Bahá’í News/Issue 388/Text
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| No. 388 | BAHA’I YEAR 120 | JULY, 1963 |
Message from the Universal House of Justice to the Annual National Conventions of the Bahá’í World — 1963[edit]
Beloved Friends:
The marvelous happenings which have transpired during and immediately after the twelve days of Riḍván attest the greatness of the Cause of God, and fill every Bahá’í heart to overflowing with joy and gratitude. It was in obedience to the summons of the Lord of Hosts Himself that the elected representatives of the fifty-six national and regional communities of the Bahá’í world were called to elect, in the shadow of God’s Holy Mountain and in the house of the Center of His Covenant, the members of the Universal House of Justice. It was the Sign of God on Earth, the Day-Spring of Divine Guidance, the Guardian of the Cause of God, who gathered more than six thousand Bahá’ís from all parts of the earth to the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee in London.
The first of these historic occasions was marked by events of extreme spiritual and administrative significance at the World Center of the Faith. The daily visits of large groups of believers, of many varying backgrounds, to the sacred shrines in the twin holy cities; the holding of the First International Bahá’í Convention and the successful accomplishment of its main task; the celebration of the Riḍván Feast by some three hundred believers in the company of the Hands of the Cause of God in the precincts of the Ḥaram-i-Aqdas, are events of unique character and untold significance in the history of our beloved Faith.
The celebration of the Most Great Jubilee in London must be described elsewhere. Suffice it to say now that this greatest gathering of Bahá’ís ever held in one place was permeated by a spirit of such bliss as could only have come from the outpourings of the Abhá Kingdom. The review of the progress of the Cause, the presentation of believers from the new races and countries of the world brought within the pale of the Faith during the beloved Guardian’s Ten-Year Crusade, of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, those valiant souls who carried the banner of Bahá’u’lláh to the unopened and often inhospitable regions of the earth, the spontaneous outbursts of singing of “Alláh-u-Abhá,” the informal gatherings, the constant greetings of Bahá’u’lláh’s warriors known to each other only by name and service, the youth gatherings, the unprecedented publicity in the press, on radio and television, the daily stream of visitors to the beloved Guardian’s resting-place, the radiant faces and heightened awareness of the true and real brotherhood of the human race within the Kingdom of the Everlasting Father, are among the outstanding events of this supreme occasion, the crowning victory of the life work of Shoghi Effendi.
Reaffirming a Tribute[edit]
The Universal House of Justice wishes to reaffirm at this time the tribute which it felt moved to pay to the Hands of the Cause of God at the World Congress, those precious souls who have brought the Cause safely to victory in the name of Shoghi Effendi. We wish also to remember the devoted work of their Auxiliary Board members, as well as the services of the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, of the army of pioneers, the members of the national and regional spiritual assemblies, the services and prayers and sacrifices of the believers everywhere, all of which in the sum total have attracted such bounties and favors from Bahá’u’lláh.
The Universal House of Justice, in several sessions held in the Holy Land and in London, has been able to initiate its work and to make arrangements for the establishment of the institution in Haifa. It has no officers and henceforth its communications to the Bahá’í world will be signed UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE over an embossed seal.
The Cause of God, launched on the sea of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, has achieved, under the superb leadership of its beloved Guardian, a spread throughout the world and a momentum which must now carry it forward on the next stage of its world redeeming mission, the second epoch of the Divine Plan. The Universal House of Justice, in close consultation with the Hands of the Cause, is examining the vast range
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WORLD CENTER OF THE FAITH. The ornamental eagles in foreground give some idea of the extent of the gardens surrounding the Shrine of the Báb and the Archives Building on Mt. Carmel.
of Bahá’í activity and growth in order to prepare a
detailed plan of expansion for the whole Bahá’í community, to be launched at Riḍván 1964. But there are
some objectives to be achieved at once.
Immediate Objectives[edit]
The consolidation of the goals and new communities of the Bahá’í world is an urgent and immediate task facing the fifty-six national spiritual assemblies, and an essential preparation for the launching of the new plans. Pioneers must be maintained at their posts and all the local spiritual assemblies strengthened through a firm establishment of Bahá’í community life and an active teaching program. Those national spiritual assemblies which rest on the basis of a small number of local spiritual assemblies must make great efforts to insure that this number will be increased at Riḍván 1964. Pioneers ready to go to consolidation areas, as well as those eager to open new territories, should make their offers through their national spiritual assembly.
The great work of teaching must be extended, not only in those areas where mass conversion is beginning, but everywhere. The high intensity of teaching activity reached at the end of the World Crusade, far from slackening, must now be increased as the friends everywhere draw on the vast spiritual powers released as a result of the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee and the emergence of the Universal House of Justice.
The Ten-Year Crusade witnessed the completion of the structure of the Mother Temple of Europe. It is now imperative to complete, without delay, the interior decoration, to install utilities and lay access roads, to landscape grounds and to construct the caretaker’s house. This work will cost not less than $210,000.00, but if delayed it will cost considerably more. The House of Justice calls upon the national spiritual assemblies to allocate substantial budgets for the immediate completion of this work.
Projects to be Embarked Upon[edit]
The plan to be embarked upon next Riḍván, the details of which will be announced during the coming year, will include such projects as the extension and embellishment of the endowments at the World Center; collation of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi; continual reinforcement of the ties binding the Bahá’í world to the United Nations; formation of many more national spiritual assemblies, both by division of existing regional spiritual assemblies and the development of new Bahá’í communities, together with the purchase of national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, temple sites and national endowments; the opening of new territories to the Faith; detailed plans for national spiritual assemblies involving, in some areas, consolidation goals, in others the multiplication of Bahá’í institutes and schools, in others a great enrichment of Bahá’í literature, and in all a vast increase in the number of Bahá’ís, and the holding of oceanic and intercontinental conferences.
All such expansion and development of the Faith will be dependent upon the Bahá’í Fund. The Universal House of Justice calls the attention of every believer to this vital and pressing matter, and asks the national spiritual assemblies to pay special attention to the principle of universal participation, so that every single follower of Bahá’u’lláh may make his offering, however small or great, and thereby identify himself with the work of the Cause everywhere. It is our hope that a constant flow of contributions to the International Fund will make it possible to build up sufficient reserves for the launching of the new plan in 1964.
Beloved friends, we enter the second epoch of the Divine Plan blessed beyond compare, riding the crest of a great wave of victory produced for us by our beloved Guardian. The Cause of God is now firmly rooted in the world. Forward then, confident in the power and protection of the Lord of Hosts, Who will, through storm and trial, toil and jubilee, use His devoted followers to bring to a despairing humanity the life-giving waters of His supreme Revelation.
