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No. 281

Bahá’í Year 111

July, 1954

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THE GUARDIAN

AUXILIARY BOARD FOR AFRICA

Mr. Músá Banání, Hand of the Cause for the Continent of Africa, has appointed the following Auxiliary Board: Elsie Austin, Valerie Wilson, John Robarts, William Sears, John Allen, Jalál Nakhjavání, ‘Aziz Yazdí, Muḥammad Muṣṭaphá, ‘Alí Nakhjavání.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WORLD CRUSADE
SECOND PHASE

Beloved Friends:

The Guardian’s Convention Message, published last month, concludes with his summary of the tasks to be undertaken in the second phase of the Ten Year Plan. Our collective success depends upon the fidelity with which we pursue these important tasks.

We quote two paragraphs from this Message:

“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 excel 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.”

It is to appeal for this “upsurge of activity” and its direction into the right channels, that the National Spiritual Assembly concentrates its attention in this communication to American Bahá’ís.

We realize that Shoghi Effendi sent this same Message to all Bahá’í Conventions this year, and therefore his summary of tasks includes projects of other national Bahá’í communities as well as our own. For American Bahá’ís, and for all Bahá’ís alike, the tasks enumerated for the second phase are:

1. Increase rapidly the number of Bahá’í workers.
2. Preserve the pioneer prizes we have won in virgin areas allotted to the United States and occupied last year.
3. The maintenance of local Assembly status in all cities where it has been established.
4. The steady multiplication of isolated believers, groups and local Assemblies in all areas where National Spiritual Assemblies are to be formed during the World Crusade. For American Bahá’ís this means Alaska, the republics of Central and South America, South and West Africa, Europe, Japan and the South Pacific Islands.
5. Complete arrangements for purchase of Temple sites. Sites have already been purchased in Panama and Johannesburg, leaving sites to be purchased in Stockholm, Rome and Santiago.
6. The establishment of Funds for National Bahá’í Headquarters in capital cities of Sovereign States and in chief cities of listed Dependencies.
   [Page 2] For the United States this means Anchorage, Brussels, Copenhagen, Helsingfors, Johannesburg, Lisbon, Luxembourg, Madrid, Oslo, Stockholm, Suva, The Hague, Tokyo.
7. Translation of Bahá’í literature into the languages assigned to the United States.
8. Construction of the first accessory building of the House of Worship in Wilmette.
9. The inauguration of National Bahá’í endowments intended to prepare for the formation of the new National Assemblies.
10. Expedite the legal incorporation of local Assemblies.
11. The establishment of a Publishing Trust.

Beloved friends! The conquest of pioneer areas last year was indeed spectacular. These eleven tasks are far more formidable undertakings, not to be achieved by heroic individuals but dependent upon a great new impetus felt throughout the entire American Bahá’í Community.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

EIGHT BAHA'I HEADQUARTERS

U. S. Project for World Crusade

The National Spiritual Assembly has received a directive from the Guardian which assigns for the American believers a weighty and important project for the second year of the Ten Year Plan.

We are to take steps to purchase a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the following cities: Anchorage, Alaska; Lima, Peru; Johannesburg, South Africa; Bern, Switzerland; Panama City, Panama; Tokyo, Japan; Rome, Italy; Suva, Fiji Islands.

These should not be elaborate structures, but modest houses which can serve at present as local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds but which will be converted into National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds as soon as National Assemblies are formed.

Beloved friends! This far-reaching and dramatic undertaking involves very important considerations.

First, we note tremendous acceleration in the rate of Bahá’í progress. The Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada did not have a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds until 1939, though a national office had been maintained since 1925.

Second, we note the diversity of the places assigned to the Bahá’ís of the United States—three in the Western Hemisphere, two in Europe, one in Africa, one in the Far East and one in the Isles of the Pacific.

Third, we reflect upon the fact that a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds represents the active functioning of a national administrative body—the national means needed for the release of its powers.

Fourth, it must surely occur to us that in this project a considerable investment is involved, representing a gift from the American Bahá’í community to the new World Order.

Thus we see the Ten Year Plan in its perspective and fulfillment: first, teaching; second, consolidation; and third, the formation of a new National Spiritual Assembly.

Here is a marvelous privilege and a mighty challenge. To undertake it we call upon our inner spirit of faith; to carry it out, we augment our collective powers many-fold.

This is but the first announcement of the project. Plans and information will be reported from time to time.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

PIONEERS AND THE RIGHT AND DUTY TO TEACH

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to clarify to the believers their right and duty to enter the pioneer field. Pioneering is an application of the principle under which every Bahá’í has the right and duty to deliver the Message.

However, since pioneering involves travel and settlement, the believers who can sustain themselves financially are in a different position from those who need budgets. Wherever budgets are not needed, the believer is free to go and settle wherever he chooses. He needs no special permission or authority to do so. But he will surely notify the National Spiritual Assembly or its Intercontinental Teaching Committee of his intention, as a matter of courtesy and necessary information, like any report of a change of residence. Once the National Spiritual Assembly or Committee is informed, the believer is classified as a pioneer and all possible service rendered.

It is only in the particular and special case where a pioneer settlement might adversely affect the teaching work — in this case the administrative body must act for the protection of the Faith.

Except for this one obvious consideration, which is the rare exception, the individual or Bahá’í family able to pioneer is perfectly free to do so and will receive the grateful appreciation of all fellow-believers.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WHAT TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE PIONEER?

Today many Bahá’ís, especially the youth, look forward to living and serving the Faith in parts of the earth that were practically unknown to us prior to May 1, 1953. A question that many believers ask is: “What kind of educational programs should be planned for our children and youth who will be the future pioneers?”

There is no single answer to this important question. In the first place, revolutionary changes are taking place in every corner of the earth and it is impossible to predict today what the next five or ten years, or even three years, will bring in the realms of politics, economics, education, scientific and social advancement.

Some of the countries to which we are now carrying the Message of Bahá’u’lláh are among the foremost nations according to present standards of civilization, and anyone planning to serve the Faith in those places may be guided in his preparations by the needs and opportunities existing in our own country.

There are other countries, however, whose peoples do not yet enjoy what the western world regards as the basic minimums in daily comforts and conveniences. Those who can go out to live among such peoples, to help encourage and stimulate their initiative and capacities, to teach them the basic principles of modern agriculture, production, health and welfare, are indeed the servants of mankind. The following suggestions compiled from extensive examination of government and other reliable documents, as well as from letters by Bahá’í pioneers, may be of some assistance in planning educational programs for Bahá’í boys and girls.

Teachers. All over the world there is a shortage of teachers. For the particular needs of the Ten Year Crusade, there are opportunities especially for young men teachers of intermediate and high school grades who also possess some skill in such things as simple carpentry, tool repair, elementary agriculture, poultry raising or animal husbandry. Some background in anthropology is usually required. Rich opportunities for service will be found by those teachers who are willing to live in isolated, primitive villages and become part of the life of the people.

[Page 3] Nurses. Graduate nurses, with native ability to improvise and to adjust to unprofessional environments, are in great demand. There is need in some areas for nurses who have had hospital management and administrative experience, and who are qualified to teach and supervise native student nurses.

Doctors. International health organizations occasionally have openings for experts in the field of medicine, but because this is a highly specialized field here is not the place to outline requirements. The various intercontinental teaching committees will be glad to refer questions to Bahá’í doctors who are qualified to supply details.

Construction workers, carpenters, electricians, tool repair and automotive repairmen. The entire world is suffering from lack of housing. Almost total absence of transportation and shipping facilities in some areas has made it impossible to secure essential building materials. The rapid deterioration of wood and metal in some climates calls for constant preservation and repair.

Stenographers. This type of worker can secure a position almost anywhere. However, there is decreasing disposition on the part of government agencies to employ stenographers whose transportation must be paid to a foreign post.

Agriculturalists. There are often openings in areas where governments are endeavoring to teach and encourage the indigenous people to increase production and the variety of foods.

Radio operators and technicians, weather forecasters, and similar workers are often needed in isolated posts.

And in many areas beauty shops, laundries, dry cleaning establishments and shoe repair shops are urgently needed.

Employment opportunities for highly specialized workers are not numerous in most pioneer areas. Government technical aid programs will continue to call for the services of experts for surveys, pilot studies and special experiments, but for the most part the need is for the type of workers generally to be found in the small towns and villages throughout our country rather than for specialists

Aerial view of the Shrine of the Báb. The group of cypresses at the left of the clerestory marks the spot on which Bahá’u’lláh indicated to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá this site for the Shrine on Mount Carmel.

