Bahá’í News/Issue 346/Text
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| No. 346 | BAHA’I YEAR 116 | DECEMBER, 1959 |
Third Annual Message From the Hands of the Cause To the Bahá’ís of East and West[edit]
Dearly beloved Friends:
The Hands of the Cause gathered in the precincts of the holiest spot on the entire planet have, after long and prayerful deliberations, made plans embracing those final steps which they feel must be taken by all the followers of Bahá’u’lláh in East and West in order to bring to a successful conclusion the World Crusade of our beloved Guardian.
Alarmingly little time is now left to us in which to accomplish his design. Well aware of the fact that this great Faith of Bahá’u’lláh stands in sore need of the erection of that infallible and supreme legislative body which, in the words of the Center of the Covenant Himself “God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error,” and which the Guardian said “posterity will regard as the last refuge of a tottering civilization,” we have fixed the date for the election of the Universal House of Justice as Riḍván 1963, coinciding with the termination of our glorious World Crusade and the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee commemorating the one hundredth anniversary of the declaration of Bahá’u’lláh.
As we look back over the past two years which have elapsed since that unforgettable and heart-breaking moment when we realized our beloved Guardian had been taken from us, we cannot but marvel at the protection which has been vouchsafed this Holy Cause. As one man, the believers have rallied to the support of their Faith, closed their ranks, stood firm in the hour of supreme test, and arisen to carry forward the World Crusade. The enemies of the Cause have been powerless to harm it, so complete has been the unity between the Bahá’ís of the world, so strong the confidence and support with which they have surrounded the Hands of the Cause. The numerous properties and resources of the Faith have been completely protected; the Government authorities of the State in which the World Center is situated have acknowledged the stewardship of the Faith, as represented by the Hands of the Cause serving in the Holy Land on be half of the Chief Stewards; the National and Regional Assemblies have supported, assisted, and worked in the closest cooperation with this nucleus of Hands resident at the World Center; a great wave of pioneers, unprecedented since the inception of the Crusade, has arisen and is even now beginning to pour out to those goals most urgently in need of settlers and teachers; the temples, so dear to the heart of the beloved Guardian, are in two continents rapidly reaching completion, and in a third, plans for its erection are now at long last being implemented. Profoundly thankful and encouraged as we are for these manifold blessings showered on us from On High in our hour of greatest darkness and need, we are nevertheless aware that from this instant until the end of the World Crusade there can be no rest for any of us if we are to achieve the goals of the Crusade.
We have therefore formulated the following plan of action which will enable the Bahá’í world to establish the Universal House of Justice in 1963, and which we now share with our fellow believers.
We call for the election in Riḍván 1961 of the twentyone National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America
which will constitute some of the pillars of the Universal House of Justice in that region. This historic
decision is based on the fact that we have every reason to hope and believe that the devoted band of the
followers of Bahá’u’lláh in those countries will succeed, during the Riḍván period of 1960, in forming
those Spiritual Assemblies required of them by our
beloved Guardian in the specific provisions he laid
down for them in the World Crusade. Reports we
have received from the Hands of the Cause who have
visited these countries during the past year, as well
as from the four Regional Assemblies responsible for
the work in that area, have convinced us the time is
ripe to make this joyous announcement to the Bahá’í
world. We therefore urge the two Regional Assemblies
of South America and the Regional Assembly of Central America, as well as that of the Greater Antilles,
in collaboration with the Hands of the Cause in the[Page 2]
Western Hemisphere, and the National Assembly of
the Bahá’í: of the United States, to concentrate their
attention, during the remaining months of this Bahá’í
year, on insuring that those local assemblies which
form the bedrock of these future National Bodies may
be formed next April.
In studying the world-wide state of the Ten-Year Plan, we have been forced to realize that the election of the eleven independent National Assemblies which must, in accordance with the Plan of the Guardian, be established in the European continent before the end of the Crusade, is much more difficult and presents a greater challenge than is the case in Latin America, as the local assemblies must be quadrupled rather than doubled. We have therefore set the date for the election of these European National Bodies for Riḍván 1962. It is our conviction that with constant and concentrated effort and sacrifice, our objectives can be accomplished there and the requisite number of local assemblies be brought into being by Riḍván 1961. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ceylon will likewise be elected in 1962.
With the formation of these National Bodies, and we trust, circumstances permitting. of the two others specified in the provisions of the Ten-Year Plan, a wide and representative foundation for the Universal House of Justice will have been laid.
We are also happy to announce that another milestone in Bahá’í history will be reached with the election of the International Bahá’í Council during Riḍván 1961. The embryonic institution established and so highly extolled by the beloved Guardian will thus enter its final stage preceding the election of the Universal House of Justice. The members of all the National and Regional Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’í world, duly constituted in Riḍván 1960, will take part in a postal ballot to elect nine members to the International Council. This International Bahá’í Council is to work under the direction and supervision of the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land, serve a two-year term of office, and cease to exist upon the occasion of the election of the Universal House of Justice. All the Bahá’ís of the world, men and women alike, are eligible for election. As the Chief Stewards of the Faith are wholly occupied with specific tasks assigned them by the beloved Guardian and perforce assumed since his passing, they should not be considered for election to this Council. Two of the functions originally allotted to the Council by the beloved Guardian, namely, to forge links with authorities of the State in which the World Center is situated, and to conduct negotiations related to matters of personal status with civil authorities, will still be discharged, and to them are added the following: To assist the Hands of the Cause in the care of the properties at the World Center, and in the establishment of the Universal House of Justice; and in any other functions which the Hands may assign from time to time.
We wish to assure the believers that every effort will be made to establish a Bahá’í Court in the Holy Land prior to the date set for this election. We should however bear in mind that the Guardian himself clearly indicated this goal, due to the strong trend towards the secularization of religious courts in this part of the world, might not be achieved.
At this turning-point in the Crusade when all our forces must be unitedly concentrated on winning its goals, the friends should not be deflected from the vital tasks confronting them by discussion of such subjects as can only be considered when the Universal House of Justice is established. Therefore we feel it is necessary to recall the words in the Proclamation we sent out after the passing of the beloved Guardian: “When that divinely-ordained body comes into existence, all the conditions of the Faith can be examined anew and the measures necessary for its future operation determined in consultation with the Hands of the Cause.” This includes the subject of the Guardianship.
