Bahá’í News/Issue 323/Text
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| No. 323 | BAHA’I YEAR 114 | JANUARY,1958 |
Proclamation by the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá’ís of East and West[edit]
Beloved Friends:
Nine days had not yet elapsed after the interment of the sacred remains of our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in London, when the Hands of the Cause, to the number of twenty-six, assembled at the World Center of the Faith, in our capacity as “Chief Stewards of the Embryonic World Commonwealth of Bahá’u’lláh,” to consult together on the most tragic situation facing the Bahá’ís since the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and to take all necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard the highest interests of our Faith.
On November 18th the Hands conducted a Memorial Meeting at Bahjí, in the Ḥaram-i-Aqdas surrounding the most sacred Shrine in the Bahá’í world, afterward entering the Holy Tomb itself and prostrating ourselves in utter humility at the Sacred Threshold.
On the following morning, November 19th, nine Hands of the Cause, selected from the Holy Land and the several continents of East and West, with ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, broke the seals placed upon the beloved Guardian’s safe and desk and made careful examination of their precious contents. These same Hands, rejoining the other Hands assembled in the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, certified that Shoghi Effendi had left no Will and Testament. It was likewise certified that the beloved Guardian had left no heir. The Aghsán (branches) one and all are either dead or have been declared violators of the Covenant by the Guardian for their faithlessness to the Master’s Will and Testament and their hostility to him named first Guardian in that sacred document.
The first effect of the realization that no successor to Shoghi Effendi could have been appointed by him was to plunge the Hands of the Cause into the very abyss of despair. What must happen to the world community of his devoted followers if the Leader, the Inspirer, the Planner of all Bahá’í activities in all countries and islands of the seas could no longer fulfill his unique mission?
Guardian’s Life of Complete Sacrifice
From this dark abyss, however, contemplation of the Guardian’s own life of complete sacrifice and his peerless services gradually redeemed our anguished hearts. Shoghi Effendi himself, we know, would have been the first to remind the Hands and the widespread body of the believers, that the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh has quickened those powers and resources of faith within mankind which will achieve the unity of the peoples and the triumph of His World Order. In this new light of understanding the company of the Hands could perceive with heightened gratitude the existence of those innumerable blessings which Shoghi Effendi had created and left as his true legacy to all Bahá’ís.
Has not the World Center, with its sacred Shrines and institutions, been firmly established? Has not the Message been established in 254 countries and dependencies? Have not the National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies, forerunners of the Universal House of Justice, been implanted in twenty-six great areas of all continents? Has not the Guardian left us not only his imcomparable translations, for English-reading Bahá’ís, of the Bahá’í Sacred Literature but also his own master works of interpretation which disclose to us the unshatterable edifice of evolving Bahá’í Order and world community? Has not the Guardian, building upon the enduring foundation of the Master’s Tablets
of the Divine Plan, created the World Crusade to guide our work until 1963?
Has not the Guardian, moreover, in his mysterious insight into the present and future needs of the Bahá’í Community, called into being the International Bahá’í Council and the company of twenty-seven Hands with their Auxiliary Boards, whom in his final communication to the Bahá’ís, he designated “Chief Stewards of the Embryonic World Commonwealth of Bahá’u’lláh”?
Foundations of World Order Strongly Laid
Such reflections could but, in such a world-shattering experience as all Bahá’ís have this month endured, reveal to us how strongly Shoghi Effendi has laid the foundations of the world order of Bahá’u’lláh through the appointments of Hands of the Cause and likewise the appointment of the International Bahá’í Council, the institution destined to evolve into the Universal House of Justice.
In our capacity of Chief Stewards of the Embryonic World Commonwealth of Bahá’u’lláh, we Hands of the Cause have constituted a body of nine Hands to serve at the Bahá’í World Center. This body of nine Hands will energetically deal with the protection of the Faith whenever attacks, whether from within or outside the Bahá’í community, are reported by Hands from their areas or by National or Regional Assemblies, or whether they arise within the Holy Land. Correspondence will likewise be maintained with the Hands of the Cause working in the several continents. This same body will correspond with National Assemblies on matters connected with the prosecution of the objectives of the Ten Year Plan. On matters involving administrative questions this same body will assist National Assemblies by citing those passages of the Bahá’í Sacred Literature which direct the Assemblies to a sound solution.
As to the International Bahá’í Council, appointed by the Guardian and heralded in his communications to the Bahá’í world, that body will in the course of time finally fulfill its purpose through the formation of the Universal House of Justice, that supreme body upon which infallibility, as the Master’s Testament assures us, is divinely conferred: “The source of all good and freed from all error.” The main work of the Council has been to act as the Guardian’s representative in matters involving the Israeli government and its courts of law.
Our Most Precious Legacy
Beloved friends! Is not the most precious legacy bequeathed to us all by Shoghi Effendi the privilege of constancy in the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and devotion in teaching His Message? This is the heartfelt plea we direct to every Bahá’í: The hour has come, as it came with the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, when true Bahá’ís will be distinguished by their firmness in the Covenant and their spiritual radiance while pressing forward the mighty work committed to every area of the world community,—to every individual Bahá’í! For now our implacable opponents may, and probably will, unleash attacks, assuming in their ignorance that the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is weakened and defenceless. By consecration of spirit we are armed against all manner of assault and we hold the weapon of faith with which the triumph of the Guardian’s aims and purposes is assured.
The Hands of the Cause, determined to carry out every aspect of the Guardian’s expressed wishes and hopes, call upon the National Assemblies to proceed with the holding of the Intercontinental Conferences which Shoghi Effendi has planned for 1958, and make each of them a great rallying-point of determination to achieve the tasks of the next phase of the World Crusade. We are, moreover, to keep ever before us the other tasks fixed in the Ten Year Plan as objectives to be won by 1963.
Evolution of International Bahá’í Council
Meanwhile the entire body of the Hands assembled by the nine Hands of the World Center will decide when and how the International Bahá’í Council is to evolve through the succesive stages outlined by the Guardian, culminating in the call to election of the Universal House of Justice by the membership of all National Spiritual Assemblies.
When that divinely ordained body comes into existence, all the conditions of the Faith can be examined anew and the measures necessary for its future operation determined on consultation with the Hands of the Cause.
“O God, my God! Shield Thy trusted servants from the evils of self and passion, protect them with the watchful eye of Thy loving kindness from all rancor, hate, and envy, shelter them in the impregnable stronghold of Thy Cause and, safe from the darts of doubtfulness, make them the manifestations of Thy glorious Signs, illumine their faces with the effulgent rays shed from the Dayspring of Thy Divine Unity, gladden their hearts with the verses revealed from Thy Holy Kingdom, strengthen their loins by Thy all-swaying power that cometh from Thy Realm of Glory. Thou art the All-Bountiful, the Protector, the Almighty, the Gracious!”
“O ye that stand fast in the Covenant; When the
hour cometh that this wronged and broken-winged bird
will have taken its flight unto the celestial Concourse,
when it will have hastened to the Realm of the Unseen
and its mortal frame will have been either lost or
hidden neath the dust, it is incumbent upon the Afnán,
that are steadfast in the Covenant of God, and have
branched from the Tree of Holiness; the Hands, (pillars) of the Cause of God, (the glory of the Lord rest[Page 3]
upon them), and all the friends and loved ones, one
and all to bestir themselves and arise with heart and
soul in one accord, to diffuse the sweet savors of God,
to teach His Cause and to promote His Faith. It behooveth them not to rest for a moment, neither to seek
repose. They must disperse themselves in every land,
pass by every clime and travel throughout all regions.
Bestirred, without rest and steadfast to the end they
must raise in every land the triumphal cry ‘O Thou
Glory of Glories!’ (Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá), must achieve
renown in the world wherever they go, must burn
brightly even as a candle in every meeting and must
kindle the flame of Divine love in every assembly;
that the light of truth may rise resplendent in the midmost heart of the world, that throughout the East and
throughout the West a vast concourse may gather under
the shadow of the Word of God, that the sweet savors
of holiness may he diffused, that faces may shine
radiantly, hearts be filled with the Divine spirit and
souls be made heavenly.”
“In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of utmost importance for it is the head cornerstone of the foundation itself. This wronged servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the Cause and urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame of the Cause of God was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the Abhá Kingdom roused the East and the West. The beloved of God must also follow the same example. This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Bahá!”
Devotedly, in service to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,
‘Amatu’l-Bahá
Rúḥíyyih Khánum
Charles Mason Remey
Amelia E. Collins
Leroy Ioas
‘Ali Muhammad Varqá
Taráẓu’llah Samandarí
‘Ali-Akbar Furútan
Dhikru’lláh Khádem
Shu’á’ulláh ‘Alá’í
Jalál Kházeh
Horace Holley
Corinne True
Paul E. Haney
Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahjí, ‘Akká, Israel,
November 25, 1957.
Herman Grossmann
Adelbert Muhlschlegel
Ugo Giachery
Musa Banání
Clara Dunn
Agnes Alexander
William B. Sears
Enoch Olinga
John Robarts
Hasan Balyuzi
John Ferraby
H. Collis Featherstone
Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir
‘Abu’l-Qásim Faizí
Assembly Gives Grateful Affirmation and Pledges oi Unqualilied Support[edit]
Beloved Bahá’í Friends:
The foregoing message of transcendent importance prepared by the twenty-six Hands of the Cause recently assembled at the World Center of our Faith was transmitted on November 30 to every American Bahá’í. This Proclamation to the Bahá’í world assures all believers that, following our tragic loss of the beloved Guardian, the World Faith established by Bahá’u’lláh will have continuity and direction.
