Bahá’í News/Issue 249/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS |
| Bahá’ís of the United States |
| NO. 249 | BAHÁ’Í YEAR 108 | NOVEMBER, 1951 |
Building the Shrine of the Báb, July, 1951. Photograph sent by the Guardian with the following inscription: “The new foundations, in the form of a great star, being erected on the Shrine roof. Note that the deck which will support the octagon and form its floor, is not yet built in the center open space.”
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“To participate in the erection of the superstructure
of an Edifice at once so precious, so holy; consecrated to the memory of so heroic a Soul; whose site
no less than the Founder of our Faith has selected;
whose inner chambers were erected by the Center
of His Covenant with such infinite care and anguish:
embossed in so sacred a mountain, on the soil of so
holy a Land; occupying such a unique position; facing
on the one hand the silver-white city of ‘Akká, the
Kiblih of the Bahá’í world; flanked on the right by
the hills of Galilee, the home of Jesus Christ, and on
its left by the Cave of Elijah; and backed by the plain
of Sharon and beyond it, Jerusalem and the Aqa
Mosque, the third holiest Shrine in Islám—to participate in the erection of such an Edifíce is a privilege
offered to this generation at once unique and priceless,
a privilege which only posterity will be able to correctly appraise.”
Messages from the Guardian[edit]
The Guardian Reports Plan for Acquisition of Important Area on Mount Carmel[edit]
Announce (to) National Assemblies (of) Bahá’í World (that) prolonged, delicate negotiations involving Ministries (of) Finance (and) Religious Affairs (of) Haifa Municipality (have) culminated (in) agreement in principle (to) purchase approximately twenty-two thousand meter area, estimated value hundred eighteen thousand dollars, situated (on) slope (of) Mount Carmel overlooking resting-place (of) Greatest Holy Leaf (and) eastern approaches (to) Báb’s Sepulchre.
Acquisition (of) area extending from heart to ridge (of) mountain safeguards precincts (of) sacred Mausoleum now (in) process (of) erection, broadens basis (of) administrative structure (of) rising World Center (of) Faith (in) Holy Land, may induce civil authorities (to) abandon project construction (of) arterial road crossing diagonally Bahá’í international endowments, (and) facilitates extension (of) terraces ultimately stretching from foot to crown of God’s Holy Mountain.
Contemplating transfer part (of) title deeds (of) land in question (to) Israel branches (of) American, Indian National Assemblies, reserving remainder (for) future transfer (to) other National Assemblies following upon incorporation (of their) respective branches (on) soil (of) Holy Land.
Haifa, Israel,
September 24, 1951.
Beloved friends:
Each successive message received from the Guardian concerning the Shrine and the Bahá’í World Center in the Holy Land reveals a new glimpse of the impressive undertaking he is carrying out.
These messages, addressed to all eleven National Spiritual Assemblies, have informed the Bahá’ís of the placing of contracts for stone in Italy, and for construction work in Haifa, of the various stages in the progress of the Shrine and the progress of the plan for terraces.
In his most recent message, dated September 24, 1951, Shoghi Effendi shares information of high importance. The holding of land on Mount Carmel in adequate area and right location is the first requisite to the fulfilment of his great Plan. When the tract of 22,000 square meters is purchased, Shoghi Effendi will have safeguarded, as he cabled, the precincts of the Báb’s Mausoleum and broadened the basis of the administrative structure of the World Center.
This is cause for heartfelt rejoicing and prayers of gratitude to Bahá’u’lláh. We are completely unable to measure the historic significance of what the Guardian is accomplishing in the Holy Land for the establishment of the Faith throughout the world and therefore for the security of mankind.
Let us not fall into the fatal error of measuring such a majestic and fateful enterprise by any current need of increased contributions to the Fund. Let us not allow for an instant our vision to be impaired by whatever sense of strain or inconvenience it indirectly imposes upon us.
Every active, conscientious Bahá’í today is building the Shrine on Mount Carmel as actually as the mason who sets each stone in place. A divine Architect has designed the pattern of events through which, for a few brief years, each Bahá’í treads the path of his destiny. The Shrine of the Báb symbolizes the World Faith in its union of spirit and mind, character and social responsibility, East and West. The House of Worship in Wilmette symbolizes the power of the West to summon the nations to establish peace, and protect the helpless peoples from wanton aggressors.
What a sublime destiny is ours, if we can but behold the glory and freely serve it, without becoming involved in the gloomy recesses of personality where gallant devotion is starved to subjection, and the grateful offering to God withheld through selfish fear.
Dear Beloved Co-Workers:
The National Assembly has been deeply moved by the response of the friends to the “personal visit from the National Assembly,” made to each and every Bahá’í through the medium of our letter of September 7th, 1951.
The American Bahá’ís always gain the goals set by our Beloved Guardian. Since they have become fully informed of our immediate needs, they have begun a forward movement, which if continued unabated, will bring new laurels to the Banner of the Faith in the United States.
With our letter of September 7th, was enclosed a statement explaining that during the first four months of the present Bahá’í year, only $35,500, was contributed to the Resolve Plan, leaving a deficit of $57,000.
The National Assembly is happy to report to the friends, that contributions and special gifts to the Resolve Plan during September alone, amounted to $34,000.
This means contributions to the Resolve Fund for the first five months of the Bahá’í year amounted to $69,500. The Budget of the Resolve Plan called for contributions of $114,600, leaving a deficit of $45,100. in the Resolve Fund as of September 30, 1951.
Payments made on contracts for the Shrine of the Báb during these same five months amounted to $115,000. It is thus clear to the friends that with contributions and special gifts amounting to $69,500, the National Assembly has had to borrow heavily from the Temple Interior Construction Fund to meet Shrine Contract payments.
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Final payments on the Interior Ornamentation of the
Temple must be met late in October and early in
November. May the friends respond to the Resolve
Plan immediately!
Up to September 30th, 1951, only 812 Believers have responded to the Resolve Plan. The total amount of these Resolves is $73,527.63, or only 27% of the $275,000. needed for the year.
Under the Resolve Plans of the past two years, over 2500 of the Bahá’ís joined actively and substantially in the Plan.
It is the hope and prayer of the National Assembly that the urgency of our problems will be met by the believers, through the steps outlined in our letter of September 7th, 1951, as follows:
- Send in a Resolve to the National Treasurer, if you have not already done so.
- Increase the total of your present Resolves.
- Complete your Resolve payments as soon as possible.
Message from the Guardian[edit]
To the Fourth European Teaching Conference, Amsterdam, Holland, August 31, to September 10, 1951[edit]
Acclaim joyous occasion (of the) convocation on Dutch soil (of the) historic European Teaching Conference, constituting yet another link (in the) chain (of) annual gatherings (of the) representatives (and) followers (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in the) ten European goal countries as well as (in) Bahá’í communities (of the) Eastern (and) Western hemispheres, stop.
