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No. 288

BAHA’I YEAR 111

FEBRUARY, 1955

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THE GUARDIAN

"PRAYING PROGRESS HER SOUL"

The following message was cabled to the National Spiritual Assembly on December 23, 1954, by the Guardian, concerning the passing of Mrs. Gertrude Struven: “Grieve news, praying progress her soul (in) King dom.”

—SHOGHI

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

TWO LETTERS FROM HAIFA

The National Spiritual Assembly has chosen excerpts from two letters for publication in BAHÁ’Í NEWS on account of their general interest and importance. The letters were written on behalf of the Guardian by his Secretary and addressed on July 17, 1951, and June 6, 1954, to Mr. Rex King.

Love and Unity

“The most important thing for the believers is, of course, to be united and to really love each other for the sake of God. (Otherwise it is not possible to love every one). However, if communities wait until love and complete harmony are established before teaching, the teaching work will come to a standstill. Both sides must be cultivated; whilst actively teaching the friends must themselves be taught and deepened in the spirit of the Faith, which brings love and unity.”

Bahá’í Greeting

“The Bahá’ís are free to greet each other with Alláh-u-Abhá when they meet, if they want to, but they should avoid anything which to outsiders, in a western country, might seem like some strange Oriental password. We must be very firm on principles and laws, but very normal and natural in our ways, so as to attract strangers.”

Passage on Will and Testament

“The statement in the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá* does not imply that the Hands of the Cause of God have been given the authority to overrule the Guardian. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá could not have provided for a conflict of authority in the Faith. This is obvious, in view of His own words, which you will find on page 13 [p. 11 of 1944 US. edition] of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. ‘The mighty stronghold shall remain impregnable and safe through obedience to him who is the guardian of the Cause of God. It is incumbent upon . . . the Hands of the Cause of God to show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him. He that opposeth him hath opposed the True One,‘ etc.”

‘The passage In the Master’s Will which provides for the successor to the Guardian, in which reference is made In the Hands of the Cause.

THE CHALLENGE — SEVERE, INSISTENT, GLORIOUS

A message from the National Spiritual Assembly to the 1954 State Conventions (published in response to requests from a number of state conventions)

Beloved Friends:

We are now in the second stage of the unfoldment of the World Crusade. Last year we were concentrating upon the filling of virgin goals— a call to the sense of heroism and sacrifice which has always distinguished the followers of Bahá’u’lláh; and that call has been gloriously answered by Bahá’ís of East and West.

Now the call is for massive achievements requiring the energy of the entire Bahá’í Community; the purchase or construction of the first Temple dependency, a home for the aged; for the acquisition of Temple lands and for Ḥaẓíras in many parts of the world. In addition we have the challenge of the home front, and large scale consolidation settlement in Latin America, European lands, Alaska and Hawaii, South and West Africa, and Japan, and the Philippine Islands, in addition to reinforcing the original pioneers in their virgin goals.

There is nothing which the National Spiritual Assembly can add to the Guardian’s insistent and glorious words concerning the achievements marking this second stage of the World Crusade. The focus has shifted from effort to understand what is to be done to effort to accomplish it. This movement from reason to will distinguishes a spiritual Crusade, in that only the Call of God can summon the necessary response consisting of complete sacrifice of fortune and of life.

The present challenge is also severe in that we are now living in the world of peril which the Guardian disclosed to us in his recent incomparable message to America. Indeed, as our hearts are yielded up in obedience to the Guardian's Will, we recall a passage in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh which hitherto has seemed not to be directed to Bahá’ís and others in our own time.

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“We have a fixed time for you, O peoples. If ye fail, at the appointed hour, to turn towards God, He, verily, will lay violent hold on you, and will cause grievous afflictions to assail you from every direction.” (G1. 214).

The only effective manner to present Bahá’u’lláh’s Message to the world of humanity today, is by establishing the Temples, the Ḥaẓíras, the Temple dependency and the new National Spiritual Assemblies, in addition to our customary mode of teaching through firesides, public lectures and the other facilities in which we are already trained.

The massive public Bahá’í achievement alone can, in adequate measure, break through the fatal spiritual torpor in which human society is now engulfed. For in carrying out on schedule the Guardians Ten Year Plan we attain nearness to God and serve with a power higher than our own.

“Arise, therefore, and, with the whole enthusiasm of your hearts, with all the eagerness of your souls, the full fervor of your will, and the concentrated efforts of your entire being, strive to attain the paradise of His presence . . . ” (G1. 321).

The World Crusade, beloved friends, is the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh in the world of action. Severe, insistent and glorious is our existence in that world!

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

RECOGNITION OF BAHA’I HOLY DAYS

The Superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District (Burbank, California) wrote the local Assembly on December 6, 1954, and stated that arrangements can be made concerning absences of Bahá’í children from school on Bahá’í Holy Days.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Bahá’ís Look to the Future

The teachings of Bahá’u’lláh show men how a just society—for all kinds of people—may be evolved. The growing Bahá’í world community is a laboratory where the principles of Bahá’u’lláh are being applied in human relations, where the future institutions of justice are taking shape, Where Bahá’ís are learning how to act justly and to develop methods for the just conduct of their own affairs.

Bahá’í World Vol. XI—Page 676.

Site of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár to be built in the village of Eschborn, near Frankfurt, Germany

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET — STATUS AS OF JANUARY I, 1955

Dearly Beloved Friends:

With a heart filled with gratitude, your National Assembly wishes to share with all of the friends who heeded our beloved Guardian’s wishes as expressed in his stirring message of July 28, the encouraging results from contributions that have poured into the National Treasurer’s Office from individuals, Groups and Local Assemblies during the month of December.

Let us refresh ourselves with these words: “The heart of the Guardian cannot but leap with joy, and his mind derive fresh inspiration, at every evidence testifying to the response of the individual to his allotted task.” “It is therefore imperative for the individual American believer . . . to step forward, and dedicate their resources, their time, their very lives to a Cause of such transcendence that no human eye can even dimly perceive its glory. Let them resolve, instantly and unhesitatingly, to place, each according to his circumstances, his share on the altar of Bahá’í sacrifice . . "

During December, the following contributions were received:

From: Assemblies and Groups $13,836.09

Individuals 36,718.76

Temple Fund 381.60

Shrine of the Báb Fund 31.60

World Center Fund 17.00

Shrine of Báb & Temple Landscaping 102.00

Proceeds from Sales Committee 500.00 $51,587.05

From: Estate of Grace Proudfoot 9,215.38

TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$60,892.43

It is noteworthy that among the contributions received from “individuals" one Bahá’í family contributed over $11,000.00 as an additional generous and sacrificial donation which swelled their contributions thus far during this Bahá’í Year to almost $19,000.00.