Aside from the pressing demands of the world-wide work of the Faith which must be met and administered from the Holy Land, and which require so much attention on the part of the Chief Stewards, plans are being formulated for the Hands to travel to various countries and lend the National Spiritual Assemblies their personal assistance during the months immediately ahead—and indeed until the end of the Crusade. These plans include visits to the Cradle of the Faith, Where the vast majority of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh reside; to the Bahá’í communities in the United States and Canada, who constitute the chief prosecutors of the Divine Plan; to the Latin American countries, where by 1961 so many National Assemblies must be formed; and to Europe, where another eleven of the future pillars of the Universal House of Justice must be erected by 1962.
In addition to these plans, the Hands, pursuant with the wishes of our beloved Guardian, are contemplating a much more intensive and wider use of the Auxiliary Board members in carrying out the work of the World Crusade, and a much closer cooperation between the Institution of the Hands and the National Spiritual Assemblies.
The importance of the plans made for the election of these National Assemblies, as Well as that of the International Bahá’í Council, cannot be overestimated, because the above plans constitute the end of a forty-two year-long prelude to that glorious consummation which will take place with the election of the Universal House of Justice in Riḍván 1963. Through the creation of this mighty institution, the Formative Age of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh will have entered a new stage in its development; the thirty-six years of Shoghi Effendi’s heart-breaking, self-sacrificing ministry will bear one of its fairest fruits, and that wondrous prophecy of Bahá’u’lláh be fulfilled: “Verily this is the day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement, the day for which have been laid up those things which God, through a bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or heart, hath destined for revelation. Ere long will God sail His Ark upon thee and will manifest the people of Bahá who have been mentioned in the Book of Names.”
On the eve of the great victories which lie ahead
and which we will befittingly celebrate on the occasion
of the “Most Great Festival,” the “King of Festivals,”
the “Festival of God" Himself, let us recall the glorious appeal and promise in these words of our Guardian: “Dearly-beloved friends! . . . Ours is the duty
to fix our gaze with undeviating attention on the du[Page 3]
ties and responsibilities confronting us at this present
hour, to concentrate our resources, both material and
spiritual, on the tasks that lie immediately ahead, to
insure that no time is wasted, that no opportunity is
missed, that no obligation is evaded, that no task is
half-heartedly performed, that no decision is procrastinated. The task summoning us to a challenge,
unprecedented in its gravity and force, is too vast
and sacred, the time too short, the hour too perilous,
the workers too few, the call too insistent, the resources too inadequate, for us to allow these precious
and fleeting hours to slip from our grasp, and to suffer the prizes within our reach to be endangered or
forfeited. So much depends upon us, so pregnant with
possibilities is the present stage in the evolution of the
Plan, that great and small, individuals, groups, and
Assemblies, white and colored, young and old, neophytes and veterans, settlers, pioneers, itinerant
teachers, and administrators, as isolated believers,
as organizers of groups, and as contributors to the
formation of local or national assemblies, as builders
of the Temple, as laborers on the home teaching
front . . . all, without exception and in every sphere
of activity, however modest, restricted, or inconspicuous, must participate and labor, assiduously and
continually, until every ounce of our energy is spent,
until, tired but blissful, our promised harvest is
brought in, and our pledge to our Beloved fully redeemed.”
RUHÍYYIH
AMELIA COLLINS
LEROY IOAS
HORACE HOLLEY
SHU’Á’U’LLÁH ‘ALÁ’Í
ADELBERT MUHLSCHLEGEL
H. COLLIS FEATHERSTONE
PAUL E. HANEY
A. Q. FAIZÍ
HERMANN GROSSMAN
Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahjí, ‘Akká, Israel
November 4, 1959
A. FURUTAN
DhIKRU’LLÁH KhÁDEM
WILLIAM SEARS
JOHN ROBARTS
JOHN FERBY
JALÁL KhÁZEH
ENOCH OLINGA
AGNES B. ALEXANDER
TARÁZU’LLÁH SAMANDARÍ
MUSÁ BANÁNÍ
HASAN BALYUZI
Commentary by U.S. National Spiritual Assembly[edit]
Beloved Friends:
The message issued by the Hands of the Cause dated November 4, 1959, is presented to the American believers with a brief reference to its vital importance.
Its purpose is to present the Bahá’í community with a “plan of action which will enable the Bahá’í world to establish the Universal House of Justice in 1963.”
“At this turning point in the Crusade . . . the friends should not be deflected from the vital tasks confronting them by discussion of such subjects as can only be considered when the Universal House of Justice is established . . . ‘When that divinely ordained body comes into existence, all the conditions of the Faith can be examined anew and the measures necessary for its future operation determined in consultation with the Hands of the Cause.’ This includes the subject of the Guardianship.”
In order to fulfill the World Crusade the message calls for the election in 1961 of the twenty-one National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America. In order to do this the necessary local Assemblies will have to be elected in 1960, only a few months from the present date. Therefore a large number of American pioneers must arise who can be sent into the field by March 1960 in order to complete the number still required by that date.
The Custodians are sending the American Assembly the munificent sum of $20,000 for the cost of processing either pioneers from America or from Latin America.
As regards the National Assemblies to be formed in Europe, they will be elected in 1962, which in turn requires the formation of the necessary remaining local assemblies by Riḍván 1961.
“We are also happy to announce that another milestone in Bahá’í history will be reached with the election of the International Bahá’í Council during Riḍván 1961.” “It will then enter its final stage preceding the election of the Universal House of Justice.”
Finally, the message states: “The importance of the plans . . . cannot be overestimated, because the above plans constitute the end of a forty-two-year-long prelude to that glorious consummation which will take place with the election of the Universal House of Justice in Riḍván 1963.”
Beloved friends! To strive for the accomplishment of these plans is to work with and not apart from the almighty Will of Bahá’u’lláh. No obstacle or difficulty can prevent the accomplishment of the Divine Plan, of which the World Crusade is the final consumation. “Verily this is the day in which both land and sea rejoice at this announcement, the day for which have been laid up those things which God, through a bounty beyond the ken of mortal mind or heart, hath destined for revelation.”
