Bahá’í News/Issue 287/Text
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| No. 287 | BAHA’I YEAR 111 | JANUARY, 1955 |
THE GUARDIAN[edit]
"I HAIL, WITH FEELINGS OF THANKFULNESS"[edit]
A Message From The Guardian
I hail, with feelings of thankfulness and relief, the signature, on the eve of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s ascension, of a contract for the immediate expropriation, by the Israeli Finance Minister, on the recommendation of the Mayor of the City of Haifa, of a thirteen-hundred meter plot, owned by the sister of Fareed, notorious enemy of the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant. This historic act paves the way for the early transfer of the title deed of this plot by the State of Israel to the Bahá’í Community, now engaged in establishing and consolidating its World Administrative Center in the Holy Land.
The truculence, greed and obstinacy, of this breaker of the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh, demonstrated by her persistent refusal to sell and by the exorbitant price subsequently demanded, raised, during more than thirty years, an almost insurmountable obstacle to the acquisition of an area which, however circumscribed, occupies a central position amidst the extensive Bahá’í domains in the heart of God’s Holy Mountain, is situated in the vicinity of the Báb’s Sepulcher, overlooks the Tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf, and adjoins the resting-places of the Brother and the Mother of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and which, through deliberate neglect, has been allowed to become an eyesore to all those who throng the embellished precincts of a Mausoleum rightly regarded as the second holiest Shrine in the Bahá’í world.
The ownership of this plot will now enable us to locate the site, excavate the foundations, and erect the structure, of the International Bahá’í Archives, designed by the Hand of the Cause, Mason Remey, President of the International Bahá’í Council, which will serve as the permanent and befitting repository for the priceless and numerous relics associated with the Twin Founders of the Faith, with the Perfect Exemplar of its teachings and with its heroes, saints and martyrs, and the building of which constitutes one of the foremost objectives of the Ten-Year Plan.
The raising of this Edifice will in turn herald the construction, in the course of successive epochs of the Formative Age of the Faith, of several other structures, which will serve as the administrative seats of such divinely appointed institutions as the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause, and the Universal House of Justice. These Edifices will, in the shape of a far-flung arc, and following a harmonizing style of architecture, surround the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, ranking as foremost among the members of her sex in the Bahá’í Dispensation, of her Brother, offered up as a ransom by Bahá’u’lláh for the quickening of the world and its unification, and of their Mother, proclaimed by Him to be His chosen “consort in all the worlds of God”. The ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking will mark the culmination of the development of a world-wide divinely - appointed Administrative Order whose beginnings may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith.
This vast and irresistible process, unexampled in the spiritual history of mankind, and which will synchronize with two no less significant developments — the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutions — the one outside and the other within the Bahá’í world — will attain its final consummation, in the Golden Age of the Faith, through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace, and the emergence, in the plenitude of its power and glory, of the focal Center of the agencies constituting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The final establishment of this seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth will signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Founder of our Faith and the advent of the Kingdom of the Father repeatedly lauded and promised by Jesus Christ.
This World Order will, in turn, in the course of successive Dispensations of the Bahá’í Cycle, yield its fairest fruit through the birth and flowering of a civilization, divinely inspired, unique in its features, world-embracing in its scope, and fundamentally spiritual in its character — a civilization destined as it unfolds to derive its initial impulse from the spirit animating the very institutions which, in their embryonic state, are now stirring in the womb of the present Formative Age of the Faith.
Advise share this message with the Hands of the Cause and the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world.
November 27, 1954
COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Beloved Friends:
A wave of joyous gratitude will sweep across the Bahá’í World when Bahá’ís read and meditate on the beloved Guardian’s Message of November 27, reproduced above.
Every believer will understand and
appreciate how much it means to the
Guardian to be able at last to secure
for the Faith this particular piece
of land in Haifa. First, it represents[Page 2]
by action of the Israeli government
a victory over a Covenant-breaker
whose stubbornness has deprived the
Faith of a small area occupying so
important a position in the Bahá’í
holdings on Mount Carmel. Second,
it enables the Guardian to proceed
with his plans to construct the International
Bahá’í Archives — “one of
the foremost objectives of the Ten-Year
Plan.”
And third, it prepares the way for the raising of the other structures needed to complete the World Center of the Faith, thus enabling believers to foresee the tremendous enlargement of the Guardian’s facilities to achieve the final success of the world mission of the Faith of God.
Events that take place at the World Center are unique — far above the influence of events taking place in any other part of the Bahá’í World. Therefore this victory has ultimate significance beyond our ability to comprehend today.
