Bahá’í News/Issue 260/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 260 | BAHA’I YEAR 109 | OCTOBER, 1952 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
DIRECTIVES CONCERNING THE TEMPLE[edit]
Questions Submitted to the Guardian and His Replies[edit]
- Question:—On what schedule are
meetings of public worship to be
held in the auditorium:—daily,
weekly, or at other intervals, or
at stated periods during the day?
Reply: Weekly, or more often, if your Assembly deems advisable. - Question:—Are such meetings, if
weekly, to be held on Sunday and
if so at the morning hour customary with churches, or in the
afternoon?
Reply: Left to your discretion. - Question:—Should the auditorium be open daily from dawn
for individual prayer and meditation?
Reply: Yes. - Question:—Can photographs be
taken, for historic record or publicity, of any meeting of worship
held for Bahá’ís only, and of any
meeting open to the public?
Reply: Yes. - Question:—The present plan is to
hold a meeting of dedication for
Bahá’ís only, followed by a public dedication on the same day.
Is this plan approved?
Reply: Yes. - Question:—Should an order of
service or program be printed
with the list of readings selected
for each service?
Reply: Left to your discretion. - Question:—Are the present weekly public lectures to be continued
in Foundation Hall?
Reply: There is no objection to
Temple landscaping progress, showing the first trees planted September 5th. There
are nine trees on either side of the double walk, and there will be eighteen on either
side of the long approach, 32 of which are now planted. This picture was taken from
the Gallery level of the Temple, looking down the long approach to the Temple from
the corner of Sheridan Road and Linden Avenue. At the bottom is shown a section
of the curved walk encircling the base of the Temple stairs. The oval block in the
center is the platform of the stairs descending to the approach. The pair of steps to
right and left are the stairways descending to the gardens on either side of the sidewalks, and the long rectangle between the two walkways will, in the future, be
a reflecting pool.
- this until such time as we have a suitable meeting place at our disposal.
- Question:—As there is no trained
Bahá’í choir or chorus for singing, shall we begin to train a
choir? Can non-Bahá’ís is be included among the singers? Are
soloists permitted, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í?
Reply: By all means prepare a choir. There is no objection to non-Bahá’í singers or to soloists, Bahá’í, or non-Bahá’í. - Question:—Is the auditorium to
be open for special prayer by
Bahá’í Committees meeting in
the vicinity, or by visiting groups
who may arrive at times when
no general meeting is scheduled?
Reply: The auditorium may be used for such purposes. - Question:—In preparing the
readings, shall we use only Holy
Books extant and available in
English for religions listed by you
in the series of recognized Revelations?
Reply: Yes. But if occasionally a reading is in another language there can be no objection, as long as the text is from a Holy Scripture. Persian, Arabic and Hebrew are all very beautiful when chanted. - Question:—At the opening of a
meeting of worship is any reader
to explain the nature of Bahá’í
worship or are the readings to
proceed without any announcement?
Reply: This is not permissible: there must be no speeches in the auditorium. - Question:—Can meetings of worship be broadcast over the radio
or television? Can special meetings be recorded for reproduction by believers locally?
Reply: There is no objection to this.
Love[edit]
Know ye the value of these passing days and vanishing nights. Strive to attain a station of absolute love one toward another. By the absence of love, enmity increases. By the exercise of love, love strengthens and enmities dwindle away...
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
THE GUARDIAN'S MESSAGES TO LATIN AMERICA[edit]
In a letter written by the Guardian through his secretary on June 30, 1952, to the National Spiritual Assembly of South America, these excerpts are of general interest to Bahá’ís:
“The Latin American Communities are still on the threshold of the international Bahá’í life; he feels sure that they will rapidly grow into it. Compared with the length of time it took the North American, the British and the French communities to grow up and spread, their growth is like lightning. As the Cause spreads all over the world its rate of acceleration increases too, and new centers in Africa, in some mysterious way have spiritual repercussions which aid in forming new centers everywhere.”
The specific advice addressed to South America was written in the Guardian’s own hand: “... their members must, as the present year unfolds, display an extraordinary degree of consecration and intensify to an unprecedented extent, their activities for the multiplication of Bahá’í centers, for the enrichment of their spiritual lives, for the consolidation of their newly-born institutions, for the dissemination of the literature of the Faith, for the fresh links binding them to their spiritual brethren overseas and for a further understanding of the aims and purposes of the order within whose Orbit they function and of the Covenant under whose sheltering shadow they labor.”
Writing to the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America, the Guardian wrote through his secretary: “Mature teachers are the greatest need of the Faith everywhere, and no doubt in your area too. One wise and dedicated soul can so often give life to an inactive community, bring in new people, and inspire to greater sacrifice. He hopes that whatever you are able to do during the coming months, you will be able to keep in circulation a few really good Bahá’í teachers.
“He was delighted to receive the documents concerning your incorporation and feels this is a great step forward.”
In the Guardian’s hand: “The two year Plan you have spontaneously initiated, the vigor with which you are prosecuting it, the noble aim that has animated you ever since its adoption, the vigilance and thoroughness with which you endeavor to safeguard the interests of the nascent institutions of the Faith, to promote their welfare and consolidate their foundations, merit the highest praise.”
THE NATIONAL BUDGET[edit]
Dearly beloved friends:—
With the magnificent appeal of our beloved Guardian in his inspiring message of June 30 still ringing in our ears, let us prayerfully consider the manifold achievements that we will be enabled to celebrate, with joy in our hearts, when our Annual Budget for this Jubilee Year has been successfully met:
- Assistance in the erection of the Drum of the Sepulchre of the Báb.
- Assistance in the acquisition of extensive properties in the neighborhood of the Most Holy Tomb in Bahjí—the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world.
- Completion of the Temple Landscaping.
- Support of the Campaign of internal expansion and consolidation in every state of the American Republic.
- Make possible the sending of additional pioneers to further the valiant Africa Teaching Campaign.
- Continue the heroic process of multiplication of Bahá’í Local Assemblies in the ten European goal countries.
- Continue the very much needed financial assistance to the National Assemblies of both Central and South America.
- Facilitate plans for the glorious Jubilee celebrations during the Riḍván period in 1953.
In anticipation of these praiseworthy objectives, let us redouble our
efforts to wipe out, as rapidly as
possible, the current deficit through
generous, sustained contributions
from Local Assemblies, groups and
individual believers to the General
Fund, and by a more widespread
participation in the Jubilee Resolve
Plan, with which every believer
should be identified.
[Page 3]
The same approach to the Temple pictured on the
first page of this issue, showing the trees lying on the
ground just prior to planting. The dark mounds are
rich black loam, which is to be spread over the ground
for plantings.
The first tree to be planted in the landscaping. There
will be two hundred of these Chinese Juniper evergreen trees lining the approaches to the Temple entrances.