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Spiritual Health
THE SIGN of true faith is spiritual health — health of the individual Bahá’í and of the Bahá’í community. In this condition thoughts and activities are exalted above personality and are characterized by universal attributes and purposes. The individual believer finds himself fulfilled in unity with his fellow Bahá’ís; the community becomes fulfilled in service to humanity through demonstrating the power of the Divine Teachings.
Spiritual disease, on the contrary, dividing the minds and hearts, imprisons the individual within narrow confines of inconstant, varying impulses, either aggressive or timid in his relationship to others.
In this condition he cannot judge aright either himself or his fellow believers. To relieve the pressure of uneasiness he becomes prone to exaggerate the words and actions of others and indulge in the sin of rumor and backbiting. Moreover, he tends to believe without proof in the rumor and suspicion spread by other negative souls. The result is a community which becomes unable to serve the constructive programs of the Bahá’í Teachings.
Gossip and backbiting stand as the most sinister and destructive evils of any society. At all costs they must be eliminated from the Bahá’í community. But, we ask, how can this be accomplished?
The remedy is twofold — prayer for spiritual health and observance of the true principle given us for the protection of the community.
When any individual believer knows that another believer is acting in a manner that is harmful to the Faith, he is to inform the local spiritual assembly and furnish proofs and evidence. This done, he has no further responsibility and can concentrate upon his own Bahá’í duties and obligations.
The assembly is then to invite the believer in question to attend a meeting for consultation, and he is given full opportunity to prove himself innocent of the charges. If the assembly accepts his proof, the matter is dropped and not discussed again. If the charges cannot be denied or removed, the assembly is then to report the matter to the national spiritual assembly for advice or further action, after which the national assembly assumes full responsibility, either for establishing innocence or guilt; and, if guilt is established, for determining What action must be taken to protect the Cause.
We must bear in mind the fact that it is obligatory for every Bahá’í to report confidentially through administrative channels any condition which is harmful and destructive. This is not gossip nor backbiting. These evils arise solely when the Bahá’í indulges in rumor and gossip.
Rumor and gossip depend upon a ready listener. Bahá’ís hearing negative statements about other believers should refuse to listen and warn the gossiper to confine his suspicions to an administrative body. This practice will soon eliminate the circulation of negative statements. If it fails to do so, the believer indulging in idle rumor and gossip should himself be reported to the spiritual assembly.
“O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this; possess a pure, kindly, and radiant heart, so that this may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable, and everlasting.”
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Harare Holley, John Ferraby Selected as Members of Nine Hands of Faith in Haifa[edit]
Cablegram from the Hands of the Cause Resident in the Holy Land[edit]
ANNOUNCE ALL NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES SELECTION HORACE HOLLEY JOHN FERRABY MEMBERS BODY NINE HANDS HOLY LAND REPLACING MASON REMEY HASAN BALYUZI BOTH UNABLE SERVE PERMANENT CAPACITY STOP HASAN BALYUZI HENCERFORTH WILL SERVE AS ALTERNATE HAND HOLY LAND STOP HAPPY INFORM BAHA‘I WORLD HERMANN GROSSMANN PROCEEDING LATIN AMERICA RESIDE DURATION CRUSADE ASSIST PROSECUTION URGENT IMPORTANT TASKS WESTERN HEMISPHERE.
(signed) HANDSFAITH
November 5, 1959
Hands of Cause Clarify Identity of Cousin of Báb[edit]
Following publication in the August BAHÁ’Í NEWS of the cablegram from the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land announcing the identification and transfer of the remains of the cousin of the Báb, a number of believers have inquired whether this was the cousin of the Báb who was the builder of the Bahá’í Temple in ‘Ishqábád, Russia. The following clarification has now been received from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land:
“The cousin of the Báb mentioned in our cable of June 15 was the son of the Báb'’s uncle in whose honor the Book of fqan was revealed. The cousin of the Báb who was the chief builder of the Temple in Russia is buried in Haifa.”
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Main Structure of Kampala Temple Completed[edit]
THE main reinforced concrete structure of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Africa in Kampala, Uganda, which includes the foundations, pillar supports, dome, and base of the lantern, is now completed.
The rotunda wall, comprising pre-cast concrete blocks, has been commenced, and the inner wall, made of the same material, has been finished to the height of the ornamental grille which is to he installed on either side of each door in order to allow a greater ingress of light.
The green-glazed mosaics for the dome and the meadow green pantiles for the roofs have already been shipped from Italy and England, the pre-cast stonework for the main upper structure has been prepared and is ready to fix, and the contract for electrical conduits is half complete.
The caretaker’s house, a small building not lar from the Temple, has been constructed and will be ready for occupation soon.
Site clearing and the planting of grass has been in progress for some time, and quantities of plants have been ordered. When the landscaping is completed, the Temple will form the center of a formal setting, adjacent shrubbery and flowers being entirely in white and green, with the Temple surrounded by a wide lawn uutrammelled by paths or plants.
Nine grassed avenues, flanked by flowering trees and shrubs, will lead from the boundaries to the outer edge of the lawn, finishing opposite each door. The parkland formed by the angles of the avenues at the lawn will be planted with shady trees, and will follow the same pattern of color as the avenue vistas.
Two-Fold Increase of Bahá’ís, 60 Assemblies Achieved in Central and East Africa in Year[edit]
Bahá’ís have nearly doubled their numbers during the past year in that region of Africa administered by the Central and East Africa National Spiritual Assembly. In this same period, sixty new local spiritual assemblies have been formed.
These are but two of the outstanding achievements revealed by this national assembly in its semiannual report to the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land.
All goals of the Ten-Year Crusade for Central and East Africa have been achieved: Purchase of land for the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Central and East Africa, Establishment of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the capital city, Incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Acquisition of the National Endowment.
Of the goals of the subsidiary Seven-Year Plan for this region, the most dramatic progress is in the multiplication of the number of believers, isolated centers, groups, and local assemblies. There are now well over 7000 Bahá’ís in this area, located in 231 isolated centers, 108 groups, and 238 communities having local assemblies.
