Bahá’í News/Issue 222/Text

From Bahaiworks

[Page 1]

BAHÁ’Í NEWS
No. 222 AUGUST, 1949   YEAR 106 BAHA’I ERA

The Guardian Writes Public Relations Committee[edit]

A letter has been received by the Public Relations Committee from the Guardian which the National Spiritual Assembly has voted to publish in Bahá’í News. It was written in reply to a letter which the Committee addressed to the Guardian a few weeks before the Convention. In its letter the Committee wrote, in part, as follows:

“Though it has been grievous to us to forego our advertising schedule and rearrange our work in other fields, the Committee recognizes that a completed Temple holding meetings of public worship will create the most effective form of Bahá’í public relations that could be imagined; and that a strong Bahá’í community in Latin America, Europe and the United States will be the final and unanswerable proof of the validity of the Faith.

“Therefore our hope is to contribute all we can to the development of an alert, well-informed and vigorous community demonstrating in spirit and in action the supernal truths whose symbol the House of Worship is to be throughout the Americas for ages to come.”

The Guardian’s reply, dated June 6, 1949, was as follows:

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Your letter of April 7, with the book you forwarded, was received, and the Guardian was very pleased to see all you have done this past year.

He regrets that much of the work so enthusiastically undertaken, and carefully built up by the various committees, must now be sacrificed for some time to come. But there is no choice, and the friends must, as the Master said, give up the important for the most important of all — which is certainly the Temple’s completion and the far-flung teaching work being carried on. Indeed, such is the preoccupation of mankind


THE WORK BEGINS

On Monday, July 11, workmen began to assemble on the Temple grounds. The first operations have been the preparing of runways leading up to the Temple steps for the transporting of material, and the laying of a base for the storing of the interior decoration units. The date set for the beginning of work inside the Temple was July 18. The Earley Studio has scheduled for the shipment of two cars of cast stone every three weeks.


with purely material evidences of power that the solid accomplishment of a House of Worship at last ready to fulfill its function, and the constant addition of new countries and assemblies to the family of Bahá’í communities, are more likely to attract the attention of the public than meetings or publicity.

Far from awakening from its slumber mankind seems to be plunging deeper into the nightmare of present-day society. We Bahá’ís see only too clearly where this is leading, but this must not paralyze us, but rather stir us to new spiritual consciousness and force us to take a firmer grip on the Rope of our Faith, determined not to be pulled into the undertow and to do all we can to pull others out of it.

He urges you all to exert your utmost in helping the believers to mature spiritually, and to unitedly work to consolidate the community in the laws of the Faith and the administration of its institutions.

He will pray for all of you, and he deeply values your devoted services.

With Bahá’í love,
— R. RABBANI

(In the Guardian’s own handwriting)

May the Almighty bless your high and meritorious endeavors, enable you in the days to come to extend the range of your activities to which I attach the utmost importance, and aid you to consolidate your past achievements, and win in this new and vast field now stretching before you notable victories for His Faith and its institutions.

Your true and grateful brother,
— SHOGHI

[Page 2]

MEETING THE CRISIS

“Tell the Story”

Can we make a simple teaching resolve to match your financial resolve for completion of the Temple?

Tell the story of the Faith to other people. Set yourself a personal teaching goal—to tell one new person about the Faith each month, or each week. To help form the habit of doing this, why not list every possible person to whom you can mention the Faith and explain one or more of the Bahá’í teachings? It may help if you keep a little record of the people to whom you have talked about the Faith. This will enable you to pray that their interest may deepen. It will also remind you to continue to mention specific Bahá’í teachings in future conversations.

Your Contacts

To increase awareness of opportunities to tell about the Faith, we offer the following:

  1. Can you contact one or more persons in the block in which you live?
  2. Isn’t there a business associate whom you can invite to your home to discuss the Faith?
  3. Can you form the habit of steering a conversation by asking such a question as: “What do you think religion can do to help establish world peace?”
  4. Read the summary of contacting hints listed in this issue of Bahá’í News.


Full Public Meeting

Since it is time now to begin planning for public teaching in the fall, we suggest you plan to use the Public Relations Committee theme: “What Is My Religion?” Aim of the theme is to challenge the individual non-Bahá’í to re-examine his religion and determine for himself how its doctrines and practices meet the tests of spiritual truth and how it fits him to deal with the problems of life today. These criterions are offered the non-Bahá’í by which he can conduct this re-examination. Each criterion leads him to compare his religion with the World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. The result is to awaken in him a new understanding of what is lacking in his own faith and how it fails to fulfill his spiritual needs and to meet the needs of a disintegrating society.

This theme could be developed around the following:

Seven Bahá’í Criterions of Religion:

  1. Religion must be divine in origin.
  2. Its aims must be universal.
  3. It must control and guide character.
  4. It must demonstrate the continuity and progressiveness of divine revelation.
  5. It must fulfill ancient prophecy.
  6. It must bring new teachings able to solve the particular problems of the age.
  7. It must reconcile science and worship and provide the basic truths of all cultures, arts and philosophies.

This theme could be used for a single public meeting, or it could furnish material for a series of simpler home or fireside meetings. This adaptability fits in with our need for economy.

Public Relations will announce details in the September Bahá’í News.

—NATIONAL PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
“HIS SPIRIT IS THERE”

Words of the Guardian

“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 someone 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, 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—”

—SHOGHI EFFENDI

Through his Secretary, to Mrs. Stuart Sims, January 31, 1949.

Consultation[edit]

Dear Friends:

The National Spiritual Assembly desires to strengthen the bonds of unity between the administrative body and the individual Bahá’ís. Only full understanding on basic matters, and cooperation in carrying on the tasks of the Divine Plan, will enable us to succeed in the mission which the Master laid upon the American Bahá’í Community.

As a means to that end, individual Bahá’ís are requested to send the National Spiritual Assembly their thoughts and views and such recommendations on plans of action which they feel will help build up the Bahá’í community and stimulate the work of spreading the Faith.

This letter is a request directed through you to each believer asking for consultation. The subject on which personal views are desired are particularly:

How to spread the teachings
How to develop the solidarity of the American Bahá’í community
How to release more ‎ spiritual‎ power
How to assure completion of the goals of the Second Seven Year Plan


The National Spiritual Assembly also wants the considered views of local Assemblies on these subjects.

