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No. 329

BAHA’I YEAR 115

JULY, 1958

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Message From the Custodians of the Faith in the Holy Land to the Intercontinental Conference in Chicago

UPON the occasion of the convening of this second Intercontinental Conference in Chicago, our hearts and our thoughts inevitably go back to the first great conference which was held here in 1953 during the opening of the World Crusade under the direct aegis of our beloved Guardian. His Messages, his cables, his words of loving reassurance. the news he sent us from Haifa at that time, the sense of his overpowering presence,—all are fresh today in our memories, and our hearts overflow with love for him and with longing for his physical presence in this world, None of us, however, can doubt that during the six months since his sudden passing the evidences of the Divine protection promised to this Holy Faith of God have been overpowering. The structure Shoghi Effendi built, on the firm foundations laid in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has withstood the earthquake of his passing and its attendant circumstances; the seamless robe of this greatest of all Revelations has not been tom; the administrative institutions so carefully reared by him, nascent though they still are, have rallied to the support of the World Center, the heart and hub of the Faith, and have demonstrated, not only to the believers but to the observant and curious public, as well as to our enemies, that this Cause is firmly knit together, universal in its operations, united in one purpose and one great loyalty which nothing can destroy. we see in all this the living, breathing spirit of Shoghi Effendi, his protection and his love, which will never leave us.

The five mighty Intercontinental Conferences announced in the last message to the Bahá’í world from our beloved Guardian, we see now as providential rallying-points during this difficult year of sorrow and separation. The midway point of this mighty Crusade the Guardian conceived and set in motion has been characterized not only by extraordinary victories won, but by the falling of a wholly unexpected blow, brought about through the mysterious operations of the Divine Will, which no man dare question and no human mind can comprehend, a blow which may well prove to be the signal for the beginning of that period of turmoil and suffering Shoghi Effendi so often told us the world must pass through before its parts are forged into a single whole, ready for, and capable of putting into operation, the Plan of God for this Day.

Guardian’s Call for World Crusade Reviewed

Let us, at this solemn moment in our destinies, turn back to the words of our Guardian when he sounded the call for this greatest of all enterprises ever undertaken by the followers of any Faith since the dawn of history.

“Let there be no mistake. The avowed, the primary aim of this Spiritual Crusade is none other than the conquest of the citadel: of men’s hearts. The theater of its operations is the entire planet. Its duration a whole decade. Its commencement synchronizes with the Centenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission. Its culmination will coincide with the Centenary of the Declaration of that same Mission. The agencies assisting in its conduct are the nascent administrative institutions of a steadily-evolving, divinely appointed Order. Its driving force is the energizing influence generated by the Revelation heralded by the Báb and proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. Its Marshal is none other than the Author of the Divine Plan. Its standard-bearers are the Hands of the Cause of God appointed in every continent of the globe. Its generals are the twelve national spiritual assemblies participating in the execution of its design. Its vanguard is the chief executors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Master Plan, their allies and associates. Its legions are the rank and file of believers standing behind these same twelve national assemblies and sharing in the global task embracing the American, the European, the African, the Asiatic, and Australian fronts. The charter directing its course is the immortal Tablets that have flowed from the Pen of the Center of the Covenant Himself. The armor with which its onrushing hosts have been invested is the glad tidings of God’s own Message in this Day, the principles underlying the Order proclaimed by His Messenger, and the laws and ordinances governing His Dispensation. The battle cry animating its heroes and heroines is the cry of Ya-Bahá’u’l-Abhá, Ya‘Aliyyu’l—A‘lá.

“So vast, so momentous and challenging a crusade that will, God Willing, illuminate the annals of the[Page 2]

second epoch of the Formative Age of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, and immortalize the second decade of the second Bahá’í century, and the termination of which will mark the closing of the first epoch in the evolution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, will, in itself, pave the way for, and constitute the prelude to, the initiation of the laborious and tremendously long process of establishing in the course of subsequent crusades in all the newly opened sovereign states, dependencies, and islands of the planet, as well as in all the remaining territories of the globe, the framework of the Administrative Order of the Faith, with all its attendant agencies, and of eventually erecting in these territories still more pillars to share in sustaining the weight, and in broadening the foundation, of the Universal House of Justice.”

Victories of Crusade Recounted

Before we turn our thoughts to the purpose of this Conference as it affects the Bahá’ís of the Western Hemisphere, let us recall the stages through which this globe-encircling Crusade have already passed: Much to the joy and comfort of our overworked and most beloved Guardian, who had already sacrificed over thirty years of his life to the unremitting service of die Cause of God, the first phase of the Ten-Year Plan, which lasted from 1953 to 1954, witnessed the planting of the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation in no less than one hundred additional countries, territories, and islands of the globe, raising thereby the total number at that time to two hundred and twenty-eight; the distinguishing feature of the second phase of this Plan, which lasted from 1954 to 1956, was the extraordinary multiplication of National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and Endowments, the purchase of the majority of which was to all intents and purposes completed during this period, involving an outpouring of funds which many of the friends had believed could not possibly take place in so short a time; the third phase, which comprised the period from 1956 to 1958, was distinguished by a marked multiplication not only of Bahá’í centers all over the world, but by the establishment in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, of no less than thirteen regional and four national assemblies.

The phenomenal progress made and the extraordinary victories won during the last five years, have demonstrated to us all, not only the immense power of the Cause of God——a power which the Master said was mysterious and far above the understanding of men and of angels—but have shown us that through the canalization of this force by the Guardian into the mighty blue print of the Divine Plan conceived by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, an immensely potent instrument has been devised in the form of this World Crusade which constitutes a step in the spiritual conquest of the entire planet. The pattern has been clearly defined, the design of God we see distinctly emerging before our eyes. Every act of obedience to the instructions of the Guardian, every fulfillment of a goal set by him, every execution of a phase of his plan, brings victory, breeds strength, creates new spiritual life. He himself was immensely heartened and pleased over the victories won during the first half of this Holy Crusade, and characterized this five-year period as one of marvelous progress achieved in so vast a field in so short a time by a small band of heroic souls.

We know that the Western world, the Western Hemisphere, particularly the “Great Republic of the West,” have been singled out by the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as regions of the globe whose peoples are endowed with special capacities in this Day with which to serve the Cause of God and through it their fellowmen. The attendants at this particular conference must feel the weight of a very great responsibility resting on them at this midway point of the World Crusade, not only because of the mission conferred upon them by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but because of the greatness of this affliction which has filled all hearts with grief and longing at this time, and in spite of which—nay, perhaps because of which—they must now arise, wiser, more mature, more consecrated than ever before, to carry out their preponderating share in the prosecution of the remainder of the Ten-Year Plan.

No Escape From Duty

There can be no escape from duty for any believer, least of all an American believer, at this critical juncture in the fortunes of our beloved Faith. We recall to your minds the stirring words of Shoghi Effendi addressed to the Annual Convention of the United States which preceded the first Intercontinental Conference held in 1953:

“May this Community—the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-Breakers of the Heroic Age of the Bahá’í Faith, the chief repository of the immortal Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, the foremost ex ecutors of the Mandate issued by the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant, the champion-builders of a divinely conceived Administrative Order, the standard-bearers of the all-conquering army of the Lord of Hosts, the torch-bearers of a future divinely inspired world civilization—arise, in the course of the momentous decade separating the Great from the Most Great Jubilee, to secure, as befits its rank, the lion’s share in the prosecution of a global crusade designed to diffuse the light of God's Revelation over the surface of the entire Plane.”

As the friends gathered at this supremely important Conference consider their future work and discuss ways and means of accomplishing it, the believers of the United States should, in particular, ponder the very critical position of the I-lomefront in their country and, in the Guardian’s own words, “maintain their enviable position, as the vanguard of the army of Bahá’u’lláh’s Crusaders, in rescuing, while there is yet time, their Homefront from the precarious position in which it now finds itself.”

Let them remember that as he himself so clearly stated: “it is primarily a task that concerns the individual believer, wherever he may be, and whatever his calling, his resources, his race, or his age. Neither the local or national representatives of the Community, no matter how elaborate their plans, or persistent their appeals, or sagacious their councils, nor even the Guardian himself, however he may yearn for this consummation, can decide where the duty of the individual lies, or supplant him in the discharge of that task. The individual alone must assess its character, consult his conscience, prayerfully consider all its aspects, manfully struggle against the natural inertia that weighs him down in his effort to arise, shed heroically and irrevocably, the trivial and superfluous attach[Page 3] ments which hold him back, empty himself of every thought that may tend to obstruct his path.”

The weight resting on each one of us today is truly crushing and inescapable, the reward which each one of us can win for himself is equally great and of an everlasting nature. In the words of the Qur’án: “Whoso maketh efforts for the Faith, maketh them for his own good only. Verily God is rich enough to dispense with all creatures.”

Martyrdom of the Bab

The Shrine of the Báb stands on the slopes of Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land as a resplendent memorial to the Martyrdom of the Báb at Tabríz, Persia, on July 9, 1850.

Guardian’s Last Appeal to NSA

In his last letter to the American National Spiritual Assembly the Guardian made an appeal, couched in more poignant terms than any he had ever used previously in addressing the members of that privileged Community who are the “Champion-builders of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh”:

“Once again—and this time more fervently than ever before—I direct my plea to every single member of this strenuously-laboring, clear-visioned, stout-hearted, spiritually endowed community, every man and woman, on whose individual effort, resolution, self-sacrifice, and perseverance the immediate destinies of the Faith of God, now traversing so crucial a stage in its rise and establishment, primarily depends, not to allow, through apathy, timidity, or complacency, this one remaining opportunity to be irretrievably lost. I would rather entreat each and every one of them to immortalize this approaching, fateful hour in the evolution of a World Spiritual Crusade, by a fresh consecration to their God-given Mission, coupled with an instantaneous plan of action, at once so dynamic and decisive, as to wipe out, . . . with one stroke, the deficiencies which have to no small extent, bogged down the operations of the Crusade on the Homefront.”

