Bahá’í News/Issue 220/Text
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SPECIAL TEACHING ISSUE
| BAHÁ’Í |  |
NEWS |
| No. 220 | JUNE, 1949 | YEAR 106 | BAHA’I ERA |
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES
Office of the Secretary
536 SHERIDAN ROAD, WILMETTE, ILLINOIS
June 15, 1949
To the Bahá’ís of the United States:
Dear friends:Bahá'u'lláh has said: "The time for the destruction of the world and its peoples hath arrived." "There is no place to flee to, no refuge that any one can seek, except Him."
'Abdu'l-Bahá warned the people and pleaded with them. A few listened, a very few. These are the Bahá'ís now listening to the messages of their Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. And he has said: "The hour is ripe for the proclamation, without fear, without reserve ... of the one Message which can save humanity."
In an emergency, everything of secondary importance is swept aside. The one thought now is -- How to meet the emergency!
There is another challenge besides Temple construction -- are we building the new race of men and the spiritual civilization symbolized by the Temple?
Here is the Teaching Plan for the coming year -- a Plan for each individual!
First: Tell the story of the Faith -- the greatest story in the world. Make a teaching resolve, today, to tell the story to a new person once a month, or once a week, or more often. Let each one of us vie with each other in telling the Story! Second: Study the Teachings every day. Study with the idea of using the Teachings -- to transform our lives and characters, to solve problems, and to become channels for giving the Message to others. During July and August, study "The Advent of Divine Justice."
"The Lord of Hosts is your support, the Angels of Heaven your assistance......"
Will you join this teaching plan now?
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Words of the Guardian[edit]
The Temple Dome[edit]
The following statement is an excerpt from the Guardian’s letter to the NSA, written through his secretary, dated April 11, 1949.
“...in connection with the dome of the Temple, he would like to point out that a metal dome, constituting a partition between the inside and outside light of the Temple, would have entirely done away with the original concept of the light of heaven coming into, and the interior illumination, at night, going out of, the Temple. The transparency, the “openness” would have been done away with, no matter how much perforation remained, and thus the original idea have been lost.”
“No Turning Back, No Escape From Duty”[edit]
The following passage is taken from the Guardian’s letter to the NSA, written through his secretary, dated April 11, 1949:
“He also wishes that it could be brought home to the believers that not only they, with the exigencies of their Temple and their foreign teaching work, are really being hard put to it to stand up to the time of test which is at hand, but all their brothers the world over! In fact in most other countries the difficulties to be overcome, though not spread over such a wide range, are more stubborn. In the East, for example, the friends have to surmount violent religious prejudices, prejudices which debar them from so much as obtaining visas for the countries their Plans embrace, and which, when they do get there, sometimes endanger their lives. The British Bahá’ís, a mere handful, extremely limited financially, find themselves called upon to carry out their courageous Plan and forced to find ways and means of making one pound do the work of ten and one pioneer the work of at least three! And yet they are wholly absorbed in winning their goals, and are bringing all the traditional British grit into play!
“The Guardian himself, already tired out with the work of the last twenty-seven years—which has been steadily growing with the growth of the Cause the world over — now finds himself simply engulfed in a sea of new problems, responsibilities and worries in connection with the work on the Báb’s Shrine. Much as this glorious enterprise is dear to his heart, much as he sees the necessity for carrying it on, and foresees the tremendous advantages to the Faith which will accrue from its unfoldment, he cannot be blind to the fact that it has doubled his load and will be, for some years to come, a back-breaking task for him and all concerned here with it.
“So, as the American believers survey with some trepidation and dismay the gigantic work before them, and the tremendous sums that must be raised, let them remember that for them, even as for their Guardian and their spiritual brothers and sisters all over the globe, there can be no turning back, no escape from duty, no easy way out! Indeed, seeing the plight of all the peoples of the world, they should realize that this whole Planet is in the throes of an unmistakable ordeal, a time of bitter transition and profound testing. If the spiritually dead are in this condition, how can the spiritually alive not be expected to be summoned to active duty, to be called upon to bear heavy burdens and to sacrifice deeply for the future.”
On Expulsion and Reinstatement of Covenant-Breakers[edit]
The believers are requested to study the following statement by the Guardian, and grasp its meaning. By our understanding of it we can avoid confusion and division of opinion in any future cases that may arise. The passage is taken from the Guardian’s letter of April 11, written through his secretary to the NSA.
“The Guardian, like the Master before him, has not considered it advisable to as yet permit any person or Assembly to put another person out of the Cause of God. There is a sharp distinction between depriving a believer of his voting rights, which is a severe disciplinary measure and not a spiritual sanction, and pronouncing a former believer to be a truly spiritually diseased soul, a soul in the condition the Master referred to when, in His last cable to America before His ascension, He said: ‘he who sitteth with a leper catcheth leprosy’. The Guardian has, within the last few years, considered the National Assemblies strong enough to wield the instrument of sanction in the sense of depriving a Bahá’í of his voting rights. But no one but himself can pronounce a person to be in that diseased condition we call ‘Covenant-breaking’, and no one but he can reinstate a Covenant-breaker. No National Assembly has been given this right and cannot, therefore, review the question or reinstate any one. All any National Assembly can do is to report to the Guardian if they are approached by a Covenant-breaker, and then the Guardian will take action. It is a pity that some of the Western friends, with remarkable naivete, do not grasp the fact that there is absolutely nothing keeping those who have broken the Covenant, whether Bahá’u’lláh’s or the Master’s, out of the Cause of God except their own inner spiritually sick condition. If they were sound, instead of diseased, and wanted to enter the service of the Faith, they would apply direct to the Guardian and he would be able to adjudge of their sincerity and, if sincere, would welcome them into the ranks of the faithful as he did with Sydney Sprague. Unfortunately, a man who is ill is not made well just by asserting there is nothing wrong with him! Facts, actual states, are what count. Probably no group of people in the world have softer tongues, or proclaim more loudly their innocence, than those who in their heart of hearts, and by their every act, are enemies of the Center of the Covenant. The Master well knew this and that is why He said we must shun their company, but pray for them. It you put a leper in a room with healthy people, he cannot catch their health; on the contrary they are very likely to catch his horrible ailment.”
The Daily Prayers[edit]
“The daily prayers are to be said each one for himself, aloud or silent makes no difference. There is no congregational prayer except that for the dead. We read healing and other prayers in our meetings, but the daily prayer is a personal obligation, so some one else reading it is not quite the same thing as saying it for yourself.