All of us are being summoned by
our beloved Guardian to “pour forth,
as a ransom for so much suffering,
and in thanksgiving for such priceless benefits conferred upon mankind”, our substance, and to “scale
the summits of self-sacrifice”, in order that our objectives may not be
hampered by a failure in the supply
of their life-blood—the Fund.
“God does not ask from any soul except according to his ability. Whosoever comes with one good act, God will give him tenfold. There is no doubt that the living Lord shall assist and confirm the generous soul. O ye lovers of the Beauty of the True One! Become ye self-sacrificing; become ye self-sacrificing.”
Resolve payments and other contributions are to be made to:
112 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois
ASSEMBLY ROLL[edit]
The number of local Assemblies elected on April 21, 1952 was 164. Newly formed Assemblies were El Monte Judicial District, Inglewood Judicial District, Whittier Judicial District, El Paso County, Bernalillo County and East Providence. Elmhurst, Louisville and Englewood were restored to Assembly status. Assemblies not re-elected: Butte, Macy, Mamaroneck, Greenville, Battle Creek, Tacoma and Hartford. The net increase in the number of Assemblies this year is two.
WORDS FOR THE WORLD[edit]
Now Available on Home Phonograph Records[edit]
The series of reverent, beautiful and appealing broadcasts, Words for the World, presenting selections from Bahá’í Sacred Writings with musical background, have become a distinctive and potent element in our national teaching campaign. In city after city the radio transcripts have been used with gratifying results by the local broadcasting stations.
So great has been the interest aroused among the believers by this admirable type of Bahá’í public relations that the National Spiritual Assembly has authorized the production of two phonograph records, each carrying two Words for the World programs, making four Words for the World available for fireside use and for intimate gatherings.
The records are made of vinylite, very durable, and are shipped to the individual Bahá’í order prepaid at a cost of $3.50 for the two records.
Send cash with order to Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois, and delivery will be made as soon as the edition is received from the producers.
“The Building of the Temple”[edit]
Mr. Allen B. McDaniel, commissioned last year by the Temple Trustees to compile a historical record of the various stages in the construction of the Bahá’í House of Worship, has produced a very complete and authoritative summary.
The record consists of typewritten sheets, with photographs, bound in a leather ring binder. Three copies were presented by Mr. McDaniel, one for the Guardian, one for the Archives and one for the records of the National Spiritual Assembly. The book contains 137 pages, plus list of contents, list of illustrations, forty-four photographs and photostats, and references.
Beginning with a frontispiece consisting of a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the record contains relevant excerpts from Bahá’u’lláh, the Master, forty-four photographs, and a well organized sequence of material presenting the main stages of Temple construction: acquisition of land, dedication of site, selection of Temple design, preliminary technical studies, foundation construction, building the superstructure, exterior ornamentation, interior ornamentation, landscaping, and significance of the Temple. In all Mr. McDaniel’s record covers seventeen different stages in the history of the House of Worship.
The National Spiritual Assembly is grateful to Mr. McDaniel for his
[Page 4]
comprehensive and permanent survey of the glorious record over the
long period beginning with March
7, 1903, when the Chicago House of
Spirituality addressed a petition to
‘Abdu’l-Bahá for permission to build
a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
The McDaniel history is invaluable as a source of information, and most opportune at this time in view of the dedication of the Temple for public worship in May, 1953.
The mystery of this edifice is forever depicted for us in the words revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in May, 1903, responding to the supplication received from the Chicago Bahá’ís.
“When the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is accomplished, when the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are presenting themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication towards the mysterious Kingdom, the voice of glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflowed with the love of the All-Living and Self-Existent. The people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrance of God will be elevated, the Divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the spirit in mankind; the people will then stand firm in the Cause of your Lord, the Merciful.”
“THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”[edit]
By the great outpouring of knowledge through the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh, one of the many subjects dealt with at length and in all of its aspects, 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 of the Faith, 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 ...”
The Eternal God, being watchful
and merciful sends to earth His Messengers at a time of humanity’s great
need, with principles, laws and ordinances to further its development
and progress.
And while the world has tried again and again without success, various remedies and panaceas for the numerous ills which afflict it, no cure has yet been found. It is only through the efficacy of the Holy Spirit, as breathed into the world by Bahá’u’lláh, that a permanent healing will be forthcoming.
“Today the greatest need of the world is the animating, unifying presence of the Holy Spirit. Until it becomes effective, penetrating and inter-penetrating hearts and spirits and until perfect, reasoning faith shall be implanted in the minds of men, it will be impossible for the social body to be inspired with security and confidence.”
The Holy Spirit has been released
into the world to help all mankind
to advance and progress; and this
assistance is not only bestowed when
teaching the Faith, but is given in
all affairs of life.
In the following passage, we find the promise of help in teaching:
“Verily, I say unto thee, every soul which ariseth today to guide others to the path of safety and infuse in them the Spirit of Life, the Holy Spirit will inspire that soul with evidences, proofs and facts and the lights will shine upon it from the Kingdom of God. Do not forget what I have conveyed unto thee from the breath of the Spirit ....”
As the divine help is assured all
those who arise to teach, it is conversely true that should the work of
teaching be neglected, the divine assistance will be cut off.
“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”.
As for help in all other affairs,
we have the promise in the following words:
“And now you, if you act in accordance with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, may rest assured that you will be aided and confirmed. In all affairs which you undertake, you will be rendered victorious, and all the inhabitants of the earth cannot withstand you. You are the conquerors, because the power of the Holy Spirit is your assistant. Above and over physical forces, phenomenal forces, the Holy Spirit shall aid you.”
Washington, D.C., May 1912.
While the help of the Holy Spirit is
vouchsafed unto mankind, yet this
aid is only present under certain conditions, as delineated in the following paragraph:
“.... But should a soul enter under the shadow of the Blessed Perfection, step into the Divine Kingdom, act according to the councils and exhortations of God and practice the New Teachings, unquestionably he will become endowed with a supernatural power.”
Another rightful condition for contacting the Holy Spirit is the unity
and love of the believers.
“Unity of the hearts of the friends of God attracts the outpourings of the Holy Spirit, and capable souls receive the bounties of the Divine Mysteries; they become the distributors of the light. Inharmony destroys the magnet to attract the divine elixir and all become deprived.”
The bounties and bestowals of the Holy Spirit are glorious, inviolate, and eternal, and are showered upon all who arise to serve mankind by promoting the Cause of God.
“So the Holy Spirit touching the heart of man wakens him to eternal life. Like the sun to earth it brings to man warmth, energy and perfection. It gives him all possibilities. The cause of life widens before his eyes, eternity opens to him and becomes his, he no longer knows fear, for the wealth of God is his and every moment is his inviolable possession. Limitations disappear, and he becomes more and more sensitive to the teachings of the Holy Spirit and all things are his own ....”