Heart dilated, spirit uplifted (by the) contemplation (of the) range (and) quality (of the) service rendered; (by the) spirit demonstrated, (by the) degree (of) maturity attained (in the) diversified budding, virile communities rightly regarded (as the) first fruits (of the) operation (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan (on the) European continent stop.
Welcome with feeling (of) particular gratification (the) participation (of the) newly enrolled Dutch, Danish (and) Portugese believers (in the) enterprises initiated (by the) Indian, Canadian, British, Bahá’í communities (in) Indonesia, Greenland (and) African continent, presaging undertakings destined (to) be systematically launched (by the) elected representatives (of the) newly emerged European communities throughout the remaining countries (of) Europe and possibly, beyond its confines, stop.
(The) concluding years (of the) second seven year plan must witness within each (and) every goal country, notable multiplication (of) centers, steady consolidation (of the) Assemblies, rapid increase (in the) number (of the) avowed supporters (of the) Faith, (a) clearer vision (of the) strenuous tasks ahead, deeper awareness (of) their significance, (a) firmer resolve (toward) their prosecution (and a) greater dedication (to) their purpose, stop.
Signal, wholly unexpected, manifold achievements, illuminating (the) annals (of the) first five years (of the) operation (of the) second seven year plan embolden me (to) confidently anticipate, upon (the) termination (of the) brief span (of the) remaining two years, (the) gradual formation (of) regional National Assemblies (as) prelude (to the) emergence (of a) separate National Assembly (in) each goal country as well as (the) launching (of) organized campaigns, in collaboration (with the) parent community (of the) great republic of the West (in) conjunction (with the) long standing, preeminent national community laboring (in the) heart (of the) European continent, aiming (at the) spiritual conquest (of the) remaining sovereign states (of) Europe and, God willing, reaching beyond its borders as far as (the) heart (of the) Asiatic continent, stop.
Interval separating us (from the) inauguration (of) yet another stage (in the) unfoldment (of the) Divine Plan (is) swiftly diminishing, stop.
(The) perils confronting (the) sorely tried continent (are) steadily mounting, stop.
(The) auspiciously inaugurated, mysteriously unfolding, highly promising widely ramified crusade, embracing well nigh (a) score of dependencies (on the) African continent presenting (to the) privileged prosecutors (of the) Divine Plan (in the) European field (a) challenge at once severe, soul-stirring (and) inescapable, stop.
(The) future edifice (of the) Universal House of Justice, depending for its stability on (the) sustaining strength (of the) pillars erected (in the) diversified communities (of the) East (and) West, destined (to) derive added power through (the) emergence (of the) three National Assemblies (on the) American continents awaits (the) rise (of the) establishment (of) similar institutions (on the) European mainland, each depending directly (on the) efforts now consciously exerted by (the) champion builders (of the) Administrative Order (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh (on the) European continent, stop.
May (the) Conference be aided through (the) outpouring grace (of the) author (of the) Revelation (to) hasten, through (the) deliberations (and) consecration (of its) attendants, so blissful (a) consummation, (to) lend unprecedented impetus (to the) present evolution (of the) Administrative Order and (to) accelerate (the) progress leading (to the) future emergence (of the) World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
“Dearly Loved Sprague”[edit]
On September 27 the National Spiritual Assembly received the following message from Shoghi Effendi concerning Philip G. Sprague, whose passing had been reported to the Guardian:
“Heart filled (with) sorrow (at) premature passing (of) staunch, exemplary, greatly admired, dearly loved Sprague. Memory (of his) notable services (as) teacher, administrator (in) North (and) Latin America imperishable, recompense (in) Abhá Kingdom bountiful. Praying ardently (for) progress (of his) soul.”
National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.
National Treasurer, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Bahá’í News Editorial Office—see notice elsewhere in this issue.
National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Your Evolving State Convention[edit]
Beloved Friends:
In keeping with the growing importance of the State Convention, and in order to facilitate attendance by as many believers as possible, your National Spiritual Assembly has fixed December 2 as the convention date for this year.
Another step has been taken to link all of the conventions to the same flow of spiritual grace, by establishing a uniform time schedule to be observed by all State Conventions, as follows:
All conventions will be opened promptly at 10:00 am.
Morning Session: 10 to 12 o’clock: Consultation; 12 to 12:30 Voting Period; 12:30 to 2 Recess for Lunch.
Afternoon Session: 2 to 4 (or later) Consultation.
Your National Assembly recommends that the following voting procedure be adopted by all state Conventions as a means of providing more time for consultation, a longer period of fellowship during the recess, and in keeping with the anticipated growth of the Faith, looking to the day when the numbers of believers will be too great to permit a full roll call at any election:
A period of silence is to follow the reading of prayers and selected writings to enable individuals quietly and prayerfully to write their ballots. After this period, the chairman is to call the tellers to the front where they will sit to check ballots. The believers are to file up to the tellers by rows and have their names checked off as they cast their ballots. (As soon as an individual has cast his ballot, he is free to go to lunch). After all the friends have filed up and cast their ballots, the State Convention Committee is to turn over to the tellers the ballots received by mail; these are then to be checked by the tellers against the voting list and designated as cast by mail. No formal adjournment for a luncheon recess is necessary under this procedure.
Under this procedure, it is unnecessary to read the entire list of believers in the electoral district.
Let this message serve as the first call to all believers to attend this year’s State Conventions which we hope will reach a new and greater level on inspiration and dedication.
First Report on LSA Questionnaires[edit]
The National Assembly is happy at the response of the Local Assemblies in filling out and sending to the National Office the monthly questionnaires. The Assembly hopes that as soon as at least half a year’s reports have been received, it will be possible to get a picture of conditions on the basis of which helpful suggestions can be made.
A preliminary look at those questionnaires which had been received by early September show the following in response to part of the questionnaire:
| May | June | July | |
Number of Assemblies reporting | 110 | 110 | 99 |
Holding firesides | 62 | 56 | 48 |
Holding deepening classes | 75 | 70 | 57 |
Holding preparatory classes | 14 | 12 | 6 |
Holding fellowship gatherings | 30 | 35 | 24 |
Enrolled believers in month | 12 | 6 | 7 |
We realize that this is an incomplete picture because
not all Local Assemblies reported during this period.
Too, this is the time of the year when, because of
vacations and the opening of the Summer Schools,
there is a slackening of Bahá’í activity.
But the National Assembly wishes to point out and congratulate the Local Assemblies on the number of firesides and deepening classes which are being held. Firesides represent the most effective kind of teaching effort. And deepening classes furnish the knowledge and spirit for more consistent, daily teaching efforts.
