Bahá’í News/Issue 431/Text
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| No. 431 | BAHA’I YEAR 123 | FEBRUARY 1967 |
NEWS FROM THE WORLD CENTER[edit]
A selection of news items from the Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land
Major Victory Over the Covenant-Breakers
Now that the two-year battle is over, the story can be told of the impudent and somewhat naive attempt of the followers of Mason Remey to gain possession of all Bahá’í properties and funds in the United States of America, including the Temple.
The first intimation of this fantastic claim was a letter from a lawyer, received in the summer of 1964 by the National Assembly of the United States, setting out the demands of the Covenant-breakers, suggesting that the whole matter could be settled without recourse to the courts, and proposing a date for discussion of the matter.
On November 5, 1964 the Covenant-breakers formally filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois, supporting their claim on the grounds that they were “orthodox" Bahá’ís and Mason Remey the “hereditary guardian”.
On December 3, 1964 the National Assembly answered this claim stating its historic and legal right to all Bahá’í properties in the United States, and itself filed a counter-claim seeking to restrain the Covenant-breakers from using such Bahá’í names and symbols as are already protected by United States trademark. On March 23, 1965 the Covenant-breakers’ suit was dismissed on technical legal grounds; they filed a further suit making the same claims and this was dismissed on March 8, 1966, thus leaving the National Assembly’s counter-claim outstanding. After long research and preparation the case came for trial on June 1, 1966. The Covenant-breakers failed to appear and judgement was given against them. The judgement became final after the lapse of the statutory time for appeal.
As a result of this action the authority and rights of the American National Spiritual Assembly over the properties and funds in its care have been upheld by law, and the dwindling group of Remey followers within the United States has been forbidden to use those Bahá’í names and symbols which by long use have become associated with the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh and its Administrative Order.
Activities and Travels of the Hands of the Cause of God
At the World Center, Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum, Mr. Faizí and Mr. Haney have carried forward the manifold tasks devolving upon the Hands in the Holy Land. Rúḥíyyih Khánum is engaged in writing a comprehensive article on the life and work of the beloved Guardian for inclusion in the next volume of “The Bahá’í World”, an undertaking which has delayed her departure for an extensive teaching tour in the African continent.
Mr. Furútan, the other Hand assigned to the Holy Land, has been serving temporarily in Írán for the past several months, where he has travelled widely and given many concentrated courses to the friends, educating them and deepening them in the Faith and in the Covenant.
During the past summer Dr. Varqá came from Tihran to serve in the Holy Land for two months. This made it possible for Mr. Faizí to carry out an intensive itinerary, including brief visits to Europe and to Turkey.
Recently the World Center has also had visits from Mr. Sears, who came for consultation en route to his new post in Africa, and from Mr. Ferraby in connection with the work of the European Hands.
In Asia, Mr. Samandarí has been constantly engaged in teaching trips which have carried him to Arabia, Pakistan, Ceylon, the Philippines, India, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. His visits have had an inspiring effect everywhere and reports received show that he turned the thoughts and efforts of the friends to the all-important task of teaching and promoting the Faith. This dear Hand of the Cause, whose eyes have been blessed by looking upon the Supreme Manifestation of God, carries with him a special atmosphere wherever he goes, and the friends receive a spiritual upliftment and a new understanding of the meaning of the Faith and their obligation to serve it.
General ‘Ala’í' is currently visiting India, to consult with the National Spiritual Assembly, and to encourage the believers in that sub-continent where so many victories for the Faith are being won. He will also visit Pakistan.
Dr. Muhájir is engaged in an extensive tour through South East Asia and neighboring countries which has already taken him to Hong Kong, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and to India, where he visited mass conversion areas.
Although still confined to a hospital bed in Tokyo, as a result of a serious fall suffered last year, Miss
Alexander continues to receive visits from the friends, who absorb from her the precious stories of the Master which she can tell them and the inspiration which she always radiates.
In the Western Hemisphere, in addition to travelling widely and holding numerous meetings of consultation with the National Assemblies of this vast area, the Hands of the Cause have lent great impetus and inspiration to the various Summer Schools, Youth Institutes, and special teaching campaigns.
Dr. Giachery journeyed to the Hawaiian Islands and officially opened the Summer School there, making trips to Kauai, Hawaii and Maui. From there he proceeded to Mexico and attended the first Summer School held in that country. En route he also attended the Southern California Summer School.
In North America, Mr. Khádem, in addition to holding numerous conferences and meetings with the friends in many parts of the Continental United States, has visited Hawaii, attended the Green Acre Summer School twice, and visited the Central States and Southeastern Summer Schools.
Mr. Sears attended the Summer School of Alaska and appeared on two radio and two television programs while in that northern outpost of the Faith. Before leaving for his new post in Africa he was able to fulfill his commitment to assist the Canadian teaching campaign through a protracted stay in British Columbia during the opening weeks of the intensive teaching conferences and other projects scheduled to be inaugurated through his visit. He also attended the first Bahá’í Children’s Summer School in Vancouver Island, the Youth Training Session at the Geyserville Summer School, and visited the Southern California Summer School. These journeys followed the successful conclusion of the Victory Campaign in California, a teaching effort initiated by Mr. Sears, and which accounted for approximately sixty percent of the net gain in the number of Local Assemblies in the United States this year.
In South America, Colonel Kházeh has visited Bolivia, a country where large numbers of the Indian population have entered the Faith, and set in motion a program to strengthen Local Assemblies and deepen the friends. He also attended the National Bahá’í School in Paraguay, and while there held a press interview which gave wide publicity to the Faith.
In Africa Mr. Banáni, Mr. Olinga, Mr. Robarts and Mr. Sears have just concluded a meeting in Kampala, Uganda at which plans were formulated for intensive prosecution of the teaching work. Previous to this meeting Mr. Olinga visited West Africa, and engaged in an extensive tour of Bahá’í Centers and new areas in East Africa. Mr. Robarts is visiting as many centers as possible in Africa before leaving for his new post as a Hand in the Western Hemisphere. He will come to the Holy Land for consultation en route to Canada.
In Europe Dr. Muhlschlegel has recently travelled to the British Isles, France, Belgium and Germany, and is currently visiting Greece and Yugoslavia.
Dr. Grossmann, although in poor health, was able to attend many of the sessions of the German Summer Schools and Youth Schools.
Mr. Balyuzi, although prevented by reasons of health from travelling, has been engaged in extensive research and writing on the lives of the Central Figures of the Faith, and in making translations from the sacred Writings.
Mr. Ferraby, in addition to attending the two Summer Schools in the British Isles, has travelled extensively on the continent, including visits to Spain and Portugal, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands, and also attended a number of the Continental Summer Schools.
In Australasia, Mr. Featherstone attended the Summer School in New Guinea and visited various communities in that area. Following this, he made an extensive tour which included visits to New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and Western Samoa.
Continuous Achievement of Goals of the Nine Year Plan
The wonderful surge of pioneers during the second year of the Nine Year Plan resulted in more than 500 Bahá’ís arising to leave their homes to settle in other countries. Of this impressive number, greater than in any single year in the history of the Cause, nearly half came from Persia, once again demonstrating the spirit of devotion of this long-suffering community. Further, the Persian village of Ardistán has contributed the sum of $10,000 to assist in the purchase of three Teaching Institutes, one each in Ecuador, Korea and the Philippine Islands.
All over the world the friends are constantly working to promote the Faith and to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan. Reports and Minutes of all National Spiritual Assemblies are studied at the World Center and amply testify to the spirit animating the entire world community. We share with you news of a few of the more recent achievements:
Historic Sites. Final possession of Chihríq, the fortress on the northern border of Persia where the blessed Báb was imprisoned and from whence He was taken to His martyrdom, has now been achieved. This is indeed a great victory, immensely enriching the spiritual and historical endowments of the Faith.
Iceland. Even before the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly, a task assigned to Canada, the Local Spiritual Assembly of Reykjavik has been incorporated, paving the way for the incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly when it is formed. In addition recognition and acceptance of Bahá’í marriage, Holy Days, burial and exemption from tax of Bahá’í property has been achieved.
Indian Ocean. This National Spiritual Assembly has just achieved incorporation by Act of the Legislative Assembly of Mauritius.
Vietnam. This National Spiritual Assembly has acquired its National Endowment and achieved the goal of incorporating 62 Local Spiritual Assemblies. There is a steady monthly increase in the number of believers.
Kenya. The incorporation of the National Spiritual Assembly has been completed and the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has been transferred into its name. Pieces of land for the two Teaching Institutes to be established under the Nine Year Plan have been acquired, as well as a piece for the building of a local center in Nandi. The Bahá’í Holy Days have been recognized officially by the Kenya Government as religious anniversaries. Bahá’í employees of the government may now take any five of the nine Bahá’í Holy Days without loss of pay.
Bolivia. The Ministry of Indian Affairs in Bolivia has issued a circular letter to all Departmental Federations of Workers stating that as the activities of the Faith have “no relationship whatsoever with politics” Bahá’ís should be accorded freedom of expression, freedom in movement and freedom in worship.