Before turning to the global objectives still remaining, and which must be accomplished during the fourth phase of the Ten—Year Plan, let us review the specific tasks given by our Guardian to the American Bahá’í Community, her chief ally, and her daughter communities in the Western Hemisphere:

The opening of Spitzbergen, the one remaining virgin territory other than those within the Soviet orbit, and the resettlement or consolidation of those goals now vacant or in need of supporting efforts by pioneers and visiting teachers; the speedy attainment of the objectives of the subsidiary Six-Year Plans given by our Guardian to the new national and regional assemblies formed during the Riḍván period of 1957 under the sponsorship of the National Assembly of the United States, the fulfillment of which is an indispensable prerequisite to the formation, on a firm footing, of the future pillars of the Universal House of Justice which are to be established in each and every Republic of Latin America and in each goal country of Europe by 1963 — victories which can be assured only by a continuous flow of pioneers, as our Guardian repeatedly emphasized; the immediate construction of the first dependency of the Mother Temple of the West, designed to convincingly demonstrate to the public the spirit of service to humanity which underlies the Divinely-ordained institutions surrounding the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár; the establishment, during the Riḍván period of 1959, of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific islands, under the sponsorship of the American National Assembly, a task assigned to that Assembly by our Guardian in his message to the 1953 Annual Convention; a marked acceleration in the process of enlisting in the ranks of the Faith an ever greater number of Indians, the original inhabitants of the Americas, of Eskimos in the far North, and of representatives of the Basque and Gypsy races in those areas assigned to the United States Bahá’í Community; a carefully planned and vigorously prosecuted campaign aimed at enlisting in the army of Bahá’u’lláh, large numbers of the Negro race — so much loved and admired by Shoghi Effendi, thereby fulfilling one of his frequently expressed and most ardent hopes; the in[Page 4] corporation of local and national assemblies, which must be accomplished as rapidly as possible in all areas of the Western Hemisphere in order to strengthen the structure of the Administrative Order, and the foundations upon which the edifice of the Universal House of Justice will rest; the proclamation of the Faith to the masses, so desperately in need of spiritual enlightenment and guidance, so sunk in the materialism of a world heedless of its God and oblivious of the Divine Message for this Day; and finally, the paramount task so constantly stressed by the Guardian, so dear to his heart, and which constitutes the supreme duty of every true believer — the propagation of the Faith, and the conversion of individual receptive souls to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Fourth Phase of World Crusade Entered

We have now entered, as Shoghi Effendi himself stated, the fourth phase of the World Crusade—a phase which must carry us through to victory, to the accomplishment of all the goals attainable, goals which he so carefully outlined for us with so much wisdom and so much love for this mighty Faith on whose altar he, like the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá before him, was utterly sacrificed. This fourth and final phase of the Ten-Year Plan comprises two outstanding tasks: To raise the necessary funds for and to build the Mother Temples of Europe and of Australasia—that of Africa, as he himself said, having to all intents and purposes been assured—and to vastly increase the number of the avowed supporters of the Faith all over the world, in newly opened lands as well as in those countries blessed from its earliest dawn by the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation.

We Bahá’ís have witnessed many miracles in the course of the one hundred and fifteen years which have elapsed since the inception of this supreme Dispensation. As the spread of the Cause of God gathered momentum, the ever increasing protection vouchsafed it from On High has been unfailing; over and over again its enemies have been laid low, their plans completely frustrated, their lives and their hopes snuffed out at the very instant when they had anticipated victory—the latest demonstration of this invariable spiritual law being the death a few days ago of Ahmad Sohrab at a moment when he must have felt his machinations held some promise of fruition. Over and over again the doors to service, to the accomplishment of a set task, to the overcoming of a specific obstacle, have, at the last moment, been flung open before the faces of the loyal, the persevering, the consecrated and obedient followers of Bahá’u’lláh. Every major crisis in our Faith, as the Guardian repeatedly pointed out to us, has invariably been followed by a great outpouring of Divine Mercy, and this in turn has led to victory. We have every right to believe that because God has visited us with such a mighty calamity this year, He will, in His unfailing Mercy, compensate for this suffering, this dire deprivation that has fallen upon us, and make the supreme sacrifice of Shoghi Effendi’s life a leaven which will generate the force required to carry us through to victory and enable us thereby to gladden the heart of our beloved Guardian in the Abhá Kingdom—something which we did not always do while he was in our midst.

Beloved Friends! At the outset of this Most Holy, decade-long Crusade, our beloved Guardian raised this challenging call addressed directly to the members of the Communities of North and South America:

“It is incumbent upon the members of the American Bahá’í Community, the chief executors of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, the members of the Canadian Bahá’í Community acting as their allies, and the members of the Latin American Bahá’í Communities in their capacity as associates in the execution of this Plan, to brace themselves and initiate, in addition to the responsibilities they have assumed, and will assume, in other continents of the globe, an intercontinental campaign designed to carry a stage further the glorious work already inaugurated throughout the Western Hemisphere.”

“Standing on the threshold of a ten-year long, world-embracing spiritual crusade, these Communities are now called upon, by virtue of the weighty pronouncement recorded in the Most Holy Book, and in direct consequence of the revelation of the Tablets of the Divine Plan, to play a preponderating role in the systematic propagation of the Faith, in the course of the coming decade, which will, God willing, culminate in the spiritual conquest of the entire planet.”

“Let Everyone Arise Wholelheartedly”

With this vision before them, let each and every one of them arise, joyously and wholeheartedly, with fresh dedication and determination, and respond to these soul-stirring words of their Guardian:

“I direct my impassioned appeal to obey, as befits His warriors, the Summons of the Lord of Hosts, and prepare for that Day of Days when His victorious battalions will, to the accompaniment of hozannas from the invisible angels in the Abhá Kingdom, celebrate the hour of final victory.”

Let them remember how often he said the immediate future was dark, but the distant future infinitely bright. No words could better describe the glory of the Order we are called upon to build than his own:

“How pressing and sacred the responsibility that now weighs upon those who are already acquainted with these teachings! How glorious the task of those who are called upon to vindicate their truth, and demonstrate their practicability to an unbelieving world! Nothing short of an immovable conviction in their divine origin, and their uniqueness in the annals of religion; nothing short of an unwavering purpose to execute and apply them to the administrative machinery of the Cause can be sufficient to establish their reality, and insure their success.

“How vast is the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh! How great the magnitude of His blessings showered upon humanity in this day! And yet, how poor, how inadequate our conception of their significance and glory! This generation stands too close to so colossal a Revelation to appreciate, in their full measure, the infinite possibilities of His Faith, the unprecedented character of His Cause, and the mysterious dispensations of His Providence.”

Signed:

RUHÍYYIH

AMELIA COLLINS

A. Q. FAIZÍ

A. FURUTAN

PAUL HANEY

JALÁL KHÁZEH

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Over 1600 Bahá’ís Convene at Chicago Intercontinental Conference In Spiritually-Charged Atmosphere of Consecrated Unity and Resolve

ON a Friday morning in May 1958 at exactly ten o’clock Chicago time, over sixteen hundred assembled Bahá’ís paused to pay silent tribute to their beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. In a spirit of consecrated unity, they stood with heads bowed in prayer while in London (three o’clock London time) a wreath was placed on the Guardian’s grave by William Sears, Hand of the Cause.

Hand of the Cause William Sears at the grave of the Guardian in London, England, on May 2, 1958, with the wreath he placed there at the same time the Intercontinental Conference opened in Chicago, arranged on behalf of the American Bahá’ís.

This was a high mark of the first session of the Intercontinental Conference for the Western Hemisphere held at Chicago and Wilmette, Ill., May second, third, and fourth, attended by 1660 Bahá’ís from thirty-one countries.

In response to the wish of the Guardian expressed in his last message of October 1957, representatives of national and regional spiritual assemblies of the Western Hemisphere met with the Guardian’s special representative. Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, and with five other Hands of the Cause. This was the third of a series of five Intercontinental Conferences to be held in 1958.

All who attended the Conference, whether representatives or visitors, were aware that this was a gathering of great spiritual import, a fitting sequel to the historic occasion in Chicago of the first public mentioning in the western world of the name of Bahá’u’lláh. It followed the Conferences held at Kampala, Uganda, in January, and at Sydney, Australia, in March. and preceded the Conferences to be held at Frankfurt, Germany, in July, and at Djakarta, Indonesia, in September.

Throughout the Conference, but especially at the Thanksgiving Service at the House of Worship on Friday afternoon and during the closing session on Sunday afternoon, an awareness was felt of the great spiritual forces released into the world by the Bah, Who sent forth the Dawn-Breakers; by Bahá’u’lláh, Who called mankind to unity; by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Author of the Divine Plan; and by the beloved Guardian, champion of the Administrative Order. The souls of those present were filled with awe and their hearts swelled with deep longing for consecration and service.

At nine on Friday morning at Chicago’s Eighth Street Theater, the first session was opened with devotions in English and Spanish. The panel of young readers included among others, a pioneer to Korea, a pioneer to the Indians, and a Latin American. The first reading was a selection from the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh: “o Son oy Being! Love Me, that 1 may love thee . . .”; “O Son of Being! My love is My stronghold . . .”; “The sign of love is fortitude under My decree . . .”; “My calamity is My Providence . . .” As the timeless phrases were heard in the dusk of the auditorium with its emerald-green curtain and masses of flowers, the city clamor receded. Each of us had brought his own love and sorrow to this gathering, but our separate individualities seemed to drop from us as we shared this experience.

View outside the Eighth Street Theater in Chicago.

The Guardian’s special representative, Dr. Ugo Giachery, made his entrance accompanied by two mem[Page 6] bers of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, Conference hosts, and was warmly greeted on the stage by other officers of the National Assembly. All rose to honor the revered Hand of the Cause and to offer him a loving welcome.

The Convocation was given by H. Borrah Kavelin, the Conference chairman. He said that the Conference was a great bounty from Shoghi Effendi. After his ascension a great spirit was released throughout the Bahá’í world; this spirit was augmented at the first two Conferences, and should be invoked here. The five purposes of the Conferences as outlined by the Guardian were: 1. Offering thanksgiving to Bahá’u’lláh for the first five years of the Crusade; 2. Reviewing and celebrating victories of the first five years; 3. Deliberating on how to fulfill the remaining goals; 4. Stimulating individual conversion; 5. Assisting in the completion of three Temples.

“Friends,” Mr. Kavelin concluded, “what more fitting memorial could be raised than to dedicate this Conference to the blessed memory of our beloved Guardian?”

The Primary Mission of the Bahá’í Faith

Mr. Horace Holley, beloved Hand of the Cause, gave the dedication address. “There are not many Bahá’ís,” Mr. Holley said, “who know the difference between the condition of the Faith at the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's ascension and today. Step by step the Guardian guided the Bahzifi world into World Order and into a profounder understanding of the Bahá’í Faith. In a letter in 1929 the Guardian mentioned ‘. . . that Divine Civilization, the establishment of which is the primary mission of the Bahá’í Faith.’

“In the past it was thought the sole purpose of religion was to guide people into spiritual understanding which would lead to cooperation and peace. Shoghi Effendi was to us then a bright light illumining the path. I-le outlined the evolution of the Administrative Order in which the spiritual assemblies of today will

H. Borrah Kavelin, chairman of the U. S. National Spiritual Assembly, introducing the Guurdian’s representative to the Chicago Intercontinental Conference, Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause.

become the Houses of Justice. In the same letter, he stated, ‘Not only will the present-day spiritual assemblies be styled differently in the future, but they will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and sovereign power. And as the Bahá’í Faith permeates the masses of the peoples of East and West, and its truth is embraced by the majority of the peoples of a number of the Sovereign States of the world, will the Universal House of Justice attain the plenitude of its power, and exercise, as the supreme organ of the Bahá’í Commonwealth, all the rights, the duties, and responsibilities incumbent upon the worlds fixture super-state.’ Again the Bahá’ís were overwhelmed . . . the Bahá’í Faith was to become the government of the world!

“In another letter of March 21, 1930, the Guardian wrote, ‘I consider it my duty to warn every beginner in the Faith that the promised glories of the Sovereignty which the Bahá’í teachings foreshadow, can be revealed only in the fulness of time, that the implications of the Aqdas and the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, as the twin repositories of the constituent elements of that Sovereignty, are too far-reaching for this generation to grasp and fully appreciate. I cannot refrain from appealing to them who stand identified with the Faith to disregard the prevailing notions and the fleeting fashions of the day, and to realize as never before that the exploded theories and the tottering institutions of present—day civilization must needs appear in sharp contrast with those God-given institutions which are destined to arise upon their ruin. I pray that they may realize with all their heart and soul the ineffable glory of their calling, the overwhelming responsibility of their mission, and the astounding immensity of their task.

