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No. 280

Bahá’í Year 111

June, 1954

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THE GUARDIAN

THE GUARDIAN'S MESSAGE TO ALL TWELVE ANNUAL BAHA'I CONVENTIONS

On the eve of this Riḍván Festival marking the opening of the second decade of the second Bahá’í century, and coinciding with the termination of the first year of the World Spiritual Crusade, I hail with feelings of joy and wonder the superb feats of the heroic company of the Knights of the Lord of Hosts in pursuance of their sublime mission for the spiritual conquest of the planet. The first twelve months of this decade-long enterprise unexampled in its scope, significance and potentialities in the world’s spiritual history and launched simultaneously, amidst the climax of the world-wide festivities of a memorable Holy Year, in the American, the European, the African, the Asiatic and the Australian continents, has witnessed the hoisting of the banner of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh in no less than a hundred virgin territories of the globe. The total number of the newly opened sovereign states and dependencies comprising Principalities, Sultanates, Emirates, Sheikhdoms, Protectorates, Trust Territories and Crown Colonies, scattered over the face of the earth, represents almost seven-eighths of all the territories, exclusive of the Soviet Republics and Satellites, destined to be opened in the course of an entire decade. The northern frontiers of a divinely guided, rapidly marching, majestically expanding Faith have been pushed, in consequence of the phenomenal success recently achieved by the vanguard of Bahá’u’lláh’s crusaders, beyond the Arctic Circle as far as Arctic Bay, Franklin, 73 degrees latitude. Its southern limits have now reached the Falkland Islands in the neighborhood of Magallanes, the world’s southernmost city. Other outlying outposts have been established in places as far apart as Sikkim at the foot of the Himalayas, the Lofoten Islands in the heart of the European Northland, Fezzan on the northern fringe of the Sahara Desert, the Andaman Islands and the Seychelles, the penal colonies in the Indian Ocean, the three Guianas and the leper colonies on the Atlantic Coast, the Faroe and Shetland Islands, the wind-swept and inhospitable archipelagos of the North Sea, Hadhramaut on the sun-baked shores of the Arabian Peninsula, St. Helena isolated in the midst of the South Atlantic Ocean and the Gilbert Islands, the war-devastated sparsely populated Atolls situated in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

God’s infant Faith, confined during the first nine years of its existence to its birthland and the adjoining territory of ‘Iráq, reaching, in the course of the thirty-nine years of Bahá’u’lláh’s Ministry, to thirteen other lands, enlarged, during ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s twenty-nine year Ministry, through the opening of twenty additional countries, only succeeded, after the lapse of three-quarters of a century, in including within its orbit thirty-five countries within both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The subsequent quarter of a century, constituting the first Epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation, witnessed the planting of the banner of the Faith in over forty territories of the globe, raising the number of countries included within its pale, on the eve of the Centenary Celebrations of the Declaration of the Báb’s Mission to seventy-eight. The nine-year interval separating the first from the second Bahá’í Jubilee was signalized by the spiritual conquest of no less than fifty countries of the globe, whilst the first year of the Ten Year Plan has been immortalized by the opening of one hundred countries, swelling the number of the sovereign states and dependencies enlisted under the standard of the Cause of God to two hundred and twenty-eight. All territories in North, Central and South America; all sovereign states and principalities on the continent of Europe, excluding the Russian Republics and Satellites; all territories on the Asiatic continent, with the exception of Tibet, of Bhutan and of the Soviet Republics; all the islands of the Mediterranean; all the islands of the North Sea, with the exception of Spitzbergen; all African territories with the exception of Spanish Guinea; all the islands of the North and South Atlantic Ocean except Anticosti and St. Thomas; all the islands of the Pacific Ocean except Comoro Islands, Cocos Island, Nicobar Islands, Hainan Island, Portuguese Timor, Chagos Archipelago, Loyalty Islands, Marshall Islands, Admiralty Islands, Mariana Islands, are now included within the orbit of an irresistibly unfolding, rapidly consolidating, world-girdling Administrative Order.

The number of the European, the African, the Asiatic, and the American-Indian languages, including seven supplementary languages, into which Bahá’í literature has been, and is being translated, is over forty-two, raising the total number of the translations undertaken since the inception of the Faith to one hundred and thirty.

The African Campaign, outshining the brilliant success of the enterprise launched in Latin America, throwing into shade the splendor of the victories won in recent years on the European continent, eclipsing all previous collective pioneer undertakings embarked upon in the Asiatic and Australian continents, has almost doubled, in the course of

[Page 2] a single year, the number of territories opened since the introduction of the Faith in that continent over eighty years ago. The total number of converts to the Faith belonging to the African race has passed the six hundred mark. The total number of African Bahá’í centers has now been raised to over one hundred and ninety. The total number of the tribes indigenous to the soil of that continent represented in the Faith is now over sixty.

A single territory out of the forty-five territories already opened to the Faith in the African continent, situated in its very heart and which, a little over two years ago did not possess a single Bahá’í, now boasts of over five hundred colored converts, who are settled in over eighty localities, are drawn from thirty tribes, are provided with thirteen local Assemblies, and anticipate the immediate formation of about ten additional Assemblies. This same territory has, moreover, distinguished itself throughout the entire Bahá’í world through the dispatch of nine members of its mother Assembly for the purpose of pioneering in neighboring centers, as well as in territories situated on the eastern and western coasts of the African continent. A number of the newly-won recruits in some of these territories have, moreover, been instrumental in winning the allegiance of some of the members of their race, and have, in their turn, succeeded in opening no less than three neighboring territories in that continent.

Contact has been established with no less than twenty-two American-Indian tribes, raising the total number of tribes contacted throughout the Western Hemisphere to thirty-four. The first Greenlandic, the first Pygmy, the first Berber, the first Fijian, Bahá’ís have been enrolled, swelling the number of races represented in the Bahá’í World Community to thirty-five.

The opening year of this World Spiritual Crusade has, moreover, gathered significance through the convocation first of the Stockholm, and later of the New Delhi Intercontinental Teaching Conferences, which, together with the two previous Conferences held during the first part of the Holy Year in Kampala and Wilmette, assembled a total of over thirty-four hundred followers of the Faith from more than eighty countries of both the Eastern and the Western Hemispheres and representing the principal races of mankind.

Within the confines of the Holy Land, “the Heart of the world and the Qiblih of all nations”, the erection of the first base stones of the ornamental crown of the Dome of the Báb’s Sepulcher which had commenced with Naw-Rúz of the Holy Year, was followed successively by the laying, during the Riḍván period, of the first of the twelve thousand gilded tiles destined to cover the two-hundred and fifty square meter area of the Dome and the placing of the stone lantern which marked the consummation of the three quarters of a million dollar enterprise, and coincided with the closing period of the Year associated with the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Mission of Bahá’u’lláh. The site for the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of the Holy Land has been selected—an area of approximately twenty thousand square meters—situated at the head of the Mountain of God, in close proximity to the Spot hallowed by the footsteps of Bahá’u’lláh, near the time-honored Cave of Elijah, and associated with the revelation of the Tablet of Carmel, the Charter of the World Spiritual and Administrative Centers of the Faith on that mountain. Funds totaling one hundred thousand dollars have, moreover, been contributed by one of the Hands of the Cause, residing in the Holy Land, and negotiations have been initiated with the Israeli authorities for the purpose of effecting the immediate purchase of the selected site. Measures have been undertaken and Bahá’í Continental Funds inaugurated in anticipation of the forthcoming appointment by the fifteen Hands residing outside the Holy Land of five Auxiliary Boards, one in each of the continents of the globe, the members of which will act as deputies of the Hands in their respective continents, and will aid and advise them in the effective prosecution of the Ten-Year Plan, and will assist them, at a later period, in the discharge of their dual and sacred task of safeguarding the Faith and of promoting its teaching activities. The international Bahá’í endowments, situated in the heart of Mt. Carmel, and in the plain of ‘Akká, already extending over an area of over three hundred and fifty thousand square meters, have been enlarged through the acquisition of properties overlooking the Resting Places of the Most Exalted Leaf and of the Purest Branch, which, when added to the plots situated on the ridge of Mt. Carmel, on its western extremity and in the close neighborhood of the Shrine built within its heart—for the acquisition of which negotiations have been set afoot—will constitute an addition of over thirty thousand square meters to the vast area of Bahá’í holdings permanently dedicated to the Shrines of the Founder of the Faith and of its Herald. The embellishment of the Haram-i-Aqdas, the outer Sanctuary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Sepulcher, already accomplished in the course of the Holy Year commemorating the centenary of the birth of His prophetic Mission, has been greatly enhanced through the laying out, on both its northern and southern sides, of formal gardens, extending over an area of ten thousand square meters, providing a befitting approach to His Mansion and considerably widening the area stretching in front of His holy Sepulcher. The design of the international Bahá’í Archives, the first stately Edifice destined to usher in the establishment of the World Administrative Center of the Faith on Mt. Carmel—the Ark referred to by Bahá’u’lláh in the closing passages of His Tablet of Carmel—has been completed, and plans and drawings forwarded to Italy for the purpose of securing bids for its construction immediately after the conclusion of the necessary preliminary steps taken in the Holy Land for its forthcoming erection. Israel Branches of the British, the Persian, the Canadian and the Australian Bahá’í National Spiritual Assemblies have been legally established, recognized formally as Religious Societies by the Israeli Civil Authorities, and empowered to hold without restriction title to immovable property in any part of the country on behalf of their parent Assemblies. Contact has moreover been established with the President of Israel, its Prime Minister and five other Cabinet Ministers, as well as with the President of the Knesset, culminating in the establishment of a special Bahá’í Department in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and in an official statement by the Head of this Ministry to Parliament emphasizing the international scope of the Faith and the importance of its World Center—a series of events that have paved the way for the

[Page 3] forthcoming official visit, during the early days of the Riḍván period, of the President of Israel, himself, to the Báb’s Sepulcher on Mt. Carmel.

The site of the Síyáh-Chál—that pestilential subterranean Pit, the scene of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s prophetic Mission, and the holiest place in the capital city of His native land—has been recently purchased, together with the surrounding area, involving an expenditure of approximately four hundred thousand dollars contributed by a Persian follower of the Faith, whilst negotiations have been initiated for the acquisition of the site of the Báb’s incarceration in the mountains of Ádhirbáyján. Full rights have been accorded to Bahá’í women residing in the cradle of the Faith, to participate in the membership of both national and local Bahá’í Spiritual Assemblies, removing thereby the last remaining obstacle to the enjoyment of complete equality of rights in the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Persian Bahá’í Community.

Eleven Temple Funds have been inaugurated, amounting to almost a quarter of a million dollars, for the purchase of land for future Bahá’í Temples in the Western Hemisphere, in the European, the African, the Asiatic and the Australian continents, followed by the purchase of a four-acre plot, commanding an extensive view of the Pacific Ocean and the greater portion of Greater Sydney area, and by the selection of appropriate sites outside the Cities of Frankfurt and of Panama City.

The institutions of Bahá’í National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in East and West, already reaching an estimated value of over a million and a half dollars, have been enhanced through the purchase and formal opening of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the Bahá’ís of Paris, destined to evolve into the national administrative headquarters of the French Bahá’í Community, and through the inauguration of National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Funds in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as in the capital cities of Italy and of Switzerland.

The initial landscaping of the area surrounding the Mother Temple of the West, involving an expenditure of over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, has been completed and been followed by an appropriation of two hundred and twenty thousand dollars by the United States National Spiritual Assembly for the completion of the entire project. The nature of the first Dependency of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Wilmette has been finally decided upon by the members of that same Assembly, in anticipation of its early establishment within the precincts of the Mother Temple of the West. The Local Spiritual Assemblies of San Diego, Sacramento and Fresno in California, of Tucson in Arizona, and of Oak Park in Illinois have been legally incorporated, raising the number of national and local Bahá’í incorporated Assemblies in the United States of America and in the entire Bahá’í world to sixty-three and one hundred and twenty, respectively. National Bahá’í endowments have been established in Anchorage, Alaska. The Bahá’í Assemblies of Tucson, Arizona and of Sacramento, California have been qualified to conduct legal Bahá’í marriage services. Bahá’í Holy Days have been recognized in Los Angeles, California and Castro Valley, California; Niles Township, Michigan; Seattle, Washington; Newton, Massachusetts; Prince George County, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Kenosha, Wisconsin; Maywood, Illinois.

The spiritual conquest of one hundred territories of the globe, the steady rise of the embryonic World Order of the Faith, and the multiplication and consolidation of its institutions have, in the course of the opening year of this World Spiritual Crusade, been paralleled by a no less startling decline in the fortunes of the enemies of the Faith, as evidenced by the removal, by the Hand of Providence, of its arch-enemy in Persia who, for thirty years, savagely attacked its Founders and its chief Promoter, and tirelessly schemed to extinguish its light, dishonor its name and wreck its institutions, as well as by the death of two others, who, in varying degrees, demonstrated their ingratitude and infidelity to the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

The opening phase of this gigantic, divinely propelled, world-encircling Crusade has been triumphantly concluded. The success crowning the initial stage in its unfoldment has exceeded our fondest expectations. The most vital and spectacular objective of the Ten Year Plan has been virtually attained ere the termination of the first year of this decade-long stupendous enterprise. The second phase, now auspiciously ushered in, must witness, in all the territories of the planet, whether newly opened or not, an upsurge of activity which, in its range and intensity, will excell the exploits which have so greatly enlarged the limits, and noised abroad the fame, of the Cause of God.

The energetic and systematic prosecution of the all important teaching work both at home and abroad, designed to increase rapidly the number of the avowed and active supporters of the Faith; the preservation, at any cost, of the prizes so laboriously won in the far flung, the numerous and newly opened territories of the globe; the maintenance, by every available means, of the status of local Spiritual Assemblies already established throughout the Bahá’í world; the steady multiplication of isolated centers, of groups and of local Assemblies in order to hasten the emergence of no less than forty-eight National Spiritual Assemblies in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres; the prompt conclusion of negotiations for the purchase of sites for future Bahá’í Temples in the American, the European, the Asiatic and the African continents; the initiation of Funds for the establishment of National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the capital cities of the Sovereign States and in the chief cities of the Dependencies specifically mentioned in the Plan; the speedy fulfillment of the task undertaken for the translation and publication of Bahá’í literature in the languages allocated under that same Plan, to various National Spiritual Assemblies; the continued acquisition of Bahá’í Holy Places in Bahá’u’lláh’s native land; the adoption of preparatory measures for the construction of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs of Ṭihrán and of Frankfurt; the establishment of the first Dependency of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette; the inauguration of National Bahá’í endowments designed to pave the way for the formation of National Spiritual Assemblies; the lending of a fresh impetus to the incorporation of local Spiritual Assemblies; the establishment of Bahá’í Publishing Trusts—these stand out as the essential objectives of the phase now unfolding before the eyes of the Bahá’í communities in the, five continents of the globe.

[Page 4] I direct my fervent plea to all the delegates assembled at the twelve annual Bahá’í Conventions to ponder these objectives in their hearts, to dedicate themselves anew to the tasks now challenging the spirit and combined resources of the entire body of the followers of the Faith, to rouse all the communities they represent to assume a worthy share in the common and gigantic effort that must needs be exerted for the attainment of the aforementioned goals, ensuring thereby the uninterrupted progress and the ultimate consummation of the noblest collective enterprise undertaken by the followers of the Most Great Name for the propagation and the establishment of His Faith over the entire face of the planet.

—SHOGHI

April, 1954

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

The beloved Guardian’s message to the Annual Convention represents his deep gratification at the results of the first year of the Ten Year Plan. Its scope is world-wide and not confined to American Bahá’ís alone.