London
May 7, 1963
The World Center of the Faith
Its Supreme Administrative Importance[edit]
In many of his glorious messages to the Bahá’í world the beloved Guardian described for us the twin spiritual and administrative World Centers existing and fixed permanently in the Holy Land, “constituting the midmost heart of the entire planet,” the source of spiritual power and the object of adoration of all Bahá’ís. He also drew for us a clear and inspiring picture of those sacred and divinely-ordained institutions which comprise the heart and the nerve center of our Faith in the twin holy cities of ‘Akká and Haifa.
Our Guardian explained to us that there are three divinely revealed charters which have set in motion three distinct processes in the unfoldment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
(1) The Tablet of Carmel, revealed by Bahá’u’lláh Himself, which is the charter for the development of the institutions of the Faith at its World Center, including the establishment of the supreme edifice of the Universal House of Justice.
(2) The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the charter for the establishment of the Administrative Order throughout the world; and —
(3) The Tablets of the Divine Plan, constituting the charter for the propagation of the Faith and the spiritual conquest of the planet.
It was the Tablet of Carmel which generated the spiritual impulse for the rise and establishment of the Bahá’í international institutions in the Holy Land, a process the beginnings of which, Shoghi Effendi told us, “may be traced as far back as the concluding years of the Heroic Age of the Faith,” and which will attain its final consummation in the Golden Age, “through the raising of the standard of the Most Great Peace and the emergence in the plenitude of its power and glory of the focal center of the agencies constituting the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The final establishment of this seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth will,” he told us, “signalize at once the proclamation of the sovereignty of the Founder of our Faith and the advent of the Kingdom of the Father ...”
Profound Significance of the Institutions[edit]
As long ago as 1939, at the time of the transfer of the sacred remains of the Holy Mother and the Purest Branch to Mt. Carmel and their interment in the vicinity of the Tomb of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the beloved Guardian, in a stirring message to the American Bahá’ís, began to reveal the profound importance and administrative significance of the institutions which in the future would be established within the shadow of the Shrine of the Báb on God’s Holy Mountain.
In commenting on the reburial of these holy souls, he told us that: “The transfer of the sacred remains of the brother and mother of our Lord and Master ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to Mt. Carmel and their final interment within the hallowed precincts of the Shrine of the Báb, and in the immediate neighborhood of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf, constitute, apart from their historic associations and the tender sentiments they arouse, events of such capital institutional significance as only future happenings, steadily and mysteriously unfolding at the World Center of our Faith, can adequately demonstrate.”
In that same message he referred to the Tablet of Carmel, quoting from its various passages, such as: “Haste thee, O Carmel, for lo, the light of the countenance of God, the Ruler of the Kingdom of Names and Fashioner of the heavens, hath been lifted upon thee.” “Rejoice, for God hath in this Day established upon thee His throne, hath made thee the dawning-place of His signs and the day-spring of His Revelation.”
He also stated that: “It must be clearly understood, nor can it be sufficiently emphasized, that the conjunction of the resting-place of the Greatest Holy Leaf with those of her brother and mother incalculably reinforces the spiritual potencies of that consecrated spot which, under the wings of the Báb’s over-shadowing Sepulcher, and in the vicinity of the future Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, which will be reared on its flank, is destined to evolve into the focal center of those world-shaking, world-embracing, world-directing administrative institutions, ordained by Bahá’u’lláh and anticipated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ...”
“To attempt to visualize, even in its barest outline, the glory that must envelop these institutions, to essay even a tentative and partial description of their character or the manner of their operation, or to trace however inadequately the course of events leading to their rise and eventual establishment is far beyond my own capacity and power. Suffice it to say that at this troubled stage in world history the association of these three incomparably precious souls who, next to the three Central Figures of our Faith, tower in rank above the vast multitude of the heroes, Letters, martyrs, Hands, teachers and administrators of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, in such a potentially powerful spiritual and administrative Center, is in itself an event which will release forces that are bound to hasten the emergence in a land which, geographically, spiritually and administratively, constitutes the heart of the entire planet, of some of the brightest gems of that World Order now shaping in the womb of this travailing age.”
On July 7, 1950, in announcing to the Bahá’í world the completion of the initial stage of the building of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, the beloved Guardian referred to “the process set in motion sixty
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As foretold many years ago by the beloved Master, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the lights of Haifa and ‘Akká now encircle the bay.
years ago by Bahá’u’lláh’s visit to Mt. Carmel,” and
after reviewing the contribution to its unfoldment made
by the successive stages in the construction of the
Shrine, stated that this process would attain its consummation “through the emergence of the institutions of
the World Administrative Center of the Faith in the
vicinity of its World Spiritual Center, signalizing the
sailing of the Divine Ark on God’s Mountain, prophesied in the Tablet of Carmel.”
The First International Council[edit]
On January 9, 1951, the beloved Guardian announced the formation of the first International Bahá’í Council and characterized it as the “forerunner of (the) supreme administrative institution destined to emerge in (the) fullness of time within (the) precincts and beneath the shadow of (the) World Spiritual Center of the Faith already established in the twin cities of ‘Akká and Haifa.”
During the Riḍván period of the same year (1951), Shoghi Effendi, in opening the door to direct contributions to the International Fund in the Holy Land by individual believers throughout the world, as well as by national and local assemblies, referred to the establishment of the International Bahá’í Council and the construction of the superstructure of the Báb’s Sepulcher as constituting “the initial major evidences of the rise and consolidation of the Administrative Center of the World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.” In that same message he told the believers that upon their response to the needs which he described would “depend the nature and rapidity of the evolution of the World Administrative Center designed to culminate in the erection of the last unit crowning the structure of the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh,” this of course being a reference to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice.
More than three years later, after completion of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, the Guardian, in announcing the acquisition of a thirteen hundred meter plot located in “a central position amidst the extensive Bahá’í domains in the heart of God’s Holy Mountain,” indicated that the ownership of this plot would permit the location of the site, the excavation of the foundations and the erection of the structure of the International Bahá’í Archives, constituting one of the foremost objectives of the Ten-Year Plan.
In this historic message he also disclosed that the raising of the edifice of an International Archives would “in turn herald the construction, in the course of successive epochs of the Formative Age of the Faith, of several other structures” designed to serve as the administrative seat of the various divinely-appointed institutions of the Faith, including the Universal House of Justice. These edifices, he explained, will be in the shape of a far-flung arc surrounding the resting-places of the Greatest Holy Leaf, the Purest Branch and the Holy Mother. “The ultimate completion of this stupendous undertaking,” he told us, “will mark the culmination of the development of a world-wide divinely appointed Administrative Order.”