Let us, in this blessed hour of a divinely-given victory, show our gratitude in deeds and not merely in words.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
WORLD RELIGION DAY[edit]
Observance of World Religion Day on the third Sunday of January, established in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly as an annual Bahá’í event, will take place this year on January 16, 1955. Always an effective means of contact with the public, press and radio, it assumes even more importance this year because of the official recognition given it by the United States Chamber of Commerce in its booklet, Special Days, Weeks and Months.
Every Assembly and group is urged to observe this occasion with a public meeting, local publicity, advertising, radio programs, firesides, displays, or some other befitting program.
The Bahá’í Press Service has issued a national press release to newspaper wire services and feature syndicates. It is also sending to Assembly and group press representatives a copy of that release, a suggested local news release, and suggested advertisements.
Also available from Bahá’í Press Service are scripts and tape recordings. “A World Religion” is an interview program for two voices, while “Birth of World Religion” is for one voice.
“The aim of World Religion Day,” says the release from Bahá’í Press Service, “is to provide a sound foundation of hope that the God of mankind has not ceased to reveal His love and guidance to humanity in its time of direst need,” and to proclaim that “religion is not dead—it is reborn in the Bahá’í revelation, with its world-unifying spirit and majestic World Plan for the redemption of a stricken society.”
CORRESPONDENCE WITH NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS[edit]
The workers at the headquarters in Wilmette would like to request the friends, in addressing letters to the National Spiritual Assembly, to include their full address in the letter itself, and not merely write it out on the envelope.
Much valuable time will be saved if this very general business practice is maintained.
WORLD CRUSADE[edit]
NEW DELHI SITE PURCHASED FOR HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]
The Bahá’í News Bulletin issued by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India, Pakistan and Burma announces the purchase of the site for Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, southeast of New Delhi, the capital of India, in the district of Bahapur. This site, inspected by most of the Hands of the Cause who attended the Fourth Intercontinental Conference and later approved by the Guardian, comprises about 74,000 square yards situated on a height overlooking parts of Old as well as New Delhi.
“Pur" in Hindi indicates the locality belonging to some certain person or name. It is an interesting coincidence that this site is located in a district which, from ancient times, has been called “Bahapur”.
The transaction, concluded September 19, fulfills yet another goal of the Ten Year Crusade.
LONDON HAZIRATU’L-QUDS[edit]
The acquisition of a building at 27, Rutland Gate, in the City of Westminster, adjoining Knightsbridge, London, has successfully terminated a long, trying search for premises suitable for a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Owing to the good condition of the building it was found possible to arrange for occupation in late December, and for a dedication service early in January, 1955, to coincide with the winter Teaching Conference.
This report from Great Britain closes as follows:
“The inspiration and impetus which the spiritual forces released on this historic occasion, are expected to exert a profound effect on the achievement of the other goals still before us.”
PIONEER LETTERS[edit]
The following reports from National Committees dealing with pioneer work in the World Crusade are given in order to share with all believers some of the details in the unfoldment of this great plan.
The Asia Teaching Committee is
happy to share these excerpts with
the friends, showing the progress
and unfoldment of the World Crusade
in the Pacific and Southeast
Asia.
GILBERT ISLANDS
From James Barrett, Secy., Asia Teaching Committee, Panama Canal Zone.
September 26, 1954. “With regard to the Fernies, it was a happy moment for this committee to be able to report the inclusion of the first Gilbertese Bahá’í into the Faith on 1 June, 1954. This historic event took place on Abaiang Is., and as a conse quence, the Bahá’í group there now totals three.
“In addition, the Fernies notified us of their intention to open a school on Abaiang Island as a result of a petition of the native chiefs, who have long felt the need of a school open to all natives, irrespective of whether they be Catholic, Protestant or ‘Pagan’. The Fernies applied for official permission from the Governor, and although word has not been received as to the final result, circumstances have led us to believe that all is now in order.
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BAHA’I NEWS
3
Consequently, this committee sent 1/4 ton of used Canal Zone text books via Suva and recently received a charming letter from the Bahá’ís there that they were anticipating the arrival of the ship transporting these, and were making plans for their forwarding to Abaiang.”
KOREA
From William H. Maxwell, Jr.,
Seoul, Korea.
November 3, 1954. Bill sends copies of “announcements” sent in October to Bahá’ís that “The Bahá’ís serving with the US army in Korea in unity with the Bahá’ís of Korea will celebrate the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í World Faith, on November 12, 1954, in Seoul, Korea.” In addition there were to be general consultation and public meetings, in which all Bahá’ís would participate, and readings from the Writings of Bahá’ulláh were to be read in Japanese by Mr. Sang–Soon Oh, Korea's leading poet.
