Bahá’í News/Issue 393/Text
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| No. 393 | BAHA’I YEAR 120 | DECEMBER, 1963 |
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE[edit]
“After prayerful and careful study of the Holy Texts bearing upon the question of the appointment of the successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, and after prolonged consultation which included consideration of the views of the Hands of the Cause of God residing in the Holy Land, the Universal House of Justice finds that there is no way to appoint or legislate to make it possible to appoint a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi.”
| Haifa, Israel, October 6, 1963 | Universal House of Justice |
UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE PROCLAIMS SECOND WORLD-ENCIRCLING ENTERPRISE[edit]
Haifa, Israel
To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the World.
Fellow believers in the Cause of God,
Six years ago when nearing the midway point of the Ten Year Crusade, the Bahá’í World found itself abruptly deprived of the guiding hand of its beloved Guardian. The anguish which then seized our hearts, far from paralyzing the progress of the Cause, stiffened our resolve and fired our zeal to complete the tasks which God, through His Chosen Branch, had laid upon us. The august institution of the Hands of the Cause of God which he had, but recently, in compliance with the instruction of the Master’s Will, raised up, kept the people of this Cause faithfully to the path which had been shown to us by the pen of divine guidance, and brought us not only to the triumphal conclusion of that Crusade but to the culminating point of the construction of the framework of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.
In March 1930 Shoghi Effendi wrote that Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had “in unequivocal and emphatic language, appointed those twin institutions of the House of Justice and of the Guardianship as Their chosen Successors, destined to apply the principles, promulgate the laws, protect the institutions, adapt loyally and intelligently the Faith to the requirements of progressive society, and consummate the incorruptible inheritance which the Founders of the Faith have bequeathed to the world.” After long and prayerful consultation, the House of Justice, as the friends have already been informed, found that there is no way in which it can legislate for a second Guardian to succeed Shoghi Effendi. The Universal House of Justice has therefore begun, in humble obedience to the Will of God, and strengthened by daily prayer in the Holy Shrines, to undertake the heavy tasks laid upon it. In the words of our beloved Guardian it “will guide, organize and unify the affairs of the Movement throughout the world” and “will have to consider afresh the whole situation, and lay down the principle which shall direct, so long as it deems advisable, the affairs of the Cause.”
Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
The Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh is unbroken, its all-encompassing power inviolate. The two unique features, which distinguish it from all religious covenants of
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the past are unchanged and operative. The revealed
Word, in its original purity, amplified by the divinely
guided interpretations of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi
Effendi, remains immutable, unadulterated by any
man-made creeds or dogmas, unwarrantable inferences
or unauthorized interpretations. The channel of divine
guidance, providing flexibility in all the affairs of
mankind, remains open through that Institution which
was founded by Bahá’u’lláh and endowed by Him with
supreme authority and unfailing guidance, and of
which the Master wrote: “Unto this body all things
must be referred.” How clearly we can see the truth
of Bahá’u’lláh’s assertion: “The Hand of Omnipotence
hath established His Revelation upon an enduring
foundation. Storms of human strife are powerless to
undermine its basis, nor will men’s fanciful theories
succeed in damaging its structure.”
Responsibility of the Institutions[edit]
As the significance of the Cause of God continues in the years ahead to become more clearly apparent to the eyes of men, a great responsibility to watch over its security rests upon all of its institutions. The Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, charged in the sacred Texts with the specific duties of protecting and propagating the Faith, has a particularly vital responsibility to discharge. In their capacity as protectors of the Faith, the Hands will continue to take action to expel Covenant-breakers and to reinstate those who sincerely repent, subject in each instance to the approval of the Universal House of Justice. Exercising their function of propagating the Faith, the Hands of the Cause will inspire, advise and assist the National Spiritual Assemblies in the work as they did in the time of our beloved Shoghi Effendi, assisted by the members of their Auxiliary Boards who will
To the right of the gate leading to the Shrine of the Báb is the doorway of the Pilgrim House. This building, formerly known as the Eastern Pilgrim House, now will be home for all pilgrims to the World Center.
continue to fulfill those functions outlined for them
by him.
