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| BAHÁ’Í NEWS | |||
| PUBLISHED BY THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES | |||
| NO. 272 | BAHA’I YEAR 110 | OCTOBER, 1953 | |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
"SAFEGUARDING PRIMACY"[edit]
“Overjoyed remarkable achievements American Bahá’í Community, safeguarding primacy, enhancing prestige, setting magnificent example sister communities East (and) West. Assure three Assembly members, also Lofoten valient pioneer, abiding appreciation, fervent loving prayers.”
September 5, 1953
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The message above was Shoghi Effendi’s reply to cable sent him by the National Spiritual Assembly on August 31:
“Befitting memorial gathering held Temple honor Siegfried Schopflocher August 28 two representatives Canadian Assembly participated. Assembly gratified proud Stockholm Conference conducted European Teaching Committee. All virgin territories Central South
The Crown of the Dome
The Completed Dome of the Shrine of the Báb
America assigned. One pioneer enroute Asia. Seven
pioneer assignments Indian teaching assured. United
States goal city settlement campaign planned through
National Teaching Committee. Three Assembly members, Austin, Baker, Bullock retiring September 28 for
pioneer settlement. Devoted love.”
"PRAYING CONTINUED VICTORIES"[edit]
“Overjoyed, proud magnificent achievements. Praying continued victories.”
July 16, 1953
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The message above was Shoghi Effendi’s reply to this cable sent him by the National Spiritual Assembly on July 13:
“Gratified report first American Bahá’í pioneer arriving post Rose Perkal Kodiak July eighth. All four United States Western Hemisphere pioneer settlement areas assigned. Approved three pioneer projects United States areas Europe and plans under way settlement four Italo-Swiss
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areas. Ten of eleven United
States pioneer settlement areas
Africa planned. Two United States
Asia posts assured. Pioneer plans
progressing three Assembly members.”
“Loyal, Devoted Early Believer”[edit]
“Praying progress soul loyal, devoted early believer, Marie Hopper.”
September 11, 1953
“Valued Promoter Faith”[edit]
“Grieve passing valued promoter Faith. His historic donation (of) School highly meritorious, reward bountiful (in) Kingdom. Deepest sympathy, praying progress (of his) soul.”
Cablegram received September 8, 1953 by Mrs. L. W. Eggleston
This message has reference to the passing of Mr. L. W. Eggleston who devoted his home and property to the use of Louhelen Bahá’í School.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
SECOND PIONEER REPORT[edit]
All honor to the pioneers who have arrived at their posts in the World Crusade!
The movement accelerates rapidly. The results of the great work done by the Intercontinental Teaching Committees in developing projects for the pioneer applicants are more and more impressive.
Mr. and Mrs. Rex Collison were actually the first American believers to settle in a virgin territory under the Ten Year Plan. They left their work at the Bahá’í Center, Kampala, Uganda, and pioneered in Ruandi-Urundi, an African territory assigned to the NSA of India, Pakistan and Burma, arriving there June 3.
Mr. Jack Huffman arrived in Kodiak on June 1, transferred there by the U.S. Navy before he knew that Kodiak was a pioneer goal.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Crane arrived at Key West on July 20.
On August 2, Mr. Fred Schechter arrived in French Somaliland, an African goal assigned to the United States. He had been teaching in Kenya as a volunteer under the first African two-year plan.
Mr. Amín Banání departed from the Stockholm Conference to pioneer in Greece, an area assigned to the NSA of Germany and Austria.
Mr. and Mrs. Bishop Brown arrived in South Africa August 9, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Ford arrived there on August 10. South Africa is a United States goal.
Mr. and Mrs. Jenabe Caldwell arrived at Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, a United States goal, on August 10.
Miss Virginia Orbison arrived on August 11 at the Balearic Islands, a European goal assigned to the United States.
Mrs. Mildred Clark and Miss Loyce Lawrence arrived at Svolvan, Lofoten Islands, Norway, on August 28. This is one of the European goals assigned to the United States.
Mrs. Nellie S. French settled as a pioneer in Monaco September 12. Monaco is a virgin territory assigned to the NSA of Italy and Switzerland.