On behalf of the entire American Bahá’í community, the actions taken by the body of the Hands appointed by the Guardian have received the grateful affirmation of your National Assembly and our whole-hearted pledge of unqualified support.
We unitedly join their heartfelt appeal for renewed dedication to the Faith and for energetic action in spreading the Message and completing the objectives of the Guardian’s World Crusade.
The maturity of the Bahá’í world community now begins as we collectively press forward to carry out the beloved Guardian’s expressed wishes and plans. Indeed, in this thirty-six year mission as Guardian, Shoghi Effendi has perfected the expression of the Divine Guidance we need for years to come, until the Universal House of Justice shall have been elected and the Master’s Will and Testament thereby executed. Moreover, the Tablets of the Divine Plan, which the Guardian’s successive Seven-Year Plan and the present World Crusade brought into the field of action, continue to have spiritual vitality until the world of humanity is united in one Faith and one Order under the All-Powe'rful Will of God brought to our age by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
The names of the body of nine elected to serve at the World Center are ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Charles Mason Remey, Amelia E, Collins, Leroy C. Ioas, Hasan M. Balyuzi, ‘Ali-Akbar Furútan, Jalál Kházeh, Paul E. Haney and Adelbert Mühlschlegel.
Committees and Assemblies Called Upon
The National Committees and the local Assemblies, those important organs of our Bahá’í Community, are likewise called upon by our body to function in unity and dedication so that the American Bahá’ís may maintain their primacy in devoted service to the Faith.
Let us cherish in our hearts the conviction that the Guardianship remains with us in Shoghi Effendi’s elucidation of the administrative order, his interpretation of the Bahá’í Sacred Writings, and his example of supreme sacrifice to the Call of God addressed to this crucial age.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
“Consummation of Vittory Announced in Guardian’s Message of September 5”
Cable from Hands of Holy Land
Please announce (to) Hands (of) five continents (and to) all National Assemblies (the) heartwarming news (of the) consummation (of the) victory, announced (in) Guardian’s message (of) September 5, by transfer (of) title deeds (to) all properties within (the) Haram-i-Aqdas to name (of) Israel Branch (of) United States National Assembly, thus completing purification (of the) area surrounding Most Holy Spot (in the) Bahá’í world.
—HANDS (OF THE) HOLY LAND
Cable received December 5, 1957
Beloved Friends:
The foregoing announcement transmitted from the Hands in the Holy Land through our National Spiritual Assembly to all Hands and National Assemblies, provides an occasion for grateful recognition of the providential forces guiding and protecting the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
For now the title deeds to all properties within the Haram-i-Aqdas have been transferred to the Israel Branch of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, in conformity with the Guardian’s intention.
The area surrounding the Most Holy Spot within the Bahá’í World is now completely purified—a symbol of the Guardian’s consummation of his peerless services, as well as a most significant victory for the Bahá’í Faith.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Message From The Hands of the Cause in America to the 1957 State Conventions[edit]
Dear Friends:
By now all American believers have received and read with rapt attention the Proclamation issued by the company of Hands convened in the Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh, outside ‘Akká, soon after the interment of the sacred remains of our beloved Shoghi Effendi in the London cemetery.
That document builds a bridge for the world Bahá’í Community from the passing of the Guardian to the completion of the Ten-Year Plan and the eventual formation of the Universal House of Justice. It assures the progressive unfoldment of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, the continuous operation of our local and National Assemblies, and the uninterrupted teaching of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. It provides, likewise, for the protection of the Faith from onslaughts wherever and however directed against the Faith of God.
What is the firm foundation on which the company of Hands based their decisive action in such an unexpected, such a crucial hour for all Bahá’ís?
It would be well to review together on this impressive occasion the successive pronouncements made by the Guardian in creating the function and mission of the Institution of the Hands, established by Bahá’u’lláh and maintained in this era of the Faith by provisions in the Master’s Will and Testament.
On December 24, 1951, the Guardian cabled: “Hour now ripe (to) take long, inevitably deferred step (in) conformity (with) provisions (of) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament . . . through appointment first contingent (of) Hands (of the) Cause of God . . . Initial step now taken, regard (as) preparatory (to) full development (of) institution provided in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will, paralleled (with) preliminary measures formation (of) International Council destined (to) culminate (in) emergence (of) Universal House of Justice.”
In the second cablegram dated February 29, 1952, the Guardian used these words: “Members (of) august body invested (in) conformity (with) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Testament, two-fold sacred function, propagation (and) preservation (of the) Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, (are) destined (to) assume individually (in the) course (of) time (the) direction (of) institutions paralleling those revolving around (the) Universal House of Justice, supreme legislative body (of) the Bahá’í World. . . ”
Next, on October 8 of that same year the Guardian cabled: “Call upon fifteen Hands (of) five continents, by virtue of their supreme function as chosen instruments (for the) propagation (of the) Faith, (to) inaugurate historic mission through appointment . . . (of) five Auxiliary Boards, (one) each continent, nine members each, who will as their adjuncts, or deputies, and working (in) conjunction (with) (the) various National Assemblies . . .assist, through periodic, systematic visits (to) Bahá’í centers, (in the) efficient, prompt execution (of the) twelve projected National Plans.”
On April 6, 1954, we received the following: “Urge initiation (of) five Continental Bahá’í Funds, which as they develop, will increasingly facilitate (the) discharge (of die) functions assigned (to the) Boards.”
“Fervently supplicating (at the) Holy Threshold (for an) unprecedented measure (of) blessings (on this) vital, indispensable organ (of the) embryonic, steadily unfolding Bahá’í Administrative Order, presaging (the) emergence (of the) World Order (of) Bahá’u’lláh which must pave (the) way (for the) establishment (of the) World Civilization destined (to) attain maturity (in the) course of successive Dispensations (in the) five thousand century Bahá’í cycle.”
During the course of the present year the Guardian made profound and significant references to the station and function of the Hands.
On June 4, 1957, he cabled: “Divinely appointed institution (of the)
Hands (of the) Cause, invested (by)
virtue (of the) authority conferred
(by the) Testament (of the) Center
(of the) Covenant (with the) twin
functions of protecting (and) propagating (the) Faith of Bahá’u’lláh,
now entering new phase (in the)
process (of the) unfoldment (of) its[Page 5]
sacred mission. To its newly assumed responsibility (to) assist National Spiritual Assemblies (of the)
Bahá’í world (in the) specific purpose (of) effectively prosecuting
(the) World Spiritual Crusade, (the)
primary obligation (to) watch over
(and) insure protection (to the)
Bahá’í world community, in close
collaboration (with) these same National Assemblies, (is) now added.”
Special attention is called to the Guardian’s statement in his letter of October 1957: “So marvellous a progress, embracing so vast a field, achieved in so short a time, by so small a band of heroic souls, well deserves, at this juncture in the evolution of a decade-long Crusade, to be signalized by, and indeed necessitates, the announcement of yet another step in the progressive unfoldment of one of the cardinal and pivotal institutions ordained by Bahá’u’lláh, and confirmed in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, involving the designation of yet another contingent of the Hands of the Cause of God . . the Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh s embryonic World Commonwealth, who have been invested by the unerring Pen of the Center of His Covenant with the dual function of guarding over the security, and of insuring the propagation, of His Father’s Faith.”
“This latest addition to the band of the high-ranking officers of a fast-evolving World Administrative Order . . . calls for . . . the appointment by these same Hands, in each continent separately, of an additional Auxiliary Board, equal in membership to the existing one, and charged with the specific duty of watching over the security of the Faith, thereby complementing the function of the original Board whose duty will henceforth be exclusively concerned with assisting the prosecution of the Ten-Year Plan.”
In these successive passages, dear friends, the Guardian clearly established an international body of twenty-seven Hands of the Cause endowed with authority to consult and take appropriate measures to meet the crisis which, with the Guardian’s passing, overtook and indeed overwhelmed the world community of Bahá’ís. Of this vitally important fact we may have full assurance.
The Proclamation issued by the Hands convened at the World Center sets forth all the questions involved and presents their solution. The body of the nine Hands elected to serve at the World Center is further qualified, both morally and legally, to carry forward Shoghi Effendi’s plans and to serve as trustees of the Holy Shrines, properties and gardens which the Guardian so marvelously developed in Haifa and ‘Akká.
Let there be no confusion regarding the operation at the Hands of the Cause and the elected body of nine. They are preserving and sustaining the Faith as expressed in the Will and Testament of the Master and in the body of Shoghi Effendi’s peerless writings. They coordinate both the teaching work and protection of the Faith as proceeding under the direction of the National Assemblies, the Hands and their Auxiliary Boards. They assist National Assemblies to make correct solution of administrative problems by reference to those passages which illumine the nature of the problem and how it is to be met.
The American Hands, therefore, stand unitedly with the National Spiritual Assemblies in urging the friends to demonstrate, by their unity and their zeal, the devotion to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh which has been engendered within each of us, that the meaning of the primacy conferred upon America may be fully realized both by the followers of Bahá’u’lláh and the general public.
Bahá’u’lláh, the Author of this Revelation, tries the hearts of His servants that we may be purified and disciplined to rise and proclaim His Message to a darkened world!
Sincerely,
CORINNE TRUE
HORACE HOLLEY
PAUL E. HANEY
Wilmette, Illinois
December 4, 1957.
