Bahá’í News/Issue 345/Text
| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 345 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 345 | BAHA’I YEAR 116 | NOVEMBER, 1959 |
Garden of Ridvan and Shrine of Baha’u’llah in the Holy Land
Garden of Riḍván in the Holy
Land. Bahá’u’lláh used to sit
where the flower pots are shown.
Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí
showing the room where the
Most Sacred Remains rest.
The Revelation Which, From Time Immemorial . . . ”
LAUDED and glorified art Thou, O Lord, my God! How can I make mention of Thee. assured as I am that no tongue, however deep its wisdom, can befittingly magnify Thy name, nor can the bird of the human heart, however great its longing, ever hope to ascend into the heaven of Thy majesty and knowledge.
If I describe thee, O my God, as Him Who is the All-Perceiving, I find myself compelled to admit that They Who are the highest Embodiments of perception have been created by virtue of Thy behest. And if I extol Thee as Him Who is the All—Wise, I, likewise, am forced to recognize that the Well Springs of wisdom have themselves been generated through the operation of Thy Will. And if I proclaim Thee as the
Beloved Friends:
Certain passages in Gleanings seem to express the essence of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh. In them are concentrated truths which penetrate the dry husk of ritual and tradition and disclose the very purpose of man’s creation.
The reading and rereading of these passages by the individual Bahá’í tend to create the “new mind and the new heart” distinguishing believers from the worldly. To love them and to turn to them in solitary devotion at frequent intervals can be regarded as a supreme privilege during these years of the World Crusade. This suggestion does not represent a new and different type of community study but rather a means of fulfillment offered the seeking soul.
Therefore the U.S. National Assembly is happy to reprint these passages in a convenient form so that each believer can determine for himself the degree of spiritual longing not fulfilled in community study, consultation or action. In submitting the following excerpts the Assembly has no thought of requesting reports to any administrative body. May the believer’s own increasing sense of joy and understanding mark his progress on the path to God.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Incomparable One, I soon discover that they Who are the inmost essence of oneness have been sent down by Thee and are but the evidences of Thine handiwork. And if I acclaim Thee as the Knower of all things, I must confess that they Who are the Quintessence of knowledge are but the creation and instruments of Thy Purpose.
Exalted, immeasurably exalted, art Thou above the strivings of mortal man to unravel Thy mystery, to describe Thy glory, or even to hint at the nature of Thine Essence. For whatever such strivings may accomplish, they never can hope to transcend the limitations imposed upon Thy creatures, inasmuch as these efforts are actuated by Thy decree, and are begotten of Thine invention. The loftiest sentiments which the holiest of saints can express in praise of Thee, and the deepest wisdom which the most learned of men can utter in their attempts to comprehend Thy nature, all revolve around that Center Which is wholly subjected to Thy sovereignty, Which adoreth Thy Beauty, and is propelled through the movement of Thy Pen.
Nay, forbid it, O my God, that I should have uttered such words as must of necessity imply the existence of any direct relationship between the Pen of Thy Revelation and the essence of all created things. Far, far are They Who are related to Thee above the conception of such relationship! All comparisons and likenesses fail to do justice to the Tree of Thy Revelation, and every way is barred to the comprehension of the Manifestation of Thy Self and the Day Spring of Thy Beauty.
Far, far from Thy glory be what mortal man can affirm of Thee, or attribute unto Thee, or the praise with which he can glorify Thee! Whatever duty Thou hast prescribed unto Thy servants of extolling to the utmost Thy majesty and glory is but a token of Thy grace unto them, that they may be enabled to ascend unto the station conferred upon their own inmost being, the station of the knowledge of their own selves.
No one else besides Thee hath, at any time, been able to fathom Thy mystery, or befittingly to extol Thy greatness. Unsearchable and high above the praise of men wilt Thou remain for ever. There is none other God but Thee, the Inaccessible, the Omnipotent, the Omniscient, the Holy of Holies. (1)
THE REVELATION which, from time immemorial, hath been acclaimed as the Purpose and Promise of all the Prophets of God. and the most cherished Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures. Behold how, notwithstanding such an announcement, mankind hath strayed from its path and shut itself from its glory.
Say: O ye lovers of the One true God! Strive, that ye may truly recognize and know Him, and observe befittingly His precepts. This is a Revelation, under which, if a man shed for its sake one drop of blood, myriads of oceans will be his recompense. Take need, O friends, that ye forfeit not so inestimable a benefit, or disregard its transcendent station. Consider the multitude of lives that have been, and are still being, sacrificed in a world deluded by a mere phantom which the vain imaginations of its peoples have conceived. Render thanks unto God, inasmuch as ye have attained unto your heart's Desire. and been united to Him Who is the Promise of all nations. Guard ye, with the aid of the one true God—exalted be His glory—the integrity of the station which ye have attained, and cleave to that which shall promote His Cause. He verily, enjoineth on you what is right and conducive to the exaltation of man's station. Glorified be the All-Merciful, the Revealer of this wondrous Tablet. (2)
THIS IS the Day in which God’s most excellent favors have been poured out upon men, the Day in which His most mighty grace hath been infused into all created things. It is incumbent upon all the peoples of the world to reconcile their differences, and, with perfect unity and peace, abide beneath the shadow of the Tree of His care and loving-kindness. It behoveth them to cleave to whatsoever will, in this Day, be conducive to the exaltation of their stations, and to the promotion of their best interests. Happy are those whom the all-glorious Pen was moved to remember, and blessed are those men whose names, by virtue of Our inscrutable decree, We have preferred to conceal.
Beseech ye the one true God to grant that all men may be graciously assisted to fulfil that which is acceptable in Our sight. Soon will the present—day order be rolled up, and a new one spread out in its stead. Verily, thy Lord speaketh the truth, and is the Knower of things unseen. (3)
THIS IS the day whereon the Ocean of God’s mercy hath been manifested unto men, the Day in which the Day Star of His lovingkindness hath shed its radiance upon them, the Day in which the clouds of His bountiful favor have overshadowed the whole of mankind. Now is the time to cheer and refresh the downcast through the invigorating breeze of love and fellowship, and the living waters of friendliness and charity.
They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissiveness that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address them such words as these: ‘I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth—a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation——behold the measure of my humility, witness with What absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of man. . . .’
Show forbearance and benevolence and love to one another. Should any one among you be incapable of grasping a certain truth, or be striving to comprehend it, show forth, when conversing with him, a spirit of extreme kindliness and good will. Help him to see and recognize the truth, without esteeming yourself to be, in the least, superior to him, or to be possessed of greater endowments.
The whole duty of man in this Day is to attain that share of the flood of grace which God poureth forth for him. Let none, therefore, consider the largeness or smallness of the receptacle. The portion of some might lie in the palm of a man‘s hand, the portion of others might fill a cup, and of others even a gallon-measure.
Every eye, in this Day, should seek what will best promote the Cause of God. He, Who is the Eternal Truth, beareth Me witness! Nothing whatever can, in this Day, inflict a greater harm upon this Cause than dissension and strife, contention, estrangement and apathy, among the loved ones of God. Flee them, through the power of God and His sovereign aid, and strive ye to knit together the hearts of men, in His Name, the Unifier, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.
Beseech ye the one true God to grant that ye may taste the savor of such deeds as are performed in His path, and partake of the sweetness of such humility and submissiveness as are shown for His sake. Forget your own selves, and turn your eyes towards your neighbor. Bend your energies to whatever may foster the education of men. Nothing is, or can ever be, hidden from God. If ye follow in His way, His incalculable and imperishable blessings will be showered upon you. This is the luminous Tablet, whose verses have streamed from the moving Pen of Him Who is the Lord of all worlds. Ponder it in your hearts, and be ye of them that observe its precepts. (4)
(l) Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh p. 3-5
(2) P. 5-6
(3) P. 6-7
(4) P. 7-9
“Rejoice Announce Affainment Difficult important Goal”
Message from the Hands of the Cause Resident in the Holy Land[edit]
Rejoice announce attainment (of) difficult, important goal (of) Guardian’s World Crusade through removal, after lapse (of) over one hundred years (of the) remains (of) Mírzá Buzurg, father (of) Bahá’u’lláh, and loving, befitting reinterment (with) Bahá’í burial (in) ground (in the) vicinity (of the) Most Great House (i.e.,) Baghdad. Share (message) (with) Hands (and) national assemblies.
