those who are governed, but also eliminates at a stroke any room for the meannesses, abuses and temptations which are inherent in political systems.
This world of ours to-day, as the Master emphasized in this very room, intensely dark, intensely materialistic, treading the path of error, firmly believing what is fundamentally wrong, has, in almost every field of human life, taken the down-hill road. One of the greatest examples of this is the way governmental powers are being used all over the world. It is much, much easier, when you possess power and authority, to hit a person over the head and knock him unconscious, so to speak, than to lead him into the right. “Verboten.” What a sway that word held in Germany and Europe! Indeed it is the easiest of all remedies: “We have the authority, we say no, do it or else ...” The big stick!
Treasurer’s Letter[edit]
Dear Bahá’í friends:
In an insert in a recent Bahá’í News there was under the heading “Sacrifice Our Privilege — Our Opportunity” a complete breakdown of the National Budget for the third year of the Second Seven Year Plan 1948-49. Under Special Items “On Account of Purchase of Louhelen School Property ... $1800”, there has apparently been some misunderstanding, because some of the friends are under the impression that this item of School property means the Louhelen School, when it should have been listed as the Eggleston House.
You will recall some months ago Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston made the historic gift of Louhelen School and about 11 acres of land to the Trustees. This was spoken of at the Convention and also mentioned by the National Secretary in Bahá’í News and this was a gift from the Egglestons. The only thing that the Trustees have purchased is Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston’s private home, and I hope this is clear.
There seems to be some misunderstanding, too, about the Deficit Fund. This Fund amounting to $69,000 represented our deficit in meeting last year’s Budget; and it was the suggestion of the Convention that this amount be added to our yearly operating Budget 1948-49 of $285,000 and that it should be met out of special donations which would be given to the Fund out of savings or other capital assets, in addition to our regular contributions.
I reported in last Bahá’í News that for the first three months of the year $22,669 has been contributed towards the Deficit Fund and mentioned that this amount included a $16,000 contribution from one believer alone, and stated that our quarterly showing had not been too good.
In spite of the fact that we have received this $22,000 towards last year’s deficit we have not as yet been able this year to allocate the $8,333.33 a month needed for the Temple interior. In fact, we have only received for the first three months of this year $5,410 earmarked for the Temple interior. When making your contribution to the National Fund please specify if any part of it is to be earmarked for the Deficit Fund or the current year’s budget of
[Page 6]
the interior decoration of the
Temple.
Work will begin very shortly on the interior and once the work is started our quarterly commitments, believe me, will be sizeable.
- Faithfully,
- PHILIP G. SPRAGUE, Treasurer
Assemblies Contributing to Fund August, 1948[edit]
Alaska—Anchorage. Arizona—North Phoenix; Phoenix; Tucson. Arkansas— Eureka Springs; Little Rock. California—Alhambra; Arcadia; Berkeley; Beverly Hills; Burbank; Burlingame; Carmel; Geyserville; El Monte Twp.; Escondido Twp.; Fresno; Glendale Twp.; Inglewood; Long Beach; Los Angeles; Monrovia; Monrovia Twp.; Oakland; Oceanside; Palo Alto; Pasadena; Sacramento; San Francisco; San Marino; San Mateo; Santa Barbara; Southgate.
Colorado—Colorado Springs; Denver. Connecticut—New Haven. Dist. of Columbia—Washington. Florida—Jacksonville; Miami. Georgia—Atlanta, Augusta. Hawaii—Honolulu; County of Maui. Idaho—Ada County; Boise. Illinois—Batavia; Champaign; Chicago; Danville; Evanston; Limestone Twp.; Maywood; Oak Park; Peoria; Springfield; Urbana; Wilmette; Winnetka. Indiana—Indianapolis; Fort Wayne; South Bend.
Iowa—Cedar Rapids, Waterloo. Kansas—Topeka. Louisiana—New Orleans. Maine—Eliot, Portland. Maryland—Baltimore. Massachusetts—Beverly, Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester. Michigan—Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Davison Twp., Dearborn Twp., Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Roseville. Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul. Mississippi—Jackson. Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis. Montana—Butte. Nebraska—Macy, Omaha. Nevada—Reno.
