Bahá’í News/Issue 290/Text

From Bahaiworks

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No. 290 BAHA’I YEAR 112 APRIL, 1955

THE GUARDIAN[edit]

THE GUARDIAN’S NAW-RUZ MESSAGE[edit]

(On the) occasion (of the) Naw-Rúz Festival marking (the) opening (of the) auspicious year being celebrated (by the) followers (of the) Faith (in) approximately sixteen hundred centers (in the) Western Hemisphere, above eight hundred (in) Asia, well nigh three hundred (in) Africa, more than two hundred (in) Europe (and) over one hundred (in the) Antipodes, (1) joyfully announce (the) commencement (of the) excavation (for the) foundations (of the) International Archives heralding (the) rise (of the) first edifice destined (to) inaugurate (the) establishment (of the) seat (of the) World Bahá’í Administrative order (in the) Holy Land.

(I) announce moreover (the) selection (of the) design submitted (by the) Hand (of the) Cause, Mason Remey, for (the) projected Mother Temple (in) Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, paving (the) way (for the) construction (of the) third Mashriqu’l Adhkár (of the) Bahá’í world.

Urge followers (of) the Faith (in) Eastern (and) Western Hemispheres (to) arise (and) lend support (to the) erection (of) these twin mighty institutions (of the) embryonic World Order (of) Bahá’u’lláh at (the) World Center (of the) Faith (and) within (the) cradle (of) His Revelation.

Share twin glad tidings (with) all National Assemblies.

—SHOGHI

March 20, 1955

COMMENTARY: NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Beloved Friends:

The revered Guardian’s Naw-Rúz Message comes as a great affirmation of the progress of the faith of Bahá’u’lláh in its irresistible advance toward the fulfilment of the World Crusade.

It is, indeed, a “joyous announcement”!

First let us note that it is addressed to Bahá’ís in about 1600 localities of the West, more than 800 in the East, nearly 300 in Africa, over 200 in Europe and over 100 in the Antipodes. Thus we are part of a world community represented in approximately 3000 cities, towns and villages throughout the earth.

The beginning of preliminary work on the International Archives means not only the construction of one more imposing building on Mt. Carmel, but the first in a series of edifices which will establish the institutions of the Bahá’í World Administrative Order in the Holy Land. What are these institutions? They are the Soul, the Mind, the Heart, the Conscience and the Arms of Man! Nothing like them has ever or could ever have existed, because we have had only separate races, peoples and nations, and the majesty of their noblest institutions falls far short of those created by Bahá’u’lláh for the New Era.

Regarding the House of Worship to be constructed in Persia, we recall the request from Haifa published in BAHÁ’Í NEWS last summer for suggestions and plans. Now the Guardian announces that the design prepared by Mason Remey, Hand of the Cause in the Holy Land, has been chosen. It will be a momentous event when a Bahá’í Temple is constructed and put into use in the land where the Faith was born and most bitterly resisted.

In conclusion the Guardian urges all Bahá’ís to lend support to the cost of these two great edifices, a privilege and a bounty to the people of Bahá.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

"GRIEVED PASSING ANNIE ROMER"[edit]

“Grieved passing Annie Romer, devoted, able promoter, pioneer (of) Faith. Services highly meritorious. Praying progress soul (in) Kingdom.”

—SHOGHI

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]

PIONEER CALL[edit]

There is urgent need to release some prospective pioneers able and desiring to settle in areas outside the United States, but prevented from leaving their local community because of its small number of members. Any Bahá’í’ who, though unable to pioneer abroad, can settle in one of these local United States Communities would be rendering real service to the pioneer work by releasing some one else for settlement abroad.