—HANDSFAITH
Haifa, October 9, 1959
Pilgrim’s Gifts to World Center[edit]
The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly calls the attention of the friends of the following request received from the Hands of the Faith in Haifa:
“At the beginning of the season of pilgrimages, the Hands residing in the Holy Land wish to request the friends who will visit the Sacred Shrines, and the believers generally, to refrain from bringing or sending food or other gifts for the World Center. No shortages exist in Israel, and we feel the friends can better express their loving thoughts through contributions to the all—important work of the Ten-Year Plan so dear to the heart of our beloved Guardian.”
Bahá’í International Community Status With United Nations Defined[edit]
In order to clarify the Bahá’í position internationally with the United Nations, the friends are asked to take note of the following information:
In connection with the United Nations the Bahá’í International Community represents the national spiritual assemblies all over the world. In order to have a clear differentiation from the International Bahá’í Council in Haifa, the branch of the work with the United
Temple site recently purchased in Suba, Colombia.
Nations is called Bahá’í International Community. Some
reports have appeared lately in the Bahá’í News Listing us as the International Bahá’í Community, and
this makes for confusion with the Council in Haifa, The
friends are asked to be sure to use the name “Bahá’í
International Community” when speaking of our international relationship with the United Nations.
The Bahá’í International Community is accredited to the United Nations’ Office of Public Information. We have a permanent international observer who attends briefing sessions at the UN Headquarters in New York and other functions called for non-governmental organizations. When conferences of non-governmental organizations are called, each of these organizations, including the Bahá’í International Community, can send delegates.
Some Bahá’ís have asked why it is that sometimes we refer to our “observers” and at other times to our “delegates.” We have both international and national observers at the United Nations. To conferences of non-governmental organizations in which our “Community” is invited to participate, we send the number of delegates allowed. These delegates may or may not include our permanent observers, depending on where the conference is being held.
As an accredited organization, we can also send observers to audit any conference given by the United Nations, but in this case they are there merely for the purpose of observing the proceedings and not participating in the discussions. This is the procedure we used at Addis Ababa when the United Nations called a conference of government officials to consider the economic development of Africa. In this case, we could not, of course, have delegates since they were all government officials, but we could send observers to the meeting The friends have read the report or the results in BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
The United Nations is a very complicated structure, and we realize that it is not easy to understand our relationship to it. Therefore, this explanation is given so that the friends in the future can understand the reports submitted from different parts of the world.
—MILDRED MOTTAHEDEH, Accredited Representative to United Nations for the Bahá’í International Community
Central America NSA Heralds Reign of “New and Powerful Spirit” in Area[edit]
So great was the unity and spirit that reigned at our Ninth Annual Convention, that a new and powerful life-giving spirit now reigns in our Territory. So powerful is the wonderful spirit generated at our Annual Convention that more than twenty native believers have become pioneers to serve in their native countries or in other countries of the territory.
The determination of the delegates and others attending the Convention was so firm and definite, that their solemn promise was “never to rest, never to fail” until all goals given by our Beloved Guardian In the Ten-Year Plan of the World Crusade be accomplished; until each of the twenty-four existing local assemblies in our territory be duly consolidated and function vigorously as Divine Institutions; until the five
Sra. Else Cazcarra, Auxiliary Board member, during
her visit to the Vilakollo, Bolivia, Indian community in
July 1959.
local assemblies (four in Honduras, one in Nicaragua)
be established; until the Local and National Funds be
truly maintained, and until the seven national spiritual
assemblies be simultaneously established in each of
the seven countries in Central America.
This is the new and powerful spirit that reigns in our territory, and this is the spirit which moves our new National Spiritual Assembly of Central America, Mexico, and Panama. This is the greatest encouragement that we can send to all our dear brothers in other territories of the Bahá’í World Community, and most especially to the World Center of our Beloved Faith.
—NOTICIAS BAHÁ’ÍS
Alexandria, Egypt, Attains Crusade Goal with Purchase of Hazíratu’l-Quds[edit]
At the dawn of an August morning in 1868, Nabil, author of The Dawn-Breakers, in a little prison cell situated on a rocky shore of Alexandria contiguous to the lighthouse that guided the ships to the harbor, uttered his morning prayer, supplicating for assistance in the unique mission of guiding the people to the haven of the world order of Bahá’u’lláh.
The beacon light on shore nestled miraculously on an Austrian Lloyd steamer anchoring in the harbor within the sight of the inmates of the prison cell, including Nabil. On board this very ship was the Blessed Beauty, accompanied by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, members of the family, and about four score of the faithful followers. They were bound, by order of the Sultan of Turkey and the Khalif of Islam, northward to the penal colony of ‘Akká. Within this spiritual nebulae about ninety years ago, the nucleus of a Bahá’í community started emerging in Alexandria.
The pivot around which Bahá’í activities revolve being a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, the friends in Alexandria started contributions about, a year ago to acquire a property as a Bahá’í endowment, thus achieving a goal under the Ten-Year Plan and at long last getting rid of the arduous task of renting premises for the usual Bahá’í meetings. Through the confirmation of Bahá’u’lláh and the guiding force of the beloved Guardian, this subsidiary goal has been realized. The preliminary contract for the acquisition of a building to serve as the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was drawn up and signed on July 31, 1959.
—BADI BUSHRUI
First International Youth Summer School Attracts 800 Students From Many Countries[edit]
The first International Bahá’í Youth Summer School. a significant development in youth activities, was held in Echternach, Luxembourg, on August 1 to 11, 1959.
Over eighty youth participated, representing many countries of Europe and many languages. A difficulty arose in the time-consuming translations of the talks and discussions into German, English, and French, and the necessity for a universal language became more than ever evident.
Special gratitude was expressed to Dr. Hermann Grossmann, Hand of the Cause, who conducted the discussions at all the sessions.
Speakers, besides Dr. Grossmann, included Dr. Bosorg Hemmati (Germany), Earl Pickens (Sweden), Günther Haug (Austria), Sigrid Bauer (Germany), Ian Semple (England), Fernand Radar (Belgium), Roshan Ghadimi (Belgium), Jerry Bagley (Italy), René Steiner (Germany), Marianne Pickens (Sweden), Lisa Becker (Germany), Ursula Kohler (Austria), and Paul Adams (Spitzbergen),
The subjects included an examination of the materialism of our age, the need for religion, the United Nations, and prayer. Talks on the Bahá’í Faith embraced the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the Universal House of Justice, the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause, and the Auxiliary Boards.
Hand of the Cause Dr. Hermann Grossmann (center)
with youth attending the first International Bahá’í
Youth Summer School in Echternach, Luxembourg.
Knight of Baha’u’llah Brings[edit]
NOT FAR from the heart of Port Vila, administration center of the New Hebrides group, a new Bahá’í property stands in e commanding, elevated position on the crest of one of the small hills which form a backdrop to the ranging, tropical township of Port Vila, and overlooking both the town and its picturesque harbor.
November 1958 saw the fulfillment of the dreams and Vision of one of Bahá’u’lláh’s Knights and pioneers, a dream inspired at the outset of the Ten-Year Crusade and followed untiringly during five years of selfless service, in the completion of the Bahá’í School building at Port Vila, New Hebrides.
One of the first of its kind in the southern Pacific area and, we may confidently hope, the forerunner of many similar institutions throughout the globe as the Light of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation diffuses its regenerating influence, this school building, inspired by the loving encouragement of the beloved Guardian, nurtured by his constant guidance and prayers during its nascent years, was set in motion by his recognition in his last Riḍván message to the Bahá’í world, of the Núr School of Port Vila, as an additional goal achievement of the Ten-Year Crusade. As with so many of the achievements of our Faith, this school owes its entire being to the penetrating foresight, to the wisdom and guidance, to the sacrifice of beloved Shoghi Effendi.
Plans advanced by the Asian Teaching Committee of the National Assembly of Australia and a generously supported appeal for funds in October 1957, resulted in the purchase of the Bahá’í property in March 1958, and the erection since of the building, to serve a dual purpose as Bahá’í School and Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, as well as residence for the pioneer, Mrs. Bertha Dobbins.
The new building, a prefabricated steel-frame structure with asbestos cement walls, was shipped from
The completed Núr School of Port Vila, New Hebrides.
