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No. 294

BAHA’I YEAR 112

AUGUST, 1955

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NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WORLD CRUSADE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Beloved Friends:

The statement by the American National Teaching Committee, and the list of Goal Cities, published in July BAHÁ’Í NEWS was not prepared as a temporary item of news. It supplies the foundation on which we are to build our teaching efforts until, by 1963, at least 300 local Spiritual Assemblies exist in this country. Therefore the plan is to be kept in mind and given constant attention by local Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís able and eager to serve this basic goal of the World Crusade.

The Goal Cities, divided into Consolidation and Virgin Goals, provide a wide selection of posts for every prospective pioneer. Whatever your profession, art, industrial or business training, among the Goal Cities you can find one at least which in climate, size and job opportunities, is well adapted to your personal and family needs.

While settlement in any Goal City is helpful, the most effective approach to the fulfillment of our task is through concentration upon a certain number of cities each year from 1955 to 1963. Therefore every prospective pioneer is to write the American National Teaching Committee and make his or her final arrangement in consultation with this Committee.

A believer who might find a job opening in a city not included in this list, and unable to find a job elsewhere, can settle there and by teaching effort develop a new group.

The 300 Assemblies we need represent a total number and not a particular set of locations, nevertheless the concerted effort must be according to a well devised plan, and the plan of the American National Teaching Committee is well devised.

American Bahá’ís are now serving the World Crusade in all parts of the world. Our pioneers have achieved one of the most vital and dramatic chapters in American Bahá’í history. All honor to them! It is actually for their sake, and for the sake of all Bahá’í virgin and consolidation goals throughout the world that a stalwart, energetic and successful Bahá’í Community is needed in the United States. The current persecutions and temporary suppression of Bahá’í activities in Írán is a case in point. Through our spiritual strength and favorable public reputation and influence we can as a national body render invaluable services when such emergencies arise.

“Destiny of America”

The “destiny of America“, defined by Bahá’u’lláh in His Tablet to the Presidents of the American Republics, and since then explained by the Master and the Guardian, is to establish a firm foundation wherever the principles of peace and the divine teachings can be carried to the nations. We live in the very spirit of this wondrous destiny today. Every home-front pioneer and settler is inspired by this destiny and becomes an agency for its complete fulfillment. .

If we estimate that about 120 new Assemblies must be formed before 1963, and preferably by 1962, we see that at least 17 Assemblies must be established each year. This can be accomplished by relatively few Bahá’ís, since among the Consolidation Goals there are groups having six, seven and even eight Bahá’ís. Thus, if the prospective pioneers consult with the National Teaching Committee as to selection of Goal City, about 70 pioneers can make it possible to meet the quota each year.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

NEW BAHA’I DIRECTORY

With this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS the members of the American Bahá’í community will receive the Bahá’í Directory for the year 1955-1956. The National Spiritual Assembly hopes that this directory will be preserved carefully for reference throughout the entire year.

Under the name of each committee listed in the directory is a statement of its functions and the assistance it offers to individual believers, Bahá’í groups, and local Spiritual Assemblies. Whether or not a believer finds occasion to draw upon the services of any of the other committees, he should know at least the members of the American National Teaching Committee and the Area Teaching Committee for the state in which he lives, as well as the names and addresses of the secretaries of the local Spiritual Assemblies in his own and neighboring state.

With the American Bahá’í community in its present state of flux owing to the number of Bahá’ís going out to pioneer in foreign fields and dispersing for the expansion of the Faith on the home front, it is obvious that there will be many changes in committee personnel before the year ends. These changes will be announced in BAHÁ’Í NEWS from month to month, and the Bahá’í

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AUGUST, 1955

who wishes to have his directory up to date would do well to enter the changes as they are reported.

More than 400 Bahá’ís served on national and area committees last year. Perhaps no other organization of comparable size in this country can lay claim to such a large percentage of volunteer workers among its membership. When we add to this number the more than 1600 Bahá’ís serving on local Spiritual Assemblies, and the many more members of local committees, the statistics become very impressive, indeed.

To one and all who served on either national or local committees last year, the National Spiritual Assembly expresses its heartfelt appreciation. We feel confident that the year 1955-1956 will demonstrate to even a greater degree the unique capacities, the unity, the self-sacrificing love and devotion inherent in the American Bahá’í community, and a record of achievement in the prosecution of our sacred tasks that will bring joy to the hearts of all believers everywhere.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

VOTING RIGHTS SUSPENDED

The voting rights of Mr. Alvero Jensen have been suspended by the National Spiritual Assembly pending its ability to locate him and consult with him regarding the settlement of certain matters. Until such time, Mr. Jensen will not of course be asked to participate in any Bahá’í activities.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUALA ASSEMBLY

TEACHING ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

The National Spiritual Assembly is very grateful to all the Bahá’í communities and groups that responded to its request for reports on local Bahá’í classes and activities for children and samples of materials used by the teachers.

More than forty excellent replies were received, indicating that in spite of the lack of national publications for Bahá’í children, some outstanding teaching is being done throughout the country. The initiative and originality displayed by many of the teachers and parents is tnily inspiring.

A FESTIVAL OF FAITH

On June 15, 1955, in the city of San Francisco, preceding the meeting of United Nations in celebration of the Tenth Anniversary, an interreligious gathering was held, entitled “A Festival of Faith — A Service of Prayer for Peace and Divine Guidance to the United Nations.” More than 15,000 persons filled the great hall.

The program lists these Calls to Prayer: Bahá’í, Mr. Arthur L. Dahl, Jr.; Buddhist, Dr. Paul F. Fung; Christian, Rev. Paul S. Finfinis, Rev. John A. Gardner, D.D.; Hindu, Swami Ashokananda; Judaism, Rabbi Elliot M. Burstein; Muslim, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Radwan. The prayers offered by the representatives of these faiths are printed in the program, including the Prayer revealed by Bahá’u’lláh which Mr. Dahl selected. [This is the first prayer on page 111, of Bahá’í Prayers.]

