Bahá’í News/Issue 263/Text
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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 263 | BAHA’I YEAR 109 | JANUARY, 1953 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
THE GUARDIAN APPOINTS REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES[edit]
(On) occasion (of) Centenary (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s release (from) oppressive imprisonment (in the) Síyáh-Chál, Ṭihrán, synchronizing (with the) termination (of the) epoch-making, two-month period associated (with the) Birth (of) His Revelation, unsurpassed, with (the) sole exception (of the) Declaration (of) His mission, (by) any episode (in the) world’s spiritual history, call upon Bahá’í communities, East (and) West, (to) ponder (the) unique significance, focus attention (on) imperative requirements (and to) respond worthily (to the) challenge offered each (of the) four fate-laden, fast-approaching Intercontinental Conferences, constituting (the) highlights (of) recently ushered-in Holy Year.
Desire (to) announce (the) appointment (of the) Hands (of the) Cause, honored (by) direct association (with the) newly-initiated enterprises (at the) world center (of the) Faith, (to) act, (in) addition (to) their individual participation (in the) deliberations (at the) forthcoming Conferences, (as) my special representatives, entrusted (with a) fourfold mission: (to) bear, for (the) edification (of the) attendants, a precious remembrance (of the) Co-founder (of the) Faith, deliver my official message (to the) assembled believers, elucidate (the) character (and) purposes (of the) impending decade-long spiritual World Crusade (and) rally (the) participants (to) energetic, sustained, enthusiastic
Looking from the roof of the octagon toward ‘Akká twenty miles around the curve of the Bay of Haifa.
[Page 2]
prosecution (of the) colossal tasks
ahead.
Instructing (the) President (of the) International Bahá’í Council, Mason Remey, Member at Large, Ugo Giachery, (and) Secretary-General, Leroy Ioas, (to) discharge these functions (in the) course (of the) New Delhi, Stockholm (and) Kampala Conferences, respectively.
Delegating Amatu’l-Bahá, accompanied (by) Vice-President (of the) International Council, Amelia Collins, (to) fulfil three of (the) above mentioned functions, as well as carry (on) my behalf, (to) unveil (on the) occasion (of the) completion (of the) construction (of the) Mother Temple (of the) West, (to the) privileged attendants (at the) Wilmette Conference (a) most prized remembrance (of the) Author (of the) Faith, (which) never before left (the) shores (of the) Holy Land, to be placed beneath (the) dome (of the) consecrated edifice. Moreover assigning her (the) task (to) act (as) my deputy (at the) historic ceremony marking (the) official Dedication (of the) holiest Mashriqu’l-Adhkár (of the) Bahá’í world reared (to the) everlasting glory (and) honor (of the) Most Great Name (in the) heart (of the) North American continent.
Haifa, Israel
December 15, 1952
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Dear Bahá’í friends:
The Guardian’s message of October 8, 1952, created for us a majestic, a stupendous panorama over the whole range of achievements to be undertaken and carried to fulfilment by the Bahá’í world community during the ten year crusade. No believer could have anticipated a program so vast, a victory so superb by 1963.
Now our great and inspired Leader has announced how this crusade, at each of the four intercontinental conferences, is to receive inspiration and guidance from the Guardianship itself through those Hands of the Cause “honored by direct association with the newly-initiated enterprises at the world center of the Faith.” To each conference a Hand of the Cause will bear a fourfold mission as the Guardian’s special representative, and to the Dedication of the Temple in Wilmette, and to the All-America conference, Shoghi Effendi has announced a supreme blessing through the delegation of Amatu’l-Bahá (Rúhíyyih Khánum) as his representative, accompanied by the Vice President of the Council, Mrs. Amelia E. Collins. In addition to carrying our her functions at the All-America Intercontinental Conference, Amatu’l-Bahá will bring, to unveil on the occasion of the completion of the construction of the Temple a greatly prized remembrance of Bahá’u’lláh to be preserved beneath the dome of the House of Worship. Furthermore she will act as the Guardian’s deputy at the Dedication of the House of Worship.
Three members of the International Bahá’í Council, as the Guardian’s representatives, are entrusted with the following three-fold mission: to deliver the Guardian’s official message to the believers assembled at each Conference; expound the character and purposes of the World Crusade; and rouse the believers present to an energetic, enthusiastic and unflagging campaign toward the goals of the Crusade. Mr. Ioas, Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council, will carry out this mission at the Africa Conference, Mr. Ugo Giachery, Member at Large, at Stockholm, and Mr. Charles Mason Remey, President, at New Delhi. Their fourth service will be to present to the Conference a precious remembrance of the Báb.
At the All-American Conference the same three services will be performed by Amatu’l-Bahá. She, however, will bear a spiritual gift associated with Bahá’u’lláh.