Progress has also been reported on the goal of establishing Bahá’í Endowments and incorporating local spiritual assemblies. Nairobi has a one-acre plot for a local endowment, and in Uganda and Kenya negotiations are being pursued for plots in village areas. The District Commissioner of Kenya has approved the allocation of land in village areas for Bahá’í purposes.
Construction of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár of Africa is being hastened. A separate story of this progress appears on page 5 of this issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS.
The translation and dissemination of Bahá’í literature is continuing, with these languages represented: Acholi, Alur, Ateso, Giriama, Kikikuyu, Lingala, Luba, Lubukusu, Luganda, Lugbara, Lumasaba, Luo, Runyoro-Rutoro, Swahili, Sukuma, and Yao.
Under the listing of supplementary goals, local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds have been acquired in Port Victoria and Zanzibar, a one-acre plot of land has been purchased in Nairobi, and work will soon commence on land purchased in Usumbara. Three Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds
The fourth annual Summer School of the Bahá’ís of
Asmara, Ethiopia, held at Karen on August 22 to 30.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central
America, Merico, and Panama for 1959-1960.
are being planned for Uganda, and three for Kenya,
in village areas.
Bahá’í burial grounds have been acquired in Dar-es-Salaam, Nairobi, and Kampala, and recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days has been attained in Tanganiyika and Uganda.
Land for Bahá’í schools has been offered in Uganda and Kenya, but titles are not yet transferred. The Uganda Teaching Committee and the School Committee are now engaged in choosing a site for a Bahá’í school in Teso, to be built with earmarked funds from the Kampala Conference and the generous contribution of Mr. and Mrs. Mottahedeh.
Fifteen weekend schools and conferences were held in Uganda in the past year, and three were held in Tanganyika. Five Teacher Training Schools and Courses were given in Uganda, and one in Kenya. Forty students completed a correspondence course on Bahá’í History.
Church Attack on Asmara Summer School Followed by Declarations of New Believers[edit]
Keren, ninety kilometers from Asmara, full with fruits and flowers, was the scene of the fourth Bahá’í Summer School of Asmara, Eritrea, Ethiopia, on August 22-30, 1959.
This little town was chosen in order to bring the teachings to a place not yet opened to the Faith. Forty-five people gathered at the school, six of them being contacts, representing eight different centers, many religious backgrounds, and seven different races and nationalities. Manifold were the difficulties in preparing for this school, and great was its success. All shared in the Bahá’í life of unity and in a spirit of dedication toward fulfilling the wishes of our beloved Guardian.
Mr. Munajjim, Auxiliary Board member, who came with his family from Addis Ababa, gave the school a special significance in the courses he conducted on Bahá’í history, the Guardianship, and in his final ap
A thrilling sidelight of the first Bahá’í Summer School
at the Bahá’í Institute in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, was the weekly milk distribution from UNICEF
to about 150 persons, mostly Indians.
peal to meet the elial.len'ge of today’s goals. Dr. Leo
Niederreiter taught Administration and also spoke on
Prayer and Meditation. A presentation of the Master
as the perfect teacher was given by Julio Savi.
The youth committee took an active part in the school program, demonstrating through a game they presented, “Treasure Hunting,” which required knowledge of the history and teachings of the Faith. that even in recreation it is possible to deepen one’s Knowledge of the Cause.
The trumpet was blown strongly in Keren and there was no soul not aware of it. When the friends passed in the streets, often behind them was heard the word Bahá’í.
Natives Take Active Part in Sessions of First Chichicastenango Summer School[edit]
The first Bahá’í Summer School in the Bahá’í Institute in Chichicastenango, Guatemala, was held on September 12 to 15, 1959. Attendance was limited but the spirit was great, and all felt that a new phase of the unfoldment of the Faith in Guatemala took place during these days.
The primary purpose of the school was to develop native talent. A young Guatemalan gave an excellent talk during a public meeting, and both Latin and Indian believers took an active part in the classes as students and teachers. Both during the classes and at closing, a call was made to the Indians to go out and teach their people the new Divine Message.
Among the attendants were five American pioneers in Guatemala: the director of the Institute and her helper, a young Panamanian Bahá’í; and Latin and Indian believers and sympathizers from Chichicastenango and other parts of the country, making a total attendance of about twenty-five. In addition, there were fifty students of the Institute at the public meeting.
A thrilling sidelight to the school was the witnessing of the weekly program of the distribution, among a line of about 150 people, mostly Indians, of milk from the UNICEF. The Bahá’í Institute has been in charge of this program for over two years.
Two teaching conferences have been held in Switzerland to review the tasks of the Ten-Year World Crusade and
to emphasize the goals still to be achieved. Left: The French-Swiss Teaching Conference was held in Lausanne
on October 4. A study of the development of the Divine Plan was followed by a discussion on the five objections most frequently made by non-Bahá’ís. Right: The German-Swiss Teaching Conference, held on June 28, closely followed the European Hands of the Faith — Auxiliary Board Conference held in Copenhagen. Elsa Steinmetz relayed a vivid picture of the European situation and Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s remarks on the Guardian at this
Copenhagen Conference.
Sra. Manuela de Miranda, the first Bolivian
Indian women pioneer to arise to serve the Cause.
She is the widow of Toribio Miranda, whom the
Indians regarded as the spiritual father who prepared the path for them to recognize Bahá’u’lláh
and accept His teaching. (BAHÁ’Í NEWS, February
1958.)
Believers of Kekesana.
View of Kekesana, Bolivia, where twelve Indian believers live.
Believers from Tanka-Tanka and Casi-Casi.
First rural teacher who accepted the Cause in
Jankarachi.
121 Believers Enrolled, 15 Centers Opened to Faith Among Indians of Bolivia[edit]
Enrollment of 121 new believers, in fifteen more locations in Bolivia opened to the Faith, has been announced by the Bolivian National Indian Committee. These centers include: Jankarachi, 65 believers; LlapaLlapani, 15; Kekesana, 11; Huari, 4; Casi-Casi, 5; Jarahuma, 4; Pichuya, 2; Tanka-Tanka, 3 Challuiri, 2; Jank-Jaque, 3; Totorani, 2; Jalsuri, 1; Lahua-Lahua, 1; Urimarca, 1; and Colo-Coyo, 1.