“ ‘For let every earnest upholder of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh realize that the storms which this struggling Faith of God must needs encounter, as the process of the disintegration of society advances, shall be fiercer than any which it has already experienced.’

“The Guardian affirmed,” Mr. Holley continued, “that Bahá’u’lláh provided the essentials for a divine economy, one agency for the unification of the world and for the establishment of righteousness and justice upon the earth. Humanity, the Guardian said, has, alas, strayed too far to be redeemed through the efforts of rulers and statesmen, however devoted.”

Mr. Holley said the small company of Bahá’ís of East and West are crossing a mighty bridge, a bridge suspended high over the chaos of the world. One end rests on the sacrifice of the twin Manifestations of God, the other end will lead us to the Kingdom of God. We can advance only as we construct the bridge in the divine pattern, Only as we construct the bridge will the peoples of the world follow us. Let us not think that any act of our daily lives is in any way transient or trivial.

“The Joy of Our Hearts”

Dr. Ugo Giachery spoke next. “It is impossible for me to tell you at this moment of the emotions which are raging within my heart,” he said. With difficulty[Page 7] he continued, “The chairman said I was bringing to you the spirit of our beloved Guardian . . . who was the delight of our eyes, the joy of our hearts, the purpose of our lives. Physical separation has been a hard thing to bear and you must excuse me. It has been five months since his passing. Every flower . . . every leaf . . . every stone has his perfume . . . every corner reminds you of his grace, his spirit, his kindness, his understanding.”

Dr. Giachery said that Shoghi Effendi had thirty-six years of unbearable burdens which shortened his dear life. We owe him a debt of gratitude. His spirit is everywhere the friends are gathered. Our gratitude can be translated into action to prove that we are worthy of this sacrifice. “To you who are following in the beloved Guardian's footsteps,” he said, “I bring love and fragrance of the spirit. I bring you the love of the Hands in the Holy Land.”

Dr. Giachery then read the seven-page message from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land directed to all those attending the Conference in Chicago. It was a solemn and stirring appeal to the friends to arise to fulfill every wish of the Guardian [Editor’s Note: This message is printed in its entirety beginning on page 1 of this issue.)

Dr. Giachery summed up: For this Crusade we have an immensely potent instrument in the Divine Plan. Every act of obedience brings a «victory; every victory leads to new spiritual life. The Western Hemisphere was singled out by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Attendants at this Conference must feel the weight of this responsibility. The greatness of this affliction, which has filled all hearts with grief and longing, must make us wiser, more consecrated than ever before. There can be no escape from duty for any believer, least of all for any American believer. We must ponder the critical state of the home front that we may rescue it from its precarious position. “The individual alone must assess its character . . . shed attachments . . .” We must not allow “this one remaining opportunity to be irretrievably lost.” God will make of this dire deprivation a leaven. Let us strive to gladden the heart of the beloved Guardian in the Abhá Kingdom: something we did not always do while he was alive.

While we listened to the Guardian’s representative and shared his deep sorrow, we turned with new humility and selflessness to the assigned goals. As one body we felt the purification, the emptying process of grief. We knew again that physical bereavement is the testament of immortality. The ardent love revealed by this cherished Hand of the Cause had evoked in our bewildered and waiting hearts a response from which would flow a new will at the springs of our being.

Many messages of loving support and hopes for the success of the Conference had been received. Some of these were now read by the chairman. Dr. Grossmann, Hand of the Cause, sent heartfelt, loving wishes and hopes for blessings. From the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand, “We pray the Conference will be the forerunner of great achievements and victories”; from the National Assembly of Italy and Switzerland, “We stand by, pledging our full support.” The community of Tonga sent loving prayers. Other messages were read from the Rome community; from the National Spiritual Assemblies of Scandinavia and Finland, of the Benelux Countries, and of the Iberian Peninsula.

“The Word of God Forever New”

Mr. Kavelin introduced Leroy Ioas, Hand of the Cause, as adjutant to the beloved Guardian in the Holy Land, who spoke with deep emotion. He said that the Word of God, while it might be old, was still forever new. The words of the Báb were as if given for this Conference. The Báb asked the people of the Word to leave their homes and travel far and wide to spread the Cause of God. If you do this God will be with you, promised Bahá’u’lláh. Shoghi Effendi laid down the path and the steps we might take to achieve these goals. “May we in this Conference,” Mr. Ioas said, “enter into the spirit of the Guardian. He was a driving, dominating force who knew only success.”

Mr. Kavelin next introduced Hand of the Cause Mason Remey, who has served the Faith with distinction for more than forty years. Mr. Remey spoke of the International Conference at Sydney which he attended. There were one hundred and ninety-two delegates registered from nineteen countries.

John Robarts, Hand of the Cause, said, “I bring you most loving, most prayerful greetings from five thousand Africans on the continent of Africa. They would want me to express gratitude and love for your assistance. They are praying that this Conference will bring forth the great results of the Kampala Conference. We are forging a link of love and appreciation between the two continents that will go on forever.”

Sylvia Ioas and Jessie Revell, members of the International Bahá’í Council at the World Center, came forward to be greeted by the friends. Miss Revell said she brought the love of Rúḥíyyih Khánum, of the Bands in Haifa, and of the friends there; also the love of the friends in London where she visited the grave of the Guardian.

Members of the Auxiliary Boards of the Hands of the Cause then gave words of greeting, as did representatives of the participating national and Regional assemblies and distinguished visitors from various countries.

Thanksgiving to Bahá’u’lláh

Friday afternoon the throng of Bahá’ís was taken by bus to Wilmette, where they gathered reverently in the auditorium of the House of Worship, the Mother Temple of the West, for a service of thanksgiving to Bahá’u’lláh. The beautiful tones of the readers’ voices and the soaring music of the a cappella choir assisted in lifting the worshippers to new spiritual heights.

At the conclusion of the service each Bahá’í had the inestimable privilege of viewing the sacred portraits of the Bat) and Bahá’u’lláh. Dr. Ugo Giachery, who unveiled the portraits, lovingly anointed the hand of each Bahá’í with the Guardian’s own attar of roses, a symbol of the spiritual fragrance so abundantly present.

The Fourth Phase of the World Crusade

Friday evening the Conference session opened in Chicago with a prayer chanted in Persian. Mr. Kavelin shared further messages of greeting from the Bahá’ís of Pakistan, Stockholm, and Iran, from the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany and Austria, from the[Page 8] Local Spiritual Assembly of Brussels, and from the Regional Spiritual Assemblies of Northwest Asia and Southeast Asia.

“The Fourth Phase of the World Crusade” was the subject of the evening, presented by Dr. Ugo Giachery and visiting Hands of the Cause. Dr. Giachery first thanked the friends for their demonstration of love and affection that afternoon. He said, “I would like to have embraced each one. I felt a tremendous bond of love. I did not know the faces, but I am glad that the Faith is growing. I looked at those hands I annointed —capable, strong hands, most of them. I felt happy; they belonged to friends who will be doing things, who will arise to the occasion, who will make a new page of history for the Bahá’ís of America.”

The key to the work of the next five years, Dr. Giachery stated, is the vital process of individual conversions. Next most important: building the three Temples, at Kampala, Frankfurt, and Sydney. He continued, “It gives me great joy to see how many intelligent Negro friends are in our community—this is most encouraging. I have been told that since the message to the Kampala Conference, there have been more and more enrollments in Africa. The same momentum must take place here among the Negro race.

“You are blessed in a thousand ways,” he added, “with your great abundance of mechanical civilization. If you just give up these things, which after all do not amount to much, you will be able to increase the flow of pioneers. . . . Let us achieve what would have brought Shoghi Effendi the greatest joy and happiness.”

Mr. Kavelin then reviewed in detail the accomplishments to date toward completion of the twenty-seven goals of the Crusade. Nine of the goals have been completed, thirteen partly completed, and five are not yet achieved. “Great miracles have been attained thus far,” Mr. Kavelin said, “but much remains to be done. We hope that many will see fit to arise in the Crusade and offer their services.”

There were at least three occasions during the Conference for an expression of the great eagerness and enthusiasm which animated the Bahá’ís who were hoping to enter the pioneering field. At this point in the program many volunteers came forward to tell what prompted them to offer their services as pioneers. Many had been planning to pioneer for months or years. Many also were new Bahá’ís or were young people to whom “instant and exact obedience” suddenly meant pioneering now.

Mr. Ioas, in reference to the enthusiastic response for pioneers, said that he had asked the Guardian at the beginning of the Crusade why he wanted the Bahá’ís to disperse, and that the Guardian had replied that the time was fast approaching to spread the Cause of God all over the earth. We need to build the lighthouses of the Faith through which the Holy Spirit descends. If there is one area where a pioneer does not go, he is depriving that area of the regenerative power of the Holy Spirit of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Mr. Robarts gave eloquent testimony to the spirit present. “The only thing that really matters,” he said, “is serving the Cause in the way Shoghi Effendi really wanted. Pioneers feel so sorry for these poor American Bahá’ís still at home, for God does assist us in every step we take. Some of us may have remorse

Hands of the Cause Charles Mason Remey, John Robarts, Horace Holley, Dr. Ugo Giachery, and Leroy Ioas on the stage of the Eighth Street Theater.

that we didn’t serve the Guardian more when he was alive. Now we are on our own, and we are moving forward.”

Mr. Kavelin told of an African at Kampala who remarked that formerly we had to contact the Guardian through personal correspondence which few could do. Now he is everywhere, and we can reach out to him.

Mr. Holley declared a pioneer is not merely a person who goes from an old place to a new place, but a person who goes from an old self to a new self, Spiritual progress is made by obeying a Manifestation. When he sets up a goal we can only attain progress by reaching that goal.

And so this wonderful day closed with a Prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, read by Dr. Ugo Giachery, which contained these words, “O my God! O my God! Verily these servants are turning to thee, supplicating Thy Kingdom of mercy. . . . O Lord! make them radiant lamps, merciful signs, fruitful trees and shining stars. May they come forth in Thy service and be connected with Thee by the bonds and ties of Thy love, longing for the lights of Thy favor. . . .”

The Second Day of the Conference

Five languages, English, Spanish, Oneida, Mohawk, and an Eskimo dialect were used in the devotions which opened the second day of the Conference.

Mr. Kavelin asked all present who pioneered during the first five years of the crusade to come to the stage to be greeted. As more and more came forward, the official photographers became frantic. One photographer despaired, “We cannot take them individually; we wouldn’t have any bulbs or film left!” Another whispered, “I suggest the audience take the stage and let the pioneers take the auditorium.” In all, seventytive came forward. The chairman then referred to the great service that many here had given in pioneering on the Homefront, and asked them to come to be greeted. There were eighty-three in this group.

So much zest and enthusiasm was evoked in the audience that Dr. Giachery smilingly said, “I do not like to stop your talking — talking is indeed the best[Page 9] part of these meetings.” Once again he urged the friends to forget all attachments: “No position, no home or family ties can give you the joy of leaving your homeland to pioneer,” he said. “I know; I speak from experience.”

Persian Visitors Addressed in Their Native Tongue

Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh next gave an address directed especially to the large group of Persian friends present who contributed in large measure to the warmth and success of the Conference. It was translated into Persian by Mosratollah Rassekh. She said in part: “We American Bahá’ís owe an everlasting debt of gratitude to Bahais of the land of Tá. Our love is so deep that I doubt that in a lifetime we could express it. It was the blood of the Persian friends that watered the seeds of our Faith, their steadfastness that brought us to this glorious moment. I cannot resist this opportunity to tell you of an experience twenty years ago in Persia, An old man showed me his wrists. ‘I was in Síyáh Chál with Bahá’u’lláh—and to think I should live to see the day when a Bahai comes out of the West.’

