Bahá’í News/Issue 256/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS |
| Bahá’ís of the United States |
| NO. 256 | BAHÁ’Í YEAR 109 | JUNE, 1952 |
TEMPLE LANDSCAPE MODEL
In the above photograph of the model, you can clearly see the main features of the Temple Landscaping design. Sheridan Road and the National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters are on the right. In the foreground can be seen the main entrance from Linden Avenue. This model has been on display since the Convention and can be viewed by all Temple visitors.
Messages from the Guardian[edit]
God’s Avenging Wrath[edit]
Inform National Assemblies (that) God’s avenging wrath having afflicted (in) rapid succession (during) recent years two sons, brother (and) sister-in-law (of) Archbreaker (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, (has) now struck down second son, Siyyid ‘Alí Nayer Afnán, pivot (of) machinations, connecting link (between) old (and) new Covenant-breakers. Time alone (will) reveal extent (of) havoc wreaked (by) this virus (of) violation injected, fostered over two decades (in) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s family. History will brand him one whose grandmother, wife (of) Bahá’u’lláh, joined breakers of His Covenant (on) morrow (of) His passing, whose parents lent her undivided support, whose father openly accused ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (as) one deserving capital punishment, (who) broke his promise (to) (the) Báb’s wife (to) escort her (to) Holy Land, precipitating thereby her death, (who) was repeatedly denounced by Center (of the) Covenant (as) His chief enemy, whose eldest brother through deliberate misrepresentation (of) facts inflicted humiliation (upon) defenders (of the) House (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in) Baghdád, whose sister-in-law (is) championing (the) cause (of) declared enemies (of) Faith, whose brothers supported him attributing (to) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá responsibility (for) fatal disease (which) afflicted their mother, who himself in retaliation first succeeded (in) winning over through marriage my eldest sister, subsequently paved way (for) marriage (of) his brothers (to) two other grandchildren (of the) Master, (who) was planning (a) fourth marriage (between) his daughter (and) grandson (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, thereby involving (in) shameful marriages three branches (of) His family, who over twenty years schemed (to) undermine (the) position (of the) Center (of) Faith through association (with) representatives (of) traditional enemies (of) Faith (in) Persia, Muslim Arab communities, notables (and) civil authorities (in) Holy Land, who lately was scheduled (to) appear (as) star witness (on) behalf (of) daughter (of) Badi’u’lláh (in) recent lawsuit challenging (the) authority conferred (upon) Guardian (of) Faith (in) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament.
Haifa, Israel,
April 5, 1952
Beloved friends:
In his message to the Bahá’í world dated April 5, the Guardian holds up for all to behold one more awe-inspiring evidence of the doom which Covenant-breakers bring upon themselves.
There is no more evil action a human being can perform than to afflict the Manifestation of God and to resist the operation of the Divine Will expressed through Him. The Judas Iscariot of every cycle, he is the detested one of men, the abject, the lost.
Here the Guardian gives evidence after evidence of the perfidy which animated Siyyid ‘Alí Nayer Afnán, and the virus of violation with which he was infected and which he injected into members of the Master’s own family.
For us it is one more chapter in the book of the Guardian’s suffering, one more sign of the Protection accorded to the Faith from on high, and one more warning of the imperative need of faithfulness and unity on the part of all the believers, lest in a moment of confusion an enemy find occasion to enter our ranks and injure the Cause from within.
Our Spiritual Bounty[edit]
Last year the Guardian gave to all Bahá’ís the great bounty of an opportunity to make contributions directly to him for the World Center. Let us bear this in mind, for our new relationship to the Guardian and the World Center is permanent and far-reaching.
Just as the Bahá’í House of Worship has arisen in its majesty because believers have sacrificed for its sake, so now the consolidation of Bahá’í international institutions at the World Center will proceed more and more vigorously as individual Bahá’ís, in addition to their contributions to the Bahá’í Fund and the Resolve Plan, make special sacrificial donations directly to the revered Guardian in the Holy Land.
International drafts or personal checks can be sent. The address is: Shoghi Effendi Rabbani, P. O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel.
Corrections in Cables from the Guardian[edit]
The friends are requested to note the following corrections in the cablegram received from the Guardian dated March 8, 1952:—
- Lancet windows (of the) Drum, instead of Lancet windows (in the) Drum.
- Eighteen Letters of the Living (the) appointed transmitters (of the) dawning Light (of the) Author.
- UNO Representatives (of the) International Bahá’í Community, instead of (for the) International Bahá’í Community.
- Council (who is) ably discharging, instead of Council, (for) ably discharging.
- Year (of the) first Convention, instead of year, (the) first Convention.
- (of the) global crusade should be (the) Global Crusade.
- Place comma after word inauguration, also comma after word progress (last paragraph).
- Heart (of the) south should be heart (and) south of the European continent.
In the cable dated February 29, 1952, published on page 2 of Bahá’í News for April, the words “(the) propagation (and) preservation (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh” should be “(the) propagation (and) preservation (of the) unity (of the) Faith (of) Bahá’u’lláh.”
Check these corrections also in your copy of “World Order Unfolds.”
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.
Consecration and Dedication[edit]
Story of the National Convention of 1952[edit]
One year—and then our great Jubilee of April 1953.
Ten years—and our Most Great Jubilee of 1963.
But what great feats lie before us, yet to be accomplished, before these dates!
And herein lies the story of the 1952 Bahá’í Convention.
The delegates to the Convention had come with a sense of expectation; they knew from previous messages of the Guardian, that we are entering a new stage in our unfoldment as Bahá’ís; but as the Convention reached its crescendo in the last hours of Sunday afternoon, those present felt the full weight of the challenge and the work now before us.
A new humility and a great soberness overcame us, and the words “Consecration,” “Dedication” and “Teaching,” which had played so important a part in all the deliberations, seemed to penetrate to every vein of our bodies. A sense of urgency, a sense of “Now,” filled us.
Nothing like this has ever happened before to the Bahá’ís of the United States at a convention. A new kind of experience was born. A new feeling of dedication, consecration and resolve, took shape. Action is our sign. Teaching is the aim of our lives.
The Year Nine, extending from October 1952 to October 1953, is the fateful year in the history of the Bahá’í Faith in our nation. We are about to enter that year. We must prepare now, through immediate conferences, study sessions and summer schools, through prayer and dedication, for the great experience of the next year before us.
Upon this year hinges our last and irretrievable chance of setting the seal of triumph upon the mission entrusted to us by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
This Year Nine, commemorating the mystic experience which came to Bahá’u’lláh and the first intimation of His Sublime Mission, revealed to Him in the Síyáh-Chál in Ṭihrán—this Holy Year—will fix the record of the Bahá’ís of the United States in the pages of God’s Book.
The fate of humanity lies in the balance. This is our part. This is our resolve.
We will fulfill ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s cherished covenant with us, that each Bahá’í win another soul to the Faith each year. We will accomplish in one year, what we have heretofore accomplished in ten years. We will sacrifice as never before to cross out the deficit in our National Fund. We will awaken the land of Africa. We will complete our work in the consolidation of the Faith in South America. We will finish the Temple landscaping. We will continue to share in the giving for the completion of the Tomb of the Báb. We will extend the Faith nearer the Arctic Circle. We will make greater efforts among the Indians of the United States. We will promulgate the Faith publicly as never before.
We will start out at once and make ready. We will go out and without a moment’s hesitation, begin to lay down our lives for the Cause of God.
What happened at this memorable convention to bring us to this point of dedication?
Was it the Guardian’s message, so reminiscent of the darkest, the most tragic, and the most heroic period in the annals of the Faith, so bold in its challenge to us, and so reassuring in its tone?
Was it the several messages so tenderly given by returned pilgrims from the Holy Land? Was it the feeling of closeness with the Guardian which these messages gave us?
Was it the example of Leroy Ioas’ obedient service in answering the Guardian’s call to Haifa, and thereby and instantaneously relinquishing every material consideration?
Was it the magnificent letter from Leroy on teaching?
Was it the imminence of the Jubilee Year 1953?
Was it the excitement aroused by the approaching dedication of the Mother Temple of the West, the Holiest House of Worship that will ever be erected in the Bahá’í world, upon which we have been laboring these fifty years? And the realization that our cherished Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is about to open its doors to all humanity?
Was it the anticipation of the four international conferences to be held within this coming Year Nine, marking our growing up into an international community? Or the significance of the International Council now established, presaging a Universal House of Justice?
Was it the soul-stirring spirit of dedication with which the last session began as the Chairman reiterated the Convention’s recurring theme, “We must proclaim the Faith as the remedy for a sick world. The Master said ‘The axis of the oneness of humanity is the power of the Covenant and nothing else.’ The keynote is consecration?”
