Bahá’í News/Issue 217/Text
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NEWS |
| No. 217 | MARCH, 1949 | YEAR 105 | BAHA’I ERA |
National Spiritual Assembly Suspends Schools and Magazine — Adopts Drastic Measures to Complete Temple in Two Years[edit]
The American Bahá’ís can realize the vital necessity to which the entire community is committed when they are informed of the drastic measures taken by the NSA to save every penny of income in order to meet the obligations of the Temple this year and next. No situation ever faced by the American Bahá’ís has challenged their faith and devotion to achieve such a tremendous sacrifice both of funds and customary programs of activity.
The watchword is concentration. First, concentration of resources upon the imperative needs established by the Guardian—concentration by the individual believer, by the local community, and by the National Spiritual Assembly itself. Second, concentration of purpose and energy by all Bahá’í Committees, Assemblies and individuals.
This is what the National Assembly has done:
Drastic Reductions[edit]
All school sessions are suspended during 1949 and 1950 and the School Program Committees are dissolved for that period. The extensive preparations already made for the 1949 summer sessions must be abandoned. The lack of school courses creates a gap in our Bahá’í development which must be overcome by more individual study and teaching, and by more provisions for study arranged by local Assemblies. School Committee members, and teachers who have prepared material for School courses, are urged to reorient their vision and make their knowledge and experience available locally and regionally wherever opportunities are found.
Publication of The Bahá’í World volumes is suspended during the two-year period. Vol. X is to be preserved in type for later publication when the emergency has been met. The Editorial Committee working on Vol. XII is to continue gathering material and planning the contents. Vol. XI is to be held in manuscript form.
As directed in the Guardian’s successive cables of February 26 and 28, publication of World Order Magazine is to be suspended for two years. The Business Manager and Editorial Staff have been given the Guardian’s message, and steps have been taken to make the March number the last one to appear until after the emergency.
Public Relations national advertising has been suspended since January, and the Committee budget cut to $200 for the remainder of the current Bahá’í year. This reduction makes it impossible for the Committee to conduct its daily office hours but the work of serving the Assemblies and dealing with correspondence continues.
The Programming Committee has returned its unexpended annual budget and will function on the basis of a small balance on hand.
The Radio Committee has given up its annual budget except for $100 operating expense.
The unexpended annual budgets of all Committees were in effect cancelled and reduced amounts allotted for operating without special projects. For example:— Archives and History, allotted $12.00; Library, $10.00; Audio Visual Aids, $101.25; Questionnaires, no budget needed; Service to the Blind, no further assistance needed; Youth Committee, $200.00.
Essential Activity[edit]
The Area National Teaching Committees, the Inter-America and European Teaching Committees, all carry on work which the Guardian establishes as essential to the Seven
TEMPLE INTERIOR: Segment of
Main Floor Arch Treatment. Nine Pointed Star will have The Greatest Name superimposed on metal grille. The Guardian has sent a photograph showing the
proper symbol to be used. (Photograph
of Model)
First Responses to Temple Plan[edit]
Dear Bahá’í friends:
Since many of the believers were unable to attend the State Conventions, the National Assembly feels that further clarification should be given to our new Plan.
This Plan has nothing to do with your local contributions. It is above and separate from the support of your local community. Contributions to this Plan should be made directly to the Treasurer’s Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, and not through your local assembly. All checks should be made payable to the National Bahá’í Fund.
The completion of the interior decoration of the Temple at a cost of approximately $800,000.00 is a commitment which the Guardian has given the North American Bahá’í community and not an obligation imposed upon the believers by the National Assembly.
During 1949, we must meet $438,615.00 in contract payments for the Temple project. In order to meet this obligation, the National Assembly has devised a Plan and asked the believers to join the army of sacrifice in order to consumate it within
[Page 2]
DETAIL OF BALUSTRADE WHICH WILL SURMOUNT THE ARCADE OF THE
SHRINE OF THE BAB ON MOUNT CARMEL.
This represents the central panel facing the sea and Bahjí. The Greatest Name, in bronze gilt, will be on a star of green marble. Green Mosaic is contemplated for the background of the “B” and leafage.
Shrine of the Báb Progresses[edit]
With great joy we share the following letter from Ben Weeden in Haifa, dated Dec. 28, 1948:
“Shoghi Effendi has asked me to write you about the progress of the building of the arcade about the Shrine of the Báb on Mt. Carmel from time to time, with the suggestion that it be printed in Bahá’í News for the information of the friends. This is a rather large task for so poor a servant to undertake, for truly the erection of this arcade will be an epic milestone in the annals of the Bahá’í Faith, and will foreshadow the erection of the golden dome, some one hundred and twenty feet in height, and the completion of the enterprise conceived by Bahá’u’lláh sixty years ago.
“Many of the friends will recall the circular group of cypress trees near the Shrine, under which Bahá’u’lláh sat when He indicated to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the spot upon which the Shrine of the Báb was to be erected, and where the Báb’s earthly remains should be placed at rest. That was a memorable day and it is fitting that one of the Bahá’ís present at the time should now be residing at the Bahá’í Pilgrim House near the Shrine and acting as host to all visitors—Hussein Ekbal. He is a fine and kindly, elderly gentleman, and it is a privilege to meet and know him.
All Bahá’ís know that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was able to bring the precious remains of the Báb to Mount Carmel and to erect six of the nine rooms of the present Shrine building. Perhaps, something not as well known, is that one day in 1915, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was sitting on the terrace at the top of the steps of His home looking up to the building then on Mount Carmel and remarked that as yet the Shrine of the Báb was “unbuilt” and that considerable sums of money would be needed, but God willing, they would be forthcoming. How significant that word “unbuilt,” and yet, how precious are the rooms built at His direction! How indicative it was that He envisaged the beautiful structure which is to be raised about the precious kernel He had placed on Mount Carmel. You may be sure no stone which was laid at His desire, will ever be disturbed. This same will hold true of the three rooms added by Shoghi Effendi after the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and in accordance with His desire. The present nine room structure will always remain the kernel of the Shrine and the present project will only be a beautiful and glorious shell to protect and preserve it.
Even with this bit of background in mind, few will ever know the intense longing which has been in the heart of Shoghi Effendi, over
ONE OF THE TWENTY-FOUR ROSE BAVENO GRANITE COLUMNS.
This photograph was taken in the workshop at Palanza, Italy, and represents a single column in its finished state. All twenty-four have since been received in Haifa, together with eight pilasters of the same granite, and are awaiting erection.
a long period of years, to start the
construction of the edifice he knew
was so dear to the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Then, suddenly, in the spring
of this year, 1948, he felt that the
end of his patient waiting had come,
even though conditions in the world,
and especially in Palestine, were far
from propitious. However, he well
knew that every great step forward
in our Bahá’í Faith has been taken
under severe difficulties, therefore,
he did not hesitate to send Mr. William S. Maxwell to Italy with his
exquisitely designed plans, to contract for the cutting and carving of
the stone necessary to bring out the
full richness and delicacy of the
arcade he, Mr. Maxwell, has conceived. It might be mentioned that
his designs and drawings have
excited the admiration of many of
the finest stonecutters in Italy. This
is justified and it is to be regretted
that space does not allow the telling
of the labor and devotion Mr. Maxwell has put into this work. It is
great, very great.
The trip to Italy was most successful, with the very able assistance of Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, contracts were entered into with Guido M. Fabbricotti, Successori, of Carrara, Italy, for twenty-four columns
[Page 3]
CLAY MODEL OF A STAR PANEL.
There are twenty-four of these panels, in three different designs, and eight half star panels. They are placed above each of the granite columns, and inset in the masonry of the walls.
and eight pilasters, with their bases,
to be cut and polished from Rose
Baveno granite, the capitals for
these, together with the twenty-eight
graceful arches, star panels and
delicate, curved corner panels to be
cut and carved of cream, Chiampo
granite. The search for a proper
stone and the selection of Chiampo
granite for this fine carved work is
a tale in itself and could better be
told by Ugo Giachery who rendered
so great a service in all this work,
and continues to act as Shoghi
Effendi’s appointed representative in
Italy in the matter of stone for the
Shrine of the Báb.
Very quickly after the return from Italy, on May 15, affairs in Palestine took on a swifter tempo. The British Mandate had come to an end and the State of Israel came to birth. This latter event forced a change in the construction plans for the Shrine. The first intent was to use Palestinian stone for the thresholds, the corners, walls, and the cornices, but circumstances left the quarries of the needed stone in the hands of the Arabs. This looked like a serious obstacle and might cause a serious delay, but Shoghi Effendi immediately communicated with Ugo Giachery and within a surprisingly short time Ugo was able to place a further contract with Guido M. Fabbricotti, Successori, for the cutting in Chiampo granite, all the stone needed to construct the arcade. Everyone feels this has been a happy turn of events as this Chiampo granite is a very fine and
PILASTER CAPITALS.