We can be both humble and grateful at his reference to the “superb feats of the heroic company of the Knights of the Lord of Hosts,” and be impressed anew with our sense of mission — “the spiritual conquest of the planet.”

In the Guardian’s majestic words we see the unfoldment of the Crusade undertaken by the Bahá’ís of East and West. The catalog itself is stupendous: the opening of one hundred countries; translation of Bahá’í texts into over forty-two languages; the increase of races represented in the Bahá’í World Community to thirty-five; completion of the Dome of the Shrine of the Báb; selection of site for first Bahá’í Temple of the Holy Land; measures taken for appointment by Hands of the Cause of five Auxiliary Boards; great increase in the area held for the Faith in the Holy Land; the laying out of formal gardens at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh; completion of design for the international Bahá’í Archives; Israel Branches of four additional National Spiritual Assemblies legally established; establishment of a special Bahá’í Department in the Ministry of Religious Affairs; purchase of the site of Síyáh-Chál; inauguration of eleven Temple Funds — not to mention the great victories won in Africa and the work of consolidation—all this is truly stupendous and enables us to estimate the Power by which Bahá’ís are moved.

It is the last two paragraphs of this Message which we are to study in the light of what is to be accomplished during the second year of the Plan — “to ponder these objectives in their hearts, to dedicate themselves anew....”

Beloved friends, we are engaged in the “noblest collective enterprise undertaken by the followers of the Most Great Name for the ... establishment of His Faith over the entire face of the planet.”

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

GLAD TIDINGS

Message from the Guardian

(On the) morrow (of the) close (of the) Riḍván period share (with) National Assemblies (of the) Bahá’í world additional glad tidings supplementing (the) message addressed (a) fortnight ago (to) delegates (to) national Conventions East (and) West.

Six acre (and) five acre plots (have been) purchased (in) Kampala (and) Panama City (as) sites (of) future Temples (in the) heart (of the) African continent (and) Central America.

First historic African Spiritual Assemblies (have been) formed (in) Johannesburg, Brazzaville, Victoria, Topremang, Casablanca, Tangier, Algiers, Tripoli, Bukora. (In) Uganda alone, eleven additional Assemblies (have been) established, over three hundred (and) eighty additional converts enrolled, raising (the) total white (and) Negro believers (to) over six hundred (and) seventy. (The) number (of) localities (where) Bahá’ís reside (on the) Arabian Peninsula (is) now over fifteen, (in) Egypt (and) Sudan over forty, (in the) British Isles over fifty, (in) Australasia over sixty, (in the) ten European goal countries over seventy, (in) Germany and Austria over seventy, (in) Uganda over eighty, (in) Canada over (a) hundred, (in) Latin America over (a) hundred (and) ten, (in the) Indian subcontinent (and) Burma over (a) hundred (and) thirty, (in the) African continent over (a) hundred (and) ninety, (in) Persia over six hundred (and in the) United States over twelve hundred, swelling (the) number (of) Bahá’í centers scattered (over the) surface (of the) globe (to) well nigh twenty-nine hundred.

Additional National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Funds (have been) inaugurated (in) ten countries (of) Central America.

(The) number (of) Bahá’í books (and) pamphlets for (the) blind transcribed (into) Braille, English, Esperanto, German, Japanese, now totals over (a) hundred (and) ten.

(The) President (of the) State (of) Israel, accompanied (by) Mrs. Ben Zvi, visited, as anticipated, (the) Shrines (on Mount) Carmel, following (a) reception (in) their honor (held in) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house marking (the) first official visit paid (by the) Head (of a) sovereign independent State (to the) Sepulchers (of the) Martyr-Prophet (of the) Faith (and the) Center (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant.

(The) following pioneers (have been) inscribed (on the) Roll (of) Honor since (the) fifth periodic announcement: Bruce Matthews, Howard Gilliland, Labrador; Olivia Kelsey (and) Florence Ullrich, Monaco; Joan Powis, South Rhodesia; Sohrab Payman, San Marino; Samuel Njiki, Mehrangiz Munsiff, French Cameroons; Gail Avery, Baranof Island; Benedict Eballa, Ashanti Protectorate; Martin Manga, Northern Territories Protectorate; Gayle Woolson, Galápagos Islands; Bula Stewart (and) John Allen and wife, Swaziland; Charles Duncan, Harry Clark, John Fozdar, Brunei; David Tanyi, French Togoland; Edward Tabe, Albert Buapiah, British Togoland; Kay Zinky, Magdalen Islands; John (and) Margery Kellberg, Dutch West Indies; Robert Powers, Jr., (and Cynthia Olson, Mariana Islands; Habib Esfahani, French West Africa.

(The) Roll (of) Honor, after (the) lapse (of) one year since (the) launching (of the) World Crusade, (is) now closed, (with the) exception (of) pioneers (who have) already left (for their) destination, as well (as) those first arriving (in the) few remaining virgin territories inside (and) outside Soviet Republics (and) satellites.

(The) Concourse (on) High will continue (to) applaud (the) highly meritorious services rendered (by) future volunteers arising (to) reinforce (the) historic work (so) nobly initiated (by the) Knights (of) Bahá’u’lláh (in the) far-flung, newly

[Page 5] opened territories. Posterity will likewise record (with) admiration (and) gratitude (the) initial victories destined (to) be won (in the) course (of the) spiritual conquest (of the) continents (and) islands (of the) globe.

—SHOGHI

May 4, 1954

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

Shoghi Effendi has graciously presented to the world-wide Bahá’í Community a message of glad tidings which stirs the heart with awe and with joy.

Through his eyes we behold, as it were, a map on which are depicted glorious scenes of spiritual victory in East and West. The continents are theaters in which this greatest of dramas is being enacted. With increasing force Bahá’ís are laying an unassailable foundation for the future World Civilization.

Here has been generated the momentum needed to evoke even greater and more ardent effort throughout the second year of the Ten Year Plan. Our Bahá’í world is in a tumult of enthusiasm. The real meaning of the World Crusade—a destiny and not a mere program—penetrates our hearts. Our greatest blessing is a Guardian who finds happiness in the work of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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"THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA IS PRE-EMINENT"

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States.
Mr. Horace Holley, Secretary
536 Sheridan Road,
Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The resounding victories won during the first year of the Ten Year Crusade have brought great happiness to the beloved Guardian. Ninety-nine of the virgin areas have been settled, and it is hoped all areas outside of the Iron Curtain countries will be settled by the end of the Riḍván period.

The continent of Africa is pre-eminent in its record of achievement. The spread of the Faith has been miraculous there. Since the opening of the Crusade, fifty territories and islands have been opened. Bahá’ís are now living in one hundred and sixty cities of the country. There are over sixty tribes represented in the Bahá’í population. Literature has been translated into over twenty-five languages.

Uganda is the area producing the most remarkable results. Two years ago there were no Bahá’ís in that territory—today the Faith is established in over sixty cities;—there are thirteen Spiritual Assemblies. Over ten more Spiritual Assemblies will be added April 21, 1954; over six hundred new African Bahá’ís have enrolled.

The beloved Guardian directs that we ponder deeply the great victories won in Uganda, and the reasons why they were achieved. We should analyze why similar victories have not been won everywhere in the Bahá’í world, particularly in North America, the land of the chosen trustees of the Master’s Divine Plan.

Completely dedicated to their sacred mission, consecrated to the great service they had undertaken, their lives and conduct in accordance with the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the original pioneers to Uganda arose with prayerful zeal to carry the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom to the native inhabitants. They demonstrated that the Bahá’í has no prejudice of any type. Through their loving association on the basis of equality, they soon won the hearts and souls of the people.

So effective has been their teaching, that the new African Bahá’ís have arisen in numbers to carry the Message throughout the land, not only Uganda, but other consolidation territories and, more important, in virgin areas of the Crusade. Over six of the virgin areas of the Crusade have been filled by the new African Bahá’ís.

The peoples generally are seeking the light of Divine Guidance. The problems of the world have awakened the populace. It only remains for the Bahá’ís to raise the Call and give the Message according to the high standards enunciated by the beloved Master. The world can become alive with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, if the Bahá’ís fulfill their sacred obligations.

In pioneering fields, and on the home front, the friends must arise with the same spirit of dedication and consecration which animated the original pioneers. If they do, they will be astonished at the great results they will achieve.

The Guardian calls expectantly to the believers of America, the favored friends of the Master, to arise now, and gain such victories in the Teaching Field, both at home and abroad, as to astonish the Bahá’í world, even surpassing the victories of Africa. He particularly awaits the response of the dedicated souls, white and colored, who will raise the Call among the Negroes of America.

Setting aside all the shibboleths of present day living, leaving behind the false standards of those endeavoring to solve the world’s problems by weak platitudes, and demonstrating the new Bahá’í way of dynamic spiritual living, let them, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, arise to spread the Water of Life over America. This will produce the results which the cries of humanity today require. Where are the spiritual souls who will now seize their opportunity, and achieve immortal glory in the service of the Faith!

Faithfully yours,
(signed) LEROY IOAS
Assistant Secretary

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

An Example to be Followed By Bahá’ís Everywhere

Beloved Friends:

The letter written on behalf of the Guardian by the Assistant Secretary is published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS by the Guardian’s direction. The Guardian wishes it to have wide circulation.

What has been achieved in Africa sets an example to be followed by Bahá’ís everywhere. We are to ponder why such victories have been won in Africa and not in our own towns and cities.

The Guardian sees no reason why similar victories should not be achieved in all parts of the world. The more profoundly we study this challenge, the sooner will we begin working according to a higher standard, thereby carrying the beloved Faith to new and greater heights.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

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AMERICAN HANDS OF CAUSE APPOINTS AUXILIARY BOARD

The three American Hands of the Cause, prayerfully acting in accordance with the beloved Guardian’s directions, have appointed a Board

[Page 6] of nine members for teaching work in North America, Central America, South America and the goals located throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The teaching activities of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands are aimed at assisting the four established National Spiritual Assemblies of the Western Hemisphere in fullfilling the tasks allotted to them under the Ten Year Plan.

The nine members nominated and reported to the Guardian through the Hands of the Cause serving at the Bahá’í World Center are:

South America — Margot Worley, Gayle Woolson; Central America — Esteban Canales; United States — (and international) — William de Forge, Margery McCormick, Katherine McLaughlin, Florence Mayberry, Dr. Sarah Pereira; Canada — Rowland Estall.

“The hour is ripe,” the Guardian cabled, “to proceed during Riḍván with the appointment ... of Auxiliary Boards, whose members, acting as deputies, assistants and advisors of the Hands, must increasingly lend their assistance for the promotion of the interests of the Ten Year Crusade.”

The Guardian also states that the Hands are to forge “ties with the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í world for the purpose of lending them assistance in attaining the objectives of the Ten Year Plan.

To make it possible for the Auxiliary Boards to fulfill their mission, the Guardian has transmitted an initial contribution of five thousand pounds to be equally divided among the five continents, and has appealed to both individuals and National Assemblies to augment these funds.

“Appeal to the twelve National Assemblies and individuals to insure a steady augmentation of Funds through assignment in National Budgets by individual donations.”

Trustees were named by the Guardian for each of the Continental Funds. The trustee for America is Horace Holley.

“Fervently supplicating at the Holy Threshold for an unprecedented measure of blessings on this vital and indispensable organ of the embryonic and steadily unfolding Bahá’í Administrative Order,” the Guardian added.

CORINNE TRUE,
HORACE HOLLEY,
PAUL E. HANEY

HANDS OF CAUSE OF ASIA APPOINT AUXILIARY BOARD

Through their Secretary, Mr. A. Furútan, the Hands of the Cause in Asia have informed the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that they have appointed an Auxiliary Board of seven persons. Their names are: Agnes Alexander, Carl Scherer, Elena Marsella Fernie, Davoud Toeg, Abbas Ali Butt, Abul Qasim Faizi, Kazim Kazimzadeh.

EUROPEAN AUXILIARY BOARD

In accordance with instructions of the Guardian in his messages of October 8, 1952, and April 5, 1954, the Hands of the Cause of the European Continent have appointed the following Bahá’í members of the Auxiliary Board to serve in the designated areas:

1) Great Britain and Ireland, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Spitzbergen, Lofoten Islands and Norway: Marion Hofman and Dorothy Ferraby, to assist George Townshend, Hand of the Cause.

2) Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Corsica, Andorra, Yugoslavia (and countries not yet accessible): Eugen Schmidt, Anna Grossmann, Louis Henuzet, Joel Marengella, to assist Dr. Herman Grossmann and Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Hands of the Cause.

3) Spain, Portugal, Balearic Islands, Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, Greece, Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus: Elsa Steinmetz, Angeline Giachery and Tove Deleuran, to assist Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause.

MEMORIAL IN HONOR OF MARION JACK As directed by the Guardian, a Memorial gathering is to be held in honor of the “immortal heroine,” Marion Jack, in the Bahá’í Temple. It will be conducted jointly by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Canada and the United States and European Teaching Committee — 8:00 P.M., Saturday, July 3, 1954. All Bahá’ís are invited to attend this Memorial, and pay tribute to one who, in Shoghi Effendi’s words, was “surpassed in constancy, dedication, self-abnegation and fearlessness by none except the incomparable Martha Root.” —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NATIONAL ELECTION

The delegates attending the 46th Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States, and those voting by mail, elected the following National Spiritual Assembly.

With their officers, the members are: Paul E. Haney, Chairman; Charles Wolcott, Vice-Chairman; Horace Holley, Secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, Assistant Secretary; Edna M. True, Recording Secretary; H. B. Kavelin, Treasurer; Margery McCormick, Lawrence Hautz, Robert McLaughlin.

THE HOME FRONT TEACHING PLAN

The goal of the home front teaching plan is to establish at least 300 local Spiritual Assemblies by 1963. To achieve this ultimate goal the National Spiritual Assembly calls attention to the list of goal cities established last year which will remain as goals for this year. New goal cities will be added as the plan progresses. As virgin goals become settled, they will be consolidation goals.

The National Assembly suggests that every believer participate in the accomplishment of this task through his activities in one of the following roles:

1. The Role of the Area Teaching Committee.

The Area Teaching Committee is responsible for bringing to Assembly status all Bahá’í localities of the area outside the established Bahá’í communities. To accomplish this purpose, the Area Teaching Committee is to encourage volunteer activities by individuals, unified action by groups, extension teaching by communities, and the attendance of all believers at area conferences.

2. The Role of Assemblies.

1. To make a careful survey of the area and report to the Area Teaching Committee what extension work it will assume in goal cities or other centers.
2. To encourage dispersal of pioneers from large communities (with over fifteen believers) for settlement in some goal city.
3. To encourage deepening classes for increasing the capacity of believers to serve the World Crusade.

3. The Role of the Group

To strive to attain Assembly status by unified action and the use of all the available facilities of the

[Page 7] Area Teaching Committee and extension teaching committees.

4. The Role of the Individual

1. To arrive at an understanding of America’s responsibilities in the World Crusade and how he himself can best participate in the accomplishment of the tasks.
2. To make the sacred Bahá’í literature his daily companion through study and meditation of such works as Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Home Front Teaching Plan presented above is not a program but a means for attaining a specific goal. Each of us in the United States is not only involved but committed and pledged, for the goal has been defined by the Guardian himself. The Plan coordinates in one aim the American National Teaching Committee, the Area Teaching Committees, the Assemblies, the groups and the individual believers. Its dynamic is love of God, its weapon is consecration to unified action. It begins for each of us at that very instant we attain to a conscious resolve to give our lives to the Faith.

Specific programs for public meetings will be announced from time to time. These provide occasions for special contacts with the public. However, the Plan is continuous, and we do not participate if we are only interested in a schedule of public meetings.