Was it the over-all picture of the greatness of our Faith which Ben Weeden brought us as he spoke so reverently of the Guardian, of the burden he carries, that in every act, every directive he gives, he is responsible to all humanity, not only for now, but for generations to come? Was it Gladys Weeden’s touching message of the Guardian’s love for us, and of his patience with us? Or the tender story she told of her first Ascension night, at the Qiblih, the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, at Bahjí? Was it her gentle warning that we must deepen now for the experience of the year ahead?
Was it Larry Hautz’ bubbling enthusiasm, his some-times-humorous, sometimes-serious recounting of his experiences at Haifa, from which pilgrimage he had so recently returned? Or the wonderful pictures he showed us of the shrines and gardens? Or the example of Larry’s indefatigable efforts, as testified by the Guardian, in consummating the negotiations with Israel officials and thus assuring our approaches on Mount Carmel?
Or the clear message which Glen Vasel, just returned from his pilgrimage, brought from the Guardian, that we have two important tasks, to increase our number of believers, and to increase our number of assemblies? Or was it the message which Emma Rice brought from her pilgrimage, that the Guardian sent his love, and wanted us to remember the preponderating role which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had bestowed upon America, and that he is praying for us?
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4 Jun, 1952
Was it Paul Haney’s dramatic accounting of the race against time, with banks in Chicago and New York alerted and aiding, trains providentially waiting, and intricate legal transfers made in a matter of moments, enabling the National Spiritual Assembly to meet the Guardian’s request for immediate funds to seal a purchase of much-needed land on Mount Carmel—the sudden consummation of long-dreamt-of victories at our International Center?
Or was it the bounty of having among us two of the Hands of the Cause of God, our own Horace Holley and our own Corinne True?
Was it Horace Holley’s solemn words at the closing, a Hand of the Cause of God speaking to his fellow-servants at a Bahá’í convention for the first time: “It is the beginning of the Holy Year, and there are great forces revealed ... The decree which you and I are to carry out is a two-fold understanding of our love, of our power to act. On the one hand we are to give of our substance, and on the other, we are to be inspired in a new spirit of constancy in teaching ... My appeal is that we make no decision outside the realm of God ... If we make the decision in the human world, it will be a denial of reality ... Let us make our resolves in consecration.”
Or was it the beseeching call of the Convention members at the end, nine times, that plea we reserve for the most urgent occasions, “Yá Alláh u’l Mustagháth!”
Not these alone, but all the contributions by all the delegates; all the work and prayers of the new National Teaching and the various other committees now deep in plans for the Jubilee Year; the guidance of the National Spiritual Assembly; the penetrating consciousness of our tremendous teaching tasks for this year, given us anew by the Guardian but actually presented to us as our sacred obligation many years ago by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá—all of these contributed to this new spirit of dedication which arose at the 1952 convention.
Ten years of the past to make up for in this one Jubilee Year! Not alone in teaching, but also in sacrifice. This is the goal which the delegates were charged to bring home to the friends. It is a ten-fold multiplication of teaching work, of prayer and of dedication.
It was almost an electric shock which came over the Convention as in the early hours of its session, Leroy Ioas’ letter on teaching was read. The impact was tremendous. Delegates called for copies. Soon these were distributed. “Leroy’s Letter” became the electric switch directing our eyes to teaching.
Perhaps it was the awareness of Mr. Ioas’ own dedication, his forfeiting of a handsome pension only four years off, that this letter was received as it was. Everyone knew that it was from a servant turned wholly to God, from one who has been named a Hand of the Cause of God. The following excerpts became keynotes for the consultation that followed:
“Every Bahá’í must teach. He must continually give the Cause and then follow up his contacts.
“This teaching work includes living the life of service as well as speaking. One real genuine act of love and kindness may confirm a soul, just as teaching or studying from a book.
“Each person should hold in his home a fireside, at least once in 19 days, to which he invites his contacts and friends.
“Consecration is the attitude and motive-power of the individual in the teaching field.
“Individuals must arise to teach—and go to all parts of the country.
“Complete dedication and consecration to teaching are the essentials now to gain the goals. The Guardian said if the friends gain the ideal condition and arise and act and teach, such acts will become the magnets attracting the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh.
“Each Bahá’í must bring in at least one Bahá’í a year, as called for by the Master, so many years ago. We have failed heretofore—we must not fail now.”
These challenging requirements, a black-and-white blueprint for every Bahá’í, became the setting for the presentation of the goals as outlined by the American National Teaching Committee, whose members present included John Allen, chairman; Charlotte Linfoot, secretary; Robert Gulick, Mamie Seto, Charles Wolcott, Virginia Breaks and Valera Allen. The five parts of the plan for the coming year are 1, Complete rededication to America’s Spiritual Missions; 2, Each one, win one; 3, Extend the Faith beyond Fairbanks and nearer the Arctic Circle; 4, Consolidate and extend teaching work among the Indians; and 5, Extend the teaching activities among all groups of people.
Out of this plan emerged the realization that, now that our Assemblies and committees have perfected the Administrative framework, we are to coordinate our efforts more closely; extension teaching work will be carried out cooperatively; individuals will arise and volunteer for teaching circuits, whether their particular sphere is public speaking, or deepening, or confirming, or “first contact” work; Area and Regional committees will work out itineraries and plans cooperatively for this accelerated teaching activity, and Assemblies will work closely with Regional committees in order that the entire country may be knit into a strong unified teaching program.
Details of the Jubilee dates brought the event deep into our consciousness: the Forty-fifth national convention, April 29 to May 1, 1953; dedication of the House of Worship, May 2; the Intercontinental Conference, May 3 to May 6.
The international scale of the Jubilee Year was emphasized in messages from the Guardian, relayed by the pilgrims, urging us to attend as many of these conferences as possible. Dates of the four conferences, in which 12 national assemblies will participate, are (1) at Kampala Uganda, in early spring, 1953; (2) All-American Teaching Conference, at Wilmette, May 3 to 6; (3) at Stockholm, July 14-19, and (4) at New Delhi, India, probably in October, 1953.
Now we know. But it isn’t enough. We have still something else to do. Another picture looms before us, large and brilliant. It is still another assignment which the Guardian gave us in his Convention message.
Now in this Year Nine, with all our work and concentration upon fulfilling this year’s goals, we are to brace ourselves at the same time to play a preponderating role in the world crusade which the world community of Bahá’ís will undertake in the ten years between the Great Jubilee of 1953 and the Most Great Jubilee of 1963!
Our reply to the Guardian’s message told our feelings: “Delegates stirred to depths by your inspiring message. Eternally grateful for your untiring efforts
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in fashioning necessary agencies guaranteeing success of Master’s Divine Plan. Humbly beseech your prayers to strengthen our resolve to fulfill our obligation. Deeply appreciate historic opportunity and privilege of participating in unprecedented world crusade.”
From Haifa came the Guardian’s cable in reply: “Deeply appreciate message. Ardently supplicating blessings, noble resolve, discharge sacred responsibilities, fulfill mission.”
These questions we ask ourselves as we contemplate the implications of all that transpired at the 1952 Convention:
Can we falter in any of our tasks? Can we fail in any of our goals? Can we participate in the Jubilee celebrations, will our Holy Year Nine be complete, can we look forward to our Most Great Jubilee, unless we can say to the Guardian in loving greeting in 1953, “Mission accomplished”?
CONVENTION ELECTION. Matthew W. Bullock of Boston is a newly-elected member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Others re-elected were Paul Haney, Chairman; Horace Holley, Secretary; H. Borrah Kavelin, Treasurer; Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Mamie Seto, Miss Elsie Austin, Miss Edna True, Recording Secretary and Mr. Wm. Kenneth Christian. Tied for 10th place in the votes were Larry Hautz and Dr. Robert Gulick. Charles Wolcott received the next highest number of votes.
STATISTICS. We have 10 new Assemblies, and 12 Assemblies were dissolved. From January 8, 1951, to November 30, 1951, we had 320 new adult enrollments, and 50 youth. Due to persecutions, government regulations and other causes, it is impossible to state the number of Bahá’ís in the world today.
BUDGET. Our total budget for the year 1951-1952 was $450,000.00. We lacked $70,630.61 of meeting this budget. Most of the deficit was in Resolve Plan and Special Shrine Contributions. We went over our goal for Temple Interior Construction by $2,273.96. Our proposed budget for the 1952-1953 Bahá’í year, absorbing the deficit, is $475,000.00. We need to increase our contributions by $95,630.61 over last year, to meet the requirements of this Jubilee Year. The vast amount of money that has poured into the National Fund has been from a small number, less than 40 per cent of the believers.