Bahá’í participation in this large and important inter-faith gathering is especially significant for two reasons: first, because Bahá’í suggestions for UN Charter revision were distributed to all delegates at San Francisco; and second, because this demonstration of the spiritual vitality of the Bahá’í Faith in America stands in sharp contrast to the persecution of Bahá’ís in Írán by the civil authorities. Undoubtedly Íránian representatives were present at the Festival of Faith or have received copies of the program. The fact that the United States Secretary of State spoke at the Festival of Faith also brought this event into high public focus.

Such events represent the flowers grown from good public relations efforts sown by believers in previous years. The time of miraculous interpositions of Providence in human affairs has come. As we are faithful to the spirit and the principles of the Faith, so will unexpected help come from on high.

All the material received in response to the request has been turned over to the National Bahá’í Child Education Committee for study and evaluation. The believers may look forward confidently to early announcements of new publications as well as to the continuation of the valuable suggestions that have appeared in The Child’s Way.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WORLD CRUSADE

PIONEER LETTERS

Excerpt from Pioneer Letter to the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee

HONDURAS (San Pedro Sula) From Louise Nelson

“This is my home and I love every little barefoot urchin, every awkward wooden shack and every enterprising ‘pioneer’ who populates it. Most of all I love the mountains which loom up in front of my little ‘casita’ and the wonderful friends who come here to learn about the Faith and sit on my terrace under the stars. Until one goes pioneering, he never knows the true happiness that we all experience, no matter where we may live. It is the little surprises that seem to come out of the blue that make us so blissful ——like the humble Indian Who came to my house the other day asking if I could teach him something of this wonderful new religion . . . ‘Love is the breath of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man,’ says ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but do these words have meaning until we have really felt the breezes of love wafted over us? No, I had never known happiness until fortune brought me to San Pedro. I am having such a good time at this pioneering business that I feel the only people who are making sacrifices are those who must stay at home! One of the most impressive things to my friends is that I can enjoy life to thef fullest and not proselytize them. My reply is always that I am not here to make Bahá’í: but to find them. . .”

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Photograph taken during the reading of prayers of all Faiths at the Festival of Faith, San Francisco, June 15, 1955, preceding the Tenth Anniversary celebration of United Nations. Standing at the far right is Arthur L. Dahl. Jr., who rend the Bahá’í prayer. In the background is the 1500-voice choir and the UN flag.

ELECTION OF SAIGON ASSEMBLY

The United States Asia Teaching Committee reports receiving a letter from Jamshed Fozdar which dramatically describes the conditions under which the first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Saigon, Viet Nam, was elected on April 21 (see photo in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, July, 1955, page 5):

“On April 21 another battle raged between the government forces and the dissidents. But at the scheduled hour, one by one the twelve believers present in Saigon, trooped in to have the meeting and cast their ballots. Some of the believers live in the very heart of the ‘affected’ area and yet for the elections left their families to the care of God. Today, the whole day, a terrible battle has raged, and the whole sky is darkened by its smoke. Yet we have just finished our nineteen-day feast and even a Spiritual Assembly meeting. Mortar shells were heard louder than the readings of Hidden Words and ambulance sirens drowned out at times the discussion among the friends. But the noise and the tragedy outside conveyed an urgency to our ‘purpose’ inside—an urgency not often realized and rarely experienced. The establishment of a Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly in Saigon in so short a time is just another instance of the fulfillment of Bahá’u’lláh’s promise to those who have arisen to serve Him."

ITALO-SWISS ASSEMBLY REGISTERED

The Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly has completed its registration as a religious organization under the laws of Switzerland, thus accomplishing another objective of the TenYear Crusade. Official announcement of registration in the Commercial Registry in Bern, the capital city, was made in the Schweizerisches Handelsamtsblatt of May 10, 1955.

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AUGUST, 1955

ASIA

When this divine call travels from the continent of America to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Islands of the Pacific, the American believers shall be established on the throne of everlasting Glory, the fame of their illumination and guidance shall reach to all regions and the renown of their greatness become world-wide.

—‘Abdu’l-Bahá (America’s Spiritual Mission)

Bahá’ís and friends in Formosa, at the Naw-Ruz Feast, 1955.

The Bahá’í group of Macao, June, 1955.

The American Bahá’í pioneer in Brunei with the first believer.

PIONEER LETTERS

Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Blakely, pioneers in Tonga, pressed for a message to the American Bahá’ís, have written:

“What to tell you about our goal post of Tonga is a problem indeed—we need a book, not a letter. No wonder the brown race was so dear to the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Their very first thought whenever a new person crosses their path is ‘What can we give them?’ They give incessantly—very often far beyond their means—of whatever beautiful handcrafts or fruits or anything they possess (which is not much by our standards). Their unfailing courtesy and friendliness; their superb physique and their charming and beautiful children: their love of fun: their faith and reverence—all these qualities endear them to all who come among them.

“Tonga is a self-governing unit in the British Commonwealth of Nations, with its own world-renowned Queen, its parliament and cabinet ministers. It is probably the smallest kingdom on earth. The Queen expresses very convincingly Bahá’u’lláh’s statement that ‘true kingshio is one of the signs of the Majesty of God.’ The love and respect between her and her subjects is an intimate and vibrant force, and a wholesome thing to witness in this age of decadence.

“The Tongan attitude toward life sets a standard of values far different to the materialistic west and leaves

The last pioneer areas are calling! There are opportunities for employment if you are qualified for such jobs as:

architect

civil engineer

construction engineer

safety inspector

fire prevention inspector

junior high school teacher

school superintendent

soil conservationist

general statistician

training supervisor

personnel technician

business administrator

tabulating machine operator

clerk-stenographer

court reporter

electronic engineer

and under 55 years of age.

For more information, write to:

Asia Teaching Committee,

112 Linden Avenue,

Wilmette, Illinois.