There are sixteen of these capitals, occurring in pairs, four at each corner of the arcade. They are of cream colored Chiampo granite, carved in Italy.
beautiful stone. The placing of this
latest contract means that all the
stone of the arcade will be Italian
and it is possible that when the time
comes to add the balustrade and the
tall dome the master stonecutters of
Italy will have more work to do.
With the matter of the stonework decided, Shoghi Effendi took swift action toward preparing the site about the Shrine for the work to come. This is a huge task in itself and is not without a little heartbreak for it means disturbing the beauty Shoghi Effendi has devoted so many years to create about the Shrine to gladden the hearts of the pilgrims and visitors. There were hundreds upon hundreds of finely laid tiles to be carefully removed and properly stored, many yards of well-cared-for hedging and trees to take up and replant, four huge, lead vases and their pedestals dismounted, the laying of the foundation and the taking of many, many cubic yards of stone from the high wall on the mountain side of the Shrine. The laying of the foundation has been completed and the cutting of the rock wall progressing swiftly under Shoghi Effendi’s direction.
While work was progressing in Haifa much of the work in Italy was being finished and packed for shipment. The excitement of the day Shoghi Effendi asked Ugo Giachery to arrange for the first shipment of stone was only equaled by the day we learned that the S. S. Norte had left Italy with some one hundred and twelve tons of columns, pilasters, bases, soccles, and threshold stones, and would arrive in Haifa on November 28. Activities increased greatly here as there was much to be done to clear the shipment through customs, arrange transportation from the port and prepare a space near the Gardens where this precious cargo could be stored. And then came word from Ugo that an additional forty tons was being loaded on the S. S. Campidoglio and would arrive in Haifa on December 3. One hundred and fifty-two tons of cut, carved and polished stone on the high seas! Only a small part of the six hundred and fifty odd tons to come from Italy, but the flow of stone had started!
At last the 28th came and the slow and careful unloading got underway. A good measure of the pieces were unloaded into lighters but the great columns and pilasters, weighing about three tons each, had to be taken from the S.S. Norte by one of the big shore cranes. It was a grand sight to see those huge crates rise slowly out of the hold of the ship and be gently lowered onto the quay. With the unloading completed the work of clearing the shipment was quickly finished and the transportation to the storage space near the Gardens started. Before this task was completed the S.S. Campidoglio arrived with forty additional tons, was cleared and in due time all stone transported to the storage space to await the day it can be placed in its position to form the arcade about the Shrine of the Báb.
How everyone is looking forward to the day when the first stone will be laid on the foundation! Then day by day this great and beautiful structure will take form. The polished rose granite bases will be put into position, the twenty-four polished,
[Page 4]
CLAY MODEL OF ONE OF THE
THIRTY-TWO CAPITALS.
All these capitals have been completed in Chiampo granite, and a number have already arrived in Haifa.
rose granite columns and eight pilasters will be stood proudly erect
ready to receive their intricately
carved Chiampo stone capitals, the
beautifully designed curved corners
will rise stone upon stone, the
twenty-eight graceful arches will
rest secure on the capitals, the delicately carved star panels inset and
at last the cornices put into place.
Thus will be completed the first step
in the construction of the glorious
rose and gold edifice which will forever guard and protect the Shrine of
the Báb on Mount Carmel.
While this letter is mostly a recital of labors both great and small, it is to be hoped that the friends who read it will not forget the importance and great purpose behind these strivings. The structure ‘Abdu’l-Bahá hoped one day, God willing, would be raised upon the side of Mount Carmel is taking tangible form under the hands of our beloved Guardian.”
Schools and Magazine Suspended[edit]
Year Plan, along with Temple completion.
In addition, the Annual Convention, the State Conventions, and Bahá’í News are continued.
As for the administrative work conducted by the National Assembly, this is under constant survey to cut costs and effect every possible economy.
Bahá’í News[edit]
Bahá’í News is to be used as the main means of communication from the NSA and National Committees to the body of the believers. Each believer, to keep in the flow of Bahá’í activity, will turn to each issue with redoubled interest. Bahá’í News should be brought up for consultation at Nineteen Day Feasts, as local Assemblies have a responsibility in stressing national plans. Bahá’í News places every Bahá’í in contact with the Guardian’s messages and with the national policies and plans. It abolishes all isolation within the Bahá’í community, except that which is self-imposed by the immature.
The purpose of the Plan announced at the State Conventions and published in February Bahá’í News is to provide a feasible method for producing a great increase in the flow of contributions to the National Fund. Members of local communities are to continue supporting their local Fund as usual. The local Assembly is to continue sending regular contributions to the National Fund. But—inadition, for the emergency period of two years—the appeal is made to every individual Bahá’í to make another, sacrificial donation direct to the National Treasurer in one of the four classes described in the Plan.
This additional sacrificial donation from three thousand more Bahá’ís is absolutely essential to meet the heavy obligations of Temple construction.
Words of the Guardian[edit]
“Turn To Your Bahá’í Brothers”[edit]
On May 8, 1942 Shoghi Effendi wrote Miss Roan Orloff a message which can be pondered by all believers at this time:—
“Turn to your Bahá’í brothers and sisters, who are living with you in the Kingdom. Indeed, the believers have not yet fully learned to draw on each other’s love for strength and consolation in time of need. The Cause of God is endowed with tremendous powers, and the reason the believers do not gain more from it is because they have not learned to duly draw these mighty forces of love and strength and harmony generated by the Faith.”
“.. Every Toil a Blissful Repose ..”[edit]
“... O Thou Who art the Desire of our hearts ...! Every trouble that toucheth us in our love for Thee is an evidence of Thy tender mercy, every fiery ordeal a sign of the brightness of Thy light, every woeful tribulation a cooling draught, every toil a blissful repose, every anguish a fountain of gladness.”
TEMPLE INTERIOR: Segment of Tracery—First Gallery Arch. (Photograph of Model)
First Response to Plan[edit]
the next 2½ years. This is the Plan:
One thousand believers are asked to arise and contribute $400.00 per year for the next two years; one thousand believers are asked to contribute $100.00 per year for the next two years; one thousand believers are asked to arise and contribute $25.00 per year for the next two years. No rank is greater than another. The important thing is that we all join this army and sacrifice.
In addition to the above, believers are urged to make special contributions from investments, savings, life insurance, or any other capital assets they may have.
The emergency is NOW and the fund needs our money during the next two years. Never again during our lifetime will the opportunity to build the “Holiest House of Worship” ever be offered. This Plan gives YOU an opportunity to become a part of this wonderful enterprise. This is how we stand on February 17th, eleven days after the State Conventions.
One hundred thirty-eight persons have responded to the Plan resolving to contribute $56,654.00, remitting against this amount the sum of $12,975.18. Twenty-six persons have joined the $400.00 rank, forty-one have joined the $100.00 rank, fifteen have joined the $25.00 rank, fifty-six have made special contributions.
Write to the National Treasurer’s Office and tell him which rank you are joining, but do so NOW. We must all start at once in order to meet the obligation of $438,615.00 (for the
[Page 5]
Temple alone) before the end of
1949.
Below are a few excerpts from letters we have received recently.
“I recall the Guardian saying the American Bahá’ís would not suffer thru bloodshed, but thru sacrifice of their financial resources and now the pressure for it has come. Already I feel the bond of unity among us being strengthened and we’ll brush elbows together whether in new suits or old ones—all for the one Cause we love! ... a birthday gift and a Christmas gift which I hadn’t yet spent are in this contribution. How better could I use it!
“I am sure that the Bahá’ís all over America will fulfill the wish of our Beloved Guardian and when we look upon the beauty of the finished interior of our exquisite Temple our hearts will ring with joy in the knowledge that we all had a part in its completion.”
“It is a wonderful plan our N.S.A. made for us. It will work.”
“What a joy and privilege to be among those called to beautify the Interior of the House of Worship! And my only trouble is that it is NO sacrifice—I give it so gladly. You might like to know that my son was the one who conceived the idea and carried it to completion of building a church in Guam for the natives while he was stationed there during the War.”
“This Plan is inspiring. It is a way of teaching the Cause without meeting a blank wall of opposition. Let us thank God for the opportunity.”
“It is a precious, priceless privilege for me to assist with the Temple building, and in a small way help to lift the burdened heart of our Guardian and our National Assembly members.”
“In recent months I have had hospital bills, a funeral bill and various places for cash to go. My little old house needs a new roof, paint, a new furnace and countless other things, however, that is only a transient abode, it is much more important to get God’s House in order, mine can wait. By doing His Will maybe I can earn a permanent home in the world beyond.”
“The enclosed money was earmarked for Mrs....’s (wife) grave bearing the Greatest Name, but I think that the Temple needs the money more so please accept this sacrifice.”
Bahá’í children are also arising to meet our challenge. These are letters, received in the Treasurer’s Office.
“Mother is not giving us a birthday present. Sandra and I thought it would be nice to give the money to the Bahá’í Temple. We are very happy to do it. We go to Sunday School every Sunday.”