A letter dated November 16 reports that the Commemoration was an outstanding success. Five Americans and four Koreans participated. The group of youth who heard the public address were so eager to speak with the Americans that they found themselves carrying on two or three conversations at the same time. But the greatest joy, as reported in Bill's letter, was the discovery that Mr. Sang–Soon Oh is a Bahá’í. This Bill did not know when he was assigned to find him and ask him to read at the public meeting. On introducing himself to this great man as a Bahá’í, Mr. Sang-Soon Oh, with the greatest emphasis, responded: "I'm a Bahá’í!"
Thirty-one years ago Mr, Sang–Soon Oh had learned of the Faith from Agnes Alexander and, although he had not in all these years met another Bahá’í, this has been his faith. He and Bill talked for more than an hour while dignitaries bowed and paid their respect to the poet. With what joy he must have read the Words of Bahá’u’lláh at the meeting!
And now, Bill writes, another meeting is planned for December 25 when all the Korean Bahá’ís, the American Bahá’ís, and interested friends will again offer the healing Words of Bahá’u’lláh to these suffering peoples. Translation of some of the Writings in Korean is virtually completed and Mr. Sang-Soon Oh has offered to assist in the final revision.
The first selection from the Writings of
Bahá’ulláh to be translated into the
Cherokee language. It reads:
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 the mention of God hath been made and His praise glorified.
This is the opening quotation in a pamphlet "A New Day Comes" compiled for translation into Cherokee and also printed in English for teaching among English-speaking American Indians. The translation into Cherokee, done by Moses owl and Ben Bushyhead, both Cherokee Indians from Cherokee, North Carolina. with the help of the Bahá’í pioneer on the Cherokee Reservation, Mrs. Ethel Murray, is now completed.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
CANADA[edit]
Progress in Teaching
Bahá’í News of Canada reports a general progress in teaching activities throughout that country. The observance of United Nations Day, increased circulation of Bahá’í books through the Public Libraries, the work of university groups as well as numerous fireside and public meetings attest the vitality of the teaching work. London, Toronto, Kingston, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Victoria, Georgetown, Milliken, Scarborough, Copper Cliff and Peterborough are among the centers reporting new contacts for the Faith.
Teaching among the Eskimos and Indians continues. This has been going forward for several years in Saskatchewan. At Shannonville, Ontario, a Bahá’í family finds many ways to reach the residents of the near-by reservation through community activities. On Hudson ay in far northern Quebec, a Bahá’í is teaching at Fort George, in a school for Indian and Eskimo children. The recent appointment of a Canadian pioneer to a new post in the Department of Northern Affairs opens new opportunities for service to the Eskimos and for teaching the Faith.
Beaulac Conference
The Quebec Regional Teaching Conference is holding a Winter Session at Beaulac from December 26 to January 2. Courses by three Bahá’í speakers, discussion and buzz sessions, together with winter sports are on the weeklong program.
Maritime Fall Conference
The Maritime Fall Conference, held at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was keyed to the theme “Augmenting the Dynamic Spirit in the Ten Year Crusade." Reports from assemblies, groups and isolated believers throughout the Maritime Provinces and consultation on means for bringing thought and faith into the realm of action resulted in an animated exchange of views. The Conference closed with a devotional evening held at Vernon Bridge.
GERMANY[edit]
The Bahá’í Temple Site in Eschborn
Despite many reports and statements appearing in the press throughout West Germany regarding the proposed erection of a Bahá’í Temple in Eschborn, land for which was purchased in July, 1954, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria observed silence and watched developments.
In September, through the Press and Radio Committee of that institution, an official statement of position was sent to press and radio representatives. After reviewing the events making a statement necessary and giving a brief overview of Bahá’í history and teachings, the committee's communique says:
“We do not seek to establish this World Order through war and strife, but seek, rather, to establish it by spiritual means through the develop
[Page 4]
4
JANUARY, 1955
ment of our institutions peacefully, through the laying aside of all prejudice and through trusting consultation. One command of Bahá’u’lláh to His followers is to be loyal to every just government and never‘ to take part in any seditious activity against such a government. The projected Temple structure, whose nine doors are open to all, is the symbol of the spiritual oneness of all mankind. In it the Word of God as written in all the Holy Scriptures will be given to the world without comment, sermon or ceremony, and without a paid clergy. This House of Worship is one step on the road to freedom and the New World Order. In this sense we also participate through delegates in the non-governmental organizations of the United Nations.