[Page 5]BAHA’I NEWS

Number of Bahá’ís in Asia Goals oi the United States: (See key numbers on map) 1, Caroline Islands—1; 2, Dutch New Guinea—2; 3, Macao—9; 4, Tonga Islands—2;5, Formosa—18;6, Korea—12;7, Japan—2 local Assemblies, 8 groups; 8, Philippine Islands—2 local Assemblies, 1 group. Other Asia areas where there are American pioneers: 9, Brunei—3; 10, Cook Islands—6; 11, Hong Kong—6; 12, Guam—5.

many a European staying or living here questioning himself as to the validity of western values. It is a way of life developed in the Tongans by the teachings of their first ‘Tu’i Tonga’—the earliest historic ruler and spiritual chief, around 950 A.D., centuries before Christianity reached these shores. They are still ruled by these standards far more than by the overlay of Christianity which only reached them in the nineteenth century when sectarianism had so vitiated its force. . . .

“Our eight months here, despite the material difficulties that almost overwhelmed us at times, have been the happiest of our lives. Patience, unending patience, is the characteristic we have most to cultivate, for things move very slowly in Polynesia. But the love of these wonderful people, the realization of their qualities, makes the waiting no trial, for we know that in their own time they will become jewels of great worth in the diadem of the Bahá’í world community.”

All the signs are apparent for the rapid spread of the Faith in those [Pacific] areas. The time is now ripe for many peoples of the brown races to become Bahá’ís; and he feels with the proper pioneering effort, victories will he gained which will become at source of great astonishment to the friends.

—From a letter from the Guardian through his Assistant Secretary dated May 13, 1955

Capt. and Mrs. Kim Won-Be and son, Bahá’ís of Korea.

American and Korean Bahá’ís and friends at Naw-Ruz Feast in Seoul, Korea, March, 1955.

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AUGUST, 1955

The Hazíratu’l-Quds of the Bahá’ís of Kampala, Uganda, British East Africa, which will become the National (Regional) Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Central and East Africa. The Hazira was purchased in 1952. On the lawn to the right the tent was erected in which the First Intercontinental Conference was held.

View of the six-acre site purchased April 26, 1954, for the nature Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Central and East Africa. The elevation at this land is 4300 feet, on the slope of Kabuli Hill, bordering Kampala, three quarters of a mile from the city limits. To the southeast is a view of beautiful Lake Victoria.

ANCHORAGE HAZIRA DEDICATION

On August 6 the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Anchorage is to be dedicated. Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the American auxiliary Board, will be the principal speaker. The dedication will climax the week-long Alaska Teaching Conference, July 31— August 6, to be held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.

The Ḥazira property was established as tax exempt on May Z3. (See photograph in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June, 1955, page 6.) A telephone has been installed under the listing Bahá’í Assembly—Anchorage 67013.

AFRICA TEACHING COMMITTEE

Cable from an African Assembly

The United States Africa Teaching Committee shares the following experience of a Bahá’í Assembly in one of the pioneer territories, in sending its cable to the Sháh and the Prime Minister of Persia.

At the telegraph office the following conversation took place when the cablegram prepared by the Assembly was handed to the clerk:

“‘This cable is addressed to the Sháh, how can you correspond with kings?’

“ ‘Yes, we are Bahá’ís and we are sending this cable to the king of Persia because of the tyranny that our brothers there are now facing.

The Bahá’ís all over the world have sent similar cables because we are all as one family and have loving and sympathetic feelings for each other. I suppose you have heard about the attacks on the Bahá’ís of Íran?’

“ ‘Yes, we have read about them.’

“Then the clerk went in the office and came out later saying: ‘We have to get permission from the director before sending this.’ Few minutes later, the director of the telegraph office came and said: ‘Must we send this cable today?’ ‘Yes, if possible!’ ‘Is there a Bahá’í Community here?’ ‘Yes!’

“ ‘We must inform the Governor about this cable.’ ‘I brought this cable knowing very well that the Governor shall know about it, we are people of peace and do not interfere

Site for the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of South America, on a hill in Loncoche, near Santiago, Chile.

Bahá’í pioneers from Holland, the United States, Arabia. England and Persia on the Island of Cyprus, January, 1955.

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MONTHLY REPORT ON WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET

National Bahá’í Fund

Third Year

1955-1956

as of July 15, 1955

Where we are $61,500

Where we should be $115,000

Total Budget for Entire Year ...............................$550,000.00

(Average Monthly Requirements ............... $46,000.00)

Monthly receipts to date:

May 1-15 .......... $15,500

May 15-June 15 ... $22,500

June 15- July 15 ... $23,500

Total ................... $61,500

Accumulated deficit as of July 15, 1955 ........................$53,500

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

in political matters; moreover, we have no secrets.’

“The following day:

“ ‘Do you still insist on sending this cable? It is going to cost you a lot.’ ‘Yes, with pleasure,’

“Here all the employees gathered and read the cable and were repeating the words with wonder: Bahá’ís! Sháh!

“ ‘Then wait a moment until I get the permission.’

“Few minutes later—‘The permission has been granted.’ ”

Two hours later the representative of the Assembly received a summons to call at the Mayor’s office immediately.

“I went with one of the friends who acted as interpreter. After preliminary talks asking me whether I understood French, he said: ‘Is the Bahá’í Faith a branch of Islam?’

“‘No, the Bahá’í Faith is an independent religion and is not a sect of any other religion.’

What are the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith?’

“ ‘The Bahá’í Faith is a new religion advocating world peace and love between the people of the world. It also teaches the equality between men and women, universal language, the ending of wars and the suppression of prejudices. It believes in all the religions including the Brahman and Buddhist, believing they are from divine origin.’

“ ‘Do you believe in reincarnation?’

“ ‘We believe in life after death but not reincarnation.’

“ ‘Are there Bahá’ís here?’

“Yes, my family and probably others.’ . . .

“ ‘Why is Islám against you?’

“ ‘They say Muḥammad is the last of the Prophets and there should be no religions after Islám. We say, God’s Revelation has not and will never stop.’