New Hampshire—Portsmouth, New Jersey—Bergenfield, Dumont, East Orange, Englewood, Montclair, Red Bank, Newark, Teaneck. New Mexico—Albuquerque, N. 10 Albuquerque. New York—Binghamton, Buffalo, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Syracuse, Waterloo. North Carolina—Greensboro. Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester.
South Carolina—Columbia, Greenville, South Dakota—Sioux Falls. Tennessee—Memphis, Nashville. Texas—Houston. Utah—Salt Lake City. Vermont—Brattleboro. Virginia—Alexandria, Arlington. Washington—Kirkland, Marysville, Monroe, Seattle, Spokane. West Virginia—Charleston. Wisconsin—Kenosha, Racine, Madison, Milwaukee, Shorewood, Somers Twp., Wauwatosa. Wyoming—Laramie.
Number of Assemblies | 179 |
Assemblies contributing | 150 |
Assemblies not contributing | 29 |
Groups contributing | 40 |
Individuals contributing | 108 |
Are You Prepared to Serve?[edit]
The Guardian has emphasized thorough knowledge of the history and teachings of the Faith as “an essential preliminary” to the discharge of our duties in whatsoever place and capacity we serve. To make this knowledge possible we have at our command a wealth of sacred and other Bahá’í literature and numerous aids to facilitate our study of it.
For those who desire some guidance in choosing subjects and material for individual or class study, the Study Aids Committee has attempted to classify the current study outlines according to whether they are suitable for beginners or advanced students, with a brief statement about the purpose and contents of each outline. Obviously, many new Bahá’ís, particularly those who have acquired study habits, experience no difficulty with the so-called “advanced” outlines; and many of the older Bahá’ís often find it profitable to review the more elementary outlines when teaching study classes or preparing Bahá’í talks.
This classification, then, into “beginner”, “advanced”, and “teacher-training” categories is a very loose one, but it is hoped that the summaries, at least, will enable individual Bahá’ís, groups and study classes to select the studies that they feel will best prepare them to discharge their responsibility of spreading the Word of God.
Suggested for Beginners[edit]
Introduction to the Bahá’í Teachings. A 10-lesson course using only two reference books. Excellent for inquirers.
Course of Study Based on Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. A 15-lesson course suitable for group discussion, study class and individual use.
Fundamentals of Bahá’í Membership. Valuable for preparing students for enrollment in the Faith. It is based on The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh and consists of a series of questions with page references for the answers.
Study Aid on the Essential Verities of the Bahá’í Faith. An outline for the detailed study of the Bahá’í principles. Any one lesson can furnish excellent discussion material for one or more fireside meetings. Valuable also for advanced students and for teacher-training.
An Aid to the Study of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh includes study of the authority and functions of the local spiritual assembly, the basis and characteristics of the Bahá’í community, and the relationship of the individual believer to the community and to the assembly. The references are taken from nine texts. Valuable for newly organized assemblies and for groups preparing for assembly status.
Information for Temple Guides, prepared primarily for the training of Temple guides, is an excellent general study outline for all Bahá’ís. Besides facts concerning the Temple, its construction, symbology and significance, there are outlines and references on the history and teachings of the Faith. The 90 questions representative of those most frequently asked by visitors to the Temple are a challenging test of one’s knowledge, not only of the Temple but of the Faith in general.
Reading List for the Study of the Covenant is a list of references from many Bahá’í sources. It is a valuable aid to all Bahá’ís who wish to deepen their understanding of this unique feature of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
Suggested for Advanced Students[edit]
Study Outlines and Aids for the World Order Letters of Shoghi Effendi. An aid for study of the series of letters by means of which the Guardian has gradually increased the comprehension of the American Bahá’ís and trained them for their role in the unfoldment of world civilization. For each letter there is a topical digest, an outline, a glossary, and review questions for class discussion or for testing individual knowledge. Essential for teacher-training.
Study Outline for the Advent of Divine Justice. Thorough knowledge of this important letter by Shoghi Effendi is imperative for every Bahá’í who strives to understand the mission and destiny of America in the Divine Plan and his personal role in bringing in the Golden Age of Bahá’u’lláh. The first part of the outline
[Page 7]
is a formal review of the letter,
and the second is a topical study of
the details, followed by questions for
class discussion and review.
