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No. 339

BAHA’I YEAR 116

MAY, 1959

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Declaration of the Bab

MAGNIFY Thou, O Lord my God, Him Who is the Primal Point, the Divine Mystery, the Unseen Essence, the Day-Spring of Divinity, and the Manifestation of Thy Lordship, through whom all the knowledge of the past and all the knowledge of the future were made plain, through Whom the pearls of Thy hidden wisdom were uncovered, and the mystery of Thy treasured name disclosed, Whom Thou hast appointed as the Announcer of the One through Whose name the letter B and the letter E have been joined and united, through Whom Thy majesty, Thy sovereignty and Thy might were made known, through Whom Thy words have been sent down, and Thy laws set forth with clearness, and Thy signs spread abroad, and Thy Word established, through Whom the hearts of Thy chosen ones were laid bare, and all that were in the heavens and all that were on the earth were gathered together, whom Thou hast called ‘Alí-Muḥammad in the kingdom of Thy names, and the Spirit of Spirits in the Tablets of Thine irrevocable decree, Whom Thou hast invested with Thine own title, unto Whose name all other names have, at Thy bidding and through the power of Thy might, been made to return, and in Whom Thou hast caused all Thine attributes and titles to attain their final consummation. To Him also belong such names as lay hid within Thy stainless tabernacles, in Thine invisible world and Thy sanctified cities.

Magnify Thou, moreover, such as have believed in Him and in His signs and have turned towards Him, from among those that have acknowledged Thy unity in His Latter Manifestation — a Manifestation whereof He hath made mention in His Tablets, and in His Books, and in His Scriptures, and in all the wondrous verses and gem-like utterances that have descended upon Him. It is this same Manifestation Whose covenant Thou hast hidden Him establish ere He had established His own covenant. He it is Whose praise the Bayan hath celebrated. In it His excellence hath been extolled, and His truth established, and His sovereignty proclaimed, and His Cause perfected. Blessed is the man that hath turned unto Him, and fulfilled the things He hath commanded, O Thou Who art the Lord of the worlds and the Desire of all them that have known Thee!

Praised he Thou, O my God, inasmuch as Thou hast aided us to recognize and love Him. I, therefore, beseech Thee by Him and by them Who are the Day-Springs of Thy Divinity, and the Manifestations of Thy Lordship, and the Treasuries of Thy Revelation, and the Depositories of Thine inspiration, to enable us to serve and obey Him, and to empower us to become the helpers of His Cause and the dispersers of His adversaries. Powerful art Thou to do all that pleaseth Thee. No God is there beside Thee, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the One Whose help is sought by all men!

—Geanings, page 84-86

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“These Days Are Swifty Passing”

A Message From the U. S. National Spiritual Assembly

Beloved Friends:

Excerpts from two recent communications received from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land are presented to the American believers with an appeal for their serious consideration by all individual believers, by all local communities, by committees, and by area conferences.

Under date of February 11 our Assembly received a letter from which we cite the following passages:

“As the remaining years of the Ten-Year Plan are rapidly drawing to a close, we are most deeply concerned over the fulfillment of the goals set by our beloved Guardian, and a great deal of our attention is taken up with ways and means of arousing the Bahá’í world to instant action.

“Our suggestion is that these two great pillars of the Faith, Persia and America, representing the East and the West, unite in a joint effort . . . the Persian Bahá’ís should be invited to contribute to a fund which would go directly to the American National Assembly, forwarded by the Persian National Assembly, to be used for the specific purpose of financing American pioneers who are ready to go and fill the all-important pioneer posts abroad . . .

“This plan would have nothing to do with the flow of Persian pioneers who are able to leave their country. It would be a system of deputization of American believers on the part of the Persian believers in order to fulfill at the earliest possible date some, at least, of the objectives of our beloved Guardian’s Plan.

“Although all arrangements would be handled by the American National Spiritual Assembly . . . it would be highly desirable if . . . the Persian contributor or contributors . . . could later be put in correspondence with the person or family that it deputized. This, we feel, would bring the Bahá’ís of East and West, already so much more closely united through the grief caused by the passing of their beloved Guardian, closer together than ever before, and knit them . . . in a deeper bond of fellowship. In this way a firmer foundation will be laid for that occasion . . . when the believers . . . will come under the direct guidance of the Universal House of Justice, and when that august body will need to have the greatest unity. fellowship, and cooperation amongst all believers in order to further the work of the Bahá’í world.”

This arrangement means that American volunteers for the pioneer field for Latin American, European, and Oriental areas, whose mission at present cannot be financed from the American National Fund, will be dispatched to these posts through deputization by Persian believers, through that Fund, as replenished by donations forwarded by the National Assembly of Persia.

As rapidly as funds are made available in this manner, American volunteers will be sent to the posts selected for them by one of our intercontinental teaching committees.

Response to This New Oppotunity is Urgently Invited

From a letter dated February 24, also written by the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, the following excerpts emphasize the vital importance of accomplishing the remaining tasks of the World Crusade:

“At the conclave of the Hands of the Cause in Bahjí in November 1953, it became apparent to all that if the Bahá’í: of the world are to remain faithful to their trust and demonstrate their devotion to the beloved Guardian, they must arise in a supreme effort to accomplish all the tasks of the Ten-Year Crusade, and particularly to win those goals which have to do with the establishment of local assemblies, the foundations for the national spiritual assemblies called for as specific objectives of the Ten-Year Plan. These national assemblies constitute paramount goals, because they are pillars of the Universal House of Justice.

“The beloved Guardian himself has called for the holding of the first World Bahá’í Congress in Riḍván 1963. It would indeed be a fitting crown to the beloved Guardian’s life of complete sacrifice and service if the House of Justice is established at that time.

“America has the lion’s share of this great task, as the beloved Guardian gave the United States a continuing responsibility for the achievement of the goals in the areas where regional national assemblies have been established in Central and South America, and in Europe.

“As we analyze the situation, local spiritual assemblies must be formed in these areas as follows:

Central America and the Antilles . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

South America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62”

Beloved friends! The tasks assigned to our Bahá’í community at this stage of the Crusade are clearly defined. The channels of administrative direction are all in operation. The means are assured. The focal point of spiritual achievement is in the hearts of[Page 3] individual Bahá’ís and Bahá’í families willing and eager to respond.

“We are not unmindful, of course, of the great responsibility resting upon your Assembly in bringing the number of local assemblies in the United States up to three hundred. This, in itself, will perhaps require a very marked pioneering movement. However, we hope that strong financial assistance from the Persian Bahá’ís win make it possible for a mighty wave of pioneers to go forth and fill those posts abroad where the need is most urgent. This certainly would simplify your financial problem of settling and developing the Faith in goal cities in the United States.”