The Assembly would like to urge a consideration of the value of fellowship meetings. The social part of the Nineteen day Feast is, of course, the basic and minimum opportunity for fellowship, and it represents a challenge to both Local Assembly and community members to make this a true time for loving Bahá’í fellowship.
But other methods of fellowship can be developed. Why not have other evenings of fellowship for the Bahá’í community, and evenings when relatives and friends of the believers may be invited? All kinds of programs are possible, even under the present austerity conditions. Among the possibilities are potluck suppers and games, picnics, home travel movies, and an old-fashioned evening with games of charades and square dancing. In the spirit of fellowship tensions disappear. People may first be attracted to the Faith through real fellowship with Bahá’ís. And since the Master insistently told the believers to be happy people, let us demonstrate the quality of fellowship.
(In making out the monthly questionnaires, please place any information about children’s classes on a separate sheet or on the back of the questionnaire. Information about holding Anniversary meetings may also be reported on the back.)
Reports on United Nations Activities[edit]
The United Nations Committee requests all the Assemblies and Bahá’í groups to report whatever activities they have undertaken on behalf of United Nations. The Department of Public Information of UN makes a complete report of such activities for publication in a News Letters sent to all the nongovernmental organizations with which they are in contact.
If you have held a special program for United Nations Day, for example, the Committee would like a brief report of what was done, the name of speaker and title of program and reference to any visual aids that were used.
Address the committee through Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, N.Y.
The Bahá’í Principle of Civilization[edit]
This principle has been clearly and concisely explained in a 32-page pamphlet published in 1943. The author, Horace Holley, wrote that “A new world has been created, a world of God which He wills to share with man.”
In this year of 1951 when writers and statesmen are warning us of the collapse of our civilization, Bahá’ís can find assurance, and inspire confidence in their fellow men, through an understanding of this principle brought by Bahá’u’lláh.
Copies of the pamphlet are obtainable through the Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. (100 copies, $3.50).
The First U.S. Bahá’í Pioneer Starts for Africa[edit]
The United States Africa Teaching Committee reports that Mrs. Ethel Stephens of Newport News, Virginia, sailed from New York City for London on October 13, 1951, starting the first lap of her journey to the Gold Coast in West Africa. Mrs. Stephens is the first United States Bahá’í and the first Bahá’í of her race to go for active service with the Africa Teaching Project. In London she will meet with members of the British Africa Committee who will assist her in getting to the Gold Coast. Upon her arrival there, because of her background as a trained Home Economist, she will have the opportunity to assist in an important research project, under the direction of Dr. Grant of Northwestern University. This project will involve contact and study of the native peoples’ diets.
Thrilled by the historic occasion of getting off its first pioneer, the U.S. Africa Committee continues its efforts to get more pioneers in the Africa field. Mr. William Foster, our first volunteer who answered the Guardian’s call for Africa pioneers, is now perfecting plans which will carry him to Liberia within a few months.
Copies of the second Africa Teaching Bulletin are now available for pioneers and other Bahá’ís particularly interested in the Africa Project.
International News[edit]
News from Britain[edit]
The Annual Summer School was held for the second year at one of the halls of residence of Hull University College, where 170 friends attended during the two weeks’ session. The theme of the School was “Unfolding Vistas of World Destiny”. Study courses were conducted by George Townshend, Professor Zeine of Beirut University and others. As always, the School was permeated with that spirit which is felt whenever Bahá’ís from many places are gathered together, as a result of which three enquirers attending the School decided to declare their Faith in Bahá’u’lláh. Several offers to pioneer in Africa were made, and four Africans who came to tell us about their country were sufficiently impressed by their reception to join in some other activities during the remainder of the School session. A Bahá’í wedding took place for the first time at a British Summer School when two friends from Persia took advantage of the gathering together at the School of many of their Persian friends and relatives. Several of the attendants went on afterwards to the European Teaching Conference, in which members of the British Bahá’í Community actively participated.
Some of the British friends have been fortunate in meeting Professor Neumann, engineer in charge of the work on the Shrine of the Báb, on a brief visit to London. He and his wife dined with the members of the National Assembly, and afterwards Professor Neumann spoke most interestingly to a hastily arranged gathering of the London friends.
The work of consolidation at home is gathering momentum, but eight Communities are temporarily below nine members. Maintenance of these Assemblies at Riḍván is particularly important, since if they
Building the Shrine of the Báb, July, 1951. Workers preparing the molds for the reinforced concrete star on the Shrine root.
lapse this year, they will have no delegates at the
Convention of 1953, which is a Centenary and the end
of the British Two Year Plan.
The first declaration has been received from Africa, an Indian in Dar es Salaam. The Guardian, when informed of this, cabled: “Overjoyed initial victory.”
The Southernmost Outpost[edit]
From Punta Arenas, the City Farthest South in the world, a region cold and windy, Louise Groger, the North American pioneer writes us news that shows that the pulse of the Faith is beating warmly there.
“Punta Arenas, with its growing fireside meetings every Sunday, weekly deepening classes and afternoon study classes with friends who wish to be accepted as Bahá’ís, keeps busy and hopes soon to report a strong, healthy and self-sustaining Community. The Sunday radio program, concluding the sixth month of a very direct teaching effort, seems to be reaching an ever-widening group of listeners, though there is little direct response. Three Bahá’í displays in shop windows on different business streets in the center of town bring inquiries, distribute literature and even sell books.” “Les” (Eduardo) Gonzalez of Guayaquil, Ecuador, who also pioneered in Spain, has been with the friends in Punta Arenas for about six months.
Cosmopolitan Brazil[edit]
In Sao Paulo, Brazil there is much and varied Bahá’í activity. Fireside classes are being conducted in the Russian colony, and the talks and discussions may be in Portuguese, German and Russian—a not uncommon occurrence in this cosmopolitan city. The Sao Paulo community holds monthly public meetings which attract a goodly number of interested outsiders. A famous pianist recently gave a concert at one of the gatherings, which spiritually prepared the audience for the Bahá’í Message that followed. A gentleman attending his first Bahá’í meeting, was so impressed that he offered his club rooms at a nearby lake for a future Bahá’í conference.
Films of the Haifa Gardens have proved a great attraction. Among the audience at one of the showings was a gentleman who had spent his childhood in Israel. He recounted how he had hunted for birds in the waste land of Mt. Carmel years ago, and expressed himself as astonished and delighted at the present
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beauty of that area. One of the Sao Paulo believers,
Hans Abeling, has left by plane to visit the Holy
Shrines at Haifa, as well as to go to Jerusalem and
Bethlehem. The youth of Sao Paulo seem to be live wires
and keep happily busy with weekly meetings and an
occasional Tea-Dance which is a good drawing card.