There are seventy-one men and fifty women in this
list of new believers; sixty of these are in their
“thirties” or younger, while eight are in the age
range of 70 to 80 years.
Adobe homes of the Indian believers in Llapa-Llapani.
Believers of Llapa-Llapani.
More than seventy new Bahá’ís of Jankarachi, with the
school teacher in the foreground, holding the Greatest
Name.
U.S. Bahá’í Communities Take Leading Role in Many Observances of United Nations Day[edit]
BAHÁ’ÍS of several score communities of the United States took part in the fourteenth anniversary observances of the founding of the United Nations Organization. In many of these cities, the only observance was the one sponsored by the Bahá’ís, who used the occasion to relate the aims of the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations, and to recount progress in the establishment of freedom and the recognition of human dignity among the nations of the world.
Bahá’í activities took many forms, and several brought wide recognition to the Faith by presenting the Bahá’í principles to large audiences.
Huntsville, Ala., Bahá’ís presented a fifteen-minute television program over a local station, featuring a ten-minute film. “This is the Challenge,” and a five minute talk by the secretary of the local Bahá’í assembly on the principles of the United Nations, stating that these principles are also those of the Bahá’í Faith. She closed with three quotations of Bahá’u’lláh, The program opened with the camera focused on a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship, and the lettered quotation: “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”
=Participation with Other Organizations[edit]
Among those Bahá’í communities that participated with other organizations in a joint United Nations Day
Dr. John Stroessler, Bahá’í speaker; Mrs. Manilla Lee,
program chairman; and Col. Irving Saloman, U.S. delegate to the United Nations, at the San Diego, Calif.,
UN Day celebration.
observance, Des Moines, Iowa, and Manhattan Beach,
Calif, achieved unusual results.
Des Moines Bahá’ís began plans for this event last Spring, when the local assembly chairman received an appointment with the Governor of Iowa, Hershell Loveless, who had just returned from a trip to Israel, where he had visited the Bahá’í Shrines on Mt. Carmel in Haifa. After presenting Mr. Loveless with a portfolio of pictures of the Bahá’í grounds on Mt. Carmel, he was told of the interest of the Bahá’ís in the wo k of the United Nations, and was asked if the Baháh’ís could be informed of the membership of the Governor’s United Nations Committee, when appointed, which plans the statewide UN Day observance in the State House each year.
Later in the year, when the committee was appointed, the Governor directed hi executive assistant to make sure there was a Bah included in the membership. This was the first time that a representative of a minority religion was given recognition in the program.
An annual feature of the observance in Des Moines is a responsive reading of brief quotations from various religions by a church leader and the audience, which this year numbered over 900 people. As a result of Bahá’í representation on the committee, a quotation of Bahá’u’lláh was included with statements from the Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Confucianist, and Moslem Faiths, and was placed last among the readings, where it achieved added emphasis.
Manhattan Beach, Hermosa, and Redondo, Calif., Bahá’ís conceived the idea 01 an International Family Festival for the UN Day observance, to be held at a high school in the South Bay area. Bahá’ís served on the Festival Committee as administrative director, booth chairman, and chairman of the World Religion Booth.
In the World Religion Booth there was not only a Bahá’í display, but a beautiful, lighted, revolving globe of the world, with paper sculptured people of every color holding hands around it.
About 3000 persons attended this International Family Festival, and there were many comments on the Bahá’í display. Many signed the guest hook, and new contacts and friendships were made.
Another large UN meeting in the Los Angeles area was the one held at the Story Park Club House in Alhambra, featuring a symposium chairmanned by Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly; with Raymond C. Simpson, president of the World Federalists of Southern California; and Charles Macintosh, past president of the United Nations Association of Los Angeles. A lively question and
Central portion of a UN Day display in four public
schools of Clayton, Mo., showing a composite picture of
the races of the world, flanked by a sun burst of the
United Nations flags.
answer period followed the symposium, and then refreshments were served in the patio by the San Marino
Bahá’í group to the audience of over 100 persons.
First Public Meeting in Media, Pa.[edit]
Celebration of United Nations Week heralded the first public Bahá’í meeting in Media, Pa., at the Media Fellowship House. The topic, “The United Nations, A Step to World Unity,” was presented by a panel of speakers that included Mrs. Holley Webster, representing the Quakers; Richard Dole, of the United World Federalists; and Nathan Rutstein, speaking for the Bahá’í Faith. Discussion followed the talks, and many friendships were strengthened during the following refreshment period.
Dinner and UN Day Speaker Featured[edit]
Escondido, Calif., Burlington, Vt., and Marysville, Mich., took part in UN Observances that combined a dinner and talks on the United Nations. The Escondido speakers included William Hatcher, chairman of the San Bernardino Bahá’í Assembly, and member of the San Gabriel Branch of the American Association of the United Nations; and Mrs. Mary E, Fay, until recently also an officer of the AAUN. Attendance totalled sixty persons.
Burlington, following their dinner, presented a program and discussion based upon the material supplied by the Bahá’í United Nations Committee. The meeting was termed an excellent and rewarding teaching evening.
Forty-nine persons attended the Marysville dinner and meeting; of these, only four were Bahá’ís. The city of Marysville contributed money for the planning of this event, and, although other organizations were represented, a Bahá’í was asked to conduct the meeting. Two UN films were shown, and a court judge gave the principle address, based upon Bahá’í principles.
Special Bahá’í Meetings Held in Many Cities[edit]
The largest percentage of Bahá’í communities taking part in the UN observances planned and conducted their own meetings.
Minneapolis, Minn., gave a public meeting in panel form, with Mrs. Eudora Adkins and Miss Maria Montana presenting the UN material.
Waterloo, Iowa, studied the first lesson of the series on the United Nations and the Bahá’í Faith at their public meeting.
Bahá’ís of Long Island, N. Y., used the Bahá’í UN Committee's guide for a panel discussion at the YMCA at Hempstead. Mrs. Ailene Cowan. and Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Babcock presented the material, with John B. Anderson as moderator.