Destiny has brought our community to its supreme test. In pressing forward now, we bring to fullfillment the very meaning of America in the life of the human race. It is for this crucial victory that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled across the land in 1912; it was for this achievement that the beloved Guardian unfolded through our community the significance of obedience to Bahá’u’lláh, the purposes of the Cause, and the nature of Bahá’í institutions. An overflowing cup of the pure Wine of Holiness has been offered the American believers. Your National Spiritual Assembly is assured that it is not offered in vain.

“What service could be more glorious than sacrificing for the establishment of the Universal House of Justice. and what demonstration of love and devotion to the Guardian could be more wonderful than achieving all the objectives of his Ten-Year Plan!

“We live in an hour of great destiny. We pray that each one of us may valiantly play his or her part until total victory is won.”

—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Hands of the Cause at Bahjí in the Holy Land on November 30, 1953. Left to right: ‘Alí Akbar Furútan, Enoch Olinga, John Ferraby, Hermann Grossmann,‘Alí Muḥammad Varqá, Ṭaráẓu’lláh Samandarí, Músá Banání, John Robarts, Amelia E. Collins, Shu’á’u’lláh ‘Alá’í , Hassan Balyuzi, Leroy Ioas, Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Adelbert Mühlschlegel, Dhikru’lláh Khádem, Paul E. Haney, Agnes Alexander, Rahmatu’lláh Muhájir, William B. Sears, ‘Abu’l-Qásim Faizí, Jalál Kházeh, Horace Holley, Charles Mason Remey, H. Collis Featherstone, and Ugo Giachery. Corinne True and Clara Dunn were unable to attend.

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Benelux NSA Host to European Conference at Brussels Called by Hands of Cause

The fifth European Conference called by the Hands of the Cause in Europe met in Brussels, Belgium, on December 27-28, 1953. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Benelux Countries served as host, and members of the national assemblies and of the Auxiliary Board for Europe attended.

Dr. Ugo Giachery served as chairman, and opened the meeting with a reading of the message of November 1558 from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, and discussion centered on this letter.

Consultation dealt almost exclusively with the Ten-Year Plan goals on the European continent. The Hands of the Cause assured the national spiritual assemblies of all possible help. It was emphasized that everything else must be secondary to the attainment of these goals.

Frances Wells of Alaska, on pilgrimage to the Holy Land by way of Belgium, spoke on Sunday evening about the work of the pioneers in the far north, and showed slides of the northern communities.

It was announced at the conference that in the next few months four of the European Hands of the Cause will be travelling in service to the Faith: Dr. Ugo Giachery in Central America, Dr. Hermann Grossmann in South America, and Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel in Scandinavia. Hasan Balyuzi will go first to Haifa for several months, then he, too, will travel.

Dr. Giachery Meets Temple-Area Bahá’ís Upon Return from Central America

Dr. Ugo Giachery, Hand of the Cause from Europe, spoke to several hundred Bahá’ís of northern Illinois at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette on April 5, en route to Europe and the Holy Land after an extended tour of Central America and the Greater Antilles.

Hand of the Cause Horace Holley introduced Dr. Giachery, who spoke first of the deeply moving experi

Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery (third from left) with the Santiago, Dominican Republic, Eahrfis on February 1, 1959. His visit to Central America was reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for April.

The first two Portuguese believers in the Azores Islands: Edmundo Cabral and Imberto Goncalves.

ence he had that same afternoon when he attended, for the first time, the worship service in the Temple auditorium.

“This was a perfect conclusion to my journey to Central America,” he said. “It is so beautiful.”

He then spoke of the great opportunities the Bahá’ís have in America, with the many freedoms they enjoy, and went on to emphasize the great challenge before us, with the coming formation of the Universal House of Justice. Sixty-one national spiritual assemblies and 460 local spiritual assemblies are needed by 1962, he explained, so that the Universal House of Justice may be elected in the following year.

Speaking of the Ten-Year Crusade, Dr. Giachery commented: “This is the greatest spiritual enterprise since the beginning of the world. We are bringing the water of life to the people. We must be proud that we are Bahá’ís, and we must be conscious of the infallibility of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.”

In contrast with the freedoms enjoyed by the people of North America, Dr. Giachery stated, the people of Central America have been oppressed for hundreds of years; the Bahá’ís of Latin America are famished, and need a helping hand.

Concluding his appeal for pioneers to assist in the Ten-Year Crusade, Dr. Giachery said, “There is no greater happiness or joy than sewing the Cause anywhere.”

Following this talk, Dr. Giachery gave an impressive and loving commentary on a series of beautiful color slides he had photographed of the Shrine of the Báb, the International Archives Building, the monument gardens, and the landscaping on Mt. Carmel; the Pilgrim Houses and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house in Haifa; and the Mansion and Tomb of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, so many of them a wondrous legacy wrought by the hand of our beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi.

On the next day Dr. Giachery went to Milwaukee, Wisc., where he spoke at the Bahá’í Center that evening to an audience of about 125 Bahá’ís from all parts of the state.

He then returned to Chicago, and on April 7 departed for New York, en route to Europe.

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U. S. Bahá’ís Hail Naw-Ruz With Many Public Observances

Bahá’í's and friends at the Naw-Rúz celebration in Macau on March 21, 1959.

NAW-RUZ observances are reported by seventy-five Bahá’í centers as we go to press. Many fellowship meetings were held where isolated and group believers came together, and children and youth participated. Music was the highlight of most programs with the breaking of bread on this very joyous Bahá’í festivity. All through the reports we sensed a current of unity.

From the press clippings received to date we would conclude that the public was well informed of this anniversary of the New Era declared by the Báb in 1844, Space permits only a brief résumé of these activities, but with it goes a deep appreciation for your reports and for the effort made in the “reinvigoration of the spirit” which comes with this Bahá’í New Year, on the 116th anniversary of the Dawn of a New Age.

Two contacts declared intentions to become Bahá’ís at a Naw-Rúz observance at a Negro Baptist Church Youth Center in Baton Rouge, La., to assist in forming the first Local Spiritual Assembly in that city on April 21. “This has been our goal,” the Bahá’í press representative Writes. “A few Weeks ago it almost seemed impossible, but we never gave up. Now it is close to being a reality. We have always tried to use the publicity in order to keep the name Bahá’í before the public. Many times we meet people who tell us they see the articles in the newspaper and think we must have a very large number of Bahá’ís in the city. We are only seven." Invitations were sent out to forty people; twenty-one adults and three children attended. Of this number, eight were Bahá’ís and thirteen were guests. Of the eleven Negroes present, only one was a Bahá’í. Confirmation classes were immediately arranged for the two who declared their intentions of joining the Faith.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá assures us that every seed sown in this day shall bear fruit, but the cultivation and nurturing of that seed is in our own perseverance, our wisdom, our obedience to the Covenant, and in our sincerity of intention. What a thrilling experience to see one’s faith in action! May it be the torch that will set the blaze aglow in our own communities!