“Persian friends, we tried in many ways to show you how much we loved you in your trials. Our hearts throbbed with sorrow for you. At that time we prayed for you. We poured forth our energy in a tremendous appeal that cost the American Community $60,000. Best of all, we demonstrated by our telegrams how much all the Bahá’í world loved the Bahá’ís. The Guardian warned us that this victory was not won for all time, that trials would come again and again, leading to a greater triumph. The Persians and the friends in the West are different in temperament. Though our aim is common, our temperaments are widely diverse. This difference was so apparent at the funeral of the Guardian. All our hearts were throbbing with grief, but we showed it in different ways. Persians have, I’m sure, the largest tears in the world. Persians believe, and rightly so, that nothing is

Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Gictchery with the copy of the Guardian’s map illustrating the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade.

too difficult, nothing is impossible. They go about stubbornly doing the things that the West would say cannot be done, and very often they succeed. The Americans have an important part in the combination of emotion and practicality. When they combine, you have unique Bah'ai groups. The Guardian said to some of the pilgrims, if ten per cent of the Persians left to pioneer, all our goals would be settled. Now is the time to demonstrate in action your great love to Shoghi Effendi. We in the Western world need you in many, many places. Turn those tears into action. Come to us. We need many pioneers here and in South America. Please come. You are very, very welcome.”

Progress, Plans, and Needs of the World Crusade

The beautifully printed Conference programs listed Progress, Plans, and Needs of the World Crusade in six parts. The first two included the central area of the Western Hemisphere: Central America, Panama, and Mexico, and the Greater Antilles. South America comprised the second two parts, and Canada and the United States the last.

James Facey, representing Central America, Mexico, and Panama; Randolph Fitz-Henley for the Greater Antilles; Mrs. Dorothy Campbell for Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela; Roberto Cazcarra for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Uruguay, and Paraguay; and Esteban Canales of Central America all spoke with great feeling of the great need for an ever-increasing flow of pioneers to insure attainment of the remaining goals of the Ten-Year Crusade.

The Guardian’s Map at Crusade Accomplishments

Before the Alaska report was given, Dr. Ugo Giachery displayed and described the Guardian’s map of Crusade accomplishments. This was an identical copy, and the only one made. of the map Shoghi Effendi drew with his own hands, The Guardian was so keenly anxious to have it ready for the Conference that he took it with him to London and was adding to it up to the last day of his life.

It is an exquisite piece of work that exemplifies the artistic mood in which it was planned and executed. Eighteen different colors were used. Lines radiate from the continents in fan-like patterns. The World Center accomplishments are depicted in gold. Of the countries, Uganda was first with ten victories, Alaska second with nine. Dr. Giachery said that Alaska was one of the Guardian's pet new National Assemblies. On the map the radiating lines look like the coronet of a queen.

“I remember one night at table,” Dr. Giachery said, “when the Guardian came in, his eyes sparkling with joy. He tried to make us guess what news he was bringing, then he unrolled a map and showed the Faith in the far North, on Franklin Island.”

Robert Moul of Alaska spoke next. “That there is a National Assembly in Alaska is a miracle,” he said. “Fifteen years ago the first Assembly was formed in Anchorage. In 1953 Alaska was a consolidation goal. We thought we had ten years, but the Guardian had other plans When we learned that we were to have a National Assembly by Riḍván 1957, our collective gasp must have been heard round the world.

“To give you an example of the Guardian’s inspiring leadership: when we heard that the Fund for the[Page 10] Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds had been spontaneously started with a contribution of thirty-five dollars, he cabled five hundred pounds for it. The impact of the institution of the Hands of the Cause, and of the teaching work of Florence Mayberry as Auxiliary Board member, was electribiing.”

Mrs. Peggy Ross told of the progress, plans, and needs of the immense territory entrusted to the indomitable Canadian Community. Not only are there thousands of miles to be traversed, but there are varied ethnic and language groups under the Canadian jurisdiction. In the past five years, because it was necessary to concentrate on good foundations, the teaching work seemed to go backwards instead of forwards, but now the results are seen in a steady increase of believers and Assemblies which promises success for the Crusade goals.

“Other goal territories are equally demanding and varied,” Mrs. Ross explained. “They include Samoa, the Marquesas, Iceland, Greenland, Labrador, Keewatin, Franklin, Yukon, and a number of smaller islands. There is a great need for suitable pioneers.”

Cable to Hands in Holy Land

A cablegram from the Conference replying to the message from the Hands in the Holy Land, framed by Katherine McLaughlin, Roland Estall and Jenabe Caldwell was read:

THIRD INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE CALLED BY BELOVED GUARDIAN KEENLY AWARE HIS EVER PRESENT GUIDANCE SEND LOVING APPRECIATION MESSAGE REVERED CUSTODIANS PULSATING HEART WORLD CENTER. HUMBLY GRATEFUL INSPIRED LEADERSHIP GUARDIAN’S REPRESENTATIVE HAND CAUSE UGO GIACHERY WHOSE INTIMATE LOVING SERVICE CONFERENCE TOUCHES ALL HEARTS. BLESSED PRESENCE SIX HANDS MEMBERS INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL SIXTEEN HUNDRED FIFTY TWO REPRESENTING TWENTY NINE COUNTRIES INCLUDING AT LEAST THIRTEEN BOARD MEMBERS ALSO MEMBERS AT LEAST ELEVEN NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES. PROGRAM THANKSGIVING VIEWING PORTRAITS HOLY MANIFESTATIONS ANNOINTMENT BY HAND RAISED ASSEMBLAGE HEAVENLY HEIGHTS. GREATER UNITY MATURITY RELEASING POWER EVIDENT IN RESPONSE TO RESPONSIBILITIES AND CALL FOR PIONEERS ESPECIALLY YOUTH GIVING PROMISE ULTIMATE COMPLETE VICTORY ALL GOALS BELOVED GUARDIAN’S CRUSADE. LOVINGLY PLEDGE LOYALTY INSTITUTION HANDS AUTHORITY PROVED OF GOD AND FAITHFULNESS STEWARDSHIP PROVED BY THEIR ACTS. SUPPLICATE PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES.

H. Borrah Kavelin reviewed the progress of the Crusade goals of the United States. He recalled the Conference of 1953 when Rúḥíyyih Khánum brought Shoghi Effendi’s message giving the United States twenty-four goals. “Who would have believed,” Mr. Kavelin said, “that so much could have been accomplished in the last five years. Ninety-four Knights of Bahá’u’lláh have left our shores. As of January first of this year there were 314 believers from the United States in the pioneering field. In the past five years, our National Budgets have totalled two and a half million dollars.”

Intercontinental Teaching

Intercontinental Teaching under the auspices of the United States was reported by Charlotte Linfoot, Asia; Rex Parmalee and Elsie Austin, Africa; Edna True, Europe; William de Forge and Katherine McLaughlin, Western Hemisphere.

Miss Linfoot stated that the few unopened goals in Asia were a result of peculiar conditions, chiefly political. The ultimate success, here, according to the Guardian, may be greater than in Africa. In addition to permanent settlers, there is a need for those who can go for several months. In these countries of slower tempo we need a great deal of persistance of effort, and a great deal of patience. “The only people who are in a hurry,” Miss Linfoot said, “are the Bahá’ís.”

Edna True reported that the mission of the European Teaching Committee will not be accomplished until there is a strong national assembly in each area. Miss True said that there was not one moment when someone was not trying to fill the post in the one remaining opened virgin territory.

Rex Parmalee spoke of the outstanding success in Africa, which has made us complacent. Last year there was a net loss of pioneers. Elsie Austin said that there were only two local spiritual assemblies in Northwest Africa in 1953; now there are forty-three, and many groups. “This area still needs many pioneers. It is a great area for teaching. Hearts are ready. We should be proud of our part in their spiritual ferment and growth. Here you are working with pioneers of five great countries; the United States, Britain, Persia, Egypt, and India. One sees the deep reverence of the Oriental pioneers, the activity and fervor of the Western believers; the depth of the Indians; and the order of the English. This is a great learning experience. There is still a great challenge in Africa. In four territories not yet opened, we have been utterly frustrated.

William de Forge said, “The flood of pioneers from the Conference is growing every minute. A total of 154[Page 11] pioneers is required now. Now is the time.”

Katherine McLaughlin gave a moving account of a visit she had recently made to the Indian Bahá’í Community in Bolivia. She said, “The contrast between the rich and the poor in this country is very marked; but, from a spiritual, not a material point of view, who are poorer than those who have not heard the Message of Bahá’u’lláh?”

The friends were saddened by the word received during the conference of the passing of saintly Mrs. Clara Sharp in Ṭihrán. But there were happy and humorous notes also. Everyone stood to sing “Happy Birthday” for Mason Remey, who was about to celebrate his eighty-fifth birthday. Strolling in the sunshine to the nearby park for the Conference photograph was a pleasant interlude.

Sunday morning we gathered at the Eighth Street Theater for the last day of the Conference. The deeply moving devotional readings set the tone for the final sessions. They ended with a prayer chanted in Persian. This prayer of Shoghi Effendi, chanted by a voice of extraordinary sweetness and power, seemed to express the essence of spiritual fragrance. One experienced a heightening of the senses so that fragrance and sound seemed to blend into one quality.

Volunteers for Pioneering

The chairman explained that the program had been rearranged so that volunteers for pioneering could come forward in the morning session. This roll call of volunteers was an impressive and moving spectacle which no one present will forget. At least eighty-five dedicated souls stepped forward. There were many touching statements, but a single example may be cited. One gentleman said that he had been a minister for fifty-two years, had now been two months in the Cause, and had never seen such harmony and peace among men as at this Conference. “I’m just floating on air,” he said. “Whenever my wings drop, I’m going south in His Name. Bahá’u’lláh has sent me out to talk to the ministers. I have a great message for them. Pray for me!”

Mrs. Nancy Phillips, secretary of the American Indian Service Committee, urged us with great seriousness to consider the importance of teaching the aborigines of the Western Hemisphere. This is the only remaining task of the Seven-Year Plan, she told us. When speaking to the friends in 1953, Dorothy Baker said that during her pilgrimage Shoghi Effendi had spoken again and again of the Indians. “Now, halfway in the Crusade,” Mrs. Phillips said, “we have made a beginning. There is a marked acceleration in enrollment in the ranks of the Faith. We must remember that the Indian Service Committee will guide us in the practical considerations of where is great need for teaching and where may be suitable jobs, riiid for yourself some of the heartlands of our country,” she exhorted, “and know that in fulfillment of the promise of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, there will be a brighter future when the Indians shall have embraced the faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”

Mason Remey spoke of the great success of the Conference and of his joy at being present. Leroy Ioas declared that it was with no little emotion that he arose to speak. “These holy souls who have arisen to carry the banner of Bahá’u’lláh to so many areas, bring close memories of the Guardian’s happiness and enthusiasm when he received news of the success of the pioneers,” he said.

Volunteers for pioneering overflowing the stage of the theater.