Mail Campaign to be Intensified[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to thank the many friends who sent in copies of the September issue of the magazine Awake!, which carried an article entitled “What is the Bahá’í Cause?"
Although we wish the article had not contained so many inaccuracies, nevertheless it has been the means of arousing the interest of a great many people who, attracted partic-
Excavation for the foundation of the first Bahá’í Temple of Africa near
Kampala, Uganda. The hill on which it will be built is about 4,000 feet above
sea level, and is topped with hard laterite. Due to the strength of this laterite, the foundation walls are sunk only 2½ feet below ground level. A bearing
of 7 degrees East was taken when laying out the trenches, so that one of
the nine doors faces toward ‘Akká.
ularly to the principles of the Faith as stated in the article, have written in for more information. All of these inquirers had come across reference to the Bahá’í Faith for the first time in this article.
At the time this article is being written, requests for Bahá’í literature are arriving in great numbers in response to an article in the December issue of the Journal of Lifetime Living listing the Bahá’í Faith as one of the sources for literature for “Building a Library of Faith.”
Mention is made of these two items of unsolicited publicity about the Faith simply to indicate that all over the land there are seekers who have not yet heard the word “Bahá’í,” and in whom it arouses an instant interest and desire to know what we have to offer in the way of hope for both the individual and for the troubled world. Therefore, the widespread mail campaign announced in the October issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS (page 2) is extremely important.
No opportunity must be neglected or lost at this crucial stage in the progress of the World Crusade to find and attract among the millions of Americans, and particularly in every locality where Bahá’ís reside, those who have the readiness and capacity to become part of “the continual flow” of new members “so essential for the safeguarding of the prizes won in the course of the several campaigns of a world-girdling Crusade,” and who will help to furnish the “spiritual reinvigoration, administrative expansion, and material replenishment constituting the triple facets of a task that can brook no further delay,” as emphasized “more fervently than ever before” in the beloved Guardian’s clarion and final call to the American Bahá’í community.
The National Spiritual Assembly urges the friends to continue and to intensify the mail campaign until there has been maximum distribution of The Christian Century article by Marcus Bach, “Bahá’í: A Second Look,” and the Bahá’í pamphlet, The Lord of the New Age.
Many communities have found that these two pieces can be mailed without envelopes and inexpensively by placing the pamphlet inside the folded reprint, stapling them together and by writing the address on a slip of paper pasted above the words “Christian Century.” In this manner, both pieces can be mailed for one two-cent stamp.
Furthermore, believers who are distributing the new Bahá’í Questionnaire mailing piece can fold these two items inside without involving any increase in the cost of mailing the questionnaire material.
The National Spiritual Assembly again requests the local Assemblies and Bahá’í groups to report by the end of January What distribution they have made of the material and what plans they have for continuing it.
Boring for water at the site of the Bahá’í Temple of Africa near Kampala,
Uganda. Water sufficient to give 500 gallons per hour was reached at a
depth of 150 feet. In this area it is most unusual to strike such a good supply
at such a shallow level.
The Guardian’s latest Directive Concerning Non-Bahá’í Persians[edit]
Among the last few letters from our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, was one through his Assistant Secretary mailed November 7, 1957, to an American believer from which we quote the following paragraph:
“In response to your question ‘should Bahá’ís invite non-Bahá’í Persians to meetings or to Bahá’í schools,’ the Guardian feels it is very unwise for non-Bahá’í Persians to be invited to Bahá’í meetings or to Bahá’í schools. In fact, he instructs that non-Bahá’í Persians should not be invited under any circumstances to any Bahá’í public gatherings or schools or Bahá’í meetings. He has repeatedly informed the American Bahá’ís that Persians must become Bahá’ís in Persia and therefore the believers in America must concentrate all of their efforts on teaching the Americans and not the Persians.”
A copy of the letter from which this paragraph is quoted was sent to the National Spiritual Assembly with the instruction to see “that this important injunction of the Guardian is carefully followed out.” Therefore, local Assemblies, Area Teaching Committees, Bahá’í groups and Summer School Committees are to report pmmptly to the National Assembly all instances where believers invite or bring non-Bahá’í Persians to Bahá’í schools or any Bahá’í gatherings.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Features of Baha’i Home for the Aged Revealed with Completion of Construction Plans[edit]
A description of the Bahá’í Home for the Aged, the first dependency of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette, has been released by the National Spiritual Assembly, as plans have been completed for an early beginning of the actual construction.
The architect, Wm. Campbell Wright of Wilmette, has prepared this account of the features to be found in the Home.
The building will be contemporary in design, primarily of brick, with stone and wood trim. It is designed to provide living quarters for 20 residents, and an administrative staff of three persons.
It will be essentially U-shaped, surrounding a private garden area open to the south, which will contain a number of large oak trees in addition to plenty of space for formal landscaping and flower or vegetable gardening. The building will be well set back from surrounding lot lines, and the adjoining areas will have many trees, mostly oak, with a few hickory trees and more gardening space.
Ingress and egress will be extremely simple, through numerous widely-separated doorways, all at grade level, Ample off-street parking space will be provided for visitors, easily accessible from Fourth street, and with direct entrance into the building. An existing three-car garage, at the alley, will remain for use of the staff.
All habitable rooms will be on one floor, just slightly above sidewalk level. There will be no stairs for the residents to climb. Radiant heating will be provided by means of coil-panels in the floor.
Sleeping rooms are so arranged that they will accomodate sixteen individuals and two couples. Each pair of individual rooms will share a connecting toilet room, and will have a lavatory in each room. The rooms for couples will each have a private half-bath containing toilet and lavatory. Shower and tub facilities will be provided for both men and women in bath rooms off the main corridor.
There will be a large common room or living-dining room with large glass areas facing south on the garden side. This room will have a high-beamed ceiling and a large fireplace. Off the common room will be a parlor which will double as a library and a room for private meetings of residents and their guests.
An adequate and well-equipped kitchen is provided, with plenty of food storage area. The kitchen will adjoin the administrative offices, which will also face the entrance foyer.
The administrator will have a suite of two offices, and a two-room living suite with private bath. Two rooms with connecting bath will be provided, to house a cook and one resident maid.
In the same general area there will be an infirmary, with a bath containing a small laboratory counter and case. The infirmary will provide space for not more than two people, for short periods of time, but is not intended to provide actual hospitalization facilities.
Other interesting features will include a large hobby room and an open porch opening only off the resident's private corridcrr.
Instructions for Temple Visitors
In order to prevent disappointment on the pant of the Bahá’ís who visit the Bahá’í House of Worship at times other than the National Convention, the National Spiritual Assembly finds it necessary to explain the situation which exists in Wilmette, and which it is hoped traveling Bahá’ís will take into account when planning to come to the Temple area, particularly in the winter and early spring months.
In the first place, the Bahá’í House of Worship is open only from one to four o’clock on weekday afternoons, and from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays during the period from October first to May first. Only one guide is on duty during the weekdays, stationed art the entrance to the auditorium. This makes it impossible for the guide to devote any length of time to any single person, whether Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í, and he or she cannot leave the post to sell books, Bahá’í ring stones, or kodachrome slides which are available only at the
Architect’s sketch of the Bahá’í Home for the Aged, first dependency of the Mash'riqu’l-Adhkár in Wilmette, Ill.
Book Sales counter in Foundation Hall.
Even during the summer months, the guides are unable to spend time with Bahá’ís, for, in addition to receiving visitors who often number several hundred a day, the guides have various other duties to perform in and about Foundation Hall.
The National Spiritual Assembly and the Temple guides, as well as the local Bahá’ís in Wilmette, wish very much that they could provide hospitality for the out-of-town believers who come to the Temple, particularly for the first time, but the number of Bahá’ís in the area surrounding the Temple is too small. Most of them have full-time employment, many have families, and the time of the few who are available for guiding must be carefully scheduled so that the Temple can be kept open during the hours announced to the public.
Another problem that must be considered is that there are no hotels in Wilmette and no Bahá’í homes that can offer overnight hospitality. During the Annual Convention a housing committee which functions only for that period is able to find accommodations for delegates and visitors in the homes of a limited number of Wilmette residents, but these homes are not open for such purposes the year round. Therefore, if Bahá’ís arrive at the Temple expecting to remain in Wilmette overnight, it becomes necessary for the staff to get in touch with some one who served on the housing committee the previous Convention period who, in turn, must try to find a place for them to stay. If the visitors have no transportation of their own, the problem is increased.
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kampala, Uganda
for 1957-1958, incorporated on August 22, 1957.
Sunday Visit Suggested
The foregoing explanation has become necessary because the Temple guides are greatly concerned lest any Bahá’í who comes to the Temple in eager anticipation of the spiritual experience of praying and meditating in the House of Worship and of discussing the Faith with believers at the national center of the Faith, should go away with a heart made heavy from disappointment. The National Spiritual Assembly hopes that, so far as possible, traveling Bahá’ís will plan their visit to the Temple on Sundays when Bahá’ís from all the surrounding area gather in Foundation Hall to meet and visit with each other before and following the service of public worship in the afternoon.
Traveling Bahá’ís are again re minded of the importance of carrying their identification cards with them when visiting the Temple area as well as other communities where they are not already known.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHÁ’Í HOLY DAYS RECOGNIZED BY TWO ADDITIONAL SCHOOLS[edit]
The Bahá’í Group of Monona Village, Wisc., has reported that in 1956 permission was received from the school authorities for Bahá’í children to be excused from classes in both the elementary and high school on Bahá’í Holy Days.