As against total Budget requirements for the eight-month period from May 1, 1954 to January 1, 1955 of ................................$320,000.00 we have received a total of ....................................... 245,466.00 representing a deficit for this eight-month period of ............ 74,534.00 We will succeed in fulfilling our total Budget requirements o $475,000.00 if we are able to maintain the same level of contributions during the last four months of this Bahá’í Year as in the month of December.

As the miracles in our beloved Faith multiply throughout the far corners of the globe, let our hearts swell with pride and thanksgiving that the spirit of devotion and sacrifice being manifested by our heroic pioneers in far-off places is being matched on the home front by increased application to our appointed tasks, a greater awareness of the needs of our objectives, and a new spirit of generosity and sacrifice in meeting our financial goal.

Faithfully yours,

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMILY

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TEACHING MISSIONS BY MEMBERS OF AUXILIARY BOARD

Second Report by American Hands of the Cause

In the October, 1954, issue of BAHÁÍ NEWS the American Hands reported on the teaching work carried out by the nine Auxiliary Board members since their appointment at Convention time. This report carries their schedules forward to January, 1955, and includes missions definitely assigned to April. These extensive schedules, planned to cover every community and many groups in Canada and the United States, and a selected list of centers in Central and South America, would be impossible without the generous budget assigned by the United States National Assembly, and the sacrifice made by Board members.

The purpose of these visits is to re-emphasize basic Bahá’í teachings and to encourage support of the goals of the World Crusade. Lack of space makes it impossible to present the many interesting and important local engagements carried out.

1. Rowland Estall has carried on weekend visits to centers in the

CORRECTION

Unfortunately, a typographical error occurred in the printing of the Guardian's communication of October 1, 1954, in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for November. The error occurs on page 2, second column, between the sixth and seventh lines of the second paragraph, where two lines have been omitted. The following should be inserted, to follow the sixth line of second paragraph, center column:

“Which will from then on be designated as the National Spiritual Assem-”

The first sentence of this second paragraph, second column, will then read:

“Abyssinia, Libya, Eritrea, British, French and Italian Somaliland and Socotra Island will, as of Riḍván of that same year, fall Within the administrative jurisdiction of the Egyptian National Spiritual Assembly which will from then on be designated as the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North—East Africa.”

Province of Quebec. Detailed report not yet received.

2. William deForge has visited Rocky Mount, North Carolina; North Augusta, South Carolina; Augusta, Georgia; St. Augustine, Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami, Miami Beach, Key West, Florida; and on his return trip north has visited Greensboro, North Carolina and made a second visit to Rocky Mount. During February Mr. deForge will carry out a mission taking him to Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas.

3. Florence Mayberry has made visits to Great Falls, Helena, Butte, and Missoula, Montana; Spokane, Washington; Lewiston, Grangeville, Boise and Ada County, Idaho; Pendleton, Oregon; Walla Walla, Pasco, Yakima, Wenatchee, Seattle, Tacoma, Bremerton and Olympia, Washington. Bahá’í centers in Oregon and Northern California are to be visited, including Reno and Sparks, Nevada. Missions are being arranged for her to visit Bahá’í centers in Arizona and New Mexico, including El Paso, Texas, in March, and Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Wyoming on her way to and from the National Convention.

To the list of places visited by Mrs. Mayberry between early September and the middle of December these are also to be included: Kanloops, Salmon Arm, New Westminster and West Vancouver, B.C., Whitehorse, Yukon Territory; Saskatoon, Regina, Sask.; Brandon, Mimedosa, Winnipeg, St. James, Manitoba; Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Minn. A total of 53 centers has been covered.

4. Margery McCormick has visited the following centers in Ontario: Forest, London, Ingersol, George town, Hamilton, St. Catherine, Toronto, Forest Hill, North York, Scarborough, Pickering, Oshawa; and in Michigan, Royal Oak, Detroit, Flint, Louhelen School, Lansing and Kalamazoo. The cities visited in the States listed in October report were Sioux Falls, Omaha, Kansas City, Topeka, Oklahoma City, Wichita, Tulsa, Little Rock, St. Louis, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Waterloo. She returns to Michigan in February to visit the remaining centers. In January and early February Mrs. McCormick visits cities of Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. The centers in Indiana and Wisconsin are also to be visited this year.

5. Katherine McLaughlin is carrying out a mission during January and February which includes visits to centers in Venezuela, and such centers in Colombia and other countries as are determined by consultation in Latin America.

6. Dr. Sarah Pereira is meeting with believers in West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky on weekend trips. Detailed schedule to be reported.

7. Esteban Canales has been assigned a mission involving intensive teaching work in Bahá’í centers of Mexico.

8. Gayle Woalson has reported intensive teaching work in La Paz, Bolivia; G u a y a q u i l , Riobamba, Quito, San Rafael, Ibarra and Otavalo, Ecuador.

9. Margot Worley has visited communities in Chile, Paraguay and Brazil, assisting in their preparation for formation of National Spiritual Assemblies during the Ten Year Plan.

—AMERICAN HANDS OF THE CAUSE

Corine True

Horace Holley

Paul E. Haney

What Is Happening to the Bahá’ís?

Talk given at Central States Area Conference, September 18, 1954

By Horace Holley

Dear Spiritual Friends:

What is happening to the Bahá’ís? In order to attempt to deal with this vital question, let us take three different stages in the development of the Bahá’í Community and see how, in these three stages, different conditions have become manifest until we find ourselves today in the most mysterious condition the world has ever seen.

Years ago, while the Master was still in this world, I had occasion one

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day to call on Roy Wilhelm, who had a little office down town in New York City, which for many years was practically the Bahá’í Center of the United States. Roy was very excited on that occasion. He had received a Tablet from the Master and he handed to me the original Tablet to read, and I have never forgotten it. It was reprinted on page 384 of the Bahá’í World Faith.

“All the people of the world are, as thou dost observe, in the sleep of negligence. They have forgotten God altogether . . . They are, like unto the loathsome worms, trying to lodge in the depth of the ground, while a single flood of rain sweeps all their nests and lodging away. Nevertheless, they do not come to their senses. Where is the majesty of the Emperor of Russia? Where is the might of the German Emperor? ‘Where is the greatness of the Emperor of Austria? In a short time all these palaces were turned into ruins and all these pretentious edifices underwent destruction. They left no fruit and no trace, save eternal min.”