“ ‘The Bahá’í Faith started in Persia and spread all over the world, because it is a world religion and not a national one. I belong to this world religion.’

“ ‘I can see that your religion is clean.’

“ ‘May I present you with some books?’

“ ‘Please send me books, Thanks for_coming and excuse the venience.’ ”

Hazíratu’l-Quds of Lima, Peru located at Avenida Angamos 827, Jesus Maria which, in the future, will become the National Hazíratu’l-Quds for Peru.

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AUGUST, 1955

Rome Haziratu’l-Quds Purchased

The Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly announces purchase or the Italian Haziratu’l-Quds, Rome. The photograph above shows the entrance to the building (right). at Via Antonio Stoppani No. l0. The Hazíra is in a new residential section of the city and consists of a five-room apartment with a terrace and garden (partly shown below) adjoining.

other views of the garden. The View shown below was the site of ancient Christian catacombs. The trees are very old and historic cypress trees. The Italo-Swiss Assembly writes: “We are grateful for this accomplishment and for the help the American friends have given us to make this purchase possible.”

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First Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tenerife, Canary Islands, April 21, 1955.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND

National Assembly Elected

The newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand have been announced by that Assembly, as follows:

H. C. Featherstone, Chairman

S. W. Bolton, Vice-Chairman

J. Heggie, Secretary

Mrs. D. Whiting, Treasurer

Miss M. Degotardi

Mrs. G. Lake

Mrs. P. Pennington

Miss T. Perks

N. Walker

Bahá’í Holy Days Recognized

The South Australian Government’s Department of Education has recognized Bahá’í Holy Days. This action followed application by a Bahá’í in that Department for exemption from work on these days.

BRITISH ISLES

British Publishing Trust

The British Bahá’í Publishing Trust has been officially recognized as a bookseller by the Publisher’s Association, according to the Annual

Report just released by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles. This recognition enables this Publishing Trust to obtain books in quantity at a trade discount, from other publishers, for resale.

British Assemblies Incorporated

The London and Manchester Spiritual Assemblies were both incorporated on January 7, 1955, under the British Companies Act, as “Unlimited Companies Without Share Capital.”

Tablets to Breakwell

In its Annual Report for the Bahá’í Year 111 the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles reports that some of the Tablets revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Thomas Breakwell, the first British Bahá’í, have been given by Rúḥíyyih Khánum at the Guardian’s suggestion to the Archives section of the British Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. The friends will recall the beautiful Tablet about Breakwell in Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, vol. II, page 450.

CANADA

Assembly Incorporated

The Canadian National Spiritual Assembly announces the incorporation of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ottawa, under date of May 12, 1955.

Teaching Across the Border

Mr. Rowland Estall, Canadian member of the American auxiliary Board, will be the Bahá’í speaker at the Universalist Church, Derby Line, Vermont, part of a community which includes also Stanstead and Rock Island in Quebec. This request for a Bahá’í speaker came in connection with a series of sermons being given at this church on the great religions of the world, according to the Canadian Bahá’í News.

National Magaxino Publicity

The article on the Faith by Roger White in the June issue of Liberty, a widely circulated national magazine in Canada, has received mention twice on station CKOY, an Ottawa radio station.

The first Bahá’í Group in Guam, Marianas Islands, May, 1955.

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AUGUST, 1955

Bahá’í delegates and visitors at the Third National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, 1955, taken in front of the newly dedicated Hazíratu’l-Quds, Bern, Switzerland. (See report below)

GERMANY-AUSTRIA

Vienna Hazíra Purchased

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria has announced in the Bahá’í Nachrichten for May 1955 the purchase of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Vienna on May 9. This is located at Thimiggasse 12, and is to become the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Austria.

National Assembly Elected

Election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria for the year 1955-1956 resulted as follows:

Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Chairman

Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, ViceChairman

Anna Grossmann, Secretary

Otto Häfner, Treasurer

Ruprecht G. Krüger

Doris Lohse

Karl Schück

Hanna Weber

Johanna von Werthern

ITALY-SWITZERLAND

Third Italo-Swiss Convention

Excerpts from Report

The Third Italo-Swiss Bahá’í Convention was held in the new Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Bern, Switzerland. April 30-May 2. From the report of the Convention only excerpts can be cited, owing to limitations of space. But these show the glorious heights that can be attained when dedication, unity, love and one common purpose of service are joined together. The Convention chairman was Dr. Ugo Giachery, and its secretary, Mrs. Anna Kunz. The Convention report was written by Miss Elsa Steinmetz.

Among the achievements of the third year of the joint Italo-Swiss Bahá’í Community were reported the following:

Purchase of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Bern, dedication of which was a high point of the Convention.

Two new Spiritual Assemblies: in Basel and in Monte Carlo. The latter is the first Assembly to be established in a virgin territory (Monaco) allotted to the ltalo-Swiss National Assembly.

Translation of the Kitáb-i-Íqán into Italian and its publication in a “handsome edition.”

Translation of teaching pamphlets into Romansch and Piedmontese.

Pioneering by two Swiss Bahá’ís to Corsica.

Holding of the first joint ltaloSwiss Bahá’í Summer School at Bex-les-Bains, where the second one is to be held this September.

Donations to the Swiss Archives, announced by Mr. Ashraf, chairman of the Archives Committee, included Tablets revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mrs. Edith de Bons, first friend won to the Faith in Paris by the beloved May Maxwell. Mrs. de Bons was present at the Convention.

Election of the Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly took place on Sunday morning of the Convention. “Dr. Giachery (as chairman of the Convention) enjoined the delegates to consider spiritual qualities—devotion, loyalty, capacity—in making their choice, declaring that being a member of a National Spiritual Assembly is not an honor but an obligation to render meritorious service.”