Mr. Ioas remarked that he was particularly impressed that so many Negro friends had arisen to serve in the South. He said the Guardian referred to the Negro, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had done before him, as the apple of his eye. Mr. Ioas also spoke of the Guardian’s deep love for and close association with, the pioneers. The Guardian was depressed and grieved when he learned of some difficulty that had befallen a pioneer. “I am telling you this,” Mr. Ioas added, “so that you will know that the Guardian’s heart is with you every moment, every second, and that he is coming to your aid and assistance.”

Horace Holley said that as long ago as 1946 the Guardian, in a letter to America, wrote that the Bahá’í Community would have to be a reservoir to provide pioneers for the First and Second Seven Year Plans. “He has repeated this promise and warning with increasing emphasis ever since,” Mr. Holley said. “Our capacity to send out pioneers depends on our confirming new believers. We cannot all go, but we can all contribute. We must arise above confusing, harassing, personal disagreementa which veil us from the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, so that the reservoir will be supplied with hundreds and hundreds of additional pioneers throughout the remaining years of the Crusade.”

John Robarts reminded us that the beloved Guardian had urged that we on the homefront disperse, not only abroad, but to smaller places on the homefront. In cities we are immersed in a sea of materialism.

Dr. Giachery said, “I cannot express my gratitude to Shoghi Effendi for singling me out to come here. I have a confession to make. When I received the message to come here, I was bewildered, I felt unworthy of such an assignment, and I sent a cable to the Guardian. He answered, “You deserve the honor.” I am halilly although my heart is very heavy. I have an invisible bond, an unbreakable thread which has tied me to each of you. Your tenderness, love, loyalty—I [Page 12] don’t accept it personally. It is for Shoghi Effendi. I take all this love as a tribute to his memory.”

“Our Bahá’í World Center”

One of the features of the Sunday morning program was an address on “Our Bahá’í World Center” by Dr. Ugo Giachery. A resume follows:

The great institutions of the Faith in the twin cities of Haifa and ‘Akká represent our spiritual development. A few years ago Shoghi Effendi sent Dr. Giachery a photograph of Mount Carmel in 1900. It was then a dry, rocky mountain with little vegetation and no buildings except a Carmelite monastery on the northwest slope. There has since been a tremendous transformation.

Carmel means Vineyard of God. The Old Testament speaks of it. The ancient prophets of Israel trod there. It is the site of Elijah’s cave. It is said that Jesus and Muhammad went to Mount Carmel. Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablet of Carmel is in Gleanings, pp, l4—16. This is one of the fundamental documents on which the transformation of the entire mountain is based. Dr. Giachery urged us when we get home to read this Tablet again, to memorize it if we can, to help us understand the Institutions of the Faith and the Administrative Order. In it, Bahá’u’lláh promises, “Ere long will God sail His ark on thee.”

Of all the living religions, only the Bahá’í Faith has its spiritual and administrative centers in one locality. For Christianity, Jerusalem is the spiritual center, and the administration is elsewhere. Mecca and Medina are the spiritual centers of Islam, but since the fall of the Caliphate, there has been no administrative center.

This land of Mount Carmel and Bahjí is permeated with tremendous spiritual power. Shoghi Effendi often spoke of the great potency and force of the spiritual center. Bahá’u’lláh used to pitch His tent on Mount Carmel. He pointed out to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá the location, marked by a clump of cypress trees, half-way up the slope of the mountain, where the Báb’s remains should be put. The original building was simple, of local stone, constructed under ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s direction, with great difficulty and suffering. The real transformation came under Shoghi Effendi’s leadership. His vision went beyond physical, human limitations. He often had a faraway look as though he was seeing something not visible to our eyes, that he alone could see. He was planning in terms of centuries, not just a few years, in these basic buildings. It was the Guardian’s plan to create a solid Center that will withstand all the storms and conflicts of the world. He added a vision of milleniums ahead, and erected and embellished the Institutions.

In his Messages in 1949, the Guardian embarked on the construction of the Administrative World Center. The Archives building is visible from land and sea. It is valued at $250,000; but is worth much more in labor and effort. If we could express in money the anguish, effort, and labor, the figure would be astron[Page 13] omical. The Guardian knew exactly what had to be done, and did it in the quickest, most efficient, though sometimes unorthodox manner. The gardens are beautiful, kept with loving care. They are the best in the Middle East. There one is overcome with a sense of peace, detachment, tranquillity to be found no where else in the world. This is the impression not only of Bahá’ís but also of the visitors who come from all over the world. There is nothing else but peace and repose. When the Shrine is lit by floodlights at night, it is a dream vision from all parts of the city. The mayor has requested that the lights be turned on during all of the present centennial celebration.

The Most Sacred Spot

The most sacred spot in the Faith is the Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh, about four miles from the historic city of ‘Akká. The ancient city goes back to the time of the Phoenicians. In the tenth and eleventh centuries it was a fortress of the Crusaders. Until 1936 the mansion of Bahjí was in the hands of the covenant-breakers, and was kept in a terrible condition. Shoghi Effendi had it repaired. Now, through his love and foresight, there is no more beautiful building in Israel. It was possible to obtain surrounding land through a descendant of a brother of Bahá’u’lláh. Sandy plots were transformed into gardens. It is Dr. Giachery’s opinion that at Bahjí one experiences a different emotion from that felt in the gardens of the Báb’s Shrine. One feels something overpowering, something that makes you feel small, infinitesimal, as though you are nothing but a little pebble in the path. You feel the magnitude and intensity of Bahá’u’lláh's power. A new terrace has been recently completed at the gardens. From it one can see the entire area. On clear days one can see the dome of the Shrine of the Báb glittering in the distance. There is an invisible but indestructible bridge connecting these two spiritual centers of the Faith.

The Final Conference Session

Sunday afternoon the session was opened with a prayer read in Spanish by Roberto Cazcarra. Messages received from the revered Hands of the Cause, Adelbert Muhlschlegel and Paul Haney were read.

Horace Holley and H. Borrah Kavelin gave the last addresses of the program on the topic, “Houses of Worship in the World Crusade.” Mr. Holley stated that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in a talk given in 1912, had described the House of Worship as a collective center, a cause of accord in human hearts, and a symbol of the divine uniting force. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár with its dependencies, represents the wholeness of lit spirit and science, faith and worship, and the fulfillment of humanitarianism through service to mankind. Moreover, in the recognition of progressive revelation in its services of worship, it acts not merely as the mouthpiece of the latest Revealer, but also of the previous Ones. Because it represents the wholeness of life and the one eternal religion of God, it is an in[Page 14] stitution of immeasurable spiritual influence. The Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is the sole place where this great miracle is being maintained. Eventually there will be a Temple not only on all continents, but in all cities. The people will realize that this is the one power that will save mankind from its ills and enable it to establish the new World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

Mr. Kavelin stated that the House of Worship is a source of deep satisfaction to all of us and a spiritual beacon to all the world. He told of his visit to the Temple site at Kampala on the occasion of its dedication. Nearly 900 people rode out on a blazing hot summer day to an elevation overlooking the city. There they witnessed the laying of the corner-stone by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Musa Banání; Hand of the Cause. The Africans are proud of their achievement. Their House of Worship is to be completed by Riḍván 1959. It will be the tallest structure in all Uganda, symbolic of the high station of our Faith on that continent.

Closing Messages From the Hands of the Cause

The five revered Hands of the Cause gave the closing messages. Mason Remey said that it had been a blessed privilege to absorb, one from another, the bountiful outpourings of spirit. John Robarts told of an episode that Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum had related: When she first married Shoghi Effendi and came to live in that holy spot, she thought, being under the shadow of that blessed Tree, that the destiny of her soul would be safe and secure. But Shoghi Effendi told her that the destiny of her soul lay in the palm of her own hand. The destiny of every soul, he said, must depend on the service and devotion of each to the Cause. Even the station of a Hand of the Cause is no guarantee of that soul’s future.

The climax of the whole Conference for many an individual present was the final words of Horace Holley. His penetrating, thoughtful mind had contributed in the past week so many speeches that were like polished gems, that the brevity and impact of this one was totally unexpected. In the emotion-charged atmosphere of the last few moments of the Conference, Mr. Holley rose and with what seemed to be all the intensity of his soul, cried out, “Ya-Bahá’u’l—Abhá!” three times with great force and rising inflection. One could only recall ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words in the Tablets of the Divine Plan, “Oh, how I long that it could be made possible for me to travel through these parts, even if necessary on foot, and with the utmost poverty, and while passing through the cities, villages, mountains, deserts, and oceans, cry at the top of my voice, ‘Ya-Bahá‘u‘l-Abhá!’ and promote the divine teachings. But now this is not feasible for me; therefore I live in great regret; perchance, God willing, ye may become assisted therein.”

Leroy Ioas said those who have had the great bounty of serving the Cause in Haifa always think how happy Shoghi Effendi would have been to witness a gathering such as this. How he would have thrilled to the achievement of goals of the great Crusade which he conceived, to spread the Cause of God. After such conferences, he would always say, “Now we must see what the friends will do.” It is up to us to prove what we say. There is a new spirit sweeping over the Bahai world. The Guardian said that the Fourth Phase of the World Crusade must be the most glorious. most spectacular, and dramatic of all. The believers must arise with power and vigor and seize these goals which have been set for them by the Hand of God.

Hands of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery, John Roberts, Charles Mason Remey, and Leroy Ions in Grant Park for the Conference photograph.

Dr. Giachery’s Description of the Guardian

Ugo Giachery gave the last touching message of the Conference. He said in part:

“To start something is very easy; to end it is most difficult. It must end well.

“I have been under a terrific emotional strain for many months. You have received your share of spurring and urging in these three days; I am not going to add any more. If I were writing a report to Shoghi Effendi I would say: To His Eminence: The Conference is ended. It was a beautiful Conference: great results have been achieved; nearly one hundred persons have offered to pioneer; funds have been donated. But I cannot write this letter.

“I am leaving with you in your hearts the experiences of these three days, and the sacrifice, purity and devotion left in our hearts by Shoghi Effendi himself. It is today, just today, the fourth of May, that six months ago Shoghi Effendi disappeared from our midst. When I finished my remarks the other day a few dear friends said, ‘I wish you could have spoken of Shoghi Effendi.’ I couldn’t. What was Shoghi Effendi like? No description could tell you what Shoghi Effendi was. He had a happy nature, loving, tender. He was a true brother, as he always signed his letters. He is a unique figure in the history of mankind. There can never be another like him. He was the Sign of God among men. From the moment he made the great renunciation in 1921 when he discovered he had been appointed Guardian, his life was that of utmost devotion and service to the Faith. He had no repose of holiday. Work, work, work to the service of us, the friends throughout the world . . as he was forging with his own hands, delicate yet powerful, the instruments of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. There are no pictures of him around in later years.

[Page 15]

Combine the pictures of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. He had the strength and delicacy of both. He was ready to frown and ready to smile. He had a humorous manner of address often. Still there was the tenderness that could not be found anywhere else. He had a tremendous capacity for work. His day started very early, sometimes before sunrise and he worked uninterruptedly, sometimes past midnight, always in the service of the friends, of humanity. His translations will never be equalled by any scholar. His vision did not belong to a human being, it was beyond the most perfect telescope that could be invented. That's why he Warned us constantly. He saw into the future. That’s why he was urging us all the time, pointing the way to physical and spiritual salvation. He chided the American friends sometimes; he was aware, although he had never been here, of the danger of material progress as the two things, comfort and spirituality, do not go together.