“I will contribute $25.00 per year to the Bahá’í Fund for the next two years. P.S. I am going to earn my money doing assorted jobs and errands. It might take me a little longer than the other people to get the money in.”
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
An Emergency Policy for the Local Community[edit]
The believers have discussed the Plan submitted by the National Spiritual Assembly to provide funds sufficient to complete the Temple interior and maintain the essential work of the Faith. Each Bahá’í is now aware of the drastic reductions made in the budget of many National Committees.
The sum total of Bahá’í contributions made for local activities is no doubt an impressive figure in itself. How it compares with the annual amounts received for the National Fund cannot be estimated, as no one has before him all the local figures.
However, the time has come for each local Assembly to examine its own schedule of expenses, and set up as its goal the elimination of every non-essential item—every item not sustaining a vital role in the life of the community. Economy is not reckless but wise curtailment of expense, and there can be no wise curtailment until the Assembly has studied the whole program of local activity.
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What Do You Know? What eminent Negro Bahá’í visited and wrote about Haifa?
Do you know anything about the relation of the Báb to Islam?
How would you write the date April 21, 1930, in the Bahá’í calendar, giving all details?
Who called the Temple a “Five Billion Carat Gem”?
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The National Spiritual Assembly does not feel that less teaching effort is the answer to our financial emergency. One doesn’t economize by sitting still for the sake of saving shoe leather, but by planning one’s steps in advance so that each step is the best route to the highest goal.
There can be more teaching work than ever when individual believers realize that they can and must teach daily as they live their normal personal lives, Committees can re-survey their objectives and strive to accomplish more results with less expenditure.
The all-important matter is this: that every penny we put into Temple work now will redound to our local benefit a thousandfold. The completed Temple, used for public worship, is the greatest public relations project as well as teaching enterprise we could possibly have.
The National Spiritual Assembly feels that no local endowments should be set up at this time. Refer to the Guardian’s words in “Challenging Requirements.” The Guardian has likewise advised one local Assembly not to maintain a building fund for a future local headquarters. This is significant as a matter of present emphasis. The day will come when scores of Bahá’í communities will have attractive and even impressive centers, but we must prepare for that eventual blessing by doing our present tasks now.
Two Messages from Haifa[edit]
Advise divert contributions for International Fund to Temple Fund and suspend World Order Magazine.
Cablegram received Feb. 26, 1949
Advise suspend magazine next two years. Appeal on my behalf to subscribers in East and West to devote their subscription fee to Temple Fund. Owing to present emergency such action would be highly meritorious.
Cablegram received Feb. 28, 1949
[Page 6]
Delegates to Congress at Guatemala City, with Mrs. Dorothy Baker, center.
Central and South American Congresses[edit]
That a turn in the road has been taken by the Latin American believers on their way to complete independence, is shown by the reports received from the Congresses of both Central and South America. The believers have achieved a far greater grasp of their responsibilities, together with the determination to fulfil them. The intense enthusiasm, devotion and joy which prevailed, made both Congresses memorable and extremely fruitful occasions.
“Supplicating Almighty’s blessings deliberations,” the Guardian cabled the Congress delegates at Guatemala City. “Urge attendants concentrate (on) methods designed (to) extend scope (of) teaching, consolidate assemblies, deepen knowledge (of) spiritual (and) administrative principles (of the) Faith, reinforce bonds uniting Central American believers.”
“A special Congress committee broke this down into specific goals,” wrote Dorothy Baker, who was present to represent the National Spiritual Assembly and the Inter-America Committee, “and a new sense of collective effort seemed to come.” A Two-Year Plan was drawn up providing for 15 new assemblies by 1951, with a minimum of 15 active members in those already formed, and the establishment of deepening classes in all communities. The Guardian was informed of this Plan by cable and replied giving his approval.
The outstanding attainment of this Congress, Dorothy Baker thought, was the greater understanding which the delegates acquired of the Guardian and a tremendous deepening in their love for him. She was also much impressed by the maturity, diligence, hard work and steadfastness which they evinced.
Dorothy Baker, in her report to the Inter-America Committee, gave as in her judgment the principal factors for the smooth functioning and splendid success of the Congress: a.) the thorough planning of the National Teaching Committee for Central America, b.) the highly efficient service of Natalia Chávez, the general Congress Secretary, c.) the fine and gentle leadership of the chairman, Dr. David Escalante, and d.) the arrangement whereby all the delegates lived at the same hotel and had their meals together at one table. She also made special mention of the splendid help contributed by Gayle Woolson, who took her part almost as one of the Latins themselves.
Represented at the Congress were all of the countries of the Mid-American Territory, except Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
Four large public meetings were held during the Congress, at which several prominent Guatemalans took part. Publicity secured in the local papers was excellent and three radio programs were given over a local station. As a result, fifty persons in Guatemala City have signed cards declaring their desire to attend Bahá’í study classes, and Natalia Chávez is spending the month of February in Guatemala to assist the local community in following up these contacts.
After a day of rest, the four days of Congress sessions were followed by five days of School, whose courses were designed to prepare those attending to teach and spread the Cause.
As yet, only one brief letter has been received from far-off Sao Paulo reporting on the Congress there. In it, Esteban Canales remarks that after the tremendous activities of the Congress, he is very tired. Writes Esteban: “The Congress has been a complete success, and this because of the wonderful spirit which reigned the vast work accomplished by the delegates, the assistance contributed by the marvelous Säo Paulo Community, and especially the fine help which we received through the presence of Mrs. Amelia Collins. Without a doubt, the success achieved by this Congress surpassed in every respect the previous Congresses, and the greater maturity attained by the delegates privileged to attend the Congress of Säo Paulo has made this possible. The International School which followed was equally successful.”
Every country of South America was represented at the Congress and School sessions except Ecuador and Paraguay.
From Säo Paulo, Amelia Collins is going on to visit the communities of Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, Panama and Colon, and will return to this country early in March.
Around the Bahá’í World[edit]
THE BRITISH ISLES
- (From Bahá’í Journal, published by NSA of British Isles)
The story of the achievement of Assembly status in Edinburgh, the first Bahá’í Assembly in Scotland, is fascinatingly told in the November
[Page 7]
Journal. Starting with its first
acquaintance with the Faith in 1911,
carried to a full impact with its
glory with the coming of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá himself to that city in 1913,
its early contacts were glorious. In
1926 many Bahá’ís sped there to help
Martha Root in her presentation of
the Faith in the World Esperanto
Congress. These included such
people as Lydia Zamenhof and Lady
Blomfield. In 1946, Dr. M. Said, of
Egypt, settled there and arranged
fireside meetings at which David
Hofman and Philip Hainsworth
spoke. In 1946 Isobel Locke joined
him. Together they made up a
Bahá’í Group and cabled the Guardian that a nucleus was being established, and received by cablegram
assurance of his prayers for their
teaching efforts. In April of that year
John Marshall, a native Scot confirmed by the Master in 1911, came
as a pioneer from Birmingham, to
devote what became the remaining
months of his life to the service of
the Cause in the land he loved.
In June and July came Charles Mason Remey, Mrs. Marion Little, and Mildred Nichols to help with teaching. In October, two additional pioneers arrived.
“It is impossible to recount adequately the magnificent assistance received from the many fine teachers who came in the following months or to describe the meetings and publicity that ensued. Suffice it to say that every possible opportunity was utilized for the promulgation of the faith...”
In April the Edinburgh Spiritual Assembly was constituted, its number being blessed with five Scottish believers.”
“Had he been with us there at Eastwood Grange, our Summer School home, nestled on the rolling, grassy slopes of Derbyshire’s beautiful Amer Valley, our Guardian’s heart would surely have rejoiced to see with what earnest endeavour the friends, adults and youth alike, totaling 142 in all, carried into effect the distinctive curriculum formulated by the Summer School Committee and lived in the true spirit of Bahá’í Community life.”
During this summer school a new method of study was introduced. This was the “workshop” method, in which leaders, appointed by the summer School Committee, every week helped their fellow workers in groups of from 6 to 15, to study, discuss, and compile a report on one of some specially selected subjects. This type of study was pronounced as very valuable at the evaluation session held at the close of the Summer School.
“Charles Mason Remey, 50 years a Bahá’í, our honoured guest from America, had graciously opened this year’s session during the initial Unity Feast. The radiant joy that had been engendered on that occasion shone, still, from all faces, as we gathered together on that final evening for the closing Unity Feast—fathered to praise and give thanks to God, to pay homage to our Summer School Committee for their tireless labours on our behalf, to express our gratitude to our hosts, to bid farewell to our many visitors from abroad, and to drink deeply for the last time of the pure elixir of spirit which pervaded that spot and which was to sustain us as we wended our way back to all parts of England, to Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to Assemblies and Goal Towns—wended our way home to the work of building the Kingdom of God in these Isles.”
