Bahá’í News/Issue 392/Text
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| No. 392 | BAHA’I YEAR 120 | NOVEMBER, 1963 |
Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
Of all the tributes I have paid to Him Who is to come after Me, the greatest is
this, My written confession, that no words of Mine can adequately describe Him, nor
can any reference to Him in My Book, the Bayán, do justice to His Cause.
Mansion of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí with His Shrine to the right.
Hands Announce New Member of Auxiliary Board[edit]
The Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere have announced that Frederick Graham of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, has been appointed a member of the Auxiliary Board for Protection of the Faith in the Western Hemisphere. Mr. Graham replaces Rowland Estall who will continue his services as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada.
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Correction
Two corrections should be made in the August 1963 edition of BAHÁ’Í NEWS: The following editorial note should be added to the second to last paragraph on page two: “The eagle atop the Guardian’s Memorial is a four-foot replica of the one in his room and not the original which is only eighteen inches.” On page six in the address by Tarázu’lláh Samandarí the sentence reading: “Another went in the ship with Bahá’u’lláh on the Mecca pilgrimage and his name was Háji Abu’l Ḥasan.” should be changed to read: “Another went in the ship with the Báb on the Mecca pilgrimage and his name was Hájí Abu’l Ḥasan.” Please make a cross reference to these corrections on personal and assembly copies of the August issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS for future accuracy. —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
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Passing of Dr. Katherine K. True Ends Long Period of Service to Faith[edit]
With the death of Dr. Katherine Knight True of Wilmette, Illinois, on September 26 the Bahá’í world lost another steadfast and indefatigable servant of the Faith. Daughter of Mrs. Corinne True, Hand of the Cause who passed away more than two years ago, Dr. True embraced the cause of Bahá’u’lláh at an early age and had the great bounty of visiting the Holy Land in company with her mother both during the days of the Master and the beloved Guardian. She served on local, national and intercontinental teaching committees for many years and was a member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly from 1956 to 1960.
Informed of her passing after several weeks of illness, the Universal House of Justice sent the following cablegram:
“Grieved (to learn of) passing (of) valiant, much loved co-worker Katherine True. Her lifetime (of) selfless service sheds lustre (on the) record (of her) distinguished Bahá’í family so dear (to the) hearts (of the) beloved Master and Guardian. (The) Hands (and) members (of The Universal) House (of) Justice (have) offered prayers (at) Holy Shrines.”
In their message of condolence to Dr. True’s family the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land add the comment that her long service to the “national community (is) unforgettable.”
National School for Instructors Held in Bolivia[edit]
To assist in teaching the masses, Bolivia decided last year to inaugurate a school for instructors. There are hundreds of localities that urgently need Bahá’í teachers. Pioneers have walked over thirty kilometers a day to assist in the teaching effort and yet there are not enough teachers to go around. So a school has been established to teach the local Indians so that they in turn would be able to go and teach, always working in close touch with the national committees.
The place chosen for the school was Cochabamba, which is in the center of Bolivia and which has the most moderate climate. A small plot of land was purchased about eight years ago, on which was located a small adobe building. A brick room about the same size as the original building and a bathroom were added. Arrangements were made for water to be piped with considerable expense, but while workmen were digging for a cesspool they struck an artesian well. The water was tested by the U.S. Army and proved potable without boiling. Now all of the neighbors are familiar with the Bahá’í school as they obtain their water from the well, which has an abundant supply.
One of the large rooms was divided into four parts as living quarters for the attendant family. The other large room served as a classroom during class time, a dining room at meal time, and at night a bedroom where the students slept in their sleeping blankets. In this section of the city, one half a block from the best hotel, lights were not yet installed so candles and a gasoline lantern were used.
The Indians walked from all parts of Bolivia to study
Believers gather with Hand of the Cause Abu’l-Qásim Faizí (center with dark glasses) during national school for instructors held in Cochabama, Bolivia.
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eight hours a day. Since some speak only
Quecha and
others only Aymará, an interpreter was provided to
translate the courses which were given in Spanish. The
age span of those attending was from young boys of
fifteen to old men. Some of the students were teachers
in the public schools of their localities and thus were
well educated in Spanish. All communities were notified during the year and consequently no more than
twenty were signed in advance for each three week
session. Some students came from as far as Chile to
attend the school.