PLANS FOR THE JUBILEE. The Jubilee Year Nine extends from October 16, 1952 to October 16, 1953. The Jubilee will be a three-fold celebration; (1) of the birth of the Faith; (2) dedication of the House of Worship, and (3) the All-American Conference. Theme of the Jubilee Celebration is “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.” Believers will be asked to set aside two Feasts in October and one in September to go over the background and as an orientation to the spiritual significance of this Holy Year. Early in January, a Feast will be set aside dealing with the subject of the Temple. One Holy Year pamphlet is being prepared.
The believers will be asked to carry out three public meetings: November 12 (Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh) “The Promised One of All Religions”; January 18, World Religion Day; First Day of Riḍván, “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.”
THE BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP. Upon the occasion of the consecration of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the West, fifty years after its inception, representatives of different religions will be invited to attend and participate. Saturday, May 2, will be the Day of Dedication. Portions from the writings of different faiths are to be selected carefully, and read. The believers are asked to consider this problem of selection from the Holy Writings. Suggestions on this subject will be warmly appreciated and may be sent to Horace Holley, chairman of the Temple Dedication Committee.
The planting in connection with the landscaping must be done between now and this fall. $200,000 is to be spent at present on the landscaping. Embellishments are to be added at a later date. The new budget calls for the full amount of the landscaping costs. We have a problem of 20 years’ deferred maintenance on the glass dome, and replacement of about half of the glass dome is in prospect, at a cost of $26,000.00. A special fund is expected to be available to cover this cost. The seats, now in the auditorium, cannot be permanently fixed until this work is completed.
The Temple will be floodlighted from without, with lights inconspicuously nestled in the shrubbery. The gardens will lie about three steps below the approach levels. There will be gardens between each of the nine walks. The gardens are to complement the beauty of the building, and not compete with it. The Guardian is pleased with Hilbert Dahl’s plans and design of the landscaping.
TEACHING. The success of the community of Wauwautosa, Wis. in having won at least 60 persons to the Faith in the last five years, was attributed, first, to the assumption of the Bahá’ís there that the people are interested in God and second, the assumption that they are interested primarily in the Bible; so they make an effort to show, first, that Christ is expected to come; then that He has come, and then those who believe, are prepared by reading of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh and other basic materials.
Borrah Kavelin: “Consecration. It means placing the Faith first in our lives. We must first become attracted. Those assemblies which are doing the best teaching work have achieved a certain unity within that community. If we have unity we will succeed as a community in the teaching work. Too much we are involved in administrative work, and not enough in human relations. We must become impersonal in our consultations.”
Ellsworth Blackwell: “If we are filled with the teachings, we will be automatically teaching all the time.”
Robert McLaughlin: “Let us take a positive attitude toward the plan of each one, winning one.”
Charlotte Linfoot: “The first step is to stimulate general enthusiasm and confidence on the part of all believers, and to make them feel that we can multiply believers, and multiply centers. The second step is for Area and Regional Teaching committees to plan immediately for regional teaching conferences, to be held before June 1, at which the convention reports will be given and plans made for conferences to follow. The
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first of these conferences to follow will consist of a
round-table study of America’s God-Given Mission, and
the second will be a “How to Do” conference.
Third step is consolidation. Goals for each region are to be set in consultation between the Area and Regional Teaching committees. We will need to utilize the talents of the various Bahá’ís.
Rafi Mottahedeh: “In visiting foreign pioneers, all the Feasts and other gatherings are centered upon teaching. This is the foremost thought in everyone’s mind. All consultation concerns it. The greatest thing in our lives, the teaching work, should be the main topic of conversation in all our Feasts and Assemblies. Our Assemblies, especially, should concentrate more on teaching work than anything else.”
Ethel Crane: “Let us stimulate the other believers so that they will carry the work along with us. Let us give our story differently, with enthusiasm. Let us give confidence to the believers in a community. Let them know the power comes from God and they can confirm as well as anyone else.”
John Allen, chairman of the American National Teaching Committee, quoting the Guardian: “ ‘Our responsibilities must be seriously and speedily reconsidered’. The Guardian has given us plenty of time to consider our goals, but time is running out. Nothing could be more hollow than coming to the Centenary next year, not having achieved our goals. To help us in our program, we have the promise of Divine assistance.”
Mamie Seto: “St. Paul said ‘The real things are unseen’. This is the ‘invisible assistance’.”
Bill Sears: “We have to get someone at the control tower to help these Divine assistances to come down ... we can guide ourselves by these five words of the Guardian ‘The last and irretrievable chance’.”
Winston Evans: “First, we have to have the burning desire to tell the story. If we get out of the habit of telling it, we soon get out of the spirit ... We have something to give us more contacts than we will know what to do with. It is that wonderful recording ‘Words for the World’. Every community should have at least one set of these records. They can take the place of a public speaker. I can visualize the time when people will call us up and ask if they can come over and listen to this recording. ‘Words for the World’ can be our greatest teaching aid.”
Raymond Rouse: “Let the believers have a part in accepting this plan.”
Marvin Newport: “If we each give the message once a day, we can’t help but succeed.”
Harlan Ober: “The plan of Bahá’u’lláh is that every twig should give forth leaves. Each one of us should teach. The Guardian has suggested that we should teach individually. Just giving the principles doesn’t help unless we have the spirit with it. In America’s Spiritual Mission we are told ‘to shower such kindness upon the seeker ... to exemplify the teachings.’ If we bring him too soon to meet the body of the believers, he may meet someone who will undo some of what we have started ... What we don’t realize that a channel is set up between the seeker and the one giving the Message. There is a spiritual relationship between the student and the teacher, and we should recognize that and not interfere in the teaching when someone has started with a pupil.”
Mamie Seto: “Some Bahá’ís think they haven’t the ability to teach. Each one of us who has accepted the Covenant can teach. Our message is simple. It is a simple story of the love of God for man.”
Borrah Kavelin: “We have been chosen to represent the believers at home. We must capture the spirit of consecration and carry it back home.”
Margery McCormick: “It is necessary to become informed about the prophecies of the Bible.”
Virginia Foster: “If two or more get together and read together the creative words, nothing can withhold the attraction.”
Bill Sears: “People say they are tired. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said he was tired, too, but he could not stop because always he would hear the voice of Bahá’u’lláh saying, ‘March, March’ ”.
Kenneth Christian: “The purpose of our Faith is not at all salvation in the old sense. It seems to me ‘Civilization’ is the word. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, speaking of the teachers who must go forth, said ‘Let him put his whole trust in God as the best provision for his journey, and array himself with the robe of virtue.’ A great world crusade is before us, and the four international conferences will set it in motion.”
Emma Rice, returned pilgrim: “The Guardian said, ‘Tell the American Bahá’ís that I want them to remember the preponderating role ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bestowed upon America ... and I wish them to support the four intercontinental conferences’.”
Glen Vasel, pilgrim just returned: “The Guardian said tell the believers to attend as many of these conferences as possible. The Guardian believes the American Bahá’ís have two important tasks: (1) increase the number of believers and (2) increase the number of Assemblies. He told me the Bahá’ís in America have over-systematized and over-channelized the Faith and are not teaching.”
Larry Hautz: “The Guardian said the American community has failed to attract the colored believers of this country. Speaking of minorities, the minority group in your community is the most important group for you to consider.”
David Ruhe: “Recommend that we undertake a resurvey of our personnel resources, that we consult experts in the field. We need a trained personnel specialist to help us utilize and organize our personnel resources.”
John Inglis: “A four-point plan for accomplishing our goal of “Each one, win one”: 1. Preparation of ourselves. Gleanings, Tablet CXXV, beginning on page 264, gives us the exact blueprint of what we need as a teacher to give the Cause. 2. Look up every possible contact. 3. Effort. We must make the effort and go to others. Our reward may be someone else we meet along the way—it may not be the one we expect, but effort will set the plan in motion. 4. Closing: The Covenant. It is the Covenant which confirms.”
Margaret Ford: “How to do it—we might begin with the advice of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Tablets, Volume 2, ‘Teach with simplicity, purity and freedom’ ”.
PRAYER. Peggy True: “A friend wrote the Guardian saying she was having trouble making new Bahá’ís because people are so material. The Guardian replied ‘There are Bahá’ís in the world. It is your job to seek them out through prayer’ ”.
Nina Matthiessen: “Have you ever started the day with the prayer in mind, that you would that day be able to give the Message to one soul? Let’s each day of
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this coming year pray that God will permit us to give
the Message to one soul that day, and if we have faith,
that privilege will be given us.”
Larry Hautz: “The Guardian said the Bahá’ís should get up earlier in the morning and pray, and then allow sufficient time for meditation before we rush off to work.”