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
- (From the Bahá’í News Bulletin)
Gifts of two properties have been received by the NSA, from believers. Both are situated at Yerrinbool. One is a building site which will be used as a Community Center for the Yerrinbool Assembly. The other is a large area which will be consolidated with the “Bolton Place” so that the combined properties ultimately will become the school.
Mother Dunn has recently been able to take several short teaching trips. One was to Wollongong and one to Hobart, where 70 people in all were present at the meetings. “The meetings were happy gatherings and the true Bahá’í spirit prevailed. There was lively discussion and great interest shown.”
CANADA
- (From Canadian Bahá’í News)
“Upwards of thirty-four happy people bulged the Beaulac accommodation for the week between Christmas and New Years, during the second of the now famous winter ski sessions of the Laurentian Bahá’í School, located in the heart of the Laurentian Mountains.
Paul Richardson, a 20 year old friend of the Bahá’ís, writes from Toronto: “No better example of the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh, transplanted into the souls of everyone, could be found, than that which bubbled out of everyone attending the school at Beaulac. I feel certain that everyone who attended Beaulac must in some way feel thankful and privileged, to have had a preview of the world yet to come. Beaulac is a wonderful example of the Bahá’í principle of balance, for although there was plenty of good clean fun, there was always the ever-present feeling of the closeness of God. The daily schedule at Beaulac during the winter session was opened with morning devotions. It was unique in the classes that the students themselves
Delegates to Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with Mrs. Amelia Collins, third from left, back row.
[Page 8]
gave the talks, thus learning while
teaching others. After class was dismissed, everybody moved outdoors
to be taught the fundamentals of
skiing under a capable instructor.
After sleeping off our delicious dinner, prepared by Madame Pelletier,
we again assembled to study Toynbee’s “Civilization on Trial” in relation to the Bahá’í Faith. After supper, class was called for Work-shop
sessions, in which we learned and
discussed interesting and helpful
subjects pertaining to the Bahá’í
Faith. The evenings ended with long
walks, dancing, and discussions.”
The Beaulac crowd gathered from
such divers places as Moncton, N.B.;
Flint, Mich.; New York City; Montreal; Toronto; Hamilton, Ont.; Scarboro, Ont; St. Lambert, P.Q.; Noranda, P.Q.; Ottawa, Ont.; and one
fellow recently arrived from Norway.
The Bahá’í Faith in India[edit]
The Modern Review, a monthly magazine published in Calcutta, has a section devoted to excerpts chosen from articles published in magazines of America and England. This section over a period of ten years or more has several times quoted from World Order magazine.
The latest reference, in their issue of January, 1948, reprints the article by Shirin Fozdar on the Bahá’í Faith in India, published in World Order of August, 1947.
His article sketches the decay and falling of the old barriers in India and how people are looking for something new and revivifying to turn to, which, as he points out, is the Bahá’í Faith.
The Home Front[edit]
Yonkers, N.Y.
An RTC conference was held here January 16 for Conn. and Eastern N.Y. In speaking on the theme of the conference, “How Can A Goal City Succeed,” Charles Behrens suggested personalizing our contacts by writing and telephoning a few days before firesides; to live the life, since we are publicity agents of the Faith; realize we are not running firesides for Bahá’ís, but if they desire to come, their price of admission is one non-Bahá’í; give the speaker of the evening full charge of the meeting, and ask the Bahá’ís in attendance not to differ with his remarks so that complete harmony will result.
Convention Notices[edit]
NON-DELEGATES[edit]
In making drastic reductions of the budgets in accordance with the Guardian’s specific directions, the National Spiritual Assembly explored every possibility of effecting legitimate economies in the general work of the American Bahá’í community.
One suggestion advanced to the friends is that non-delegates, who under ordinary circumstances might travel some little distance in order to attend the Convention, might this year devote their travel and hotel budget to the needs of the National Fund.
The more sacrifice each Bahá’í makes, the more assured the success of our glorious mission.
HOUSING[edit]
The Committee on Convention Housing recommends that Bahá’ís who want to stay at a hotel during the Convention make their reservations now. To avoid housing duplications, write directly to the hotel. In your letter, include (1) the time of your arrival, (2) the dates you expect to stay, and (3) a deposit for your room. Your reservation will be held until 6 p.m., unless you notify the hotel of a later arrival. Friends who plan to stay only a day or two are also requested to secure hotel reservations.
Arrangements have been made with the following Evanston hotels to set aside a limited number of rooms for Convention reservations (To assure yourself of a room, WRITE FOR YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!):
- ORRINGTON, 1710 Orrington (Rates: about $4 a person, single or twin rooms).
- NORTH SHORE, 1611 Chicago avenue (Rates: same as Orrington).
- EVANSTON, 840 Forest (Rates: $2.75-$3.50 a person).
- HOUSING RESERVATIONS
Reservations in private homes will be made as long as lists are available. Those Bahá’ís assigned to private homes are requested to send a deposit to the hostess. For housing reservations, write:
Evanston, Illinois, Greenleaf 5-2581
BAHÁ’ÍS ONLY[edit]
The believers are requested not to bring to the Convention any non-Bahá’ís, no matter how close to the Faith they may be. Only delegates and recognized enrolled believers will be admitted to the Convention session.
Delegates to the Annual Convention deal with issues and plans of far-reaching importance. The utmost concentration is required. This is the reason for limiting attendance at the sessions to Bahá’ís only.
The Public Bahá’í Congress and the Riḍván Feast are open to attendance by interested friends.
Providence, R.I.
At the meeting for united worship of the Inter-Faith Groups on Feb. 13, Clarence Newport has been asked to give the invocation. He has chosen the “Prayer for All Nations,” which will be printed on the programs. The last meeting of Jan. 16 called forth a goodly response. Around 200 people, colored, white, Jewish, Bahá’í and others, enjoyed a service of worship together at Pond Street Baptist Church. A social hour followed and refreshments were served. These meetings are planned for once a month and everyone is welcome. A quotation from “Hidden Words” was read among other scriptures.
Kihei, Maui, T.H.
The L.S.A. of the County of Maui reports that starting Feb. 2 they are being given 15 minutes free radio time once a month over KMVI their local station. Mrs. Mcalister will conduct this program, using “World Reconstruction” as her subject.
Two book displays were arranged, one in the Maui Book Store of Wailuku, and the other in the Maui County Library as advance publicity for a public meeting Jan. 21 in the Baldwin High School in Wailuku. “Religion and the Problems of Today” was the subject of Dr. John Cornell of the Honolulu community.
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Philadelphia, Pa.
In celebration of National Freedom Day a program, attended by 1500 people, was held in the Academy of Music, Sunday, Jan. 30, with Elsie Austin invited to be the main speaker. She was seated on the platform beside the Mayor of the city.
Miss Austin in speaking, mentioned ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Philadelphia when He came to America, and she read a portion of “The Destiny of America” evoking in the audience the silence of great attention.
Asking the question, what does Freedom mean to us, she said, is it inertia—doing nothing since we are free, or is it the other extreme, license to do anything we please? Freedom means the power and capacity to ACT—to achieve—to attain something—freedom harnessed to a purpose. We should use Freedom with a sense of trust and responsibility.
Chicago, Ill.
On Jan. 11, the Temple guide class at the Matthisen home received a surprise visit from Miss Margaret Swengel, home for a short stay from Puerto Rico, where she is pioneering with Dr. Edris Rice-Wray. In relating her teaching experiences she remarked that her training and experience as a Temple guide were invaluable. The first meeting they held in Puerto Rico was an imaginary tour of the Temple, aided by a large photograph of it. Miss Swengel teaches English as a foreign language at the University of San Juan and spends her free time teaching the Bahá’í Faith.
Butte, Mont.
Despite the extreme cold weather peculiar to the Rockies this winter as it was to Europe last year and which has been heralded to the world in death and suffering, Butte, in the heart of these mountains managed to hold two public meetings. One was devoted to the theme, “Are Men Immortal” with George Miller handling the subject excellently. The other was “Modern Man and Religion,” ably developed by our Bahá’í, Leo Kottas, an attorney of Helena. Seven new friends were attracted to the meetings besides the continuing number of friendly contacts already made.
Photo taken in Rome, Italy, after a meeting held by Raffi Mottahedeh on Dec. 24, 1948.
European Believers Now Number 147[edit]
Because of the necessity of her returning to the United States to take care of her aging parents, Etty Graeffe, is sailing from Holland in mid April. She has been replaced as the Committee’s representative in Geneva by Honor Kempton who is already at her post and well started in her new work. In the intervening weeks until her departure Mrs. Graeffe is rendering a signal service as pioneer in Luxembourg where she is able to speak to the close contacts in both of the native languages, French and German. The work in Luxembourg, one of the E.T.C.’s goal cities for this year, has been greatly aided by a visit from Lucienne Migette of Paris and by the holding of a Conference of the French Translating Committee, in this Center. Several public talks were given by Lea Nys of Brussels and Etty Graeffe and a number of small informal occasions created for the visiting Bahá’ís to meet the various interested contacts.
