Bahá’í News/Issue 430/Text
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| No. 430 | BAHA’I YEAR 123 | JANUARY 1967 |
World Religion Day[edit]
The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure.
The face of the world hath altered. The way of God and the religion of God have ceased to be of any worth in the eyes of men.... The vitality of man’s belief in God is dying out in every land; nothing short of His wholesome medicine can ever restore it. The corrosion of ungodliness is eating into the vitals of human society; what else but the Elixir of His potent Revelation can cleanse and revive it?
Religion is, verily, the chief instrument for the establishment of order in the world, and of tranquility amongst its peoples. The weakening of the pillars of religion hath strengthened the foolish, and emboldened them, and made them arrogant. Verily I say: The greater the decline of religion, the more grievous the waywardness of the ungodly. This cannot but lead to chaos and confusion.... Religion is a radiant light and an impregnable stronghold for the protection and welfare of the peoples of the world... As the body of man needeth a garment to clothe it, so the body of mankind must needs be adorned with the mantle of justice and wisdom. Its robe is the Revelation vouchsafed unto it by God. —Bahá’u’lláh
Memorial Services Honor Mrs. Anne Lynch[edit]
A memorial service for Mrs. Anne Lynch was held in the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette on the evening of November 19, 1966, at the request of the Universal House of Justice. All members of the National Spiritual Assembly were present to honor this faithful maidservant of Bahá’u’lláh. The program contained appropriate prayers and readings from the Sacred Writings, and a leaflet giving a brief résumé of Mrs. Lynch's unique contribution to the Faith was provided those who attended the service.
In addition to the cablegram to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States (see November 1966 Bahá’í News) the following cables from the Universal House of Justice were sent to the National Assemblies of Switzerland and Germany, respectively:
Grieved news passing Anne Lynch devoted maidservant Bahá’u’lláh. Advising Frankfurt Wilmette hold befitting memorial services Temples. Assure family prayers shrines progress her soul Abhá Kingdom.
Bahá’í Bern advises passing devoted servant Faith Anne Lynch September 17. Advise hold befitting memorial service Temple. Inform NSA’s Europe date.
Therefore, another of several memorial services for Mrs. Lynch was held in the House of Worship in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 22. The Swiss National Spiritual Assembly conducted a service in the Chapel of the hospital in Geneva, where Mrs. Lynch spent her last days, and in addition, a memorial service was held by them on December 10 at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Bern.
With the passing of Anne Lynch a unique and beautiful chapter of service to the Bahá’í Faith came to an end, in this world, to add its lustre to the immortal annals of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh.
Born in Russia (December 1892), fleeing her home at the end of the first World War to settle in England, Anne Lynch accepted the Bahá’í Faith immediately upon first hearing of it in Italy in 1926, and she spent the remainder of her life in service to Bahá’u’lláh, giving unstintingly of her capable and unique talents.
After a several months’ visit with the Guardian in the Holy Land early in her Bahá’í life, she went to Geneva, Switzerland, to help in the work of the International Bahá’í Bureau in Geneva, and later became its head. Her special services in this post, which were directly under the guidance and supervision of the Guardian was to last continuously until 1957 when the specific functions of the International Bureau had been fulfilled.
In accordance with the Guardian's request, Mrs. Lynch had remained at her post in Geneva throughout the Second World War, sending out from that center news of the Faith and encouragement to the friends in the war-torn countries of Europe. She was thus enabled to help and comfort those who sorely needed contact with their Bahá’í world family.
Mrs. Lynch's extraordinary talents in languages made her service to her beloved Faith particularly valuable. She was completely fluent in Russian, French, English, German, Italian and Esperanto. Some of the specific translations and publications accomplished during her years at the International Bahá’í Bureau were:
In 1933, translation of The Hidden Words into Russian. This work was published by instructions from the Guardian, who provided the funds for the publication.
1939-1946, printing in German of the revised edition of Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. The old edition and the completed type of its revised version were both destroyed in Germany, together with most Bahá’í literature, by order of the government. The typed script of the revised edition was preserved and brought over the border by Mrs. Vautier of Zurich, with great personal danger to herself.
Printing of Bahá’u'lláh and the New Era in Polish. Although the translation was made by Lidia Zamenhof, daughter of the late Dr. Zamenhof, founder of Esperanto, the details of having the printing done were carried out by Mrs. Lynch. The edition was printed in France, proofs being corrected in a Swiss internment camp for Polish officers by Mrs. Lynch's nephew who was born in Poland.
Mimeographing of a French translation, by a Paris believer, of Paris Talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, for teaching work in the French-speaking countries.
Mimeographing of a German translation, by the German believers, of The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.
Publication and distribution of a monthly Swiss Bulletin in German, which contained only the words of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi.
Publication and distribution in Europe of a bulletin in English, beginning in 1945, later called News Exchange, and mentioned by the Guardian in his message, The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour.
1945-1948, publication and distribution of a bulletin in Esperanto.
With her work in Geneva completed, Anne Lynch, for the first time in her life, found time and opportunity to fulfill her cherished desire to serve as a pioneer for the Faith. Although frail and failing in health, she set forth on a new adventure, a new path of service, which she carried on up to a few months before her death, pioneering in Neuchatel, Vevey and several other places around Lake Geneva. She would often speak of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s words as He looked across Lake Geneva during His visit to Thonon: “There is much work to be done around this lake.” It gave her great joy to take an active part in the pioneer work which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said should be done. Her profound knowledge of the Teachings, her many years of experience, and her wisdom contributed to her success and outstanding qualities as a teacher.
To her last days on this earth, she continued to serve her Faith with her full strength and with that selfless devotion, steadfastness and courage which are her priceless heritage to those who follow after.
Centenary 1967 -- a New Spiritual Release[edit]
Bahá’ís deeply grounded in the teachings of their Faith, those who have immersed themselves in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and the Master, who have perused earnestly the works of Shoghi Effendi, are given a view of history — past, present and future - that is available to no other people on earth. Although everyone in the world shares in the “universal fermentation” that is transforming the planet, it is only the believers, steadfast in His Cause, who can participate directly and be an actual part of the transforming process itself to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. Moreover they are given the perspective, through the Writings, to look ahead far beyond their own time to envision the “coming of age of the human race”... “the inauguration of a world civilization such as no mortal eye hath every beheld... "
To no other people is given such a spiritual opportunity. We live in the Day of God Himself. While each day is precious, presenting its challenges, its occasions for victories and rewards, there are some that are like crests upon the waves, or peaks on the mountain tops. We have to exert ourselves more each time to rise above the crest and surmount it, to climb the new peak, and in so doing we are lifted up to new heights. Old discontents, old opportunities unused and lost can be swept away if we will pour ourselves, heart and soul, into the new challenge.
The Nine Year Plan—a New Opportunity[edit]
Such a mountain—top opportunity is the Nine Year Plan with its call for universal participation, as was the Ten Year World Crusade, and the two successive Seven Year Plans in America before that, and the many other Plans around the world. Each Plan is a road map to the desired goal and within each have appeared those magnificent milestones — celebrations and commemorations of great, historic events. Such was the Centenary of 1944, commemorating the Declaration of the Báb and coinciding with the completion of the first Seven Year Plan and its many goals, including the completion of the exterior of the House of Worship in Wilmette; the Jubilee celebrations of 1953, one hundred years after Bahá’u’lláh’s intimation of His Mission in the prison of Siyih Chál, marked by four epoch-making intercontinental conferences that launched the unprecendented Ten Year World Crusade. This Centenary also witnessed the conclusion of the second Seven Year Plan and the dedication of the Temple in Wilmette. Again in 1958 Bahá’ís around the world were permitted to gather joyfully in five intercontinental conferences at the halfway point of their Crusade, through the foresight and planning of their beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi. This was a time to rejoice over achievements, to take stock of goals yet to be won, and through the unique fellowship that exists only when large gatherings of Bahá’í's are held, to gain unified strength for the remaining five years.
