Bahá’í News/Issue 379/Text
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| No. 379 | BAHA’I YEAR 119 | OCTOBER, 1962 |
Annual Gathering of the Hands Announced for April 1963[edit]
Beloved Friends:
This letter is to inform you that the annual gathering of the Hands of the Cause will be held beginning April 9, 1963, preceding the election of the Universal House of Justice.
The wonderful and thrilling victories throughout the Bahá’í world during the past year have made it possible for the Hands of the Faith to postpone their annual meeting and to concentrate their efforts on the all-important teaching work so that the “vast increase” of new believers envisioned by the beloved Guardian for this fourth and final phase of the Crusade may become a reality.
Holding the annual gathering in April will not only free the Hands of the Faith for this essential task, but will also help conserve the precious funds of the Faith by eliminating the necessity of the Hands assembling twice in the Holy Land this present Bahá’í year.
The news from around the world brings frequent and thrilling accounts of fresh triumphs for our blessed Cause as it moves from victory to victory.
We urge each national spiritual assembly, as well as every individual Bahá’í, to join the Hands of the Cause in every continent in taking advantage of this rising tide, so that every single believer may make a supreme and unprecedented effort to assure that “vast increase” in new believers envisioned by our beloved Guardian for this fourth phase of his glorious global Crusade.
Upon our success in discharging this responsibility together as “one soul in many bodies” will depend, in a large measure, the joy and happiness we will all share upon the occasion of the great Jubilee celebration of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh to His Throne of Glory.
We shall pray earnestly at the sacred Threshold of the Blessed Beauty that each individual believer, each local assembly, and each national assembly will arise during these closing hours of a Crusade, the equal of which mortal eyes will never see again, and enrich their record of services with a sacrifice, selflessness and dedication unmatched by anything they have done in the past, individually or collectively.
With warmest Bahá’í love,
| In the service of the beloved Guardian, HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
| ||
| (Signed) | John Ferraby | A. Furútan |
| William Sears | Jalál Kházeh | |
| Paul Haney | ||
Haifa, Israel
August 16, 1962
Hands Ask Pioneers to Remain at Their Posts[edit]
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The Ten Year Crusade is drawing to a close and the signs of its glorious fulfillment are everywhere apparent. In many ways the successes achieved have more than fulfilled the beloved Guardian’s fondest hopes when he initiated it.
The greatest care must be taken, however, that the triumphal conclusion of the various National Plans in April 1963 is not succeeded by an anticlimax in which pioneers leave their posts, assemblies are lost and the work and sacrifice of the last ten years are marred by setbacks to the progress of the Cause.
Pioneers who have performed such noble services by leaving their homes to open territories, establish assemblies, or consolidate what has been achieved at home and abroad should make every effort to remain at their posts after Riḍván 1963 until their services can be dispensed with, remembering the appeal of the Guardian in one of his last messages that they should “remain at their posts” and bearing in mind that at the glorious yet critical juncture of the formation of the International House of Justice any weakening of the administrative structure, and depletion of the ranks of the vanguard of the faithful holding distant and difficult outposts of the Faith, would place in jeopardy the fruits of the World Crusade we have achieved so gloriously and in no small measure through the labors of the host of valiant pioneers.
The work of consolidation is scarcely less important than that of establishing and maintaining assemblies, and sacrifices will be needed for these purposes after the completion of the Crusade as they have been needed during the ten years of its achievement.
We ask you to circulate this letter widely, in your newsletter or otherwise, so that all may see clearly where their duty to Bahá’u’lláh lies and may lay a firm foundation upon which the Cause can march from strength to strength in the years succeeding the Most Great Jubilee of 1963.
With Bahá’í love,
| In the service of the beloved Guardian, HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND
| ||
| (Signed) | Rúḥíyyih | Paul Haney |
| A. Furútan | Jalál Kházeh | |
| John Ferraby | ||
Haifa, Israel
July 27, 1962
Forty-five believers gathered in Takarazuka, Japan, to commemorate the Martyrdom of the Báb. In addition to prayers in Arabic, Persian, Japanese and English, the friends heard the recording of the Master’s voice.
