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[Page 1]

BAHÁ’Í

NEWS

No. 244

JUNE, 1951

YEAR 108

BAHA’I NEWS

---

“Greatly Heartened by Response”

Announce friends East (and) West operations commenced last Nawruz (on) excavation (for) eight shafts designed for piers supporting dome Báb’s Sepulchre terminated. Consignment thirty-three tons (of) steel, fifty tons (of) cement safely delivered Holy Land. Seven thousand three hundred pound (i. e., Israeli unit of currency) contract for structural work capable sustaining thousand ton weight superstructure signed. First installment out of eight hundred tons stones for octagon (and) dome Shrine recently received. Greatly heartened (by) response (of) self-sacrificing believers both hemispheres enabling energetic prosecution this critical hour so holy (an) enterprise. May sustained support (of) all communities hasten its glorious consummation.

(signed) SHOGHI

Cable received May 29, 1951.

Guardian Reports Shrine Progress

The Guardian is “greatly heartened” by the way in which the friends are responding to the sacrificial call for completion of the Shrine of the Báb.

The momentum of work on this sacred project seems increased as the Guardian reports in his cable of May 29 the arrival of thirty-three tons of steel, fifty tons of cement and the first installment of stone for the octagon. The contract for the structural work of the superstructure has been signed.

May our sacrifice and devotion adequately match the vision and energetic leadership of our Guardian!

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

How We May Use the Temple

The manner in which we may make use of the Bahá’í House of Worship before its formal and official opening in 1953 has been explained by the Guardian in a letter replying to questions written him by the National Spiritual Assembly. The following paragraphs are taken from his letter of March 29, 1951, written through his secretary.

“As regards the Temple, the Guardian has already made it quite clear that not until 1953 can the Temple be officially opened, i.e., not until the fiftieth anniversary of the inauguration of this enterprise. There are many things still to be done in the interior before that date, and the landscaping around the building itself has not even been begun.

“In the meantime, the Guardian feels that the Bahá’ís can meet and pray in the auditorium, and use it in just exactly the same way as they have been doing during the past few years, the difference being that they will now be able to sit down and be more comfortable, because the permanent seats will be installed. He does not think, however, that any of the public should be invited to attend any meetings of worship in the auditorium, nor should these meetings take the form of frequent services; otherwise the public will wonder why it is excluded, and it will lead to comment and misunderstanding.

“Naturally the Temple will be open during the coming two years to the inspection of the people who wish to visit it, just as it has been in the past.”

“Redouble Your Efforts”

The following excerpts are taken from a letter written by the Guardian through his secretary to Mr. Richard Nolen, Secretary, Michigan State Convention, dated February 16, 1951.

“He is very pleased to see the encouraging response of the believers to the formation of the International Bahá’í Council. Although this is only an embryo body, it has very great significance, and is an important milestone in our Bahá’í history.

“He urges you, one and all, to redouble your efforts, not only for the spread of the Faith, but for the promotion of love and unity in the local Bahá’í communities, as he feels that the manifestation of these characteristics is the thing which will attract the public and encourage them to join our ranks.”

International Bahá’í Council Haifa, Israel

Mr. Horace Holley, Secretary,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Following the momentous decision of our beloved Guardian to further consolidate the work he has been doing here for thirty years by the appointment of the first International Bahá’í Council, he has given us the privilege and joy of keeping our fellow Bahá’ís informed of not only the progress being made in the construction of the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel, but also of developments in our relationship to the authorities of the State of Israel.

The year 108 of the Bahá’í Era is obviously one of very great importance to all believers, for it is during this year that we must put forth our greatest united effort to date on behalf of the first undertaking here in the Holy Land, which has been characterized by the Guardian as not only of international scope and paramount importance, but as also being the most sacred task ever entrusted to our hands; namely, the raising of the dome of the Sepulchre of the Báb.

It had been the hope of the Guardian to carry forward this historic undertaking in easy stages; but the very critical international situation, the growing scarcity of primary materials, which is felt in the world market, and the uncertainty of what the outcome would be if there was

[Page 2] any interruption in the quarrying, cutting and preparation of the stones in Italy for the Shrine, have forced him to greatly quicken the tempo of this work. What could have been done in a matter of years, he now sees must be done in a matter of months, unless the completion of the Shrine is to be perhaps indefinitely postponed.

The friends the world over who are now being called upon to share in the period of austerity which the American Bahá’ís have already passed through during the past two years, and to do their utmost to economize in local and national affairs during the coming twenty-four months, in order to provide the funds required so pressingly for the work of the Shrine, will no doubt be keenly interested to hear the details of the plans being made here.

As you are aware, from the time when Bahá’u’lláh pointed with His own hand to the present site of the Shrine, and instructed ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to purchase this land, and bring the Body of the Báb from Persia and inter it here, the constant thought of first, the Master, and now, the Guardian has been to complete this sacred undertaking. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá succeeded in terminating, before His ascension, six rooms of the nine rooms of the Shrine. After His passing, Shoghi Effendi added the three more rooms which had been contemplated, and then for a period of over twenty years, concentrated on purchasing land around the Shrine, and extending both the terraces approaching it and the gardens immediately encircling it. It was not until the Centenary in 1944 that he was able to disclose to the Bahá’ís the plan for the completion of the building—a plan which followed the wishes expressed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá himself.

You are all familiar, through previous reports, with the difficulties which were overcome in placing the initial contracts for the arcade. You know from photographs published how very beautiful the first part of the structure is. What perhaps the friends cannot realize is the great effect this building has produced locally. There is no doubt that it has not only interested the public in general, and tourists, but that it has become a source of pride to the people of Haifa, and warmed the cockles of the hearts of the authorities, as neither literature, nor admiration for the high principles they associate with the Bahá’ís could ever have done. It stands four-square on the soil of Israel, and has become an advertisement for confidence in the future, no small thing, to a struggling people in a new State, surrounded by hostile elements.

In March, 1949, the first threshold stones were laid. By March, 1950, the carved parapet, inlaid with green and gold mosaic, was being placed in position. At the beginning of March of this year, the most delicate operation associated with the entire structure, was commenced; namely the excavation, within the walls of the old original building, of the eight shafts required for the piers which will support the dome. Perhaps the friends do not realize that until a few weeks ago, every bit of work associated with placing 800 tons of granite, chiampo stone and mosaics in place, was carried out beyond the walls of the old building and upon its roof. But of course in order to erect the octagon, the drum of the dome, and the dome upon the existing building, new foundations had to be dug—foundations capable of holding up more than 1,000 tons of weight. After much consideration on the part of the architect, Mr. W. S. Maxwell, and the engineer, Prof. H. Neumann, it was decided that the only feasible way of doing this was to conceal within the eight partition walls of the eight rooms which surround the ninth central innermost room, which is the Tomb of the Báb, eight reinforced concrete piers. This required excavation to bedrock in eight places under the floors of the rooms of the Shrine.