Believers answering this call are requested to communicate with the American National Teaching Committee.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSSEMBLY

LOCAL INCORPORATIONS[edit]

Four local Spiritual Assemblies have incorporated during the past few months: Ann Arbor, Michigan, November 15, 1954; Anchorage Re


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The building purchased as the National Hazíratu’l-Quds of the Bahá’ís or the British Isles, 27 Rutland Gate, Westminster, London, S.W.7, England.


cording District, Alaska, January 19, 1955; Palo Alto, California, January 31, 1955; and Maui, Hawaii, February 21, 1955. There are now 76 incorporated Assemblies in the United States.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

INQUIRY CONCERNING MISS SHEEA HEADLAM[edit]

Any believer knowing the present address of Miss Sheea Headlam, formerly of Kingston, Jamaica, is requested to notify the National Spiritual Assembly in order to enable the Assembly to forward her some mail from the National Assembly of Central America, which body is clarifying her Bahá’í status.

—NATIONAL SPRIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

TEACHING MISSIONS BY MEMBERS OF AUXILIARY BOARD[edit]

Third Report by American Hands of the Cause

Since the second report published in the February, 1955, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, vivid accounts have been received from Board members describing their visits to Bahá’í Centers.

William deForge has completed a mission in the Caribbean area, including visits in Kingston, Port Antonio and Spanishtown, Jamaica; Havana and Cientuegos, Cuba; Portau-Prince, St. Marc and Port Soude, Haiti; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Cities visited by Mr, deForge and not listed in previous reports include: Washington, D.C.; Wilmington, Delaware; Hartford, Connecticut; West Chester, Pennsylvania; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Beverly, Massachusetts; Brattleboro, Vermont; Ipswich, Massachusetts; Hamilton, Massachusetts; East Sullivan and Keene, New Hampshire; Buffalo, New York.

Margery McCormick returned to Michigan in February to visit centers not included in her previous mission: Marysville, Port Huron. Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Niles. In April this Board member will go to communities and larger groups in Indiana and Illinois. Her January schedule, mentioned in the Second Report, carried her to Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans, Louisiana; Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Katherine McLaughlin has served in South America, addressing meetings in Lima, Peru; Guayaquil and Quito, Ecuador; Cartagena, Cali, Bogota, Bucaramanga and Baranquilla, Colombia; Cabenas and Caraces, Venezuela; and two virgin goals — Margarita Island and Curacao, Dutch West Indies.

Dr. Sarah M. Pereira in February met with the Bahá’ís and addressed several meetings in Columbia, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Margot Warley reports visits to Rio de Janeiro (second visit); the Summer School, Lancoche, Chile, where she gave a course; the land purchased to be the site of the future Temple; in Chile; Santiago, Puerto Varas, and Puerto Montt, Chile; and Buenos Aires.

As reports are received from other members of the Auxiliary Board they will be summarized in BAHA’I NEWS.

It becomes clear that three services are being rendered by these missions: stimulus of the individual believer; increase of unity and knowledge for community and group; and effective contact with the public.

—AMERICAN HANDS OF THE CAUSE

Corinne True

Horace Holley

Paul E. Haney

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WORLD CRUSADE[edit]

HAZlRATU'L-QUDS IN BERN[edit]

The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Bern has been purchased, thus fulfilling another important objective of the World Crusade. Announcement has been made by the National spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, with gratitude to the beloved Guardian and other donors oi the Bahá’í world community whose generosity made possible the achievement of this task. The Guardian’s approval for the purchase was received on February 12, 1955, while members of the Italo—Swiss National Spiritual Assembly were meeting in Bern. Final arrangements for taking over the building were completed on February 15. And on May 1 the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds will be dedicated to the service of the Faith.

The Bern Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, which in time will become the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Switzerland, is located at 13 Dufourstrasse, in the best part of Bern, near many embassies and fine homes. The building, in a row of houses, has a lawn and well-planted garden on the side away from the street, Two rooms, facing the garden, are being made into one larger room. Above the first floor there are six rooms.

This is the second Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to be established in the countries of Europe which, during the Ten-Year Crusade, are working toward the erection of National Spiritual Assemblies, the other being in Paris.

HAZIATU'L-QUDS IN ALASKA[edit]

The Anchorage Assembly has reported by telegram that a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was acquired on March 15, 1955. This property consists of a single story log and clapboard threeroom house with a one-room studio attached, standing on a lot measuring 50 by 100 feet. It is located five blocks from Main Street.

The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Committee of the local Assembly has overcome many difficulties arising from housing shortage and high costs. One more goal of the World Crusade has been attained.

—NATIOANAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY


Newly-acquired Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds,13 Dufourstrasse, Bern, Switzerland, which in time will become the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Switzerland. It will be dedicated on May 1.


INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]

CANADA[edit]

World Religion Day

In Halifax, Nova Scotia, on World Religion Day, a round table discussion was held. The local newspaper reported the event and the Universalist minister announced the meeting at his morning service.

The World Religion Day meeting in Moncton, New Brunswick, took the form of a panel discussion. In the audience was a doctor who had lived in Haifa for years. had known ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and treated members of His household. He spoke of the love that everyone had for “Sir ‘Abdu’l-Bahá” as he called Him. During the War, doctors were badly overworked and spent much time on their feet, he said. One day ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited the hospital and presented one of the doctors with a pair of soft, red Persian slippers. This act was still vivid in the doctor’s memory.

A well-attended public meeting was held in the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.E

The London community marked the day by a public fireside.

In Charlottetown, the Bahá’ís observed World Religion Day by broadcasting a radio script prepared by a member of the community.

Teaching

The winter series of public meetings in Vancouver presented the theme “The Story of the World's Religions”.

In Whitehorse, books have been placed in the Public and Army and Air Force libraries and are in active circulation from the Bahá’í community library as well.

Other communities reporting regular meetings and firesides include Winnipeg, Halifax, Ottawa, Trenton and Belleville.

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CENTRAL AMERICA

A half-page quotation from Bahá’u’lláh’s Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, appeared in Revista PanAmérica, a publication from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Central America. The quotation, which begins “Be generous in prosperity . . . ”, bore the caption “From the Beautiful Religious Philosophy of one of the Manifestations of God”.

In the same issue was an article entitled “Unity,” transcribed from a radio talk by Artemus Lamb, which presented Bahá’í teachings.

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA[edit]

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria has announced the confirmation of the first Bahá’í declaration in the World Crusade goal of Westerland, Sylt, Frisian Islands.

NATIONAL NEWS[edit]

CONVENTION REMINDERS[edit]

An informal pre-Convention reception for Bahá’ís will be held in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship at 8:15 p.m., Wednesday evening, April 27. This will enable delegates and visitors to become acquainted before the regular Convention sessions begin.

Reservations. If you have not yet made your reservations and wish to do so through the Convention Arrangements Committee, please contact Mrs. Priscilla Hassan, 1244 Maple Street, Wilmette, Illinois, or Mrs. Edna Coleman, 1227 Leon Place, Evanston, Illinois. For Hotel reservations write direct to the following hotels:

Evanshire Hotel

860 Hinman Avenue

Evanston, Illinois

Evanston Hotel

840 Forest Avenue

Evanston, Illinois

Georgian Hotel

422 Davis Street

Evanston, Illinois

North Shore Hotel

1611 Chicago Avenue

Evanston, Illinois

Child Care: Arrangements have been made to furnish care for children during the sessions of the Convention, 9:00 A.M. to 12 noon, and 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. At all other times they are to be cared for by their parents. Care cannot be given at any time to children in arms or others who require special attention.

Food: The same type of food that was served during the Convention last year will be available in Foundation Hall this year, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The menu will consist of sandwiches, beverages and other light items.

—CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

Delegates and visitors are requested to present their Bahá’í identification cards to help ex-pedite registration before and during the Convention.

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE[edit]

The American Indian Service Committee wants to remind the friends of the Guardian's Ten-Year Crusade Goals for the American Indians:

I. “The translation of Bahá’í literature into . . . Cherokee.” An introductory booklet in the Cherokee language has been published under the title “A New Day Comes”. - (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, March, 1955, page 9.)

II. “The conversion to the Faith of members of the leading Indian tribes”.

The goals of teaching among the American Indians are to be centered upon this unfinished task by:

1. Deepening our teaching efforts among members of tribes already contacted, that in the near future these contacts may become converts to our Faith and in turn teach their own people.