Some sixty Bahá’ís and their friends from nine communities joined with the Assembly of Victor Township, N.Y., in a covered dish Naw-Rúz festival at the home of one of the friends in Victor. They came from Canadaigua, Clifton Springs, East Rochester, Geneva, Irondequoit, Linwood, Livonia, Rochester, and Seneca Township. They were privileged to have as their guest speaker, a Bahá’í friend from Quincy 111., who spoke on “The Dawn Of A New Age.” The following day this same friend spoke at a luncheon for influential Negro contacts at the home of the chairman of the Rochester Assembly.

On Sunday afternoon the Bahá’í children’s schools of East Rochester and Victor had their Naw-Rúz observance at the home of believers in Irondequoiti There were twenty-nine children and twenty-one adults from Canadaigua, East Rochester, Livonia, Perinton, and Rochester. An eleven-year-old boy was program chairman. There were prayers, a reading on the meaning of Naw-Rúz, songs from the Bahá’í Children’s Song Book, group singing, a violin solo by a ten-year-old boy, recitations, and a vocal duet by two little girls aged five and seven. After the program, games were organized for the children; these were followed by refreshments. This was the first time that the two schools had a joint program.

Of the reports received, Long Beach and Lakewood,[Page 6] Calif., had the largest number of non-Bahá’ís attending a buffet dinner. There were thirty guests out of an attendance of fifty-five. After the dinner there was an illustrated lecture. They had a book display, and literature was distributed; the editor of the local newspaper expressed interest in the occasion and literature was left with him. Follow-up meetings have been planned.

The Naw-Rúz party held at the Bahá’í Center in West Englewood, N. J., on March 22, 1959, with thirty-five children and their parents.

Des Moines, Iowa, had a special program at the home of one of the believers. The history of spirituals and demonstration of group singing was followed by a social hour.

In Missouri, Independence, Kansas City, St. Joseph, and Kansas City, Kans. had a joint dinner meeting at the YWCA with a musical program featuring the Fellowship House Chorus.

Council Bluffs, Grand Island, Lincoln, and Omaha, Nebraska; and Niles, Mich., had a public meeting and luncheon with a speaker on the Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Bahá’í religions.

Other communities reporting were: Flagstaff, Ariz., had a youth program; Little Rock, Ark., used the media of advertising to bring the message of Naw-Rúz to the public; in the state of California, Altadena had a musical program, a talk and social hour; Beverly Hills gave a special program for the occasion; Geyservilie and Sonoma County a served pot-luck supper in the community hall, and children were remembered with favors at the social hour.

Lakeside, in addition to the above, had a picnic and program by the Bahá’í children; La Mirada, Downey Judicial District, held an Intercalary Day party, as a pre-Naw-Rúz observance, for the children attending Bahá’í School; Reddirlg advertised the meaning of Naw-Rúz; San Diego had a dinner and guest speaker; Whittier, with Anaheim and Long Beach, had a picnic and special program of Bahá’í songs sung by groups of children,

In Colorado, Colorado Springs held a social gathering with organ music. games, and refreshments; Denver ran a newspaper advertisement for Naw-Rúz; in Connecticut, New Haven had a gathering for the friends in the home of one of the believers; Norwich, Fort Point, and Alton, R.I., joined together at the home of a believer in Mansfield; Wilmington, Del., had a special program of religious readings; Key West, Fla., had a meeting at the home of one of the friends, who showed slides of his trip to Mexico, as well as of the Bahá’í House of Worship and gardens in Wilmette; Boise and Ada County, Idaho, had a dinner meeting at the Columbian Club, and the Bahá’í children’s class presented a program of dances.

The North Shore area of Illinois attended worship services and a public meeting with refreshments at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette: Peoria observed the occasion with public meetings; Quincy with a panel of youth at the Quincy Art Center; Indianapolis, Ind., had a special program; Sioux City, Iowa, had good publicity and a newspaper advertisement for the occasion; Portland, Maine, held a public meeting at the YWCA; Attleboro, Mass., published publicity; Flint, Mich., gave a cooperative supper at the Davison Bahá’í School with a speaker and slides of Haifa; in Minnesota, St. Cloud used publicity and an advertisement; st. Paul gave a public program at the Bahá’í Center; Dumont, N.J., observed the occasion with prayer and discussion, followed by a social hour.

This Race Amity Day poster has been prepared to help publicize meetings for Race Amity Day on June 14, 1959. It is printed in four colors and gold on heavy, felt-finished white paper, size 14 by 20 inches. There is space at the bottom for information about a local meeting, or for offering literature. The charge is fifty cents each, five for $2.00, and should be ordered from Bahá’í Press Service, 434 Thomas Ave., Rochester 17, N.Y. Orders filled after June 1 are not returnable should they not arrive on time.

In New York, Buffalo held a public meeting and reported one of the best pieces of publicity they ever had; Grand Island and Niagara Falls gave a potluck supper and talk; Hamburg served a buffet supper; Elmira and Horseheads gave a luncheon for twelve, with eight contacts; New York City held a public meeting, with a musical program and refreshments Naw-Rúz cards were mailed to the news editors of five major daily papers; Logan, Utah, featured a buffet supper and special program with a guest speaker; Hinsdale, N.H., and Brattleboro Vt., had eighteen attend a covered-dish supper, followed by readings from the Hidden Words and a showing of slides of the Holy Land and Bahá’í Temple: Keene, N,H., and Wardsboro and Burlington, Vt., had a worship service dedicated to the unity of mankind and of religion; Spokane, Wash., served a dinner with nearby groups, resulting in their first publicity in the local newspaper; in Wisconsin, Brookfield held a[Page 7] supper and special program, and Rhinelander observed the day in the home of an isolated believer who received excellent publicity and the second best newspaper coverage on the occasion, next to Flint, Mich.

The Bahá’ís of Phoenix and Tempe and their guests held their observance of Naw-Rúz at the Phoenix YWCA, with over a hundred in attendance. A cross-section of the world was what the gathering became, as among the guests were members of the Indian community, those of Mexican and Spanish descent, as well as our Negro friends who mingled with great joy and fellowship from the cradle to the grandparents.