At present these eight shafts have been successfully dug without in any way endangering the walls of the Shrine, some of them to a depth of over ten feet, and have been filled with concrete. The complementary eight shafts in the roof have likewise been excavated, and eight channels cut down the walls within which the concrete piers will be concealed, when they have been poured. This part of the work has been very delicate, necessitating as it did, cutting through the vaultings of the old ceilings, where in some places, the roof is over eight feet thick. We have all been impressed with the immense strength of the building which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá constructed. It was indeed sufficiently strong to practically serve the purpose of a fortress, which as you remember, the enemies of the Faith accused it of being to the Turkish Commission which came to ‘Akká to investigate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s activities.

When the Guardian decided to place the order for the octagon of the Shrine, he discovered that steel and cement were practically unobtainable in this country, and that the quickest and most economical procedure would be to order these materials from Italy, along with the three hundred tons of stone, trimmed and carved and ready to be built into position, which are required for the octagon and its eight pinnacles. He consequently instructed our dear Bahá’í brother, Dr. Ugo Giachery, to place the contract for the stone work of the octagon, which amounted to $63,000.00.

Reference to a photograph of the model of the Shrine will show that the octagon has a wrought iron railing, which forms an ornamental balustrade at this level. As such work is not procurable in this country, a further contract for $5,900.00 was signed in Italy, covering this item. Likewise the twenty-four windows of the octagon require metal frames, wholly unobtainable here, and a further contract for these was signed, amounting to $1,855.00. In addition to these two contracts, fifty tons of cement, and thirty-three tons of steel were ordered. Upon being informed by Dr. Giachery of the extreme difficulty he had in getting permission to export to us cement and steel, the Guardian decided that the sooner the contract was placed in Italy for the remaining portions of the building, the better. He therefore cabled Dr. Giachery to order all the stone work for the dome, the stone lantern surmounting it, and the drum supporting it, at once. This necessitated committing us to another contract, amounting to $130,000.00, to which must be added $3,210.00 for the metal window frames of the drum of the dome, which are eighteen in number. Whilst contemplating the magnitude of the work which has been ordered in Italy, we must bear in mind that these contracts do not include the surfacing of the dome with whatever material is chosen to give it its golden appearance, nor the actual cost of construction of the entire edifice above the

[Page 3] roof level of the old Shrine, which must now be undertaken in this country.

In coming to the decision to commit the Bahá’í World and its resources so heavily at this time to this sacred enterprise, the Guardian took two important points into consideration: One was the quality of workmanship of the building, and the other was the state of the world at present. When work requiring such high standards of craftsmanship is undertaken, if the original staff is dispersed in the middle of the undertaking, it is very problematic whether, when construction is again resumed, the same standard can be maintained. Different workers have a different touch, and later work might be far below the level of what has so far been received. We must remember that the arcade was ordered shortly after the end of World War II, when first-class labor was available. The other side of the picture which undoubtedly has most strongly influenced the Guardian in coming to his decision, is the gloomy political outlook at present, and the fact that any postponement of the construction of the Shrine might have turned out to be practically an indefinite postponement.

We know that the Cause of God moves ahead in mysterious ways, and no doubt in the future, when the Shrine is completed, not the least interesting of the facts associated with it and the romance of its construction will be that about sixteen hundred tons of granite was quarried, cut and carved in Italy and imported to Israel during undoubtedly one of the most disturbed periods in the world’s history, and more particularly, in the history of the Holy Land.

In addition to the above-mentioned momentous decisions, the Guardian has been able to carry out this winter another enterprise most dear to his heart, and one which he had been prevented from doing for over ten years, owing to the machinations of the Covenant-breakers. The many friends who have been pilgrims to Haifa, will recall that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, having Himself built one terrace directly in front of the Shrine of the Báb, had expressed the desire that a series of these should link the Holy Tomb with Carmel Avenue in the Templar Colony at the foot of Mount Carmel, thus forming a direct

View of Alcoves in Nearly-Completed Condition, as Seen by the Convention Delegates and Visitors.

line to the sea from the central door of the Shrine. This spring the municipality looked favorably upon our application for permission to complete the last two terraces, and the Guardian was able to extend the line of staircases, cypress trees, and walls, which comprise these terraces, by approximately another thirty-five meters. He beautified this termination of the Bahá’í properties leading to the Shrine of the Báb by erecting four more lamp-posts, two pedestals with beautiful lead vases, a temporary iron gate and considerable landscape gardening. The effect of the whole is most impressive, and has now made it possible for visitors to go straight up the staircases to the Shrine itself from the lower part of the town.

Recently the President and one of the Secretaries of the International Bahá’í Council visited Jerusalem, where, in the course of several days, arrangements were made with the Ministry of Trade for receiving import licenses for the various materials to be used in the building of the Shrine on Mount Carmel, including all stone work, structural steel, cement, wrought iron decorative balustrades, metal window frames, etc. The Customs Department has likewise been most cooperative, and invariably frees all materials for the Shrine and objects for the Gardens, as well as the Holy Tombs and the Archives, from duty. When the Shrine is completed, this will mean that over sixteen hundred tons of material for its construction have come in duty-free.

On March 30th, the President of the International Bahá’í Council was received by Rabbi J. L. Hacohen Maimon, Minister for Religious Affairs in Israel. His Excellency, the Minister, welcomed this representative of our beloved Guardian, assuring him of the friendship of the State of Israel toward all the religious communities in Israel, saying that it was the desire of his government that freedom of religion exist in this country and that their attitude toward all religious communities was one of friendship and of respect, and of the extension of their protection to the Holy Places of these various religions, adding: “Have we not all one Father? Has not the one God created us all?”

The President of the International Bahá’í Council then spoke of Israel as being the Holy Land of the Bahá’ís, as well as that of the Jews, Christians and Moslems; telling the Minister that fifty and more years ago the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had

[Page 4] written that Palestine would eventually become the Home of the Jewish people; and that this was published in print at that time. The interview was characterized by a sincere spirit of welcome on the part of the Minister and his associates who were present. A colored print of the architect’s design for the facade of the Tomb of the Báb was presented to the Minister, and an invitation was extended to him and to Mrs. Maimon to visit the Shrine of the Báb and surrounding gardens when they could arrange to come to Haifa.

The President and Vice President of the International Council have likewise paid calls upon both the Mayor of Haifa and the Mayor of ‘Akká, as well as the Military Governor of Galilee. These visits were in the nature of courtesy calls, and established a friendly contact between these officials and the officers of the Council.

The President likewise had a very pleasant interview with the United States Ambassador to Israel, Mr. Monett B. Davis.

On April 13, the International Bahá’í Council gave a reception in the nature of a tea party at the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí. This was the first formal entertainment done by this body, and Government officials, Consuls, Representatives from the Ministry of Religions in Jerusalem, as well as many friends and acquaintances, were present. The reception received a friendly write-up in the social column of the English-speaking newspapers of Israel, and was generally considered a great success.

It is interesting to note that the formation of the International Council was mentioned in various newspapers in this country in different languages, and “Kol Israel” has also on a number of occasions broadcast news concerning the Bahá’ís, amongst other items, to wish them a Happy Feast on such days as Naw-Rúz and Riḍván.

Bahá’í books have for a long time been in the library of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and recently, at the request of the Ministry, some of our literature has been placed in the library of the Ministry of Religions in Jerusalem. Books have also been presented to His Excellency, Rabbi Maimon, for his own personal library, he, himself, being a profound student of the religions of the past. The books were given to him at his request.

