Bahá’í News/Issue 262/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 262 | BAHA’I YEAR 109 | DECEMBER, 1952 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
|
ACQUISITION OF VITALLY-NEEDED PROPERTY SURROUNDING
THE TOMB OF BAHA'U'LLAH
(The) acquired area, raising Bahá’í holdings (on the) holy plain (of) ‘Akká from four thousand to one hundred and fifty-five thousand square meters, (was) exchanged against property donated by children (of) Zikrullah, grandchildren (of) Mírzá Muḥammad Quli, Bahá’u’lláh’s faithful half-brother (and) companion (in) exile. (This) spontaneous offer contrasts (with the) shameful action (of the) family (in the) sale to non-Bahá’ís (of the) property (in the) neighborhood (of the) Jordan valley purchased (through the) instrumentality (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during Bahá’u’lláh’s lifetime, pursuant (to) His instructions (and) alluded (to in) His writings. (The) forty acre property acquired (in this) single transaction almost equals (the) entire Bahá’í international endowments purchased (in the) course (of) sixty years (in the) vicinity (of the) Báb’s Sepulchre (on the) slope (of) Mount Carmel. (The) exchange (of) said property, including land (and) houses (was) made possible (by the) precipitate flight (of the) former Arab owners, traditional supporters (of the) old Covenant-breakers (and) descendants (of the) notorious enemy (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá who placed (a) residence (at the) disposal (of the) Committee (of) Investigation. (The) signature (to the) agreement signalized (the) commencement (of) large-scale landscaping, aiming (at the) beautification (of the) immediate precincts (of the) holiest spot (in the) entire Bahá’í world, itself (the) prelude (to the) eventual erection, as happened (in the) case (of the) Báb’s Sepulchre, (of a) befitting Mausoleum enshrining (the) precious Dust (of the) Most Great Name. Desire (to) acknowledge (the) indefatigable efforts exerted (by) both Larry Hautz (and) Leroy Ioas enabling (the) consummation (of the) initial stage (of the) enterprise destined (to) eclipse in its final phase (the) splendor (and) magnificence (of the) Báb’s resting-place (on) Mount Carmel. —SHOGHI
Haifa, Israel |
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved friends:
How significant it is that the Guardian could announce on the very Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh the acquisition of so important a tract of land surrounding and safeguarding the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh and the adjoining Mansion of Bahjí!
We can not estimate the importance of this transaction, which adds to our World Center a property of forty acres, the area of which is almost as great as the properties purchased during the past sixty years as international Bahá’í endowments on the slope of Mount Carmel.
By “Palestine Branch of the American National Spiritual Assembly” the Guardian means that corporate body which he established years ago in the then Palestine under a Turkish law controlling titles to real property under the title “National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada: Palestine Branch” with himself as its authorized representative and to it transferred titles to various lots which American Bahá’ís had purchased and wished to donate to the Guardian for permanent Bahá’í use. Through this corporate body the National Spiritual Assembly has an interest in the property which could be asserted, if necessary, through the American government to challenge any claims from enemies of the Faith.
The message brings to us its greatest inspiration as it signalizes the beginning of a landscaping plan which will beautify the area around the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh and prepare the way for the construction of a Mausoleum which when completed
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will surpass even the “splendor and
magnificence” of the Shrine of the
Báb. The Guardian’s acknowledgement of the services rendered
by Mr. Hautz and Mr. Ioas will be
gratefully noted.
Bahá’í Holy Year is befittingly celebrated by this great event reported by Shoghi Effendi. We are in the midst of an augmenting cycle of spiritual power. Let us put away littleness from ourselves, that the greatness of the Faith may penetrate our souls!
PROGRESS ON SHRINE OF BAB[edit]
(On) eve (of) opening (of) Holy Year announce (to) Bahá’í communities (of) East (and) West joyful tidings (of) conclusion (of) over ten thousand dollar contract (with) Utrecht firm (for the) fabrication (of) twelve thousand gilded tiles (to) cover (an) area (of) two hundred (and) fifty square meters (of) dome (of) Báb’s Sepulchre. Eighteen stained glass windows (of) drum (and) twenty-four windows (of) octagon delivered (to) Mount Carmel. Stones required (for) construction (of) ribs (of) drum (and) brim (of) lantern (of) dome nearing completion, heralding (the) early commencement (of the) erection (of the) last remaining unit (of) rapidly rising edifice. Eastward extension (of) terrace adjoining Sepulchre virtually terminated raising (the) total length (of) horizontal area fronting (the) Shrine (to) about six hundred feet, adding greatly (to the) beauty (and) stateliness (of the) approaches (to the) magnificent structure, already enhanced through recent extension (of) terraces linking Haifa’s oldest (and) most imposing avenue (with) Báb’s resting place majestically rising (in the) bosom (of) Carmel.
Haifa, Israel
October 14, 1952
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved Friends:
Bahá’ís throughout the world will gratefully receive the Guardian’s announcement of the progress of Shrine construction as reported in his cable received October 14, 1952. The photographs appearing in this issue of
The design of one of the eighteen stained glass windows of the Drum of the Shrine of the Báb. These windows have recently been received in Haifa.
Bahá’í News were received early
in October by airmail, and illustrate
the superb beauty of the work.
As we follow stage by stage the rising glory of the Sepulchre and the enhancement of the terraces and gardens, let us realize over and over the miracle taking place under the Guardian’s directing hand.
A focal point for the souls of all peoples for ages to come has been created on the slopes of the Holy Mountain. The Báb in spirit rises again. One of the wonders of the modern world is being achieved. Fortunate are those, who, passing on in this day, have left behind them some share in the sacrifice through which the Shrine has been made possible.
PASSING OF PIONEER[edit]
Grieved passing distinguished, consecrated pioneer Dagmar Dole, outstanding record unforgettable, reward bountiful. Praying progress soul Kingdom.
GOALS OF THE WORLD CRUSADE[edit]
That portion of the Guardian’s sublime message of October 8, 1952 which lists the goals to be attained by 1963 has been carefully studied by the National Spiritual Assembly. By setting out each goal distinctly and in series, the magnificent panorama of our world enterprise can be more clearly viewed. The following text contains revisions which the friends are requested to make in their copy of the complete message.
“(The) projected historic, spiritual venture, at once arduous, audacious, challenging, unprecedented (in) scope (and) character (in the) entire field (of) Bahá’í history, soon to be set (in) motion, involves:
“Adoption (of) preliminary measures (to the) construction of Bahá’u’lláh’s Sepulchre (in the) Holy Land;
“Doubling (the) number (of) countries within (the) pale (of the) Faith through planting its banner (in the) remaining Sovereign States (of the) planet as well as
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Progress in the construction of the Drum of the Shrine of the Báb.
Construction of the wall to extend the length of the terrace fronting the Shrine of the Báb, nearing completion.
(the) remaining virgin territories mentioned (in) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablets (of the) Divine Plan, involving (the) opening (of) forty-one countries (on the) Asiatic, thirty-three (on the) African, thirty (on the) European, twenty-seven (on the) American continents;
“Over twofold increase (in the) number (of) languages into which Bahá’í literature (is) translated, printed or (in) process (of) translation—forty (in) Asia, thirty-one (in) Africa, ten each (in) Europe (and) America, to be allocated (to the) American, British, Indian (and) Australian Bahá’í communities, including for (the) most part those into which Gospels (have been) already translated;
“Doubling (the) number (of) Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs, through (the) initiation (of the) construction (of) one (on the) Asiatic (and the) other (on the) European continent;
“(The) acquisition (of the) site (of the) future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (on) Mount Carmel;
“(The) purchase (of the) land (for) eleven future Temples, three (on the) American, three (on the) African, two (on the) Asiatic, two (on the) European, one (on the) Australian continents;
“(The) erection (of the) first dependency (of the) Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (in) Wilmette:
“(The) development (of the) functions (of the) institution (of the) Hands (of the) Cause;
“(The) establishment (of a) Bahá’í Court (in the) Holy Land, preliminary (to the) emergence (of the) Universal House (of) Justice;
“Codification (of the) laws (and) ordinances (of the) Kitáb-i-Aqdás, Mother Book (of the) Bahá’í Revelation;
“Establishment (of) six national Bahá’í Courts (in the) chief cities (of the) Islamic East—Ṭihrán, Cairo, Baghdád, New Delhi, Karachi, Kabul;
“Extension (of) international Bahá’í endowments (in the) Holy Land, (on the) plain (of) ‘Akká (and the) slopes (of) Mount Carmel;
“Construction (of) International Bahá’í Archives (in the) neighborhood (of the) Báb’s Sepulchre;
“Construction (of a) tomb (for the) wife (of the) Báb (in) Shíráz;
“Identification (of the) resting places (of the) father (of) Bahá’u’lláh (and the) mother (and) cousin (of the) Báb (for) reburial (in the) Bahá’í cemetery (in the) vicinity (of the) Most Great House;
“Acquisition (of the) Garden (of) Riḍván (in) Baghdád, site (of the) Síyáh-Chál (in) Ṭihrán, (site of the) martyrdom (of the) Báb (in) Tabríz, (and of) His incarceration in Chihríq;
“More than quadruple (the) number (of) National Spiritual Assemblies—twenty-one (on the) American, thirteen (on the) European, ten (on the) Asiatic, three (on the) African and one (on the) Australian continents;
“Multiply sevenfold national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, their establishment (in the) capital cities (of the) chief Sovereign States (and) chief cities (of the) principal Dependencies (of the) planet—twenty-one (in) America, fifteen (in) Europe, nine (in) Asia, three (in) Africa, one (in) New Zealand;
“Framing national Bahá’í constitutions (and) establishment (of) national Bahá’í endowments (in) same capitals and cities (of) same States (and) Dependencies;
“More than quintuple (the) number (of) incorporated National Assemblies—twenty-one (in) America,
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thirteen (in) Europe, twelve
(in) Asia, three (in) Africa, one
(in) Australasia;
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“(The) establishment (of) six national Bahá’í Publishing Trusts—two (in) America, two (in) Asia, one (in) Africa, one (in) Europe;
“(The) participation (of the) women (of) Persia (in the) membership (of) national (and) local assemblies;
“(The) establishment (of) seven Israel branches (of) National Spiritual Assemblies—two (from) Europe, two (from) Asia, one each (from) America, Africa (and) Australia;
“(The) establishment (of a) national Bahá’í printing press (in) Ṭihrán;
“Reinforcement (of the) ties binding (the) Bahá’í World Community (to) United Nations;
“Inclusion, circumstances permitting, (of) eleven Republics comprised within Union (of) Soviet Socialist Republics and two European Soviet-controlled States within (the) orbit (of the) Administrative Order (of the) Faith;
“Convocation (of a) World Bahá’í Congress (in the) vicinity (of the) Garden of Riḍván, Baghdád, third holiest city (of) Bahá’í world, (on the) occasion (of the) worldwide celebrations (of the) Most Great Jubilee commemorating (the) Centenary (of the) Ascension (of) Bahá’u’lláh (to the) Throne (of) His Sovereignty.”