GIVING. Borrah Kavelin: “The Fund is the heartbeat of the Bahá’í life. Without it we could not build the Shrine, we could not send pioneers, we could not complete the Temple, we could not do very much. Not a Nineteen-Day Feast should go by without discussing the Bahá’í News and the National Fund.”
Mamie Seto: “Contributing is not on a material plane. The law of giving is the law of increase.... You will never grow poorer by giving. The progress of spiritual things is dependent upon spiritual conditions. How can you become spiritual if you don’t eat? If you want to test yourself on how much you love God, you can do it by how much you give. The Guardian’s wish for us is one of bounteous living, and not deprivation.”
Horace Holley: “The Letters of the Living did not say ‘How much shall I give?’ but they had the consecration to give all.”
UNITY. Dr. Katherine True: “If we pretended that Shoghi Effendi were present at all our meetings, we would all be so intent on being good Bahá’ís we would not express any disunity.”
PILGRIMS. Larry Hautz: “The Guardian said some people make the pilgrimage physically, but never make it spiritually.”
AFRICA. Bessie Barham: “The African students in the United States are terribly lonely and they’re hungry for self-expression. They are eager to tell you of their country. It is best to let them talk first.”
Dwight Allen, chairman of National Youth Committee: “The African students are homesick.... If possible, invite several together ... Appeal to the hearts.”
Matthew Bullock, of the African committee: “We need pioneers with means, pioneers who can find positions in Africa. We need to write to the pioneers in Africa to keep up their morale.”
SUMMER SCHOOLS: These are to be the source of inspiration and equipment for our teaching work. Everything will be keyed to teaching.
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HANDS OF THE CAUSE. Larry Hautz: “The Guardian has named the different doors of the Tomb of the Báb after some of the Hands of the Cause. I asked him how many Hands there will be. He said there could well be 95 Hands. The Hands are independent of the National Spiritual Assemblies, and their first responsibility is to maintain the integrity of the Faith and to stimulate teaching. In the near future a Hand of the Cause will write the history of the Faith, another may be outstanding in the field of music, and our whole civilization, in its different aspects, will grow up under the stimulus of these various Hands.”
National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
America and the World Crusade[edit]
Beloved friends:
We American Bahá’ís have been made conscious of our particular destiny in the promulgation of the Bahá’í Message throughout the world and in the establishment of the new Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
Ours is the mission to provide the workers and the resources needed to sustain the Guardian’s world crusade. From 1953 to 1963 the forces required to produce Bahá’í communities in the now unoccupied areas of the earth will be gathered from East and West. Side by side the Bahá’ís of all national Bahá’í communities will go forth to enkindle the light of faith where darkness now prevails. The quality and capacity of the individual believer engaged in this sacred task will be the essential concern, not his race, class or nationality.
Though every national community, including that to be formed by the Bahá’ís of Switzerland and Italy and that to be formed by Bahá’ís of central Africa, will participate as equals and contribute to the one common cause, the share of America must be the decisive factor in attaining the goal. This is not from our merit as individual Bahá’ís. This is not a superiority of which we can justifiably boast or even be conscious.
In the working out of human history, the American continent, peopled and developed by representatives of so many countries, cultures and civilizations, has become the last refuge of man’s hope for justice and peace. In other lands the principle of necessity has displaced the principle of grace. The peoples gathered here were not summoned by destiny to form one more separate nation, one more self-centered culture in the series of limited civilizations which have arisen and perished, but to create a social instrument capable of shattering the oppressions crushing humanity, destroying the superstitions holding the human spirit in servitude, and providing opportunity for others to rise to world citizenship and become parts of one united mankind.
The Bahá’í world crusade 1953-1963 is not one more teaching project. Its purpose is to achieve the salvation of man. In this period of ten years, the spirit of of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh will meet, and overcome, the most powerful and desperate enemies of the human soul—the acceptance of ignorance, war, sectarianism, poverty and injustice as inevitable and eternal conditions ordained from the beginning for man’s life on earth.
The Bahá’í mission, in essence, is to replace inert tradition with the creative powers of divine truth, and transmute mankind from the dominance of instinct to the freedom of conscious knowledge. God-given institutions, endowed with new powers, must demonstrate their capacity to realize the purposes of man’s true destiny, and identify human hope with the prevalence of revealed law. The world crusade reveals this process in its final stage, when the visible shape of spiritual victory has emerged in the souls of believers, and the shadow of self-betrayal becomes darkest in the souls of those who deny God.
The prophetic nature of this era exalts our human powers and inspires us with the conviction that victory was decreed from the beginning. This work is God’s
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providence. Those who are aware of this providence
stand armed against all discouragement. The will of
God decrees the time, the method and the goal. We
who acclaim the decree do so by rising above ourselves
and becoming His missioners, endowed with qualities
stronger and purer than our own.
For each of us our one destined contribution is to rise to the plane of spiritual consecration and give entrance to the quickening power. Not from us is expected or needed the greatness of the statesman nor the genius of the poet. Greatness lies within the nature of the crusade itself. Let us seek consecration for obedience to the quickening power that stands at the door of our hearts. Let us understand that for each of us the moment of supreme urgency has dawned. Effort of will, sacrifice of material means—these for us are not the exactions which human tyranny imposes upon its victims, but the wings offered us without which there is no flight across the vast abyss from animal to man.
Jubilee Program[edit]
“The historic significance of this period cannot be overestimated.”—Shoghi Effendi, November 23, 1951. “A great responsibility rests on your Assembly to set through your vigorous, efficient and well-planned organization of these threefold functions, an inspiring example to all your sister Assemblies of East and West. The resources at your disposal, the freedom you enjoy, the high position occupied by the American Bahá’í community enable and entitle you to play a distinctive role in the celebrations of this great Jubilee that commemorates the Centenary of the termination of the Nine Year Bábí Dispensation, representing as stated by the Báb Himself, the embryo of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and the hundredth anniversary of the Birth of His Prophetic Mission.”—Shoghi Effendi, through his secretary, November 23, 1951.
The principal events associated with Jubilee Year are announced to the believers so that they may make their plans, especially for attending the national program scheduled for April and May, 1953.
- The Holy Year celebrating the Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s mystical experience in Síyáh-Chál—the Birth of His Prophetic Mission—begins on October 16, 1952 with the Nineteen Day Feast observed after sunset on October 15, and concludes with the Nineteen Day Feast observed after sunset on October 15, 1953.
- Local public meetings celebrating the Jubilee will be held on November 12, 1952, January 18, 1953 and after sunset on April 20, 1953 the first day of Riḍván.
- The Forty-Fifth Annual Convention will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, April 29, 30 and May 1, 1953.
- National public meetings will be conducted by the Jubilee Committee in Temple Foundation Hall on the first two evenings of the Convention period.
- Friday, May 1, a public meeting will be conducted in the evening by the Temple Dedication Committee.
- The House of Worship will be publicly dedicated on Saturday, May 2.
- The evening of May 2 will be devoted to the celebration of the Feast of Riḍván.
- The All-America International Teaching Conference will be held on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 3, 4, 5, and 6.
- The Jubilee Committee will conduct public meetings on the four evenings of these Conference dates.
Bahá’ís wishing to attend the Convention, Temple Dedication, the International Teaching Conference, and the National Celebrations of Jubilee Year will arrange to be in Wilmette from Wednesday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 6.
Report to the Friends[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly met for four days at the end of March, 1952, in an effort to act on all pending matters prior to the brief pre-Convention meeting scheduled for April. At this meeting Leroy Ioas was absent on account of his residence in Haifa, at the World Center.
The resolutions voted and recorded included those from No. 1734 to No. 1911, or a total of 177.
The matters brought up for consultation fell into these classifications: Communications from and to the Guardian, Treasury, Committee Appointments, Service Committees, International, National and Regional Teaching (Consolidation), Schools, Child Education, National Spiritual Assembly Members, State Conventions, National Convention, Local Assemblies, Individuals, other National Assemblies, Jubilee, Memorial gatherings.
The body of the Minutes fill 69 pages. In addition there are 14 pages of Index and Annexes.
Cables from the Guardian included that dated February 29, since published in Bahá’í News, and that dated March 8, also published, and the cable of March 16 about the purchase of a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Central Africa, likewise published.
A telegram was received from Siegfried Schopflocher during the meeting announcing the death of Mr. William Sutherland Maxwell. The next day a cable came from the Guardian directing Horace Holley to attend the funeral in Montreal. This was followed by the Guardian’s cable of March 26, his tribute to Sutherland Maxwell. Action was taken to conduct a national Memorial gathering in honor of Sutherland Maxwell during the Convention.
A letter from the Guardian dated January 27, 1952, to the Africa Teaching Committee was marked for publication in Bahá’í News.
Financial reports submitted as of May 1, 1951 to February 29, 1952, showed a total of $301,468 received for National Fund and Resolve Plan, less than the total needed as of these dates by $73,522.