“If you find you need to visualize some one when you pray, think of the Master. Through Him you can address Bahá’u’lláh. Gradually try to think of the qualities of the Manifestation,
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THE TEMPLE ... TRIUMPH OF SACRIFICE
Broken in health, frail in body, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled night and day to reach the lovely shores of Lake Michigan, and there, with His own hands, He laid the cornerstone of the Holiest House of Worship; and still echoing down the years we hear Him saying: “Verily the founding of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár will mark the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth. It is the evident standard waving in the center of that great continent of America. Make the erection of the Temple in America conducive to the unity and oneness of the believers, of the maid-servants and servants of the Merciful, so that in one thought, one aim, they engage themselves in building the Temple. Think not that this Temple will be like the hundred thousand gigantic Temples you see about you. “Its building is the most important of all things. This is the spiritual foundation, for the reason that it is the most important of all foundations; from that spiritual foundation will come forth all manner of advancement and progress in the world of humanity. Therefore, how great is its importance.” —‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ The Bahá’í World, Vol. I, pp. 61-65
HAVE YOU ARISEN FOR THE ASSISTANCE OF THE TEMPLE?
JOIN A RANK IN THE ARMY OF SACRIFICE! Make your check payable to |
and in that way a mental form will fade out, for after all the body is not the thing, His Spirit is there and is the essential, everlasting element.” — From letter written by the Guardian through his secretary, January 31, 1949, to Mrs. Stuart Sims.
Corrections[edit]
Errors have been made in typing two communications received from Haifa and published in Bahá’í News during the past few months. These errors have been pointed out by the Guardian for correction.
Letter dated November 8, 1948, published in December, 1948 Bahá’í News under title “The Citadel of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh”:
First paragraph, line 6, “share of” should read “share to”; second paragraph, lines 56 and 57 should read “of the European continent and which”, etc.; line 79, same paragraph, should read “mark their gigantic strides”; third paragraph, line 57 should read, “to discharge and to”; same paragraph, line 63 should read, “hour of the emergence of”; paragraph four, line 7, should read, “of Bahá’u’lláh and synchronized with”; last paragraph, line 5 should read “in their years of”; line 13 should read, “attain maturity”.
Cablegram dated March 16, 1949, published on page 1 of April Bahá’í News:
First paragraph, second sentence — instead of “their fifty years’ magnificent stewardship” it should read “its fifty years’ ” etc.
European News[edit]
On April 21 of last year seven of the ten goal countries of Europe elected their first Local Spiritual Assemblies, with two in Switzerland, making a total of eight Assemblies.
On April 21 of this year all of the goal countries elected their Spiritual Assemblies and in Spain a second Assembly was formed. This makes a total of twelve Local Spiritual Assemblies in our goal countries.
The number of newly declared believers has been more than doubled this year. This is a superb achievement, and one which has been attained through the ceaseless and selfless efforts put forth by the new believers themselves, and by the pioneers.
Reports from these Assemblies demonstrate that they have a clear understanding of the Administrative Order, and that they are functioning in a very mature manner.
Miss Etty Graeffe, who helped establish the European Teaching Committee Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and who for two years was the ETC representative in that office, has recently returned to the United States to be with her aged parents. Mrs. Hazel Perrington of Sierra Madre, California, left for Europe on May 9, to join Virginia Orbison as a pioneer.
Shoghi Effendi has given clear directives both to the Spiritual Assemblies and to the Committee for the work immediately ahead, in the following excerpts from his cable of April 25: “Urge remaining years concentrate maintenance status elected Assemblies, consolidation superb achievements, multiplication groups through steady expansion extension work.”
The Most Important of All Things[edit]
“In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head cornerstone of the foundation itself.” — From Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
National Teaching Plan - 1949-1950[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly summons the American Bahá’ís to a new spiritual unity of ardent endeavor under one simple, clear and nationwide Teaching Plan. Here is the source of out regeneration and progress, the means of our success, and the way of our happiness, in turning to the Master’s inspired utterance bequeathed to us all in His Testament.
MEETING THE CRISIS
The souls of men are burdened with oppressive fear and confused by darkness of unfaith. Even the Bahá’ís live today in far less than their whole God-given courage, guidance and conviction. As individuals we wait for committees or assemblies to do the work of the Faith, and in waiting we waste away the powers which Bahá’u’lláh entrusts to His servants.
Arise in the passionate ardor of the teacher! Seek and find each one his or her unique mission in the Bahá’í community! Pray for faithfulness to the inmost spirit of Divine law — the command to teach. For the teacher, doors of confirmation will be opened. To be a Bahá’í is to teach. To teach is to live in the Kingdom and drink of the cup of inspiration and knowledge.
SPEAK OF THE CAUSE YOU LOVE
Our love of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh overflows in telling its story day by day. Share the Faith with the needy one whom you encounter on your path of life. Learn how to teach by teaching — this is the School in which all the great spiritual teachers of the ages have developed their powers.
Open your lips so that the Message can be freed of confinement in your own heart and enter the heart of your neighbor. Tell the Message daily if you can. Tell it weekly at first if you do not recognize the daily opportunity that comes. Ask God to forgive you if at the end of the week you find that you have been silent about His Faith.
DEEPEN IN UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE
True study of the Bahá’í sacred writings is no mere lesson learned by rote. The writings offer us knowledge, yes, but above all they deepen the believer’s understanding and kindle in his heart the sacred flame of love. Study with soul, mind and spirit. Commune daily with the Manifestation through His holy Word.
This year the Teaching Plan concentrates upon teaching by the individual Bahá’í. This is the “head corner-stone of the foundation itself.”
To this Plan — the Plan given us by the Master Himself — the National Spiritual Assembly wishes every Assembly to subordinate its collective programs and plans. That is, the local Assembly is to make sure that the effort to carry out collective programs is not so great a burden as to sacrifice the individual workers and prevent them from carrying out their own personal obligations to teach with mind, heart and soul. For this personal obligation is our duty to God. By discharging this duty we fit ourselves to contribute usefully to the collective undertaking. Personal teaching underlies our whole relationship to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
National Committees which develop teaching material, ideas, methods and themes for local communities are offering their service not as a substitute to this universal Plan, and not competitive with it, but as offering which the local Assembly is to accept and use or not, in accordance with local needs and conditions.
What the National Spiritual Assembly emphasizes this year is inspiration for the souls of the Bahá’ís, not burdens to fatigue the spirit and enmesh it in any degree of oppresive routine or the demands of too powerful a machine.
STUDY AND LEARNING, ALSO, IS THE LIFE OF THE SOUL
When we love the teachings we continue to drink deep of the cup of knowledge.