Athos Costas, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, was the director of the school. He, his wife and two children came to Bolivia from Argentina as pioneers more than two and a half years ago. They lived at the school and conducted most of the courses. Others who assisted as teachers were Ethel McAllaster, Hugo Sorio, and Jorge Alba.
The courses given were geography, history, progressive revelation, Bahá’í history, the principles of the Faith, laws and teachings, administration, Bahá’í conduct, prophecies, hygiene and health, and writing.
Each student had a notebook and kept notes in order to teach more effectively when he returned home. Three days were given for study and preparation for a final exam which was graded. In order to receive a teaching certificate grades had to be above passing.
A night was set aside as the despedida (farewell) and graduation. Diplomas were printed and tied with ribbon. Friends and the Cochabamba community were invited to a program of native dancing and singing followed by speeches by the director and pupils and refreshments.
Fourth National Congress Held in Bolivia[edit]
The National Congress of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia was held August 4-6 in Potosi, which is located in the Andes. Believers came from all parts of the country with the sole desire to deepen their faith and to diffuse the principles of peace, unity and love among their fellow countrymen. The jubilee was celebrated in a spirit of joy and brotherhood.
The believers were fortunate to obtain the space for a window display in the city of Potosi during the Congress, thus keeping the Faith before the eyes of the populace. Also, a musical band was obtained which
Fourth National Congress of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia held in Potosi.
Bahá’í Center of Alfabetizacion (reading and writing) inaugurated in Potosi, Bolivia on August 6 of this year.
added pleasure to the activities. On the third day, the
friends witnessed the official inauguration of the Bahá’í
Center of Alfabetizacion (reading and writing) which
is lending notable service to all the inhabitants of the
area.
The lectures and deliberations were separated by social and recreational periods. One could appreciate the harmony that stirred the hearts of the Bahá’ís who were conscious of the power of God and the great moment in which they were living. Many visitors attended with ten officially entering the Faith during this time.
Following the Congress, the National Spiritual Assembly met for two days to consider suggestions and to formulate teaching plans for all of Bolivia.
Results of Crusade In South Pacific[edit]
The following items regarding the results of the Ten Year Crusade in the South Pacific were taken from the July issue of Bahá’í Bulletin, the publication of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the South Pacific.
At the beginning of the crusade only two Island Territories, Fiji and New Caledonia, were opened to the Faith. Seven more—Cook Islands, Gilbert Islands, New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga, now have Bahá’ís residing.
From one assembly and one group in 1953, there were forty-three assemblies, ninety-four groups and seventy-one isolated centers in 1963. The number of believers went from a handful to over 1700.
The Regional Spiritual Assembly has been incorporated and has its own Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, endowment and Temple site. There is also a summer school property in Western Samoa. Nine local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds have been built. Besides Nur Bahá’í School there are eight village Bahá’í schools in the Gilbert Islands. Bahá’í Burial Grounds have been allocated by the authorities in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
The following indigenous Pacific Islanders are included among the believers: Rarotongan Maoris, Fijians, Gilbertese, Ellice Islanders, Loyalty Islanders, New Hebrideans, Solomon Islanders, Samoans, Tokelauans, and Tongans. Bahá’í literature has been translated into a total of 23 indigenous languages, fifteen more than the Crusade Goal.
1,000 Attend Baltimore Interracial Meeting[edit]
On Sunday evening, September 15, in the midst of a heavy rainstorm, about one thousand people gathered in the Lyric Theatre of Baltimore, Maryland, to hear an inspired program. Only two of the four participants were Bahá’ís, but the effect was one of powerful identification with the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and its principle — the oneness of mankind. The audience was mixed, with a slight majority of Negroes.
The two speakers were Hand of the Cause, William B. Sears and Lerone Bennett, Jr., senior editor of Ebony magazine. McHenry Boatwright, eminent Negro concert baritone, presented several numbers.
Robert Quigley, vice-chairman of the U.S. National Assembly and chairman of the program, set the tempo of the evening when he called on the audience to rise for a moment of silent prayer for the four Negro children killed that afternoon in Birmingham. After this silence, Mr. Quigley read the prayer: “O my God, O my God, Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose ...”