Mr. H. B. Kavelin was appointed Acting Treasurer to serve until the end of the current administrative year.
Seventy-one contributions were received during January and February marked in memory of some departed relative or friend.
Miss Mae Graves was appointed Manager of the Publishing Committee as of May 1, 1952.
Six different books and pamphlets were listed as being in process of publication.
In Africa, the American pioneers have been making important contacts and establishing a firm foundation of good will among the people of these areas. The Committee reports regularly on these activities through Bahá’í News.
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Much time was devoted to consideration of the Jubilee
Celebration and the four Intercontinental Teaching Conferences called by the Guardian for 1953.
A budget was recorded as a recommendation to the incoming National Spiritual Assembly for sustaining the National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America to the end of the Second Seven Year Plan.
A National Teaching Program was submitted by the American National Teaching Committee for presentation to the Convention, resulting in prayerful discussion of the most effective methods of arousing the entire Bahá’í community for personal teaching. Arrangements were made for a joint meeting of members of Area Teaching Committees with the National Teaching Committee at the Convention.
Action was taken to request consultation between the American National Teaching Committee and the National Youth Committee to bring about a more active participation of Youth in the national teaching campaign and their closer collaboration with Area and Regional Teaching Committees.
The Texas Regional Teaching Committee reported that Miss Anna Reinke has mailed out 243 Bahá’í pamphlets during the year, presented 26 Bahá’í books, 17 of them in public libraries. Miss Reinke was a member of the Regional Teaching Committee.
Recommendations made by State Conventions were considered under three groups: General Recommendations, those related to State Convention arrangements and agendas, and those pertaining to the National Convention. The recommendations related to State Conventions and National Conventions are to be studied when arrangements are made for these meetings in 1953.
Among local Assembly matters, the Minutes deal with the question of literature for teaching Eskimos, joint sponsorship of programs by two adjoining Assemblies, Inter-Assembly Committees, the need of a pamphlet on transliteration and translation of Arabic and Persian terms found in the Bahá’í writings, preparation of applicants for enrollment, reports of programs used for Brotherhood Week, reports on local meetings addressed by Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Weeden.
Dorothy Baker presented an outline of subjects she was prepared to present at the Latin American Conventions and post-Convention sessions, and these were approved.
Plans submitted by the Jubilee Committee were approved. These are to be announced by the Committee in Bahá’í News.
First Italian Bahá’í Conference
Rome — March 21-23, 1952[edit]
The Naw-Rúz Banquet was held Thursday evening, March 20, at the Hotel Savoia. There were about 70 present. It was a beautiful room, and the long table decorated with smilax and spring flowers produced a lovely effect. Mr. Giulio Jacoviello of Florence, chairman of the Conference, read the opening prayer. After the dinner, Mr. Ugo Giachery welcomed the friends and then asked Mr. Zikrullah Khadem, a Hand of the Cause from Persia, to speak to the friends. Miss Steinmetz and Miss Kempton also spoke a few words.
The Conference opened at 9:30 Friday morning, with an address of welcome by Mr. Ugo Giachery, followed by the introduction of Mr. Zikrullah Khadem, a Hand of the Cause of God, who is on a special mission, having been sent by the Guardian to visit all the Bahá’í centers in Europe.
Having two “Hands of the Cause of God” present at this Conference, fresh from the presence of our beloved Guardian lifted us all to a very high spiritual level, such as we have never before experienced.
“I have given my heart to the Guardian forever” was Mr. Giachery’s opening remark. He then told us of the nine halcyon days spent with the Guardian—a life inconceivable unless actually experienced.
The establishment of the first National Spiritual Assembly under the Second Seven Year Plan is an important historic event, said Mr. Giachery, and the Guardian has placed great emphasis on its formation. It is a priceless gift, the value of which we cannot yet fully comprehend. He also stated that it is the express desire of the Guardian that there be a rapid increase in the number of communities. Also, with the help and the love of the Swiss friends across the border we must now become an international community.
Mr. Giachery then spoke of the Guardian’s intense pleasure when he read the letter from the Queen of Holland to the Dutch friends. “Always try to approach the highest authority in the land”, said the Guardian.
Mr. Khadem then told of his visit with the beloved Guardian. His emphasis was on the blessings we receive through the Guardian. “This Conference reminds me of the Conference of Badasht and of the guidance of Bahá’u’lláh. Today, when we look at ourselves we are helpless, we do not know what to do, but we have the guidance of the beloved Guardian.” He then quoted that beautiful passage written by Bahá’u’lláh, in which He tells us that “God has created all things but all that He wants is the hearts of His servants.” Our Guardian has asked us to gather here for a very important matter—the building of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
“We have no idea what the Guardian is doing for the world and for us,” said Mr. Khadem, as he told of his long working hours—sometimes working way into the early hours of the morning. He described a map of the world that the Guardian has marked with circles around those countries in which National Spiritual Assemblies are to be formed. All the Spiritual Assemblies (National) already established have a letter.
The Italian-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly will be the twelfth and the letter “L” will be given to it upon its formation. He also said that the formation of the Italian-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly was to have been later, but that the progress was swifter than had been anticipated and so we have been given the great bounty of being allowed to elect this pillar of the Universal House of Justice at an earlier date. This swift progress is the result of prayer and effort.
He then spoke of the effect of prayer—it is as a magnet which attracts. The center of gravity is not gone but something is added—a superior force has been brought into action.
With sweet humility Mrs. Khadem gave us the greetings from the friends in Persia. “The Guardian has sent my husband and myself on a mission to visit all the friends in Europe—I find I have come to learn a lesson in obedience and spirituality. Never have I imagined such happiness and joy as I have experienced during my
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First Italian Conference in Rome, March 21-23, 1952.
visit to Haifa. I have been in the presence of the Guardian many times but this time my eyes were open.” She
spoke of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, as an angel, like Mary the
Mother of Jesus; of Mrs. Collins, her spiritual mother,
whom she felt she could never leave because she loved
her so; of Jessie and Ethel Revell and of all the dear
ones now gathered in Haifa. She felt she could never
leave these dear friends but they told her she would
find other souls in the other countries she would visit
and she was finding this to be true. “I beg for prayers
from you all” was her closing remark.
The Secretary of the Rome Spiritual Assembly then read the message from the Conference to the Guardian.
The main topics of the Conference Program were:
- The Importance of Firmness in the Covenant
- Bahá’í Publications—Italian
- The Bahá’í Community
- Its formation and life
- Bahá’í Community
The Development of the Administrative Order
- Ways and Means of Extension Teaching
Publicity and Press
Contribution of Youth to Promulgation of Teachings - Collaboration between all Italian Communities
Summary of Main Issues of Conference
Discussion
The Conference was carried over to Sunday for a full
discussion between the Italian and Swiss friends. The
Swiss representatives attending were Mr. Friedrich
Schár, Mrs. Alice Heer, Mr. Fritz Semle, Miss Elsa
Steinmetz, Mrs. Olga Schár and Miss Honor Kempton.
The session opened with prayers in Swiss, German and in Italian. Mr. Giachery told the friends of the great joy the Guardian expressed at the coming establishment of the joint National Spiritual Assembly between Italy and Switzerland. The characteristics of the Italian and Swiss will make a good “marriage.” The Swiss are serious and stern and the Italian enthusiastic. “I want you,” said the Guardian, “to inform the friends that this is to be considered as a great honor. You are not yet mature—mature united, but not alone.” Finally he spoke of the new National Assembly to be formed as a “Great Jewel”, a “Great Gift”.
The date for the 22nd of March, 1953, was set for the election of 19 delegates. During the Riḍván period, as requested by the Guardian the friends will convene in Florence and the 19 delegates will elect the first Italian-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly.
Miss Steinmetz then outlined eight subjects for review and discussion, including the goals for this year set by the Guardian in his message to the Conference held in Holland last summer; the three major duties of these Regional Committees; the extension teaching program and others. Her presentation was based upon the Swiss teaching program for accomplishing preparatory work leading to the formation of the Italian-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly in Florence, Riḍván, 1953.
The presentation of the proposed Swiss teaching program was followed by personal words of thanks on the part of the Swiss friends, for the great privilege of participating in this glorious Conference.
In closing Miss Steinmetz said as a parting word from her own heart, that she would like to gather all of the love and gratitude expressed by the Swiss friends into a beautiful bouquet, and lay it, with all its sweet fragrance, in the arms of each of the Italian Friends— with special thanks to the Giachery and Khadem families.