Unlike all previous Plans formulated by the Guardian, the World Crusade will be launched at Conferences called by him, and through his representatives the Guardian will be present. This is something new and providential in Bahá’í history, disclosing the crucial and decisive nature of the ten-year Plan, and lifting us up to the level where success is assured.
For all concerned with the All-America Conference, the Jubilee events and the Temple Dedication, a great and unique blessing is promised. May the hearts be ignited with holy zeal, in a conflagration so potent that it will consume all obstacles both within and without. America is challenged to manifest in deeds a gratitude commensurate with our realization of the privilege graciously vouchsafed. The hour of maturity for the believers draws nigh.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
"AN AGE OF PIONEERING"[edit]
Letter from the Guardian[edit]
The following excerpt is taken from a letter written on behalf of the Guardian by his Secretary on August 5, 1952, to Bahá’í Sunday School children in Washington, D. C.
“He has a suggestion to make to you, that, instead of calling yourselves “The Young American Class” you call yourselves the “Junior Pioneer Class.” This is a much more interesting name because the next ten years, during which you will become grown up men and women, is an age of pioneering for Bahá’u’lláh, and you can start studying and preparing yourselves for the thrilling work that lies ahead.
“You should get yourselves a big world map, and start marking on it all the places the Guardian is going to choose for Bahá’í pioneers to go to, and, who knows, maybe some of you will choose a thrilling corner of the globe you want to be the pioneer in when, in a few years, you are old enough to have finished your studies and start out on a career.
“Someone will go to Tibet, and the Islands of the Pacific, and many strange lands in Africa—why not one of you? If you make up your mind hard enough and pray enough about it, God may help you to be that someone!”
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These pictures of the Shrine of the Báb show the completed
octagon prior to beginning the construction of the Drum which
is in progress now. The scene at right shows the Shrine from
the Eastern Pilgrim House, at right.
Mr. Ted Cardell, British pioneer to Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa,
made the pilgrimage to Haifa some months ago. He took many
beautiful pictures of the Shrine and Haifa, some of which are
published here. Others will appear in later issues. This set of
pictures will be available for purchase; the price and source
will be announced later.
THE NATIONAL FUND[edit]
Dearly Beloved Friends:
As we approach the historic day when the divinely-inspired Ten Year Crusade will be launched by our beloved Guardian, let each of us consider whether we have met the supreme test of our Faith by fulfilling our accepted obligations to the National Fund, which, at this moment (Dec. 15, 1952) is in one of the most critical conditions in our history.
During the first seven months of this Bahá’í year (May 1 to Nov. 30, 1952), our total receipts were as follows:
Contributions to the General Fund: | $ 85,500 |
Contributions under the Jubilee Resolve Plan (including special earmarked contributions): | 92,500 |
Total | $178,000 |
Our total Budget requirements for this seven month period were $40,000 per
month, or | 280,000 |
| ———— | |
This represents a deficit of | $102,000 |
which must be made up during the remainder of this Bahá’í year (Dec. 1, 1952 to April 30, 1953).
This means that we must receive contributions of at least $60,000 during each of the next five months, or a total of $300,000 in order to meet our Budget of $475,000.
Our beloved Guardian has told us that: “It is the sacred obligation of every conscientious and faithful servant of Bahá’u’lláh who desires to see His Cause advance, to contribute freely and generously for the increase of the Fund.”
Thus far in this Bahá’í year our entire financial burden has been borne by a discouragingly small percentage of the believers in our national community.
Let us strengthen the base of our Unity and Faith by a more widespread participation in support of our National Fund. Let no one deprive himself of the bounty of giving in unison with his fellow-Bahá’ís, no matter the smallness of the amount, so long as the spirit of sacrifice moves the heart and flows as a sea of strength for all of us, symbolizing the oneness of our endeavors.
Let us enter our Jubilee celebrations with joy in our hearts and a song of victory on our lips.
“God does not ask from any soul except according to his ability. Whosoever comes with one good act, God will give him tenfold. There is no doubt that the living Lord shall assist and confirm the generous soul. O ye lovers of the Beauty of the True One! Become ye self-sacrificing; become ye self-sacrificing.”
Resolve payments and other contributions are to be made to:
National Bahá’í Fund
112 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois.
The True Educator[edit]
Man is said to be the greatest representative of God, and he is the Book of Creation because all the mysteries of beings exist in him. If he comes under the shadow of the True Educator and is rightly trained, he becomes the essence of essences, the light of lights, the spirit of spirits; he becomes the center of the divine appearances, the source of spiritual qualities, the rising-place of heavenly lights, and the receptacle of divine inspirations. If he is deprived of this education he becomes the manifestation of satanic qualities, the sum of animal vices, and the source of all dark conditions.
[Page 4]
The Shrine of the Báb, as seen from Haifa. The Shrine stands midway up the slope of Mt. Carmel, in the midst of the Bahá’í Gardens.
THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES — PRELUDE TO A GLOBAL CRUSADE[edit]
The four great Intercontinental Teaching Conferences which are to be held during the Bahá’í Holy Year Nine will be among the most unique, historic and deeply significant of the Centennial events. Nothing similar has been attempted in the history of the Faith.
These four Teaching Conferences will be held in four of the great continents of the earth—Africa, America, Europe and Asia. They will utilize for the first time the combined and coordinated efforts of national and international Bahá’í Administrative agencies in launching the World Crusade of a World Faith.
In “Retrospect and Prospect,” the closing chapter of God Passes By, the Guardian gave us our first intimations and perspective on the unfinished tasks and future victories of the God-impelled processes of the Bahá’í Faith; as well as a deeper understanding of the Divine Power which has brought our Faith from the obstacles and persecutions of its infancy to this electrifying period of its world encircling growth.
The objectives of the four great Conferences are far-reaching, but clear and definite. They will involve international operations in a ten year Global Crusade designed to develop institutions at the World Center in the Holy Land; consolidate home fronts of the twelve National Assemblies participating in the Plan, as well as the territories already open to the Faith; and to open to the Faith the remaining virgin territories of the earth.
As every Bahá’í has a stake in this greatest of teaching crusades, every Bahá’í should try, if possible, to participate in at least one of the Intercontinental Conferences. These Conferences will afford, not only a profound experience in the spiritual unity cementing Bahá’ís of all nations, races and backgrounds, but it will also afford inspiring consultation on the dedication and service this period demands.
The American believers to whom the Divine Plan was first revealed, and who have been termed its chief trustees, should feel a sense of opportunity and responsibility in this concluding phase of the initial epoch of the execution of that Great Plan. In this unique decade of the Faith we, together with our fellow Bahá’ís from twelve national communities, are called upon to initiate and carry through the largest pioneering operation in religious history. In ten years the banners of the Faith are to be planted in every known remaining area of the earth, and firm adherents of the Faith are to be raised up in every remaining ethnic group of human society!
The African Intercontinental Conference to be held in Kampala, Uganda, British East Africa, February 12-18, 1953, is the first of the series, and will initiate the Centennial festivities. The British National Spiritual Assembly will convene this conference which will bring together Hands of the Cause, National Assembly representatives and Bahá’ís from the British Isles, America, Persia, Egypt, and India, as well as the new Bahá’ís from territories of the Africa Continent, so recently illumined by the Light of the Faith.
The American Intercontinental Conference, scheduled during the Riḍván Period, from May 3 to May 6, 1953, the second of the series, will be convened by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States in Wilmette and Chicago. This conference will bring together Hands of the Cause, National Assembly representatives and Bahá’ís from the United States, Canada, Central and South America. The American believers, as chief trustees, the Canadians, as allies, and the Central and South Americans, as associates will consult upon the plans and means for establishing the Faith in the remaining American territories and neighboring islands of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The European Conference, third of the series, will be convened by the American European Teaching Committee in Stockholm, Sweden during July 1953. It will bring together Hands of the Cause, National Assembly representatives, and Bahá’ís from America, the British Isles, and Germany, as well as believers from the ten goal areas in Europe, Austria and Finland. Their consultation and planning will be directed
[Page 5]
toward the gradual extension
of the Faith in the remaining sovereign states of the European Continent and its neighboring islands in
the Mediterranean sea, Atlantic
Ocean and North Sea.
The Conference in Asia will be held at New Delhi, India, during the autumn of 1953. This Conference will be convened by the National Spiritual Assembly of the subcontinent of India. It will bring together Hands of the Cause, National Assembly representatives from Persia, the subcontinent of India, ‘Iráq, Australasia, the United States, Canada, Central and South America, as well as Bahá’ís residing in every sovereign state, and dependency in Asia, North, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. The consultation and planning of this conference will be directed toward opening to the Faith the remaining Asiatic states, and dependencies, particularly southeast Asia and the islands of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Thus all the Bahá’í Intercontinental Conferences will develop plans for the greatest of teaching campaigns in which the twelve National Assemblies will collaborate, and which will culminate in 1963, that portentous year of the Most Great Jubilee.
In this global aspect of the forward march of the Faith, may we ever remember that the American Community is the chosen trustee and principal executor of the Divine Plan, and as such we must assume the preponderating role in the conduct of the World Crusade. At this juncture, it is timely to recall the words of the Master regarding our part in this sacred work:
“It is the hope of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that just as ye are confirmed and assisted on the continent of America, ye may also be confirmed and assisted in other continents of the globe—that is, ye may carry the fame of the Cause of God to the East and to the West and spread the Glad Tidings of the appearance of the Kingdom of the Lord of Hosts throughout the five continents of the world...”
Then the Master gave the promise of the blessing that would follow as a result of this sacrificial work:
Scene of the Shrine, Haifa and the Bay from the slopes of Mt. Carmel above the Shrine and gardens. In the center foreground the roof and spires of the octagon of the Shrine are visible, with the Bahá’í Gardens spread on both sides.