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
AMERICAN BAHA'IS INVITED TO ATTEND INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE IN NEW DELHI[edit]
The following invitation has been extended by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma, through the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
“Dear Bahá’í Friends:
On the eve of the Holy Year, we wish to convey to you our most sincere and loving greetings. While rendering thanks unto our beloved Guardian, who has so affectionately conferred upon us the honoured privilege of being Convenors of the 4th Intercontinental Conference and serving as hosts to the revered participants in the Conference, we extend to you and through you, to all our brothers and sisters, residing in the Dependencies and Sovereign States under the jurisdiction of your noble Assembly, our most cordial invitation for participation, in this all important conference to be held in New Delhi during the month of October 1953.
“The duration of this Conference has been provisionally fixed for one week, during the first half of October 1953. We have not yet been able to fix a definite duration or the actual dates, about which we shall inform you in due course of time.”
“ON THE FIRMEST BASIS”[edit]
A Letter from the Guardian[edit]
In a letter dated June 2, 1952, addressed to the Bahá’ís gathered at the Teaching Conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 11, the Guardian, through his secretary, wrote this about our teaching work.
“It is indeed of the utmost importance that the teaching work be done on the firmest basis, if the devoted believers in the United States are to shoulder the heavy responsibility which will be theirs at home and in far-flung fields during the Ten Year Crusade beginning with the Holy Year, 1953.”
OF INTEREST TO BELIEVERS[edit]
20% Income Tax Deduction Allowed on Contributions[edit]
“An Act amending various sections of the Internal Revenue Code has been passed by the Congress and was signed by President Harry S. Truman on July 8. It is of particular interest to persons making charitable and other contributions, which may be deducted from income tax.
“One section of the Act (H. R. 7345) provides that the limit for income tax deductions is increased from 15 to 20 per cent of an individual’s adjusted gross income. This section (relating to deductions by individuals for charitable contributions) ‘is hereby amended by striking out 15 per centum and inserting 20 per centum.’ The amendments apply to taxable years after Dec. 31, 1951.”
ENROLLMENT OF BAHA'I YOUTH AS ADULT VOTING BELIEVERS[edit]
At the request of one of the local Assemblies, the National Spiritual Assembly wishes to remind all Bahá’í Youth that on reaching the age of twenty-one years they are expected to notify their local Assembly (or Regional Teaching Committee if they do not live in an organized Bahá’í Community) as soon as they reach voting age.
When the local Assembly or Regional Teaching Committee has this information, it places the believer on the adult membership list and reports this action to the National Spiritual Assembly.
Though already enrolled as a Bahá’í with youth status, the believer on becoming twenty-one years of age does not automatically become vested with voting rights. The simple duty of informing the Assembly or Regional Teaching Committee rests upon the Youth. Voting rights are then given to the Youth without any further declaration of faith or formality.
Overlooking this obligation on their part, many enrolled in the youth list have become adult and gone for some time without voting rights merely because the local Assembly or Regional Teaching Committee had not been notified.
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The apertures for the lancet windows are apparent as the 33 ft. Drum rises.
The floral-designed stones that form the sills of the Drum windows, in place.
A PILGRIM'S NOTES ON TEACHING AND ADMINISTRATION[edit]
The statements made by Mrs. Beatrice Ashton to the National Spiritual Assembly after her return from pilgrimage to Haifa were so interesting and helpful that the members requested her to write them out for the information of the friends.
The great privilege of making the pilgrimage to Haifa and ‘Akká carries with it the responsibility of bringing back to as many as possible the inspiration of visiting the Holy Shrines and praying at the Holy Thresholds, of meeting the beloved Guardian and hearing him speak, and of visiting the Holy Places of the Faith.
The Guardian usually meets the pilgrims from the West at table during and after dinner in the Western Pilgrim House. One evening he spoke at some length about the “Twin Pillars.” Everything that the Guardian says is uttered with the greatest clarity. One does not wish to miss a single word, for every word, every expression, conveys just the right meaning and is deeply engraved on one’s heart and mind. References made here, however, to what the Guardian said on this occasion must be considered in the category of “pilgrim notes,” and only his published words are here given in quotation marks.
That evening at the table he said that up to this time we had been erecting only one of the twin pillars, the one which is to culminate in the Universal House of Justice—that he had not yet been able to establish the Universal House of Justice but he had appointed the International Bahá’í Council as an intermediary stage. Now, he explained, he had begun to erect the pillar of the Guardianship by the appointment of the Hands of the Cause. Just as the other pillar had its institutions—the local and national assemblies, each with its own subsidiary institutions (the committees and the funds)—so the Hands of the Cause would also have their own institutions revolving about them.
In the “Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh”, it will be recalled, the Guardian explains briefly, in the section on the Administrative Order, “the character and functions of the twin pillars that support this mighty Administrative Structure—the institutions of the Guardianship and of the Universal House of Justice.” He writes: “It should be stated, at the very outset, in clear and unambiguous language, that these twin institutions of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh should be regarded as divine in origin, essential in their functions and complementary in their aim and purpose.” (W.O.B., pp. 147-148.)
In his explanation at the table the Guardian stated that the sole purpose of the administrative pillar (i.e., the pillar culminating in the Universal House of Justice) is to support and carry out the Divine Plan; that the function of the Guardian and the Hands is the promulgation of the Teachings and preservation of the integrity of the Cause. Then he said that the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is the charter for the administrative institutions, and the Tablet of Carmel is the charter for the institution of the Guardianship. (The Tablet of Carmel is found on pages 14-17 of Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.)
When we contemplate the Guardian’s explanations of these twin pillars—the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice—that support the Administrative Structure of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, we can envision the perfect reciprocal and complementary function of teaching and administration. Before the local and national assemblies were established, teaching was done on an individual basis and was in-coordinate. With the coming of the assemblies, the teaching work became more unified and the new Bahá’ís were brought into the family of the Bahá’í Community. It was not, however, until our beloved Guardian began to unfold to us the steps under which we were to carry out the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and
[Page 6]
encouraged us to launch forth on the
First Seven Year Plan, that our
teaching work took on the purposeful direction which brought effective
results both within and without the
confines of our own land.
The Guardian promulgated the teaching work, that is, he issued the instructions by which the believers, through their national and local assemblies and committees, supported and carried out the unfoldment of the Divine Plan—a preview of the complementary functioning of the “twin pillars.”
With the succeeding years every country where a national spiritual assembly is established has had its Plan, given or encouraged by the Guardian and carried out and supported by the committees and assemblies through which the believers work. The teaching projects in the new countries opened to the Faith have for their first objective the establishment of local, then of national, assemblies, thus erecting, painfully slowly it seems, but surely, the support for the crowning unit of the administrative pillar, the Universal House of Justice.
The Second Seven Year Plan of the Bahá’ís of the United States will come to its conclusion in April, 1953. Within the period of that Plan four new national spiritual assemblies will have been established—Canada, South America, Central America and Italy-Switzerland. The supplementary Plans of varying length of the British Isles, of Germany and Austria, of Írán, of India, Pakistan and Burma, of ‘Iráq, of Egypt and Súdán, of Australia and New Zealand, of Canada are all culminating in 1953, within the Holy Year.
The Third Plan, a “Global Crusade,” begins immediately on the conclusion of the Second Seven Year Plan and will culminate in 1963. It represents “the third concluding phase of initial epoch (in) execution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan.” Thus, it is well to remember, we are still working in the “initial epoch of the Formative Age,” the transitional period of the Faith.
To inaugurate this third phase, the concluding phase of the initial epoch, the Guardian in his cablegram of November 30, 1951, summons the “entire Bahá’í world through eleven National Assemblies already functioning East and West bestir itself, arise during sixteen months ahead” and prepare four “intercontinental Bahá’í teaching conferences to be held successively (in) course (of) historic year (on) continents (of) Africa, America, Europe, Asia.”
The Guardian summons the Bahá’ís to support and carry out this further, intercontinental extension of the Divine Plan through their national assemblies. The pattern is repeated, and ever enlarged, of promulgation on the one hand and of support and carrying out, on the other.
At this point, when the teaching work is about to launch forth into an intercontinental unfoldment of the Divine Plan, the beloved Guardian has appointed the first Hands of the Cause of God, institutions of the pillar of the Guardianship. As the Guardian states in his cablegram of December 24, 1951, he has taken this step at this time, after local and national institutions on five continents of the globe have been established, after the First Seven Year Plan had inaugurated the first epoch in the execution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan (“unavoidably held (in) abeyance over two decades pending creation divinely appointed administrative agencies designed by its Author for its effective prosecution”), and now that the institutions at the World Center of the Faith are gradually emerging.