We were then told some thrilling historical facts of Mount Carmel, of the land of Mount Carmel, and that later some of this land would be registered in the names of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the world—that the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy and Switzerland would have its piece of land on this Holy Mountain. Further, Mr. Giachery spoke of the Tablet of Carmel, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Cave of Elijah (page 14 of The Gleanings)—that we should study well this Tablet and learn it by heart. “Hasten forth and circumambulate the City of God that hath descended from heaven ...,” writes Bahá’u’lláh. The City of God was then a secret—He was referring to the Shrine of the Báb. “Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee, and will manifest the people of Bahá who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.” The Ark of God is the
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New World Order—the ship in which the members of
the International House of Justice will be “manifest.”
These “People of Bahá” have not yet been manifested.
We heard how Bahá’u’lláh pitched His Tent on Mount
Carmel, thus fulfilling Bible prophecy. The Guardian
has the “Tent” which was “pitched” on Mount Carmel—it is now in Bahjí.
It made the Italian friends very happy to know that the “garment” of the Shrine of the Báb came from the womb of earth of Italy. This has a great significance. Also, the columns of the Shrine are made from marble from Mount Mattarone—just a few kilometers from the Swiss border.
In closing Mr. Khadem said he had been thinking of the years of restriction—during the time of the Báb and of Bahá’u’lláh. “Now” he says, “we are marching forward without restriction—I am seeing the builders of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh at work.”
“The suffering from parting is hard to bear, the comfort of having the friends with us has been very great,” were Mr. Giachery’s closing words. “I wish they would never go away. I hope we shall have the opportunity of meeting again very soon and that at that time there Will be many many more of this great family the Bahá’í family.”
GENEVA OFFICE, E.T.C.
The Africa Teaching Campaign[edit]
Loving prayers, warm greetings and an attractive display emphasizing the spiritual campaign in Africa, all brought our much loved American, British, Persian and African pioneers in Africa close to the hearts of the American Bahá’ís assembled in their 44th annual convention at Wilmette.
The display featured a large map with gay ribbons showing the locations of pioneers, groups and assemblies in Africa. Beside it there were pictures of all our pioneers, beautiful photographs, showing our Kampala and Dar groups and the native African Bahá’ís, pictorial photographs showing the charm and challenge of African territories and a splendid set of pictures showing educational projects being launched among the natives of West Africa. The pamphlets now available in African native languages were featured. There were also letters from the pioneers. A large and fine photograph of the late Louis Gregory was mounted on the display and beside it beautifully illuminated were the words of the Guardian describing the great influence the life and service of this first Hand of the Faith of the Negro Race is to have upon the work in Africa and the African believers. The display was mounted just outside of the door leading to Foundation Hall where Convention sessions are held. Many photographs were made of it, and the Committee hopes to share with each of the Africa pioneers a picture of the display.
Committee members at the Convention were kept busy by a steady stream of new applicants for pioneer work and believers interested in the Africa Campaign. During the session devoted to discussing the work of the Campaign, the delegates presented some most interesting accounts of the work being done among African students in America by Bahá’í individuals and groups. The whole convention gave thoughtful consideration to these passages of the Beloved Guardian’s cable bearing upon the Africa Teaching work and the coming Africa Conference.
As this report goes to press, word has come from Rex and Mary Collison, the first American pioneers to Kampala. They arrived at their destination on April 25, 1952. The Committee is grateful to be able to share the following excerpts from their enthusiastic and inspiring letter.
“At last we have something to report! We arrived in Kampala, Friday afternoon, April 25, and were met by Mr. and Mrs. Banani, Mr. and Mrs. Nakhjavani and Bahia (4 yrs.) with a big bunch of yellow lilies, two African believers, and an English contact with a pick-up for our luggage. Just such love, thoughtfulness and service have been showered on us every day since. In the few days here we have had special Riḍván meetings, Feast, Conference Committee meetings and several extras for special contacts. Today is our first day without some gathering at the Bananis. We must soon start out on our own, as we made contacts en route. Philip Hainsworth met us about 30 miles east of Jinga and drove us to Jinga direct as the railroad made a big loop, so we had about 2½ hours with him and he has been in Kampala several times since...We now have four African believers of whom one is outstanding in understanding, intelligence, maturity and contact and teaching ability. Several others of similar types seem genuinely interested. As we thought, this pioneer group is outstanding in many ways...
“Last night we commemorated the 12th day of Riḍván in the home of the African Bahá’í referred to above. It was a memorable gathering of sixteen adults (9 African, 7 men and 2 women) and four children. Two present expressed their desire to become Bahá’ís and preparatory classes will be held. It was the first meeting in a Bahá’í African Home— a two-room brick house, concrete floor, wooden shutters at windows (no glass), thatched roof, little furniture, immaculately clean. Philip had brought flowers from his garden.
“.... The weather is remarkable—unbelievable! We have had only two days hot and humid by Northern California or upper New York state standards, but Rex says no comparison with the heat of the middle west. Pioneers say in the last nine months none were hotter....
“A car is practically essential. Kampala spreads over a really large area of hilly country and African contacts often really need transportation one way at least, because of distance and time involved... public transportation does not exist. Taxis are rare and arrangements difficult and expensive....
“More Americans are needed in Africa! What can we do to help speed things up?
“Let us all pray and act to speed things up in the Africa Campaign!”
ELSIE AUSTIN, Chairman
Fireside in Korea[edit]
A fireside meeting can be held anywhere, under any conditions, if the spirit is willing, as has been proved by a letter to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee from one of the believers ordering pamphlets (“The Bahá’í House of Worship”, “Man One Family”, “Security for a Failing World”, and “Faith for Freedom”) for her husband in Korea. He has been there many months, and is conducting a fireside at the front.
International News[edit]
The British Isles[edit]
The most important problem facing the British Bahá’í Community in recent months has been the consolidation of the Assemblies formed during the Six-Year Plan. Progress in this, the first goal of the Two-Year Plan now in effect, has been slower than in the goals of the Africa campaign. Urgent calls for pioneers-at-home have gone out, and a good response received, and it is hoped that through this effort the weak Assemblies will be maintained. For the first time in British Bahá’í history, three Communities besides London and Manchester have been allocated more than two delegates to the Convention, and there are fewer Communities, than in previous years, of nine members only.
The work in Africa has been progressing well, and there are good signs that there may be Assemblies in Kampala and Dar es Salaam by the time this bulletin is in print. Most of the translations into the African languages are completed and a start has been made in printing them. The London Bahá’í Community were very happy to welcome Professor and Mrs. Collison who spent two weeks there on the way from the United States to their pioneering post in Uganda. They expect to arrive at their location early in May, and will belong to a Community whose Assembly will have on it the first four African believers in Uganda.
The British Community, like the rest of the Bahá’í world, has been deeply moved by the rapid development of the institutions of the World Center of the Faith. British Bahá’ís have been fortunate in receiving several visitors who came to Britain from Iran, making the pilgrimage to Haifa on their way, and bringing with them some share of the spirit radiated from the World Center.
An outstanding event in Britain each year is the Teaching Conference held in January for the whole of the British Isles, this year in Birmingham. One of the outstanding features this year was the desire of those in the stronger Communities to help the teaching work in the weaker Communities, a technique particularly suited to a small, densely populated country such as Britain. The film of the Master was shown for the first time in Britain at the Teaching Conference, together with the most recent film of the Shrine and gardens.
Northampton Bahá’ís report a thrilling experience of the power of Bahá’í consultation: they have disbanded their local Teaching Committee and the Assembly itself makes all teaching plans, discussing these with the Community at each Feast. They recently instituted united prayers for more contacts, and within a few weeks several more attended their Thursday meeting—some of them seemed dissatisfied with the type of program, and at the next Feast, the Community consulted, decided on a marked change in the program and put this on the following week, with tremendous success and both Bahá’ís and contacts radiating a wonderful spirit of unity and love; this was so overpowering that one of the newest believers volunteered to give a series of talks, having never spoken a word in public before. As their faith is, so are their blessings!
On the occasion of the recent death of Mrs. Marguerite Wellby Preston, former member of the London Assembly and of the British N.S.A., the Guardian wired: “Grieved tragic loss, praying fervently behalf departed.” For six years Mrs. Preston had been the only Bahá’í in Kenya, where she and her husband had settled in 1945. Last year she was left a widow with her three small children to care for.
When the Africa project started Marguerite’s old enthusiasm for her beloved Faith was kindled into a brighter flame. She had never lost touch with the activities in Britain but now that the field was opening in Kenya she was anxious to do all in her power to help. As a preliminary to further activity she returned to Britain for a few weeks where she renewed many old friendships.
She left Britain by airplane on Saturday, February 16, on her long journey home to Africa, accompanied by her little son Adrian, age 5. She was enthusiastic and full of plans for Bahá’í activity in Kenya. On the following Monday the news of the terrible accident that took the lives of all passengers, came as a great shock to all who knew her.