On September 19, 1953 Mr. and Mrs. Xavier Rodrigues arrived for pioneer settlement in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea, Africa, a territory assigned to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Rodrigues had been members of the Lisbon community.
On September 20, Miss Elizabeth Hopper and Miss Adah M. Schott arrived at Funchal, Madeira Island, an African territory assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles.
SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL VACANCIES ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
Three members of the National Spiritual Assembly enter the pioneer field after the September meeting:—Miss Elsie Austin, Mrs. Dorothy Baker, and Mrs. Matthew Bullock.
An election notice has been sent all delegates of the 1953 Convention, with ballots, for vote by mail to elect three new members as of September 28.
This emergency election is unprecedented, although on account of death or physical inability to serve there have been votes by mail for filling vacancies in past years. The World Crusade calls to every believer, irrespective of age, condition or Bahá’í offices, and these three members of the National Spiritual Assembly, one of them a Hand of the Cause, have demonstrated in their response the power of this call.
ELECTION OF NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO FILL VACANCIES[edit]
In view of the pioneering plans of three members of the National Spiritual Assembly (Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Dr. Wm. Kenneth Christian and Mr. Matthew Bullock), an election notice was sent to all delegates of the 1953 National Convention early in September.
On September 26 the ballots cast by mail were counted by three tellers—Mr. Lloyd Robinson, Mrs. Margarite Ullrich and Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell.
The election resulted in the addition of Mr. Lawrence Hautz, Mr. Charles Wolcott and Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot to the National Spiritual Assembly membership for the remainder of the current administrative year, beginning September 28.
The teller’s report listed the following facts. 162 ballots were received. Mr. Lawrence Hautz, 53 votes; Mr. Charles Wolcott, 44 votes; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, 35 votes.
The names next listed: Mr. Robert McLaughlin, 32; Mrs. Margery McCormick, 31; Dr. Katherine K. True, 28; Mr. Curtis Kelsey, 28; Mr. William de Forge, 24; Mr. Rafi Mottahedeh, 23; Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell, 16; Mrs. Marzieh Gail, 11; Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, 10; Mr. John Allen, 10; Dr. Robert L. Gulick, 9; Mr. Monroe Ioas, 8; Mr. Ali M. Yazdi, 7; Mr. Winston Evans, Dr. Sarah Perira, Mr. Harlan Ober, 5 each; 4 each to Mrs. Virginia Foster, Mrs. Jesma Herbert, Mr. Alai K. Kalanter, Mr. Alan G. McCormick, Mr. Robert Powers; 3 each to Mr. William Lacey, Mrs. Nina Matthisen, Dr. David Ruhe, and Mr. Clarence Ullrich. 16 believers received 2 votes each; and 36 received one vote each.
OUR PRESENT CHALLENGE[edit]
Beloved friends:
All American believers have read and pondered the Guardian’s letter of July 18 which went out as an insert in August BAHÁ’Í NEWS. From
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its words we have attained to a deeper and clearer insight into the greatness of the Ten Year Plan and the
unique responsibility laid upon the
Bahá’ís of the United States for its
complete realization by 1963.
Now let us turn to those passages which convey to us the particular tasks challenging us at the present time.
1. “Of all the Objectives ... the most vital, urgent and meritorious ... is ... the settlement of pioneers in all the virgin territories and islands assigned to this community in all the continents of the globe ... This process ... must ... be so accelerated as to insure the attainment of this paramount objective before the lapse of two years from the official launching of the World Crusade.” This means before Riḍván 1955.
2. “... The preliminary measures for the establishment of the first Dependency of the Mother Temple of the West.”
3. “... As well as the completion of the landscaping of its grounds.”
4. “Moreover, immediate consideration should be given to ... the purchase of land ... in anticipation of the construction of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of South Africa ...”
5. “... The prompt translation of a suitable Bahá’í pamphlet into the American and European languages allocated to your Assembly.”
In these passages the Guardian gives us an operating schedule of five definite tasks for the first two years of the Ten Year Plan.