The evening began with the Prayer for Naw-Rúz. Dinner was shared by all. followed by an explanation and reading on Naw-Rúz with several musical selections. The program ended with group singing, Everyone left with a joyous feeling of unity and happiness.

Naw-Rúz in Navajo-land

The festival of Naw-Rúz, celebrated by the Bahá’ís and their friends of the Navajo Reservation at Pinon, Ariz., attracted 100 participants from Friday through Sunday. March 20 to Z2. Twenty-three were Bahá’ís, the others included Navajo friends, some of whom travelled 100 miles to attend, and residents of Piñon.

Most of the meetings were held in a newly-completed Navajo Chapter House built by the Tribal Council for the purpose of providing the Navajo people with a place to gather. When permission to use the house was asked, the Bahá’ís made it clear it would be for religious purposes, and assent was given without hesitation.

Friday evening’s meeting was intimate and informal, with readings and a talk by Dr. Nasratollah Rassekh from Sedona, Ariz. Saturday night’s dinner and talk, also by Dr. Rassekh, was attended by seventy-five, and was described by the Piñon friends as “beautiful in its simplicity, sincerity, and warmth.” It began with the reading of a prayer by a Navajo believer. Each morning began with the sharing of prayers.

Guests from distant points were housed in the Amoz Gibson home in Pinon, and in the homes of neighbors who also work at the Navajo school there.

Bahá’ís on the Navajo Reservation, now numbering fourteen, and living in four separate locations, and the pioneer couple on the adjacent Hopi Reservation, continue to meet in their own groups for study classes and firesides, and together once a month, bringing their Indian friends with them to share hospitality, loving fellowship, and the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Manila Holds First Naw-Rúz Celebration

The Bahá’ís of Manila and four surrounding communities in the Philippine Islands were the happy hosts to a group of forty Bahá’ís and their friends at the Naw-Rúz celebration this year, the first of its kind to have been held in that city. Two of the four major daily newspapers carried announcements of the event and one of them so aroused the interest of the editor of the woman’s page that she wrote a feature article, mainly about the Bahá’í calendar, which appeared on the front page of the following Saturday morning edition. She also spoke of the nature of the Naw-Rúz Feast itself, and of the extent of the Faith in the Philippines and its goals for peace in the world.

—BAHÁ’Í PRESS SERVICE

Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Hand of the Cause of Europe (center), with the lsalnris ay Bahia, Brazil, on the occasion of his visit there on February 21, 1959.

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First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Dili, Portuguese Timor, formed ml April 21, 1958.

Second Philippine Summer School Attended by Forty-Five Bahá’ís

Forty-five Bahá’ís attended the second annual Philippine Bahá’í Summer School at Solano on March 26 to 30.

“Each day seemed too short, and each hour too shallow for the eagerness and thirst of their souls,” the chairman, William Allison, reported. “Our sessions began with prayers each morning and afternoon, led by the friends of Solano, Diffun, Gundaway, and Manila. The fact that four believers, including a newly declared member, came from Manila, was a great inspiration to the friends in this isolated community of Solano.”

Classes included a study of The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, and lectures on “How to Use Christian Scriptures in Teaching the Bahá’í Faith,” “Bahá’í Responsibility in the New World Order,” “The Role of Women in the Bahá’í Cause,” “How to Teach the Bahá’í Faith in the Philippines.” “Entrance into the Kingdom,” and “The Bahá’í Era.” These last two lectures were given in Ilocano and English.

The final afternoon session was devoted to “The Ten-Year World Crusade and the Philippines.” Mr. Allison recalled the recent message from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land, emphasizing the urgency of the Work to be completed and the short time in which it could be achieved.

Reports from the various Bahá’í communities of their activities were given, and the goals they would strive to achieve by 1960 were listed. Special consideration was given to the five goal cities selected for the formation of local spiritual assemblies by 1963, and to the completion of the translation of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and of the pamphlet Bahá’í Answers into Tagalog. Incorporation of the local assemblies of Diffun, Gundaway, Santiago, and Manila is also part of the Plan.

In his report Mr. Allison paid special tribute to Felix R. Madella, the first believer in the Philippines, who first read about the Faith in a pamphlet left behind by Mrs. Loulie Mathews on one of her visits to the South Pacific, and later in an old newspaper. Before World War 11 Mr. Madella was the only Bahá’í in the Philippines. Now his community of Solano has more than one hundred believers, and has sent pioneers to three different regions in the Islands, where there are strong 10cal assemblies. “Here is a perfect evidence,” wrote Mr. Allison, “of Bahá’u’lláh’s promise that His Words would arise in both the East and West with splendor and great glory.”

Usumbura Secures Official Recognition

A shining light from the French-speaking territories is Usumbura, in Ruanda-Urundi, where the African community has carried on the work of the Faith without any pioneer assistance for some two years. Strong foundations were established here when Rex and Mary Collison lived for some time in Usumbura, and their work has borne wonderful fruit in the firm and devoted believers who now form the Usumbura community. The Usumbura Local Assembly has felt for a long time that the progress of the work has been severely handicapped by the lack of government recognition and the fact that they have no center. In an effort to rectify this state of affairs, the national assembly secretary, Philip Hainsworth, was sent to Usumbura to appeal to the authorities for recognition and for permission to purchase a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Accompanied by his family, he drove to Usumbura and was there given a wonderful welcome by the community. During the course of a four-day visit, many interviews were held with various government officials, including the Head of Native Affairs and the Director of African Housing. The result of all this consultation was that a letter was drafted, and approved by the Governor of the territory, which recognized the Bahá’í community in Usumbura. In addition, the Director of Housing proved most co-operative and went out of his way to help the Bahá’ís to locate a suitable house.

—BAHÁ’Í Gazette OF CENTRAL EAST AFRICA

Bahá’í Center of Solano, Philippine Islands, with Felix R. Mazdlla, the first believer in the Philippines.

[Page 9]

Intercalary Festival Attracts Large Crowds at Los Angeles Center

NEARLY 700 persons participated in the Intercalary Days celebration held at the Las Angeles, Calif., Bahá’í Center on February 26-28, in accordance with the joyful spirit of this period.

The celebrations were given an enthusiastic start at a Proclamation Meeting on Thursday, February 26. Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, gave a most inspiring talk, “Leaves of One Tree” before a heartwarming number of people.

On the next day the Center was astir with activity from 2:00 p.m. until well after midnight. Between the events, Bahá’ís and their guests admired the impressive and beautiful displays set up by the various committees.

The lecture on “Painting and Music,” in the afternoon, pointed out the changing course of civilization as reflected in the works of great artists and composers.

Friday evening”s program was one of pure delight and enjoyment, spotlighting the allied arts, including literature, drama, music, the visual arts, sand painting, and the dance.