We stand now upon the threshold of the second epoch of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan, with the outposts of the Cause established in the remotest corners of the earth, and having already witnessed the beginnings of that entry into the faith by troops promised by the Master Himself. The foundation of the Kingdom has been securely laid, the framework has been raised. The friends must now consolidate these achievements, safeguard their institutions and gather the peoples and kindreds of the world into the Ark which the Hand of God has built.
Second World-encircling Enterprise[edit]
Next Riḍván will be launched the second of those world-encircling enterprises destined in the course of time to carry the Word of God to every human soul. The Standard Bearers of this Nine-Year Plan are the Hands of the Cause of God. The responsibility for directing the work will rest upon the shoulders of the National Spiritual Assemblies, the generals of the Army of Light, under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice.
As the first step inaugurating this great undertaking we rejoice to announce the formation next Riḍván of nineteen National Spiritual Assemblies, resulting in the dissolution of six of the existing Regional National Spiritual Assemblies, and bringing the total number of these pillars of the Universal House of Justice to sixty-nine. The National and Regional National Assemblies now to be formed are:
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North West Africa, with its seat in Tunis, comprising Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spanish Sahara, Rio de Oro, Mauritania, the Canary Is., and Madeira.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of West Africa, with its seat in Monrovia, comprising Liberia, Sénégal, Gambia, Portuguese Guinea, Guinée, Sierra Leone, Mali, Upper Volta, Ivory Coast and Cape Verde Is.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of West Central Africa, with its seat in Victoria, comprising Cameroon, Spanish Guinea, St. Thomas I., Fernando Po I., Corisco I., Nigeria, Niger, Dahomey, Togo, and Ghana.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Uganda and Central Africa, with its seat in Kampala, comprising Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo (Ex-Belgian), the Congo Republic (Ex-French), Central African Republic, Gabon and Chad.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kenya, with its seat in Nairobi.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, with its seat in Dar-es-Salaam, comprising Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Mafia I., and Pemba I.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of South Central Africa, with its seat in Salisbury, comprising Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia and Bechuanaland.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of South and West Africa, with its seat in Johannesburg,
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comprising Angola, South-West Africa,
South Africa, Zululand, Swaziland, Basutoland,
Mozambique and St. Helena.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Indian Ocean, with its seat in Port Louis, comprising Mauritius, the Malagasy Republic, Réunion I., Seychelles Is., Comoro Is., and the Chagos Archipelago.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Hawaiian Islands, with its seat in Honolulu.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean, with its seat in Suva, comprising the Gilbert and Ellice Is., Nauru I., Fiji, Samoa Is., Tonga Is., and Cook Is.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South West Pacific Ocean, with its seat in Honiara, comprising the Solomon Is., New Hebrides Is., New Caledonia and Loyalty Is.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North East Asia, with its seat in Tokyo, comprising Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong and Macau.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Korea, with its seat in Seoul.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Malaysia, with its seat in Kuala Lumpur, comprising Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Indonesia, with its seat in Djakarta, comprising Indonesia, the Mentawai Is., Portuguese Timor and West Irian.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Viet Nam, with its seat in Saigon, and having jurisdiction over the Bahá’ís of Cambodia.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Thailand, with its seat in Bangkok, and having jurisdiction over the Bahá’ís of Laos.
- The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the Philippines, with its seat in Manila.
The detailed goals of the Plan, which will include
sixty-nine national plans, have yet to be announced,
but they must be such as to develop still further the
World Center of the Faith and the work of its institutions; to consolidate those territories which have already been opened to the Faith; to bring God’s healing
Message to many more of the peoples and territories
of the world including all the unopened territories of
the Ten Year Crusade and all the remaining independent states of the planet; and to achieve world-wide
proclamation of the Faith to mark the Centenary of
Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation to the kings and rulers in
1867-1868.
In the spring of 1968 the next election for the Universal House of Justice will take place.
Third Epoch of Formative Age[edit]
Beloved friends, the Cause of God, guarded and nurtured since its inception by God’s Messengers, by the Center of His Covenant and by His Sign on earth, now enters a new epoch, the third of the Formative Age. It must now grow rapidly in size, increase its spiritual cohesion and executive ability, develop its institutions and extend its influence into all strata of society. We, its members, must, by constant study of the life-giving Word, and by dedicated service, deepen in spiritual understanding and show to the world a mature, responsible, fundamentally assured and happy way of life, far removed from the passions, prejudices and distractions of present day society. Relying upon God alone, we can promote His Cause and establish His Kingdom on earth. Only thus can we prove our love for Those Who brought this new day into being. Only thus can we prove the truth of Their Divine Mission and demonstrate how valid was Their Sacrifice.