“The two years that lie ahead, three months of which have already elapsed, will swiftly and imperceptibly draw to a close. Tasks even more onerous, equally weighty and requiring in a still greater measure the expenditure of effort and substance, lie ahead, which will brook of no delay ...”
This passage drives home to all of us the fact that the Ten Year Plan, to be completed, calls for definite accomplishments year by year. Here is our challenge — concentrated effort on specific projects, and not passive admiration of a magnificently defined World Crusade.
The pioneer settlement of the virgin areas is progressing with tremendous speed. The pioneer applications have poured in week by week since the mighty demonstration at the All-American Intercontinental
Model of Mashriqu’l-Adhkár designed for construction on Mount Carmel
Conference. The various Committees
have developed projects, and the departure of ardent and consecrated
Bahá’ís from the United States accelerates each month.
For the home front, as reported in a separate announcement, we have yet another challenge — the settlement of a pioneer in each of the more than seventy unoccupied Goal Cities chosen within the United States itself.
What are the things we as individuals can do? (1) Pioneer abroad; (2) pioneer at home; (3) realize more profoundly the urgency of our contributions to the National Fund.
Nor is this all! As the Guardian wrote in this same letter: “The movement of pioneers, the opening of virgin territories, the initiation of Houses of Worship ... will in the long run amount to little and fail to achieve their supreme purpose if not supplemented by the equally vital task which is one that primarily concerns continually and challenges each single individual believer whatever his rank, capacity or origin—of winning to the Faith fresh recruits to the slowly yet steadily advancing army of the Lord of Hosts ...”
May every single believer understand, appreciate and exploit the truly divine opportunity given him or her to serve the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh!
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Jubilee Year
FOURTH INTERCONTINENTAL BAHA’I CONFERENCE
New Delhi, India
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WORLD CRUSADE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES[edit]
Dear Bahá’í friends:
In this issue of Bahá’í News appears a list of Goal Cities which have been chosen for consolidation during the Ten Year Plan. A Spiritual Assembly is to be elected in each of these cities before 1963, so that the total number of 300 Bahá’í communities within the United States desired by the Guardian may be attained.
It should be noted that 72 of these cities have no Bahá’í residents at this time. The National Assembly has requested the National Teaching Committee to launch an intensive campaign to settle one Bahá’í in each of these 72 unoccupied communities.
This great movement of pioneers within the United States is the home front equivalent to the settlement of pioneers throughout the world now so vigorously proceeding. Both are tasks of the World Crusade.
The National Teaching Committee is working out this campaign through the Area Teaching Committees and the local Assemblies.
Every Bahá’í who desires to serve the Faith by pioneering in one of these 72 cities should notify the National Teaching Committee at once. Settlement, and enrollment of new believers, in the cities which already have one or more Bahá’ís, are also vitally important in terms of the Ten Year Plan, but this year the National Assembly wishes to concentrate attention and effort upon the 72 cities lacking Bahá’ís.