That was during the years of the first world war, and the Master saw the end in the beginning, and through this Tablet He brought into the hearts of believers the realization that the basis of modern civilization had already been destroyed.

About this time He revealed the following Tablet directly to the believers: “If thou seekest to be intoxicated with the cup of the Most Mighty Gift, cut thyself from the world and be quit of self and desire. Exert thyself night and day until spiritual powers may penetrate thy heart and soul. Abandon the body and the material, until merciful powers may become manifest; because not until the soil is become pure will it develop through the heavenly bounty; not until the heart is purified, will the radiance of the Sun of Truth shine therein. I beg of God, that'thou wilt day by day increase the purity of thy heart, the cheerfulness of thy soul, the light of thy insight, and the search for Truth."

In those two Tablets, revealed possibly in the year 1919, we see the great contrast, the great abyss which has risen in this world between the collapse of the old order and the peoples pertaining to the old order and the rise of the new creation in the hearts of the Bahá’ís.

That is our starting-point as we try to deal with this subject, “What is happening to the Bahá’ís?”

All of us who have come into the Faith bring all that we have accumulated with us, of ideas, of impressions, of values, of emotions, of reactions, of envies, of jealousies, everything that we happen to have, we bring with us into the Cause of God.

A certain number of people think that they are Bahá’ís when they can take a certain statement and say, “I believe this to be truth,” but belief is no longer faith. There are other people who take a step farther, they are stronger in their personalities, they have conviction on what they believe, but conviction is only faith in action. A person of strong conviction can quite sincerely be convinced about things that are entirely wrong and useless; so when we meet sincere people, people of ardor, of strong conviction, we have to examine the values they are trying to express, and we never find that people who end in conviction have attained the essence of faith. Faith is not feeling; faith is not the ability to think ourselves from one world to another; faith is being reborn. It is the element of will in the human personality that has to be influenced and that is the last thing that we give up. We can change our feelings, we can change our ideas, but to give up our will is the miracle of human life.

All of His life, the Master, in His travels, His Tablets. was trying to confer upon us the realization of the necessity of giving up our wills and the way that we might succeed. So we had years in the development in the Bahá’í community from that time on, and then the Guardian came a few years later and we went through the discipline of establishing institutions, which delimited the power and the influence and the authority of the individual. Therefore, it was a time of discipline, and for a number of years a time of great confusion, because it was easier to go along by inertia the old path than to stop short and realize that God, Himself, had created these institutions for which we had no respect, because we didn’t like four or five out of the nine elected in a given year; so we lost the meaning of institutions as we contemplated personalities.

The Guardian let this process go on for a certain length of time until October 8, 1952, when he wrote us a letter launching the world-embracing spiritual crusade. He said, for example, “Hail with feelings of humble thankfulness and unbounded joy, opening of the Holy Year commemorating the centenary of the rise of the Orb of Bahá’u’lláh’s most sublime Revelation, marking the consummation of the six thousand year cycle ushered in by Adam, glorified by all past prophets and sealed with the blood of the Author of the Babi Dispensation.”

Then he went on to say “hour propitious to proclaim to the entire Bahá’í world the projected launching on the occasion of the convocation of the approaching Intercontinental Conferences on the four continents of the globe the fate-laden, soul-stirring, decadelong, world-embracing Spiritual Crusade . . . aiming at the immediate extension of Bahá’u’lláh’s spiritual dominion as well as the eventual establishment of the structure of His administrative order in all remaining Sovereign States, and Principal Dependencies . . . scattered over the surface of the entire planet.”

Now this was like an examination given to people, who had been through an educational university, to see how proficient they had become; how much faith they possessed that could be translated into heroic self-sacrificial acts. And God be praised, the first year of the ten-year plan in its results, delighted the Guardian’s heart. The souls were found who have arisen to the condition of real faith.

(to be continued)

WORLD CRUSADE

ELEVENTH 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. and Mrs. Maurice C. Holmes arrived in Hope Town, Abaco, Baharnas, October 5, 1953.

Dr. and Mrs. Dean H. Fraser, with their children, Deanne and Glory, arrived in Baranof Island, Alaska, September 28, 1954.

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Hands of the Cause for the European Continent with members at their Auxiliary Board at the Conference held in Frankfurt, Germany, October 1-3, 1954. (See pages 3, 4,‘ BAHA’I NEWS, December, 1954.) Seated, left to right, are the Hands of the Cause: Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Dr. Ugo Giachery and Dr. Adelbert Muhlschlegel. Standing, from left to right: Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Tove Deleuran, Anna Grossmann, Louis Henuzet, Marion Hofman, Angeline Giachery and Dorothy Ferraby. Missing are: Dr. George Townshend, Hand of the Cause, and Elsa Steinmetz and Joel Marangella, members or the Auxiliary Band.

Mr. Frank A. Baker arrived in Granada, Windward Islands, British West Indies, November 18. 1954.

Dr. Luella K. Beecher arrived in Granada, Windward Islands, British West Indies, November 18, 1954.

Mrs. Mildred Mehl arrived in Famagusta, Cyprus (British NSA), November 26, 1954.

Miss Frances Jones arrived in Famagusta, Cyprus, (British NSA), November 26, 1954.

ARRIVALS IN CONSOLIDATION AREAS

Mrs. Lorraine Horvath Landau arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, September 12, 1954.

Mrs. Mary Jane Fowlie arrived in Valdez, Alaska, September 24, 1954.

Mrs. Hildegarde Doty arrived in Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, October 1, 1954.

Mr. Rex King arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, November 8, 1954.

Mrs. E. R. Mathews arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in December 1954.

Miss Ophelia Crum arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in December 1954.

Miss Louise Nelson arrived in Sari Pedro Sula, Honduras, October 29, 1954.

Mr. and Mrs. Don Witzel arrived in Managua, Nicaragua, November 12, 1954.

Mrs. Edward A. Young arrived in Cuernavaca, Mexico (date not reported).

Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Bode arrived in Cuernavaca, Mexico (date not reported).

PIONEER LETTERS

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

Excerpts from Pioneer Letters to the Asia Teaching Committee

BRUNEI

From Charles Duncan.