A new declaration of exceptional interest is that of Carlos Quispe Villca from the community of Mullípunco. Carlos was born in 1815, two years before Bahá’u’lláh, and is now 151 years old. In order to walk Carlos needs the help of two canes, but otherwise his health is good. At Riḍván he was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Mullípunco in the province of Carangas.
Belgium. One of the Bahá’ís in Belgium has been granted non-combatant status in the armed forces by act of a special tribunal. The certificate granting the recognition specifically cites the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Belgium as the responsible body for the Bahá’í community in that country.
Finland. The National Spiritual Assembly of Finland has acquired its Temple site, with the assistance of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada.
Argentina. A piece of land has been donated to the Faith to serve as a site for the future regional summer school which is one of the goals of the Plan.
Tonga/South Pacific Ocean. A plot has been obtained on a twenty-one year lease in Nuku'alofa, which will be used as a site for the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds of the projected National Spiritual Assembly of Tonga and Cook Islands.
Haiti. The valiant community of this island not only increased their Local Assemblies from 23 to 26 this year, but in the course of the year succeeded in sending out four pioneer families to goals in Africa and the Caribbean.
North East Africa. The Temple site has been acquired near Addis Ababa.
North West Africa. The Temple site has been acquired in Rabat, Morocco.
Malaysia. The National Endowment has been acquired.
Nigeria. The Teaching Institute has been acquired at Akpabuyo in the Eastern Region.
South West Pacific. This National Spiritual Assembly has achieved its incorporation.
Rhodesia. The Officer of the Registrar of Marriages has designated the representative of the Bahá’í Community in Rhodesia as Marriage Officer for the Bahá’í religion, empowered to perform Bahá’í marriage ceremonies in Rhodesia. This fills the goal of the Nine Year Plan.
North East Asia. The National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds has been acquired in Korea.
United States. On Sunday, September 4, an audience estimated at more than twenty million people in the United States and Canada saw a thirty-minute television program in color, entitled “And His Name Shall Be One”, devoted entirely to the Bahá’í Faith. It was planned and broadcast by the Columbia Broadcasting Company in its series “Lamp Unto My Feet”.
To make this program films were taken in Haifa and ‘Akká which beautifully portrayed the Shrines and gardens at the World Center, and scenes were taken at the National Convention in Wilmette against the background of the House of Worship and its surrounding gardens. A befitting commentary accompanied the film and a number of Bahá’ís were interviewed as part of the program.
This is undoubtedly the largest audience ever addressed at one time about the Faith and is a hopeful augury for the forthcoming Proclamation Program.
New Languages. Six languages have been added to the impressive list of those which contain Bahá’í literature in print: Tswana in Africa; Mapucae in Chile; Chauanco in Argentina; Garhwali in India; Tokelauan in New Zealand; Mordva in Finland.
Trends in the World Community
Youth. Throughout the five continents Bahá’í youth are on the move. This heartening and significant news is constantly reaching the World Center. A large proportion of new enrollments are youth, and organized activities, such as Youth Week-ends, Schools, Social Projects, Firesides and Travel-Teaching are reported from all parts of the world. Many pioneers and administrators are youth. Bahá’í' societies in universities are increasing in number. An outstanding example of this vitality is seen in the news from Ujjain, India, that sixty college students, some of whom are from the Government Polytechnic College, have accepted the Faith recently. Many of these students attended the Conference held at the Gwalior Teaching Institute.
The Universal House of Justice and the Hands of the Cause are delighted, set the greatest store by this upsurge of enthusiastic service, and pray for its expansion and bountiful confirmation.
Panama Temple
A new site, within a short distance of the original one, but far more accessible and susceptible to building operations, has been acquired by exchange, and construction of a road to it is being arranged.
Mr. Robert McLaughlin, Dean Emeritus of the School of Architecture at Princeton University, a former member of the United States National Spiritual Assembly, has been appointed as architectural consultant to the House of Justice for the building of the Temple.
After consideration of more than forty designs submitted, many of which were from Bahá’í architects, the Universal House of Justice selected an architect and asked him to visit the site with Mr. McLaughlin, and then to submit a final design, based on his original conception but embodying pre-Colombian motifs and making use of local materials. When this final design is approved a contract will be drawn and work started. Further announcements will be made from time to time.
Presentation to Israel Museum
The cordial relationship which exists between the World Center and the State of Israel was further enhanced when Mark Tobey and Bernard Leach each presented a piece of their work to the new Israel Museum in Jerusalem. The mayor of Jerusalem, who is also Director of the Museum, expressed great pleasure and gratitude for these gifts from Bahá’ís of such fame.
New Territories Opened to the Faith
The three following territories have recently been opened to the Faith, through the devoted efforts of pioneers: (St. Martin Bonaire) in the Caribbean Phoenix Islands in the Pacific. This brings the total of territories opened to 309.
—November 1966
Universal House of Justice Announces Incorporation of National Assembly in Italy[edit]
Since receipt of the November News Letter from the World Center the following cablegram was received from the Universal House of Justice December 22, 1966:
JOYFULLY ANN0UNCE INCORPORATION
ITALIAN NSA SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE PROCESS
RECOGNITION FAITH HEART CHRISTENDOM.
PUBLISH THIS CABLE BAHA'I NEWS.
(Signed) Universal House of Justice
COMMENTARY: This outstanding victory raises to ten the National Spiritual Assemblies incorporated since the beginning of the Nine Year Plan. The goal is the incorporation of sixty-five National Assemblies. By the end of the Nine Year Plan several of those listed at the beginning of the Plan to attain this objective will have altered areas or will be dissolved as the result of the formation of National Assemblies in independent countries or smaller regions within existing areas. With the incorporation of each new National Assembly another government accords legal recognition to the Faith thus broadening the base and increasing the prestige as well as the responsibilities of the community of The Most Great Name.
Two of the Guaymi Indian teachers at the teaching institute at Cerro Bolo, Chiriqui, Republic of Panaman, one of ten held from July to the end of November, 1966.
Panamanian Teaching Institute Steadily Develops
The first national teaching conference of the Republic of Panama was held October 29-30 at Villa Virginia with good attendance from the Capitol area. On November 26-27 a teaching institute, held in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, inspired everyone toward more effort in this year of proclamation. In September the youth planned their first teaching conference at the Bahá’í Center in the Canal Zone.
Teaching institutes continued through the rainy season in the Chiriqui area, stimulating active participation of the Guaymi Indian teachers. The first institute was held in July. Ten have taken place as of the last of November. Three were held without the help of a pioneer, an Auxiliary Board member, or a National Assembly representative. On the recommendation of Dr. Giachery, the two indigenous teaching committees have been subdivided into four, to augment teaching efforts in the mountains. Attendance at these institutes averages about twenty adults. Three Bahá’í schools are still operating with approximately twenty students at first and second grade level. Textbooks and other supplies from the Canal Zone are furnished each school by the National Assembly of Panama.
Arthur Krummel, U.S. pioneer in this area, is now coordinating the activities of the four indigenous teaching committees with the National Spiritual Assembly. Guaymi teachers are being encouraged to carry on direct teaching programs in their own language. Mrs. Ruth Pringle, Auxiliary Board member, made a trip to that area and, with the pioneer, succeeded in getting excellent participation in Plan de Chorcha and Quebrada Pita.
First youth-planned teaching conference at Bahá’í Center in Canal Zone September 18.
THE PROMISED DAY IS COME[edit]
by Shoghi Effendi
BOOK REVIEW by the late MABEL HYDE PAINE
THIS BOOK, written by the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, Shoghi Effendi, presents to the Bahá’ís of the West and through them to the western world what posterity may well judge as among the most dramatic episodes in the history of the human race. The drama, spiritual in its essence, moves through the hearts and actions of the leaders and people of the Christian and Muhammadan worlds between the years 1844 and 1944. In the opening pages Shoghi Effendi represents the times of supreme suffering through which the World is now passing as “a tempest, unprecedented in its violence, unpredictable in its course, catastrophic in its immediate effects, unimaginably glorious in its ultimate consequences." It will bring man eventually to a realization that, to quote Bahá’u’lláh, “The Kingdom is God’s, the Almighty, the All-Praised.”
A visitation from God
Those who have recognized Bahá’u’lláh as the Mouthpiece of God see in these unprecedented sufferings of mankind, “a visitation from God and a cleansing process for all mankind.” . . .
God has not been silent, but has spoken to His people as of old, “Through the mouths of His Holy Prophets which have been since the world began." “In a hundred volumes,” to quote our author, “the repositories of priceless precepts, mighty laws, unique principles, impassioned exhortations" and “reiterated warnings” Bahá’u’lláh “ . . . has proclaimed as no prophet before Him has done, the mission with which God has entrusted Him." All this while He was a prisoner and an exile. For this purpose He had forsaken fame and fortune, submitted to physical torture and cruel deprivations.