With the appointment of the Hands of the Cause, who are “under the direction of the guardian of the Cause of God” (Will and Testament), the promulgation of the Teachings is extended. Prior to this time the Guardian, alone, has given us our directions in the various Plans, to be carried out and supported through the institutions of the assemblies and committees. Every Bahá’í is enjoined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to teach, every Bahá’í, including the Hands, including the members of assemblies and every member of every Bahá’í community. But in order that the teaching work of all may be effective and that unity (without which no teaching can be effective) may be preserved, the carrying out of the work is channelized through the administrative institutions (see W.O.B., p. 18). A river without a channel loses its force and dissipates its purpose, in fact it evaporates. A channel without the river is equally useless. The purpose of each is fulfilled in the other—they are “complementary.”
So it is with teaching and administration. Without the Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh which flows through His Teachings, within His Covenant, each individual Bahá’í accomplishes nothing. We do not teach, we do not find and reach the hearts of people. Bahá’u’lláh accomplishes all this, by His Radiance reflected on the mirrors of our hearts which shines through our words and actions. And unless this River of the Spirit, this River of Light, which finds Its reflection in the believers, flows through the channel of Bahá’u’lláh’s own laws, of His Covenant, of the institutions provided by that Covenant through the Will and Testament of His appointed Interpreter, Its effect is dissipated. We do not know the full effectiveness of teaching work unless and until both the river and the channel function together. To emphasize teaching as something distinct from administration is to disregard the very institutions set up by Bahá’u’lláh through His Covenant for the purpose of supporting and carrying out the teaching work. To emphasize the administration as important in itself is to deny the purpose of its existence, which is to be the channel for the spirit.
Teaching of the administration has necessarily been increasingly emphasized during the past thirty years in order to build the strong supporting structure for the Universal House of Justice resting on the institutions provided in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With the coming of the Guardianship, the Cause had entered a new historical period. During the Heroic Age, just preceding, the teaching work had been done largely on an individual basis. It was necessary that its real objective be more widely understood, that it be oriented away from an individual basis toward the establishment of the community of believers—local, national and world-wide—made up of Bahá’ís each of whom is living and working in accordance with the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Center of His Covenant, now under the guidance of our beloved Guardian, in a coordinated effort unified through the administrative institutions.
Teaching of the administration as an integral part of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is as necessary in preparing
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an inquirer for entering into
the community of believers as is
the teaching of the “fundamental
verities” of the Faith. Otherwise the
new believer is unable either to understand the continuing Covenant
which provides and preserves the
unity of the Cause or to become a
mature member of the Bahá’í community. The Guardian has written:
“Without the study and application
of the Administration the teaching
of the Cause becomes not only meaningless but loses in effectiveness and
scope.” (Bahá’í News, No. 105, p. 1.)
Thus, while every Bahá’í is enjoined to teach, the teaching efforts of each Bahá’í, however limited or however extensive, whether in his own community or in a new country, are all part of the great teaching work of the Cause. Each component part is effective to the degree that it is related to the whole, for it then receives the flow of strength from the whole. The connection of the individual with the whole comes through active participation in the Bahá’í community, through the Nineteen Day Feasts and through the uniting of all teaching efforts within the local, regional and national units. Then teaching and administration function as one whole. Only thus can the teaching which every believer longs to do become fully effective, for its purpose is not a personal victory but has for its objective the healing of the world, through “the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.” (Gl., p. 255.)
Now that the Guardian is entrusting us with the responsibility of a mature community, that of participating in the carrying out of a Global Crusade, it is important that we envision the whole, that we understand and practice the complementary function of teaching and administration. Neither is complete without the other, and both functioning together are necessary to bring into outer reality the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the Kingdom of God on earth.
We shall continuously, throughout the initial and the succeeding epochs, receive the direction of the teaching work through the “pillar” of the Guardianship. It is the no less continuous responsibility, and privilege, of every Bahá’í to carry out and support the teaching work, however arduous it may be, through the institutions of the pillar which is, in due time, to culminate in the Universal House of Justice. Only thus can we fulfill the great tasks which our beloved Guardian, from his overburdened heart, is calling us to do. Only through our whole-hearted, enthusiastic response to the Guardian’s calls can the coming of the Kingdom be hastened.
UNUSUAL TEACHING ACTIVITIES IN UGANDA[edit]
Copies of the two letters published below were sent by the Guardian to the National Spiritual Assembly with direction that they be used in Bahá’í News. As Shoghi Effendi wrote through his Assistant Secretary on November 2, “the success of the teaching efforts (in Uganda) are astonishing. The Guardian feels it may even be a replica of the wonderful success of the time of the Dawn-Breakers.” The letters are shared “as a stimulus to the friends, particularly the friends in the South, and especially the Negro Bahá’ís. He likewise feels it should be a means of stimulating the sending of pioneers from America to the most important area of our pioneering effort.”
Extracts from letter to the Guardian from the British Africa Committee[edit]
There are now 55 believers in Uganda, living in 12 different localities and representing 9 different tribes, namely Ganda, Gishu, Gwero, Kabarasi, Kakamega, Luo, Soga, Teso, Toro. Six of these believers are African women. 18 of the believers are in Kampala and 26 in the Teso country. A lot of the Tesos have written their declarations in their own languages and some have had to have them written and have signed with thumbprints.
To meet the language difficulty, the Uganda Teaching Committee, newly appointed, have appointed Enoch Olinga as their Teso secretary.
One of the new believers in Kobwin, father of Enoch Olinga, has given his hut to the Cause to be used as a Ḥaẓíra and the 19-day Feast of Mashíyyat was celebrated in it. Mr. Banani accompanied two other friends to this feast, which involved a great sacrifice on his part, since it meant he was for two days only with people who could not speak his language. It is moreover due to his generosity in lending his car for weeks on end that Ali Nakhjavani has been enabled to stay out in these country districts teaching and confirming.
One of the other new believers in Kobwin, Nathan Olei, is a remarkable person. He is of high intellect and went through the course at Makerere University College in half the usual time. After that however he took to drink and lost job after job, until he was reduced to just subsistence farming on his own plot. Since accepting the Faith he is completely changed and this is being regarded as a miracle, and it is having a tremendous influence on all those who know him. Moreover he is reading seriously and is showing a wonderful grasp of the teachings and is teaching others. His wife too has accepted the Faith.
The Africa Committee has received a letter from the Kobwin community, written by Mr. Olei, of which we are enclosing a copy, since we feel it is a most interesting document.
African Bahá’í Letter to British Committee[edit]
To the Africa Committee:
On behalf of the Bahá’í Community in Kobwini Sub-county, I am in duty bound to forward to you our heartfelt, fathomless gratitude for sending Mr. Ali to Kobwin as an adamant envoy of the glorious message—the message which has transformed many souls. Assuredly his short sojourn with us has not in the least been fruitless—it has achieved remarkable, renowned results — notwithstanding the fierce, challenging opposition of the assailants of the Cause. As a matter of fact this opposition increased the velocity of the impetus which has enhanced the addition of many souls to the increasing list of the Bahá’ís in this subcounty. I am confident, cocksure that the fire which Mr. Ali lit, will never
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be extinguished by any implacable
force on earth. Our dear beloved
Ali, as a pioneer of the Cause, has
been serving as a concrete example
and at the same time cementing the
principles of the Bahá’í Faith which
Bahá’u’lláh so explicitly propounded
to the nations the world over.
To give you an idea in order to enlighten you on this point, I think it is worth while to quote one of the epitomised, and axiomatic, remarks made by people in different places, villages, which Mr. Ali (accompanied by me) visited. “Truly that European has been sent to us by the Omnipotent and the Most Intermediary, because the message which he has brought to us embodies the whole truth and at the same time he acts according to its principles”. We have seen many white missionaries and Government officials who are supposed to have come to improve the discordant environment of the African, But none of them has ever been able to allow we black people to approach him or her, eat with us, or enter in our poor houses! “We wish there were many of his type — but when he happens to leave us, we will be like babies who are born and then suddenly their mothers pass away before giving them necessary help required for their growth.”
The above quotation is in the form of an appeal which gives you the enlightenment on the actual plight or gravity of the issue. Hence waste not a minute in making arrangements of sending back to us our guide (Mr. Ali) and spiritual leader. His presence in Teso means a great deal as far as the propagation of the Faith goes. His trumpet-call to the inhabitants of Kobwin is still echoing in their hearts. Signs of mass conversion are beginning to display. The public speeches which we gave in different places have materialized—the word “Bahá’í” has become and is becoming the byword of diverse places. Soon it will have pervading influence in the whole of Teso District. Mr. Ali Nakhjavani come back, come back quickly is the general cry of the Bahá’í community.
Lastly not the least, may I also draw your attention to the fact that Teso is a fertile land for the Bahá’í Faith, hence send the tractor (Mr. Ali) to plough the arable land before the loam is eroded away!
- With all love from the
- Bahá’ís Community
- N. G. A. Olei
- Bahá’ís Community
For the Bahá’ís Community in Kobwin
- (For the most recent news of this marvelous teaching work in Uganda, see “International News — Africa.”)
REPORT TO THE FRIENDS[edit]
The meeting of the National Spiritual Assembly held April 22 and 23 brought the Assembly up to the eve of the 1952 convention.
Communications from the Guardian recorded were the cables dated April 3 (announcing agreement with Israel for purchase of land near the Báb’s Shrine), April 5 (concerning the doom awaiting the Covenant-breakers), April 6 (annulling the revised bulletin on Bahá’í marriage).
A letter received from Leroy Ioas reported the Guardian’s views on the needs of the teaching work as presented to pilgrims at Haifa. Three paragraphs were noted for presentation to the Convention and publication in Bahá’í News.