The nature of our contacts with the Government might be said to be of two kinds: Sometimes we procure assistance from them after considerable effort on our part; other times, we receive attention from authorities in very agreeable and unexpected ways. An important case in point is that of the room in the fortress of ‘Akká, which was occupied by Bahá’u’lláh upon His arrival in that city, for two years. Without our having made any solicitation regarding this historic spot, so sacred in our eyes for the memories it holds, we were informed by the Government Doctor who is in charge of the Hospital which has been established there, that he wished to deliver to the Bahá’ís the keys of Bahá’u’lláh’s room, and that it had been especially set aside for us. This gesture was greatly appreciated, and the room is now available for Bahá’í pilgrims and local believers to visit. His Worship, the Mayor of Haifa, likewise was extremely cooperative and suggested that he would be glad to assist in any way he could in connection with completing the Shrine of the Báb, as he considered it a great embellishment to the city of Haifa. This kind offer was followed up, and through his good offices, the Government has released to us fifty tons of cement. One would have to be a resident of this country to realize just what that means.

Masra’ih is a Moslem religious endowment, and it is consequently impossible, under existing laws in this country, for it to be sold. However, as the friends are aware, the Ministry of Religions, due to the direct intervention of the Minister himself, Rabbi Maimon, consented, in the face of considerable opposition, to deliver Masra’ih to the Bahá’ís as a Holy Place to be visited by Bahá’í pilgrims. This means that we rent it from the Department of Moslem and Druze affairs in the Ministry of Religions. The head of this Department is also a Rabbi, Dr. Hirschberg. Recently he, his wife and party, visited all the Bahá’í properties in Haifa and ‘Akká, following upon a very pleasant tea party in the Western Pilgrim House with the members of the International Bahá’í Council.

After completing his visit to Masra’ih, Dr. Hirschberg and his party spent an hour going through the Mansion of Bahjí, and were much interested in the archives, records, photographs, maps etc., which the Guardian has so impressively assembled in that building. The friends will be astonished to know that during Passover Week, over 1,000 people visited the Mansion. They come on conducted tours, by foot, in busses, and comprise important foreign visitors and whole schools of children and young people from the Kibutzim.

The party of Dr. Hirschberg, accompanied by the President and Vice President of the International Bahá’í Council, then motored to ‘Akká and visited the House of Bahá’u’lláh, in which He spent so many years, and where the Aqdas was revealed, as well as other important writings. Last of all, a visit was made to the Mosque of ‘Akká—it was Friday—the Moslem Sabbath, and a large congregation was assembled there. As the worshippers came out of the Mosque, the Moslem Imám who had been conducting the prayers, came from the Miḥráb, and welcomed our party, insisting that we have coffee with him and the judge and other Moslem officials of ‘Akká, within the courtyard precincts of the Mosque.

We see that the Faith towards which the authorities of the New State of Israel have always been friendly, is now gaining prestige in their sight, and that they have recognized it to be a World Faith in scope, a World Religion — distinct and apart from the other religions of the past, yet nevertheless closely related to the Jewish, Christian and Moslem religions in their purity, as revealed by Christ and the Prophets.

Already, a Bahá’í marriage certificate has been recognized by the local authorities of this new State, and its Ministry of Education and Culture, unsolicited by us, has exempted Bahá’í school children throughout the State from attending school on Bahá’í Holy Days. This was done in a circular issued to all schools. Our institutions, comprising two Holy Shrines, those of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, two Archives housing sacred relics, one adjoining the Tomb of the Báb, the other, adjacent to the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf; two historical

[Page 5] mansions, that of Bahjí, where Bahá’u’lláh passed away, and that of Masra’ih, where He first resided upon leaving the prison walls of ‘Akká; two Houses associated with Bahá’u’lláh and the Master, namely, the one in ‘Akká, where the Manifestation of God revealed the Aqdas, and the one in Haifa, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away, have all been exempted from both Government and Municipal taxes; and objects received for them permitted to enter, duty free.

Likewise the area of over forty acres of land, surrounding the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel, has been exempted from taxation. These things are the evidences of a spirit of true understanding and cooperation between the Bahá’í Community and the Israeli authorities. We like to say to interested Jewish inquirers, that something very interesting and beautiful is happening here—the world’s newest religion is growing up within the world’s youngest State.

Faithfully yours in El Bahá
—INTERNATIONAL BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL
(Signed) CHARLES MASON REMEY
President.

Members of Firmly-Knit, World Embracing, Divinely Propelled Bahá’í Community

Beloved friends:

The publication in this issue of Bahá’í News of a general communication from the International Bahá’í Council, signed on its behalf by its President, Mr. Charles Mason Remey, signalizes in a most impressive manner the nature of the new Bahá’í era in which we now live.

There are three stages in the evolution of the Bahá’í world community. First, the formation of local groups and assemblies under the Master’s loving care. How many Tablets He revealed, charged with the spirit of unity, to raise up on this earth even small bodies of believers inspired with mutual love and trust and able to render united service to a divine Faith! American Bahá’ís still live who witnessed, and took active part in, that miraculous work.

In the Master’s time also, the beginning of the national Bahá’í community could be discerned. The Temple project itself enlarged the horizon of the believer from his own local community to the larger body of Bahá’ís. The Guardian took up this work, defined the duties and responsibilities of the Local and National Assemblies, and trained the believers of East and West in the administration of the activities of their Faith.

Now the consolidation of the international Bahá’í community is taking place before our eyes. The call has been raised to individual Bahá’ís and not alone to National Assemblies, to enter into this greatest arena of Bahá’í sacrifice, understanding and action as a direct and permanent element in our lives. Together with a host of Bahá’ís in other lands, we raise our eyes to the larger goal, accepting personal responsibility for the success of the Guardian’s noble plans to complete the Shrine of the Báb and develop the Bahá’í world center in the Holy Land.

This new stage in the evolution of the Bahá’í community expects and requires a fuller maturity than we have ever manifested before. It means the most conscientious balancing of effort and resource as we serve simultaneously on the three levels of Bahá’í action: local, national and international.

Just as we have for years devoted resources for national projects, limiting the scope of local action for the sake of the greater and more important collective task, so now we, and all other Bahá’ís, while maintaining the essential work in both local and national fields, extend our devotion to the supreme world purpose. We do not eliminate responsibility for local and national support, for the power of the local community stands at the foundation of the entire Bahá’í structure, and the unity of the national community constitutes the pillar on which will rest the future House of Justice and the fullest expression of the Guardian’s spirit in the establishment of world order and peace.

It is a matter of enlargement of our Bahá’í life and not of choosing between different alternatives. This process of international consolidation prepares the Bahá’ís for the formation and operation of the House of Justice. Just as every Bahá’í in former days felt an inner relationship to the Master, and now an inner relationship to the Guardian, so now we are to experience a new sense of loyalty and devotion to an unfolding World Center, fulfilling the loyalty we have learned to render local and national administrative institutions. What to the child and the youth seems to be an end, to the adult becomes a means to a true and supreme end. The end of our Bahá’í service is to create a world in which humanity is one and citizenship is both spiritual and social integrity. Great effort is needed for us to make the transition from youth to maturity. Culturally and psychologically this experience parallels those vast historic changes when family union enlarged to the unity of the tribe, and when tribal union became loyalty to the nation.