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Attendants, including Hands of the Cause Adelbert Mühlschlegel and William Sears, at the French Summer School held July 22-30 at Thonon-les-Bains, where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited in 1911. Madame Dreyfus-Barney shared interesting glimpses of His sojourn at Thonon, as well as an account of her early visits to Haifa and the manner in which the book “Some Answered Questions” (“Les Lecons de St. Jean d’Acre”) came to be written.
50th Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Draws 600 Bahá’ís and Guests[edit]
About 600 persons, the largest number of Bahá’ís and their guests ever to assemble at Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, New Jersey, participated in the fiftieth Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on Saturday, June 30.
The gathering was fortunate to have as speaker Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem, who spoke glowingly and with great love on “The Promised One of All Ages.” Mrs. Annamarie Honnold served as chairman; Mrs. Ethel Closson read the talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá fifty years ago; Mrs. Ruhieh McComb conducted the commemorative service held at the pine grove where the Master stood in 1912; in the evening Juan Caban showed slides of Bahá’í places of interest. (Ed. note: This was a fine example of members of different races taking part in a public program.)
The grounds were at their loveliest, with great quantities of flowers displayed near the speaker’s post, around the archives exhibit and in the garden areas. The Cabin itself had been newly renovated and the pine grove improved and made more attractive by potted plants and white-painted rocks. For the fiftieth consecutive year the friends were blessed with fine weather for this outdoor event, which included family picnics on the grounds behind the Cabin.
The archives exhibit, first shown in 1961, held an increased number of items. These included photographs of the original gathering, tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Roy Wilhelm explaining the significance of the Souvenir, newspaper and magazine articles written about the Master in 1912 and several items from His personal wardrobe.
The 1904 Reo, in which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had ridden while in this area, was put on display for the first time since it was last used in 1925. Significant is a small metal plaque attached to the side of the car, quoting from the Old Testament: The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. (Nahum 2:4)
It is hoped that this yearly event will increasingly live up to the Master’s promise: “That Annual Memorial Meeting will be the Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, especially when it is passed with infinite delight and gladness.”
American Pioneer Passes[edit]
Harlan F. Ober, American pioneer, passed away at his post in Pretoria, South Africa, on July 20, 1962. The following cablegram received by his family from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land recounts his many and long services to the Faith at home in the United States and abroad.
“Deepest sympathy (on) passing (of) dear Harlan Ober, devoted (and) distinguished American believer (in) both Heroic (and) Formative Ages (of the) Faith. (His) early global travels, membership (on) Temple Unity Board and later National Assembly (and his) historic services (as) Africa pioneer (and) Board member (are) unforgettable. Assure loving prayers (at) Shrines.”
Region of Central and East Africa[edit]
At top: Annual Convention of Central and East Africa held in
Mbale, Uganda, Riḍván 1962. Hand of the Cause Musa Banani
is at center of second row.
Above: Congo delegates express their joy by “bursting into song” between sessions of the Convention.
THE FORMAL OPENING of the new Malava Market
Bahá’í Center in South Kabras, Kenya, brought official
recognition at the ceremonies, and was the means of
further proclamation of the Faith. The believers took
advantage of a public holiday for the occasion, which
drew about 250—mostly local Bahá’ís and their guests,
though eight from Nairobi and seven from Uganda
added to the joy of the friends.
The program started at 9 a.m. and included talks by the chairman of the Kenya Bahá’í Community Administrative Committee, the secretary and the treasurer of the Regional Assembly of Central and East Africa, and the Sub-Chief who represented Chief Isaiah. In addition many other individuals spoke of the Center as a new era in Bahá’í activity, of its benefit to the community and of the fine effect of the Teachings on the people. As a part of the festivities there were movies, slides, refreshments and songs, most of the latter having been written in Kabras. A fine spirit of enthusiasm prevailed throughout the day.
The Center is situated in a beautiful spot about 200 yards from the village and with a clear view looking toward Mt. Elgon, which is also the direction of Haifa.
Following the official opening, a five-day training course for teachers was led by two pioneers. This was an auspicious beginning for the many events to be held at the Center, and augmented the zeal of the believers to speed the building of the next permanent Center at Namawanga.
New Bahá’í Center is Dedicated in South Kabras, Kenya[edit]
Above: Part of the audience at the opening
ceremonies.
At left: Secretary of the Regional Assembly accepts a table, made in the shape of the district, which was a present from the wife of the man who gave the land to the donor of the building fund.