The National Assembly is accountable to the Guardian for the progress of the World Crusade in all areas assigned to the United States. This accountability is constant, not a matter of a report at the end of the Ten Year Plan. The Intercontinental Teaching Committees, the American National Teaching Committee and the Area Teaching Committees are all active and responsible. Many local communities are participating with all their power. The local Assembly in many cases seems to be immersed in local personality problems, generating no power to project itself into the larger national effort.

This year may we witness a quickening spirit within all communities and groups. For we no longer live our Bahá’í lives for ourselves alone. Upon the United States collectively rests the responsibility for a world mission. What each of us does, counts for pioneers abroad, counts for purchase of Temple sites, counts for translation of Bahá’í texts into many native languages. Our effort multiplies—our lack of effort will undermine a great structure. It is a matter of realization, of will, of determination and of devotion.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

PUBLIC AND PERSONAL CONTACTS

Beloved Friends:

The Guardian has advised the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States that the time has come to arrange for Bahá’í contact with national officials and with important “public figures” in State and large city administrations. The purpose is to establish “friendly relations” with persons of influence, and the method is to be through interviews by two or three believers. A national committee is to interview national officials, and committees appointed by larger local Assemblies specifically designated by the National Assembly are to interview State and City officials.

Success in this new and important public relations program will have great effect upon the standing and operation of the American Bahá’í Community in years to come when ecclesiastical criticisms of the Cause of God will be rife.

In order to focus the interview upon a specific purpose, the National Assembly has prepared a special pamphlet entitled The Religion of Humanity — The Meaning of the Bahá’í Faith, which the various committees, local and national, are to present to the leaders interviewed. Copies are obtainable through the Publishing Committee in the usual way.

The pamphlet can be freely used by believers generally, and can be presented to newspaper editors, radio and TV program directors, educators, as well as to personal contacts. (See Publishing Committee announcement in this issue.)

What the National Assembly wishes the friends to note are these important points: First, public officials are to be contacted only by authorized Bahá’í representatives; Second, the purpose of each interview is to create respect of, and good feeling for, the Bahá’í teachings, and therefore only the general purposes of the Faith are to be stressed. Third, the local Assemblies concerned are only those which receive a special authorization from the National Assembly. Fourth, the vital question of developing new contacts in general deserves careful attention from every Assembly and Committee. Two types of contact are encouraged by individuals and by Bahá’í bodies: those which aim to teach and confirm; and those which are to create well-wishers. Each type is most successfully approached when the committee or the individual plans its or his contact in advance, and undertakes only a limited objective in the first interview or conversation. By limiting the objective to the creation of interest on the part of prospective Bahá’ís, and the creation of respect on the part of people of influence, we handle the first approach with greater ease and assurance. To win a reading of the presentation pamphlet is all we need strive for at first. Let the second step, if any, be taken by the other person voluntarily and without pressure.

Teaching the Faith is like a Shrine rising from an outer court. To enter the Shrine the visitor has to pass through the outer court. It is there, in the preliminary approach, that we assure success or failure in our undertaking. Graciousness, inner conviction, appreciation of the other person’s background and standing, and infinite patience, are the characteristics of a faith which can transcend our own personality and fit us to be servants of the Merciful.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

RECOGNITION OF BAHA'I HOLY DAYS

The School Superintendent of Peoria has notified the local Assembly that Bahá’í children will be excused from attendance on their religious Holy Days. His notice was dated February 16, 1954.

The Spiritual Assembly of Sacramento, California, reports that Bahá’í children in that city can be excused from attendance at public schools on Bahá’í Holy Days, on application by the parent to the school Principal.

Bahá’ís of South Bend, Indiana asked the principal of the Perley School to excuse their children from attendance on Bahá’í Holy days. This permission was readily granted.

CORRECTIONS IN GUARDIAN'S CABLE OF FEBRUARY 8, 1954

The National Spiritual Assembly has received from Haifa a list of corrections to be made in the text of the Guardian’s cable dated February

[Page 8] 8, 1954, published on page 1 of BAHÁ’Í NEWS for March.

In paragraph 6, “Togoland” should be “Togolands;” in paragraph 11, “opening year (of the) auspiciously-unfolding decade” should be “opening year (of this) auspiciously-unfolding decade;” paragraph 12, “additional volunteers (into the) same territories” should be “additional volunteers (into these) same territories.”

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING BAHA'I NEWS AND BAHA'I PUBLICITY

In order to remove a cause for confusion in Bahá’í correspondence, the National Spiritual Assembly has changed the name of Bahá’í News Service to Bahá’í Press Service. This is the Committee which deals with publicity.

Many believers have written to BAHÁ’Í NEWS Editorial Committee when they meant Bahá’í News Service Committee.

Please note that when you address BAHÁ’Í NEWS you write to BAHÁ’Í NEWS Editorial Committee, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, and when you address the national publicity activity you write to Bahá’í Press Service, 6543 N. Campbell Avenue, Chicago 45, Illinois.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WORLD CRUSADE

SEVENTH PIONEER REPORT

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States is happy to announce the arrival of the following pioneers at their posts in World Crusade goal areas.

ARRIVALS IN VIRGIN AREAS

Mrs. Vivian Wesson and Miss Mavis Nymon arrived in French Togoland, May 2, 1954.

Mrs. Elizabeth Stamp arrived in St. Helena May 4.

ARRIVALS IN CONSOLIDATION AREAS

Mrs. Laura Kelsey Allen arrived in Tripoli, Libya, September 3, 1953.

TEMPLE SITE IN AUSTRALIA

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand announces the following in its official publication, National News Items.

After much searching, the members of the Temple Site committee in Sydney have finally located a situation with a commanding view.

“The property, 9½ miles from the city, at North Balgowla, has been inspected and the National Spiritual Assembly has accepted it as a Temple site. A cable stating ‘Purchase secured four acres Temple site’ has been sent to SHOGHI EFFENDI. The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce the completion of this part of the Ten Year Goal and sincerely thank the friends for their assistance in attaining it.”

FRANKFURT TEMPLE SITE SELECTED

Announcement is made by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria of selection of the site for the Bahá’í House of Worship. The site was chosen by the Guardian from three locations submitted to him, which in turn had been voted by the National Spiritual Assembly out of six possibilities. The site selected lies about one mile from the city limits of Frankfurt, on a high plateau near the Taunus Hills, and affords a wide view over the city of Frankfurt and the autobahn toward Kassel and Hannover.

Steps are already being taken to announce an international competition to Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í architects for submission of designs for the House of Worship to be built on this site, as one of the tasks of the World Crusade.

TRANSLATIONS INTO AFRICAN LANGUAGES

The 1954 Convention Report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles states:

“With the approval of the Guardian, substitutes have been found for some of the African languages originally selected for translation. In some cases it was found that the languages chosen were local dialects, in others another of the selected languages was equally well understood, and in others it was found that another language was more widely spoken. The following substitutes have been approved: Grebo for Gio, Kpelle for Kroo, Dagbane for Ashanti, Susu for Yalunka, Baoule for Aladian, Mbundo for Luimbi, Lingala for Bua, Luba for Wongo, Ruanda for Sena, Duala for Gu, Shilluk for Krongo, Kongo for Banu and Shangaan for Ronga.”

A pamphlet in Yao has been printed. Gu and Shona pamphlets are with the printers, awaiting special matrices. Malagasy and Suto translations are being proofread. Translations are in progress in the Grebo, Kpelle, Dagbane, Bemba, Ruanda and Susu languages.

In addition to these translations which are goals of the World Crusade, much material has been carefully prepared and mimeographed in the Swahili, Lumasaba, Luganda, and Ateso languages.

TRANSLATION INTO CHEROKEE

The American Indian Service Committee is happy to announce the completion of the translation of the first selection of Bahá’í literature into the Cherokee language. This selection was the prayer,

Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.

—Bahá’u’lláh

PIONEERS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC

The following passages are taken from a letter addressed by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Fernie, pioneers, to the Guardian on March 6, 1954. Publication here is by direction of the Guardian. In these passages we live again in the age of ‘dawn-breakers.’

“We felt that we would like to share with you our first report from the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, therefore we enclose a copy, the original of which we have sent to the Asia Teaching Committee of Central America.”

“Early in our stay (in Fiji) Roy arranged a piano concert for me and a radio broadcast of the same program. That gave us an “in” with the European group and from that time we fraternized with both ‘blacks’ and ‘whites,’ without any sign of friction on either side.

“Although the Indian Bahá’ís and students were aware of our true purpose in going to the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, it was not disclosed to anyone else. The British Government is fed up with missionaries, and here in the colonies they appear to be anti-American, as well. Since there is no work for Americans in the Gilberts and they consider that nobody in his right mind would want to come here unless he was forced to by duty, we had to invent a plausible

[Page 9] reason for desiring to enter. No good reason, no permission to enter. As a result Roy is a ‘scientist, engaged in research work on Gilbertese language, culture, customs, etc.’ Having made such a claim we were conscience-bound to make it so.

“While I was pioneering in the Dominican Republic, I was privileged to meet the famous Dr. J. B. Rhine of Duke University, originator of a new science called ‘Parapsychology’ (Extra-Sensory Perception). I attended his lectures, was greatly impressed both by the man and by his amazing experiments, chatted with him personally many times and finally gave him the Bahá’í message. I suggested that Roy write to him and offer his services.

“Dr. Rhine answered immediately, remembered me, showed great enthusiasm in the project and in ideas which Roy had expressed and said he would be delighted to cooperate in research work on the Gilbertese people.

“He offered to send tests and materials for scientific research work and invited Roy to send in articles for publication in the Journal of Parapsychology. Since Roy and science go together like a duck and a pond, he’s happy. Dr. Rhine is happy, I’m happy, the Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony is happy, and the ways of God are marvelous beyond description!

“The Tablet of Aḥmad has been as magic for us as Aladdin’s lamp for the heroes and heroines of legend. The Resident Commissioner finally said we could enter, if we could find a place to stay. He informed us that there were no hotels, no guest houses and we couldn’t build our own because all materials were committed for 1954. We didn’t know a soul in the Gilberts. Upon receipt of the Commissioner’s lengthy cable we recited the Tablet of Aḥmad. The next day we went downtown. I had had several chats with a woman in a store whose cousin once lived in the Gilberts. We went to see her, she referred us to someone else, that someone else referred us to someone else, and the last ‘someone else’ was entertaining his best friend, a Mr. Schutz, the last of the independent traders in all of the Gilberts. That evening Mr. Schutz literally took us to his bosom. He wired his son in Tarawa to extend us hospitality in Tarawa, then to take us across to Abaiang Island in his own boat, the ‘Kia Kia,’ where he has another house which he seldom uses. Not satisfied with doing that much for us, he instructed his son to get us a house built on Abaiang.

“The last of our problems vanished in the same magical manner. Now with our cabled permission to enter in hand, there weren’t any boats to take us, not until April 3. We even investigated the possibility of chartering a plane. We kept straight faces when the airline said it would only cost 2000 pounds, and didn’t have a good laugh until we got outside. We turned to the Tablet of Aḥmad again and rather lightly remarked that we guessed Bahá’u’lláh ‘would have to send us a boat.’ He did—with the same startling rapidity. At 11 o’clock in the morning we received a telephone call from a friend saying that the M/S ‘Vasu,’ originally bound for New Zealand, had been chartered for Tarawa instead. It was leaving that afternoon at 5 o’clock ... so here we are. Roy says that if we had said the Tablet of Aḥmad with any more ‘sincerity’ than he did, we wouldn’t even have had six hours to make it!

“The sequel to the *‘Dawn-breaker’ is just as amazing. Alone we could not carry out our plans. Once in Suva, however, the dream began to take form. Alvin Blum heard about it and offered his help. A new and very beloved Indian boy suddenly appeared on the scene, embraced the Faith against the opposition of his Muslim relatives—and what should he happen to be but a boat builder. His will be the loving hands that make the ‘Dawn-breaker’ a reality, and we, with Alvin, and probably Stanley Bolton, Jr., will help to finance and outfit her, as our resources permit it.

“The Gilberts are primitive beyond belief. They seem almost not to belong to the rest of the world. God willing, the ‘Dawn-breaker’ will carry Bahá’ís on teaching trips to all of the Islands of the Pacific, whether they be far-flung and forgotten like the Gilberts, or busy crossroads of the world like Fiji.”

Pioneers Write Home

The following letter from Mr. and Mrs. Roy Fernie, written to Bahá’í friends, dated March 6, 1954, is published by the Guardian’s direction. It adds to the deep sense of spiritual victory which permeated their letter to the Guardian.

“After a long wait, the goal has finally been reached. It is a new way of life to us, one that will challenge our resources, prove our patience and sincerity and demand the utmost of us as Bahá’ís. The future will make or break us; that is certain. For products of Western civilization, such as we, there is no better testing ground than these islands.

“Our departure from Suva was hurried. A friend in one of the shipping offices called at 11 A.M. one morning and asked if we had heard that ‘the Vasu is sailing for Tarawa at five this afternoon.’ Of course we hadn’t heard; however, from that moment for the next six hours there was a mad scramble to get everything ready for our departure. As you may realize our baggage and equipment was not light as we had to bring with us nearly everything necessary to maintain life here. Our total equipage includes six large packing cases of everything from stoves and Coleman lamps to a refrigerator and medical supplies, and of course, the piano. By the grace of the powers that be, we got on board before sailing time, bag and baggage not, however, without having to neglect the obtaining of some necessary items that the time element prohibited.

“Then the fun started. No sooner had we gotten clear of the reef at Suva, we realized how small schooners behave on the open ocean. It is hard to believe that any craft could roll so hard and so fast. Without shame, we both admit that we were deathly seasick. The trip lasted eight days and made us recall the ‘Resurgent’ as being a sort of luxury liner. It had its compensations, however, for the officers and crew were fine people.

“As we sighted Tarawa, the Captain turned to us and said ‘There—is the end of the world!’

“We were met on arrival by the two Schutz brothers, whose father had radioed our pending arrival from Suva. Again Bahá’u’lláh has showered His bounties upon us, for they have offered us the hospitality of their home (a beautiful Gilbertese type rambling house) and we will be staying here for a few days before pushing on to Abaiang Island where we will take up permanent residence. Maybe you will remember from previous correspondence how the elder Schutz befriended us in

* A boat they plan to build.

[Page 10] Suva and was instrumental in overcoming our greatest difficulties in obtaining entry to the Gilberts. The Schutz family run a trading company known as ‘Tangitang’ which is the only non-government trading concern that remains in the islands.

“Yesterday we took a trip around Betio Island, which is the part of Tarawa Atoll that took the brunt of the recent war. The beaches are littered with rusting landing craft, tanks, guns and the tools of ‘civilized’ man’s way of life. A little inland are the pock-marked remains of massive fortifications and gun emplacements, left by the Japanese. One also notices that all the palm trees and pandanus are very small, being only a few years old, as the entire island was razed by bombardment, during those ill-fated weeks. Already the undergrowth is beginning to cover the evidences of violence as if nature, in her shame, wishes to hide the handiwork of her highest creation. Although the island is returning to its former state, the sight of wanton destruction and a pathetic solitary soldier’s helmet, lying forgotten on a blinding white coral beach, impressed us with a heartbreaking sadness.

“Thousands lie here, buried and unburied, their chalky bones left to tell the story of a peaceful necklace of islands, which seemed to be of no use to anyone in the world but their dusky Micronesian inhabitants, until, overnight, they became a silken cord around the neck of an aggressor nation.