Progress Reflected in the Guardian’s Messages[edit]
In each of his last three annual Riḍván Messages our beloved Guardian shared with the friends throughout the world additional news reflecting the rapid progress of construction of the International Archives Building and the expansion of the ownership of properties on Mt. Carmel, safeguarding the future development of the Bahá’í spiritual and administrative institutions.
In April 1955 announcement was made of steps “being taken for the purchase of several properties ... the acquisition of which is essential for the safeguarding of the area in the close vicinity of the Báb’s Sepulcher, as well as for the future expansion of the arc around which the edifices destined to serve as the seat of the future Bahá’í World Commonwealth are to be erected.”
A year later, in his Riḍván Message for 1956, Shoghi Effendi informed the Bahá’í world that: “In the Holy Land, the center and pivot round which the divinely appointed, fast multiplying institutions of a world-encircling, resistlessly marching Faith revolve, the double process, so noticeable in recent years, involving a rapid decline in the fortunes of the breakers of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant and proclaiming the rise of the institutions of its World Administrative Center, in the shadow of His Shrine, has been accelerated on the one hand, through the death, in miserable circumstances, of the treacherous and malignant Majdi-d-Din, the last survivor of the principal instigators of the rebellion against the Will of the Founder of our Faith, and on the other, through the laying of the foundation, and the erection of some of the pillars, of the façade and of the northern side of the International Bahá’í Archives — the first of the major edifices destined to constitute the seat of the World Bahá’í Administrative Center to be established on Mt. Carmel.”
And finally, in his last Riḍván Message in April 1957,
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the beloved Guardian was able to share with the friends
the following joyful announcement: “In the Holy Land,
the Qiblih of a world community, the heart from which
the energizing influences of a vivifying Faith continually stream, and the seat and center around which the
diversified activities of a divinely appointed Administrative Order revolve — following upon the termination
of the construction of the Báb’s Holy Sepulcher, marking the closing of the first chapter in the history of the
evolution of the central institutions of a world Faith, a
marked progress in the rise and establishment of these
institutions has been clearly noticeable. The remaining
twenty-two pillars of the International Bahá’í Archives
— the initial edifice heralding the establishment of the
Bahá’í World Administrative Center on Mt. Carmel —
have been erected. The last half of the nine hundred
tons of stone, ordered in Italy for its construction, have
reached their destination, enabling the exterior of the
building to be completed, while the forty-four tons of
glazed green tiles, manufactured in Utrecht, to cover
the five hundred square meters of roof, have been
placed in position, the whole contributing to an unprecedented degree through its colorfulness, its classic style
and graceful proportions, and in conjunction with the
stately golden-crowned Mausoleum rising beyond it, to
the unfolding glory of the central institutions of a World
Faith, nestling in the heart of God’s Holy Mountain.
“Simultaneous with this striking development, the plan designed to insure the extension and completion of the arc serving as a base for the erection of future edifices constituting the World Bahá’í Administrative Center, has been successfully carried out.”
Last Unit of the Embryonic World Order[edit]
And now, in this Riḍván period, at the termination of the World Crusade of our beloved Guardian, coinciding with the end of the first epoch of the unfoldment of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, that “last unit crowning the structure of the embryonic World Order of Bahá’u’lláh,” the Universal House of Justice, has been established.
The election of this glorious institution which Shoghi Effendi said would be regarded by posterity as “the last refuge of a tottering civilization,” brings to fruition at long last the ardent hopes of the Master and the Guardian, both of whom confidently anticipated the time when this august institution would come into being and fulfill its divinely-ordained function as “the Supreme Legislative Body of the Administrative Order of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.”
The first foundations of this sacred edifice were reared in the days of the Master, Who devoted so much of His time and effort to raising up and training the local spiritual assemblies and committees in the countries where groups of Bahá’ís existed.
Then the beloved Guardian, acting under the infallible guidance and supreme authority conferred upon him in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, steadily expanded these foundations as he strove to educate and deepen the believers in their knowledge of the administration and its true purpose.
At length this process of preparation reached the point where our Guardian could assign definite plans with specific objectives to the various national communities, and, finally, a World Crusade for the spiritual conquest of the entire planet, making possible the erection of no less than fifty-six national and regional assemblies which now constitute the pillars of the supreme edifice of the Universal House of Justice.
The importance of this process and its glorious consummation were described by Shoghi Effendi in various communications, some written as early as 1923. In a letter written in December of that year he said:
“As to the order and management of the spiritual affairs of the friends, that which is very important now is the consolidation of the spiritual assemblies in every center, because on these fortified and unshakable foundations, God’s Supreme House of Justice shall be erected and firmly established in the days to come. When this most great edifice shall be reared on such an immovable foundation, God’s purpose, wisdom, universal truths, mysteries and realities of the Kingdom, which the mystic Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh has deposited within the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, shall gradually be revealed and made manifest.”
And less than a year later, in October 1924, he told us that:
“These spiritual assemblies have been primarily
Fairly comprehensive view
of the interior of Royal
Albert Hall as it looked
when thousands of believers
gathered for the World Congress.
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‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum opens the World Congress on April 28. Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga,
chairman for the first session, other Hands and members of the Universal House of Justice are on the
platform also.
constituted to carry out these affairs, and secondly to
lay a perfect and strong foundation for the establishment of the divine and Universal House of Justice.
When that central pivot of the people of Bahá shall be
effectively, majestically and firmly established, a new
era will dawn, heavenly bounties and graces will
pour out from that Source, and the all-encompassing
promises will be fulfilled.”
Importance of the Believers’ Tasks[edit]
Then in a communication written a number of years preceding the inception of the Ten-Year Plan, he gave us another glimpse of the supreme future importance of the tasks which the believers were being called upon to perform:
“The purpose of so much perpetual and intensive emphasis on the support and consolidation of these spiritual assemblies is this ... that the foundation of the Cause of God must become broader and stronger day by day, that no confusion ever enter the divine order, that new and strong ties be forged between East and West, that Bahá’í unity be safeguarded and illumine the eyes of the people of the world with its resplendent beauty, so that upon these assemblies God’s Houses of Justice may be firmly established and upon these secondary Houses of Justice the lofty edifice of the Universal House of Justice may, with complete order, perfection and glory, and with no delay, be raised up. When the Universal House of Justice shall have stepped forth from the realm of hope into that of visible fulfillment and its fame be established in every corner and clime of the world, then that august body, solidly grounded and founded on the firm and unshakable foundation of the entire Bahá’í community of East and West, and the recipient of the bounties of God and His inspiration ... will proceed to devise and carry out important undertakings, worldwide activities and the establishment of glorious institutions. By this means the renown of the Cause of God will become world-wide and its light will illumine the whole earth.”