“We would like to ask Christians of all denominations in our country to take to heart the words in the New Testament: ‘Test everything and retain that which is good,’ and we beg also that all people of good will, independently and without prejudice, will search out the indivisible truth and will earnestly investigate the guiding Message of Baháu’lláh.”
JAPAN[edit]
Mr. Tokujiro Torii, Vice Principal of the Kyoto School for the Blind, was chosen last spring from among more than 100,000 blind in Japan to represent them at three conferences in Europe. Mr. Torii, the second believer in Japan to accept the Faith, was thus able to visit Bahá’í centers in India, ‘Iráq and Europe. It was through Mr. Torii‘s efforts that Bahá’í literature, including Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, was published in Japanese Braille.
NATIONAL NEWS[edit]
UNITED STATES AFRICA TEACHING COMMITTEE[edit]
Eleven New Assemblies Needed in Africa by April, 1955
With time now growing so short in which to fulfill our obligations to form new assemblies in Africa by next April, we wish to remind the friends again, as we did in the report to the State Conventions, that pioneers who can go to Africa on a self-sustaining basis are desperately
Dancing of the Winnebago Indians at Macy, Nebraska, a three-day ceremony in
which the Bahá’í pioneer was invited to participate.
needed. We are responsible for the
formation of eleven new assemblies
by April. Can we once again give
this matter earnest and prayerful
consideration? Read again the
Guardian’ challenging message in
November BAHÁ’Í NEWS and see what
each of us can do to help bring into
being the great plan of Bahá’u’lláh
for the future.
If you can go immediately on this basis, please get in touch with:
The U.S. Africa Teaching Committee
Sylvia Parmalee, Secy. 4700 47th Street, N.W. Washington 16, DC.
PIONEERS NEEDED[edit]
Bahá’í pioneers are especially needed in the following places in the Western Hemisphere—
Nome, Alaska
Hawaii
(on an unsettled island)
Martinique
Ecuador
Bahá’ís interested in going to the Hawaiian post or Martinique should have a private income, as work is not available.
Potential pioneers to any of the foregoing places should write to:
Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin,
Executive Secretary
Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee
73 College Road West
Princeton, New Jersey
AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE[edit]
First Sioux Enrollment
The American Indian Service Committee reports the enrollment of Mrs. Mary Louise Swift Eagle, of Fort Totten, North Dakota, who is, to the Committee's best knowledge, the first Sioux Indian to accept the Faith. It is hoped that the step taken by Mrs. Swift Eagle, a Carlisle College graduate, will mark the beginning of a wide recognition of Bahá’u’lláh by the Sioux.
BAHA'I PRESS SERVICE[edit]
The Birthday of Bahá’ulláh
Reports from Bahá’í communities, received by the Bahá’í Press Service through the first week of December, show that news of the observance of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was published in 88 newspapers in 71 cities of the United States, with a total circulation of over 7,500,000, and more than 480 column-inches of information.
BAHA’I IN THE NEWS[edit]
Truth Is One, by Henry James Forman and Roland Gammon, “The Story of the World’s Great Living Religions in Pictures and Text," deals with the religions of mankind in the spirit of unity. The various faiths are briefly but sympathetically described. Published by Harper & Brothers, New York. it is a beautifully illustrated volume. In this pageant of religion the Bahá’í Faith is
[Page 5]
BAHA’I NEWS
5
included, with reproduction of two photographs.
Book-of-the-Month Club News for November, 1954, announces the selection of the book distributed in December—Song of the Sky, by Guy Murchie, a member of the American Bahá’í Community. In it, Clifton Fadiman writes a report on Mr. Murchie’s book which praises it highly. The News presents a brief sketch of the author and refers to him as a Bahá’í. He is also presented as a Bahá’í in the publisher’: pamphlet about the book, prepared for booksellers.
Song of the Sky itself mentions Bahá’u’lláh twice, and His name appears in the index of the book. Mr. Murchie's work is in the “best seller" class, and the Faith is therefore being brought to the attention of hundreds of thousands.
The second selection of 100 contributions to Edward R. Murrow’s radio program This I Believe has been published by Simon and Schuster, New York. The contributors include such well known persons as Bernard Baruch, Ralph J. Bunche, Sir Charles Darwin, Paul H. Douglas and Arnold J. Toynbee. It is gratifying to report that the script presented by Mr. Robert B, Powers, American Bahá’í, is included in this volume. Mr. Powers quotes from five Sacred Scriptures, including Bahá’í.