Six books are suggested which the friends can well study this year — one book every two months. Study material on these will be prepared by the Programming Committee and run in Bahá’í News, beginning next month.
The books are: Advent of Divine Justice, Foundations of World Unity, Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, and Divine Art of Living.
The National Assembly hopes and prays that the believers, one and all, will take part in this simple Plan as determinedly as they are contributing to the Temple Fund.
The Difference Between Administrative Titles and the Name of the Faith[edit]
The National Assembly requests believers, assemblies and committees to make a distinction between the title of an administrative body, like a local Assembly or national Committee, and a designation employed to refer to the Faith in general and as a whole.
An administrative body or institution has a title which defines its functions and its area of jurisdiction. For example, an assembly letterhead like “Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Jonesville” or a committee letterhead like “Regional Teaching Committee for Maine and New Hampshire.” Such titles identify the body which is acting.
On the other hand we say “Bahá’í World Faith,” “The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh” or “Bahá’í Revelation” when we mean our religion in general, its teachings, its aims, its international community and its institutions. That is not the body which acts in a particular local, regional or national area, but the Faith for which all our individual or collective actions are performed. Thus, if a local public meeting is held, the program designates the sponsoring body, just as when a letter is written the letterhead designates the body by which the letter is written. But a public program can also identify the religion for which the meeting is held—Bahá’í World Faith, for example. In such cases the typographical arrangement should make it clear to the non-Bahá’í that “Bahá’í World Faith” is not holding the meeting, but the meeting is held by such and such a body in, of or for Bahá’í World Faith. Similarly, letterheads are not expected to convey the idea that the letter is written by Bahá’í World Faith but by a particular assembly or committee.
| Score to Date — June 4, 1949 on Response to the Temple Fund | |||
| Group | Number | Estimated for 2 years | |
| $400 | 137 | ................... | $109,600.00 |
| $100 | 421 | ................... | $ 84,200.00 |
| $ 25 | 407 | ................... | $ 20,350.00 |
| *Special | 624 | ................... | $175,937.80 |
| _________ | |||
| Totals | 1589 | ................... | $390,087.80 |
| Received against above resolves | $128,417.41 | ||
| *All resolves not falling in other three categories. | |||
Nineteen Day Feast[edit]
Since the National Assembly published in the September, 1948 issue of Bahá’í News the statement “Readings at Nineteen Day Feasts,” requests for further explanation have been received. To answer these with authority the NSA requested the Guardian to state what readings are proper and suitable for the devotional part of the Feast.
Now we are able to share with the friends this clear explanation written by Shoghi Effendi through his secretary on April 11, 1949.
“The question regarding the devotional part of the Feast has been obscured because once he (the Guardian) used the term ‘devotional’ in its strict sense, which of course means prayer, and once loosely, in the sense, in which the Bahá’ís usually understand it, and that is the meeting together and reading from the teachings which precedes the administrative — or consultative — aspect of the Nineteen Day Feast. The two statements in no way change the method of holding this part of the Feast which, in the East at any rate, is always opened with prayers and afterwards Tablets and excerpts from Bahá’u’lláh’s, or the Master’s or the Guardians writings may be read, or, for that matter, the Bible or the Qur’án quoted.”
In the light of this explanation the subject is now plain to all. We are to read Bahá’í prayers, and after the prayers whatever excerpts are desired from Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, writings of the Guardian, or selections from the Bible or the Qur’án. All such readings constitute the devotional part of the Bahá’í Nineteen Day Feast.
Conferences With the NSA During Convention Period[edit]
The four days filled with sessions of the annual National Convention make such demands upon the members of the National Spiritual Assembly that they wish to inform the friends that in future time cannot be provided for conferences with individual believers. Any exception made to this on account of emergency will have to be decided by the Assembly as a body and not by any Officer.
Contributions From Assemblies For the Month of April, 1949[edit]
Alaska—Anchorage. Arizona—North Phoenix, Phoenix, Tucson. Arkansas— Eureka Springs, Little Rock. California—Alhambra, Arcadia, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Carmel, Geyserville, El Monte Twp., Escondido Twp., Fresno, Glendale, Glendale Twp., Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Monrovia Twp., Oakland, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Sacramento, San Diego, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, South Gate. Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver. Connecticut—New Haven, Greenwich, Hartford.
Dist. of Columbia—Washington. Florida—Jacksonville, Miami. Georgia—Atlanta, Augusta. Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui (Mar. and April), Idaho—Ada County, Boise. Illinois—Batavia, Champaign, Chicago, Danville, Elmhurst, Evanston, Limestone Twp., Maywood, Oak Park, Peoria, Springfield, Urbana, Wilmette, Winnetka. Indiana—Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend. Iowa—Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Kansas—Topeka, Kentucky—Louisville. Louisiana—New Orleans. Maine—Eliot, Portland. Maryland—Baltimore.
Massachusetts—Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester. Michigan—Ann Arbor, Davison Twp., Dearborn Twp., Detroit, Flint, Grosse Pointe Farms, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville. Minnesota—Duluth, Minneapolis, St. Paul. Mississippi—Jackson. Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis. Montana—Butte, Great Falls. Nebraska—Macy, Omaha. Nevada—Reno. New Hampshire—Portsmouth. New Jersey—Bergenfield, Dumont, Englewood, Jersey City, Montclair, Red Bank Newark, Teaneck. New Mexico—Albuquerque, Albuquerque N. 10. New York—Binghamton, Buffalo, Geneva, Jamestown, New York, Rochester, Waterloo, Yonkers. North Carolina—Greensboro. North Dakota—Fargo.
Ohio—Cincinnati, Cleveland, E. Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus, Lima, Mansfield, Toledo. Oklahoma—Oklahoma City. Oregon—Portland. Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester. Puerto Rico—San Juan. Rhode Island—Providence. South Carolina—Columbia, Greenville. South Dakota—Sioux Falls. Tennessee—Memphis. Texas—Dallas, Houston, San Antonio. Utah—Salt Lake City. Vermont—Brattleboro. Virginia—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. Bahá’í Assembly of Madrid.
Assemblies contributing in April | 161 |
Groups Contributing | 48 |
Individuals contributing | 99 |
Correction[edit]
It has been called to our attention that twice in recent months the name of the Phoenix, Arizona Assembly has been omitted from the list of Assemblies contributing to the National Fund. This Assembly has maintained regular contributions and we regret this error very much.
“When the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is accomplished, when the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are presenting themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication towards the mysterious Kingdom, the voice of glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love of the All-living and Self-existent God. The people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrances of God will be elevated, the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the Spirit in mankind; the people will then stand firm in the cause of your Lord, the Merciful.