Also, the All Saints’ Episcopal Church School in Fort Worth, Texas, has informed a local Bahá’í that “your child will be allowed to miss school on religious holidays recognized by your Church,” but that this permission “is not to be construed as recognition on the part of the Episcopal Church of the claims of your particular religion but a recognition of the right of your child to observe the religious holidays set forth in the religion.”
—NATIONAL SPIRUTAL ASSEMBLY
Voting Rights Restored
The American Bahá’í community is hereby notified that the voting rights and membership privileges of Calvin C. Steimetz have now been restored.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
INTERCONTINENTAL COMMITTEES[edit]
Western Hemisphere
NATIVE SON OPENS BARBADOS TO FAITH[edit]
The Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee has received news of the opening to the Faith of Barbados by a native son, Charles Winfield Small, the first Bahá’í enrolled in the Bahamas. Although he did not 3.1. that time intend to return to Barbados, the Guardian wrote through Rúḥíyyih Khánum that “he is hoping this young man will be instrumental in guiding many of his fellow-countrymen to the Cause.” Now that circumstances have taken him back to Barbados, the good wishes of all Bahá’ís will follow him for his success in establishing the Cause on that island.
Hawaiian Bahá’ís Pioneer
We are also happy to report that the Hawaiian Bahá’ís themselves have now taken up the pioneer challenge in that Territory. Until now most of the believers have been concentrated in Honolulu. Recently, however, three members of the Honolulu Community arose to pioneer on the island of Hawaii, one of the several islands of the Territory. We hope that others will follow their example until all the islands in the Territory have become firmly established in the Faith, fulfilling the hope expressed by Shoghi Effendi that this Paradise of the Pacific will become its spirit-
ual Paradise as well.
The Committee is grateful to the many new volunteers who have responded to our pioneer appeals during the last few months, and is doing all in its power to expedite these as quickly as possible—mainly to Latin American goals. Because our greatest emphasis at the present time is on Latin America, where twenty National Spiritual Assemblies must be established by 1963, We would like to suggest that the friends who are even remotely considering pioneering begin now to study Spanish.
Two Challenging Goals
Two particularly difficult and challenging goals are temporarily unfilled because the pioneers there have had to leave, due to circumstances beyond their control. Both are on the coast of South America, one on the Atlantic and the other on the Pacific. Both have disagreeable environments, physically, socially, and spiritually. Although the light has reached these virgin territories, through the services of self-sacrificing pioneers, new settlers must be found so that the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh may be firmly established. Single men are to be preferred due to the unsuitable conditions, and they must be hardy souls. Anyone interested in meeting such a challenge may write to this Committee for details and the names of these two places.
Secretary of the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee is Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, 73 College Road West, Princeton, N. J.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS[edit]
KAMPALA, SYDNEY CONFERENCE DATES LISTED[edit]
The first of the 1958 Intercontinental Conferences will be held in Kampala, Uganda, on January 23-28 inclusive, at the ḤAẓíratu’l-Quds, 4 Kagera Road. Reservations should be sent immediately to Philip Hainsworth, PAO4 Box 2662, Kampala, Uganda.
The second Intercontinental Conference takes place in Sydney, Australia from March 20 to 24, 1958. The Conference will open with a Naw Rúz banquet on the evening of March 20.
Advance hotel reservations are essential, and can be arranged through the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, 2 Lang Road, Paddington. Sydney, N. S. W., Australia.
Central and East Africa
FOUR HANDS OF CAUSE FOR AFRICA MEET IN KAMPALA[edit]
Immediately after receiving the news of the appointment of the three new Hands of the Cause for Africa, the revered Hands Enoch Olinga, William Sears, and John Robarts met with Hand of the Cause Musa Banani in his home in Kampala.
When it was learned that this historic gathering had been convened,
Bahá’í Summer School for Tunisia, held at the Haẓíratu’l-Quds in Tunis on
July 28 to August 10, 1957.
the National Spiritual Assembly of
Central and East Africa, then in session, made arrangements to go to the
airport to welcome William Sears
and John Robarts upon their arrival
from South Africa.
Towards the end of the consultations, many Kampala believers and visitors were privileged to join the Hands of the Cause at a feast provided by Mr. Banání.
TWO MORE CRUSADE GOALS ACHIEVED IN AFRICA[edit]
Purchase of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds for the Seychelles Islands, and the incorporation of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Kampala, Uganda, both achievements of goals of the Ten-Year World Crusade, has been announced by the National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa.
The Seychelles Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds is located in Port Victoria, and was purchased for about £1,000 through the contribution of Mr. Munir Wakil and his family.
Incorporation of the Kampala Local Spiritual Assembly was granted on August 22, 1957, with Certificate of Registration No. 253, under the Trustees Incorporation Ordinance.
Action for the incorporation of the Port. Victoria, Seychelles, Local Spiritual Assembly was instituted recently with a bill before the Legislative Council. This move has caused a heightened interest in the Faith in the Seychelles Islands.
Australia
HANDS APPOINT BOARD MEMBERS[edit]
In accordance with the directions recently received in the Guardian’s World Message of October 1957, the Hands of the Cause of God in the Pacific area have appointed the following additional members to the Auxiliary Board, “charged with the specific duty of watching over the security of the Faith, thereby complementing the function of the original Board, whose duty will henceforth be exclusively concerned with assisting the prosecution of the Ten-Year Plan,” as proclaimed in that Message: Mr. Hugh Blundell, Auckland, New Zealand; Miss Margaret Rowling, Suva, Fiji.
Pioneers Active in Island Goals
From a partial report of Auxiliary Board member Thelma Perks, published in the Bahá’í Bulletin of Australia, we glean the following comments concerning the sustained and valiant efforts of the pioneers in the Solomon Islands, Gertrude and Alvin Blum, and the new believers.
“I was impressed by the way these believers are being trained to teach the Faith. Many enrollments could be made, but the pioneers are carefully deepening the students before they allow them to become Bahá’ís. There is great activity here: the pioneers lead a full and very busy life providing essential services, which entails long working hours. Nevertheless, six meetings are held per week, excluding Feasts, Holy Days, and local assembly meetings. Despite trying climatic conditions, these Friends work at terrific pressure, never sparing themselves.”
From the same report we learn of the work of the pioneer settler, Rodney Hancock, in the islands of New Britain and New Ireland (in the Bismarck Arch.): “Rodney is doing good work with some natives here (Rabaul, New Britain) but his great work lies on the island of New Ireland. The native believer, Mazakmat, who learned of the Faith in Manus Island, is now teaching in a school in New Ireland, is also actively teaching the Faith there, and is president of the island local council this year. Rodney periodically goes by air to this island and, aided by Mazakmat, has made wonderful contacts and friendships. The natives are a very good type, courteous and dignified and unspoiled by not having had too much contact with Europeans. Rodney has won their hearts because he shares their homes and their ‘kai.’ ”
Mazakmat, together with the pioneer and visiting Auxiliary Board member, flew to another island, Kavieng, where talks were given in six villages to several hundred people in one weekend. Mazakmat gave the opening talk, and then translated the other talks into the native tongue. In two villages a very good contact, a school teacher, translated into a tongue that Mazakmat did not know. The report states: “We were always heard with great interest and attention. These people are longing for the Faith and the oneness of the human race. They have the Methodist, Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, and Lutheran missions on the island and they realize the lack of unity between them all. I was impressed by the gentleness and superiority of these people, their gardens and their clean and tidy villages by the sea. In fact, I can never forget the beauty of this island and its charming inhabitants.”
Violet Hoehnke, pioneer to Manus Island, is now matron of the European Hospital at Samarai. “She has won great respect for the standard of her work and for her good relations with everyone on the islan ,” writes Miss Perks. “All know that Violet is a Bahá’í. Former contacts from Manus Island have come to live in Samarai and Violet is winning them to the Faith. We spent a wonderful evening with these friends. Her great devotion and desire to teach is opening the way for the spread of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
Bahá’í Holy Days Recognized
Port Adelaide, Australia, has obtained permission from a Primary School and a High School for Bahá’í children to observe their Holy Days.
First Major Article in Leading Journal
The Sydney Morning Herald has published its first major article on the Bahá’í Faith on its feature page, written by a staff correspondent. The article is sympathetic to the Faith and will attract the attention of hundreds of thousands who read this journal.
Bahá’í Summer School for the Canary Islands, 1957.
TEACHING IN MALAITA HIGHLIGHTS ACTIVITIES IN SOLOMON ISLANDS[edit]
The Local Spiritual Assembly of Honiara, first Assembly formed in the Solomon Islands, reports teaching activities in many fields during the past months.
Latest news includes a trip to the island of Malaita, the largest populated island of the Solomons and where the greatest interest has been evinced, by three Bahá’ís, John Mills, Shebuel, and Orbet. It appears that doors are opening for the spiritual conquest of Malaita.
Teaching work is continuing, a feature of which is the Bahá’í Sunday School, which is well attended by enthusiastic children. At the Anniversary of the Birth of the Báb the children sang songs from the Bahá’í Children’s Song Book, recited prayers, and gave a play called “Trees That Bear No Fruit.”
On our teaching evenings, held Wednesday and Sunday, we study Some Answered Questions, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh, and Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era, Everyone who can read takes a lesson.