Fate Magazine for January, 1955, contains a reprint of one of the Master’s talks in Some Answered Questions under the title “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Discusses Reincarnation" On the first page of this the editors printed a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship.
Land Reborn, bimonthly magazine on the Holy Land published by American Christian Palestine Committee, New York, has in its October, 1954, issue a full page on “Bahá’í — the fourth religion” (i.e., of Israel). This is a very sympathetic and appreciative statement, illustrated by a photo of a portion of Haifa as seen through one of the gates of the Bahá’í Gardens.
Social Whirl, a weekly published in New York, contains an article on the Faith introduced by a statement about Mr. Frank Sawyer of the local Bahá’í community, illustrated with a photo of Mr. Sawyer and a photo of a Bahá’í fireside group of inter-racial character. “Having no color line or
The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Greenwich, Connecticut, newly incorporated In April. 1954.
racial segregation in this faith, people of all races find equality with
each other because they are equal
before God.”
Rotarian Magazine for December 1954, under “Personalia," has an item about Mr. Leroy Ioas, member of Rotary International, which refers to him as one of the four Hands of the Cause residing in Haifa and Secretary-General of the International Bahá’í Council.
Mystic Magazine, October, 1954, illustrates its front cover with a photo of the House of Worship referred to as “symbol of the Oneness of Religion.”
General Motors publishes a house organ, Friends, distributed locally by Chevrolet dealers. The December, 1954, number has a two-page spread featuring nine photos of different churches, mosques, synagogues and temples. Among them we find an illustration of the Bahá’í House of Worship, “one of many faiths with small but dedicated membership.”
West Virginia State Magazine, September, 1954, “Architectural Issue,” features the Bahá’í House of Worship in an article on "Services Rendered By a Landscape Architect” by Carl Berg of Berg and Dahl, Landscape Architects. This interesting article mentions the landscape design made by Mr. Dahl and is illustrated by “Bahá’í Temple Gardens” and a ground plan of the landscape design.
AREA TEACHING CONFERENCES[edit]
The East Central States Area Teaching Bulletin reports participation by seven different communities in the last teaching conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio. A visiting Bahá’í from Rotterdam, the Netherlands, also was present.
At a public meeting opening the Central States Area Teaching Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, held November 20-21, Miss Arden Thur showed slides of India, Hong Kong and the Holy Land.
One hundred participants at the Central States Area Teaching Conference held in Urbana, Illinois, consulted on practical steps in achieving home front goals.
The Central Atlantic States Area Teaching Conference, held in Washington, DC., on November 20, beside proclamation of the Faith to students of Howard University (see p. 6) afforded believers an opportunity for consultation on teaching problems with a member of the Auxiliary Board, Mr. William de Forge.
Greensboro, North Carolina, announces plans for the Central Atlantic States Area Teaching Conference to be held there on Saturday and Sunday, January 15 and 16.
The Gulfstate Crewsaider gives news that the Fall Area Teaching Conference was held in five localities, with the theme “The Ten-Year Crusade for a Better World.” Consultation and discussion in all groups was reported as being specific and informative.
NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS[edit]
Anchorage, Alaska, reports that the Fund for building the Alaskan Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has passed the $2000.00 mark.
In Birmingham, Alabama, a meeting of believers from the entire state was devoted to intensive study of the Guardian’s message, “American Bahá’ís in the Time of World Peril.”
At the Los Angeles, California, Bahá’í Center a seminar was held on the “Declaration of Trust and By Laws”.
Sarasota, Florida, reports a unique demonstration of the universality of me Bahá’í Faith. A man of Muslim origin, associated with a well-known Circus, died. All other religious bodies of Sarasota had refused the circus authorities their services in conducting the funeral. when the Bahá’í heard of the situation and asked whether they might help. The authorities accepted the offer gratefully. At a dignified funeral, attended by many people from the circus. Bahá’ís presented the story of the man’s background, the relation between the Muhammadan Faith and the Bahá’í Faith and closed with prayers and
JANUARY, 1955
readings from the Qur’án and the Bahá’í Writings. Members of the Circus who attended asked for copies of the program and detailed explanations of the significance of the Words read, to send to members of the troupe on tour.
Students of Howard University, in Washington, D.C., making a tour of the national capitol, telephoned the Bahá’í Center to ask whether they might attend a meeting on that day. They were welcomed at a session of the Central Atlantic States Area Teaching Conference, then in progress. Bahá’ís at the Conference had to stand to make room for a contingent of some sixty students from this outstanding inter-racial university, to whom the Message of the Bahá’í’ Faith was forcefully presented.