“Mount Your Steeds”[edit]
By ALICE S. COX, Convention Reporter
A cannon ball lay on the table in front of the convention, not smooth and shiny as ones we so often see piled in pyramids in county courthouse squares, memorials of the victory for union; but rusted, and roughened by lying nearly one hundred years in the earth of the forests of Mázindarán.
Not long after the morning call to prayer on Thursday, April 28, and the organizing of the convention, the meaning of this piece of Persian war iron in our consultation hall became known to us. From the moment it was placed before our view and its story of being dug up in the vicinity of the site of Fort Ṭabarsí was told, in it was dramatized the unfolding central theme of four days of thought, of consultation, of yearning, prayer and resolution that was to make forever memorable the Forty-first Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
This New Martyrdom[edit]
Heroism for American Bahá’ís as a whole will not be the spilling of lifeblood as required of the magnificent martyrs of Ṭabarsí, Tihrán, Nayríz and Zanján one hundred years ago. This every Bahá’í knew who entered the convention of 1949. But heroism of a different kind, supreme sacrifice particularly designed to meet the needs of a suffering world at this hour, must be the station which every American Bahá’í must strive to reach in the quickly coming final years of the second Seven Year Plan. Sacrifice as a community, sacrifice as individuals ... money sacrifice ... we had been hearing these words from the Guardian and the National Spiritual Assembly before the convention call. Could the new world civilization be born without this step toward our destiny? Was this why the convention theme had been set up ahead of time as “Spiritual Victory in World Crisis?”
“Mount Your Steeds”[edit]
Never before has the road ahead been so straight and rugged, the way so narrow, the danger of failure so imminent and the significance of failure more fearful for the world, the measure of sacrifice so great, the call to “Mount Your Steeds, Oh heroes of God”, so challenging as at this, the crucial hour. Never before, on the other hand, have we been so close in time span of years to the Kingdom of God on earth.
Are You Prepared?[edit]
Expression of the theme of convention, with its several ways of emphasis, began shaping in the first hours when a brooding thoughtfulness spread wings over Foundation hall. The first keynoter, the chairman of the NSA, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, suggested, “It is time to take hold of new powers together ... We pull ourselves together to clothe the inner man, as we complete the interior of the House of Worship ... Are we prepared to make the most of this time of new opportunity? The opportunity arises out of a special act: martyrdom.
“Martyrdom will release new power. Who can guess the multitudinous forms this power will take? Who can foresee its accomplishments? Who can know how closely allied is that act with teaching? Who can say how far along the road to salvation this act can bring an agonized world? ... Power will go out from the completed Temple to raise up multitudes. We are to give that power release. Let us turn our hearts to Haifa and see that power and give it form and life.”
Using the Divine Power[edit]
The national secretary, Horace Holley, in making his supplementary report of the year, spoke of the evidences of power now operating in the world. “We as Bahá’ís are receiving the ultra-violet rays and the others are receiving the red. If we wish to use the power vouchsafed to us, we have got to learn to use it our Bahá’í way.”
In any communication, he said, if there is not a receiver there is no receptivity. “If there were not a devoted community in America the Guardian could not communicate with America. No community originates the Message of God but serves it. We have to give thought to the spiritual preparation of ourselves. Our is not to resist, to deplore, to criticize.”
Among items reported: The Guardian has selected texts for over the doorways of the Temple interior; a permit has come through for shipment of paper to German N.S.A. in wooden boxes, which will safeguard the contents; Dr. George Townshend has made a formal withdrawal from the Church of Ireland, stating his reasons; Ruḥiyyíh Khánum has written a statement called “Teaching Problems” to be made available to the believers; the N.S.A. spent 41 days in session during the year.
The death of Mountfort Mills of New York City on April 24 he reported, explaining that Mr. Mills was a trusted servant of the Guardian, whose health had been impaired when he went to Baghdád to save the house of Bahá’u’lláh. (He was for long a member of the American NSA)
Likewise was the death of George Latimer on June 22, 1948 reported. “His brief case was packed for the next NSA meeting.” Leroy Ioas was elected to fill the vacancy.
Prayers for these friends and for other Bahá’ís who had passed during the year were said during one of the devotional periods.
Cable from Haifa[edit]
The eagerly welcomed cable from the Guardian, read the first morning and discussed in the afternoon, sustained the faith of the believers by its review of victories flowing from the spirit of the Cause, exhilarated them with description of relationship with Israel and providential protection of the Bahá’í Holy Shrines, and stirred them to realization of their responsibility in arousing the entire American community to meet the herculean tasks necessary for the full achievement of the second Seven Year Plan. “Austerity at home”, “audacity in foreign fields”, “grim determination at whatever cost” ... these are the God-given signal lights now.
The Gathering Storm[edit]
At the heart of things the thunder must roll. Everyone knew it, and everyone welcomed Philip Sprague, national treasurer, to make his explanations and answer questions on the national Fund and the Temple campaign. At the suggestion of the Guardian, he said in beginning, the service of the American Bahá’ís for the next two years must be channeled strictly to the requisites of our four goals: consolidation in North America, With United States summer schools and World Order magazine suspended, other activities greatly curtailed; expansion and consolidation in Latin America, preparatory to election of two national Assemblies;
[Page 7]
continuation of the American
teaching program in ten European
countries; and completion of the interior of the Bahá’í House of Worship, the time schedule for this now
being set ahead for finishing in two
years.
The two-year national budget calls for $1,100,000; of this $800,000 to complete the Temple ($850,000 including deferred maintenance) and $300,000 to carry on the other activities. The N.S.A. hoped from its special plan designed for meeting the Temple budget during the next two years to receive as many as 3,000 resolves. Only 1,122 came by convention time, 18.7 per cent of the American believers represented. Our future cannot be, must not be in the red. We must not fail.
Ark of Salvation[edit]
The profound significance the completing of the Temple will have in relation to world affairs and the redemption of mankind came forcibly home to the convention as Mr. Sprague read from an October 23, 1939 message of Shoghi Effendi: “divinely-founded Temple ordained to be the Ark destined to ride triumphant the tidal wave of world-encircling calamities and offering sole refuge to storm-tossed sufferers of sinful, steadily-sinking civilization.”
The Road to Tabarsí[edit]
“We may never again be asked to achieve so much with so little,” the Treasurer emphasized. “We may never again be asked to have so much faith. Believe me, the signing of the temple contracts (as completed in April) meant faith and knowledge that through the Guardian comes pure guidance from Bahá’u’lláh. In two years we will never have opportunity to have an historic part in this again!”