“I am telling you these things not to urge you, but to explain. We thought years ago that Shoghi Effendi was a superhuman person sitting on silver clouds pulling strings. Shoghi Effendi was a dynamic worker, tireless: no rest for him. He had the vision of a seer. He traced the path for every believer and for those outside, so that we could follow the right course. We can honor his memory only by doing with our last breath what we have not done, what we feel we cannot do. Physically he looked frail, beside Mason. Leroy and me; but he was a giant, in great giant. He showed it in the strength of his domain from the North to the South Pole, from Greenwich to Greenland. He was a great leader, a general. His plans showed meticulosity, accuracy, orderliness, How much he must have suffered with the disorderly minds in the world around him!

“It was a privilege to be Shoghi Effendi’s representative for a few days, a great responsibility. These are the last few moments to be Shoghi Effendi’s representative, and then I will be my old self again. Never again. But Shoghi Effendi will be a bond between me and you.”

As We left the auditorium, the glow of the Conference remained with us. "I.ndescrihablel” “Wonderful.” “I am a different self—I may look the same, but I am a different person inside. One person summed up the feelings of all: “We were transported.”

—JOYCE LYN DAHL

Message From the Hands of the Holy Land to the First All-France Convention

ON THE historic occasion of the convening of the first all-France Bahá’í Convention and the election of the National Spiritual Assembly of this famous land, long one of the Chief pillars of European civilization and a fountain-head of freedom and liberalism, our minds naturally turn to our beloved Guardian, whose ceaseless encouragement, tireless efforts, and unfailing determination made possible this event of such great spiritual significance. In spite of the fact that France had the unique and enviable position of being the first nation on the European continent to receive the warming and illuminating rays of the sun of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, the friends gathered here, more particularly those of French extraction, are well aware of how difficult it has been to bring the work of our glorious Faith to this point of consummation. Since the light of this New Revelation was first brought to France almost sixty years ago, this country has been blessed by many and varied events of profound spiritual significance. We may well, at this moment of victory, recall some of these which are of outstanding historic interest.

From France the very first party of Western pilgrims proceeded to the Turkish penal colony of ‘Akká to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In 1899, upon the return of that handful of souls, now afire with the Glad Tidings of this New Revelation, May Bolles, with the approval and under the loving guidance of the Master Himself, began to teach the Faith in Paris. Before long a flourishing, enkindled and wholly dedicated group of souls was gathered there, including believers of such distinction as Hippolyte Dreyfus, the first native French believer, Thomas Breakwell, the first British believer, the Hand of the Cause Charles Mason Remey, and many others. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself sent the greatest Bahá’í teacher of the East, Mirza Abu’l Fadl, to deepen the Faith of that early group. In those early years, Laura Barney, who later became the wife of Hippolyte Dreyfus, journeyed to ‘Akká and, during a long sojourn in the Holy Land, compiled that book of inestimable value Same Answered Questions.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visits to Paris

In 1911 and 1912, Paris was blessed by the presence of the beloved Master Himself, who remained there for considerable periods of time. Many Orientalists, scholars, and men famous for their erudition throughout Europe sought His presence. It was there that He gave His famous Paris talks, lamenting the depths to which Europe had sunk in her pursuit of materialistic ideologies, and exhorting the people to awaken spiritually. in words which were the very breath of the Holy Spirit.

It was during one of his visits that the Master uttered these prophetic words: “Try to propagate the Teachings of God . . . Now in Europe, it is the beginning of a new day. It is dawn. Ere long the Divine Light shall penetrate everywhere.” On another occasion He said: “Though you find Paris dormant now, eventually it will become revivified, because I have spent many a sleepless night here, during which I supplicated the Almighty to shower His confirmations upon the people. I had no rest, no sleep—I was constantly supplicating.”

It was not until after World War II, with the inauguration of the Second Seven-Year plan given by the beloved Guardian to the American Bahá’í Community, one phase of which was aimed at the spiritual conquest of ten European “Goal” countries, that the work in France itself began to fulfill the prophecies of the Master. Though naturally herself not one of these goal[Page 16] countries, the vitalizing effects of the systematic prosecution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan were felt throughout the length and breadth of France; the faithful and persistent groups of believers already established in such cities as Marseilles and Lyon, as well as the Paris community, began to be stimulated, not only by the general atmosphere of intense activity which was pervading adjacent countries, but also through direct help from traveling Bahá’í teachers and pioneers, and from the European Teaching Committee of the National Assembly of the United States.

The number of French Bahá’ís—the firm bedrock on which all activity in that country must ultimately rest—was increasing; the loyalty and devotion of these native friends greatly encouraged and pleased the Guardian, who saw in them the promise of the future and realized that the day when France would be able to have her own National Spiritual Assembly was fast approaching. From that time on, he fixed his attention on France, showered his encouragement on the work of its believers, urged many American friends to pioneer there, and watched over the progress being made with both pride and interest, a pride and interest which culminated with his announcement that the first election of its independent National Assembly would take place in Riḍván 1958.

First National Assembly on Continent

The believers of French extraction gathered in this convention, as well as their loving and devoted our workers from other countries who have pioneered in France, without whose unsparing and dedicated efforts this victory could not have been won so soon, are aware that they are now electing the first National, as distinguished from Regional, Spiritual Assembly of the European continent, an assembly which constitutes yet another pillar of the Universal House of Justice. This is a great distinction, a great honor, and imposes a great responsibility, more particularly at this time when the Cause of God has received such a grievous blow through the sudden passing of its beloved Guardian, its guide and its shield. There is no doubt, however, that his love and his spirit are with you on this historic occasion, and that he will continue to watch over the advancement of this community which he so tenderly encouraged for so many years, and whose present coming of age was so eagerly anticipated by him.

Our beloved Guardian doubtless would have called upon the National Assembly elected at this historic first French Annual Convention to formulate its own Five-Year Plan for the remainder of the World Crusade, as he did in the case of the newly-formed national bodies in Africa in 1956. Perhaps he would have specified the objectives himself, as he did for the subsidiary Six-Year Plans given to each of the thirteen national and regional assemblies formed in the Riḍván period of 1957, We may be sure, however, that his hopes for the future development of the Faith in France would, following his earlier pattern, encompass: (1) the devising of ways and means of insuring the rapid spread of the Cause throughout that land; (2) the consolidation and multiplication of its assemblies, groups and isolated centers; (3) the planting of the banner of the Faith in all the various Departments of the country, especially those which have as yet had

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of France, elected on April 26, 1958.

no sustained teaching activity within their borders; (4) the incorporation of the new National body, as well as the local spiritual assemblies; (5) the establishment of a site for a future Mashriqu’l Adhkár; (6) the holding of summer schools to deepen the Knowledge and understanding of the believers; and (7) above all the spreading of the light of this Divine Revelation far and wide amongst the people of that country, in order that the promises of the beloved Master may be speedily fulfilled, and the French nation receive the redeeming grace of Bahá’u’lláh in this dark age through which it and the whole world is now passing.

Words of Guardian Concerning Franco

As the assembled friends consult earnestly and prayerfully upon the unfinished tasks before them, they may well turn for inspiration and assurance to the words of the beloved Guardian, addressed to the national conventions two years ago—a message in which he referred specifically to the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of France.

“Before the eyes of the warriors enlisting under its banner stretch fields of exploration and consolidation of such vastness as might well dazzle the eyes and strike awe into the heart of any soul less robust than those who have arisen to identify themselves with its Cause. The heights its champions must scale are indeed formidable. The pitfalls that bestrew their path are still numerous. The road leading to ultimate and total victory is tortuous, stony, and narrow. Theirs, however, is the emphatic assurance, revealed by the Pen of the Most High—the Prime Mover of the forces unleashed by this world-girdling Crusade—that ‘Whosoever ariseth to aid our Cause, God will render him victorious over ten times ten thousand souls, and, should he wax in his love for Me, him will We cause to triumph over all that is in heaven and all that is on earth.’ ”

Signed:

RUHÍYYIH

AMELIA COLLINS

A. FURUTAN

PAUL HANEY

JALÁL KHÁZEH

A.Q. FAIZÍ

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First National Spiritual Assembly of France, Formed Riḍván 1958, Becomes Twenty-Seventh Pillar of Faith of Bahá’u’lláh

AIDED by the inspiring, comprehensive, thoughtful message from the Hands of the Cause in Haifa; in the presence of the dearly-loved Hand of the Cause Herman Grossmann and newly-appointed Hand of the Cause William Sears of Africa; under the counsel and attentive loving care of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, the appointed interim National Body, ably and indefatigably represented by member Edna True; with the eventful attendance of one of the first believers of France, devoted early believer Laura Dreyfus-Barney, the first National Convention of the Bahá’ís of France moved joyously toward the hour of election of its first National Spiritual Assembly and the first independent National Assembly on the continent of Europe.

Deeply moved by the knowledge that this historic step was being taken at the express direction of Shoghi Effendi, aware of the blessings that had been showered upon France in turn by the two memorable visits of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and by the eternal fires kindled by Him at that time in Paris; and by the divine, masterful guidance of our beloved Guardian in the propagation of the teaching work and the establishment of the administrative pillars, the delegates and the attending friends from twenty different localities of France and from six countries, including fran and South Africa, moved through their deliberations with a conscious knowledge that the spiritual destiny of a country was being fulfilled.

Assemblage of 90 at First Convention

Opened with the reading of prayers in French and English and with beautiful Persian chanting, reaffirming the unity of the nationalities which have banded together under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh to bring to fruition this splendid flower of the Ten-Year Crusade, the First National Convention of France, held sixty years after the introduction of the Faith to Paris by a young and enthusiastic group of students, who long since have dispersed into wider fields of service, brought together, in the period of the most joyous Festival, over ninety believers, the largest congregation of Bahá’ís yet assembled in France.

Perhaps the most moving aspect of the Convention was the living love and the forceful leadership of the Guardian and the constant mention of his words and works by those who spoke and by those who took part in the deliberations and consultations. The messages of love and appreciation sent by the Hands of the Cause from all parts of the world, from Australia, Asia, continental Europe, and England, the Near East and the United States defined in word and spirit the everlasting unity possible and existent in the Bahá’í World. The greetings from the twenty-six national assemblies the world over lent dignity and responsibility to the momentous prospect facing the assembled delegates.

From California, Saigon, Belgium, New York, Tahiti, Chicago, Tunis, Andorra, Ṭihrán and other scattered points, letters and cables came pouring in from those who had pioneered a while in France and had then been forced to move on before this final goal had been attained—but who rejoiced in this Riḍván period that France had won this signal victory, Local assemblies, whose formation had been closely knitted to the work in France, through the selfless, timeless, devoted efforts of the members of the European Teaching Committee, sent messages of congratulations to a national community which was aware that the entire Bahá’í World had shared the responsibilities and the work—and had a share of the victory.

As the first delegates were called one by one, they moved forward with their ballots; and history stirred once again—and as gloriously as on ancient pages. Delegates from famous cities moved forward to add a new kind of fame to the annals of Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Orleans, Paris! As the fourth phase of the Ten-Year Crusade opened, France became the twenty-seventh pillar on which the International House of Justice will be built, and the only National Assembly to be formed this Riḍván.

Seventy-seven of the one hundred fifty-two adult believers in France were present at this solemn and crucial juncture. The majority of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh, working together in this land that has already forty-two localities opened to the Faith, comprising seven local assemblies, seven groups and twenty-eight isolated believers, sat in conscious concentration as the goal set by the Guardian was attained—and as the dedication of those noble souls of sixty years ago was realized.