The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh — A Study Outline. A thorough understanding of the teachings contained in this pamphlet is one of the requirements for Bahá’í membership. The greater our comprehension of the subjects covered, the greater our ability to serve the Faith. The outline is suitable for either class or individual study, and is essential for teacher-training.
Study Outline for God Passes By. While the outline is classified as “advanced”, the study of the book itself is a “must” for every Bahá’í. The outline brings together under six major themes the vast range of material covered by Shoghi Effendi in the text. A new syllabus as a further aid to the study of this magnificent work will be available soon.
Study Guide for The Dawn Breakers, includes (1) a synopsis of the book, (2) questionnaires that bring together the numerous references to each of the chief characters and events of the early history of the Faith, and (3) a key for the pronunciation of the important names.
For Teacher Training and Advanced Study[edit]
Deepening the Spiritual Life is an outline designed to assist the student to acquire a deeper understanding of such subjects as: the purpose of creation, knowledge of God, the attainment of spiritual life. The references are chiefly from Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Excellent for individual study and meditation.
Study Outline for the Kitáb-i-Iqán. The Guardian classifies the Iqán as one of the most important works of Bahá’u’lláh. Through study and meditation of this sacred text, the believer becomes more deeply confirmed in the Faith and finds the key to the study of comparative religion and prophecy. Excellent for either individual study or class use.
Muḥammad and the Founding of Islám. Shoghi Effendi stresses the importance of acquiring a sound knowledge of the history and tenets of Islám, — the source and background of the Bahá’í Faith. This is a very lengthy outline, recommended particularly for those who wish to prepare themselves for teaching.
Introduction to the Study of the Qur’án. Because the Qur’án is difficult for occidentals to understand, this outline is very helpful for Bahá’ís who wish to study this great “authenticated Repository of the Word of God.” It consists of ten lesson topics with lists of references from the Qur’án and certain Bahá’í passages.
Training for Bahá’í Teaching. This is a guide for the organization and conduct of teacher-training classes. Suitable for class use only.
The Study Aids Committee will be very happy to assist the friends with their study problems and to receive suggestions of other outlines and courses that may be helpful.
(For prices of outlines see National Bahá’í Programming Committee Bulletin No. 1)
“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”
Marriages[edit]
The Editorial Committee has received permission from the NSA to list Bahá’í Marriages. If they are of general historic interest, such as the first Bahá’í marriage in a state, stories may be run. Four such marriages were:
CALIFORNIA: The state of California now recognizes the legality of Bahá’í marriages. California law permits the marriage of two individuals before witnesses which is quite similar to the Bahá’í Marriage. The first marriage under this provision was conducted in San Francisco between Therese Groger and Hasan Tarafdar; two other marriages were witnessed in Los Angeles—Tania Levandoff and Karl Schueck and that of Rakhshandeh Behbehani and Firuz Kazemzadeh. The latter bride and groom are both of Ṭihrán, Persia.
MINNESOTA: The first Bahá’í wedding in Minnesota took place July 28 in St. Paul between Dahela Abas and John Hicks of Spokane. Other marriages: Elizabeth Sturdevant and John Ashton, Sept. 4, Logansport, Indiana.
Northeastern States Area National Committee confers at Green Acre this summer.
[Page 8]
Edwin Mattoon, second from right, with the National Teaching Committee of Central America.
The Way Is Being Paved[edit]
In accordance with the Guardian’s instructions for “the constant broadening of the bases on which the projected Latin American National Assemblies are to be securely founded” and encouraged by the high spirit of devotion and responsibility which the National Teaching Committees of Central and South America have displayed, the Inter-America Committee has granted them certain new and complete responsibilities: to publish their bulletins, which correspond to our “Bahá’í News” and to handle all funds appropriated for this purpose; to direct the activities of Regional Teaching Committees (one for each country); to receive contributions from the believers of their territories and to dispense these funds. The way is steadily being paved for the founding of the two Latin American National Assemblies in 1951.
Full quarterly reports on the activities of their Regional Teaching Committees are to be submitted by the National Teaching Committees to the IAC.
To assist the NTC for Central America, whose headquarters is in Mexico City, to clearly understand their increased and ever-increasing responsibilities, the chairman of the IAC, Edwin Mattoon, made a two weeks’ visit in August to Mexico City to consult with them. Results of the meeting appear extremely gratifying. Especially impressed was Mr. Mattoon with the perfect unity among all the members of the NTC and their high resolve to exert themselves to the utmost to fulfill their sacred obligations.