May we consider this campaign in the light of the Guardian’s letter of July 18 published as insert in August BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
GOAL CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE WORLD CRUSADE AT HOME[edit]
| Cities having resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having no resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having no resident Bahá’ís | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW ENGLAND STATES | PENNSYLVANIA: | Altoona | Allentown | ||
| Erie | Chester | ||||
| MAINE: | Bangor | Augusta | Harrisburg | ||
| Lewiston | Lancaster | ||||
| NEW HAMPSHIRE: | Concord | Manchester | Reading | ||
| Keene | Nashua | Wilkesbarre | |||
| York | |||||
| MASSACHUSSETS: | Brookline | Brockton | |||
| Ipswich | Fall River | NEW JERSEY | Atlantic City | Bayonne | |
| Malden | Holyoke | Camden | Clifton | ||
| Lowell | Trenton | Elizabeth | |||
| Lynn | Paterson | ||||
| New Bedford | |||||
| Newton | CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATES | ||||
| VERMONT: | Burlington | Rutland | WEST VIRGINIA: | Huntington | |
| CONNECTICUT: | Hamden | Bridgeport | VIRGINIA: | Newport News | Roanoke |
| New Britain | Norfolk | Staunton | |||
| RHODE ISLAND: | East Providence | Cranston | Richmond | ||
| Pawtucket | Woonsocket | DELAWARE: | Dover | ||
| NORTH ATLANTIC STATES | NORTH CAROLINA: | Charlotte | Durham | ||
| Raleigh | |||||
| NEW YORK: | Ithaca | Albany | Winston Salem | ||
| Mamaroneck | Elmira | ||||
| New Rochelle | Troy | ||||
| Niagara Falls | SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES | ||||
| Poughkeepsie | SOUTH CAROLINA: | Charleston | |||
| Schenectady | Columbia | ||||
| Utica | |||||
| Waterloo | GEORGIA: | Savannah | |||
| Cities having resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having no resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having resident Bahá’ís |
Cities having no resident Bahá’ís | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FLORIDA: | Jacksonville | ||||
| Miami Beach | SOUTH CENTRAL STATES | ||||
| St. Augustine | OKLAHOMA: | Enid | |||
| Tampa | Tulsa | ||||
| TENNESSEE | Chattanooga | ARKANSAS: | North Little Rock | Fort Smith | |
| KANSAS: | Kansas City | Emporia | |||
| GULF STATES | Wichita | ||||
| MISSISSIPPI: | Gulfport | Meridian | MISSOURI: | Independence | |
| LOUISIANA: | Baton Rouge | St. Joseph | |||
| Shreveport | Springfield | ||||
| TEXAS: | Austin | Fort Worth | ALABAMA | Mobile | |
| Galveston | |||||
| NORTH CENTRAL STATES | |||||
| EAST CENTRAL STATES | NORTH DAKOTA: | Grand Forks | Bismarck | ||
| MICHIGAN: | Highland Park | Bay City | SOUTH DAKOTA | Rapid City | |
| Kalamazoo | Jackson | NEBRASKA: | Lincoln | ||
| Niles | |||||
| Pontiac | |||||
| Port Huron | ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES | ||||
| Royal Oak Twp. | |||||
| Wyandotte | COLORADO: | Pueblo | Greeley | ||
| INIDANA: | East Chicago | Michigan City | NEW MEXICO: | Roswell | |
| Evansville | Santa Fe | ||||
| Gary | |||||
| Hammond | WYOMING: | Caspar | Sheridan | ||
| Hammond | Cheyenne | ||||
| Terre Haute | |||||
| OHIO | Akron | Canton | NORTHWESTERN STATES | ||
| Lorain | Warren | ||||
| Youngstown | OREGON: | Corvallis | Eugene | ||
| KENTUCKY: | Lexington | Covington | Pendleton | Medford | |
| Salem | |||||
| WASHINGTON: | Everett | Bellingham | |||
| CENTRAL STATES | Walla Walla | Olympia | |||
| Yakima | |||||
| ILLINOIS: | Aurora | ||||
| Berwyn | IDAHO: | Pocatella | Lewiston | ||
| Decatur | MONTANA: | Billings | |||
| East St. Louis | Missoula | ||||
| Elgin | |||||
| Glencoe | SOUTHWESTERN STATES | ||||
| Joliet | |||||
| Rockford | ARIZONA: | Flagstaff | Globe | ||
| Prescott | |||||
| WISCONSIN: | Fond du Lac | La Crosse | |||
| Green Bay | NEVADA: | Las Vegas | |||
| Oshkosh | Sparks | ||||
| Sheboygan | |||||
| Superior | CALIFORNIA: | Bakersfield | Eureka | ||
| Waukesha | Huntington Park | Hayward | |||
| Ontario | Redding | ||||
| IOWA: | Council Bluffs | Pomona | Riverside | ||
| Davenport | San Jose | Stockton | |||
| Des Moines | Santa Ana | ||||
| Dubuque | Santa Cruz | ||||
| Sioux City | |||||
| UTAH: | Ogden | ||||
| MINNESOTA: | St. Cloud | Provo | |||
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND[edit]
Site for Mashriqu’l-Adhkár Sought[edit]
Acting upon the instructions of the Guardian regarding the selection and purchase “of the site of the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in the Antipodes, to be situated either within or in the immediate outskirts of the city of Sydney ...”, Youth members and other Bahá’ís have made two excursions of inspection through Sydney and its environs. Two particularly lovely sites have been marked—one overlooking Rose Bay and the other in view of Harbour Bridge.
