Bahá’í News/Issue 402/Text

←Previous

Bahá’í News Issue 402

Next→

Proofread onceReturn to PDF view

[Page 1]

---

No. 402

BAHA’I YEAR 121

SEPTEMBER, 1964

---

Mother Temple of Europe Dedicated

On July 4, 1964, the Mother Temple of Europe, near Frankfurt am Main, Germany, was dedicated to the unity of God and of mankind. Nearly 1500 Bahá’ís came from all over the world to participate in this historic event that began with two dedication services on Saturday morning. An equal number of people, including many Bahá’ís, attended the public programs in the afternoon. The gigantic task of building the first Bahá’í House of ‎Worshhip Worship‎ on the European continent, given to the Bahá’ís of Germany by Shoghi Effendi over a decade ago and assisted by the believers throughout the world, thus drew to its victorious conclusion.

The Temple stands on a low hill in the midst of peaceful, green countryside near the village of Langenhain in the Taunus Hills. Planned and built by Teuto Rocholl, architect from Frankfurt am Main, this House of Worship seats approximately 500 persons. It measures 158 feet in its basic diameter, with twenty-seven pillars supporting the dome on the interior. The construction of the dome is such that a maximum amount of light can enter, bringing about an interesting play of light and shadows, attractively brightened by the sun’s reflection on the 570 glass panels.

Upon ascending the low steps encircling the Temple

[Page 2] and entering through the clear glass doors, the beauty and light of the interior impels one to look upward to the Greatest Name, in gold against a light blue background in the apex of the dome. Below the level of the dome, purple and gray-blue draperies line the glass walls, the color being further enhanced by the many beautiful floral arrangements for this day of dedication.

Dedication Program

The Bahá’í dedication program opened with a solo, the Twenty-Third Psalm, sung in German by Norman Bailey, a baritone with the German Opera company. This was followed by the reading of Bahá’í prayers in several languages and the dedication address in German by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, the representative of the World Center of the Bahá’í Faith. At the close of her address, she asked all to rise while

“(On) occasion historic dedication (of the) Mother Temple (of) Europe (we) join (the) assembled friends (with) prayers, praise (and) thanksgiving (for the) achievement (of this) highly significant objective (of the) beloved Guardian’s world redeeming plan. (In) accordance (with the) Divine promises (of the) sacred edifice consecrated (to the) everlasting glory (of the) Most Great Name (it) will become (a) point of light radiating (the) spirit (of) Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings and hasten fulfillment (of the) spiritual destiny (of the) entire continent.” —HANDSFAITH

she read a prayer revealed by ‎Bahú’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh‎. This was followed by a prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in German, an extract from Gleanings in English, a prayer chanted in Persian and further readings from the Old and New Testament in German. Maria Montana sang a modification of a musical arrangement of the Arabic Hidden Words composed by Charles Duncan. There were readings in German from the Bhagavad-gita, the Qur’án and the Bahá’í Writings, with additional prayers in Swedish, French and Spanish. The program concluded with the prayer of Bahá’u’lláh, “From the Sweet-Scented Streams,” set to music by Charles Wolcott and sung solo in German.

Viewing of Sacred Portraits

Following this program, ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum arranged the portraits of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb on a table before an exquisite golden and red Persian rug which she had brought from the Holy Land as a gift to the German National Spiritual Assembly for the Temple — a rug which had lain in the room of Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí. Red roses brought from the grave of the beloved Guardian in London were placed near the portraits. The Bahá’ís were then privileged to view these sacred pictures, first passing in front of Rúḥíyyih Khánum who anointed each one with attar of rose.

Special Inaugural Service for Dignitaries

A special inaugural service was held at 2:30 p.m. for officially invited guests from the government, including regional and local authorities, preceding the two public programs. For this occasion, Rúḥíyyih Khánum read an address in German. A Frankfurt chorus of twenty voices sang three selections, a cappella, for this service and for the first of the public programs which followed. These were “Sigt dem Herrn ein neuces Lied” by J. S. Bach; “Exultate deo, adjutori nostro” by Alessandro Scarlatti sung in Latin; and, for closing, “Cantata domini canticum novum” by Schütz, sung in Latin.

Publicity in Leading Newspapers

On July 3 about thirty press representatives had attended a press conference on the Temple dedication. Articles appeared in five leading Frankfurt newspapers and on Saturday and Sunday radio and television publicity occurred. On Sunday, July 5, following the day of dedication, 2,000 people visited the Temple. Weekly informal programs are now being held, although formal services cannot begin in the Temple until maintenance facilities and landscaping are completed. Illuminated at night, the Temple is visible from the city of Frankfurt.

Miss Edna True, representative of the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S., commenting on the significance of the Temple dedication said: “As the day of dedication progressed, the spiritual radiance of this Bahá’í House of Worship became increasingly evident, setting aglow the hearts of all who were privileged to be present.”

Another Bahá’í Temple has become a “silent teacher.”

Inside the temple at public dedication ceremony.

[Page 3]

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE EMPHASIZES NEED TO TEACH ALL OF MANKIND

To all National Spiritual Assemblies

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

TEACHING THE MASSES

When the masses of mankind are awakened and enter the Faith of God, a new process is set in motion and the growth of a new civilization begins. Witness the emergence of Christianity and of Islám. These masses are the rank and file, steeped in traditions of their own, but receptive to the new Word of God, by which, when they truly respond to it, they become so influenced as to transform those who come in contact with them.

God’s standards are different from those of men. According to men’s standards, the acceptance of any cause by people of distinction, of recognized fame and status, determines the value and greatness of that cause. But, in the words of Bahá’u’lláh: “The summons and Message which We gave were never intended to reach or to benefit one land or one people only. Mankind in its entirety must firmly adhere to whatsoever has been revealed and vouchsafed unto it.” Or again, “He has endowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God. How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled His testimony unto men, if ye be of them that ponder His Cause in their hearts.” In countries where teaching the masses has succeeded, the Bahá’ís have poured out their time and effort in village areas to the same extent as they had formerly done in cities and towns. The results indicate how unwise it is to solely concentrate on one section of the population. Each national assembly therefore should so balance its resources and harmonize its efforts that the Faith of God is taught not only to those who are readily accessible but to all sections of society, however remote they may be.