Report on Goals and Achievements

Reports of the various national committees, set up by the European Teaching Committee, brought into focus the extent of the work actually accomplished. Goals set for France to be fulfilled before the formation of the national assembly were humbly acknowledged as attained: with the increase of pioneers and native believers, with the multiplication of isolated centers and local assemblies. with the translation and publication of literature, with the purchase of an endowment, with the establishment of summer schools.

The ten goal cities named by the Guardian were opened to the Faith, with the exception of one. Many visiting and resident believers had travelled to teach the Faith. A magnificently moving tape on the life of Bahá’u’lláh had been recorded for use. And the astonishing and gratifying total of seventy-two native French believers had assembled under the banner of the Faith.

As the Convention moved on through its three-day session. the perspective necessary to appreciate the goals already achieved and the work to be accomplished in the future was clearly realized, Non-delegate friends, catching the flame of inspiration, clamored to be heard; and the enthusiasm, so precious in the French believers, had to be curbed.

During the afternoon session of the last day, the newly-elected National Assembly announced to the[Page 18]

assembled delegates and friends the receipt of a generous gift, left to the National Assembly of the United States with the expressed hope that it be used for the promotion of the Faith in France, a gift from the late Edith Sanderson, who was a bulwark of devotion and service in the long years the Faith in France lay dormant. Thus France, guided by the Guardian, aided by the care and affection of the American National Assembly, helped by the friends throughout the world, materially blessed by this generous bequest, began its national responsibilities, already rich in the treasures of both the spiritual and material worlds.

Reception and Public Meeting Held

The entire Convention period was most fittingly opened with a reception held at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Paris, on the eve of this great event, during which a report of the first Intercontinental Conference held in Kampala was given. Hand of the Cause William Sears, who unexpectedly found himself in Paris and who had participated in this first of the five congresses called for by the Guardian in his last message to the Bahá’ís of the world, gave a most moving recital of what took place in the heart of that fast-awakening continent, During the Convention sessions and at the Unity Banquet, the friends also had a chance to hear of the work being done by the native believers in Africa.

A beautifully-prepared and well-attended public meeting, on the first night of the Convention, at which Madeleine Davy, exceptionally gifted French believer, spoke so simply and yet so eloquently of the spiritual foundations of the Bahá’í Faith, following which Louis 1-Ienuzet of Belgium masterfully outlined the administrative form through which the purity and strength of the Faith functions, attracted an audience of about one hundred and fifty.

Election of National Assembly

Halfway through the Convention the solemn period of the election of the National Assembly, at five minutes to four o‘clock on the afternoon of April 26, 1958, was announced. The seriousness, the importance, the spiritual significance of this event was lost to no one. In an abrupt quietness, prayers and extracts from the writings of Shoghi Effendi on this subject were read.

Reported back to the Convention by the tellers, as the elected National Spiritual Assembly for one year of the Bahá’í believers of France. were the names of nine: Sara Kenny, Jacques Soghomonian, Francois Petit, Joel Marangella, Chahab ‘Ala’i, Sally Sanor, Lucienne Migette, Farhang Javid, and Florence Bagley. These nine met immediately after the afternoon session to elect their officers. The results, as reported to the friends were: Chairman, Joel Marangella; ViceChairman, Sara Kenny; Corresponding Secretary, Francois Petit; Recording Secretary, Sally Sanor; Treasurer, Farhang Javid.

Having accomplished one half of the duties prescribed to delegates, the Convention moved on after the election, continuing, through two more sessions, with the vitally important task of consultation.

On Sunday, late in the afternoon, following a few words of hope and encouragement spoken by Hand of the Cause Herman Grossmann, the historic first National Convention of France came to a close, leaving to the assemblage of friends these too few memorable hours for their sustenance in the year to come; leaving also to the friends the knowledge that another of the goals so long urged, so tirelessly worked for, so patiently attended by our beloved Shoghi Effendi has been won, and that the establishment of these broader bases of love and understanding his dearest wish.

—SALLY SANOR

Bahá’ís gathering at the First National Convention of France, held in Paris on April 25-27, 1958.

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Alaska

Bahá’ís from all points of Alaska met in Anchorage for the Second Annual Bahá’í Convention on April 26-27, 1958i Delegates representing five local spiritual assemblies were present with one assembly delegate voting by absentee ballot. More than forty adults and several youth were in attendance, despite the handicap of distance and the necessity of expensive air travel.

Mr. Robert Maul, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, called the convention to order, and following roll call by the Secretary, a special prayer for the departed was dedicated to our beloved Shoghi Effendi, whose passing we mourn deeply and particularly on occasions such as this.

With the reading of the Convention Message from the Hands of the Cause iii the Holy Land, assuring all Bahá’ís of their support and stating that most of the statistics contained in the message were gleaned from the Guardian’s own notes, on which he had worked until two days before his passing, the knowledge that we are still under his protection was doubly apparent. There was a spirit of rededication and maturity present as the Alaskan Bahá’ís move forward to fulfill the goals set forth in the Ten-Year Crusade.

While the need for more pioneers to Alaska is still great, we are happy to report that Alaskans have also pioneered. Assemblies having sufficient numbers have sent settlers to goals in Alaska and many Alaskan Bahá’ís, members of the Armed Forces, have moved on to various stations elsewhere.

The Secretary of the National Teaching Committee reported on the accomplishments achieved in Alaska in the past year; while all the goals were not fined a good many were and the future looks fruitful. Much ground work was done by visiting speakers and teachers.

Plans for a Bahá’í Summer School, possibly in early August, were discussed briefly; complete details will be announced in the Alaskan Bahá’í News.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Alaska for 1958-1959.

Many suggestions and recommendations for ways and means of teaching the natives were offered by the delegates and members of the National Spiritual Assembly; these recommendations will be studied by the Assembly and shared with the friends.

At this point the Chairman of the Convention, Verne L. Stout, asked that the discussion be opened to all persons assembled; this was done, with the approval of the delegates and members of the National Spiritual Assembly. From this discussion many interesting and informative ideas were gleaned. Agnes Harrison, the representative from Bethel, explained some of the problems involving her particular locality: the need for time to invite neighboring villages if a public meeting is scheduled, and the weather in winter making the attendance of such a meeting impossible for these same villages; the need for sincerity, humbleness, and patience, especially when moving to a pioneer post, such as Bethel, Nome, or Barrow, where the population is predominantly native Alaskan.

She further mentioned that teachers, nurses, and secretaries are usually able to find work; couples are more successful as a rule. The need for a ‘true’ picture of the situation was expressed; for instance a pioneer from the midwest might be considerably shocked to find prices like these: Water 15 cents per gallon, Milk 90 cents per quart, and Electricity 25 cents per kilowatt. These facts are mentioned not to discourage pioneers but to keep them from becoming discouraged. The people who have gone out, many times with nothing more than faith to back up their undertaking, report their spiritual reward most glorious.

This report would not be complete without some mention of the Young Adult members; hearing the wisdom poured forth from these young people, seeing the enthusiasm with which they are facing the future, hearing the optimism they express leaves one with the feeling that the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh rests in competent hands.

—MARIE GUFFEY

[Page 20]

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay

The Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay was held in the intimate atmosphere of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Asuncion, Paraguay, on April 25-27, 1958. Twentyfour delegates from the five countries were present, including delegates of Negro, Indian, and white racial backgrounds, as well as European and American pioneers, with a joyous welcome also being given to a delegate from the southernmost city in the world, Punta Arenas.

During the Pre-Convention School April 23 and 24, courses were given on the themes of the Covenant, Institution of the Hands of the Cause, the Technique and Spirit of Consultation and The Day of God (from Advent of Divine Justice) which gave great impetus to the flow of consultation and the prevailing spirit of love and unity in the foflowing convention days.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay for 1958-1959.

On the evening of April 24, a “Meeting of Unity” was held in lieu of the usual festive Riḍván. This meeting was opened with meditation on the real significance of Bahá’í unity, using inspirational passages from the Teachings and excerpts associated with recent events in the Bahá’í World. The Master's definition of Unity was the theme of this introduction: “Unity is the expression of the loving power of God and reflects the reality of divinity.” ‘This was followed by an elevated devotional period together in a fragrant atmosphere of jasmine and attar of roses. These fragrances produced the strong impression of the very presence of the beloved Guardian with us that night.

It is always difficult to recapitulate the highlights of a convention in which confirmations flow so abundantly. Perhaps the most unforgettable memory will be the presence of the Canton Huanuni delegates, who spoke such pure words from their hearts as these: “We shall teach our children to enter into the new life;”

Bahá’ís attending the Second Annual Convention of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay at Asuncion, Paraguay, on April 25-27, 1958. The two delegates from the All-Indian Local Spiritual Assembly of Canton Huanuni, Bolivia, are seated at the right in the front row.

“First we shall illumine our brothers and people will ask us why we have advanced so far in our little village;” “I shall go on foot, passing over the mountains, crossing the rivers, seeking for believers; night and day I will walk looking for prepared souls . . .; “We invite all our Bahá’í brothers in the world to visit us” A large proportion of the consultation during the Convention was devoted to the clearly expressed needs of the Bolivian Indian Friends in their deep desire to serve the Faith as pioneers.

The Convention closed with prayers in the following languages: Spanish, English, French, Italian, Norwegian, Guarani, Quecha, and Aymara, read by delegates of those backgrounds. Among the frequently—heard words of “despedida" (farewell) was the phrase “Hasta siempre” (which has the untranslatable sense of being together forever).

National Assembly Election

The following members were elected to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly for the coming year: Jose Mielnik, Athos Costas, Salvador Tormo, Roberto Cazcarra, Roque Centurion Miranda, Else Cazcarra, Fabienne Guillon, Mary Binda, and Ellen Sims.

One can only sum up the spirit of this memorable Convention in the words of the revered Custodians of the Faith in the Holy Land: “A mighty wave of poignant love has swept all hearts, drawing the believers closer, uniting them in purpose, spurring them on to greater dedication, sacrifice and service in the path of God.”

—ELLEN SIMS

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National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Benelux countries for 1958-1959.

Benelux Countries

The second Benelux convention, held April 26-27. 1958 in the conference room of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in The Hague, Holland, opened with prayers in French, Dutch, and English, followed by a moment of reverent silence in memory of the beloved Guardian. Louis Henuzet, chairman of the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, read a cable from Herman Grossmann, Hand of the Cause, and then called upon Jan Sysling, Auxiliary Board member, to speak of his visit to the Guardian’s resting place in London.

After the election of the convention chairman, Jan Sysling, and secretary, Lea Nys, a report on the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of France was given by Louis Henuzet, who attended the convention.

The nineteen delegates present deliberated considerably on the many needs and demands of a developing Bahá’í community—the care of three Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg; budget; translation and distribution of literature; administrative responsibilities and the coordination of committee work; and above all the need to enlarge the scope of teaching so that many new believers may be enrolled.

Particularly stressed was the need to search ways and means for the legal incorporation of the National Assembly, and the urgency of securing their endowment—the last to be obtained.

The Message from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, read from a French translation. and distributed in Dutch and English. was followed by a discussion period.

The Dutch Book Sales Committee reported on many new items being translated and published, and the Belgian Book Sales Committee reported an excellent record of distribution and stated its view that a Publishing Trust should soon be established. Bath Committees take responsibility for translating as well as publishing, and have been very active.