On the following morning the Bahá’í children presented the Faith to their friends and parents in a program presented entirely by the members of the children’s classes. This was followed by games, a picnic lunch on the back lawn, and gifts distributed to the children from a magic fish pond.

At 3:00 p.m. Bahá’ís and their guests were taken on a world tour through the magic of color slides.

After a devotional period at 6:00 p.m., at which prayers were read in nineteen languages, the festal board was set, and the international theme of the day was climaxed by a buffet dinner featuring foods from around the world.

Pylon publicizing the Bahá’í Faith on the grounds of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Los Angeles, Calif., during the Intercalary Days celebration.

How wonderful it was, to see the Center filled with the warmth and energizing devotion that comes from putting into practice the realization that “Ye are all the leaves of one tree. . . .”

—LOS ANGELES BAHÁ’Í JOURNAL

Left: Bahá’í children’s classes at the Los Angeles Center. Right: Bahá’ís and guests at the Intercalary Days festival in the Los Angeles Center.

[Page 10]

Monaco, Smallest Country in Europe, Shows Steady Growth of Faith

Monaco, a goal country of the Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly, and the smallest country in Europe, covers an area of but three square miles along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It is famous for its semi-tropical climate, its sunshine, its Casino and villas, and no taxes. Prince Rainier, of the Grimaldi family, which became rulers of Monaco in 1357, is one of the few remaining absolute sovereigns.

in September 1953, when the Ten-Year Crusade was initiated, Mrs. Nellie French, then over eighty years of age. came to Monaco as a pioneer, and first introduced the Bahá’í Faith there at a meeting at the Hotel Royale in Monte Carlo. After only two months, in December of that year, Mrs. French passed away.

In February 1954 another pioneer, Mrs. Shamssi Navidi of Ṭihrán, with her two children, came to Monaco. She was followed shortly by Mrs. Kelsey and by Miss Florence Ullrich from the United States.

A year later, in April 1955, the first local spiritual assembly was formed. Since then some of the friends have moved away, but four new believers have been welcomed, so that assembly status has been maintained.

As in other countries whose government is Catholic, it is difficult to have public meetings, Monaco is allied to the Vatican by concordat. There have been, however, many private meetings with guest speakers and regular weekly firesides. A youth group is being formed, as well as a class for children.

On the occasion of the marriage of Prince Rainier to Grace Kelly, and when the first heir to the throne was born, gifts were presented to Their Serene Highnesses by the Bahá’ís of Monaco. In return, gracious acknowledgments were received from Prince Rainier.

It is to be hoped that, through the continued efforts and sacrifices of our pioneers and the Bahá’í friends. this beautiful little land of sunshine, with its worldly atmosphere of pleasure seekers, will gradually be lightened by the spiritual Sun of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

—MAUD BOSIO

Italo-Swiss Bahá’í Youth Winter School held at Einsiedeln, Switzerland, on December 26, 1958, to January 4, 1959.

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Monte Carlo, Monaco, for 1958-1959.

First Bahá’í School in Tasmania Held at Dilston in January

The first Tasmanian Bahá’í School was held on January 30 to February 1, 1959, at Dilston. The holding of a school was first suggested by Miss Glad Parke, one of the Tahiti pioneers, to the Regional Teaching Committee for their consideration.

Miss D. Kaiser, a Lilydale Bahá’í, graciously offered her home at Dilston, on the banks of the Tamar River eight miles from Launceton, for the school, and this was gratefully accepted.

At 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, the school was officially opened by the chairman, Miss G. Lamprill. Then followed a special prayer of Bahá’u’lláh, read by David Benson, aged eleven, the only Bahá’í youth.

Devotions were interspersed throughout the sessions, and were fittingly arranged to suit the subjects of the talks.

A tape recording made by the Australian Hand of the Cause, Collis Featherstone, was played by Maurice Wheeler, who donated the tape to the school. The message was a soul-stirring one, and a clarion call to all Bahá’ís to arise for the triumph of the Faith and the fulfillment of the beloved Guardian’s Ten-Year Crusade.

The Tasmanian Regional Teaching Committee stated: “In summarizing, we would say that it is very difficult to express in words the whole significance of such a school; its value is inestimable. In this, our first Tasmanian Bahá’í School, its inauguration, we feel, was fully justified by results. The spirit that pervaded the whole of the sessions was one of Bahá’í fellowship, and a sincere desire to consult together with the object of more effectively serving the Faith. The request to join the Bahá’í ranks by the only non-Bahá’í present seemed a fitting climax to the spirit of the school.”

—ASUTRALIAN BAHÁ’Í BULLETIN

[Page 11]

Teaching in the Southern States

THE Bahá’í Interracial Teaching Committee organized an institute to help in the teaching work of the Southern States at Durham, N. Car., on February 7-8.

The theme was the coordination of teaching methods and techniques in, and for, the South. The purpose was to develop plans that might be adopted generally throughout the south for increased teaching among the Negroes as part of the homefront campaign.

Readings were taken from The Advent of Divine Justice, and Paris Talks, presented by Louise Mccorkle. “Teaching in the South” was discussed by Mrs. Beatrice Thigpen, who spoke on The Covenant, Preparation, Making Contacts, and Guidance.

On the second day a talk on “Teaching in Africa” was given by Grant Hadden. Fireside Teaching and Sacrifice were two of the main topics. Later Mrs, Marguerite Galle spoke on “How the Master Brought Racial Groups Together in Love and Amity.”

Discussion brought out the following points:

1. Daily commune for personal reinvigoration. Acquire a thirst for spirituality. Read the Holy Books, especially the Utterances of Bahá’u’lláh. Take much time for prayer and meditation. Remember the daily obligatory prayers and the Prayer for the Southern States. Aim to acquire, one by one, the attributes of God.

2. Source material for teaching those whose approach is from the Bible point of view. Bible references: Bahá’u’lláh, the Glory of God; Báb, the Gate ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Servant of God, the Branch.

3. Bahá’u’lláh’s concept of justice. “The freedom of man from superstition and imitation, so that he may discern the Manifestation of God with the eye of Oneness, and consider all affairs with keen insight.”

4. Suggested sources of contact: Offer volunteer services to the Girl Scouts, day nurseries, Parent-Teacher Associations, feed patients, write letters, read to patients, feed children, visit those who have no family, make friends at gas stations, laundromats, and super markets, comfort the bereaved, attend prayer meetings, read Bahá’í prayers, visit Negro churches, and read Negro newspapers.

Teaching Campaign in Shreveport

A splendid example of how a well-conceived and executed teaching plan will attract many new seekers to the Faith was given by Shreveport. La., on February 1-8, with the visit of Mrs. Florence Mayberry, member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Cause.