San Diego, Calif., Bahá’ís were fortunate in presenting Col. Irving Saloman, U.S. Delegate to the United Nations, at their public meeting. Dr. John Stroessler, the Bahá’í speaker, shared the platform with Col. Saloman, and Mrs. Manilla Lee of bus Angeles presided as chairman. Col. Saloman stated that “of all the organizations or groups supporting the UN, the Bahá’í membership are the most informed and related in spirit to the working principles of the United Nations Charter.”
Over 170 guests attended the Seattle, Wash., meeting, which featured exhibits from nine surrounding Bahá’í communities: Tacoma, Marysville, Kirkland, Issaquah, Makah Indians, North King County, Snohormish, South King County, and Seattle. Over forty contacts were present, and many of them heard of the
Nathan Rutstein, Bahá’í speaker at the Media, Pa., UN
Day observance, the first Bahá’í public meeting held
here. On the platform are: Mrs. Annamarie Honnold
and Mrs. Jean MacKay, co-chairmen; Mr. Rutstein;
Mrs. Holley Webster and Richard Dole, non-Bahá’í
speakers.
principles of the Bahá’í Faith for the first time. An international buffet dinner was served to the guests.
A meeting in the Student Union Building of the University of Arizona was sponsored by the Tucson Bahá’ís. P.F.C. John Holmlund, of the Army Medical Corps at Fort Huachuca, was the speaker.
The Bahá’í-UN observance at Linwood, N. J., was presented at a morning coffee hour at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Segen. Mrs. Segen spoke on the Faith and Its principles in reference to the United Nations.
Dr. Irvin Laurie, a member of the World Health Organization, and Mrs, Marguerite Firoozi, Bahá’í, spoke at the Rochester, N. Y., public meeting. Thirty-five persons attended, of whom fifteen were guests. Twenty of the attendants later dined together, demonstrating a public UN gathering.
The Bahá’í UN Committee kit is being used by the Greensboro, N. C., Bahá’ís for a series of study and discussion programs, and the first was held on UN Day, This program, led by Lois Gawen, a freshman at Woman’s College, attracted ten non-Bahá’ís from surrounding schools, the only Negro woman dentist in the state, and new seekers from Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
Cheyenne, Wyo., planned a Sunday afternoon meeting from the Bahá’í-UN material. and attracted a seeker who had heard of the Faith in the East, and desired more information.
The home of Mrs. Alice Luther in Flint, Mich., was used for a public meeting attended by fifteen persons. UN films were shown, and a follow-up fireside was held two days later.
Syracuse, N. Y., Bahá’ís held a public meeting in the YMCA which featured Dr. Thomas Mou, a member of the World Health Organization; Mrs. Gool Aidun of Poona, India: and was chairmanned by a Bahá’í, Mrs. Viola Winters. On the next day, October 25, an informal United Nations dinner was given, with several foreign students attending.
Two speakers, Mrs. Edwin Thompson, secretary of the AAUN for St. Petersburg, and Irving Goldstein, Bahá’í of Hollandale, were featured at the St. Petersburg. Fla., UN observance at Toffenetti’s Hotel. Sixty-one persons attended, representing a variety of races and religions. A follow-up meeting was announced for the following week.
Yonkers, N. Y., presented Bahá’í-UN talks at three social events: a tea at the home of Mrs. Dorothy Jackson, when Mrs. Lee Blackwell was the guest speaker; a dinner meeting sponsored by the International Public Relations Committee of the Yonkers Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, also addressed by Mrs. Blackwell; and a luncheon at the YWCA jointly sponsored by the Yonkers Women’s Committee for the United Nations and the League of Women Voters, at which two Bahá’í’s were present.
Montclair, N J., held a UN fireside at the home of a non-Bahá’í, Mrs. Violet Goodwin, where Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin of Princeton spoke.
The third annual Open House given by the Bahá’ís of Logan, Utah, coincided with the observance of United Nations Day, Twenty-six students, three representatives of the AAUN, and fourteen Bahá’ís took part in the program.
Charles Macintosh, past president of the Los Angeles
United Nations Association; Charles Wolcott, vice-chairman of the U. S. National Bahá’í Assembly; and
Raymond C. Simpson, president of the Southern California United World Federalists, participated in a symposium at the Alhambra, Calif., UN Day Observance.
Mrs. Clarice P. Well of Clayton, Mo., served as a
representative of the Bahá’í Faith on the Citizens’
Committee of Greater St. Louis for UN Week, and in
addition conceived an impressive display in four public schools, including the junior high school, the senior
high school, and two elementary schools. Over 1000
children viewed the displays, and literature was given
to them and to their teachers.
As a result of these Clayton displays, Mrs. Weil was asked to participate in a luncheon program given by the city government for Col. Ben C. Limb, Korean Ambassador to the United Nations.
Salinas, Calif, Bahá’ís constructed displays in two libraries, an elementary school, and at the University of California Home Extension of Monterey County meeting in Salinas, attended by over 150 people.
Extensive Publicity Heralds Meetings[edit]
Almost without exception, these UN Day meetings were publicized with many newspaper stories, advertisements, radio and television announcements, window cards, mailed invitations, and personal contacts. In many Cases the value of the publicity outweighed the value of the meetings, especially where the attendance was small due to conflict with other social, civic, or sport events.
Several communities received publicity on the Bahá’í-UN principles even when no local meeting was scheduled.
In summary, the principles of the Bahá’í Faith seem well identified with the aims and goals of the United Nations Organization, and have been the means of attracting many new inquirers to the Faith.
Late Reports[edit]
The following communities reported successful United Nations Day events too late for detailed mention above: Toledo, O.; Pierre, S. Dak.; Milwaukee, Wis.; Dunedin, Fla.; Guadalajara, Mexico, reports its first newspaper story in the Guadalajara News Week, an excellent front-page story; Flagstaff, Ariz.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Stockton, Calif.; and Bergen County, N.J.
Attendants at the South Australian Regional Teaching
Conference held in Adelaide on August 30, 1959.