In one of his messages written in the period between the end of the second world war and the beginning of the World Crusade, the beloved Guardian promised us that the long process of building the foundations of the Administrative Order would eventually bring us to the time — “During this Formative Age of the Faith” ... when the “last and crowning stage in the erection of the framework of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh, the election of the Universal House of Justice,” would take place.
(Though not quoted verbatim, Mr. Haney’s remarks about the International Convention were reported in the June issue and are omitted from this account.)
Promises, Injunctions from the Will and Testament[edit]
Although every Bahá’í is familiar with the spiritual authority conferred upon the Universal House of Justice by Bahá’u’lláh and the Center of His Covenant, it is appropriate at this historic moment to review some of the passages from the sacred Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which set forth the divine promises and injunctions relating to this august institution.
“And now, concerning the House of Justice which God hath ordained as the source of all good and freed from all error, it must be elected by universal suffrage, that is, by the believers. Its members must be manifestations of the fear of God and daysprings of knowledge and understanding, must be steadfast in God’s faith and the well-wishers of all mankind. By this House is meant the Universal House of Justice, that is, in all countries a secondary House of Justice must be instituted, and these secondary Houses of Justice must elect the members of the Universal one. Unto this body all things must be referred. It enacteth all ordinances and regulations that are not to be found in the explicit Holy Text.”
“The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God ...”
“This is the foundation of the belief of the people of Bahá (may my life be offered up for them). ‘His Holiness, the Exalted One, (the Báb) is the Manifestation of the Unity and Oneness of God and the Forerunner of the Ancient Beauty. His Holiness the Abhá Beauty (may my life be a sacrifice for His steadfast friends) is the Supreme Manifestation of
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God and the Dayspring of His Most Divine Essence.
All others are servants unto Him and do His bidding.’
Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn and
all that is not expressly recorded therein must be
referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which
this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth
carry, that is verily the Truth and the Purpose of God
Himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of
them that love discord, hath shown forth malice and
turned away from the Lord of the Covenant.”
“All must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error.
“The Glory of Glories rest upon you!”
In many of his writings during the thirty-six year period of his ministry, the beloved Guardian explained the functions of the House of Justice and described the bounties which would descend upon the world following its establishment. He made it clear that Bahá’u’lláh’s promise that “God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth” referred to the institution of the House of Justice acting as the consultative body having the “exclusive right and prerogative ... to pronounce upon and deliver the final judgment on such laws and ordinances as Bahá’u’lláh has not expressly revealed.”
In a message sent early in 1951 commenting on the participation of four national spiritual assemblies in the newly opened African teaching campaign which was to bring such joy to his heart, Shoghi Effendi gave an indication of the future role of the Universal House of Justice in linking the various national assemblies in world-wide undertakings.
“Fervently praying participation (of) British, American, Persian, (and) Egyptian National Assemblies (in) unique, epoch-making enterprise (in) African continent may prove prelude (to) convocation (of) first African Teaching Conference leading eventually (to) initiation (of) undertakings involving collaboration (among) all national assemblies of Bahá’í world, thereby paving way (to) ultimate organic union (of) these assemblies through formation (of) International House of Justice destined (to) launch enterprises embracing (the) whole Bahá’í world.”
The Blessing Conferred Upon the World[edit]
In closing let us attempt to understand, through these majestic words of our beloved Guardian, the extent of the blessing now conferred upon the entire world through the establishment of Bahá’u’lláh’s Universal House of Justice.
Referring to the first charter mentioned earlier, Shoghi Effendi, in one of his messages explained that:
“In this great Tablet (of Carmel) which unveils divine mysteries and heralds the establishment of two mighty, majestic and momentous undertakings ... the Spiritual and Administrative World Centers of the Faith ... Bahá’u’lláh refers to an ‘Ark,’ whose dwellers are the men of the Supreme House of Justice, which in conformity with the exact provisions of the Will and Testament of the Center of the Mighty Covenant is the body which should legislate on laws not explicitly revealed in the Text. In this dispensation, these laws are destined to flow from this Holy Mountain, even as in the Mosaic Dispensation, the law of God was promulgated from Zion. The ‘sailing of the Ark’ of His laws is a reference to the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, which is indeed the House of Legislature, one of the branches of the World Administrative Center of the Bahá’ís on this Holy Mountain.”
And in other messages referring to the time when this supreme institution would be established, he told us that:
“Through it the pillars of the Faith on this earth will be firmly established and its hidden powers be revealed, its signs shine forth, its banners be unfurled and its light be shed upon all peoples.” ... “Then will all our cherished hopes and aspirations be realized, the tree of our endeavors bear fruit, the Will and Testament of our Master and our Beloved be fully and firmly established, and the hidden powers of the Cause of our Lord and God be fully manifested. Then will be unveiled before our eyes the inauguration of an era the like of which has never been witnessed in past ages.” ... “Then will the throne of Bahá’u’lláh’s sovereignty be founded in the promised land and the scales of justice be raised on high. Then will the banner of the independence of the Faith be unfurled, and His Most Great Law be unveiled and rivers of laws and ordinances stream forth from this snow-white spot with all-conquering power and awe-inspiring majesty, the like of which past ages have never seen. Then will appear the truth of what was revealed by the Tongue of Grandeur; ‘Call out to Zion, O Carmel, and announce the joyful tidings: He that was hidden from mortal eyes is come. His all-conquering sovereignty is manifest; His all-encompassing splendor is revealed ... O Carmel ... well is it with him that circleth around thee, that proclaimeth the revelation of thy glory, and recounteth that which the bounty of the Lord, thy God, hath showered upon thee ... 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.’ ”
Believers from all corners of the globe gather at Royal Albert Hall on the opening day of Congress.
First Statement from the Universal House of Justice[edit]
“All praise, O my God, be to Thee Who art the Source
of all glory and majesty, of greatness and honor, of
sovereignty and dominion, of loftiness and grace, of awe
and power. Whomsoever Thou willest Thou causest to
draw nigh unto the Most Great Ocean, and on whomsoever Thou desirest Thou conferrest the honor of recognizing Thy Most Ancient Name. Of all who are in
heaven and on earth, none can withstand the operation
of Thy sovereign Will. From all eternity Thou didst rule
the entire creation, and Thou wilt continue for evermore to exercise Thy dominion over all created things.