Bahá’í and friends who helped build the Núr School at
Port Vila in the New Hebrides Islands. Left to right:
Peter Kaltoli, Lizzie Swallow, A. Loomis, David Loomis,
Albert Watt, Bertha Dobbins (Knight of Bahá’u’lláh and
the resident pioneer), Peter Leawa, Bill Clark, and
Bill Washington.
Australia last June, and its erection commenced on
June 29, three New Hebridean and two Australian believers sharing in the privilege of its initial construction. Soon offers of assistance were pouring in from
many local residents, whose respect and admiration
for the pioneer has engendered a comparable respect
for the Faith and its ideals. Technical advice and
needed tools were readily forthcoming, and at every
turn the normal problems met in such a task, though
amplified by the isolation of the islands, seemed to
dissolve under the pervading atmosphere of guidance;
truly God does “assist all those who arise to serve
Him”
Many have shared in the fulfilment of this project, from the initial donation which stirred the idea, to the final cleaning up by the school children themselves. Now completed, the school building stands as silent testimony to the loving efforts and sacrifice of many. By no means the least of these have been the efforts of the New Hebridean believers themselves, aware as they are of the tremendous impetus the new building will be to their own teaching activities, and of its import and significance in the spiritual history of these islands. Truly the work of the building has been largely a New Hebridean contribution and a responsibility and privilege which the native believers, them
Light to the New Hebrides[edit]
Starting work on the Núr School.
The school children with Mrs. Dobbins, Bahá’ís, and
friends who helped build the school, standing before the
completed building in November 1958.
Frank Khan and Peter Kaltoli erecting the steel framework in the early stages of construction of the school.
Applying the asbestos cement walls, shipped from
Australia in June 1958.
selves so new to this mighty Faith, have shouldered
with a deep understanding and humility. Those sharing
in the main part in the erection of the building, though
many have been the contributions of those who have
helped in whatever way they could, were Peter Kaltoli,
first native believer of New Hebrides; David Loomis,
of nearby Erakor village; Bill Clark, who joined the
ranks of Bahá’u’lláh since the commencement of the
building; Frank Khan and Bill Washington, both from
Australia.
But the story of this school goes back beyond this—back to the early days of the Ten-Year Crusade. First of the Australian pioneers to enter her goal and among the first group to leave Australia for the Pacific islands under the Crusade, this Knight of Bahá’u’lláh spent many months in settling in, months with their joys and difficulties, until, lead by that Divine Hand Whose guidance has been felt by all pioneers, she was generously offered the lease of a small cottage by a local Chinese merchant, Chung Yuen (Wu Yut), whose daughter, Wu Yut Sim, later became the first Chinese youth believer in New Hebrides.
The home immediately became “Núr Cottage,” and
the venue for an increasing number of seekers and
enquirers, particularly amongst the native peoples of
Fort Vila and from the far flung islands of the group.
So widely did this new Message become known in
these early days as to set a pattern of growth peculiar
to this group, and which surely will have far-reaching
effects in future years. Of the nineteen believers in New
Hebrides, only ten, including youth believers, reside
in or near Port Vila. Others, coming to Vila from the
outer islands of this 400-mile-long group, have learned
of Bahá’u’lláh’s Message, been warmed by His Love,
embraced His Faith, and then returned to their home
islands, each to spread further the glad tidings. Some
of these live on Aneityam, southernmost island of
the group whose language translation is an ac[Page 8]
complished goal of the Ten-Year Crusade; others on Erromanga and Futuna, also islands south of Vila. Other seekers have carried the Teachings to northern islands, where a second language translation, Tongoan, has recently been completed, an addition to Crusade goals.
Children came too, attracted by the spiritual warmth that radiated from this humble cottage. And from this, in small groups of native and Chinese youngsters, wishing to learn English and eager for education of any kind, has grown Nu!‘ School, or the Bahá’í School as it is now widely known in Port Vila.
Of this school, the Guardian in his Convention message, Riḍván 1957, said: “ . . . the founding of the Bahá’í schools in the New Hebrides Islands, in Mentawai Island and in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands . . . proclaim, in no uncertain terms, the splendid initiative and the dynamic power of the faith of the bearers of the Gospel of the New Day . . . ”
At the close of last year when Mrs. Dobbins, relieved at her post by Bill Washington, returned home to Australia after four years for a long-needed and overdue rest and to attend the Intercontinental Conference in Sydney, the school had grown to an enrollment of thirty-two pupils and is now recognized as a school by the local government authorities.
Seoul, Korea, Bahá’ís who sponsored an outstanding public meeting that attracted over 130 guests. This photograph was taken two days before the meeting, at an open air commemoration of the Martydom of the Báb.
Long before the new building was projected, and increasingly since, the school had been firmly established in the minds of the local people and in the hearts of those whom it directly serves. It is an achievement of which Bahá’ís can be justly proud. an achievement of human devotion and effort, and of human trust and love in return; an achievement which our beloved Guardian referred to in his last Convention Message and has spoken of in glowing and enthusiastic terms to pilgrims.
The school has played a major role in establishing the Faith here in the New Hebrides, and the respect and admiration which it has drawn from the local residents is, of course, reflected to a large extent on the Faith itself. Even those inclined, in their spiritual blindness, to oppose the claims of our Faith, cannot but recognize what it has achieved in this school and respect its sincerity of purpose and the devotion with which it inspires its adherents.
Comprising mainly New Hebridean children, drawn from three villages near Port Vila, with a few Chinese, New Zealand, and Australian children, the school embraces ages from five to fifteen years. The advanced class of six students will this year commence on their final matriculation course—one of five years that will take them to university entrance standard. The ages of this class range from twelve to fifteen years, somewhat older than would be found normally in other schools.
But this is by no means a ‘normal’ school. The achievement of the children and their much-loved teacher can perhaps be more readily assessed, when one bears in mind that they are being educated in a foreign language, English, a tongue whose words four years ago might have been counted on the fingers, just those few expressions that may have been picked up in this bi-lingual (French-English) island. And yet, in these few years, the children have mastered sufficiently the English language to catch up on several years of lost education; even now their conversation while at play is largely in their own native language, while their English lessons are spoken only with that extra effort of thought demanded by a newly-learned tongue.
Apart from providing an excellent teaching medium for the Faith itself to both parents and children—the school’s curriculum embraces a standard of education aimed to correspond with Australian department examinations. It has shown the native peoples the vast gulf existing between the education of the outside world and that education to date available in the islands. Its influence can be gauged by recent moves in nearby villages and other islands of the group to establish their own government schools. The crying need of the people here is for education, and with the recognition of this need, the native peoples are awakening to their own tremendous potential.
Many recognize that Port Vila has awakened from its habitual, tropical sleepiness, but very few as yet dimly suspect the real cause, that tremendous force of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation, liberated in these islands by the devotion and untiring service of the pioneer, under that vast spiritual crusade of our dearly beloved Guardian.
—ASIAN TEACHING COMMITTEE OF N.S.A. OF AUSTRALIA
Over 130 Guests Attend Public Meeting Sponsored by Seoul, Korea, Bahá’ís[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Seoul, Korea, recently held their largest, and possibly most successful, public meeting. Scheduled on July 11 at the Korean Government’s Central Information Center auditorium, the meeting attracted over 130 guests, many of whom had to stand.
Dr. David Earl, who was in Korea from Tokyo on an eight week teaching assignment for the University of Maryland, was the principal speaker. His talk, entitled “The Coming World Civilization,” attracted wide interest by newspaper stories and advertisements. Notice of the address was also posted on numerous government bulletin boards in the city. The press, business, government, and education was represented in the audience. (Only one woman, a Bahá’í, was present.)
After the hour-long lecture, with interpretation, more than sixty persons remained for a lengthy question and answer period. Underestimating the crowd, the Bahá’ís brought an insufficient amount of literature which was immediately snapped up.
Use of the auditorium located in the Information Center in downtown Seoul was promised to the Local Assembly chairman “anytime you need it in the future” by the chief of the Information Center.
Honolulu Assembly Distributes Bahá’í Books to Isolated Coast Guard Ships in Pacific[edit]
An excellent opportunity to distribute Bahá’í books to isolated Coast Guard installations in the Pacific Ocean has been reported by the Library Committee of the Honolulu, Hawaii, Local Spiritual Assembly.