“When this divine call travels
from the continent of America to
Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and
the Islands of the Pacific, the American believers shall be established
on the throne of everlasting Glory,
the fame of their illumination and
guidance shall reach to all regions
and the renown of their greatness
become world-wide.”
During the Jubilee celebration, and particularly the American Conference, the American Bahá’í Community is the host to visitors from Canada, Central and South America, and other lands. The privilege of being present and sharing in this joyous occasion is given to each one of us. This is our rare opportunity to meet believers from our sister Communities, extend to them Bahá’í love and fellowship, learn their problems, hear their viewpoints, profit by their contributions and consider what we can do to assist each other in every way possible.
The Medinah Temple’s spacious accommodations in Chicago, Illinois, are to house the conference and provide a comfortable and attractive setting for the gathering of the believers. Here we shall have opportunity to consult together, eat together and enjoy the happiness of association and fellowship. No believer, whether newly declared or veteran, should minimize what his presence will mean at the American Intercontinental Conference.
Let each realize that his presence will contribute to the joy and success of this occasion; that his contributions are greatly needed at this Conference; that he can through his contribution to the consultations of the American Conference enlarge and enrich the deliberations which initiate our plans for the common and inspiring tasks of the World Crusade beyond our shores.
Dorothy Baker, chairman, Edna True, Elsie Austin.
|
Jubilee Year
FIRST INTER-CONTINENTAL BAHA’I CONFERENCE
Kampala, Uganda, British East Africa, February 11-18, 1953. February 11th.
February 12th.
February 13th.
February 14th.
February 15th. Excursion
February 17th. BUILDING A BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY
|
|
February 18th. THE COVENANT OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
HOLY YEAR GREETINGS
The British Isles
The commencement of the Holy Year, now so imminent, provides a solemn opportunity to draw nearer to the Founder of our Faith and through that approach closer to one another. We recall with deep poignancy that time of great sacrifice one hundred years ago — the nadir of the Faith of the Holy Báb to outward eye — with the martyrdom of the brilliant Ṭáhirih, Bahá’u’lláh’s own imprisonment in the Síyáh-Chál and the many souls who then proved their devoted fortitude with their lives. We know that increasingly, as the months of the Holy Year pass, we shall be brought together in spirit and action as we participate ever more widely in the international conferences where we shall together muster the impetus and enthusiasm for the great work destined to be our joint offering under the beloved’s guidance at the holy threshold to mark the Most Great Jubilee. We humbly seek to join with you in prayer, to rededicate our resources, and our efforts, and through present action to develop the strength and experience to be worthy of the glorious global campaign ahead into which we long to launch, confident that its consummation will at last bring peace, so greatly yearned for by so many for so long, to the deeply riven, sorely harassed soul of man. Then shall we each and all, our numbers doubled, representative of all the chief inhabited centers of the earth, constitute that stable foundation and firm support for the crowning unit of the divine Administrative Order, that new Jerusalem, and proffer a full meed of joy to our beloved overburdened Guardian. The British Isles Germany and Austria
In the beginning of the Holy Year we want to express our feelings of joy and thankfulness to all Sister-Communities. It is for us an overwhelming fact that we may do the step across the brink of this important period of the history as a limb of one great family and we want to hold your hands when we enter into this new era. We are not able to understand the whole importance of the Day we live in, but we feel that something of enormous importance is going on. We cannot do anything else but to implore that we may become worthy of the wonderful time, worthy of the great mission which is laid on our weak shoulders, worthy of the confidence of our beloved Guardian. Your example of service, your sacrifices for the Faith, your activity in the Cause may incite us for the activity we are in want of, if we shall reach the goals of our Plan. ‘Iraq
On the auspicious occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the Holy Year Nine we are most delighted to send our warmest congratulations and best wishes for the success of your brilliant Bahá’í plans and endeavors. Believers in every continent of the globe are nowadays recalling the tragic events and terrible hardships which Bahá’u’lláh, the Blessed Perfection, experienced in the gloomy dungeon of Síyáh-Chál of Ṭihrán so that the world of humanity might be redeemed and enlightened through His wondrous World Order. We beseech our Lord the Almighty to assist his servants all the world over, who are laboring to establish His Kingdom on earth, to achieve their divinely-appointed goals in due course. In conclusion, just as our humble prayers go forth for all the dearly-beloved Bahá’ís wherever they may be, we kindly request them to remember the believers of ‘Iráq in their prayers. |
[Page 8]
Bahá’í Summer School at Panchgani, India, October 15 - 24. 1952.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND[edit]
Jubilee Year[edit]
- October 16, 1952: State Conferences holding Joint Feasts for Spiritual Assemblies and groups for opening of Holy Year.
- Special celebration at Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.
- October 20: Celebration of the Birth of the Báb. Public Meetings.
- November 12: Celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. Public Meetings.