There is none other God but Thee, the Almighty, the
Most Exalted, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise.”
Beloved friends: On this glorious occasion, the celebration of the Most Great Jubilee, we raise our grateful thanks to Bahá’u’lláh for all His bounties showered upon the friends throughout the world. This historic moment marks at one and the same time the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy, the Hundredth Anniversary of the Declaration of the Promised One of all ages, the termination of the first epoch of the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá designed to establish the Faith of God in all the world, and the successful conclusion of our beloved Guardian’s world-encircling Crusade, enabling his lovers and loved ones everywhere to lay this glorious harvest of victory in his name at the feet of the Blessed Beauty. This Most Great Jubilee is the crowning victory of the life work of Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Cause of God. He it was, and he alone, who unfolded the potentialities of the widely scattered, numerically small, and largely unorganized Bahá’í community which had been called into being during the Heroic Age of the Faith. He it was who unfolded the grand design of God’s Holy Cause, set in motion the great plans of teaching already outlined by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, established the institutions and greatly extended the endowments at the World Center, and raised the Temples of America, Africa, Australasia and Europe, developed the Administrative Order of the Cause throughout the world, and set the ark of the Cause true on its course. He appointed the Hands of the Cause of God.
The paeans of joy and gratitude, of love and adoration which we now raise to the throne of Bahá’u’lláh would be inadequate, and the celebrations of this Most Great Jubilee in which, as promised by our beloved Guardian, we are now engaged would be marred were no tribute paid at this time to the Hands of the Cause of God. For they share the victory with their beloved commander, he who raised them up and appointed them. They kept the ship on its course and brought it safe to port. The Universal House of Justice, with pride and love, recalls on this supreme occasion its profound admiration for the heroic work which they have accomplished. We do not wish to dwell on the appalling dangers which faced the infant Cause when it was suddenly deprived of our beloved Shoghi Effendi, but rather to acknowledge with all the love and gratitude of our hearts the reality of the sacrifice, the labor, the self-discipline, the superb stewardship of the Hands of the Cause of God. We can think of no more fitting words to express our tribute to these dearly loved and valiant souls than to recall the Words of Bahá’u’lláh Himself:
“Light and glory, greeting and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of long-suffering hath shone forth, and the declaration of authority is proven of God, the powerful, the mighty, the independent; and through whom the sea of bestowal hath moved, and the breeze of the favor of God, the Lord of mankind, hath wafted.”
The members of the Universal House of Justice, all being in Haifa at the time of the election, were able to visit the Holy Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá where they prostrated themselves at the Sacred Thresholds and humbly sought strength and assistance
At the World Congress — LEFT: Youngest son of Fuad Tahan, condemned Moroccan, recites a prayer in Arabic. CENTER: African believers present Bahá’í songs. RIGHT: A prayer is offered by a friend from distant lands.
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in the mighty task before them. Later, in London they have paid homage at the resting-place of
Shoghi Effendi, the blessed and sacred bough of the
Tree of Holiness.
As soon as the House of Justice is able to organize its work and deploy its forces it will examine carefully all the conditions of the Cause of God, and communications will be made to the friends. At this time we call upon the believers everywhere to follow up vigorously the opportunities opened up by the World Crusade. Consolidation and deepening must go hand in hand with an eager extension of the teaching work so that the onward march of the Cause may continue unabated in preparation for future plans. Now that the attention of the public is becoming more and more drawn to the Cause of God the friends must brace themselves and prepare their institutions to sustain the gaze of the world, whether it be friendly or hostile, eager or idle.
The Universal House of Justice greets you all lovingly and joyfully at this time, and asks you to pray fervently for its speedy development and the spiritual strengthening of its members.
Iraq Sends Message to World Congress[edit]
Beloved Hands of the Cause of God and assembled believers:
It is with great happiness and honor that we greet your august and history-making Congress and send you through our representative and this message our love, assuring you that we will be circumambulating around His sacred House and blessed Riḍván Garden whilst you will be brought together to celebrate this “Most Great Festival,” this wonderful commemoration of the centenary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh and the culmination of the beloved Guardian’s world-embracing Spiritual Crusade, and praying from the depths of our hearts that He may shower His blessings on you, guide and sustain you to befittingly honor His Name and diffuse His fragrance and spirit in a manner that will outshine all the services rendered unto Him since the inception of the Holy Crusade.
We also congratulate you, dear Bahá’í friends throughout the world, on this most wonderful and unprecedented achievement, the election and establishment of the International House of Justice, which will mark the beginning of a new era in the shining history of our beloved Faith. We send each and every honorable member on this highly esteemed body our sincerest wishes and prayers for God’s unfailing grace, guidance and protection to play his worthy part in this new holy enterprise, the Divine Ark mentioned in His Book.
Engulfed as we are at present with many great problems and difficulties, we have been sorrowfully deprived of the single privilege that our beloved Guardian had singled us out with by showering upon us the honor of being the host of the Bahá’ís of the world, the followers of His Name in five continents who were to commemorate the centenary of His Declaration in this city of Baghdád under the shadow of the Most Great House and in the close vicinity of the Garden of Riḍván, the scene of the most glorious event in Bahá’í history. We
First Bahá’í of Alwaye, Kerala State, India, is P. Palaniandi Pillaai (center).
stand, then, our beloved Bahá’í brothers and sisters, in
dire need of your warm prayers for our deliverance
from the fetters of the present unprecedented events
and circumstances which have had great effects on our
various activities and service to His beloved Faith in
this part of the world. With sincerest wishes and love,
OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF IRAQ
Hands in Holy Land Commend Believers[edit]
(The) Hands (of the) Cause wish (to) express appreciation (of the) heroic dedicated efforts (of the) friends everywhere (in) assuring (the) triumphant conclusion (of the) beloved Guardian’s mighty Crusade. (The) entire body (of the) Hands, desiring (to) devote all their efforts (to the) protection (and) propagation (of the) Faith according (to the) functions laid down (in the) holy texts and sustained (and) uplifted (by) establishment (of the) supreme edifice (of the) Universal House (of) Justice, intend (to) concentrate (their) activities (on the) all-important teaching work (in) this glorious period (of) expansion (of the) Faith.