Below: Believers and guests outside the new Bahá’í Center at Malava Market, South Kabras, Kenya. A number of Africans walked fifty miles in order to attend.
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First Shoshone Indian believer, Mrs. Alfreda Alvarez,
was recently enrolled in Reno, Nevada. Although acquainted with the Faith for some time, her experience
at the Pine Springs Conference moved her to embrace
the Faith.
One of a series of summer picnics sponsored by the
Decatur (Illinois) group to promote fellowship among
contacts. The Decatur believers carry on an active
teaching program which includes weekly public meetings as well as firesides.
Children’s Summer Conference Notes Expanded Activity[edit]
The Northwest Children’s Summer Conference in Astoria, Oregon, June 24 through 30, was held this year for the first time under the sponsorship of the National Spiritual Assembly. One hundred and four people—seventy children and youth, thirty-four adults—gathered to participate in this experiment in Bahá’í living that started with seventeen children and twelve adults seven years ago.
The purpose of the Conference, as stated by the committee, is to provide identity as a Bahá’í through an experience of living in a Bahá’í atmosphere comprehensible to and expressed by each age level.
This is accomplished through: (1) Studying, praying, working and playing together as Bahá’ís. (2) Family life in a complete Bahá’í atmosphere (in a family of one hundred) with outside pressures at a minimum. (3) Children and adults becoming friends.
The conference is for children and youth, the adults who attend come to serve.
The friends who gathered this year from Oregon, Washington and California were housed in the homes of the Astoria Bahá’í community which hosted the conference. Basements, attics and all available floor spaces were filled with sleeping bags, air mattresses and cots. The center of activity and the serving of meals was in one home. Over a hundred people for three meals a day in a medium sized home—pandemonium? Yes, but well organized and such fun; the joy was boundless. Everyone taller than a table top cooperated in the work program to get the cooking, dish washing, cleaning and thousand and one other chores accomplished. It has been found through the years that the more one pours oneself into the program, the more one gets out of the conference. This has been an awareness that the youth have gained year after year.
The daily program was organized to provide morning devotions and classes on every age level (this year there were ten), afternoon recreation at a lake a few miles away, evening programs and devotions with plenty of time in between for games, music, study, good discussion and a little rest.
The enlarged enrollment brought more organization than was necessary in the beginning, but always there has been a consistent standard of Bahá’í conduct which has seemed to come about as a natural result of Bahá’í love, prayer and consultation. This has pervaded all of the conferences and brought about joyous results both at the time and throughout the year.
The spirit generated was tremendous. Everywhere that those attending the conference went there were opportunities to tell someone of the Faith—clerks in stores, waitresses in restaurants, members of the Art Club and the editor of a weekly newspaper. One day two groups of children and youth on a ferryboat ride sang “A Plea for One World” antiphonally from two decks, and everyone asked questions.
Summer School Sponsored by First NSA of Finland[edit]
The first Bahá’í Summer School in Finland since the election of a Finnish National Spiritual Assembly was held July 28 through August 4 at Mukkala, an ideal resort hotel just ten minutes by bus from Lahti. The beautiful surroundings of rolling green lawns, gardens, terraces and walks winding through wooded expanse served as a perfect setting for the Bahá’ís from seven countries to meet for a week of wonderful association, fellowship and study.
The friends were overjoyed to have with them such distinguished guests as Hands of the Cause Leroy Ioas and Adelbert Mühlschlegel, International Council member Sylvia Ioas and Board members Joan Gregory from
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Great Britain and Modesta Hvide from Norway. The
messages they brought were so filled with love and
devotion that all were deeply touched. As a reporter
wrote, “how can one express in words the effect of
their presence in our midst? Mr. Ioas spoke of the
beloved Guardian, and of his association with him, in
such a loving and intimate manner that every heart
made the journey to Haifa to visit the Holy Shrines ...
rededicating their lives to the fulfillment of every
goal.”
The school program was arranged to follow three phases: early history of the Faith from The Dawn-breakers, study of The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh and the administrative institutions. The presence of the Hands and their valuable and inspiring contributions gave to all a priceless treasure to aid in carrying forward the teaching work. There were no negative thoughts expressed; assurance and devotion were clearly evidenced.