The NTC of South America has set November 6 and 7 as the dates for holding throughout that Continent the election of delegates to the Third Annual Bahá’í Convention of South America, to be opened next January 21 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Both NTCs are at present writing to all the Assemblies and groups throughout their territories asking suggestions for the Congress agenda and the subjects to be studied in the School sessions that will follow. Both the Convention and the School will last four days, with a day’s interval between. The Central American Congress will also open during the third week of January.
The RTC of Chile held a wonderful meeting September 11 and 12 in Santiago, which was attended by believers from various cities of Chile. The meeting was preceded by a luncheon in the Hotel de France, at noon on the 11th. Afterwards, the friends went to the Bahá’í Center to discuss the following topics:
- Improved methods of spreading the Faith
- Consolidation of Assemblies
- Legal incorporation
- Bahá’í literature and pamphlets, and their distribution
- Acceptance of new members
- Teaching the Cause from the standpoint of a better world
- Goals until 1951
A public meeting was held that evening in the hall of the newspaper, “El Mercurio.”
The following day the Bahá’ís met from morning until evening in the home of Artemus and Janice Lamb to continue their discussion and to partake together of a delicious dinner.
Chile has lately been reinforced by the moving of Ed and Mary Bode from Rio de Janeiro to Santiago. They left behind a strong community. The Portuguese Publishing Committee, on which they had labored very hard, has been moved to Bahia, and Roy and Margot Worley and Linda Gabrielle Gleig have been appointed to it for this year.
On her way home from the Dominican Republic to South Dakota, where she will finish her college education, Sheila Rice-Wray spent two days in Haiti, visiting the Bahá’ís of Port-au-Prince, and two in Chicago, where she conferred with the IAC. It was a joy to hear her tell of the strongly knit and enthusiastic Bahá’í community of Ciudad Trujillo, where Sheila had labored for a year, and her warm praise of her devoted fellow pioneer, Elena Marsella, who preceded her and is staying on, as well as her glowing account of the zealous and radiant Haitian Bahá’ís.
Eduardo Gonzalez, who since last March has been assisting Katherine Meyer in Caracas, Venezuela, is returning to his home in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to continue his outstanding services to the Faith in his native land.
At the Guardian’s request, Flora Hottes, who has already labored for five years for the Cause in South America, is returning to Montevideo, Uruguay, sailing on December 31.
The Miesslers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are looking for a downtown center, as their meetings are fast outgrowing their home. “We almost always have 25 or 30,” they write, “and there must be at least 50 or 60 really interested to the point of bringing others whenever they come.”
They relate an incident which shows how marvelous are the ways our Cause is spread: One of their believers, Rangvald Taetz, lent a New Era to a friend, whose father, from the Interior of the country, on visiting his son begged it from him. Now, at home in the Interior,
[Page 9]
he and several friends are holding
weekly meetings to study the book
together.
Programmer’s Corner[edit]
“O ye apostles of Bahá’u’lláh! May my life be sacrificed for you! Behold the portals which Bahá’u’lláh hath opened before you!”
Challenging Requirements p. 26
HINTS FOR ACTION[edit]
Why not telephone the Registrar’s office of the local college in your town for the names and addresses of incoming foreign students. Invite them in for supper informally in your home. Offer love and cordial hospitality before you expect them to listen to the Bahá’í Teachings.
SUGGESTED FEAST PROGRAMS[edit]
For the Feast of Power, Nov. 4
- Devotional Period
- Musical Prelude: The Holy City by Adams (recording)
- Worship: Bahá’í Prayers p. 19 (“I beg of Thee O my God...”)
Prayers and Meditations
p. 245-7 (“My God, Thou Whom I adore....”)
p. 248 (“Create in me a pure heart....”)
p. 236-7 (“Thou art He ...”)
- Readings for Consultation Period
Divine Art of Living- p. 45-7 (We understand that the Holy Spirit ...”)
(“Invested among ... firmly established.”)
- For the Feast of Speech, Nov. 23
- Devotional Period
- Musical Prelude: The Heavens are Telling from The Creation by Hadyn (recording)
- Worship: Prayers and Meditations p. 27 (“Praised be Thou ...”)