Please send in your letter by September 1 so that the National Spiritual Assembly can study the results of this appeal and incorporate every possible suggestion in the national plans for this emergency period.

Yours sincerely,
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Calendar[edit]

Feasts:

Sept. 8—‘Izzat—Might
Sept. 27—Mashíyyat—Will

NSA MEETING:

Sept. 2, 3, 4, 5

[Page 3]

WE MUST NOT PAUSE
“Ultimate victory now in sight bidding fair bring present
emergency period (to) triumphant conclusion ...”
SHOGHI EFFENDI


The magnificent sacrifice of the Bahá’ís up to the present has brought us to the position where the Guardian sees the possibility of our achieving success. However, let us all resolutely face the fact that we still have a long and difficult road ahead — demanding unprecedented, continued sacrifices.

Here is the record of our financial position and requirements as of July 15th:

TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION FUND

Cash on hand — Temple Construction Fund
$330,000
Budget requirement for balance of calendar year of 1949
$305,000
Note: Due to Temple construction work not starting until July 11, the payments on construction in 1949 have been reduced from $438,615 to $305,000.


THIS MEANS THAT IN 1950 THE TOTAL PAYMENTS
WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $500,000


From the foregoing you will see that as of July 15, 1949, we have on hand only $25,000 to apply towards our 1950 Temple Commitments — not enough for one month’s operation.

It is necessary also to point out that of the $330,000 now on hand, about 33 per cent was the sacrificial gift of one believer, from which source a similar donation cannot be again anticipated.

GENERAL FUND
This is how we are progressing with the general fund. The monthly budget under the present austerity program is
$12,500
During May, the receipts amounted to
    9,655
During June, total contributions were
    8,567

Thus it is evident that during the first two months of the current Bahá’í year there is already a DEFICIT of $6,777.

Our present financial position should make us all reflect deeply and pray. Let each and every one of us weigh our individual responsibility, review our resources, and ACT.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Guardian Calls for Pioneers[edit]

Heartened by the way in which the American believers are responding to the Temple Plan, the Guardian has called for self-supporting pioneers and itinerant teachers to assist in Europe and Latin America.

“... advise direct special attention invigorate activities conducted Latin America (and) European continent. Need for voluntary, self-supporting, wholly-dedicated pioneers calculated (to) supplement newly launched undertakings (in) both fields (is) still pressing acquiring greater urgency owing approaching emergence (of) Latin American National Assemblies and necessity consolidate swiftly newly-formed local Assemblies (in) ten European goal countries.” (From his Cable received June 29, published in July Bahá’í News.)

This appeal should be deeply and prayerfully pondered. Any believer who can render any service under this call from the Guardian is urged to write at once to the European Teaching Committee or the Inter-America Teaching Committee. Let us neglect no opportunity to win as great a victory as possible under the present Seven Year Plan.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Bahá’í News Mailing

In addition to each individual believer receiving his copy of Bahá’í News by direct mail, each Assembly Secretary will receive a copy to file for the Assembly.

Enrollments[edit]

Enrollments reported by Local Spiritual Assemblies:

ALASKA, Anchorage, 1; CALIF., Glendale, 1, Los Angeles 1; FLA., St. Augustine, 1; ILL., Chicago, 11, Urbana, 1; MASS., Boston, 1; MICH., Detroit, 4, Flint, 1; N. J., W. Englewood, 1 PUERTO RICO, San Juan, 1.

Enrollments reported by Regional Teaching Committee:

CENTRAL STATES

Ill., Iowa 1
Ind. 1

WESTERN STATES

So. Calif. 1
No. Calif., Nev. 1 & 1 Youth

SOUTHERN STATES

E. Division
Va., W. Va. 1

[Page 4]

Recommendations from the State Conventions, 1949:[edit]

Southern California

That the National Spiritual Assembly instruct tellers, that in counting ballots, any ballot with more or fewer than the allotted number of delegates, is to be invalidated.

Voted to turn this over to the state convention planning committee.


Connecticut

That some interesting ways be devised for bringing the attention of the believers to the needs for immediate completion of the Temple. (Specific suggestions were enclosed)

Voted to record that this was turned over to the special Temple fund campaign committee.


Northern Illinois

1. That the National Spiritual Assembly issue calls during the year for consultation meetings such as the State Convention.

Voted to record the view that during the present emergency period it does not seem justifiable to call statewide consultation meeting which would involve heavy expenditure for travel.


2. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider some sort of program of collectible pledge commitment in order to help meet the costs of the Temple.

Voted to record that the National Spiritual Assembly feels this specific suggestion cannot be adopted, since the Guardian has prohibited the use of pledges in connection with the raising of Bahá’í funds. The National Spiritual Assembly feels that the present emergency plan, calling for “resolves” on the part of believers, goes as far in the direction of the intention of this suggestion as is possible under the instructions of the Guardian.


Indiana

1. That the National Spiritual Assembly exercise great care in selecting committees by consulting with local Spiritual Assemblies as to capable workers to serve on National Committees without hurting the work of the local Assembly.

Voted to record that the National Spiritual Assembly will welcome suggestions for national committee personnel from the local Spiritual Assemblies.


2. That in drawing up State convention Agendas, at least 5 hours be allowed for consultation so that all the agenda may be covered.

Voted to turn this suggestion over to the state convention planning committee.


Maine

That the Regional Teaching Committee write all groups in the area to specifically ascertain teaching help needed, and that the Regional Teaching Committee contact personally, isolated believers and groups.

Voted to record that this suggestion will be passed on to the Regional Teaching Committees.
Voted to write the Area National Teaching Committees and ask them to consult with their Regional Teaching Committee as to ways and means for establishing more direct and personal contact with isolated believers and groups.


Michigan

1. That the National Assembly might cut mailing costs by avoiding duplicates to members of one family and accumulating messages and sending in one envelope.

Record that this economy action has already been taken and is under way.

2. That Mr. L. W. Eggleston’s plan (submitted to the National Treasurer a year or more ago) to raise $750,000 by believers giving up smoking and movies, be published in Bahá’í News.