When the prayer concluded such a spirit filled the concert hall that there were no strangers present.
Mr. Boatwright opened his concert with the song, Blessed Is the Spot, prolonging the closing phrases, repeating one several times, as he felt the hearts of his listeners drawn to the prayer. His closing selection was composed around Corinthians 13.
Mr. Bennett was the first speaker. He prefaced his talk with a moving tribute to the Birmingham children and then to the Bahá’í Faith, pointing out that it had proclaimed the brotherhood of all races from its beginning. He quoted from The Advent of Divine Justice and Race and Man, emphasizing the Bahá’í attitude of racial harmony. He spoke of the challenge of the Negro struggle to the generally complacent religious community of America. Many times he stated how the Bahá’í Faith differs from all other religions in its unswerving efforts to establish racial agreement and eliminate prejudice. He declared: “The time for the Negro is now. The dominant drama of this age is the Negro drama — the dominant dream is a Negro dream. But the dream is not of nor for Negroes alone. The dream is as old as Confucius, as wise as Buddha, as gentle as Jesus, as universal as Bahá’u’lláh....
“We are in the middle of a Negro Revolution, a rebirth of the Negro soul, a re-invention of Negro identity. I should like to suggest here tonight that the Negro Revolution holds enormous possibilities for all Americans and especially the religious community....
“The Chinese word for ‘crisis’ consists of two characters, one meaning danger, the other opportunity. The Negro is America’s opportunity; he is the church’s opportunity. Over the years he has given America blood, sweat, tears, brains, brawn and a certain dark joy .... I believe the American Negro has something of value to give to the American white man because I believe the white man and the Negro are inextricably involved in the fate of the American experiment ... Believing these things, I ended my book The Negro Mood with a quotation from Genesis:
And there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day, and when he saw that he prevailed not against him he put his foot against Jacob’s thigh and Jacob’s thigh was out of joint as he wrestled with him.
- And he said, “Let me go, for the day breaketh.”
- And he said, “I will not let thee go, until thou bless me.”
A hush and then waves of applause greeted this
eloquence.
William Sears came quietly to the microphone and began to unfold the dramatic story of a century that has brought mankind the pattern for peace. With ease and compassion, he offered his listeners the key to understanding today’s suffering and promise. Quoting from Bahá’u’lláh’s letters to the kings, he built up a
Participants in Baltimore’s World Peace Day Program. LEFT: Lerone Bennett, Jr., Hand of the Cause William B. Sears, McHenry Boatwright and Robert Quigley. RIGHT: Mr. and Mrs. Sears and Lerone Bennett, Jr.
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picture of justice that protects all. Recalling the
prophecies of past religions about the flowering of
Mount Carmel, he described the beauty of this ancient,
holy site when it witnessed the election of the first Universal House of Justice. He proceeded to the potentialities latent in this age and the ability of each individual
to recognize the Word of God and to unite with a worldwide faith destined to heal the ills of humanity.
Mr. Sears then carried the audience, completely intent on his words, to a glimpse of tomorrow’s world where “every stranger will find a friend, and every enemy a true brother.” He concluded with the passage from the Bahá’í Writings that begins: “The vitality of men’s belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it.”
When Mr. Boatwright returned for his closing numbers, his face revealed how deeply moved he was by the whole evening. He accompanied himself at the piano for “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Tears flowed down the cheeks of his audience. He later commented that the audience had so affected him that it would have pleased him to sing spirituals to them for the rest of the evening.
Applause filled the theatre when Mr. Quigley called all of the participants back again. Persons formerly indifferent to the Faith expressed their joy to the Bahá’ís present. Many church officials, such as Baptist deacons, indicated a desire to inquire further.
The many policemen sent by the Baltimore police department had nothing to observe but the harmony that propelled people into enthusiastic groups at the end of the program.
At 7:00 p.m. September 15, a number of Baltimoreans gathered for a Peace Day Program. At 9:30 p.m., one thousand friends went home.
McHenry Boatwright and his accompanist, Jonathan Brice, at the Baltimore meeting.