Through Commander Anthony Flatt, Commandant of the area, and Captain Reynolds, Personnel Officer, the Honolulu Bahá’ís learned that there are twenty-six loran stations in the Pacific, each with a crew of from twelve to sixteen men, and that they are hungry for reading material. In addition there are ten major Coast Guard ships whose crews would also be happy to accept books.
As a result of this information, the Honolulu Bahá’ís are donating to each of the loran stations a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and Great Themes of Life. To the ten major ships they are sending Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era and Prescription for Living.
The tour of duty for the men at the loran stations is from twelve to eighteen months. By making Bahá’í books available as a permanent part of their libraries, it will be possible to bring the Faith to the attention of many individuals.
Extensive Publicity, Well-Attended Meetings Attained for Board Member’s Los Angeles Visit[edit]
Excellent press coverage and well-attended meetings resulted from the preparations made by the Teaching Committee of the Los Angeles Local Spiritual Assembly for a visit to Los Angeles, Calif., by Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh on August 3 and 4. Five members of the Los Angeles Bahá’í community and two from Beverly Hills participated with Mrs. Mottahedeh in a lively press conference the first morning, in which she discussed both the Bahá’í Faith and her activities as a Bahá’í observer and member of the executive committee of the Non-Governmental Organizations accredited to the United Nations.
On the first evening Mrs. Mottahedeh spoke to more than 150 Bahá’ís in the Los Angeles Bahá’í Center about the teaching activities in various parts of the world, including the homefront. On the following evening, August 4, she addressed a gathering of 114 individuals (74 of them non-Bahá’ís) on “World Search for a Common Denominator.” Great interest was shown by the entire audience. The library committee had literature on display, as well as for free distribution and for sale, and lists of firesides in the Los Angeles area were distributed to those wishing further information about the Faith.
Two Baha’i Summer Schools Are Held in Greater Antilles[edit]
Left: First National Conference and Summer School held at Havana, Cuba, from July 29 to August 1, 1959. Right: Santiago, Dominican Republic, Summer School, held from July 31, to August 2, 1959
South Pacific Area Moves Ahead in the World Crusade[edit]
Resolute Pioneer Establishes New Solomon Islands Group[edit]
IT WAS not long after Collis Featherstone, Hand of the Cause, visited the Solomons, that Hamuel from Hau Hui came to the Center to hear more about the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. He was interested right from the start, and we gave him literature to take back with him. Later he wrote how much he enjoyed it and was interested in becoming a Bahá’í. He came once more to Honiara and we gave him the fundamental verities of the Faith and The Bahá’í Community to read. He later signed his card and wrote of others wanting to become Bahá’ís. John Mills visited Hau Hui for a day and spent more time with him. Hamuel expressed the great need for sustained teaching work.
The neighboring area of Su’u had also been contacted by Hamuel, as he is a government dresser and has a wide area to cover. Many of the people of Su’u are called heathens, not belonging to any church and holding native customs. These people have written in and sent two representatives, Hohanemae and Michael, asking that a school he opened and a teacher sent, and that they were willing to give some land for this (it is difficult to give land in the Solomons as many of a line have to give consent to the government).
On June 25 I left Honiara and arrived in Auki, Malaita, the following day and was met by John Mills and Laurie Lake, who were about to complete building the bakery and theater. Auki is the government center where Ruhangis and John are going to live as soon as they find accommodations. The next day, John arranged for a native cutter boat to take us up the coast to Hau Hui, about eight hours by sea. It appeared that we arrived at the same time as the District Commissioner and the agricultural officer Hamuel, who owns the land on which the village of Hau Hui is built, was quite busy. As practically the whole village is of the South Seas Evangelical Mission Church, we thought of a good idea to teach the women and those interested, some cooking and baking as well as talking about the Faith. An outstanding member of that community, Mr. Jabin, expressed to John the wish to know more about cake baking, as he has a little bakery in his home and the only stove in the village. I came prepared with flour, sugar, etc.
They offered me the little guest Leaf House to stop in during my stay. Hamuel said that his daughter would be my companion while there, She is a lovely, young, accomplished girl, who completed a study course in midwifery and first aid, and was a great comfort to me while there. They have a charming village, a little dispensary and a house for maternity care. The river runs through the center of the village and the water is piped from the mountain stream. The grass growing so neatly, the people busy with their gardens, give this village an air of progress, much above the average village in the Solomons. This is in no small part due to our Bahá’í brother Hamuel.
In the morning we baked scones and cakes, and that evening Hamuel and family and Lazurus came to the guest house and we had a talk on the Faith. The following evening was the Feast, and I arranged for a chicken dinner to be held at the Hamuel home. This was nicely prepared by Mrs. Hamuel and daughters. Hamuel’s large family, neighbors, and friends came and later we spoke about the Faith, Hamuel translating into the Are Are language. The next day three came to Hamuel and said they wished to become Bahá’ís. For nearly two days we continued teaching the Faith. The last morning, Friday, nine lovely souls came into the Bahá’í family, including Hohanemae from Su’u.
It is wonderful to know that Ruhangis and John will be established in Malaita. making it much more accessible to visit this community and to strengthen them in the Faith. Hamuel has expressed a wish to give a portion of his land to have a Bahá’í school built. In the Su‘u district they also want a school, but think that-now with a community in Hau Hui, this would. be the better place and the Su’u people could send their children to that school.
Before leaving I instructed them in the formation of a Bahá’í group by electing a chairman, secretary, and treasurer. Hamuel also spoke to me about the need for erecting a Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, as his home, which has a store in it, is a busy house and at the Nineteen-Day Feasts it would be hard to keep out the non-Bahá’ís I encouraged him in this and gave a donation of £5.0.0.
We will have to send them Feast readings, and they want a simplified study course, a dictionary, and material for childrens classes. Since my return home and consultation with the Island Teaching Committee, we have sent them childrens’ books (The Dawn-Breakers, A B C Book, Song Book, Child’s Prayer Book) Hidden Words, a picture of the Master, the Greatest Name, a Bahá’í calendar, a dictionary, Bahá’í World Faith. Hill Lang is sending them Feast readings for the next four Feasts.
Transportation and mail is a problem here. We ar[Page 11]
range to have the mail sent to Bonani, a_large plantation about two hours away from Hau Hui, where the
chief of the village sends a messenger by foot to I-lau
Hui. Hamuel is expecting to have an engine built for
his ship by the people of Hau Hui, facilitating his getting around.
—GERTRUDE BLUM
Left: Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Tuarabu, Abaiang. This is the house built for Roy and Elena Fernie, and given by Elena, upon her departure, to the Local Spiritual Aasembly of Tuarabu, Right: The Translating Committee of Betio, Tarama. This community translates into Gilbertese. Below: Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Betio, Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, formed on April 21, 1958.
Gilbert and Ellice Island Pioneers Establish Schools, Centers[edit]
IN NOVEMBER 1953 Roy and Elena Fernie of Panama Canal Zone answered the call for pioneers in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and embarked on their long journey across the Pacific Ocean, arriving at their post on March 5, 1954. (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June 1954.) The island of Abaiang was selected to be their home, and within four weeks plans were begun for establishing a non-denominational school on the same property leased for the building of their home.
Although they did not teach the Faith openly at first, the kindness, justice, courtesy, and love which these pioneers showed for their fellow men attracted the people of the island, and they were able to teach a few. It was a momentous occasion indeed when, in June 1954, Peter Kanare became the first native Bahá’í.
By September there was a staff of nine young men who, desiring to become teachers, worked and studied in- order to attain their goal, building a permanent house for the Fernies as well as a school building. But by this time opposition and difficulties beset them, and they were finally forced to vacate this property, find another, and move the unfinished buildings.
In June 1955 Peter was banished to another island as a result of these difficulties. On the day he was to leave a representative group of natives of the village of Tuarabu, deeply moved by the example of this believer, came to the Femie home at three o’clock in the morning, stating that the entire village wanted to be Bahá’ís.
Now the teaching of the Faith was no longer suppressed, and Roy and Elena had eager audiences wherever they went. In September 1955 three hundred people on Abaiang gave their names to the government, stating they were Bahá’ís.