How significant these words when viewed in the light of those spoken by Mullá Ḥusayn as he and his companions set forth from Bárfurásh in midsummer of 1848 for Ṭabarsí: “Leave behind all your belongings and content yourselves only with your steeds and swords, that all may witness your renunciation of all earthly things ...” How instantly they all obeyed, unburdened their steeds, and followed him!
There is no turning back in our mission. The NSA, the whole convention saw with one acclaim, has chosen the glory road that leads to our Ṭabarsí.
Bridle and Sword[edit]
The “how” it will be done: a six-year old is selling his comic books to meet his $25.00 resolve; government bonds, now, not when matured; legacy money, now, not at death; your capital, dip into it; memorial gifts, in memory of anyone; securities, give directly if selling would be a capital gain; accumulated Center property funds, decision lies with LSA after conference with donors (New York has given its large fund); “a dime a day, two dimes a day, three dimes a day ...”; sell personal things; double your resolve...
“A myriad ways to stress the austerity note, but we must never be small and petty and criticize the diversions of others,” Mrs. Baker sounded a loving warning, as the vital Fund discussion came to a close, to be resumed with vigor during later discussion.
The Temple Interior[edit]
All the friends are wanting to know how far the ornamentation of the Temple interior has advanced. This question was answered, and many, many more by Paul Haney and two members of the Temple Technical Advisory Board, Edwin Eardley and Robert McLaughlin, architects of Detroit and New York respectively. Allen McDaniel, the third Bahá’í on the board, could not be present.
Contract for designs to simplify the drawings of Louis Bourgeois, but retain the original flow of the design was made with the architectural firm of Shaw, Metz and Dolio in the summer of 1947. After the 1948 convention, when the Guardian advised to go ahead, the George A. Fuller Company was engaged as contractors, but because of the rising cost index final contracts for ornamentation could not be arranged for another year. In April, 1949 the John J. Earley Studio, Rosslyn, Va., received contract for the ornamental casting: this on a straight bid basis, and quality is assured.
Mr. Earley’s workmen, whose talent prepared the ornamentation for the Temple exterior, are now making the molds. First shipment to Wilmette will be for the main piers and will come to be placed in July. Last shipment, late summer of 1950; completion, 1951.
The exquisite beauty of the interior ornamentation, already known to us by drawings, was radiantly apparent for those who climbed to the auditorium and viewed the three sections on display. Differing in design, similar in lacey appearance, smoother in surface than the exterior ornamentation, and to be varied also by the inclusion of flecks of colored marble in the concrete aggregate, it gave us a breath-taking glimpse of a place of adoration, peace and joy of such wonder as the world has not known before.
A legal point: The NSA, as such, does not sign the contracts, but the same people, organized as Bahá’í Temple Trustees, incorporated under the state of Illinois, perform this function.
Mystery of the Temple[edit]
“The Temple that is going to be erected in the United States will be an important and magnificent one,” quoted Mr. Haney from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “Its influence and reaction upon the Cause will be tremendous and the impetus it shall give to the movement irresistible.”
“The founding of the Mashriqu’l Adhkár will mark the inception of the Kingdom of God on earth.”
References of great meaning may be found in: “Star of the West”, Vol. VI, No. 7, July 13, 1915; Vol. VI, No. 17, Jan. 19, 1916.
The Bahá’í World[edit]
The Bahá’í world came into focus for the convention with the presence of Robert Imagire with his busy tape recorder in front of the speaker’s platform. He is here for one month from pioneering in Japan, bearer of loving gifts from Japanese Bahá’ís, including a package of paper money equal to the wages of a Japanese workman for one month for the Temple. On Sunday he played for us a recording of a fireside meeting in Japan. Three European communities have also sent Temple contributions with their love.
And there were greetings and the best of wishes exchanged with two Canadian believers, John Robarts, chairman of the NSA, and Bert Weaver, on their way to the national convention in Winnipeg. “We have held our 16 Assemblies and added Calgary,” Mr. Robarts said. “We are on the march in the certain knowledge God will assist those who arise to serve His Cause.”
Jose Monge, delegate from Puerto Rico; Miss Agnes Alexander and First Lt. John B. Cornell, D.C., delegates from Hawaii; Etty Graeffe, back from her work at the Bahá’í
[Page 8]
International Bureau, Geneva; Mrs.
Jennie Anderson, returned from
“heavenly” experience pioneering in
Sweden; Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh,
our “ambassador at large”, with her
screen pictures of the May, 1948 Human Rights Conference at Geneva
in which three Bahá’ís participated
... her thrilling stories of official
contacts of the Bahá’í United Nations committee with United Nations
meetings and personnel; Dr. Robert
Gulick, delegate from northern California, pilgrim to Írán in 1947, bearer of the Persian cannon ball to the
1949 convention; the historical reports of the European Teaching and
the Inter-America committees (Miss
Edna True and Edwin Mattoon,
chairmen), both of which can be
read in Bahá’í News as brilliant
preludes to the victories clearly foreseen by the Guardian; and screen
pictures of the recent Latin American conference at Guatemala shown
by traveling NSA representative,
Dorothy Baker...these pointed up
our expanding world affairs.
Notes by Keynoters[edit]
Success of the second Seven Year Plan depends upon “spiritual prerequisites”. Let us apply the guidance and admonitions of the Guardian in The Advent of Divine Justice to this, our greater crusade (see p. 16 about a “binding materialism”!) (Mrs. Amelia Collins)
“In six and one-half years the Bábí martyrs gave a new meaning to the farewell words of the Báb. They lived them! The attributes of self-sacrifice, justice and fairness, devotion, joy in service, a spirit that no calamity can quench and above all, fearlessness...these qualities they renewed for us. What new meaning are we going to give the Guardian’s recent words?” (Mrs. Bahíyyíh Randall Ford).
“Money and finances are connected with spiritual growth... Our Temple is dependent upon the institution of the National Fund... The Guardian has never mentioned the token gift. He has asked us to be generous. Take the first step. Rely on the unfailing bounty of the Source.” (Mrs. Mamie Seto)
“The crisis in the Temple fund reveals a weakness that has existed for some time. We have a Message to tell. The hour is ripe for proclamation to the masses. But we get discouraged... Form the habit... make an occasion of giving the Message.” (Winston Evans)
“The Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is the Source of power. The Guardian (as appointed by the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) is to guide us in the erection of the new World Order and the new world civilization.” (Miss Charlotte Linfoot)
(Further notes: So many valuable suggestions, so many believers busy and aflame! We wish we had more space, for these things have to do with the first goal. And there is the matter of consultation principles and techniques keynoted by Miss Elsie Austin and Kenneth Christian.)