What was the response of the world? His followers in the Moslem world were subjected to such persecutions as the world had not till that time witnessed. Rulers and kings looked on with indifference while the corrupt Muslim priesthood incited the populace to make away with as many as twenty thousand heroic adherents who refused to give up their Faith.
Proclamation to the rulers
Bahá’u’lláh directed His Message, as no Prophet before Him had done, to the rulers of the world. He did this, Shoghi Effendi points out, because these rulers, at the time of the proclamation of the Bahá’í Faith in 1863, wielded absolute authority. The mass of the people had not the freedom to appraise the merits of that Faith and embrace its truth.
Though a prisoner and exile He sent letters to the most powerful rulers of His time: Napoleon III; Pope Pius IX; Czar Alexander II; Queen Victoria; William I of Germany; Franz Josef, Emperor of Austria-Hungary; ‘Abdu'l-‘Aziz, Sultán of Turkey and Caliph of Sunní Islám; and the Sháh of Persia. A large part of “The Promised Day Is Come” is taken up with a brilliant and masterly account of the character of these rulers, their deeds and the results of their deeds, and with quotations from Bahá’u’lláh’s letters to them, letters which bring out “clearly and insistently . . . the truths of His Revelation . . . stress the preciousness of the opportunities which it was in the power of these rulers and leaders to seize . . . and warn them in ominous tones of the grave responsibilities which the rejection of God’s Message would entail” and predict “the dire consequences of such a rejection."
In two letters to Napoleon III Bahá’u’lláh called upon him to recognize Him as the One foretold by Christ, to desist from his ambitions for worldly conquest and from following the dictates of his desires. If he failed to observe these warnings his kingdom would “be thrown into confusion” and his empire pass from his hands. This prophecy was fulfilled after Napoleon's defeat at Sedan in 1870.
Pope Pius IX was called upon to accept Bahá’u’lláh and His Message as the fulfillment of Christ’s prophecy that He would come again as “The Spirit of Truth,” Who was to tell the “many things" which those of His time “could not bear” and Who was to “lead into all truth." He was urged to “abandon his kingdom unto kings”, sell his “embellished ornaments” and expend them in the path of God. Soon after this letter had been revealed, the temporal power of the Papacy, which had already shrunken, received its death blow through the establishment in 1870 of the Kingdom of Italy with Rome as its capital. This humiliation of the Papacy Shoghi Effendi characterizes as “less spectacular" yet “historically more significant than that of Napoleon III.”
The downfall of the German Empire in 1918 had been foretold by Bahá’u’lláh in His letter to William I of Germany, in which He also prophesied that “the sword of retribution" would again be turned upon Berlin. . . .
Leaders of religion responsible
Both Muhammadan and Christian worlds were called to account in various letters and in passages from His other works. Here again He placed responsibility for the decline of true religion, and the consequent rejection of His Message, upon the leaders. “Leaders of religion” is His clear and universal censure, “in every age, have hindered their people from attaining the shores of eternal salvation, inasmuch as they held the reins of authority in their mighty grasp."
In the last pages Shoghi Effendi relates the main theme of his book to the problems of our time and removes some misunderstanding which might arise from Bahá’u’lláh’s denunciations of ecclesiastical and temporal rulers. Although Bahá’u’lláh rebuked the kings of His time He did not belittle the principle of kingship, but rather, in many passages, eulogized it as a secondary manifestation of that authority which rests primarily in God. He quotes passages from previous scriptures which enjoin obedience to those invested with authority and Himself speaks of the “majesty of kingship” as one of the “signs of God." “A just king" is "the shadow of God on earth.“ He also prophesies the appearance of a king who will embrace the Bahá’í Faith and protect its followers.
The rebukes to the leaders of the Christian and Muhammadan Faiths, Shoghi Effendi explains, are not to be interpreted as an attempt to belittle either those faiths or their righteous leaders. The Bahá’í Faith upholds the Divine origin of all the Prophets of God and does not seek to degrade the rank of religious leaders whose “conduct conforms to their profession.”
Moral downfall
The fundamental problem of our age is that, to quote
Bahá’u’lláh, “the way of God and the religion of God have ceased to be of worth in the eyes of men.” From the “weakening of the pillars of true religion” has come a moral downfall, signs of which meet us at every turn. To this moral downfall we must trace “the spread of lawlessness, drunkenness, and crime; the inordinate love of pleasure, the irresponsible attitude towards marriage, the weakening of parental control, the deterioration in the standard of literature and the press, the advocacy of theories that are the negation of purity, morality and chastity.”
Three false gods
For the worship of the one true God mankind has substituted, among many minor idols, three chief false gods: racialism, nationalism and communism. But in place of these “false and war-engendering doctrines” will come eventually a recognition of the saving truths proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh, such as: “Bend your minds and wills to the education of the peoples . . . of the earth that . . . all mankind may become the upholders of one order.” “Beware lest the desires of the flesh and of a corrupt inclination provoke divisions among you.”
Humanity now adolescent
Humanity is now passing through the adolescent stage in its development, a stage marked, as in the development of the individual, by “tumult, impetuosity, pride, self-assurance and contempt of discipline." From this stage mankind will emerge into maturity, when the ideals of the Bahá’í Faith will become a reality.
Steps to the great consummation
In conclusion Shoghi Effendi traces the steps which will lead to this great consummation, steps which must of necessity be taken gradually. They will lead at first to the establishment of the “Lesser Peace”, “which the nations of the earth, as yet unconscious of (Bahá’u’lláh’s) Revelation and yet unwittingly enforcing the general principles which He has enunciated, will themselves establish.” This step “will bring in its wake the spiritualization of the masses, consequent to the recognition of the character, and the acknowledgement of the claims, of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh—the essential condition to that ultimate fusion of all races, creeds, classes, and nations which must signalize the emergence of His New World Order . . . Then will a world civilization be born, flourish, and perpetuate itself, a civilization with a fullness of life such as the world has never seen nor can as yet conceive." . . .
—from World Order vol. 12, pp. 243-246
[Note: See announcement of Study Guide on The Promised Day is Come. page 20 of this issue.]
Grandson of Chief Strongeagle Visits Five Canadian Reserves with Teaching Team
[Harvey Ironeagle, a member of the Qu'Appelle Teaching Institute Committee and very active in teaching the Faith among the Indian people of western Canada, has sent in the following report of a recent journey to five reserves. He is the grandson of the well-known Indian leader, Chief Strongeagle.]
The evening of November 19, David Obey and myself set out from Fort Qu’Appelle, to team up with Auxiliary Board member Chester Kahn and Baptiste Shortneck for a five-day teaching trip on five of the Indian Reserves in Alberta: Sampson, Louie Bull, Ermineskin, Montana and Wabamun.
Our trips to the reserves were most rewarding, especially the one to Samson where for the first time the Bahá’ís were given authoritative permission to enter the reserve for the purpose of teaching the Faith, thus breaking down the religious barrier and bringing into the hearts of the people, the light of Bahá’u’lláh. There also David gave his first Bahá’í talk to the Indian people on the life and laws of Bahá’u’lláh and on being a Bahá’í.
Two days later, following our visit to Samson Reserve we had declarations from two of our Indian “sisters”. This was a wonderful moment, and David, Chester and I felt that the prayers of all Bahá’í friends were with us, especially so when our first two declarations were followed by a third at the Wabamun Reserve.
Enjoyable evenings were spent in the home of Mrs. Maxine Fraser at Edmonton, where firesides were held and slides shown of Chester's reserve near Phoenix, Arizona. The gatherings at both of the firesides were wonderful. Here we were able to spend a short while among people of different national backgrounds and tribes. German and African nationalities were represented as well as the tribes of the Navajo, Cree and Saulteax Indians. At all reserves visited we felt the spirit of these people with us throughout.
“Of all the gifts of God the greatest gift is that of Teaching. It draweth unto us the Grace of God and is our first obligation. Of such a gift how can we deprive ourselves? Nay our lives, our goods, our comforts, our rest, we offer them all as a sacrifice for the Abhá Beauty and teach the Cause of God.”—‘ABDU'L-BAHÁ
Two of Aluska’s Nine Year Plan goals have been settled recently by pioneers. Above are shown Evelyn and Vern Huffman at Klawock, Prince of Wales Island. Also, Leonard Revet has gone to Nunivak Island to the valley of Mekoryuk which has 250 Eskimo villagers.
Initiative and Imagination Evident in Malaysia's Consolidation Plan[edit]
Teachers of Malaysia with some of the charts and materials being prepared for concentrated training of the many new Bahá’ís in deeper concepts of the Faith.