The Guardian’s messages have been preparing us for this new stage. In April, 1950, for example, he referred to the members of a “firmly knit, world embracing, divinely propelled Bahá’í community.” On July 5, 1950 he emphasized the “first historic opportunity of directly sustaining, through their contributions, the most sacred enterprise ever undertaken in the history of the Faith,” and on March 21, 1951—“I am moved to renew my fervent plea addressed to all National and local Assemblies and believers in all continents of the globe.”

The degree to which we accept our whole responsibility will supply a true measure of the value of our faith.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Schedule of Meetings 1951-1952

National Spiritual Assembly

1. April 29, 30, May 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1951
2. June 8, 9, 10
3. July 6, 7, 8
4. August 31, September 1, 2, 3 at Green Acre
5. October 12, 13, 14
6. November 22, 23, 24, 25
7. January 4, 5, 6, 1952
8. February 22, 23, 24
9. March 28, 29, 30
10. April 23

State Conventions

December 2, 1950

Handbook on Two-Year Preparation

Publishing Announcement

A looseleaf handbook with information about the Two Year Plan of Preparation is now available. The National Spiritual Assembly urges

[Page 6] wide distribution and careful consideration of this program. The basic elements of the teaching plan for the next two years are discussed and brought together for the information of the believers.

Some of the sections of the handbook are: — “Preparing for Enrollment,” “Deepening of New Bahá’ís,” “Institutes”, “Radio Committee,” “Visual Education Committee,” “Public Relations Committee.” The book is so organized that from time to time additional sheets of material will be made available for insertion. The idea is to enable each believer to have the essential information about the Two Year Plan of Preparation at his finger tips for ready reference.

Copies of the handbook are to be ordered from Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, at $0.75 each.

Report of the Forty-third National Convention April 28 — May 1, 1951

In the midst of a bitter public demonstration of bewilderment and fear in the American people in general, the Bahá’ís of the United States met in their National Convention, quietly, harmoniously, and unperturbed. More aware, perhaps, than any other people in the world of the dangers threatening the whole of mankind at this hour, but untouched by the surrounding hysteria, they deliberated, confidently and full of hope, on their part of the task of restoring order to the world.

The first high spiritual note was struck Friday evening at the Feast of Riḍván, as Reginald King, the chairman, read some of the most beautiful passages from the Bahá’í writings. Then Curtis Kelsey and Amelia Collins drew the friends near to Haifa as it was in the days just before the passing of the Master and as it is today, the center of a rapidly developing World Faith.

Devotions were held each morning at 9:00 o’clock in Foundation Hall except Sunday, when we had the privilege of worshipping under the beautiful and awe-inspiring dome of the House of Worship. Part of the scaffolding was still there, but the present work is nearly finished.

Each Convention has had its own significance and its own individual character. This Convention was remarkable in that it lifted us to a new level of awareness of the power of our faith, a new consciousness of participation in an international program. As Horace Holley put it in the Secretary’s report, through the International Council and through the worldwide call to austerity, we are all associated together in an international community. As we stood under the dome of the House of Worship, now receiving its finishing touches, as we listened to greetings from the Conventions of Latin America, as we were told of the beauty and significance of the Shrine of the Báb, we experienced a sense of completion and beginning, a closer unity with our beloved Guardian, and a more mature confidence in our ability to perform our allotted tasks under his guidance. This feeling was engendered by the Guardian himself, through his cabled and handwritten messages and through Mrs. Collins, who came to speak for him and was our personal contact with him throughout the session.

It was she who read the opening prayer on Saturday morning, when the Convention was called to order, and, after the election of the permanent officers (Paul Haney, Chairman, and Horace Holley, Secretary) by 110 delegates then assembled, she read the cable from the Guardian. Here were summed up the “swiftly succeeding, epoch-making events transpiring in the course of the fifth year of the second Seven Year Plan,” a cable which has been reprinted elsewhere in the Bahá’í News.

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. Make checks for books and pamphlets payable to: Bahá’í Publishing Committee Bahá’í News Editorial Office: 503 West Elm Street Urbana, Illinois

After reading the cable, Mrs. Collins brought personal greeting from the Guardian. “You will address the Convention on my behalf,” he had told her, “but,” she went on, “he only said a half dozen words after that and left the rest to me.” What Mrs. Collins said at this time contains much which she amplified at various times later, and perhaps this report can be stretched to include most of it here. “I wish,” she said, “we could grasp what our Guardian undertakes, and he always succeeds. There are insurmountable barriers, but they are always overcome. That is an example for us. He sends us such encouraging messages and never hints at what he is going through at the World Center. It takes one’s breath away it is so appalling when you watch him day by day — not idle for a moment. And his day is not twelve hours. In one of his cables to us not long ago, he gave a mere hint of some of his burdens there ... he speaks of the sorrow caused by the Covenant-breakers. But we have no idea of what he has suffered over a period of practically his whole ministry. They fell away, one and all, and finally the Guardian stood alone with one helpmate — the love of Ruḥíyyíh Khánum. Can we picture anything of that kind? Can we think we have difficulties and sorrows and problems? We have not. No phase of our lives can compare to what our beloved Guardian has gone through for the Cause of God.” She spoke of the people of Israel, of how hard they are working and of how much they are in need of spiritual help. “We must give a demonstration in what we are accomplishing. Many people think that the Guardian’s work is only the building of the Shrines and gardens, but never mind, the rest will follow. When the Cause is proclaimed openly in Israel, there will be millions who will arise to prove what this Cause is.”

She outlined the functions of the International Council at this time. 1. To forge links with the authorities, “to meet these people and try to gradually get over what our Bahá’í Faith is there in Israel, so that they will become interested and informed. 2. “To assist the Guardian to discharge

[Page 7] the responsibility of erecting the structure of the Báb’s holy Shrine ... The Guardian is engrossed in that work ... It is being done under such difficulties that you would not be able to grasp it. Just to get a few sacks of cement has many times meant visits by Mason Remey and myself to plead for them.” 3. “To conduct negotiations with the authorities as to our personal status so that it can gradually emerge into a court. When it gets to that point, I am sure the Guardian will inform you.”

The Guardian’s long hand-written letter called the American believers to new heights of endeavor in connection with the teaching projects undertaken on other continents and the erection of the dome of the Báb’s holy Sepulchre, “an enterprise transcending any undertaking, whether national or local, embarked upon by the followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.” The construction of the superstructure of this edifice, he tells us, is bound to lend an unprecedented impetus to “the unfoldment of the World Administrative Center of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and in the efflorescence of its highest institutions constituting the embryo of its future World Order.”

The teaching work in Africa, the consolidation of our European victories, the aid still to be extended to Latin America, and the sacred privilege of helping suitably to ensheathe the Dust of the Primal Point at the spiritual center of the world — these great opportunities for service in an international area of endeavor thrilled us. There was evident among the delegates an awareness of the immensity of the effort required and a quiet determination to exert that effort to the full.