Although the Guardian in the “Challenging Requirements” implies that extension teaching would come rather towards the end of the Second Seven Year Plan, in his message to the Geneva Conference he gave the newly established Assemblies as one of their immediate goals the beginning of this important phase of the European Teaching project. The Committee is very happy to report that in several of the goal countries systematic extension work has already been initiated. In Switzerland, regular extension teaching has been developed under the auspices of the Bern Assembly, in Zurich, Wolfhalden and now through the recent acceptance of the Faith by a resident of Basel, in this important city. In Italy, regular extension work has been established under the auspices of the Rome Assembly in both Naples and Florence. Most recently extension teaching has been started by Virginia Orbison and Marion Little with the valuable assistance of an outstanding native Bahá’í.
In a letter to the Committee, December 18, as well as in a very recent cable, the Guardian has asked the European Teaching Committee to arrange for a Teaching Conference during the summer months in one of the goal countries other than Switzerland. The Committee is therefore planning to hold this Conference in Brussels over one of the weekends in August. The newly declared believers in all of the goal countries now number 147.
Our Covenant with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá[edit]
(Stenographic notes of a talk given by Mr. Horace Holley, at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center, October 23, 1948. Published at the request of the Area NTC for the Western States and the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of San Francisco.)
The human race is immersed in the ocean of the spirit. Bahá’u’lláh is universal, and He has surrounded humanity with all the blessings of the Day of God. You and I are aware of the fact that we are immersed in the ocean of the spirit, but the majority of the people are not yet aware, and when we are not aware of the spirit that surrounds and penetrates us, and tries to act upon a reluctant heart and a mind that is full of the shadows of the past, the individual encased in this unawareness is fearful of the spirit because the spirit, to him, is something that threatens what he thinks is the basis of his human personality. It is as though he were constantly being threatened by death—not physical death—but the extinction of what he considers to be his security. Those who are aware of the spirit, and know it can do nothing but bless those who become aware of it, have laid upon themselves the mission of the ages, to remove the obstacles from human personality which shut people out from the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh.
In this great Day of God there is no one way to free all souls. The number of ways which are necessary to learn is exactly the number of the Bahá’ís themselves, which means that every Bahá’í has a mission, and if any of us fail to do our part in the quickening of souls, it means we have left certain people in the prison of their human personality, because we have thrown away the keys that would open the doors and make them Bahá’ís.
When Bahá’ís meet together—and they always meet, whatever the intention of the program—they meet on three levels of experience. Bahá’ís meet — but other people in a room or gathering do not meet because the meeting of human beings today is only possible on the basis of the worship of the One True God. It is in the world of Prayer and Devotion that human beings meet. Otherwise they encounter one another, and make some kind of a partial impression, but they really do not meet. Bahá’ís meet on the level of prayer and devotion, and therefore it is a true meeting. Bahá’ís meet also on the level of consultation, because we are all not merely interested in the activities of the Faith, but each of us is charged with his particular concern. Finally, we meet in the spirit of action, because no matter how illumined we feel we are, or how pleased we are with the beauty of the Teachings, if we do not give them action, the spirit does not flow through us, and that portion of the spirit which has entered us becomes stagnant, and the Holy Spirit itself can be our doom if it is not always renewed. This is a mystical experience, the meeting of Bahá’ís on the three great levels of human experience.
Since entering this hall, it has been close to my heart to try and speak of a certain attitude of the creative nature of this Faith, and I turn my heart to the time when Bahá’u’lláh, in the flesh, manifested the bounty of God, Bahá’u’lláh came to connect man with God. He delivered His message to mankind whether He was in meditation in the prison, or whether He was speaking to those with whom He walked in the garden, or by the bank of the river, or whether He was revealing a Tablet to an individual Bahá’í or one of the kings of the earth. Bahá’u’lláh was addressing Mankind, but there was no mankind to hear. There were the people of Persia, but they were not “mankind”; they were a race, or a nation. There were the people of ‘Iráq, and Turkey, but they did not constitute “mankind”. They were separated from mankind, and therefore we have this illimitable mystery of God’s comprehension of the human race and speaking with the utterance of the Infinite to mankind before mankind had become one being.
Now a message from God must be delivered, and there was no mankind to hear this message. Therefore, God gave the world ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá received the message of Bahá’u’lláh on behalf of the human race. He heard the voice of God; He was inspired by the spirit; He attained complete consciousness and awareness of the meaning of this message, and He pledged the human race to respond to the voice of God. My friends, to me that is the Covenant—that there was on this earth some one who could be a representative of an as yet uncreated race. There were only tribes, families, creeds, classes, etc., but there was no man except ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as man, took to Himself the message of Bahá’u’lláh and promised God that He would bring the people into the oneness of mankind, and create a humanity that could be the vehicle for the laws of God. It is because ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and because He could be this Hearing Ear, this Answering Heart, this Consecrated Will, that an Eternal Covenant was made, and because of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, you and I are here as Bahá’ís. You and I are here as parts of the Mankind that has to be, because man is not man until he is imbued with the qualities and life of the Merciful, and there is no humanity until this one Spirit of Truth, and the guidance of the Divine Will, enters into the consciousness of all human beings to such an extent that each individual is not only drawn nearer to God, but he becomes one with all other men.
This process has begun. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá came to this very city in pursuance of His sacred mission to create the soul and mind of man, and you who are here are the servants of the Divine Covenant. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá left this earth He laid upon the Bahá’ís the mission of fulfilling His promise to God, and He did not charge us with anything beyond the capacity of faith. He charged us with something that is impossible without faith; something that could not be attained, or something if attempted could not be carried out by division and fear, but gave to us the capacity to fulfill the promise He made to Bahá’u’lláh, and He told us the way to enter into this capacity is to serve.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá never turned to any Bahá’í and said, “My son, or daughter, I want you to study fifty-eight volumes of psychology, or thirty-three volumes of history and science.” He said: “I charge you to serve—to be active.” And with every step you take on the path of the Covenant, the qualities you need will be given you.
Faith is the basic characteristic of the Bahá’í in that it is not “I” nor
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“you” but that it is the Faith we
have in God through the Covenant
that will give us the capacity to do
the thing that is impossible, so that
the unlettered Bahá’í can be a servant of God to a degree that the greatest ecclesiastical dignitary on earth
does not possess.
It seems to me that we have to continually draw back into that experience of the mysterious meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the renewal of the Covenant, because I know, perhaps as well as any one here, the feeling of utter incapacity, of complete discouragement and bewilderment that overtakes the souls of men if for even a moment they turn away from the Covenant. We are given that which is impossible for human beings to do, but not that which is impossible for faith, and we will not be measured in the Kingdom in accordance with any human standard of failure or success, but I think the Master will face each one of us as we walk over the threshold into the other side of the wall, and He will just simply ask one question: “Did you help Me fulfill My promise to Almighty God?”
Now that is something that should raise us up out of the very gutter of discouragement, from the feeling of personal inadequacy, and charge us with a conviction that despite ourselves, we are qualified to serve if we serve, but that no matter what remarkable human qualities we may have, if we do not serve, we will lose them, one by one.
You and I are members of a World Faith, and from day to day that World Faith is growing more and more potent and decisive in the destiny of the human race. O, if we could but increase our service—do things—dare things! Is there a man with whom we are seated on a train? Is there some one we meet in the normal daily experiences of life? We have been too hesitant. I do not mean we can assail another soul.
I wonder if it would not be a good teaching technique for the individual Bahá’í to begin to figure two or three very simple questions about world conditions, or about certain spiritual attitudes reflected by the present, with a view to testing the response from the individual we meet for the first time? Try such questions out. We are making an effort to contact the inner man. If we do that and fail nine or ninety-nine times, do not let us be discouraged, because our one task is to learn how to meet the inner spirit of the people, and not just revolve around and around their outer personality. The person in this room who may feel the least qualified, may prove to be, on the actual field of service, the most brilliant and successful exponent of the power of the Covenant. The only Bahá’í who need really worry is the Bahá’í who is vain—not the Bahá’í who is humble. But humility can be a screen if we use it as a reason for not serving, so remember the dividing line is not how much we know—not how many books we have studied—but whether we passed from inaction to action, because we are pledged to serve, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has pledged to serve us if we serve Him.
We are just about to begin constructing the interior ornamentation of the Temple, and we know the Guardian has said this is the holiest Bahá’í House of Worship that will ever be constructed in this world, because it was blessed by the Covenant. Now it was a great achievement to lay the foundation; a great achievement to raise the superstructure; a tremendous achievement to apply the exterior ornamentation, but the building is still only an empty shell—it is not yet the Voice of the Holy Spirit. Not until the interior is completed and the public meetings begin—the doors thrown open to seeking souls—will the Master’s assurance about that Temple appear in its fullness, because the meetings conducted in that Temple will revolutionize religion on this continent.
When we asked the Guardian to give us a clearer picture than what we have of the meetings to be held in the Temple, he said: “Only readings from the Holy Books.” Now, he did not say read only the words of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We can read words of all the Manifestations of God, but we cannot read anything else. Furthermore, the Guardian said even a non-Bahá’í can be invited to be one of the readers.