- Bahá’í Prayers p. 53-4 (“In the name of God....”)
- p. 28-9 (“Invested among ... firmly established”)
- p. 62-3 (“O Lord! O Lord! ...”)
- Readings for the Consultation Period
- Gleanings p. 264-5 (“That seeker must ... life of the soul.”)
- p. 280-1(“By the righteousness will never defeat.”)
- Promised Day is Come
- p. 122 (“The great age to come. ... paving the way.”)
- Gleanings p. 264-5 (“That seeker must ... life of the soul.”)
Bahá’í community of San Salvador, El Salvador.
Around the Bahá’í World[edit]
JAPAN[edit]
(From a letter from Robert Imagire:)
“Since the end of the war, that which the people had faith in dropped from beneath their feet. Only too well they know that it was wrong. What is right, in what can one have faith? People here move like automatons, drunk with despair. ...
“Is the Bahá’í Faith needed here? The need is far greater than I can describe. It seems far too slow to change and assist hearts and souls individually....
“... With their foundations ripped away, they are groping and desperately want a foundation ... the result being the choice of scientific materialism, or individualism, or to turn agnostic.
“It seems that the wealthy, cultured, professional class ... doctors, lawyers, etc. is suffering the most. Those who were about to retire on a nest egg of say 10,000 yen (enough to purchase a large beautiful hotel before the war) accumulated after years of work, now due to the inflation can only live for two months with this amount (or buy one camera). The wealthy are now the black-marketeers and it is too bad; the life they lead creates a bad standard of living. The intellectual and cultural group being in poverty have therefore little influence in the present society. The Bahá’í teaching is indeed a healing remedy for these unfortunate ones....
“The contrast between light and dark is so great that when there is light, it seems so wonderfully bright. Some of the bright spots in the work here has been as most of you know finding amidst the ruins of the south-west section of Tokyo this lovely building containing Agnes Alexander’s precious Bahá’í library with pictures of Martha Root, old copies of Star of the West and Star of the East, a sister magazine formerly printed in Japan, and about 300 copies of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in Japanese. There was of course the thrill of finding the old Bahá’ís and Bahá’í friends, Dr. Masujima, Mr. and Mrs. Torii in Kyoto. Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Inouye, Mr. Ito of Tokyo and Mr. Fugita in Yanaii, just two stations away from Hiroshima...
“It seems very hopeful that a Bahá’í discussion group will be formulated at the Tokyo University this fall, and not just an English discussion
[Page 10]
group, thanks to the effort of
Mr. Shozo Kadota, to whom also a
great debt of gratitude is due for his
untiring zeal and devotion in translating many of the Writings.
“Feasts are now once again regularly observed. There are weekly firesides, monthly public meetings, and now bi-monthly Bahá’í study classes.
“Amidst getas and kimonos, rice paddies and straw huts ... jeeps and jinrickshaws, the Bahá’í Teachings now flow from soul to soul, are discussed and meditated upon ... insha Allah, we may be ready for the Third Seven Year plan in 1957.”
PUERTO RICO[edit]
(From a letter from Margaret Swengel which arrived just one day too late to be shared with the friends at the Louhelen Homecoming.)
“Edie and I have both worked hard this year but the work has been fun because it has been so essential in every respect. She had her job, of course, before coming and it was the perfect kind of work for a Bahá’í—public health—the most splendid opportunity to serve all of mankind. And she has had nothing but success in her professional life and she realizes that that is because she has not had to do all her work alone. We Bahá’ís realize so clearly that as we do our work according to Bahá’í ideals we do indeed receive all the help and the inspiration that makes us successful. Edie has been carving a place for herself in the Health Department of Puerto Rico and her reputation and fame are spreading—terrific assets for the spreading of the Cause. And I got my position at the University of Puerto Rico just two days after we landed. Education and health are the two most important needs of the people here and it is more than mere coincidence that we happen to be in these professions. In both cases our jobs have dovetailed so perfectly into our Bahá’í work and our Bahá’í training has fit us so well for our jobs and our jobs give us such a wide field for operations and have given prestige to the Faith. But it wasn’t our doing—never before had I seen so clearly how perfectly Bahá’u’lláh will work out our lives for us if we only permit Him to do so.