The time is short, the Guardian insists. An impending international crisis of “extreme severity” makes it imperative that the material for the dome of the Shrine be acquired this year, at the cost of $200,000. This, the Convention assured the Guardian in its cables, we are prepared to do.

On Sunday evening, in a spirit of deep solemnity and consecration, the Convention fulfilled its primary function, the election of the National Spiritual Assembly for the coming year. Of 171 delegates, 130

These Bahá’í children in Quincy, Illinois, took part in a program celebrating Bahá’u’lláh’s Announcement in the Garden of Ridván.

were by that time present. 39 voted by mail. Two failed to vote. With the exception of Mrs. Collins, no longer eligible for membership, the same Assembly was elected, Mrs. Mamie Seto having been chosen to fill the vacancy.

Sunday evening was devoted to the International Center at Haifa. We were shown the colored moving pictures of the gardens on Mount Carmel, which the Guardian had sent over for the Centenary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. We were entranced by the beauty which Shoghi Effendi has created, bit by bit, in this stony spot where at first there was only that ancient clump of cypresses under which Bahá’u’lláh sat and pointed out the sites where the Shrines were to be erected. There were some pictures of the partly finished Shrine. The Guardian himself is supervising the building, Mrs. Collins told us, spending sometimes twelve hours a day overseeing the work. She described for us also the house of Bahá’u’lláh in ‘Akká and His cell in the prison there, both of which have been given to us by the Municipality of ‘Akká. They will be looked upon as museums, and they are to have bronze plates indicating that they are Bahá’í houses. She mentioned several odd bits of land near the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh and the Shrine of the Báb which should be bought up to prevent apartment houses being built very near them.

Mrs. Collins drew us very near to the Holy Land that evening and gave us a feeling of intimate contact with Shoghi Effendi and of his love for us, symbolized at the end by his gift of attar of roses, with which she touched the brow of every friend there, thus sealing us as his own. It was a moment of great dedication, and its effects could be felt throughout the remaining days of the Convention.

Another international phase of our work was described to us Monday evening by Edna True, chairman of the European Teaching committee, who reported that the number of believers in the ten goal countries in Europe had increased during the Year from 266 to 360 and that two new Assemblies had been formed in Italy, Florence and Naples. Several persons who had visited the Bahá’í Communities in Europe or attended the teaching conferences told of their impressions, led off by young Roy ‎Motttahedeh Mottahedeh‎, who gave a diverting child’s eye view of Brussels and Copenhagen.

That evening, however, really belonged to the Inter-America Committee, for it had to report the birth of the two new National Assemblies of Latin America. On this happy moment of the Convention, pages could be written, Dorothy Baker read the Guardian’s messages to the new Assemblies and told of the two locks of Bahá’u’lláh’s hair which he had sent them by Mrs. Collins. Now, she said, they must write their own constitutions,

[Page 8] legalize themselves, and establish their own institutions. Elisabeth Cheney told us that there are now 22 Communities in Central America, Mexico, and the Antilles, and 22 in South America. There are 600 to 700 believers. All of us here had a part in this, she said, either personally or by deputization. She spoke of the martyrs, the pioneers who had lost their lives, and the acute suffering of many others. Mr. Mattoon said a few words, and then Mathew Bullock gave an interesting account of the difficulties which had to be overcome in Haiti. Edna True and Paul Haney described the Convention at Lima and its spirit of dedication before that tremendous moment, their first election. Horace Holley who had attended the Convention in Panama, reminded us of the mystery of this accomplishment—fourteen years ago there were no Bahá’ís there at all, only a latent potency to be evoked by the Guardian at the proper time. He hoped that we would all have the experience of meeting people of different nations, races, backgrounds, and feeling closer to them than to members of our own families.

Letters from all nine of the existing National Spiritual Assemblies had been received by these new ones, welcoming them lovingly into the international Bahá’í family. The Assembly of India, Pakistan, and Burma wrote, “We enfold you in our arms.”

Now we could savor the joy of accomplishment, even while we prepared for new tasks. For the next two years we are to assist these children of the first Seven Year Plan with advice and some financial aid, but essentially they are on their own, adult and independent. Later came letters from them, expressing gratitude to the American believers and their consciousness of the unity of the whole Bahá’í world.

The newest project is Africa, one which we share with Great Britain, Egypt and Persia. Elsie Austin, Chairman of the Africa Committee, gave a clear and illuminating account of the problems and opportunities of each of the three provinces to be developed: the Gold Coast, Kenya, and Tanganyika. She pointed out that Africa is a strategic continent at this time, that all countries and all religions have their eyes on her. The British Bahá’ís have registered a formal statement with their government that the Faith wishes to send missionaries into these provinces. She said that two kinds of pioneers have been asked for: those who can give their whole attention to teaching, and resident settlers, who can earn their living, thus relieving the Fund of their support. All pioneers should be in good health and prepared to stay a long time. Mr. and Mrs. William Foster have already volunteered for this service. There is now one pioneer in Africa as dean of women in a college.

Miss Austin asked for information on firms that might need employees in these provinces, and a number of suggestions were made from the floor. Anyone who has suggestions of this kind should send them to Mrs. Marie Rice, 5925 14th Street North, Arlington, Virginia. Other things we can do are: make contact with African students in this country and train them as Bahá’ís, ask the British Information Services for films on Africa, and read things on Africa written by Africans.

Early in the Convention, after the reading of the Guardian’s cable, Mr. Hautz had asked permission to introduce Mr. Ernest Welsing, a student in this country from the Gold Coast and a new Bahá’í. Mr. Welsing said that there has never been so great a need for a new religion in that region as there is now. The Negroes are becoming more separated, more isolated, and more prejudiced against all peoples than ever before.

Another of our international contacts is that with the United Nations. Mrs. Mottahedeh, reporting for our UN Committee, had just flown in from the Near Eastern Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations at Istanbul. The Bahá’í delegates, she said, had been preceded by a great deal of publicity and were met by crowds of reporters. Their arrival under these circumstances was a great moment in the lives of the Turkish Bahá’ís, who had been living in obscurity for twenty-five years, owing to the sentiment against religion in Turkey. Now they are emancipated and again able to teach. The conference turned out to be almost a Bahá’í affair, according to Mrs. Mottahedeh, because, of all the Near Eastern people present, they alone had had administrative training in the art of consultation. Mr. Holley, in the supplementary report of the Secretary, had mentioned that the editor of the Turkish paper so much interested in the Faith had visited the Temple and met the Bahá’ís there. This and the Bahá’í from the Gold Coast are examples of the subtle coordination of all branches of work for the Faith.

All of these far-flung projects, and especially that of aiding in building the Shrine of the Báb, made the Treasurer’s report a matter of special interest. Here too, we could feel at long last a sense of achievement, for both the Temple Fund and the Victory Fund had been over-subscribed, and not by a few large gifts from wealthy believers. One Bahá’í gave the money she had set aside for her burial, saying “You can arrange to bury me in the potter’s field.” All manner of sacrifices have been made, with the result that one of the largest banks in the world, with which we have been accustomed to deal, is willing to allow us an unsecured loan of $150,000. A Wilmette banker, when told that the money was raised without pledges or assessments, but out of pure devotion to the Cause, said, “The people of the world ought to come and study what you have done.”