The historic Bahá’í World Congress held in 1963 in London brought the exultant legions of Bahá’u’lláh’s followers from hundreds of countries, territories and island groups throughout the entire planet to lay the wreath of victory at the grave of their loved leader, Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’ís look back upon these great, history-making events, relive the glow of those days and recount the experience for the rest of their lives. They know also that apart from the spiritual warmth generated, the changes wrought in their own lives, the new strength and fresh vision obtained, has been the powerful impact upon the whole world of mankind at these periods, through a fresh outpouring of the spirit. They are enabled thereby to become a part of history at its spiritually creative core.
Centenary Called by Universal House of Justice[edit]
Now the Universal House of Justice is calling us to prepare for the befitting celebration of the Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s proclamation of His Message to the kings and rulers of the World in 1867. Six inter-continental conferences will be held on October 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Panama City, Wilmette, Sydney, Kampala, Frankfurt and New Delhi, precipitating a six-year period of proclamation of the Cause throughout the world of unprecedented intensity. Every Bahá’í is asked to participate in the spiritual reinforcement of this great event and thus prepare to fulfill his role in the years immediately to follow. It may not be possible for all to attend in person, but everyone can participate in spirit. Everyone can assist in the local observances that are equally a part of the Centenary. We can all plan together, pray together, study together during these remaining months of the time allotted to us to “arm [ourselves] for the third phase” so rapidly passing by.
Shoghi Effendi's Commentary on Messages to Rulers[edit]
From Shoghi Effendi‘s book, The Promised Day Is Come, we learn what the impact of these Messages to the rulers was — the spiritual power that permeated the whole world with their release, the fall of seemingly allpowerful dynasties, the social changes that shook the structures of society in the decades immediately following and which continue to take place in accordance with the necessity for men and nations to build new vessels to contain the spirit of the new Revelation. To assist each Bahá’í and each local community in this vital preparation, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States is calling for a special study of the book, The Promised Day Is Come, utilizing a Study Course prepared by Dr. Peter Khan, and being published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust late in January of 1967. Following a period of community study, there will be one-day institutes throughout the entire country on April 2, 1967, to summate the knowledge and inspiration gained on the local level and to include all believers in a given area in the fundamental experience of learning through fellowship.
A New Summons[edit]
The Centenary will bring to some believers the power to open the door to pioneering, either abroad or on the home front where the goals set by the Universal House of Justice must be gravely considered and fulfilled. For
others it will give a new spirit to live the life and to teach where we are, to realize in every way that “universal participation" called for by the House of Justice in its September, 1964 message and thus more fully “mirror forth . . . those eternal principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.” God forbid that it leave any one unchanged, failing to accept this bounty or to drink deeply of the new spirit being released.
In 1952 Shoghi Effendi called upon the believers to “obey . . . the summons of the Lord of Hosts. . . " The Lord of Hosts is summoning each of us today, to gather in October of 1967 and rejoice in His service, recharge ourselves spiritually for the greater victories to come, to fulfill our individual obligations to help “redeem a shattered world.” Will we be ready?
Note: The period of the Fast is suggested as the time for community study from the prepared Study Course on The Promised Day Is Come, mentioned above. Additional information will be forthcoming in the next issue of Bahá’í News.
Stalwart Believer and Pioneer Passes Away in Jamaica[edit]
Dr. Malcolm M. King, M.D. passed away in his sleep on October 19 in Berrydale, Portland, Jamaica. Dr. King was a remarkable figure in the history of the Faith in his native country, Jamaica, and was dearly loved by his countrymen. When living in the United States he embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and responded to the beloved Guardian's call for pioneers by returning to his native land in 1942 where he succeeded in laying the foundation of the Faith. Later he pioneered also in British Guiana, Trinidad and Antigua, being included on the roll of honor of the Guardian as a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. He returned to Jamaica because of his health and settled in his homestead where he passed away at the venerable age of 86.
Goal Achieved in Northwest Africa[edit]
A five-acre piece of land, about four miles from the center of the city of Rabat, Morocco, brings into focus an important achievement of the Nine Year Plan for Northwest Africa. The successful completion of this goal was another confirmation to the friends who continue to struggle valiantly for Bahá’u’lláh.
Georgetown, British Guiana, new Bahá’í Center located in a beautiful residential area of Georgetown. The center will become the Haziratu'l-Quds of the future National Assembly of the Guianas, and was purchased by the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles on May 31, 1966 as one of their Nine Year goals.
Know Your Bahá’í Literature Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950-1957[edit]
by Shoghi Effendi (Reviewed by Kathleen Javid)
The period of embryonic world-development in the evolution of the Bahá’í Faith has been clearly chronicled by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, in Messages to the Bahá’í World: 1950-1957, a work which contains his major communications to the world community of Bahá’ís.
These messages span the most tremendous era of world expansion of the Faith covering the last seven years of the beloved Guardian’s life when divine guidance was channeled through him appointed by God in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament. Shoghi Effendi, in these communiques, launched the Ten Year Crusade, successively delineated its achievements and charted its progress to 1963 when the Universal House of Justice, that body elected by Bahá’ís throughout the world, became the channel for Divine guidance. Concurrently Shoghi Effendi began building the spiritual and world administrative centers of the Faith in the Holy Land, reported on their progress and delineated their future development. Simultaneously he announced the birth and primary stages in the erection of the world administrative institutions.
Guardian Translated Goals Into Practical Action[edit]
To delve deeply, pondering the implications of these messages, is to appreciate more fully, something of the station of the beloved Guardian and his accomplishments. He took the broad outline of Bahá’í goals to be won as set forth by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and labored a lifetime to see them accomplished. The ability to interpret the goals in terms of practical action was but part of the heritage of the Guardian, divinely bestowed, enabling him to accomplish his mission.
Before he could set the world-encompassing Divine Plan into operation, the necessary local and national administrative institutions, which were to direct and unify the efforts of the Bahá’ís, had to be erected. To this end he directed his first messages to the American believers between 1927 and 1932, directives published in Bahá’í' Administration. His next communications, in Messages to America: 1932-1946, enabled the American believers to utilize their newly forged administrative institutions in teaching campaigns. Two long letters of Shoghi Effendi, published separately as Advent of Divine Justice, in 1939, and The Challenging Requirements of the Present Hour, in 1947, [now contained in Citadel of Faith] inaugurated the First and Second Seven Year Plans which launched the Divine Plan, the first on the American continent, the second beyond our continental boundaries.
A Keystone Binding the Whole[edit]
Messages to the Bahá’í World 1950-1957 is like a keystone capping the results of Shoghi Effendi's earlier messages, the administrative structures erected, the teaching campaigns and techniques for propagation developed, the glorious vision of the goal of world unity given, and the exhortations quoted from the pen of Bahá’u’lláh through which the spiritual power of the Faith is gradually released — a keystone binding the whole into the world-wide firmly knit community of believers working in love and unity under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice to diffuse the light of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings throughout the entire planet.