“We are feeling our way around here, from the teaching standpoint. As we no doubt reported before, there are French Catholic missions here, and also Church of England, known here as the London Missionary Society. The very presence of Government people on Tarawa would restrict our activities to a great extent, because they would automatically tend to keep us in their circles. It is for that reason that we wish to go to Abaiang, the neighboring island to the North. There are no Europeans there outside of the Missions, yet we will be near enough to Tarawa to come over whenever necessary or feasible.

“In our next we will try to send a picture of a Gilbertese house, one such as we will have. Believe it or not, if there is a European or American type house here, we haven’t yet seen it. Picture a little African village and you’ve got an idea. The missionaries haven’t succeeded in making all of the Gilbertese ladies ‘modest’ according to European standards, so they still dress, for the most part, from the waist down more than from the waist up. Either they wear nothing, or else a man’s undershirt, when they are at home working. When they go to shop at the Cooperative Society they ‘dress up.’

“We will keep you informed of our progress, although the letters may take ages to get to you. We shall be deeply grateful for all and anything you may send us. For a time at least we shall have only ourselves to discuss the Faith with, but we both feel that, as Jimmy Barrett says, ‘a hole has been punched’ through the heavenly canvas and the bounties of Bahá’u’lláh will rain down on this desert. It, like Mount Carmel, will blossom as the rose.”

LETTER FROM BAHA'I BROTHER IN AFRICA

The following passages are taken from a letter written by one of the new African Bahá’ís, Enoch Olinga, who was enrolled some two years ago in Uganda. He left his home to volunteer in the British Cameroons in the autumn of 1953. There is now a Spiritual Assembly in his goal city.

With this brief statement of fact is presented a truly remarkable document which can prove a great stimulus to Bahá’ís, who, though their circumstances are materially superior, do not accomplish for the Faith what this African brother does. (His letter was written to Haifa.)

“At first it looked almost impossible to conceive the idea to get any of the new believers leave their homes to move to foreign lands; but I knew very well that the beloved Guardian, who is actually watching the world and all the believers, could not have asked for the impossible. As soon as the news reached their attentive and sensitive ears the believers reacted in such a manner that a spectator could take them for drunkards. Indeed so. They really became intoxicated with the choicest wine of His love, and of submissiveness and obedience to the call of their Best Beloved. Pioneering offers poured in like locusts and clear signs of readiness to move the next minute were manifest, forgetting their property and loving relatives and families. When ‘Alí arrived not a single minute was wasted. Off they flew like very mighty eagles in the heavenly sky. Such are the soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh. O! How I wish I accompanied them! May Bahá’u’lláh sustain them and guide their footsteps along the glorious Path of spiritual understanding and selfless sacrifice so that they may grow into trees whose fruits will be the food for the hungry ones. My constant prayer is that they may be enabled to find suitable means of settlement. I know the beloved Guardian’s fervent prayers are with them.

“The Faith is spreading steadily. To date it is represented in six towns (locations): Buea, Bota and Victoria; Titco, Lobe and Matengave; with a good number of verbal declarations. Of course man power is still lacking; but I hope very soon we shall be enabled to meet the demand. Already a Bahá’í pamphlet is in process of being translated into Douala.”

PIONEER LETTERS

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to share the following passages from pioneer letters, in keeping with its policy of keeping the Bahá’í world informed of the spirit and some of the incidents which characterize the unfoldment of the World Crusade.

Excerpts from Pioneer Letters to the Africa Teaching Committee

Dr. Robert Gulick, Tripoli, Libya.

“Libya has one Assembly in Benghazi: barring untoward incidents, it should have at least two by Riḍván with Tripoli being the second. The more difficult province to reach is the Fezzan with its sparse population (around 50,000) and difficult climate. The Benghazi assembly is setting aside twenty pounds a month (around $56) to assist settlers in that province.

“An interesting characteristic of this community (Tripoli) is that it is composed of representatives of East and West: Persians, Americans, ‘Iráqís, and Egyptians: prayers are read or chanted in English, Arabic, and Persian, and consultation must proceed in both Arabic and English.”

Bill and Marguerite Sears, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa.
Jinja, Uganda, November 20, 1953.

Report From Uganda

“This report will be very informal and will include our trip to Kampala and Jinja, as well as to the Teso Conference School.

[Page 11] “We arrived at Kampala, Friday night Sept. 18. The Elston’s met our plane and took us to our quarters. The Nakhjavani’s and Banánís had left us an empty house, a cocker spaniel dog and a houseboy who spoke fluent Luo, broken Swahili, and fractured English.

“The Elston’s warned us that ‘Alí’s landlord would not repair the roof, and that if it rained the roof would leak and we could hear its dripping. There was, it did, and we could. The thunder was louder than the drums from the Kabaka’s palace up the hill. At the first crash, Paul (the houseboy) brought pails, tubs, pans and buckets. He placed them while the floor was dry, but every one was a bull’s-eye. Soon the rains came. They made all sorts of weird noises as they landed in the various containers. Bing! Bang! Bong! Ping! Plip! Marguerite was quite pleased. ‘We brought rain,’ she said. ‘It’s a good omen.’ ‘Not for ‘Alí’s landlord,’ I told her.

“The next day, teaching work began on a scale that was unprecedented to us. Our problem has always been, ‘Where can we find some new contacts.’ Here the problem is, ‘Will someone take the five Resurrections into the living room while I finish with these three Universal Houses of Justice.’ What joy!

“Marguerite taught at the Center, while for the first few days I had to remain in bed. So she would be at the noon-day class and would bring a group back to ‘the sieve’ as we called the house. They would gather around on the chairs and the other bed, and I would have the pleasure of talking to them.

“The Buganda people win your heart effortlessly. Their smiles, courtesy, and kindness will capture any soul that still has life. We feel that we have never really taught the Faith until we have come here. The initiative is reversed. We sought inquirers in America; here, we are sought out. They know we are here to talk to them about the Faith, so ‘Alí’s home is filled most of the time. We have many for dinner, lunch—sometimes for breakfast. It is hard on the budget, but wonderful on the heart. I remember a line from one of our television plays, ‘Where there is room in the heart, there is always room in the home.’ Marguerite has always had a way of making even me feel that I was someone special who had come to dinner, and I can see that they felt this, too.

“We left Kampala for Jinja on the 28th of September. With regret we left ‘Alí’s house. It is lovely really. Except when you have to share it with the rain. It has large bright, airy rooms and a lovely garden with paw paw, mango and palm trees. There are vines with guava in abundance, and a vine with a gay morning glory of the Texas (vitamin-fed) variety. We look across a broad green valley and up a high majestic hill. We have taken a picture of it for posterity. For although they tell us it will be impossible to obtain, we still are certain someday the Temple will look down and bless the city from there.

“We parted with many embraces, a few tears, and much confusion. An hour and a half later, we were in Jinja.

“Oh, yes, we bought a car. Had to. There was no other way to get us all up to Tilling, Teso. We chopped 5500 shillings from our grand total of 8000 and bought an Anglia. Our funds shrivelled in Johannesburg, but we were unperturbed. We recalled the Guardian’s words during Marguerite’s pilgrimage. ‘The pioneer shouldn’t worry about jobs or money. They should just go and they will not need money. It will come.’ Ours had been mostly going instead of coming, but we still believe. Besides we had 2500 shillings to run through our fingers, when they weren’t shaking too violently.

“It was my first ride in a small car with a right hand drive, and as Marguerite had a universal love for the entire roadbed all the way to Jinja it was just what I needed. When we arrived we were met by Philip Hainsworth.

“I put myself right to bed, but he put me right out of bed in the speaker’s chair at the meeting that night. Marguerite talked on the American Conference, we played Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s public talk given at the Medinah Temple in Chicago, and I spoke on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the laying of the cornerstone. We brought our tape recorder, so we played the record of the public dedication of the Temple, excerpts from the American Conference, and showed slides of the Temple and the African Conference.

“By this time I had learned enough Swahili to say to Philip, ‘Ninapumzika sana; ninakwenda kitanda sasa hive - upesi!’ (I am very tired and I am going to bed right now—quickly!) He’s been in Jinja so long it’s hard to get through to him in English.

“If any of your African pioneers have the opportunity to visit Uganda before going to their posts, or at any time, I recommend very seriously that they go to Jinja and listen to Philip teach the African people. It has been of more help to me than any one single thing on this journey.

“There was a very good omen the night we arrived in Jinja. It rained. Philip said it would keep the hippopotami out of his garden at night. They come up from the Nile source, attracted no doubt by the singing that Philip and the believers do after the meetings.

“The next day, Philip took us to the Ripon Falls, headwaters of the Nile. We saw the metal plaque that says; ‘Speke discovered the Ripon Falls, near Lake Victoria, source of the Nile, hitherto unknown’. I’ll bet the hundreds of natives who, history says, watched Speke and his party from either shore, would have been tickled to death to know that the Ripon Falls had been discovered at last.

“On Thursday, October 1st, we started for Teso. We stopped at Iganga to visit and teach. It is about 20 miles from Jinja. Philip arranged for Marguerite to speak at the woman’s club there on the way back, and for me to speak at the CMS secondary school. To save time and miles, we took the Teryini Ferry (sic). The cars courageously trust themselves on a raft, the dimensions of which are just enough, and the condition of which is just not. One look, and we christened it ‘Genesis’. The motor pusher by which the raft is usually propelled (this verb is too strong) had broken down. However, some boys with long poles were prepared to push us to the other side. It took well over an hour. Philip took his shoes off and splashed in the water; Marguerite fed bananas to Philip’s monkey, Jimmy; Philip’s cook, John, talked to one of the African travelers about the Faith. We gave him a pamphlet in Luganda and the boy read the entire pamphlet aloud to two others who came up to listen. There would have been time to read the New Era. One of the ‘pole-pushers’ rested every few pole pushes and spent half the time talking to the monkey. Another stopped work to pick Marguerite a delicate blue and gold water-lily, they grow in abundance amid the dirt, oil and

[Page 12] debris of lake Kyoga. Philip, who was still using his bare feet as crocodile bait, grinned up at me and said, ‘Timeless Africa’. As the Headmaster told us in Iganga, ‘Our people don’t come “on time”, they come “in time”.’

“Philip’s car stalled in Palissa on a deserted corner. Before he had the hood (oops, bonnet) up, we were surrounded. In Pennsylvania, Philip could have withered away an old man before anyone came to help. In Palissa, he had forty helpers immediately. It was like crying, ‘Fire’ in the British Museum.

“Across the Ferry, we were in Teso. The greeting is ‘Yoga’. Everybody ‘Yoga’s’ everybody, so it takes some time to start a conversation. We finally arrived in Tilling, journey’s end. Philip was delighted to see that the Bahá’ís had cut a fine new road to the center. They had been eagerly awaiting the coming of our party. From these Teso people as they rushed to meet us, the greeting was not their tribal one, ‘Yoga’, it was ‘Alláh-u-Abhá!’

“We were shown to our quarters. It was a mud hut, round, with a thatched roof and cow-dung floor. It belonged to Stanley Ikara, who gave it to us and slept in the cookhouse, which is a very little round mud hut with a thatched roof, and a floor.

“Although this was Thursday and the Conference was not until Sunday, there was already a large group waiting. We all went to the center and greeted them and talked about the Faith. We expressed our happiness at being in the first Bahá’í Center in Teso. Mr. Esubere, the pioneer to West Nile, told us that now there were three other Bahá’í Centers built in Teso. When we returned to our hut, we saw a picture of the Greatest Name hanging on the bare mud wall. When we thanked our host, Mr. Ikara, for giving up his home to us, he said, ‘It is not to thank me. Thank Bahá’u’lláh, He has made it possible.’

“Next day we visited a village named Osopotoit. There, Philip and the other members of the UTC (Uganda Teaching Committee), accepted the declarations of 23 new believers who had been waiting to be taken into the Faith officially. While they met, Marguerite, Michael and I spoke to 14 women, 20 men and 18 children, mostly non-Bahá’ís.

“As we drove through what the Africans call ‘the boosh’ (actually a footpath and bicycle trail with four foot high grass on either side) children and adults ran out from their huts and called, ‘Bahá’u’lláh! Bahá’u’lláh!’ They were not believers, but neighbors of the Bahá’ís. The only automobiles which come in are of the Bahá’ís and we were told by the Bahá’ís of Osopotoit that their neighbors would say the following days ‘Bahá’u’lláh came by us’.

“There was a great feast the next day, Saturday. A sheep was barbequed. Tea was served. Village chiefs, Bahá’ís and their friends came from everywhere. There were over two hundred present. We spoke to them of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh and its meaning. Officials from the nearby schools attended the Feast (African Fiesta). Everyone was pleased with it, as could be told from their enthusiasm and difficulty in saying, ‘Yoga-do!’ (‘Good-bye’, to you city dwellers.)

“Sunday, October 4, the Conference began with about 200 present, representing over 16 communities. It began at 8 o’clock in the morning. Ten Assembly chairmen and six secretaries were present.

Mr. Abeto, Chairman of Tilling, the host community, gave one of the most moving speeches of welcome, I’ve heard yet. Its simplicity and eloquence will always rank among the highest. He told of the coming of the first Bahá’ís. He said their neighbors warned them that the white people had come to carry them off to eat them. He told of the boundless joy and happiness demonstrated when they all returned to Teso from the Kampala conference. The people shouted and cried. They had given them up as dead. In spite of this, they still say the white people have come to capture the black people for food. Marguerite, in her reply, told them how several Americans had warned us when we left for Africa that the black people would capture us and eat us. This caused great hilarity at the Conference.

“The Teso choir sang, ‘Alláh-u-Abhá,’ then they sang a new song composed especially for the Conference. It was called, ‘Yes, it is true! The Return of Christ is Bahá’u’lláh!’ The choir told us, before singing it that the words had been written by the entire choir using Bahá’í consultation.

“A great share of the afternoon session was given over to consultation on the problems of alcohol and polygamy. There was a thorough discussion of the laws of Bahá’u’lláh and their application. The last hour was devoted to reports on the teaching work in the various areas of Teso. Many admitted problems of drinking and polygamy, but indicated that as the laws were being more thoroughly understood the problems should be diminishing. Desire on the part of seekers to hear more seemed to be the keynote. The lack of material in their language, Ateso, was a major problem. Need for teachers to carry out deepening work was another thought frequently expressed. Eagerness to become Bahá’ís too soon was still very common among those who first heard the message. Tito, the pioneer to Mwanza, told of the young man in Mbale who he (Tito) had spoken to but twice. The young man said he wanted to be a Bahá’í and that he was ready. He said that he had read the pamphlet and didn’t want to wait. Tito asked him, “If you know about the Faith, where does the Guardian live?” The answer came at once and full of confidence, ‘Mombasa!’

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you that there was a very good omen on our first night in Teso. Correct. It rained. Only we were told it was good by no one less than our interpreter, Enos Epyeru, pioneer to Eldoret, Kenya. He said that to arrive and bring rain after such a dry season, made us especially blessed by his people. We were (I’ve forgotten the Ateso name) those who rescue the parched earth. This made us happy. We also felt very much at home that night, for the roof leaked brilliantly.

School Report

I. The school began Monday, October 5.

II. Attendance:

8-9:30		Lowest	63	Highest	173
10-12	a.	Lowest	15	”	29
	b.	”	53	”	78
	c.	”	12	”	32
4-6		”	75	”	183

Average daily attendance 109.

III. Content material of classes:
8:00-9:30 History of the Faith.

1. Dawn-Breakers (Shaykh Aḥmad to Bahá’u’lláh’s exile)
2. God Passes By (Bahá’u’lláh’s Life, Baghdád to ‘Akká)
3. Promised Day is Come (Tablets to Kings, and consequences. Added historical data concerning the kings to whom Bahá’u’lláh wrote and steps leading to their downfall.)
4. Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
5. Covenant (Adam to Guardian).