2. Extending our teaching in order to reach members of leading tribes not yet contacted.

3. Reconstituting the disbanded Macy, Nebraska, Assembly.

The accomplishment of these goals will require an awakened effort on the part of the friends across the country to reach the hearts of the American Indians with the message of Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá blessed the original Americans with the promise of a happier future when they would become i]lumi.ned by the Faith of God for this day. Our responsibility is very clear.

To assist the friends, the Committee has prepared a several page Supplement to the Teaching Brochure, including a chart of leading American Indian tribes, indicating what has been accomplished and what remains to be done. Also included is a special message prepared for the enlightenment and inspiration of the friends by a Bahá’í , who is a true pioneer in teaching among the Indians. This message contains clear, specific suggestions and bespeaks a deep and penetrating understanding, love and appreciation of a people long misunderstood. It will surely assist and encourage the friends as it did this Committee who requested its preparation.

The Teaching Brochure is available from the Committee for $.50 a copy. The Supplement will be sent without charge to all those who have purchased Brochures where their address is known, will be available at the Convention and may be had by writing:

American Indian Service Committee

Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary

736 Encanto Drive, S. E.

Phoenix, Arizona

ESKIMO PAMPHLET PRINTED[edit]

A pamphlet, “Message to the Eskimos,” has just been published by the Alaska Teaching Committee in the Kobuk dialect for teaching among the Eskimos. By alternate paragraphs in Kobuk and English the teachings are clearly presented and the basic principles are delightfully illustrated by simple pen and ink sketches.

CAN YOU QUALIFY?[edit]

There are openings in certain islands of the Pacific for male teachers for intermediate grades, and for weather bureau personnel. If you can qualify, please communicate immediately with the

Asia Teaching Committee,

112 Linden Avenue,

Wilmette, Illinois

—ASIA TEACHING COMMITTEE

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The nearest building, with the open door, is the newly-acquired Hazíratu’l-Quds of Istanbul, Turkey, which is to become the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Turkey.


TEMPLE GUIDES COMMITTEE[edit]

During 1954, according to Temple Guides Committee records, visitors came to the Bahá’í House of Worship as follows:

Total number of visitors .. 105,877

Day with greatest number of visitors, August 22 . . . . . . 2,186

Month with greatest number of visitors, August . . . . . 25,762

Number of visitors on:

Thanksgiving ............... 271

Christmas .................. 314

New Year’s ................ 486

Total number since the

Temple was opened for

visitors in 1932. . . . . . . . . 628,558

In 1954, 105,877 visitors came to the Temple, in other words, 105,877 people from all over the world heard about the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and were given literature.

Are you one of the Bahá’ís who is availing himself of the great privilege of serving at the Temple and meeting some of these prospective believers?

One Bahá’í writes:

“Just a note of gratitude to you for the privilege and blessing of serving at the Temple this summer. My guiding days were my spiritual holidays and although I came home completely depleted, I had an inner joy that far outweighed my fatigue. My heart is grieved because so few Bahá’ís are availing themselves of the blessing of serving Bahá’u’lláh in His most Holy Temple.”

Many Bahá’ís can serve as guides, starting May 2, for the busy season ahead. If you wish to serve in this way, contact the:

Temple Guides Committee

681 Garland Avenue

Winnetka, Illinois

ATTENTION BAHA'I YOUTH[edit]

The National Bahá’í Youth Committee announces plans for a youth conference to be held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, 536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois, Friday, April 29, from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. An invitation is extended to all Bahá’í youth to be present for the discussion of important matters that may come up for consideration at the regular Convention session during consultation on Bahá’í youth activities.

—NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH COMMITTEE

BAHA'I BOOKS IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES[edit]

The Public Library Committee has in the past, it will be remembered, donated books to libraries and, with them, the appropriate Library of Congress cards. Although we cannot at present give books, we still have a few cards on hand and Miss Hottes, secretary of the Committee, will be glad to send them out to those who wish them. First come, first served. We have cards for: Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, 92 cards; Some Answered Questions, 54 cards; Bahá’í World Faith, 25 cards; God Passes By, 43 cards; Promulgation of Universal Peace, 57 cards.