Three Aspects of Faith's Evolution[edit]
Embryonic world-evolution of the Faith, the main theme of the book unfolds along three major topical lines: (1) development of the spiritual and administrative world center as chartered by the Tablet of Carmel revealed by Bahá’u’lláh; (2) development throughout the world in spreading the teachings, as chartered by the Divine Plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; (3) development of world institutions chartered in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will and Testament. (p. 84)
World Center Development[edit]
In considering the first main topic, developments at the World Center, Shoghi Effendi stressed the marked acceleration of activity following formation of the state of Israel. Progress in the construction of the superstructure of the Shrine of the Báb, its symbolism and spiritual significance is reported along with joyful messages recording acquisition of additional tracts of property; acquirement, restoration, and refurnishing of houses and sites associated with the lives of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; extension of terraces and gardens in Haifa and Akka; and commencement of pilgrimages. Allusions to such future events as pilgrimages by Bahá’í kings, erection of a befitting mausoleum for Bahá’u’lláh at Bahjí, and selection of a design for the temple on Mount Carmel, determine future unfoldments of the Faith. Progressive steps are noted in the erection of the International Bahá’í archives building, hailed as first edifice of the world administrative center. The pattern for future development was set with the announcement that future buildings of a harmonizing style of architecture would be built along the are above the Shrine of the Báb to serve as administrative seats for the divinely ordained world institutions. “. . . Completion of this stupendous undertaking will mark the culmination of the development of . . . Administrative Order,” the beloved Guardian stated, adding “This .- . . process . . . will synchronize with . . . establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of Bahá’í national and local institutions. . .” (page 74)
Progress of the Divine Plan[edit]
The second topic of the book, Shoghi Effendi reported on each Riḍván, in a message on the goals of the Divine Plan attained during the previous year. In 1950 there were Bahá’ís in one hundred countries. By 1953, an additional twenty-eight countries had been opened to the Faith. Future generations will marvel at the opening of one hundred countries, islands, and territories during the first year of the Ten Year World Crusade.
The convocation of Intercontinental Teaching Conferences to launch joint teaching plans and coordinate efforts, initiated by the beloved Guardian, increased the bonds of world fellowship and prepared the way for a befitting world-wide Jubilee Centenary in 1963 to commemorate the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s declaration of His mission in Baghdád.
Grasping the magnitude of the achievements of the Crusade as Shoghi Effendi has recorded them, we reflect upon the Divine origin of the Bahá’í Faith, and its ability to infuse a spirit of dedication in Bahá’u’lláh’s followers so great as to enable them to accomplish the seemingly impossible when they arise to serve His cause.
World Administrative Institutions[edit]
The world administrative institutions, the third main topic of these messages, were ordained by Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave them further form in His Will and Testament, while to the beloved Guardian fell the laborious task of actually erecting them. In January 1951, he announced appointment of the International Bahá’í Council, forerunner of the Universal House of Justice, crowning institution of Bahá’í administration. He gradually enlarged it to include nine members and defined its future unfoldment as “development into officially recognized Bahá’í’ Court, its transformation into duly elected body, its efflorescence into Universal House of Justice, and its final fruition through erection of manifold auxiliary institutions constituting the world administrative center destined to arise and function in close neighborhood of twin holy shrines." (page 8) The creation of this embryonic body, he proclaimed to be the greatest event of the second epoch of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Faith.
Paralleling the appointment of the International Bahá’í Council, Shoghi Effendi announced the appointment of the first contingent of the Hands of the Cause of God, provided for in ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Will and Testament. Their original function was to bind the evolving World Center more closely to the world community of believers. Later he added the duty of propagating the teachings, and finally, protecting and preserving the unity of the Bahá’ís. Auxiliary boards, the first for teaching, and the second for security, were appointed at his suggestion by the Hands, to assist them in the discharge of their duties.
Slowly, carefully, Shoghi Effendi provided for, and charted the evolution of the institutions destined to succeed him, the evolving International Bahá’í Council to guide affairs at the World Center, of the Hands of the Cause of God to direct the accomplishment of the goals of the Ten Year Crusade and to propagate and protect the Faith until the formation of the Universal House of Justice. With consummate wisdom he made provision for the continuing evolution and unfoldment of the Faith, its World Center, its teaching activities, and its institutions.
Knowledge of Messages Essential[edit]
Activity throughout the Bahá’í world now revolves around the goals of the Nine Year Plan as the Universal House of Justice provides Divine guidance to lead the followers of Bahá’u’lláh throughout the planet from victory to victory as His faith continues the twofold process of consolidation and expansion. Believers who seek greater service in His cause will do well to study Messages to the Bahá’í World 1950-1957. Awareness of the steady continual evolution of Bahá’u’lláh’s institutions, the multiplying strength of the Faith, the process of the gradual release of the spiritual forces latent in this cycle and the ultimate unity which is the goal of all Bahá’í activity, inspires greater faith and action. Those awaiting pilgrimage will find the experience more meaningful if they understand the development of the World Center as given in this book by Shoghi Effendi.
Belgian-German meetings at Aachen (Germany) were initiated by Hand of the Cause Dr. Mühlschlegel, in cooperation with the Local Assemblies of Aachen and Cologne (Germany) and Liege (Belgium). Gatherings were held in May and in July, 1966, with eighty Bahá’ís and guests attending from North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany), from Belgium, and from Paris.
Study talks were given in both French and German.
While the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was celebrated by large gatherings in all major towns and many villages of Vietnam, above photo shows Bahá’í's and distinguished guests at the commemoration in Saigon. Full coverage was given by radio and press and a government newsreel made to be shown throughout Vietnam.
Faith Progresses Steadily in Vietnam[edit]
Bahá’í Faith has continued to gain adherents steadily despite the tribulations of war and natural catastrophies such as floods, and even the annual outbreaks of bubonic plague which, unfortunately this year, for the first time, claimed the lives of twenty believers in an infected area before the government could rush in medical assistance. The Bahá’í population of about 42,000 believers spread out in every province is now such that the ravages and miseries afflicting the nation also affect them.
In the months of July, August and September over 1,500 new believers accepted the Faith from many provinces, and the tempo is expected to increase considerably before Riḍván. The National Assembly has also succeeded in having the government officially recognize (incorporate) forty-three local spiritual assemblies, thus leaving another seventeen to be incorporated before its Nine Year Plan goal of sixty incorporated assemblies is fulfilled. By God’s grace it expects to do this by the end of the year, as well as at least double its present number of 126 local spiritual assemblies. (See Briefs p. 12 of this issue)
The prestige of the Faith continues to mount as it is increasingly becoming known as the only pure religion, while others — Catholics, Buddhists and the two indigenous religions of Vietnam — Cao Dal and Hoa—Hao, have become discredited through their meddling in politics as well as their acceptance of financial assistance from those in power. Recently we have been informed that the Mayor of Danang (the second largest city) gave an official policy briefing to all his officials at which he deprecated every religion except the Bahá’í Faith for their dabbling in politics, and openly stated that the Bahá’í Faith is the only pure religion. Of course there are already hundreds of Bahá’ís in Danang, and many of the chiefs of hamlets of Danang City are also Bahá’ís. They felt greatly encouraged by their Mayor's official praise and admission of their Faith's strict principle of abstention from politics. Another instance of interest is that in the northernmost province of Quang-Tri (split in half by the seventeenth parallel) the chiefs of every government department were either transferred or removed for their involvement in political matters, and this included both major religions, except Mr. Dang-Hung-Khang, chairman of Quang-Tri Assembly, who is the chief of the government's veterinary department of Quang-Tri Province and known as a Bahá’í.