However, the difficulties were not ended. In November 1955 Roy Fernie was deported to Honolulu, and Elena remained alone several months, endeavoring to satisfy the spiritual hunger of the Gilbertese people. Every effort was made by the Asia Teaching Committee of Central America to find assistance, but now the Guardian sent word that no one else was to go to the Gilbert Islands for the time being.
In April 1956 the Faith was established in ten villages, three of them (Tuarabu, Tebero, and Kuria) having local spiritual assemblies. Although the government did not recognize Bahá’í marriage, a young couple, after having a civil ceremony, celebrated a Bahá’í ceremony which made a great impression on both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Already the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tuarabu, Abaiang, had been registered with the government under “The Religious Bodies Registration Ordinance,” and the Education Department of the Colonial Government had approved Elena and two native Bahá’ís as teachers for a village school, the first nondenominational school on Abaiang.
By this time the Guardian said someone could now go to the Gilberts to assist Mrs. Fernie. Mrs. Frances Heller from the United States answered the call, receiving a glorious reception from the natives on her arrival on February 8, 19574 She picked up the work begun by the Fernies and carried on teaching, confirming, and consolidation until she became ill and was hospitalized for
Above: Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
Kuria, Abaiang, for 1959-1960. Below: Local Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tuarabu, Abaiang, Gilbert
Islands, for 1959-1960.
some weeks. Although her health did not permit her to
return to Abaiang, Mrs. Heller remained on the island
of Tarawa until another could come to take her place,
and by doing so was able to establish the first local spiritual assembly in the village of Betio on Riḍván 1958.
Upon her retirement from her position in the Panama Canal Zone in June 1958, Miss Mabel Sneider, who had served on the Asia Teaching Committee of Central America and had been greatly interested in the progress of the Faith in the Pacific goals, set out for the Gilberts, arriving in October. She and Mrs. Heller soon decided that if the Faith were to be taken to all of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, it was important to establish pioneer headquarters on the island of Tarawa. In cooperation with the wishes of the government, the village of Bikenibeu was chosen, since it is the site of a secondary school for boys and a teacher training college, as well as the future location for a secondary school for girls 1:: this village also is the colony hospital where nurses are trained and later go to the various islands.
The Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was completed in April 1959, a small native-type of Gilbertese house. The pioneer’s house of prefabricated metal, shipped from England, will soon be erected. In the village of Betio, Tarawa, a small guest house for pioneers and visiting Bahá’ís is being built, to be followed soon by the local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. The Faith is being registered in the entire Gilbert and Ellice Colony under the “Religious Bodies Registration Ordinance,” and as soon as an island has fifty adult believers and a local assembly it may also be registered.
There being no transportation available, none of the delegates from the Gilberts could be present at the formation of the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific, therefore they voted by absentee ballots. Joe Russell, however, who was enroute to the Gilberts from the United States, was able to attend and bring a report of the convention when he arrived on May 9, 1959.
Two summer schools are to be held the latter part of 1959—one on the island of Betio and the other on Abaiang. Every encouragement is being given the native believers to arise to carry the Faith to all the twenty-five islands in the group, and thus to reap the benefit and glory of being the future pioneers.
—REGI0NAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SOUTH PACIFICCC
University of Chattanooga to lnxlude Faith in Comparative Religions Course[edit]
The Bahá’í Faith will be taught at the University of Chattanooga in Tennessee this year as a part of the course on Comparative Religions.
This came about through the efforts of two members of the local group, Thomas L4 Thompson and Stuart Bruce Duboff, who prepared for the instructor of this course a typed report, several pages in length, setting forth the vital statistics of the Faith. The focus of this report was entirely upon the reasons why the Bahá’í Faith needs to be viewed as a religion rather than a sect. No attempt was made to persuade the reader of the Faith’s truth; in fact, anything of a subjective nature was scrupulously avoided.
This report was presented personally to Joe Elkins, instructor of the Comparative Religion course, with the explanation that since the Bahá’í Faith is a growing concern. both numerically and geographically, the local Bahá’í group felt a responsibility to acquaint him with its facts and its status, so that he would be able to answer accurately and completely any questions which might be put to him by his students.
The instructor’s first reaction was to be impressed that such a full report had been prepared especially for him. Then, after reading the paper, he himself volunteered the information that Bahá’í deserves inclusion in a comparative religion course, that he plans to incorporate it in his own curriculum this year, and to devote two or three days to it at the end of the current semester. He stated, too, that he would appreciate a member of the Chattanooga Bahá’í Group’s appearance as a speaker to his class.
—ANNE BRIEN
Burma Elects First National Assembly[edit]
These photographs of the first annual convention of the Bahá’ís of Burma give an unusual graphic report of the formation of a new national assembly, to become another pillar in the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
Top left: U. Ba Sein, newly-elected chairman of the yam National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Burma, reads instructions from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land.
Tap right: Hand of the Cause Taráẓulláh Samandari seated with delegates to the convention. In the second row, center, is I. K. B. Bakhtiari, member of the Asian Auxiliary Board.
Center: Newly-declared Bahá’ís attending the convention.
Bottom left: The first fireside held at Moulmein, Burma, in July 1958 at the home of pioneer Keith De Folo (at right), one of the preparatory steps leading to the formation of the National Assembly.
Bottom right: The Burma Convention in session. The blackboard lists the results of the election of the National Spiritual Assembly.
First Benelux Summer School Addressed by Hand of the Cause Paul Haney[edit]
On July 25, 1959, about thirty friends from Holland, Belgium, and France poured into little, friendly, medieval Vianden in the northeast section of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, where they were welcomed by the Luxembourg believers, among them a recently arrived Persian family, to attend the First Benelux summer School.
After going to their assigned rooms or putting up their tents, all gathered for dinner in the large dining room of the Hotel Victor Hugo. After dinner all went to the school near the hotel, which the city council had graciously permitted us to use. The auditorium was on the third floor, but nobody seemed to mind climbing the stairs, as this quiet location with a beautiful view of the countryside and the skies contributed much to the atmosphere of the summer school.
The chairman of the Benelux Summer School Committee, Miss Suzette Hipp, welcomed the friends, expressing the hope that this school would bring inspiration, unity, and rededication to fulfill the goals ahead. Thereupon Louis Henuzet, member of the Auxiliary Board, brought us the greetings of the Hands of the Cause, who in spirit are always with us, whereas Paul Haney would come in person at the end of the school. Dr. Grossmann, Hand of the Cause from Germany, sent his special good wishes. Greetings from the European Teaching Committee, assuring us that their loving thoughts and prayers would be constantly with us, were read and a committee was immediately appointed to send a cable to the Hands of the Cause in Haifa, and a letter to the European Teaching Committee.
The program of the summer school had as its overall theme “Rededication,” starting with the spiritual prerequisites and ending with the goals ahead. The punctuality and also the large attendance of all, and the untiring interest shown was probably due to the long free afternoons, which provided ample opportunity to get together for a quiet talk, for a swim, to hike or to ride.
Hand of the Cause Paul Haney (holding the Greatest
Name) with the Bahá’ís attending the first Benelux
Summer School at Vianden, Luxembourg.
It was a happy crowd of believers who spent such
beautiful inspiring days together, and their thoughts
often went to the friends at home who could not share
this joy and happiness. Nevertheless, by the end of the
week the number of believers reached sixty plus ten
children, among them two large Persian families from
Nice and a Persian family of three who decided to
settle in Luxembourg. One of the outstanding characteristics of this first Benelux summer school was indeed the attendance and participation of so many of
the Persian friends which contributed so much to the
success of the school and brought a better understanding and greater unity between the East and the West.
Actually all the friends contributed to its success, whether taking care of the physical arrangement, as speaker or translators.
Courses Offer Rich Spiritual Fare[edit]
Here is a brief outline of the program, Sunday: “Why and How to Pray.” Mr. Ghadimi gave an excellent introduction explaining this “conversation with God,” stressing especially the “listening part.” Honor Kempton followed with a beautiful selection of quotations from the Holy Writings. In the evening session the consultation was continued, and questions on “Christian Subjects” answered.
Monday: “Why and how to deepen our knowledge of the Teachings" was introduced by Arnold van Ogtrop in French and English. “The Seven Valleys” was discussed in the evening by Dr. Kamran, who explained the history and various teachings of the Sufi, how and why Bahá’u’lláh Wrote this work to their highest chief. Then Dr. Kamran pointed out the vehicles, conditions, and characteristics of the valleys without trying to give an interpretation, thus enabling every believer a better understanding and study of this priceless mystical book.