Hand of the Cause William Sears addressing Temple area Bahá’ís in Foundation Hall.
William Sears Speaks To U.S. Believers[edit]
Before returning to his post in Africa, Hand of the Cause William Sears crossed the United States to meet with the believers. In Wilmette, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Shorewood, Saint Paul and the Bahá’í school at Davison, Mr. Sears recounted the wonderful events of the past year, especially at the World Center, and exhorted the friends to continue their teaching efforts.
Mr. Sears told of his joy at returning to Africa, the place he considers home. He read excerpts from the Guardian’s writings which emphasized the bounty and responsibility of living in this age. The warmth felt by those who heard him will last long after his departure from the United States.
National Spiritual Assembly of Bolivia 1963-64. Left to right: Estanislo Alvarez, Alberto Sadias, Mrs. Angelica de Costas, Andres Jachacallo, Mrs. Yolanda de Lopez, Carmelo Jachacallo, Alberto Rocahado, Athos Costas. Sabino Ortega was absent.
Wide Variety of Programs Proclaim World Peace Day[edit]
While “America’s Role in World Peace” was the theme chosen for the fourth annual observance of World Peace Day sponsored by the American Bahá’í Community September 15, a vast range of new attention-getting subjects and means of publicity were used to attract the eyes, ears and hearts of thoughtful people and even those fearful about the mounting struggle for civil rights across the land. While all reports have not yet been received it is believed that the governors of the eighteen states who had issued World Peace Day proclamations in 1962 did so again this year, added to which were the 1963 proclamations by the governors of Arkansas, Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois and Ohio. For the first time the mayor of a city, Baltimore, Maryland, called upon the citizens of his city to observe this event.
In Boston, Massachusetts, Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin shared the platform at the Bahá’í center with Richard L. Banks, vice president of the Boston branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, who spoke on the activities of that organization in trying to abolish racial prejudice.
“Do You Dare Believe in Peace?” was the challenging subject of Mrs. Margaret Jensen who spoke at the meeting in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
In Jackson, Michigan, the Bahá’ís telephoned the newly established local Negro newspaper having 6,500 readers, asking for publicity on the event, and when it was delivered in writing as requested, they were invited to submit a weekly column about the Faith. The Jackson assembly offered as the first article the text of the pamphlet The Oneness of Mankind which was used in full. Following its appearance in the Jackson newspaper, a paper from the neighboring city of Lansing asked for the same article and a continuing series.
In Birmingham, Alabama, the Bahá’ís were in the midst of their program when their center was rocked by the explosion of the bomb in the nearby Baptist Church that took the lives of four little Negro girls, although this fact was not known until after the conclusion of the meeting. A display of Bahá’í books with an offer of free literature was exhibited in a prominent location for some time before and after the meeting. The exhibit will be moved to other store windows from time to time.
The Sunnyvale, California, Bahá’í community published a very unusual advertisement addressed to “World Peace Enthusiasts” inviting the public to hear an address by Wayne Hoover on “The Bahá’í Plan for Peace of the World.”
The Bahá’í communities surrounding the Bahá’í House of Worship observed the event by coming out in large numbers with their contacts to the public meeting in Foundation Hall addressed by William Baker. The Bahá’ís of Evanston, Glenview and Winnetka invited their contacts to join them after the meeting at an informal tea at the Winnetka home of Mr. and Mrs. Walker Jensen for further discussion.
Whittier Judicial District, California, observed World Peace Day with a barbecue supper attended by eighteen adults and eleven children. This assembly sent copies of the song “Let There Be Peace On Earth” by Sy and Jill Jackson to a meeting of the Council of Church Women and are advertising free copies. A Bahá’í pamphlet is being enclosed with each copy sent out. It should be noted that this song is not a Bahá’í publication but is being distributed through many organizations by the publisher.
The Honolulu community arranged two events for the occasion, an afternoon meeting primarily for the youth, addressed by a youth member on the subject “Youth Looks at World Peace.” The evening meeting
LEFT: Governor John A. Burns of Hawaii signing World Peace Day Proclamation with three of the Bahá’í community looking on. RIGHT: Governor Burns with Bahá’í children. This picture appeared in the HONOLULU ADVERTISER two days before World Peace Day.