Everyone in the world, particularly in the areas of large-scale enrollments, is concerned that the young and tender plants, so newly emerging into the new world order of Bahá’u’lláh, will grow into mature and fruitful trees — yet the means of accomplishing this is often lacking or not as effective as it should be. There are not enough teachers; often suitable materials for people of limited literacy are lacking. The new local assemblies have not yet acquired sufficient knowledge and maturity in the teachings to undertake their own deepening programs in their communities. A detailed plan that can be implemented in a practical manner is needed.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia, confronted with this need as a result of its ever-widening circle of confirmed believers, has developed a plan of proclamation and participation aimed toward that coming period of proclamation of the Faith that will reach a degree or “pitch never before attained" in the teaching plans of this emerging world Faith. This plan aims at proclaiming the Faith on the village level, necessitating that both city and village Bahá’ís participate. Malaysia is fortunate in having many well-grounded Bahá’ís proximate to the areas where the aggregate populations live on the rubber estates and in the small villages. Roads are good, distances not too excessive. Still, the plan will require great effort by those who are volunteering to carry it out. It is hoped that many of the new local assemblies will soon become true "mother assemblies" to the villages near them, thus placing consolidation work on a firmer basis.
Contest for Youth
The plan consists of a study course of sixteen lessons using considerable visual material such as charts. The teacher comes to a village at three-week intervals with a new chart and new lessons which the students add to their ‘growing “book.” The book itself is full of illustrations with large print. Lessons are presented step by step, stimulating each individual to respond. During this first year of its development a contest was formulated to stimulate participation. A trip to the Bahá’í Intercontinental Conference in India will be given to the youth (between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five) who can answer the most questions correctly, along with other criteria related to effort and ability. Presently it centers around the theme of the 1967 Intercontinental Conferences — Bahá’u’lláh’s messages to the kings and rulers. A graduation will be held in each village for those completing the Study Course. Adults are encouraged to take the course but may not compete for the prize of representing the youth of Malaysia at New Delhi, India in October, 1967.
Many teachers going out to these areas are making their own charts. Frequently the charts are made in cloth so that an entire set can be rolled up for the use of the traveling teacher. In one instance, a pioneer from the Philippines marked the chart of Progressive Revelation on his blanket so that he could sleep on it at night and hang it on the wall to teach by day! Material
presented is progressive so that an over-all plan of gradual deepening follows. Too often the basic principles of the Faith are taught over and over while the people are truly hungry for more knowledge and a deeper understanding, even though they might not always be able to express this desire.
Local Assemblies Supervise Classes
The local assembly of each village supervises the classes, keeps the rolls and makes regular reports to the National Teaching Committee. The students are generally expected to buy their own course materials — about twenty-five cents in value, as this too is a lesson in universal participation in the Fund. Each local assembly announces the forthcoming plan at the Nineteen Day Feast, and financial support is also encouraged on the local level. For those who cannot furnish their own course materials, the local assembly may purchase them for them. The international character and world prestige of the Faith is stressed to broaden the horizons of the participants. For example, the words of appreciation of Queen Marie of Rumania and other noted people of the world are utilized.
In emphasizing the great need of consolidation, the Universal House of Justice in their Riḍván, 1966, message, quoted Shoghi Effendi as follows: “Every outward thrust into new fields, every multiplication of Bahá’í institutions, must be paralleled by a deeper thrust of the roots which sustain the spiritual life of the community and ensure it sound development.” They also state that a proper balance must be maintained between the two essential aspects of the development of the Faith — large-scale teaching and consolidation. Malaysia is offering a splendid example to the Bahá’í world of initiative and imagination and practical planning in its work of consolidation.
Who Is a Pioneer?
“OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOW, Baltazar, the world is waiting!"
Baltazar himself told me about it, how at his first meeting with that beloved Hand of the Cause, he had said that to him, and added, “You must go far, Baltazar, very far!”
Thus there was set in his heart a fire and a longing, the Fire of the Love of God, and a longing to carry it to the waiting souls. But Baltazar was young, and furthermore he had a new farm with two buffaloes of his own, a small house he had built himself, and many banana seedlings. Young as he was, he was proudly independent of his family. How could he go far?
Baltazar began to study the Words of Bahá’u’lláh. It wasn't easy at first for little was printed in his own dialect and there were so many big words in English. Often his head was bent over the books until the light of his lamp was displaced by the dawn.
It was then a fever possessed Baltazar. He must tell about Bahá’u’lláh. At first he went to neighboring villages. then selling something from his farm, for his expenses, he went farther and farther. . . . “For who,” Baltazar asked himself, “will go, if I who understand, will not?"
So, Baltazar became a pioneer if one needs a label for a person who simply wants to share the joy of being a Bahá’í. Baltazar did go far indeed, to another island where few knew about Bahá’u’lláh, He once pointed to the lofty mountains circling the horizon, to each one he had walked, and wherever he gave the Message, the Faith grew. The length and the breadth of that great island and others besides, knew the steps of Baltazar. He hadn't always enough to eat, and usually his only companions were the bone-deep ache of loneliness and the comforting love of Bahá’u’lláh.
. . . and there was Len! Len of the elfin, heart-shaped face, the luminous eyes, the warm brown skin and the crisp black hair. Len, with a soul as pure and refreshing as a drink of clear water. How often have I seen her picking up her own pack, too heavy for her slender self, and setting off in the blazing sun for some village where no one had yet heard about “Bahá’í.” Len was an office worker, in a cool and clean office, yet here she was tramping in the mud or the dust. No one sent her, that is no One but Bahá’u’lláh, who paid her freely with divine joy, a gift that came to her wrapped in self-sacrifice, or so it often seemed to me. Len would not have said that, but it was so.
How I remember her once, crossing a river and speaking to the people crossing with us. Right there, with the silver water pouring about our feet, I heard her sweet voice saying, “Have you heard about Bahá’u’lláh?" Len gave the divine gift as freely as most people give a greeting, and her love ignited the hearts.
And the incomparable Dominador, who long before he had ever heard the word pioneer was going about month after month, and year after year, sometimes in poverty, sometimes in sickness, it was all the same to him because his heart would burst if he did not share the good news of the Kingdom. And the steadfast Mrs. Anun who tended the farm and cared for the children so he could go.
Then there was Mr. Reyes, ‘old Mr. Reyes’, eighty years and limping with arthritis who would go stumping off somewhere, “To tell about Bahá’í." And Claring, a sixteen-year-old school girl, who would go with a companion to tell some new village about the Faith. That she taught well in spite of her youth would be proven when some villager, awkwardly saying the unaccustomed “Alláh’u‘Abhá,” would come to learn more.
And there was Philip who moved to a college far from his own home to attract youth to the Faith.
And Sajou, a tribesman living in the mountains who caught a glimpse of the world of peace and beauty Bahá’u’lláh is bringing. How precious was the sight of him in his tribal dress, as with eloquence and warmth he explained about Bahá’u’lláh to a neighboring tribe. Shall we not call Sajou a pioneer?
And Jun and Violet, a struggling young couple with two children, who leaving family and friends, went to a city where there were no Bahá’ís, and in spite of privation and hardship, began a new life and attracted
hundreds to the shelter of divine unity. And never to forget. Mumsou, many times a grandmother, who hasn’t travelled far to teach about Bahá’u’lláh, but who, not deterred by opposition of family and friends, became the first among the wealthy and cultured of her nation to become a Bahá’í. Are there not many dimensions to pioneering?
. . . Who is a pioneer? I do not feel qualified to do justice to this great theme, so I have written of a few of those who by their lives have become stars in the firmament of pioneering, for in my heart there is a small fear, that we shall begin to have labels among our beloved Bahá’ís. If he is a pioneer who leaves his home and travels far, what about that soul who only crosses the road, but whose pure life and radiance of heart shining in the darkness of the world, confirms his neighbor? Or that mother who hour after hour and day by day, is an example of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh for her children? And is he not also a pioneer who, tied by family or business, truly sacrifices of his substance so that another can go as his deputy to tell the waiting multitudes about Bahá’u’lláh?
A pioneer, it seems to me, discovers himself, though the example of other ardent souls may be his first awakening. When he can not rest, but must, at whatever cost to himself, share his joy as a Bahá’í, then he is a “pioneer”. He has not waited until asked, or gone only when given his bus fare! He has taken to heart the words of Bahá’u’lláh:
“. . . It behoveth them (‘who arise to teach My Cause’) to choose as the best provisions for their journey, reliance upon God, and to clothe themselves with the love of their Lord, the Most Exalted, the All-Glorious. If they do so, their words shall influence their hearers.”
Once I heard the Hand of the Cause, Miss Agnes Alexander, that precious prototype of pioneers, ask a young man, “And when you go to a new place (to teach the Faith) what do you do first?” “I pray,” he said. Dear Agnes always quoted that simple answer and found many opportunities to speak of it. Is there a secret to success in pioneering? Certain ‘techniques’? Careful planning? Adequate finances? They must have a part, but can they come first? Can we, who yearn to arise to help bring the Kingdom of God to our anguished planet, do better than think of the simple words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who said when asked:—
“I always pray with great earnestness and utmost humility and supplicate confirmations from the Kingdom of Abhá.”
These “confirmations” bring the miracles of pioneering. Then, the way opens, the right turn is taken, the right person is found, the right word is said.