The unsophisticated people of the world — and they form the large majority of its population — have the same right to know of the Cause of God as others. When the friends are teaching the Word of God they should be careful to give the Message in the same simplicity as it is enunciated in our Teachings. In their contacts they must show genuine and divine love. The heart of an unlettered soul is extremely sensitive; any trace of prejudice on the part of the pioneer or teacher is immediately sensed.

When teaching among the masses, the friends should be careful not to emphasize the charitable and humanitarian aspects of the Faith as a means to win recruits. Experience has shown that when facilities such as schools, dispensaries, hospitals, or even clothes and food are offered to the people being taught, many complications arise. The prime motive should always be the response of man to God’s message, and the recognition of His Messenger. Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the Teachings, and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey.

After declaration, the new believers must not be left to their own devices. Through correspondence and dispatch of visitors, through conferences and training courses, these friends must be patiently strengthened and lovingly helped to develop into full Bahá’í maturity. The beloved Guardian referring to the duties of Bahá’í Assemblies in assisting the newly declared believer has written: “... the members of each and every Assembly should ‎endeaver endeavor‎, by their patience, their love, their tact and wisdom, to nurse, subsequent to his admission, the newcomer into Bahá’í maturity, and win him over gradually to the unreserved acceptance of whatever has been ordained in the Teachings.”

Expansion and consolidation are twin processes that must go hand in hand. The friends must not stop expansion in the name of consolidation. Deepening the newly-enrolled believers generates tremendous stimulus which results in further expansion. The enrollment of new believers, on the other hand, creates a new spirit in the community and provides additional potential man-power that will reinforce the consolidation work.

We would like to share with you some of the methods by national assemblies in various continents that have proved useful in teaching the masses, and attach a list. Certain of these may be valuable in your area, in addition to any methods you may yourself devise.

We are fervently praying that all national and local spiritual assemblies, supported by the individual believers, will achieve out-standing success in the fulfillment of this glorious objective.

Please share this communication with all the friends,

With loving Bahá’í greetings,
July 13, 1964	—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
Bahá’í World Center

---

SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING THE MASSES

1. Materials are sent at once to the new believers. In some places this material is in the form of printed cards, mainly in color, portraying a Bahá’í theme or principle. This helps the new believer to know that his declaration has been accepted and to feel that he now belongs to the new Faith.
2. Training courses of about two weeks duration are held. To facilitate attendance and reduce cost, a number of villages are grouped together as one zone in which the course is held. The students to the courses are usually selected, so that the more capable [Page 4] participate, and teaching is facilitated. Transportation expenses, feeding and accommodation are provided, if it is found that the participants are unable to cover such expenses themselves. The material to be taught is prepared ahead of time, presented in simple language, and translated into the vernacular. After the course, the more promising students are picked out, and with their consent, are requested to undertake teaching projects for a limited period. It is sometimes found that long-term projects are also useful. These projects generally are carefully planned as to their duration, places to be visited, and material to be taught. If the travelling teachers are not able to cover their expenses, travelling and living expenses are provided by the Fund for the execution of a given and temporary teaching project.
3. Shorter training courses in the form of conferences over a long week-end are held.
4. These activities — training courses and conferences — are repeated as frequently as possible and are not dependent upon the acquisition of Teaching Institutes. In the absence of such institutes, these courses and conferences are normally held in Bahá’í homes or hired quarters, such as schools, etc. In order to facilitate the physical catering and accommodation of the participants they are sometimes asked to come to the course with their eating utensils and bedding.
5. In the visits made to the villages, the visiting teacher meets with the local communities to give them basic Bahá’í knowledge, such as living the Bahá’í life, the importance of teaching, prayer, fasting, Nineteen Day Feasts, Bahá’í elections, and contributions to the Fund. The question of contributions to the Fund is of utmost importance, so that the new believers may quickly feel themselves to be responsible members of the Community. Each national assembly must find ways and means to stimulate the offering of contributions, in cash or kind, to make it easy for the friends to contribute and to give proper receipts to the donors.

These are but suggestions based on experience which may help you in your efforts to teach and deepen the spiritually starved multitudes in your area.

In the course of carrying out such a tremendous spiritual campaign among the masses, disappointments may well be encountered. We tabulate a few instances that have been brought to our notice:

1. Visiting pioneers or teachers may find, in some places newly-enrolled believers not so enthusiastic about their religion as expected, or not adjusting to standards of Bahá’í life, or they may find them thinking of material benefits they may hope to derive from their new membership. We should always remember that the process of nursing the believer into full spiritual maturity is slow, and needs loving education and patience.
2. Some teaching committees, in their eagerness to obtain results, place undue emphasis on obtaining a great number of declarations to the detriment of the quality of teaching.
3. Some travelling teachers, in their desire to show the result of their services, may not scrupulously teach their contacts, and in some rare cases, if, God forbid, they are insincere, may even give false reports.

Such irregularities have happened and can be repeated, but must not be a source of discouragement. By sending a team of teachers to an area, or by sending at intervals other teachers to those areas, and through correspondence and reports, such situations can be detected and immediately adjusted. The administration of the Faith must at all times keep in close touch with the teaching work.

To sum up:

1. Teaching the waiting masses is a reality facing each national assembly.
2. The friends must teach with conviction, determination, genuine love, lack of prejudice, and a simple language addressed to the heart.
3. Teaching must be followed up by training courses, conferences, and regular visits to deepen the believers in their knowledge of the Teachings.
4. The close touch of the National Office or Teaching Committees with the work is most essential, so that through reports and correspondence not only is information obtained and verified, but stimulation and encouragement is given.
5. Expansion and consolidation go hand in hand.

---

President of Finland Receives Copy of “New Era”

The Eighteenth World Medical Congress, held in Helsinki, Finland June 13-19, 1964 afforded a rare opportunity for the message of Bahá’u’lláh, the All-Knowing Physician, to be presented to the President of Finland, the Minister of the Interior and many other distinguished persons. On Sunday, June 14 a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era was given to Mr. Urho Kekkonen, the President of Finland, by Dr. Habib’u’llah Zabihian, Persian pioneer in Finland, who was accepted as an international observer at the Congress on behalf of the Iranian Medical Association. On June 15 a copy was also presented to the Minister of the Interior.