Our beloved Guardian associated five Hands with (the) work (in the) Holy Land (during) his lifetime. Following this pattern five Hands (at the) World Center (will) facilitate (the) international work (of the) institution (of the) Hands (and) assist (the) House (of) Justice (in) any way deemed advisable (by) that exalted body. (The) five chosen (to) serve (in the) Holy Land are ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Leroy Ioas, ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan, Paul Haney (and) Abu’l-Qásim Faizí. Changes (in the) assignment (of) Hands (to the various) continents will be announced shortly.
(We are) confident (that the) spirit released (at the) Most Great Jubilee will inspire (the) friends (to) arise (and) insure continuation (of the) unprecedented tide (of) victories (in the) teaching field.
| Haifa, Israel | (Signed) HANDSFAITH |
| May 20, 1963 |
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First Spiritual Assembly of Makah Indian Reservation, Washington, formed Riḍván 1963. Left to right,
seated: Rita Barbre, Walter Greene, Sebastian LaChester, Ada Markishtum. Standing: Aleatha Edsall,
Edwin Edsall, Modelle Mudd, Audrey McCarty, Nelson
Greene.
First Spiritual Assembly of Lane County, Oregon,
formed March 20, 1963. Left to right, seated: Al Cannon
(treasurer), Joan Cannon, June Nichols (secretary),
Wilbur Nichols. Standing: Val Sage (chairman), Gwen
Janti (recording secretary), Jean Love, Cora Altree,
Khan Janti (vice-chairman).
United States Home-Front Goals Surpassed[edit]
At the conclusion of the beloved Guardian’s World Crusade, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States joyfully announced that all of the home-front requirements had been met — and exceeded.
Rather than 300 local assemblies, 331 were established at Riḍván; not just 100 but 111 assemblies were incorporated in continental U.S.A. and two in Hawaii. The number of enrollments more than doubled compared to the previous year, bringing the total of Bahá’í centers to over 1700. Eighty-three school districts in twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia recognize the Bahá’í Holy Days; two entire states — Louisiana and Rhode Island — grant this recognition.
Proclamation to the Indians was made through seven large and special conferences in addition to the usual methods. Tremendous strides in the teaching work brought dramatic results. One year ago there were no local assemblies on reservations, now there are two; one, on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, is composed entirely of Indians. Nine tribes were added to those represented in the Faith making a total of thirty-five, and there has been teaching contact with another thirty-one tribes. Of outstanding interest is the enrollment of ninety Navajos in a ten-month period. Two tribal leaders accepted the Faith—a Washoe and a Zuni. At present twenty-nine pioneers are teaching on, or adjacent to, eight reservations.
In addition to the six summer schools, a children’s school was sponsored by the National Assembly. Ninety-eight two-day and seventy one-day conferences took place prior to Riḍván. There were also some thirty youth conferences and a number of area conferences. The schools and the conferences were all geared to increase the productivity of the teaching efforts.
While most of the goals outside the country are completed, a few still remain. Among them are two virgin and two consolidation areas not yet accessible; five virgin areas opened but now vacant, three of which are currently inaccessible. Final reports have not been received on the incorporation of some national assemblies that were endeavoring to complete that legal step, so it is not known whether that particular goal has been accomplished.
There are still 388 adult American pioneers in foreign fields. Most of these valiant workers will continue at their posts as long as there is a need.
First Spiritual Assembly of Monroe County, Oregon,
formed April 14, 1963. Left to right, seated: M. Blair
Sutherland, Katherine Gouley, Evelyn Gilbert, Clara
Altree, Amelia Jacobson. Standing: Elsie Quin, Ross
Klutke, Arthur Lundy, Helen Gilliland.
Spiritual Assembly of Riverside, California, incorporated February 18, 1963. Left to right, front row:
Deborah Summers, Elizabeth Webb, Roystine Hart,
Ethel Rider. Back row: Robert Hart, Hiram Webb, Earl
Wilkinson, Leon Payne, ‘Ata’u’llah Setudehnia.
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First Spiritual Assembly of Frogmore, South Carolina,
formed Riḍván 1963. Members: Mrs. Gracie Reddicks,
Mrs. Helen Michaels, Abraham Brown, Mrs. Virginia
Green, William Reddicks, Mrs. Janie Johnson, James
Johnson, Miss Viola Chaplain, Mrs. Edna Ford.
New Enrollments Total 77 During Three-Week Period in Hawaii County[edit]
The Spiritual Assembly of Hawaii County on May 3 reported to the National Assembly seventy-seven declarations in the previous three weeks, adding that a teacher who speaks the native languages is the key. In this case the teacher is Len Scott, who went to Hawaii from another post.
Deepening classes and firesides are being arranged in the villages where the new people will be given help. As they progress and develop ability among themselves the assistance will be lessened, and eventually they will handle their own affairs.
To cite an example of the teaching plan: Early in May four adults and three children went to Pepekeo where a class was held for children and adults, using a recently developed method which has been most successful and which centers on The Bahá’í Story (Navajo Indian pioneer teaching aid). One believer who specializes in this method handled that part while the other adults and children helped. Then the children were supervised in one place and another Bahá’í started the deepening of new believers in administration. Later, Len Scott went to the village for a week end of firesides and deepening.
As the new believers grasp the various facets of the Faith, the teachers will move on to the next community. Another teacher will then start a new deepening
First Spiritual Assembly of South Pierce County District #3, Washington, formed Riḍván 1962.
First Spiritual Assembly of Kettering, Ohio, formed Riḍván 1963. Left to right, seated: M. Imig, H. McCoy, P. Walker, P. Walker. Standing: E. Walker, E. Leech, V. Welty, N. Yike, J. McCoy.
class in the first village. “The chain of effort will
go around the island ... each Bahá’í teacher specializing in one subject or type of deepening. Of course
there will be overlapping, but we are trying for more
dovetailing.”
First Spiritual Assembly of Edmonds, Washington,
formed Riḍván 1962. Left to right, seated: Virginia
Hamilton, Larry Hamilton, Clyde Johnson, Prudencio
Mori. Standing: George Neuzil, Lori Neuzil, Dixie
Yotter, Forrest Yotter, Hazel Mori.
National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, 1963-1964. From the left: Miss Charlotte Linfoot (assistant
secretary), Arthur Dahl (treasurer), Miss Edna True
(recording secretary), Dr. David Ruhe (secretary),
Daniel Jordan, Robert Quigley (vice-chairman), Dr.
Firuz Kazemzadeh (chairman), Dr. Sarah Pereira,
Mrs. Velma Sherrill.