Council of Religion: is Effective[edit]
Lastly, in order to bring the religious leaders toward a strictly spiritual pursuit of their faiths, and to enable them to settle their problems peacefully instead of having their followers incited to slaughter each other in the streets, the Bahá’ís, since 1962, have been publicly appealing for the establishment of a Council of Religions to promote religious unity based upon the freedom and legal equality for all. Eventually the bloody religious riots of 1964 forced the establishment of this Council of Religions, and today it represents the spiritual conscience of the peoples, as its membership comprises the top leaders of the Buddhist, Catholic, Bahá’í, Cao-Dai and Hoa-Hao Faiths. The latter two are Buddhist sects, indigenous to Vietnam only, but having considerable following and influence in five of the forty-three provinces. This Council of Religions is recognized and respected by the government, and its charter proclaims strict abstention from politics, while its goal is inter-Faith harmony based upon absolute equality of all Faiths. The press has also acknowledged the Bahá’í Faith's initiative in establishing the Council of Religions.
Swiss School Attracts World Federalist Speaker[edit]
One hundred twenty-six persons from nine countries participated in the Swiss Autumn School held at Rietbad, Toggenburg from October 2 to 9, 1966. Dr. Max Habicht, a well-known Geneva lawyer, was a guest speaker on World Federalism. Dr. Hasan Ali Kamran, a graduate of the Hague School of International Studies in international law, presented the Bahá’í viewpoint. Other speakers included Mrs. Haenni de Bons, Geneva: Mrs. Léa Nys, Brussels; Dr. Eugen Schmidt, Stuttgart; and Mr. Erik Blumenthal, psychologist from Immenstaad, all Auxiliary Board members. Shoghi K. Ghadimi, from Belgium, gave a living presentation of the teachings in the modern context.
One day was devoted to courses given by young Bahá’ís from both the German and French speaking parts of the Swiss Confederation. Special classes were held for the children. The beautiful landscape of the St. Gallen Alps in autumn, the courses in French, German and English, the happy hours of the evening and the spirit of unity and love among the friends helped to lay another landmark in Switzerland’s Bahá’í history.
Inspired by the June message of the Universal House
of Justice, Bahá’í youth of Switzerland climb to new
heights of service, helping to organize the Autumn and
Winter Schools, teaching, and in the work of the administrative institutions. They are pictured above at the
Autumn School in Rietbad, held October 2-9, 1966.
Teachers Visit Switzerland[edit]
A large number of traveling teachers visited Switzerland during the past summer. Among them were Mrs. Léa Nys, Auxiliary Board member of Brussels, who toured the French speaking communities and shared memories of a recent teaching trip throughout America. Miss Irene Bennett, member of the Central African Teaching Committee and professor at Hoima, Uganda visited Vevey, her former pioneering post, and also a number of other French speaking communities, giving firesides and public talks. Richard St. Barbe Baker traveled widely through Switzerland in July of 1966 to speak on “Struggle Against the Desert," related to his Sahara reclamation scheme. He utilized these talks to proclaim the principles of the Bahá’í Faith and also showed slides on Bahá’í activities south of the Sahara.
Shoghi Ghadimi of Belgium taught in the Swiss cities of Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, Neuchâtel, Bienne and La Chaux-de-Fonds. Visitors from the United States included Dr. William Hatcher, who gave talks in Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel and exchanged views with a well-known theologian teaching at one of the universities; Mrs. Harriet Terry and Mr. and Mrs. Richard McCurdy, who visited communities in both the French and German speaking parts of Switzerland, showing slides on Africa and on America respectively.
Other visitors to Switzerland included Auxiliary Board members Erik Blumenthal of Immenstaad and Dr. Eugen Schmidt of Stuttgart (Germany); Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh of New York, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, Miss Edna True (USA), and Dr. Karl Schuck of Berlin.
Reykjavik, Iceland Assembly Now Incorporated[edit]
The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Reykjavik, Iceland, capital city of Iceland, was established in Riḍván of 1966. The story of the visit of Martha Root in 1935 and other early teachers is recorded in an article in Bahá’í News, December, 1965, as well as the signatories of the first Assembly, one of three required for the Nine Year Plan. Now comes the announcement of its legal incorporation.
A member of that Assembly, and one of the pioneers from Canada, Nick Echeverria, writes: “.. dedication to the Faith (is) of the first order . . . the Bahá’í interest in the administrative order has increased a thousand fold and it is a joy to listen at assembly meetings. If you want to see love and unity in action, you should pay a visit to Iceland. I am learning such a lot from these people. . ."
Bahá’í youth from the German-speaking part of Switzerland met on the River Rhine at Schaffhausen on September 24-25, 1966. The topics “Bahá’í Work and Education” and “Child Education” were discussed by participants from three countries.
Fifth National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Grand
Duchy of Luxembourg with Hand of the Cause John Ferraby in center front.
Training session held at Bahá’í National School, Cochabama, Bolivia. A three-monthh course began August 1, 1966.
On August 1, at the Bahá’í National school in the city of Cochabama, Bolivia a three month course of instruction for the Indians began, the longest course held to date. The goal of the school is to teach three main subjects: (1) The election and function of the Local Spiritual Assembly; (2) Deepening in the Bahá’í Faith; (3) The Spanish Alphabet.
Bahá’í instructors are from four different departments or regions: Potosi, La Paz, Cochabama and Chuquicaca. The school is administered by Auxiliary Board member, Athos Costas, and his wife Angéliea.
Brazil Holds Summer School and International Conference[edit]
Two outstanding meetings were held simultaneously in Brazil at a resort hotel in Itanhaem, São Paulo, November 11-15, 1966. One was an international conference called by the beloved Hand of the Cause, Mr. Jalál Kházeh, to which members of the Auxiliary Board and of the national spiritual assemblies of six countries were invited. The other was an annual national summer school organized and prepared by the Local Spiritual Assembly of São Paulo. The meetings were well inter-related. The program of the school was largely given by members of the Auxiliary Board and Mr. Kházeh. The Bahá’ís profited greatly by the consultation of the members at this conference. The general theme was proclamation and plans already made and ready to be put into effect.
The 115 friends present included Auxiliary Board members and representatives from the following National Spiritual Assemblies: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Georgetown British Guiana Local Spiritual Assembly was also represented, as well as several local spiritual assemblies of Brazil.
Perhaps the most important memory of any such meeting is the inspiration and the loving fellowship experienced. This was such a gathering — one which will generate great activity during the coming year.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Jalál Kházeh, second row, center, surrounded by friends from six countries and the Guianas at the joint National School and International Conference held November 11-15, 1966, at the resort city of Itanhaem, São Paulo, Brazil.
Right: Summer School held in Camaguey, Cuba during August of the past year. The children in the foreground attended classes once a week.
Below: Sixth annual convention held in Cuba in 1966.
Below right: An invitational meeting was held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of Havana, Cuba in October. A short talk was followed by a lively question period and a social hour. Bahá’í plan to hold similar meetings each month.
First Teaching Conference in Thailand was held in
Yasothon. Many of the trainees were farmers from the
North East.
lnternational News Briefs[edit]
The Bahá’ís of Vietnam have exceeded their Nine Year Plan goal of sixty incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies, with the incorporation of seventy-three assemblies as of November 12, 1966. They have also enrolled 580 Bahá’ís since October 1 of this year.
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Notwithstanding the necessity of translating into foreign languages, the Bahá’ís of Nicaragua gathered for a most successful summer school on October 2, 3 and 4, held on the Atlantic coast. Many different racial groups were represented at the school.