As the doctors attending the Congress were eager to find out what had been presented to the dignitaries, Dr. Zabihian was able to obtain a table for the exhibition of Bahá’í literature which was subsequently shown on television. The Bahá’í literature was exhibited for five days and all the English pamphlets were taken by interested people from the Congress.

In an excursion to Turku the wife of Professor Annis, former President of the World Medical Association, became interested in the Faith and was eager to have more information. It was arranged for her to receive it.

After the Congress Dr. Zabihian was invited to visit the Central Hospital and Health Organization of Porvoo. During this visit a reporter from the local paper interviewed him and wrote a lengthy article for his paper.

[Page 5]

European Teaching Conference Follows Temple Dedication

---

Universal House of Justice Addresses Conference

To the beloved of God gathered in the
European Teaching Conference called on the
occasion of the dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe.

Dear Bahá’í Friends,

We have just witnessed the dedication of the Mother Temple of Europe — a project of untold significance and tremendous potential for the spread of the light of God’s Faith in that Continent. One of the major achievements called for by our beloved Guardian at the outset of the Ten Year Crusade, this Mashriqu’l-Adhkár was triumphantly raised during its closing years as the fruit of long and arduous labors in the face of determined opposition and upon the sacrificial gifts of believers from all parts of the world. Now dedicated in the opening months of the Nine Year Plan, it forms a striking link between these two great crusades demonstrating afresh the organic progress of the Cause whereby the efforts exerted in one period bear fruit in the next, which in turn endow the Bahá’í Community with new and greater capacities for the winning of still greater victories.

You are now gathered in this Conference to deliberate on ways and means of accomplishing the goals which are set before you. Let every believer, as he considers in detail these various goals, bear in mind four supreme objectives: to carry the Message of Bahá’u’lláh to every stratum of society, not only in the towns and cities but also in the villages and country districts where the virus of materialism has had much less effect on the lives of men; to take urgent, wise and well-considered steps to spread the Faith to those countries of Eastern Europe in which it has not yet become established; to reinforce strongly the heroic band of pioneers in the islands of the Mediterranean and the North Sea — islands which are to play such an important role in the awakening of the entire continent — as well as to prosecute energetically the goals you are called upon to achieve in other continents and oceans; and to foster the cooperation between National Communities and between National Spiritual Assemblies and the Hands of the Cause of God which has contributed so markedly to the work of the Faith on that Continent and is so essential for its future development.

Above all let every European Bahá’í have ever-present in his mind that these are the five years during which Bahá’u’lláh sojourned on the soil of that Continent a century ago. Let him resolve so to deepen his knowledge of the Faith and so to increase his standards of self-sacrifice and dedication to the Cause as to play his part in building a Community which will be worthy of this supreme bounty and which will be a beacon light to the peoples of this fear-wracked world.

In 1953 Shoghi Effendi wrote that the Continent of Europe had “at last at this critical hour — this great turning point in its fortunes — entered upon what may well be regarded as the opening phase of a great spiritual revival that bids fair to eclipse any period in its spiritual history.” Those who have been privileged to witness the extraordinary strengthening and consolidation of the Cause in Europe during the course of the last eleven years are well aware of the reservoir of spiritual potential that has been building up and the transformation of the life of the European Bahá’í Community that has ensued. May the completion and dedication of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár be the signal for the unleashing of this potential, bringing about on the European mainland and in the islands around its shores a quickening of the process of individual conversion comparable to those events which have transpired with such astonishing suddenness in other continents of the globe.

July, 1964

—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

---

On Sunday, July 5, following dedication day of the Mother Temple of Europe, a European Teaching Conference was held in a ‎specious spacious‎ hall of the Gesellschaftshaus im Zoo.

After a devotional program with prayers in several languages, the conference was opened by Ruprecht G. Kruger, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Germany. He welcomed the representative of the World Center, ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, who had just returned from a trip to India, and Hand of the Cause, John Ferraby, of England. Owing to illness, the other European Hands of the Cause were not able to be present at the dedication or the conference. The chairman then greeted representatives of the national spiritual assemblies participating in this conference, namely: from America, Africa, Asia and Australia, as well as from the fourteen centers of Europe outside of Germany. The conference was conducted in English, with simultaneous group translation in French and German.

Cables From the World Center

Rúḥíyyih Khánum, the first speaker, read a cablegram from the Hands of the Cause in Haifa and the Message from the Universal House of Justice. She emphasized five points included in that message: (1) carrying the Bahá’í Faith to every stratum of society; (2) spreading the Faith to Eastern Europe; (3) reinforcing the band of pioneers particularly in the islands of the Mediterranean and the North Sea; (4) prosecuting the goals in other continents; (5) fostering cooperation between

[Page 6] Group consultations at European Conference. Left to right are conferences on publishing trusts, mass media and news exchange.

national spiritual assemblies and the Hands of the Cause. She pointed out that in these first years of the Nine Year Plan we are living in the same five years, one hundred years ago, in which Bahá’u’lláh suffered so much on the Continent of Europe.

Rúḥíyyih Khánum conveyed the love and greetings of the Bahá’ís of India and of their National Spiritual Assembly, stating that she was returning to India and Ceylon after a brief rest.

Many messages were received and were read from time to time during the conference, from Hands of the Cause, from national and local spiritual assemblies and individual Bahá’ís in all parts of the world. From Hawaii came the gift of a plant for the Temple grounds.

Reports Given by Fifteen NSA’s

Reports on “How to meet the requirements of the Nine Year Plan” were then called for by the conference chairman from the representatives of the fifteen European National Spiritual Assemblies. Seven of these were presented during the morning session: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, British Isles, Netherlands and Belgium. The interweaving pattern of the goals, assigned by the Universal House of Justice to each national assembly, called for a close cooperation between them and the Bahá’ís in all parts of the world, continuing and extending the work of the beloved Guardian in his Ten Year World Crusade. The representative from each of the national spiritual assemblies gave the present statistical status of the Faith in that country, outlined the objectives assigned for the Nine Year Plan on the home front and in respect to the tasks in which it must assist or be assisted by other national assemblies in overseas and global missions. Many of these representatives presented plans drawn up by their national assemblies for achieving their objectives.