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Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Darmstadt, Germany, which has been incorporated recently.
First Spiritual Assembly of Pondicherry, South India, formed Riḍván 1963; one of the Crusade goals.
First Spiritual Assembly of Kodiak, Alaska, formed
September 7, 1962. Left to right, seated: Mrs. Elinore
Putney, Mrs. Alethe Hogberg, Mrs. Karin Leonard
(secretary). Standing: Mrs. Harriet Guhrke (recording secretary), Bernard Guhrke (treasurer), Robert
Roys (chairman), Gilbert Munro (vice-chairman),
Robert Leonard, Mrs. Shirley Munro.
Some of the believers of Kanowit, Sarawak.
Faith Proclaimed Through Mass Media[edit]
In connection with the World Congress in London and with local observances of the Most Great Jubilee, newspapers too numerous to list have given the Faith a vast amount of free publicity. Articles in U.S. newspapers have ranged from six-column-inch stories to over three-quarters of a page. Considerable space has been given to the principles and aims of the Faith as well as to local news.
As a result of the publicity a number of radio and TV interviews have been arranged at the request of program directors.
No doubt other parts of the world experienced the same opportunities to publicize the Faith. El Diario of LaPaz, Bolivia, on April 21 devoted an entire page to “Centenary of the Bahá’í World Faith,” displayed in a bold headline. The text covered the history, the principles, the objectives and a list of Bolivians leaving for the London Congress. Illustrations of four Temples, the Archives Building and Royal Albert Hall were prominently shown and identified.
Believer Exchanges Views with Fellow-Traveler[edit]
The following excerpts are taken from a letter written by Mrs. Cordelia Norder who traveled by train with a young son to the northern woods of Wisconsin, following a charter flight to Chicago after the World Congress. Her experience with a devoted member of the Catholic Faith is given to point up words spoken at the Congress — “every soul can respond” — and to give encouragement to believers who live in predominantly Catholic communities.
“Directly across the aisle was a Catholic nun and she friendlily stated, ‘Your little boy has the face of an angel.’ Naturally it was my desire to let her know that he had a Bahá’í parent. Instead of this closing the door for any further conversation, it was opened wide. We
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During Riḍván many Jubilee celebrations were held throughout the country. LEFT: A section of the audience at a public observance in Peoria Heights, Illinois. RIGHT: Visual aid prepared by speakers to demonstrate their subject, “100 Years in Retrospect,” for a meeting at the YWCA in Jackson, Michigan.
enjoyed sharing experiences and ideas of the world today; its problems and the possible solutions.
“The Bahá’í Faith was presented to her in its fullness and she responded as a waiting soul. Finally, I said to her, ‘It is my belief that with the universal principles given by Bahá’u’lláh, there will also be a universal religion embracing all of mankind.’ She answered, ‘Of course you know that we in the Catholic Church believe this also,’ and with a twinkle in her eyes added, ‘But we feel it will come through our church.’
“I then inquired, ‘What do you think will happen to all of the Muslims in the world? You know there are millions of this faith, who actually outnumber the Christians, and Muḥammad proclaimed Himself a Prophet 622 years after Christ.’
“This she seriously pondered, and admitted it to be a difficult problem for which she had no answer. After being told the Koran was comparable to the Christian Bible, she stated her eagerness to read the Koran and her intention of making this her next project.
“To my surprise the train was slowing down for my stop ... Hurriedly I managed to leave with her some literature and my name and address ... Grasping my hands, the Catholic Sister said, ‘You know, we are as one’ and then as though on second thought added, ‘At least you and I are anyhow.’
“We as Bahá’ís have a great responsibility to be an open channel for the outpouring of Bahá’u’lláh’s spirit to others.”
International News Briefs[edit]
In Canada Indian Tribes now represented in the Faith include Assiniboine, Blackfoot, Cree, Dog-Rib, Mohawk, Ojibway, Salteaux, Squamish, Stony, Tlingit and Yukon. It is estimated that one-quarter of the Canadian Bahá’í community is composed of Indian believers. At least ten local assemblies were expected to form on reserves in Saskatchewan and five on reserves in Alberta.
A prayer of Bahá’u’lláh, set to music by Bahá’í musician Mrs. Phoebe Pfaehler, was sung by the choir at a worship service of the Pilgrim Church, Rockville, Maryland, on April 28. The church bulletin identified the source and carried the words. A number of believers attended the service including a newly enrolled Negro, the first to be present for a church service. The members of the congregation were gracious and friendly to all of the Bahá’ís.
The Faith was again proclaimed through the arts when a program by music students of all four levels (primary, junior, senior, university) of the Eugene (Oregon) Public School System was presented on television the end of April. Representing the university level was a Bahá’í youth, Don Addison, who played his own composition for piano — “A Bahá’í Prayer for Morning.” Many questions, as well as considerable interest in the Faith, resulted. The program director remarked about “this world-wide religion.”
In Oruro, Bolivia, a National Bahá’í Congress was conducted April 26-28 to commemorate the Most Great Jubilee. Those present received several mementos of the occasion, including a picture of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and a printed program. Publicity for the Congress appeared in a local paper, mentioning also the World Congress in London. One evening was devoted to a public meeting.
About 130 believers on a charter flight from London to Los Angeles had an hour’s stop-over in Montreal. Knowing this in advance they made plans to use the time in commemoration of the Declaration of the Báb. A program of prayers and readings was carried out in the airport lounge. Everyone present felt it was an impressive and deeply spiritual occasion.
During May the Denver (Colorado) Assembly was invited to provide speakers for two rather unusual occasions. The first was at a chapel service of the University of Denver Theological School. As part of the service the school chairman read from Bahá’u’lláh’s “Words of Paradise,” which he himself had chosen. Less than two weeks later a Bahá’í speaker led a discussion meeting at the Unitarian church.
[Page 14]
Shown on the platform at the reception for members of the Universal House of Justice, from the left: Amoz Gibson, Miss Edna True, Arthur Dahl, Firuz Kazemzadeh.
Temple Area Friends Salute Members of House of Justice[edit]
During the recent National Assembly meeting, when both incoming and outgoing members joined in consultation, a reception was held in Temple Foundation Hall to honor Amoz Gibson and H. Borrah Kavelin. These members of the Universal House of Justice will not return to the area before leaving for Haifa. The third U.S. member, Hugh Chance, expects to remain in Wilmette through August in order to complete some unfinished projects.