International News Briefs[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Australia recently sent ten thousand pamphlets to the clergy throughout the country. As a result, the Reverend Dr. Hunt of Wesley Methodist College published a fifteen page booklet entitled, Who are the Bahá’ís? The booklet was reviewed in the S.A. Methodist and a number of quotations were used from world authorities praising the Faith. An excerpt from the review states, “Well may the question be asked, ‘Who are they?’ for to most of us they are almost total strangers. Then why the need of the above booklet? The answer is found in the attraction it has for many people today on account of its seeming to be ‘intelligent, rational and free from dogmatism and intolerance.’ ”
The National Spiritual Assembly accordingly decided to send further information to the clergy. Plans were set up for the South Australia communities to send to all the Methodist ministers throughout the province Arthur Dahl’s booklet: Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man, accompanied by a letter from the National Spiritual Assembly referring to Dr. Hunt’s booklet. In addition, the National Spiritual Assembly plans to take advantage of the interest stirred up by arranging an advertisement urging investigation of the Faith.
The marriage of Miss Marie Martin and Mr. Michael Ward of Aukland, New Zealand, which took place on August 24, 1963, was of special interest for several reasons. It was the first officially recognized Bahá’í marriage in which both parties were Bahá’ís. In addition, it was the first Bahá’í marriage of a Maori and a European. The wedding guests were both Maoris and Europeans.
Nashville Bahá’ís Hold Proclamation Meetings[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Nashville, Tennessee sponsored a series of three public meetings featuring Winston G. Evans, noted Bahá’í speaker, author and lecturer. There was extensive publicity consisting of television announcements, posters, newspaper advertisements and cards sent to teachers, ministers, doctors and various social organizations. The publicity attracted people from Scarrit College, Vanderbilt University, Fisk University, A and I State University and the citizens of Nashville proper. Approximately sixty non-Bahá’ís attended the evening meetings.
Baha’is Imprisoned in Morocco[edit]
Kebdani Mohammed Mohammed Ali, sentenced to death.
Bou Arafa Maanan Mohammed, sentenced to death.
Jabbari Mohammed Hassan, sentenced to life imprisonment.
Maanan Mohammed Mohammed, originally imprisoned in Tangier. Provisionally released pending trial.
Abdelaziz Abdallah Al Waryachi, sentenced to life imprisonment.
They Ask Only For Our Prayers[edit]
Fouad Mohammed Jaouad Tahhan, sentenced to death.
Mohammed Mohammed Said El Bekkali El Amrani, sentenced to life imprisonment.
Abdessalam Hadj Salem El Sebti, sentenced to life imprisonment.
Abdessalam Miloud El Choukri, ten years, suspended sentence. He is still free as of this date.
Mohammed Ahmed El Sebti, sentenced to life imprisonment.
VENEZUELA ACCELERATES INDIAN AND CAMPESINO TEACHING PROGRAMS[edit]
During the month of August an effort to increase the teaching work among the Indians of Venezuela brought very encouraging results. Mr. Donald Witzel, Auxiliary Board Member from Panama, had been sent by the Hands of the Western Hemisphere to assist in the search for the most promising mass conversion areas. Mr. Witzel, together with several Bahá’ís from Venezuela, visited a number of places in the difficult interior regions of the country. They were greatly aided by a small four-wheel drive truck recently purchased by one of the pioneers in Venezuela to be used specifically in the Indian teaching campaign.
Traveling hundreds of miles, driving when possible, but frequently on foot or on horseback, the Bahá’í teachers crossed plains and semi-desert regions, forded rivers and streams, and climbed mountains, in an effort to reach the most remote regions, which have not been touched by modern civilization, and where the people are much more receptive to the Message of Bahá’u’lláh. Using photographs, drawings, and songs, as well as simple explanations of the Bahá’í teachings, they visited the regions where Bahá’í communities were already established, held two week-end schools in these regions, and also opened new areas to the Faith. Their efforts were richly rewarded. During one month 154 new Indian believers entered the Faith, and many more would have entered had there been time to reach the villages. Six Indian tribes are now represented in the Faith in Venezuela. The potential among the Indians of this country is very great, and arrangements are now being made in order that one or two pioneers can spend full time teaching in the Indian regions.