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AFRICA[edit]
Liberia[edit]
The United States Africa Committee reports on the inspiring accounts sent by William Foster of Bahá’í activity in Monrovia, Liberia. Study classes and public meetings are being conducted by the new Liberian friends. From what Bill writes, most of these friends are thoroughly familiar with the Will and Testament and show rare spiritual depth and feeling. In a touching account of what Bill called one of the finest meetings he had ever attended, he stated: “The Sunday meeting was one of the finest meetings I have ever known. The opening prayer was taken from the Will and Testament, and was followed by an inspired discussion of the booklet Your Experiences as a Bahá’í. The prayer for the Covenant closed this meeting. It was so wonderful, that I felt I could die tonight and know that the Cause of God is definitely planted here. There were fifteen souls in perfect harmony. It was wonderful.”
Mr. Lovette-Brewe one of the new Liberian Bahá’ís has become a pioneer for the Faith in Cape Palmas, Liberia. He left Monrovia shortly after becoming a Bahá’í. In a recent letter to Bill Foster, Lovette-Brewe wrote that he was spreading the Message of Bahá’u’lláh and asked for literature.
Libya[edit]
The first pioneer to Libya, Dr. Hussein Gollestaneh, arrived in Benghazi from Egypt, February 21, 1952, and by June 5, 1952 the first Libyan declared his faith in Bahá’u’lláh. Later in June a Bahá’í family arrived to assist with the teaching work. This Bahá’í group, pictured in this issue, is now working diligently to establish a Spiritual Assembly by next April.
Dr. Gollestaneh writes, “Tell the dear American friends we are proud of them and are following their steps.... See what Bahá’ís have done in Africa. The total results in the first two years are equivalent to 175 years missionary work, because
The Bahá’í Group of Benghazi, Libya. Dr. Gollestaneh, right, and the Gorrah family, center, are Egyptian pioneers to Libya. Mr. El Alamy, left, is the first Libyan Bahá’í.
what we teach is God’s Faith
and a world order” that includes all
peoples equally.
Kampala, Uganda[edit]
The Kampala Spiritual Assembly recently set a number of goals to be achieved by their community by February 2, 1953: (1) to double the Kampala community, i.e. from 12 to 24; (2) to build a group of five in Jinja; (3) to produce a corrected manuscript in both the Ateso and Runyoro-rutoro languages and translate 19 prayers into Luganda. February 2nd will be eighteen months to the day from the time the pioneers first slipped unobtrusively into Uganda, and is just prior to the All-Africa Teaching Conference to be held in Kampala.
The community of twelve is composed of the following peoples, American, Canadian, Arab, Persian, Muganda, Mutoro, Ateso, and English, and their interested contacts include some dozen other African and European nationalities. A real world community in embryo!
Persian Pioneers to Africa[edit]
The Persian Bahá’ís have been most responsive to the Guardian’s summons to pioneer in Africa. The first pioneer to Africa in the present project was Jalal Nakhjawani who arrived in Tanganyika in January, 1951. Since that date Persian believers have settled as pioneers in North, Central and East Africa. There are in fact more pioneers from Persia in Africa than from any other community participating in the African mission.
The July issue of Bahá’í News stated that Aziz Yazdi was the first pioneer to Africa from Persia. In fact he was the twelfth, and other of his countrymen are preparing to go to Africa. It was reported that Mr. Yazdi had gone to Northern Rhodesia, but he was unable to obtain a resident permit there, and is now trying to settle in Kenya.
All pioneers in the name of Bahá’u’lláh have the deep admiration of the whole Bahá’í world, and their efforts and remarkable accomplishments are cheered by every believer.
CENTRAL AMERICA[edit]
Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Just a little less than fifteen months after its formation in April 1951 the National Assembly of Central
AFRICA[edit]
Map of Africa showing Bahá’í Assemblies, Groups, and Isolated Centers. The lined and dotted areas indicate the countries the Guardian assigned as the teaching responsibility of each of the National communities participating in the Two Year African Plan, inaugurated in 1950. The large legend designates the specific assignments. This map was prepared by the British Africa Committee for Bahá’í World, Vol. XII.
Some of the new Bahá’ís of the Monrovia, Liberia group. William Foster, American pioneer to Liberia, lower right.
Bahá’ís of Monrovia, Liberia Group.
Croasdale Lovette-Brewe, Bahá’í enrolled in Monrovia, has recently moved to Las Palmas, Liberia to pioneer.
The first three Bahá’í Pioneers to Tanganyika, representing three of the National Assemblies participating in the African Campaign: Jalal Nakhjawani from Persia, Claire Gung from Great Britain and Mennen Thomas from India.
The Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika Bahá’í Group celebrating Naw-Ruz, 1952.
First four native African Bahá’ís of Kampala, Uganda, representing the Buganda, Batero and Teso Tribes.
[Page 8]
America was incorporated under the laws of Panama as a Religious Body of International Character having under its jurisdiction
the countries of Central America and
the West Indies. On July 16 President Arosemena of Panama signed
Resolution No. 678 approving the
“Constitution of the Central American National Assembly,” thereby
adding the final official touch and
leaving only the formalities of sending the documents through the Offices of the Notary Public and the
Registrar.
Through the kindness, untiring effort and foresight of Dr. Javier Lasso de la Vega, well-known Panamanian lawyer and friend of the Bahá’ís, the Constitution was incorporated in such a way as to facilitate its acceptance and recognition by other countries of the area. Its incorporation as a religious body of international character will also greatly facilitate the incorporations of the local Assemblies, which will now, after ratifying the National Incorporation, apply for new Charters based on that of the National Assembly.
English Teaching Committee[edit]
The National Assembly has appointed a new English National Teaching Committee, located in Jamaica. In view of the tremendous work to be accomplished in the English-speaking islands of the Lesser Antilles, and the globe-encircling goals recently set by the Guardian, the Committee was appointed for a two-fold purpose: first, to take care of present teaching needs in the English-speaking Communities of Colon, Canal Zone, Port-au-Prince, Kingston, Spanish Town and Port Antonio; secondly, to gain experience for the ten-year interval separating the Second and Third Most Great Jubilees when the remaining islands of our territory must be opened to the Faith.
Newsletter[edit]
As of July of this year the Central American Newsletter will be published in three languages, English, Spanish and French. The Community of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has enthusiastically taken on the work of translating the French edition and distributing it to their own French-speaking believers, to the Guardian, the Geneva International Bureau, and to French-speaking Communities of the world who would like to receive copies.
Haiti[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of Port-au-Prince has its own Bahá’í property, donated to the Faith by Eustace N. Bailey of Port-au-Prince. Its title is in the name of the Chairman of the local Assembly, pending the time when the Assembly can be incorporated as a religious body with the right to own property. The property is a building site situated about four miles from the city proper and boasts a small native house which is rented so as to help pay for the expenses of the Bahá’í Center in the city itself.