Let us visualize a public meeting conducted in the Temple, which seats about 1,650 persons. An individual who enters and stands under the central dome will see something that is not on the exterior—he will see color. There is a different feeling in the interior than the exterior because the interior is the shell in which the mystery of worship will be conducted. This non-Bahá’í will find a place to sit and will remain through the service. Supposing he is a Jew. He will hear the words of Moses read with the greatest reverence. “Ah!” he will say, “This is of the essence of my ancestral faith.” A few moments later he will hear a reading from the New Testament, and he will say, “Apparently this religion is not only my ancestral faith, but others’ also.” Next to him a Christian, after rejoicing that the Bahá’ís have proven their religion by reading from the New Testament, will listen to the words of Muḥammad. And while this Jew and Christian, seated side by side, are still indulging in a certain awareness of perplexity, they will then hear the words of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. That experience is going to be infinitely more potent than our outer teaching word can ever be, because they are listening to the Voice of God, and that experience, when they stop to reflect upon it, will not only demonstrate to them that on earth there is a religion which does not descend below the level of the Prophet, but they will then become aware of the fact that those who serve this ministry are just ordinary human beings. There isn’t a clergyman, nor a rabbi, nor a Moslem priest, nor a Bishop among them. And the words they hear will be words applied to life, and will not be encased in a husk of theological abstraction. It is the flower from the seed of Truth—the fruit.
Through the heart of this Covenant there is a power being generated now by our devotion to the Temple, that, God willing, will be sufficient to hold back the forces of evil released in our age, and demonstrate the victory of the Army of the Almighty.
Now religion to a childish soul is a joy—a personal joy—but religion to an adult has to be more than a personal joy. It has to be a contribution to the great ultimate battle between lightness and darkness on earth. Why is the world so filled with destructive ideas—ideas that make human beings cruel—that blind them to every human consideration—that dehumanize them? Because this is
[Page 12]
the time of the last great struggle
between lightness and darkness, and
you and I, with every penny that
we can sacrifice to send to the treasurer, will help that construction
fund; will produce the outer expression of the potency of the Spirit,
which the Spirit needs before it will
free its force. Otherwise we could all
sit down and dream, if the Spirit did
our work for us. But the sacrifice of
completing the Temple discharges
our obligation to the Covenant, and
therefore the Holy Spirit can become
vocalized in a way that is audible to
other human beings. We know of
many instances — but what are
words? You cannot throw a net and
raise up the running water—you cannot use words that really contain the
essence of anything, but it is because
our hearts meet, as Bahá’ís that
something happens, and it is better to forget everything any Bahá’í
may say if we can recall the spirit of
meeting of the hearts.
You have a particular and magnificent opportunity. You live in one of the great metropolitan areas of the human race. Where is the metropolis of London today? It is spiritually helpless. And Berlin? Paris? Where are they all? Darkness has overtaken them and they cannot convey the Voice of God. You not only live in one of the great vital free metropolitan centers where you still are able to decide whether you will go down or up, day by day, but you live also in the state which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said would be the first civil embodiment of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh on this continent. What has happened to me in making this visit here is the realization that you are not too far from that great event. That is, we cannot say it is far or it is near; because there is a time for everything, but it is near enough to quicken and enlarge our hopes; not just something written in a book in 1912. It is an actual social situation. You are on the fringes of that social situation and it is unfolding and can only unfold as the Master foretold thirty-six years ago.
Forgive me if I have spoken too much, but really, my friends, all I wanted to say is if we could just open our hearts to the love and spirit of the Faith, and realize that when the Guardian gives us terrible jobs he is only measuring how much higher we have to grow, and can grow. If you want to make a man a dwarf you give him a succession of easier and easier tasks, and eventually he will crawl on the ground, his task will be so small. But the Guardian does not make us dwarfs. He puts the task up so high we break our necks trying to touch it. He wants us to be giants of the spiritual world.
“I Recommend This Faith”[edit]
(A letter sent to 250 members of The Theosophical Society in the State of Florida. Mr. Algeo was their State President.)
My Beloved Friends,
Aristotle once said, “All men desire by nature to know.” This is no less true today than it was over two thousand years ago.
The history of man’s progress has been one of a continual search. Man, as he has trodden the path of existence, has had his way illumined and brightened by great lights along the way—we call these lights the Prophets, or the World Teachers, or the Manifestations of God. We all know something of them. Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed are exalted orbs of brightness among the lights which flood our human road with understanding, wisdom and love.
In the immediate past many people, recognizing the darkness of this world, have looked for the coming of a new World Teacher, a new Manifestation of God for our own era. All religions carry prophecies of Him; witness the second coming of Christ, the advent of the Messiah, the reappearance of the 12th Iman among the Moslems, the new manifestation of Vishnu among the Hindus. One could point out innumerable accounts of this kind. Indeed it has been said that every religion has a legend of the appearance of a Great Teacher who is to come as “The Spirit of Truth” to lead His followers “unto all Truth”.
It is my firm conviction that this Great One, this Emissary from God has already appeared among men. I have been led to this conclusion by a careful investigation of the claims, or rather the simple assertions made by an individual who lived in the Near East from 1817 to 1892; and who is known by the title of Bahá’u’lláh, i.e. “The Glory of God.”
Naturally I have no choice, no other way to tread, but to declare myself a believer in Him and attempt, in my feeble manner, to follow Him and the Cause of which He is the Author. This, then, may be considered my formal and official resignation both from the Presidency of the Florida Federation and from membership in the Theosophical Society.
I shall always count each and every one of you as my dear and personal friend; I hope that you may do the same. I shall always feel for the Society a deep and lasting affection. When the moth flies from the candle to the floodlight it does not cease to love the candle. The true object of its devotion is the light and it naturally gravitates to the greatest source of that light.
I do not presume to suppose that the teachings of The Theosophical Society are false—on the other hand, I am positive that the majority of them are true. I believe that the Society is founded on truth. But it appears to me that its teachings are like a great painting—a masterpiece of Di Vinci or a Madonna of Raphael which has been left unfinished by the Master-Artist and to which inferior painters, you and I, have come to attempt, in our faltering, fallible, human way to complete. The blotches which we have caused to appear on the painting are not really our fault (we were only unskilled in handling the brush) and most certainly they are not the fault of the original Painter, the Di Vinci or the Raphael.
Now I have been given the grace to catch sight of another painting, also by Di Vinci or Raphael, but this one is not incomplete, unfinished. This painting stands forth as a visible hymn of praise to the Painter. It is complete, perfect, comprehensive, all-embracing.
I am confident that all of you recognize my reason for informing you of my resignation in this manner. If I did not make the attempt to share with you this “pearl of great price” (to gain which what man would not do as the merchant who “went and sold all that he had and bought it.”) I should be fulfilling neither my duty toward you nor toward myself.
I recommend this Faith, this Cause to you and to all men; were it not so I would not recommend it to myself.
JOHN ALGEO
Legality of Bahá’í Marriages[edit]
- (A Bulletin issued by the NSA July, 1942, and revised June, 1948)
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind the members of local Assemblies of their obligation to take the necessary steps to invest the Assembly with legal power to conduct a marriage service for Bahá’ís. The following information is therefore provided for special consideration by incorporated Assemblies.
In July, 1940, the NSA issued a statement prepared by the Spiritual Assembly of Chicago, and that statement is duplicated as follows:
- The local Spiritual Assembly seeking to legalize its function must be incorporated under the laws of its State.
- Application must be made to the local Marriage License Bureau supplying the Bureau with the number of articles of incorporation in order that its authenticity may be verified. (In the State of Illinois the law states that any incorporated religious body, not having a professional clergy, has the right to perform marriage ceremonies, but the law specifies that the ceremony must be performed by either the President or Secretary of the governing body. As you know, the Guardian has designated the Chairman of the local Assembly to be the equivalent to the office of President in other bodies.)
It is most important that each local Spiritual Assembly be sure that every requirement of the State in which it is located be complied with. In the State of Illinois this means that the prospective bride and groom comply with the requirements of the State in regard to the health examination and the securing of a sworn statement certifying to their freedom from social disease.
According to Bahá’í Marriage Law the written consent of both sets of parents must be presented to the local Assembly before the marriage ceremony is performed. A form reporting the marriage must be filed with the proper State department. The “Certificate of Bahá’í Marriage” can be used.
The above is amplified with excerpts from letters of the Guardian on this subject.
“As you have rightly stated, such a marriage (i.e. Bahá’í marriage) is conditioned upon the full approval of all four parents ... as Bahá’u’lláh has stated that the consent of the parents of both parties is required in order to promote unity and avoid friction, and as the Aqdas does not specify any exceptions to this rule, the Guardian feels that under all circumstances the consent of the parents of both parties is required.”—Bahá’í Procedure, p. 7 Second Ed. (Other words in the same instruction make it clear that the consent of the parents of a non-Bahá’í entering into a Bahá’í marriage ceremony is required in the same manner as that of the parents of a believer.)