Sometimes the communities of Sao Paulo and neighboring Santos get together to celebrate the Feasts, and
enjoy a day of spiritual refreshment and happy companionship at the beautiful Santos Beach. At Santos
are the pioneers Syb and Mildred Holmes, who two
years ago attended the Convention in Wilmette on the
eve of sailing to Brazil to join the Meisslers there.
The Faith Progresses Amid Difficulties in ‘Iráq[edit]
Bahá’ís who live in countries where even comparative freedom of speech and of press are taken for granted must feel deeply for their brethren in ‘Iráq and admire their persistent courage in the face of great odds. The Faith there can hardly be spread except through the weekly meetings and some other public meetings. Books and pamphlets have been translated and even published and then been prohibited by the government. On the occasion of the Centenary of the martyrdom of the Báb, the ‘Iráqi friends prepared special programs and sent invitations to more than 2000 well-known personalities, men and women. The distribution of the invitations caused a great disturbance in Baghdád. The fanatical clergy caused much unrest by attacking the Faith in the local newspapers and giving speeches in the mosques against it. They submitted accusations and complaints to the government and by different means succeeded in convincing it of the necessity of stopping the commemorative meetings. The NSA, according to the Bahá’í laws, obeyed, and stopped their meetings, announcing the cancellation in the newspapers. Some fanatical papers seized upon the occasion to denounce the Cause. An enemy of the Faith published a book full of false accusations, and leading Muḥammadan priests praised the slanderous volume and encouraged their followers to read it. The NSA replied to these attacks but the newspapers would not publish these replies.
Financial difficulties encountered by the friends, even endangering the payments on the National Headquarters, were met by the assistance of the Guardian and the enthusiastic spirit of sacrifice of Bahá’ís who even sold their personal belongings to meet the crisis.
Bahá’í marriage certificates have at last been officially acknowledged by the civil courts, although as yet the government does not recognize the Bahá’í Faith as an independent religion, and Bahá’ís are registered under their former religion.
An unusual opportunity was afforded to the believers to teach publicly, in connection with the death of the Queen Mother of ‘Iráq. The NSA arranged a meeting in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds commemorating the 40th day of her passing, and issued a public invitation in the local newspapers. In the speeches about the life of the Queen and her contributions and services to humanity, Bahá’í principles were presented, and particularly the Teachings about life after death. The NSA sent communications of condolence to the regent and these were acknowledged. The NSA also went in a body to the royal cemetery, bearing their official name, and news of this action was broadcast over the Baghdád radio the same night.
Canada[edit]
A number of Geneva Bureau News Exchange readers have commented on how thrilling they find it to read of the onward march of the Faith in most distant corners of the earth, which are brought near to them so vividly by “picture” stories of those places. This one is from the extreme North of Canada: “We have a report on pioneer activities from Garry Rea-Airth, one of the two Bahá’ís who are working there: “We at Moose Factory, are on an island, and Moosonee is about three miles away. Transportation at this time of year is by snowmobile, dogs, snowshoes, or on foot. We have a large Indian Hospital here, where Miss Nan Brandle is a nurse’s Aid. Most of the patients are tubercular.... The white population is somewhere in the vicinity of 200 ... My work consists of bookkeeping, interviews with the natives, and anything that needs doing. I am most grateful that I have been allowed to come here to serve, and daily thank Bahá’u’lláh for the many doors that were opened. The Indians here are Cree, and though they speak a kind of English, I have started lessons at the Mission. I think French would be easier. The white people need help here too. How they need more nurses and nurses’ aids here! ... To all the friends everywhere we both send our love and humbly ask that the Indians and Eskimos here and those elsewhere in Canada be remembered in their prayers.”
Spiritual Assembly of Tokyo[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tokyo has appointed committees for teaching, publicity, feasts and archives. The Assembly members are: Mr. R. R. Imagire, chairman, Mr. Naohi Ykoskino, corresponding secretary, Mr. Goro Horioka, Miss Fusae Ichije, Miss Shigeko Nakanishi, Miss Agnes Alexander, Mrs. Shozo Kadota, Mr. Lane Skelton.
Miss Agnes Alexander, original pioneer teacher in Japan, with Mr. Shozo Kadota, Japanese Bahá’í now in the United States, and other believers. Photograph was taken in home of Mr. Mori, Tokyo.
News of Central America[edit]
The new course on practical aspects of Bahá’í Administration and Procedure which was put into effect immediately after the Second meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly has been met with great enthusiasm in the countries in which it has been presented. The new course is in an experimental stage pending the completion of its presentation by four members of the National Assembly: Zenayda Jurado for Mexico City; Artemus Lamb for Costa Rica; Mrs. Raguel de Constante for Managua, Tegucigalpa, San Salvador and Guatemala City; and Elena Marsella for Panama.
The believers have been accepting the course with even more interest than had been anticipated. The laboratory classes give them an opportunity to put into effect the “practice makes perfect” theory, and the sets of hypothetical problems prove as fascinating to solve as the age-old riddles that have always captivated the mind of man.
The National Assembly was delighted to find that Tony Fillon, Bahá’í teacher from Chile, outstanding for his work in South America, had arrived in the Island of Martinique, French West Indies, thereby entering our jurisdiction. He was asked to lend his valuable services to the Islands of the Greater Antilles, and is, at this writing, cooperating with the Bahá’í Community in Cienfuegos, Cuba.
The Communities of Panama City and Colon have been fortunate in having several visits from a North American Bahá’í teacher during the months of August and September. Mr. John Verhoeven, Vice-Chairman of the LSA of New Orleans, who has his own gift shop and beauty salon aboard the United Fruit Line’s “Chiriqui”, has been putting into port at Colon at two-weeks intervals, giving public talks in both cities and attending other Bahá’í activities.
European Notes[edit]
On February 3rd, 1951, the NSA of Germany addressed a formal petition to the Western German Government in Bonn, for exemption of declared believers from active military duty. The petition sets out clearly the Bahá’í Teachings on the subject and offers the services of the believers in any non-combatant units of the Force.
Berlin has worked out its teaching program for the next quarter. Evening Readings are to be given weekly in four districts of the city. The number of believers has almost doubled since last year.
The Italian Bahá’í Newsletter “Bolletino Bahá’í” is now edited jointly by three Spiritual Assemblies—Rome, Naples, and Florence.
It was a rare experience for Geneva to be able to welcome five pioneers on their way to Africa. They were Mr. and Mrs. Banani, Mr. and Mrs. Nakhjawani and their charming little daughter aged 3 years, of Persia; and Mrs. Philip Hainsworth, of England. Mr. Nakhjawani and Mr. Hainsworth, addressing a group of Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, drew a vivid picture of the work already done and of future plans for the spiritual conquest of the ‘dark continent.’ Their immediate destination was Dar es Salaam.