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LEFT: Birmingham, Alabama, Bahá’í display in a store window. RIGHT: World Peace Day display in Morton Grove, Illinois, library.
on “America’s Role in World Peace” was addressed
by guest speaker Brig. General Valentine Siefermann
of the Hawaii Air National Guard and Bahá’í speaker
Maurice Willows.
An official State Proclamation of World Peace Day and an excellent open letter of commendation for the Bahá’í’s contribution toward world peace and brotherhood was signed by Governor John A. Burns. Articles and pictures in the local newspapers, listing in a “What to Do Today in Hawaii” column, letters to all high school newspapers, posters, film coverage on a TV newscast and mention on the news programs of ten or more radio stations added weight to the importance of the day.
The Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan, communities collaborated in their observance by holding a public meeting on the campus of Wayne University with 120 attending. Douglas Martin of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Malcolm Boyd and George Hutchinson composed the panel of speakers on the subject “Race for Peace” with considerable attention given to the matter of the equality of races.
The activities in Phoenix, Arizona extended over four days. Mrs. Lisa Janti of Culver City, California was guest speaker. She spoke informally at a reception Friday night, addressed the regularly scheduled fireside on Saturday, delivered the proclamation address Sunday and spoke on two radio programs Monday. One of these programs was in Spanish.
Some of the friends and guests at a reception in Winnetka, Illinois, following a World Peace Day program in Foundation Hall.
Mayor McKeldin (left) of Baltimore, Maryland, first city Mayor in the world to designate the third Sunday in September as World Peace Day, hands the official proclamation to Dr. Eugene D. Byrd, chairman of the local assembly.
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Some of the 300 believers attending the Jubilee celebration held in Oruro, Bolivia, simultaneously with the London Conference. This is the center of the Altiplano (high plateau) region.
Youth Conference Held in Hawaii[edit]
The Bahá’í Youth of Hawaii gathered in Honolulu on the week-end of August 30-September 1 for a Conference. A Friday night fireside served as a stimulating introduction to the conference, which opened officially at 9:30 the next morning with a session on Bahá’í Administration. The entire session created a broader understanding of the important role administration has in the Faith.
In the class that followed the students were divided into six groups. The groups rotated until each had heard and discussed a review of six Bahá’í books — a method of familiarizing them with the Bahá’í literature and impressing upon them the importance of reading and studying the Writings of our Faith.
Each day was begun with prayers, and on Sunday morning after the devotional program, the session conducted by the youth themselves, covered the topic “Chaste and Holy Life.” Later other subjects such as backbiting and gossiping, general behavior at firesides and other Bahá’í events, speech, dress and protocol were discussed. “The consultation was marvelous,” one youth reported, “and everyone had a much better idea of what it really means to be a Bahá’í Youth. ... The class was concluded with a song and a prayer. The feeling that existed is hard to explain but we all felt the power of the Bahá’í Faith.”
The last afternoon study and consultation consisted of presentations by adult believers on the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.
A party given in honor of all the new believers since last September, marked the closing evening of the conference. Nearly 200 friends filled the Bahá’í Center and enjoyed stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, heard the record of His voice and viewed the moving pictures of the Master when He visited America in 1912. The “birthday” cake was a forest of brightly colored flags bearing the names of those 164 new Bahá’ís in whose honor the party was held.
Some of those attending the Swiss Summer School held August 18-25 in the castle on the left. Morning classes were presented in both French and German and seminar type discussion groups were held in the afternoon. Hands of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel and John Ferraby attended most of the sessions.
Teaching Institute Attended by Members of Seven Indian Tribes[edit]
The American Indian Service Committee in collaboration with the local spiritual assembly of Gallup, New Mexico, served as host for a teaching institute August 30 to September 1, attended by forty-three believers, Indian and non-Indian. Seven Indian tribes were represented: the Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, Taos, Chippewa, Algonquin and Sac-Fox.
The purpose of the institute was to deepen and encourage the participants to spread the Message of Bahá’u’lláh among the Indians. The Bahá’í Story was the principal text for the conference. The principles of the Faith and its administration, the three Central Figures, Bahá’í laws and-teaching responsibilities were the subjects covered.