- November 26: Day of the Covenant—“Study of the Covenant”.
- November 28: Commemoration of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
- January 18, 1953: World Religion Day—“Birth of World Religion.”
- February 26-March 1: Intercalary Days—Special hospitality efforts.
- March 21: Naw-Rúz—Completion of Six Year Plan.
- April 21: Feast of Riḍvan—1st, 9th, and 12th days to be marked by special programs—“The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh.”
- April 30—May 3: Jubilee Convention
- May 4—May 6: South Pacific Institute.
- May 22: Celebration of the Declaration of the Báb.
- May 29: Commemoration of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh.
- July 9: Commemoration of the Martyrdom of the Báb.
- October: Convocation of Fourth Intercontinental Teaching Conference, New Delhi, India.
CENTRAL AMERICA[edit]
Bahai’s and the United Nations[edit]
Bahá’í relations with the United Nations and its officials have been strengthened in Central America through a number of activities in recent months.
In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mr. Guillermo Aguilar, former chairman of the Lima, Peru local Assembly has been directing the establishment of a technological school for Haiti on behalf of the United Nations. He has been very active in Bahá’í work in the Port-au-Prince Community, and has spoken on the United Nations and its specialized agencies.
Dr. Rafael Fusoni, Director of the Information Center of the United Nations for Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, offered his services to the Panama Bahá’ís while traveling through the territory. The first was held in Balboa in the Canal Zone where Dr. Fusoni talked on the United Nations and Miss Elena Marsella, Secretary of the National Assembly spoke on the Bahá’í international Community and the United Nations. The same program was repeated in Spanish the following evening under the auspices of the Bahá’í Community of Panama and the National University of Panama.
At a United Nations Seminar in San Salvador two representatives were Bahá’ís, Julio Hernandez of Managua represented his government, and Artemus Lamb was the delegate representing the Bahá’ís of Central America. Both men had ample opportunities to work on committees and to demonstrate again the excellent training in consultation for which Bahá’í delegations have been outstanding in all the Conferences which they have attended in all parts of the world.
Youth Publication[edit]
The National Youth Committee of Central America has begun the publication of a new bulletin, the Bahá’í Youth Herald of Central America. The first issue appeared in October, and will be published quarterly.
[Page 9]
The bulletin carries an interesting
editorial on Holy Year, a stirring
article on “Spiritual Growth” and
news of youth around the world.
The “Pen Pal Corner” suggests that a good way to build bonds of friendship between Bahá’í youth of different lands is by means of correspondence. Those wishing to correspond with youth from Central America should send their name, address, sex, age, and languages known to Miss Lynn Carson, Box 1869, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
INDIA, PAKISTAN AND BURMA[edit]
Nepal Opened to the Faith[edit]
Nepal, a small kingdom between India and Tibet, has been opened to the Faith through the pioneer settlement of Mr. N. P. Sinha, an Indian Bahá’í, in Birganj, Nepal.
SARAWAK, BRITISH BORNEO[edit]
First Observance of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
The birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated for the first time in Kuching, Sarawak this November when Mr. and Mrs. Jamshed Fozdar held an informal reception at their home at which some fifteen Bahá’ís and friends were present.
The event was well publicized, both the Sarawak Tribune and the Chinese Daily News of Kuching carried a picture and article describing the observance.
JAPAN[edit]
Asian World Federation Congress[edit]
In Hiroshima, Japan, the first city in the world to suffer from the atom bomb, the first Asian Congress for World Federation was held. There were representatives from fourteen countries, including Cambodia, Malaya, Viet Nam, Formosa, Indonesia, India, the Philippine Islands and others. Miss Agnes Alexander, Bahá’í pioneer to Japan, although not a delegate, attended part of the sessions. She was invited to say a few words at one of the sessions and spoke briefly of the Bahá’í plan for world order. There were many opportunities to speak of the Faith to individual delegates, among whom were some who had heard of the Faith before.
It is increasingly evident through these experiences that the Message of Bahá’u’lláh is becoming known among those active in international fields around the world.
Some of the guests attending the first celebration of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh in Kuching, Sarawak. Jamshed Fozdar, pioneer, at left.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
FAITH IN ACTION[edit]
The Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was an occasion for vigorous public proclamation of the Faith all over this country as well as around the World. Reports indicate a quickening of mankind to His Message, and new interest on the part of humanity wherever Bahá’ís arise to promulgate it.
From Anchorage, Alaska we hear of a pioneer pushing on towards the Arctic Circle for work among the Eskimos.
Hamburg, N.Y. held a cooperative picnic with children from the Thomas Indian School at Iroquois. They arrived by bus with six counselors who said that it was the first time that they had ever been invited anywhere as a group. As a result, several of the Staff Members including three Indians are attending firesides.
The Boise, Idaho Community presented a piano concert which was well attended. During the intermission a Bahá’í talk was given. Thus many who had never heard of the Faith before were introduced to it.