Our committees are functioning well. They are: Teaching, Children’s, Book, Translation, Feast, and Development.
—GERTRUDE BLUM
Bahá’ís of Sikkim at joint meeting in capitol city, Gangtok, with resident
pioneer, Shri Baijnath Singh, standing at the left of person holding Greatest Name, and Mr. Chatterjee, traveling teacher from Calcutta at his right.
Sikkim, in the high Himalayas near Mt. Everest, is a wondrous,
beautiful country, famed for folk songs, stories, and simple hardy people.
It is an independent State, protected by India and bordering on Tibet—a
rugged land of deep impassable gorges and roaring torrents very difficult
of access. Its people are mostly of the Buddhist and Hindu religion, with
some Christians, and they speak various languages—Tibetan, Lepcha,
Nepali, and Hindustani (or Hindi), the first two being goal languages of
the World Crusade.
Early in 1953 when the Bahá’í world was just awakening to the mighty challenge of a global spiritual crusade, there were many, perhaps, who did not know where this region lay. At that time our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, prepared a World Crusade Map, listing Sikkim as a virgin goal assigned to the Bahá’ís of India, Pákistán and Burma.
One of the Earliest Goals Reached
Sikkim was among the first of the virgin goals of the World Crusade to be reached. Pioneer Mr. Udai Narayan Singh arrived before August 15, 1953, this victory being joyfully announced by the Guardian in his cable of September 20, 1953.
What has happened to Sikkim since that memorable day when the banner of God’s new Revelation was first planted on its soil by the valiant pioneer?
Today there are Bahá’í centers in the capitol city of Gangtok, and in Pakyong, where friends reach out in Bahá’í fellowship to the believers around the world, and the pioneer settler, Shri Baijnath Singh, is continuing the efforts begun by Udai Singh. Now, in the October 1957 issue of the Bahá’í News Letter of India and Burma, we learn of a journey taken by a Bahá’í teacher of Calcutta, Mr. S. Chatterjee, who traveled to Sikkim to visit the friends there and to assist them in their difficult but joyous task of spreading the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. It was not an easy journey—first several hours by train, then by river steamer up the Ganges, the river considered to be sacred by the Hindus, then by train again. After this it was necessary to engage a ride with a driver of a cement truck, or lorry. Here, as the wheels of the lorry rolled along the steep, winding roads of the Himalayas, Mr. Chatterjee was able to present the Teachings to two fellow-passengers—one a government engineer and a businessman, who were deeply impressed and happy to accept books to take with them.
Leaving the hanging bridge at Rangpo, the Bahá’í traveller entered Sikkim state, only to learn that landslides had closed the roads to Gangtok. After hours of waiting news came that the road was passable and he was able to hire a jeep whose driver was willing to risk the roads impaired by continuous rains and landslides. After a total of two days and a night of varied and continuous travel, Mr. Chatterjee arrived the night of Octo
THE BAHA’I STORY OF SIKKIM[edit]
ber 7 in Gangtok, greeted by the pioneer, Shri Singh. By morning news of his arrival had spread through the town and Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís thronged to see him. Many excellent contacts were strengthened by his visit, including that of a Government College professor who promised to arrange future Bahá’í lectures in the college. The next day an interview was held with the press, and with students, businessmen, a magistrate, and with the Education Director of the government of Sikkim, all of whom were eager to discuss the Faith and to accept literature.
Journey to Pakyong
Early on October 10, after two days in Gangtok, Mr. Chatterjee and Shri Singh hired a jeep and after many delays due to rock blasting and the work of bulldozers on the road, reached Pakyong in mid-afternoon where the Bahá’í friends had assembled to greet them. Mr. Chatterjee spoke to them about pioneering, local and national funds, and some difficulties with local authorities were also clarified, giving encouragement to the Bahá’ís who had been confronted with certain problems. A proposal was made for a joint meeting of all the Bahá’ís in Gangtok the next day in spite of many problems of transportation to be resolved. Returning to Gangtok that evening, Shri Singh and the visiting Bahá’í, Mr. Chatterjee, were invited for a second time to tea at the home of Mr. D. K. Das, manager of the Sikkim Darbar Press. Of that interview Mr. Chatterjee writes: “A spirit of unity prevailed. He questioned me intelligently about the
Cause. No prejudices came between us. He gladly consented to introduce me to the Government Officers (then out on Holidays) when I visited Sikkim next, and suggested a public meeting.”
Joint Meeting in Gangtok
The joint meeting at the Gangtok Bahá’í Center brought earnest discussion of pioneering, consolidation, self-reliance in teaching, administrative duties of assembly members and officers, how to conduct meetings, and above all the importance of obedience to Bahá’í institutions.
Mr. Chatterjee writes: “This meeting had a very warming effect on the friends and all of a sudden they all got up and promised to work more for the Cause . . . their exciting and confident words are still ringing in my ears . . . ‘Please give us some more time . . . in one year we all promise we will be double in number and nothing can stop us now. Then we will be able to relieve Mr. Singh to go elsewhere.’ ”
After the meeting the Officer-in-Charge of the Gangtok police approached and asked, “Are you the Bahá’í from Calcutta?” He had heard the news of the arrival of the Bahá’í teacher and asked to take tea with him and discuss the Cause of God.
Teachings Show Fruits
Of Sikkim itself Mr. Chatterjee writes: “Sikkim is a place with practically no industry, used by businessmen dealing with Tibet for the transport of goods from Gangtok into Tibet. Cost of living is very high — many of the inhabitants are illiterate. At such a place the Bahá’í teachings are beginning to show fruits of the tree whose first seeds were planted by our pioneer Mr. Udai Singh and since then nurtured by pioneer Mr. Baijnath Singh. I can say with pride that Sikkim has reached the true teachings of the knowledge of God, Friends there are firm, simple and sincere, though they are not well educated and they need frequent warming up. Most of them speak Nepali and books in Nepali are needed most.”
Translation Goals
There have been translations in both Nepali and Hindustani previous to the World Crusade. Lepcha and Tibetan, the two goal languages, have had some translations made, but Lepcha remains to be printed. The National Assembly of India states that there is only one press
First Bahá’í Summer School held in Rabat, Morocco.
in India able to print in Lepcha, the
Baptist Mission Press of Calcutta,
and it refuses to handle the work of
the Bahá’ís up to this time.
Sikkim, once a small region in the remote Himalayas, enclosed by Nepal, Ghutan, and Tibet, is no longer either small or remote. It is mighty in the plan of Bahá’u’lláh and near to the hearts of all Bahá’ís whose efforts for victory in His World Crusade encircle the globe.
India, Burma
CONFERENCES SCHEDULED TO STIMULATE TEACHING[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of India and Burma has been sponsoring a series of teaching conferences and school sessions that began in August 1957, and will continue through February 1958, to stimulate new teaching efforts and a corresponding increase in new assemblies and groups.
In India teaching conferences were held in Belgaum and Rampur last October, and a second conference is scheduled for February in both cities. A Summer School was held at Gwalior in October, and a Winter School was again held at Poona in December.
A Burma Teaching Conference last August and a school session in November took place at Rangoon. Colombo, Ceylon, was the location of a Teaching Conference in December.
The central theme of all the sessions was to find ways of fulfilling the remaining goals of the Ten Year Crusade, and to arouse new pioneering responses. The conferences employed that technique of a general opening discussion, with smaller panels meeting separately for consultation, followed by a final general consultation of the entire conference.
Bahá’í youth took an active part in the school sessions, with delegates representing both youth committees and Bahá’í communities.
UN DAY RESULTS IN PROCLAMATION VICTORIES[edit]
A number of public meetings were
held throughout India and Burma to
commemorate United Nations Day on
October 24. Bombay reported a large[Page 13]
audience was deeply impressed by
the two talks given there. Sholapur,
Poona, Ernakulam, Cochin, and
Ahmedabad all received good press
reports. In Karikal, one of the original virgin goals of the World Crusade, the Local Bahá’í Assembly conducted a most successful meeting, resulting in good press coverage.
From Moulmein, near Rangoon in Burma, the American pioneer, Keith de Folo, reported a meeting programmed by representatives at many religions, including Bahá’í, that was attended by over 500 people, all of whom heard the Bahá’í prayer, “Prayer for all Nations.” There were many requests for literature and information on the Teachings.
Attendance at Public Meetings
The Bahá’ís of India have been having other unique successes in recent weeks in proclaming the Faith to large audiences. In Devlali a fisiting Bahá’í, Dr. Munje, and his son, gave two lectures, one at the Devlali High School and the other at the Rotary Club. The latter talk resulted in an invitation by the president of the Rotary Club and the president of the Literary Society to give a Bahá’í lecture to the Literary Society, composed of military officers and their wives. Two other high schools, with audiences of 300 and 1000, also heard Dr. Munje speak on the Bahá’í Fairth with several fireside discussions following.
Government Honors Bahá’í
In Bangalore the president of the Local Bahá’í Assembly was awarded a gold medal by the Government of Mysore for distinguished services in the cause oi social upliftment of Harijans. On this occasion leaders of the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian religions were present, partaking food together. It was a unique occasion rarely occurring in India, in which Brahmins, high-caste Hindus, Harijans, and persons of many religious communities met and dined together at one table. Mr. D. N. Krishna Setty, the Bahá’í receiving the award, is well known throughout the state of Mysore, and he used the occasion to tell the assembled guests of the long and careful investigation of truth that led him to the conclusion that the Bahá’í Faith was the panacea for removing disunity from among the people of the world.