Ridván Feast[edit]
Four supremely talented speakers proclaimed the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to the public on two occasions during convention. No sentence reviews can give to you the sublime emotion of the Riḍván night when Carl Scheffler, Mrs. Marzieh Gail and William Sears served as voices for the story of the Temple, the story of the Riḍván, and the significant picturing of the life of Bahá’u’lláh on earth. Even the fragrance of our few dozen convention roses faded before the ethereal beauty of the spirit wafted to all that night.
At the Bahá’í Congress Mrs. Charles Reed Bishop challenged a fine audience: “Seize what is given and what will end spiritual poverty—the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. If the world does not change there is no means of unification. Man can only solve his problems by meeting God, by being born again into the spiritual life.”
Elections[edit]
In an atmosphere of prayer and dedication to a great duty 125 delegates (44 more by mail) on Friday evening voted for members of the National Spiritual Assembly, conscious they were laying foundations for the chief pillar of the International House of Justice.
The first balloting of the convention had been for permanent convention officers: Dorothy Baker, chairman, and Horace Holley, secretary.
Expressions of gratitude to all faithful administrative servants, including convention committees, were spontaneous and official.
Recommendations[edit]
Originating from delegates on the floor and in the four successful workshop periods were recommendations to the NSA, including a statement to be presented to the United Nations:
“The Bahá’ís of the United States assembled at the Forty-First Annual Convention recognize and acclaim, in the adoption by the United Nations of a Declaration of Human Rights, the goal of human brotherhood and world order advocated by the Bahá’í teachings for more than eighty years.”
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?
Can you name the cities of
Europe and America visited by
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1911-1913? What did Helen Keller say
about the Bahá’í Teachings? What National Spiritual Assembly donated funds to assist
Turkish earthquake victims? |
Exemplifying “sacrifice” by intention many Bahá’í youth stayed home: 36 registered at the Youth booth, eight of these younger than 15 years, 12 older. But they did a mighty work in recommending improvements in regional circuit organization so their teaching may proceed without summer schools. Watch their bulletin for their ways to sacrifice! (Total delegates and Bahá’í visitors registered about 750.)
Prospect[edit]
As I left Foundation Hall late on Sunday afternoon, passing the glorious painting of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Ivanowski, I was one of many whose hands clasped the Guardian’s second Message, which we had read together that day, and whose mind could for the moment see no lesser realities. Transfiguring in its compelling power and illumination, this Message climaxed the convention. It lifted us out of ourselves to that station of clear understanding, high resolve and sense of united endeavor which we had sought through the days, preparing us to make an “outpouring of treasure” worthy of the House of Worship, the triumphant achievement of all our goals... and the attainment of that self-abnegation which is the sign of spiritual victory.
Committees Develop in Latin America[edit]
Two years from this Riḍván our Bahá’í brothers to the South will erect two new pillars of the Universal House of Justice by establishing a National Spiritual Assembly of South America and another for Central America, Mexico and the Antilles, in accordance with the plan outlined by our Guardian in the Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour.
This near, supreme objective has inspired the Inter-America Committee to steadily place more and more administrative as well as teaching responsibility in the hands of the native believers, in order that they might be trained for the responsibilities which they will have to assume when they are completely independent. Accordingly, in the last year or two the following committees were set up, with all or nearly all Latin personnel: National (Territorial) Teaching Committees, Publishing and Distributing Committees, Bulletin Committees, and Radio Committee.
With the new administrative year, it has been thought wise to shift these committees as much as possible to other countries in order that more people might be trained. Therefore, the National Teaching Committee of South America is being moved from Santiago, Chile, out of the hands of the capable and devoted believers who accomplished its wonderful development in its first year, to Lima, Peru. Miss Eve Nicklin is leaving her post in Punta Arenas, at the tip of Chile, soon after the reelection of that Assembly to fly to Lima, where she will act as counsellor to the new Committee. En route, she will stop a few days in Santiago to confer with the old Committee.
The Spanish Publishing Committee, with its ever-growing responsibilities and work-load, is being left in Santiago, as well as the South American Bulletin Committee and the Radio Committee.
In the Mid-America area, national committees are being scattered according to a 3-Way Plan. The National Teaching Committee is being moved from Mexico to Panama, and the Mexican Community which so brilliantly launched it is being given the challenge of organizing a Reviewing and Publishing Committee for their Territory, while the Bulletin Committee is being left in El Salvador.
Concurrently with the appointment of new National Teaching Committees, the Inter-America Committee is giving them broader powers:
- Complete charge over the Congress and School programs, without the need to submit them to the Inter-America Committee for prior approval.
- Complete charge of all funds appropriated for the Congress and School.
- Encouragement to maintain close correspondence with Local Assemblies and Groups, as well as with the Regional Teaching Committees. (Complete control over RTCs has already been granted to them.)
The Bulletin Committees of each
Territory are authorized to publish
bi-monthly issues hereafter, instead
of quarterly, as heretofore.
The Publishing Committees hope to steadily, and at an accelerated rate, increase the number of Bahá’í books available in Spanish and Portuguese.
The Regional Teaching Committee of Jamaica has been responsible for the second Assembly on their Island, with the election last April of an Assembly in Spanish Town; and in Argentina, Sr. and Sra. Tormo have established the third Assembly of that country.
In Honduras, Srta. María Francisca Rivera, of Tegucigalpa, devoted a month of her vacation to deepening in the Teachings the Bahá’í Communities of San Pedro Sula and Taulabé. While in Bolivia, Sra. Yvonne de Cuellar, of La Paz, also devoted a month to instructing further the communities of Sucre. Besides, she was able to give the Message at the University there, which was very well received, and presented ten Bahá’í programs over the local radio. Sra. Cuellar enthusiastically describes the zeal shown by one of that Community, Sr. Miguel Díaz, who has interested many of his friends in the Faith and assisted her in every way.
To replace Eve Nicklin in Punta Arenas, the world’s southernmost city to which the Guardian has given such great importance, the National Teaching Committee of South America has chosen Sr. Tony Fillón, first Bahá’í of Chile. He expects to arrive in Punta Arenas in June.
The Home Front[edit]
Bahá’í Speaker Scores
At Unitarian Forum
Mrs. Mildred R. Mottahedeh, accredited representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations, recently gave the history and principles of the Bahá’í Faith during a forum lecture sponsored by the Unitarian Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
The forum, which opened at ten o’clock Sunday morning on May 15th, was attended by an enthusiastic audience of over 100 persons. After Mrs. Mottahedeh’s presentation, many intelligent questions were asked by the regular Unitarian congregation and other Lancasterians present.