“He would certainly approve that all incorporated local Assemblies make similar representation to their respective civil Marriage Bureaus for the legal recognition of Bahá’í marriage ceremonies. In the performance of a Bahá’í marriage, the chairman and secretary of the local Assembly should act as its representatives. The ceremony itself must be very simple.”
“With reference to the matter of the consent of the parents to a Bahá’í marriage: as this is a binding obligation, it is the duty of the Assemblies to ascertain, before giving their sanction, that the consent obtained has been given freely by the parents themselves.”
“There is no objection to performing a Bahá’í marriage for two non-Bahá’ís, if they desire to have our simple ceremony. This, on the contrary, is yet another way of demonstrating our liberality.”
“Bahá’u’lláh has clearly stated the consent of all living parents is required for a Bahá’í marriage. This applies whether the parents are Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, divorced for years, or not. This great law He has laid down to strengthen the social fabric, to knit closer the ties of the home, to place a certain gratitude and respect in the hearts of children for those who have given them life and sent their souls out on the eternal journey toward their Creator. We Bahá’ís must realize that in present-day society the exact opposite process is taking place: young people care less and less for their parents’ wishes, divorce is considered a natural right, and obtained on the flimsiest and most unwarrantable and shabby pretexts. People separated from each other, especially if one of them has had full custody of the children, are only too willing to belittle the importance of the partner in marriage also responsible as a parent for bringing those children into this world. The Bahá’ís must, through rigid adherence to the Bahá’í laws and teachings, combat those corrosive forces which are so rapidly destroying home life and the beauty of family relationships, and tearing down the moral structure of society.”
Now concerning the manner in which Bahá’í marriage is conducted. In essence, a Bahá’í marriage is a relationship established by the two parties themselves. Under the law of Bahá’u’lláh, the Bahá’í representatives present are necessary as witnesses to the marriage, but, unlike the marriage rite of the church they do not create or give the marriage to the bride and groom.
This is made clear by these words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:
“The Bahá’í betrothal is the perfect agreement and entire consent of both parties. They must show forth the utmost attention and become informed of one another’s character. The firm covenant between them must become an eternal binding, and their intentions must be everlasting affinity, friendship, unity and life.
“The bridegroom must, before the bridesman and a few others, say: ‘Verily, we are content with the Will of God,’ and the bride must rejoin: ‘Verily we are satisfied with the Desire of God.’ ” (The Guardian has approved a new translation of this passage. The bridegroom and the bride both say: “We will all, verily, abide by the Will of God.”)
“The marriage of Bahá’ís means that the man and woman must become spiritually and physically united, so that they may have eternal unity throughout all the divine worlds, and improve the spiritual life of each other. This is Bahá’í matrimony.” — Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Vol. II, p. 325, cited in Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era pp. 215, 216.
The Bahá’í teachings do not indicate that the reading of any so-called “Marriage Tablet” is a required part of the actual ceremony. The Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reprinted in the Certificate are most appropriate. Whatever readings or remarks are added to the occasion should be regarded as unofficial and informal, and the occasion planned in the light of the Guardian’s statement: “The ceremony itself must be very simple.”
Suggested Daily Readings for April, 1949
|
| Programmers’ Corner
“Let him (the believer) consider the degree of his hearer’s receptivity, and decide for himself the suitability of either the direct or indirect method of teaching, whereby he can impress upon the seeker the vital importance of the Divine Message, and persuade him to throw in his lot with those who have already embraced it.” —SHOGHI EFFENDI
Advent of Divine Justice, p. 43 Hints for Action The National Programming Committee announces a rental film library for slide or film strip projectors. Direct Bahá’í Material: Indirect Teaching Material: All indirect teaching material will be accompanied by programming suggestions. Rental price of slide sets, 50 cents for one week; film strips, 35 cents for one week. |
The friends are again requested to use only addresses obtained from the International Relief Representative for package sending (see Bahá’í News, July 1948, p. 2-3). Word has again been received from Germany that some packages are still being sent to persons who have placed themselves outside the Cause.
The plan for International Relief has been set up by the N.S.A. of the United States, approved by the Guardian, and is being whole-heartedly cooperated in by the N.S.A. of Germany and by the other responsible Assemblies. It is thus operating within the Administrative Order of the Bahá’í Faith. The way to unity and the way to help the world, lies in supporting the institutions of Bahá’í Administration. World unity and world peace are not coming because we feel sorry for people. They are coming when we learn that justice is the way of love. “The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity among men” (Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in ADJ, p. 23).
It is confusing and frustrating to the Bahá’ís of Germany who are trying to build up their Administrative institutions, as a part of their Five Year Plan, when packages are still sent to persons who have chosen to place themselves outside the Faith. As the Bahá’ís of the United States set an example in obedience to the Teachings, we help strengthen unity and obedience in our sister Communities.
Through the cooperation of the friends, during the past year every Bahá’í Community and Group in Germany, as well as isolated Bahá’ís through the Social Committee of the German N.S.A., has received packages, the number being in accord with the size and the need. This includes the Russian Zone. One or more CARE packages have been sent to every Bahá’í Community or Group where possible, through Bahá’ís and Communities in the U.S. cooperating with International Relief, so that distribution could be guided.
International Relief Representative
Box 548, Evanston, Ill.
|
Bahá’í Addresses
National Office:
Treasurer’s Office:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
|
Feasts:
- Apr. 9—Jalál—Glory
- Apr. 28—Jamál—Beauty
Anniversaries:
- Apr. 21—First day of Riḍvan (suspend work)
- Apr. 29—Ninth day of Riḍván (suspend work)
- May 2—Twelfth day of Riḍván (suspend work)
NSA Meeting: Apr. 27
National Convention: Apr. 28-May 1
Public Relations[edit]
A report has been made to the NSA of the clippings received showing use of the NSA reply to the Pegler attack in local papers. The list includes: Chicago Herald-American, November 26; Boise Statesman, November 28; Boise Evening Statesman, November 29; Miami Herald, November 28; Inglewood, Calif., Daily News, December 8. The material was used as a letter to the editor in The Newark, Ohio, Advocate and American Tribune, December 11; New Orleans States, December 6; Atlanta Constitution, December 14; The Augusta Chronicle, November 7 (letter prepared by the local Assembly). In The Peoria Star, December 3, the local Assembly inserted the reply in the form of a signed paid advertisement. The Committee hopes to receive additional clippings.
Newspaper publicity, now that national advertising has been suspended, becomes the sole source of contact with the masses of people. The Committee urges Assemblies and groups to develop every facility for producing their own news items and also for using those received from Bahá’í Public Relations.
An excellent example of what can be accomplished is the clipping received from The Atlanta Constitution of January 12. Under “The Pulse of the Public” we find a letter from Mrs. B. E. Cunningham, a Bahá’í, headed “Bahá’í Teachings”. Nine inches of single column space were given by the paper to this communication. Its occasion was a recent editorial reference in the paper to the Faith. The letter sets forth the Bahá’í principles and basic teachings very clearly.
Non-Bahá’ís also are creating publicity for the Faith, even though frequently inaccurate and sometimes hostile in tone. But the essential point is that the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has become a public issue, and in the near future we may expect serious studies of the teachings to appear. Meanwhile the Committee has been informed of the following references:—
- The Law of Love and the Law of Violence, by Tolstoy (new edition) Field Publishing Co., New York.
- Religions of the World, by Gerald L. Berry, Barnes and Noble, New York.
- Írán: Past and Present, By Donald N. Wilber, Princeton University Press.
Please report all references to the Faith found in books and articles written by non-Bahá’ís, or by Bahá’ís in non-Bahá’í publications.
Last month the Committee offered to send a packet of free copies of “The Reality of Brotherhood” for packing and mailing charge of 25c. This month the same offer is made to Assemblies and groups on another very effective compilation: “The Principle of Religious Unity”.
The Committee has been authorized by the NSA to prepare publicity and advertising material on two new Bahá’í themes: “What Is My Religion?” and “New Life for the World”.
Address correspondence to Bahá’í Public Relations, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill.
Publishing Announcements[edit]
The Brilliant Proof by Abu’l-Faḍl Gulpáygani a new edition containing all salient passages. Mimeographed 12 pages per copy $.35.
In connection with the Publishing Committee’s announcement of a new, mimeographed edition of this work of Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl, the NSA wishes to explain why excerpts, and not the complete text, are now made available. This revered teacher prepared this text as the Bahá’í answer to an attack made by a clergyman of London, many years ago. His treatise necessarily contained statements and references which are at present not relevant to the essential Bahá’í argument. The vital substance of this important work has been preserved.