“Regular public meetings with different speakers are being held weekly in Zurich. It is encouraging to see that there are new contacts at almost all meetings. The LSA is continuing the Thursday night study class for Bahá’ís and close contacts who express the desire to study the Cause. The present course is on Administration, and is so arranged that everyone of the friends will have a chance to conduct the different classes. The youth committee has drawn up a plan for Bahá’í year 108 which they hope to carry out. It calls for strenuous teaching work as well as the foundation of a Bahá’í youth Library in Zurich, the regular exchange of news with the different Swiss communities and other countries, and study week-ends for any of the youth in Switzerland who wish to attend.
India, Pakistan and Burma[edit]
The Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan, and Burma has referred us to the Geneva Bulletin for news of his country: “We are glad to report that believers throughout India, Pakistan, and Burma are showing lively activities in promoting the Beloved Faith. We have recently sent our pioneers to Malaya and Indonesia. Dr. K. M. Fozdar in Singapore, has established a good medical practice and is most keen in conveying the Divine Message to the people of the Straits. He is helped by his talented wife, Mrs. Shirin K. Fozdar, who visits him occasionally. Mr. Payman has established himself in Djakarta as an import and export trader, and aglow with the love of God, is giving the Message to the people of Java.”
He also gives an account of the experiences of a pioneer in some of the Indian villages, who wrote: “A heartrending story of self-sacrifice, undaunted perseverance, and devotion lies behind the sudden emergence of a large Bahá’í community in some villages in the District of Benares. I was afforded the unique privilege by the NSA to visit one of these villages—Rampur—and serve the friends there in order to enable them to form a Spiritual Assembly on the occasion of this Riḍván.
“Rampur, a small village on the border of Bihar, has about 78 Bahá’ís. The overwhelming joy and ecstasy which I felt when entering the village to hear voices raised from all sides by young and old and even children, greeting me with Alláh’-u-Abhá, will be the most precious experience of my life. I greeted them in return, and when we had a little talk, I realized what a great transformation has taken place in their mental and spiritual stature. These untutored and roughly clad simple people, living far from the experiences of modern civilized life, who had hardly ever heard about the problems of our day, and whose sole occupation was tilling the soil and engaging in minor crafts, were speaking to me on the inner mysteries of the Qur’ánic Scripture, the need of the recognition of the signs of the times, and the establishment of World Peace and Unity. Here was proof of the creative influence that is enshrined in God’s latest Message!
“These simple souls were aglow with the fire of Bahá’u’lláh’s Faith. They were on the move to proclaim in their own and in the neighboring villages the Glad Tidings of the Advent of the Promised One. The fanatics among the people rose in opposition and called on the help of noted Mulláhs and Maulvis from the neighborhood in order to frustrate their mission. The Mulláhs, when face to face with these new believers, were bewildered and dumbfounded at the force of their arguments
[Page 8]
and at the manner in which they presented the
Message. When these Mulláhs saw their helplessness,
they resorted to proclaiming that the new believers
were ‘Dajjals’ (Anti-Christ) and advised the Moslems
to refrain from associating with them, and to boycott
them socially. This was all they could do.
“At the instigation of the Mulláhs, the fanatics burnt down the standing crops belonging to the Bahá’ís, refused to pay debts owing to them, and went so far as to refuse drinking water if a Bahá’í happened to ask for some.
“These conditions continued and exist today. Praise be to those who are putting up with such conditions with patience and rectitude of conduct. They are firm as a rock. Ultimately, on this Riḍván 108 B.E., the Bahá’í friends gathered separately in Rampur and Ekona, the two villages separated by about 10-12 miles, and which have about 56 adult Bahá’ís each, and in an atmosphere of love and happiness, elected their respective Local Spiritual Assemblies, and thus carried out their Covenant with God in its latest expression.
“Behind the emergence of these two Bahá’í communities, as well as some individual Bahá’ís living in neighboring villages, lies a pathetic and moving story of one Badi-uz-Zaman—infirm and fragile, who has already spent almost 80 years of his life. I was moved to tears when I heard this angelic soul narrate his story of service to the Cause.
“He had been driven out of his home by his wife and four adult children in Kamarhatti, West Bengal, about three years ago, and came to these villages where he proclaimed Bahá’u’lláh’s Message for the first time. The villagers spat at him, believed him to be mad, and often dragged him out of their villages. Often it happened that Janabe Badi-zu-Zaman had to live in complete loneliness outside a village for many days and nights without food and water. Undeterred by all such attitudes of those to whom he was giving the Message of Life, he continued with his mission. People knew not that the seed of the Divine message had been thrown on their soil.... After a couple of years of continuous visits to these villages, the Imam of the mosque at Rampur, Janabe ‘Abdu’lláh, responded to the Divine Call, and with him came his associate Janabe Mohammed Sharif. Shortly afterwards another soul, this time a young man, Mohd Israíl by name, joined their ranks. Janabe ‘Abdu’lláh, I was told, never rested a moment after he accepted the message. With a small green flag in his hand, he began to teach those with whom he came into contact. He went as far as Hyderabad (Dn), where the authorities put him into prison. When released a little later, he came back. By now, the message was known to many, and the number of believers slowly continued increasing, till the advent of Bahá’u’lláh became the talk of the day in each and every village of the region. Until now, only individuals were coming forward, but from now on, whole families began embracing the Faith.
“Eight months ago, Janabe Badi-zu-Zaman happened to visit a village known as Ekona where a fanatic Moslem plotted against him, and, with the assistance of about 1100 people, seized this innocent soul and had him beaten so severely that he became unconscious. Fifty to a hundred blows fell on him at a time, he said, particularly on his poor legs, so that he could no longer walk to visit other villages. Though an Assembly had been formed in that village a few days earlier, there still is a strong opposition in about 20 village all round. Let us all pray that Bahá’u’lláh may confirm and strengthen these new believers in His Faith!
“In leaving Rampur on my way home, Janabe Badi-zu-Zaman accompanied me for a few yards out of the village. With tears streaming from his eyes, he begged me to convey to each and every Bahá’í whom I meet, his loving Bahá’í greetings and to request them, on his behalf, to say special prayers for him and for the newly-born Bahá’í Communities in Rampur and Ekona, which, as he said, will be a precursor to the hoisting of the banner of Bahá’u’lláh in the entire District of Benares.
“Janabe Badi-zu-Zaman intends to settle in a place about 12 miles from Rampur, so that this village too may be blessed with a Bahá’í Community. May Bahá’u’lláh’s help be with him in this most sacred service to His Cause!”