Eager to learn more about Bahá’u’lláh and the Bahá’í Faith, the Lancaster Unitarians were reminded that God has spoken through many Mouthpieces by the following permanent inscription engraved on the left side of the pulpit of the Unitarian Church at Lancaster, Pa.:
“Great Founders and Teachers of Ethics and Religion: Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Confucius, Plato, Jesus, Mohammed, Nanak, Bahá’u’lláh. God hath spoken by the mouth of all of His Holy Prophets since the world began.”
Mrs. Mottahedeh’s remarks were so warmly received by the congregation of Dr. Swanson’s Lancaster church that he has invited her to address a large and varied audience soon at another Unitarian Church which he services at Reading, Pa.
Great Falls, Mont.
With the recent addition of a new member, this group numbers 7, and their enthusiasm is reflected in this excerpt from their report: “The Feast, Tuesday evening, was our first with SEVEN present and what a thrill it is to welcome new believers to their first Feast.” The community had the unique experience of being invited to conduct the vesper service at the local student nurses’ home one Sunday evening. Their report states: “We don’t know yet whether we created any interest ... but at least ... it was a little different service than most of them have been.”
[Page 10]
Miss Beatrice Irwin, holding the Greatest Name, with the Assembly at Tunis, North Africa, two members absent due to illness.
Around the Bahá’í World[edit]
INDIA, PAKISTAN & BURMA
- (From the Bahá’í News Letter)
A believer in Bombay who manufactures school exercise books has offered to devote the book covers of those books to publicity on the Cause. This will permit thousands of students to read the Bahá’í Principles.
“Just as through the compound of two different metals, an alloy, different from, and superior to, either of the component parts, is formed, so ultimately through the blending and fusion of the different human races will a new race of men come into being, infinitely superior to any of the diverse elements from which it sprang.
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Programmer’s Corner
“The purpose underlying the revelation of every heavenly Book, nay of every divinely revealed verse, is to endue all men with righteousness and understanding, so that peace and tranquility may be firmly established amongst them. Whatsoever instilleth assurance into the hearts of men, whatsoever exalteth their station or promoteth their contentment, is acceptable in the sight of God.” —BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
Hints for Action:
1. Are you a Pen Pal? Why not send at least five letters a month to your chosen friends throughout the country, sharing with them your new found joy—the knowledge of the Bahá’í World Faith? Enclose a pamphlet such as Two Roads We Face, He Has Come To The Nations or Faith For Freedom. If you send a different pamphlet with each successive letter, the initial interest may increase until you are asked, “How does one contact a Bahá’í Study Class in his own home town?” 2. If you are a member of some Alumni group, or P.T.A., or fraternity, why not use that list of members? Send them a letter announcing briefly: “My discovery of the year—The Bahá’í World Faith.” This is one way to teach while still at home. By sending Questionnaire cards to your list of club members, you may have planted seeds all over your area! —NATIONAL PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
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“The NSA feels that in India particularly the opportunity is great, and should be availed of by the Bahá’ís, to realize and display the international character of our Faith through more intermarriages between the various members of the Bahá’í community in this land.”
“Our National Hazira has not been requisitioned yet; our efforts to recover our Sagzimandi quarters from the hands of its illegal occupants have borne no turn so far; our claim for compensation of the loss of our property, assessed at Rs. 39, 561, during the Delhi riots has been turned down by the authorities; our appeal to Government for a reconsideration of the inequitable rent determined for our National Hazira and the alternative accommodation allotted us has been unheeded up till now.
“The NSA is embodying these grievances in an appeal which it is addressing to our Prime Minister, Pandit Jawoharlal Nehdu, for redress.
“We await, with eagerness, the reply of the highest authority in the land which, we are confident will be given with a sympathetic consideration of our rights and interests.
“The Governments of India, Pakistan and Burma are being approached for official recognition of the Bahá’í community at the next census that will be taken in these three countries.”
Also in India the problem of securing land from the authorities for a burial ground is an important one. All centers are asked to take this important step.
Active work continues in pioneering, youth work, publicity, and teaching of the Faith, in spite of difficulties of means and generally unsettled conditions.
HUNGARY
- (Geneva News Bulletin)
Mrs. Renee Szante writes: “ ... I hope and pray that we shall be successful in our endeavors. Please help us with your prayers. Please insert a note in the Bahá’í News expressing our warmest thanks to all the kind friends and asking them to remember us again, and if possible send warm clothing and strong walking shoes with low heels. Any old sheet or pillow slip, even in very bad condition, would be most welcome here....”
The Bahá’í World, Vol. V[edit]
Vol. V. records the international activities of the Faith from 1932 to 1934, the years 89 and 90 of the Bahá’í Era. It contains 711 numbered pages, an insert Genealogy of Bahá’u’lláh, and an insert map of the Bahá’í World Community.
Frontispiece one is a reproduction of a photograph of Bahíyyíh Khánum, The Most Exalted Leaf, Daughter of Bahá’u’lláh; frontispiece two is a reproduction of the Memorial marking the resting-place of the Most Exalted Leaf; frontispiece three reproduces a photograph of Her Majesty, Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania; frontispiece four reproduces the handwritten Appreciation by the Queen: “The Bahá’í teaching brings peace to the soul and hope to the heart. To those in search of assurance the words of the Father are as a fountain in the desert after long wandering.” The volume contains 190 photographs and documents listed as Illustrations.
This volume continues the division into four main parts which has become characteristic of this biennial record. In commemoration of the passing of the Most Exalted Leaf we find the Guardians cablegram of July 15, 1932, Tablets Revealed in Honor of the Greatest Holy Leaf, passages from Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, passages from Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Tribute written by the Guardian, Marjory Morten’s essay, excerpts from the Diary of Keith Ransom-Kehler, and a poem by Willard P. Hatch. The believer becomes conscious not only of the Greatest Holy Leaf as an exalted person, but as member of a Holy Family.
Part Four presents a number of selected essays and statements by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Of paramount importance is the Guardian’s statement on the Administrative Order in the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.
The photographs continue to supply their unique mission of providing a Bahá’í exhibit in which the believer can behold scenes and objects sacred to the lives of the Founders of the Faith, the development of the Bahá’í World Center, and glimpses of the far-flung Bahá’í community. Thus, we see the Signets used by Bahá’u’lláh, His Marriage Certificate, the Shrine of the Imám Ḥusayn where the Báb often prayed, and an Egyptian Bahá’í teacher with Abyssinian translator of Dr. Esslemont’s book.
The successive volumes of The Bahá’í World mark the imprint of the Word of God upon human society in our day. The more we ponder their contents, the more we can serve the universal aims of religion and preserve them from the pressures of provincialism.