It is hoped that schools of one or two week duration can soon be organized in order to prepare Indians as teachers who will take the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to other villages much further in the interior.
Another area where it is hoped to obtain mass conversion in this country is among the peasant farmers or campesinos, and extension teaching programs have already been started in this field by two local Bahá’í communities. Bahá’ís from these cities travel on weekends to villages in the country where informal meetings are held among the campesinos. The first fruits of this work have resulted in the villages of Camburito where there are eight new believers and of Santa Efigenia where a community of twenty-two Bahá’ís has been established, and where the believers have expressed their desire to take the Faith into other villages.
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PHOTOS
Top to bottom, opposite page: Newly formed indigenous Bahá’í community of San Antonio, near the Orinoco River. Extension teaching trip to Camburito by some of the National Teaching Committee and two neighboring communities. Motilón-Yukpa Bahá’ís in Camarachón with pioneer Donald Witzel. Motilón-Yukpa Bahá’ís of Novito. Left: Some of the recently enrolled Indian believers of Montañito. First Bahá’ís enrolled in the Guajiro Indian Village of Los Mochos with pioneer Peter McLaren. Newly enrolled Bahá’ís of the Motilón-Yukpa village of Caraguita. Weekend school at Indian village of Mayagua. Below: One mode of transportation used by pioneers to visit remote villages. Members of the newly formed Bahá’í community in Sta. Efigenia shown with visiting Bahá’í teachers from Maracay and Valencia. |
Integration — Baha’i Principles in Action[edit]
Until Riḍván 1963 the city of Elmhurst, Illinois, had no Negro residents and the citizens in general did not want any. But through the firm stand of the local Bahá’ís and the proper functioning of the Spiritual Assembly the prejudiced atmosphere has changed to one of understanding and respect for the principles to which the Bahá’ís are dedicated. Briefly, the chronology of events is as follows:
Just prior to Riḍván the existence of the Elmhurst Assembly was in jeopardy because its community membership had fallen to seven. As a result of the efforts of the National Teaching Committee three settlers were found, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Desatnick (Caucasians) and Samuel C. Jackson (Negro).
Realizing that there might be violent opposition to Mr. Jackson’s moving into an all-white neighborhood, a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly was delegated to interview the city’s Mayor who gave consent to the “move-in” on the grounds that it was a religiously motivated plan. He made it clear that integration on any other basis would be difficult and would have to be effected without the benefit of his office.
When the Desatnick family moved into their house in which they offered to provide living quarters for Mr. Jackson, Mrs. Desatnick made early contact with a neighbor, mentioning the impending arrival of Mr. Jackson. The neighbor was greatly upset and telephoned the Mayor.
The following afternoon the Mayor paid a visit to the Desatnick home, in response to the neighbor’s call, and in the discussion with these Bahá’ís he became cognizant of the relationship between the earlier interview in his office and the Desatnick-Jackson “move in.” He spoke of the implications of such a move and upon being assured that the Bahá’ís were fully aware of possible negative reactions, the Mayor requested a letter stating full details, to be used as a protection against malicious gossip. He further suggested that Mr. Jackson postpone arrival for one week in order to allow time for him (the Mayor) to contact local ministers and other influential sympathizers. He also indicated that measures of protection would be taken by his office, such as hourly squad car surveillance and the taking of aerial residential area photographs.
As requested the Local Spiritual Assembly prepared a letter to the Mayor, stating clearly that as an administrative institution of the Bahá’í Faith, incorporated as far back as 1944, the sole purpose of inviting Mr. and Mrs. Desatnick and Mr. Jackson to come to Elmhurst was to preserve the Assembly’s corporate status. The educational, business and professional backgrounds of Mr. Desatnick and Mr. Jackson were described and references were made to their teaching and other Bahá’í services, as well as Mr. Jackson’s attendance at the Bahá’í World Congress. Their letter concluded with the statement:
“Mr. Jackson and Mr. and Mrs. Desatnick did not come to Elmhurst as Negro and Caucasians but as Bahá’ís, and as such, accept as binding upon their own individual and inner lives the following words.” The “words” were those by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá quoted in Bahá’í Administration, pages 9-10, calling for rectitude of conduct, love, kindliness, good will and friendliness, and the banishment of ignorance, enmity, hate and rancor.