Voted to record that the National Spiritual Assembly cannot dictate the specific economies and sacrifices that might be undertaken by the believers.


Minnesota

That local Spiritual Assemblies send letters to inactive members regarding the National emergency and urging support of the Temple plan.

This has been brought to the attention of the believers in Bahá’í News. Likewise the National Assembly has taken action to ask assistance of the local Spiritual Assemblies in fulfilling the need of the Fund Raising Program.


Virginia

1. That in future years copies of National Committee reports be included with information and ballots sent to individual believers prior to the State Convention.

Voted to report that the National Assembly hopes to cut down materially on the amount of reported material to go to the state conventions and that such material will, if possible, be published in Bahá’í News issued immediately preceding the date of the convention.

Suggestions from the State Conventions[edit]

The members of the National Assembly have been impressed with the suggestions contained in the reports of the last State Conventions. They represent an earnest effort to consult creatively about ways and means for achieving the goals of the Seven Year Plan. While the resolutions from these conventions are reported separately, the NSA voted to have a brief selection of suggestions presented in Bahá’í News.

Here are some of the suggestions, with identification by state. Space limitations require that only a few be given.

Southern California

Communities should gather together more often to study the latest directives in Bahá’í News.

It is well to do things with people and not always have them come to hear what we have to say. Work with them and they will want to work with us and know what we think and believe.

Idaho

Individual teaching suggestions:

  1. Teach by example. Mirror forth the attributes.
  2. Exercise hospitality. This is an avenue to find those who are interested. Cordial hospitality has an effect on the outsider.
  3. Give literature.
  4. Don’t be dogmatic. Never let people feel that we know more than they. No superiority.


Deepening in the Faith, suggestions:

  1. Live the life.
  2. Become associated with the work of teaching the Faith.
  3. Observe the Fast. Understand the laws and purpose of the Fast and how we should benefit from that phase of the teachings.
  4. The purpose of deepening is so that we may demonstrate God’s Kingdom on earth.
  5. How to deepen and get better understanding:
    1. Prayer and meditation
    2. Eliminate non-Bahá’í feelings from our hearts
    3. Look at all people and all things with an unbiased vision.
    4. Keep learning. We are obliged to study till the grave.


Northern Illinois

The financial groups in the Temple Plan are not a limit that we must set ourselves to.

For those individuals who can — do not spread the amount you decide upon over a two year period, but pay the whole amount at one time, and get the work done more quickly.

Maine

The use of films and visual aids for the teaching work of small groups and isolated believers was suggested.

Montana

Let us avail ourselves of all opportunities to teach; hold prayer meetings; conduct classes in interested people’s homes if they are confined with a family and cannot come to Bahá’ís meetings; meet an interested or prospective seeker on his own basis first before introducing the Faith.

[Page 5]

Score to Date — July 20, 1949
on Response to the Temple Fund
Group Number Estimated
for 2 years
$400 140 ................... $112,000.00
$100 488 ................... $  97,600.00
$ 25 480 ................... $  24,000.00
*Special 784 ................... $195,912.31
_________
Totals 1892 ................... $429,512.31
Received against above resolves $186,863.35
*All resolves not falling in other three categories.

Many friends have asked if they could send in their next year’s resolve now. This would be very helpful.

—TREASURER

Western New York

Local expenditures should be cut down, but not local work. A great deal can be accomplished simply by application of adequate effort and time. All frills should be eliminated.

In the past the Temple work has been a great consolidating force for the believers. Now the Guardian is asking us to complete the interior in order to bring this force into effect again and to make the Temple the great teaching medium ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said it would be.

Teaching is a “grass roots” proposition, and each community or group should consult prayerfully on how local teaching can be continued. Part of the consultation should give careful consideration to heretofore unused talents and unused approaches to interest and confirm new people.

We should respond to the new sacrificial Plan as in the case of the call for pioneers in 1935; when nine were asked for, eighty-one volunteered.

Ohio

Certain balance must be used. Pull in your belts. We all need to learn to live as simply as the Europeans and Latin Americans. Settle down and live simply, and give every dollar to the Temple Fund.

Relief Shipments to Bahá’ís of Vienna

The American believers are informed that no more relief packages need be sent to Bahá’ís of the community of Vienna. A letter received from there indicates that conditions in Vienna have improved. Bahá’í international relief is still an important service, and the friends are advised to send their parcels to names and addresses sponsored by the International Relief Representative, Mrs. Beatrice Ashton. Mrs. Ashton maintains an up to date list of believers in relief countries of Europe and is in touch with the various organizations like CARE, who ship food abroad.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Contributions from Assemblies for the Month of June, 1949[edit]

Arizona—North Phoenix, Phoenix, Tucson; Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock; California—Alhambra, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Burlingame, Carmel, El Monte Twp., Escondido Twp., Fresno, Glendale, Glendale Twp., Inglewood, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monrovia, Monrovia Twp., Oakland, Oceanside, Palo Alto, San Bernardino, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, South Gate.

Colorado—Colorado Springs, Denver; Connecticut—New Haven, Greenwich; 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, Oak Park, Peoria, Phoenix (Harvey), Springfield, Urbana, Wilmette, Winnetka.

Indiana—Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend; Iowa—Cedar Rapids, Waterloo; Kansas—Topeka; Louisiana—New Orleans; Maine—Eliot, Portland; Maryland—Baltimore; Massachusetts—Beverly, Boston, Brookline, Springfield, Worcester; Michigan—Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Roseville; Minnesota—Duluth, ‎ Minneapolis‎, St. Paul; Mississippi—Jackson.

Missouri—Independence, Kansas City, St. Louis; Montana—Butte, Helena, Great Falls; Nebraska—Macy, Omaha; Nevada—Reno; 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, Syracuse, Yonkers; North Dakota—Fargo.

Ohio—Cleveland, Dayton, Columbus, Lima, Toledo; Oregon—Portland; Pennsylvania—Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton, West Chester; Rhode Island— Providence; South Carolina—Columbia, Greenville; South Dakota—Sioux Falls; Tennessee—Memphis; Texas—Houston, San Antonio; Utah—Salt Lake City; Vermont—Brattleboro; Virginia—Alexandria, Arlington; Washington—Kirkland, Marysville, Monroe, Richmond Highlands, Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma; Wisconsin—Kenosha, Racine, Madison, Milwaukee, Shorewood, Somers Twp., Wauwatosa; Wyoming—Laramie.