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who tend to congregate in thickly populated areas.

Besides education and training for a profession or trade as a means of livelihood, prospective Bahá’í pioneers would do well to acquire such skills as first aid, home nursing, simple handcrafts, simple sewing, shoe repair, gardening, as a means for contacting and serving people in a personal, neighborly way. Knowledge of other languages is also helpful, particularly in areas under the control of governments whose official language is other than English.

We must dismiss from our minds the idea that any American can find employment anywhere in the world. This is not true today. In many places the employment of non-natives is limited to persons from the country that has political jurisdiction over that area. Furthermore, native peoples themselves have progressed

[Page 4] in education and experience to the point where they are well qualified to serve, not only as laborers, but as primary school teachers, practical nurses, office clerks, and traders. This is a trend to which Bahá’ís will lend their wholehearted support, particularly in the areas in which they pioneer.

Important as it is to have a trade or profession by which to earn a living, it is even more essential to possess those qualities of character and behavior by which the Bahá’í must be distinguished among men. The Guardian has given complete guidance for this preparation in The Advent of Divine Justice, wherein the prospective pioneer will also find practical suggestions for all other aspects of preparation as well.

Prepared by Charlotte Linfoot at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly.

PILGRIMS' NOTES

The following reference in a letter written on behalf of the Guardian was published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1927, and is reprinted here at the request of The National Spiritual Assembly.

“Regarding the notes taken by pilgrims at Haifa. The Guardian has stated that he is unwilling to sign the notes of any pilgrim, in order that the literature consulted by the believers shall not be unduly extended.... This means that the notes of pilgrims do not carry the authority resident in the Guardian’s letters written over his own signature. On the other hand, each pilgrim brings back information and suggestions of a most precious character, and it is the privilege of all the friends to share in the spiritual results of these visits.”

CORRECTIONS IN CABLE FROM THE GUARDIAN

The National Spiritual Assembly has been directed to make the following corrections in the text of the Guardian’s cable of March 29, published in the April BAHÁ’Í NEWS:

Second paragraph, first sentence, should read: “(This) triumphant soul (is) now gathered (to the) distinguished band (of her) co-workers ...” and “Mediterranean (Sea) attest the magnificence (of the) ...”

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

This precious glimpse of Marion Jack shows the happy, radiant spirit of this “immortal heroine.” With the picture come a few references, in the form of pilgrim’s notes, to remarks about Miss Jack made by the beloved Guardian. Their purport is that Miss Jack did not bring many believers into the Cause, but her spirit was very wonderful. She had a serenity that was the result of her faith. Very few have attained that degree of serene faith — confident faith. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá used to joke with her. He called her “General Jack”. She was a Canadian believer and the Canadians should be proud of her.

As directed by the Guardian, a Memorial gathering is to be held in the Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, at 8:00 P.M. Saturday, July 3, 1954.

WORLD CRUSADE

EIGHTH 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

Mr. Howard Gilliland arrived in Labrador, April 29, 1954.

Mrs. H. J. Snider arrived in Key West, Florida. (no date given)

Mr. Haig Kevorkian arrived in the Galapagos Islands, May 29, 1954.

ARRIVALS IN CONSOLIDATION AREAS

Mr. Fred A. Kluss arrived in Santa Ana, El Salvador, October 15, 1953.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moul arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska. (arrived in Anchorage October 21, 1953, now in Ketchikan)

Miss Margaret Mills arrived in San Salvador, El Salvador, January 24, 1954.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyall Hadden arrived in Pretoria, Union of South Africa, March 8, 1954.

Miss Joan Lozier arrived in Caracas, Venezuela, March 16, 1954.

Miss Marguerite B. Meyer arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska, March 17, 1954.

Miss Ann Ashen arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska, (no date given)

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Russell arrived in Seward, Alaska, in April, 1954.

Dr. Alice Kidder arrived in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa, in April, 1954.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Walters arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, April 15, 1954.

Mrs. Isobel Sabri arrived in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika, in April, 1954.

Mr. William Sears Jr. (youth) arrived in Johannesburg, Union of South Africa, in May, 1954.

NEWS FROM AFRICA

Through the United States Africa Teaching Committee comes the news of pioneers in the following World Crusade posts:

From the Trues, George and Peggy, now in the Canary Islands, comes the following, written during Riḍván:

“Now that we have been on this island for 6 months and a few days, we stop to pause and to take account of ourselves. In spite of various handicaps of language, custom and political restrictions, much teaching has been done. God has been very kind to us and sent us three translators, and one knows both Spanish and English. For the first few months our new friends consisted mostly of Americans and Englishmen, because of the language barrier. Now, however, we have a large circle of native acquaintances. We had been hoping to have one declaration by Riḍván, and as we are still in the Riḍván period, I am hopeful that we might have one before May 2nd. Perhaps it is because of the many restrictions here that the people have their own very busy grapevine. In

[Page 5] any event there are by now several hundred people, probably, who know something about us. We have very few books, having brought only 8 with us, but what we have are well-circulated and well-thumbed.”

Mr. and Mrs. Hope in Angola have had their visa extended and are busy getting established and acquainted. One way they have found to make friends and also a little money is giving English lessons. They write:

“We have held a couple of informal gatherings and have had some good discussions on the Faith. One woman, an American, wishes to learn more and we are waiting to meet with her and her husband ... Things appear brighter now that we are in Luanda and can make long-range plans. Our hope is a weekly fireside or class. We are also having more contact with the natives and may be able to give the message to a group of them through a contact and friend.”

Miss Ottilie Rhein on Mauritius Island writes that she now has a residence visa and thus can make plans to remain. She writes of the place in general:

“Mauritius has no native population so to speak. One is either descended from the ‘Master or his slaves’. People in government service rarely ever stay any longer than 3-5 years. Most everyone is glad to get away again and you can’t blame them after you know what man did to Mauritius since his arrival and settlement on this island. Several years ago they swamped the place with electric stoves and all sorts of appliances far too heavy for the generators. As a result electricity is very much curtailed, which means spoiled meat and food poisoning.”

Bill Foster has recently gone from Monrovia, Liberia, where he worked so faithfully for two and a half years and helped establish the Assembly there in April, 1953, to Casablanca where he already has a position and will soon be joined by his wife and children.

Fred and Beth Laws have been in Basutoland 7 months now, have traveled over the area extensively and become well acquainted with the country and many of its people. They have been able to show people by their actions that their Faith means service; deeds, not words alone. At one school Fred has built and installed a potter’s wheel, the first such wheel in Basutoland. They have made warm and friendly contacts at other schools.

The Allens, John and Valera, have been in Swaziland about a month and already have driven over 2000 miles in that area getting familiar with the country and conditions. They are already learning to speak Zulu and showing slides on America at schools there.

Marguerite Sears was in the U.S. briefly this Spring. She left for Johannesburg at the end of May. On the subject of pioneering in general she told two members of this committee:

“When one finally gets to his pioneer post he finds that he is still basically the same person. People think that some spiritual alchemy will change them into new beings when they arrive at their pioneer posts. This is not the case. They find that after the glow of departure has passed, they have brought along with them the same desirable and undesirable characteristics which they had at home. The aggressive ones remain aggressive, the passive likewise, and they find that their pioneer fellows are the same. Study of the Covenant, according to the Guardian, is the only source of the ‘fire of the love of God’ and only through the love of God can we love our fellow men. In the final analysis when we get accustomed to the bad coffee, or strange food and get a job and become established, the only thing important is the mass of humanity to whom we may talk which gradually opens like a flower and eventually says ‘can I, too, become a Bahá’í?’ ”

Marguerite further explained, and we see evidences of this in many of the letters from the pioneers, that if we are to really succeed in these great tasks, the idea which must be basic at all times is: how to be of real service, in the fullest and highest sense, to the people.

PIONEER LETTERS

The National Spiritual Assembly shares the following passages from pioneer letters with the Bahá’í community, in keeping with its policy of informing the believers about the unfoldment of the World Crusade. The excerpts cited here are presented in an attempt to give some of the incidents which show the character of the newly-opened territories and reflect the spirit of the pioneers in these far-flung outposts.