[Page 13] The above stories were related to the local teaching problems ‎whereever wherever‎ possible. The emphasis placed on the laws of God and Bahá’u’lláh and the suffering and difficulties that follow disobedience.

10:00-12:00 noon Language classes.

1. Illiterates—Ateso people were taught basic reading and writing—they were beginning both at beginning of second week.

2. Beginning English—These were taught how to carry on a conversation in basic English.

3. Advanced English—These were taught to increase their vocabulary and to perfect their understanding of grammar. This group also memorized three prayers in English: The noon day obligatory prayer, The Remover of Difficulties, and the short Healing Prayer.

NOTE: Special material was purchased and supplied to each group. These classes were to be carried on for at least another two weeks by qualified local Bahá’ís who assisted during the session.

4:00-5:00 P.M. 4. Administration (Principles).

The Bahá’í Administration (British edition) was used during this class. The Administrative Order and its institutions were outlined, explained, and discussed. Part of this period was given to answering questions.

5:00-5:45 P.M. 5. Administration (Applied).

Administration from the applied point of view. Some illustrations were: make-up of the Local Assembly, conduct of an election, meaning and form of a Feast, example of consultation, duties of officers of Assemblies and committees, rights and duties of the individual believer, vital necessity of knowing laws. Emphasis was placed on the importance of developing the local Assembly so that it could begin to solve most of its own problems. Self-development on an individual, local and area basis was, in fact, the thread that ran through the entire school.

5:45-6:00 P.M. Stories about the Faith:

These were of an inspirational character so that the day might end on a high plane. The stories were selected to cheer the heart and to instruct the mind at the same time.

7:30-9:30 P.M. Pioneers.

The pioneers were given the opportunity to ask questions about their pioneering projects. They were given answers to specific questions about the Faith. They were told, in detail, the steps to be taken in the formation of their Assembly, etc.

Miscellaneous

1. Under the supervision of the Uganda Teaching Committee, a special Teso district Teaching Committee was formed. The Committee was

1. To assist in carrying on the school idea after the formal sessions
2. To expand the teaching activities throughout Teso
3. To assist and encourage the weaker local Assemblies
4. To be an arm of the UTC to help solve the problems of the area. This would prevent delay, since it would be on the spot to assemble facts, and to give a local understanding to them.

2. One entire afternoon period, 12:00 to 4:00, was given to this committee before they organized. All the steps of organization, election, the steps necessary to the solution of a problem (as used by NSA’s) were outlined. The necessity of frequent meetings and regular reports was emphasized. A special notebook for the secretary was provided. A book on Bahá’í Administration given to the Chairman for the committee.

The committee then carried on their organization, planned to meet every two weeks, with another special meeting the following day so they could begin to function at once.

In the words of the secretary. “Can this Teso District Committee for all time be appointed and organized in this same way so that this day would live in the history of Teso, so overjoyed and moved are we by this great step.”

We were all touched by the spirit, but explained the Administrative problem. They agreed then that to send a “cable to their most Beloved Guardian, would mark this unforgettable day on their hearts.”

3. The District Commissioner came from Soroti to visit and to see what the Bahá’ís were doing. The Government has been eager to carry on just such self-development projects as the Language classes, and thanks to the UTC the Bahá’ís have “stolen a march” on them. It should be marked to the Bahá’í credit with the Government.

4. There were several extra-curricular activities, in which everyone took part, during the rest-hours of 12:00 to 4:00 P.M. Some of the most interesting were as follows:

1. The roadway from the highway to the school was lined with stones and whitewashed. Special paths to the Center and to the new auxiliary rest house built opposite the Center were also lined with whitewashed stones.
2. Bushes of flowers were planted at the approach to the doorway of Center.
3. An orange tree was planted near the Center for both food and shade.
4. Seven Mango trees were planted to line the road from the highway.
5. The walls of the Center were unfinished and full of cracks. One noon when the rain came everyone rushed to get buckets and mud and soon all the walls were reinforced and made thick and strong with earth and water.
6. A special sign was made in blue and gold for over the entrance, reading: BAHÁ’Í CENTER.
7. A group went to Lake Kyoga and picked many many papyrus reeds. These were split, dried and floor mats made for the Center.

5. On the last day of the School, there was a special question and answer period. There was also a session at which the students reviewed the two weeks’ work and commented on the things they had learned. The following comments were selected from different communities in order to get a well-rounded report:

Mr. Nafutali: “Stories of history gave me much courage and strength to help hold me up if I should have to be martyred.”

Mr. Kam: “Stories about the mirrors, the trees, the dog, the planting all made me understand the meanings better.” (This was in reference to using simple analogies explaining phases of the teachings.)

Mr. Ikello: “Now I really know about Jesus and Bahá’u’lláh, and I think I can explain it to others.”

Mr. Yafusi: “When I bring a soul into the Faith and then lose it, I must not be discouraged, but must search until I find those that will be real and true.”

Mr. Okiror: “Now that I have heard that I should not drink, I will not. There is room in my heart only for Bahá’u’lláh.”

Mr. Maliza: “This Administration gives me a greater understanding of the future of our Faith.”

Mrs. Odozo: “It strengthens me to know that Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant is not only for this Faith, but for all Faiths.”

[Page 14] Mrs. Tubei: “It is through this Faith that I have learned reading and writing.”

Mr. Ebetu: “It is only in this Bahá’í Faith that you find the new Commandment which Christ gave to the world “to love each other” being practiced.” (He quoted John 13:34, 35)

Mr. Epaja: “This Administration is the only solution to the world problems.”

Suggestions for Pioneers

“The following suggestions for new pioneers may be very familiar to you already, but they were things we learned so we will set them down for whatever worth they may be.

1. Try to learn at least a few words of the language, if you are just passing through; a good understanding of it should be acquired by settlers. This breaks down much of the reserve. It is easy enough to learn one little phrase a day, and this means much to them.

2. Speak very slowly, and in short sentences. Sentences that have: subject, verb, object are much easier to translate, and understand than those beginning with a dependent or qualifying clause.

3. Use many analogies, illustrate points with simple stories. The pioneers might read Aesop’s fables again with profit. We have collected or created many analogies and stories. Collecting from each pioneer might produce a very substantial pool of useful material.

4. We were told by the people of Teso and of Kampala that the African people will say ‘yes’ they understand, when they do not. They are polite and wish to please. They think this is what you want to hear. Also, they do not wish you to think they have not understood. So repetition and questions on the laws of the Faith, and the vital points are recommended.

5. Literature is still a major problem. One pamphlet is soon exhausted by those who do not read English. Mimeographed bulletins, any new teaching in their language, helps keep them interested and fortifies them for tests. In Teso we were told that this was one of their gravest problems, getting something new to give to the people.

6. With so many pioneers (the outstanding people) leaving the various communities, there is an increasing, vital need for deepening one or two at least, who can hold the fort and assist the others. The ones with the greatest knowledge of Administration are leaving, and the situation is grave until these stalwart ones have been replaced.

7. It is wise to learn something of the customs of the people among whom you are teaching. It is not difficult to learn them. It pleases them to have you ask. Also, it can prevent embarrassing difficulties later.

8. Africans are not hesitant about discussing the problems connected with alcohol and polygamy. Full and frank consultation on these subjects will bring many helpful things to light from the African people themselves.

9. Whenever possible try to get the local people to assume responsibility. They have had much supervision, and they are quick to bring all problems to the area or larger committees. We found it helpful to explain the steps an NSA uses in solving a problem—and practiced with them at mock Assembly meetings. Getting them to think in terms of the local Assembly instead of individuals and Europeans in solving their problems is difficult, but essential.

· · · · · · · ·

“For our personal recollections, we are setting down the following unrelated incidents that happened at Teso. We shall cherish them always. They are not part of the Conference-School report.

“The young man that John had talked to on the Teryini Ferry when we went to Teso came to Tilling. He came on his bicycle 45 miles. Along the way he would ask, ‘Bahá’í where!’ They would point north. He said, ‘Always it was farther, farther, but now I am here!’ He was welcomed with much joy.

“Soon the pioneers began to leave for their posts. These had been assigned to them before the school opened—except for John Anthony Mukhobe. He had been discharged from his teaching position at the Catholic school because he would not give up the Bahá’í Faith and go back to Catholicism. The priests urged Anthony’s father, a tribal Chief, to force his son back to the church. They set his wife against him. To all opposition he replied, ‘Nothing can take the place of this Faith in my heart.’ When one of the pioneers was unable to leave for his post, Anthony, yet a Bahá’í of about four months, was offered the opportunity. ‘I have been praying to Bahá’u’lláh that this would happen,’ he said.

“Mr. Esubere, through consultation with the committee, cleared up his problems, and in five days he altered his entire life and was gone to pioneer near the Sudan, West Nile. During that five days he rode 80 miles on his bicycle to tell his brother he was leaving, and to tell him about the Faith, and then rode back 80 miles to bid his family farewell.

“Little Mr. Akwalinga went off to Lira, among the Acholi tribe. A mild sweet man, as gentle as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s smile. He had already parted from his family, leaving them to God and Bahá’u’lláh. We took him to the bus. He turned to say goodbye. Over his shoulder on a stick were wrapped his entire life’s possessions; 17 dollars, his life’s fortune, were in his pocket. You wanted to rush up and seize him and hug him close to your heart. He said to us through a translator, ‘It has been very kind of you to come up here to serve the Faith!’ Before he went, he smiled and waved to all of us. ‘Pray for me’, he said. Then calling, ‘Alláh-u-Abhá’, he was gone. But he will be with us always, and part of anything we may ever do will be because of such love, devotion and sacrifice as we have seen here.

“On Saturday, we all met at Iganga. Marguerite spoke at woman’s club (African) and also taught them some simple handcrafts. She presented a crimson stole to the woman in charge. In her joyousness she nearly cracked Marguerite’s ribs. Bill spoke at the Iganga secondary school. After, we all had tea with the Headmaster. Philip spoke at the home of the Headmaster of the primary school: then, back to Jinja. Philip kept Bill in bed a few days, and filled him with good food, fine conversation, and much Bahá’í love. This scattered the malaria bug, so off they all went to Kampala, journey’s end.

· · · · · · · ·

“So we came to the end of this first African journey. Many things are precious to us: the generosity and help of everyone in Kampala, Jinja and Teso; the very useful advice and kindly hospitality of Philip Hainsworth; but perhaps most of all, those days in the land of the Teso people.

“Those wonderful skies on that high plateau. A black storm gathering in the north, white cotton-ball clouds peacefully sleeping in the south; misty skies in the east and

[Page 15] that Oh, so blue Uganda sky in the West. As I lay on my back in the late morning preparing for afternoon classes, the monkey would be cracking ground nuts for lunch, the hornets lazily singing in and out of the thatched roof; and off in the distance I knew the illiterate people were learning to spell BÁB: B-Á-B. I could barely hear the advanced class reciting, ‘Is there any remover of difficulties, save God’. Over it all came the nearly one hundred voices of the beginning English class shouting: ‘This is my head! This is my eye! This is my nose!’

“Deepest of all in our hearts was that day of farewell to the pioneer in Tanganyika. Tito Wanantsusi from Mbale, was the pioneer to Mwanza in Tanganyika, across Lake Victoria. He returned to Jinja with Philip, then to Kampala, and off by boat to Mwanza. He was the first to go. Almost the entire school was there to see him off. He kissed his wife, hugged his husky little baby boy, and got into the car to leave. Clutched in his hand was a copy of the New Era, a pamphlet on the life of Bahá’u’lláh, a mimeographed sheet of Bible Prophecy, and a five cent red notebook to write down the names of his new contacts in Mwanza.

“We all sang, ‘Yes it is true, Bahá’u’lláh is the return of Christ’, then we sang the Ateso song Bill had composed from the few words of Ateso he had learned.

“When they stopped laughing Bill was acclaimed as the first American to compose music in Ateso.

“This broke the tension of parting, so we all gathered around the car and sang, ‘Alláh-u-Abhá’. Tito both laughed and cried as he waved farewell to his dear family and friends. As the car moved away, he called to us:

“ ‘We shall meet again, in Haifa, Baghdád or heaven!’ ”

Edith and Lowell Johnson, Capetown, South Africa.

“As preparation for pioneering, we studied 24 books on South African anthropology, history and modern problems, making summaries of the books for distribution to other pioneers.

“We left the United States on October 20, 1953, arriving in Capetown on November 26, the first resident Bahá’ís in the city.

“Within the first week we had found a furnished house on the campus of the University of Capetown to sub-let for three months. Soon we found a flat into which we will move on March 1, thus making it possible for us to feel truly ‘settled’.

“We had the joy of greeting Mr. and Mrs. Lyall Hadden, Mr. and Mrs. W. Kenneth Christian and son Roger, and Mr. and Mrs. John Robarts and son Patrick and daughter Nina as they first set foot on African soil. We were happy to be of help in aiding their adjustment to the new culture and in seeing them off to Durban, Salisbury, S. Rhodesia, and Mafeking, Bechuanaland, respectively.

“During the first few weeks we did little more than see the sights and fulfill the many social engagements we were invited to over the Christmas-New Year holidays. Slowly contacts were made for jobs at the same time. In the seventh week the doors began to open and Edith was given a part-time job as librarian at the University of Capetown, just what she wanted. Lowell began to get a few nibbles in free-lance radio writing and announcing at the same time, and was asked, as his first radio show, to summarize in five minutes what ‘I Believe’ in a fashion similar to that sponsored by Edward R. Murrow in the states.

“Preparations for Lowell’s dissertation in communications have been laid and through them many new friends have been made in educational and mass communications circles. We both have enrolled for a course in the Afrikaans language, taking classes two evenings per week.

“We have had the supreme bounty of speaking of the Faith to only three persons, a woman who became interested through David Hofman in England in 1946 and Loulie Mathews on her world tour in 1948; also a couple who have heard of the Faith previously through Mr. Turvey, the local Johannesburg Bahá’í. As for our new friends, they know us only as Edith and Lowell.

“We feel an unseverable bond between us and our fellow pioneers in the Ten Year Crusade, no matter whether pioneering on the home front or in the far-flung parts of the globe. We have established contact via letter with many, but have been forced to caution everyone writing to the pioneers in South Africa not to mention the word ‘Bahá’í’ in the contents of the letter nor place it on the envelope. The mail of new immigrants to this country is spot-checked for pro-Negro leanings.”

“Never have we felt the importance of the work being done on the home front as we have since arriving here. To know that the American Bahá’ís are working in harmony of purpose gives us a wonderful feeling of security and assurance. And never before have we turned our thoughts and hearts to Haifa and our beloved Guardian as we do now every hour of our day.

“Although we are happy to say that we are Americans, and have come to appreciate the true destiny of the American nation, we have no desire to return. We are too fiercely nationalistic about our incipient N.S.A. of Southern Africa.

“Our prayers are with you constantly, and we hope that you will occasionally include us in yours.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

BRITISH ISLES

African Pioneer Journey

From the reports of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles to their 1954 Convention, the following excerpt has been taken:

“Special mention must be made of the epic car journey across Africa made by ‘Alí and Violette Nakhjavani, accompanied by Enoch Olinga, who was established in British Cameroons, Max Kenyerezi, who was settled in French Equatorial Africa, and Samson Mungono, who was left in the Belgian Congo. The resident believers in the Belgian Congo were visited and encouraged. Without the devotion and sacrifice shown by all who made this journey, it would have been very difficult indeed to open these two virgin territories. The first fruit of this journey and of the devotion of the pioneer to the British Cameroons, has been the acceptance into the Faith of thirteen believers in that territory.”