John Long, chairman of the National Spiritual

The Gesellschaftshaus im zoo, site of the European Teaching Conference.

Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the British Isles, presided as chairman for the afternoon session. After a devotional period, reports of the national spiritual assembly representatives were continued. They were called for in the following order, after the representatives of the United States and Canada had presented the greetings of their communities: Luxembourg, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Address by Rúhíyyih Khánum

Promptly at 5 p.m. it was time for the eagerly awaited address by ‘Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum on mass conversion. She told how she had spent four months traveling all over India, accompanied by Violette Nakhjavání, visiting especially the villages. She said she now knows that mass conversion is a reality, as she has seen it and experienced it. To her, she said, it is like sowing the seeds of rice — if they are sowed in the right soil, they grow profusely, but they will not grow if sowed in cement. She said there are 100,000 to 125,000 Bahá’í villagers. What kind of Bahá’ís are they? she asked. She stated that they are Bahá’ís, that those who have been Bahá’ís only a few months are as deeply devoted as the greatest teachers of the Bahá’í world. These are the “cream” — even though illiterate, they are the greatest Bahá’í teachers in the world today. There are others, she said, who barely know what they are doing, and there are those in between these two extremes.

Rúḥíyyih Khánum said that the Hindus teach in symbols, so in speaking in the villages she used the symbol of the wheel on their ox carts, whose strength is in its hub. She would ask, Is the strength in the rim? No, they would answer. In the spokes? No. In the hub? Yes. She likened the rim to humanity, the spokes to the many different ways and customs of humanity, its races and religions, and the hub to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh which holds all firmly in unity and in perfect balance. This they accepted. She concluded her talk by suggesting that the Bahá’ís of the West try more to reach the disillusioned youth of today. She also said: “let us never give any human being the impression that you become a Bahá’í at the age of fifteen years or that signing the declaration card has anything to do with belief. You enroll by signing the card in order to receive the privileges of the Faith and to protect it, but can anyone,” she said, “think that when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a boy of eight went to the Siyah-Chál to inquire about His Father this child was not yet a Bahá’í?” She pointed out that Bahá’u’lláh commanded all parents to raise their children in the Cause of God.

Public Addresses Given In Evening

The evening of Sunday, July 5, was given over to the public meeting. The two speakers were Dr. Eugen

[Page 7] Representatives attending the European Conference.

Schmidt, an Auxiliary Board Member from Germany, and Rúḥíyyih Khánum. Dr. Schmidt spoke in German on “The Bahá’í House of Worship” and outlined its spiritual significance and function, citing passages from Isaiah and from the Arabic Hidden Words in conclusion.

The subject of the address in English by Rúḥíyyih Khánum was “Humanity in Crisis.” She referred to the ever-recurring crises in the world, suggesting that they were due to its illnesses. She pointed out that what the world needs today more than anything else is unity. This unity is provided in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Divine Physician. International organizations at present are not capable of holding all the spokes of the wheel together or in balance, because they lack the love and faith that Bahá’ís have. This Faith, she said, is the gift Bahá’ís are offering to the world, a gift as natural as the coming of spring and the shining of the sun. Annaliese Bopp, Secretary of the German National Spiritual Assembly, gave an excellent concurrent translation into German of this talk.

Group Consultation Held on Nine Year Plan

On Monday morning, July 6, from 8:30 to 10:30, group consultations were held on various topics, each topic being assigned a different meeting place. The topics were: (1) Teaching on the home front (methods, summer schools, traveling teachers). (2) Cooperation of national spiritual assemblies for propagation of the Faith in Europe. (3) Bahá’í literature (Bahá’í Publishing Trusts, printing, translation). (4) Mass media (press, radio, television). (5) Bahá’í news exchange (joint publication). (6) Finances (planning, budgets, concentration on special tasks).

Summary reports of these consultations were given in the conference hall beginning at 11:00 a.m., with Louis Henuzet, Auxiliary Board Member from Belgium, as chairman for this session and for the afternoon session which concluded the conference. All felt that the group consultations and the meeting of the Bahá’ís from the various countries participating in the Nine Year Plan for Europe were of great benefit. Almost all the summaries emphasized the great need for an increase in the flow of funds in order to do the necessary work.

The European Teaching Conference was attended also by representatives of eleven national spiritual assemblies not participating in European objectives of the Nine Year Plan. These were the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of the Arabian Peninsula, of Australia, of Colombia, of the Indian Ocean (Mauritius), of Írán, of Íráq, of North East Africa (Ethiopia), of Pakistan, of Panama, of Turkey and of Venezuela. Bahá’ís were also present from British Guiana, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Summary of Conference

In summarizing the Conference, Louis Henuzet emphasized the need for pioneers. He called on Jessie Revell, from the World Center, who read extracts from words of Shoghi Effendi, and on John Ferraby, Hand of the Cause. Mr. Ferraby pointed out that when one is in the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, one is in the presence of Bahá’u’lláh, that this is as near to being at the Holy Shrines as it is possible to come in Europe; that the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is the heart of the European Bahá’í Community; and that the power of the Covenant will flow through those who actively follow the path of the Covenant — the path of the Nine Year Plan at this time.

The conference was closed with a plea by Rúḥíyyih Khánum to the European Bahá’ís and particularly the German Bahá’ís in Frankfurt and the surrounding area, to support the regular weekly programs of the Temple, pointing out that the eyes of all are now on the Bahá’ís. She said: “There is nothing we can give to the Cause; any sacrifice is returned one hundred fold.”

—Reported by BEATRICE ASHTON

Speakers Platform at European Conference.

[Page 8] Convention of Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean held at Suva in the Fiji Islands Riḍván 1964.