Excerpts from Pioneer Letters to the Africa Teaching Committee

French Somaliland: Fred Schechter spent three months in Djibouti and since leaving because of his inability to obtain a visa extension is attempting arrangements for an Egyptian Bahá’í to take up in French Somaliland where he left off. He writes of French Somaliland:

“Djibouti is divided into various sections. There is what may be termed the European residential area; the business part divided into Greek owned shops, Indian and Arab shops, and the big shipping agencies; then there is the Arab quarter; and finally, the huge shack-town where the vast majority of the Somalis live. With this diverse population, the languages used are also diverse. The population can’t exceed 25,000, and the languages are Arabic, Somali, French, Greek, Gujarati, Italian, and combinations of all of them. Arabic could be considered the lingua franca here as it is throughout the East, then French. If two people, a Greek and a Frenchman can’t speak each other’s language, they speak Arabic.

“Most of the people are Muslim; the rest Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox. There are two fairly large mosques and numerous smaller ones scattered throughout the city. There’s one church.

“Almost the entire population of French Somaliland lives in Djibouti. There are a few thousand nomadic shepherds tending their flocks in the hills around the Ethiopian border. ... There’s a great potential. If the tremendous differences of culture, language, etc., could be blended, Djibouti would be a model city.

Northern Territories Protectorate: Julius A. G. Edwards from Jamaica, pioneering in his brief three months at Tamale, Northern Territories of the Gold Coast Colony, was able to confirm three residents there who are now carrying on as an organized group. These new believers have written applications to the African Committee in such language as the following:

“I humbly beg to apply for admission in the Bahá’í Faith. I have gone through Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, The Dispensation of

[Page 6] Bahá’u’lláh, Your Experience as a Bahá’í, in study classes with Mr. Edwards, and I am fully satisfied with the stations of the following figures of the Faith:—The Báb as Precursor and Prophet, Bahá’u’lláh as the Prophet of the age, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the Center of the Covenant, Interpreter and Exemplar of the Faith.

“I shall be too happy to conform to the administrative principles set forth by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which invokes Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian.

“It is a pleasure to me that Africa is not forgotten by bringing this modern Faith to us. This Bahá’í Faith embraces all aspects of life. I extend my love to all Bahá’ís in the East and West; I hope that Peace, Love and Unity shall prevail.”

Following is an excerpt from a subsequent report of this newly-organized Bahá’í group which also told of local actions taken by the group:

“It was decided that regular study classes for the group, especially for deepening purposes, be held every Wednesday at 5:30 P.M. and that another class be held each Sunday for the benefit of contacts at the same hour.

“Mr. Edwards strongly advised that there must be team work and group action in every step of the way, meaning that there must be consultation on all matters before any action whatsoever is taken on decisions, unanimous or by majority vote. The meeting adjourned until next Sunday at 5:30 P.M.”

Rex and Mary Collison and Dunduzu Chisiza, Ruanda-Urundi

Ruanda-Urundi, March 11, 1954

“Our passports have been renewed for another 2 years.

“We seem to have reached the limit of English-speaking contacts here. Of these we think two will probably become Bahá’ís in time but we have found it very difficult for various reasons to find time when they are able and willing to meet with us either in their own homes or here.

“We are not at all discouraged as to the eventual progress of the Faith in R.-U. Although education is conspicuously lacking, many people here are thinking for themselves. Many are eager to talk with us directly. Teaching through a translator is most difficult for all concerned. He indeed is a rare interpreter who doesn’t take most of the spirit out of anything in transmitting it. Because of our inability to get in touch with people and talk to them directly, we are convinced that someone who speaks French should be here with us. Isn’t there someone, preferably a couple or a man, who knows French and would like to come to this beautiful and rapidly developing country? Direct teaching must be done sooner or later—the sooner the better.

“Toward the end of January we made a trip to Kampala and were away three weeks in all. We were lucky in having no rains and good roads (for Africa) both ways. Came back in record time — almost 600 miles in 2 days. Du stayed here and looked after the house while we were away ... It was wonderful seeing all our friends again after seven rather lonely months.”

Helen and Robert Miller, Johannesburg, Union of South Africa.

Johannesburg, March, 1954

“For a number of years, prior to the middle of 1953, Reginald Turvey of Johannesburg, and Agnes Carey of Durban, were the two members of the Faith residing in South Africa. Since that time Johannesburg has become a veritable hub of Bahá’í activity. The first pioneers to arrive under the Ten-Year Plan on South Africa soil were Bill, Marguerite and Michael Sears, who arrived in July. In August they were followed by Bahíyíih and Harry Ford, and Ruth and Bishop Brown, the latter two settling in Durban. The Sears, Fords and Mr. Turvey organized a group in Johannesburg in August. Soon after, the Sears left on an extensive and very successful teaching tour of Central and East Africa.

“Teaching has, of necessity, progressed very slowly, due to the instructions of the Guardian, for the conditions for spreading the Faith in South Africa are as difficult as anywhere in the world. A Sunday evening discussion group at the Fords’ apartment building was eventually turned into a full-fledged Bahá’í Study Group, out of which two people have expressed a desire to declare themselves at the March second Feast. The death of Harry Ford provided a very strong teaching medium through the impressive Bahá’í Service, and through the Spirit generated other hearts have become receptive, and there are at least eight coming to a Fireside to hear John Robarts. Out of this Fireside, we hope that another class can be formed. There were exactly nineteen at the funeral.

“Bob, Helen, Karen, Bob and Gretchen Miller arrived in early December to settle in Johannesburg. Bahá’í visitors have been coming in a steady stream. Frederick and Beth Laws were here for a few days, enroute from Kenya to their new post in Basutoland. The Lowell Johnsons are in Capetown, are very active there, and do a splendid job of meeting ships and entertaining incoming Bahá’ís. Kenneth, Roberta and Roger Christian stayed for several days before proceeding to their goal at Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia. The Bishop Browns have made several trips from Durban, the last of which was at the time Mr. Brown read the funeral service for Harry Ford. Lyle and Eleanor Hadden, arriving in December, stayed in Durban for a time, visited in Johannesburg, and at the present time are seeing friends in Southern Rhodesia. The latest additions to the South Africa Bahá’í family are John, Audrey, Patrick and Mina Robarts from Canada, whose goal is Bechuanaland. Doris Ballard of Colorado and England is expected to arrive in this city at any moment, and she will live with Bahíyyíh Ford. Ted Cardell is the only pioneer in Southwest Africa, and we keep in close touch with him, as Southwest Africa and the Union of South Africa are together in the Ten-Year Plan.

“The formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly is assured by April. How great is the Power of God!”

Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Hope, Angola

Luanda, February 2, 1954

“I will pioneer to Africa, just a few words, one sentence, spoken on the platform of the Intercontinental Conference in Wilmette. It seemed impossible at the time that this dream would materialize, yet here I sit in a city I had never before known existed, praising God for the miracles He has performed and will continue to perform. Laws, customs, prejudices, financial limitations, language; these are not barriers for Him.

“Angola is a rich Portuguese colony and is being preserved chiefly as a suburb of Portugal itself. Its laws were enacted to protect Portuguese Labor and Capital. For an American to find work here is almost impossible unless specially trained, yet if it be the Will

[Page 7] of Bahá’u’lláh, I shall find employment, thus enabling me to remain here as a part of the Ten Year Crusade.

“Here in a European atmosphere one can almost forget that a few miles away lay the wilds of Africa. While many natives can be seen daily in the streets of Luanda, clad in their native garments, also to be seen are those who have become part of the Portuguese society and are granted citizenship. Class prejudice is more dominant here than color prejudice as known in the United States.

“The natives are quite docile and are brought in from the bush to perform all the manual labor. One gets the impression that he is back in the slave years of America while watching them work. There is little joy in their lives and they appear resignedly to accept their fate. Many of their ancestors actually were slaves as the bulk of the slaves shipped to America and Brazil came from Portuguese Angola.

“It is so apparent that only prayer and the mercy of God can alleviate the diversified sufferings of the inhabitants of the world and I can appreciate the Guardian’s intense interest in the long-suffering Africans. I believe, of all the possessions that a pioneer takes with him, the most useful and indispensable is his prayer book. We not only must teach, we must, above all else, pray.

“The easiest way to enter Angola is through business. They welcome American Capital as there is a great need for American dollars. Coffee is the only sizable export to the United States and this is not enough to offset the amount of imports from that country. There are few large American concerns here because of the red tape imposed by the Government. They prefer to have Americans with capital invest their money locally, forming corporations under Portuguese regulations. There are several highly successful business ventures here with room for others.”