“But for the actual Bahá’í work: It has happened that almost all of our teaching has been with Youth and boys ... We feel that this teaching of young boys is just about the most important thing that we could be doing.... The Youth and the Youth alone can help Puerto Rico out of its difficulties and that is probably true of the world at large....
“When we began back in February with our little group of twelve we thought that they couldn’t possibly be interested. Boys aren’t interested in religion, the conditions of the world, the remedies that can bring peace to the peoples of the earth. They came out of sheer curiosity and after they had seen the two American ladies that would be there. We had no social program to offer—there were only two of us and there were so many of them and they were but boys. We did usually have cakes in the house or crackers or something but they could have had that for the same amount of money that it cost them to come on the bus. But these boys were dissatisfied with their own lives and the lives of those about them and when the Bahá’í Faith held something new they wanted it and they wanted their friends to have it. Now for eight months they have been coming — of course not every one every time and some we don’t see very often but others have joined the group and they have brought others so through its own force it has grown.
“... some of the boys were not attending because they were hearing the same thing all the time because each meeting would have a few new ones and they had to have the introductions. So we drew off those who were a little older and had that tiny separate group, and I taught them while Edie drove out to Rio Pedras to take the lessons with the rest. Both groups have made tremendous progress and the group here will be ready for the final lessons before declaring themselves very soon. I wish you all could hear some of the discussions—‘How does the Bahá’í meet the problem of being the victim of prejudices of a society?’ ‘Specifically, how must I live as a Bahá’í so that people will know I am a Bahá’í without my telling them?’ ‘How do Bahá’ís live together when they have their own communities?’ (Here all my summers and winters at Louhelen became vivid in my memory as I tried to give the picture).... after having them here every week for about three months I think that they are becoming so much less critical of each other, so much more willing to accept the ups and downs of life, so eager to improve themselves according to the Bahá’í ideal, and their viewpoints about society are gradually becoming less old-world and more new-world Bahá’í.
“Our first Bahá’í Youth, Marcelino Alcala, left about a month ago for the Navy.... He has told several of his friends about the Faith and they are interested.
“Leaving one’s own way of living to go to teach the Faith is not all a big picnic.... Right now I’d rather not think of all the most important things that are not being done because I have 144 students in five classes, an apartment to take care of, meals to plan, and a business to run.
Every minute is needed for a dozen jobs and one can’t help being definitely tired. But for every day that is rushed, for every job that gets a quick going over instead of a thorough accomplishment ... there is a moment when a face lights up because the Faith takes hold, there is a realization that the Bahá’ís here in Puerto Rico have also started their teaching work independently of Edie and me (we have a fireside here on Friday nights that neither of us attends), and there is that wonderful assurance that we cannot be called upon to do more that we are able. Let me just close with some such idea as this (it won’t be well stated as it is a feeling beyond my words)—in coming here I have had the privilege of being in situations and conditions in which many of the promises of Bahá’u’lláh have been fulfilled for me and now beyond anything else I know what the power of this Faith can be. That knowledge, that realization before was largely an intellectual thing with me and now it is way beyond that. Our world is not one world yet but as we find the Bahá’ís in the world then we are indeed establishing that world and we can move about without that dragging sense of being a foreigner, of living in an impossibly strange and wrong place. Time is so short to make the world one but I’m sure that everybody who is at Louhelen this minute is devoting all his time to its realization.”
[Page 11]
First Louhelen Homecoming.
Homecoming at Louhelen[edit]
The Homecoming held at the Louhelen Bahá’í School, Davison, Michigan, Sept. 5 and 6, has now become a part of the seventeen-year history of this Bahá’í School.
With a record attendance of well over 150 people, (this is only an estimate since an accurate count was impossible because many of the believers came only for a few hours each day, practically all of whom were alumni) this Homecoming was voted a great success and it was voted to ask the Louhelen School Committee to make it an annual event.
Each day began with what has become a tradition at Louhelen — a period of prayer and meditation. Monday morning before the discussion began the believers had one of those rare opportunities to listen to a half-hour concert given by Bahá’í artists which included vocal, violin and piano selections.