Total number of assemblies
174
Assemblies contributing—June
149
Assemblies not contributing—June
  25
Groups contributing
  46
Individuals contributing
  76
Special contribution from the Bahá’ís of Montevideo

Library Books[edit]

The National Library Committee has a small budget for book donations this year which should supply a total of around twenty-five libraries with one or two basic books. It is essential that library requests be given careful consideration in terms of local demand for Bahá’í books and continued circulation. Therefore, it would be best if all requests are sent in after consultation with your Regional Teaching Committees, who are in a position to judge where Bahá’í books will have the greatest teaching value. We should like to stress the fact that Bahá’í books are accessible to every sincere seeker throughout the country by using the established routine of asking local librarians to obtain Bahá’í literature from the State Library, Library Extension Committee, State University or from the large Public Library systems in leading cities. Our chief concern is to provide every small community with some basic literature which will lead seekers to further research from the above sources.

—NATIONAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE

[Page 6]

Around the Bahá’í World[edit]

AUSTRALIA; NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand believers have reached the beginning of a stage of expansion, with Auckland as the center from which teaching activities emanate.

The Regional Teaching Committee and the Summer School Committee are both located at Auckland, and speakers go out from that community almost weekly to all parts of the North Island to groups and isolated Bahá’ís.

The New Zealand believers have received magnificent responses from their extensive advertisements in the North and South Island newspapers. Many people, according to a recent report, are ready to become believers just from reading and correspondence.

Three of the correspondents attended the summer school session just concluded at Auckland, and were so impressed that they want to lay the groundwork for future public meetings in their localities.

Manuchihr Ala’i, who is a fifth generation Bahá’í, is the first Persian visitor to New Zealand. He is studying agriculture in one of the universities.

The Sidney Youth were particularly glad to meet Mr. Manuchihr, who was an inspiration to all who met him on Bahá’í World Youth Day.

The coming of Mr. Manuchihr to New Zealand has created unusual publicity for the Faith in that Country. The young Iranian attends Auckland Youth Group activities regularly, although he lives about 24 miles from the town.

The Melbourne Bahá’í Youth Group conducts weekly study meetings in the friendly atmosphere of a Bahá’í home, and reports much interest in the Faith among young people of the town.

An address, with pictures of the Temple, given by Stanley Bolton, Jr., was attended by an enthusiastic group of 24 young people, only four of whom were Bahá’ís.

In Sidney, the Youth are printing a local news sheet for members, and have drawn up a six-month program of lectures based upon the theme, “Comparative Religion”. Judaism, Moslem, Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness, Oxford Group, and Theosophist speakers are being invited to lecture on their religions.

300 Attend Annual Souvenir[edit]

Commemorating the first Unity Feast at which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was Host in America, more than 300 believers and their friends gathered June 29 at the West Englewood, N.J. Bahá’í Center grounds to observe the 37th Annual Souvenir of the Master’s visit there.

The occasion was one of national significance due to the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá given there on June 29, 1912:

“This is a delightful gathering ... This assembly has a name and significance which will last forever. Hundreds of thousands of meetings shall be held to commemorate this occasion and the very words I speak to you today shall be repeated in them for ages to come ...”

Activity began at 10 a.m. with an Area Teaching Committee conference until noon, after which picnic lunches and a social time were enjoyed until the program began at three o’clock.

The formal part of the program consisted of “Prayer and Greetings”, Bernard B. Gottlieb, chairman; piano solos, Gertrude Rennert; Vocal selections, Rhoda Marilyn Spencer; reading of the address given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the original


Exterior and interior views of what was once the Fort of Shaykh Tabarsí in Mázindarán, Iran. It was here that the “lion-hearted Mullá Huá Husayn” sacrificed his life for the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The tomb of Shaykh Tabarsí is shown in the interior view. The building in the center remains from those days of heroism in 1849. This property is not owned by Bahá’ís.

[Page 7] Unity Feast, Agnes Tichenor; “The Covenant”, George W. Goodman; “The Center of The Covenant—Station and Personality”, Marzieh Gail; “Closing Prayer”, chairman; and service in the Pine Grove, Amy G. Raubitschek.

“Such gatherings as this”, declared ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the first feast in the fellowship of world amity and cooperation, “have no likeness or equal in the world of mankind where people are drawn together by physical motives or in furtherance of material interests, for this meeting is a prototype of that inner and complete spiritual association in the eternal world of being.”

Second European Conference[edit]

The Guardian has instructed the European Teaching Committee to hold a conference in one or another of our goal countries every year during the remainder of this Seven Year Plan. The historical First Conference was held in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1948. This year’s Conference is to be in Brussels, Belgium, from August 5 through 7.

The Brussels community is a strong and active one and they have executed the arrangements and details connected with the Conference in a most efficient manner. There will be present Bahá’ís from all of our goal countries and in addition, some of the friends from France, Great Britain, Germany and Írán. Mr. John Robarts, Chairman of the NSA of Canada, will also attend and he is to be one of the two speakers at the public meeting held in connection with the Conference. Mlle. Lucienne Migette is to be the other speaker. Letters of great enthusiasm have been coming to the E.T.C. from the Bahá’ís in Europe expressing their anticipation and pleasure at being able to be present in Brussels and this Conference is certainly to be a very happy and inspiring experience for all who are able to attend.

Mrs. Anna Kunz of Urbana, Illinois, who has spent the past two years doing splendid pioneer work in Bern, Switzerland, has just returned home. Mr. Mason Remey has recently sailed for Europe where he will visit all of our goal countries and will also attend the Brussels Conference.

—EUROPEAN TEACHING COMMITTEE

Individual Contacting and Teaching[edit]

(Remarks of Winston Evans, taken from the Convention Record)

The crisis in the Temple fund reveals a weakness which has existed for some time in the Cause. We have the greatest story in the world to tell and we don’t tell it, at least, not enough of us. The Guardian has said the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh must be brought to the attention of the masses in this, their hour of greatest misery, confusion, and need. There is no time to lose. “The hour is ripe for the proclamation without fear, without reserve, without hesitation, of the one message which can extricate humanity from the morass into which it is steadily sinking.”