FINLAND[edit]
Josephine Kruka of the United States is back in Helsinki again. “We have two meetings a week: one public, on Wednesdays, and a fireside on Thursdays. The attendance has varied from 8 to 23, usually 10 to 15 ... I should be most happy if some friend could come here to help!”
FRANCE[edit]
The Geneva Bureau News Exchange carries news of the status of the Faith in France. There are three Spiritual Assemblies: Paris, Lyon, and Marseille; three groups: Hyères, Nancy, Alès; and six towns have isolated Bahá’ís: La-Chaise-Dieu, Nevers, Niort, Thonon-les-Bains (where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed for a few days on his visit to London, during his first visit to the Western World in 1911), Toulouse, and Versailles. Several new declarations have been received during the past year. The French Bahá’ís are eager to spread the Faith and to take part in the forthcoming Intercontinental Conference in Stockholm in 1953.
GERMANY[edit]
During the Bahá’í year 108, the National Assembly, with its fifteen National Committees and fifteen Local Assemblies, has worked hard towards the targets of the Five Year Plan, now in its final year. The goals of the Plan are:
- Deepening and broadening of the understanding and practice of Bahá’í Administration;
- Extension of Bahá’í activities in Germany and Austria—multiplication of centers, growth of communities;
- Deeper penetration into the Holy Writings;
- Establishment of the National Center in Frankfurt.
Progress on these goals has been
steady and sure. The Bahá’í-Nachrichten (Bahá’í News) has more and
more become a real connecting link
binding together the communities
and isolated believers, and acquainting them with the activities of the
Bahá’í world.
Through the inclusion of many themes dealing with Administration, the Summer Schools in Esslingen, Dillsberg, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin, have contributed much to the growth in understanding of this important matter. Administrative procedure in Local Assemblies has gained soundness through the regular reports sent to the National Assembly and the interchange of experience and knowledge which has helped to solve many difficulties.
The National Teaching Committee, the five Regional Teaching Committees, and the Persian Committee, have worked particularly hard to extend the community. It was not possible for the National Assembly to grant any financial aid to the National Teaching Committee, yet in spite of this, much has been achieved. The Guardian’s appeal to the pioneering spirit of the German believers touched many hearts, and a number of believers moved at great personal sacrifice, to goal towns. The number of pioneers was strengthened by Persian students who, in choosing a university, were guided by the National Assembly to goal cities within the Plan. In year 107 there were thirteen Assemblies, and in 108 fifteen.
The works indicated by the Guardian to be published to help deepen the believers are God Passes By; Some Answered Questions, re-translated; and Paris Talks. Work on these projects is underway.
The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds recently completed and opened in Frankfurt
[Page 9]
is a real accomplishment, representing great sacrifice on the part of
the entire Community. There is still
a heavy debt to be met, which will
require continued sacrifice by the
Community. In order to strengthen
the National Center, the Secretary
of the National Assembly moved his
family to Frankfurt. The inclusion
of the Secretariat gives an additional function to the Ḥaẓíra.
Working with great handicaps the valiant German believers have made wonderful strides in redeveloping their National community under the impetus of the Five Year Plan given them by the Guardian, which defined the areas of activity to be emphasized and the direction of their efforts.
INDIA, PAKISTAN AND BURMA[edit]
From the “Annual Bahá’í Reports for the Year 108” of India, Pakistan and Burma this moving comment on the forthcoming Jubilee and Intercontinental Teaching Conference to be held in New Delhi has been excerpted.
“The Great Jubilee will be held during Riḍván, 1953. The beloved Guardian has hinted in his cablegram that this Jubilee will be celebrated in the same manner as the previous one in the year 1950, on the occasion of the martyrdom of the Báb. Press and radio publicity and distribution of free propaganda literature throughout the length and breadth of our territories, printing of a pamphlet under the title of “Mission of Bahá’u’lláh” and the holding of public meetings at Bahá’í Centers, and other means of publicising the Principles of the Faith adumbrated by Bahá’u’lláh will form some of the activities to be undertaken by us to make the Jubilee a medium of teaching the Faith to the largest possible number of the people.
“All this will require expenditure, and although the National Assembly has learnt by experience to spend as frugally as possible, yet efficiency cannot be sacrificed on frugality. The National Assembly will chalk out a definite program and shall assess expenditure for each item of the program and present it to the beloved friends who, we are sure, will not stint and pay liberally to gladden the blessed heart of our dearly-beloved Guardian.
“After the Great Jubilee in April, 1953, we have to prepare for the International Bahá’í Teaching Conference which will be held in the month of October, 1953.
“We, as the host, shall have to entertain all the Hands of the Cause of God, delegates from the eight National Spiritual Assemblies and many others whom the beloved Guardian has asked to attend.
“After the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the memorable year 9, we shall step into the most vital and most important stage of selfless service to the beloved Faith. A gigantic Teaching Plan will be launched. All the National Spiritual Assemblies will work in co-operation with each other, and the drama of salvation which started in the year 1863 will reach its climax in the last ten years of its Centenary. The international Teaching Conferences will make consolidated lists of all the virgin territories covering the entire Planet and apportion them to the various National Spiritual Assemblies to open them up in the ten years ending in 1963.
“This will be a test, a very severe test, but we are confident that our valiant veterans will rise up to the occasion and singing the song of love of their Beloved, they will burn the ship and go forward to do or die in the attempt.”
IRAQ[edit]
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National Bahá’í Addresses
National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters:
National Treasurer:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee:
Bahá’í News Editorial Office:
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A believer in Baghdád, Mr. Ahmad Hamdi Mulla Husian, has written a two-volume book in Arabic, dealing with “the all-important subjects of the advent of the Lord of the Resurrection, and challenging the Sunní Muslims with silencing proofs from the Qur’án and the Prophetic Traditions to the effect that Bahá’u’lláh is the Promised One whose advent Muḥammad had so emphatically announced. The Muslim Press in Baghdád and one of the leading Muslim magazines in Damascus are relentlessly attacking the work in a series of articles.”
JAPAN[edit]
A letter from David Earl, formerly of Detroit, Michigan, brings news from Tokyo. David and Joy, his wife, are pioneering in Japan, where David is teaching at Meiji University. “The most significant news is that this year, for the first time, the Local Assembly of Tokyo (the only Assembly in Japan) has appointed an Extension Teaching Committee and assigned to it the entire territory of Japan outside the local jurisdictional area. The Committee has chosen four goal cities for this year: Yokohama, the Osaka area, Hiroshima, and Sendai.
“The First meeting was held July 13th at Yokohama, where Joy Earl spoke and Robert Imagire translated. There were eight inquirers present and five Bahá’ís. It was a wonderfully inspiring meeting: the questions asked were entirely on spiritual matters, rather than the “principles”; and the group voluntarily asked that similar meetings be continued twice a month. So far as anyone here can remember, this was the first Bahá’í meeting ever held in Yokohama, so it shows that if we will but make a slight effort, the waiting souls are everywhere ready to be discovered.”