Bahá’í Addresses National Office:
Treasurer’s Office:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
|
The program was arranged into three periods of discussion and consultations: “Efficient Administration” was conducted by Mr. Donald Corbin of Detroit, who briefly reviewed the history of the growth of Bahá’í Administration, and included the presentation of a play based on local Assembly administration, written by Ruḥiyyíh Khanum. The second session entitled “Teaching — The Challenging Requirement” was lead by Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell of Chicago. The last period on a topic that is very close to the hearts of all the believers assembled was called “Louhelen — Past, Present and Future”. Mrs. George A. True of Grosse Point, Michigan, and chairman of the Louhelen Program Committee, served as moderator with the aid of Mr. Edwin Eardley of Detroit, chairman of the Louhelen Maintenance Committee. A thorough history of the school was placed before the friends along with a resumé of present activities and operating procedures. Almost immediately the friends began making suggestions and giving ideas to the school committees.
Perhaps one of the highlights of the Homecoming was the costume party Sunday evening. Preceding the party a picnic supper was held at “the Glen”. After a session of group singing, everyone returned to the campus to prepare for the evening costume party. Costumes were made of articles to be donated later to the school.
Notes of greeting were received from alumni in Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, and other parts of the United States. Other features of the Homecoming weekend included a wire recording of talks on “Seven Valleys”; slides of South America, the National Convention and Louhelen; and the writing of a letter to the Guardian. Five of the Latin American pioneers, all alumni, were present for this memorable two days, and all who shared it hope it may become an annual event.
More Settlers[edit]
Additions to list of settlers responding to the Guardian’s Emergency appeal:
| New Assembly | Settler | Former Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fresno, Cal. | Melvin R. Wilder | Terra Bella. Cal. |
| Fresno, Cal. | Lydia Wilder | Terra Bella. Cal. |
| Palo Alto Cal. | Katherine D. McPhee | San Anselmo, Cal. |
| Reno, Nev. | Jessie Vanderford | Sacramento, Cal. |
The Home Front[edit]
CHICAGO[edit]
The Bahá’í Youth Committee has invited the Chung Jan Association to the Center for a Tea Social on Sept. 26, as another step to bring their guests into closer contact with the Bahá’í youth, thus affording an opportunity for discussion of the Faith. The Chicago youth were guests of this Association at an all day picnic at Promontory House on the Point, recently, and found they too are sincerely interested in better racial understanding.
CORVALLIS, OREGON[edit]
This centrally located city of the state was the scene, July 18, of the First Annual All-Oregon Bahá’í Conference and Picnic. This first conference, limited to Bahá’ís only, was attended by 24 of the friends who heard reports of work by groups and individuals which were inspiring to them. Of particular note was the fact that Astoria has been opened to the Faith; and that the manner in which individual contacts have been made clearly indicates that divine assistance is ready to aid any earnest effort. Contact work in the Newport and Grants Pass areas is progressing favorably, partly with the assistance of Frederick Mickelson, loaned by the Washington RTC.
DAYTON, OHIO[edit]
Summertime teaching activity here reached out in a new direction with this community giving a picnic for a small group from the local Veterans’ Home. The 22 ladies who responded and enjoyed the fried chicken dinner were ex-war nurses, elderly since they were from the first world war and even the Spanish-American War. They were delighted with such hospitality which they rarely see and eager to know what group was so kind to them. This was the opportunity for a brief explanation of the Faith which led to an invitation for the Bahá’ís to visit Miller Cottage at the Veterans’ Home where 83 ex-war nurses live. Furthermore the picnic was written up in the paper of the Veterans’
[Page 12]
Home, read by the 5000 veterans
resident there. Thus for a nominal
expense more people were reached
in a day than through other methods
in months.
SAN FRANCISCO[edit]
The San Francisco Spiritual Assembly has purchased for the local Bahá’í community a very favorably located lot as the site of a future Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. It is located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Dewey and Laguna Honda Boulevards, half a block from the Forest Hill Station of the Municipal Railway and therefore only twenty minutes from the center of town. It has also good direct cross-town transportation, and in addition may be reached by street-car or bus from any point in the city with no more than one transfer. Besides its favorable location with regard to transportation, an item of decided importance and one difficult to solve in this city outside of the expensive down-town locations, it is located in a good residential district, one that is unlikely to ever become either commercial or depressed in value as home property. From the corner there is a wide outlook over broad boulevards and city-owned and parked properties of considerable beauty. On this site San Francisco looks forward to someday soon being able to offer the use of a true Bahá’í Center to the service of the Cause in this area.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Mr. Fred Doht, Moline, Ill. 7-30-48
- Mr. Grover Cornell, Chicago, Ill. 8-18-48.