Mr. Kavelin and Mr. Gibson addressed the believers who had gathered from a wide region for the occasion, and loving tributes were paid to these devoted members of the outgoing National Assembly by Miss Edna True and Arthur Dahl. Later the assembled friends had an opportunity to personally extend best wishes to the guests of honor, and to meet the new Assembly members.
Refreshments and congenial fellowship were concluding features of an event long to be remembered — with joy for the formation of the new institution, with sadness at the departure of two greatly loved and admired American Bahá’ís.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
(This column contains only references to the Faith itself. References to individuals or purely local activities are not included except incidentally when mentioned in articles about the Faith which appear in mass news media.)
A strong two-page article on the Moroccan persecution, entitled “Morocco’s Little Inquisition,” appeared in the April 29 issue of the magazine The New Leader of New York. The author was Firuz Kazemzadeh, Associate Professor of History at Yale University and now a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly.
The City of Man, a new (1963) book by W. Warren Wagar, contains considerable detailed information
Surrounded by well-wishers, H. Borrah Kavelin makes a note during informal part of the evening.
Some of the guests who gathered in Foundation Hall to honor Mr. Gibson and Mr. Kavelin.
[Page 15]
A group ready to leave for London from Idlewild International Airport, New York.
(KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Photo)
about the Faith in four references — one of them three
pages long — and all fairly accurate and sympathetic.
The author sees the Faith simply as one of several
world movements shaping man’s future. However,
speaking of religions on the contemporary scene, he
writes that “the only one unambiguously and almost
single-mindedly consecrated to the job of unifying mankind is the Bahá’í Faith.”
A recent television program noted in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and called Mores of Culture, traced the current blending of cultures and diffusion of religions. At a point where people were shown mounting great curving stairs toward an impressive edifice the commentary pointed out, by way of example, that here was the Bahá’í Temple at Wilmette, Illinois.
An article in the March issue of The Gardener, official organ of the Men’s Garden Clubs of America, preannounced the fact that the major gardens at the 1963 Chicago World Flower and Garden Show, now past, would include “a reproduction by the Bahá’í House of Worship of one of its jewel-like Temple Gardens.” The publication goes to members of men’s garden clubs throughout the United States.
The April 6 issue of “This Week in Chicago,” a publication which gives hotel guests and other visitors to the city a listing of events, restaurants and points of interest, carried a half-page picture of the nearby Mashriqu’l-Adhkár. An accompanying caption included the statement that the Temple is “open to all races, classes and creeds.”
Two references in a story published in the April 13 U.S. Saturday Evening Post mentioned the Faith as one of a “series of cults.” Dubious recognition in themselves, the references nevertheless gave the name “Bahá’í” the benefit of one of the world’s great magazine circulations.
The current edition of Who’s Who of American Women lists Irene Bruce, Bahá’í poet, as a member of the Faith.
Early in the spring the Fine Arts Committee of the Chicago branch of the National Conference of Christians and Jews distributed a brochure entitled “Inter-religious Understanding through Art.” Pointing out that this year Holy Week for both western- and eastern-rite Christians, Passover for Jews and celebrations of Buddha’s birth occurred at the same time, it urged recipients to visit some of the “outstanding examples of Religious Art and Architecure in the Chicago area.”
Believers gather in Madison, Wisconsin, enroute to the Bahá’í World Congress.
[Page 16]
Riḍván, which fell on a later date, was not mentioned,
but the Wilmette Temple was listed along with sixty-two other religious edifices.
On May 1 the Decatur-DeKalb News ran a formal six-column, thirteen-inch announcement of the Most Great Jubilee over the signature of the Bahá’ís of DeKalb County, Georgia. Attractive and compelling, the announcement embodied the text and some of the design elements of the Jubilee pamphlet made available by the National Assembly, thus apprising readers of the story of the Faith up to the time of the World Congress.
The May 13 Capital Times of Madison, Wisconsin, carried a long article on Israel by Dr. Bjarne Ullsvik, president of Platteville State College and Institute of Technology, who had recently traveled through the Jewish state with a group of American educators. The account referred both to ‘Akká, where “the founder of the Bahá’í religion was imprisoned by the Turks,” and Haifa, where “the Bahá’í shrine is located” and “the surrounding ornamental gardens are among the finest seen anywhere.”
On May 16 Our Sunday Visitor, official Catholic publication, used an extensive article entitled “Bahá’ísm” by W. J. Whalen. Starting with “One of the smallest religious cults in the United States” the author goes on to say that the Faith is an “Islamic heresy” and a syncretic religion. Many other inaccuracies are included, although a quotation from Shoghi Effendi is properly credited. A picture of the Wilmette Temple and one of Charles Wolcott, as a member of the International House of Justice, embellish the text.
As is its custom, the National Spiritual Assembly wrote to the editor and to the author, calling attention to the errors.
In “Soraya: Autobiography of a Princess,” which appeared in the June issue of McCall’s magazine, the former queen of Iran was quoted as speaking in highest terms of a certain doctor who “comes of a Bahá’í family.”
The May issue of The American Artist, well-known magazine for the fine arts, carried an article, “Seattle Sketches of Mark Tobey,” that stressed the artist’s “deep spiritual commitment to Bahá’í, a religion which embraces all prophets, all races ...”
The May 4 Burlington (Vermont) Free Press, under a section headed “At First Unitarian,” carried publicity for a church service which was to include a “conversation sermon” between the minister and a representative of the Faith. Surprisingly enough the article devoted more than half the space to the Jubilee, a brief resume of the Faith and a picture of the Bahá’í speaker, Lance Meade. In addition the church newsletter, distributed to the congregation and other Unitarian churches in New England, contained a good synopsis of the Faith and the outdoor bulletin board listed the Faith as part of the Sunday program. A discussion meeting with a youth group was arranged for the speaker in the afternoon.
Photographs of First Local Assemblies Requested[edit]
As a matter of record and of information to the Bahá’í world community, BAHÁ’Í NEWS publishes photographs of first local assemblies but not those formed in succeeding years. All new local assemblies are urgently requested to furnish such pictures, and as soon as possible. This request also applies to assemblies that achieve incorporation.
In this connection attention is called to the desirability of dignified dress and pose. Except in the case of indigenous clothing, men should wear ties and coats and women should be comparably attired.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- July 13— Kalimát (Words)
- August 1 — Kamál (Perfection)
- HOLY DAY
- July 9 — Martyrdom of the Báb
Baha’i House of Worship[edit]
- Weekdays
- 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Entire building)
- 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays and Holidays
- 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire building)
- 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Auditorium only)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, July 21
- 4:15 p.m.
BAHÁ’I 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.