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
Copper Company Advertises Installation in Baha’i Temple[edit]
The Anaconda Copper Company has sponsored a page advertisement in the July issue of Magazine of Building and September issues of Architectural Record and Progressive Architecture featuring the Bahá’í House of Worship.
The layout illustrates the completed building and contains two photographs of the interior featuring the bronze doors and window frames made and installed by Waukegan Architectural, Inc.
The advertisement refers to the House of Worship: “This impressive Temple was started in 1920 by members of the Bahá’í Faith to express Bahá’í teachings in progressive revelation and spiritual unity of East and West.”
Baha’i Article in New Outlook Magazine[edit]
The August number of New Outlook, a monthly magazine published in Los Angeles, reprints from far-off Sarawak, Indonesia, several excerpts selected from an article by Jamshid Fozdar which appeared in the Sarawak Tribune.
Mr. Fozdar’s article was written to introduce the Faith to a new audience, and is a very clear and interesting presentation.
Chicago Guide Features Temple[edit]
The Famous Guide to Chicago, published by Geographia Map Co., 145 West 57th St., New York 19, N.Y., at 50c per copy, contains an illustrated section, “Places of Interest,” in which a photograph of the Bahá’í Temple is reproduced and the architecture described.
BAHA'I BRIEFS[edit]
Having Bahá’í Holy Days recognized continues to be an effective teaching medium. One of the members of the Berkeley, Calif. community has secured permission to take
Louhelen Bahá’í Summer School Session, 1952
the days off from his job as librarian
in the Oakland Public Library. This
was granted after he explained the
Faith to his superior. Now other
members of the staff are acquainted
with the Holy Days in connection
with the working schedule.
An isolated believer in Gates, Ore. was able to have her two children excused from school after talking with the principal. Even though far removed from other Bahá’ís she is able to promulgate the teachings.
The Miami, Fla. community was cramped for space at their public and fellowship meetings, so the believer in whose home the meetings are held, had a partition removed between two rooms to make the gathering place large enough.
The Great Falls, Mont. Bahá’ís have been able to get very favorable newspaper publicity for their public meetings through advertising in the local paper and follow-up stories.
The Local Assembly of St. Paul, Minn. has called attention to the book entitled, “The Arab and Islam,” published by Alhilall of Cairo, Egypt, in which the author states in part, “We shouldn’t forget to mention the call from the East when Bahá’u’lláh arose with the Cause of Bahá’í in Írán ...” The book further states that President Wilson of the U.S. knew the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh well.
The second annual public meeting sponsored by the RTC of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont at Cathedral of the Pines attracted nearly 300 people and received good newspaper coverage. For the second straight year the weather was perfect, and the program conducted in this memorial to a soldier killed in World War II, created much interest in the Faith.
GEYSERVILLE SUMMER SCHOOL[edit]
The Bahá’í Summer School at Geyserville, Calif. is growing in spite of the fact that many people must travel 800 to 1,000 miles to attend. This year students and teachers came from: Egypt, Guatemala, Persia, India, Israel, Switzerland, Germany, Alaska, Australia, Kenya, Russia, and Canada as well as from many Eastern and Southern States and all the Western States.
Attendance was larger than usual with the greatest gain in the children’s school. Nearly 400 people attended the annual Geyserville “Unity Feast,” and there were crowds every Sunday for the special programs offered for visitors.
More courses were given this year than at any previous time, and in some cases had to be scheduled all through the day in fifty-minute periods up to 8 p.m.
BUSINESS WOMEN'S CLUBS RECEIVE GREETINGS[edit]
When the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs met in their national convention, the Assembly of Boston sent the following telegram to the president of that organization:
“Congratulations and best wishes to your inspiring convention of brilliant women leaders. Addressing Federation of Women’s Clubs in Chicago 40 years ago ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Son of the Founder of the Bahá’í
[Page 11]
World Faith, said, ‘To accept and
observe a distinction which God has
not intended in creation is ignorance
and superstition. Until woman and
man recognize and realize equality,
social and political progress here or
anywhere will not be possible.’ ”
The Assembly received the following reply:
“Thank you very much for your telegram of greetings to the convention of the National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, meeting in Boston this week. We appreciate your thoughtfulness in sending your good wishes to us.”
WORDS FOR THE WORLD[edit]
Station WCRB of Newton, Mass. will carry this series at 12:05 noon from Sunday, Sept. 7, through May 31, 1953. Station WTAG of Worcester Mass. broadcast them for one week in August.
The station in Haverhill, Mass. gives 15 minutes free time to the Bahá’í Faith each Sunday morning, and as programs can be taped in advance, speakers passing through are asked to contact Mrs. Mildred Hyde, 38 S. Warren Street to help with this series.
REPORT ON GREEN ACRE YOUTH CAMP[edit]
Among the gratifying results of the Youth Session held at Green Acre on June 22 to July 6 was the declaration of five of the campers.
Over 50 youth attended the Green Acre Camp. Both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, from all parts of the world made up the group. Japan, Germany, and Persia were represented as well as twelve states.
NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
THE CHILDS WAY[edit]
A Bulletin for Bahá’í Parents and Children[edit]
The June 1952 issue of this publication carries an interesting description of the Children’s Exhibit shown at the 1952 National Bahá’í Convention.
A new department, “With Our Classes” reports what is actually being done in Bahá’í Children’s Classes throughout the United States.
Please send orders and remittances to Mrs. Amy B. Dwelly, Editor, 9400 Euclid Avenue, (Suite 20) Cleveland 6, Ohio.
Rates: $1.00 per year (6 Issues) 20c per single copy.
Back issues are available for those who want to complete their reference files.
THE U. S. AFRICA COMMITTEE[edit]
The Kampala International Conference[edit]
The first Intercontinental Conference of the Bahá’í Holy Year is the African Conference to be held in Kampala, Uganda from February 12-18, 1953. Kampala is a principal city of Uganda in British East Africa, and has been called by the Guardian “the spiritual heart of Africa”.
The U.S. Africa Committee is compiling information on air travel, health precautions, visas and conference arrangements to assist those friends who plan to attend this thrilling event. The Beloved Guardian has urged that as many American friends as possible should attend this historic conference. It will bring togethers the Bahá’ís and Pioneers from all the African areas, representatives of the National Assemblies participating in the African Teaching Campaign, and Hands of the Cause.
It should be noted that those who attend the Kampala Conference will at one stage of their journey be at Port Said which is only a few hours travel by air from Haifa. Some of the friends who are attending will thus be able to make their cherished pilgrimages to Haifa.
Further details and information on the Africa Conference can be obtained by writing committee member Mathew Bullock, 20 Pemberton Square, Boston, 8, Massachusetts.