I have often wondered why we don’t tell the story more often than we do. I think there are two reasons. When we first come into the Cause with a burst of enthusiasm, we immediately tell all our friends, and very little happens. We get discouraged. And then, the old law of habit begins to operate. The longer we go without giving the message, the more difficult it is to give the message; the more often we tell the story, the easier it is to tell the story.

I think the greatest danger that we have today, and one that the Guardian has tried to protect us from, is the sleeping sickness. You know, Bahá’u’lláh said the people of the world are wrapped in a strange sleep. A lot of people are trying to sleep through this difficult period. Our job is to wake them up. The Guardian has been trying to keep us awake with these dynamic messages, but often we wake up only to turn over and go back to sleep.

How can we give the message? How can we reach more people? Obviously, if we are going to pay for this Temple in the next two years we have got to get more believers. We can’t get more believers unless we get more inquirers, and we can’t get more inquirers unless we make more contacts. There are two very simple questions that we can put to most anyone which will lead to an interview. “May I give you a message of hope?” It is very easy to get people started on discussing the current issues of the day.

Then there are three books which have appeared which are sold in the millions, two by Lloyd Douglas, The Robe, The Big Fisherman, and now, The Greatest Story by Fulton Oursler. A million have read those books. It is very easy to ask someone, “Have you read one of these books?” And if they reply that they have, then it is easy to follow up with something like this — “May I tell you the greatest story that is being told in the world today?” And then I think Martha Root gives us the clue. She says, “Make an occasion of giving the message.” We have something priceless to give. We don’t want to give it in a careless manner.

Where we have a chance to make a definite date, I don’t tell them anything at first except to say that we have the greatest story that is being told in the world today, or something like that. Then, when we get this interview and make a special occasion of giving the message, I think it is wise not to shoot too soon. “Don’t shoot until you see the white of their eyes.” It is best to soften them up a bit, I think, with quotations from some outstanding periodical or leader. The Christian Century has opened many doors for me. It softened up a lot of people. There is one editorial which I might quote in part:

“By sacrificing principles, all of us may be engulfed in an atomic holocaust. Today we stand cynical and resigned, without peace, without honor. We stand helpless in the face of ever-mounting disaster to regain control of our destiny. In a world where we exercise preponderant power, civilization is sliding towards the abyss and we refuse to stop it. So, leaderless and morally bankrupt, we are drifting towards disaster.”

Then the writer tries to end up on a more positive note by saying, “The highest duty which the church can render the nation today is to call to Almighty God in prayer that He will send a leader or leaders who will guide our thoughts in wholly new directions, and we will pray night and day that when that leadership appears, we will have the courage to follow him and not crucify him.”

I have found that that is a perfect opening. The Chairman asks that I mention something of an interview I had with the writer of that article.

[Page 8] I went in and, as soon as we exchanged greetings, I began to quote this editorial and another one. He sat back and he said. “Well, this is a new experience. I have never had anyone come in here and quote my own stuff.” He said, “Who are you, anyway.” I didn’t tell him. But he relaxed and began to say, “Well, Mr. Evans, in my position here I get so discouraged sometimes.”

I let him talk for a few minutes and then I said, “Doctor, may I give you a message of hope?”

I think the time has come when the Guardian has been stressing the fact that we must give a bolder proclamation. I think the time has come for us to take the offensive. Too often we have been on the defensive. The Christian leaders are very vulnerable at the moment. Our technique, I think, will work with 85 per cent of the Christian leaders and works much easier, of course, with their followers. Too often we have just taken it for granted that everybody has been prepared for the Bahá’í message, that the peoples of the world have been expecting the Promised One or the so-called return. That is simply not the case, with the exception of perhaps 10 or 15 per cent of the Christian world. Those people are known as fundamentalists.

Your great liberal Christian leaders, like Dr. Fosdick and E. Stanley Jones, all these people, have nothing to say on this subject. So, in talking with these leaders, or any Christian, for example, it is very easy. They won’t argue with you if you say the Christian world is badly confused today. So I try to point out that only an enlightened and sincere reading of what the Bible has to say about these latter days will help the average Christian understand the period in which we are living. But unfortunately the only branch of Christendom that seems to attach more importance to this subject is the fundamentalist branch. All the others have nothing to say except that it is unimportant. Therefore, we have a condition of the blind leading the blind.

To drive the point home, to show you what a wholly untenable position most of the Christian leaders are in today, if you ask them to go back to these books I mentioned, I think that Lloyd Douglas and Fulton Oursler have been responsible for preparing millions for the Bahá’í story. A great many people are thinking about what actually happened 2,000 years ago, the conditions that prevailed then, how the story of Christ was received. The majority of the Christians don’t believe in prophecies or these promises in the Bible. So I always ask them if the coming of Christ was foretold in the Old Testament. A former President of the Chicago Theological College would not admit to me the coming of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament. To do that would be tantamount to a belief in prophecy. Well, if one set of prophecies could be fulfilled, one would have to admit the possibility of these latter day prophecies being fulfilled.

So, the reason I mention this: when we tell our story with great love and enthusiasm, the natural question for the average Christian is, “Well, what does Dr. So and So think of this? Why haven’t our spiritual leaders told us about the story if it is so important?” So we have just pointed out that they couldn’t go along with the fundamentalists; they know the fundamentalists are wrong and they are not at all sure about their own position. They are sure the fundamentalists are wrong and bit by bit through the years they have been forced into the position where they have to ignore the whole subject.

After telling our story with as much enthusiasm as possible, he invariably asks, not what our Christian leaders have to say, but what have our great educators had to say? “Can you give us some report from someone who can speak with authority?” And there, with the many expressions regarding our Bahá’í Faith, why, we can meet any situation.

The one thing about the Bahá’í story is where our Chairman spoke in a southern college many years ago and, after her talk, the President got up and said, “This Bahá’í story is unanswerable.” And it is. There is no question that comes up that we can’t meet.