CANADA

Newly Elected National Spiritual Assembly

It is learned from Canada that the National Spiritual Assembly now has the following membership: Lloyd G. Gardner, Chairman; Allan Raynor, Vice-Chairman; Audrey Westheuser, Secretary; Peggy Ross, Treasurer; Winnifred Harvey, Rowland Estall, Angus Cowan, Albert Rakovsky, Donald MacLaren.

[Page 16]

CENTRAL AMERICA

Newly Elected National Spiritual Assembly

The result of the annual election as reported is the following National Spiritual Assembly for Central America: Artemus Lamb, Chairman; Jenny Taylor, Vice-Chairman; ‎Estaban Esteban‎ Canales, Secretary; James Facey, Treasurer; Amy McAllister, Recording Secretary; Sheila Rice-Wray; Randolph FitzHenry, Assistant to Treasurer for Sterling Area; Marcia Steward; Racquel F. de Constante.

Contact With Mayan Indians

Noticias Bahá’ís, official organ of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America, prints the following:

“Cora Oliver and Shirley Warde have been making friends and gradually winning the confidence of the people. Recent events have been most encouraging. A woman of outstanding service to humanity, of Mayan and English parentage, has been deeply interested in the Faith and, through her, the first contact with the Mayan Indians of Honduras has been made. In her company, Shirley and Cora were able to make a trip to a Mayan village some 60 miles north of Belize and were taken around the town to meet many of the families, who have invited them to return to spend some time in the village. They found that most of the Mayan customs and dress had been discarded for the Spanish, and that they are a people of an appealing sweetness and purity.”

GERMANY-AUSTRIA

National Spiritual Assembly Members

The Annual Convention elected the National Spiritual Assembly with the following membership: Dr. Eugene Schmidt, Chairman; Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Vice-Chairman; Mrs. Anna Grossmann, Secretary; Mr. Otto Häfner, Treasurer; Mr. Julius Henseler, Mr. Ruprecht G. Krüger, Miss Doris Lohse, Hanni Weber, Mrs. Johanna V. Werthern.

World Religion Day

Under the auspices of the Bahá’í Assemblies, World Religion Day was commemorated on January 17, 1954, in the following communities of Germany and Austria: Berlin, Esslingen, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart and Vienna. Guest speakers included Catholic, Lutheran and Jewish leaders, Hindus, Buddhists, Quakers, Adventists, and representatives of free

Delegates and visitors at the Fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of South America, Santiago, Chile

and evangelical churches. In Vienna an audience of 300 filled the auditorium of the old City Hall to hear the Bahá’í speaker and representatives of other Faiths.

World Youth Day

World Youth Day was celebrated by the Bahá’í Youth in West Germany March 26-27. Some sixty Bahá’í Youth with their guests gathered at the Youth House in Stuttgart. Talks were given by German and Persian Bahá’í Youth, and a demonstration of unity was presented in a “Conference of Four Little Ones”—a German, an American, a Russian girl and a Korean girl—who exchanged views in a lively discussion. The gathering produced visible and spiritual evidence of “unity in diversity” through the Bahá’í Teachings.

'IRAQ

National Spiritual Assembly Elected

The following National Spiritual Assembly has been elected by the Bahá’ís of ‘Iráq for the current year: Dr. ‘Abbás Ihsan Baghdádi, Chairman; Dr. Daoud Toeg, Vice-Chairman; Mr. Kamil ‘Abbás, Secretary, Mr. Daoud Al’ani, Treasurer; Mr. Saddiff ‘Abdu’l Majid; Mr. Menashi Dallal; Mr. Hamid Majid; Mr. Khdouri Haloubeh; Mr. Salman Dloumi.

ITALY AND SWITZERLAND

New National Spiritual Assembly

The result of election held at the Second Annual Bahá’í Convention of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, has been reported.

The Assembly membership is: Dr. Ugo Giachery, Chairman; Fritz Schaer, Vice-Chairman; Anna Kunz, Secretary; Honor Kempton, Treasurer; Mario Fiorentini, Assistant Treasurer for Italy; Prof. Alessandro Bausani, Elsa Steinmetz, Marion Little, Fritz Semle.

SOUTH AMERICA

National Spiritual Assembly 1954-1955

A notice has been received of the results of the election of the National Spiritual Assembly at the Annual Convention recently held in South America.

Margot Worley, Chairman; Mercedes Sánchez, Vice-Chairman; Dorothy Campbell, Secretary; Athos Costas, Recording Secretary; Fabienne Guillon, Treasurer; Eve Nicklin, Carlos Martínez, Edmund Miessler, Gayle Woolson.

Fourth Annual Convention

The Fourth Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of South America was held in Santiago, Chile, from April 25 to 30, 1954. Although we were surrounded by snow-capped mountains, there was great warmth and love in the atmosphere which prevailed in all of the meetings. Sixteen delegates were present and all of the South American countries were represented except Ecuador and Uruguay. The theme of the Convention School was “Action” from the aspect of enrichment and deepening of the individual Bahá’í, as well as in our collective work in the fulfillment of the goals of the World Crusade.

The Convention opened with a tea and reception for the delegates in the Hotel Crillon on April 25th, with an attendance of 58 Bahá’ís from all over the Continent and a few visitors. The subjects studied and discussed during the School were “Episodes from the Dawn Breakers”, the “Kitáb-i-Íqán”, “The Eternal Legacy of God”, “The Pioneer in Action”, “Aspects of the Spiritual World Crusade” and “the Intercontinental Teaching Conferences”. There were two public meetings, one in a salon of the University of Chile where Carlos Martinez spoke on “The Eternal and Changing Values in Man” with an audience of over

[Page 17] Newly-elected National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America. From left to right, standing: Mercedes Sanchez, Carlos Martinez, Margot Worley, Eve Nicklin. Seated: Edmund Miessler, Dorothy Campbell, Fabienne Guillon, Athos Costas. Gayle Woolson, absent, in pioneering post on the Galapagos Islands.

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a hundred, and the other in the hotel where the Convention was held with Sergio Aparicio and Jorge Bejar speaking on “Youth and Its Destiny”.

The glorious message of our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, to all of the Conventions, setting forth in detail the great victories gained in the first year of the Crusade, was read the first afternoon. Our hearts filled with gratitude for the blessings already poured out by Bahá’u’lláh, we went on to study the Guardian’s cable of April 5th on the unfoldment of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause with the appointment during the Riḍván of the Auxiliary Boards, and his appeal that we begin immediately the acquisition of Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in every country of the Continent in preparation for the establishment of the ten new National Spiritual Assemblies in South America. Maturity of outlook and deep seriousness of purpose were evident in all of the discussions, and we all left determined to work as never before to bring into realization all of the goals assigned us. The final meeting was one of fellowship in “Stanford School”, the school offered as a home for the children of pioneers who feel it dangerous or unsuitable to take their children with them, and where there are now three children of a pioneer couple. It was hard to say “good-bye” to the members of our growing Bahá’í family, but knowing that there is no separation of spirit helped us to say “Hasta luego” with smiles, until the next Convention.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF SOUTH AMERICA

Publicity in Peru

Good press publicity has resulted from efforts of the first Peruvian pioneers, Mario and Gaylord Rodriguez. La Voz de Huancayo, the leading newspaper of Huancayo, carried a two-column article, with a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship, in a recent issue. In it, the Ten Year Plan was mentioned as a world movement for the establishment of a true world peace through a sincere brotherhood based on spiritual principles.

NATIONAL NEWS

FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

“O Thou Incomparable God! O Thou Lord of the Kingdom! These souls are Thy heavenly army ...” With ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words of blessing upon the Divine Plan, the forty-sixth Convention began on Thursday morning, April 29. If there had been any feeling that it might fall into shadow, this first Convention after the Jubilee, the thought was soon changed to an overflowing sense of gratitude for the bounties received during the first year of the Global Crusade. Last year was remembered as the glorious point of its beginning.

“So blest and honored a Community cannot afford for a moment to rest on its laurels” were the reminding words of the Guardian spoken by the Chairman, Paul Haney. As each Convention is different, so perhaps this one found its uniqueness in the quick-paced, purposeful consultation which characterized its four days.

As in every Convention within the memory of many of the friends, this one as it began was blessed and inspired by the words of Dorothy Baker. That they might become the spirit of the Convention, we took to our hearts the words of a letter written to an American Bahá’í by Dorothy Baker some months before her passing:

“I would not attempt to write the real things, the things of the heart, but I can say this that the Glory of the Cause, its grandeur, shines like the sun: and as for our beloved Guardian, he is at times a servant and again a King; and he is at once the point of all joy and again the nerve center of suffering ... He is, alas, a ransom; we are his beneficiaries. He suffers the grief of the Prophets and yet is the ‘true Brother.’ And as he casts himself into the sea of sacrifice, he is willing to cast us, one and all, into that shining sea also. America is the lead horse. He drives the chariot that must win over the combined forces of the world. He cracks the whip over the lead horse, not the others. Do the friends not realize this? The pilgrimage begins when you take his hand, and ends when you last look upon his dear face, and in between you kneel at the shrines and ask for divine direction to serve him. And when your prayer is answered there is no doubt about it at all; a thousand mercies circle around the answer, and the Guardian is in the center of them all.”

The Guardian’s letter to the Convention brought news of the far-flung victories of the Crusade’s first year, when newly opened territories scattered over the face of the earth number one hundred, or seven-eighths of all those destined to be opened in an entire decade, and bring the total to two hundred and twenty-eight “sovereign states and dependencies enlisted under the standard of the Cause of God”. Paragraph followed paragraph in praise of the advances of a “divinely guided ... majestically expanding Faith” into the wind-swept, the sun-baked, the frigid, the isolated, the war-devastated corners of the earth. The Guardian’s highest praise was for the African campaign, which is eclipsing all others in its brilliance.

The story of the development of the World Center within the confines of the Holy Land, “the heart of the world”, was given in this Message, as well as the first announcement to the American friends of the immediate appointment, by the Hands of the Cause, of Auxiliary Boards in each of the five continents, to aid in the effective prosecution of the Ten Year Plan. The Guardian’s list of historical developments in all avenues of Bahá’í activity was such as to lift our hearts with gratitude and pledge our souls to continuance of the task.

The Guardian’s plea to the delegates was three-fold: to ponder the further objectives, to dedicate themselves anew to the tasks and to “rouse all the communities they represent to assume a worthy share in the common and gigantic effort that must needs be exerted for the attainment of the .. goals”.

[Page 18]

National Assembly Report

The report of the National Spiritual Assembly by its Secretary, Horace Holley, explained the formation of Committees last year to implement the Ten Year Crusade in all its areas, including the Home Front, which has presented the most difficult of all teaching tasks. It was noted that of the 409 persons volunteering at the beginning of the Crusade, 157 pioneers have entered the field. Among the signal events of the year were listed the receipt of Messages from the Guardian, points of guidance throughout the year; the addition to pioneer ranks of five members of the National Assembly, Elsie Austin, Dorothy Baker, Matthew Bullock, W. Kenneth Christian, and Mamie Seto, who were replaced in two elections by Lawrence Hautz, Charles Wolcott, Charlotte Linfoot, Robert McLaughlin and Margery McCormick; the passing of two Hands of the Cause, Siegfried Schopflocher and Dorothy Baker; the services given by the travels to American cities by Persian Hands of the Cause; the appointment by the Guardian of a new Hand of the Cause in America, Paul Haney; the realization of the central purpose of the House of Worship in the weekly programs for public worship held during the year; the incorporation of five local Assemblies; and the record of enrollments of 352 adult believers and 57 youth, which indicates that the whole-hearted proclamation of the Faith is now one of the most challenging of our unfinished tasks.

Home Front Teaching Needs

From the Guardian’s Message and from the supplementary report of the National Assembly the Convention moved to the first objective in the Guardian’s plea to ponder our further goals. Consultation on the urgent Home Front teaching needs drew first attention, as Charles Wolcott, National Teaching Committee chairman, reminded us of the objective of bringing to 300 the number of local Spiritual Assemblies in this country, and shared with us the sobering fact that of the 169 Assemblies existing in April 1953, 21 were the sole ones in their states. It was explained that the first year of the Crusade saw the adoption of a new, simplified teaching structure to include twelve Area Committees under a National Teaching Committee and a plan which pointed out the necessary assistance of local assemblies in dispersal and extension teaching, implemented by letters and Conferences in an effort to bring the believers across the country into a unified effort. We were reminded that the Guardian had warned in his message of July 18, 1953, “the movement of pioneers, the opening of virgin territories, the initiation of Houses of Worship ... the multiplication of assemblies, groups and isolated centers ... will in the long run amount to little ... if not supplemented by the equally vital task—which is one that primarily concerns continually .. each single individual believer .. of winning to the Faith fresh recruits ..”, and that the Guardian’s concern with the spread of the Faith in the home land was expressed again in a message from Leroy Ioas in the February BAHÁ’Í NEWS. It was announced that at year’s end thirty-six of the seventy-six goal cities were settled. The number of Assemblies formed on April 21 was not known at Convention time. The year had been one of adjustment to a new teaching structure and it was the recommendation of the National Teaching Committee that this structure be maintained. It had been the expressed wish of the Guardian that the many Regional Teaching Committees be dropped. In many ways the National Teaching Committee expressed to the delegates the responsibilities of local Assemblies to extend their efforts to assist the smaller Assemblies, and of individuals who are isolated to think of themselves as pioneers. The full, concrete list of suggestions, component parts of the National Teaching Plan for last year, were reiterated: that all large Assemblies appoint Home Front Crusade Committees to stimulate dispersal; that Assemblies be encouraged to carry on extension teaching, especially in goal cities; that deepening classes prepare the pioneers and all the friends to fulfill their teaching responsibilities; that Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh be recommended as the book of this Bahá’í year, supplemented by The Advent of Divine Justice and the Guardian’s latest statistical Survey.

Twice Mrs. Margery McCormick, as a recently returned pilgrim from Haifa, was asked to come to the platform to bring the friends closer to the repeated warnings of the Guardian to the American Bahá’ís, particularly to those of New York, Chicago and San Francisco, to disperse from industrial centers or face spiritual as well as physical suffering. She reminded us, however, that the Guardian dwells on the constructive rather than on the negative; his heart and mind are directed toward building the new world civilization and he regards approaching calamity as purposeful. To visit the Guardian is to hear of the new race of men to be raised and to begin to envisage the process of building a new civilization in which pioneering in foreign fields becomes the noblest act. Mrs. McCormick appealed to the friends to ponder the directives given by the Guardian as his parting words, to be “free as spirit, pure as air, unrestrained as the wind, blazing like fire” so as to find our efforts confirmed as never before.

Announcement of Auxiliary Board

Discussion of the tasks at home became the center of consultation again later in the Convention, but we were first to learn of a new institution, a further point of assistance, the appointment of an ‎Auxililiary Auxiliary‎ Board for each Continent. It was an unforgettable evening when we learned of this, and our hearts and minds lifted to take in this new evidence of the steady guidance of the Guardian in the swiftly advancing stages in the progress of the Faith. His cablegram lighted the way, and its import was the story of the evolving institution of the Hands of the Cause, charged with the “dual sacred responsibility for the protection and propagation of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh”. Paying tribute to the services of the Hands at the World Center and in territories beyond its confines, the Guardian has now directed the fifteen Hands of the Cause living outside the Holy Land to appoint during Riḍván, in each of the five continents, Auxiliary Boards whose members “must increasingly lend their assistance for the promotion of the interests of the Ten Year Crusade”. Those selected by the three Hands of the Cause in America (Paul Haney, Horace Holley, Mrs. Corinne True) to serve as members of the Auxiliary Board for this continent were announced: Mrs. Margot Worley and Mrs. Gayle Woolson of South America, Esteban Canales of Central America, Rowland Estall of Canada, and William de Forge, Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Mrs. Margery McCormick, Mrs. Florence

[Page 19] Mayberry and Dr. Sarah Pereira of the United States. Not to replace the already existing structure, but to assist and augment it, this Auxiliary Board is responsible to the American Hands of the Cause.