Frederick and Elizabeth Laws, Basutoland.

“Six and one-half weeks out of New York, our slow boat to East Africa set us down in Mombasa on April 26 — five days too late for Nairobi’s election. It took five more days to reach our goal and learn that, although we were not needed for help in forming the Assembly, our assistance was still essential.

Nairobi is big and scattered; transportation was a real problem to which we brought the Ford as a partial answer. Wednesday afternoon meetings at our house had to accommodate upwards of twenty. Sunday, at the United Kenya Club, there were often thirty or more, with seldom an occasion when there was not someone hearing the Faith for the first time. Almost every week there was one or more who were ready to declare their faith.

“Africans, Indians, Persians, English and Americans — these were our people. From a dozen tribes and half a dozen nations we came together to listen and learn and teach. English and Persian, Maragoli, Kikuyu and Swahili — these were the languages heard at our meetings. We read the Writings, we told about the Faith, but there was one element that accomplished more than all our talking. We were a living group practicing the principles of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

“At length the Guardian’s cable exploded in our midst setting afire the hearts of our members. Fourteen volunteered to go to new territory. Our comrade-in-arms, Freddie Schechter, was the first; then Ted Cardell, the Alai’s, Clare Gung, and ourselves. We chose the overland safari down through the heart of East Africa to the virgin territory of Basutoland. Three thousand miles of ‘virgin’ roads — the trip was rough but had its compensations. We arrived on October 13.

“An island of native culture in the sea of Apartheid, Basutoland’s unique position as a completely native reserve offers a challenge that only the Faith can meet. Missionaries have been here since 1833. They came shortly after the nation was founded by Moshesh from the remnants of many tribes scattered by the infamous Tahaka, the Attila of South Africa. Thanks largely to Moshesh’s attitude toward the Missionaries and white man’s learning, the Basuto are a highly literate people. They herd and farm and there are many thousands of them who work in mines in the Union. Their mixed origin accounts in part for the high level of intelligence they display.

“This is our present field of work. We have toured the country from North to South acquainting ourselves with the land and the people and them with us. It is a beautiful country, mountainous and healthful. Its people a happy people. Truly it is a land of promise. We have presented the Faith to one European family. Cautioned to be very careful in teaching in South Africa, we are quietly laying the foundation for a major campaign to be opened as soon as we are fully and permanently settled. May Bahá’u’lláh grant that time come soon! With hearts full of love and eagerness to serve the beloved Faith, we tell this little story in the hope that it may inspire others to enlist under the pioneering standard and share with us the joys of a service that cannot elsewhere be equalled nor will ever again be offered when these days are done.”

· · · · · · · ·

“If you know of a couple who would like to retire and still be in business, there is a good opportunity at Quthing (Basutoland). With a relatively small capital, a much needed hotel could be built where there is none. As little as $10,000 would be adequate to begin with. In construction out here a dollar is worth about two at home .... Any hotel that is able to provide a palatable cuisine would be like the better mousetrap. The Orange river valley is to be dammed to provide for irrigation and power. A sizeable lake would make a good resort spot, too, of which there are not too many in the mountains where it is relatively cool in summer. How soon the dam project will open is undecided, but surveys are now under way to calculate the potential.”

Cape Verde Islands: Two weeks after their arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Menking write that they are very fortunate in finding a house and that since Howard came there as a Commercante (businessman), it appears they will be assured of a residence visa. They write: “We have made many wonderful friends here and we are looking forward to the time when we can invite them into our home to get better acquainted with them. We have loaned some of our books out already, some Portuguese New Eras that we brought from Lisbon. We stocked up on a good supply of literature in Lisbon so we have enough to last for a long time.”

Canary Islands: In the Canary Islands, Gertrude Eisenberg has had the opportunity to meet many traveling people and among those to hear the story of the World Faith has been an Arab artist, the first of

[Page 8] the North African tribe of the “Berbers” to become interested in the Faith. Gertrude is conducting English classes and establishing contacts.

Elsie Austin, Tangier, Morocco International Zone

“The Tangier area, though one of the most accessible and easily entered of the North African areas, poses many real problems for Bahá’í pioneering.

“Americans desiring to come to Tangier need only a valid passport. No bonds or residence deposits of any kind are required of them, since the United States is a member of the International Committee which governs the International Zone and city of Tangier.

“Living conditions in Tangier are good, but extremely high. Housing is expensive; furnishings, clothing and medicines are the same. Food is relatively cheap. A family coming to Tangier or a lone Bahá’í will need about 150 to 200 dollars a month to keep the average standard of living.

“Employment conditions are poor. There are many American firms in Tangier but their policy is to hire the local persons (French, Spanish or Arab) and their wages are very low. Local persons who have homes already established can make it since they do not have to establish a home. Tangier is a war period city. In peace times it suffers severe depression. I have the impression that many businesses here are merely fronts behind which foreign capital hides its war emergency funds. Business and business practices do not have the moral standards Americans are accustomed to.

“Unless one speaks French or Spanish rather fluently he will be economically handicapped in trying to find work.”

“Our first effort in this city has been directed to establishing ourselves as worthy individuals. We have all made good contacts socially and have won the respect of individuals. The American pioneer has contacted the American Embassy, the American School and various other individuals. The Persian pioneers have contacted an outstanding Arab family and have made them warm personal friends. All of our friends and contacts official and non-official know that we are Bahá’ís.

“The Group meets about three times a week. It has had stationery printed and a group seal. It is establishing a library of Bahá’í literature in the three most widely spoken languages in Tangier. All members of the Group are enrolled in language classes somewhere in order to perfect our knowledge of French, Spanish and Arabic.

“The American pioneer has made good use of the color slides brought from the states. These include a series on the Temple, the Dedication and the Bahá’í schools. Her one regret is that she did not bring a projector. Every time the slides are shown it is necessary to borrow a projector from the American School principal. These slides are an excellent teaching medium as they show the status of the Faith. She has even added some of the old black and white slides on the Goal of the New World order showing the properties of the Faith in other lands and the wide varieties of peoples in it. In this connection, the next best teaching aid to the slides has been the copy of The Bahá’í World she brought along.

“The Persian pioneers have done outstanding work in contacting a prominent Arab family here. The wife is deeply interested in the Faith and can discuss its principles with enthusiasm.

“One of the Persian friends here has contacted the masses quite frequently.

“One of our greatest teaching difficulties is the language problem. Even among ourselves we have a hard time and our meetings have to proceed with translations and signs. But then the language of the heart always rescues us. We pray that this universal language will come to our aid in communicating with all people.

“We have obtained Arabic and Spanish help and we try to show every kindness and interest to them, hoping to open their hearts to us.

“It has been our happy privilege to be visited by the pioneers from Casablanca and from Rabat. During Christmas week these friends joined us here in Tangier and tried to help the Persian friends in the residence difficulties. We met Mr. and Mrs. Masrour and Mrs. Chradet, (Pictures were taken and we hope to send you some of these.) Also, in December, the wonderful Mr. M. Mustafa, who went to the Spanish Sahara. He is a wonderful soul and inspired and cheered us all during those dark days when it seemed as if the Persian friends would not receive their residence permits.

“We are also very fortunate in that we see some of the Ceuta pioneers at least every six weeks. Mrs. Jannsen and the Flemmings all bank in Tangier. Hence when they come they always arrange for a visit with us. Recently the American pioneer in Tangier went to Ceuta for a visit and came back with glowing reports of the set-up there. It is wonderful. The friends have taken a little villa together. It is high on a hill facing the straits surrounded by both Arab and Spanish families. Though unable to speak of the Faith they have, by living the life, drawn all around them as friends. As they are the only Americans in Ceuta, the whole city knows them and observes them with keen interest. They have quite a lot of acreage around the villa which they would love to buy. They see visions of a school for the village children and a playground. John Flemming, being the only man is looked upon with real awe. He is a wonderful fellow. He has had some hospital and practical experience and to him come all the hurt and wounded of the village for help, first aid. (The week I was there a father brought his boy who had just fallen and had a terrible face cut. The friends have entered an Arab boy in the Spanish school there and have plans to do the same for a girl. They have had real hardships in many ways but they make a wonderful and merry household and I really was inspired by the visit there.) Incidentally living in Ceuta is very very cheap, much different from Tangier. However the climate is very damp and moist. I give this information so that others considering a place to strengthen may know of it.