Over 170 Attend Three-Day Summer School in Takarazuka[edit]
The Japan Bahá’í Summer School, an activity of the National Assembly of North East Asia, was held in Takarazuka from August 29 to 31, 1959. Since the American and Íránian pioneers in Japan were present Without exception, and about half of the entire Japanese community attended, the atmosphere partook of that of a convention as well as of a school, and the friends were enabled to renew old ties and make new ones in addition to deepening in their knowledge of the Faith.
The program was designed to fulfill three purposes: to broaden the friends’ appreciation of the importance of Bahá’í community life and its inseparable relation to the Will and Testament, to deepen their knowledge of the nature of the Faith and their personal spiritual life, and to afford an opportunity for participation by a relatively large number of believers, rather than having a strictly limited number of speakers.
To meet the first of these purposes, Dr. David M. Earl spoke on two successive days on the subject of Bahá’í Administration, including such aspects as the distinction between the Old and the New World Order, the Bahá’í attitude toward participation in other religious or political activities, and the Institution of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
With regard to the second purpose, talks were given by three speakers. William Maxwell, Jr., Auxiliary Board member, discussed the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh on two successive days, with particular reference to the stations and relationships of the Central Figures arid the place of this Dispensation in the unending evolution of religion.
On the second day of the school, Mrs. Joy Earl talked on Hidden Words, emphasizing the eternal nature of spiritual truth and the significance of the love of God. The Japanese friends were especially impressed when, at the close of Mrs. Earl’s talk, Mrs. Yuriko Furukawa, now one of the oldest believers in Japan, explained in simple language the importance of Hidden Words in her own life over the past forty years, and the motives which had caused her to translate this work into Japanese and have it published as long ago as 1934.
On the third day of the school, Philip A. Marangella gave an inspiring talk on Bahá’í prayer, its nature, necessity, technique, and effect on daily life.
The third purpose of the summer school was achieved by arranging panel discussions on two successive days, and devoting the second evening entirely to a free open forum, at which the friends could bring up any questions or give their own opinions as they saw fit. Nearly twenty persons took part in the panels, on the subjects of “The Ten-Year Crusade” and “Believing” respectively. Sixty or seventy spoke briefly during the evening of free discussion.
The climax of the summer school was its closing event, at noon on the third day. This was a special program presented by the Bahá’í Children’s Class of the Kensai area, which had been meeting every Saturday for over a year. More than a dozen children took part, reciting prayers in Íránian, Arabic, Japanese, and English, presenting Bahá’í principles on posters in Japanese, and singing a Bahá’í song in Íránian. The purity and sweetness of the children’s program caught the hearts of everyone, and provided an unforgettable conclusion to the three-day school.
The total number registering for one or more sessions of the school was 170, with attendance at each session averaging well over one hundred, by far the largest attendance ever recorded at a summer school in Japan.
—DAVID EARL
Five South Atlantic States Conferences Held on “The Meaning of Faithfulness”
Using as a general theme the article by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, “The Meaning of Faithfulness,” published in the July issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS,
Bahá’í Children’s Class of the Kansai area, which took
part in a special program at the Japan Bahá’í Summer
School.
the Area Teaching Committee for the South Atlantic States sponsored five simultaneous area conferences in its area on September 20. The agenda included three main subjects for discussion: Obedience, Discipline, and Sacrifice.
Coordinators appointed by the Area Teaching Committee to carry out the program were requested to select one Bahá’í community or Bahá’í group to come prepared to open the discussion on each subject, using as a starting point the references contained in the article by the National spiritual Assembly, supplemented by other appropriate references from the Bahá’í writings.
While each conference was distinctive in character, the reports from the recorders indicate that in the discussion of “obedlence” most of them brought out the importance of obedience to the Covenant and the laws of Bahá’u’lláh as the only source of liberty, protection, strength, understanding, and order in the Bahá’í community, as well as for the individual believer.
In connection with “Discipline,” many quotations were given to emphasize the necessity for self-discipline, as well as the discipline called for by the administrative principles of the Faith to give direction and effect to teaching and other services to the Faith. It was pointed out at one conference that tests which often appear as punishment are sent to discipline and train the believers to change their attitudes and behavior, and to make them more worthy representatives of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
Under the subject of “Sacrifice,” it was brought out that the believer is called upon to sacrifice only those things that stand between him and God, that simply forsaking things does not constitute true sacrifice, and that the mystery of sacrifice is to acquire the qualities of mercy, kindness, forgiveness, grace, and the many other attributes of Godliness.
The reports all indicate that where the groups and individual believers had done some preliminary study, both of the article by the National Spiritual Assembly and other references, the discussions were lively and helped all those present to become better acquainted
Third annual Nicaragua Teaching Conference, held in
Managua on August 1, 1959, reported in BAHÁ’Í NEWS
for October.
Uruguay, with only one local spiritual assembly, in
the capital city, has the goal of forming a second assembly in Minas this year. In this photograph are three
Minas residents (front row) who are receiving the
Bahá’í message. In the back row are Srta. Bulling, a
visiting Chilean teacher; Else Cazcarra, Auxiliary
Board member; and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Belcher,
resident pioneers.
with each other.
The attendance of the five conferences was: St. Petersburg, Fla. — 30; Miami, Fla. — 36; Orlando, Fla. — 14; Greenville, S. C. — 15; Atlanta, Ga. — 18.
Accomplishments, Needs of Pioneers on Hopi Indian Reservation Recounted[edit]
During the weekend of October 9-11, members of the American Indian Service Committee visited Bahá’í groups on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. Wonderful hours of consultation and prayers were shared with pioneers at Gallup, N. Mex., at Tuba City, Ariz., Indian Wells and Window Rock on the Navajo reservation, and Hotevilla on the Hopi.
At this time the committee Wishes to share with the friends a brief account of some of the accomplishments as well as the unusual pioneering needs and opportunities which were discussed in detail with Mel and Irene Vanderhoof, pioneers at Hotevilla.
Since the Vanderhoofs arrived on the Hopi reservation a year ago, they have won a rare degree of acceptance by the Indians in this remote area. Last May both were taken into the tribe in separate ceremonies, and were given the blessing of their Hopi friends and Hopi names.