EUROPEAN TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
The important news for September in the European Teaching field is the Fourth Annual Bahá’í Teaching Conference for the ten goal countries held this year in Luxemburg, Aug. 30 to Sept. 8. This Conference is being written up by Bahia Ford, and her report will be in next month’s News. It is reported that three Hands of the Cause will attend and participate in this Conference; Zikru’llah Khadem who, with his wife, has been visiting the centers in all of the goal countries; Dr. Herman Grossman of Germany, and Dr. Hugo Giachery of Italy.
Various European centers have been blessed in the last few months by visits of several returning pilgrims from Haifa.
Pioneers returning to Europe in September include Mrs. Etty Graeffe who goes to Stockholm and Mrs. Anna Kunz who will work in Switzerland. Bahia Ford is visiting all the European Centers before going to Haifa at the end of October. Evelyn Larson spent her vacation abroad, visiting the friends in Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg and Switzerland.
We should like to underline the fact that as of July 9, there were 503 registered believers in the ten goal countries.
The Guardian has informed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that the First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland will meet on April 23, 24, and 25, 1953. Nineteen delegates will elect the first Italo-Swiss NSA, and on April 26 this body will organize and will consult with Mr. Paul Haney and Miss Edna True, representatives of the NSA of the United States. This great achievement will go beyond the goal originally set for the European Teaching Committee in the Second Seven Year Plan.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON BAHA'I QUESTIONNAIRES[edit]
The new Jubilee Year Question Cards are now available.
Printed on each of these new cards is a most challenging and impressive Bahá’í Message consisting of one hundred and forty words by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá regarding the Bahá’í Revelation.
This new card is of the folding type, suitable for mailing to selected lists of names, or it may be torn apart and given out at public meetings.
[Page 12]
They have been designed to serve
a two-fold purpose, that of giving
the Message as well as of locating
new seekers. Because of their unique
design, the friends will no doubt
wish to have a personal supply of
these new cards, carrying a few in
their pockets for personal use wherever the occasion permits.
All non-Bahá’í inquirers who check and mail one of the new cards will receive a 32-page publication with two extra inserts answering their questions and providing interesting and informative reading material.
Send your orders directly to The Bahá’í Questionnaire Committee treasurer, Mr. Emil Gross, 7044 Maple Terrace, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
Prices of the new cards in lots of 1000, $14.50. Lots of 500, $8.00. In lots of 100 for individual believers, $2.00.
AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
What the Cause Now Requires[edit]
By the time this issue of Bahá’í News reaches the American believers six months of the last year of the Second Seven Year Plan will have passed and only six months will remain in which each of us may win one more soul for the Faith and participation with us in the joyous Jubilee. The time is short, and yet it is long enough to achieve this individual goal if we will make the effort in full confidence that the promised assistance will be given us. The spirit that confirms one, confirms all; but effort is needed. Making the effort will itself attract the spirit of confirmation.
Lest the consciousness of our limitations prevent us from making the supreme effort to win our individual and collective goals, let us again take heart from the following words of the Guardian through his secretary in 1935 when the American believers launched upon the task of opening to the Faith twelve states then without a single Bahá’í. What was needed then is needed in as great measure even now as we strive to expand and consolidate the homefront in preparation for the world crusade.
“In connection with the problems facing the friends in their teaching work, these, the Guardian is well aware, are by no means easy to overcome, especially in view of the limited number and resources of the believers. But in the field of Bahá’í service, as the history of the Cause abundantly demonstrates, there is no obstacle that can be said to be insurmountable. Every difficulty will, in due time, be solved. But continued and collective effort is also needed. The Bahá’í teacher should not get discouraged at the consciousness of the limitations within or without him. He should rather persevere, and be confident, that no matter how numerous and perplexing the difficulties that confront him may appear, he is continually assisted and guided through divine confirmations. He should consider himself as a mere instrument in the hands of God, and should, therefore, cease looking at his own merits. The first and most important qualification of a Bahá’í teacher is, indeed, unqualified loyalty and attachment to the Cause. Knowledge is, of course, essential; but compared to devotion it is secondary in importance.
“What the Cause now requires is not so much a group of highly-cultured and intellectual people who can adequately present its Teachings, but a number of devoted, sincere and loyal supporters, who, in utter disregard of their own weaknesses and limitations, and with hearts afire with the love of God, forsake their all for the sake of spreading and establishing His Faith. In other words, what is mostly needed nowadays is a Bahá’í pioneer; and not so much a Bahá’í philosopher or scholar. For the Cause is not a system of philosophy; it is essentially a way of life, a religious life that seeks to unite all people on a common basis of mutual understanding and love, and in a common devotion to God.
“Bahá’í Scholars and writers will, no doubt, gradually appear and will, as promised by Bahá’u’lláh, lend a unique support to the Faith. But in the meantime, we should not tarry or slacken in our efforts.” (Published in Bahá’í News No. 102, August 1936)
Tips for Teaching[edit]
When you feel the need for a fresh viewpoint in presenting the teachings at your firesides or small public meetings in the home, you could have a program planned by Bahá’í youth of your community or visiting youth. Cooperation of youth and adults in teaching activities are effective means of attracting people and demonstrating the Bahá’í spirit of unity. Events on the youth calendar should be considered in making teaching plans.
Another way to add variety to your firesides is to use the kit of talks mentioned in “What I Can Do As An Individual Believer,” published as an insert in August Bahá’í News. Some of these talks are timely for events such as United Nations Week and International Golden Rule Week, as well as for the special Bahá’í events.
There are also about 16 radio scripts available, 8 of which are appropriate for special events in the Fall. Some of the scripts might be adapted to panel discussions at small public meetings, as well as being used for radio programs. (See announcements of the Radio Committee in Bahá’í News, August, 1951, p. 7; November, 1951, p. 11 and April, 1952, p. 15. For further information write to: William Sears, Old Saw Mill Road, R.D.2, Downingtown, Pennsylvania).
Your Bahá’í Directory for 1952-1953 is a valuable resource for teaching assistance. The services and support available from Regional Teaching Committees is stated in the functions of these committees. These services are vital to isolated believers, groups and small communities. Through the intercommunity functions of these committees, cooperative action is promoted between all the believers in the Regions. The statements of functions of various committees will show where to get different types of teaching material such as Braille kits, study outlines and other material for teaching children, and material for visual education. You may help “win one,” by referring names of your contacts in other cities to the secretaries of the appropriate local Spiritual Assemblies, whose addresses are listed in the Directory, or if there is no Assembly, to the secretary of the Regional Teaching Committee for the region where the contacts live.
NATIONAL BAHA'I YOUTH COMMITTEE[edit]
Pioneering Educates the Soul[edit]
The Bahá’í Youth Committee has sent us a letter from a young pioneer
[Page 13]
in Africa. Violette Nakhjayani
of Persia has been in Kampala, Africa nearly 15 months. She reports of
the various problems encountered in
teaching the Faith and tells how
these problems were met and overcome.