Tuesday: “Being a Bahá’í” was introduced by Dr. Hans Teufel’s German translation of the chapter “Spiritual Prequisites” of The Advent of Divine Justice. As German was not one of the official languages he translated it into French, had it properly reviewed, and printed. Part of the Dutch translation was also available and the rest will follow soon, so that our countries will have the benefit of having these precious and important pages in their own language. After Dr. Teufel’s introduction based on these pages, Mrs. Gienie Sijsling pointed out the many difficulties one experiences in trying to be a real Bahá’í. Gienie gave in simple language, which went straight to the heart, a deeply spiritual talk on the practical side of being a Bahá’í, really a heart-rendering example of “walking the spiritual path with practical feet.” In the evening we had the joy of listening to Mr. Sarnii, who told stories from the lives of the Founders and heroes of our Faith. Many felt that these first two days could not be surpassed, but the following were indeed just as rich.
Wednesday: “A Bahá’í amongst Bahá’ís” was introduced by Amelia Bowman giving us the signs of immaturity and the way they could be changed into mature habits and attitudes so that we can become real unifiers. Jan Sijsling thereupon explained more in detail the activities of every believer in the Administration.
In the evening Dr. Teufel gave a short talk on the[Page 15]
Bahá’í Faith in German, and Mr. Nys showed slides
from Persia, the Shrines, and the Bahá’í Temple in
Wilmette. The public was invited, and thirty posters
were distributed by the Bureau d’Initiative but none
could be discovered hanging, and those we put up at
the school had disappeared the next morning.
Thursday: “Rededication“ was the theme. Mrs. Marion Little opened this session by speaking on service, the source of spiritual growth and of joy and happiness. The progress of the Faith depends on sacrifice. Its history shows always this pattern: crisis, suffering, victories. Mrs. Amelia Bowman then showed us a visual picture of the development of our Faith: slowly in the beginning but with ever-increasing speed and extension so that now we have thirty-one national spiritual assemblies. In the three remaining years however, thirty new national assemblies, of which eleven are in Europe, must be established. These can only be built with devotion and sacrifice, sacrifice oi self in order that we may become divine instruments. Honor Kernpton gave a few thrilling examples of sacrifice of the Holy Family and of our beloved Guardian.
In the evening Paul Haney, Hand of the Cause of God, and his wife Margery Haney were heartily and gratefully welcomed. After a beautiful greeting to the assembled friends by Mr. Haney, the program of “Questions and Answers” started, in which Mr. Haney was kind enough to take a valuable part.
Friday: “The Global Crusade” was discussed by Louis Henuzet, who gave a short review of the previous program centered on the individual. Now we had come to the second phase: “The Divine Plan.” Mr. Henuzet explained its origin and development up until today, explaining the institutions established by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, and calling for the spirit of sacrifice of Badasiit to fulfill the last and vital goals.
This intensely interesting morning was followed by the Feast of Perfection, and indeed it was a perfect evening, arranged by the Dutch community. Over sixty friends shared this deeply spiritual experience. Prayers and readings were said in French, Dutch, English, and German, and chanted in Persian. Mr. Haney addressed us during the administrative part and the Dutch friends were hosts at the social part of the Feast.
Paul Haney Speaks of Guardian[edit]
Saturday “Shoghi Effendi, the first Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith,” was the theme, Mr. Haney brought our beloved Guardian still closer to us. Contemporaries cannot understand his station, therefore we should turn to What ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote about the Guardian, not what the Guardian wrote about himself. Many people think that the Guardian just prayed and the spirit flowed easily through him. No, all his work demanded sacrifice. He indeed gave his life! Why the Guardian was taken from us will remain a mystery, but for him we know that it was a blessed release from the overpowering burden he carried. The essence of Faith is to believe that the Guardian did not leave the world one moment sooner than God willed.
“The institutions of the Hands of the Cause and the Auxiliary Board” was explained by Louis Henuzet, who showed clearly how the Guardian had given us all the instruments to protect the Cause and to guide us to fulfill the Global Crusade.
On Saturday evening Mr. Haney and Mr. Henuzet continued to answer questions, one of which was asked three times during the summer school. namely, the Codification of the Aqdas. This means, said Mr. Haney, the collection of all writings pertaining to the Aqdas, not just one volume, and then the assembling of them. Furthermore, he stressed that we should be satisfied in the West with the laws we are asked to obey and not to seek more information from the Persian friends. The Persians, on the other hand, should not try to impose upon the Western believers the laws of the Aqdas which only they are obliged to obey. We should check our curiosity and put all our energy into obeying those laws and ordinances the Guardian said we could and should obey.
With hearts full of thankfulness for this wonderful week of prayer, study, consultation, and being together, and strengthened by the abundant love and unity we experienced, we bade farewell to Paul and Margery Haney. The school was closed that same Saturday evening, wholeheartedly confirming the words addressed to the Hands of the Cause in Haifa: “Grateful for presence of Hand of the Cause Paul Haney. Sixty friends at Benelux Summer School recognizing urgency of tasks, pledge rededication for fulfillment of the Crusade. Supplicate your prayers at the Holy Shrines.”
—RITA VAN SOMBEEK
Bahá’í Burial Ground Purchased in Western Samoa[edit]
Purchase of six plots in the nomdenominational government cemetery as a Bahá’í burial ground has been reported by the Local Spiritual Assembly of Apia, Western Samoa. This is the maximum area allowed to each family, and all that could be afforded at the moment.
The Laurentian Bahá’í School, Quebec, was held from
July 18 to August 1, and featured talks by William
Sears, Hand of the Cause. An African handcraft exhibit
and color slides, shown by Mrs. Sears, attracted the
first local contact from Rawdon. The photograph shows
the attendance at the second week’s sessions.
Formation of Whitehorse Local Assembly Climaxes 43 Years’ Teaching in Yukon[edit]
On April 21, 1959, the first local spiritual assembly of Canada's Yukon Territory, a World Crusade virgin goal, was formed by joint declaration in Whitehorse, the Territory’s capital city.
In the summer of 1916, the very year ‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed the first of His two historic Tablets of the Divine Plan to “the believers of God and the maidservants of the Merciful in . . . the Dominion of Canada,” which specifically mentioned the Yukon as a place Where “the believers of God must become self-sacrificing and like unto the candles of guidance become ignited in the provinces of Canada,” Mrs. Susan Rice travelled all alone to the Yukon and Alaska, leaving believers and interested inquirers at Fairbanks in Alaska and at Whitehorse and Dawson in the Yukon (Star of the West, Vol. VII, p. 102).
Three years later Mrs. Emogene Hoagg, responding to the same Tablets as well as to a cablegrarn of confirmation from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, sailed from San Francisco with Miss Marian Jack for Alaska and the Yukon. They reached St. Michael at the mouth of the Yukon River on July 26, 1919, and continued by riverboat to Fairbanks, Dawson, and Whitehorse, actively teaching at many places (The Bahá’í World, Vol. X, p, 522).
A fourth early pioneer Bahá’í teacher in the Yukon was Orcella Rexford, who in the summer of 1922 entered the Territory from the south along the gold rush trail of 1898, gave talks on the Faith to her fellow-passengers aboard one of the old stern-wheeler riverboats, lectured to 550 people at the gold-rush capital of Dawson, and received many fine articles about the Faith in the Dawson Daily News. Writing in The Bahá’í World, Vol. IX, p. 919, she told of meeting many people who recalled having heard of the Message through Mrs. Hoagg and Miss Jack, but was disappointed not to find any who had embraced the Faith, “owing to the
First Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, formed on April 21,
1959. Left to right: Lorne Murphy, Georgie Hughes,
Jerry Brda, John Anderson, Erna Henckel, Marg Brda,
Ted Anderson, Ruth Cunliffe, and Glen Hughes.
fact that these teachers could not remain long enough
to deepen the consciousness of their listeners,” and
added hopefully, “but some day others will follow in
the footsteps of the pioneers, and nurture these seeds
sown through love and sacrifice.”