Just to give them a quotation from a leader, it always seems to silence them for the time being when we quote from Dr. Jowett, what Dr. Jowett had to say to Prof. Lawrence Campbell, “This Bahá’í Faith is the greatest light since the time of Jesus Christ. You must watch it and never let it out of your sight. It is too great and too new for our age to comprehend. The future alone will reveal its import.”


Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Boise, Idaho, incorporated February 12, 1948.

[Page 9]

A Summary of Some Key Points on Contacting Recorded at the 1949 Convention[edit]

  1. Form the habit of giving the message. Make it a habit.
  2. Make an occasion of it. Claim that it is the greatest story.
  3. Build it by a softening period of indirect quotations, using such periodicals as the Christian Century, and books.
  4. Take the offensive. Don’t wait for the other fellow.
  5. Use the Bible approach in fulfillment of the prophecy with Christian peoples.
  6. Use quotations of leaders-at-large in educational fields.
  7. Minister to the individual needs in your conversations.
  8. Use your own austerity and emphasis to meet people on a common level.
  9. Use your daily selling capacities.
  10. Slip pamphlets into your mail over a long period of time and watch for the results in your communities.
  11. Speak or write of the Temple because of its natural attraction.
  12. Realize that humility also attracts the power of God. Do not have a false humility.
  13. Be willing to turn over your contacts to those able to carry them in the teaching field, if your chief power does not lie in classwork.
  14. Develop the technique of appreciation and inject it into all your relationships.
  15. Contact organizations.
  16. Get permission to place literature on the tables of other groups when it is related and helpful.
  17. Use radio presentations with friendly organizations.
  18. Participation on other platforms, ready-made.
  19. Attend forums and general meetings, watching for contacts and ready people.
  20. Offer really good speakers and help organize joint meetings.
  21. Use World Affairs Week or other timely opportunities for publicity and meetings.
  22. Revise your thinking to include contacting in your reactions all of the time.
  23. Let your outside friends help you more. Use the opportunities they give you.
  24. Make use of the advantages of free newspaper notices.
  25. Repeat your publicity constantly.
  26. Never give the entire Faith in one sitting with any individual.
  27. Call on those who reply to your advertising but do it in a delicate way.
  28. Use placards to catch the eye. Post them in libraries with additional material for stimulating attendance at meetings.
  29. Use bulletin boards in public meeting places.
  30. Put literature on the tables of your meetings for greater contact.
  31. Headline your appeals under such subjects as: Happiness—Peace—and Why Pray?
  32. Send copies of all Baha’i events to newspapers widely.
  33. Use group action for big things and aim at big people and big organizations.
  34. Use dinners as a basis for fraternal contact, possibly selling dinner tickets to all who attend.
  35. Put your emphasis on religion as the present day opening wedge.
  36. Adopt a plan—for example, 1,000 people to resolve to tell a story once a month, another 1,000 to tell the story at least once a week, and I say 6,000 can tell it once a day.

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.


Gravestone of Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg at Charleston, S. C. designed and placed by Charles Mason Remey.

[Page 10]

Annual Reports[edit]

Bahá’í Trustees
1948-1949
[edit]

For the information of the newer believers, it is pointed out that each of the seven national Bahá’í properties now existing in the United States is held by trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly. All these properties come under national Bahá’í ownership and control by virtue of a gift recorded in the form of a deed of trust.

All seven indentures are identical in form and purpose, but each trusteeship operates as a separate legal entity. The nine persons serving as trustees under the seven indentures are the nine persons elected as members of the National Spiritual Assembly at the successive Annual Conventions.

The following brief annual reports list the dates when the Indentures of Trust were recorded and the names of the individuals or bodies by whom the deeds were executed. The new friends will note with great interest that the property in Malden, Massachusetts, was deeded to Bahá’í Trustees by the Guardian. The previous owner, Mrs. Maria P. Wilson, left it in her will to the Guardian, and the Guardian transferred it to the Trustees. This particular property is significant because of the fact that the Master remained in the Wilson home several days for rest during His journey through the United States and Canada in 1912.

Temple Trustees
(Executed by Bahá’í Temple Unity)
[edit]

Indenture recorded November 13, 1928, in office of County Clerk, Cook County, Illinois, in Book 26427, page 586.

Maintenance Committee: Robert S. Hammond, Chairman, Clarence Ullrich, Secretary, Lloyd Robinson, Leroy Ioas. Repair and maintenance items: repair of decks of main story and first gallery. Repair of glass in dome deferred, may cost $20,000. $20,000 estimated for cost of “deferred maintenance” items required before construction work begins.

Mr. Stewart has moved to 121 Linden Avenue and 112 Linden is used for Treasurer’s office, Secretarial office and National committees.

Mrs. Amelia Collins has deeded the house at 121 Linden Avenue to the Trustees. This is new tax exempt.

Insurance matters formerly supervised by Mr. Latimer transferred to Mr. Sprague and a new schedule of insurance has been adopted.

Rugs inspected and found in good condition. To be stored during the period of construction.

All Temple drawings being cataloged by a special committee.

The National office, 536 Sheridan Road, has been painted inside by the caretakers.

Green Acre Trustees
(Executed by Green Acre Fellowship)
[edit]

Indenture recorded January 1, 1930 in Registry of Deeds, York County, Maine, in Book 813, page 366.

Superintendent of Properties and Grounds: Emanuel Reimer. No Maintenance Committee appointed.

A Committee of the Trustees acting with Mr. Reimer examined all the properties, and reported recommendations on repairs. Mrs. Flora Valentine was invited to spend a week at Green Acre as guest of the Trustees. Mr. Reimer managed the dormitory and dining room in 1948.

A special committee was appointed in September to study how additional resources of income can be developed, through rentals during seasons Green Acre is not open.

$1200 authorized for painting Fellowship House and Ole Bull Cottage.

The Rives Cottage was leased to Rinaldo Quigley for a period of five years.

The Eliot Assembly was authorized to use Fellowship House for public meetings and other Bahá’í social gatherings.

Consideration given to possible sale of Thompson and Atkinson cottages and Fellowship House. Total accommodations in all buildings 198 persons.

Effort is being made to have Green Acre property tax exempt.