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At the Bahá’í Winter School held in Asunción, Paraguay (see picture Bahá’í News December, 1966) a successful public meeting was held. A press conference with the editor of Nandé, the largest Paraguayan magazine, resulted in a picture of a Bahá’í group in a subsequent issue.
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National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Kenya elected April, 1966. From left to right, standing: Christopher Musambai, Wilfred Masinde, Frank Mukoyani, James Kingoina, John Asalache. Seated: Bonaventure Wafula (secretary), Elton Smith (chairman), Taherik Alai (treasurer), Julius Makanda (vice-chairman).
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National Assembly of North East Asia elected at tenth annual convention, 1966, front row, left to right: Mrs. Barbara Sims (corres. secretary), Dr. Ikuo Mizuno (vice—chairman), Mr. Samandari (Hand of the Cause), Philip Marangella (chairman); back row: Rouhollah Momtazi, Hiroshi Yamazaki (recording secretary), Abbas Katirai, Ataullah Moghbel (treasurer), Masazo Odani, and Hideya Suzuki.
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The Bahá’í youth of Tonga hold weekly classes for deepening. On Sundays many of them teach children's classes in the various villages. They are well organized, have a good understanding of the Faith and are a real credit to the Bahá’í Community of Tonga.
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Helsinki arranged a public meeting for traveling teacher Jamshed Fozdar on September 7. Bahá’ís present were from all of the communities in Finland. The news editor from Huyudstadsbladet was present at the interview, and this paper printed a rather comprehensive article about the Faith.
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The Bahá’ís of Australia have recently secured excellent publicity in respect to a visit from Auxiliary Board member, Marc Towers, during the month of November. Interviews were held with national and local newspapers and broadcasting stations. A public meeting attracted twenty guests, with several signing to attend firesides and study classes. A literature display attracted much attention, with a number of people taking copies of the pamphlet Literature of the Bahá’í Faith. Mr. Towers also participated in the worship service at the Temple in Sydney which attracted a number of visitors. A short talk was later given at the Information Center to the guest choir, the Parramatta Singers, and tea was served. All requested literature on the Faith.
BAHA'I IN THE NEWS[edit]
The Territorial Sun, a newspaper in Agana, Guam, carried a full-page story on Edgar A. Olson, Bahá’í pioneer to Guam. The article covers his life from its beginning as a newspaper boy in Wilmington, Delaware to his present job as manager of the Guam radio station. His varied background makes a warm and amusing story. The article also makes considerable mention of the Bahá’í Faith. Mr. Olson is vice-chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Guam.
Auxiliary Board Conference in Boston[edit]
Another in the series of conferences held by teams of Auxiliary Board members took place in Boston, Massachusetts on October 15 and 16. For its success the team responsible is deeply grateful to Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem for his presence and participation, as well as to the two host Assemblies, Boston and Cambridge, for the great amount of work done in making physical arrangements and preparing beautiful decorations, music, and devotions. Gratitude is also expressed to Mrs. Jessica Gaver for the successful press conference she arranged, and to Mrs. Helen LaVey for her assistance. The success of the October 14th press breakfast was attested to by the fact that although few in number, those who came, including a representative of the United Press International, were sufficiently interested to linger until almost noon, asking penetrating questions on many phases of the Cause.
Despite inclement weather about 160 Bahá’ís attended the conference, representing sixty-eight localities. Mr. Douglas Martin, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada represented that body. Unable to send a representative, the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States sent a moving greeting.
The agenda, entitled “The Armor of His Love,” followed the lines of the Covenant from the Blessed Báb to the second phase of the Nine Year Plan, centering on the Chief Figures of the Cause and of the Covenant. Hand of the Cause, Mr. Khádem spoke inspiringly on the Twin Manifestations, the Guardianship, the Universal House of Justice, and the Covenant Today. Auxiliary Board Members Albert James, Fred Graham, Javidukht Khádem and Katherine McLaughlin spoke on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Nine Year Plan. In a talk on the Divinity of the Administration Mr. Graham awakened the friends to the sacredness, the authority, the spiritual power and the sensitivity of the local spiritual assembly.
A period was set aside Saturday evening for the friends to submit written questions on any subject in their hearts for answers by the panel of the Hand of the Cause and the Board members. This was followed by such a beautiful presentation of their pilgrimage by Mr. and Mrs. Farhang Javid and their sons that it was as if all who heard were on a pilgrimage.
On Sunday morning Mr. Robert McLaughlin described impressions he received of the Universal House of Justice while doing work for that Supreme Body. Pioneers who were present shared brief anecdotes from their experiences and, in introducing the Hand of the Cause, Mr. Martin spoke of the human need for reverence, reminding us that in the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh we have the aristocracy of the spirit, the Hands of the Cause and their Boards.
Mr. Martin was the speaker and Mr. Graham the chairman at the public meeting which closed the conference.
As at all previous Auxiliary Board conferences, many of those attending spoke of the high level of inspiration as well as the greater understanding received of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.
Youth Retreat at Dexter, Michigan held November 24-27, 1966. A total of 116 from thirty-one communities gathered to gain deeper understanding of the Faith and to practice the ways of true Bahá’í community life. Mrs. Mary Wolter, Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe, Mrs. Helen McClusky assisted with meals, with James Lightfoot serving ably as counsellor and James Keene as inspiring program director. Two declarations were made, other: promising to declare on returning to their homes.
UN Day Observances Bring Publicity and Prestige to the Faith[edit]
Over Seventy Communities Report Special Events
United Nations Day celebrations and publicity brought the name “Bahá’í" to the attention of people from Oregon to Florida, from New England to California, from Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Solomon and Seychelles Islands. Reports of the observances received by the UN Committee indicate that United Nations Day 1966 was a significant success for Bahá’ís in over seventy communities. Attendance ranged from just a few people to as many as 500. In addition to formal programs with speakers the most popular forms of observances this year were of a musical nature and those activities which included children. Food was also a big attraction.
Food Fairs and Children's Parties[edit]
One of the most unique successes was an international food fair sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Spenard, Alaska. This is where attendance ran to 500. Success of the fair was due in great part to the cooperation of Air France, Royal Dutch Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Northern Lights Civic Social Group, and the Cook Inlet Native Association among other well known firms. Here is a guideline for future special programs by Bahá’í' communities — the seeking of assistance from national and international firms which are eager to cooperate in promotional events such as this. During the fair, which ran from noon until 7 p.m., both a UN booth and a Bahá’í booth were manned for the presentation of literature and the answering of questions.
A special children‘s party was co-sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, with ninety
ln addition to the Mayor of Beacon, New York, and
other town officials, two Bahá’ís served on the UN Day
Planning Committee. They are, left to right, Dr. Mary
Tomanie, and (standing second from left) Dr. Barnet
Winter. This is a goal city.
SEYEHELLES GREETS THE UNITED NATIONS
Speakers and portion of the audience of 300 who were present at the Bahá’í observance of United Nations Day in Victoria, Seychelles Islands.
three adults and children participating, seventy-five of whom were not Bahá’í's. Adults from seven countries taught the children how to enjoy games played by children of other lands. A hot dog and marshmallow roast brought the event to a joyous close. The international flavor of the party was given coverage in local newspapers. Another event under the joint sponsorship of these two communities was the presentation of music from various cultures, under the direction of the University Bahá’í Club, with explanations of the religious feelings underlying the music. This was followed by song, guitar music, and Greek dancing.
Song Fests and Student Programs[edit]
A number of communities put on folksong and folk dancing festivals and several presented choral groups including children's voices.