Teaching Conference Precedes First National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean

The first teaching conference of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean was held in Suva, Fiji on April 22. Hand of the Cause H. Collis Featherstone was present as well as seven believers from Tonga, four from Western Samoa, one from American Samoa, one from New Guinea and nine from Fiji. The Conference opened with devotions in Tongan, Hindi, English and Samoan. Mr. Featherstone then spoke on the historic significance of the occasion and told the believers that ‎thay they‎ must not be discouraged with the smallness of their numbers. Following Mr. Featherstone, Mr. Lisiata Maka of Tonga spoke on strengthening the community life. He commented that if the local spiritual assembly would function with great love and unity the rest of the community would draw strength from them and follow their example.

Teaching Needs Discussed

Mrs. Mary Tuataga spoke about the consolidation of the Faith. She stated that the Islands of the South Pacific contained a great potential for mass conversion but that the complete dedication of each believer was necessary before such a goal could be accomplished. In addition, she said that the people of the Islands lacked confidence in themselves and that this constituted their greatest handicap in teaching. She assured her listeners with the quotation, “God will assist all those who arise to serve His Cause.”

Following a discussion, on the topic “An Active Teaching Program” Mosese Hokafonu spoke on teaching methods in Tonga, Jane Atuatasi spoke on teaching in American Samoa and Niu Tuataga spoke on teaching in Western Samoa.

Mr. V. Latu Tu’akihekolo summarized all the previous discussion and stated that more effort should be put into teaching and into being more cooperative with the community.

First Annual Convention Held

The first Annual Convention was held at the Masonic Hall in Suva from April 23 to 25. The Convention Message from the Universal House of Justice was read as well as cables from Hawaii, New Guinea, California, and the Solomon Islands. The secretary of the outgoing Regional Spiritual Assembly presented the Annual Report which included the following information: there are 1900 believers throughout the South Pacific, literature has been translated into 24 languages there are nine schools in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and Bahá’í burial grounds have been acquired in Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.

Consideration of the Nine-Year Plan

The following recommendations were approved: For the Tongan Islands the goal would be fifteen local spiritual assemblies and two groups formed, the Samoan Islands goal would be twenty-five local assemblies. In addition, it was recommended that a Bahá’í teacher from Tonga or Samoa go to assist the believers in the Cook Islands; that the National Spiritual Assembly request the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles to try to send a pioneer to Fiji, and a pioneer to help in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands and that the matter of purchasing national endowments, headquarters and Temple site properties be given prior consideration in all areas, in conjunction with teaching plans.

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the South Pacific Ocean elected Riḍván 1964. Left to right, front row: Mr. Idris, Miss Irene Jackson, Mrs. Mary Tuataga, Hand of the Cause, H. Collis Featherstone. Back row: Latu Tu’akihekola, Stephen Percival, Lisiate Maka. Absent: Miss Mabel Sneider, Joe Russell, Richard Welland.

[Page 9] National Spiritual Assembly of Haiti 1964-65. Left to right, standing: Jacques Hyacinthe, Jean Desert, Ellsworth Blackwell, Phillippe Bastien, Andre St. Louis. Seated: Ampelius Posy, Vesta Pierre-Noel, Ruth Blackwell, Eustice Bailey.

National Convention of Haiti Sets Goals for Year

The Bahá’í national convention of Haiti was held at Port au Prince on May 2, 1964 at the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds.

Nineteen delegates, representing thirteen local spiritual assemblies from the Republic attended. Following are the members of the National Spiritual Assembly for 1964-65: Ellsworth Blackwell (chairman), Eustace Bailey (vice-chairman), Ampelius Posy (recording secretary), Andre St. Louis (corresponding secretary), Mrs. Ruth Blackwell (treasurer), Jacques Hyacinthe, Philippe Bastien, Mrs. Vesta Pierre-Noel and Jean Desert.

The total Bahá’í membership in Haiti is now 1060 with twenty-one assemblies at the beginning of this new year. The goal of this convention, in conjunction with the goals of the new Nine-Year Plan, was to consolidate the work already accomplished and to continue mass conversion in the country.

During the past year the community was enriched by the arrival of three Bahá’ís from the United States. In October 1963 Mrs. Ruth Cornell, formerly of Ohio and Illinois, arrived in Haiti. In December Mr. and Mrs. Donald Creager, formerly of Madison, Wisconsin, came to Haiti with their four young children. Mr. Creager is a director at the Haitian-American Institute at Port au Prince. This work permits him to be actively engaged in the promotion of the Bahá’í work both locally and nationally. The Haitian Community is happy to have the devoted services of these friends.

The convention ended with a Riḍván dinner and the presentation of educational films.

Bahá’í School in Liancourt, Haiti.

More School Districts Recognize Holy Days

The Spiritual Assembly of Everett, Washington, has reported that as of May 6, 1964, the Superintendent of the Everett Public Schools notified the Assembly that henceforth Bahá’í children will be granted excused absences from their classes on Bahá’í Holy Days if their parents submit written requests in advance, and with the understanding that the students involved will be responsible for the completion of any assignments that are missed by reason of their absence.

The report conveys the information that the State law invests the superintendents of schools with discretionary power to excuse children from school upon the parent’s request for purposes of religious instruction. Therefore, it would seem that in any community in the State of Washington where there are Bahá’í children in public schools, there should be little difficulty in securing recognition of the Bahá’í Holy Days.

It has also been learned that the statutes of the State of New Jersey provide that a board of education, at its discretion, may excuse the absence of pupils for religious holidays other than those included in the minimum list of holidays. A written excuse from the parent should be presented to the proper school authority for the absence of such pupils on such days so approved by the local board of education. On April 14 the Montwill Township Board of Education, New Jersey, agreed to excuse Bahá’í children from classes on their Bahá’í Holy Days, thus making this the fifth school district in New Jersey to have taken such action.

Since one of the goals of the Nine Year Plan is to greatly increase the number of states and localities where recognition is given to Bahá’í Holy Days, the National Spiritual Assembly hopes that all Bahá’í parents and communities will make efforts in this direction in the school districts which their children attend.

52nd Unity Feast Held

For the fifty-second consecutive year, several hundred persons — Bahá’ís, their families and friends of the Faith — gathered at Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, N.J., to commemorate the Unity Feast given in 1912 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. This year it was held on June 27. Speaker was Mr. William Maxwell, Jr., who spoke on “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá — The Revealer of the Secrets of Divine Civilization.”