So, let be who can . . . go far, as Baltazar went. Or stand in his place as Mumsou stands. For when the history of this great age is written, all our lives, the named and the nameless, will merge into one blaze of light. So let us each, with yearning hearts beseech the help of God, to find our own particular share of ‘pioneering’, for outside our windows the world is waiting — for Bahá’u’lláh.
Note: The above article was written by Orpha Daugherty and reprinted from Malaysian Bahá’í News, September, 1966. Mrs. Daugherty pioneered to the Philippines and is now living as an Auxiliary Board member in Thailand. She recently visited Malaysia.
Hawaiian Bahá’ís, wearing leis and carrying a colorful banner, welcomed the athletic team of Guam at the Honolulu Airport November 30, on its way to Fiji, Australia and New Caledonia, The team, the coach (a Bahá’í), and his staff were also invited to a reception at the National Headquarters the following evening and were deeply appreciative of the warm hospitality extended to them.
Eight Traveling Bahá’í Teachers Visit Korea in Six Months[edit]
THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF KOREA were blessed by visits from eight international Bahá’í teachers, two of whom were Hands of the Cause of God, during a six month period, from May through October of last year. The most remarkable of these visitors was Hand of the Cause Mr. Samandari, who at the venerable age of 91 has been making a world teaching tour for some months and who came to Korea in October for ten days. During this time, he traveled to five principal Bahá’í cities — Seoul, Taegu, Kyongju, Taejon and Pusan, as well as to a remote village in the Kyongju area. To say the least, the light that inspired him to dedicate himself to Bahá’í work when he personally met Bahá’u’lláh so many years ago, at the age of sixteen, burns within him as brightly and fervently as ever.
Mr. Samandari was accompanied throughout his journey by Mr. Ruhi Momtazi, pioneer to Japan and member of the National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia, who ably and vividly acted as translator from Persian into English, and who watched out for Mr. Samandari with ever solicitous and loving care. Mr. Samandari’s impact on the Bahá’ís was tremendous, not only before audiences of the Bahá’ís and their friends, but especially as he met with the National Spiritual Assembly and each Local Spiritual Assembly in their respective localities, stressing the importance of all members of these bodies being present at allof their administrative meetings; the importance of each Bahá’í attending Feasts; needful reminders in a developing national community whose members are not sufficiently aware of the vital necessity of putting into operation the administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh as their means of showing their devotion and making the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh a vibrant, living thing. With his own hand, Mr. Samandari executed two exquisite Greatest Name plaques, one of which he presented to the National Spiritual Assembly, now displayed in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Seoul. Mr. Samandari’s visit will always be regarded as an outstanding event in the history of the Faith in Korea.
Exhaustive Heat No Deterrent to Dr. Muhájir
In July, Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir made one of his fast moving visits to Korea, one of the Asian countries to which he has been assigned. In spite of the exhausting heat, Dr. Muhájir, with characteristic energy, and accompanied by Auxiliary Board member, Mr. Yong, Chae-ho, made a rapid journey to strategic Bahá’í areas, walking into many farming and fishing villages and inspiring Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike with the loving spirit of the Faith. In fact, he traveled about so rapidly that the National Assembly did not know his actual whereabouts on several occasions.
At Dr. Muhájir’s request, Auxiliary Board member, John McHenry III, flew to Seoul in July from Hokkaido,
Hand of the Cause Mr. Samandari, age 91, meeting in October, 1966, with Bahá’ís in Seoul and from surrounding villages.
where he and his wife were assisting pioneer, Mr. Teherani, for the summer months, in order to meet with the National Assembly of Korea and confer on teaching matters. Mr. McHenry remained in Korea at this time for ten days, making a teaching trip in the company of Mr. Suh, Cho-min to the Taejon area, where they visited several villages on foot. On September 1, Mr. McHenry returned to Korea with his wife, Ok-soon, and remained for two weeks, during which time the members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Teaching Committee consulted with him extensively, using his invaluable knowledge of the Faith and of the native Bahá’ís to great advantage. Mrs. McHenry, who is completely bilingual, spent much of her time reviewing Bahá’í translations from the English into the Korean. On September 15, with great regret, but of necessity, Mr. McHenry left Korea, where he had pioneered for nine years, starting in June 1957, and where he was responsible for much of the growth of this community. Mr. McHenry and his wife now live in Washington, D.C. The Bahá’ís of Korea feel his loss greatly, and
pray for the time when he may be able to take up residence here once again.
Vietnam Sends Teacher
Immediately preceding Dr. Muhájir’s visit, in fact leaving Korea the same day on which Dr. Muhajii arrived, came Mr. Jamshed Fozdar, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of Vietnam, with his wife Paru, who is a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand, and their two sons, Vijay and Vahid. Mr. Fozdar spoke before audiences in Seoul and Kyongju, and went in the rain and on foot to some of the villages in both areas, electrifying all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Fozdar met with Bahá’ís in Taegu, who were much impressed and inspired by the fact that, rather than desert his post so that their sons can attend school safely in Thailand, Mr. Fozdar remains in Vietnam and Mrs. Fozdar resides in Bangkok with their sons, where her husband commutes on week-ends.
The public talks given by Dr, Muhájir and Mr. Fozdar resulted in such favorable publicity in the leading newspapers which circulate throughout Korea that many letters have been received from interested readers in various parts of the country asking for literature and how to become acquainted with Bahá’ís.
Indonesian Pioneer Conveys Deep Devotion
Dr. Sorroya, Auxiliary Board member, who has pioneered with his wife for thirteen years in Indonesia, spent a strenuous four weeks in Korea, arriving in May and leaving June 5. In spite of having no one to translate for him from his native Persian, he conveyed his love of the friends and devotion to the Faith in English and with a contagious enthusiasm, inspiring and awing all with stories of the exceptional hardships in teaching the Faith in Indonesia, where civil war has been rampant and the Faith outlawed. On one occasion when Dr. Sorroya, his wife and two children were on an emergency trip to a hospital and traveling in a Land Rover, their vehicle was stopped by a mob, armed with knives and guns, some of whom started to drag the Sorroyas from the car. With a knife at his throat and instant death staring him in the face, Dr. Sorroya recalled Bahá’u’lláh’s instructions: “love your enemies.” Immediately he flashed a warm smile of love at his prospective murderers. This act so confused his persecutors that they halted their operations, consulted amongst themselves, and then asked if he, his family and their driver were Muhammadans. Without committing himself, Dr. Sorroya assured them that he loved Muhammad. With this, the mob shouted, “They love Muhammad. They are not communists," withdrew their knives, released the Sorroyas and waived them on their way. Dr. Sorroya traveled about Korea by plane, train, bus, boat, taxi and on (out, visiting some of the Bahá’í communities on Chindo Island and other Chonnam Islands, going as far as the Island of Cheju.
U.S. Visitor Reaches Inaccessible Islands
Last of these visitors to be mentioned and the youngest, but by no means the least, was Arthur Lyon Dahl, whose special interest in marine biology led him to choose for his short visit the Cheju-do and the Chonnam Islands, so difficult to get to, involving twelve and fourteen hour trips in open boats over rough seas, but important because of the large numbers of Bahá’ís living on them. Because of their inaccessibility, teachers coming from outside Korea seldom if ever go there, so this visit was deeply appreciated by the Bahá’ís. He was accompanied by the indefatigable Mr. Yong, Chaeho. Mr. Dahl ended his visit by flying to Seoul and speaking at the Ḥaẓíra to the very active members of the Seoul Bahá’í Youth Group, all members of which loved every minute of his twenty-four hour stay.
The Bahá’ís of Korea are deeply indebted to these eight traveling teachers, many of whom came to Korea at their own expense, for the warmth and knowledge of the Faith which they shared with the friends, and feel they had much to do with the more than 400 new declarations in the Faith which have been made since last Riḍván.
—ELIZABETH McHENRY
Australia's responsibility for teaching among the Aborigines is being strongly forwarded by the efforts of the pioneer family, David and Freda Leyton (left) at Snake Bay, Melville Island, and also at Groote Eglandt through efforts of Tony and Allison Scott (and sons), Tom Jones and Joe Dobbins (right, above). The pioneers are fully employed and highly respected in their communities. Both places were recently visited by Auxiliary Board members.
One hundred sixty-three guests were welcomed at a reception given by the Karachi Pakistan Assembly in honor
of Hand of the Cause, General S. ‘Ala’i, November 26, 1966 at the Intercontinental Hotel. There were many distinguished people present, including Hatim A. Alavi, the former Mayor of Karachi, now Director of the State Bank of Pakistan, as well as members of National Spiritual Assembly and the Auxiliary Board of Asia. In welcoming Mr. ‘Ala’i, Mr. Alavi paid tribute to the universal principles of the Faith, and recalled his association with Bahá’ís ever since the first annual convention of India, Pakistan and Burma was held at Karachi some thirty-five years ago. Mr. ‘Ala’i stressed the services being rendered by the Bahá’í world community, and also referred to the recent resolution passed by the State of Michigan, giving recognition to the Bahá’í Faith. Photo at right (above) shows Mr. ‘Ala’i being introduced to Hatim Alavi by the chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Karachi, A. C. Joshi.