Greater Antilles
UN OBSERVANCE IN HAITI WARMLY RECEIVED[edit]
The United States National Spiritual Assembly received the following enthusiastic letter concerning the celebration of United Nations Day in Port-au-Prince, Haiti:
“We are happy to inform you that the visit of Auxiliary Board Member William deForge is bringing a great spiritual impetus to the territory, and this was especially noticeable on the United Nations observance held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Port-au-Prince, October 24, 1957, under the auspices of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Port-au-Prince. United Nations Day is recognized in Haiti as a national public holiday, and all stores are closed. About 80 persons attended, oi whom 70 were non-Bahá’í invited guests interested in the Faith.
Parallel Aims of Faith and UN
“The United Nations representative in Port-au-Prince (also a warm friend of the Faith) was the first speaker. It had been decided by the Bahá’ís that Mr. deForge would mention (the Faith only indirectly, but to the joy of the believers, at the close of his talk, Mr. Victor spoke about five minutes very glowingly of the parallel aims of the Faith and the United Nations.
“The talk which followed, given by Mr. deForge, was very movingly presented; as agreed, the Faith was mentioned only indirectly. It was very evident that the Bahá’ís were sincerely engaged in celebrating United Nations Day, not only here, but in their centers throughout the world.
Strong Interest Manifested
“However, this evidently was not the plan of Bahá’u’lláh, for a very interested non-Bahá’í guest wanted to know who exactly was Bahá’u’lláh. The alert interest manifested immediately, which increased strongly, brought other vitally important questions, and the atmosphere was very challenging. The deeply serious, sincerely searching attitude of the guests, and the great stimulation of being enfolded in the Bahá’í love being manifested, welded a force which will not be soon forgotten by any participant. It was a great night for Port-au-Prince, Bahá’í-wise, the contrast being all the more sharp because of its recent and long-standing problems. There was constant linking of the mutual interests of the United Nations’ objectives and those of the Bahá’í Faith: that the Bahá’ís are trying to accomplish ‘spiritually what the UN is trying to accomplish politically.”
Bahá’ís present at the inauguration of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Rabat, Morocco.
Bahá’í UN Participafion — 1957[edit]
Association with an agency working tor the unification of the human family and permanent peace.
In the spring of 1947 the National Spiritual Assembly of United States and Canada was accredited to United Nations as a national non-governmental organization qualified to be represented at United Nations Conferences through an observer. Shortly after this, on May 9, 1947, Shoghi Effendi wrote to explain why he was encouraging Bahá’í association with United Nations:
“He feels that the friends should bear in mind that the primary reason that he is encouraging Bahá’í association with the United Nations is to give the Cause due publicity as an agency working for, and firmly believing in, the unification of the human family and permanent peace, and not because he believes that we are at present in a position to shape or influence directly the course of human affairs! Also, he believes this association will afford the believers an opportunity of contacting prominent and progressive-minded people from different countries and calling the Faith and its principles to their attention.”
A year later the eight existing National Assemblies were recognized collectively as an international non-government organization under the title of “The Bahá’í International Community,” with the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States designated as the representative in relation to United Nations——this recognition noted by Shoghi Effendi in a cable of April 26, 1948, as an achievement of the American Bahá’í Community.
Since this recognition was given to the Bahá’í International Community, the local Bahá’í communities throughout the U.S. and in many other countries have, through their cooperation and leadership in their local communities, added immeasurably to the respect and understanding of the principles of the Bahá’í Faith in relation to world peace and the unity of mankind.
The following report, sent by the U.S. United Nations Committee, though not a complete account of all Bahá’í celebrations, exemplifies the methods and approaches being successfully employed this year.
United Nations Day display of Bahá’í books at the Young Women’s Christian
Association Phyllis Wheatley Branch for Colored Girls in St. Louis, Mo.
College Participation
A highlight of Bahá’í UN participation a year ago was the work done by the seven Missoula, Mont., Bahá’ís in securing the cooperation of the local university in launching a full-scale community-wide observance of United Nations Day. What could afford a better opportunity for contacts? College students are usually eager for such participation, particularly now that so many universities gather a part of their student body from distant countries. This year several communities have reported UN programs geared to the interest of college students.
The Bahá’í group of Casper, Wyo., sponsored a United Nations Day observance in the Casper College gymnasium. They report very fine cooperation shown by the college at every level, from granting use of the gymnasium, arranging chairs, microphones, panel tables, and flags, to selecting students for the panel discussion, and displaying posters and other material on Bulletin boards and in the library.
The main feature of the program was a panel discussion on the effectiveness of the United Nations. Eleven students participated, and were excellent. The affair was opened by the Mayor of Casper, who read President Eisenhower’s Proclamation. This was followed «by a brief history of the United Nations given by the Bahá’í chairman.
Following the panel discussion Casper residents originally from China, Japan, the Philippines, North Africa, Mexico, Poland, France. and Germany joined in “The Circle of Nations,” each giving a salutation in his native language. Then representatives of six Casper churches, led by a Bahá’í, participated in “The Circle of Faiths,” successively offering a prayer for unity. Recordings of music from many lands were played for half an hour while the audience of 100, mostly students, assembled.
The effectiveness of this undertaking was greatly enhanced by excellent publicity: three advance notices in the newspaper, spot
announcements during the whole of
United Nations Week on two radio
stations, and presentation of the[Page 15]
panel part of the observance on television. One of the radio stations also
gave a 15 minute interview with the
Bahá’í chairman, who spoke broadly
of the Bahá’í principles. The other
station recorded the entire program
and broadcast it the next evening.
The Bahá’í Club of Arizona State College at Tempe, and the Bahá’í communities of Tempe, Phoenix, and North Phoenix observed United Nations Day with a variety show of cosmopolitan flavor called “Around the World in 80 Minutes.” American Indians, Jamaica, Germany, England, Hungary, Spain, Turkey, Siam, Korea, and Australia were all represented in a variety of entertainment forms. The show closed with readings from the Bahá’í Writings and the “Prayer for All Mankind.”
The audience of more than 200 was then invited to view the exhibits of artifacts from many countries, and a collection of dolls from 20 countries.
Publicity to promote this endeavor included two exhibits, one in a prominent store window, the other in a display window of the Student Union building. There were radio announcements, one from the college radio station, one on the Spanish language station, and over seven others in the Phoenix area. There were also three television interviews, in each of which one Bahá’í' and several of the entertainers took part.
Evanston, Ill., Bahá’ís participated for the second consecutive year in a joint program with the local UN chapter and other civic organizations. Written invitations were sent to all foreign students on four Evanston campuses, including Northwestern University, and to Evanston residents recently arrived from other countries. Over 200 guests attended the meeting, planned as a welcoming reception to those newly arrived neighbors from other lands. Widespread publicity was given by the radio stations and the Evanston Review, and a report. was published in the Chicago Tribune.
An informal buffet dinner was the feature of the Missoula, Mont., Bahá’í observance this year, wit Mrs. Dorothy Homer (left), Branch Librarian, accepted the presentation from Mrs. Walter A4 Blackwell, chairman of the Committee and National Bahá’í Observer to the United Nations. H. Borrah Kavelin represented the National Spiritual Assembly with a brief talk on the Bahá’í principle of the oneness of mankind. To his left are Frank B. Sawyer and Isabelle Silk, members of the Bahá’í UN Committee.
brochure were given to each guest.
Three local newspapers publicized this banquet, each with a long story in a prominent position in the paper. There was much favorable comment on the program from the guests and others who had learned of the observance through the publicity.
In Logan, Utah, a small Bahá’í group, together with the Bahá’í Club of Utah State University at Logan held an Open House for the international students attending the university, representing 30 countries. The affair was a great success, and it is hoped that a study class can be formed as a result of this meeting.
Films Attract Audiences
The Hackensack, N. J., group held a public meeting at which the film “Three of Our Children” was shown. Among the 37 guests was a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who also attended a fireside and showed great interest in the Bahá’í teachings.
Hackensack Bahá’ís also gave three intimate dinners, with a total of 15 participating. To advertise the public meeting and UN Week, 20 posters were distributed and shown in public buildings. Two newspaper stories and one advertisement provided publicity.
A public meeting sponsored by the Flint, Mich., Local Spiritual Assembly featured the showing oi two UN films, a speaker, and vocal music. This affair was publicized with a paid advertisement, seven newspaper stories, fifty spot announcements on several radio stations, and one television spot announcement.
Two Speakers Shawre Programs
The Manhattan Beach, Calif., Local Spiritual Assembly joined with the local chapter of the American Association for the United Nations in presenting a public meeting at a Bahá’í home. A speaker representing each organization talked on the subject “The United Nations and a Maturing World.” Fifty-seven persons attended. Publicity for this observance included displays in three libraries, two of them in adjoining towns, in a restaurant, a bank, and at nearby El Camino College. As a result of the poster in the college, members of the school’s International Club attended the meeting.
To close the observance of UN Week, a local Bahá’í gave a party for 32 children, who came dressed in costumes of nations belonging to the UN. Five newspaper stories extended the influence of these Manhattan Beach activities.
Two isolated believers of Waterloo, Iowa, assisted by a third in nearby Castle Hill, conducted a well-attended public meeting in a local school gymnasium, featuring a male Negro chair in addition to two speakers. Printed programs were widely distributed. Posters were placed in many business locations, and a UN Bahá’í display was arranged in a bank window. UN literature was placed in 12 places, seven of which also took Bahá’í pamphlets and expressed willingness to distribute Bahá’í literature in the future.