A number of important decisions were made by mail previous to the meeting in connection with the plan prepared by the American National Teaching Committee.
The financial report submitted for the period May 1, 1951-April 21 1952 stated that of the general budget of $175,000, the sum of $174,340.56 had been received. On the Resolve Fund of $275,000, $205,028.83 had been received, a deficit of $69,971.17.
The report also showed that of the total estimated cost of Temple interior contracts — $892,000.00 — the sum of $844,880.56 had been paid. On the contract for landscaping, $6,344.65 had also been paid.
A proposed budget was submitted for 1952-1953.
A preliminary report was presented by the executors of the Roy Wilhelm estate.
A conference was held with the National Teaching Committee for final agreement on the teaching plan for the coming year.
The Assembly approved plans submitted by the Temple Exhibits Committee for installing a new set of permanent exhibits in the Temple Foundation Hall area.
Action was recorded and taken to replace a delegate who had moved from the State where the delegate had been elected. A Convention Reporter was appointed to outline the main features of the Convention for Bahá’í News.
Conferences were held with three pilgrims returned from Haifa.
Preparations for opening the Convention and reporting national activities and budget plans were carried out.
A total of 1926 votes was recorded at successive meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly last year.
The first Minutes of the incoming Assembly covered sessions held between April 25 and 30, 1952.
The members elected at the Convention met and organized the Assembly with election of officers.
A letter was presented written by the Guardian through his secretary giving directions to be carried out in the printing of future Bahá’í Calendars.
Action was taken to inform the Guardian that the American Bahá’í Community wishes to forego any respite after 1953.
Learning of the need in Haifa for free literature for persons visiting the Shrines, the Publishing Committee was directed to ship several thousand pamphlets to the World Center.
The Guardian’s cable to the Convention was recorded in the Minutes, and a statement was planned for Bahá’í News calling the attention of the believers to the bounty offered us in making sacrificial contributions directly to the Guardian.
Cables received from the Guardian during this meeting have been published.
A revised annual budget totaling $475,000 was adopted.
Most of the time at these sessions was devoted to committee appointments.
Sixty-seven committees were appointed, including Regional Teaching and Area Youth Committees. The Jubilee, American National Teaching, Temple Dedication and Intercontinental Teaching Committees, already appointed, were continued.
A schedule of meetings was adopted through December.
Assembly consultation was organized by assigning to each member for study and recommendation the correspondence received from a specified
[Page 9]
list of committees, from local
Assemblies, individual believers or
international bodies.
A conference was held with the members of the United Nations and American National Teaching Committees.
The Convention Arrangements Committee reported that 127 delegations, 33 youth and 688 adult visiting believers had attended the Convention, a total of 848 Bahá’ís.
Recommendations reported from the outgoing National Assembly were discussed and action taken. Sixty-four different votes were recorded.
BAHA'I YOUTH IN THE WORLD CRUSADE[edit]
In two letters written by the Guardian through his secretary to Junior Youth Sessions of Louhelen Bahá’í School, the emphasis is laid entirely upon the ten years of pioneering which are to begin in 1953.
“During the next ten years, following our Holy Year so soon to begin, a tremendous amount of Bahá’í pioneer work must be done all over the world. Although there will be many of the older, more experienced friends going out to serve, he feels that the stirring tasks that lie ahead in difficult countries and climates are, par excellence, the kind of work young people can do.
“He, therefore, urges you to seriously consider the type of profession or trade that might ensure you a post in a pioneer field in Africa, or the Pacific Islands, or Asia, in which you could earn your living while serving the Cause as well. It is a great challenge, and a great opportunity and he looks forward to your future exploits in the service of Bahá’u’lláh with hope and confidence.”
“You are the Bahá’í Youth who are going to grow up during one of the most moving times in this second Bahá’í century, the ten years of great pioneer activity which will fall between the present Holy Year and the Most Great Jubilee which will mark the hundredth anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Declaration in Baghdád. You can see before you the vast territories to be won over to the Faith in the coming decade, and, if you set your mind to it, can choose
New Bahá’í Center, Peoria, Illinois.
a place where you want to pioneer,
and prepare yourself for this thrilling
service!
“From Tibet to the South Seas, Africa to far off points in Asia and Europe—there are lands waiting to be opened to the Faith. He will pray that some of you may be the ones to render this form of service.”
PUBLISHING ACTIVITY[edit]
Some of the problems faced by the Publishing Committee are perhaps not clearly understood by the friends.
As we all know, the publishing activity has developed under the general authority and supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly for many years. The Committee has never been assigned a stated annual budget, but for the most part has operated from its own income derived from sales of books and pamphlets.
The Committee has been primarily responsible for production and distribution, and the decision on what books or pamphlets to bring out has been made by the National Assembly. When elaborate works like The Dawn-Breakers and the successive volumes of The Bahá’í World are produced, the costs, which exceed the capacity of the Committee’s resources, are met by advances from the National Fund. These advances have to a very large extent been gradually repaid from sales, although the sales of Bahá’í World never equal cost of production. The American Bahá’ís, in fact, finance this important international survey through their contributions to the National Fund.
In the selection of the literature to publish, the first consideration is to maintain a supply of the basic Bahá’í texts. Even here, however, certain factors have arisen which delay reprinting of certain works. For example, Promulgation of Universal Peace and Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have both been out of print for some time, the reason being that, with the Guardian’s approval, plans for editing these works are required since both originally appeared before the Guardian’s standard of Bahá’í spelling and transliteration had appeared. In the case of the Tablets, moreover, material enough for one or two extra volumes has become available.
The austerity period, too, has restricted funds for certain activities in order to concentrate our resources in other directions of vital general importance. Thus teaching work outside the United States has called for new and considerable budgets in recent years, and Temple completion and the Shrine have also had priority. World Order Magazine, for example,
[Page 10]
had to be temporarily abandoned in order to carry the Temple
work to completion within the allotted time.
The ideal is, naturally, to make available books and pamphlets of direct Bahá’í interest—works by believers as well as the basic teachings in and including Bahá’í literature published in other countries. This goal is not attainable without further development of capital resources. Many desirable and useful items are temporarily out of stock at times. Then too, selling prices have been kept much lower than those in effect by commercial publishers, in order to make the literature more widely available.
Finally, plans are in discussion to adopt distinctive styles of typography and binding, and their fulfilment is necessarily a matter of development and not of rapid transformation. The stock on hand at present is carried at a value of some $60,000. Thus it is clear that the Publishing Committee conducts a very large enterprise without adequate investment capital. Its full possibilities will, nevertheless, be unfolded in the years of greater Bahá’í expansion which the Jubilee Year inaugurates. The Committee at present asks for your understanding and patience.
TEACHING AMERICAN INDIANS[edit]
The National Teaching Committee has issued a very interesting and helpful bulletin on teaching the Indians. Individual believers especially interested in this type of teaching activity may obtain a copy by writing the Committee.
This statement cites ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s reference to Indians in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, and stresses the importance attributed by the Guardian to teaching the Indians in “Challenging Requirements.” It presents facts about the present Indian population, the tribal groupings and the cultural areas.
Further facts presented explain the legal status of Indians and their religious freedom. Suggestions for teaching the Indians constitute the main element in the bulletin, and these are invaluable and essential to any believer undertaking to make teaching contacts with this minority group. For further study a list of references to standard books, articles and pamphlets is supplied.
A LOCAL YEAR BOOK[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly commends a suggestion received from the Boise Assembly, that local Assemblies plan to gather together the materials which could constitute the “year book” of their activities.
The materials to be compiled would cover the local administrative year, April 21-April 20, and consist of election report, annual committee reports, the Assembly’s annual report, programs, newspaper publicity items, etc.
Such material can be readily bound in a ring or press binder, and in this form the history from year to year would be more safely preserved.
Jubilee Year is an ideal time for local Assemblies to adopt this suggestion if they approve it.
NEW BAHA'I WORLD, VOL. XI[edit]
Volume XI of Bahá’í World, the official international record of Bahá’í activity, will be off the press shortly. This volume covers the four year period of 1946-1950, the years which witnessed the beginning of the work on the Shrine of the Báb, the completion of the Arcade of the Shrine, the inauguration of the Second Seven Year Plan in the United States with its tremendous achievements in the ten goal countries of Europe, the establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly in Canada, and the completion of the interior of the House of Worship, and initiation of various national Plans in other countries of the Bahá’í World.
This issue as with the previous volumes comprises a statement on the aims and purposes of the Faith and Administrative Order, selections from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings, a survey of the activities of the Faith for the four years, a list of Bahá’í centers in the five continents, a bibliography of Bahá’í literature, tributes paid to the Faith by prominent men and women, and articles about aspects of the Faith and its relation to present-day problems.
This well illustrated and fully documented book is a very important gift for public and university libraries, because it is the only authoritative source of information on the present growth and development of the Faith.
Beautifully bound in black fabrikoid with gold stamping. 893 pp. Price $12.50 net.
Regarding the Bahá’í World, the Guardian has stated:
“This unique record of world-wide Bahá’í activity attempts to present to the general public, as well as to the student and scholar, those historic facts and fundamental principles that constitute the distinguishing features of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to this age. I have ever since its inception taken a keen and sustained interest in its development, have personally participated in the collection of its material, the arrangement of its contents, and the close scrutiny of whatever data it contains.
“I confidently and emphatically recommend it to every thoughtful and eager follower of the Faith, whether in the East or in the West, whose desire is to place in the hands of the critical and intelligent inquirer, of whatever class, creed or color, a work that can truly witness to the high purpose, the moving history, the enduring achievements, the resistless march and infinite prospects of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. Eminently readable and attractive in its features, reliable and authoritative in the material it contains, up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate in the mass of information it gives, concise and persuasive in its treatment of the fundamental aspects of the Cause, thoroughly representative in the illustrations and photographs it reveals:—it stands unexcelled and unapproached by any publication of its kind in the varied literature of our beloved Cause. It will, without the slightest doubt, if generously and vigorously supported, arouse unprecedented interest among all classes of civilized society.