The historical significance of this new institution was explained by Horace Holley, and we began to understand how Bahá’u’lláh has ended the age-long separation between religion and government, in recreating the heart of mankind and giving the Law to the nations. This process, preserved through the ministry of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has been transmitted to our and future generations through the Guardianship. In the Guardian we have the culmination of two great strains of history, the religious and the secular, for he is at once the interpreter of the word of God as voiced by Bahá’u’lláh and the head of a universal Administrative Order. Thus will peace come, as man raises through local and National Assemblies a Universal House of Justice, while God reaches down to man through His representative on earth, the Guardian of His Cause.

As part of this unforgettable “Intercontinental Night”, there followed pictures of last year’s four great Conferences, and we saw the Global Crusade begin on four continents as the story of Kampala, Wilmette, Stockholm and New Delhi was graphically told by Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh. Then color slides showing the miracle of Mount Carmel brought us to the sight of God’s Holy Mountain at night, as strings of lighted jewels showed the way to the glowing gem of the Shrine of the Báb at the top. We had circled the globe, we were pilgrims, all.

Intercontinental Tasks

Consultation on America’s part in the World Crusade went forward the next day. Beatrice Ashton traced the objectives of the Ten Year Crusade outside of pioneering and consolidation, including such tasks as the completion of Temple landscaping and the erection of the first Dependency, translation of Bahá’í literature, proclamation of the Faith through press and radio, and other responsibilities of the American Bahá’í community.

Accomplishments of the first year of the Crusade in the Intercontinental fields were explained by representatives of four Committees. For the European Teaching Committee, Edna True reported the consolidation of existing European communities and extension teaching, building toward additional “regional” National Assemblies, later to become independent; pioneers placed in all new posts assigned by the Guardian except Spitzbergen in the Arctic ocean and the Ukraine, where an “ice” curtain and the “iron” curtain were the barriers; assistance to the Italo-Swiss community by the placing of pioneers in four goals; measures begun and funds contributed at the Stockholm conference for the purchase of a site for the future Temple in that city; translation of seven of the ten languages assigned by the Guardian, and the printing of a simple “contact” pamphlet under way in five. In consultation on all pioneering outside our country, the friends were warned of the necessity for using wisdom in the way they wrote to pioneers in foreign lands where even the mention of the word Bahá’í might be suspect.

Charlotte Linfoot, secretary of the Asia Teaching Committee, told of the goal of settling pioneers in forty-one countries of the Pacific, in cooperation with six other National Assemblies; of the difficulties encountered in attempting to reach these islands of remoteness; of the ways in which, through prayers and never ceasing efforts, the difficulties began to be resolved, until today eighteen pioneers are in or en route to their posts. We heard the dramatic story of Elena and Roy Fernie, whose heroism, ingenuity and devotion brought confirmations which removed seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and took them to the far-off Gilbert Islands. The friends were asked to remember the pioneers in their lonely remoteness from the rest of the world, and were reminded of the words of the Guardian that upon the settlement of goal spots in the Pacific depends the teaching success of the Global Crusade. Only then, he has said, will the Pacific become the ocean of peace.

William de Forge, speaking for the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee gave a glowing report of eighty-six pioneers who have filled twenty-six of the twenty-seven assigned goals. As yet the Island of Anticosti, the only spot still to be settled, is inaccessible, since it is privately owned.

The glorious victories of the African Teaching Campaign were told by Amoz Gibson. That the present number of converts to the Faith is now six hundred and the African centers one hundred and ninety, attest to the brilliance of this teaching victory in Africa, the “awakening giant”. The convention was blessed by the presence of the first Liberian believer who received the message from William Foster; he came before the delegates to speak briefly of his experience.

American Indian Service

Brought into focus as special tasks of the Ten Year Crusade were the responsibilities of the American Bahá’ís in carrying the Faith to the American Indians and to the Negro citizens of this country. At the Guardian’s direction these important home front tasks had been implemented by two new National Committees: American Indian Service and Inter-Racial Teaching.

“Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place, and the city, and the heart, and the mountain, and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land, and the sea, and the island, and the meadow where mention of God hath been made, and His praise glorified.” These well-loved words of Bahá’u’lláh have become the first to be translated into the Cherokee language, we learned as the story of the first year of American Indian Service was told graphically by Rex King, a member of this Committee. Caught by the spirit and the imagery of the words, the three translators on the Cherokee reservation in North Carolina had said, “It is beautiful, it is the thought of the Cherokee”; “It is wonderful, but it is also partly Sioux”; and “The word, Bahá’u’lláh, is like our word for God”. This first difficult year had been an adventure in pioneering in understanding the culture, the religious beliefs, the history of the first Americans; and an experience in pioneering into the vastness of Indian land by devoted Bahá’ís who moved to the Apache and Navajo reservations in Arizona; to Gallup, the Indian capital of the world; to Yakima, Washington; to Devil’s Lake among the Sioux of North Dakota; and to Cherokee, North Carolina. The special task of reclaiming the remnant community of Omaha Indians at Macy, Nebraska, was described as an inescapable responsibility which the American Indian Service Committee shared with the friends in an appeal for true pioneering in a long-range, patient, loving effort to bring this community back into the shelter of our Cause. Accomplishments

[Page 20] of this first year of Indian service included contact made with members of eighteen additional Indian tribes; the immediate task for the coming year will be the changing of contacts into converts for the Faith, in compliance with a most recent appeal of the Guardian. A brochure of teaching suggestions has been published and made available to the friends. We were reminded of the necessity for love, tact, patience, wisdom and understanding in teaching among the Indians, a people greatly revered by the Master. We remembered the glowing promise given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the future of this people when they will have been guided into their spiritual destiny. An appeal was made through the delegates to all the American Bahá’ís to claim their part in the fulfillment of this promise.

Inter-Racial Program

A report of the Inter-Racial Teaching Committee, given by Farhang Javid, began with the reiteration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s warning that if the problem of unity between the colored and white races is not met, the effect on this country will be most devastating. Shared with the friends was the Guardian’s statement reflecting his feeling for the importance of this work, too long delayed, and his assurance that the victories in Africa indicate the capacity for acceptance of the Faith among the Negro people. During the past year the Inter-Racial Teaching Committee asked each local Assembly to appoint a key deputy who would supply the names of Negro leaders in each community. To these were sent two separate mailings of literature with an accompanying letter. Recommendations for next year by the Committee included these suggestions: that each local Assembly appoint an Inter-Racial teaching committee; that each local Assembly plan one large public meeting devoted to this theme, preferably during Brotherhood week; that the incoming National Inter-Racial Teaching Committee be allowed to direct pioneer settlers to highly populated Negro communities in the south; that a definite time be appointed by the National Assembly for a study of new institute material, “Faith in Action”, through conferences or a series of study classes. This compilation was reviewed by Mrs. Marian Lippitt and its study explained as a means to prepare the friends to approach this important teaching responsibility. In the ensuing discussion several delegates reiterated the need for love in the hearts of the friends in order to win more Negro adherents to the Faith, and that the spirit of the task should become that of human relations. To this, the Puerto Rican delegate, Mr. Vivas, added a dramatic story of the effects of the deadly scourge of racial prejudice about which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá warned America. We were reminded, too, that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke also of the great future of the Negro people because of their numbers and the difficulties which have surrounded them. We remembered the words of the Kampala conference, “our colors are different by accident, we are brothers and sisters bound by one belief”.

Opportunities for Giving

“O My God! O My God! Verily I invoke Thee and supplicate before Thy threshold asking Thee that all Thy mercies may descend upon these souls .. Unite and bind together the hearts, join in accord all the souls ...” With the reading of this prayer, consultation on the National Fund drew us together in facing this greatest obligation and in accepting the privilege of maintaining the pillar upon which rest all the institutions of the Cause. The report to the friends as the Treasurer gave it was very clear. The total budget for last year was $525,000; receipts for the entire year were $366,000. The differential of $159,000 was somewhat lessened because $37,000 of the budget was not spent, leaving a deficit of $122,000. How was this deficit met? To repay the bank loan of $100,000 due last November 12, special measures had to be taken: a gift of $77,000 to the N.S.A. some years ago by Mrs. Collins, in memory of her husband, the principal of which could be used in an emergency, was used to help meet this obligation. This amount will be replaced in three parts, the first of which, $25,000, becomes a part of the budget of next year. Later, the N.S.A. borrowed from the Wilmette State Bank against the bequest of Mr. Schopflocher, repayable this year when the bequest of $60,000 is to be received. The budget for next year presented a clear picture of the minimum financial requirements, and totaled $475,000. With these figures the Treasurer shared the sobering facts that new developments in the world structure of the Faith will bring new financial responsibilities and that we cannot look for miracles to help us meet possible future crises. In order to face this squarely, a simple resolve plan as presented by the Treasurer was adopted in a recommendation to the National Assembly by the delegates. In its scope and simple, understandable form it seemed to embrace the capacity of every believer, so that no one from this point on need cut himself off from the bounty of support of the National Fund. The channels of individual giving were further clarified: first, to the International Fund directly to the Guardian; second, to the National Fund through the resolve plan; third, to their local fund by members of Bahá’í communities; and fourth, to a new Continental Fund, as explained in the Guardian’s cablegram, for the assistance of the Auxiliary Boards. Maintenance of all four categories are the obligation of the friends, it was explained, and will be accepted as we understand that, through the bounty of Bahá’u’lláh, our lives as Bahá’ís embrace local, national, and international, activities. The delegates recommended that local Assemblies as well as individuals choose an amount and make their contribution to the Resolve plan. To relate ourselves to the standard of the budget in a new mature spirit, suggestions followed: that each Assembly should devote more consultation to the problem, that the circle of believers who support the Fund may ever be increased; that new believers come into the Faith with an understanding of the joy and responsibility in giving to the various funds; that contributions should begin immediately after Riḍván (we are faced with an immediate bill of $23,000) and continue steadily until the close of the Bahá’í year; that the Fund is not healthy when sustained by a few; that we should realize that the Fund is the link between the believers and the execution of the Divine Plan; and that we take to our hearts again and again as individuals and communities the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “God does not ask from any soul except according to his ability. Whosoever comes with one good act, God will give him tenfold. 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 ...”

To bring such a spirit as this to a discussion of finances is truly one of

[Page 21] the remarkable evidences of the vitality of our Faith, the Chairman reminded us. And we felt that the spirit which accompanied the holding of a Bahá’í election, one of the explicit functions of the Convention, was just as unique in the world today. Midway in the sessions we paused for this dedicated part, for the sharing of prayers which preceded the actual voting, “that haply Thy servants may show forth only that which shall please Thee and conform wholly unto Thy most potent will”.

Election of National Assembly

One hundred and six delegates voted in person for members of the new National Spiritual Assembly, and sixty-three voted by mail. Later, the results of the election of the N.S.A. and its subsequent organization were announced: Paul Haney, chairman; Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman; Horace Holley, secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, assistant secretary; Edna True, recording secretary; Borrah Kavelin, treasurer; Margery McCormick; Lawrence Hautz; Robert McLaughlin.

More delegates and friends arrived at mid-session, bringing the final total to seven hundred and fifty-eight.

Temple Grounds and First Dependency

In the closing days of the Convention, through a graphic account by Robert McLaughlin, we learned of the steps to be taken in completing the nine gardens surrounding the Temple, the addition of fountains and circular walks in each and further enhancement of the planting, all to be done in a three year period. We learned that the Guardian has approved the building of a home for the aged as the first Temple Dependency and that a committee composed of Doctors Katherine True, Manucher Javid, and David Ruhe, and Mrs. Margery McCormick and Mrs. Beatrice Ashton had been asked to study the basic needs and technical problems in erecting such an institution. It had been the Guardian’s choice that the first Dependency be an instrument of service, we were told, and that in the same way that the House of Worship opens its doors to all, so will this institution.

Guardian’s Reply to Convention Message

The Guardian’s cabled reply to the message sent by the Convention was brief, arresting: “Welcome assurance delegates. Fervently supplicating great victories home front, abroad”.

· · · · · · · ·

A new feeling of urgency moved through the last hours of consultation on the responsibilities and opportunities here at home. News of the forthcoming Assembly of the World Council of Churches, to be held in Evanston in late August, was shared with us by Margery McCormick and Winston Evans, who have been asked by the N.S.A. to explore this opportunity for bringing the Bahá’í Faith to the attention of the leading scholars of the Christian world. The questions to be raised at the conference involve the whole future of Christendom, it was explained, and are those for which only Bahá’ís have been given the answer. We heard the dramatic story of the planning for this great assembly which will attract 1500 delegates from all over the world, and could but conclude it was not just an accident that Evanston, adjacent to Wilmette and the Bahá’í House of Worship, had been chosen as the site.

Through representatives of hardworking Committees we learned of the many spheres of Bahá’í activity: among the Youth, with the children, in the Summer Schools, in the epic volumes of Bahá’í World, through all the publicity and visual aids, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, library facilities, use of Bahá’í Questionnaires, Service to the Blind, book sales, and the reinforcement of ties binding the Bahá’í World Community with the United Nations. We learned of comprehensive plans for publicizing the Faith during the coming year in a series of twelve events including, in addition to Bahá’í anniversaries, World Religion day and other occasions celebrated in the past, a new World Culture day on March 6, offering unlimited opportunities for appeal through art, music and drama.

A Public meeting in Foundation Hall Sunday evening, with Arthur Dahl and Annamarie Honnold as speakers was the concluding event of the Convention. Its benediction was the service of public worship in the Auditorium that afternoon, as had the morning’s devotions been the dawning point of each day and the Riḍván Feast a mid-moment of joy. Just before the Convention Charles Wolcott had written a hauntingly beautiful melody for the words of a short prayer of Bahá’u’lláh. This, with the music of the lovely “from the sweet scented streams”, and the solacing words of the sacred readings made a blend of beauty.

The heart of the Convention was within the House of Worship. In the completed, dedicated Temple we learned the fulness of worship in a measure that words cannot contain. Together, in an orb of light, where Bahá’u’lláh’s words circle within and without, we heard the familiar verses of the older Faiths as for the first time, the glorious fulfilling prayers of Bahá’u’lláh both spoken and sung.

It is the Temple which is the first to be seen, the last to glimpse, the hardest to leave. But through some blessed miracle it is as close as remembrance ... we are back again and again in the circle of light, and the singing words return,

“O Thou, by whose Name the sea of joy moveth

And the fragrance of happiness is wafted,

I ask Thee to show me from the wonders of Thy favor,

That which shall brighten my eyes, and shall gladden my heart,

Verily, Thou art the Giver, the Generous.”

—NANCY PHILLIPS
Convention Reporter

AFRICAN TEACHING

From the United States Africa Teaching Committee comes the news of acceptance of the Bahá’í Faith by a member of the Berber tribe in North Africa, first of these people to become a believer.

Last October, an African pioneer from Uganda, Enoch Olinga, went to the British Cameroons, where a community of fourteen African Bahá’ís developed. In March the Guardian cabled Musá Banání, Hand of the Cause in Kampala, Uganda, asking that the new African believers go from the British Cameroons to nearby areas of the French and British Togolands and French Cameroons. Hence, by Riḍván, there were African believers in these areas as well as an assembly in the British Cameroons. This instance is given to show how fast the Faith can spread in these new areas and how the Guardian desires believers to scatter rather than build up large centers numerically.