After the National Spiritual Assembly suspended the Schools, the Trustees decided to try and rent Ole Bull Cottage, Lucas Cottage, Thompson Cottage, Fellowship House, Atkinson Cottage, Arts and Crafts Studio.

The Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds has found work locally which makes him self-supporting, with free use of the cottage.

A new schedule of insurance has been adopted.

Mrs. Villa Vaughn deeded her cottage in Eliot to the Trustees and this has been recorded in the County Registry of Deeds.

The Trustees have received from local real estate agents a schedule of rentals which represent fair values on the following properties, if tenants can be found:

Fellowship House $750.00 to $1.000
Atkinson Cottage   200.00 to 275
Thompson Cottage   200.00 to 325
Ole Bull Cottage   500.00 to 600
Lucas Studio   200.00 to
Arts and Crafts Studio   100.00 to 200

The Treasurer has been authorized to procure the best possible rentals through local agents.

An offer to purchase the Ball Cottage, now rented, which Mr. Schopflocher gave to Green Acre some years ago has been received, but the Trustees are unwilling to sell.

Wilhelm Trustees[edit]

(Executed by Roy C. Wilhelm)

Indenture recorded March 12, 1935 in office of the County Clerk, Bergen County, New Jersey, in Book 1,953, page 590.

Maintenance Committee: — Curtis Kelsey, Amy Raubitschek, Roy Wilhelm, Walter Goodfellow.

Mr. Norman Smith has been given living quarters in this property in exchange for the assistance he can render the caretaker, Mr. Goodfellow.

A budget of $1,000 was allocated last year for repairs and maintenance items.

It has been decided to rent the Wilhelm residence and the caretaker’s cottage, with Mr. Wilhelm’s approval.

Mr. William de Forge studied this rental possibility. About $1900 estimated for cost of getting the two houses into proper rental condition. He has been authorized to rent the property and to place it in good rentable condition, and the Treasurer has received authority to take whatever action is necessary to facilitate the renting.

Wilson Trustees[edit]

(Executed by Shoghi Effendi)

Indenture recorded September 27, 1985 in Middlesex Registry of Deeds, Middlesex County, Mass., Southern District, in Book 5962, page 399.

Mrs. Helen LaVey has performed the service of a Maintenance Committee.

[Page 11] The Malden House has been rented for some years. Received in very bad condition it has gradually been improved as funds were available.

The principal business this year was to evict an undesirable tenant, invest enough in repairs to make the rental income larger, and find the right tenant.

About $1000 was spent in renovating the house in 1948 and 1949.

A new tenant has been found for the house.

Bosch Trustees[edit]

(Executed by Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch)

 Indenture‎ recorded November 25, 1935, in office of County Recorder, Sonoma County, California, in Book 397, page 20.

Maintenance Committee: — Ted Groger (deceased), Fred Babo, Alfred Zahl, Mrs. Louise Bosch, L. Wyatt Cooper, Rex Collision, John Allen, Tom Lisota, Anthony Seto, Harmon Jones, Ray Bracket, Richard Groger, Louis Bourget, Edith Rowland, Winifred Bennell, Thomas Yates.

The Maintenance Committee was authorized to open a bank account for payment of expenses of maintaining the property. Receipts from School room and board to be deposited in this account.

The total operating profit for the 1948 season would amount to $1263.12 except for repair items costing $682.03.

The Maintenance Committee has been requested to report a schedule of fixed expenses, essential repairs and possible sources of income through rental.

Due to suspension of the School activities, the local bank account has not been opened.

The Treasurer has been authorized to rent the properties if tenants can be found.

Mathews Trustees[edit]

(Executed by Loulie Albee Mathews)

Indenture recorded October 30, 1939 in Registry of Deeds, El Paso County, Colorado, in Book 976, page 307.

Mrs. Mathews retains life interest in the School property. She maintains the property without cost to the Trustees. The School program itself is conducted by a School Committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, but housing and meals are arranged by Mrs. Mathews through her own selection of associates and staff. Mr. Harry Ford is the executive in charge of the School property for her at present.

Eggleston Trustees[edit]

(Executed by Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Eggeston)

Indenture recorded August 1, 1947, in Registry Office of Genesee County, Michigan, in Book 998, pages 596-604.

The Louhelen School property was donated to the Cause in 1947, with the exception of the Eggleston family residence and a piece of land around it. The residence was purchased by the Trustees for $15,000, in cash and $5,000 on a note.

The cash was raised by a mortgage.

Approximate valuation recorded in January, 1948 came to a total of $54,250.

Maintenance Committee: Edwin Eardley, Mrs. Eardley, Stanley Bagley, Clinton Wideman, Oscar Ketels, Sr., J. Murdoch Eaton, Mrs. Etty Graefe, Gerald Horne, Earl Herider.

The major item of maintenance work this year was installation of septic tank and tile connections.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Ketels were placed in charge of the School registrations and the housing and mails.

Mrs. Etty Graefe was requested to serve as Maintenance Manager in 1949, but suspension of School operations made it necessary to withdraw this appointment.

About $1,000 has been spent on equipment and repairs.

The School income for 1948 was $4,671.11, the expenses $4,477.41.

Philip Sprague, with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. Eggleston, secured tax exemption of the School property from the Civil ‎ authorities‎.

Since the suspension of the School program, the Trustees have asked the Maintenance Committee to report on the possibility of renting the Eggleston house. The Treasurer has been given authority to take whatever action is necessary to facilitate the renting of the property.


Latin American News[edit]

Especial consideration is being given at present by the Inter-America Committee and the National (Territorial) Committees of Latin America to the development of plans and projects for carrying out the instructions given by the Guardian in “The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour” to the Latin American believers. Certain goals will be fixed upon in the light of these instructions to be achieved before the formation of the two new National Spiritual Assemblies in 1951. To insure the closest possible collaboration between the Inter-America Committee and the National Committees in evolving these plans, the Inter-America Committee is sending its Chairman, Mr. Edwin Mattoon, on a long trip through Latin America.