The following Sunday the Mayor personally picked up the letter at the Desatnick home and asked permission to distribute it to all homes within a surrounding two block area. Four days later a four-page letter signed by the Mayor was received by some two hundred citizens of Elmhurst. It quoted the Assembly’s letter in full, warned that rumors and any untoward actions against the Bahá’ís would create potential danger to all homes in the area, and stated that it was the Mayor’s intention to execute the responsibilities of his office in maintaining the public, health, welfare and safety of all citizens of Elmhurst.
The immediate reaction was heartwarming and far surpassed the fondest hopes of the Bahá’í community. Ministers, the president of the local college, and other influential citizens began to call personally as well as by telephone to offer good wishes and willingness to be of assistance.
An invitation was extended to Mrs. Desatnick to attend the local League of Women Voters’ book review at which time she was introduced individually to all forty-three women present, many of whom expressed awareness and approval of the action of the Bahá’ís.
The Mayor made successive personal visits to the Desatnick home to ascertain conditions and finally met Mr. Jackson personally about two weeks after the distribution of the letter. On this same night a group of Elmhurst residents formed a long-considered Human Rights Commission, which the Mayor attended.
Included among the personal visitors to the Desatnick home was a Catholic priest from a nearby community. Upon learning that Mr. Jackson was not at home, he and a friend who accompanied him accepted the Desatnick’s invitation to remain and see slides of the London Congress being shown by visiting Bahá’ís.
Mr. Jackson was soon invited to give a book review for the League of Women Voters, during which brief mention was made of the Faith. The meeting was publicized in the local newspaper.
The next important step was a Bahá’í community reception for all who had expressed interest and good wishes. About fifty persons attended, including the Mayor, the aforementioned priest, and many others of prominence and influence in the city. Friendliness and warmth characterized the occasion.
This was followed by an invitation to Mr. Jackson and other members of the Bahá’í community to attend a monthly forum sponsored by the Catholics and Anglicans. Five Bahá’ís, including Mr. Jackson, attended the first meeting, answering for more than an hour direct questions about the Bahá’í Faith.
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This was followed by an invitation to an open house
in the parish of the interested Catholic priest at which
the Bahá’ís who were able to attend met many foreign
students and people of various races and faiths, some
of whom had just returned from the “March on Washington.” A number of excellent contacts were made
for the Faith.
From the very beginning of this courageous, dedicated action of the Elmhurst Bahá’ís there has been excellent local newspaper coverage of Bahá’í events and the total teaching opportunities and activities have reached a point never equalled in the history of the community’s existence. The residents are beginning to understand the admonition of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that “so intense must be the spirit of love and loving-kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them. For universality is of God and all limitations earthly....”
Nearly 200 Attend Bahá’í Prayer Powwow[edit]
The Rogers, Arkansas Assembly sponsored a Bahá’í Prayer Powwow on September 21 and 22 at Boat Basin Park on Lake Eucha near Jay, Oklahoma. Bahá’ís and guests from a seven state area attended.
The Powwow opened with the chanting and reading of prayers in Persian and English followed by an address by Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem. A Cherokee family consisting of three brothers, their seventy-six year old father and his wife, sang religious songs in their native tongue. Following a potluck supper greetings to the Powwow were read. These included a message from the Universal House of Justice and a loving greeting from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land. The National Spiritual Assembly and the American Indian Service Committee also extended their loving best wishes and Governor Henry Bellmon of Oklahoma sent a letter. After evening devotions, which included chanting by Mr. Khádem, the Indian guests played their violins and guitars and the rest of the friends danced. Of the 192 attending, 137 were Indians.
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of North
East Asia elected Riḍván 1963. Left to right: Eugene
Schreiber, Hiroyasu Takano (vice-chairman), Rouhollah Momtazi (recording secretary), Dr. Ikuo Mizuno,
Mrs. Barbara Sims (corresponding secretary), Dr.