“Here in Tangier we ask your prayers that our difficulties may be overcome, and that we may be assisted to achieve the strength, wisdom and guidance we need for our area. You would be happy to see our unity in tests, trials, achievements and all the adventures which come to us. We are deeply grateful for the blessing of this Bahá’í companionship we have.

“We are joyously waiting for the new pioneers, and praying that our new assembly will materialize and become a point of strength and illumination in North Africa, thus rendering happy the heart of the Beloved Guardian.

[Page 9] Delegates and visitors at the Second Annual Bahá’í Convention of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, Locarno, Switzerland.

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Excerpts from Pioneer Letters to the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee

John Leonard, (en route to the Falkland Islands.)

On writing to isolated pioneers: “Having experienced the unbounded love and generosity of the friends myself, I know how it feels—what it can do to lighten one’s load and intensify tenfold one’s efforts.”

On Puerto Rico: “The wonderful Bahá’ís of Puerto Rico send you, and all their fellow believers, their deep love. They are wonderful!”

At the airport in Port of Spain, Trinidad, John had a remarkable conversation with three of the guards, a Catholic, a Muslim and an “intellectual.” John writes, “Every step in our conversation seemed to lead logically to the next one ... We all felt a warm, deep sense of gratitude at meeting one another. The intellectual couldn’t ask enough questions, and said he was definitely going to look up the Bahá’í Faith and study about it.

“My most moving contact was with the Muslim, who lived his faith intensely, yet refused to go along with aspects which he felt were not in accord with his own obviously enlightened, deeply spiritual view of Islám. He told me much of what he felt, also asked me many questions about the Bahá’í Faith. At the end of the evening he told me he thought my Faith had more to offer him of what he truly loved and believed in than his own. His whole heart was in every word. My own heart almost burst at the beauty of his spirit, and I was consumed with gratitude to Bahá’u’lláh, Who had arranged this heavenly gathering.

From Montevideo: “Last night I gathered with the friends ... and learned of the death of Dorothy Baker. Looking into the eyes of these friends and feeling their great grief over the loss of someone they deeply loved, I could only feel that her spirit will guide the Crusade in South America just as Louis Gregory inspires the people of Africa.

“The confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh are marvelously evident.

“Wonderful assistance is being manifested in Montevideo, and I believe there are some new contacts. Two are artists, extremely intelligent, sensitive and fine human beings, one of whom is obviously so interested in the Faith that his face simply burns with intensity whenever he hears anything about it...

“This is ‘it’, so to speak. In two days I set sail, on the wings of your prayers, for the Falkland Islands ... I’ve been getting more impatient by the minute ... it’s a wonderful feeling to think that the journey at last is almost over.

“I’m keenly aware of your love and your prayers—from all of you—and doubtless they do me more good than letters. Actually I’m far from feeling alone—I feel as if I never had so much company in my whole life.. Please God I may serve our Beloved well.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

CANADA

Ontario Summer Conference

The Ontario Summer Conference is to be held at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching, from July 31 to August 7.

The week of study will feature courses on “The Living Framework”, experience in consultation; “Essential Principles of the Faith”; and “World Order Unfolds”, by a pilgrim recently returned from Haifa.

For further information write;

Mrs. Noreen Keith-Beattie

34 Thorncrest Road

Toronto 18, Ontario, Canada

[Page 10] Newly-elected National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland. From left to right, standing: Fritz Schaer, Marion Little, Honor Kempton, Fritz Semle, Prof. Alessandro Bausani. Seated: Anna Kunz, Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause, Elsa Steinmetz, Prof. Mario Fiorentini.

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CENTRAL AMERICA

With the Fourth Annual Convention, held in San Jose, Costa Rica, April 22 to 25, Central America closed the first year of the World Crusade—a year of hard and intense work and of glorious victories.

Through the wonderful guidance and encouragement of the beloved Guardian, the fine collaboration of the United States Bahá’í Community, and the dedication and heroic efforts of active believers in the territory, these Crusade Goals were won:

1. Establishment of all the Virgin Areas in Central America, to wit: Bahamas, British Honduras, Dutch West Indies, Margarita Island.
2. Establishment of two out of three Virgin Goals in the Pacific: Gilbert and Ellice Islands, and Tuamotu Archipelago. (The remaining one, Marshall Islands, is about to be filled, God willing.)
3. Purchase of a beautiful hilltop commanding Panama City and environs as site for the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Central America.

Since all the efforts of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America were concentrated this last year in winning these Goals, the Consolidation Goals have suffered and, accordingly, there exists a very grave emergency which can only be met through the immediate settlement of pioneer consolidators in the critical spots. In Honduras and Nicaragua existing Assemblies are being lost, in Martinique there is not a single believer, other countries still need help, such as, Cuba (Cienfuegos), Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama. There are no words to express our gratitude for the selfless believers who are arising to help in this work, but more help is needed, and at once, if the World Crusade Goals are to be fulfilled.

The attendance of Katharine McLaughlin, as representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, at the Convention was of great aid. The members of the newly-formed Auxiliary Board of the American Hands are about to lend their aid. Nevertheless, it is felt that all this will not be sufficient if pioneers do not settle the critical spots.

Anyone desiring to help in this vital work may write:

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America

Sr. Esteban Canales, Secy.

Apartado 513

Panama City, Panama

PERSIA

Annual Election Report

The membership of the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia for the current year, with officers, has been reported: Chairman, Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í; Vice-Chairman, Kazim Kazimzadeh; Secretary; ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan; Treasurer, Dhikru’lláh Khadem; Valíyu’lláh Varqá, Jalál Khazeh, Dr. ‘Alí Muḥammad Barafrukti, Munir Dirakhshan, Adelaide Sharp.

FIRST PAMPHLET IN MODERN GREEK

The first Bahá’í publication in Modern Greek has appeared in Athens in the form of a translation of the 24-page introductory pamphlet The Dawn of World Civilization.

SOUTH AMERICA

The work of consolidation and extension of the Faith on the South American Continent got off to a good start in April when Gay and Mario Rodríguez left their home in Lima, Peru to settle in Huancayo, Perú and give the Message to the people of the highlands. They had their first public meeting on May 23 for the Declaration of the Báb, with an attendance of 33 people! Twelve of those attending were so interested that they stayed until one-thirty in the morning. They had two newspaper articles published before the meeting, one a half-page spread with a big picture of the Temple, and the other a follow-up article announcing the public meeting. Some of the guests came as a result of the publicity. They are planning one public meeting a month and the Bahá’ís of Lima and Callao, Peru, will take turns visiting them and speaking for their meetings. Mario and Gay are so on fire with the desire to teach the Faith and so enthusiastic about their new friends that they cannot but have success.

Peru is not alone in being able to point with pride to their own pioneers who have gone out in response to the Guardian’s plea to extend the boundaries of the Faith and to work toward the establishment of the ten new National Assemblies in South America. Chilé also can boast of its own pioneer family, Nery and René Rogel, who left Osorno to go with their three small children to Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina, to spread the Glad Tidings and thus establish still another new Bahá’í group on the continent.

Thus the Bahá’ís of South America are beginning to vie with each other in their service to the Cause, and from the efforts of such devoted souls as these will come into being the first National Spiritual Assembly of some country on the Continent. Only Bahá’u’lláh knows which country will be blessed in winning that great honor.

Dorothy Campbell, for the National Spiritual Assembly of South America.

[Page 11]

AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

WORLD CRUSADE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

In this issue of Bahá’í News appears a list of goal cities which are to be the focus of our Bahá’í teaching work this year. A Spiritual Assembly is to be elected in each of these cities by 1963, so that the total number of 300 Bahá’í communities within the United States desired by the Guardian may be attained.

It should be noted that forty of these goal cities are, as of June 15, without any resident Bahá’ís. Some of the cities which were so listed last year have been moved into the columns of cities showing resident Bahá’ís, through the devotion of those who arose to settle them last year. Others have disappeared from the list entirely, through the formation of Local Spiritual Assemblies.

The great movement of pioneers within the United States is an essential part of the World Crusade, “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 Effendi).