On November 10, 1912, the Master referred to Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl in a talk delivered in Washington, D.C., published in Star of the West, Vol. VI, page 104:—
“... It is my purpose to warn you against accusations, against certain complaints, criticisms, revilings, and upbraidings in newspaper articles, or other publications. Be not disturbed by them. They are the very cause of confirming the Cause: the very source of upbuilding the movement. I hope that God may confirm it that ten or twenty ministers of the churches may arise and with bared heads cry at the top of their voices that the Bahá’ís are misguided. I would like to see that day, and I want you to know that on that day something is going to happen. That is the day when the Cause is going to spread....
“My purpose is this—that his honor, Mírzá Abu’l-Faḍl has written a treatise answering the criticisms of a London preacher.... Each one of you should have a copy of that book, and read, memorize and ponder over it. Then, when anyone advances accusations and criticisms you will be well armed.”
The Bahá’í World
Vol. II—1926-1928
In this volume appeared the permanent title of the Bahá’í Biennial International Record. It initiated a much larger and completer work, of more impressive appearance and varied contents.
One notes first the colored Frontispiece, reproducing the photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá taken by Mr. A. C. Killius (a believer) in 1912.
The four sections or departments of the book are now well defined: Part One, statement of purpose and survey of current activities. The feature here is a repetition of the statement on the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Part Two, excerpts from the Writings, statement on administration, the Calendar, a series of statements on the Temple, the Temple at ‘Ishqábád, articles giving Bahá’í impressions, references to the Faith, and Queen Marie’s tribute. Part Three directory and bibliography. Part Four, the papers read at the Conference in London, the appeal sent to the Sháh of Persia to terminate the persecution of Bahá’ís, two articles about Islám, reports of two Esperanto Congresses, and an article on inter-racial amity. The worldwide influence of Qurratu’l-‘Ayn is also presented. The sixty-five illustrations in Vol. II carry on the series of Bahá’í photographs of supreme historical importance to members of the Faith.
This book, containing 300 pages, can still be obtained from the Publishing Committee, and the price is very low because of the large number printed—$1.50 per volume.
Bound volumes World Order Magazine I to XIII price per volume, $3.00.
The friends are reminded that the best way to keep magazines intact for future reference is to have them in bound volume form.
Bahá’í—The Coming of World Religion. Portfolio 12 pages with illustrations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Bahá’í
[Page 16]
House of Worship. We still have
some stock of this attractive portfolio suitable for a gift or for presentation to interest a friend in the
Bahá’í Faith. Price including mailing
envelope, $.50.
Directory Additions and Changes[edit]
LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES:
- JERSEY CITY, N.J.
- Mrs. Blanche J. Foster
- 52 Tonnele Ave., Zone 6
- SANTA MONICA, CALIF.
- Mrs. Leone Wallace
- 624 10th St. Zone 25
- NEW ORLEANS, LA.
- Mrs. O. H. Blackwell
- 6223 Marigny St.
- SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO
- Mr. Jose Carlos Irizarry
- Box 1869
- MANSFIELD, OHIO
- Miss Eva Leonard
- 193 Carpenter Rd.
- SIOUX FALLS, SO. DAKOTA
- Mrs. Vera D. Esinhart
- 608 South Duluth Ave.
- RICHMOND HIGHLANDS, WASH.
- Mrs. Elmerene Neff
- 18016 Linden Ave., Seattle 33
- GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MICH.
- Miss Mabel Kitchenmaster
- 132 Moran Rd., Zone 30
- SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
- Mr. Orrin K. Fry
- 351 W. Sayers
REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEES
- OHIO
- Mrs. Gladys Lemmon, Sec’y.
- 2583 Wexford Rd.
- Columbus 12, Ohio
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
- NTC FOR NORTHEASTERN STATES
- Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Sec’y.
- 63 Maple Ave.
- Greenwich, Conn.
In Memoriam[edit]
- Miss Margaret Marshall, Carmel, Calif.—12-19-48
- Mr. Louis R. Vautrot, Wauwatosa, Wis.—12-25-48
- Mr. Joseph Walters, Helena, Mont.—12-25-48
- Mrs. Emily Bowler, Phoenix, Ariz.—12-48
- Mr. Fred N. Haley, Marysville, Wash.—1-12-49
- Mrs. Mary J. Morris, Mason City, Iowa—12-30-48
- Mr. Crowell Eddy Carpenter, Berkeley, Calif.—1-21-49
- Mr. Richard W. Hartshorn, New Orleans, La.—1-15-49
- Mrs. Jennie L. Murphy, Evanston, Wyo.—12-2-48
- Mr. A. Abas, St. Paul, Minn.—5-48
- Mr. John J. Wallner, Sheboygan, Wis.—1-21-49
- Mrs. Carrie Gates, Tucson Twp. No. 14, Ariz.—11-48
- Mr. George L. Loeding, Evanston, Ill.—2-13-49
- Mrs. L. N. Ball, Los Gatos, Calif.—1-49
Contributions from Assemblies for the month of January, 1949.[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, Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Monrovia Twp., Oakland, Oceanside, Palo Alto, San Diego, Sacramento, San Marino, San Francisco, Pasadena, Santa Barbara. Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver. Connecticut—New Haven, Greenwich, Hartford.
Delaware—Wilmington. Dist. of Columbia—Washington. Florida—Jacksonville, Miami, St. Augustine. Georgia—Atlanta, Augusta. Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui. Idaho—Ada County, Boise. Illinois—Batavia, Champaign, Chicago, Danville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Maywood, Park Ridge, Peoria, Springfield, Urbana, Wilmette, Winnetka. Indiana—Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend. Iowa—Cedar Rapids, Waterloo. Kansas—Topeka. Louisiana—New Orleans. Maine—Portland. Maryland—Baltimore.
Massachusetts—Beverly, Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester. Michigan—Ann Arbor, Davison Twp., Dearborn Twp., Battle Creek, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Grosse Point Farms, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville. Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul. Mississippi—Jackson. Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis, Omaha. New Hampshire—Portsmouth. Montana—Butte, Helena. Nebraska—Omaha. New Jersey—Bergenfield, Dumont, East Orange, Englewood, Jersey City, Montclair, Red Bank, Newark, Ridgewood, Teaneck. New Mexico—Albuquerque. New York—Binghamton, Buffalo, Geneva, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Waterloo, Yonkers.
Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, East Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo. Oklahoma—Oklahoma City. Oregon—Portland. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester. Rhode Island—Providence. South Carolina—Columbia, Greenville. South Dakota—Sioux Falls. Tennessee—Memphis. Texas—San Antonio. Utah—Salt Lake City. Vermont—Brattleboro. Virginia—Alexandria, Arlington. Washington—Kirkland, Marysville, Monroe, Richmond Highlands, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma. West Virginia—Charleston. Wisconsin—Kenosha, Racine, Madison, Milwaukee, Shorewood, Somers Twp., Wauwatosa, Whitefish Bay. Wyoming—Laramie.
Total number of assemblies | 179 |
Assemblies contributing in January | 158 |
Assemblies not contributing in Jan. | 21 |
Individuals contributing in January | 174 |
Groups contributing in January | 43 |
|
Bahá’í News is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as the official news-letter of the Bahá’í Community. Edited for the National Spiritual Assembly by 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 and other matters pertaining to distribution to the Bahá’í National Office, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. |
Marriages[edit]
Los Angeles—Lillian Gertrude Morris and Leon Jean-Marie Lassus, Nov. 28, 1948.
Lansing, Mich.—Margaret Yeutter and Michael Jamir, Feb. 27, 1949.
New York, N.Y.—Jeanne N. Bolles and Challoner St. Clair Richard Chute, Feb. 5, 1949.
Addresses | 14 | ||
Around Bahá’í World | 6 | ||
Calendar | 14 | ||
Convention Notices | 8 | ||
Directory Changes | 16 | ||
Emergency Policy | 5 | ||
Enrollments | 13 | ||
Europe | 1 | ||
| Guardian | |||
Public Meetings | 4 | ||
“Turn to your Bahá’í Brothers” | 4 | ||
World Order Magazine | 5 | ||
Home Front | 8 | ||
International Relief | 14 | ||
“I Recommend This Faith” | 12 | ||
Latin America | 6 | ||
Magazine Suspended | 1, | 5 | |
Memoriam | 16 | ||
| National Spiritual Assembly | |||
Bahá’í Marriage | 13 | ||
Drastic Economies | 1 | ||
Emergency Policy | 5 | ||
Responses to Plan | 1 | ||
“Our Covenant with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” | 10 | ||
| Pictures | |||
Guatemala City | 6 | ||
Rome, Italy | 13 | ||
Säo Paulo, Brazil | 7 | ||
Shrine of the Báb | 2, | 3, | 4 |
Temple Interior | 1, | 4 | |
World Federalist Congress | 9 | ||
Programmers’ Corner | 14 | ||
Public Relations | 15 | ||
Publishing Announcements | 15 | ||
Responses to Temple Plan | 1 | ||
Schools Suspended | 1 | ||
Shrine of the Báb | 2 | ||
Suggested Daily Readings | 14 | ||
World Order Magazine | 1, | 5 |