Costa Rica Constructs New Teaching Institute Near San Jose
Costa Rica has been training its own believers to do teaching work and now has two Costa Rican pioneer teachers, one in the Guanacaste area of the Pacific and one in the Talamanca area with the Indians.
A new teaching institute was completed in December which accommodates approximately twenty-five people. The property is close to the city of San Jose, making it convenient for many to attend and return to their homes each day and leaving the accommodations for those who come from the outlying regions. Plans for teacher training institutes to be held here regularly are now in the formative stage.
A teacher training institute with three races represented was held in the Beverly-Newcastle area.
Costa Rica raised the number of its Local Spiritual Assemblies from fourteen to twenty as of Riḍván 1966, and has established many new centers. Four of the new assemblies are located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific side, and two are on the Atlantic coast where Costa Rica’s largest minority group resides — these are the Negro people brought from Jamaica in the past hundred years to work the cacao and banana plantations. One new Local Spiritual Assembly and several new centers were established in the Indian area of Talamanca.
Ground-breaking for a new teaching institute on the Bahá’í’ endowment property in Alajuela, Costa Rica, October 5, 1966. Left to right: members of the National Spiritual Assembly, Samuel Garcia, Myriam Mirkouich, Richard Mirkovich, Roldan Matute, Manuel Bejarnao, Jase Baltodano.
Bahá’ís of Central Chile in process of constructing a summer school at Peñablanca (White Rock). Though small and somewhat primitive now, the Bahá’ís are confident this is the start of greater things to come.
Central Chile Constructs School
Lack of a proper place where the Bahá’ís could meet and bring their children and their friends has long been an impediment to the teaching work in Central Chile. Now the dream of such a place is coming true. On the slope of a beautiful hill at a place called Peñablanca (White Rock), the Bahá’ís are busy working on a small house which will be used as a summer school and general meeting place. The erection of this primitive building is a good example of Bahá’í spirit. The piece of land was donated by two Bahá’ís, another gave a little wooden shed, and other Bahá’ís have given building materials or contributed generously of their time. Now the foundation has been laid, doubling the size of the original house to include a meeting room and two bedrooms. When it is finished it will still be primitive, lacking facilities that by normal standards are quite necessary — such as kitchen, running water, etc., but these will come later.
From this modest beginning, the Bahá’ís of Chile are confident, will come something much greater in the future.
Honduras Institute Stresses Laws, Institutions
A teaching institute was held in San Pedro Sula, northern Honduras, attracting Bahá’ís from all regions. Thomas Brent, a Honduran, came by boat, plane, on train and on foot to arrive from a remote part where he has stayed and taught among the Miskito Indians ever since Dr. Muhájir encouraged him to go there at the time of the first International Teaching Conference. Bahá’í laws, history, and administration were emphasized. A workshop on the election of a local assembly was held. Coordinators of five regional teaching committees present at the institute made plans for future weekend schools and youth conferences. Visiting Auxiliary Board member, Mrs. Edith McLaren, shared her experience of a pilgrimage in the Guardian's lifetime and showed slides of the World Congress.
To fill another goal of The Nine Year Plan, Wanita George has resigned her teaching position at the American School after seven years there and is dedicating the year to teaching indigenous people of the country, principally the Miskito and Sumo Indians.
The Bahá’ís of the Honduras have half of the fifty local assemblies called for in The Nine Year Plan and feel certain of electing approximately fifteen more this year. Resident teachers are needed in these beautiful, friendly towns where positions are available in the American school.
Limon, Honduras Assembly Grows Crops for the Fund
There is a humble little town on the north coast of Honduras. It is called Limón. The Bahá’ís there are of limited circumstances and have very little money. Recently the Local Assembly of Limón held consultation on ways to support the Bahá’í Fund. They decided to clear land and plant rice in the mountains. Nine men went into the mountains, burned off the virgin land and planted rice. Now it is being harvested, enabling them to contribute the amount earned to the National Fund.
The Universal House of Justice wrote on December 18, 1963: “The continual expansion of the Faith and the diversification of the activities of Bahá’í communities make it more and more necessary for every believer to ponder carefully his responsibilities and contribute as much and as regularly as he or she can. Contributing to the Fund is a service that every believer can render, be be poor or wealthy; for this is a spiritual responsibility in which the amount given is not important. It is the degree of the sacrifice of the giver, the love with which he makes his gift, and the unity of all the friends in this service which bring spiritual confirmations.”
In August of 1951, shortly before his passing, the beloved Guardian wrote: “All, no matter how modest their resources, must participate. Upon the degree of self-sacrifice involved in these individual contributions will directly depend the efficacy and the spiritual influence which these nascent administrative institutions, called into being through the power of Bahá’u’lláh . . .will exert.”
We are in the midst of a Nine Year Plan calling for universal participation. Our individual action in respect to the Fund is one of its major obligations and privileges. The Fund, “the lifeblood of the Cause,” is directly associated with our own spiritual nourishment. The friends of Limón, Honduras, have shown the believers around the world an example of sacrifice and devotion in this vital area of service.
Human Rights Day Events Bring Bahá’í to Many[edit]
Bahá’í communities in villages, towns and cities throughout the nation celebrated Human Rights Day, December 10, with programs resulting in excellent publicity. The Day's celebrations accomplished the goal of developing a deeper awareness of the spiritual oneness of all peoples and a greater public consciousness of the Bahá’í Faith.
A Yakima, Washington, newspaper reported “Foreign Foods, Panel Talk — Highlight Potluck Supper” in a Human Rights Day observance sponsored by “the Mayor's Committee on Human Rights and the Yakima Bahá’í Community.” A Yakima television station aired a half-hour interview of the six panelists representing six ethnic groups. One hundred posters were placed throughout the city. A result of the publicity prior to the program was that 123 non-Bahá’ís attended the observance, with seventeen Bahá’ís present. This was in addition, of course, to the untold numbers of people who read and heard about it.
Louisville, Kentucky; Toledo, Ohio; Huntsville, Alabama; Salem, Oregon; Springfield, Illinois; Spokane, Washington; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Waterloo, Iowa; and Minneapolis, Minnesota; these were just a few of the many other communities throughout the nation which have reported successful Human Rights Day observances.
Cooperation with other Organizations
Generally, the most productive events were those in which the Bahá’ís worked in cooperation with other organizations or called upon well known non-Bahá’í personalities to serve as speakers. A number of communities worked through the mayor‘s office.
First Public Observance in Ft. Worth
The Fort Worth, Texas, Bahá’ís made the day an historic event for the city by initiating the first public observance of Human Rights Day in Fort Worth. After receiving a go-ahead signal from the mayor, they presented him with a proclamation for his signature, obtaining publicity in local newspapers and on television where the announcement was made with the showing of a slide of the world being held by two hands, one white, one Negro. A story was also carried in the newspaper of a town thirty miles away designated by East Texas State Goals Committee as a goal rural community. The Fort Worth efforts were reinforced by the Bahá’ís of neighboring University Park who had staged an earlier program of their own.
Human Rights Day Panel at Yakima, Washington, left to right: Tomas Villanueva, Juanita Umipig, Charles Patillo, Ray Yamamoto, Lydia Johnson, Helen Callaway (the Bahá’í speaker), Roy Tufts (Yakima businessman, panel moderator).
Guest Speakers Featured
New York City newspapers carried advertisements which drew over seventy-five guests to hear two distinguished speakers. They were: Professor Nicholas Pobare-Assare, former member of the Ghana Delegation to the UN; and Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh, Bahá’í international Observer to the UN. A lively question and answer period drew stimulating response from the audience.
The Rochester, New York, Bahá’í Community called upon a member of the UN Secretariat to be its sole speaker. He was Dr. Ibraham a1-Wahab, Human Rights Officer of the UN Human Rights Division. The local Bahá’ís had asked the mayor of Rochester to proclaim the day as Human Rights Day, and he was invited to sit on the speaker’s platform as a special guest. Other special guests were representatives of various human relation groups of the city and the state. The publicity included a report on the Rochester 11 p.m. television news.
Although the attendance at the Denver, Colorado, program totalled about sixty, those hearing about Human Rights Day and the Bahá’í part in its promotion were in excess of 1,000, for that was the number of invitations sent out. In addition, a local radio station taped the panel program and aired it that same evening.
Rochester, New York, Mayor Frank T. Lamb, seated, center, proclaims Human Rights Day showing proclamation to Mrs. S. A. Lindsay and Mr. Tom. L. Davis. Standing, left to right: Mrs. Tom Davis, Mrs. John Wolf, Dr. S. Lindsay, Mr. George Adams, Mrs. Earl Whipple, Mr. John Wolf, Mr. James Yates.
Denver panelists represented a cross section of community interests. Moderated by a Bahá’í, June Ritter, the panelists were a member of the Denver local United Nations Association chapter, the well known pastor of the Zion Baptist Church, and a community consultant for B’nai B’rith.