Special daily programs were arranged for the children, who seemed to enjoy and profit from them.
One of the highlights of this first Finnish Bahá’í Summer School was the announcement of two declarations in Tampere.
On the last day an Evaluation Report Form was given to those present in order to have a frank opinion of the study material and the way it was presented. These reports made a very interesting and constructive contribution, which will be used to good advantage in planning another year’s program.
Southeastern Bahá’í School More Than Doubles Attendance[edit]
The 1962 Summer School on lovely St. Helena Island (Frogmore, South Carolina) was conducted in a rarified atmosphere largely induced by presence of Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem. During every available moment he was surrounded by the spiritually hungry who heard him tell of the early heroes of the Faith, and of many of the current ones. The feeling thus generated was responsible for above-average interest in the classes since those present could better understand the dedicated effort required during this last year of the Crusade, and the need for constant study.
Over one hundred registered for the school sessions and at least sixty others took advantage of the many facets of the program. The students were drawn from fourteen states and two other countries.
Mrs. Eulalia Bobo taught the youth while Mrs. Ruth Moffett, Jack McCants and Allan Ward led other classes. On two occasions Mrs. Bobo shared class time with Miss Eloise Mitchell, Auxiliary Board member from West Africa. The week-long sessions closed with Mr. Khádem and all teachers giving a summary of the challenging goals.
Wednesday evening was devoted to the commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America. Mr. Khádem gave the main address, and presented golden ribbon bookmarks to each one. Three
First Bahá’í Summer School held in Finland since the country had its own National Spiritual Assembly.
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of the friends at this gathering had had the great
bounty of seeing ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1912.
Special programs were arranged for the other evenings with interesting talks by Miss Mitchell and the teachers, who gave to all present the opportunity to share in their experiences, wisdom and research.
International News Briefs[edit]
From the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina comes word that long-time, faithful pioneer, Mrs. Ethel Murray, is enjoying stepped-up activity. In addition to others who are studying she says a Baptist preacher is reading Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.
The new national community of Luxembourg held its first teaching conference at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds on July 22 with an attendance of about twenty-five believers from the four localities. Consultation centered on the particular needs and plans of the country, including the first summer school and public proclamation programs for the fall and winter when two new cities will be opened. Special public affairs will take place on United Nations, Human Rights, World Religion and World Youth Days.
The Iranian friends provided a Persian dinner at noon which was greatly enjoyed by all. During the conference volunteer contributions were made to the German Temple Fund.
Following the suggestion made by the National Assembly to all communities, the local Assembly of Everett, Washington, on July 8 conducted a conference on interracial issues, using the “Short Course on Human Relations” for points of discussion and consultation. The conference was “exciting and alive” throughout, and considered highly successful and worthwhile.
The non-Bahá’í guest speaker was a young Negro, now Communications Officer at Paine Airfield, who came originally from the east and was a graduate of Howard University. Captain Donald expressed an interest in knowing more about the Faith, and an arrangement was immediately made for him and his family to visit some of the believers.
In Northern Territory, Australia, the Bahá’ís are conducting a weekly adult evening school session for aborigines, presently attended by about twenty between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Operated with the full cooperation of the government administration, it is of direct aid to the aboriginal students and gives a visible demonstration that the believers are sincerely concerned with improving the condition of these underprivileged people.
Buddhist Official Visits U.S. Temple[edit]
Mai Tho Truyen, vice-president of the Buddhist Association of Vietnam and vice-president of the World Association of Buddhists, who has been touring the United States as a guest of the Department of State, visited the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette on August 16, on invitation of the National Spiritual Assembly. He was accompanied by a representative of the State Department who served as his interpreter. Mr. Mai could speak no English but conversed with representatives of the National Assembly in French.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- October 16 — ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
- November 4 — Qudrat (Power)
- HOLY DAY
- October 20 — Birth of the Báb
- PROCLAMATION EVENT
- October 24 — United Nations Day
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- October 12-14
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
- Weekdays
- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays and Holidays
- 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, October 21
- 4:15 p.m.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, as a news organ reporting current activities of the Bahá’í World Community.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is edited by an annually appointed Editorial Committee: Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Meinhard, Managing Editors; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative.
Material must be received by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News 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.