Don’t forget that the cardinal rules for successful work with public libraries are: Choose books wisely and keep them moving. If you give books which are not easily understood by the general public, they will never be taken from the shelves. Eventually they will be discarded by the library and, in the meantime, new Bahá’í books will not be welcomed. (See suggested list in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for December, 1954.) But Bahá’ís may sometimes start them moving by themselves drawing them out. One believer Writes us that this is what happened in Park Ridge. “ . . . I checked on the library books and found that many had not moved for months and years; some the librarian had taken off and stored away. I started taking out a few each week, and pretty soon the books were being taken out by others as well. Just any action has a positive effect!"

Although, as we have pointed out, paper-bound books are not usually welcomed by libraries, there are occasions when they are acceptable. We have heard of one library (in Alaska) which has a table where paper-bound books are displayed for public circulation. If your library has such a policy, of course a title like Tomorrow and Tomorrow might be put to use.

The following letter from Birmingham, Alabama, is very heartening and shows how important the library may be as a follow-up to public relations work:

“We found out something from experience that may be of interest to other communities, and we'd like to pass it on. . . . In using the items prepared for publication by the Press Service, it is sometimes difficult to judge the results, and we had become discouraged after printing (at no little expense) one of the ads and also running several of our own. One of our members decided to check with the library and we found, to our utter amazement, that they were having a regular ‘run’ on our books! We had tried, every year, to get them to accept new books for the library, and were turned down just as regularly. Now they were begging us to put in new books! So, after a campaign of advertising or publicity, it is well to check with the local library, as some people hesitate

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to make contact with the Bahá’ís until they have investigated for themselves. One such person was a young medical student, who went to the library and dug out the information for himself, then wrote Horace Holley for the names of any Bahá’ís here. He is now studying with us and is almost ready to become one of us. He had been searching for the truths for this Day ever since returning from Korea and is so happy over finding the Faith.”

Please address all communications for this Committee to:

Miss Flora Emily Hottes,

406 West Iowa Street,

Urbana, Illinois.

PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMITTEE

AREA TEACHING CONFERENCES[edit]

The Central Atlantic States Area Teaching Bulletin reports participation by forty-one believers from seven states at the last area teaching conference, held in Greensboro, North Carolina. Consultation on the unique problems of teaching in the South led to a sharing of ideas on workable methods of presenting the Faith in this area.

An Area Teaching Conference to be held in Oklahoma City, April 2-3, is announced in the bulletin of the South Central States Area Teaching Committee. Consultation will center around the general theme of “Bahá’í Community Life.”

WORLD RELIGION DAY[edit]

Communities continue to report on World Religion Day activities and, although a complete picture of the nation-wide observance of this day cannot be given, the following report can be made. (See also BAHÁ’Í NEWS, March, 1955, page 8.)

Public meetings or firesides were held in Bellingham, Washington; Everett, Yakima and Salem, Oregon; fifteen communities in Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah (reported in the Southwestern Area Bulletin but not specified by name); Ada County, Boise and Grangeville, Idaho; Butte, Montana; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Greater Kansas City area and St. Louis, Missouri; Bay City, Detroit, Kalamazoo and Royal Oak Township, Michigan; Lafayette, Indiana; Louisville, Kentucky; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio; Greensboro, North Carolina; Greater Miami area, Florida and Anchorage, Anchorage Recording District and Seward, Alaska.

BAHA’Í ON THE CAMPUS[edit]

Through a student on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, a request was received for a Bahá’í speaker to explain the Faith before a joint meeting of the Campus YWCA and YMCA groups. Response at the meeting led to many questions with students expressing the desire to attend local Bahá’í meetings.

A Bahá’í student at Stockton College, Stockton, California, presented a viewing of colored slides to art students at the college and their teacher. Points of architectural and cultural interest from Alaska, J apan, Korea, Siam, India, and the Bahá’í institutions in Israel and Wilmette, Illinois, were shown. Most of the views concentrated on the Bahá’í House of Worship and it was pointed out that the slides from India were made by a visitor to the Fourth Intercontinental Bahá’í Teaching Conference.