The Goldblatt property cost $50,000, but was financed by two believers, one paid $12,500 down and will pay $2,500 annually. This will not at present come out of the Fund. Mrs. Goldblatt would not reduce the price of the property but indicated that she wished to make a substantial gift to the Cause. This was accepted for philanthropic and charitable work and will be used to aid certain destitute Bahá’ís indicated by the Guardian.

The budget for this year will include $177,000, which must be paid on the contracts for the marble for the Shrine of the Báb. Landscaping the Temple will require $150,000 to be divided between two years. $7,400 will go to the International Fund. $175,000 will be required for all other expenses. The budget for the first year of austerity was $475,000; for the second year, $450,000; for the coming year, $450,000. This was broken down in an interesting way: $28,000 for Latin America, $40,000 for European Teaching, $5,000 for Africa, $19,000 for Temple maintenance, $35,000 for administrative expense, etc.

[Page 9] But not all of the deliberations of the Convention were devoted to international projects. The report of the Secretary sobered us with its revelation that the number of Assemblies in the United States was 13 less in 1950 than in 1948, and that the number of now Bahá’ís is only 377 (adult) and 57 (youth).

Teaching here at home was the subject covered by the report of the Projects Committee, presided over by Dr. Katherine True. It included a discussion of the Conference Institutes, the value of which was stressed by Mrs. Collins in her remarks afterwards; preparation for the enrollment of new believers; deepening; the use of the public meeting; and prestige promotion. Of great value was Miss Linfoot’s summary of the points to be remembered in the preparation of candidates for membership. We should give the student the true essentials of the Faith and lead him to Bahá’u’lláh. We must cultivate in him an appreciation of the universality of the Faith, inspire in him obedience to its ordinances and the desire to support its institutions, lead him to look forward to enrollment in the Faith as a most inspiring experience, prepare him for active membership, and create in him a desire to teach.

Mr. Winston Evans, speaking of the education of new believers, said that, after the honeymoon of their entrance into the Faith, we should take them apart and “tell them the spiritual facts of life.” We must make them aware of the urgency of this hour in the Day of God and give them the big universal picture, so that they won’t get bogged down in local matters. We must teach them to work in groups and alone. We must warn them of tests, both within and without the Cause, tell them that anything can happen and that “from here out we are utterly dependent on spiritual resources.”

Mrs. Collins, at the close of the session remarked that, when our local Assemblies function according to the plan laid down for them, leaders in our community, distracted, will turn to us for solutions to their problems. “Now,” she asked, “how many of our local Assemblies could really give the solution if they came to us?”

The subject of Child Education was given a better place on the agenda this year than ever before, and the liveliness of the discussion after Mrs. Dwelly’s report justified the change. Dr. Manucher Javid spoke very forcefully of the failure of Bahá’í parents to teach their children about the Faith, citing instances where children were allowed to drift into other religions and pointed out that merely by educating our children to be Bahá’ís we could increase the number of believers by thousands. A recommendation of the Convention was that suitable material for the observance of holy days by children be provided, for, it was pointed out, if Bahá’í children are to be kept at home on these days, and if they are not expected to observe the Christian holy days, they must be made acquainted with the beauty and importance of these anniversaries. Other recommendations were that a suitable handbook for the teachers of children be provided, that the handbook being prepared by the Projects Committee include material for children, and that the revised set of scripts and temple slides for use in teaching children be made available for general use.

The delegates were all very favorably impressed by Dwight Allen’s presentation of the work of the National Youth Committee, its problems, and its needs. He pointed out the need for special study material for young people of 15 to 18, and for a study outline for the youth in general. It was recommended by the Convention that a Committee be designated to develop proper literature and study materials for young people. There were also recommendations dealing with the coordination of youth activities with adult Area and Regional Teaching Committees.

The matter of Bahá’í Youth in military service was given some attention, and the following recommendations were made: 1. That a special small prayer book be devised for inexpensive distribution to all military bases in the United States, where such distribution would be approved by the proper authorities, 2. that each Bahá’í youth inducted into the services be instructed to request to be recorded as a Bahá’í for the reason that he is a member of the Bahá’í World Faith and that the United States Government recognizes him as such, and 3. that the National Spiritual Assembly make another attempt, through the office of the Secretary of Defense, to obtain a separate identification as a Bahá’í of Bahá’ís serving in the armed forces.

Everyone is happy that our summer schools can now be reopened, and the speeches made by representatives of the various committees brought out the tempting variety offered by the schools in the different sections of the country. The Green Acre Committee had an interesting display of slides. The point was stressed that we have an obligation to support these schools in spite of the continuing program of austerity.

Some time was given to a discussion of the problems confronting the National Spiritual Assembly, one of the most knotty of which is that of discovering talent for work on the National Committees. We can aid the National Assembly best, it was made clear, by learning to solve our local problems locally.

Suggestions were made for the improvement of the National Convention and of the State Conventions, which suffered greatly this past year because of inclement weather. It was hoped that a better time of year might be chosen in the future and that the believers who come together might have more time for consultation and association.

The Call to Sacrifice began with a prayer for the Guardian and a talk by Mrs. Collins. She reminded us that Bahá’u’lláh addressed the American believers as His apostles, a title not given to any other people, and that the Guardian has called us the arms and the hands of the Cause, with the attributes of purity of heart, faithfulness, and generosity. We have proved this to a certain extent. She urged us not only to discuss but to act, and to make this our daily vow. We do things, but sometimes only at the last minute. “Now,” she said, “Let’s be a little ahead.”

A word should be said about the physical aspects of the Convention. There were interesting and colorful exhibits, and three good meals a day, smoothly and efficiently served. The committee in charge of ministering to our physical needs deserves much praise.

[Page 10] This was one of the best Conventions we have had, showing a more sober acceptance of responsibility, a great confidence, and a more mature faith. And in its general atmosphere it was one of the most harmonious—less effusive, perhaps, but more evenly kind. Older believers, on coming away, remarked that they had never experienced such uniform friendliness at any Bahá’í Convention.

—GARRETA BUSEY
Convention Reporter

European Teaching News

Two new Assemblies in Italy: Florence and Naples, make, with the already established communities, a total of 15 Assemblies in our 10 goal-countries of Europe. There has been an increase of one hundred new believers during the past year. The total number of newly declared believers is 361, as of May 1st 1951.

A new activity which we have termed the “Book Sales Committees” has been initiated this past year in our goal-countries, one which the E.T.C. feels will be of great assistance and is destined to develop into the “Bahá’í Publishing Committees” of the future, in each country.

The reports that have come in show the encouraging results of the growing maturity of the friends in Europe as expressed in their handling of their community problems, the stated increase in their numbers and the spirit of unity and harmony which prevails throughout.

From a recent letter of the Guardian to the Chairman of the E.T.C. we quote: “He has been most encouraged by the progress of the work in Europe during the last year. Not only have the new assemblies struck deeper roots and carried on more activities locally and in the form of extension work, but the spirit manifested by the European Bahá’í Communities encourages him greatly; and leads him to believe that these new Assemblies are capable of remarkable endurance in service to the Cause, and have a great and brilliant future before them.”