First Pioneer Settlers Arrive[edit]
Many Bahá’í travellers to and from Alaska no doubt sowed further seeds in the Yukon over the years since 1922. but it was not until September 23, 1953, that the first World Crusade pioneer settlers arrived in the Yukon. At that time Ted and Joanie Anderson came from Chicago, his health being poor and employment opportunities being very limited. They prayed for many hours during those first few days, and within a week found a home and a job After the first long, cold, and
Left: The Ontario Summer Conference at Geneva Park, Lake Couchiching, on August 1 to 8, welcomed Hand of
the Cause William Sears (back row center). Right: Bahá’ís attending the Summer Conference for Western
Canada at Banff, Alberta, held August 23 to 30.
discouraging winter, Ted’s health was providentially restored, and teaching opportunities steadily unfolded, with dedicated reinforcements arriving.
Marjorie Wheeler of Chicago arrived in the Yukon August 18, 1954, but found it necessary to leave again on October 6 because of her mother's health. Next came Rex King from Tucson, Ariz., to help the teaching work during his stay from September 17 to November 6 of that same year, and during two brief overnight visits in April and May of 1955; he made the first Bahá’í radio broadcast here.
Auxiliary Board Member Florence Mayberry launched the first weekly fireside effort with her talk on October 1, 1954, and the first public meeting when she returned for four days in October 1956.
Roy and Joan Ziegler of Vancouver pioneered to Whitehorse from Feb. 23, 1955, until Oct. 21, 1956; Vicki Rusk of Calgary pioneered here from September 17, 1955, until March 15, 1958.
On Feb. 17, 1955, Robin Fowler became a Bahá’í, the first in the Yukon during the Crusade. Other declarations then came from Bob Fleming (Aug. 1955), Dr. Donald Kidd (November 5, 1955), Lorne Murphy (May 26, 1956), Glen and Georgie Hughes (April 8, 1957), Marg and Jerry Brda (June 14, 1957), Cris and Barb Chrismas (April 20, 1958), Ruth Cunliffe (November 12, 1958), and Erna Henckel (Dec. 31, 1958). Robin went to Alaska to help form the Ketchikan Assembly in April 1956. Bob was transferred by the RCAF to Alberta in July 1956 and has since gone on to pioneer in British Columbia. Dr. Kidd, who had become a Bahá’í in the Yukon at a time when he was doing geological work here, returned to Alberta. The Chrismas’ were transferred by the RCAF to Manitoba and started Bahá’í teaching in a new area there.
In April 1955 the Anglican Bishop of the Yukon attacked the Faith in an open letter published in his monthly news letter for Anglicans, and the Bahá’ís responded with a dignified quotation from the Writings, which was published as an ad in the Whitehorse Star, the local newspaper.
Many itinerant teachers and visitors aided the teaching work through the years, including Pat and Georgine Moul in June 1955, Dr. Arthur Irwin in July 1955, Josie Madonia, and Ed Russell in May 1957, Pat Moul again in September 1957, Elmer and Marie Guffey in March 1958, Verne Stout in May 1958, Eunice Braun in August 1958, Marion Johnson and Robin Fowler during the first annual Yukon summer conference on the 1958 Labor Day weekend, and Don and Mary Kidd in November 1958.
We were blessed with the visits of two members of Canada’s National Assembly, Winifred Harvey and Peggy Ross. The former, in June 1957, told us of her pilgrimage: the latter, in November 1958, told us of her trip around the world to attend the Fifth Intercontinental Conference in Singapore. When Peggy was here “The Bahá’í Story” was first directly proclaimed from a public platform, the attendance being good and the newspaper and radio publicity excellent.
In the fall of 1956 Whitehorse Bahá’ís helped to organize the Yukon Indian Advancement Association, and have since actively supported it, finding that through it they have come to know better, and to serve in a small way, the natives here.
On July 17, 1958, a weekly series of Bahá’í ads to proclaim the Faith to the public was commenced in the Yukon’s weekly newspaper, and about the same time literature boxes were placed in three Whitehorse hotels. This new stage in the development of the Faith here started during the month when Canada’s National Assembly had asked all the friends to pray for the Yukon teaching work, and has resulted in the distribution of a surprising volume of pamphlet literature and in the receipt of several encouraging inquiries about the Faith.
A most important goal for the Yukon has yet to be won, however, “to bring the light of Divine Guidance to
The third annual Bahá’í Summer School of Pákistán was held at Abbottabad from August 21 to 30, 1959. One hundred Bahá’ís and a few guests came from many centers to take part in the program. One day was devoted to
a Women’s Program, conducted entirely by Bahá’í women. The photograph, taken on the last day, does not
show the complete attendance at the school, as some of the friends had to leave early.
the native population,” for as a letter from Haifa on June 4, 1954, indicated, “The great goal would be an assembly in Whitehorse, made up of native Bahá’ís, or at least the majority natives.” Our first local spiritual assembly is fairly cosmopolitan, its members representing national backgrounds of five countries and religious backgrounds of six denominations, but there are no Indian Bahá’ís here yet. We Yukon Bahá’ís have experienced in many ways the remarkable answers that prayer can bring, and hope the friends around the world will also remember to pray for the Yukon Indian teaching work.
—TED ANDERSON
Summer Fellowships Prepare Way For Vigorous Fall Teaching Programs[edit]
Although it has been the general practice of most or the Bahá’í communities in the United States to interrupt their public teaching activities during the summer vacation period, this year a large number seized the opportunity to plan picnics and other types of outdoor activities to which they invited non-Bahá’í relatives and contacts, to meet the believers in an informal and social atmosphere.
Many picnics were interracial in character, most of them planned as the local Race Amity Day observance or as a follow-up of such a meeting, and there have been many reports of the interest that these affairs aroused on the part of passersby or other picnic groups meeting in the same park.
Typical of these reports is the one from the Bahá’í group of Huntsville, Ala., who wrote: “The news concerning the event of an integrated gathering spread rapidly through neighborhood, college, and associated business areas, bringing inquiries from otherwise disinterested persons, and the social impact of this event in this community cannot be overemphasized.”
Thirty Bahá’ís and eighteen non-Bahá’ís attended the Huntsville picnic, one of the special guests being Miss Laurentine Tubbman, niece of the President of Liberia, Africa. Thomas Thompson of Chattanooga addressed the group on “The Voice of God.”
The Bahá’ís of Wilmington, Del., followed their Race Amity Day program with several programs, one of
Bahá’ís and guests at a picnic in Huntsville, Ala.
which was a lawn supper attended by forty-nine persons, half of them Negroes. The supper was followed
by the showing of colored slides of the Bahá’í House
of Worship. Present were Major and Mrs. Carroll Stone,
recently returned from Hawaii, whose four children,
dressed in Hawaiian tea-time attire, helped to serve
the guests.
The second follow-up drew an attendance of thirty-two and fifteen youth, who sat spellbound for nearly two hours listening to Lt. Col. Salvatore Pelle discuss the Faith and answer questions.
In Charlotte, N.C., the Bahá’ís planned a fellowship picnic at the home of an aged colored friend who is interested in the Faith. His neighbors pitched in and donated tables and benches. Thirty-one persons were present, only four of whom were Bahá’ís. Had there been room for more the invitation list would have been longer. After the supper, colored slides on Bahá’í subjects were shown and these were received with great interest. The report states: “This type of program created much good will and the seeds of our Faith were firmly planted in many hearts.”
Some communities, like the Warren Township Group in Illinois, arranged picnics specially for young people. Here the picnic was attended by thirty-one youth. eighteen of whom were non-Bahá’ís. Games and stimulating conversation preceded the picnic supper, after which all moved indoors to hear the Bahá’í speaker, Dan Jordan of Chicago, who also answered questions until a late hour.
These are but a few examples of the possibilities altered by the summer season for making new contacts, for becoming acquainted with each other and with the families of Bahá’ís, and for laying the foundation for a vigorous fall and winter teaching program.
Overflow Crowds Attend Five-Day Kwangju, Korea, Summer School[edit]
The first of the several Bahá’í summer schools to be held in Northeast Asia this year was held in Kwangju, Koreal Dr. David M. Earl represented the National Spiritual Assembly along with the chairman, William H. Maxwell, Jr., Auxiliary Board member.