The Shreveport Bahá’í community arranged a program of activities that included news stories in eight newspapers, paid advertisements in three newpapers, four radio interview broadcasts. radio spot announcements for public meetings on five stations, two television interviews, book displays at the Shreve Memorial Library and the Margaret Bollinger Book Mart, five public meetings, five informal fireside meetings, three luncheon meetings, and a visit with the officials of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.

Paul R. Pettit, reporting on this campaign, stated: “It is generally felt that this intensive and concentrated type of teaching activity is most beneficial. Its effectiveness is very pronounced, and the results exceeded our fondest expectations.

“The newspapers stimulated attendance at the scheduled public meetings, and were probably responsible for most of the people there. A number of phone calls were received by Mrs. Mayberry and the Bahá’ís as a result of the newspaper publicity, requesting information on meetings, or on the Faith . . . The most active contacts since Mrs. Mayberry’s visit are the result of newspaper publicity.”

Radio and television broadcasts were also responsible for the attendance of a number of people at the public meetings, and for inquiries on the Faith. A ten-minute interview on the “Party Line” program on radio station KWKH was the result of a request from the station for the Bahá’í View on reincarnation. This is a public ervice program in which the listener expresses his opinion on the subject under discussion. References were made to the Faith on at least two succeeding “Party Line” programs.

Television station KSLA-TV presented a fifteen-minute interview with Mrs. Mayberry on the “Dateline” program on February 3.

Mr. Pettit stated: “The response from the KSLATV program was tremendous, probably the most extensive of any particular proclamation effort. Three telephone calls for information were received while the program was still on the air, and many more were reported by the station later. Many people mentioned seeing this interview.”

First Bahá’í Youth Conference held in Chile on December 8-9, 1958.

[Page 12]

Through the assistance of a retired municipal judge, it was arranged for Mrs. Mayberry to speak on the Faith to over eighty Rotarians at their regular luncheon meeting on February 5.

“The response to the notice in the newspaper was most thrilling; the president announced that there were more guest Rotarians attending this meeting than had ever attended any previous meeting in the history of the Club,” Mr. Pettit reported.

Other results of this intensive teaching activity included: a request for a Bahá’í speaker, at a future date, by the A. T. E. Study Group; a similar request by the head of the Centenary College Sociology Department to speak to a class on sociology; an invitation by Judge Louis Lyons to Mrs. Mayberry to attend a luncheon meeting of the Interclub Council when she is next in Shreveport; firesides are being held each Saturday evening with a local Bahá’í speaker; a study group is being held each Friday evening to study Bahá’í subjects desired by contacts; and social and personal gatherings will be concentrated on by the individual Bahá’ís to gain the confidence of the seekers.

“In summation,” Mr. Pettit stated, “it can be concluded that the tremendous proclamation of the Bahá’í Faith in Shreveport and Bossier City during Mrs. Mayberry's visit literally had the residents of both these communities talking on the street comers and everywhere else about this ‘new religion.’ Without doubt, the fruits of this effort will develop for years to come, and long after the initial impetus has been dissipated.”

Visit to San Antonio

On February 25 Mrs. Mayberry spoke at a public meeting at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. There were sixty-one persons present, including fortyfour contacts.

Almost 350 announcements of this meeting were mailed to clubs and organizations, and to personal contacts of the local Bahá’ís. Publicity included a paid advertisement and two free publicity stories in the newspapers, and spot announcements on the radio. Fireside meetings with the interested contacts are being held as a follow-up to this program.

Bahá’ís from all over Samoa gathered in the newly-constructed Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Apia for the Naw-Rúz Feast.

Partially-constructed Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Apia, Western Samoa.

Bahá’ís of Apia, Samoa, Construct Hazíratu’l-Quds

Last year the Bahá’ís of Apia, Western Samoa, set themselves a Two-Year Plan of achievement. Part of that plan called for the construction of a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, in order that the growing number of believers might have a place to hold their meetings.

Today, these believers’ hopes and prayers are being realized. The concrete foundations of their Center were laid in February, and an 18x36 foot rectangular building, fully screened, with a corrugated iron roof, now rises in Apia—a monument to the tremendous sacrifices of the Samoan friends, pioneers, and new believers alike, who, in love for, and gratitude to, Bahá’u’lláh, and out of their limited and meager resources, have added to the £100.0.0 donated by the Canadian National Spiritual Assembly for the building, almost enough money to complete the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds—a “do it yourself” project, with everyone helping. All but £70.0.0 of the total cost of £400.00 has been raised, and it is hoped that this remaining sum will also be forthcoming soon.

In addition to the funds contributed by the friends, gifts of furniture, glassware, mats, and other items have also been received. It was expected that the building would be completed by Naw-Rúz.

The Canadian National Spiritual Assembly, in reporting this event at one of their World Crusade goals, stated: “Our hearts join in thanksgiving with our Samoan brothers and sisters at this time of glorious achievement in that region of the Bahá’í world so loved by our beloved Guardian.”

Correction

The article on “The Guardian of the Faith,” published in the December 1958 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, was a report on an address by Hand of the Cause Leroy Ioas, taken from the notes of Mrs. Madge L. Featherstone of Semaphore, Australia, as recorded at the Singapore Intercontinental Conference.

[Page 13]

Public Meetings in Switzerland Bring Increased Recognition to Faith

Baha is of Switzerland are inspired by the enthusiastic response they have had to a number of public meetings in recent months. Not only have the meetings been exceptionally well-attended, but they have brought additional notice from press and radio.

On January 30 the Bahá’ís of Lausanne presented Jean Sevin, Bahá’í pioneer to Tahiti for the past five years, to an audience of 110. Many came originally attracted by the subject: “Tahiti, Five Years Experience of a Bahá’í Pioneer.” The history, customs, and actual problems of this region were beautifully illustrated by slides, reminding one of Gauguirfs paintings in their exotic coloring. But it was the Bahá’í Faith itself, ably presented by Mr. Sevin, that drew the final unanimous and enthusiastic response.

The stock of literature was completely said, much or it to the university students present. A good article appeared on the Faith in a Lausanne newspaper two days later, and Radio-Lausanne requested an interview with Mr. Sevin, the event so impressing the interviewer that he suggested a much longer period be given to the next Bahá’í guest speaker!

The following evening Mr. Sevin presented his program in Geneva to 170 people, there having been good newspaper and poster publicity given previously. Mr. Sevin’s delightful way of presenting his subject again evoked interest and enthusiasm. Early the following month, the program given in Neuchatel and Vevey, two Crusade goal cities, awakened new response to the Faith.