Bahá’ís of Healdsburg, Calif., assisted by the Sonoma County Bahá’ís, organized a public meeting with two speakers in a hotel at Santa Rosa. Attendance totalled 47 persons.
The Berkeley, Calif., Local Spiritual Assembly held a well-attended public meeting presenting two speakers, one for the United Nations, the other for the Bahá’í Faith. Much interest was shown, and good contacts were made. Five exhibits were set up: two in stores and three in public buildings. There was an advance notice in the newspaper.
Both a fireside and a public meeting observing UN Week were given by the Marysville, Mich., group. The public meeting was the only UN celebration in town. They were given two spot announcements on the radio, and two newspaper notices.
A public meeting at the Common Room, Dwight Hall, Yale University in New Haven, Conn., was given by
Bahá’í Children’s Classes of Cincinnati, Ohio, and surrounding communittes.
the Bahá’í community there. Prof.
Williams of Dublin, Ireland, and Dr.
Samuel McClellan, Bahá’í, were the
speakers. The New Haven Register
published both a publicity story and
an advertisement of this event, and
four radio stations carried announcements. Five hundred invitations were
mailed.
Participation With YWCA
The local assemblies of El Paso County and Colorado Springs, Colo., participated in the United Nations Day program given by the International Club of the YWCA in Colorado Springs. The attendance was over 200. Although this was primarily a YWCA activity, the Bahá’í's were given credit for assistance in the newspaper account. An occasion was also provided for setting up a display of UN and Bahá’í books in a local bookstore.
Nine Communities Give Program Tea
A “Program Tea” in a private home was given by the Manhasset, N.Y. group, assisted by Bahá’ís of eight nearby Long Island communities. Attendance totalled 60, with Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh speaking for the United Nations, and H. Borrah Kavelin speaking for the Bahá’í Faith.
Participate in Two Meetings
The Bahá’í group of Provo, Utah, in addition to holding their own public meeting, participated in making the plans for the Utah County UN Committee banquet at Brigham Young University that was attended by 500 people. The program opened with the Bahá’í “Prayer for All Nations.”
In addition, the Secretary or the Provo Bahá’ís sent a “Letter on the Editor” in behalf of the United Nations and world justice, and the Bahá’í press representative induced the pastors of four churches to join with the Bahá’ís in statements endorsing the Work of the United Nations. These were printed as one article in the local newspaper.
Newton Center, Mass., Bahá’ís also held a fireside and a public meeting in observance of UN Week, and cooperated with several other organizations in a city-wide celebration that drew an attendance of over 300.
Hamburg, N.Y., Bahá’ís held a public meeting with a Bahá’í speaker. Apparently because of newspaper publicity, 45 high school students were required to attend as a class assignment, and made a welcome addition to a good-sized audience. There was one advertisement and two publicity stories in the local newspaper.
Model Presented to School
A model of the United Nations building, and flags of all nations were presented to a grammar school in Three Rivers, Mass., by the Bahá’ís there.
University Vice-President Speaks
The Bahá’í Assembly of Miami, Fla., was fortunate to secure as speaker for their public meeting, Dr. H. Franklin Williams, vice-president of the University of Miami. Dr. Willian-is, who is a celebrity locally because of his humanitarian work as well as his scholastic abilities, gave a vivid picture of the UN, its fine objectives, and its achievements. Among the guests was Mike Osceola, a Seminole Indian of national fame.
City’s Only Observance
The Bahá’í Assembly of Fresno, Calif., arranged the only publicized public meeting held in that city to observe United Nations Week. With two advertisements, newspaper stories before and after the event, and radio and television announcements, the publicity was ample. Three exhibits were set up in strategic locations, and 1000 copies of the pamphlet UN Day 1951 were distributed in the public and college libraries, appropriate college classes, and at the meeting.
City-Wide Celebration
Juneau, Alaska, with the help of several other organizations, arranged a city-wide celebration of UN Week. Three exhibits were displayed, in the library, the high school, and a leading hotel. A panel of five persons spoke for 15 minutes on the radio, and two films were shown on television, making a 30 minute program. Several spot announcements were also broadcast.
Exhibit at University
In Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, it was possible for the Bahá’ís to secure the “Salon de Exhibiciones” at the University of Puerto Rico for a week starting the Sunday before UN Day. The exhibit was composed largely of posters, photographs, and charts furnished by the Department of Public Information of the UN. One of the several bulletin boards had a photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship, a copy of the National Spiritual Assembly proposals of UN Charter revisions, and a quotation from the Bahá’í Writings.
In a small rack below this board were exhibited copies of Gleanings, and other examples of Sacred Writings from member-countries of the UN.
Summary of Observances
The Bahá’í United Nations Committee has the responsibility of reporting each year to the UN Headquarters the work of Bahá’ís in this field. The committee states: “To date (November 27) we have received reports from 68 communities that engaged in some activity to mark the twelfth anniversary of the United Nations. We are confident our report to UN Headquarters will be accorded high commendation.” Each community making efforts this year in the work of friendly cooperation in local UN work has also helped in the “reinforcement of ties binding the Bahá’í World Community to the United Nations”—listed by Shoghi Effendi in 1953 as one of the objectives of the Ten Year Plan at the World Center of the Faith.
Bahá’ís should be fully informed on the Bahá’í relationship to the United Nations and the progress made in this respect since that memorable spring of 1947. An excellent source of information is The Bahá’í World, Vol. XII, pages 597-615.
SUGGEST USES OF RADIO IN HOME FRONT TEACHING[edit]
The following ideas, submitted by a Bahá’í who is experienced in the field of radio, are offered for the benefit of the small communities and Bahá’í groups who would like to secure radio time for Bahá’í events, but who have found that time for religious programs is controlled by the Council of Churches, the local Ministerial Association, or the principle of “free time apportioned according to the number of local members of the religion.”
This believer’s advice, in such situations, is to give up trying to obtain public service time on the station for the time being and to try to do the following instead:
"Make yourself known to an on-the-air personality of the station. This could be anyone who uses interviews or who comments on “Things going on around town,” etc. The first step would be to listen carefully to the station for a week or so and determine what personality could best use the Bahá’í material.
“As an example, here we have three stations. One station has a regular current events program, and they will announce any meetings we have. Another has a women’s editor who announces our meetings and our holy day celebrations when we ask her to do so. Also she will interview Bahá’ís from time to time. To date, she has had four such interviews.
Bahá’ís and Sunday School of Molokai, Hawaii.
“This is how to handle a possible
interview: Inform the personality
that you are going to have a speaker
who, you believe, she would find interesting to have as a guest on her
(or his) show. Give her pertinent
facts about the speaker and let her
decide if she can use such an interview.
“With regard to notices of meetings, etc., these should be written in regular radio style, either about 60 or 125 words, concise and to the point. Just as in newspaper releases, if it is done in a professional manner, the material has a greater chance of being used.”
SUGGESTIONS PUBLISHED FOR TEACHING ON CAMPUS[edit]
The Bahá’í College Bureau has prepared an article containing helpful suggestions for teaching on college campuses. It is being distributed to all Bahá’í college students by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee and it will be sent, on request to the Bahá’í College Bureau, to youth anticipating attending college, to Bahá’ís living adjacent to colleges, and to others interested in this subject.
The Bahá’í College Bureau has also prepared a model constitution for a Bahá’í College Club and suggestions for starting such an organization. This is also available upon request.
Please address inquiries to Miss Barbara Roberts, secretary, Bahá’í College Bureau, P.O. Box 956, Stanford, Calif.
COLLEGE ACTIVITIES[edit]
The Bahá’í Club at Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich., was asked to participate on September 13 in a welcoming party for the International Club. Some 125 students and faculty members attended this meeting, held in a church rectory. After the short talks given by representatives of the faculty, the Student Union, and the Christian groups on campus, Frank Meese presented the Bahá’í Faith.
One of the interesting sidelights of this gathering was that a student from Thailand had been studying the Faith in his country for three months from a Bahá’í pioneer from California. This student indicated that he plans to continue studying the Faith with the Wayne Bahá’í Club.
Davison Baha’i Summer School Sessions Emphasize Teaching and Deepening of Youth[edit]
The report received from the Program Committee for the Davison Bahá’í School for the 1957 session indicates that much emphasis was placed on the teaching, training, and deepening of Bahá’í youth. The school opened with a two-week session for junior youth from 10 to 15 years of age, with emphasis upon the things that would carry over into their daily lives after they left the school, such as the habit of daily devotions, and the ability to explain and teach the Faith to other young people.
Two weeks near the end of the session were planned for youth between the ages of 15 and 21. Two of the teachers for this program were individuals just over 21 years of age themselves.
Five weeks of the school were devoted to general sessions with emphasis on family attendance and during that time classes for children were also conducted.
Four courses were given each week. One stressed study of the Creative Word; another was on the World Crusade; the third was devoted to study of the Covenant and Administration, and the fourth area consisted of courses of the work-shop type on such subjects as “Prayer and Meditation,“ “The Guardianship,” and “A Bahá’í Philosophy of Education.”
The weekend programs were planned in a manner to present subjects quite completely for those who were unable to attend the school for a full period. These included programs planned by the American Indian Service Committee, a work-shop on community teaching, and other subjects presented by well qualified Bahá’í teachers.