From eight cities in Korea attendants came together for the five days between July 22 and July 27, with two Bahá’ís coming from Japan. The National Teaching Committee for Korea, with the assistance of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kwangju, were the honored hosts to the overflowing crowds that came to the meetings three times a day An average of sixty non-Bahá’ís returned each day. To the eyes of the seekers who attended, the animating principle of the oneness of mankind could be seen in the faces of a varied and radiant group of believers representing the black, White, and yellow races, the Buddhist and Christian religions, and ranging from high to low in class.
Outwardly the summer school accomplished two
things: first, it brought together believers from all
over Korea, enabling them to share their experiences
and to consult informally about their own administrative problems; second, the school attracted many
new souls, particularly students who have since con[Page 19]
tinued their search at the weekly firesides in Kwangju,
which have grown to nearly thirty members. As this
report is written, August 11, an enrollment class has
begun.
The theme of the summer school, based on The Dawn-Breakers, which drew the believers closer to the love and the knowledge of the Báb, was selected with the long-range view of preparing the Bahá’ís for a better understanding of the messages of the beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, who continually reminded us of the example of their lives and the heritage we must enrich through further deeds.
Devotion, Study, Recreation Inspire Bahá’ís at Blue Ridge Summer School[edit]
Blue Ridge is often called “the land where mountains touch the sky.” To Bahá’ís it has become the place “where minds and hearts reach out to God.” For it is here, in Blue Ridge, N.C., that the annual Bahá’í Summer School of the South is held.
This year nearly 125 Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith gathered for six days, August 22 to 28, for intensive study, meditation, prayer, and fellowship. They came from all of the southeastern states, as Well as from Illinois, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, New Mexico, Wyoming, and as far away as Key West, Panama, and Canada.
Because the time was so limited, effort was made to utilize every moment. Each day began with devotions at 7:30 a.m. One never forgets the experience of coming out into the clean, brisk, mountain air; walking in quiet contemplation to the auditorium and there offering thanks to God for enabling us to come together and to share in so much love and beauty.
The daily schedule of study consisted of four courses running simultaneously from 9:15 to 11:00 a,m., with two of them repeated simultaneously in the afternoon and the other two in the evening. Under this arrangement it was possible for everyone to take three of the four subjects offered, and almost every one did so. The four courses and the teachers were as follows:
The Covenant and the Individual—Cal Rollins and Allan Ward; Principles of Bahá’í Administration—Charlotte Linfoot; Living the Bahá’í Life—Harvey Wiener: Teaching the Faith — Raymond Rouse.
A large number of youth were in attendance. In the mornings they studied the book, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh, and many of them joined the adults in the afternoon and evening courses.
The classes for children were handled by Miss Kay Potter, Mrs. Roberta Hilke, Miss Elah Cowart and Mrs. Betty Fiedler. Enough cannot be said in appreciation of their services. Handicraft by the children was displayed, and they presented the devotional program on the last day.
Following the evening classes there were special programs consisting of taped recorded talks by Hand of the Cause William B. Sears and by Miss Flora Hottes; and films by Mrs. Ludmila Van Sombeek. Miss Linfoot explained various aspects in the operation of the national spiritual assembly; Edward Struven, who had met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, recalled stories about the beloved Exemplar. For those who liked dancing, singing, and games, there was opportunity to do these things. One evening the young people provided a lighter touch to the school by giving a talent show with originality and ingenuity.
On the last morning, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, gave the parting address. She surveyed events leading up to the World Crusade. gave the status of the present, and projected into the future with goals yet to be accomplished.
All this, and more, was the second Blue Ridge Summer School. For almost a week we lived in this atmosphere of fellowship, study, prayer, love and unity. Surrounded by the towering mountains which shut out all else, it seemed as though time stood still and the world that will one day be, had become a reality. Perhaps if it had been without our power, we would have held it thus forever—but a mist hung over the mountains the whole time as if to symbolize the responsibility that hovered around each of us. When the session was ended we stood, for a moment, on the edge of two worlds, and then individually, each Bahá’í in his own way, reached up and grasped his share of that responsibility with a deeper knowledge, renewed enthusiasm, fresh inspiration, and increased dedication, turned and walked back into the world that is.
—GAIL CURWIN
Right and Wrong Ways to Conduct Firesides Examined at Utah Summer Study Sessions[edit]
Thirty-three Bahá’ís, including children, attended a Utah Summer Study Session on July 11 and 12, arranged by the Bahá’ís of Utah and held at the Rural Arts Building of the Utah State University in Logan. Besides Logan, Washington Terrace, Ogden, Bountiful, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and Provo were represented, and visitors came also from Idaho Falls and the Boise area in Idaho.
The purpose of the session was to learn how to build better thought-bridges with contacts. The Utah Bahá’ís were planning a Bahá’í booth at the State Fair, and they felt it important to know how to make the proper approach to many kinds of people. The com
World Religion Day[edit]
January 17, 1960
A Special Event tor Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to file Public
Sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly
Theme:
The Fundamental Oneness of Religion
Suggested Publicity Materials:
Press release from Bahá’í Press Service
The God Who Walks With Men from Bahá’í Publishing Trust
Reports:
Newspaper clippings from U.S. communities are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Press Service.
Written reports and photographs for publication in BAHÁ’Í NEWS are to be sent as soon as possible l to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.
mittee in charge of the plans had assigned problems to the various communities several weeks ahead of time.
The Salt Lake City Bahá’ís Were asked to cooperate with the Salt Lake County group in presenting a make-believe fireside with humanist-atheistic contacts, ten minutes the “wrong” way and ten minutes the “right” way. The group then broke up into “buzz sessions” to discuss the techniques, and then reconvened for general discussion. The same procedure was followed with the Logan Bahá’ís doing a fireside with Latter Day Saints (Mormons), and Provo with Moslems. The number of Moslem students attending Brigham Young University in Provo makes it necessary for the Provo friends to face the problem of dealing with followers of Islám.
The “wrong way firesides” are very amusing. as many of the intentional mistakes were reminiscent of actual experiences of some of the friends.
Sunday morning classes were arranged for nursery, primary, junior youth, and adult groups. Three Bahá’í: gave fifteen-minute talks on the principle of thought-bridges. Dawn prayers were held Sunday morning on the campus. Meals were available in the campus cafeteria and sleeping accommodations were provided at $1.00 per night per person.
All of the Bahá’ís in attendance expressed the hope that this type of session could be held again next year.
—MERRIDY ROTHAAR
South Pacific Groups Hold Teaching Conferences[edit]
Since the formation of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific, many of the island groups have held teaching conferences to discuss plans for teaching, and for the formulation of a subsidiary Four-Year Plan that was suggested in the convention message from the Hands of the Faith to the Suva Convention.
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
1960 Calendars Available Two Months in Advance[edit]
The standard-size Bahá’í Calendar, 8½x12, with Feast and Holy Days depicted in separate colors for easy identification, is prepared each year two months in advance to enable Bahá’ís in other countries to receive them prior to the beginning date of January 1. The 1960 calendar will be printed on a soft, yellow, glossy stock illustrated with a new photograph of the International Bahá’í Archives building at Haifa, and printed in brown, orange-rust, and green.
Shipments to points outside the U.S.A., for which we have standing orders on this item, have already gone forward. Any community outside of the U.S.A. wishing to place a permanent, standing order for these will find their calendars automatically reaching them in time for the January 1 date each year.
Standing orders on this item only within the U.S.A. will not be shipped, since it has been found to create too much duplication with current orders coming each year from local communities. Local literature representative, please note.
Those responsible for the literature at the State Conventions should place orders for this or any other item at least three weeks in advance of the convention.
Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ .25
10 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2.00
25 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$4.50
50 Copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$7.50
(If less than four copies are ordered, please add $.15 additional for postage to your order.)
Bahá’í Publishing Trust. 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill.
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
November 4 — Qudrat (Power)
November 23 — Qawl (Speech)
HOLY DAYS[edit]
November 12 — Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
November 26 — Day of the Covenant
November 28 — Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 a.m.)
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
November 27, 28, 29
U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS[edit]
December 6
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours
Weekdays
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
Sundays and Holidays
10:30 am. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
Service of Worship[edit]
Sundays
3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
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 lands. Material is due in Wilmette on the first 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 1959-60; International News Editor, Mrs. Eunice Braun; National News Editor, Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot; Managing Editor, Richard C. Thomas.
Editorial Office: 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A.