New Hampshire’s town of Nashua was the setting for a Bahá’í sponsored meeting with distinguished guests. These included the president of the local Roman Catholic Liberal Arts College, a member of the Commission on Human Rights of the New Hampshire Roman Catholic Diocese, the rabbi of the local synagogue, and a senator and his wife. The meeting was opened with prayers read by the Bahá’í, Mr. Allah KuliKhan Kalantar. The speaker was the Bahá’í, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh. More than sixty persons were in the audience.
Proclamations in Small Centers
As with United Nations Day celebrations in October, successful Human Rights Day events were not limited to larger towns and cities. Four Bahá’ís in Pendleton, South Carolina, were hosts to ten guests. Miss Yvonne Harrop and Mrs. Nancy Searcy from the Augusta, Georgia, community presented slides of “A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.”
Another small community, Islip Township, New York, staged a successful observance. Dr. Massoud Eghrari and Mrs. Juliana Wyatt informally moderated discussion on human rights, the roles of the UN and the US in promotion of it, and the part played by all people. Although attendance was small, publicity carried the story to Islip Township citizens.
In addition to an open meeting co-sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Albany, California, with those of Berkeley, the Albany group used a unique window display to gain attention for Human Rights Day. The display showed the spiritual basis of human rights through use of appropriate Bahá’í quotations. The exhibit was twelve feet across and four feet high, set up in a popular grocery cooperative store patronized by many university people as well as local families. It was composed of five panels, each one provocatively highlighting a principle of human rights.
Danville, Illinois, sent invitations to forty-nine civic organizations, thirty-two prominent citizens, and to many other individuals to hear Colonel Salvatore Pelle of the Bahá’í Department of Public Information. Also, announcements were placed on bulletin boards in the schools and the YMCA. As a result, there followed excellent newspaper publicity, two television interviews with Colonel Pelle, and two radio interviews. Here was one more example of reaching the masses through a good program, an interesting speaker, and effort resulting in publicity.
An enthusiastic report of their Human Rights observance came from the Bahá’ís of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The Correspondent writes, “Again, our meeting was very successful. We had a few more contacts this time . . . with interesting consultation.” The Mayaguez Bahá’ís distributed to the audience copies of the main speaker’s talk in English which was delivered in Spanish. A panel discussion lent a lively air to the meeting which was presented in both Spanish and English. Posters had been placed throughout the town and press releases sent out before the meeting.
Well Planned Publicity
Teaneck, New Jersey; Lima, Ohio; Fairfax County, Virginia; Benton Harbor, Michigan; and a host of other communities set the pattern for obtaining publicity — careful planning, enthusiastic efforts, and a professional approach to the various news media. Bahá’í Human Rights Day publicity ran the gamut from small paid advertisments to half-page feature stories. A few communities submitted the “Fact Sheet" provided by the UN Committee as a Letter to the Editor, to local papers. These were published in full. Television and radio were well used, and posters also brought the public’s attention to Human Rights Day programs, sponsored and co-sponsored by Bahá’í communities. As with UN Day events, the majority of Bahá’í communities are planning follow-up firesides, thereby utilizing Human Rights Day as an opportunity for stepped-up teaching efforts.
—U.S. BAHÁ’Í COMMITTEE FOR UNITED NATIONS
Panel at Human Rights Day meeting in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, left to right: Dick Witter, Anna Phelps, Milton Heath, Elizabeth Thomas, visitor from New York.
Human Rights Day at the House of Worship[edit]
Enriching the occasion of the Human Rights Day observance at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette was the meeting of last year’s honoree, Dr. Martin H. Bickham, shown at left, with this year’s speakers, Dr. Sarah M. Pereira and Rev. Buckner Coe.
The highly successful observance of Human Rights Day at the Bahá’í House of Worship in 1965 created in 1966 a challenge for the Bahá’ís of Wilmette. The benefits of public recognition of Dr. Martin H. Bickham of Wilmette as “Father of Human Rights in Illinois” are still redounding to the local believers, as Temple area residents associate Bahá’ís with this occasion.
This year, again drawn from the Wilmette citizenry, one of the invited speakers was Rev. Buckner Coe, minister of the Wilmette Congregational Church, who has received national attention for his efforts in civil rights, anti-poverty and peace movements. Sharing the platform was Dr. Sarah Pereira, National Spiritual Assembly member from Washington, DC. Rev. Coe was assigned the subject of human rights at the national level, while Dr. Pereira spoke eloquently of the world aspects, and from the Bahá’í viewpoint. Rev. Coe, by his graciousness and clear courage in facing difficulties realistically, in his well-planned talk, won the appreciation of the over 260 attending, more than half of them not Bahá’ís, and many attracted to the Bahá’í House of Worship for the first time.
Mrs. Coe, of Quaker background, was especially receptive to the simplicity and quiet sense of peace she found in Foundation Hall.
Inter-racial and inter-faith dimensions of the event were added by the choir of the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church of Evanston, which sang four appropriate selections, and was received with enthusiasm.
A number of prominent residents active in local human relation programs were laudatory about this Bahá’í sponsored event, the only observance of UN Human Rights Day in the Chicago North Shore area. Many stayed for extended fellowship and some expressed a new interest in learning more about Bahá’í beliefs.
Birthday of Baháu’llah Marks New Achievements in Delaware
For the Delaware believers, commemoration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, November 12, marked the culmination of their recent success in spreading the Faith. A declaration party was held to celebrate the enrollment of four new Bahá’ís.
Following the declaration party and pot-luck supper, an evening public meeting took place at Delaware State College, in Dover, Delaware. Supported by the Delaware State Goals Committee, the Kent County, New Castle County, and Wilmington Groups, the program was entitled “Bahá’u’lláh, the Emancipator of Men’s Minds”. Mrs. Soo Fouts, of Falls Church, Virginia, spoke of the need to eliminate prejudice; then Mr. Albert James, Auxiliary Board member, addressed the group on “Religion the Chief Instrument for World Order." At the panel discussion following these talks, many interesting questions were asked about the Faith. The Delaware friends, though relatively few in number, were greatly encouraged by their new level of success.
At the public meeting at Dover, Delaware, Albert James, center, answers a question from the floor while
the other panelists listen. Left to right: Nelson R. Wallace, Jr., Mrs. Soo Fouts, Alden Pahnke.
Friends pose with new believers, left to right: Josie Wallace, Alden Pahnke, Sepehr Mostaghim, *Nancy E.
Waite, *Edward D. Johnson, Albert James, William Burgess Jr., *Gregg Pahnke, *Louise B. Brinkley. * — New Believers.
Youth Hold Institutes, Conferences as Impetus to Active Teaching[edit]
Some of those who attended the Youth Conference at Gainesville, Florida. Auxiliary Board member Curtis Kelsey is shown at rear right.
The holiday weekend of November 25-27 offered opportunity for young people to gather at conferences as preparation for active teaching as well as individual deepening and inspiration. In addition to the gatherings at Victor, New York and Dexter, Michigan "(see January BAHÁ’Í NEWS) reports have come of conferences held at Gainesville, Florida; Dallas, Texas; and in Southern California. The conference in Gainesville, “Accent on Youth” attracted seventy youth and their friends from many localities in the area and provided a three day program in which some of the following topics were considered: “Challenge of the Bahá’í Faith to Youth", by Auxiliary Board member, Curtis Kelsey; “Youth in the Bahá’í Revelation” with Mark Johnson as speaker; “Bahá’í Morality” led by Michelle Johnson.
In Dallas, Texas over sixty people gathered downtown at the Baker Hotel, Auxiliary Board member Mrs. Velma Sherrill taught a class on Bahá’í Administration. The importance of teaching the Faith, and how it is done, especially among the Indians was discussed by Paul Pettit, of the National Spiritual Assembly and by Len King. Talks on guidance for daily living, including the Bahá’í standards of morality, and on understanding oneself, “Who Am 1?”, were given by Fred Bell and by Mrs. Louise Mathias. The conference was carefully planned by the Dallas Bahá’í Youth and the Local Spiritual Assembly of Dallas, these plans including provision of three counsellors, a coordinator and chairman. Mrs. Allene Squires served most ably as chairman and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bell and Mr. Len King were counsellors.
In Southern California eighty Bahá’í youth attended a conference on November 25 and 26 sponsored by the Southern California Bahá’í Youth Committee. Classes were on consultation, administration, the spirit of Bahá’í law, and Bahá’u’lláh’s Tablets to the Kings. The theme of this gathering was “Bahá’í, 1966" which was discussed with special thoughtfulness in an evening class on “Bahá’ís Around the World.” Hand of the Cause, Dr. Ugo Giachery spoke eloquently of “ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Covenant,” helping greatly to generate the spirit of unity and of the desire to learn which pervaded the Whole conference.
The newly-formed Bahá’í Club of New York City makes final plans for a gala membership drive. Board members are, left to right: Sue Lawson, Mark Sudan, E. Bradley Davis, Joy Hunter, Howard Hunter, Fred Omidvaran, Lee Moody.