The session on the second day began with a round of prayers by the approximately thirty believers present, enabling the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh so to penetrate the heart of each one present that a warm sense of love and unity flowed through the ensuing consultation and a new surge of activity was generated. It was at this point that the purpose of the institute seemed accomplished.
Various Indian prophecies were shared. There were stories of a Messenger to come from the East bringing great unity. There was an Indian chant telling of a many pointed star. There was a song, “The Báb is my Father, Bahá’u’lláh is my Father, the Greatest Name is my Father.” Bahá’u’lláh was acclaimed, “He Who makes all things beautiful.” The sufferings of Bahá’u’lláh were recalled as poignant reference was made to the difficulties which the American Indians were undergoing at the very time when Bahá’u’lláh was passing through His darkest days — the “long walk” of the Navajo, the travail of the Iroquois, the Cherokee “trail of tears.”
There were demonstrations of how beautifully Bahá’í principles could be presented by the use of pictorial charts by those Indians who are well grounded in their own traditions and prophecies and the spirit and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, and who thus can immediately see and share the fulfillment of Indian prophecy in the Bahá’í Faith.
Those present had the extra bounty of attending a Bahá’í marriage ceremony on the evening of September 1.
Group of believers who attended the American Indian Institute in Gallup, New Mexico, August 30 to September 2. Seven tribes were represented.
The marriage was preceded by Indian chanting and dances performed by a group of Indians and
non-Indians. Prayers were read at the ceremony by
three Indian Bahá’ís. The remainder of the evening
was devoted to fellowship around a camp fire under
a starlit sky.
The last morning was spent in consultation and after lunch, the friends departed for their homes, filled with new spirit and a glowing sense of love and unity.
Luxembourg Summer School Confirms Seven Believers[edit]
The Luxembourg summer school was held at Mondorf-les-Bains, August 30-September 2. Hands of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel and John Ferraby were on hand to help with the program which emphasized the role of the individual now and in the future. The Mayor was among the more than eighty persons attending the public meeting.
The high point of the school was the “declaration” of six believers Sunday morning and a seventh Sunday evening.
National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Bolivia held June 22-24 at La Paz.
Alaska Bahá’í Summer School held in Juneau, Alaska, August 17-21, 1963.
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National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska, 1963-64. Left to
right, seated: Robert Moul, Mrs. Evelyn Huffman, Mrs.
Janet J. Smith, Robin Fowler. Standing: Howard
Brown, Blaine Reed, Mrs. Lois Lee, John Kolstol, Donald A. Anderson.
National Spiritual Assembly of Spain, 1963-64.
Kokomo Bahá’ís Initiate Interfaith Youth Conference[edit]
An interfaith youth conference took place August 24 in Kokomo, Indiana, originated by the Bahá’ís of that community. There was a panel presentation on the topic, “Are Morals Declining? If so, what do the various religions offer as answers to the problem?” Members of the interracial panel included Catholics, Protestants, Jews and Bahá’ís. Discussion followed the thirty minute panel presentation.
Since one of the contacts who initially helped to call together the youth was a newspaper woman, publicity was excellent. There were two initial publicity articles followed by a nineteen inch feature article with a photograph of the panel. A seventeen inch feature appeared two days after the conference as a follow-up article. In addition, there was a fifteen minute radio interview, which included the Bahá’í youth, over a local station.
Southeastern Summer School Held at Frogmore[edit]
A strong spiritual impetus marked the Southeastern Bahá’í Summer School at Frogmore, South Carolina, from its beginning August 25 through the closing of a two day conference September 2. The theme of the school was the “Age of Expansion.” An early class “Learning to Pray and Meditate” replaced morning devotions. The challenge of a 6:30 a.m. class was accepted with enthusiasm as the week passed. A full morning schedule made rest and relaxation possible during the hot afternoon.
There were evening programs followed by informal sessions. At the close of the summer school a cable was sent by those attending to the Universal House of Justice expressing the spirit of renewed dedication that went forth from the session.
First Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Saint Pierre, Réunion Island, April 1963. This was one of the goals of the ten year crusade.