EUROPEAN TEACHING COMMITTEE

A Chicago Public Relations Project

The Chicago Public Relations Committee has just concluded a year that has brought the attention of approximately 2,370 people to the Temple and its symbolism, through talks given before Women’s Clubs particularly. The method of contacting these Clubs was outlined in the report of this committee in the Bahá’í News of March 1951.

The speakers who have given these talks before over 40 Clubs this past year were Ted Anderson, George Amerson, Reginald King, Evelyn Larson, Lawrence La Rocque, Nina Matthisen, Marion Oas, Margarite Ullrich, Sarah Walrath and Florence Zmeskal.

Knowing Club policy, that religious talks are barred in most instances, our speakers all felt that through the symbology of the Temple itself, the Teachings can be brought in without inviting antagonism. Most of the speakers have experienced too, that the question period after the talk has brought forth the needed questions from the audience to give the history of the Faith.

Living the Bahá’í Life:

Sacrifice and Service

O MY SERVANT!

Free thyself from the fetters of this world, and loose thy soul from the prison of self. Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more.

O SON OF MAN!

Magnify My cause that I may reveal unto thee the mysteries of My greatness and shine upon thee with the light of eternity.

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Persian Hidden Words No. 40, Arabic, No. 41

Man must become evanescent in God. Must forget his own selfish conditions that he may thus arise to the station of sacrifice. It should be to such a degree that if he sleep, it should not be for pleasure, but to rest the body in order to do better, to speak better, to explain more beautifully, to serve the servants of God and to prove the truths. When he remains awake, he should seek to be attentive, serve the Cause of God and sacrifice his own stations for those of God. When he attains to this station, the confirmations of the Holy Spirit will surely reach him, and man with this power can withstand all who inhabit the earth.

—‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ

Bahá’í World Faith, page 384.

If we relax in our purpose, if we falter in our faith, if we neglect the varied opportunities given us from time to time by an all-wise and gracious Master, we are not merely failing in what is our most vital and conspicuous obligation, but are thereby insensibly retarding the flow of those quickening energies which can alone insure the vigorous and speedy development of God’s struggling Faith.

—SHOGHI EFFENDI

Bahá’í Administration, page 121

Green Acre Committee Notes

Important program announcement

Due to change in plans of the United Nations Committee, the week of July 2nd through July 6th has been turned over to the Green Acre Committee for program planning.

The Committee wishes to bring to the attention of the friends two excellent courses of wide interest:

July 2nd through July 6th Achieving a Mature Bahá’í Community By Katherine McLaughlin

New Horizons In Education By a panel of Bahá’í Speakers

Several evenings will be devoted to the showing of Educational Films on World Government with classroom discussion led by competent discussion leaders.

Change in Schedule Of Teachers

Horace Holley will give his course on Effective Study of the Bahá’í Writings the week of August 27th to September 1st instead of the week of July 9th to July 14th as previously reported.

Helen Campbell will give the course on Effective Study of the Bahá’í Writings the week of July 9th to July 14th.

Mary Marlowe will give the course Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith the week of July 30th through August 4th instead of Mrs. Lucien McComb, Jr.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW TEACHERS NOT PREVIOUSLY REPORTED

Roberta Christian will give the course Effective Speaking from August 6th to August 18th.

Renee Welsh will give the course on Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh August 20th to August 25th.

Elahi Kalantar will give the course on the Epistle to the Son of the Wolf from July 9th to July 21st.

This Summer Green Acre offers a special course,

How to Use Radio in Local Teaching
August 8-18, 1951

[Page 11] Designed to aid local and regional radio committees and assemblies in fuller and more effective use of radio in local proclamation and teaching efforts. This course is being organized especially for local community application with special emphasis on defining local problems and determining local answers. Special attention will be given to programs and scripts.

“Collateral to this process of reinforcing the fabrics of the Administrative Order and of widening its basis, a resolute attempt should be made ... to reinforce the measures already adopted for the proclamation, through the press and radio, of the verities of the Faith to the masses.” Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour, Shoghi Effendi.

Let each local Assembly, Group, Regional Teaching Committee, and Area National Teaching Committee send one representative (or more) to this exploratory and creative session at Green Acre this summer. Any believer is welcome to attend these sessions; special attention will be given to those who are now working or expecting to work actively in the Bahá’í radio field.

Let us learn how to take full advantage of the many new opportunities being offered throughout the United States for bolder proclamation of the Faith via the medium of radio! Let us prepare for “the troops” and learn to become more effective instruments “qualified to deal with the affairs of a world community!”

Also Offered:
Bahá’í Public Relations
July 9-21, 1951

Designed to offer public relations techniques applying them to efforts in Bahá’í publicity, advertising and daily contacts. This course is being organized especially for local community application similar to above. Special emphasis will be placed on practical experience through participation in a public relations campaign opening up a new locality to the Faith near Green Acre.

Green Acre Slides

These very colorful slides depicting life at Green Acre can be secured by writing Dorothea Morrell—203 Fenimore Street, Brooklyn 25, N. Y. A 35mm projector is required and there is a script which accompanies the slides.

Attention Young Adults

The Green Acre Committee has set aside August 6th to August 18th for Young Adults Weeks. The choice of courses have been selected for your particular interests. Rates have been set as low as $21.00 per week for room and board with sleeping accommodations on top floors of cottages and Fellowship House. Don’t be a stay-at-home! Don’t miss the fun! Get your reservations in early!

Latin America Holds First Historic Conventions

The Guardian’s Message

“Hail (with) joyous heart convocation (of) first twin historic Conventions (of) followers (of) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in) Central America, Mexico, (the) Antilles (and) South America, assembled (to) elect twin National Assemblies constituting sustaining pillars (of) divinely appointed administrative order (in) Latin America. Congratulate assembled delegates (tor the) magnificent triumph marking (the) culmination of the fourteen year old process linking (the) concluding years (of the) first with (the) opening decade (of the) second Bahá’í century. Acclaim fulfillment (of the) vital objectives (of the) two momentous campaigns successively launched beyond (the) confines (of the) North American continent by (the) American Bahá’í Community (in) conformity (with) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. Gratefully recognize in these epoch-making assemblages held simultaneously (in) Peru (and) Panama, representing wellnigh four score localities spread over (an) area stretching (from) Mexico (to the) Magallanes, embracing incorporated communities (in) almost all capital cities (of) Latin American Republics (the) initial repercussions (of the) clarion call voiced eighty