Cooperative effort among communities helped to produce an effective public meeting in Green Bay, Wisconsin when friends from Milwaukee, Wauwatosa and Shorewood all participated.
A Berkeley, Calif. Bahá’í who is employed by the California School for the Deaf has had one of the Bahá’í prayers translated into the sign language.
And Greenville, South Carolina received newspaper publicity in connection with a two-day conference and public meeting put on by the Southeastern Area Teaching Committee.
The Bahá’í Message was graphically and effectively portrayed to the general public by a display booth located in the central building of the exposition grounds at the annual Mississippi State Fair. Many people who passed through it recalled seeing the House of Worship in Wilmette or had heard previously of the Faith from individual Bahá’ís. This project was sponsored by the Area Teaching Committee (Southeastern States).
SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLS ACCEPT BAHA'I HOLY DAYS[edit]
The San Francisco Assembly has applied to the Superintendent of Public Schools for permission for children of Bahá’í parents to keep the Holy Days. The permission has been granted, and the parents can request excuses from school principals for absences on Bahá’í Holy Days. This action was requested of local Assemblies by the Guardian some years ago.
AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
Teaching Suggestions[edit]
The following passage from a letter written by May Maxwell in 1915 gives us a glimpse of the teaching methods of this great Bahá’í teacher: “We must first touch the heart to awaken it; if it opens and responds we must sow the priceless seed ... Prepare the soil with the warmth of your love just as the sun prepares the soil in the spring or the seed would not grow. Remove the stones and weeds ... that is to say, in a kind way try to remove prejudices ... Uproot narrow superstitions by suggesting broader, deeper ideas. Never oppose people’s ideas and statements, but give them a little nobler way of seeing life. Such words and thoughts will take effect because they come from a Bahá’í whose life flows from the Source of all life on earth today ... My great and wise teacher, Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl laid down these divine principles of teaching in my soul ... and they have changed all my attitude. He showed me that it is the Spirit of God that is doing the work; we must wait upon the Spirit and do Its bidding only.”
A number of articles about the
Faith have been published in national magazines, such as the recent
article in Pathfinder, late November,
1952; an article in Life, December,
1950; a picture from the gardens on
Mount Carmel in Vogue, August,
1950; “The Bahá’í Faith and World
Government,” in Common Cause,
September, 1950 and others. One
Bahá’í bought a scrapbook at the
dime store and pasted in the articles together with the covers of the
corresponding issues of the magazines. She has found this a successful way to introduce friends and acquaintances to the Faith. Increasing
publicity during the Jubilee year
may be used to good advantage in
this way. Many Bahá’ís keep such
clippings, but may not realize their
prestige value in the eyes of those
who are hearing about the Faith for
the first time.
The Colorado Regional Teaching Committee reports that successful workshops on teaching have been conducted by Bahá’ís in their region. Talent developed at these workshops is being used in a series of Sunday afternoon meetings in homes. Similar workshops and week-end teacher training courses have been sponsored by Assemblies and regional teaching committees in other places. They give participants a chance to develop their abilities and to gain confidence through speaking to a small friendly audience of fellow-believers. Tips on how to be a good chairman are also usually a part of such training. The Handbook for the Two-Year Program of Preparation contains several sections which are helpful in planning such workshops.
This regional teaching committee, concerned with reaching a wider audience, planned to offer Bahá’í speakers to a variety of clubs in different cities in the region. The approach to each club is being planned by a member of the committee familiar with its interests. A similar plan has been carried out successfully by a number of Assemblies and regional teaching committees throughout the country.
CENTENARY NEWS SERVICE[edit]
The Guardian cabled recently that the salient points of the Ten Year Crusade as enumerated in his message of October 8th, should be publicized. This is the biggest piece of news this Service has had to release. Two news stories presenting the major features of the ten year campaign have been issued to the news services and the local communities for publication across the country.
The far-flung lands that the Faith has already traversed will be multiplied until the truly world-wide establishment of the Faith is attained. Of this the public is being told that it might realize the dynamic drive of the Faith of God today, and might follow its sweeping progress into the most populous areas and the remotest outposts of the world, until its universal scope is manifest to all.
U.S. AFRICA TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
The second American pioneer to Liberia, Miss Valerie Wilson, arrived there November 17th. Two other American Bahá’ís, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Elston, sailed for Kampala on December 4th where they will attend the Africa Conference and then attempt to settle in an area where they can assist with the teaching work.
The Africa Conference program appears in this issue of the Bahá’í News.
The 1952 fall issue of the U. S. Africa Bulletin is now being distributed. Friends who wish copies of the Bulletin should write the secretary of the Committee:—Mrs. Bessie Barham, 1277 New Hampshire Ave., N. W., Washington, D. C.