Mrs. Martha Kavelin served as chairman and Mr. Farhang Javid read the talk given by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on the same grounds fifty-two years ago. Musical selections were rendered by special guests George Coleman and Mrs. Margaret Staten Brown.

Later, the special devotional at the pine grove was led by Mrs. Ruhieh McComb and Mr. Joseph C. Ioas, both of whom had been privileged to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as very young children during his tour of America.

To quote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words to those gathered at that spot in 1912 “... for this meeting is a prototype of that inner and complete spiritual association in the eternal world of being.”

[Page 10]

Passing of Margery McCormick Ends Long Years of Service to the Faith

“Grieved (to) learn (of) passing (of) Margery McCormick, beloved devoted servant (of) Bahá’u’lláh. (Her) lustrous services (to the) Faith spanning (a) long life time (is a) befitting memorial. Assure (her) family (of our) prayers (at the) Holy Shrines (for the) progress (of) her soul (in the) Abhá Kingdom.” (Signed: Universal House of Justice.)

“Grieved (over) passing (of) much loved Margery McCormick, devoted servant (of the) Faith, outstanding teacher (and) Board Member. Her indefatigable services (in the) successive stages (of the) unfoldment (of the) Divine Plan (are) unforgettable. Extend loving sympathy (to) bereaved family (and) assure (them of) ardent prayers (at the) Shrines.” (Signed: Handsfaith.)

“Deeply grieved (over) passing (of) dearly loved member (of) Auxiliary Board, Mrs. Margery McCormick. Her outstanding valuable services make her alive always in (the) Abhá Kingdom where she is enjoying the presence of the Blessed Beauty and the beloved Guardian. Hands (of the) Western Hemisphere as well as their Board Members extend deepest sympathy to her dear family (and) friends.” (Signed: Zikru’lláh Khádem.)

The foregoing messages were received and read at the funeral services of Mrs. Margery McCormick on July 17 in Wilmette, Illinois, where she passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of July 14. As the messages indicate, Mrs. McCormick, in her eightieth year, was up to the last moment an active and beloved servant of Bahá’u’lláh, a dedicated teacher and member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere.

Mrs. McCormick was widely known and deeply loved by great numbers of Bahá’ís in all parts of the world, but particularly in the middle west, south and southeastern states where she travelled most widely during the past three years, sometimes on circuits lasting several weeks at a time. Her travels in previous years included an early pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center, representation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States at the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly in the South Pacific and of South East Asia, as well as attendance at the Bahá’í World Congress in London in April 1963.

More Race Amity Day Reports Received

In observance of Race Amity Day the Bahá’ís of Huntsville, Alabama planned to hold a picnic in one of the local state parks after having learned from the park officials that there were no restrictions regarding admittance to the park. However, when Negro friends and their guests arrived, they were stopped at the park entrance by armed guards and requested not to enter. The park officials explained that the admittance policy had been changed the previous day on receipt of instructions from the State Capitol to exclude Negroes from the park. This injustice provided a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the unity of the Bahá’í Faith. The Bahá’ís and their friends already on the park grounds packed up the food, drinks and equipment and transported it back to the cars where they joined their Negro friends and proceeded to a private Bahá’í home where the picnic was held. There were more than 50 people in attendance, only 12 of whom were Bahá’ís.

Not one person objected to the personal inconvenience or embarrassment created by the situation. The non-Bahá’í guests were indignant at the discrimination and this served to enhance the unity of the entire group. As a result, several of the guests have attended firesides and have expressed a growing interest in the Faith.

Following the incident the local spiritual assembly promptly sent a letter to the park authorities protesting the injustice. The principles of the Bahá’í Faith regarding the oneness of mankind and obedience to established governments were outlined and the hope was expressed that the State of Alabama would soon put into practice the principles of liberty and justice upon which the United States was founded.

The last session of a three day teaching conference was devoted to an observance of Race Amity Day by the Bahá’ís of Alturas, California on June 21. Sixty-one people attended including Indians from the Piaute, Navajo, Washoe and Pit River Indian Tribes. There were also a number of Negroes present. The program consisted of a panel discussion the subject of which was “Unity in the Love of God.” The speakers on the panel were Miss Bennett Dorn, Negro; Mr. Willie Astor, Washoe Indian Bahá’í and Dr. Leo Karczag, Caucasian.

The Bahá’ís of Howard County, Maryland sponsored a Race Amity Observance in cooperation with the Mt. Zion Methodist Church of Highland. There were three speakers: Rev. Ellsworth N. Bunce, Jr. of Highland, Albert C. Thaler who spoke about the Jewish Faith, and Albert B. James, Bahá’í speaker. Songs were sung by the Methodist Church choir, the Bahá’í Singers of the Washington Area and by a girls’ quartette from the St. Louis Catholic Church. Over 150 people attended only half of whom were Bahá’ís.

Dionisio Reos, first Pomo Indian believer. He is now a member of the Healdsburg Judicial District Assembly, California.

[Page 11] LEFT: Zikru’lláh Khádem (center) and Chester Kahn (right) who spoke at the National Convention in Wilmette enjoy a break between activities. RIGHT: Some of the 300 attending the meeting.

Gathering Held at Pine Springs Navajo Reservation

The weekend of June 20-21 witnessed a beautiful “gathering of all races in prayer for peace.” This was held on the Navajo Indian Reservation where in 1962 a similar unforgettable gathering took place. Now two years later at Pine Springs, Arizona, there is a Navajo Bahá’í Community that numbers thirty-nine. At noon on Saturday, those present were invited to partake of a meal prepared by the Navajo friends, consisting of beef stew and fry bread. Just as the last were being served, a large yellow bus approached bearing a large sign, “Bahá’í Faith,” on the side. Suddenly the number gathered swelled by the addition of more than forty friends who had traveled all night from various parts of California to be present. Though the material food had dwindled, spiritual food abounded.