“I earnestly request you, dearly-beloved friends, to exert the utmost effort for the prompt and widespread circulation of a book that so faithfully and vividly portrays, in all its essential features, its far-reaching ramifications and most arresting aspects, the all-encompassing Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
—BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING COMMITTEE
|
Jubilee Year
HOLY YEAR GREETINGS
On the commencement of Holy Year the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í World have exchanged joyous greetings with their fellow Bahá’ís in other lands. The National Assembly of the United States wishes to share with the American believers the tender and loving messages it has received. Three will be published here and others will appear in succeeding months. Persia
“On occasion of the forthcoming centenary of the Holy Year Nine, with hearts overflowing with love and joy, we extend our warmest Bahá’í greetings and best wishes to you and to the members of the Bahá’í community in your land. “Standing on the threshold of this blessed Year we ardently hope that under the loving guidance of our beloved Guardian, the organized institutions of our Faith, both local and national, and the members of all Bahá’í communities throughout the world, may be able to fulfill their respective pioneering pledges according to plan and to evince the sublime spirit, called for by the beloved Guardian, of solidarity and fellowship, unprecedented in the annals of the Faith. “We also offer fervent prayers that in order to solemnise the commemoration of this Holy Year and to demonstrate to the outside world the sublime character of the divine teachings, the mighty Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh may enable the friends to hold befitting celebrations and public meetings in their respective countries and to participate in the four inter-continental conferences which constitute the noblest embodiment of the spirit of Bahá’í fellowship and cooperation on a world scale. “May we earnestly beg you to pray for us as well as for all the Persian friends so that the Almighty may guide our steps and grant us the privilege of rendering a humble service to His Cause and thus secure the satisfaction of our beloved Guardian.” Australia and New Zealand
“The Bahá’í World stands at the threshold of the Centenary of that wondrous year—The Mystic and Holy Year Nine. ‘In the year nine, ye shall attain unto all good.’ ‘In the year nine, ye shall attain unto the presence of God.’ ‘Wait thou, until nine will have elapsed from the time of the Bayán. Then exclaim: ‘Blessed, therefore, be God, the most excellent of Makers!” God Passes By, p. 29
God Passes By, p. 100
Egypt and Sudan
“As we stand at the threshold of the fast approaching Year Nine we seem to be urged with all the force that one can perceptibly bear leading us on to a world the like of which no mortal man can ever perceive. It is a great privilege to see actually the dynamic power of the Cause and how it has been modelling the world on the pattern as laid by Bahá’u’lláh in the Bahá’í Administrative Order. “We humbly and sincerely request you to pray for us that we may all be given the capacity to attune our souls and hearts to the great onrushing dynamic energies which were released at the dark dungeon of Síyáh-Chál in Ṭihrán and have been gaining momentum for the past hundred years and have given rise to the many extant Bahá’í Institutions in this day. “May we all be confirmed and strengthened by the invisible Concourse of the Abhá Kingdom to arise whole-heartedly and loyally serve the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh under the leadership of our beloved Guardian during the approaching ten years which will culminate in the historic Holy Year in 1963.” |
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AFRICA[edit]
Great Teaching Strides in Uganda[edit]
The history of the Faith in Uganda is continuing its exciting course. Less than fifteen months ago the first five pioneers arrived there (August 2nd 1951). By Riḍván 1952 there was a Local Assembly ready to form in Kampala; by the end of May there were twelve believers there. Now in October in the whole of Uganda there are 100 believers. Kampala itself has 24 members, besides four released to form a new group in Jinja, fifty miles away, but the main development is taking place in the Teso and Mbale districts in the east of Uganda. This is the home country of one of the African believers in Kampala, Enoch Olinga, who went there for his annual vacation with his wife. Their teaching efforts, whilst there, roused such enthusiasm and met with such amazing results that up to now 72 Africans have been accepted in that area, and included among them are Enoch Olinga’s father, his cousin, now a powerful and competent teacher of the Faith, and his brother’s wife, the first Teso woman to accept.
If Enoch Olinga lit the fire, Ali Nakhjavani, one of the original five pioneers, has fanned it into bright flames during a stay of several weeks, during which he taught, held deepening classes and evaluated the declarations which had poured in already. These declarations have been made both in English and in African languages (mostly Luganda and Teso), and some of the new believers, being unable to write, have had their declarations written for them and have confirmed their acceptance with their thumbprint. They have come from Roman Catholic, Protestant and pagan backgrounds, and at least nine tribes are represented among them. Their love and enthusiasm for the Faith is tremendous and some of them are already showing a remarkably deep understanding.
One thing which has greatly impressed them all has been the practical demonstration of the Bahá’í lack of race prejudice. Ali Nakhjavani during his stay in this area has been living with the Africans and sleeping in their houses; this, they claim, has not been done before, by non-Africans, even by missionaries, and the Africans have been surprised and delighted.
The new situation has called for a new attitude and new machinery to deal with it, and the British Africa Committee has appointed a Uganda Teaching Committee, consisting of four pioneers and two Africans, to handle all teaching in Uganda outside Kampala, including the acceptance of declarations, and has approved their appointing district teaching committees to handle local matters. Two of these district committees have been appointed, consisting entirely of newly declared African believers. The constitution of proper groups will have to wait a while, since there are few villages or concentrations of population, except the village of Kobwin and the town of Mbale; people live scattered over the countryside and are liable to move suddenly, so that convenient focal points are not yet clear.
The total figures at the moment are: Kampala, 24 members, Jinja 4, Mbale 8, Teso 67.
(For more news on teaching in Uganda see National Assembly section)
Pioneering in African Outposts[edit]
The work in Nairobi has been reinforced by the arrival of Aziz Yazdi, who hopes to be allowed to set up a business there. Another Persian, Mr. M. Afsharian also has a visitor’s visa and is on his way there to try to settle. Claire Gung hopes to move there from her lonely job in Lushoto, Tanganyika, in December.
In Livingstone, N. Rhodesia, Eric Manton finds his first need is to master the language so that he can speak to and understand the Africans, so he is having seven lessons a week in Chinyanza.
Benghazi, Libya, reports now a community of seven, made up of six pioneers and one new believer.
GREAT BRITAIN[edit]
Letter from the Guardian[edit]
The British Bahá’í Community received a letter from the Guardian dated June 12th which should prove a lasting inspiration. The Guardian foreshadows the future tasks with which the Community will be honoured, calls upon them to meditate upon these and defines the detailed tasks of the months ahead whose successful achievement will open the way to this glorious future. Speaking of the coming Ten Year Crusade the Guardian writes: “In the conduct of this world-encompassing task, so vast in scope, so thrilling in its possibilities, so formidable in its potentialities, the British Bahá’í Community will be called upon to play a preponderating role, in conjunction with the American Bahá’í Community, acting as the Chief custodians of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s master Plan, and seconded by its sister communities in the British Dominions in both Hemispheres, in awakening the peoples, races and nations comprising the British Commonwealth and Empire to the redemptive Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and in establishing, on an unassailable foundation, the structural basis of His World Order.”
Visit of Hand of Cause[edit]
Before Summer School, the British Bahá’í communities had the memorable privilege of meeting Mr. Zikrullah Khadem, a Hand of the Cause sent by the Guardian to visit all Bahá’í communities in Europe. During a three weeks tour he spoke to a different community each day, as well as consulting with the National Assembly and the Africa Committee. He told us of Haifa and the Guardian, bringing both closer to us, and strengthening the whole British Bahá’í Community in the Covenant. His tour was in itself a sign of the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh, for it required travelling to address a fresh community each day; was preceded by a similar tour in Europe, and was to be followed by a tour in Scandinavia and the Netherlands prior to attending the European Teaching Conference in Luxembourg.
British Summer School[edit]
The British Bahá’í Summer School was held this year at one of the hostels of the University of Wales at Bangor, an old town in beautiful countryside amongst the Welsh hills. The theme was “The Master Figure of Human History.” Various speakers gave talks in the mornings. The afternoons were free except for study courses lasting one hour, and in the evenings there were programs of varying type, including two arranged by the National Assembly, two by the Africa Committee and two by the National Youth Committee. At one of the National Assembly evenings, a part of the Guardian’s letter of June 30th to the American National Assembly, which seemed to be addressed to the whole Bahá’í World, was heard for the first time. The highlight of the program for many was a study course conducted by George Townshend, the British Hand of the Cause whose books are so well known. This was the first Bahá’í Summer School to be held in Wales, and Bangor is in the part where Welsh is the vernacular language, so that copies of the pamphlet in Welsh printed two or three years ago could be used. The many children at the Summer School were pleased by the proximity of sandy seaside resorts of which several were only a short bus-ride away, and adults found the many old castles and houses of the neighborhood of great interest. Indeed, the whole area which centers round Snowdon, the highest of the Welsh mountains, is reckoned one of the most beautiful in the British Isles.
JAPAN[edit]
Assemblies Expected in Kofu and Yokohama[edit]
Shozo Kadota, Japanese Bahá’í who visited the United States this last summer, is now back in Japan. He writes that he is busy again in Bahá’í activities. He reports that it looks as though there will be a Local Spiritual Assembly in Kofu by next spring, and that they also have good prospects at Yokohama for an Assembly.
First Bahá’í Wedding in Japan[edit]
The first Bahá’í marriage of Japan occurred recently, when Robert Imagire, American-Japanese Bahá’í who has been pioneering in Japan for several years, was married to Miss Ichige, a member of the Tokyo Assembly on November 9th.