The Miami Local Assembly co-sponsored a play by Bahá’í youth and members of the Golden Age Club. It was based on a comparison between events of 1787 and the present, showing the similarities between attempts at federating the states and at federating the nations.
Eighteen hundred high school social studies students were reached by the Bahá’ís of Niagara Falls, New York, with the showing of color slides with taped lectures written and produced by local Bahá’ís. Not stopping at that, the Bahá’ís of Niagara Falls also placed displays of various aspects of the UN at strategic spots within the city.
Civic Programs and Displays[edit]
Some of the Bahá’í communities observing the day are old hands at it. Others sponsored programs for the first time. Many of them received requests after their programs from top officials to "put on another UN Day celebration next year" and to “help us plan observances for other important national days." This Bahá’í’
Speakers at United Nations program in Solomon Islands October 24, 1966.
spirit of public service was felt by civic leaders in many localities, both those where the Bahá’ís were the sole sponsors of the UN Day event and those where the believers cooperated with other local organizations in joint sponsorships.
A glowing report of a successful “first attempt“ came from San Luis Obispo, California. This was a fully Bahá’í sponsored event. The community reports: “We have been an Assembly only since this past Riḍván and we were under the impression it would be impossible to get recognition of Bahá’í efforts from a mayor unless the Bahá’ís had been entrenched in an area for years. How wrong we were! We called the mayor to ask if we might participate in his UN Day celebration. He advised us that he had made no plans as yet, and if we would like to sponsor the event he would give us the city council chambers to use. We took him up on it immediately, of course, and began to plan the program. It was attended by 21 non-Bahá’ís, including the mayor and a city councilman. Both of them stayed after the meeting to ask questions about the Faith. The local newspaper carried stories to San Luis Obispo residents both before and after our meeting. We are confident that next year we will attract even more people. We feel what happened to us could happen to others in towns where there is no local UN Association.”
Extremely well done special displays and booths were produced by a number of groups and Assemblies. In Madison, Wisconsin the Bahá’ís provided a booth, at the request of the Mayor’s UN Committee, on religion in general, with the theme of “One God, One World, One People.” The booth was made of three panels depicting the three aspects of oneness. Another impressive display was built by the Bahá’ís of northern Virginia for use in the local public library.
News from Distant Centers[edit]
The UN Committee’s incoming mail about UN Day included an enthusiastic report from the Bahá’ís of Victoria, Mahe Seychelles. Over 300 non-Bahá’ís packed the hall at which the meeting was held. After the meeting many of the young people gathered at a nearby cafe to discuss at great length the principles of the Faith with some of the Bahá’ís. The Victoria Assembly secretary writes: “Never before have we had so much publicity, both on radio and in the press. Our press release was published in three English papers in addition to the official government bulletin. The whole text of the release was broadcast several nights consecutively in both English and Creole."
Another enthusiastic report came from a small group in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, with: “The spirit was excellent. Discussion was stimulating.” Three of the Bahá’ís visited the mayor, inviting him to the meeting that was planned and presenting him with United Nations books for the public library. Also they showed him the posters they were placing around town and he took one to be placed in the City Hall. UN Day gave many groups like this opportunity to make themselves known publicly.
Still another report from a far-off place came from the Solomon Islands where, in spite of the heavy rain, a successful public meeting was held at the Bahá’í Center, Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. This is the fourth occasion on which the local Bahá’í community has been responsible for organizing a special gathering for UN Day, and each time the publicity given and the interest aroused has grown. About 150 persons were present, including a large number of high school and college students. Alvin J . Blum, chairman of the Southwest Pacific Ocean National Assembly, presided, and the speakers were Dr. Gidean Soloveke (guest) and Mr. William Laing, another member of the National Assembly, whose talk was partially broadcast on the
A few of the many newspaper stories that were read by
thousands of people throughout the country.
government radio. In addition to the two addresses, the Bahá’í choir sang four numbers, including the United Nations Hymn and a rendering of a portion of the Hidden Words. A UNESCO film was shown and the Preamble to the United Nations’ Charter, recited by Sir Lawrence Olivier, was played. Several days later about 250 children saw the UNESCO film.
Successful Efforts of Small Groups[edit]
Reports prove that it doesn’t take a large group to put on a successful event. An example of this came from Fort Pierce, Florida, where the only Bahá’ís, Esther and Irene Becher, obtained fifteen inches of free publicity for their UN meeting held in the local community center. They had a senior high school chorus of thirty-three voices and a guest Bahá’í speaker. Follow up firesides are now being held. Realizing that the interest in “Bahá’í" awakened by UN Day activities and publicity must be nourished. many Bahá’í communities throughout the nation are following up their programs with firesides. Having established recognition of their public service spirit and world-mindedness, they are sponsoring teaching efforts with publicity to continue to reach the new contacts they have made.
This Is the Day in Which to Speak[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, heeded this call of Bahá’u’lláh with an eleven—day proclamation of the Faith to the masses and this undertaking turned out to be a much greater success than anyone envisioned.
The Fort Wayne Bahá’í Proclamation Days, as it was called, started on November 11 and extended through November 21. During this period, the community achieved the following in the Ft. Wayne area:
The Mayor of Ft. Wayne issued a proclamation for the event.
The Proclamation Days began with a press conference attended by representatives of television, radio and press.
A total of five hours of television time was given over the three local stations.
A total of eight hours of prime radio time was granted over the four local stations, plus approximately 100 spot announcements.
Ten public meetings were held.
Bahá’í speakers addressed a total of twenty-five high school groups, some as large as 250 in number, at five high schools. They also addressed a total of seven college groups at four colleges.
The proclamation reached some 4000 people directly through speakers, and an estimated 180,000 persons within a radius of fifty to seventy-five miles of Ft. Wayne through radio and television.
In addition, the Ft. Wayne proclamation extended to other parts of the state of Indiana: to Marian, South Bend, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Kokomo and Columbus, and reaped additional harvests for the Faith in these areas.
Marion had a one-hour television and fifteen-minute radio program. South Bend had a ten-minute radio program. Indianapolis had a Bahá’í on a one-hour TV
Other Observances[edit]
Many large meetings have been held with very favorable attendance and publicity. Outstanding Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í speakers gave their time to make these events successful. To fully report on all the wonderful UN Day celebrations of the Bahá’ís would require much more space than we have here. In addition to the public meetings, other ways of obtaining publicity for the Bahá’ís on UN Day were: the raising of a UN flag, through the efforts of the Bahá’ís, at a public building in St. Joseph, Michigan; the planting of a dogwood tree at the public library by the Bahá’í Assembly of Hamburg, New York; and many firesides using UN slides.
When the UN Committee, along with other UN accredited non-governmental organizations, turn over our statistics about UN Day observances to the United Nations Office of Public Information, we will be very proud of Bahá’í communities everywhere. Our UN Day observances bring prestige and new teaching opportunities not only to the individual communities and groups, but also to the national community of Bahá’ís and to the international community.
U S Bahá’í COMMITTEE FOR UNITED NATIONS
program plus another five-minute interview on radio
and a feature article in the Negro newspaper. Bloomington held two meetings including one at the University of Indiana and had a feature article in the college
newspaper. Kokomo held two meetings and Columbus one.
Speakers at the nightly public meetings, who also appeared on radio and television, included: Hand of the Cause Zikru’lláh Khádem; members of the National Spiritual Assembly Dr. David S. Ruhe, Dr. Daniel Jordan, and Dr. Dwight Allen; Auxiliary Board members William Maxwell and Mrs. Beth McKenty; also Mrs. David S. Ruhe, Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith, Mrs. Joy Earl, Mr. Salvatore A. Pelle, and Mr. Fred M. Sudhop. Many others from all parts of Indiana and elsewhere assisted in the proclamation.