BAHA’I ON THE AIR[edit]

At the studios of radio station KENI, a public program sponsored by the two assemblies in the Anchorage, Alaska, area featured music and a talk on the Bahá’í Faith entitled “The Rose Garden of God.” KENI also used a fifteen-minute tape-recorded talk and gave spot announcement time to mention of the Faith. Station KFQD also broadcast a fifteen-minute tape presenting Bahá’í teachings.

Butte, Montana, reports a statewide broadcast of the Bahá’í Press Service script, “The Bahá’í Faith and World Brotherhood” over the Z-Bar Network which maintains seven stations in Montana, including KXLF in Butte. This was done as a part of the Z-Bar Network’s radio forum presenting topics of current interest to the people of Montana.

Emporia, Kansas, Bahá’ís arranged for a fifteen-minute Bahá’í

Press Service tape to be broadcast on World Religion Day.

A fifteen-minute program on the Bahá’í Faith was broadcast from Grangeville, Idaho.

In Michigan, during Brotherhood Week, announcements of Bahá’í meetings were made on the air from these stations lli the following communities: Flint, WFDX, WKMF, WMRP, WBBC, WTAC; Saginaw, WKNX; Owosso, WOAP; Bay City, WNEM-TV.

In Ketchikan, Alaska, the Faith was referred to over station KABI during a discussion of World Calendars on the program, “Woman to Woman”. The speaker referred to the Bahá’í Faith as “the world’s newest universal religion.”

A regular monthly broadcast on the Faith and announcements of Bahá’í activities are made over station KMVI, Maui, Hawaii. KMVI, located in Wailuku, Maui, reaches the islands of Molokai, Lanai, and part of the island of Hawaii.

Seven radio stations in Miami, Florida, three in Miami Beach, one in Coral Gables, one in Hollywood and one television station in Miami make announcements of Bahá’í activities each week. At the time of the State Convention a fifteen-mimute talk on the Faith was given over station WQAM, Miami.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bahá’ís arranged for the use of Bahá’í prayers on the air through the Inter-Faith Committee in conjunction with the Milwaukee County Council of Churches. For seven days, at sign on time each morning and just prior to sign-off at night, Bahá’í prayers were broadcast over stations WTMJ and WTMJ-TV.

Peoria, Illinois, reports two fifteen-minute broadcasts over stations WIRL and WEEK. Bahá’í Press Service scripts were presented.

Spokane, Washington, reports talks on the Bahá’í Faith over stations KHQ and KXLY-TV.

A fifteen-minute Bahá’í talk was given over station KIMA in Yakima, Washington.

Other communities reporting mention of the Bahá’í Faith on the air or spot announcements of Bahá’í meetings include: Ada County and Boise, Idaho, and Salem, Oregon.

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NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS[edit]

Eskimos from Nome, King Island and Diomede Island, in Anchorage, Alaska, for the Fur Rendezvous, were entertained informally by the Bahá’ís. Activity furthering friendships with the Eskimos from the North, favored by the Northern Peoples Teaching Committee and the Alaska Teaching Committee, is followed up through such services as visiting patients at the Alaska Native Service Hospital.

Berkeley, California, evaluating its activities, reports that twenty-seven pioneers have gone out from that community since the beginning of the Holy Year, nine into foreign fields and eighteen to home front goals. One more is now completing arrangements to settle another home front goal. Ten elections for replacements on the local Assembly have been necessary. Only one member of the present Assembly was a member at the beginning of the Holy Year. Berkeley’s extension teaching goal, Stockton, California, is now an established community in its own right. A new extension teaching goal, Sausalito Township in Marin County north of the Golden Gate, has been assigned to Berkeley and three members of the community are preparing to move to Sausalito to pioneer.

In Blue Township, Missouri, a Children's World Religion Day was observed. Seven children gave brief talks on the Hindu, Hebrew, Buddhist, Christian, Islámic, Bábí and Bahá’í Faith. They explained the meaning of the observance of World Religion Day all around the world and sang songs of friendship.

In Boise, Idaho, a Bahá’í, chairman of International Relations for the Columbian Club (a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs) arranged several meetings for a visiting author and lecturer, a Sikh who was guest speaker for the Boise Valley Institute of International Relations. On the way to one of the meetings it was discovered that he knew about the Bahá’í Faith, had visited the Bahá’í House of Worship several times and was quite in harmony with Bahá’í principles.