October 28, 1954. “At long last I am leading the type of life that I expected to find in Brunei. I have recently moved to the kampong ayer. This is the part of the city that is built in the river. The main section of the karnpong ayer is in the middle of the river and can be reached only by boats (hence Brunei is known as the Venice of the East). However. part of it is near the bank of the river and can be approached by boat or a maze of rather rickety bridges. The section I live in is called ‘Kampong China’ which might be translated as ‘Chinatown.’ I am the only non—Chinese living there. I have a small room in the front corner of the house, the windows of which give two very nice views of the river which is quite wide. I can see the river flowing under my room through the cracks between the floor boards. This house, like all the others in the kampong ayer, has walls made of unpainted boards, the roof is thatched with palm leaves and the whole house is built on stilts which sink down into the mud. When the tide is low, it is possible for a person in a boat to pass underneath; but when the tide is high, the water is only about four feet below the floor. The population of the kampong ayer is about 11,000 although it is only about 1½ miles long and 2 or 3 blocks wide. Except for Kampong China the population is mostly Malay and Kadayan. . . . the houses have practically no furniture in them, the people ordinarily sit on the floor, eat on the floor, and sleep on the floor. They spread mats on the floor, use a pillow and a blanket. Sometimes it gets quite cold and you feel as if you were going to freeze to death. The first couple of nights I found sleeping on the floor a little uncomfortable, but now that I am used to it, 1 sleep quite well. I could buy a mattress, but they cost $40. I think the price ridiculous. Also a mattress would reduce the size of the room and would be very inconvenient.

“Our house is not so crowded as some. There are only 11 people staying here.

“They speak only Chinese and Malay although two of the younger fellows know a smattering of English. In spite of the language barrier, they are extremely warm, friendly, lovable people. They all know that I am a Bahá’í but I haven’t been able to tell them more than that. They see the picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that I have on my desk and ask whether it is my father. My Malay vocabulary

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is not extensive enough to say that He is the Center of the Covenant.

“So far the last couple of weeks have been my happiest in Brunei. In addition to this is the good news that we expect to enroll our first Bahá’í next week at the 19-Day Feast. She is an Indian and was born a caste Hindu, but the family later accepted Christianity and she was educated as a Christian. She married a Muslim and to pacify the family of her husband became a Muslim. She, more, than many others, was quick to see the Oneness of Religion as expounded by Bahá’u’lláh. She loves the Teachings, is firm in the Covenant, and feels unworthy to become a Bahá’í. . . .

“Please continue to pray for us pioneers as we pray also that you at home may achieve your tasks which are much greater than ours.”

JAPAN

From Barbara Sims, Secy., Tokyo, Japan, Local Spiritual Assembly.

October 25, 1954. “Our National Teaching Committee which was formed in June has now had three meetings with another coming up soon. Their main purpose is to encourage, coordinate and report on all teaching activities throughout Japan. At present firesides are being held in Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Kyoto, Yomaguchi-shi and Hyogo-ken and extension teaching work is being done in Kobe, Hiroshima and Nagoya. Strong efforts are being made to expand teaching work on the island of Kyushu. Pioneers who are able to move are being encouraged to move to cities where there are few or no Bahá’ís. Robert Imagire and his wife have moved to Kyoto to help with the work there.

“Advanced classes are being held in Tokyo for people who have become interested in the Faith through firesides and also deepening classes are being held on such subjects as history of the Faith and Administration.

“A two day Japan Teaching Conference was held in Sept. It is the first time in the history of the Faith in Japan that such an event has taken place. It was held at Atami, a sea-side town between Tokyo and Nagoya. Thirty-two believers attended and all talks, discussions and prayers were held in three languages, Japanese, Persian and English. How we long for the day when

Mr. Chadwick Mohapi and Mrs. Mary Mohapi, the first Bahá’ís of Basutoland. They are teaching the Faith in their village. Their eldest son, Mr. Selai Mohapi, is now translating Bahá’í writings Into the Sesuto language.

the auxiliary language will be in existence. The conference was a Wonderful demonstration of the unity among the believers in Japan. It is hoped that this will be the first of many such conferences.

“Translation work is progressing. The new translation of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era is nearing completion. Prayers are being translated for a Japanese prayer book. The small introductory pamphlet is being revised and additions are being made.

“The Tokyo LSA is in the process of being incorporated and that should be finished in November. Steps have been made toward the purchase of a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. It is hoped that this will be accomplished before the end of the year.

“Several of the Iranian and American pioneers who hope to remain in this country indefinitely are studying Japanese thereby hoping to really integrate into the community and Japanese way of life and to teach more effectively.”

Excerpts from Pioneer Letters +9 the Africa Teaching Committee

BASUTOLAND

From Fred and Beth Laws.

“At the open Feast today, there were eight adults, one youth and fourteen children. We played American and Sesuto records on the gramaphone and had tea, biscuits and cake. The little children danced to the Sesuto and Negro spirituals. This is our first fireside. These friends have expressed their great joy and gladness that we can be with them. They say that God sent us here. They have conferred upon us Basuto names: for Fred, ‘Ler-to’ and for Beth, ‘Malerato’. ‘Lerato’ is literally ‘love’, and means ‘lover of mankind’. ‘Malerato’ is the feminine form."

“Our friends (their Basuto African hosts), the Mohapis, have just left us after the first lesson about Bahá’u’lláh. They believed everything we told them. They were so happy, they could hardly go home, just across the door-yard, these pure-hearted ones. Yesterday, Sunday, nine adults and quite a number of children came, and we all had tea, music and prayers out under the trees. They will come every Sunday, in increasing numbers from greater and greater distances. One young man came in on his bicycle from a town 40 miles away. He had heard we were here. Mr. Mohapi now wants his son, the high school science teacher, to translate Bahá’í prayers for him. Frederick is helping Mr. Mohapi with farm work and showing him new ways and short cuts to get more done quicker. He took the car and trailer to bring in mealies from the fields, which otherwise would have to be carried on their backs in big 100 lb. sacks. There is a sort of epidemic of ‘flu’ going around. So Beth goes about with aspirin, Vapour Rub, and Milk of Magnesia, and doses and rubs them, and takes temperatures and pulse; so they feel much better. Mr. Mohapi wants us to remain in the rondavel they have given us to use. He says this one is much better for us than another old one we had intended to repair for our own use. ‘It is closer to the water,’ he says, ‘and it is quite near to us. We want you near us so that we can come to you many times and hear you tell us about Bahá’u’lláh, because no one ever told us such happy news before.’ These are dear and lovely people—pure souls, as our Guardian has said. The candles of their Faith burn very brightly. May the Blessed Beauty give us great wisdom and love in teaching them.”