Yasuyuki Hosoda, Dr. David Earl (chairman), Ataullah
Moghbel (treasurer). Insert: Masazo Odani.
Close-up view of Wilmette Temple showing fine detail of the ornamentation.
Wilmette Temple Popular Attraction[edit]
The Bahá’í Temple in Wilmette is a very popular tourist attraction, especially in the summer months. This year between the months of June and August there were 48,946 visitors. Among the special visitors were many Bahá’ís from other countries returning from the World Congress via the United States especially to see the Temple. These included representatives of several Latin American countries, Australia, New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Saipan, Fiji Islands, Tonga Islands and Alaska. Many of these were National Spiritual Assembly members. There were also visiting Bahá’ís from Switzerland, Germany and Iran who were in the United States on business and on vacation.
There was the usual quota of visiting VIPs including Mr. William Jones the Liberian Consul in Chicago, Dr. Takeshi Shiki, deputy chief of the research department of Tokyo’s leading construction firm, the Archbishop of Iran, the Director of the News Service of Vietnam and Mr. Nitish Laharry of Calcutta, past president of Rotary International, and his two daughters.
There were visitors from every state in the union and from eighty countries, nine of which were African. The other countries were European, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Asiatic and three “Iron Curtain” countries. This comprises an excellent representation of the world. There were, in addition, many groups who toured the Temple including the Photographic Society of America, the American Law Students Association, the Foreign Nurses Association, Comparative Religion classes from seven colleges, the League of Women Voters and the Shriners. And of course there were all the regular groups which include the Girl and Boy Scouts, Church groups, Women’s Clubs and schools. The Temple has indeed become a center of attraction for all of the peoples of the world.
More Observances of World Peace Day[edit]
Two of the many governors who signed World Peace Day proclamations this year. LEFT: Governor Albert Rosellini of Washington signs the statement while members of four races observe. RIGHT: Governor John Anderson, Jr. signs the proclamation for members of the Topeka, Kansas Assembly.
“America’s Role in World Peace” was the subject of a panel discussion on WFRV-TV, Green Bay, Wisconsin. The weekly program “Topic” was devoted to the Bahá’í proclamation event.
Displays were used effectively to call public attention to the significance of the day. LEFT: Exhibit placed in the Washoe County Library by the Reno, Nevada Assembly. RIGHT: Bahá’ís from the area surrounding Washington, Illinois placed this exhibit in the window of the Tazewell County Reporter.
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The Spiritual Assembly of Cologne, Germany was legally registered on May 6, 1963. The Assembly was formed in 1959.
The Child’s Way Offers Teaching Guidance[edit]
Do you think of children as people? Can one philosophy of teaching serve both children and adults?
Do you feel uncertain about the way a child looks at things, about his needs and interests?
Has it suddenly become your responsibility to answer such questions?
Would you like to know how others in the Bahá’í world community are facing this challenge? Have you thought that The Child’s Way was for children?
Did you realize that this magazine is essentially a guide for parents and teachers? Once again, is a child’s way so different from your own?
Do you need assistance in teaching about Bahá’u’lláh?
Teachers and parents are urged to take advantage of the guidance and techniques for teaching offered in the publication The Child’s Way. Although the editors are appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly, the magazine receives no budget and is expected to be self-supporting. Until this year when there was no National Convention due to the London Congress, the magazine has supported itself through subscriptions. However, this year it did not have the attention normally received at Conventions, hence orders have been slow coming in and some have not been renewed and it has become necessary to borrow from our already struggling National Fund in order to continue operations.
This magazine, an eight-pager, goes out to the world membership. It is potentially a communication link between the friends all over the world. Teaching techniques are as varied as the people, so the ideas and achievements can bring to you a lively and highly creative perspective on ways to bring the Teachings of the Faith to people of all ages. Although the accent is upon assistance to teachers and parents, there are some materials directed specifically to the young people — stories, study guides, poems, songs, etc. This magazine is not to be given a child, but it is to be studied by the adult subscriber and used in the teaching of young people.
It is our hope that librarians of local assemblies and groups will obtain copies to acquaint their membership with the publication, and that The Child’s Way will be given the help necessary to become self-supporting once again and cease to be a drain on the National Fund.