The search continues.
Translations Begun[edit]
By arrangement with the National Spiritual Assembly of India, Pakistan and Burma, Australia and New Zealand are to be responsible for the translation of Bahá’í literature into fourteen Pacific area languages. The pamphlet “The Bahá’í Faith—A Faith for Unity” which was used with conspicuous success in Africa, is to be translated into Samoan as a beginning of this work.
EGYPT AND SUDAN[edit]
Pioneering Report[edit]
Mr. Mustapha Salem arrived in Tripoli, Libya on July 16. (Consolidation)
Mrs. Asia Zein, with her two children has joined her husband Feridon Zein, pioneering in Benghazi, Libya.
Alexandria Summer School[edit]
The Bahá’í Summer School was held in Alexandria, Egypt, during the month of August. A great step toward the realization of the principle of the equality of men and women in the East was made. For the first time, it was possible for women to attend the sessions of the summer school and enjoy full participation in its activities.
Bahá’í Temple in Newsreel[edit]
Fox Movietone News projected films of the dedication of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár at Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A., in all of the important movie houses throughout Egypt.
INDIA, PAKISTAN, BURMA[edit]
Pioneering Report[edit]
Mrs. Salisa Kermani and Mrs. Shirin Noorani opened Karikal, French India, to the Faith on August 30.
The National Spiritual Assembly is developing pioneer projects for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bhutan, Mahé, Diu and the Socotra Islands.
Translations[edit]
Pákistan is proceeding with the translation of Bahá’í literature into Balochi, Panjabi and Pashto.
A believer in Shantiniketan has undertaken the work of making translations into Tibetan, Javanese and Mongolian.
The translation of Bahá’í writings into Manipuri is being done in Manipur itself.
Believers in Sarawak, Colombo and Bangkok are at work on the Chungchia, Kado, Kopu, Na-Hsi, Pali, Annamese, Tho and Siamese languages.
An offer from Shanghai, China, to translate Bahá’í literature into seven Chinese and Russian languages has been accepted and this difficult task is begun.
SOUTH AMERICA[edit]
National Spiritual Assembly Makes Crusade Plans[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of South America held its second meeting of the year in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 26-31, where plans were worked out for opening the nine virgin territories assigned to South America, for the consolidation of existing assemblies and groups, and for extension teaching work to increase the number of assemblies and groups, as well as for the next annual Convention.
Extension Teaching in Argentina and Chile[edit]
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of South America, making use of the great distances they must travel to and from their regular meetings, visited Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Brazil; Quilpué, Santiago, Valparaíso and Vina del Mar in Chile and Lima, Peru, as traveling teachers. In Santiago, a talk on “The Need for a Universal Language” was given at the Chilean-North American Cultural Institute.
Also, two radio talks were presented, over different stations.
South America Represented at New Delhi[edit]
After the meeting in Buenos Aires, Mrs. Fabienne Guillon left South America to visit various Bahá’í centers in Europe and Asia on the way to the Fourth Intercontinental Bahá’í Conference in New Delhi, India, where she will be the representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America.
Extension Teaching in Argentina and Chile[edit]
The communities of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, working together with smaller and younger Assemblies and groups, are systematically and enthusiastically engaged in carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to near-by communities.
Learning by Letter[edit]
In spite of more than fifteen hundred miles separating them from a Bahá’í teacher, a group of eighteen people in the town of Barra do Corda, in the interior of the state of Maranhão, Brazil, meet regularly to study the Bahá’í Writings. In 1950, a resident of the town was attracted by a newspaper article about the Centenary of the Báb’s Martyrdom. He wrote to the Rio de Janeiro Bahá’í Community for information and literature. Since then, from the Portuguese translation of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and through correspondence with the Rio de Janeiro Teaching Committee, a regular study group has developed to the point where eighteen students now are deepening their understanding of the Administrative Order.