Now news has come that the Mohapis have declared themselves. In a letter to the Committee the Laws say:

“Probably the chief reason for their precociousness lies in the Beloved Guardian's description of the African‘s spiritual condition with regard to the Faith, but certainly a very potent factor in their development has been the intensive study

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they have undergone. In five weeks they have attended at least thirty regular study sessions with the books and Bible for reference. In addition there have been a number of informal, spur of the moment sessions, which opportuned themselves into our daily work. The Sunday sessions have been of a most casual nature with scarcely a mention of the Message of God.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

CENTRAL AMERICA

First Maya-Quiche Believer

The following report comes from Louise Caswell, Secretary of the Indian Committee of the Bahá’ís of Central America.

“The first member of the MayaQuiche race to accept the Faith, a young man of twenty-two, is a tourist guide. He has brought many Indians to the Institute (Instituto Cultural Indiginesta Bahá’í) to hear of our Faith, as well as tourists from California, Ohio, New Mexico, Alaska and a Frenchman from Tuamotu. Some of these have recognized the picture of the Temple and one of them, who lectures on Guatemala, a resident of Wilmette, has watched the Temple construction from the time of the laying of the cornerstone. In this way our first Indian Bahá’í is teaching from the start.

A Field of Service

“There are many calls (for the Institute) from the sick and the dying, as Jenny is a nurse. We visit the homes, mud huts, and see at close range the conditions of abject misery, unexpressed suffering and ignorance of elementary sanitation and cleanliness of this abandoned race. The help given by the Bahá’ís is sometimes only a symbol of our love, for what can one do to save the life of a fourteen-year-old mother, ill from pneumonia, when she has nothing but a dirt floor and a few dirty rags to lie on, no one to love her, no desire to live, no dream to hang to, no vision of possible happiness or even comfort? Surely any Bahá’í who wishes to lift the masses of humanity from their silent misery can find an unlimited field of service among the abandoned Indians of the Americas.

“We call urgently to all those who feel the desire to be of service to the Indian race and to give them a special measure of our Bahá’í love to arise to teach them so as to bring to them the hope and vision which only our Faith can offer.

“If you are interested in teaching the Indians in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, you will be among the first and happiest of those who will initiate ‘the intensive teaching activity which . . . must be conducted for the purpose of converting a considerable number of the minority races in . . . America to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh’ (Shoghi Effendi, American Bahá’í's in the Time of World Peril) and swell the ranks of the faithful during this Ten-Year Crusade by converting large numbers of the Indians to the Faith.”

We wish to add that medical doctors or certified teachers could serve among the vast Indian population of Central America with great usefulness; also that there exists an urgent need for a pioneer on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean, particularly someone of French background who speaks French; he would also have to have some private means. Detailed information can be obtained from the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee.

First Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í: of Monrovia, Liberia

NATIONAL NEWS

PLAN TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION

The Forty-Seventh Annual Bahá’í Convention will be held in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, April 28, 29, 30 and May 1.

Reservations: Delegates and visitors wishing accommodations in private homes should send their request for reservations to: Mrs. Priscilla Hassan, 1244 Maple Street, Wilmette, Illinois, Chairman of the Housing Committee, or to the Chairman, Mrs. Edna Coleman, 1227 Leon Place, Evanston, Illinois. A list of nearby hotels, together with rates, will be published in the next issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. The friends wishing this type of accommodation are requested to make their own reservations. Those interested in accommodations in a motel may write to the committee for names and addresses of several new motels within ten or fifteen minutes drive from the Temple.

Child Care: Owing to the difficulty of securing a sufficient number of volunteers to care for children, the Convention Arrangements Committee has found it necessary to limit child Care to the daytime sessions only. It is not equipped to care for children in arms or for other very young children requiring individual attention. Any inquiries concerning this service should be directed to the Chairman of the Child Care Committee: Mrs. Minnie Hadley, 1729 Dodge Street, Evanston, Illinois.

UNITED STATES AFRICA TEACHING COMMITTEE

Africa News

During the past few months reports of the progress of our Faith in Africa have come to us from Mr. MúSá Banani, beloved Hand of the Cause there.

Between August 1 and November 27 there were 86 newly-declared believers in 16 territories of Africa, bringing the total to 199 in less than 4 months.

How we would like to share with you the interesting stories which lie

[Page 8]8

FEBRUARY, 1955

The newly-formed Bahá’í Group of Saigon, Indo-china.

behind the declarations! One African believer, having been in the Faith but a short time himself, joyfully reports 17 new believers.

Another devoted believer, himself a pioneer in one territory, sends in 10 new declarations, several from a nearby town. Think of being able to do extension work in two places simultaneously!

In Basutoland there are now believers in two centers. Here are the parting words of one of them to Bill Sears who visited there recently:

“A man must have four things in his heart if he is to be close to God, The first is love, the second is mercy and kindness, the third is humility and the fourth is fear of God. These make him a good man. These qualities I have seen in the friends who have come to live among us and to visit us.” He went on to express his happiness at “this fresh Word of God” which had come to his people and closed by saying: “I give my heart and soul to this Faith and I am eager to labor in its service.” Over and over again we hear the native African express in similar terms his acceptance of the Faith.

Our steadfast pioneers in Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, tell of the addition of two Moroccan and two Spanish believers, brought in by the combined efforts of pioneers in a nearby town. The humanitarian efforts of these pioneers on the behalf of the people, such as paying for the education of an Arab boy, first aid help, and gathering and distributing clothing, surely demonstrate the Bahá’í way of life.

Beside the extension teaching work already mentioned, friends in French Equatorial Africa, ,British Cameroons, Liberia, Gold Coast, South Africa (Johannesburg and Durban), Nairobi and Tanganyika all report well—organized teaching activities in neighboring towns.

The three Auxiliary Board members, William Sears, John Robarts and John Allen, correspond regularly with communities, groups and pioneers, beside many times making extensive trips. These visits have proved of real assistance and the moral support encouraged the pioneers greatly in their “often difficult and discouraging attempts to settle.” A 1,123 mile journey by one pioneer through Bechuanaland enabled him to meet four important tribal chiefs who welcomed him gladly. Others have gone on trips to Mozambique, Southern and Northern Rhodesia, Swaziland. In addition, the three Board members have been working diligently to ensure the translation of the Teachings into various languages. So rapid is the progress that we have no exact figures to give at the moment. Helping to bring 14 groups to Assembly status in the South and West regional area will be the vital task of these friends also.

Miss Elsie Austin has visited the friends in Spanish and French Morocco and has helped considerably with the activities of the Tangier Community. She has worked tirelessly to help pioneers enter difficult and inaccessible territories of Spanish Sahara and Rio de Oro.

John Allen who was in this country recently for business reasons says that opportunities for setting up one’s own business in Africa are good and one with some capital to invest would find that this newly awakened Continent offers a chance to serve the people of Africa and sustain one’s self.