INTER-RACIAL EVENTS[edit]
Birmingham Public Meeting
The Bahá’í Inter-Racial Committee, in cooperation with the Birmingham, Alabama, Local Spiritual Assembly, conducted a public meeting on November 28.
The subject was “Unity—The Keynote for Today". Dr. George Mitchell, Regional Director for the Southern Regional Council on Race Relations, as a non-Bahá’í speaker, gave the economic and social aspect of the question. Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell, member of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Inter-Racial Committee followed Dr. Mitchell's talk by presenting the Bahá’í view of the implications of unity.
About a hundred people attended the meeting.
NAACP — Bahá’í Cooperation
Mr. U. Simpson Tate, Special Counsel for the Southwest Region of the National Association for ‘the Advancement of Colored People, spoke at a Bahá’í public meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on November 8. About 60 people attended the Albuquerque meeting which was also addressed by Muriel Ives Barrow, Bahá’í of Santa Fe. Both the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í speaker spoke on the theme “The Most Challenging Issue.”
Bahá’ís took part in the Third Annual Convention of the New Mexico State Conference of Branches of the NAACP, held in Roswell, New Mexico.
In New Mexico, Bahá’ís are cooperating closely with this organiza-
Grangeville, Idaho, Bahá’í childre's group with Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Cause.
tion and some hold executive posts
in its branches. This has led to opportunities to present the Bahá’í
principles. At the Convention, at the
request of the Conference President,
the first business session was opened
with the reading of a Bahá’í prayer.
Inter-Racial Work in Alaska
At the invitation of the NAACP, Mr. Rex King presented a talk, “Let's Join the Human Race", in which he gave the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of humanity. He shared the platform with a Negro Chaplain from Fort Richardson and officers of the NAACP, one of whom is a Bahá’í. Regular firesides are held, with Negroes of the area attending.
FROM AREA BULLETINS[edit]
The following evidence of increased and sustained teaching activity is an indication of response by the believers to the needs of the home front in the World Crusade.
Public meetings, regular firesides, fellowship meetings, Bahá’í’ observances, and inter-group activities are reported from Birmingham, Alabama; Anchorage, Anchorage Recording District, Juneau and Unalaska, Alaska; Flagstaff, Prescott and Tucson, Arizona; Little Rock and North Little Rock. Arkansas; Antelope Judicial District, Glendale Judicial District, Healdsburg, Healdsburg Township, Huntington Park, Martinez, Menlo Park, Monrovia, Oceanside, Pasadena, Redding, San Luis Obispo and Stockton, California; Wilmington, Delaware; Honolulu, Maui and Oahu, Hawaii; Ada County and Boise, Idaho; Aurora, and Quincy, Illinois; Davenport, Iowa City, Manchester and Waterloo, Iowa; Emporia and Wichita, Kansas; New Orleans, Louisiana; Ann Arbor, Davison, Flint, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak and Royal Oak Township, Michigan; Jackson (outside), Mississippi; St. Joseph, Missouri; Reno and Sparks, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Greensboro, Nurth Carolina; Fort Worth, Galveston, San Antonio, Texas; Logan and Ogden, Utah; Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.
The Southwestern Bahá’í Area Bulletin prints a résumé of vital facts about goal cities in its area and invites prospective pioneers to write for more detailed information. The November issue covers the goal cities of Burlingame and Pomona, California,
CHILD EDUCATION[edit]
Los: Angeles Bahá’í School
The Child Education Committee of the Local Assembly of Los Angeles, California, has regular classes for Nursery (under 3 years), 3 to 5-year–old, 6 to 8-year-old, and 9 to 11-year–old children, as well as for Junior High School, High School, Young Adult and Adult groups.
Albuquerque Children Visit Indian Pueblo
As part of their regular program for the children’s group, the Albuquerque Children‘s Committee once a month takes the children as visitors to services of different churches and faiths. One of these visits was to an Indian pueblo. The children were warmly welcomed, and they played with and presented gifts of candy to the Indian children. Pictures were taken, with the permission of the adults, and the entire group was invited to return.
In addition to these two reports. the Healdsburg Township, California, Bahá’í Group has organized a class for children; the Anchorage, Alaska, Assembly, in beginning its children's classes for the winter season, issued a special invitation, through the newspapers, to members of minority groups; and children’s classes are being conducted by the Dallas, Texas, community regularly each Sunday morning.
BAHA’I ON THE AIR[edit]
Little Rock, Arkansas, reports the announcement of a public meeting over station KARK. KARK–TV showed 4½ minutes of slides by Mrs.