Issues from past years are available at a very low price — 50c a set of six, ordered by Bahá’í year ($1.00 outside USA). Current issues (Year 120) cost $2.00 ($2.50 outside USA). Remember to order from The Child’s Way, Box 245, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091.
Memorial Rites for First American Bahá’í Conducted[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Inglewood, California sponsored the 51st Annual Thornton Chase Memorial Service on Sunday afternoon, September 29. About seventy adults and fifteen children from twenty-seven neighboring communities and groups attended. After the prayers and readings the friends met at the home of one of the believers for refreshments.
Thornton Chase was the first American Bahá’í. Annual memorial services have been held for him since the time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited his grave while he was on a teaching tour of America in 1912. At the time ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said, “On that occasion, mention the services he has rendered, read passages from his words, and explain the history of his life. This is my wish.” Thornton Chase wrote the book, The Bahá’í Revelation.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
The September 14, 1963 issue of Revista do Globe, published in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, had an excellent five page spread on the Faith. There
First Spiritual Assembly of Savannah, Georgia, formed
Riḍván 1963. Left to right, seated: Mrs. Laura Wilson,
Mrs. Eloise Sanders, Mrs. Gertrude Pleasant (corresponding secretary), Henry Ginn (chairman), Mrs.
Edna Campbell. Standing: Richard Morgan (recording
secretary), Albert Pleasant (vice-chairman), William
Pleasant (treasurer), James McCall.
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The Spiritual Assembly of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, incorporated July 11, 1963.
were eight photographs taken-by Anthony Worley, National Spiritual Assembly member of Brazil. The text
was written by Rangvald Taetz, also a National Spiritual Assembly member. The article speaks of the unity,
harmony and love which were so beautifully demonstrated by the Congress participants. It describes the
successful completion of the Guardian’s Ten Year Crusade and gives statistics which show how much
greater was the success than even the Guardian had
planned. It describes the moment when the Universal
House of Justice was presented to the Congress and
the happiness this occasioned. It speaks also of the
moving presentation of the wife and children of the
Moroccan condemned to death for practising his Faith.
Finally, it gives an excellent summary of the beliefs
and objectives of the Bahá’í Faith.
The October issue of Africa Report, a non-partisan journal of African affairs, carried a two page article entitled: “The Bahá’í Faith in Africa.” The article briefly mentions some of the history of the Faith and its main principles. It states that the Bahá’í Faith, “is not a spur of another faith but a century-old religion with its own voluminous scriptures and laws, its own calendar, its own holy days and independent institutions.” The rest of the article deals specifically with the role of the Faith in Africa today. It also mentions Africa’s important role in the world affairs of the Faith and cites its active participation in the 1963 Bahá’í World Congress in London as an example.
A University of Illinois religious directory called: “Religion at Illinois” included a listing for the Bahá’í Faith this fall for the first time. The listing includes the address and phone number of the Bahá’í Center, the names of the staff and the times of the Sunday service and the Friday evening fireside.
Baha’i Publishing Trust[edit]
Revised Formats in Two Pamphlets[edit]
The Meaning of Worship. By Horace Holley. One of the most brilliantly written articles available in pamphlet form, explaining the true meaning of worship and the purpose of a Bahá’í House of Worship. Cover design shows a drawing of the Temple in Wilmette illuminated against a midnight blue sky, with photo illustrations of all four Bahá’í Temples inside. This Frenchfold, in the “slimline” size (8½ x 3⅝) is more convenient for mailing purposes and the price has been cut in half.
20 copies | $1.00 |
100 copies | $4.00 |
One World One Family. This is a slightly revised edition
of the statement by the National Assembly on The
Oneness of Mankind, with a new title that has more
appeal to the general public, printed in a bright green
on white stock. Prices remain the same. This self-mailer should be especially useful as a mailing piece at
the present time.
25 copies | $ .75 |
100 copies | $ 2.50 |
500 copies | $10.00 |
Calendar of Events[edit]
- FEASTS
- December 12 — Masá’il (Questions)
- December 31 — Sharaf (Honor)
- U.S. STATE CONVENTIONS
- December 1
- U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
- December 10
- U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
- December 29 — January 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, December 15
- 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.