In her own words: “We started by mentioning the Bahá’í Faith to a few people and even gave them small pamphlets, but they never showed any interest and never returned. Our final decision after consultation was to pray and specifically pray at dawn.”
Violette decided the best place to pray would be at one of the hills in Kampala. She thought of Bahá’u’lláh’s words: “Who so reciteth the verses revealed by God, the scattering angels of the Almighty shall scatter abroad the fragrances of the words uttered by his mouth, and shall cause the heart of every righteous man to throb. Though he may, at first, remain unaware of its effect yet the virtue of the grace vouchsafed unto him need sooner or later exercise its influence upon his soul. ...”
The rapid answer to these prayers was unbelievable and whenever new obstacles appear the dawn prayers are again used for a few days.
This young pioneer stresses the importance of seizing any opportunity that presents itself no matter how discouraging it may seem personally. She cites an example of a person they came across who not only disinterested them but who they didn’t like as well. It developed that this same person has been of great help and proved a medium of friendship with another valuable contact.
She discusses the necessity of mental flexibility to facilitate the adapting and adjusting of ones actions, thoughts, words and very personal life to the requirements of his environment. These are the things Violette has learned by pioneering. She closed her letter with these thoughts: “Pioneering educates the soul. In conclusion I would like to mention the Guardian’s verbal comments to my parents during their pilgrimage in Haifa last February, about the duties of pioneers. He told them: ‘The pioneers have four responsibilities, devotion, detachment, steadfastness and unity.’ ”
JUBILEE COMMITTEE[edit]
Jubilee Pamphlet[edit]
The Jubilee Committee, under authorization of the National Spiritual Assembly, has compiled a brief but comprehensive selection from the Sacred Writings of Bahá’u’lláh under the title “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.”
This selection has been beautifully printed for use throughout the Jubilee Celebrations, October 1952-October, 1953, in two different editions.
The general edition is for widespread distribution by the friends in connection with the series of local and national Jubilee meetings and can be featured as a means of contact and proclamation.
The limited edition is the same size and type, but has a title page in two colors and a colored cover.
This Jubilee pamphlet has been designed by a nationally known typographical expert. It has twenty pages of selections and an introduction relating the pamphlet to the Bahá’í Centenary and the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission. Size, 7¼ by 9¾ inches, printed on an unusual type face from handset type. Every believer will desire a copy of the general or of the limited edition as a precious souvenir of Bahá’í Holy Year.
Orders will be filled by the Bahá’í Publishing Committee, 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill., at the rate of five copies of general edition for $1.00 postpaid, and $.90 per copy for the limited edition.
Spiritual Preparation for Holy Year[edit]
Readings were prepared by the National Jubilee Committee for the consultation periods of the three nineteen-day Feasts of September 8, September 27 and October 16, 1952, to help the Bahá’ís prepare themselves for the commemoration of the Holy Year. The readings were sent in July to Spiritual Assemblies and Regional Teaching Committees. Many requests have come to the Committee for copies which the Committee is unable to supply.
The references are published in Bahá’í News so that any individual believer desiring the readings can locate them in the Bahá’í literature. For explanation of the three themes around which the readings were selected, see passage on the Holy Year written by the Guardian through his secretary in the letter dated November 23, 1951, in World Order Unfolds pages 36-37.
- Bahá’u’lláh’s Mystical Experience in the Síyáh-Chál (1853)—“the first
intimation” (readings for Feast of
September 8):
- Letter of Shoghi Effendi, June 15, 1946, in Messages to America, pp. 99-100 (W.O.U. 1-2) from “It was at a time when” to “could bear to hear.”
- Letter of Shoghi Effendi, Nov. 23, 1951 (W.O.U. 30-32) from “The historic significance” to “prison-fortress of ‘Akká.”
- God Passes By, p. 93 from “The circumstances” to “grace of the Almighty”; pp. 100-102 from “A Revelation, hailed” to “them that perceive.”
- Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 20-21 from “By the righteousness of God” to “regenerating this people.”; pp. 21 (last line) to 22 “instruments of peace”; pp. 39-41 from “We once again refer” to “from the Name of God.”
- Bahá’í Prayers (1949), p. 19, beginning “All praise, O my God ...”
- Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration to His companions in the Riḍván Garden, Baghdád (1863) — the “Most Great
Festival” (readings for Feast of September 27):
- God Passes By, p. 103 from “The process whereby” to “far and wide.”
- Ibid., p. 108 from “On the first day of” to “Baghdád”; p. 109 from “Finally on the 28th of” to “province of ‘Iráq”; p. 109 (last line) to 110 “of the Báb Himself.”
- Ibid., pp. 127 from “The return to Bahá’u’lláh” to “to Constantinople”; pp. 137-138 from “The enormous expansion” to “irretrievably to posterity”; p. 138 “Foremost among” to “1862 A.D.”
- Ibid., p. 147 from “Already as Nabíl” to “those around Him”; p. 149 from “Leaving for the last time” to “His final departure from that city.”
- Ibid., pp. 151-153 from “The
arrival of Bahá’u’lláh” to “approaching its zenith”; pp. 153-155 from “Of
[Page 14]
the exact circumstances” to “of the
entire creation.”
- Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation of His Mission to the rulers and religious leaders of the world, Adrianople (1867-68) (readings for Feast
of October 16):
- God Passes By, pp. 403-404 from “In the pestilential atmosphere” to “and the west”; pp. 158-159 from “This historic Proclamation” to “of his empire”; pp. 170-171 from “Though He Himself” to “most part untranscribed”; pp. 171-172 from “The Súriy-i-Múlúk” to “the entire creation”; p. 175 from “To the entire company” to “abhor it.”
- Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet to the Kings, Promised Day Is Come, pp. 20-21 from “O Kings of the earth!” to “can be quickened.”
- Tablet of Visitation, Prayers and Meditations, pp. 310-313.
BAHA'I LITERATURE FOR THE BLIND[edit]
Another pamphlet, THE BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP, has been added to the list of pamphlets published in Braille by Bahá’í Service for the Blind. It is available in Braille Grade Two and priced at $1.25 a copy. Remittance should accompany order to:
Bahá’í Service for the Blind, 616
North Oxford Ave., Los Angeles 4,
California.
Calendar
“Today, any soul who looseneth his tongue in the delivery of Truth and is engaged in the diffusion of the fragrances of God, he shall undoubtedly be assisted and confirmed by the Holy Spirit and can resist the attacks of all the people of the world, for the power of the Realm of Might shall prevail ....”
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
The following titles are NOT AVAILABLE at present. Some are to be reprinted, others to be revised before republication and some are on order from England:
- Bahá’í Answers
- The Books of God, Are Open
- Commentary on the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Study Outline on Divine Art of Living
- Heart of the Gospel—paper
- (new shipment in about six weeks)
- Open Door
- (to be reprinted soon)
- Reality of Man
- Renewal of Civilization
- Some Answered Questions
- Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
- Traveller’s Narrative
Notices will appear in advance of expected date of publication of all titles. A new “Literature Catalogue” will be available in about six weeks.