The homecoming weekend drew attendance of more than 100. The major part of the program for those days was devoted to a study of Africa and its teaching opportunity, planned by the Africa Teaching Committee.
The Davison Bahá’í School was particularly blessed this year by the attendance of the Hand of the Cause of God, Mr. Dhikru’lláh Khádem, and his family. Other visitors were returned pioneers from Africa, and Bahá’ís who had recently made the pilgrimage to the World Center.
FAITH REPRESENTED AT UNIVERSITY RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE[edit]
In August of this year the National Spiritual Assembly received a request for a representative of the Bahá’í Faith to be present at the Religious Life Conference to be held at Illinois State Normal University on November 17-21, 1957.
The National Assembly referred the matter to the Urbana Local Spiritual Assembly, which in turn delegated Dr. Garreta Busey to attend the conference.
The program called for seminars to be given at 4 o’clock every afternoon by the representatives of various religious bodies. These speakers were asked, as well, to meet any classes which might invite them to attend.
Miss Busey was asked to meet a freshman rhetoric class at 10 a.m. and a sociology class at 11. Her subjects were “Poetry and Religion” and “The Great Family of Religions.” Many questions were asked, and the sociology students, who were upperclassmen and very intelligent, seemed especially interested. After class they swooped down, like a cloud of locusts, on the pamphlets spread out on the desk.
Dr. Busey had been doubtful about the attendance at the 4 o’clock seminar, the subject of which had been announced as “What is the Bahá’í Faith?” Nine other siminars were being given at the same time, one of them on marriage and dating, an overwhelmingly popular subject. She had heard that the attendance at these seminars the day before had ranged from 30 to 1. She writes:
“I expected three or four, but 35 to 44) people turned up, most of them students, some of them older people. They were alert, and asked many questions.
“A Bahá’í freshman who was present took part in the discussion, thereby making it known that she is a Bahá’í, and she talked with some
Homecoming Weekend at Davison Bahá’í School, Davison, Mich., on August 31 to September 2, 1957.
of the students afterwards. I had some Bahá’í books on display; they were not advertised for sale, but one Woman asked if she could buy The Divine Art of Living. The pamphlets almost all disappeared. Some students asked for Communion with God.
“One of the most fruitful aspects of the visit was the bringing together of four of the Bahá’ís of Bloomington and Normal. One of them, recently returned from France, who has this fall become a member of the Physical Education staff at the university, made herself known to me. She knew of no other Bahá’ís in the vicinity.
“Tuesday evening my hostess, a non-Bahá’í, kindly allowed me to invite her to the house, along with three other Bahá’ís, and these four were happy to find each other and immediately began to plan firesides and a discussion group.
“The whole affair seemed to me to be very encouraging. A state university has asked to have the Bahá’í Faith represented, as one of the great religions. At least 90 non-Bahá’ís heard straight Bahá’í talks and answers to many questions, and the Bahá’ís of the locality found each other and began to plan follow-up teaching.”
Book display at local Baton Rouge,
La., library during week of Anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET[edit]
Fifth Year: 1957-1958
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . .$425,000.00
Total Requirements: May 1-November 30 . . 247,900.00
Total Contributions: May 1-November 30 . . . 175,000.00
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST[edit]
1958 Bahá’í Calendar. Our 1958 calendar carries the four-color reproduction of the Shrine of the Báb which was originally selected as the trontispiece in Bahá’í World Vol. XII by the beloved Guardian.
Due to increase in production costs on this limited item we are forced to raise the price slightly above that appearing in our current catalog.
Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .30 Net
Ten copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.50 Net
(Please note the net price, which means no discount)
Sample Pamphlet Kit. Here is a kit made up of one copy each of our most useful teaching pamphlets. This will enable every Bahá’í who is ready and willing to teach the Cause, to be completely aware of and acquainted with the many splendid pamphlets and brochures with their variety of approaches to the Teachings, suitable for every contact, fireside, or public meeting. (This kit supersedes the smaller sized kit of recent years made up of only 10 titles).
30 individual titles . . . . . . . . . . .$2.50
Bahá’í Literature Catalog. Special Edition. A briefer edition of the Bahá’í Literature Catalog, omitting many items of interest only to Bahá’ís, has been prepared. This may he ordered for giving to Bahá’í contacts who are seriously interested in purchasing Bahá’í books. It is available at cost.
Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .10
Minimum Mail Order, $1.00
Available from
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST
110 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois
CALENDAR OF EVENTS[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
January 19—Sultán (Sovereignty)
February 7—Mulk (Dominion)
WORLD RELIGION DAY[edit]
January 19, 1958—To proclaim the fundamental oneness of religion.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
February 14, 15, 16
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours
Weekdays
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(Auditorium only)
Sundays and Holidays
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Entire building)
Service of Worship
Sundays
3:30 p.m., lasting until 4:15.
National Bahá’í Addresses[edit]
NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS:[edit]
536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette. Illinois.
NATIONAL TREASURER:[edit]
112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois.
Make Checks Payable to: National Bahá’í Fund
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST:[edit]
110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette. Illinois.
BAHA’I NEWS:[edit]
Editorial Office:
110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois
Subscription and change of address:
112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois
BAHÁ’Í DIRECTORY CHANGES[edit]
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Northern California[edit]
Oakland: (new secretary to be reported)
Southern California[edit]
National City: Mrs. Marle Ray, 317 E. 5th St.
Western New York[edit]
Syracuse : Dr. Hamilton Niss, P.O. Box 976, Z. 1.
Ohio[edit]
Dayton: (new secretary to be reported)
Washington[edit]
South King County : Mrs. Opal L. Conner, 11705 15th Ave., S., Seattle 88
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Southern California[edit]
Beverly Hills: Miss Maryellen Reese, 336 N. Palm Dr., Apt. B.
Colorado[edit]
Denver: Miss Anita Grasselly, 1301 Sherman, #203, Z. 3.
Connecticut[edit]
New Haven: Mrs. Clara M. Stone, 299 Lombard St.
Montana[edit]
Helena: Mrs. Jeanine Saunders, 524 Hauser
Puerto Rico[edit]
San Juan: Mr. Francisco Pérez, Centro Bahá'í, Calle Mayol, No. 604 Int. Pda. 25½, Santurce
South Dakota[edit]
Sioux Falls: Mrs. Vera Esinhart, 435½ W. 10th St.
ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES
Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee[edit]
Mr. Sam Kraus
Hawaii Teaching Committee[edit]
Mrs. Lillian Chou
Mrs. Beatrice Stone, Secty., c/o Maj . C. M. Stone, 14710A 1502nd Maint. Gp., (Box 99), AP 953, c/o PM, San Francisco
American Indian Service Committee[edit]
Mr. Cal E. Rollins
Area Teaching Committee—Central Atlantic States[edit]
Mrs. Elsie Lesti
Mr. Earl Pickens (Youth Representative)
East Central States Area Youth Committee[edit]
Miss Kathleen Gaines
Mr. Alan Higgins
Mrs. June Meese
Miss Pauline Rushing
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
American Indian Service Committee[edit]
Mr. Alan Ward
Hawaii Teaching Committee[edit]
Miss Catherine E. Nourse
Miss Gertrude Garrida
BAHÁ’Í SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Geyserville School Program Committee[edit]
Mr. Raymond Dones, chairman
Mrs. Margaret Bustard, secretary, 36 Arreba St., Martinez, Calif.
Mr. Dwight Allen
Mr. John Bustard
Mrs. Alla Dakserhof
Mrs. Inez Dones Mrs. Frances Fletcher
Mrs. Clara Irwin
Mr. Harry Irwin
Mr. Fred Littman
Mrs. Hazel Littman
Mrs. Beatrice Rinde
Miss Maryellen Simpson
Miss Maude Tollefson
Mrs. Johanna Vanoni
Mr. Alfred Zahl
Davison School Program Committee[edit]
Mr. Stanley Brogan, chairman
Mrs. Lois Nochman, secretary, 532 Western, Inkster, Michigan
Mr. Wallace Baldwin
Mrs. Mabel Long
Mrs. Elizabeth Brogan
Mrs. Betty Weston
Miss Phyllis Hall
Miss Violet Wuerfel
Mr. Lester Long
Green Acre Institute Program Committee[edit]
(Officers to be announced)
Mr. Kenneth Kalantar
Mrs. Martha Kavelin
Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh
Mr. R. Y. Mottahedeh
Dr. Anselm Schurgast
Mrs. Mary Swan
Mrs. Rene Welsh
Southwestern Summer Committee[edit]
(Officers to be announced)
Mrs. Thelma Gorham
Mr. E. D. Gray
Mrs. Robert Hopkins
Miss D. Thelma Jackson
Mr. Jack Raborn
Mrs. Allene Squires
Mr. John D. Thomas
Blue Ridge Summer School Committee[edit]
Mr. Jack Davis, chairman
Mrs. Corinne Bowman, secretary, 4512 Riverdale Road, Riverdale , Md.
Mr. Gerald Curwin
Mrs. Vivian Curwin
Mrs. Margaret Gawen
Mrs. Erma Hayden
Mr. Rex Parmelee
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
Reports, plans, news items and photographs of general interest are requested tram national committees and local assemblies at the United States as wen as trom National Assemblies of other lands. Material is due in willnecte on the am day at the month preceding the date of issue for which it is intended.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1957-58: Mrs. Eunice Braun, chairman; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, secretary; Mr. Richard C. Thomas.
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.