With the support of the National Spiritual Assembly, the American National Teaching Committee is reaching out to every believer in the United States, through its Area Teaching Committees and the Local Spiritual Assemblies and calling for settlement of every virgin goal city, development as rapidly as possible of sufficient membership to establish assemblies, the intensive and continuous teaching effort required to preserve every spiritual prize already won, and awareness on the part of each believer that he must feel it his sacred privilege to guide some soul into the shelter of the Faith this year.

The National Teaching Committee calls each believer to undertake his tasks on the home front in this second phase of the World Crusade. All are requested to study the role of the individual at every level of the home front teaching plan (printed on pages 6 and 7 of the June, 1954, BAHÁ’Í NEWS) and to find ways to serve in specific situations.

Any offers to help may be addressed to: American National Teaching Committee, Jesma Herbert, Secretary, 725 South Alvaredo Street, Los Angeles 57, California.

The National Teaching Committee, through its Area Teaching Committees, will exert all effort to bring to assembly status all Bahá’í localities outside established Bahá’í Communities, to offer help and support to small communities whose status is insecure; and will encourage volunteer activities by individuals, unified action by groups, extension teaching by communities, and the attendance of all believers, whether in communities, in groups, or in isolated status, at all Area Conferences and State Conventions.

We are humbly seeking the prayers of the believers of the United States for our guidance and support.

—AMERICAN NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE
Jesma Herbert, Secretary

GOAL CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE WORLD CRUSADE AT HOME

As of June 15, 1954

[Page 12]

Consolidation Goals		Virgin Goals
NEW ENGLAND STATES
CONNECTICUT:
	Bridgeport	New Britain
	Hamden
MAINE:
	Bangor	Augusta
		Lewiston
MASSACHUSETTS:
	Brookline	Brockton
	Ipswich	Fall River
	Lynn	Holyoke
	Malden	Lowell
	Newton	New Bedford
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
	Concord	Nashua
	Keene
	Manchester
RHODE ISLAND:
	East
	Providence	Cranston
	Pawtucket	Woonsocket
VERMONT:
Burlington	Rutland
NORTH ATLANTIC STATES
NEW JERSEY:
	Atlantic City	Clifton
	Camden
	Elizabeth
	Paterson
NEW YORK:
	Mamaroneck	Albany
	New Rochelle	Elmira
	Niagara Falls	Ithaca
	Poughkeepsie	Troy
	Schenectady
	Utica
PENNSYLVANIA:
	Altoona	Allentown
	Chester	Harrisburg
	Erie	Lancaster
		Reading
		Wilkesbarre
		York
CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATES
DELAWARE:
	Dover	None
NORTH CAROLINA:
	Charlotte	None
	Durham
	Raleigh
	Winston   Salem
VIRGINIA:
	Newport	Roanoke
	News	Staunton
	Norfolk
	Richmond
WEST VIRGINIA:
	Huntington	None
SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES
ALABAMA:
	Mobile	Montgomery
FLORIDA:
	Jacksonville	None
	Miami Beach
	St. Augustine
	Tampa
GEORGIA:
	None	Savannah
Consolidation Goals		Virgin Goals
SOUTH CAROLINA:
	Charleston	None
	Columbia
TENNESSEE:
	Chattanooga	None
GULF STATES
LOUISIANA:
	Baton Rouge	None
	Shreveport
MISSISSIPPI:
Gulfport		Meridian
TEXAS:
	Austin	Galveston
	Fort Worth
EAST CENTRAL STATES
INDIANA:
	East Chicago	None
	Evansville
	Gary
	Hammond
	Michigan City
	Terre Haute
KENTUCKY:
	Covington	None
	Lexington
MICHIGAN:
	Bay City	None
	Jackson
	Highland   Park
	Kalamazoo
	Niles
	Pontiac
	Port Huron
	Wyandotte
OHIO:
	Akron	Canton
	Lorain
	Warren
	Youngstown
CENTRAL STATES
	ILLINOIS:
	Aurora	None
	Berwyn
	Cicero
	Decatur
	East St. Louis
	Elgin
	Glencoe
	Joliet
	Rockford
IOWA:
	Council Bluffs	None
	Davenport
	Des Moines
	Dubuque
	Iowa City
	Sioux City
MINNESOTA:
	St. Cloud	None
WISCONSIN:
	Fond du Lac	None
	Oshkosh
	La Crosse
	Sheboygan
	Superior
NORTH CENTRAL STATES
NEBRASKA:
	Lincoln	None
SOUTH CENTRAL STATES
NORTH DAKOTA:
	Grand Forks	Bismarck
SOUTH DAKOTA:
	Rapid City	None
ARKANSAS:
	Fort Smith	None
	North Little   Rock
KANSAS:
	Emporia	None
	Kansas City
	Wichita
MISSOURI:
	St. Joseph	None
	Springfield
OKLAHOMA:
	Enid	None
	Tulsa
ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES
COLORADO:
	Greeley	None
	Pueblo
NEW MEXICO:
	Roswell	None
	Santa Fe
WYOMING:
	Caspar	Cheyenne
		Sheridan
NORTHWESTERN STATES
IDAHO:
	Lewiston	None
	Pocatella
MONTANA:
	None	Billings
		Missoula
OREGON:
	Eugene	Corvallis
	Medford	Salem
	Pendleton
WASHINGTON:
	Everett	Bellingham
	Olympia
	Walla Walla
	Yakima
SOUTHWESTERN STATES
ARIZONA:
	Flagstaff	None
	Globe
	Prescott
CALIFORNIA:
	Bakersfield	Eureka
	Hayward	Riverside
	Huntington   Park
	Ontario
	Pomona
	Redding
	Santa Ana
	Santa Cruz
	San Jose
	Stockton
NEVADA:
	Las Vegas	None
	Sparks
UTAH:
	Ogden	None
	Provo

SOUVENIR OF 'ABDU'L-BAHA

The Forty-Second Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was held on Saturday, June 26, 1954, at the Bahá’í Center in Teaneck, New Jersey. This meeting is held to commemorate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America in 1912. On Saturday, June 29, of that year, He personally gave a Unity Feast for some 450 of His friends on these same grounds.

After a program at Evergreen Cabin on the theme “Bahá’u’lláh—The Light of the World”, which featured the reading of the address given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912, the friends adjourned to the grove of pine trees where the first Unity Feast was held, for a service of prayers and readings from the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith.

In the evening, at an informal gathering in the cabin, pictures of Haifa were shown.

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE

Contact with Hopi Leaders

Through the May 18, 1954, Arizona Republic of Phoenix, the Hopi Sun Chief, Dan Kachongeva (Koth-hungo-geva), issued a call “to all people of good will” to attend a Council at the Hopi Pueblo.

Availing themselves of this opportunity, members of the American Indian Teaching Committee and the Phoenix Bahá’í Community attended the Council. The representatives arrived at the Hopi Pueblo of Hotevilla the night of May 21.

On May 22 the Council was held, not under the sun, as planned, but in the sacred Kiva, the Hopi ceremonial chamber, where there was shelter from the blowing sand. The admittance of visitors to the Kiva was unprecedented.

Through an interpreter, Chief Kachongeva stated that the Hopi, as a people, had obtained permission from the Supreme Being to occupy their land and were the original and only legitimate occupants. Their religious and political systems had been given through the instruction of a Great Brother. They had asked their Great Brother to be their leader, but He had answered that only after they had succeeded in living the good life he advocated would He lead them.

These conservative Hopi believe that their faith is not the only way, but that it is the way they have been

[Page 13] given and must follow. Hopi means “the peaceful one” and the Hopi does not bear arms. He is industrious and works and prays for the benefit of all mankind. He has accepted the hardships brought by white occupation of his homeland because it is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. The conservative Hopi await the fulfillment of their further prophecy of a third and most horrible world war in which they will not participate. After this war, they believe, a new and happier day, with a new way of life, will dawn.

After presenting other, present-day problems of Hopi life the leader asked the visitors to speak. A Bahá’í spokesman presented the greetings of the Bahá’í World Community and told of the Bahá’í faith in one God and one people with all men as brothers.

Contact with Other Tribes

Encouraging progress with Sioux contacts is reported from Devil’s Lake, North Dakota.

Teaching contacts with the Assiniboine, Collville, Coeur d’Alenes, Chippewa and Chinook tribes are reported from Spokane, Washington, as well as mention of the Faith to members of twenty other tribes.

At the Chief’s request and through the American Indian Service Committee, the pioneer in Cherokee, South Carolina, has placed a selection of Bahá’í books and pamphlets in the Chief’s office so that he may lend them to his people.