First Spiritual Assembly of Sitka, Alaska formed Riḍván 1963. Several ethnic groups are represented—North American Indian, Persian, Negro and caucasian. This was one of the Canadian goals for the ten year Crusade.
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Bahá’í booth at Canadian National Exhibition held in Toronto, Ontario.
Booths at Fairs Draw Attention to Faith[edit]
Bahá’í communities have taken advantage of the fairs held in late summer to publicize the Faith. From reports received so far it appears Bahá’í booths have been well attended.
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National Bahá’í Addresses
Please Address Mail Correctly!
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At the Santa Clara County Fair in California visitors took about 4000 pieces of literature from the booth organized by the San Jose Assembly and supported by all Bahá’ís in the area.
The Bahá’ís had a thirty foot booth and exhibition at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The exhibition ran from August 22 to September 2.
Over 1500 pamphlets were taken by the 523 people visiting the booth at the Jackson County Fair held in Jackson, Michigan, August 4-11. Bahá’ís from Jackson, Ann Arbor, Adrian, East Lansing, Summit Township and Leoni Township manned the booth.
Third Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Panama
held May 25-26, 1963. Some Guaymi Indians from Chirique Province are in the foreground. During the past
year membership increased from 491 believers to 2282,
from 11 local assemblies to 26, from 2 groups to 25 and
from 3 isolated centers to 12.
Summer School held in Quetta, Pakistan June 23-29.
Among the teachers were Ali Azari from Iran and
Mehraban Soheili from Africa.
Group of Blackfoot Indians at the Bahá’í Summer School in Banff, Canada, August 17, 1963.
International News Briefs[edit]
Following the appearance in New Zealand newspapers of resolutions by the Dominion Federation of School Committees which indicated that religion taught in State schools need not be Christian, the National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand sent a letter to all school committees suggesting that those tenets common to all religions be emphasized in the religious curriculum.
In Hamburg, New York four Bahá’í families along with two others were hosts to fifteen students from Tanganyika currently studying in London. One of the guests asked about the Bahá’í Faith saying that he had met an American Bahá’í attending the conference in London. He had intended to attend the public meeting during the conference but missed it. Discussion of the Faith lasted until 3:30 in the morning.
The Prayer for All Nations was the only prayer offered at the public meeting of the Preparatory Congress for a World Constitutional Convention, which met in Denver, Colorado, September 3-9. Many people afterwards commented on the beauty of the prayer.
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Dignify of Dress Requested
in Pictures of Publication Partly because of requests that have originated at various times with the beloved Guardian and Hands of the Cause, the Editorial Committee of BAHÁ’Í NEWS earnestly requests that dignity of dress be observed in pictures intended for publication. Allowances must of course be made for native dress, the nature of the occasion, and so forth. The believers are, however, reminded that BAHÁ’Í NEWS (and such other publications as The Bahá’í World) are organs and archives of the Faith, and as such the photographs reproduced in them should possess a dignity consonant with the situations pictured. For instance, it is suggested that when a national or local assembly poses for an official photograph, all male members should, if at all possible, wear a coat and tie. Women in such pictures—and in all pictures—should be shown suitably dressed and, particularly if seated, in positions bespeaking propriety and dignity. |
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
Bahá’í Calendar, 1964. The illustration on the new calendar is a photograph of the ancient sea wall at ‘Akká not far from the Most Great Prison, with the outline of the Carmel mountain range rising across the Bay of ‘Akká. The calendar depicts all Feasts and Holy Days in separate colors. Days on which work should be suspended and directives from Shoghi Effendi on various observances appear on the back. Size 8½ x 11½.
Per copy | $ .25 |
10 copies | $2.00 |
25 copies | $4.50 |
50 copies | $7.50 |
NOTE: Standing orders within the U.S. will not be sent on above item.
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- November 4—Qudrat (Power)
- November 23—Qawl (Speech)
- HOLY DAYS
- November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
- November 26—Day of the Covenant
- November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 a.m.)
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- November 22 24
- U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS
- December 1
Baha’i House of Worship[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)
- Sundays
- 3:30 to 4:10 p.m.
- Sunday, November 17
- 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: James Cloonan, Managing Editor; Mrs. Lilian Cloonan, Assistant Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun, International Editor; Miss Charlotte 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.