In a preliminary analysis by the Local Spiritual Assembly, they cite these factors for the success of the proclamation:
The Ft. Wayne Bahá’í Community is not large or wealthy. It is a community that includes, among its members, those who are blind, elderly and infirm. Yet this Community, after the last national Convention, decided in its Spiritual Assembly to heed the call of Bahá’u’lláh, and, in complete obedience to the Universal House of Justice, to arise to proclaim His Message to the masses and so to take its rightful place in the Nine-Year Plan.
Through constantly turning to Bahá’u’lláh in prayer, the Community received His guidance, as well as the promised aid of the Hosts on High.
Individuals, when asked to participate eagerly accepted and did everything and anything needed to be done including mailing out of hundreds of programs and the placing of some 500 posters in the City.
For six months the Local Assembly held weekly
From upper left and clockwise: Hand of the Cause Mr. Zikru’lláh Khádem; Auxiliary Board member Beth McKenty; Auxiliary Board member William Maxwell greeted by friends; Chairman of National Spiritual Assembly
Dr. Daniel Jordan, Chairman of Local Assembly of Fort Wayne Fred Sudhop; Dr. Bernard Streets, Chairman for Mr. Salvatore Pelle, Director of Public Information Department one of the many other guest speakers; part of the audience at one of the public meetings; a glimpse of one of the numerous firesides.
meetings to plan and carry out details of the proclamation.
The Ft. Wayne community had previously, over a period of years, developed friendships in the city and in all the news media which enabled them to reach the public via the Mayor's Proclamation, television, radio, newspapers, high schools and colleges.
Support for the proclamation came not only from the believers in Ft. Wayne, but also from Bahá’ís in different parts of the nation as far away as West Virginia, Texas and Georgia. One Bahá’í woman living in another part of the country, wishing to have a part in the proclamation but having no income, sold her piano and sent the entire proceeds.
During the entire proclamation, the point was stressed that the main purpose of the event was to inform not to convert. Thus, speakers at schools gave academic talks on the Faith or talks which gave Bahá’í views or concepts in the areas of education, science, or religion.
As a result of the proclamation and the way it was handled, the reputation of Bahá’ís has reached an all time high in the city. The news media, especially radio and television, were tremendously impressed by the high caliber of intelligence as well as the common sense of the Bahá’ís that appeared on their programs. At the opening press conference, attended by the Chairman and Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly and by members of the Ft. Wayne Assembly, one of the newsmen said, that they came without expecting very much, but instead stayed on because of the tremendous impression the Bahá’ís made on them.
Dividends from the proclamation are already apparent in the good-will of the community, the good press and numerous queries on the Faith.
The Ft. Wayne community is not resting on its success, but is busy at work on the follow-up plans that include: getting a telephone listing, running a weekly ad, holding two firesides and one public meeting weekly, bringing in one outstanding speaker a month to get news media coverage, and contacting clubs, churches and other organizations. Already for their next outside speaker in January, they have lined up two one-half hour television programs and one half-hour radio program.
“Arise for the triumph of My Cause, and through the power of thine utterance, subdue the hearts of men” are the words of Bahá’u’lláh. That He blessed this proclamation is beyond doubt, for the telegram, sent by the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere to Ft. Wayne, stating that the proclamation was blessed by Bahá’u’lláh was through a mistake on the part of the telegraph company reported as signed Bahá’u’lláh - or was it a mistake?!!
Holy Days Recognized by School Officials[edit]
An isolated believer, Mrs. Kathryn Dunn Burke, has accomplished a goal of the Nine Year Plan for the State of Pennsylvania. She has received from the local school authorities of Latrobe permission for her son to observe Bahá’í Holy Days on an excused absence. In her words, “This, after a thorny six months of repeated letters, phone calls, etc.” This is the first recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days by any school authority in the entire State of Pennsylvania.
Other localities receiving permission for Bahá’í children to be excused from attending classes on Holy Days, the first in that state, are Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Walla Walla, Washington has secured the same recognition from their local school authorities.
There are now but nine states in which Bahá’í Holy Days are not recognized in the schools: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and West Virginia‘
Green Lake-[edit]
Arming for Assurance
It is always a joy to return to Green Lake Bahá’í Institute and never more so than this year when isolated believers and small groups could share in observing the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh with over a hundred early arriving friends. They heard an inspirational opening address on Bahá’u’lláh, the Prince of Peace, by Auxiliary Board member, William Maxwell. This holy day celebration and the significant theme of the institute began the weekend on a high spiritual plane and the direction was upwards. The theme, Arming for Assurance, was thoughtfully developed into a program meaningful to seekers, new believers, and deepened Bahá’ís.
The annual phenomenon of Green Lake weather, clearest blue sky with warming bright sunshine over a tranquil lake, greeted the 200 and more friends who gathered in mid-November in Northern Wisconsin, unlikely weather but most welcome. Brightening the meeting room was the increasing number of enthusiastic young people from campus groups in Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and other young people facing adult responsibilities, To their ears, the sessions on the need for a new religion and the certainty of the Bahá’í Faith had great impact . . . and two collegians made their declaration.
Facing ourselves and the problems of being Bahá’ís in this day with clear eyes was the requirement of the afternoon, as Peter Khan built upon the foundation laid by the earlier speakers, Jane McCants and Bill Maxwell. Innovation in presentation was the sensitive committee‘s plan and a mock LSA meeting was on the evening program. Their task was to deal with every assembly‘s problem - getting universal participation. It was the major topic of consultation. Many in the audience, now up to 300 in number, saw themselves and their assembly all too vividly as the evening progressed! The effectiveness of the improvised assembly meeting was apparent as individuals related so closely to the situations portrayed. And the meaning of being a Bahá’í in this day was powerful . . . two more declarations crowned the evening. No, wait, three! Allah-u‘Abhá echoed through the room and in the hearts of the friends.
Sunday morning's sunshine was musical, provided by the voices of young Bahá’ís from all across the mid west, new voices mixing with seasoned harmonizers. Worshiping together, strengthening convictions, sharing fellowship, firming the ties to the practises and institutions of Bahá’í which will carry this Faith through the inevitable storms that will assail the Cause of God from within and without—these were the important highlights of Green Lake, 1966.
For the friends with younger children, a carefully planned and effectively carried out program for several ages was greatly appreciated, and these future carriers of the Cause were richer for their experience in learning and playing together.
At the close of the final session, the essence of the
Five of seven new Bahá’ís who made declarations at the
Green Lake Institute in November. From left are: Jean
Millar, Paula Schneider and Frank Wilf, all students
at Parsons College in Iowa. At right are Betty Jayne
Schoeglar and Allan Scheffer of the University of Wisconsin. Missing are another Parsons Bahá’í and a young
lady from the University of Illinois.
week-end Institute seemed to be capsuled in these key directions as to the requirements for our times — confidence in the Writings, obedience to the institutions, assurance in the Faith, and happy in each other . . . and two more young people declared themselves for Bahá’u’lláh!
Green Lake Institutes don‘t end: like Brigadoon they come to life only periodically, and next year when the Baptist Assembly grounds magically come to life as a Bahá’í Institute, this year’s seekers will return as strong Bahá’ís, new believers will be back as deepened servants of the Cause, and the strong Bahá’ís of many years will be reassured in the glorious future of the Faith, The statistics of seven declarations is exciting, but only the beginning of another wave of growth.
Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Wahiawa,
Oahu, Hawaii. Left to right; seated: William Smits,
Ann Gibson, Lee Smits, Victor Tift; standing: Jack
Spock, Jim Gibson, Irvil Phelps, Larry Beers, and Roy
Johnson. This Assembly was first formed at Riḍván, 1965.
Booth at Fresno, California, District Fair October 6-16.
The Fair attracted over 400,000 people many stopping
at the Bahá’í exhibit to take literature or sign the guest
book. The communities of Fresno City and Fresno JD
cooperated in planning and staffing this display made
outstandingly attractive by the large painting of the
Shrine of the Báb.
Books Exhibited at Society for Scientific Study of Religion Conference in Chicago[edit]
Eighteen Bahá’í books were recently displayed by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust at the twenty-sixth annual meeting of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion held at the Center for Continuing Education, University of Chicago, October 28-29. All books were later donated to the Society’s library.
Membership of this organization includes many prominent scholars in the fields of sociology, theology and psychology, as well as some from the physical sciences. Several leading U.S. trade and religious publishers were represented among the exhibitors, and also a number of university presses. World Order magazine was displayed along with the books. It attracted the interest of a professor of philosophy who telephoned shortly after the conference for information concerning the magazine and the Faith in general. He stated that he wished to call the attention of his students to the magazine. A professor of history from a leading Catholic university wrote for books.
The Department of Public Information cooperated in this venture with an attractive ad in the Conference Program, which also brought a number of inquiries.
News Briefs[edit]
Hand of the Cause, Dr. Ugo Giachery has recently visited in Arizona, speaking at several public meetings, as well as to the friends, and bringing the warmth and vitality of his understanding of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as sharing the stories of some of his unique services to the Faith in Haifa. At a public meeting commemorating the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh he addressed a large gathering in Encanto Park, Phoenix, showing in scholarly yet inspiring fashion that man without God is dead, and that Bahá’u’lláh gives the perfect guidelines for nobility of conduct. At a fireside in Tempe, he shared some of the exciting details of the construction of the Shrine of the Báb, showing how the guidance of the beloved Guardian led to the completion
Exhibit at Greater Jacksonville (Florida) Fair, October
19-29, 1966. Over 200,000 people saw this prominently
located sign and visitors to the booth viewed colored
slides of Bahá’í Shrines and Houses of Worship and
the London Congress. Shown are, left to right: John
Boylin, Jules Vautrot and Reed Barrett. The exhibit
was planned and assembled by the Duval County Group.
of each momentous step in the undertaking “while
there was yet time.” At a gathering of believers in
Cave Creek this distinguished Hand of the Cause called
on each and all to arise for action to complete the Nine
Year Plan — a Plan which he described as a staggering
project that should bring joy and elation to the American friends as it constituted recognition of their capacity.
O
The fourth annual Bahá’í Council Fire to be held at Makah Reservation at Neah Bay, Washington, August 13 and 14, attracted over seven hundred people including representatives from fourteen Indian tribes. The hard work of a summer Youth Projects group was largely responsible for the outstanding success of this event. The program began with a story of the Makah tribe and legends, included dances by various tribes and a talk by Vinson Brown who told of the relationship of Indian tradition to events of the present day. Singing, a delicious salmon dinner and a campfire on the beach made the occasion memorable for fellowship and joy. The highlight of the evening was a Bahá’í wedding service performed near the fire.
O
A youth conference, sponsored by the State Goals Committee of Western New York was held in Victor, New York November 25-27 in commemoration of the Day of the Covenant. Forty-five attended the classes which included: the many aspects of the mission of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; heroes of the past and present; the recent letter from the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’í Youth; and how to live the exemplary Bahá’í life. The sessions generated a spirit of joy and devotion and two people declared their Faith in Bahá’u’lláh.
O
The Bahá’í community of Anaheim, California assisted its goal community of Buena Park in constructing and entering a float in a Buena Park civic parade and winning the honor of being in second place for its division among all the entries. The float featured a rotating globe, of tissue paper pompons attached to the frame of wire, the paper being in varied colors to show continents of the world. Children of various races rode on the float and Bahá’í choral songs were played.
0
Third annual conference of Bului’t Youth Club of Greater St. Louis, Missouri held in Potosi, October 28-30.
About eighty Bahá’ís and friends from six states learned
of the “Challenge of Bahá’u’lláh” through stories of the
Dawnbreakers and their spiritual descendants. Dr.
Håbib Moayyad (shown in center), physician to the
family of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, told inspiring stories of the
life of the Beloved Master.
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The recent hurricane which brought devastation to many places in the Caribbean caused enormous damage on the island of Guadeloupe, one of the islands to be included in the area of the National Assembly which will he established in the Caribbean next April. The roof was blown off the Center where the believers meet in Guadeloupe, in Lauricisque. The friends who could get there held meetings regularly during the month when the little center was roofless and had no electricity. Bahá’ís from St. Thomas sent food which was distributed to the believers as well as to many others.
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The Message of Bahá’u’lláh travels far in these days of rapid communication. A man in Rogers, Arkansas told his Bahá’í friend of being unable to sleep one night and turning on his short wave radio to find a program from Venezuela telling about the Bahá’í Faith. He said, “It was a Bahá’í talk and they said it in English and then in Spanish. It was a very good program, sponsored by their National Office."
Baha'i House of Worship[edit]
Visiting Hours
Daily 10:00 am. to 5:00 p.m. (Entire Building) Devotions Sundays
3:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Public Meetings Sundays 4:15 p.m.
The birthday of Bahá’u’lláh was marked in Worcester, Massachusetts with the holding of a public meeting on “Bahá’u’lláh: Emancipator of Men's Minds". Mr. George Goodman of New York spoke, Miss June Eastmond, also of New York serving as chairman. The gathering, held in a community center in an area of Negro population, attracted over twenty visitors, mostly youth, who seemed to respond enthusiastically to the warmth of the Bahá’í message. A large group of Bahá’ís from nearby places attended; there was singing, refreshments and informal visiting and the visitors asked “when are you coming back?”
Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department[edit]
Series of Four Tapes: A series of four 15 minute tapes, prepared by the Public Information Department, is now available. With the addition of local introductory and closing announcements, each tape is suitable for a 15 minute radio program, either as a public service feature or on a paid-time basis. Each tape may also be used for firesides and study classes—each makes a good basis for discussion, and references may be used to explore the topics discussed on the tapes. All of the tapes are in narrative style against a musical background with two voices alternated (man’s and woman's). While designed to be used in a series, each tape may be used singly by deleting the closing statement on each tape which gives the subject of the next tape. A list of suggested opening and closing announcements, suggestions for use, and references for study are included.
Tape #1 . . . . . . progressive revelation Tape #2 . . . . . . ethical and social teachings Tape #3 . . . . . . creation, nature and destiny of man Tape #4 . . . . . . God and His Manifestation 5 inch reel, 71/2 p.s. . . . . $2.50 Set of 4 tapes . . . . . . . . $9.00
Order from: Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS January 19 — Sultan (Sovereignty) February 7 — Mulk (Dominion) WORLD RELIGION DAY January l5 — Religion-Foundation of World Civilization U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS February 17 - 20 March 24 - 26
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: Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee, Managing Editor; Mrs. Eunice Braun. International Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative.
Mnterial must be received by the twentieth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, USA 80091.
Change at address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í omce, 112 Linden Avenue. Wilmette. Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