She was able to supply the British Africa Committee with much valuable information about conditions in Kenya and showed such an eagerness for the work of the Two Year Plan that the National Assembly told her they considered her a pioneer. As her return to Kenya was largely influenced by her desire to teach the Cause she fully justified this title. Her sudden death deprives the Faith in Africa of a devoted servant.
Germany[edit]
The National Convention of Germany took place the third and fourth of May in Frankfurt a/M with thirty-eight delegates participating.
Ten goal cities are listed under the Five-year Plan: Munich, Ulm, Ebingen, Tübingen, Ludwigsburg, Heilbronn, Neckargemünd, Giessen, Bonn/Industriegebiet, Bremen.
Summer school and teaching conferences will include:
- Youth Summer School in Heppenheim, July 27-August 9
- Summer School in Esslingen a/N August 10-16
- Teaching Conference (ETC) in Luxembourg August 23-31
- Teaching Meeting in Hamburg September 6-7
From Karlsruhe, Tübingen and Darmstadt comes news of good work done by the Persian section of the National Teaching Committee in lecturing about the Faith in various colleges. Interest was aroused and press notices were appreciative.
The German Bahá’í News carries from time to time notices of the teaching programs of the communities, so that whenever possible traveling friends may take advantage of these. Schedules and programs for such teaching meetings have already been published for Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Wiesbaden, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe and Stuttgart.
After a time of austerity, in which (as befell our own World Order Magazine in the U.S.) “Sonne der Wahrheit” (Sun of Truth) did not appear, plans are again being set in motion to begin publication anew of this German Bahá’í magazine.
Australia and New Zealand[edit]
The following excerpt of a letter from the Guardian to the friends “down under” emphasizes that maturity for which all parts of the Bahá’í world are striving:
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“The Guardian has noted a new spirit of love and
unity amongst the Australian and New Zealand Bahá’ís
which pleases him very much, as the atmosphere of
harmony amongst the friends will attract the Divine
Blessings and enable them to achieve a great deal more
for the Faith.
“He strongly feels that the time has come for the believers of Australia and New Zealand to arise as a conquering army and ensure the attainment of their goals under their Six Year Plan. They now constitute one of the strongest bodies of believers in the world, ranking with such active and well established communities as those of Canada, Great Britain and India. Their period of adolescence in the Faith has passed; they are now adults, and they must face the problems involved in fulfilling their Plan squarely and with maturity.... They must sacrifice, concentrate on their tasks, plan their actions and carry on their pioneer work with determination, realizing they will have no one to blame for any failures, except themselves! He is proud of the progress they have made and confident they can succeed if they really try.”
Mr. Stanley Bolton, Sr., has recently completed an interstate teaching trip taking him to centres in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. It extended from October 21 to December 5, 1951.
By carrying special equipment he was able to concentrate his efforts on showing the motion pictures of the Bahá’í Gardens and Shrines on Mount Carmel almost every night during the trip. Accompanied by a commentary, the picture was followed by a short talk during which Mr. Bolton gave a resume of the origin, history and principles of the Faith.
The film was shown in Wagga, Albury, Melbourne, Ballarat, Kingston and Adelaide to twenty-five meetings and gatherings. It is having a profound effect upon Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike.
In addition to this, Mr. Bolton gave a seven minute radio broadcast over 3BA, Ballarat, on November 9 which was re-broadcast on November 11, and a twelve minute broadcast over 5AD, Adelaide. He also spoke from the pulpit of the Australian Church in Melbourne on November 4.
Canada[edit]
In the Canadian Bahá’í News we found this open letter to Canadian believers from a pioneer in Africa and it is so universal and helpful in its message that we quote most of it here:
“It is a paradox that until a community has achieved a Plan, it is not a community at all. It is a conglomeration of individuals, a loosely knit collection of believers, with rudimentary organs and systems. But then must come the day when the birth of a new entity takes place—an organically united, matured, victorious community—a community in the true sense of it having collectively achieved a Goal.
“Let us never think for a moment that a Bahá’í Plan is only that a certain number has to be achieved—whether of believers, groups or assemblies. The number is only the measure, the size, the birth weight of the new community if it is to be born healthy and vigorous. We should dread to witness the birth of one of the more important, more blessed communities of Bahá’u’lláh’s Kingdom if it is in any way deformed!
“The prevention of such a calamity is a simple one. Ever since the Plan was launched, nay, ever since His Holiness the Báb addressed His call to the West, the Supreme Concourse have been preparing the soil, preparing souls, for just these days. All we have to do is to find these prepared souls. This is the first point we should remember, that there are more than enough potential Bahá’ís now ready just thirsting for the Message.
“... The Bahá’í is blessed beyond all science and medicine for he knows and can use three spiritual laws greater than any material one.
“The Law of Prayer, the Law most commonly used—yet not used enough. Prayer for guidance, for strength for your contacts; for your committees; for your N.S.A., and for the Guardian. Turning to him, and for him, in prayer opens that channel through which can stream power enough to melt all the snows ‘up north’ let alone bring a few confirmations. Yet the beauty of this Law is that no one can say he cannot do it. We can be solidly united in prayer; and so we should be, for it is a collective goal we are working for!
“The Law of Sacrifice. This seems such a beautiful and mysterious law, yet it works so practically. In fact, it seems to us to bring even greater results than prayer—for in prayer we talk with God, we supplicate, we give thanks, we meditate, and then we act with assurance, but many times, because of ‘our margin of error’ or our inability to see the end from the beginning, we do not know if our prayers are answered, or should I say how our prayers are answered. With this Law of Sacrifice, however, the result is immediate. You lose or give up something; indeed, until you do, the Law does not come into operation. That feeling of loss must be experienced, if only for a moment, because that creates the vacuum as it were which allows the blessings to rush in. Oh, and are not these blessings multiple! That is the trouble, those who really sacrifice just keep on doing it, their happiness will not permit them to stop, and the freedom it brings, that is the joy!
“Thus again, as in prayer, we can, and must, be united in sacrifice. In a communal effort, no single soul can be exempted.
“The Law of Consultation. Using the Law of Prayer is healing, satisfying, strengthening. Sacrifice is sweet and result-bringing. But the operation of the third and possibly the most obvious one in its efforts is exciting and convincing. In any Bahá’í work, but particularly in a collective Plan, it is the supreme Law governing group and individual action. Although the results can be so positive, we are only just beginning to dabble in its use. Have you ever thought of going along to the National Teaching Committee with no other thought in mind but service to the Cause, and saying: ‘I would like to offer myself to you without reservation’? Sometimes consultation would say the best service is to stay at home; sometimes it gets you a better job in a new town; sometimes it may say, give us some months in a town but do not dig up your roots at home—one can never tell. Whatever the answer is, one can face the future with an upright head and will know how to answer those thousands of people who in the years to come will surround us and say ‘Why did you not tell us years ago when you had the chance?’ If in the future we can fearlessly answer the masses and say ‘I did all I could,’ then we need not be ashamed,
[Page 14]
but the guidance to interpret this ‘all’ can only come
through invoking the Law of Consultation.
“Whatever the situation is, let us be scientific—use the Laws we know will work. Let us become those spiritual giants our dear Guardian is eager to see; and above all, let us never forget that the triumph of the Plan will not only determine Canada’s stature in the future, but it will give another instrument to our Guardian to use in his mighty work. He loves work, does our Guardian, but we must give him the tools.
South America[edit]
Just a brief pre-Convention note came from South America:
The South American Convention takes place this year in Ezeiza, Argentina, which is also the location of the South American International Summer School. The memorial for Sutherland Maxwell on the southern continent, will be held in the country, where his wife, May Maxwell, gave her life in the Faith.
Two new Assemblies have come forth in South America this year, both in Chile—one in Orsorno and one in Quilpué.
American News[edit]
Small Bahá’í Communities Work Diligently[edit]
The Bahá’ís in Fort Wayne, Indiana report the following activities for one week. Naw-Rúz was celebrated in the local YMCA with a pot-luck supper and program, drawing together 22 Bahá’ís from in and around Fort Wayne. Four non-Bahá’ís attended. The following Sunday, March 23rd, the local community sponsored a fifteen minute radio program over station WANE using the script “New Life for the World”. Monday evening two Bahá’ís were interviewed on station WOWO on a popular show and were able to tell the story of the Faith. Preceding and following the interview the “Words for the
Florida State Convention, 1952
World” record was used. Another portion of the record
was used at midnight to close the day’s broadcasting
activities. Tuesday evening the friends gathered to hear
the youth program for World Youth Day, with 25
present.
At Sioux Falls, the Bahá’ís held their third annual Brotherhood dinner in collaboration with the Thomas Paine Society and the NAACP. Their guest speaker was Mr. Clarence Hughes of Minneapolis. Two rabbis, three ministers, and several other prominent guests were among the 67 dinner guests.