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE

The American Indian Service Committee asks the help of all Local Assemblies and Area Committees in obtaining

[Page 22] information about Indian believers and contacts. To check the accuracy of existing records and reach any isolated individuals, the following information is requested:

1. Names and addresses of Bahá’ís in your community or area who are all or part Indian and the tribe to which they belong.
2. Names of Indian tribes contacted in your community or area during the first year of the Global Crusade.
3. Reports of any future enrollments or contacts as soon as they occur.

The accuracy of reports to the Guardian on the progress of Indian teaching depends on this assistance from the committees.

BAHA'I PRESS SERVICE

Bahá’í Press Service has developed a program for proclaiming the Faith to the public through special events coverage. This program, approved by the National Spiritual Assembly will serve as a basis for news releases.

The Press Service will mail to all Bahá’í press representatives the following materials to assist in publicizing each event.

1. A national release, which is sent to about 100 wire services, magazines and feature syndicates.
2. A suggested local release, adapting the information to local community requirements, bringing in local Bahá’í personalities and events.
3. A suggested newspaper advertisement, with layout.
4. A planograph sheet reproducing some of the recently published articles.
5. A letter outlining suggestions for publicizing these events, using radio scripts, tape recordings, mats etc. and exchanging information on the activities of press representatives.

The list of events includes:

July 9, Declaration of the Báb.

To publicize developments at Bahá’í World Center, and significance of the Martyrdom and Shrine of the Báb.

August 15-30, World Council of Churches. Meeting at Evanston, Illinois.

To welcome delegates, invite them to visit nearby Bahá’í Temple.

September 23, Bahá’í Proclamation Day.

To proclaim America’s spiritual mission, observe the anniversary of the Faith’s introduction to America and stimulate the friends to renew their efforts after summer lull.

October 24, United Nations Day.

To proclaim spiritual basis on which nations of the world can unite for lasting world peace.

November 12, Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh.

To proclaim the appearance of the Promised One of all religions as the hope of the world.

December 5 (approximate), State Bahá’í Conventions.

To publicize delegate attendance and progress of the Ten Year Crusade.

January 16, World Religion Day.

To proclaim the fundamental oneness of religion.

February 21-28, World Brotherhood Week.

To proclaim the oneness of mankind.

March 6, World Culture Day.

To herald the emergence of a new global culture to promote world peace.

March 21, Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year).

To proclaim the renewal of religion and a new spiritual springtime.

April 30-May 2 (approximate), National Bahá’í Convention.

To publicize delegate attendance and progress of the Ten Year Crusade.

May 23, Declaration of the Báb.

To proclaim the birth of a new Universal Cycle and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Local Assemblies are urged to send the names of their new appointments of Press Representatives to: Bahá’í Press Service, 6543 N. Campbell Ave., Chicago 45, Illinois, so that the mailing list for future publicity releases may be corrected.

INTERNATIONAL BAHA'I SCHOOL

The International Bahá’í School will open for classes on Saturday, July 17, continuing for four weeks. All Bahá’ís are invited to attend the classes at the inspiring setting at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. No special classes for Youth will be given.

During this year so vital to the Crusade, summer school programs will serve an important place in preparing each Bahá’í for his teaching opportunities. International School classes and programs will be geared to the Ten Year plan.

The school has an excellent library containing Bahá’í writings in several languages and reference publications in comparative religions. However, those attending should bring their own Bahá’í books for study.

The warm days and cool evenings indicate a variety of dress. Come prepared to enjoy the excellent climate and recreational facilities of the Pike’s Peak region.

There is easy access to Colorado Springs by all forms of transportation. The school is located about 12 miles from the city.

Room and board is $35.00 per week. Because accommodations are limited, enrollment and room reservations should be made early. Inquiries should be sent to:

Mrs. Gladys Roberts

915 N. Hancock Ave.

Colorado Springs, Colorado.

CHILD EDUCATION

Parents and all believers working with children will be interested in a “Suggested Outline for the Teaching and Training of Children” which appears in the April issue of The Child’s Way, publication of the Bahá’í National Child Education Committee. This issue, especially printed because of the value of this teaching chart, gives the capacities, norms, goals and objectives for children from three to fifteen years, together with suggestions on teaching and related activities. Also included is a set of check questions for self-evaluation by those working with children. In single copies, the price of this issue is twenty-five cents. Regular subscriptions to the bi-monthly The Child’s Way are $1.00 a year, and can be ordered, to begin with this special issue, from:

The Child’s Way

Mrs. Amy Dwelly, Editor

9400 Euclid Avenue, Suite 20

Cleveland 6, Ohio

CHRIST'S PROMISE FULFILLED

A new booklet entitled Christ’s Promise Fulfilled is now available. Its contents, assembled from Some Answered Questions, brings together chapters dealing with the birth of Christ, the Resurrection, the Return spoken of by the Prophets and other subjects of particular interest to people of Christian background.

The purpose in publishing such a booklet at this time is to give Bahá’ís a piece of literature providing answers to the questions which will arise as a result of the great international conference sponsored by the World Council of Churches, to be held in Evanston, Illinois, during the last two weeks of August.

[Page 23] The World Council of Churches, which represents some 35 million people in its affiliated groups, has chosen the topic “Christ, the Hope of the World,” as theme for the Evanston conference. Discussion will center largely on the Second Coming, the Return of Christ. Laymen and clergy alike are showing increased interest in this subject. Press, radio and TV will focus on the conference, reporting the discussions in detail to all parts of the world.

Northwestern University will provide the facilities of its 3500-seat McGaw Memorial Hall for the conference; 1500 delegates, representing 161 Protestant denominations, from 60 countries are expected to attend.

The National Spiritual Assembly has felt this Assembly of the World Council of Churches to be sufficiently important that it has appointed a committee to follow the arrangements being made for the conference. The purpose of the committee is to determine what significance the deliberations of the delegates may have for Bahá’ís and to inform the believers of ways in which they can meet the opportunities created by the discussions.

What constitutes “Christian Hope” is far from clear in the minds of many delegates who will attend the meetings, and agreement among those who have positive opinions is not a foregone conclusion. The very nature of the conference, however, indicates an awareness of the central problem of our time. For Bahá’ís the Christian hope of the return of Christ is Bahá’í conviction. Ours is the Faith, the assurance that Christ has, indeed, returned; not in His former station of the Son of God, but in the very Glory of the Father, in Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God.

This knowledge will be made available to delegates to the Evanston meeting of the World Council of Churches. The National Spiritual Assembly is considering all possible ways of bringing the Bahá’í Faith to the attention of these visitors.

The booklet, prepared for this occasion, will be found useful for this purpose in all communities as well as in Evanston, (see Publications section.)

BAHA'I ON THE CAMPUS

At the University of Arizona, World Youth Day was observed with a panel discussion on the agreement of Science and Religion. A member of the Department of Physics of the University presented the scientific viewpoint and a Bahá’í presented the principles of the Faith.

Regular Friday evening public meetings, held in the Student Union Building on campus, have been well attended.

This active Bahá’í youth group has received University recognition through the election of a Bahá’í to the office of President of the Student Religious Council.

DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP

The Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, Illinois is dedicated to the Unity of God, the Unity of His Prophets, the Unity of Mankind. In this spirit, public worship is conducted each Sunday at 3:30 P.M. in the auditorium. Readers at these devotional programs include Bahá’ís and guests. Choral selections are by the Bahá’í House of Worship A Cappella Choir.

The programs for the month of May follow:

Feast of Riḍván—May 1, 1954,
9:30 P.M.

This is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One. The Call of God hath been raised, and the light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Sing and Rejoice—Will James

PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS, XLVII, p. 69

PRAYER OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH (chanted in Persian)

GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, pp. 29-30, 32

GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, LIII, p. 107

CHORAL SELECTION

Hear My Cry, O God—Alexander Kopyloff

GLEANINGS FROM THE WRITINGS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH, CLI, p. 319

CHORAL SELECTION

Let Thy Holy Presence—Tschesnokoff

PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS, CLXXX, p. 310

CHORAL SELECTION

From the Sweet-Scented Streams (A prayer of Bahá’u’lláh)—Charles Wolcott

Order of Devotions—May 2, 1954,
3:30 P.M.

In all Dispensations the law of prayer hath constituted a fundamental element of the Revelation of all the Prophets of God.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Almighty God of Our Fathers—James

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 48

OLD TESTAMENT

Job 33:26. Psalms 50: 14-15; 34: 1-8; 117; 100; 67

NEW TESTAMENT

Mark 11:22-26; Luke 11:5-13; Matthew 6:5-13

CHORAL SELECTION

Alleluia—Randall Thompson

QUR’AN

Sura II:147-148; Sura XI:116-117; Sura I

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh (from the Arabic), No. 16, 43

Kitáb-i-Iqán (The Book of Certitude), p. 39; Gleanings, pp. 294, 265, 266, 243, 295; Advent of Divine Justice, p. 70

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 46

CHORAL SELECTION

From the Sweet-Scented Streams (Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh)—Charles Wolcott

Order of Devotions—May 9, 1954
3:30 P.M.

All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe and power ... Of all who are in heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation of Thy sovereign Will. From all eternity Thou didst rule the entire creation, and Thou wilt continue for evermore to exercise thy dominion over all created things.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Let All the Nations Praise the Lord—Volckmar Leisring

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, LIX, p. 94

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalms 19 and 100

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 4:10; John 4:23

QUR’AN

Sura XXIV, 36-38; 41-42; Sura I

CHORAL SELECTION

O Come Ye Servants of the Lord—C. Tye

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, pp. 271-272; LXXV p. 123

Gleanings, pp. 60-61

Prayers and Meditations, CLIII, p. 245

CHORAL SELECTION

Laud His Name—P. Ivanoff

Order of Devotions—May 16, 1954
3:30 P.M.

The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

O Sing Unto the Lord—Hans Leo Hassler

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings p. 243: XCIX, p. 200

OLD TESTAMENT

Malachi 2:10: 3:1-3; 3:16-18. Isaiah 11:1-9

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 22: 36-40; 23: 37-39. Revelation 21: 1-5

QUR’AN

Sura III: 98-100

CHORAL SELECTION

Bless the Lord, O My Soul—Ippolitof-Ivanof

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, CVII, p. 214; pp. 215-216; CXI, p. 217

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 78

CHORAL SELECTION

The Lord’s My Shepherd—arr. Gordon Jacob

Order of Devotions—May 23, 1954,
3:30 P.M.

Know thou assuredly that the essence of all the Prophets of God is one and the same. Their unity is absolute. God, the Creator, saiths There is no distinction whatsoever among the Bearers of My Message. They all have but one purpose; their Secret is the same Secret.

—Bahá’u’lláh

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, LIX, p. 94

CHORAL SELECTION

Arise, O God, and Show Thy Might—Morgan

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 78-80

BHAGAVAD-GITA (HINDU SCRIPTURES)

OLD TESTAMENT

Exodus 3:14-15; 4:10-16. Deuteronomy 18:15-19

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 3:16-17; 5:17-18. John 5:46-47. Luke 24:44. John 8:42, 56, 58; 14:15-18, 26; 16:7-8, 12-13

CHORAL SELECTION

Let Thy Holy Presence—Tschesnokoff

QUR’AN

Sura II:130; Sura XXXIII:40-46

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, p. 5; VII, p. 10; World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 104-105, 60, 116

Gleanings, pp. 80-81, 136

Prayers and Meditations, CVII, p. 178

CHORAL SELECTION

He Shall Give His Angels Charge Over Thee—Mendelssohn

[Page 24]

Order of Devotions—May 30, 1954,
3:30 P.M.

It is evident that the loftiest mansions in the Realm of Immortality have been ordained as the habitation of them that have truly believed in God and in His signs. Death can never invade that holy seat.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Give Ear Unto My Prayer—Arcadelt

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, pp. 278-279

BHAGAVAD-GITA (HINDU SCRIPTURES)

The Ordinances of Manu

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm 23

NEW TESTAMENT

I Corinthians 15:39-50,54

QUR’AN

Sura XXIV, 64; Sura XLI, 30-32; Sura XXXII, 17, 19; Sura XVI, 32, 34; Sura XXIV, 42

CHORAL SELECTION

Oh Sing Unto the Lord—Hans Leo Hassler

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 158-159; pp. 155-156; pp. 156-157; pp. 345-346

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, From the Arabic, 32, 23, 6, 14; Gleanings, p. 141

Prayers and Meditations, XXVIII, p. 32

CHORAL SELECTION

Laud His Name—P. Ivanoff

PUBLICATIONS

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Christ’s Promise Fulfilled. By ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Selections ‎form from‎ Some Answered Questions containing many chapters on Some Christian Subjects, The Five Aspects of Spirit, Stations of the Divine Manifestations, Reincarnation, and others. An effective teaching aid for appealing to people of Christian background. 75 pages, 4½ x 7½, green stamping on Grey Granite cover.

Each	$ .35
10 copies	$2.50

Public Meeting Cards. Double card, perforated, top portion of which carries a quotation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Lower portion is an address card for contacts who wish to be informed of future Bahá’í meetings.

100 copies	$ 1.75
500 copies	$ 7.50
1000 copies	$13.00

Faith in Action. Prepared by the Bahá’í Inter-Racial Teaching Committee of 1953-54, this clearly organized study of the Bahá’í approach to human relations is ideal for either group or personal deepening. 26 pages, 8½" x 14", mimeographed.

Each	$.60

The Religion of Humanity. By Horace Holley. Prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly especially for presentation to public figures (see page 7), this pamphlet is also useful for firesides and personal contacts.

(minimum order) 10 copies	$1.00
50 copies	$4.50

New Prices

Loyalty to Government. Clear, concise statement of this basic Bahá’í principle. (new printing)

Each	$ .05
8 copies	$ .25
100 copies	$2.50

New Supply

God and His Messengers. By David Hofman. Published by George Ronald, England. This is the only book of its kind in our Children’s Literature. Suitable as gift for Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í. This item is no longer net and librarians will receive the usual discount on quantity purchases.

Each	$2.00

Out of Print

The following books are no longer available and will not be reprinted.

The Bahá’í Movement

Security for a Failing World. (This applies to the book only. The pamphlet is still available.)

MARRIAGES

“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 ...”

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Detroit, Michigan—Mrs. Wilma Ridley to Mr. Ervin LeRoy Thomas, April 24, 1954.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOLY DAYS

July 9, Martyrdom of the Báb

FEASTS

June 5, Núr, Light

June 24, Raḥmat, Mercy

July 13, Kalimát, Words

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

July 2, 3, 4, 5

July 30, 31, August 1

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Visiting Hours:

Weekdays; 10:30 A.M.—4:30 P.M.

7:30 P.M.—9:00 P.M.

Sundays: 10:30 A.M.—9:00 P.M.

Service of worship: Sunday at 3:30, lasting until 4:15. (No guided tours will be conducted during the service of worship.)

IN MEMORIAM

“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.”

—Bahá’u’lláh

Mrs. Mabelle De Bruyn

Berkeley, California

March 20, 1954

Mrs. Marion Compton

Burlington, New Jersey

April 1, 1954

Mr. Arthur Husted

Soldier’s Home Hospital

Washington, D. C.

April 12, 1954

Mr. Lorin A. Whitmore

‎Pasedena Pasadena‎ 6, California

April 20, 1954

Mr. Paul Banker

Salt Lake City, Utah

May 9, 1954

Mrs. Fred J. Woodward

Alexandria, Virginia

May 9, 1954

Mrs. Saida R. Cowman

Arlington, Virginia

May 15, 1954

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BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.

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 tenth 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 1954-1955: 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.