Second Bahá’í European Teaching Summer School Scheveningen, Holland, September 4 through September 9, 1951[edit]
Uppermost in every mind and heart as the Second Bahá’í Summer School in Europe opened, was the Message from our Beloved Guardian, received just three days before. It was a sudden call to maturity—of that, there was no doubt—a maturity which presupposes the shouldering of great responsibility. The short period of the following six days was to witness a complete change in the outlook of the assembled members. What had seemed impossible of attainment in those first few days had, by the end of the Summer School, grown into a conviction that it could be done. Such a wonderful collective experience is difficult to put into words. Might it not have been a releasing of Divine Power as we strove through our study and consultation for a “clearer vision,” “deeper awareness,” “firmer resolve” and “greater dedication” to our purpose?
Summer School opened Tuesday morning with the first of three magnificent lectures on “God and the Universe” by David Hofman—a subject which, as he stressed, is beyond human comprehension—yet one which was given in a simplicity and “clarity that were most overwhelming.” Beginning with the central theme—the Manifestation—Mr. Hofman pointed out that “once the process of creation is started, originated by God and culminating in the production of man who is the image of God, it goes forward—not by the direct agency of God Himself but by His Manifestation.” “Any process,” he further explained “requires constant attention and infusion of power — hence the necessity of continued appearances of the Manifestations of God.” Mr. Hofman emphasized the importance of understanding that all creation is dependent upon the Manifestation of God, and “that it is through His bounty that man is infused with new knowledge, new qualities, new potentialities which in turn produce new arts, sciences, inventions, etc.” Stating that the need in every age is a different one, showed how today, differing from the time of Christ or Muḥammad, man needs “unity, self-assured maturity,
[Page 9]
a higher conception of love and a much greater
knowledge of his own self.” “All these,” he concluded
“are provided by Bahá’u’lláh, with the additional
bounty of guidance which is not subject to human
fallibility.”
The discussion following the three sessions brought out these thought-provoking ideas: “Imperfections arise in the process of coming to perfection—therefore, we have problems.” “This is the first time that collective man strives together toward God.”
The second morning-class, scheduled for four sessions on “Individual and Group Responsibility in Teaching” was excellently presented by Eleanor Hallibaugh, Virginia Orbison, Donald Corbin and Angeline Giachery. The purpose of this course was to integrate all activities to group responsibilities as a continuation of the responsibility of the individual—and to show the interaction of consolidation within the community along with expansion into the “Extension Teaching” plus stepping into the arena of national and regional national teaching.
Signs of maturity in the technique of consultation were evidenced in many ways. It was a pleasure to see how entirely divergent ideas on a given subject were skillfully taken and welded into a whole—completely satisfactory to both viewpoints. Lively participation brought out good suggestions for all phases of teaching: “Prayer in the first place and prayer in the second—and in the third place—PRAYER.” We should carry with us every day the thought that we are on a mission entrusted to us by Almighty God.” It had been pointed out that “only once in all history is man charged with such a colossal and glorious task—that of inaugurating this new World Order, God’s Kingdom.” Another: “The most important thing is willingness and desire. The first step is arising, then assistance is automatic.” In discussing the problem of distances which must be overcome in many of the European countries, the suggestion was made to follow the Guardian’s advice to the Australian friends who have even greater distances to cope with: “Reduce the distances.”
Also on Tuesday morning, a special session had been called to study the Message of the Guardian in its entirety—in order that all consultation on teaching efforts might be directly and constantly related to our new goals. Marion Hofman’s long and active experience in the Faith made her, as always, a welcome and enthusiastic chairman to lead the discussion on this “tremendous challenge.” In pursuance of the subject, she explained the significance of the next step which is being taken in the international field in the rapid unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. It was a joy to have the stimulating presence of Marion and David and to hear first hand of the thrilling progress of the first world project—the African campaign, embracing as it does the efforts of five national assemblies and how linking so conclusively Europe in its great world mission.
On leaving the Summer School for England, the Hofmans said: “There is no more question about the European Teaching Conference-Summer Schools—We come—We have to come.”
Tuesday afternoon we added two new courses to our curriculum: “The Dispensation” and “The History of the Bahá’í Faith.” The four key lectures on “The Dispensation: The Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Guardian” were given by Honor Kempton, Elsa Steinmetz, Marion Little and Charlottee Stirratt. It was a beautiful thing indeed to be a part of so many believers with heart and soul seeking for greater understanding of the transcendency of the stations of the Twin Manifestations, the Mystery that is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the spiritual station and authority of the Guardians of the Cause of God.
Tremendous was the spiritual uplifting of those hours of concentration together—precious were the glimpses into the personal lives of the Founders of our Faith, given with such spiritual charm and vigor by Dr. Zeine N. Zeine, who had been closely associated with the Holy Family for so many years. A few “footnotes”, as he modestly calls these gems, must be added: he explained that the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh was a “system of love,” beginning with God Who reveals Himself to mankind because of His love. “The Manifestations suffer in order to prepare mankind for love... If there was one word to describe ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, it would be LOVE, every letter written in capitals.... This love pours out from the Center automatically—whether it be Bahá’u’lláh, the Master, or the Guardian.... In true love, the current must go both ways.... loving and being loved.... If love is there, then obedience becomes a joy, a blessing, a pleasure—given willingly. We would vie with each other if we really love. Thus our obedience to the Guardian is absolutely necessary...” He concluded, “we are all working, building together. The Guardian is building through us. We are the stones through which this order is being built—we want to be a strong rock” he added with characteristic humor, “not a shaky brick.”
Sincere appreciation must be given to David Ned Blackmer for the magnificent course, lasting five sessions, on “The History of the Faith”—and the preparation of maps, outlines, references—copies of which we each received and which will be supplemented from time to time during the coming year, as a further aid to the study of the history. Such visual aids as maps and slides (prepared by George Clark) showing the scenes of historic places and photographs of well-known 19th century figures and a most inspiring dramatic presentation of the swiftly moving and tragic events of the early days up to and including the present—brought us close to the beauty of lives which by their sacrifice had laid the foundation for the social structure we are called upon to erect.
We had half a holiday on Thursday! Motor buses arrived at the Grand Hotel in the afternoon at three, equipped with guides to explain points of interest between Scheveningen and Amsterdam, where the public meeting was held in the evening. En route we passed through the old cities of Leiden and Haarlem—arriving in Amsterdam in time to take a quick boat excursion through the fascinating net-work of canals in this historic city.