JUBILEE COMMITTEE[edit]
Housing Reservations[edit]
Have you made your hotel reservations for the 1953 Annual Convention, the Jubilee Celebrations, Temple Dedication and the All-America Intercontinental Teaching Conference, April 29th to May 6th, 1953, as suggested in the Jubilee Housing Reservation insert which came to you with your November Bahá’í News?
We urge that you make your plans now, especially as to the number of days you and your party intend to stay, and then write the hotel of your choice for reservations. Please follow the directions outlined in the November announcement. Do not write this committee.
When making a hotel reservation for one do not ask any hotel to place you “in a double room with another Bahá’í.” Reservations for double rooms have to be made originally in the names of the sharers of a room ... you arrange the details before writing ... hotels do not take the responsibility of placing people together. Further, the dormitory rooms at The Conrad Hilton Hotel
[Page 11]
are for groups of four or more who
arrange to share a room. You cannot expect The Conrad Hilton management to place your single reservation in a dormitory room ... but,
you can arrange for your dormitory
companions and then write for the
reservation for the group.
To help the National Spiritual Assembly and the Jubilee Committee in all plans involving meetings, housing and food please send the Attendance Poll Coupon stating which of the events you plan to attend between April 29th and May 6th. This information is needed now. We will appreciate your cooperation.
Care of Children during Jubilee Week[edit]
To accommodate parents with young children during the Jubilee week activities in Chicago, the Jubilee Committee has arranged for trained personnel to care for children over 2 years of age during the morning and afternoon sessions only. There will be a small daily charge to cover the cost of personnel.
NATIONAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]
Supply Every Library[edit]
As our teaching activities accelerate everywhere in the world with the inauguration of the Ten Year Crusade, each Bahá’í Community, each Regional Teaching Committee, each Bahá’í group and individual believer will want to do his utmost to be sure that every available means of reaching the non-Bahá’í is exploited. One of the primary sources of information for the non-Bahá’í is his public library or college library. Increasingly, as articles about the Faith appear in national publications, and the Faith is referred to in books, and local activities are published, non-Bahá’ís will go to the public libraries to investigate, and it is imperative that adequate and accurate material be available. A few libraries over the country are well stocked with authoritative, up-to-date books, some have one Bahá’í book, but many have none at all.
Last year the National Library Committee organized a program to assist the believers in placing books in libraries in all cities over 5,000 population. This project has gone ahead steadily, but there are still many libraries that have no literature. Now is the time to be certain there are good basic Bahá’í texts in every library in your vicinity that is not supplied, and if possible, add more new books where there are now only one or two titles. The Library Committee is not able to supply free books for presentation to libraries. Friends wishing to donate texts should purchase them from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee.
To aid the friends in this task the National Library Committee prepared a “Library Kit” consisting of a book review of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era; a Library of Congress Card, showing its listing of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era so that it can be placed immediately on the shelves of a library; a reprint from God Passes By listing the libraries of the world which have Bahá’í literature; and a National Library Committee bulletin entitled “The Public Library—Important Teaching Channel.” Material from this kit is still available for the friends or communities which do not already have it.
To facilitate the work of the library committee the country has been divided into five areas, for each of which a different member of the Committee is responsible. Please send correspondence, reports and requests to:
- Mrs. Blanche Kaufman, 448 James St., New Milford, New Jersey
- Mrs. Pauline Sylvester, 133 Fleetwood Rd., Dumont, New Jersey
- Miss Sophie Rieger, 3301 Powelton Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
- Mrs. Elizabeth Pharo, 638 E. Rosalie St., Philadelphia 20, Pa.
- Mrs. Dorothy Fisher, 7153 Bryan St., Philadelphia 17, Pa.
Once books are placed in a library it is vitally important that they be kept in circulation. Periodic checks at the library will reveal whether the books have been taken out. If they have not been out for a while, it is advisable for Bahá’ís to take them out, in order to keep them on the active book shelves, and to keep them before the attention of the Librarian. Mention should be made at public meetings, firesides and in newspaper advertisements that literature is available at the library so that the public is aware that information is easy to obtain if they wish it.
UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE[edit]
Contacting Foreign Students[edit]
In a glowing report of the United Nation’s Regional Conference for Non - Governmental Organizations, held in Manila, the 24th to the 31st of October, 1952, one of the Bahá’í delegates reports as follows:
“We met many people who had studied in the United States and while there had received a favorable impression of the Faith thru contacts with American Bahá’ís. Many had visited the Temple, and I found one who had even been to Louhelen summer school. I suggest that the Committee bring to the attention of the NSA the extreme importance of continuing and extending the policy of contacting all foreign students, so far as possible, thru the friends in those communities where colleges and universities are located. These contacts, which seem so slight at the time, are remembered years afterwards even when the students have become mature individuals and are leaders in their own communities.”
Party for United Nations Official[edit]
At the close of the 5th United Nations Conference for International Non-Governmental Organizations a farewell party was given for Mr. J. B. Orrick, Chief of the Department of Public Information for NGO. Mr. Orrick is now going to be Chief of the United Nations Information Center at New Delhi, established for the area of India, Burma and Ceylon.