SOUTH AMERICA[edit]
New Believers[edit]
Since the Buenos Aires Convention we have received news of 33 new believers in South America. Distances are great and mail service slow, so we feel sure there are other reports on their way to show the progress being made to fulfill our goal of “Each One Win One” this year.
Study and Teaching[edit]
The National Teaching Committee of South America prepared special material for use on the Centenary of the Martyrdom of Ṭáhirih, spiritual preparation for the beginning of the Jubilee Year, the Birth of the Báb, the Day of the Covenant, the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. All of the Communities are planning special programs for the latter occasion as it is the first great public celebration during Jubilee Year.
Special institutes are being held all over the continent this month to study “Drama of Salvation,” condensed for us by Dorothy Baker, and we are confident that this will deepen the devotion of the believers and give a new surge to the teaching work.
New Translations[edit]
Foundations of World Unity has just come off the press in a good Spanish translation and orders are beginning to come in for this invaluable collection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talks. Senor Salvador Tormo is translating the Íqán and everyone is anxiously awaiting the publication which we hope will be finished during this Bahá’í year.
Consciousness of the larger Bahá’í Family[edit]
The distance in South America is so vast; and for that reason it is not easy for Bahá’ís to visit one another, but the National Spiritual Assembly of South America has devised a plan whereby delegates passing to and from a convention, and National Spiritual Assembly members enroute to their meetings, are urged to stop over and visit Bahá’í communities along the way, to share Bahá’í experiences with them. Each visit helps us to establish that feeling of the larger Bahá’í family.
Latin American Bahá’í to Teach in Italy[edit]
Miss Mary Binda of Chile, who was the secretary of the Inter-America Committee in Wilmette in 1950, visited with Bahá’í friends in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Montevideo, Uruguay, Santos and Sao Paulo, Brazil, enroute to Rome, Italy. There she expects to find secretarial work, as well as offer her services in the Bahá’í activities in Italy.
History of the Faith in South America[edit]
The National Committee of the Bahá’í history of South America is untiring in its efforts to complete the history of the beginnings of the Bahá’í Faith in each of the 10 countries of South America. They are preparing a file of historic material for an exhibit at the Jubilee celebration and the 1953 convention in Lima, Peru.
Child Education Activity[edit]
The National Committee of Child Education in South America is paying for a page to be included in each issue of the Bahá’í News Bulletin of South America. The material emphasizes the need of parent and child education in the homes, based upon the psychology found in the Bahá’í writings, as well as other sources. In commemoration of the Jubilee Year there will be a continued story about the Life of Bahá’u’lláh. This is an historical narrative as told by the daughter of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahíyyih Khánum. Photographs of Bahá’í families will lend a realistic touch of our family life in South America.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
PEORIA OPENS HAZIRATU'L-QUDS[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of Peoria, Ill., together with the Bahá’í group of Limestone township and a number of isolated Bahá’ís in suburban areas, have been enjoying the facilities of a newly opened Bahá’í Center.
It is conveniently located in a central area and was converted from an attractive home into a community headquarters. It has been leased by the Spiritual Assembly of Peoria and furnished for classes, lectures, prayer and worship, social activities, a children’s school, and a library.
The opening was celebrated with an open house which was attended by over 100 non-Bahá’ís. The universality of the Faith was well demonstrated by the varied group which included, among others: three students from western Africa, a Chinese student, a young Persian from Ṭihrán as well as a few civic and religious leaders. A local greenhouse sent flowers, and a Rabbi his best wishes.
The first fruits of the new center have been increased attendance at Feasts, added unity among the believers, greatly increased contributions to the local fund, and a new medium for teaching the Faith.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
One of the believers has kindly sent in a typed copy of a passage about the Faith included in a book entitled The Wonder Book of History, Science, Nature, Literature, Art, Religion and Philosophy by Henry Thomas, published at New York, 1937. Though the author stated that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the Founder, and failed to grasp the nature of a new world Faith, nevertheless he wrote in a good spirit and his words would leave a favorable impression of the Faith in the reader’s mind.
Two current publications mentioning the Cause have appeared in Chicago. One See Chicago is a guide published by CTA Charter Service. Its list of “Buildings, Public and Private” recommended to the tourist includes the Bahá’í Temple: “One of the finest architectural achievements in the world.”
The other publication is a weekly guide entitled Where (When, where, what in Chicago) a well printed illustrated magazine of 20 pages which provides a theatre, shopping and dining out guide to Chicago visitors. Its issue of October 25 devotes a full page article to “Centennial of a Faith” which contains a very complete description of the Temple and the story of its construction, with a photograph. “Dedication of the temple next May will highlight the Bahá’ís’ year of celebration of the Centennial of their faith.”
Pathfinder, one of the country’s most respected periodicals, with a circulation of 1,200,000, has carried a story of the Bahá’í Faith and its Centenary observance, in a representative article titled “Bahá’í, 100 Years of a One-World Religion,” issue of November 19. Two pictures of the Bahá’í Temple are included.
Pathfinder circulates chiefly among smaller communities of the country, and is primarily a subscription magazine, although it is sold on news stands in some localities. Its aim is an impartial recording of what is going on in our government, and in the world, and its appeal is largely to people who lead wholesome family lives, and who in many cases live in small town and rural communities.
BAHA'I HOLY DAYS RECOGNIZED[edit]
Washington, D.C. has acted on the Guardian’s wish that Bahá’í children be permitted leave of absence from school on our Holy Days.
The Superintendent of Schools acknowledged the Assembly’s letter and wrote: “If the parents of these children submit requests in writing asking that their children be excused for religious purposes on the school days given in your letter their requests will be granted.”
Another report from local Assemblies which have applied for recognition of the Holy Days by the public schools has come from the Seattle Assembly.
On September 16, 1952, the Superintendent of Schools wrote the Assembly a letter containing the following: “My suggestion is that you notify the parents of children that they may be excused on request of the parents who should specifically state that the reason is that the particular day is a Holy Day of their faith.”
BAHA'I BRIEFS[edit]
From Chicago, Illinois comes the news that The Maroon, student newspaper of the University of Chicago referred to the Bahá’í Fellowship there as the “most active religious group on the campus.”
The RTC of Michigan reports the placing of copies of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in 6 libraries of 14 in the state in cities where the population is 10,000 or more that had no Bahá’í literature. They hope to furnish the other 8 in the near future.
Pennsylvania reports 7 Firesides arranged in isolated sections of the region. Also, Philadelphia has had several calls from people who read the recent article in Ebony Magazine.
Eliot, Maine has held a series of public meetings on Sunday afternoons at Fellowship House.
We have word of a very heartening “All-Out All-Area Rally” held at Lemoyne College in Memphis, Tennessee by the ATC, SS (Western Division). Under the banner of “Operation Enthusiasm” the meeting was planned to reach as many as possible of the believers in the southwestern area to inspire, stimulate and prepare them for an intensive teaching campaign towards the goal of “Each One, Win One.”
The RTC of Illinois points up the tremendous task on the home front with this terse announcement in its Bulletin: “Wanted! Before the next issue of the Bulletin, 10, preferably more, names of new believers in our region.”
Cleveland, Ohio mailed out four hundred invitations to contacts and friends for a public meeting. Over 200 people responded by attending the meeting. Two local radio stations, WDOK and WSRS, also broadcast fifteen minute interviews with Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, the speaker.
In connection with the Centenary Milwaukee, Wis. and the surrounding communities have instituted an intensive campaign of newspaper advertising
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Bahá’ís attending the Area Rally called by the Area Teaching Committee for the Southern States, Western Division, in Memphis, Tennessee, at Lemoyne College, August 30-31, 1952.
to attract new seekers. Also, Mrs. Florence Fat’he-Aazam
(formerly Florence Piepenburg of
Milwaukee and Los Angeles) was
the reason for further publicity for
the Faith as she received write-ups
in both Milwaukee newspapers concerning her departure for Africa to
pioneer with her husband. The articles stressed the fact that Bahá’ís
first serve the people whom they go
to live among and then live the life
that will inspire them to ask for
guidance.
Everything we do can be used to promote the Bahá’í World Faith. This was again demonstrated when the Michigan City Post-Dispatch reported the marriage of a former resident under the headline, “Miss Arnold Choses Bahá’í World Faith Wedding Ceremony.”
A Providence, R. I. believer was able to have the Faith mentioned over radio station WHIN by preparing a script on the topic, “Curious and Interesting Gardens of the World” in which the Garden of Riḍván in Baghdád and the Shrine Gardens on Mt. Carmel were described, and submitting it to the conductor of a women’s program, who read the whole article on the air.
It is interesting to note that more and more young people are being attracted to the Faith. Recently Youth have been enrolled in Boston, Hinsdale, N. H., and Chicago. Santa Barbara, California is looking for young couples or individuals to settle there to attract some of the many young people in that area.
Unity of Purpose[edit]
Let us always remember the attracting power of love and unity among the Bahá’ís. May each of us resolve to promote unity with every thought, word and action. In the words of the Guardian, “Let us, with a pure heart, with humility and earnestness, turn afresh to His counsels and exhortations, and seek from that Source of Celestial Potency all the guidance, the spirit, the power which we shall need for the fulfillment of our mission in this life.
“Behold, the station to which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is now calling His loved ones from the Realm of Glory:
‘It behooveth the loved ones of God to be enamored of one another and to sacrifice themselves for their fellow-workers in the Cause. They should yearn towards one another even as the sore athirst yearneth for the Water of Life, and the lover burneth to meet his heart’s desire.’
“Such is the sublime, the glorious position He wishes us, and all the peoples and kindreds on earth, to attain in this world; how much more to achieve unity and common understanding among ourselves, and then to arise to herald with one voice the coming of the Kingdom and the salvation of mankind.