This trip proved, as is so often the case, that Bahá’ís are observed perhaps more than they realize. In a letter received from one of the guides on the motor bus, we have his first impressions: “When we were having dinner in Amsterdam, I noticed that there is a unity among all of you, notwithstanding the fact that you represent about 19 nations and about 10
[Page 10]
languages ... Till yesterday I was convinced of the fact
that it would be impossible for the Germans and the
French or the Dutch and the Germans to be friends
some day. You showed me that this is possible indeed.
This is a very comforting idea and I thank you very
much again. You gave me some hope for the future
of mankind.”
The overall subject of both public meetings (one held in The Hague two days previously) was “The Bahá’í Faith. Its Spiritual Dynamics and Its Social Principles”—as explained by the gracious chairman, Rita van Sombeek, who afterwards introduced the two speakers of the evening: Dr. Zeine N. Zeine, speaking in English, and Arnold van Ogtrop in Dutch.
American News[edit]
Prominent Japanese Entertained[edit]
The Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Bahá’ís entertained World Federalists and foreign students when Baron Tatsukichiro Horikawa visited in the home of Lawrence Hautz. The Baron had been in the United States to witness the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty. He expressed, through his interpreter, his belief in “unifying all people under common law, recognizing man as one humanity, recognizing one God and one world.” He learned of the Bahá’í principles, took Bahá’í books with him, and promised to help the Bahá’ís in Japan upon his return to his native land.
The meeting brought together natives of the Gold Coast, Nigeria, India, Bavaria, Sweden, Norway, and England, as well as other natives of Japan. The Whitefish Bay Herald carried a long story of the gathering and two pictures.
Baron Tatsukichiro Horikawa is entertained by the Whitefish Bay Bahá’ís, on his way from the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference in San Francisco.
How the Word Is Spread[edit]
There is no one way to spread the Bahá’í Faith. The desire in the hearts of all of us to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh finds expression in many types of meetings.
Bahá’ís of Chicago and Salt Lake City report that they are studying comparative religions. Another community is inviting members of other local religious groups to a series of teas. Bahá’ís will learn the fundamentals of other beliefs and present their own. The first one was with the Quakers.
This summer hundreds were introduced to the Faith through booths at state and county fairs. Reports have been received telling of booths at the Michigan State Fair, the New York State Fair at Syracuse, and fairs at Mineola, New York, and Topsfield, Massachusetts.
Publishes Statement on Loyalty to Government[edit]
When the Bahá’í Faith was charged with being a subversive movement by a speaker in a club at Cameron, West Virginia, the local believers sought advice from the National Assembly. One action taken was to pay for the publications of the statement on Loyalty to Government as an advertisement in the local paper, a direct and dignified, as well as impersonal, reply to the charge.
The charge has not been repeated since, as far as is known.
Thornton Chase Memorial[edit]
On September 30th, 123 Bahá’ís of Southern California met at Inglewood Cemetery to hold memorial services for Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í. There were readings of prayers and tablets from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for Mr. Chase and excerpts from his book, The Bahá’í Revelation. A new Bahá’í, Mr. Kenneth Wiley, who is blind, gave the prayer for America.
Literature for the Blind[edit]
The national Bahá’í committee, known as “Bahá’í Service for the Blind,” continues its mission of production of Bahá’í literature in Braille and its distribution where it will be most useful and appreciated.
From May 1 to July 31 this year the committee has reprinted thirty-five copies of “Communion With God” from plates, and these can be purchased by the friends. Braille transcriptions completed include: “The Advent of Divine Justice” (transcribed by Kenneth Wiley with assistance of Elwin G. Van Zandt); “Religion Returns”, “Your Experience As a Bahá’í”, and “Compilation of Bahá’í Prayers”, transcribed in Esperanto Braille by Mrs. Emily Schieman; two copies of “This Temple” and a Bahá’í prayer book, transcribed by a non-Bahá’í friend; and volume two (Braille edition) of “Prayers and Meditations”, transcribed by Mrs. Gertrude Schurgast. (The complete Braille edition will require five or six large volumes). The hand-transcribed copies have been shellacked by Mrs. Emily Schieman, and all works bound by Mrs. Amedee Gibson with assistance of John Gibson.
The Archives Committee has a full set of the literature so far printed from plates.
Directory Additions and Changes[edit]
National Committees
- Publishing
- Miss Mae Graves, Acting Manager,
- 110 Linden Ave.,
- Wilmette, Ill.
- (Note: Mrs. Clara R. Wood and Mr. J. Thomas Wood are on leave of absence).
Local Spiritual Assemblies:
- Boston, Mass.
- Miss Moneveh Weeks, Sec’y.
- 687 Boylston St., Rm. 207
Regional Teaching Committees:
- Oregon
- Mrs. Virginia P. Martig, Sec’y.
- P.O. Box 593
- Gates, Ore.
- Montana
- Mrs. Betty J. Bennett, Sec’y.
- 620 N. Henry Ave.
- Butte, Mont.
In Memoriam[edit]
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.
- Mr. Walter M. Ford, Lima, Ohio August 26, 1951
- Mr. Mikel Spratt, Monrovia, Calif. September 5, 1951
- Mrs. Agnes Gould, Bridgeton, N.J. August, 1951
- Dr. Chester F. Easter, Vancouver, Wash. Sept. 8, 1951
- Mrs. Dianne Heath, San Antonio, Texas August 20, 1951
- Mr. Henry Wesson, Chicago, Ill. August 8, 1951
- Mrs. Rachel Slagle, Chicago, Ill. September 14, 1951
- Mr. Philip Sprague, Wilton, Conn. September 23, 1951
- Mrs. Ethel C. Edell, Los Angeles, Calif. Sept. 1951
- Mrs. Mary Louise Austin, Cincinnati, Ohio September 13, 1951
Marriages[edit]
Long Beach, Calif., Mrs. Grace Hall to Mr. Ralph Martell (non-Bahá’í) (date not reported)
San Francisco, Calif., Miss Theresa Grover to Mr. Frank Falkner (non-Bahá’í) April 16, 1951
Downers Grove, Ill., Miss Louise Hill (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. David Schreiber May 23, 1951
New Bahá’í News Deadline[edit]
In order to get Bahá’í News into the hands of the believers more promptly, the Committee has established the first of every month as a strict deadline. For example, material for publication in the December News must be in the editorial office by November 1st.
The Story of a Bahá’í Traveler[edit]
Mrs. Loulie Mathews has traveled extensively to spread the Bahá’í teachings. Her journeys have included visits to Latin America and to South Africa.
The story of these travels has been told by Mrs. Mathews in a lively and charming manner in a book just published under the title of “Not Every Sea Hath Pearls”.
Copies may be obtained for $1.25, each by ordering through Mrs. Harry Ford, P.O. Box 1003, Colorado Springs, Colo. Mrs. Mathews is remitting to the National Bahá’í Fund half of the amount received from sales of the book.