Of their life in Hotevilla, the Vanderhoofs say, “Our day begins at sunrise as theirs does. The Hopis have a spiritual interpretation of the sun. We have given them the excerpts from The Dawn-Breakers, how the Glorious Báb loved the sun, how from early dawn until sunrise He dedicated His time to meditation and worship. They know our prayers of protection and now, since the last Hopi meeting, they know we have a World Order Plan for the future.”
This poster has been designed to publicize
World Religion Day, January 17, 1960. It is
printed in the three primary colors and gold
on heavy, high gloss paper. There is space
at the bottom for the date and place of your
public meeting. These posters are available
at 50c each, five for $2.00, sent third-class
mail postpaid. If first class or air mail return is desired, include postage with you
order for the following weights: one poster,
3 oz.; 2, 5 oz.; 5, 9 oz. Please send orders
and checks only to Bahá’í Press Service, 434
Thomas Ave., Rochester 17, N.Y., before
December 31.
The meeting referred to was held in Hotevilla August
23, and was attended by Indians from as far away
as the Iroquois country in New York state. The Bahá’ís
were invited to participate and to present the teachings
of their Faith. Thus has Bahá’u’lláh’s Message been
given in the heart of Hopiland, in the traditional
village of a people whose very name means Peace.
and in whose midst two Bahá’í pioneers have found
a true spiritual home.
The Vanderhoofs feel there is a need in Hotevilla, or other Hopi villages, for additional pioneers who will love these people as they do. Work is scarce (but can be found), and living is in the primitive way of the Hopi. This is truly America’s last frontier. Perched atop the high mesas of northern Arizona, with a vast desert land stretching for seemingly endless miles below, these Hopi villages are as foreign to most Americans as Africa or Australia, but a warm response from the Hopi people awaits those who come in the spirit of friendliness, not curiosity, and with love in their hearts.
Those who have real interest in pioneering on this or other Indian reservations may secure further information from the American Indian Service Committee; Mrs. Nancy Phillips, secretary; 736 Encanto Drive, S.E.; Phoenix, Ariz.
Announce Yerrinbool Bahá’í School Dates[edit]
The twenty-fourth annual Yerrinbool Bahá’í School will be held from December 26, 1959, to January 3, 1960. Information may he obtained from Mrs. Joy vohradsky, secretary: 108 Prince's Highway; Dapto. New South Wales.
First Public Meeting in Washington, Ill. Observes Bahá’í Proclamation Day[edit]
The first public meeting to be held in Washington, lll., sponsored by the Washington group with the assistance of the Bahá’í community of Peoria, was on Proclamation Day, September 20, with Mrs. Vivian Fellows of Milwaukee as the speaker on “What Is the Bahá’í World Faith?”
In an audience of nearly thirty, eleven were not Bahá’ís, nine of these being residents of the town of Washington and seven hearing the Message of Bahá’u’lláh fur the first time. From an attractive display of Bahá’í literature, the guests took over thirty free pamphlets. The meeting was preceded by excellent publicity for two weeks in the weekly town paper and by the placing of posters in windows adjacent to the town square. About one hundred special invitations carrying a sentence from the Bahá’í Writings were mailed.
Second annual Southwestern Bahá’í Summer School,
held at Dallas, Texas, on August 29 to September 5.
The guests were warm and friendly, and they listened intently to Mrs. Fellows Vivid presentation of the story of divine “proclamation” since the Prophet Adam.
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
Faith of Bahá’u’lláh has new Format, Preface[edit]
The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh: A World Religion. By Shoghi Effendi. This statement of the Guardian’s, prepared originally for the United Nations Special Palestine Committee, has a new preface by Horace Holley, Hand of the Cause. on the monumental achievements of Shoghi Effendi during his Guardianship. Footnotes update the statistics, and an extensive bibliography listing over twenty Bahá’í texts makes this useful for students and anyone doing research on the Faith.
This clarifying statement on the Faith gives historical background, basic teachings, the stations of the three Central Figures, the administrative order, and includes several tributes by world leaders. A fine, prestige item, used extensively as an official statement on the Faith, this material is so clear and concise that it is useful whenever a basic explanation of the origin and the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith is needed. A new design has been created, printed in orange-rust and black on quality, white text paper, size 3⅝ 3: 8½, to fit standard business size envelope No. 8, for easy mailing.
10 copies (same as old edition) . . . . . . . . . .$1.00
50 copies (new large lot price) . . . . . . . . . .$4.50
National Bahá’í Addresses[edit]
Please Address Mail Correctly!
National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters:[edit]
536 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, Ill.
National Treasurer:[edit]
112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Make Checks Payable to: National Bahá’í Fund[edit]
Bahá’í Publishing Trust:[edit]
110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Make Checks Payable to: Bahá’í Publishing Trust[edit]
Bahá’í News:[edit]
Editorial Office: ll0 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
Subscription and change of address: ll2 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Ill.
National Treasurer:
Photo of Master in new Tablets of the Divine Plan[edit]
Tablets of the Divine Plan. By ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Formerly known as America’s Spiritual Mission, this restrictive title is no longer appropriate for the Master’s Tablets, and this new edition resumes the original title used on this work. In a new introduction Horace Holley, Hand of the Cause, states: “The most notable responses made to these Tablets revealed during World War I were . . . Martha Root in Latin America, Europe and the Orient . . Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Dunn in Australia . . . Mrs. H. Emogene Hoagg and Marion Jack in Alaska.”
These Tablets constitute the Charter which conferred upon Shoghi Effendi the authority and obligation to establish the various teaching plans, culminating in the present Ten-Year Plan. A familiarity with these Tablets is a necessity for Bahá’ís to be well informed and oriented to the present World Crusade. (This new edition, with ivory paper cover stamped in red-brown ink and a frontispiece of the Master, eliminates the old World War II printing necessarily produced without cover and on poor quality paper.)
Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$.65
Minimum Mail Order, $1.00
Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill.
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS[edit]
December 12 — Masá’il (Questions)
December 31 — Shharaf (Honor)
U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS[edit]
December 6
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS[edit]
December 31, January 1, 2, 3
UN HUMAN RIGHTS DAY[edit]
December 10 — “Human Rights—Justice For All”
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours[edit]
Weekdays
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
Sundays and Holidays
10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
Service of Worship[edit]
Sundays 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS 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 01 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.