“With unity of purpose firmly established in our minds, with every trace of personal animosity banished from our hearts, and with the spirit of whole-hearted and sustained fellowship kindled in our souls, can we hope to deliver effectively the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, and execute faithfully the various provisions of our Beloved’s Will and Testament.”
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EACH ONE WIN ONE
WHERE WE STAND It is time to take inventory for the concluding months of the Second Seven Year Plan: Time to plan wisely the use of every ounce of energy, of every minute of time in order to win complete victory. Let us consider again the national goals for consolidation of the home front, an essential base for the coming Ten Year Crusade. The Guardian calls on us to “assiduously execute” this plan and “under no circumstances” to allow it “to deteriorate or fall into abeyance.” THE NATIONAL GOALS
PUBLISHED AIDS AND SUGGESTIONS America’s God-Given Mission
Teaching Problems, by Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
To Teach the Cause of God—What I Can Do As An Individual Believer. Special insert, Bahá’í News, August 1952. Building the Bahá’í Community
Opening a New City to the Bahá’í Faith.
Teaching the American Indians
Handbook of the Two Year Program of Preparation
A Pilgrim’s Notes on Teaching and Administration
“Tips for Teaching,” published each month in Bahá’í News. —AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE
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Greatest of Divine Bestowals[edit]
“Today the greatest of all divine bestowals is teaching the Cause of God for it is fraught with confirmations. Every teacher is confirmed and is favored at the Divine Threshold. In the estimation of the Ideal King, the army which is in front of the battlefield is encircled with the glances of His mercifulness, and in the sight of the Divine Farmer, the sower of the seed is accepted and favored.”
Words of Helen Keller[edit]
“The philosophy of Bahá’u’lláh deserves the best thought we can give it.... What nobler theme than the ‘good of the world and the happiness of the nations’ can occupy our lives? The message of universal peace will surely prevail. It is useless to combine or conspire against an idea which has in it potency to create a new earth and a new heaven and to quicken human beings with a holy passion of service.”
NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
BAHA'I CENTENARY NEWS[edit]
Splendid cooperation and gratifying results from the Bahá’í press representatives in the various assemblies and groups, as well as from isolated believers, is reported by the Bahá’í Centenary News Service, which announces that news of the Holy Year is gaining momentum throughout the country.
Reports and clippings, many of them carrying generous headlines, indicated a new attitude on the part of the press, and a new interest in Bahá’ís and their activities.
Believers are asked to send one copy of each item published—news, pictures or features—as well as a list of all radio and TV broadcasts produced, to the Bahá’í Centenary News Service. This is the committee responsible for press and radio news of the Centenary year events.
Two magazines of national circulation are preparing articles about the Bahá’í Centenary, and others are anticipated. All Bahá’ís who would like to write an article relating to the Faith and the events of the Centenary Year, or about personalities connected with the Faith and the activities of the Holy Year, are encouraged to do so. They will be responsible for placing their own articles. Please send manuscripts to the Bahá’í Centenary News Service for clearance as to latest facts and information. Manuscripts will be returned promptly. This committee has available for free lance writers a selected list of 129 magazines which accept articles from outside sources. This list will be sent to those writers who submit manuscripts for clearance.
Bahá’í Centenary news releases are being sent not only to the Bahá’í press representatives for their redistribution, but also to the wire services, feature syndicates, columnists, foreign correspondents and leading periodicals of the country. Believers are asked to be on the alert for these articles, and to send copies of all references to the Faith to the Bahá’í Centenary News Service, Mrs. Nina Matthisen, Secretary, 77 E. Cedar St., Chicago, 11, Illinois.
WORLD RELIGION DAY[edit]
Fourth annual World Religion Day will be observed Sunday, January 18, as one of the three major local celebrations of the Bahá’í Centenary year.
World Religion Day was originated and introduced by the Bahá’ís of the United States, and is for the purpose of acquainting the public with the principle of religious unity.
Bahá’í communities are urged to use their ingenuity to provide wide publicity for this event. News releases will be supplied by the Bahá’í Centenary News Service. Radio scripts on “Centenary of Universal Religion” and “Birth of World Religion,” both suitable for World Religion Day, are available for 25 cents each. An advertising mat suitable and reusable for all local meetings is available at 30 cents each. Local copy may be added.
Order radio scripts and mats from Bahá’í Centenary News Service.
The new Jubilee booklet “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh,” is suggested for use in connection with World Religion Day meetings. Cost: 5 for $1.00.
Other suitable pamphlets include “The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, A World Religion” by Shoghi Effendi, 10 cents each, and “Christians, Jews and Muḥammadans,” 2 cents each. All pamphlets available from Bahá’í Publishing Committee.
AUDIO-VISUAL COMMITTEE[edit]
New Teaching Materials[edit]
- 35 mm, Color Slides:
- 43 Haifa slides from Weedin views,
- $10.75 including postage
- 105 Haifa slides from Weedin and Hautz views,
- $26.65 including postage
- (The above slides are mounted in usual cardboard mounts.)
- 75 Louhelen color slides with the Louhelen story. Script accompanying slides—cardboard mounted,
- $25.00
There will be additional announcements regarding other materials for teaching later.
Address all communications to the secretary:
- Mr. Archie G. Tichenor
- Audio-Visual Committee
- 72 Delaware Avenue
- Dumont, New Jersey
Bahá’í display in a store window in Providence, Rhode Island. This display was exhibited for two weeks in March, 1952.
Exhibit at the Western Idaho State Fair in August, 1952, prepared by Bahá’ís of Boise, Idaho and Ada County, Idaho. Free literature was distributed and many contacts made. This was the first State Fair Bahá’í exhibit.
UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE[edit]
United Nations Kit[edit]
The United Nations Committee wishes to correct an error in the cost of the kit which has been announced as $4.00.
The cost of the United Nations Kit is $6.00 and the Kit is offered the friends at this cost price.
The material is extremely helpful for meetings and contacts related to United Nations and international subjects.
EUROPEAN TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
The Passing of a Pioneer[edit]
On November 12, while the Bahá’í world was celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Dagmar Dole passed to the Abhá Kingdom.
For some months Dagmar had been in ill health. She arrived for the Luxembourg Conference but became too ill to participate. She was immediately sent to the Valmont Clinic, situated in one of the loveliest spots of Switzerland, above Montreux. Here, for two months, Dagmar rested and received treatment. On the 8th of November she became very ill, passed into a state of unconsciousness and five days later slipped through the “Open Door” to pioneer in the worlds of God.
In California, through her friend Marion Holley-Hofman, Dagmar first heard of the Bahá’í Faith and immediately accepted it. Hers was an active Bahá’í life. Soon after becoming a declared believer she went to Glendale, California, to help maintain Assembly status, under the first Seven Year Plan. She then became active in the Bahá’í work in Central and South America and served as Chairman of the Inter-America Committee.
Later she journeyed to Alaska, and did valuable work in consolidating the Bahá’í community on that frontier. From Anchorage she went to the Bristol Bay area in the Bering Sea, and worked among the Eskimos and Alaskan Indians working in the fishing industry. Her service to these minority people cannot be measured. She won their friendship because she gave them her love and compassion. She served them both materially and spiritually. She was their friend.
Then came the Second Seven Year Plan and the call for Pioneers in the European Field, and Dagmar responded. She was assigned to Copenhagen, Denmark. Here again, she served the Faith she loved so well with steadfastness and courage. Her record in Denmark is rich: She, along with other pioneers and Johanne Hoegge was instrumental in bringing forty-seven believers into the Faith in Denmark. Her last pioneering assignment was to Italy, where she served both in Naples and in Milan.
In the village of Glion, high on the slopes of the Swiss Alps, lies Dagmar—where in the springtime the white narcissus pour out their fragrance and the snow-capped mountains eternally stand sentinel.
Snow was softly falling, covering everything in a mantle of white, as members of Dagmar’s family, and her Bahá’í friends from all over Switzerland gathered for the funeral service. During her short stay in Valmont, Dagmar had won the hearts of the entire staff. The doctors, nurses, the maids, all came to pay their last tribute because they too loved her.
At the opening words of the funeral service—“From the sweet scented streams of Thine Eternity give me to drink O my God ... Within the garden of Thine immortality, before Thy countenance, let me abide for ever ...”, a shaft of light pierced the snow-clouds and shone upon that open grave. How could one be sad? How could one be sad at the passing of one who had been obedient to the command of her Lord—“Teach ye the Cause of God”—says Bahá’u’lláh. From the moment of her recognition of the Cause of God, Dagmar rose up and carried the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh to far off Alaska, back across the American continent, over the Atlantic to the shores of Europe, where she fell in action.
- “She died in ‘Battle Dress’, said the Guardian. “It is wonderful to die in active service.”
Looking up at those majestic mountains one was reminded of the qualities of Dagmar—Nobility and Strength. Thinking of the starry white narcissus that will blossom over those mountain slopes, one saw her innate purity; that delicate shyness and awareness that were hers.
- “Her spiritual station is very high.” These words of the Guardian gave us a sense of pure joy.
“Her grave will be a great blessing to Switzerland—to all Europe. She is the first to give her life for the Cause in the European project. Her resting place is important.” Already evidence of these words of the Guardian has been manifested. One cannot express in words the sense of feeling. One knew the leaven of the Faith was working, cementing those souls standing at that open grave into one unit—each pledging renewed effort in carrying forward the Banner that Dagmar laid into our hands.
Mrs. Anna Kunz of Urbana, Illinois, sailed October 3rd for Europe to pioneer in Zurich, Switzerland. Mrs. Kunz pioneered in Bern, Switzerland for two years, earlier in the Seven Year Plan.
“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.” Dagmar
is that confident believer to whom
Bahá’u’lláh gave this glorious promise.