A Bahá’í was invited by the editor of an important Indian publication in the Northwest to accompany his group on a research and social trip. The publication is sponsored by the United American Indian, a service organization including 150 families of 47 different tribes. These Indians have heard of the Bahá’í Faith through their publication and in their meetings. Their leader has asked the Bahá’í pioneer to help these people by organizing lectures on the importance of mutual respect, unity of purpose and taking counsel together for the common good.

INTER-RACIAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

A two-hour period was given to discussion of the report of the National Inter-racial Teaching Committee during the Convention. There had been ample evidences of an upsurge in the efforts put forth by Bahá’ís all over the country to attract Negro

Members of the newly incorporated Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tucson, Arizona. From left to right, standing: Mrs. Mabel Hoegner, Mrs. Ardella M. Stewart, Mr. Herman Kluge, Mrs. Zahrah Schoeny, Mrs. Margaret Shure. Seated: Mrs. Isabelle Dodge, Mr. Harry C. Stewart, Mrs. Elizabeth Toomes. Mrs. Jessie Belt, the ninth member was absent from the city. This assembly had also received permission to perform marriage ceremonies. These achievements, as well as others in the field of teaching and in contribution to the Funds, were made possible by a renewed devotion to the Guardian by these believers who now approach their tasks “with lighter hearts and a deeper dedication to our responsibilities of teaching.”

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believers to the Faith. The Committee representative reported that numerous letters had been sent to the secretary of the Committee. These letters were being recorded in the Committee’s permanent files, giving admirable testimony to the happy results obtained when Negro speakers had been invited to share the platform with Bahá’í speakers and when such Negro leaders also shared our views on the Oneness of Mankind.

The National Spiritual Assembly is authorizing the Committee to offer suggestions and assistance to local inter-racial committees appointed by the Local Spiritual Assemblies in their efforts to put into action the following programs:

1. Increased efforts on the part of Local Spiritual Assemblies to bring in more Negro believers.
2. Local Assembly sponsored study of the Institute booklet entitled Faith in Action — Bettering Human Relations. This booklet is for sale through the Bahá’í Publishing Committee for 60 cents.
3. A public meeting in each local community during Brotherhood Week in February, worked out on the Bahá’í theme: “The Oneness of Mankind.” This meeting has the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly and should be considered as a special national Bahá’í event to be conducted annually.

The Inter-Racial Teaching Committee will welcome letters containing ideas for new techniques and new slants toward attracting new believers of the Negro group.

Please send your reports to:

The Inter-racial Teaching Committee

Miss Lydia Martin, Secretary

11529 Kelton Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio.

BAHA'I SERVICE FOR THE BLIND

New Braille Publication

The committee announces that the pamphlet, Bahá’í Teachings For A World Faith, has been published in Braille. Copies embossed in Braille Grade Two are available now and priced at $1.25 per copy.

The committee suggests the use of this new Braille pamphlet along with The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh (Jubilee pamphlet) and Communion with God to assemblies, groups and individual believers for their contact and teaching work with the blind.

The set of these three pamphlets may be purchased for only $3.80.

Kindly send remittance with order to:

Bahá’í Service for the Blind

616 North Oxford Avenue

Los Angeles 4, California

AREA CONFERENCES

Since Riḍván, Area Conferences have multiplied across the United States. Keyed to the twin theme of dispersal to new areas and teaching on the home front, their purpose is to aid in establishing and deepening Bahá’í Communities throughout the country. Areas reporting May Conferences were:

New England States: Springfield and Boston, Massachusetts.

Central Atlantic States: Washington, D. C; Asheville, North Carolina.

East Central States: Mansfield, Ohio.

Gulf States: New Orleans, Louisiana; Dallas, Texas; Jackson, Mississippi.

Southwestern States: Sacramento, Santa Paula, Chula Vista, Pasadena and Berkeley, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; Reno, Nevada.

Most of these meetings were for the presentation of reports by delegates to the Annual Convention; reports which formed the basis for

[Page 14] consultation on means for achieving the immediate goals in each area, as integral parts of the total pattern of the World Crusade.

INTER-COMMUNITY COOPERATION

The Elmhurst, Illinois, Bahá’í Community, confronted with the possibility of losing Assembly status, consulted with friends in nearby Addison Township and Lombard on means for intensifying teaching efforts. Together, they established several firesides each week in the Bahá’í homes of the three communities. Assembly consultations were multiplied. Consultation and cooperation generated an unforgettable, contagious spirit. Results: Elmhurst is a community with 13 believers, Addison Township attained Assembly status and Lombard is an active group of 5 Bahá’ís. The friends of this area, having tasted the fruits of cooperative Bahá’í teaching are considering neighboring communities as extension goals.

In a similar spirit, the Bahá’í Communities of Burlingame, Millbrae and San Mateo, California, combine their efforts for the presentation of a monthly public meeting.

BAHA'I ON THE CAMPUS

After months of inactivity, when there were no Bahá’ís on the campus, the University Bahá’í Club of the University of Washington, in Seattle, was reorganized this spring. Following the stated purpose in its constitution “to stimulate interest in and discussion of religion among college students”, discussion evenings were organized. These meetings, advertised by forty posters placed throughout the campus and augmented by weekly articles in the University of Washington Daily and a Bahá’í exhibit in the Husky Memorial Building have made people ask, “What is Bahá’í?” Bahá’ís on the campus are arranging that all shall have opportunities to get the answer.

BAHA'I ON THE AIR

Edward R. Murrow’s program, “This I Believe”, featured a Bahá’í on May 20. This was not a direct Bahá’í talk, but included mention of the Faith and quotations from the Writings on this nation-wide broadcast.

Madison, Wisconsin, Bahá’ís presented a fifteen-minute television program over station WMTV.

An estimated half-million viewers of WMAR, Baltimore, Maryland’s most powerful TV station, saw an interview in which a believer presented the Bahá’í Teachings on Peace.

National Bahá’í Addresses NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS: 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois. NATIONAL TREASURER: 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois. Make checks Payable to: National Bahá’í Fund BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING COMMITTEE: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Believers of Anchorage, Alaska, have dispersed to Seward, Valdez and Ketchikan, Alaska.

“The Top of the World”, a new publication distributed to hotels, restaurants, travel offices and the International Airport in and around Anchorage, Alaska, has included the Bahá’í World Faith in its list of churches without any solicitation on the part of Bahá’ís; tacit recognition that the Faith is part of the way of life in those northern lands.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which maintains a very active program of news publicity, has had an unusual opportunity to present the Bahá’í Faith through a column entitled “Guide for Daily Living”. This regular feature of the Milwaukee Sentinel is opened to the Milwaukee Spiritual Assembly about once a year.

Bahá’ís of Atlanta, Georgia, have had confirmation of their extension work in Stockbridge, Georgia, in the declaration of a new believer in that city.

Fargo, North Dakota held a large public meeting on the first day of Riḍván.

The Glendale, California, Bahá’í Community has acquired a new Bahá’í Center with seating capacity for about fifty people.

The Hawaii Bulletin reports the following items:

Mrs. Daisy Sabin, from Maui, ‎Tertory Territory‎ of Hawaii, recently spent three days presenting the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to residents of the Hansen’s Disease Settlement on the island of Molokai leper colony. Copies of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era were placed in the Molokai Library for the use of the many people who responded to the Teachings.

Members of the Maui Bahá’í community are holding “breakfast firesides” to coincide with the monthly fifteen-minute Bahá’í radio program. Tapes available through the Bahá’í Press Service have been used with great success on this combined presentation of the Faith.

Mrs. Stewart Atwater of Honduras, former member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America, spoke before a capacity audience at the Bahá’í Center in Honolulu. Mrs. Atwater was instrumental in establishing the first Bahá’í Summer School in Central America, which has been named “Karbila.”

The Los Angeles, California, Bahá’í Community donated a copy of Bahá’í World, Volume XI, to the Public Library, at the library’s request.

Bahá’í fireside meetings for Spanish-speaking people have been established on the first Saturday of each month at the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center.

Average non-Bahá’í attendance at the Manhattan Beach, California, weekly and bi-weekly firesides was 38 during this past year.