Calvin and Barbara Steinmetz are making friends in Salem, Oregon, with recorded classical music in their home inviting people to “Evenings with the Masters.” For Brotherhood Week, the Bahá’ís arranged publicity in five newspapers in papers as much as fifty miles away. Two radio stations announced the meeting at the YMCA. Calvin Steinmetz was moderator at the meeting with a panel composed of Miss Kieme Yokoi of Japan; Sham Crover of India; C. A. Vanderpuye of Gold Coast, West Africa; William Maxwell of Phoenix, Arizona; Sidney Wasserman of Salem, and Barbara Steinmetz.
Anchorage, Alaska, Bahá’ís recently held 21 fireside meetings in a single month! The friends have also bought a cemetery lot for Bahá’í burials.
Little Rock, Arkansas, felt their World Religion Day meeting was an outstanding success when they drew 75 persons to their meeting in the YWCA. Seventeen year-old Vade Metha, an Indian student at the Blind School spoke on Hinduism, Mohammad Salem of Egypt spoke on Islám, Dr. Maurice Friedman spoke on Judaism, and Mary Conaster was the Bahá’í speaker. “Our music was rendered by two Negro friends of the Faith, a pianist and soloist. Here in the South, it is still unusual for Negro musicians to be invited to perform at meetings of this kind. The audience was mixed as is usual with our meetings.”
United Nations Study Material[edit]
The Bahá’í United Nations Committee is pleased to inform the friends that it has prepared a Study Kit with information on the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations. This Kit will enable the friends to study the United Nations from a Bahá’í point of view.
This Kit will contain the following material: Check List of Contents of Bahá’í-United Nations Study Kit, Suggested Outline for Two Week Course, Some Bahá’í Quotations on World Government and Collective Security, Bahá’í Relationship to United Nations, Report of the Bahá’í Activities in Relation to the United Nations, Suggestions for Bahá’í Delegates to United Nations Non-Governmental Organizations Conferences, Five UNESCO Pamphlets on the Race Question: The Roots of Prejudice, Race and Psychology, Race and Culture, Race and Biology, Race Myths, UNESCO and Its Programme — III — The Race Question, Complete United Nations Study Kit.
The friends will find in the Kit much source material for teaching work in that the trend of daily events can be related to much of our Bahá’í writings. The cost of the Study Kit will be $4.00 complete. Checks should be made out to Mildred R. Mottahedeh, 225 Fifth Avenue, New York 10, N.Y.
[Page 15]
Temple landscaping work began April 29, 1952. Photo shows Hilbert E. Dahl, Landscape Architect with Mr. John Meyers of George A. Fuller Co., General Contractors.
Plan For Jubilee Celebration[edit]
October 16, 1952—October 16, 1953
Purpose:
- Celebration of the Century of the Birth of the Bahá’í Revelation.
Objectives:
- To assist the believers to achieve a deep spiritual understanding of the full significance of this Holy Year.
- Broader proclamation of the Bahá’í Faith and the meaning of the Faith to the non-Bahá’ís, with full publicity of events.
Theme:
- “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.”
Elements of the Celebration:
- Orientation of believers
- Consultation period of three Nineteen-Day Feasts immediately preceding the commencement of the Holy Year (two September Feasts and Feast of
October 16) be set aside for special programs dealing with the three stages of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation as follows:
- Bahá’u’lláh’s mystic experience in the Síyáh-Chál.
- Bahá’u’lláh’s announcement to the believers (Baghdád).
- Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation to the rulers and heads of religions (Constantinople and Adrianople).
- Consultation period of two Feasts (early part of
1953) to be set aside for special program dealing
with the Temple.
- Construction
- Significance Programming will be furnished for these by the Jubilee Committee.
- Orientation of the believers toward the third phase
of the Divine Plan.
- Consultation period of one Nineteen-Day Feast to be set aside for special program dealing with this.
- Activities by believers:
- Series of Public Meetings under the general
theme, on the local level:
- November 12—“The Promised One of All Religions”
- January, 1953, World Religion Day—“Birth of World Religion”
- First Day of Riḍván—“The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh”
- Series of Public Meetings under the general
theme, on the local level:
- Consultation period of three Nineteen-Day Feasts immediately preceding the commencement of the Holy Year (two September Feasts and Feast of
October 16) be set aside for special programs dealing with the three stages of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation as follows:
- Public Proclamation
- Local level—preliminary public meetings.
- National level—public meetings series for Jubilee Week, April 29, 1953 through May 6, 1953.
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Beverly Hills
Judicial District, California.
Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá[edit]
Saturday, June 28th, 1952, West Englewood, N. J.
Picnic—noon to 2:30 p.m.—Beverages served by Committee.
Program
Chairman—Greetings, Opening Prayer,
Harlan Ober
MUSIC
Reading—‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Address, 1912,
First Unity Feast
Harriet Morgan Kelsey
Speaker—Theme: Lo! The World Redeemer Is Come!
Elsie Austin
At Grove—Prayers and Readings
Maude Gaudreaux and Vaffa Kinney
“Persia and the Victorians”[edit]
The book “Persia and the Victorians”, by Mrs. Marzieh Gail, which was described in Bahá’í News for January, may be had for $1.59 postpaid when ordered direct from George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., Ruskin House, 40 Museum Street, London, England. This book, which deals with the influence of Persian life and letters on the British Victorian writers, mentions Bahá’u’lláh in several chapters and should be of great aid in introducing the Faith to anyone who is interested in English literature.
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. William L. Ziegler, Washington, D. C. January, 1952
- Mrs. Lola Lane Jorgenson, Socorro, New Mexico February, 1952
- Mr. Lawrence F. Doty, Yonkers, New York March 7, 1952
- Mr. Allen Perrine, Kalamazoo, Michigan March 14, 1952
- Mrs. Minnie Wilder, Waukegan, Ill. March 16, 1952
- Dr. G. Sadler Pittock, Oakland, Calif. April 3, 1952
- Mrs. Hattie Haimes O’Neal, West Point, Miss. March 18, 1952
- Mrs. Mary Browne, Salem, Mass. April 11, 1952
Marriages[edit]
Monrovia, Calif., Mrs. Nanette Lipscombe to Mr. Sinclaire MacDougal (non-Bahá’í) January 1952
Los Angeles, Calif., Miss Frances Pope to Mr. Robert James (non-Bahá’í) date not reported.
Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Lucha Garrido to Mr. Eugene M. Wynne (non-Bahá’í) date not reported.
Publishing Announcements[edit]
The friends will be glad to know that the following books are available again:
Bahá’í Prayers (1952 Edition, $1.25 per copy). Includes an additional healing prayer.
Heart of the Gospel (Paper edition, $1.00 per copy). Just arrived from England. This new edition of George Townshend’s book has been revised to show more explicitly that the narrative, the prophecies, and the promises of the Bible lead naturally up to the Bahá’í Faith.
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING COMMITTEE
110 LINDEN AVE., WILMETTE, ILL.
Bahá’í Children Excused From School Attendance On Bahá’í Holy Days[edit]
It is gratifying to report that three more local Spiritual Assemblies have carried out the Guardian’s direction to make effort to have the children of Bahá’ís officially permitted to remain away from school on the Holy Days of the Faith. In Shorewood, Wisconsin; Muskegon, Michigan; and Anchorage, Alaska, such permission has been obtained.
|
Bahá’í House of Worship Sunday Public Lectures 3:30 p.m. Children’s hour 3:30 p.m. Guided Tours: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Week Day Tours: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To arrange for special tours, call WHitehall 4-5919, or VIllage 8-1281. |
Assistance of the Holy Spirit In Teaching[edit]
In the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, one of the many subjects dealt with at length is that of the Holy Spirit. Until this Revelation was given to the world, there was meager knowledge on this sublime subject. In the Writings, we learn of its source, its power, its influence, means by which it may be contacted, conditions under which it is present and of its manifold blessings and bestowals.
As to its source, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, “The Holy Spirit is the bounty of God and the luminous rays which emanate from the Manifestations.”
And again, “The greatest power of the Holy Spirit
exists in the Divine Manifestations of the Truth.
Through the power of the Spirit the Heavenly Teaching
has been brought into the world of humanity. Through
the power of the Spirit, Life everlasting has come to
the children of Men ....”
“It is known and clear that today the unseen divine
assistance encompasseth those who deliver the Message. And if the work of delivering the Message be
neglected the assistance shall be entirely cut off, for
it is impossible that the friends of God could receive
assistance unless they be engaged in delivering the
Message.”
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: Mrs. Eunice Braun, 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. CHANGE OF ADDRESS should be reported to National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.