The time is short. Let us arise to bring to assembly status those eleven goals given us and thus make glad the heart of our beloved Guardian.

—AMERICAN AFRICA

TEACHING COMMITTEE

BAHA’I IN THE NEWS

The Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory publishes a very attractive monthly house organ entitled PTL News. The December, 1954, issue devotes four pages to an illustrated article about the Bahá’í House of Worship. “To the Glory of God—A Work of Art in Concrete," compiled by the Editor, T. W. Milligan, from Bahá’í literature. The text has been taken entirely from the two pamphlets, The Religion of Humanity and The Bahá’í House of Worship, preceded by an editorial comment containing the following statement: “During this, the Christmas season, as men’s minds turn with a greater urgency and force to thoughts of the brotherhood of man, we feel that it is quite appropriate to present to you, our readers, the following story and photographs of one of Chicago’s most unusual and beautiful pieces of architecture, which is at the same time a house of worship, offering to the world an idea of singleness of purpose in a common cause, which has never before been presented by a worshiping body in quite the same way.”

The illustrations include a full page picture of the Temple and gardens, a three~quarter page picture of the interior, and a three-quarter page picture of the inside of the ornamented dome.

A Bahá’í reference in Social Whirl, race magazine published in New York, has recently been listed in this column. The number dated November 8, 1954, has two more references: an excerpt from the address

[Page 9]BAHA'I NEWS

9

by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at Hull House, Chicago, in 1912, with a photo of the Master, and a reprint of the Bahá’í article published in Encyclopaedia Britannica.

From the Bahá’í Press Representative of Maui has come a page from The Breeze, news organ of the Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, which summarized the Bahá’í teachings in its issue of November 13, 1954, in a series of articles on the different faiths followed by the company employes. This article was accompanied by a picture of the Maui Assembly.

The Voice for October 8, 1954, “largest Jewish circulation in the West," published in Los Angeles, Contains an article, “Bahá’í in Israel," which describes the Shrine of the Báb and outlines the history of the Faith as related to Haifa.

The “Question Box" appearing in Lutheran Standard of Columbus, Ohio, August 14, 1954, explains the Faith in response to an inquiry. It states that the “founder was 2 Muhammadan” and that the “teaching of this cult, like that of all other false religions, is pure self-righteousness.”

Bryce Hospital, Tuscaloosa. Alabama, publishes a bulletin entitled The Bryce News of and for the hospital patients. The issue dated December 5, 1954, reports a meeting of the Writers Club on November 2 at which a paper written by Dr. Marie Frain was read. “Her reference to an Eastern Philosopher, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and his precepts was very helpful.” The report quoted the Master on looking for the good qualities in other people.

The Miami Assembly has noted references to the Faith in American Ways of Life by George R. Stewart, published by Doubleday & Company, Inc.. 1954.

CHILD EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The National Child Education Committee announces an enlarged version of The Child’s Way. In this magazine the chiLdren’s page has become a separate folder of four pages. This has been done as a result of our readers’ demand for more material that can be used in their teaching of the Bahá’í Faith to children. The committee plans to include in each issue something that

PIONEERS FOR EUROPE

are needed in vitally important World Crusade areas. In Luxembourg, France and the Azores the need is most urgent.

Europe’s varied climates and cultural backgrounds offer potential pioneers a wide choice of opportunities to serve within their personal capacities.

All pensions have greater buying power abroad owing to exchange rates and, in places such as the Azores, living standards make modest incomes go far. Social Security benefits can be received in most European goal areas.

As the Guardian has indicated, self-sustaining pioneers are needed. The European Teaching Committee offers intending pioneers up-to-date information on job opportunities and all possible help in finding work.

(See also page 9, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, October, 1954.)

European Teaching Committee

Mrs. Julia Shows, Secretary

4405 Kirk Street

Skolde, Illinois

will interest children of every age level, from the very young to the fifteen-year-old. We hope that the Children’s Page will be truly the children’s page and offer a channel through which they may share their experiences with children everywhere.

The Child’s Way, the part of the bulletin written for adults interested in children, has added several new features. Everyone is invited to submit their problems to “Dear Aunt Amy” who will answer their questions in future issues. “Our Children Say” is another new department in which we will quote pertinent remarks of children reflecting their understanding of the Bahá’í Faith.

The Child’s Way, including the Children's Page, is bi-monthly and is one dollar a year. It goes all over the world but we would like many new subscribers. Not all Assemblies or Bahá’í’ groups have subscribed to the bulletin, The Child's Way. Even though children's classes are not yet organized, it is important to build up a file of these bulletins for use when such groups are formed in the future. Each issue contains excellent teaching suggestions as well as material for the classes. Copies may not be available later on.

All communications concerning the bulletin should be addressed to:

Mrs. Amy B. Dwelly, Editor

9501 Euclid Ave.

Cleveland 6, Ohio

TEACHERS FOR BAHA'I SCHOOLS

Temerity and Louhelen Bahá’í Schools, in order to encourage the development of new teachers and courses, wish to hear from all Bahá’ís who would like to teach at summer sessions. If you are interested in this important work, please let the committees know if you have a course or could develop one at the committees’ suggestion. Information on your background or experience relevant to conducting a class should be included with your application, but lack of formal teaching experience should not deter you. While you may not be called upon to teach at the next session, your interest and cooperation will be sincerely appreciated and will help in planning a balanced program. Please send applications to:

Temerity Bahá’í School

Mrs. Gladys Roberts, Secy.

915 North Hancock Street

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Louhelen Bahá’í School

Violet Wuerfel, Secy.

8656 Dumbarton Road, C-14 Detroit 4, Michigan

GEYSERVILLE BAHA’I SCHOOL

1955 Session

Theme: The World Crusade and You

Dates: July 10—August 14

Reservations should be addressed to:

Lorne H. Matteson,

20915 Haviland Avenue Hayward, California

The Program Committee wishes to hear from teachers who can help with subjects related to this theme.

NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE

On February 20, Bahá’í youth throughout the United States will gather at a Conference keyed to the

[Page 10]10

FEBRUARY, 1955

theme “A Crusade is in Progress”. The National Youth Committee sponsors several conferences each year, each with a specific purpose. This one is unique in that non-Bahá’í friends are to be invited to see what Bahá’ís are doing to meet the crisis of our time, and to contribute their suggestions for dealing with the spiritual problem which confronts the entire world.

Planning for World Youth Day will be a feature of the second session of the Conference. World Youth Day, to be celebrated on March 25, 1955, is keyed to the theme “World Peace Through World Faith”.