His first step will be Mexico City, where he will arrive on July 9 to confer with the Reviewing and Publishing Committee of the Central region. Then San Salvador, to confer with the Central American Bulletin Committee, and on to Panama for several days of conferences with the Central American National Teaching Committee and a consultation with the Central American Distributing Committee. Next principal stop is Lima, Peru, where our Chairman will confer with the South American National Teaching Committee. Afterwards he will proceed to Santiago, Chile, where the South American Spanish Publishing, Radio, and Bulletin Committees are located. From there he will go to Buenos Aires to arrange with the former Publishing Committee there the final disposal of books and property on hand. Sao Paulo, Brazil, seat of the Portuguese Publishing Committee, will be Mr. Mattoon’s last principal stop on his journey, though he will stop briefly in other cities en route home.

The launching of intensive teacher-training courses in the various countries is a paramount objective of our Chairman’s consultations with the National Teaching Committees. An expanded teaching program will require many more teachers and these must be developed from the ranks of the Latin believers. The South American National Teaching Committee, realizing this need, has already outlined such a course, and it is being given during July and August in Lima, under the auspices of the Regional Teaching Committee of Peru, in collaboration with the Local Spiritual Assembly.

Our newest Latin American pioneer,

[Page 12] Miss Mary Binda, has left Bolivia and is stopping several weeks in Lima on her way to Venezuela, to rest and improve her health in Lima’s low altitude. While there, she is assisting the South American National Teaching Committee.

Robert Miessler, young pioneer of Sao Paulo, Brazil, has decided to remain in Latin America rather than return to the United States for a college education, in accordance with advice which he has received from the Guardian. Bob is now in Chile and will proceed soon to Peru. He has had the good fortune of obtaining employment that carries him through a number of countries in South America and permits him to serve the Cause on the side.

—INTER-AMERICA COMMITTEE

The Bahá’í World, Vol. VI[edit]

This biennial international record of the Bahá’í Community, a volume of 771 pages and two supplementary maps, deals with the events of the years 1934-1936.

Its first Frontispiece is a reproduction of a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá selected by the Guardian. This is the picture which Shoghi Effendi sent to America for presentation at an Annual Convention. The second Frontispiece illustrates the Temple after completion of the exterior ornamentation of the dome and clerestory. The third Frontispiece is a Persian translation of the appreciation written by Dowager Queen Marie of Rumania. This faces the fourth Frontispiece, a reproduction in color of the appreciation as written in Queen Marie’s own hand, with her signature: “Marie, 1936.”

In Part One we find a statement on the Aims and Purposes of the Faith, a survey of Bahá’í Activities in the East and West, and excerpts from Bahá’í Sacred Writings.

Part Two contains statements and documents pertaining to the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, to the institution of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, to the Bahá’í Calendar and Festivals, to Youth activities throughout the Bahá’í World, a section on Plays and Pageants, references to the Faith made by a large number of representative men and women of our time, and In Memoriam statements on leading believers who had recently entered the Kingdom.

Part Three contains the current international Bahá’í directory, and bibliography.

In Part Four the Guardian made a selection of articles by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Among the latter we find Prof. Raymond Frank Piper and Renwick J. G. Millar. These selections are followed by Song Offerings. (poems by Bahá’ís), Echoes from the Spheres (music by Bahá’ís), a map of Írán and of the United States showing their respective Bahá’í Centers.

In Part Two there are documents concerning the Corporate status of six National Spiritual Assemblies, and of fourteen local Assemblies, in several different countries; certificate of the Palestine Government incorporating the Palestine Branch of the American NSA; Trade Mark Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Certificates, the excerpts from Bahá’í Laws submitted by the NSA of Egypt to the civil government; the Farman issued by the Sultan banishing Bahá’u’lláh to ‘Akká; Resolution presented to President Roosevelt by the American NSA; maps showing Travels of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; and reproduction of the Master’s Tablet addressed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the “House of Justice” in Chicago.

The Bahá’í Bibliography in Part Three lists the titles of works published in thirty-eight different languages, and in Braille.

Bahá’í Addresses

National Office:

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

Treasurer’s Office:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Make Checks Payable to:
National Bahá’í Fund

Bahá’í Publishing Committee:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Bahá’í News Editorial Office:

1001 W. Genesee St.
Lansing, Mich.

Martha Root, in Part Four, has six different articles: on President Benes of Czechoslovakia; Queen Marie of Rumania, King Haakon of Norway, on Denmark’s Oriental Scholar, Prof. Arthur Christensen, on the Soul of Iceland, and on Russia’s Cultural Contribution to the Faith. The late Lidja Zamenhof contributed an article in Esperanto on the “Bahá’í Philosophy.”

Copies of Vol. VI can still be obtained from the Publishing Committee. Price, $3.00, postpaid.

In Memoriam[edit]

Miss Clara M. Meggett, Worcester, Mass. May 20, 1949.
Mrs. Florence J. Bosse, Elizabeth, N. J. March, 1949.
Miss Louise Drake Wright, Brookline, Mass. July 2, 1949.
Mrs. Henry Luehr, Waterbury, Nebr. June 6, 1949.
Mr. Walter Holsinger, Burbank, Calif. July 1, 1949.
Mrs. Ben Jackson, Downey, Calif. May 31, 1949.
“Any community, group or individual

having more copies than needed of July Bahá’í News, No. 221, please forward to the National Office as soon as possible.”

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guardian—
   Call for Pioneers
3
   Letter to Public Relations Comm. 
1
   On Prayer
2
Addresses
12
Annual Reports, Bahá’í Trustees
10
Around the Bahá’í World
6
Bahá’í News Mailing
3
Bahá’í World Vol. VI
12
Calendar
2
Enrollments
3
European Conference
7
Fund
   Assemblies Contributing
5
   Score to Date
5
“Individual Teaching and Contacting”
7
Latin America
11
Library Books
5
Memoriam
12
National Spiritual Assembly
   Consultation
2
   “We Must Not Pause”
3
Pictures
   Boise, Idaho
8
   Fort of Shaykh-Ṭabarsí
6
   Hoagg, Emogene, Gravestone
9
   Temple Work Begins
1
Programming Committee
   “Meeting the Crisis”
2
Relief Shipments to Vienna
5
State Conventions
   Recommendations from
4
   Suggestions from
4
Summary of Points on Contacting (from 1949 Annual Convention)
9