The Source of Love[edit]
The advent of the prophets and the revelation of the Holy Books is intended to create love between souls and friendship between the inhabitants of the earth. Real love is impossible unless one turn his face towards God and be attracted to His Beauty.
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Hands of the Cause from Persia, Africa and Germany at Bahá’í Summer School, Esslingen, Germany, August 9-15, 1953. With them are believers from Austria, England, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the United States.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
ASIA TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
Pioneer Opportunities Open[edit]
Response to the appeal for pioneers in the July BAHÁ’Í NEWS exceeded the fondest expectations of the Asia Teaching Committee. The zeal, the dedication and faith of the many volunteers who offered to pioneer in the Asian field are truly inspiring. The Asia Teaching Committee has tried to meet each offer promptly.
The Asian field is not readily conquered. Despite concerted efforts by pioneers, committee members and other believers, the virgin areas still await their first arrival. Permission to settle is difficult to obtain for all these areas. Housing shortages, political and security considerations and a desire to protect native populations are back of this apparent lack of hospitality.
All has not been in vain, however, as these examples demonstrate:
In the face of almost hopeless odds, one pioneer persisted in her efforts to obtain a job in the Caroline Islands, until one day a cablegram came offering her the position she wanted, in her field of training and experience, with the government of the Trust Territories of the Pacific.
Another pioneer, after her application for entry to the Tonga Islands had been rejected, declared, “The Guardian wants pioneers in those islands. I will head that way.” Her baggage is now on a cargo boat bound for Suva in the Fiji Islands. She will follow soon, to settle in either the Cook Islands or American Samoa. These she regards as stepping-stones to Tonga.
Our objectives are God-given. They are for the education and welfare of human beings wherever they may be. Sustained by this belief, our committee has endeavored to find ways to reach the peoples in our territories. We share our findings with fellow believers so that those who have the qualifications may get in touch with us without delay.
The urgent need is for pioneers who meet one or more of these requirements:
- Qualify for a job
- Possess experience and faculties to enter some business
- Have means of support.
Let no one be discouraged by these requirements. Every Bahá’í has a place to work. Those who meet these requirements will pave the way and make it possible for others to follow.
There are jobs in the Trust Territories (Mariana, Caroline and Marshall Islands).
For men 18 to 50 years of age as:
- carpenters construction workers
- electricians engineers
- insurance claim adjusters
- mechanics storekeepers
For women, 21 to 45, there are openings as clerk stenographers.
Salaries are good, but no families are allowed in most areas as the housing shortage is acute. For details, write:
- Miss Charlotte Linfoot
- 156 Nova Drive
- Piedmont 10, California
Following the Guardian’s instructions, we are sending pioneers only to virgin areas at this time, but consolidation work has not been neglected. Contact has been established with believers in Japan, Formosa, Korea and the Philippines and consultation with them has begun on literature, translation, teaching plans, etc. There is great potential there, to be used later. First, let us settle the virgin areas.
WESTERN HEMISPHERE TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
This committee is concerned with all the goals in the Western Hemisphere (outside of the continental United States) which have been assigned to our NSA by the Guardian in the Global Crusade.
The work of opening our four virgin goals and the twenty-three others assigned to our sister NSAs in this hemisphere has been progressing rapidly. In some of these latter we have been allowed to add our pioneers to those arising in the Canadian, Central and South American Communities.
As these victories are being won, we will be able to devote more of our attention to the promotion of the consolidation of the Faith in the Hawaiian Islands and Puerto-Rico, the establishment of a National Spiritual Assembly in Alaska, and the assisting in the formation of the twenty Latin American National Spiritual Assemblies.