Bahá’í News is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as the official newsletter of the Bahá’í Community. Bahá’í News Editorial Committee: Miss ‎Gareta Garreta‎ Busey, Managing Editor, Ch., Mr. Kenneth Christian, Miss Mae Graves, Mrs. Doris Holley, Mr. Horace Holley, Mrs. Eleanor Hutchins, Mrs. Ruth Jones. Editorial office, 503 W. Elm Street, Urbana, Illinois. Please report changes of address and other matters pertaining to distribution to the Bahá’í National Office, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

years ago (by) Bahá’u’lláh (in the) Most Holy Book addressed collectively (to the) Rulers (of the) Republics (of the) Western Hemisphere. (I) appeal (to the) incoming National Assemblies standing (on the) threshold (of the) second epoch now unfolding (in the) evolution (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in) Latin America (to) arise (in) complete unity, exemplary fidelity, greatest wisdom, utmost dedication, unswerving resolve, heroic self-sacrifice (to) befittingly discharge (their) three-fold, sacred, inescapable responsibilities, first, (to) consolidate (the) two newly-erected pillars (of the) world administrative order (of the) Faith; second, (to) stimulate (the) propagation (of) its teachings; third, (to) enrich (the) spiritual life (and) deepen (the) understanding (of) its avowed supporters. (I have) dispatched through (the) distinguished co-worker, Amelia Collins, two locks (of the) blessed hair (of) Bahá’u’lláh as inaugural gifts (to the) first communities belonging (to the) Latin races, attaining maturity (and) achieving distinction through (the) formation (of) independent National Assemblies, to be deposited (in and) preserved (for) posterity (in) two specially-instituted national archives designed (to) commemorate (the) twin, outstanding spiritual administrative victories won (in the) course (of the) Formative Age (of the) Bahá’í Dispensation (and) shedding great lustre (on the) annals (of the) opening decade (of the) second Bahá’í Century.”

(Signed) SHOGHI

Sacred Relic Given

The delegates and friends gathered for the first historic Conventions of Latin America, celebrated in Panama City and Lima, Peru, had the joy and bounty of receiving, through the good offices of Mrs. Amelia Collins, a priceless gift from our Guardian to the first National Spiritual Assemblies

[Page 12] of those great territories, of a lock of the blessed hair of His Holiness, Bahá’u’lláh.

This precious relic, designated for the first National archives of the newly elected Assemblies, was presented by the visiting members of the United States National Spiritual Assembly, Miss Edna True and Paul Haney in Lima, Peru, and Mrs. Dorothy Baker and Horace Holley in Panama City. The effect was “electric,” to quote the friends, and all hearts melted into an extraordinary unity as they turned to Haifa and the Guardian in thanksgiving for their many newly conferred blessings.

Historic Elections

The actual historic elections were conducted in that “rarefied atmosphere” enjoined by the Guardian, and in the result could be seen a flowering of the genius of the many integral aspects of Latin American life, including Spanish, Indian, European, West Indian and North American types, commonly dedicated to the tremendous responsibilities assigned to them by the revered Guardian of the Faith.

The following comprises the personnel of these first National Institutions, pillars of the Universal House of Justice:

National Spiritual Assembly of South America

Mrs. Margot Worley, Bahia, Brazil, Chairman

Rangvald Taetz, Montevideo, Uruguay, Vice-Chairman

Manuel Vera, Lima, Peru, Secretary

Mrs. Gayle Woolson, Bogotá, Colombia, Recording Secretary

Alejandro Reid, Punta Arenas, Chile, Treasurer

Estéban Canales L., Asunción, Paraguay

Miss Eve Nicklin, Lima, Peru

Srta. Mercedes Sánchez, Lima, Peru

Edmund J. Miessler, Sao Paulo, Brazil

National Spiritual Assembly of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles

Srta. Raquel J. Francois, Panama City, Chairman

Mrs. Cora H. Oliver, Panama City, Vice-Chairman

Srta. Elena Marsella, Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, Secretary

Srta. Natalia Chávez, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Recording Secretary

James V. Facey, Colón Panama, Treasurer

Srta. Zenayda Jurado C., Mexico City

Mrs. Louise Caswell, Karbilá, Honduras

Dr. David Escalante, San Salvador

Artemus Lamb, San José, Costa Rica

Acclamation by Bahá’í World Community

Nine National Spiritual Assemblies wrote to acclaim the auspicious birth of the two new National Assemblies. The National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma wrote:

“Just as the birth of a child brings immense joy and happiness to the family where it appears, the birth of your assembly will bring infinite rejoicing to the family of Bahá’ís the world over. Nine National Spiritual Assemblies already exist; your National Spiritual Assemblies will constitute the first two Assemblies of the second unit of nine, two more powerful links in the chain of unity that is to bind the earth.”

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Egypt and Sudan affirmed:

“This happy occasion exhibits before our eyes the wonderful victories which the champions of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh in the United States of America recorded in times when their National Spiritual Assembly stood alone to diffuse the Light of the Kingdom of Bahá’u’lláh East and West, North and South, and how their annals were enriched by the establishment of another pillar in Canada. What more effulgence could comparably flood over that fortunate continent, as two more new Pillars of Light cast the splendour of His Greatest Name in Central and South America?”

“Nor are we forgetful, on this thrilling and historic occasion,” wrote the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand, “of those individuals, who, sacrificing material comforts and casting aside self-interest, journeyed to your land to offer you the Gift of Life. You will remember them today and we shall remember them with you.”

To be continued

Geyserville School

Within the two-year plan of the National Spiritual Assembly, summer school offers a unique opportunity. In the coming days at Geyserville we can immerse ourselves in the Teachings and in an intensive spiritual experience of Bahá’í community life, and rededicate ourselves to meet the “responsibilities numerous, as well as urgent and sacred” which, in the words of the Guardian, are crowding upon us. No matter what the field of Bahá’í service, whether administrative, teaching or pioneering, Geyserville offers the opportunity for better preparing ourselves. The courses this year are geared to the two-year readying plan as outlined by the National Projects Committee.

As part of the community life, the daily class periods will be balanced by evenings of inspiration, fellowship and relaxation. There will be talks by non-Bahá’ís and the Bahá’ís dances planned by the youth, music, a few movies and some special dramatic events.

For reservations, please write to Mr. Alfred Zahl, Secretary of the Maintenance Committee, 826 West Grant Place, San Mateo, California.

Calendar

June 5—19 Day Feast of Núr (Light)

June 24—19 Day Feast of Raḥmat (Mercy)

July 9—Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. Observe at noon, suspend work.

July 13—19 Day Feast of Kalimát (Words)

In Memoriam

Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer or gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.

—Bahá’u’lláh

Miss Nellie Raney, Spokane, Wash. March 14, 1951

Mrs. Freda Schmidt, West Chester, Pa. March 4, 1951

Mr. Paul Thomas, Macy, Nebr. March 25, 1951

Jennie Turner, Macy, Nebr. April 7, 1951

Mrs. Amelia Kibby, Cleveland, Ohio April 12, 1951

Marriages

Seattle, Washington, Miss Evelyn D. Larsen to Mr. John Yurgionas, March 20, 1951.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Miss Janis Westphall to Mr. George Jacobs, Jr., March 24, 1951.

Lansing, Michigan, Mrs. Eva Livingston to Mr. William H. Smith, (date not reported).

West Chester, Pa. Miss Florence Weaver to Mr. John McCall (non-Bahá’í) (March 24, 1951).

Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Gladys Whitaker to Mr. Richard Brown (non-Bahá’í) (March 13, 1951).

Cleveland, Ohio, Miss Stella Fletcher to Mr. Frederick Menifee, September 6, 1950.