As the friends gathered for the afternoon program, the setting was once again enhanced by the beautiful mural which was painted by Chester and Franklin Kahn, depicting the oneness of mankind, and this was framed by two beautiful, fluttering banners bearing the Greatest Name. It was before this setting that over 300 friends from across the United States, and the beautiful colors of all races, gathered in peace and united in purpose as prayers were uplifted in various languages, Persian, German, Navajo, Hopi, Thai, and English. The program was opened with greetings of welcome from an elderly Navajo, whose beautiful and loving words were translated into English. Zikru’lláh Khádem, beloved Hand of the Cause, chanted a prayer in Persian and greeted all those who had gathered and shared intimate glimpses of his experiences as a Bahá’í which touched the hearts of all present. A message from Haifa from Amoz Gibson, member of The Universal House of Justice, was not received in time to be shared with all the friends: “Greetings to you, O my brothers! You have gathered in love and harmony to serve Bahá’u’lláh and your meeting shall be blessed by the Great Spirit, Creator of us all. It is His will and decree that will continue to bind you together as true brothers and this blessing of union will spread to all the earth. Indeed! It is intended that the Indian brother will be a very great teacher of this day — the day of the unification of the human race. On Saturday morning (before morning comes to you) I shall pray at the Holy Shrines on Mt. Carmel for each of you and for your meeting in the land of the people who live between the four holy mountains. Shalom is the greeting of the people of this land and in their ancient language it is the word of peace. Shalom! Shalom! To each of you. Your brother, Amoz”

In the evening, Saturday, Lawrence Hautz, a pioneer from Africa, presented a slide program depicting the results of his efforts in Africa and a group of Navajo Indians chanted some ceremonial songs, including a chant to the accompaniment of a corn grinding ceremony performed by two Navajo women. After the evening program, the crowd dispersed, some to join the circle dance around a blazing fire, others to camp fires to join in singing and enthusiastically share the event of the day. As the hour advanced, one by one the groups dwindled and the camp fires slowly faded as all retired to sleep under the clear, fresh, star-lit sky, hearts overflowing with the love and joy of such an unforgettable experience.

The crisp Sunday morning was greeted by early-risers who could hear the strains of morning prayers being chanted by awakening Persians. At the Sunday morning program, Sam Yazzie, Navajo Bahá’í of Pine Springs, spoke in Navajo of the joy of this gathering and commented, “May you walk home the beauty way and may you tell your children what you saw today and may you walk the life of everlasting.” Mr. Khádem reminded those present of the new Nine Year Plan, the beginning of the Kingdom of God on Earth, and stated that “This conference will always be remembered in ages to come ... may this meeting be but a beginning for all of us.”

LEFT: Afternoon entertainment group including some of the children attending. RIGHT: Volunteers prepare the food.

[Page 12] First local spiritual assembly of the Bahá’ís of La Esperanza, Territorio Amazonas, Venezuela (Guajibo Tribe) formed April 21, 1964.

First local spiritual assembly of the Bahá’ís of Isla Buenos Aires, Territorio Amazonas, Venezuela (Guajibo Tribe) formed April 21, 1964.

Fourth Annual Convention Held in Venezuela

The fourth national convention of the Bahá’ís of Venezuela was held in Caracas May 1-3, 1964, following a three day preparatory school for the five indigenous delegates. For the first time in Venezuelan history there were five indigenous delegates representing three tribes. Several of the delegates were unable to speak Spanish and were able to follow the convention only through an interpreter. The depth of belief of these pure hearted people was an example to all present.

There was much joy when it was announced that Venezuela had not only met its goal of 1000 believers but had surpassed it with 200 additional Bahá’ís. In addition, there was a three-fold increase of local assemblies and two more indigenous areas were opened to the Faith.

The members of the new National Spiritual Assembly are: Joan Lozier, Yolanda Rodriguez, Clara Perez, Julio Perez, Israel Posner, Peter McLaren, Addie Teske, Judith McLaren and Bernice Bernardo.

National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala elected May 2, 1964. Left to right: Dale Sinclair (vice-chairman), Jose Trinidad Gramajo (corresponding secretary), Edith McLaren (assistant treasurer), Oscar Sierra (chairman), Alice Sinclair, Alberto Landau (treasurer), Roderick K. Land, M. Enrique Chavez (recording secretary), Julio Cesar Montenegro.

Delegates and visitors at the 4th Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Venezuela in Caracas, May 1-3, 1964.

National Convention of Guatemala held May 1 in Guatemala City.

[Page 13] Eighth annual convention of Bahá’ís of North East Asia.

BAHA'I IN THE NEWS

Omnibus, a magazine of life around Chicago, featured an article about the Bahá’í Temple in its May issue. The article gave a short history of the Faith and told how the Temple came to be built. Seven photographs accompanied the article, including a large aerial shot of the Temple, a photo of Architect Louis Bourgeois and also one of the original model, and a couple of shots showing construction in progress. The title of the article was “Make a Beginning,” which was taken from a statement made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá when He was asked by the American believers if they could build a temple in the United States. “Make a beginning,” He replied, “and it will come about.”

〇

The May 28 edition of the Berea News, a newspaper that serves nine suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio ran an excellent article about the Bahá’í Faith. The article stressed that the Bahá’ís believe in the unity of mankind as well as the unity of all the revelators of God.

〇

A brief history was given and the basic teachings of the Faith were mentioned as well as a few of the administrative principles. The article concluded by mentioning the firesides of Howard and Betty Tangler of Berea.

〇

Clara A. Edge, a Bahá’í, has recently published a novel about the life of Qurratu’l-Ayn entitled Táhirih. The book, taken from such sources as The Dawn-Breakers, gives the reader considerable historical information about the early days of the Faith. The book is printed by Edgeway Publishers, Grand Rapids, Mich.

〇

The July 25 edition of the Chicago Daily News carried a picture story of a wedding held recently at the House of Worship. The story described the wedding ceremony and emphasized that there is no ritual or set form in a Bahá’í wedding. The bridegroom was Dr. Nosratu’llah Tahzib of Chicago and the bride was Joanna Thomas of Wilmette.

National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia — April 1964. Left to right, standing: Eugene Schreiber (recording secretary), Ata’u’llah Moghbel (treasurer), Yasuyuke Hosoda, Hiroyasu Takano (chairman), Masazo Odani. Seated: Philip Marangella (vice-chairman), Ikuo Mizuno, Barbara Sims (corresponding secretary). Missing — Roullah Momtazi.

Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Panama. Left to right, standing: Vicente Montezuma, Moises Guevara, Alan Pringle, Harry Haye, James Facey, Frank Keith. Seated: Raquel Constante, Leota Lockman, Alicia Facey.

[Page 14] Third National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Luxembourg held April 24-26.

Luxembourg Holds Third Annual Convention

Nine delegates and fifty-two believers attended the National Convention held April 24-26 in Luxembourg. Consultation centered upon the filling of the goals of the Nine Year Plan set for the country by the Universal House of Justice. Three persons offered to pioneer in goal cities and a Temple Site Fund for the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg was inaugurated. Twenty Luxembourgers, three of whom were youth, came into the Faith during the last year and it is hoped that this number will greatly increase thus enabling all the goals to be fulfilled.

The convention closed with a Unity Banquet.

Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of Turkey.

National Spiritual Assembly of Luxembourg 1964-65. Left to right, standing: Ronald Bates, Azziz Khabirpour, Leslie Marcus, Mamood Eshraghi. Sitting: Virginia Orbison, Ann Ashen, Jeanne South, Honor Kempton, Suzette Hipp.

National Spiritual Assembly of Turkey 1964-65. Left to right, front row: Dr. E. Sinai, (vice-chairman), Mrs. Hidayet, Mr. Inan, Mrs. Orun, Dr. Ozshuya (chairman). Back row: Mr. Drakhshan, Mr. Guney, Mr. Ghuchani (secretary), Mr. Epnan (treasurer).

[Page 15]

A New Bahá’í School

Inaugurated in Rocky Mountains

The Rocky Mountain Bahá’í School held its first session, June 28-July 4, in a setting of snow capped mountains and pines, at the YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park, Colorado. The school was privileged to have the separate facilities of Mountainside Lodge two miles above the main camp at an altitude of 8000 feet. Not since International School (Temerity) near Colorado Springs had to close its doors to make way for the Air Force Academy some years ago has there been a Bahá’í school in the Rocky Mountain area. Bahá’ís and interested students of the Faith gathered from seven states, adding their loving enthusiasm to the natural exhilaration of this lofty mountain setting only a few miles from the Continental Divide. A warm welcome by Barbara Roberts, administrator of the school, oriented the guests to the program for the week ahead.

Four Daily Classes Held

Four classes were held each day, with additional evening programs of talks or slides. Devotions were a daily, early morning event, on the front steps of the lodge, facing the sunlight on the eastern mountain skyline.

Paul Pettit presented the Nine Year Plan as the opening session. After a preliminary introduction, the class was asked to elect a mock National Assembly which in turn appointed four committees for separate group consultation on basic ideas for expediting this work: International Goals; Caribbean; National Teaching; and Community Development.

The second morning class was largely a workshop project on ‎Bhaá’i Bahá’í‎ literature, under the direction of Mrs. Eunice Braun. On the final day a “Know Your Bahá’í

A few of the many attending the first Rocky Mountain Bahá’í School.

Literature” quiz was held, with Mrs. Marilyn Fisher of Casper, Wyoming, winning a near-perfect score and a choice of two Bahá’í books.

Each day was highlighted by a mid-afternoon talk on “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Covenant” by Curtis Kelsey, auxiliary board member. His warm manner of relating personal experiences with the Master in the Holy Land (where he went as a young believer to place the electric lighting in the Holy Shrines) and his careful delineation of the whole structure of the Covenant to the Universal House of Justice of our day held everyone’s close interest.

Lively participation was the keynote of a discussion class on “Bahá’í Living” led by Mrs. Allene Squires of Dallas, Texas. Not only were the various, basic qualities given in the Writings for living the Bahá’í life noted, but also many practical examples for applying them in everyday life.

A number of people assisted with teaching the children and providing them with recreational activities. Mrs. Gladys Roberts, who also acted as registrar, taught the inquirer’s class. Two evening slide programs were provided by Robert Pickering and Derald Hendry, Bahá’í students from a nearby college.

Lodge which housed the Rocky Mountain Bahá’í School and the scenery which surrounds it.

[Page 16]

Bahá’ís Present Official Greetings to Annual NAACP Convention

Dr. Rexford Parmelee, Chairman of the Bahá’í Assembly of Washington, D.C. was invited by the presiding officer of the 55th National Annual Convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to present greetings from the Bahá’ís of the United States. Dr. Parmelee reminded the 2800 delegates assembled in the Statler-Hilton Ballroom that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, addressed the fourth Annual Convention of the NAACP in Chicago and spoke the following words: “Man is the most noble of God’s creatures and He makes no distinction on the basis of color or creed.”

Dr. Parmelee then introduced Dr. Sarah Martin Pereira, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, who read the following message from the National Assembly addressed to Roy Wilkins, Executive Secretary of the NAACP.

“The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States extends to you a warm and sincere greeting, acknowledging the continuing success of your noble aims and lofty ambitions to achieve justice and equal opportunity for colored peoples. We feel we are a kindred spirit because our endeavors to further the cause of the oneness of mankind parallel yours. All organizations working for unity are of God and will one day share in the glory and the gratification of having striven earnestly and long for the promised day when the unification of mankind will become a cherished reality.”

At the 55th National Convention of the NAACP. Left to right, Miss Jeanette Robbins, Dr. Sarah Pereira, Roy Wilkins (NAACP executive secretary), Dr. Rexford Parmelee.

Newly formed local spiritual assembly of Bandjarmasin, Kalimantan, Indonesia. Left to right, seated: Mrs. Idrus, Mrs. Malincroth Djata (chairman), Mrs. Purwaningshi (treasurer). Standing: Mr. Idrus (secretary), Mr. Slamat Soedharmo, Mr. Eny Djony, Mr. Supadi (vice-chairman), Mr. Salianto, Mr. Sidik Hadi Purnama.

Calendar of Events

FEASTS

September 8 — ‘Izzat (Might)

September 27 — Mashíyyat (Will)

U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS

October 9-11

---

Baha’i House of Worship

Visiting Hours

Daily

10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Entire Building)

Service of Worship

Sundays

3:30 to 4:10 p.m.

Public Meeting

Sunday, September 20

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.