The following Bahá’ís were elected members:

Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, Chairman

Dr. Alessandro Bausani, ViceChairman

Mrs. Anna Kunz, Secretary

Miss Honor Kempton, Recording Secretary

Mr. Fritz Schär, Treasurer

Prof. Mario Fiorentini, Assistant Treasurer

Mrs. Marion Little

Dr. Walter Ott

Miss Elsa Steinmetz

Dedication of the Hazíra

From the Convention report: “The dedication of our Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was placed in the heart of Convention like a jewel set in a high mounting. Both the outer and inner heavens rejoiced with us on that memorable Sunday afternoon, blue skies and a summer sun clasping hands with music and prayers

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National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Italy and Switzerland, 1955-1956

Seated, left to right: Miss Elsa Steinmetz, Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, Miss Honor Kemptnn, Prof. Mario Fiorentini Mrs. Marion Little. Standing, left to right: Dr. Walter Ott, Mrs. Anna Kunz, Dr. Alessandro Bausani, Mr. Fritz Schar.

to proclaim the nearness of God.

“ ‘It is with a feeling of thankfulness, joy and pride that I am here to share with you a new paragraph written into the history of the Bahá’í Faith, not only in Switzerland and Italy but in the entire Bahá’í world. . . .’

“With these words, Dr. Giachery, Hand of the Cause and personal representative of the beloved Guardian upon this occasion, opened his address.” . . .

“Warm thanks went to all who contributed . . .—also to the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds Committee, with special gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Schär who searched so diligently to find our home, and later supervised the alterations and the furnishing of the interior.

“Dr. Giachery then remarked: ‘Our Ḥaẓíra would be useless were there no Bahá’ís in Switzerland. We must give thanks to the pioneers who began arriving in 1947 to establish the flourishing communities of which we are so proud: Mrs. Etty Graeffe, Mrs. Fritzi Shaver, Miss Elsa Steinmetz, Miss Mildred Elmer, Mrs. Anna Kunz, Miss Doris Lohse, Miss Honor Kempton. They came in a spirit of selflessness and willing service, assisting the few believers who were already in this country, among them Mr. Fritz Semle, Mrs. Gladys Vautier, Mrs. Anne Lynch.’ ”

Gifts from the Guardian

“Gift time had come! Breathlessly we watched our chairman, Dr. Giachery, unwrap the gifts which the beloved Guardian had entrusted to him in Haifa recently, adding: ‘You must defend them with your life and take them to the friends!’ . . . Emerging from a Persian shawl into which the Guardian had tenderly tucked it, was an exquisite covering from the Tomb of the beloved Master. To describe its beauty is impossible, but to look upon the delicate hand-embroidered flowers which adorn it, is to think of other worlds.

“ ‘This priceless gift,’ said our Chairman, ‘is eternal evidence of the Guardian’s deep love for the Swiss friends.‘ Other precious gifts from the beloved Guardian included a copy of the Seal of Bahá’u’lláh and of the Greatest Nam—also a photograph of the House of Worship in Wilmette and an aerial View of the Báb's Shrine, all handsomely framed.

“Widely varied were the many lovely gifts received, ranging from a mounted copy of the first pamphlet published on the Faith in Switzerland and bearing corrections in Prof. Dr. Auguste Forel’s own handwriting, to Venetian chandeliers and a conference-room table seating nine . . . That the story of this hallowed occasion might be preserved for posterity, the friends later placed their signatures in a beautiful gilt-edged volume with decorative covers in delicate Persian design—the gift of the Ashraf family.

“Congratulatory messages from far and near formed another point of exultation, weaving, as always, that unique pattern of unity which is re-creating the world . . .”

SOUTH AMERICA

Loncoche and Ezeiza Bahá’í Schools in Action

From the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South America through Eve Nicklin has come the following description of activities at their Bahá’í schools:

South America has two summer schools, one in Loncoche, Chile, and another in Ezeiza, Argentina. What preparation it entails when a Bahá’í of one of the other countries of South America begins to get ready to go to either Loncoche or Ezeiza! He must go through all the red tape necessary for foreign travel, visa, money changed, etc., but with the “Remover of Difficulties” on his lips he generally, if he has given himself plenty of time, gets it done and is richly rewarded for his efforts.

This year in Loncoche, a day and a night train ride to the south of Santiago, we had, besides our Chilean Bahá’ís, those from Perú, Brazil and Paraguay. Then, too, there came Zunilda Palacio, our pioneer from the island of Chiloé, and Frances Stewart of the United States, who was on her way to the island of Juan Fernandez to carry forward the work that had been so successfully begun there by Mr. and Mrs. Tormo.

We were especially blessed at Loncoche because of the close proximity to the beautiful site for the future Bahá’í Temple. While sitting on the wide comfortable cabin porch we could see at almost any time of day or evening a Bahá’í or perhaps a group of them walking there and we knew that they were praying.

Classes were held morning and afternoon for thirteen days. The study courses centered around the messages of the Guardian in Advent of Divine Justice and The Promised Day Is Come. Then there was one special course and exhibit on the culture of the South American aborigines which resulted in a helpful consultation as to how to reach them with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, in order to fill an important goal of the Ten-Year Crusade. So animated were all these classes that hands were constantly raised for permission to take part in consultation.

Then, too, there were the recreational times when we could, if we wished, borrow a horse from the farm of Fabienne Guillon and so horseback riding, or so fishing or

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AUGUST, 1955

picnicking at “Paradise Lost.” The name has been fittingly re-christened by the Bahá’ís “Paradise Regained.”

The Bahá’í school at Ezeiza, Argentina, is an hour’s ride from the teeming city of Buenos Aires What a heavenly spot it is! Most of the friends made the trip each day by train or automobile bringing their lunches. Ezeiza summer school is open on various Sundays for special study, but during the Carnival season an intensive course is held. The Bahá’ís take advantage of this threeday vacation to do something more constructive than to celebrate a riotous Mardi Gras holiday.

A professor of a seminary who came as an observer remarked that he never had seen a more animated group of young people in consultation. It so happened that quite a few young men and women attended our class on Advent of Divine Justice.