This consolidation work extends the opportunities for pioneering to those friends who may not have realized their heart’s desire of opening a virgin goal. Most territories still have too few local assemblies and many new localities must be opened to the Faith. These challenges require the same pioneering spirit, and the existing Local Spiritual Assemblies to be strengthened require the same selfless devotion. We will be glad to hear from any of the friends who are interested in
[Page 10]
Some of the believers who met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá during His visit to the United States, photographed during the Second Bahá’í Intercontinental Conference, May, 1953, at Chicago, Illinois.
serving in these fields. Also, any information the friends may have leading to employment opportunities or contacts for the Faith in these territories will be most welcome.
The friends interested in the Latin Americas are strongly urged to consult with this committee before writing or approaching any representative of a Latin American government. Because of varying local conditions it is too easily possible for an innocent inquiry to close the doors to later settlers.
- Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, sec’y.
- 73 College Road West
- Princeton, New Jersey
HOME FRONT CRUSADE[edit]
The American National Teaching Committee urges that all large Assemblies appoint a Home Front Crusade Committee whose functions shall be to seek out, encourage and inspire those members of the community who can do so to pioneer in goal areas; to assist them in every possible way, through consultation, to accomplish their purpose, in cooperation with the American National Teaching Committee and its 12 Area Committees and with the other National Committees concerned with the World Crusade.
Smaller Assemblies should also form a Home Front Crusade Committee to concern itself with teaching in goal cities, or in extension fields nearby, even though members cannot be spared from the community for settling.
AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE[edit]
Pioneer Teacher at Apache Reservation[edit]
The American Indian Service Committee is happy to report the arrival of the first pioneer on an Indian Reservation. Miss Grace Catherine Dean has obtained a position as teacher in the elementary school at Bylas on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in east central Arizona.
Information for Prospective Pioneers[edit]
The Committee has compiled information about the goal spots chosen for pioneering, and is continuing to collect data about the many Indian tribes as assistance to believers who want to enter this teaching field. Any prospective pioneer can obtain this information and will have the full cooperation of the Committee in his study of the local conditions, a study essential for all who approach the challenging task of teaching the Indians. Address inquiries to:
- Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary
- 736 Encanto Drive S.E.
- Phoenix, Arizona
AREA TEACHING CONFERENCES[edit]
Consultation on means for achieving the goals of the Ten Year Crusade is taking place across the United States as Area Teaching Committees hold Conferences. To the highly successful meetings already held, the following schedule of Area Conferences may be added.
| NEW ENGLAND STATES | |
| Newton Center, Massachusetts, | Oct. 18 |
| CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATES | |
| Washington, D. C., | Oct. 17 |
| SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES | |
| Jacksonville, Florida, | Sept. 13 |
| NORTH CENTRAL STATES | |
| Sioux Falls, South Dakota, | “early Oct.” |
| SOUTH CENTRAL STATES | |
| Kansas City, Missouri, | Oct. 18 |
| CENTRAL STATES | |
| St. Paul, Minnesota, | Sept. 27 |
| GULF STATES | |
| Dallas, Texas, | Sept. 12-13 |
| New Orleans, Louisiana, | Sept. 26-27 |
| San Antonio, Texas, | Sept. 26-27 |
| Jackson, Mississippi, | Oct. 10-11 |
| Houston, Texas, | Oct.10-11 |
| SOUTHWESTERN STATES | |
| Tucson, Arizona, | Sept. 20 |
| Reno, Nevada, | Sept. 20 |
| Pasadena, California, | Sept. 20 |
| Salt Lake City, Utah, | Sept. 20 |
NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS[edit]
September 23, the sixtieth anniversary of the day when the Bahá’í Faith was first mentioned in the United States, was the occasion for observances in some 1200 localities.
The communities of Bergen County, New Jersey, merge their money and effort to publicize and conduct a continuing series of Sunday meetings at Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood.
A Memorial Service for Thornton Chase, first declared believer in the United States, was held September 30 at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California.
A Wondrous Day[edit]
“Great indeed is this Day! The allusions made to it in all the sacred Scriptures as the Day of God attest its greatness. The soul of every Prophet of God, of every Divine Messenger, hath thirsted for this wondrous Day. All the divers kindreds of the earth have, likewise, yearned to attain it.”