At the suggestion of pioneers in Nassau, Bahamas, Bahá’ís of the Miami, Florida, Bahá’í Community collected 17 cartons of second-hand school books and sent them for distribution to the Outer Islands. The Miami Community, in addition to a very active program, has had the added bounty recently of special meetings with pioneers. Mrs. Sheila Rice-Wray, returning from the Central American Convention in Costa Rica, brought a report and spoke at an especially arranged public meeting. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Matthisen, in the States on business connected with establishing themselves in their pioneer post, spoke at several firesides and luncheon meetings. Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Snider, returning to their pioneer post from the convention in Wilmette, presented a report of that gathering, underlining the Guardian’s message for the second year of the World Crusade.

The New York City Bahá’í Community commemorated Riḍván with

[Page 15] a Children’s Brotherhood Festival. The program, arranged by the Child Education Committee, included the participation of groups representing several races and nations. Invitations, sent throughout the metropolitan area and Connecticut, brought an attendance of over 170 adults and children.

Pendleton, Oregon, reports the first Bahá’í fireside to be held in that city. Response of a young high school student to the meeting was, “... In scope we have graduated to a place in our civilization where something like this had to come into being or we would perish from this earth.”

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.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS will publish regularly the weekly references of readings used. The programs for the month of June follow:

Order of Devotions — June 6, 1954

Man should know his own self, and know those things which lead to loftiness or to baseness, to shame or to honor, to affluence or to poverty.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Bow Down Thine Ear—Haydn M. Morgan

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 84

Gleanings, pp. 65-66; p. 143

Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 167-168

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm 1

NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 8:5-15

QUR’AN

Sura VII:53-56

CHORAL SELECTION

Alleluia—Randall Thompson

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 259-260: pp. 77-78: The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, (from the Arabic) Nos. 12, 13

Prayers and Meditations, CLXXIII, p. 264

CHORAL SELECTION

Cherubim Song—Dimitri Bortniansky

Order of Devotions — June 13, 1954

O Son of Man! I loved thy creation, hence I created thee. Wherefore, do thou love Me, that I may name thy name and fill thy soul with the spirit of life.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Alleluia! We Sing with Joy—Jacob Handl

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, CXXXIX, p. 227

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 2:7 1:28, 27; Isaiah 64:8, 9; Psalm 8:1, 3-7

QUR’AN

Sura L:7-11, 14, 15

CHORAL SELECTION

If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments—W. H. Monk

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, CXXII, p. 259; pp. 326-327

Gleanings, XCV, p. 194; p. 340

Prayers and Meditations, LIX, p. 94

CHORAL SELECTION

Now We Sing Thy Praise—Tschesnokoff

Order of Devotions — June 20, 1954

Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Arise, O God, and Show Thy Might—Haydn-Morgan

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XL, p. 56

Gleanings, p. 299; p. 287

OLD TESTAMENT

Proverbs 22:1-6

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 5:6-9, 13-16; 7:1-5

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, (from the Arabic) Nos. 22, 1, 2, 26, 27

CHORAL SELECTION

Create in Me, O God, a Pure Heart—Brahms

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, p. 270-271, p. 305

Gleanings, CXXX, p. 285

Prayers and Meditations, IV, p. 6

CHORAL SELECTION

Now God Be Praised—Melchior Vulpius

Order of Devotions — June 27, 1954

Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Grieve Not the Holy Spirit of God—Lamb

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, LIX, p. 94

BHAGAVAD-GITA (Hindu Scriptures)

OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 64:8-9; Malachi 2:10; Deuteronomy 10:19; Leviticus 19:34

NEW TESTAMENT

The Acts 17:26; I John 2:9-11; Galatians 5:13

QUR’AN

Sura XLII:22

CHORAL SELECTION

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

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, (from the Arabic), No. 68; Gleanings, pp. 288-289; pp. 218-219

The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 202-203;

Gleanings, CXVII, p. 249

Prayers and Meditations, XXIII, p. 26

CHORAL SELECTION

How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place—Brahms

DIRECTORY CHANGE

The address of the San Francisco Spiritual Assembly was incorrectly listed in the May issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. It should read:

Mrs. Florence C. Haake, Secy.

461-14th Avenue

San Francisco 18, California

Since there is both a street and an avenue, it is important to make this correction.

COLORED REPRINT OF TEMPLE DEDICATION STORY

Many Bahá’ís were impressed with the full-page colored photograph of the Bahá’í Temple and the illustrated feature article on the Temple and the Bahá’í Faith published in the Chicago Sunday Tribune at the time of the dedication. A reprint of this has now been made in full color, with the permission of the Chicago Tribune.

The article is entitled “Temple of Light” and in it the Temple, the story of its building, the development of the Faith in this country, and the principles for which it stands are beautifully portrayed. The inscriptions over the exterior doorways are listed. Describing the Temple the article states—“Like India’s Taj Mahal, it is an extraordinary achievement in architecture. But the Taj is a tomb ... while this notable edifice in a Chicago suburb, also entitled to world fame, is a temple for meditation, prayer, and devotion to the brotherhood of mankind ... The soft radiance of peace, for which the Bahá’ís forever pray, floods the unique and gracious structure.”

This four-page folder on white enameled paper is useful for all types of teaching, contact, and publicity work, and it is hoped that wide distribution will be made of this item.

(See next page for further description and prices.)

PUBLICATIONS

BAHA'I PRAYERS IN PROCESS

The manuscript of the new compilation of prayers has been received recently by the Publishing Committee and is now in the process of being set in type. This is a new book and requires new typesetting, proofreading and plates, and cannot, therefore, be completed for several weeks.

Two books are being printed: one, a general selection of prayers, suitable for all occasions and ideal as a gift for anyone, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í. The other book, in addition to the general prayers, has a section with prayers for special occasions, such as the Obligatory Prayers and others.

[Page 16]

"AMERICA'S SPIRITUAL MISSION"

The American National Teaching Committee states that many believers, who hear the “Divine Plan” or “Tablets of the Divine Plan” referred to, are not aware that these are published in the booklet America’s Spiritual Mission.

These Tablets were revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1916-17 for the American Bahá’ís, outlining their teaching responsibilities around the world. It was following this that Martha Root began her historic journeys, the John Hyde Dunns went to Australia, Fanny Knobloch went to South Africa and other Bahá’ís arose to put the Divine Plan into effect.

The Guardian refers frequently to the primacy conferred upon the American Bahá’í Community as the “chosen trustees of (this) Divine Plan”, the “executors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Plan”, and speaks, in his momentous letters of March, 1951, November, 1951, June 1952 and October, 1952, of “the Grand Design delineated in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s immortal Tablets,” and of the course of the World Crusade as “chartered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s infallible Pen.”

Every American Bahá’í, to be completely attuned to the World Crusade, should be thoroughly familiar with America’s Spiritual Mission.

The Bahá’í Publishing Committee has this booklet; self-cover, 54 pp.

Per copy	$.20

NEW PUBLICATIONS

Chicago Sunday Tribune Reprint (New, 1953 Dedication edition). A splendid article on the Bahá’í Faith and the House of Worship which appeared in the magazine section of the Chicago Sunday Tribune. Contains three full-colored photographs of the Temple (two of the interior). Four-page folder, printed on 7¼x10½ inch white enameled paper. (See page 15 for story).

(minimum order) 10 copies	$ .75
100 copies	$6.00

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. At present there is only a small supply made available by the Bahá’í Inter-Racial Committee for distribution by the Publishing Committee.

Per copy	$ .60

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

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

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HOLY DAYS

July 9, Martyrdom of the Báb

FEASTS

July 13, Kalimát, Words

August 1, Kamál, Perfection

August 20, Asmá’, Names

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.)

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 ...”

Binghamton, New York—Miss Ida Lovell Noyes to Mr. Ward Harvey Hawley, April 19, 1954.

Binghamton, New York—Miss Dauna Dee Robinson to Mr. James Edward Parsons, June 13, 1954.

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.”

Mr.	William Preston
	Epping, New Hampshire
	January 11, 1954
Mrs.	Loretta Latimer
	Topeka, Kansas
	April 20, 1954
Mrs.	Mabel Byron
	Monroe, Washington
	May 5, 1954
Mr.	Alfred E. Anderson
	Kenosha, Wisconsin
	May 13, 1954
Mr.	Walter Buchanan
	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
	May 28, 1954
Mrs.	Minerva Preble
	Washington 8, D. C.
	May 28, 1954
Mr.	William J. Wheaton
	San Francisco 10, California
	May 28, 1954

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BAHÁ’Í 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.

BAHÁ’Í 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.