In the midst of our school sessions came Haig Kevorkian, pioneer to the islands of the Galapagos. He had had to make a trip back to attend to passport and other papers. Sr. Tormo was there. too, so many a story we heard of their island experiences.

Whoever has known the joys of studying, praying and being together at a Bahá’í summer school, desires with all his heart the same joy for all the Bahá’ís in all ten countries of this vast South American continent.

We have here another school known as a two-day pre—convention school which has proved to be a wonderful time to study together and to know each other better in preparation for the three-day convention tasks.

NATIONAL NEWS

BAHA’I IN THE NEWS

Time Magazine, June 13, 1955, carries an illustration of a nondenominational chapel built by employees of the Solar Aircraft Company of San Diego, California, as a “refuge of quiet” for worship and meditation. It is learned through the Bahá’í Publicity Committee of San Diego that when the chapel was suggested two years ago, Victor Alexander pointed out that more faiths than Christianity should be represented. He was appointed on the Solar Chapel Council as representative of the Bahá’í Faith.

Above: Students and teachers of the Institute Cultural Indiginesta Bahá’í in Chichicastenango, Guatemala. At the right is the first declared Maya-Quiche Indian believer. Right: Courtyard of the Institute overlooking a part of Chichicastenango. During Naw-Ruz 50 guests were served here.

At the dedication service, Mrs. Arna Meade, local secretary, read a Bahá’í prayer on a program including five clergymen and a rabbi. The Time illustration shows the Bahá’í representative on the platform.

The press release published in The New York Times, June 16, 1955, states that “Members of Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Bahá’í religions are working on the project.”

Playtime in Nassau, a newspaper, published on April 10, 1955, a Very special reference to Guy Murchie’s book Song of the Sky, based on the fact that Mr. Murchie’s father has been a resident of Nassau since 1924. “Throughout his vast experiences Mr. Murchie feels that flying has brought him closer to God, to the oneness of the world, for there are no boundary lines to be seen from the sky. His universal concept has led him to become a member of the Bahá’í Faith, a Universal Religion.” The article was written by Mrs. Nina Matthisen.

It is not yet possible to record all the references to the persecutions in Írán found in the current press. The name Bahá’í has become familiar to millions who perhaps had never heard it, or noticed it, before.

AREA CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON

The Central Atlantic States Area Conference held in Washington, D.C., June 18th was a tremendous success, as evidenced by the interest and enthusiasm shown by everyone present. A special event during the day’s activities was an address by Mr, Paul Haney, Hand of the Cause. Over sixty Bahá’ís. many traveling long distances, participated in the Area activity.

The theme centered around responsibilities of individual Bahá’ís to teach and to support the Fund. The Guardian’s Messages and Convention reports were the basis of prolonged discussion on ways and means of furthering the Faith.

Mr. Haney, in a brief review of the Íránian situation, indicated Bahá’ís in Persia are being protected from injury and violence. The response to the appeal for cablegrams to Íránian authorities was outstanding—almost four hundred cablegrams being sent from this country. Mr. Haney discussed the objectives of the Guardian’s message to this year’s Convention. In addition, plans for the acquisition of Temple and Ḥaẓíra sites were explained in some detail.

The afternoon session opened with a brief account of the human interest side of the National Conven-

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tian. This was followed by a chart presentation of the goals and accomplishments of the Crusade. A detailed graphical picture of this year’s Budget showed how World and National needs require the $550,000 which was budgeted. Dr. Tucker opened the evening session on teaching with a discussion of home front endeavors. This was followed by a brief report on teaching activities in various regions of the Area. In the general discussion which followed, a large number of ideas and thoughts were advanced for increasing the tempo of the teaching work in this country, and specifically in this Area. The events of the day were brought to a climax with a review of “Nine Ways I can Resolve to Serve the Faith of God.”

Highlights of the Conference—greater fellowship needed amongst Bahá’ís; deepening in the Faith essential; less administrative work and more teaching; many unfilled virgin goals in Area; how can the inactive Bahá’í's be reactivated: more thorough understanding of the Guardian’s messages necessary; giving to the Fund a bounty.

Contributing to the success of the Conference was the dinner given by the Area members.

INTER-RACIAL COMMITTEE

Two members of the National Bahá’í Inter-Racial Teaching Committee were invited to give a twenty-minute talk on Station WOOK, Washington, D.C., on the work of the Committee, The invitation resulted from an article about the Committee which had appeared in The Washington Afro-American of July 2. During the broadcast the two Committee members, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Barham, were able to read passages from The Advent of Divine Justice outlining the pattern of Bahá’í behavior toward all races, as well as the entire article “Elimination of Prejudice—The Bahá’í Attack” (insert BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1955).

BAHA’I ON THE CAMPUS

At the University of Utah the Bahá’í Youth presented a talk to a college-age group from the Methodist Church. The next day an article written by a Bahá’í, entitled “Bahá’í:

NOTICE TO ALL ASSEMBLY, AREA TEACHING COMMITTEE, AND GROUP SECRETARIES, AND ALL ISOLATED BAHA’IS

Report all enrollment, transfers, changes of address, marriages performed by a Local Spiritual Assembly, and deaths promptly to the National Spiritual Assembly, so that records can be kept accurate and up to date.

This will insure regular delivery of BAHÁ’Í NEWS and other correspondence, and will save large sums of money for the National Fund — money which is urgently needed for carrying on the important work of the Ten Year Crusade.

A Universal Faith,” appeared in the campus literary magazine, The Pen. Two days later a panel of students from the University of Utah and from Westminster College discussed the topic “World Peace Through World Unity.” Investigation revealed that several books on the Faith in the University library were being read.

At Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, a panel discussion group included a Bahá’í as moderator, a Bahá’í speaker, and a Christian, Jew and Muslim as speakers.

The Interfaith Club of American International College, Springfield, Massachusetts, sponsored “Bahá’í Faith Night” on May 5, 1955. The eleven non-Bahá’í guests and six Bahá’ís who attended heard Beatrice Thigpen from Linden, New Jersey, present an informal talk on the Faith.