Suggested Program to be used for the Day of the Covenant, November 26[edit]
| Prayers | Page |
The Covenant of God — Blue cloth covered Prayer Book | 118 |
All Praise O my God — Prayers and Meditations | 94 |
Prologue — “He is the Glory of Glories” AHW | 5 |
“Call ye to mind the Covenant” 71st PHW | 48 |
Day of God |
|
“Do you know in what day you are living?” |
|
Paris Talks by AB, B S | 266-67 |
“There is a Power in this Cause” |
|
Star of West Vol. XI | 243 |
The Covenant — PUP | 317-18 |
The Covenant Unfolds — “The creative energies”, “Truths of the Faith.” WOB | 144 |
Covenant Talk — PUP | 375-6-7 |
Song of the Covenant, Star of West Vol. V | 209 |
Difficulty of Understanding Station of “Abdu’l-Bahá WOB | 131-32 |
“It would be indeed difficult”—“can ever hope to rise”. |
|
The Mystery of God — “He is” — “completely harmonized,” WOB | 134 |
Further suggestions:
The Covenant — Compiled by Albert Windust.
World Order Magazine, Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec., 1942 and Jan. 1943.
The Covenant—An Analysis by George Townshend, M.A.
The Books of God are Open by E. S. Campbell.
It is also suggested that if any of the older believers have had personal experiences with the Master, time be allotted on the program for them to share these reminiscences with their friends.
Additional Radio Scripts Now Available[edit]
Script No. 251—A special Christmas period script. Designed to overcome the problem of what to do during the Christmas period.
Script No. 351—This script is written especially for use during the Bahá’í State Convention period. It is in interview form and takes advantage of the State Convention Sessions.
Script No. 451—A straight interview script, written so that it may be used at all times during the year. A permanent radio item for your files.
Cost per script 25c plus postage. Average postage 9c per script, 18c airmail per script. Send stamps, coins, or bills—do not send money orders or checks. Address requests to: William B. Sears, Chairman, Bahá’í National Radio Committee, 4643 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Corrections[edit]
Through an error, the date of the Guardian’s letter to Mr. Willard P. Hatch, quoted in the August Bahá’í News was given as October 29, 1950. The letter was dated October 23, 1950.
In the August issue also, the pictures of the World Religion Day exhibits in Boise, Idaho, were credited to the Boise Community only. The Ada Community cooperated with Boise in this event and should have been mentioned.
Inspiring Dynamic New Teaching Aid[edit]
A wonderful new teaching aid has been developed to bring the words of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the general public. “Words for the World”, recorded prayer programs for radio broadcasts, has been produced for use throughout the country by Bahá’í communities, groups, and isolated believers at their local radio stations. With these records we can bring the magnificence, the inspiration, and the regenerating power of the Creative Word into the homes and lives of people all over this country. As an adjunct to an active teaching program they can be of immense value as a medium of new contacts and of prestige promotion.
“Words for the World” has been prepared on two 16 inch discs of four sides, 33 1/3 rpm, consisting of three 4 minute programs on each side, making a total of twelve in all. These programs consist of selections of prayers and meditations from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings read by a man and woman against a musical background. The two young Bahá’ís who have made these recordings are highly skilled and the entire production is dignified, reverent, and moving.
The word “Bahá’í” is not included in the text of the programs. It is believed that this will eliminate any objection radio program directors may have to their use. However, there will be an announcement following each program which will identify the broadcast with the local Bahá’í group.
It is proposed that the local communities or groups purchase the set of records and offer them to their local stations free of charge. a) The records can be offered for use by the station whenever they wish to use them, whenever their schedule provides for devotional periods, such as twice daily, morning and evening, for six consecutive days. The announcement to be used with this type of broadcast will only indicate that the program is presented through the courtesy of the local Bahá’í community. b) The records can be used for regular Bahá’í radio broadcasts either on free time or purchased time, where the time of broadcast would be arranged between the local community and the station. The announcement accompanying this type of broadcast will give a local address for inquirers and can publicize a local activity to which the public is invited.
Whichever type of broadcast is arranged, the program should be used in conjunction with some local activity. This could be a fireside, or a public meeting. It would be an excellent preface to the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh meeting in the Fall Series, or preceding the observance of “World Religion Day”. Now would be an excellent time to examine the available books in your local public library, to make sure there are at least one or two good introductory books for inquirers who might hear the program and ask at the library. Either “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era” or “Renewal of Civilization” should be among the texts available.
In order to facilitate the placing of these programs with the local radio stations the following procedure has been adopted:
1. The National Radio Committee will prepare a letter to be sent by them directly to local radio stations, describing the “Words for the World” programs. The letter will state that the program is offered free of charge to the radio station addressed, and that a Bahá’í from the local community will bring the discs, together with a local announcement, to the station in person.
This procedure will lend added importance to the programs coming from the National Radio Committee of the Bahá’ís of the United States, and will establish an introduction for the local representative with the radio station.
2. Instructions for presentation and the announcements to be used with the programs will be sent with the discs.
3. The letter from the National Radio Committee to the local stations will be sent only if the local Bahá’í community supplies it with the name and address of their local station, and the name of the local representative who will present the records to the station. Therefore, it is imperative that every community which plans to use the programs send immediately the name and address of its local station and the name of its representative to Mr. William B. Sears, 4643 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
4. “Words for the World” costs $6.50 postpaid, for a set of two discs which contain the twelve programs, and is to be ordered directly from the National Projects Committee, 933 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. Each order must be accompanied by a check or money order for the full amount made payable to Mrs. Barbara Sims, 933 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. (No stamps please.)
Since “Words for the World” is not dated in any way it can be used on different occasions at spaced intervals for years to come so long as the discs are in good condition. This is indeed a marvelous new aid in our teaching work of which every local community, group, and isolated believer should avail itself. Order now from Mrs. Barbara Sims, Secretary, National Projects Committee, 933 Central Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. Copies are sent without charge to Bahá’ís throughout the United States, and to Bahá’í administrative bodies in other lands. Its purpose is to keep members of the Faith informed of international, national and local Bahá’í developments, and serve as an organ for the distribution of messages written by the Guardian of the Faith, the International Bahá’í Council, and the general announcements prepared by the American National Spiritual Assembly.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from national assemblies of other lands.
BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1951-52: Miss Garreta Busey, Managing Editor, Mr. Wm. Kenneth Christian, Miss Mae Graves, Mrs. Doris Holley, Mr. Horace Holley, Chairman, Miss Flora Emily Hottes, Mrs. Eleanor Hutchens, Mrs. Ruth Jones. EDITORIAL OFFICE: 503 West Elm St., Urbana, Illinois, U.S.A. CHANGE OF ADDRESS should be reported to National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.