Correction:
| Prescription for Living | |
paper bound | $1.00 |
cloth bound | $2.00 |
Religious Education for a Peaceful Society now available | $.25. |
On all orders, please indicate if for
an Assembly, Group, (followed by
Librarian or Secretary’s name), or
Personal.
Exhibit picture:
An attractive colored picture, excellent for exhibits, displays, or for framing in a Bahá’í Center or home is the six-color print of the completed Shrine of the Báb. This handsome reprint of the drawing of the completed Sepulchre made by the architect Mr. Maxwell, is 7⅛ x 10¼" in size, with a gold and grey border. It first appeared as the frontispiece in Bahá’í World, Vol. IX.......$ .50.
110 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois
"WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM"[edit]
Welcome! Welcome! You are very welcome!
... This is the day of Bahá’u’lláh; the age of the Blessed Perfection; the cycle of the Greatest Name.
Hasten! Hasten![edit]
Hasten, hasten, O ye firm believers; Hasten, hasten, O ye steadfast! Abandon the heedless, set aside every ignorant, take hold of the strong rope, be firm in this Great Cause, draw light from this Evident Light, be patient and be steadfast in this wise Religion!
Develop Day by Day[edit]
Thou must develop day by day, and become more rejoiced than before through the fragrances of the Holy Spirit and illumine the hearts of others by the light of the love of God. I ask God to confirm thee in His servitude, like unto ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Thus thou mayest be thrilled with the ecstasy of the wine of the Covenant and give a drink thereof unto the world.
The Divine Call[edit]
Thank thou God that thou hast stepped into the arena of existence in such a blessed Age and hast opened thine ears and thine eyes in such a Promised Day. The Splendor of the Sun of Truth thou hast beheld and the divine Call thou hast heard. To thine ultimate desire thou hast attained and from the sweetness of the love of God thou hast tasted. Consequently, supplicate ardently for spiritual attraction and ecstacy.
The Doors Are Open[edit]
The doors of the Kingdom are open and the bounty of God is like unto spring rain. Although the signs of material bounty are great, yet the true bounty is that of heaven, spiritual, which gives life eternal. Follow this and thy heart will become as beautiful as a garden, thine eyes bright, thy spirit happy and thy thought a comfort to souls.
Be a well-wisher of humanity and a servant of mankind. Thus the strength of the Kingdom will uphold thee and the avenues of revelation open to thee. Because today every servant is served and is an honorable lord and every maid-servant the queen of horizons. Grow in humility and meekness daily, until thou attainest eternal glory and everlasting grace.
What Attraction! What Affection![edit]
The believers of God must become distinguished from all the rest of the world through their deeds. One of these deeds is love. By observing them, men must be astonished and wonder at this love existing amongst the believers of God, exclaiming rapturously, “What attraction! What affection! How they are united together! How they have become the expression of one spirit and the emanation of one heart!” ...
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“... If every one of the friends (believers) were to establish relations of friendship and right dealings with one of the negligent souls, associate and live with him with perfect kindliness, and meanwhile through good conduct and moral behaviour lead him to divine instruction, to heavenly advice and teachings, surely he would gradually arouse that negligent person and would change his ignorance into knowledge. If one of the believers be kind to one of the negligent ones and with perfect love should gradually make him understand the reality of the Cause of God in such a way that the latter should know in what manner the Religion of God hath been founded and what its object is, doubtless he will become changed; excepting abnormal souls who are reduced to the state of ashes and whose hearts are like stones, yea, even harder. If by this method every one of the friends of God were to try to lead one soul to the right path, the number of the believers would be doubled every year. But this should be carried out with perfect wisdom and in such a manner that no harm would ever result therefrom.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 385-386)
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MARRIAGES[edit]
“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verily, this thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the shadow of Thy mercy and they are united through Thy favor and generosity. O Lord! Assist them in this Thy world and Thy Kingdom and destine for them every good through Thy bounty and grace ...”
Milwaukee, Wis., Miss Evangeline Suhm to Mr. Ronald Ladwig (non-Bahá’í) (date not reported)
Flint, Mich., Miss Anne Roberts to Mr. Curtis R. Bradt (non-Bahá’í) July 19, 1952.
Fresno, Calif., Miss Helen Ruth Fridborg to Mr. Francis Newton (non-Bahá’í) July 20, 1952
Santa Fe, New Mexico, Miss Bonnie White to Mr. Reginald Barrow July 4, 1952
Chicago, Ill., Miss Joan Storie to Mr. Raymond T. Anderson, June 18, 1952
Louisville, Ky., Mrs. Ona Mae Ault to Mr. Charles A. Koppe (non-Bahá’í) June 15, 1952
Town of Granville, Wis., Miss Joan Elaine Peck (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. John A. Ehn, Jr., May 16, 1952
Los Angeles, Calif., Miss Florence Piepenburg to Mr. Shidan Fathe-Aazam, August 9, 1952
Los Angeles, Calif., Miss Jeanne Staley to Mr. S. T. Turner (non-Bahá’í) March 9, 1952
Washington, D. C., Mrs. Florence Tokes to Mr. Alan Anderson, August 14, 1952
Los Angeles, Calif., Mrs. Nettie Ritter to Mr. David S. Douglas (non-Bahá’í) August 23, 1952
Berkeley, Calif., Miss Monta Mitchell (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. Wallace Heath, June 21, 1952
Ruth Lois Nordstrom, blind Bahá’í of Kirkland, Washington, assisting with the display of Bahá’í Service for the Blind, at Convention in the spring of 1948. Miss Nordstrom passed away in October 1951, leaving her entire Braille library to this committee.
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. Charles F. Fishback, Chicago, Ill. August 4, 1952.
- Mrs. Ellen Pinder, So. Portland, Maine, July 21, 1952.
- Mrs. Lisa Blohm, Milwaukee, Wis. July 13, 1952.
- Dr. William Jackson, Topeka, Kansas, June 23, 1952.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Dupiu, West New York, New Jersey, July 28, 1952.
- Mrs. Mary Ammon, Weehawken, New Jersey, August 5, 1952.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
Anniversaries:
- October 20—Birth of the Báb
- November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
- November 26—Day of the Covenant
- November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Feasts:
- October 16—‘Ilm, Knowledge
- November 4—Qudrat, Power
- November 23—Qawl, Speech
National Spiritual Assembly Meetings:
- October 3, 4, and 5.
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. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.
BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1952-1953: Mrs. Eunice Braun,
Managing Editor; Mr. William C. Henning, Miss Farrukh Ioas, Miss Joan Lozier, Mr. Robert Moul.
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of Address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