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BAHA’I NEWS
7
Margery McCormick and station KTHS interviewed Mrs. McCormick during her visit.
In Stockton, California, local radio stations announced the public meeting sponsored by the Bahá’ís for United Nations Day and station KOVR—TV interviewed representatives of the Gold Coast, Switzerland and the United States about the Bahá’í Faith.
The first TV presentation of the Bahá’í Faith in Butte, Montana, came when station KXLF-TV interviewed Mrs. Florence Mayberry about the Bahá’í Message, as a part of the station's “Woman's Day" program. The next evening Mrs. Mayberry spoke for 15 minutes on “The World's Greatest Force” over radio station KBOW.
In Billings, Montana, station KBNY broadcast the Bahá’í radio script “World Religion and the Law of Love" on United Nations Day.
A Bahá’í, radio announcer in Greensboro, North Carolina, is able to make daily announcements of firesides and public meetings. On a regular devotional program, Bahá’í prayers are used. Also, 20-second spot announcements on television are made, with telecards giving quotations from Bahá’í Writings and the address and telephone number for fireside meetings.
NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE[edit]
New headquarters for the National Youth Bulletin have been established in Knightsen, California. An excellent building has been made available and the name “National Bahá’í Youth Committee", lettered on the window, has aroused sufficient interest to Warrant holding monthly public meetings.
Bahá’í youth especially should note this new address.
National Bahá’í Youth Committee
P.0. Box 146
Knightsen, California
NATIONAL LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]
All Assemblies, Groups and isolated believers are asked to be sure to send notice to the Public Library Committee whenever books are placed in Public or other libraries.
The address is:
Public Library Committee
Miss Flora Emily Hottes, Secy.
406 West Iowa
Urbana, Illinois
TEMERITY BAHA'I SCHOOL[edit]
Temerity Bahá’í School near Colorado Springs, Colorado, formerly International School, will have a four-week summer session beginning July 9 and ending August 5. Details of the program will be announced later in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, but all who would like to receive a program schedule direct may write to:
Mrs. Gladys Roberts, Secy.
Temerity Bahá’í School
915 North Hancock St.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
BAHA’I NEWS DEADLINE[edit]
The first of the month preceding the month of issue has been set as the date when all material for BAHÁ’Í NEWS should be received at the Editorial offices, 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. For example, news which is to appear in the February issue should reach this address by January 1. This is done to meet a new schedule, planned so that BAHÁ’Í NEWS may reach the believers as early as possible in each month.
"STAR OF THE WEST" FOR HAIFA[edit]
Believers who would like to contribute any of the following issues of Star of the West for the Haifa Library are asked to send them to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee.
Vol. I, issues 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19; Vol. II, issues 1, 2, 6, 18, 19; Vol. III, issues 1, 4, 5, 8. 14; Vol. IV, issues 8, 10, 11; Vol. V, issue 18; Vol. VII, issue 2; Vol. XIV, issue 8; Vol. XXIII, issue 5; Vol. XXIV, issue 12.
DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]
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 December follow.
The readings for December 5 are the same as those presented on May 23, 1954.
The readings for December 12 are the same as those presented on August 8, 1954.
Order of Devotions—December 19,
1954
We testify that when He (Jesus) came into the world, He shed the splendor of His glory upon all created things . . . Through His power, born of almighty God, the eyes of the blind were opened, and the soul of the sinner sanctified.
-Bahá’u’lláh
CHORAL SELECTION
Almighty God of Our Father—Will James
BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS
Unite the Hearts or Thy Servants (A Prayer or Baháu’lláh); Gleanings, p. 78, p. 62: The Promised Day Is Come, p. 31
OLD TESTAMENT
Deuteronomy 18:15; Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2
CHORAL SELECTION
Break Forth O Beauteuos Heavenly Light— Johann Sebastian Bach
NEW TESTAMENT
John 1:1-14; Luke 2:1, 3-20
QUR’AN
Sura 3:40-44; Sura 2:254
CHORAL SELECTION
Today Christ is Born—Healey Willan
BAHÁ’Í SACRED WRITINGS
The Kitáb-i-Iqán, pp. 64-65; Gleanings, pp. 85-86
Bahá’i Prayers, p. 45
CHORAL SELECTION
Glory to God in THE Highest—Pergolesi The readings for December 26 are the same as those presented on October 17, 1954.