Copies of Vol. V can be obtained from the Publishing Committee at $2.50 per copy.
Enrollments[edit]
Enrollments reported by
Local Spiritual Assemblies:
Fresno, Calif., 2; Champaign, Ill., 1; Burbank, Calif. 1; Boise, Idaho, 1; Syracuse, N.Y., 2; Augusta, Ga., 4; Colorado Springs, Colo. 1; Inglewood, Calif., 3; Bergenfield, N.J., 1; Los Angeles, Calif., 1; Seattle, Wash., 1; Glendale Twp., Calif., 1; San Bernardino, Calif., 3; Binghamton, N.Y., 4; Battlecreek, Mich., 2; Hartford, Conn., 2: New Haven, Conn., 1; Boise (Ada Co.) Idaho, 1; Springfield, Mass., 1; Penn Yan, N.Y., 1; South Bend., Ind., 1; Marysville, Wash., 1; Lima, Ohio, 1; Duluth, Minn., 2; Dallas, Texas, 1; Whitefish Bay, Wis., 1; Rochester, N.Y., 1; Evanston, Ill., 1; Winnetka, Ill., 1; Greensboro, N. C., 1; Alexandria, Va., 2; E. Cleveland, Ohio, 3; Anchorage, Alaska, 2; YOUTH 5.
Enrollments reported by
Regional Teaching Committees:
NORTHEASTERN STATES
- New Jersey 3 and 1 Youth
- E. N. Y., Conn. 2
- Pa. 1
- West. N. Y. 1
SOUTHERN STATES
- Ky., Tenn. 1
CENTRAL STATES
- Ind., 1
- Mich., 1
- Ill., Iowa, 2 and 1 youth
- Wis., Minn., No. and So. Dakota, 2
WESTERN STATES
- Ore., 4
Calendar[edit]
FEASTS:
- June 5—Núr-Light
- June 24—Raḥmat-Mercy
NSA MEETING:
- June 17, 18, 19
In Memoriam[edit]
- Mr. C. D. Finn, San Francisco, Calif., 4-19-49
- Mrs. Della M. Frye, Cleveland, Ohio, 5-9-49
- Mr. George McCraw, Montara, Calif., 11-2-48
- (correction in date of passing)
Public Relations[edit]
This year the work of Bahá’í Public Relations enters a new phase. Its effort will for the most part be concentrated on the development of interest in and appreciation of the Faith among powerful non-Bahá’í organizations which maintain national programs of sound and constructive social value, and among key persons and leaders throughout the country.
The committee schedule approved by the National Assembly to accomplish this purpose includes mailings each month to a carefully selected list. As far as possible the list of organizations and persons will concentrate on cities and towns having Bahá’í communities.
The significance of such contact lies in the fact that Bahá’í Public Relations can establish lines of communication into areas beyond the present contact and influence of the local community. These areas of public importance lie a few years ahead of the normal evolution of the Bahá’í community. By cultivating these areas now, from a national Bahá’í center, the future growth of the local community is stimulated.
The committee is compiling its lists from all available sources: names supplied by local Assemblies in recent years; reference books and other official sources of information. Assemblies can help greatly by sending in names and addresses representative of the public leadership of their own city, giving in each case the position which the individual holds. For example, include newspaper editors, librarians, school principals, liberal clergymen, race leaders, heads of civic organizations, leaders of bodies working for world government, human rights, etc.
What this amounts to is an effort to make a survey of the country, on a small scale at first, in order to extend the range of our Bahá’í influence beyond the existing local limitations.
The committee will in addition continue to prepare and distribute press releases, advise Assemblies on publicity and advertising matters on request; and distribute and sell public relations material to the Bahá’í community.
Address: Bahá’í Public Relations, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill.
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Suggested Daily Reading for July, 1949
O Thou Who are sanctified from any created likeness, the Single, and the One, help us to cry amid Thy servants in a loud voice: “Verily, He is the one, the peerless; the eternal, the Almighty, the precious, the wise!” July
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Publishing Announcement[edit]
The following books have been selected for special study this year in connection with the National Teaching Plan announced by the National Spiritual Assembly. They are books which each believer, therefore, should try and possess.
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Bahá’í Addresses
National Office:
Treasurer’s Office:
Make Checks Payable to:
“National Bahá’í Treasurer” Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
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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, Mr. Richard Nolen, 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. |
- The Advent of Divine Justice, by Shoghi Effendi. Bound in fabrikoid, $0.75. Paper cover, $0.50.
- Foundations of World Unity, selected addresses of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from Promulgation of Universal Peace and other works. (Promulgation of Universal Peace is temporarily out of print) 178 pages. Bound in paper. $1.00.
- Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The pamphlet edition containing the complete text is not handled by the Publishing Committee. A copy is given free to each new believer by the National Spiritual Assembly.
- The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, by Shoghi Effendi. This book reprints the succession of letters written by the Guardian which relate the Bahá’í community to the unfoldment of a world civilization in the period of the Most Great Peace. One letter, The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, defines the stations and missions of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian, and expounds the nature of the House of Justice. 226 pages. Bound in fabrikoid. $1.50.
- Divine Art of Living, compiled by Mabel Hyde Paine. Selected passages from Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, arranged in chapters: Trust in God, Entrance Into the Kingdom, Prayer and Meditation, etc. 132 pages. Bound in fabrikoid. $1.25
Send orders to Bahá’í Publishing
Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Marriages[edit]
Miss Monaver Bechtold of New York City and Mr. Bruce Von der Heydt of Palmerton, Pa. Oct. 25, 1948.
| ‘Abdu’l-Bahá | |
When the Temple is Finished | 5 |
| Guardian | |
Corrections | 3 |
Covenant-Breakers | 2 |
Daily Prayers | 2 |
“No Turning Back” | 2 |
Temple Dome | 2 |
Around the Bahá’í World | 10 |
Calendar | 11 |
Convention Report | 6 |
Enrollments | 11 |
European News | 3 |
| Fund | |
Assemblies Contributing | 5 |
Score to Date | 5 |
Home Front | 9 |
Latin America | 9 |
Marriages | 12 |
Memoriam | 12 |
| National Spiritual Assembly | |
Administrative Titles | 4 |
Conferences during Convention | 5 |
Meeting the Crisis | 1 |
Most Important of All Things | 4 |
Nineteen Day Feast | 5 |
Picture, Tunis, N. Africa | 10 |
Programmers’ Corner | 10 |
Publishing Announcements | 12 |
Public Relations | 11 |
Suggested Daily Readings | 12 |