Convention recommendations made to the incoming National Assembly strongly emphasized the need to concentrate on teaching work and suggested the following: More direct contact between the National Teaching Committees of each country and the communities and isolated Bahá’ís; the direction of Bahá’ís to goal cities as a continuous aspect throughout the year; a monthly schedule of meetings, activities, subjects, and speakers for holding of lectures and firesides, with results published in the Bulletin; the urgent need for a Bahá’í couple who speak French or German to settle in Luxembourg; and the possibilities for Iránian student pioneers. A weekend school following the Frankfurt Intercontinental Conference, for the purpose of deepening Bahá’ís only, was recommended.

The new Benelux National Spiritual Assembly, with its officers are: Chairman, Jan Sysling; Vice-Chairman, Louis Henuzet; Secretary, Lea Nys; Treasurer, Bob van Lith; Recording Secretary, Ben Levy; and Elsa de Koninck, Peirre Bram, Jean Nys; and Claude Levy.

—From report of LEA NYS

Bahá’í delegates and friends attending the Second Annual Convention of the Bennelux Countries at Brussels, Belgium, on April 26-27, 1958.

Iberian Peninsula

The Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Iberian Peninsula was held in Madrid April 25-28, 1955, and was open to the attendance of the believers in general, who came from the nine communities of the Peninsula to the number of about thirty-five, Charles Monroe Ioas, member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands. and chairman of the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, opened the Convention, after which Angelo Silva Carneiro, also member of the Board, was elected its per[Page 22] manent chairman, and Mr. Luis Ortuño its secretary.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Iberian Peninsula for 1958-1959.

The sessions opened with a loving and fervent prayer memorial for our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, in which was included chanting by some of the Persian friends who have come to help with the settlement of goal cities, a prayer of Bahá’u’lláh for the protection of the Faith in difficult times, and the reading of the Guardian’s last exhortation and tender message to the Iberian believers written in his own hand.

As it was impossible to get the nine-page message of the Hands in Haifa completely translated in time, half of it was read the first day, and the rest on the second day.

Reports were read by the National Secretary, who outlined the various happenings on the Penninsula, showing that in spite of set-backs and many difficulties and obstacles, the Faith is going forward in Spain and Portugal. The report of the National Teaching Committee stressed the urgency of teaching and the need to plan vacations with a view to spending that time on teaching trips. It was brought out that there should be less paper work and more active instruction, with accent on giving the example of Bahá’í life.

A most important goal was announced as achieved: the formation in Valencia of Spain’s eighth local spiritual assembly, this being the number of local assemblies indicated by the beloved Guardian in the Ten-Year Plan. Spain does not expect to stop at this, however, but hopes to form many more before 1963. It also hopes to exceed the goal of twelve localities, having already attained eight.

It was indicated that special stress be laid on the teaching work in Portugal, as there are only two local assemblies there and one group. Goals still not reached are teaching and confirming of the Basques and the Gypsies.

On the afternoon of the first day the election of the second Iberian National Spiritual Assembly was held, with results as follow: Charles Monroe Ioas, chairman; Ramón Escartin, vice chairman; Luis Ortuño, corresponding secretary; Sara Tíffón, recording secretary; Francisco Salas, treasurer, Spain; Angelo Carneiro, treasurer, Portugal; and José Lopez Monge, Virginia Orbison, Isidro Torrella.

The National Properties Committee reported on the purchase of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Lisbon, inaugurated October 20, 1957, and the Endowment, in Oporto, thus fulfilling the goals in this respect for the Peninsula. The total value of the national properties is now 1,453,277.15 Pesetas (about $25,900.00). The friends bore in mind that a Temple property was one of the goals set for Madrid, and there were contributions of 2,850.00 Pesetas towards this end to add to the $1,000 donated by Hand of the Cause Mrs. Amelia Collins. Voluntary contributions were also made towards the monument to be erected to our departed Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and to the National Fund.

The Translations Committee stated that translations of all messages had been made and distributed, and a revision for publication, of the complete Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Spanish. Many important translations into Portuguese were also reported, among these being passages from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, the Persian Buydn, and other compilations, this being the work of Angelo Carneiro.

Attention was called to the great Intercontinental Conferences planned by the Guardian himself; about twelve persons from the Peninsula expect to attend the Frankfurt Conference next July.

Charles Ioas gave a clear and inspiring comment on “The New Phase of the Cause,” calling attention to the importance of the Proclamation of the Hands of the Cause, which he read with comments, explaining that the Nine Hands in Haifa are the Custodians of the Faith until the formation of the International House of Justice, but in the meantime the friends should concentrate on the goals set by the Guardian for the Ten-Year Crusade.

Virginia Orbison commented upon the Convention Message of the Hands, upon which the delegates consulted in regard to the questions discussed in this important communication. Stress was put upon the individual responsibilities for living the Bahá’í way of life, observing strict morality and integrity in all its aspects.

The Convention was summarized by the Chairman, Angelo Silva Carneiro, who commented on the wonderfully comprehensive spirit shown in the Convention, and the harmonious consultation and unanimous decisions made by the National Spiritual Assembly during the past year. He quoted a passage from Bahá’u’lláh which urges the people to become “submerged in the Ocean of My Words” in order to know and learn. He recommended fewness of words and greatness of action. He also expressed gratitude for the spiritual presence of our beloved Guardian, and his watchfulness from the Abhá Kingdom, also for the thoughtful vigilance of the Hands of the Faith. the continued and much appreciated support by the American National Assembly and the European Teaching Committee and for the fruitful participation by the deltt gates.

The Convention ended on a high[Page 23] note of enthusiasm and devotion, each one resolving to do his utmost to fulfill all the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade as the beloved Guardian would have it, keeping in mind and heart his continuous exhortations to become worthy of their elevated mission.

The Iberian friends were again thankful for the continued protection which the Bahá’ís are being favored with during their meetings, summer schools, and convention, and continually rememher the words of the Báb “God will assist all those who arise to serve Him.”

—PERCY G. LEADLEY

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand for 1958-1959.

New Zealand

The Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand was held at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Auckland on April 25-27, 1958. Unlike the first convention held last year, there was only one overseas visitor present this time.

Average attendance at all sessions was thirty-one delegates and friends. All were disappointed that the convention message from the Holy Land was not received during the convention period. However, portions of the beloved Guardian’s message to the previous convention were restudied. So potent was this message considered, it was decided that it be reread at future conventions for some years to come.

A comprehensive program was arranged and carried through. Special highlights of this agenda were: “Conference Impact,” when New Zealand visitors to the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney, Australia, gave their impressions of the proceedings; the New Zealand Crusade Goals review; first-hand accounts of the teaching work in Persia; and a visit by all present to View a suitable site of four and one-quarter acres of wonderful land as the proposed Temple Site, which must be attained, This proposed site is elevated, with extensive views, and is situated fourteen miles south of Auckland on the main “southern outlet” motorway and Great South Road‘ All those present were unanimous in the opinion that the site could not be bettered. The most important item or business was the election of the new National Spiritual Assembly. These are the members elected, with the officers designated: S. J. Carr, chairman; Mrs. M. Hamish, vice-chairman: Miss K. Carpenter, treasurer; and Mrs. D. Weeks, Mrs. L. Fenner, Mrs. B. Van der Vaart, E. B. Dewing, P. Leadley, and H. K. Blundell.

On the whole it was a happy convention, with a real Bahá’í spirit prevailing. The coming year promises to be one of more intense activity in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh by the New Zealand friends.

—PERCY G. LEADLEY

Delegates and visitors at the Second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand in Auckland on April 25-27, 1958.

North East Africa

Conscious of the stupendous sacred legacy that our most beloved departed Guardian has entrusted the Bahá’í World Community to carry; cognizant of the dynamic power of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and its miraculous permeation throughout the four corners of the world, within the memory oi persons who have watched its growth ever since the Author of the Faith was a prisoner in the penal colony of ‘Akká; inspired by the presence of the revered Hand of the Cause, Mr. Ṭarázu’lláh Samandari, who had, in the prime of youth, the unique blessing of beholding the luminous countenance of Bahá’u’lláh, and enriched with a storehouse of spiritual experience which has been accumulating for a period of eighty-five years; in such an atmosphere the third National Convention of the Bahá’ís of North East Africa was opened on April 24 with the resonance of our impressive prayer, revealed by the Master. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and chanted by a child of five years of age. After this prayer the delegates, as well as the visiting[Page 24] friends, stood in silent prayer for five minutes, in commemoration of our most beloved Guardian.

The whole atmosphere of the Convention was resounding with the spiritually laden words of the revered Hand of the Cause, Ṭaráz’ulláh Samandari, who attended all the sessions.

The delegates from Mogadiscio, Asmara, Addis-Ababa, Khartoum North, and Port Sudan brought the glad tidings of the progress of the Cause in those areas. It is hoped that the coming year will be a new beginning for the speedy achievement of the remaining goals of the Ten-Year Plan.

The Convention terminated through the receipt of the following message released from the Holy Land:—

“Grateful convention message fervently praying divine confirmations delegates friends beloved Guardian ever present his happiness dependent attainment sent victories fulfillment all goals—Handsfaith.”

The result of the election of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly was as follows: Abdu’l-Rahim Yazdi, chairman; Yusuf Mustapha, vice-chairman; Tewfiq M. Ali, secretary; Iskandar Hanna, treasurer; Mirza Badi Bushrui, assistant secretary; Dr. Rawshan Yazdi, Hussein Amin Bikar, Abbas Rushdy, Seyyid M. Azzawi.

—BADI BUSHRUI

Final Iniertontinenial Conference To Be Held in Djakarta Sept. 22-27

The Fifth and final Intercontinental Conference called for by the beloved Guardian in his last letter to the Bahá’ís of the world will be held in Djakarta, Indonesia, from September 22 to 27, 1958, inclusive. The Regional Spiritual Assembly for the Bahá’ís of South East Asia, which is the host for this Conference, expresses the hope that a vast number of friends from all over the world will attend this cluminating historic event.

Since housing is a serious and difficult problem in Djakarta, the friends who plan to attend the Conference should inform the Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia as quickly as they can of their intention, specifying their preferences as to the class of hotel and the exact date of arrival.

In applying for the necessary visa it is very important that the application states that the visit is for tourist reasons and no mention at all must be made of the Bahá’í Conference. This instruction must be strictly observed.

If any of the friends who plan to attend the Djakarta Conference are able to devote some time to teaching in the various countries in south and east Asia, please inform the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the,United States so that suggestions as to cities and addresses can be supplied.

American Bahá’ís planning to attend the Djakarta Conference must

National Baha’i Addresses

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Calendar of Events

FEASTS

July 13 — Kalimát (Words)

August 1 — Kamál (Perfection)

HOLY DAY

July 9 — Martyrdom of the Báb

INTERCONTINENTAL CONFERENCE

July 25-29 — Frankfurt, Germany

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

July 18-20

Baha’i House of Worship

Visiting Hours

Weekdays

10:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (Entire building)

7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. (Auditorium only)

Sundays and Holidays 10:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Entire building)

5:00 P.M. to 9 P.M. (Auditorium only)

Service of Worship

Sundays 3:30 P.M.. lasting until 4:15.

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 from national committees and local assemblies of the United States as well as from National Assemblies of other Lends. Material is due in Wilmette on the first day of the month preceding the date at 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.

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