In St. Gall, a Crusade goal in German Switzerland, a series of public talks brought forth an invitation for Fritz Semle, vice-chairman of the Italo-Swiss National Spiritual Assembly, to speak before the Boris Templiers. The subject given to Mr. Semle by the Bons Templiers themselves is “The Future in the Light of the Bahá’í Faith.”

Guam Observes World Religion Day With Broadcast and Public Meeting

Bahá’ís of Guam observed World Religion Day on January 18 by using two teaching mediums, a radio talk at 12:30 p.m. and a public meeting at 3:30 p.m.

Edgar A. Olson, who has had past experience with radio, spoke on the broadcast, and Robert lmagire addressed an audience of thirty people at the Guam Academy of Music, centrally located in Agana, Guam’s principle village. Both speakers used the suggested theme of the oneness of religion.

These events were well-publicized with the placement of posters in prominent locations, many spot announcements on the radio, and five stories in the local newspaper.

Canada Summer Conference Scheduled

The Western Canada Bahá’í Summer Conference will be held at the Banff School of Fine Arts, Banff, Alberta, on August 23-30, 1959.

Davidson Bahá’í School Announces Sessions from July 20 to Sept. 4

The Davison Bahá’í School announces its 1959 Summer Schedule will begin on July 20, with a two-week session for Junior Youth. Courses offered the youth will include: (1)Progressive Revelation, (2) Religion and Science, and (3) Principles of Bahá’í Administration.

The Family Sessions will begin on August 3 and Continue through September 4. Because of the successful blending of Senior Youth with Family sessions during part of last year, there will be no special sessions for Senior Youth this summer. Material for that age group has been incorporated into the overall planning for all adult sessions. The courses for the Family Sessions will cover the following: (1) The Covenant and the Individual, (2) Principles of Bahá’í Administration, (3)

Air Force Academy Accepts Bahá’í Books

AIR FORCE PHOTO

The Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Colorado Springs, Colo., recently presented the Air Force Academy Library with a group of thirteen Bahá’í books in honor of Mrs. Loulie Albee Mathews, Bahá’í' lecturer and authoress, who resides in Colorado Springs.

Mrs. Gladys Roberts (second from left), secretary of the Colorado Springs Bahá’í Assembly, made the official presentation to Lt. Col. George V. Fagan, Director of the Academy Library. Observing the ceremony are Mrs. Vivian Pooley, Mrs. Mary Creitz, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hill.

The land occupied by the Air Force Academy was formerly the site of the Temerity Bahá’í School, donated to the Faith by Mr. and Mrs. E. R. Mathews of Pixie Valley, near Colorado Springs. The school, organized in 1940, was first known as the International Bahá’í School, whose primary purpose was to give special training in teaching to prospective pioneers to Latin America.

[Page 14]

Living the Bahá’í Life, and (4) Teaching the Faith.

Many fine teachers have accepted invitations to teach at Davison this summer, and the following names are presently on the 1959 faculty: Fred Sudhop, Eunice Braun, Ruth Blackwell, Archie Tichenor, and Heather Stewart. Popular husband-and-wife teams who will serve again this year are the Wolffs and the Byers.\

In addition to the regular courses, plans are made to conduct intensive study courses over each weekend, and thus enable some students to have capsule courses when they are not able to attend for a longer period. Complete announcement of all these classes will be found in the official 1959 Summer School Program.

Prospective students are urged to make reservations as soon as possible by writing the Registrar, Davison Bahá’í School, 3208 South State Road, Davison, Mich. Prices will be comparable to last year, and many improvements have been made in accommodations. Parents contemplating enrolling for Family Sessions are reminded that special classes and entertainment will be provided for children While adult Classes are in session.

If You Cannot Go Far—Then Go Near!

The Canadian Bahá’í News, April 1959, has published the following article, indicating clearly the dedication and loving service that brings results in these swiftly-passing, meaningful days of the World Crusade. Can this be the quality of devotion for which the beloved Guardian called in his message to the American believers of September 1957? He said: “It is upon the individual believer, constituting the fundamental unit in the structure of the Homefront, that the revitalization, the expansion, and the enrichment of the Homefront must ultimately depend.”

“Have you ever thought of teaching the Faith, as a special project, in a town near you‘! A place, perhaps, where an isolated believer is in need of help, a place where no other firesldes are being held. Choose a place that is not a goal, for this teaching you plan to do is to be an ‘extra’ effort, over and above what you and your teaching committee are now doing. You cannot know, if you have not yet undertaken this type of teaching, the joy that floods in upon you. for such extra effort brings in its wake much extra joy.

“The most recent of such efforts that has come to our attention is from London, Ontario, where Bob and Dorothy Smith felt within themselves an urgency to do more, although they were already carrying a sizeable teaching and administrative load.

“Two friends, who had become believers in London last summer, moved to St. Thomas and were in need of experienced assistance. Prayer and consultation pointed the way. Remembering the shining example of Grace and Harlan Ober, the Smiths dedicated themselves to give weekly firesides at the home of Myrna and William Davis in St. Thomas.

“Filling the car with London Bahá’ís, they made the trips regardless of weather, and though at first there was, perhaps, disappointment, they continued their efforts. Now the results are showing, like crucus shoots through snow. Five persons are attending with promising regularity.

Public meeting held by the Bahá’ís at Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in October 1958.

“The Smiths assumed full responsibility for the time, effort, and financing of this project, and to quote them, ‘We deem it a privilege and a loving service to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.’

“Will you make a decision to consult with your teaching committee to see if you too can render such a loving service to His Glorious Cause? This, too, is pioneering in a sense. If you cannot go far, then go near, but go! Dedicate a few extra hours of teaching outside of your immediate community. Open wide the flood gates of joy.”

Honolulu Bahá’ís Place Many Books in Schools and libraries of Oahu

The Library Committee of the Honolulu, Hawaii, Bahá’í community, since February of this year, has been successful in placing two Bahá’í books, Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and Prescription for Living, in all of the eleven public high schools on the island of Oahu. To date several gracious letters of thanks have been received from their librarians.

Since March of this year, the Bahá’ís have been given permission to place Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and Prescription for Living in all eight of the private high schools on Oahu‘ Two of these, Maryknoll and St, Louis, are Catholic schools, three are non-sectarian, one is Congregational, and two are Episcopalian.

Seven of the branch libraries on Oahu have had the above books in their libraries since last year. Bahá’í books in the main library in Honolulu represent the largest selection of religious books in the library, over twenty in number. Last year the main library accepted Christ and Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í' Prayers, and Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era in the Japanese language,

Transfer Jurisdittion of Three Islands

Mentawai Island, Portuguese Timor, and Cocos lsland have been transferred to the jurisdiction of the newly formed Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia. They originally were assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia.