BAHA’I ON THE CAMPUS

The Bahá’í Club at Wayne University has been recognized as an official religious organization on campus and has become a member of the Campus Inter-Faith Council.

At the University of Utah, the editor of the campus literary magazine accepted an article on the Faith.

Bahá’í activities at Stanford University include public meetings, integrated with radio and poster publicity.

Bahá’í representatives to the Student Religious Council of Northwestern University conducted the other Council members through the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. Bahá’ís are represented not only on the Council but in the International Student Committee, the Human Relations Committee and a committee planning “Religious Emphasis Week”.

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

Bahá’ís of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, begin a series of public meetings on January 14 with a talk by Mr. William DeForge, member of the Auxiliary Board.

Through the National City, California, Assembly, window displays which attracted much attention were arranged in Coronado, California.

Anchorage and Anchorage Recording District, Alaska, report a highly successful December public meeting in the studios of station KENI. Regular fireside meetings held on several nights of the week in different homes provide opportunity for interested contacts to learn more of the Faith.

Bahá’ís of Peoria, Illinois, concerned over the National Fund, resolved to say a prayer especially for the fund daily at noon for the next two Bahá’í months.

The Ada County Spiritual Assembly, Boise, Idaho, has approached the editors of the four county newspapers by presenting each of them a Bahá’í calendar.

The Stockton, California, Bahá’í Group arranged for the presentation of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era to Stockton College and of Some Answered Questions to the College of the Pacific.

In Dover, Delaware, the Christmas Eve issue of the Delaware State News carried an eight-inch article on the Bahá’í Faith on the front page. Devotional Program guide

AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE

The Audio-Visual Education Committee announces the following teaching materials which will be of assistance to Bahá’ís in advancing the Ten-Year Global Crusade.

Filmstrip . . . Haifa, a Name You Will Remember . . . $8.00.65 frames. In color with script.

Filmstrip rental catalogue on re quest.

Slides . . . 12 teaching sets (list and prices on request), as well as Temple, Haifa, Conference and Temple Dedication slides in small packets to supplement personal collections. (A complete slide supplement will be sent on request.)

Sound media . . . Send for bulletin supplement on sound tapes and records. Tapes are now available with all Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í materials recorded and ready for use at fireside and public meetings, for the price of the tapes only. Tapes on rental basis.

Photographs and posters . . . Special bulletin sent on request, listing all posters and photographs in color or the Intercontinental Conferences, the Temple Dedication, and World Crusade. Assemblies may purchase photographs on a time plan to enable them to augment the local fund through distribution of these pictures.

If interested in purchasing tape recorders, record players, or photographic equipment, the committee can be of assistance in securing discount rates since it is a recognized distributor for certain firms handling such items.

Audio-Visual Education Committee

Archie G. Tichenor, Secretary

126 Evergreen Place

West Englewood, New Jersey.

Learning to Know God

(The) energies with which the Day Star of Divine bounty and source of heavenly guidance hath endowed the reality of man lie . . . latent within him even as the flame is hidden within the candle and the rays of light are potentially present in the lamp. The radiance of these energies may be obscured by worldly desires even as the light of the sun can be concealed beneath the dust and dross which cover the mirror. Neither the candle nor the lamp can be lighted through their own unaided efforts, nor can it ever be possible for the mirror to free itself from its dross. It is clear and evident that until I fire is kindled the lamp will never be ignited, and unless the dross is blotted out from the face of the mirror it can never represent the image of the sun nor reflect its light and glory.

Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh/—Pages 65-66.

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 audito’rium. 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 January follow:

Order of Devotions—January 2, 1955

0 men! This is a matcheless Day. Matchless must, likewise, be the tongue that celebrateth the praise of the Desire of all nations, and matchless the deed that aspireth to be acceptable in His sight. The whole human race hath longed for this Day, that perchance it may fulfill that which well baseemeth its station, and is worthy of its destiny.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Arise, O God, and Show Thy Might — Haydn M. Morgan

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XXXI, pp. 35-35

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalms 24; Micah 4: 1-5

NEW TESTAMENT

Revelation 21: 1-5

QUR’AN

Sura LXXV: 1-12

CHORAL SELECTION

The Lords’s My Shepherd — arr. Gordon Jacob

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, CVI, p. 213; XVI, p. 39; VII, p. 10

Gleanings, IV, p. 6; V, p. 7; The World

Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 106-107

Prayers and Meditations, CLV, p. 248

CHORAL SELECTION

Cherubin Song — Dimitri Bortniansky

Order of Devotions—January 9, 1955

It is evident that the loftiest mansions in the Realm of Immortality have been ordained as the habitation of them that have truly believed

[Page 11]BAHA‘I NEWS

The Spiritual Assembly at the Bahá’ís oi Spokane, Washington, newly incorporated In September, 1954.

in God and in His signs. Death can never invade that holy seat. —Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Gum Ear Unto My Prayer — Arcadelt

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, pp. 278-279

BHAGAVAD-GITA (HINDU SCRIPTURES)

The Ordinances of Manu

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm 23

NEW TESTAMENT

I Corinthians 15:39-50, 54

QUR’AN

Sura XXIV: 64: Sura XLI: 30-32; Sura

XXXII: 17, 19: Sura XVI: 32, 34; Sura

XXIV: 42

CHORAL SELECTION

O Sing Unto me Lord — Hassler

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

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

The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh From the

Arabic, 32, 23, 6, 14; Gleanings, p. 141

Prayers and Meditations, XXVIII, p. 32

CHORAL SELECTION

Laud His Name — Ivanoff

Order of Devotions—January 16, 1955

Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therin.

—Bahá’u’lláh

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 50

The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 186-187;

Gleanings, pp. 94-96

CHORAL SELECTION

Let All the Nations Praise the Lord - Volck- mar Leisring

OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 2:2-4 ; 9:6-7; 52:7-10

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 5:9-13; Revelation 21:1-7

CHORAL SELECTION

Glory to God in the Highest - G. B. Pergolesi

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 286-287; pp . 249-250 ; CXX, p .