Jubilee Pamphlet
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The Bahá’í House of Worship, approach and gardens at the corner of Linden Avenue and Sheridan Road, Wilmette
PUBLICATIONS[edit]
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
God and His Messengers. By David Hofman. Published by George Ronald, England. Concerning this book for children, Dr. Genevieve Coy, Psychologist, Dalton School, New York City states: “This is a book which children from 4 to 8 years of age will enjoy and remember. It presents the stories of the great World Educators in language the children themselves would speak if they were telling them — in vivid, lively, concrete words.” Ideal for gift. 10" by 7½", 64 pp. six colored illustrations, bound in red cloth, attractive jacket. Available early December or if ordered by October 25. Orders will be recorded. ......$2.00 NET
The Spiritual Meaning of Adversity.
By Mamie Seto. A new edition with
attractively designed yellow cover,
stamped with brown. 10 copies ..$.50
100 copies......$4.50
The Meaning of Worship. By Horace Holley. A new pamphlet carrying the text of the address delivered at the Bahá’í Centenary Public Meeting in New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois, May 1, 1953. Line drawing of the Bahá’í Temple on cover. 8½x5½, brown ink on India paper.
Each | $.10 |
50 copies | $4.50 |
Questions About the Second Coming, with answers by George Townshend. These answers are in reply to questions asked by the Bahá’ís of Kampala, Uganda, Africa. See article in September BAHÁ’Í NEWS, page 15, 12 pp., 9¾ x 6½, colored paper cover.
Per copy | $ .25 |
Twelve copies | $2.59 |
Know Your Literature[edit]
The World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh: A Summary of Its Aims, Teachings, History and Administrative Order. 8½ x 11, 2-page folder (former Public Relations Committee item). Issued sometime ago as a smaller pamphlet. The statistical data is not up to date, but this is still useful teaching material at a very reasonable price.
- Per copy......$.01
Reduced Price[edit]
Jubilee Calendar, 1953. Our 1953 calendar, commemorating this Holy Year, illustrated with the attractive drawing of the Temple and grounds by Carl Scheffler, belongs in everyone’s personal Jubilee mementoes. Available at a reduced price on all orders received after October 15 to Assembly and Group librarians only.
- Five copies......$.50
Concern Yourselves With Present-Day Needs[edit]
“The All-Knowing Physician hath His finger on the pulse of mankind. He perceiveth the disease, and prescribeth, in His unerring wisdom, the remedy. Every age hath its own problem, and every soul its particular aspiration. The remedy the world needeth in its present-day afflictions can never be the same as that which a subsequent age may require. Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements.”
Jubilee Pamphlet
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
HOLY DAYS
- October 20, Birth of the Báb
- November 12, Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
- November 26, Day of the Covenant
- November 28, Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 A.M.)
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
- 4th Bahá’í Intercontinental Conference, New Delhi, India — October 7-15.
FEASTS
- October 16 — ‘Ilm, Knowledge
- November 4 — Qudrat, Power
- November 23 — Qawl, Speech
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- November 6, 7, 8
MARRIAGES[edit]
“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verily, this Thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the shadow of Thy mercy and they are united through Thy favor and generosity. O Lord! Assist them in this Thy world and Thy Kingdom and destine for them every good through Thy bounty and grace ...”
Pasadena, California — Miss Lois Ellen MacBird to Mr. Francis Woodford Cooper, June 19, 1953.
Chicago, Illinois — Miss Gloria Ullmer to Mr. James Dougal, August 15, 1953.
New York, New York — Miss Joan Marquardt to Mr. Fred Sudhop, August 22, 1953.
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. Twila MacCrae
- Oak Park, Illinois
- July 18, 1953
- Mrs. Agnes Mead
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- April 21, 1953
- Miss Ella M. Bailey
- Berkeley, California
- (Died in Tripoli, as pioneer)
- August 30, 1953
- Mrs. Marie Hopper
- Greenwich, Connecticut
- August 22, 1953
- Mr. L. W. Eggleston
- Davison, Michigan
- September 5, 1953
BAHÁ’Í 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.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1953-1954: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Managing Editor; Mr. David Ned Blackmer, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Miss Edna True.
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.