[Page 15]

Bahá’í Group of Rosario, Argentina, which hopes to reach assembly status at Riḍván 1959, thereby assuring the minimum number of assemblies necessary for the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Argentina in 1963. A Regional Teaching Conference was held in Rosario on November 30, 1958, with thirty-three Bahá’ís and six guests from nine Argentine cities.

All African Pioneer Speaks

In the first five years only a small portion of the many great goals set for us by our beloved Guardian were accomplished. Now, in these fleeting months, We have yet the majority to achieve. How staggering and how heartbreaking it is to realize that many of us are still asleep!

Only we can hear the call: we are under the All-Protecting Tree. But are we listening? Are we not as heedless as those of past ages? Today the clarion calls are the appeals and the messages from the Hands of the Cause, me letters from the national spiritual assemblies, the plans and programs of their Committees. These letters and messages are not being written to entertain us; there’s a job to be done!

Life was given for one purpose: to love, to obey, and to serve God by serving His humanity. It is but one stopover on our long trek into God’s other kingdoms. What we have here on earth. this sack of gold, is too heavy to lift heaven-ward. Let us drop it:

It has been the same story down through the ages. The Prophets come, they call, and their Message leaves its heavenly vibration in the air for years and years. So few lift their heads to listen, but when those few have heard, they, too, go out, cup their hands to their mouths and echo the call. Have you listened? Have you heard?

Why do so few hear this Message? What has happened to our fellow-believers, that some do not hear the rumblings of this great flood, this spiritual challenge? Were they not deepened enough, or have they forgotten?

Bahá’u’lláh has been calling us for years, through our beloved Shoghi Effendi, Now He calls us through the entrusted Hands of the Cause. This is the call before the flood.

—ALYCE B. JANSSEN

BAHA’I IN THE NEWS

The National Geographic Magazine for January 1959 contains an article entitled “Station Wagon Odyssey: Baghdad to Istanbul” by William O. Douglas of thé Supreme Court, and Mercedes H. Douglas. While in Tabríz he was encountered by a Bahá’í who gave him information about recent Bahá’í activities. The author the story of the public execution of the Báb at Tabríz.

The New International Year Book for a number of years has carried a brief statement about the Faith, with special emphasis on activities in America. Material has been supplied for the next edition, including reference to the completion of the Home for the Aged in Wilmette.

The newspaper entitled Novedades, published in Mexico City, reported on December 29, 1958, the marriage ol Barbara Carson to Alejandro Cervantes Eustamente in a Bahá’í ceremony. A two-column photograph of Barbara Carson illustrates the article. This is the first reference to a Bahá’í marriage which has appeared in the Mexican press. “Mr. Canales read the marriage tablet by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, which was profoundly moving and listened to with great interest by those present,” the article stated.

The school paper published by the students of the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, entitled Poligraph, reports an address delivered before the Department of Religion and Philosophy by a member of the local assembly. “Mr. Heath, a businessman from a Fomento industry, spoke of the foundations of Bahá’í and related some of his personal experiences in the religion.” This article appeared in January 1959.

The Toronto Globe and Mail for January 17, 1959, published an extensive article about the Faith under a four-column head “Bahá’ís Accept Messages of Eight Religions.” This article was based upon an interview with Mrs. Peggy Ross, secretary of the Canadian National Assembly, who during the autumn of 1958 completed a journey round the world, meeting the believers in each city she visited. A large photograph of Mrs. Ross, carrying souvenirs of her trip to Samoa, accompanied the article. Mrs. Ross is also a member of the Auxiliary Board appointed by the American Hands.

A real estate firm of Wilmette ran a page advertisement in Wilmette Life for January 22, 1959, with several illustrations of streets, houses, and interiors. The Bahá’í House of Worship appears at the top of the page.

The Asian Student, a weekly newspaper published as a service to Asian students in the United States by the Asia Foundation, published in its January 13, 1959, issue a detailed review of the book by John Ferraby entitled All Things Made New. “Each age requires a reinterpretation of human values relative to their div vine or universal application. Such reinterpretations often takes place by God manifesting Himself to man in the form of the Founder of a religion that is both a renewal of former religions and the inspiration of its age.” The reviewer was K. Bhashara Rao.

Under the title “Portia, Teacher and NCNW Executive Director,” the Pittsburgh Courier on January 11, 1959, published an article about Elsie Austin accompanied by her photograph. “Attorney Elsie Austin of[Page 16] the silvery hair, the limpid dark eyes, and the keen brain of a lawyer, has had a career of exciting proportions . . . From law to teaching in India was not a short step, but an important one. It stemmed from her interest in the Bahá’í religion.” (The reporter unfortunately substituted “India” for “Africa” in this reference to Miss Austin.)

A recent issue of New York Herald-Tribune carried a letter signed by Mrs. Diane C. Starher, Orleans, France, which clearly and forcefully sets forth the need of a return of the Prophet. “If we are to have this civilization, is it not necessary to have a universal religion, such as the Bahá’í World Faith, the only force capable of spiritually regenerating mankind and of providing the means by which this civilization can be attained?”

In one in a series of articles reporting on the lesser known religious groups of Akron, Ohio, the Akron Beacon Journal of December 13, 1958, dealt with the Bahá’í community and the Bahá’í teachings. Here there has been a small group for some fifty years. Their fireside meetings were described sympathetically and the Bahá’í teachings explained.

The State Convention of the Bahá’ís of New Mexico was briefly reported in the Santa Fe Scene for December 13.

Baha’i Publishing Trust

A Tribute to Shoghi Effendi. By Amelia Collins. The address delivered by Amelia Collins at the Intercontinental Conference in Frankurt/Main, Germany, July 1958, which she attended as the chosen representative of the Guardian‘ Mrs. Collins tells with deep feeling and

National Baha’i Addresses

Please Address Mail Correctly!

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moving language of her intimate Knowledge of Shoghi Effendi during the last six years of his matchless service to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Printed on quality antique paper stock with White deckle-edged cover.

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New Printing — Reduced Price

What is a Bahá’í?, the published interview with Stanwood Cobb appearing in the Washington Daily News, has been reprinted with a few slight changes and is available at lower prices. This has considerable appeal to the public, judging by the number of requests that have come in for the books listed on the back of this leaflet.

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Calendar of Events

FEASTS

May 17—‘Aẓamat (Grandeur)

June 5—Núr (Light)

HOLY DAYS

May 23—Declaration of the Báb

May 29—Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh

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

BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee. The Committee for 1958-59: Mrs. Eunice Braun, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Richard C. Thomas.

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