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 79

CHORAL SELECTION

In Solemn Silence — Ippolito-Ivanoff

Order of Devotions—January 23, 1955

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

-Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Sing and Rejoice - Will James

BAHA'I S’’ACRED WRITINGS

Baha'i Prayers, p. 84

Gleanings, pp. 65-66; p. 143

Baha'i World Faith, pp. 167-168

OLD TESTAMENT

Psalm 1

NEW TESTAMENT

Luke 8:5-15

QUR’AN

Sura VII:53-56

CHORAL SELECTION

Create in Me, 0 God — Brahms

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

Go Not Far from Me, 0 Lord - Haydn M. Morgan

Order of Devotions—January 30, 1955

The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed. and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Alleluia — Randall Thompson

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XLVII, p. 69

Gleanings, pp. 64-66, 67-68

CHORAL SELECTION

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

OLD TESTAMENT

Job 28: 1-15, 20-28

NEW TESTAMENT

Job 15:1-l2

QUR’AN

Sura II:172

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í World Faith, 140-141

Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 25-26

Prayers and Meditations, XLVII, p. 59

CHORAL SELECTION

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

PUBLICATIONS

Life Eternal. Excerpts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, compiled by Mary Rumsey Movius. An unexpected acquisition has made a limited number of these books available. The Publishing Committee does not anticipate any further supply once the present stock is depleted. 178 pages. Beautifully bound in light blue linen, stamped in genuine gold.

Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.50

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

CALENDAR OF EVENTS HOLY DAYS

March 21, Feast of Naw-Rúz

PERIOD OF THE FAST

March 2 - 20

FEASTS

February 7—Mulk, Dominion

March 2—‘A1á’, Loftiness

March 21-Bahá, Splendor

INTERCALARY DAYS

Ayyém-i-Há, February 26 through March 1.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

February 11, 12, 13

March 25, 26, 27

BAHA‘I HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Visiting hours

Weekdays and Saturdays:

1:00 P.M.—4:00 PM. (the Auditorium only will be open)

Sundays: 10:30 A.M.—5:00 PM. (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.)

Holy days and Anniversaries celebrated at the Bahá’í House of Worship

Feast of Naw-Rúz, March 21

Holy Days and Anniversaries celebrated at the Bahá’í House of Warship are open to the public. The meeting begins at 8:00 P.M. or the day preceding the anniversary date.

[Page 12]12

FEBRUARY, 1955

IN MEMORIAM

“Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy and and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.”

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Mrs. Howard Wagner

Shelter Island, Long Island, New York January 2, 1954

Mrs. Mildred Jenkins

Orange, New Jersey

October 4, 1954

Mr. Louis Keller

Orlando, Florida

November 29, 1954

Mrs. Ellen A. Baptie

Seattle, Washington

November 30, 1954

Mrs. Frances Kuphal

Sacramento, California

December 9, 1954

Mr. James M. Sanders

Detroit, Michigan

December 11, 1954

Mrs. Gertrude Struven

Bradenton, Florida

December 21, 1954

Mr. Harley F. Amidon

Deep River, Connecticut

(date not reported)

Mrs. W. H. Lanier

Augusta, Georgia

(date not reported)

Dr. Robert D. Love

Niles, Michigan

(date not reported)

Mrs. Horace Parker

North Hampton, New Hampshire

(date not reported)

Mr. Frank Martin Summers, Jr.

East St. Louis, Illinois

(date not reported)

CORRECTION

A December BAHÁ’Í NEWS “In Me moriam entry should read:

Mr. Frank Chant

Marlboro, New Hampshire

October 20, 1954

Mrs. Chant, whose death was reported by error, is not a Bahá’í.

Mr. William Loveday, Burlington, Vermont, whose name appeared in the October “In Memoriam", is still Living.

BAHA’I DIRECTORY CHANGES AND ADDITIONS

BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Geyserville Bahá’í School

Mr. A. C. Ions, Jr., Chairman

Mrs Inez Dones, Secretary, 933 Addison St., Berkeley 2, California

Mr. Adolph Boesch

Mrs. Alla Dakserhof

Mr. Ray Dones

Mr. Richard Groger

Mrs. Roderic Haake

Mrs. Clare Irwin

Mrs. Harry Irwin

Mr. Thomas Lisota

Mr. Michael Marney

Mr. Lorne H. Matteson

Mr. John Shoop

Mr. Arthur Somerhalder

Mrs. Helena Somerhalder

Mrs. Anna Stevenson

Miss Margaret Swengel

Mr. Robert Yazdi

Mr. Alfred Zahl

Green Acre Bahá’í School

Dr. Genevieve M. COY, Chairman

Miss Vera Olsen, Secretary. 9W. 73rd St., New York 23, N.Y.

Mrs. Mary Swan

Mrs. Marion Mills

Miss Dorothea Morrell

Mr. Rafi Mottahedeh

Mr. Rustam Payman

Mr. Iradj Sabet

Mrs. Rene Welsh

Dr. Sam McClelland

Mrs. Beatrice Thigpen

Louhelen Bahá’í School

Miss Violet Wuerfel, Chairman

Miss Louhelen Eggleston, Secretary, 3240 S. State Road. Davison, Michigan

Mr. Robert Gaines

Mrs. Dorothy Hoffman

Mrs. Helen McClusky

Mr. Richard Maines

Mrs. Katherine Mills

Miss Lois Nochman

Mr. Joe Zabelski

Temerity Bahá’í School

Mrs. Marion Land Tyler, Chairman

Mrs. Gladys Roberts, Secretary, 915 N. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs, Colorado

Mr. John Conkling

Mrs. Mary Creitz

Miss Ophelia Crum

Mrs. Wallace Mankin

Mrs. Loulie Mathews

Mrs. Mariette Peterson

Dr. Walter Peterson, Jr.

CONSOLIDATION

National Youth

Mrs. Valerie Rassekh, Secretary, P.O. Box 1053, Stanford, California (change)

Miss Karin Hogberg (delete)

Mr. Ben Bentley (delete)

Mr. Jerry Sandusky (add)

Mrs. Luba Sandusky (add)

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

California (South)

West Hollywood: Mr. Robert H. King, 610 North Robertson Boulevard, Hollywood 46

Colorado

Denver: Mrs. Barbara Jackson, 1295 Glencoe Street

Jefferson County: Mrs. Marion Land Tyler, Secy. protem, Route 2, Morrison

Massachusetts

Worcester: Mrs. Jenny Jones, 52 Clark Street

New York (West)

Hamburg Twp.: Mrs. Ruth Thorpe, 510 South Park Avenue, Hamburg

Wisconsin

Brookfield Twp.: Mrs. Martha Marquardt, Route 4, Box 357, Waukesha

Wyoming

Laramie: Mrs. Nathelle E. Orr, Secy. pro-tem, Box 112

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 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 or other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date or issue for which it is intended.

BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1954-4355: Mrs. Eunice Braun,

Managing Editor; Mr. David Ned Blackmaker, 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, Illinois. U.S.A.