This lecturer spoke of the Bahá’í’ Faith during his stay and, asked for references by two students of Comparative Religion, recommended that they study the books of the Bahá’í World Faith. Bahá’ís held an open-house after the series of meetings, with the speaker as guest of honor. As a result some ten people have asked to attend firesides.

At a public fireside in Columbus, Ohio, a prayer of Bahá’u’lláh, set to music by an assistant professor in the Department of Music at Ohio State University, was sung by one of the University students.

After long and patient endeavor Bahá’ís of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, held a highly successful first public meeting. As a result, two weekly firesides have been established.

At a public meeting in Tacoma, Washington, moving pictures in color produced by an Israeli airline showed the gardens on Mount Carmel and identified them as surrounding the Bahá’í shrine. Audience acclaim led the projectionist to show the film a second time. It was followed by the presentation of color slides of the gardens and a talk by Bahá’ís on Haifa’s “Garden in the Sky”.

Brotherhood Week, February 20-27, was observed in many Bahá’í communities. The Ada County, Idaho, Spiritual Assembly centered the observance around a showing of slides of the Haifa gardens. Anchorage and Anchorage Recording District, Alaska, combined to offer a program which presented racial, national and religious aspects of brotherhood. Excellent radio and newspaper publicity in Butte, Montana, led to good attendance at a public fireside. In Evanston, Illinois, forty non-Bahá’ís attended an invitational Fellowship Tea where the Bahá’í view of brotherhood was presented from the Jewish, Christian and Islamic backgrounds. “The Bahá’í Faith and World Brotherhood” was the subject of the public talk given in Flint, Michigan. The Norton Male Chorus sang at the meeting. Laramie, Wyoming Bahá’ís sponsored a meeting at the University of Wyoming at which aspects of brotherhood were discussed by representatives of several religions and races, with a Bahá’í summation. Among the speakers were an American Presbyterian, an Indian Hindu, a Pakistani Muslim, an elder of the Latter Day Saints Church, and a Negro law student. Good newspaper and radio publicity contributed to the success of most of these meetings.

DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]

The Bahá 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 selection are by the Bahá’í House of Worship A Capella Choir.

The programs for the month of March follow:

Order of Devotions—March 6, 1955

Whoso keepeth the commandments of God shall attain everlasting felicity.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

If Ye Love Me—W. H. Monk

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayer of Bahá’u’lláh

OLD TESTSAMENT

Deuteronomy 6:1-6: Exodus 20:1-8, 12-17;

Leviticus 19:18

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 19:16-21: Mark 12:23-31; John 15:9-12

QUR‘AN

Sura XXIV:50-54

CHORAL SELECTION

Thou Knowest, Lord—Henry Purcell

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, CXXXIII, p. 289; CXXXIV, p. 290

The Hidden Words, From the Arabic, No. 39;

Gleanings, pp. 333-334

Prayers and Meditations, XI, p. 14

CHORAL SELECTION

Let Thy Holy Presence-P. Tschesnokoff

Order of Devotions—March 13, 1955

The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence. To this most exceUent aim, this supreme objective, au the heavenly Books and the divinely-revealed and weighty Scriptures unequivocaUy bear witness.

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

O Sing Unto the Lord—Hassler

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XXXVII, p. 47

OLD TESTAMENT

Jeremiah 31:31-35; 32:38-40; Isaiah 2:10-11; 34:1; Psalm 100

CHORAL SELECTION

Praise the Lord With a Song—P. Kalinnikoff

NEW TESTAMENT

John 14:1-4

QUR'AN

Sura I

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 64-66, p. 70, p. 215; CXI, p. 217