In Seattle, Washington, the Bahá’í youth and young adults held a fireside on May 14 for fifteen contacts, eleven of whom were University of Washington students. Slides of the House of Worship in Wilmette were shown.

NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS

The New York Inter-Racial Committee has reported that a meeting was held in New York City on June 5, at which the guest speaker was Dr. Leslie Pinckney Hill, President Emeritus of State Teachers College, Cheyney, Pennsylvania. The Bahá’í speaker was Mr. H. Borrah Kavelin of New York. The topic was “Education for World Brotherhood.” Dr. Hill had spoken at Bahá’í Conferences held in Green Acre, when Louis Gregory was chairman of the Bahá’í inter-racial committee, and has often invited Bahá’ís to speak at his College in years past. The New York meeting was attended by sixty-five persons, and letters of appreciation were sent by prominent persons unable to attend.

BAHA’I ON THE AIR

Persecution of the Bahá’í's in Persia was deplored, and the Bahá’ís defended, on the popular “Woman to Woman” program of station KENI, Anchorage, Alaska. The broadcaster was not a Bahá’í. Radio stations KBYR and KFQD also gave free radio time for broadcasts on the persecutions in Írán.

AREA NEWS BULLETINS

Central States Area

The Central States Area Teaching Committee Bulletin reports that several small groups have been holding regular firesides and public meetings. These include Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and Davenport, Iowa. Through inter-community effort, Belleville and Quincy, Illinois, with St. Louis, Missouri, held a public meeting in East St. Louis, Illinois, a goal city, to be followed by a second public meeting a month or so later.

Another inter-community activity, sparked by three Bahá’ís, resulted in a public meeting in Decatur attended by 50 persons, assisted by Bahá’ís from Danville, Urbano-Champaign, Springfield, Peoria, Rantoul and Gibson City, Illinois.

Gulf States Area

The Gulfstates News Mirror, “reflecting unified action,“ includes in its first issue reports of a new Spiritual Assembly in Fort Worth, Texas. two newly enrolled Bahá’ís in Dallas, Texas, stimulating inter-community activity between Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Gulfport, Mississippi, five-minute radio broadcasts of quotations from the Bahá’í Writings in Galveston, Texas, and a 65 per cent return (very high) of questionnaire cards mailed by the pioneer in the goal city, Meridian, Mississippi.

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AUGUST, 1955

Area Teaching Conference sponsored by the New England States and the North Atlantic States Area Teaching Committees, Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, July 2-4, 1955.

AREA TEACHING CONFERENCES

“Participation in the World Crusade on the Home Front” was the theme of an Area Teaching Conference held at Green Acre, Eliot, Maine, the week—end of July 2-4, The conference was sponsored by the New England and the North Atlantic States Area Teaching Committees.

Three workshops were held: (1) “How can the individual Bahá’í deepen himself for work and teaching?” (2) Human relations (with emphasis on the importance of the inter-racial problem). (3) Relationship of the individual, the group and the local spiritual assembly to the Administration. The conclusion reached from the workshop reports was that the Bahá’ís should constantly study the Covenant and thus make themselves better able to study the Cause.

The East Central State: Area Teaching Committee conference was held in Mansfield, Ohio, on May 15, and conferences were held during July at Lauhelen School the weekend of July 24 and in West Lafayette, Indiana, and Lima, Ohio, July 9 and 10. The West Lafayette conference was held in the Purdue University Memorial Union Building, with the Indianapolis Bahá’í Community acting as hosts.

A Child Training Conference was held on May 29 in Dayton, Ohio, in the form of a “parents’ workshop.” The conference was attended by 22 adults and 20 children, from Dayton, Lima, Kettering, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Centerline, Michigan. The consultation led to the conclusion that “since we teach our children by example we had best make ourselves better examples.”

Two Conferences in the Gulf States Area were held during June, at Austin, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. At both conferences delegates reported on the Annual Bahá’í Convention and ideas brought out there for achieving home front goals.

The Northwestern States Area held a Teaching Conference on June 26 in Bellingham, Washington, for Bahá’ís only. The theme was “Building a Better Community.” A public meeting was held in the evening.

“American Bahá’ís in Time of World Peril” was the theme of the

South Central States Area Teaching Conference held in Little Rock, Arkansas, July 2-4.

The newly appointed Tennessee Valley States Area Teaching Committee will sponsor the Blue Ridge Conference, to be held this year August 27-31.

The Southwestern Bahá’í Area Bulletin presents an interesting monthly Activity Report chart. Key letters indicate which of 21 different types of activity are engaged in by goal cities, by groups and isolated centers and by assemblies, and how often these activities take place, under the three main headings “classes,” “publicity” and “other.”

EXTENSION TEACHING METHOD

That action brings results was demonstrated by the Indianapolis Bahá’í Community which as a part of their extension teaching work sent out five hundred questionnaires in Terre Haute, Indiana. Each of the twenty-seven persons responding was called by telephone individually: a follow-up meeting, advertised in the newspaper, was held, and as a result there is now an active list of sixty interested contacts.

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Extension teaching was undertaken by Anchorage, Alaska, Bahá’ís over the week—end of June 11-13 in Wasilla and Fairbanks.

PUBLCATIONS

United Nations Brochure. Proposals for Charter Revision submitted to the United Nations by the Bahá’í International Community, representing the twelve established National Assemblies. In the July BAHÁ’Í NEWS, the National Assembly commends the use of this document for teaching material by assemblies, committees and individuals. It can be featured in connection with United Nations Day in October, or presented under suitable conditions to local organizations and key persons interested in world affairs. Size 8½ x 11, brown ink on cream paper.

Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .35

Twelve copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00

World Crusade Maps Available

A few copies of the Guardia’s World Crusade Map are available separately. This is the map contained in the Statistical Book, The Bahá’í Faith, 1844-1952. listed on page 19 of the 1955 Bahá’í Literature Catalog. World Crusade Map only, per copy

...............................$ .35

Please address all inquiries and orders for publishing items to:

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

110 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, Illinois

Bahá’ís of Fairbanks, Alaska, and vicinity with friends gathered at the commemoration of Naw-Ruz. More than a third of this gathering are Eskimo.