Activities in Europe[edit]
At the time that these notes are being written, the Chairman of the European Teaching Committee is in Haifa. She hopes to confer with the Guardian regarding the program and general plans for the third great Teaching Conference of the Jubilee Year to be held in Stockholm Sweden, July, 1953.
Several regional Teaching Conferences are being held in goal countries of Europe following the Luxembourg Conference and Summer School reported in last month’s Bahá’í News. Where possible, these conferences have been placed in cities where intensive teaching work is being started by Regional Committees. On Sept. 12-14 the Iberian Conference was held in Lisbon Portugal; on Nov. 1 and 2, the Benelux Conference in Antwerp, Holland; on Oct. 30 and 31 and Nov. 1 and 2, the Scandinavian Conference in Oslo, Norway; on Nov. 4 and 5, the All
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Swiss Conference in Basel. Extension teaching projects are actually
under way in a number of cities in
each of these regions, and it is quite
possible that by the middle of the
coming momentous decade in Bahá’í
history two or three new National
Spiritual Assemblies will have been
formed in such groups of countries
as those listed above. We shall all
have heard ere the December News
that the first of these to be formed
in April, 1953, will be called the Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly.
To facilitate teaching work, the location of several of the European pioneers has been changed recently: Amelia Bowman is now in Bergen, Norway; Mildred Clark has moved from Luxembourg to Oslo, Norway; Don and Doris Corbin from Stockholm to Gothenburg, Sweden; Doris Lohse from Zurich, Switzerland to Luxembourg; Rita Van Zombeek from Amsterdam, Holland to Milan, Italy; and Elsa Steinmetz is moving to Basel, Switzerland. Returning pioneers, Etty Graeffe and Anna Kunz, have reached their new posts in Stockholm, Sweden and Zurich, Switzerland respectively.
Ned Blackmer, after years of service in Brussels, Belgium has returned home.
AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
“Teaching American Indians” Bulletin[edit]
The bulletin on “Teaching American Indians” issued by the American National Teaching Committee referred to by the National Assembly may be obtained by writing: American National Teaching Committee, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary, 156 Nova Drive, Piedmont 10, California.
Tips for Teaching[edit]
From bulletins and reports of Regional Teaching Committees come the following examples of ways to make contacts.
The Regional Teaching Committee for Arizona contacted newspaper editors in that region by sending excerpts from the Writings with an explanatory letter. The letter provided an opportunity to acquaint the editor with salient facts about the Faith; when and where it was founded,
Bahá’í Exhibit at Cheshire Fair in Keene, New Hampshire, August 21 to 24, prepared by Regional Teaching Committee of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The Massachusetts Regional Teaching Committee used this exhibit for the Topsfield Fair in September. A public meeting was held at Keene Teachers College on August 27 as a follow-up.
its present status and its essential purpose. The excerpts included various spiritual teachings for
the individual, and selections concerning “Faith for All Nations.” The
committee suggested that the excerpts might be used as a continued
feature or singly as fill-ins between
news items. The letter stated that
the committee planned to send releases about state, national or international Bahá’í activity, which they hoped the editor would find of
interest. Literature about the Faith
was offered upon request.
The Alaska RTC reported a method of contacting which has also been used in Massachusetts. This was a letter sent to a selected list of individuals in the community, calling their attention to a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, newly placed in the local library. The letter opened with “There’s a new book in our local library that has some amazing things to say! It might offer you a satisfactory answer to such timely questions as ...” The questions included: “What specific hurdles must be scaled before universal peace can become a reality? (p. 211). If a Prophet like Jesus, or Muḥammad or Moses appeared today how would you know him? (p. 10)” Several other questions were listed. The address of the RTC was given in case the contact wished further information.
The Extension Teaching Committee of the Los Angeles Spiritual Assembly is using the team approach in their goal cities. This technique uses to advantage the special abilities of the members of the teams. Some work as “openers,” others as “deepeners” and “confirmers.” This is similar to the method used within certain communities where some of the believers work principally in developing contacts to the point where they wish to study. Others conduct classes to give the inquirer a well-rounded view of the history, principal teachings and purpose of the Faith. In some places still others actually prepare the inquirers for enrollment.
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
Bahá’í Calendar, 1953. A most attractive, special Jubilee Year Calendar has been designed for 1953. It features a scratch-board drawing of the Temple landscaping done by Carl Scheffler. It will be 8¾" x 14", in four colors, red, green, black and white.
Correction on Open Door..$ .10 each
- 50 for..... 4.50
DIRECTORY ADDITIONS AND CHANGES[edit]
Local Spiritual Assemblies:
- South Gate, Calif.
- Mrs. Asher Goodrick, Act. Sec’y.
- 9829 Elizabeth Ave.
- Greenwich, Conn.
- Mrs. Mary F. Swan, Sec’y.
- 635 Steamboat Rd.
- Phoenix, Ariz.
- Mrs. Ruth Humphrey, Sec’y.
- 330 West Almeria
- Kansas City, Mo.
- Mrs. Olivia Kelsey, Sec’y.
- 4147 Prospect Avenue
- Ridgewood, N. J.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Schmidt, Sec’y.
- 80 Oak Street
Regional Teaching Committees:
- RTC of Ohio
- Mrs. Florence Reeb, Sec’y.
- 2803 Sherwood Rd., Apt. A
- Columbus, 9, Ohio
- RTC of Western Mass., Conn.
- Mrs. Donald H. Cruikshank, Act. Sec’y.
- 138 Main St.
- Westfield, Mass.
- RTC of New Jersey
- Mrs. William Towart, Chairman
- RTC of Eastern Mass. R.I.
- Miss Jeannette Silberman, Sec’y.
- 26 Bernon St.
- Providence, R. I.
- RTC of Oregon
- Mrs. Linda Choquette, Sec’y.
- P. O. Box 792
- St. Helens, Ore.
National Committees:
- Northeastern States
- Mrs. Eunice Shurcliff, Sec’y.
- 22 East St.
- Ipswich, Mass.
BAHA'I NEWS NOTICES[edit]
Please send all notices of change of address, marriages, deaths, changes in Committee personnel, and all inquiries about receiving Bahá’í News to:
- National Bahá’í Administrative
- Headquarters, 536 Sheridan Rd.
- Wilmette, Illinois
MARRIAGES[edit]
Boise, Idaho, Miss Olga I. Shirley to Mr. Donald E. Asal (non-Bahá’í) March 17, 1952
Indianapolis, Indiana, Miss Marie V. Holly (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. Albert E. Richardson, May 2, 1952
Chula Vista, Calif. Miss Zelma J. Horne to Mr. Thomas F. Krug, (non-Bahá’í), Sept. 11, 1952
Detroit, Mich. Mrs. Gertrude Campbell to Mr. John Ellis Winston, (non-Bahá’í), October 4, 1952
Inglewood, Calif., Mrs. Harriette Petersen to Mr. Robert P. Hubert, (non-Bahá’í), September 14, 1951
Greenwich, Conn. Miss Sandra Mary Swan to Grant C. Hadden, June, 1952
St. Paul, Minn., Mrs. Eowyn Jensen to Mr. William Cardinal, (date not reported)
East Cleveland, Ohio, Miss May E. Lawson to Mr. Gordon J. Haskin October 18, 1952
Chicago, Ill. Miss Georgine Arnold to Mr. Robert E. Moul, October 26, 1952
Spokane, Wash. Mrs. Pearl Hanchett to Mr. Harvey A. Roberts (non-Bahá’í) June 18, 1952
Spokane, Wash. Mrs. Goldie Adler to Mr. Percy F. Bennett (non-Bahá’í) August 15, 1952
West Englewood, N.J., Miss Mary Louise Kelsey to Mr. Richard T. Suhm, October 19, 1952
New York, N.Y., Miss Rose de la Rosias (non-Bahá’í) to Mr. Chico Santano February 16, 1952
New York, N.Y., Miss Faridih Rafa’at to Mr. Reza Mobine October 18, 1952
Indianapolis, Indiana, Luz Berrios (non-Bahá’í) to Pedro A. De La Cruz, November 17, 1950, at Guayamllu, Puerto Rico
Detroit, Mich., Mrs. Patricia Edson Techtor to Mr. Joseph James Zabelski, October 31, 1952
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
- World Religion Day
- Sunday, January 18, 1953
- Feasts:
- December 12—Masá’il, Questions
- December 31—Sharaf, Honor
- January 19—Sultan, Sovereignty
- National Spiritual Assembly Meetings:
- December 12, 13, and 14.
- January 9, 10, and 11.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
- Mr. Harry Gale, Maywood, Ill. September 29, 1952
- Mrs. Maude B. Johnstone, Pasadena, Calif. September 25, 1952
- Mrs. Emily Warner, Saugatuck, Mich. (Several years ago)
- Mr. Don Thomas MacNally, Milwaukee, Wisc. (Several years ago)
- Mr. Harry R. Munson, Walnut Creek, Calif. April, 1952
- Miss Maude Mickle, Eliot, Maine, July 22, 1952
- Mr. Sidney Silvester, Los Angeles, Calif. October, 1952
- Miss Viola Wennergren, Buzzards Bay, Mass. October, 1952
- Mrs. Frances Guy, Agusta, Maine September, 1952
- Mrs. Gertrude Olmstead, Colorado Springs, Colo. October 22, 1952
- Dr. George M. Leaf, Los Angeles, Calif. October 22, 1952
- Mrs. Letitia Main, Prescott, Ariz. September 29, 1952
- Mr. Joseph Galvin, Ridgewood, N.J. October 1952
- Mrs. Georgia Carr, Chicago, Ill. (date not known)
- Mrs. Marguerite Forbes, Santa Rosa, Calif. (date not known)
- Miss Dagmar Dole, Valmont, Switzerland, November 12, 1952.
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.