Prayers and Meditations, p. 171; IV, p. 6

CHORAL SELECTION

Almighty God of Our Fathers—Will James

Order of Devotions-March 20, 1955

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

—Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

AUeluia! We Sing with Joy—Jacob Handl

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and XXXVII, p. 47

OLD TESTAMENT

Genesis 2:7; 1:26, 27; Isaiah 64:8, 9; Psalm 8:1, 3-7

QUR’AN

Sura L:7-11, 14, 15

CHORAL SELECTION Turn Thee, Again, O Lord—Thomas Attwood

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

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

Gleanings, pp. 340-341; XCV, p . 194

Prayers and Meditations, LIX, p. 94

CHORAL SELECTION

Now We Sing Thy Praise-Tschesnokoff

[Page 8]8

APRIL, 1955

Order of Devotions—March 27, 1955

Faith in God, and the knowledge of Him cannot be fully realized except through believing in all that hath proceeded from Him, and by practicing all that He hath commanded and all that is revealed an the Book from the Supreme Pen.

In all thine affairs put thy reliance in God, and commit them unto Him.

-Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

O Lord, Increase My Faith—Orlando Gibbons

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XXIX, p. 33

Gleanings, XXXVII, p. 86

OLD TESTAMENT Psalms 1:1-4; 34:1-8

NEW TESTAMENT

Hebrews 11:1-7

QUR’AN

Sura XXIV:41-52

CHORAL SELECTION

The Desert Shall Blossom As the Rose—Paul Christiansen

BAHA'I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, p. 251, p. 337, p. 338; LXXIII, p 140

CHORAL SELECTION

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

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Baha'i Prayers, p. 46

MARRIAGES[edit]

“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verily, this Thy servant and this Thy maid-servant have gathered under the shadow of Thy mercy and they are united through Thy favor and generosity. O Lord Assist them in this Thy world and Thy Kingdom and destine for them every good through Thy bounty and grace . . .”

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Beverly, Massachusetts —— Miss Easter

King Thompson to Mr. Edward Win slow Hincks, December 28, 1954.

Berkeley, California — Miss Margaret

Swengel to Mr. John Eustard, February 11, 1955.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]

HOLY DAYS[edit]

April 21-May 2, Feast of Riḍván

(Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh)

April 21, First day of Riḍván

(about 3:00 P.M.)

April 29, Ninth day of Riḍván

May 2, Twelfth day of Riḍván

May 23, Declaration of the Báb

(May 22, about 2 hours after sunset.)

May 29, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (3:00 AM.)

FEASTS[edit]

April 9—Jalál, Glory

April 28—Jamál, Beauty

May 17—‘Aẓamat, Grandeur

NATIONAL CONVENTION[edit]

April 28-May 1

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETING[edit]

April 27

BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP[edit]

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.)

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

Declaration of Báb, May 23

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

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

Mrs. Carrie E. Morgan

Beverly, Massachusetts

January 18, 1955

Mrs. Hattie Gaskins

Waterloo, Iowa

January 30, 1955

Mr. Leo T. Cochran

Detroit, Michigan

January 31, 1955

Miss Jane Coulter

Venice, California

February 7, 1955

Mrs. Annie Romer

Manchester, Connecticut

March 6, 1955

Mrs. Beatrice Eardley

Detroit, Michigan

March 13, 1955


BAHA’I DIRECTORY CHANGES AND ADDITIONS[edit]

TEMPLE

Temple Children's School[edit]

Mrs. Frances Hannen

Mrs. Mary Rodman (delete)

Mr. Joe Hannen (delete)

BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Geyserville Bahá’í School[edit]

Miss Margaret Swengel, Secretary, 1414 Willow Street,

Martinez, California

Mr. Melvin Vanderhoof

Mr. Thomas Lisota (delete)

PROCLAMATION

Public Library Committee[edit]

Mrs. Aden J. Lauchner

Service to the Blind[edit]

Mrs. Amidée Gibson, Chairman, 844 North Heyworlh Avenue, Los Angeles 46, California

CONSOLIDATION

National Youth[edit]

Barbara Roberts


ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

California, (South)[edit]

South Gate: Mrs. Mary M. Kuebler, 10528 Hunt Ave.

Virginia[edit]

Alexandria: Mrs. Harvey Wiener, 11 E. Bennefonte Ave.


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

Reports. plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the 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 Blackmer, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Miss Edna True.

Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.

Change of updates should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office. 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A