National Bahá’í Addresses

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS:

536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Illinois.

NATIONAL TREASURER:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

Make checks Payable to:

National Bahá’í Fund

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS:

Editorial Office:

110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

Subscription and chance of address:

112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

Bahá’í World Youth Day Window Display, Wilmington, Delaware.

THE USE OF TEMPLE WORSHIP PROGRAMS

The Temple Worship Committee has received several inquiries from Bahá’í communities concerning the use of the Temple programs in their local community activities. The Temple Worship Committee would like to point out that the Temple programs are not to become a stylized procedure for worship in the local communities, as this could re suit in a ritual-like type of worship. Therefore, the programs used or adapted should not be identified or publicized as the Bahá’í House of Worship programs. They should be identified only as a local community activity. The communities should feel free to add to or subtract from the House of Worship programs in setting up their own, using the Temple programs only as suggestions, always bearing in mind that the purpose of these programs is to show the universality of religion.

In the programs as printed in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, the page references given are to the latest edition of the source. No sources are given for the ancient scriptures (Hindu, Buddhist, etc.) because of the difficulty in locating suitable selections for use in the House of Worship, and the many different versions and translations in the many books available.

The programs are reprinted in BAHÁ’Í NEWS simply to serve as suggestions for community worship and not as a pattern of what is to be used.

—THE TEMPLE WORSHIP COMMITTEE

DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS AT HOUSE OF WORSHIP

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

The programs for the month of July follow:

Order of Devotions—July 3, 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 therein.

-Bahá’u’lláh

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Baha’i Prayers, p. 111

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

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AUGUST, 1955

CHORAL SELECTION

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

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 286-287; pp. 249-250; CXX, p. 254

Baha’i Prayers, p. 45

CHORAL SELECTION

In Solemn Silence-Ippolitof Ivanof

Order of Devotions—July 10, 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

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 111

OLD TESTAMENT

Deuteronomy 6:1-6; Exodus 20:1-8, 12-17; Leviticus 19:18

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 19:16-21 ; Mark 12:28-31 ; 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

Alleluia—Randall Thompson

Order of Devotions—July 17, 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

Sing and Rejoice—Will James

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Prayers and Meditations, XLVII, p. 69

Gleanings, pp. 64-66, 67-68

CHORAL SELECTION

Out of the Deep—C. H. Trevor

OLD TESTAMENT

Job 28:20-28

NEW TESTAMENT

John 15:1-11

QUR’AN

Sura II:172

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í World Faith, pp. 140-141; Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 25-26

Prayers and Meditations, XLII, p. 59

CHORAL SELECTION Bless the Lord, O My Soul—Ippolito£ Ivanof

Order of Devotions—July 24, 1955

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

-Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

Almighty God of Our Fathers—Will James

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

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

CHORAL SELECTION

The Lord’s My Shepherd—Arr. Gordon Jacob

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 158-159; pp. 155-156; p. 156; p. 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

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

Order of Devotions—July 31, 1955

O My servants! Deprive not yourselves of the unfading and resplendent L ight that shineth within the Lamp of divine Glory. Let the flame of the Love of God burn brightly within your radiant hearts.

-Bahá’u’lláh

CHORAL SELECTION

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

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Bahá’í Prayers, p. 111

OLD TESTAMENT

Micah 4:1-7; Malachi 3:1-9, 14-16

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 13:3-23

CHORAL SELECTION

Teach Me, O Lord— Thomas Attwood

QUR’AN

Sura I; Sura XXIII, 44-54

BAHA’I SACRED WRITINGS

Gleanings, pp. 325-326

Prayers and Meditations, LXXIV, p . 121

CHORAL SELECTION

O Wisdom, Spirit of the Holy God—T. Tertius Noble

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEASTS

August 1—Kamá1 Perfection

August 20—Asmá’, Names

September 5—‘Izzat, Might

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

September 2, 3, 4, 5

MARIIAGES

“Glory be unto Thee, O my God! Verity, 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

Wauwatosa, Wisconsin——Miss Edith M.

Hoeppner on Mr. Richard F. McMahon, May 28, 1955.

AUGUST. 1755

Los Angeles, Calitornia—Mrs. Harriet S. Ekel to Mr. Thomas A. Brock, May 14, 1955.

San Diego, Califoinia—Miss Tynie Azuma to Mr. Arthur Kuhwald, June 11, 1955.

Portland, Oregon—Miss Luena P. Jensen to Mr. Robert Sabourin, June 24, 1955.

IN MEMORIAM

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

—BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Mrs. Mabel W. Dunham

Phoenix, Arizona

June 5, 1955

Mrs. Emma Thiele

Toledo, Ohio

May 30, 1955

Mrs. Grace Griffith Harris

Santa Rosa, California

May 13, 1955

Miss Minnie Trautman

Bronx, New York

June 10, 1955

Dr. Albert D. Heist

Geneva, New York

June 21, 1955

Mrs. Delphia Kent

Binghamton, New York

June 3, 1955

Mrs. A. H. Bailey

Dallas, Texas

(date not reported)

Mrs. Maude E. Amendt

Catonsville, Maryland

June 14, 1955

Mr. Joseph Robinson

Bronx, New York

June 23, 1955

Mrs. Claire Bunch

Detroit 13, Michigan

June 23, 1955

Mrs. Margaret Banvard

New York, New York

July 2, 1955

Mrs. Victoria Bedikian

Atlanta, Georgia

July 3, 1955

Miss Margaret Green

New York, New York

June 29, 1955

Mr. Mall Kadrie

Long Beach, California

May 18, 1955

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

Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested tram 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 for which it is intended.

BAHA’I NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1955-56: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Mrs. Beatrice Ashton, Miss Charlotte Linfoot.

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.