The party was held on November 10 at the home of Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, representative to the United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community. Eighty-five people were present, seventy of whom were international representatives of NGO’s, the remainder being United Nations officials and members of the Department of Public Information.
TWO NEW BOOKS BY BAHA'I AUTHORS[edit]
Mr. Stanwood Cobb, well known to Bahá’ís for his two excellent books Security for a Failing World and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, as well as other philosophic and poetic works, has recently completed a new book entitled What Is Man? It is an essay in verse which explores the reality of man, his potentialities and the goals toward which he should strive. This volume may be ordered from Avalon Press, Washington 15, D.C. for $1.50 postpaid.
Mrs. Myrtle W. Campbell, a Bahá’í of Seattle, Washington, is the author of a new book The Continuity of the Prophets. It is a study of the great religious leaders of history, including the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from the point of view that all were Messengers of God on earth, with one Message for mankind. The three chapters on the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá have been approved by the Bahá’í Reviewing Committee. The Continuity of the Prophets may be purchased from the Pageant Press, 130 W. 42nd Street, New York 36, N.Y. Price $3.00.
(These two books are not available from the Bahá’í Publishing Committee.)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
CALENDAR[edit]
- World Religion Day:
- Sunday, January 18.
- Feasts:
- January 19—Sultán Sovereignty
- February 7—Mulk, Dominion
- National Assembly Meetings:
- January 9, 10, and 11
- February 7 and 8
MARRIAGES[edit]
San Diego, Calif., Mrs. Frances Oakes to Mr. Leonard Godwin, August 19, 1952
Albuquerque, N. M., Miss Barbara Boldes to Mr. Donald B. Kline, August 16, 1952
New York, N.Y., Miss Elaine Neitlich to Mr. Minor Dixon Margulies, November 2, 1952
Moylan, Penna., Mrs. Bula Mott Stewart to Dr. E. A. Lintzmeyer, July 2, 1952
Mill Valley, Calif., Mrs. Billie M. Jones to Mr. Stanley W. Brackett, (date not reported)
Milwaukee, Wis., Miss Charlotte Salapa to Mr. Andrew Haroian, June 14, 1952
Oakland, Calif., Mrs. Mary Ellen Watson to Mr. Paul Hall, July, 1952
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.
- Mrs. Louis Speno, Spokane, Washington November 4, 1952
- Mrs. Louise Lester Beal, Los Angeles, Calif. November 16, 1952
- Miss Nellie Tuck, Independence, Mo. November 6, 1952
- Mrs. Grace R. Lamb, Pasadena, Calif. November 24, 1952
DIRECTORY ADDITIONS AND CHANGES[edit]
Local Spiritual Assemblies:
- SOUTH GATE, CALIF.
- Mrs. Rose West, Sec’y.
- 9705 Truba Ave.
- WORCESTER, MASS.
- Mr. Douglas Weeks, Sec’y.
- c/o Baird, 71 Olean St.
- Worcester 2, Mass.
- WATERLOO, NEW YORK
- Mrs. Alice Bacon, Sec’y.
- Box 314
- NASHVILLE, TENN.
- Miss Nellie J. Roche, Sec’y.
- 534 Stahlman Bldg.
- Nashville 3, Tenn.
- LARAMIE, WYO.
- Mrs. Solveig V. Corbit, Sec’y.
- P.O. Box 112
The Annual Bahá’í Directory by error listed Mrs. Grace von der Heydt as member of the Area Teaching Committee of the Southeastern States. Her membership is on the Regional Teaching Committee for South Carolina.
Regional Teaching Committees:
- RTC OF TEXAS
- Mrs. Mary K. Johnson, Sec’y.
- 1125 Santa Ana
- San Antonio, Texas
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
PUBLICATIONS[edit]
Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, new edition, beautifully bound, with Introduction by Marzieh Gail, and new Glossary, each $2.50
Mission of Bahá’u’lláh by George Townshend. Contains a number of essays, some of which are The Wellspring of Happiness, The Call to God as well as The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, (originally published as Introduction to God Passes By), bound in blue cloth $2.25
Mission of Bahá’u’lláh (Jubilee pamphlet) general edition, 5 for $1.00 Limited edition, each $.90
Life Eternal, compiled by Mary Movius. A new stock has been secured. This will be the final stock on this finely bound compilation, each $2.50
Prophecy Fulfilled, new edition, 2 for $.15, 50 for $3.50
Loyalty to Government is again available, 12 for $.50
Paris Talks. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá |
|
Edited by the late Lady Blomfield. |
|
Cloth | $2.50 |
Paper | $1.50 |
Words For the World—Two 12-inch records, non-breakable, in attractive album | $3.50 |
Only February Temple Readings | $.10 |
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, Ruth Jones.
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.