PUBLICATIONS[edit]
DISCOUNT ON QUANTITY ORDERS[edit]
Beginning January 1, 1955, the 10% discount allowed on literature orders of $10.00 and over (with exception of NET items) will apply only to orders sent in by community librarians (either Group or Assembly), National, Area and Intercontinental Teaching Committees, Summer Schools, and other National Committees. There is one exception. A pioneer, or isolated believer, who must carry on the teaching activity entirely alone will qualify for the discount if his status is clearly indicated on the order. The purpose of the discount is to help communities to build up their book distribution service. This accumulated discount creates a “working fund", enabling the librarian or book sales committee to pay bills promptly and also to keep a good supply of Bahá’í literature available at all times to members of the community.
Any Bahá’í community, however small, whether or not it has assembly status, can have a librarian, someone who is responsible for this service, and thus take advantage of the discount. It is therefore important that each community give attention to this. Recently the National Assembly sent a request to local communities, requesting them to appoint a suitable and efficient Librarian (or Book Sales Committee) to
JANUARY, 1955
keep literature in stock and attractively displayed in order to stimulate reading and sale of Bahá’í material. Consistent effort in this direction will not only aid directly in attaining a World Crusade objective, the establishing of a Bahá’í Publishing Trust, but also will greatly augment local teaching efforts.
To secure your discount, please give your status on all orders (community librarian, personal, national committee, pioneer or isolated believer).
If your order represents a change of librarian or a change of address, be sure to specify this.
Please address all inquiries and orders for publishing items to:
Bahá’í Publishing Committee
110 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois
NEW PUBLICATIONS[edit]
Challenge to Chaos: The Mission of the Bahá’í Faith. By Horace Holley. Talk given at Bahá’í Temple in Foundation Hall for delegates to World Council of Churches, planned to give the Bahá’í solution to fundamental religious questions involved in the World Council proceedings. Shows the plan of religious revelation through the ages and the purpose of the experience through which mankind is passing today. 24-page, small, standard size pamphlet.
(minimum order) 10 copies. . .$ .50
100 copies. . .$4.00
Bahá’í Calendar, 1955. Illustrated with a world map, depicting the movement of the pioneers. Shows the territories opened before the beginning of the World Crusade in green
(for growth), and the territories opened since in red (for sacrifice). A colorful graphic account of achievement. Feast Days and Holy Days are in color and other essential information pertaining to Nineteen Day Feast, Fast Days, days on which work should be suspended, on back of calendar. Black, red and green on white, 9 x 12.
Each .........................$ .25
5 copies ......................$1.00
Out of Print
Since the June, 1954, listing of out of print items, the following publications have gone out of print and are no longer available:
A Bahá’í Declaration of Human Obligations and Rights
Questions the World Is Asking
Security for a Failing World (book)
Three Daily Obligatory Prayers
A School of World Religion
World Order Unfolds
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
“Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.”
-BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
Miss Bernice Yvonne Best
Allendale, South Carolina
June 14, 1954
Mr, Frederick R. Mickelson
Camas, Washington
June, 1954
Mrs. Christine Monroe
Seattle, Washington
October 26, 1954
Mrs. Beth Shean Salden
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
October 27, 1954
Mr. Carl Deppe, Sr.
Phoenix, Arizona
October 30, 1954
Mrs. Heloise Wardell
Seattle, Washington
November 17 1954
Mr. Grant Smith
Seattle, Washington
(date not reported)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
FEASTS
January 19, Sulțán, Sovereignty
February 7, Mulk, Dominion
INTERCALARY DAYS
Ayyám-i-Há, February 26 through
March 1
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
January 7, 8, 9
February 11, 12, 13
WORLD RELIGION DAY
January 16, 1955
BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP
Visiting hours
Weekdays and Saturdays:
1:00 P.M.—4:00 P.M.
(the Auditorium only will be open)
Sundays: 10:30 A.M.—5:00 P.M.
(the entire building will be open)
Service of Worship: Sunday at 3:30 P.M., lasting until 4:15 (No guided tours will be conducted during the program of worship.)
BAHA’I DIRECTORY CHANGES AND ADDITIONS[edit]
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Puerto Rico
Mrs. Barbara Barrett, Box 1869, San Juan 8, P.R.
California (North)
Berkeley: Miss Esther B. Linebaugh, 1242 Josephine
Street, Zone 3
California (South)
Pasadena: Mrs. Katrina Valentine, 60-A Grand Oaks
Avenue, Zone 8
New York (West)
Hamburg Twp.: Mrs. Edith McLaren, Secy. pro tem,
294 Clark Street
BAHA’I NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís ol the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the sans-l World Community.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs or 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 W’ilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date of issue tor 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 Blackijner, 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 Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, lllinois, U.S.A.