- Mr. Wendell E. Bacon, Monson, Mass. about 7-28-48
- Mr. Geo W. Stewart, Kooskia, Idaho about 1942
- Miss Wilhelmina Rogall, New York City 8-12-48
- Mrs. M. L. R. Movius, Buffalo, N. Y. 9-5-48
- Mr. Robert Toms, So. Windham, Maine about 8-29-48
“When it (the soul) leaveth the
body, however, it will evince such
ascendency, and reveal such influence as no force on earth can equal.
Every pure, every refined and sanctified soul will be endowed with tremendous power, and shall rejoice
with exceeding gladness.”
Publishing Announcements[edit]
Twenty-Five Years of the Guardianship by Ruḥiyyíh Khanum 28 pages
attractive colored cover | ea. | .25 |
Index to Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vols. I, II, III | .15 | |
Index to Kitáb-i-Iqán | ea. | .15 |
Index to God Passes By | ea. | .15 |
World Question leaflets: a series of
five small 4-page leaflets prepared
for helping individual believers and
local committees make new contacts. Each leaflet asks a question
of general interest, like “Has Religion Failed?”, and answers the
question with direct quotations from
the Bahá’í teachings. Sold in sets
of five only .05. For 50 sets (250 leaflets) price is $2.25; for 100 sets (500
leaflets) $4.00
|
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. Bahá’í News is edited for the National Spiritual Assembly by its Bahá’í News Editorial Committee: Mrs. Roberta Christian, chairman, Miss Margaret Yeutter, Mr. Gordon A. Fraser. Editorial office: Mrs. Roberta Christian, 1001 West Genesee St., Lansing, Mich. 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. |
Pamphlet-size compilations; four new compilations, attractively printed, eight pages of text and colored cover. Each compilation contains brief introductory and explanatory text, adapting it for reading by non-Bahá’í students and inquirers. The four subjects cover the themes of greatest general interest at the present time. The titles are:—
- “God is Man’s Goal”—dealing with the basic aims of religion.
- “Man: the Supreme Talisman”—explaining mind, soul and spirit.
- “Human Relations for World Unity”—the teachings on the oneness of mankind.
- “The Religion of World Unity”—the Bahá’í basis for world peace.
Prices: One each of the four—30c; 25 each of four, $6.00: 100 each of four, $22.50; 100 copies of any one title. $6.00
“Man One Family” Excerpts from Race and Man, eight pages attractive cover with color. 5 copies .50c
- Outline to accompany What Modern Man Must Know About Religion mimeographed 5 pages .10c
- Prophecy Fulfilled by Elisabeth Cheney. A new printing with attractive green paper cover new price per 100 $4.50
- (Note: Error in compilation What Modern Man Must Know About Religion Page 26, paragraph No. 64 word “perfection” should be “perception.”)
| Page | Col. | |
Addresses | 6 | 1 |
Are You Prepared? | 6 | 1 |
Around the Bahá’í World | 9 | 2 |
Calendar | 2 | 1 |
Enrollments | 1 | 3 |
European News | 3 | 3 |
Fund, Assemblies Contributing | 6 | 1 |
| Guardian | ||
“Outpouring of His Grace” | 1 | 1 |
Prayers and Meditations | 1 | 3 |
Home Front | 11 | 3 |
Indexing Project | 2 | 1 |
Latin America | 8 | 1 |
| Louhelen | ||
Homecoming | 11 | 1 |
Winter Session | 2 | 1 |
Marriages | 7 | 3 |
Memoriam | 12 | 1 |
| Pictures | ||
Canadian Convention | 4 | 2 |
Canadian NSA | 2 | 2 |
Northeastern Area Nat’l Teaching Comm. | 7 | 2 |
NTC of Central America | 8 | 1 |
San Salvador Community | 9 | 1 |
Louhelen Homecoming | 11 | 1 |
Programmer’s Corner | 9 | 1 |
Publishing Announcements | 12 | 2 |
Ruḥiyyíh Khanum’s Letter | 2 | 2 |
Study Aids Committee | 6 | 2 |
Suggested Daily Readings | 4 | 1 |
Treasurer’s Letter | 5 | 3 |