In New York City, as shown in the picture at the right, the newly formed Bahá’í club made plans for a membership drive. The club is social as well as informative in purpose.
All of the youth conferences and gatherings included social as well as study periods. Music, dancing, and loving fellowship helped to bring the spirit of joy as well as dedication to service which is such an important part of the Bahá’í life.
Bahá’í Youth Conference in Southern California, November 25 and 26. Hand of Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery is shown in center, rear.
Communities Cooperate in Creative Projects at Geyserville
Fifteen Bahá’í communities in Northern California shared the renovation and beautification of the Geyserville Bahá’í School buildings and grounds last year in a very successful joint effort called Creative Projects.
Though major emergency repairs had been in the hands of Mr. Paul Brown of Kansas City, who with his wife May, had travelled to Geyserville to devote the winter and spring months to this service, much “facelifting" was needed in the most-used areas of the campus.
Each participating community chose a specific project, approved by the Geyserville School Operations and Maintenance Department, such as nursery, children's play yard, cafeteria, class or dormitory rooms; and became responsible for its renovation. Several hardy individuals also chose projects. The results were astonishing, and added greatly to the beauty and use of the school. This was proof of what many willing hands and creative minds can do when their efforts are coordinated.
A total awareness of the needs of the school was a byproduct of this rehabilitation program. Those who shared the bounty of the first year of Creative Projects are convinced that total participation in the support of their valued and much loved school will follow in the course of time.
Bahá’í Float Wins "Sweepstakes"
The community of Glendora, California, upon request by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, entered a magnificent float, representing the oneness of mankind, in the Annual Christmas Parade held in Glendora, December 1. Much to the surprise of this community of eight, the Bahá’í float, which was among some 100 entries, won first prize, and resulted in front-page newspaper publicity for the Faith. This demonstrates how a united community, however small, can accomplish wonders.
The Lombardy region in northern Italy is a goal for intensified teaching effort to be spearheaded by the first teaching committee (above) to be appointed for this area.
Dr. David S. Ruhe, Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of United States points to picture of the Bahá’í World Center in Haifa, Israel during a tour of the House of Worship in Wilmette by the Israeli Consul General, Abraham Avidar. Mr. and Mrs. Avidar, shown in picture, were also honored at a tea held at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Wilmette.
Waveland Institute Held in November
The second Deep South Institute held at Waveland, Mississippi November 24-27, 1966 filled the hearts and spirits of all who attended with the vibrant spirit of enthusiasm for service in the path of Bahá’u’lláh, as did its predecessor of a year ago. This year’s conference, sponsored by the Institute Committee of the New Orleans Community and coordinated by Jack McCants, Auxiliary Board member, proclaimed the theme of “All Things Made New” and included classes on subjects reflecting this wonderful vision. Subjects including, “The Covenant”; “Teaching the Cause of God”; “Administration”; were inspiringly handled by four members of the Auxiliary Board (Mrs. Javidukht Khádem, Dr. William Tucker, William Maxwell and Jack McCants) as well as Dr. Sarah Pereira of the National Spiritual Assembly. Special sessions for answering individual questions, sessions for youth and a program for children helped to insure a conference that met the needs of all who attended. The spirit of enthusiasm generated will surely bring visible results in teaching activities in the South.
First Bahá’í Group of Sesto S. Giovanni (Milano), Italy, from left to right: Saverio Rovito, Khodadad Varahramian, Mrs. Ruhanghiz Idun Varahramian, Shahriar Varahramian, Domenico Rovito.
News Briefs[edit]
Families living in the University Village of the University of California at Berkeley receive a monthly newsletter, The Villager. The December 1966 issue of this publication carried a two page story about the Bahá’í Faith, telling of its origins and basic principles, naming the Bahá’ís in the community who hold weekly fireside to which all are invited, and including a quotation from the words of Bahá’u’lláh. All of the 920 families living in this community receive this publication.
The first annual Kenai, Alaska Seminar was held October 14, 15 and 16. Auxiliary Board member Howard Brown stressed the importance of Bahá’í responsibility. A wide variety of subjects was presented by Katherine Alio, Agnes Harrison, Don Stettler, Janet Smith, Marie Van Brunt, Marilyn Bierman and Don Van Brunt. Thirty-nine people were present from eight communities in Alaska.
The newly rededicated Bahá’í Center in Macy, Nebraska (see story page 11, BAHÁ’Í NEWS, October, 1966) was the scene of an inspiring gathering in early September, when those attending the Auxiliary Board Conference at Omaha, Nebraska, adjourned to Macy, in the heart at the Omaha Indian Reservation, for a public proclamation of the “New Light on the Spirit Path.” Hand of the Cause, Mr. Khádem with Auxiliary Board members Mrs. Velma Sherrill and Mrs. Beth McKenty spoke to the audience about the message which Bahá’u’lláh has brought in this New Day to the Indians as well as to the rest of the world. A buffet supper was served and later in the evening the friends gathered to hear Hand of the Cause Mr. Khádem chant prayers and express his joy at being in this spot which was so dear to the heart of the Beloved Guardian.
Elise Lynelle, accompanied by Marilyn Raubitschek, both Bahá’ís, have made a 12-inch LP record of 25 songs for public and home use. It includes compositions of twelve Bahá’í composers. The record, titled Songs of the New Age, is obtainable from New Age Music, Route 1, Box 133, Nevada City, California 95959 at $5.00 (monaural) or $6.00 (stereo), postage included. Insert notes included in the album are available in English, French, German or Spanish.
Calendar of Events[edit]
FEASTS
February 7—Mulk (Dominion)
March 2—‘Ala’ (Loftiness)
INTERCALARY DAYS
February 26—March 1
DAYS OF FASTING
March 2-21
U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS
February 17-20
March 24-26
April 26
NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í | CONVENTION
April 28-30
CORRECTION
The announcement of the passing of Mrs. Anne Lynch of Switzerland as given in the November, 1966 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, page 2, stated that she passed away in Bern. Actually her death was in a hospital in Geneva where, as mentioned in the article in January BAHÁ’Í NEWS, a beautiful Bahá’í service was held in the hospital chapel.
Bahá’í in the News[edit]
On October 21, 1966, a review of the pamphlet, One God, one Truth, One People, by Dr. Ugo R. Giachery, appeared in the Italian newspaper Il Secolo in Genoa, Italy. The following is a quote from critic Nicola Ghiglione’s article:
“The predication of the Persian Prophet and the tenacious labors of his disciples seem to be echoed in the happy choice of topics in some of the fundamental teachings of Pope John. The popularity of these teachings, therefore, confirms the urgency and necessity that mankind must free itself from this period of general confusion and chaos. The considerations of Ugo Giachery are placed in historical and spiritual confrontation with what Pope John proclaimed, and we do not deny that the Persian Prophet was a seer and that with His teachings and admonitions had well nigh preceded times and events. This handbook therefore contributes to point out to the human race the urgent necessity of a new conscious ‘human’ impulse.”
The October, 1966 issue of Progressive Architecture carries an article, “From Precast Concrete to Integral Architecture” by Aldo Cossutta which includes a photograph of the Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette, Illinois. It is shown as an example of the use of concrete in architecture and is noted as “a curious early work of ornamental precasting.”
The American Institute of Architects in October, 1966 carried an article, “Concrete Comes of Age” showing a picture of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette with the caption, “1920: Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois, probably the most ambitious architectural concrete project of its time and under construction until 1949. Louis .J. Bourgeois, who studied the form and details of the temple by means of a large and minutely faithful clay model, had invisioned a dome of sculptured stone, but its cost would have been impossible.”
Bahá’í 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.
Bahá’í Publishing Trust[edit]
Centenary Preparation Course on Shoghi Effendi’s Book “The Promised Day Is Come”
The Promised Day Is Come. Study Guide. By Peter Khan.
After establishing the general theme of Shoghi Edendi’s commentary on Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation (“God's judgement on the waywardness of mankind, and the ultimate salvation for the human race . . .”), Peter Khan summarizes the proclamation to the kings and religious leaders; analyzes the response with which it was met, the resultant world turmoil and world chaos in a period of world transition; and finally glimpses the world of tomorrow in a day of the unification of mankind. The concluding theme of the book is a call to Bahá’ís to recognize the source and meaning of this period of titanic, world upheaval, pray ardently, and labor intelligently and unceasingly with undimmed hope and vision for the future triumph of God’s Cause.
The outline contains a number of stimulating discussion questions, many review questions, and an appendix that lists the principal Tablets of the Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, as well as interesting notes to supplement the historical understanding of the various political and ecclesiastical leaders addressed by Bahá’u’lláh.
This Guide is an excellent outline for concentrated study of this work, which all Bahá’ís are being asked to undertake as a preparation for the Centenary observance in October, 1967, and for the intense period of proclamation to follow. The December, 1966, issue of the U.S. Supplement carries an announcement by the Department of Community Development in respect to a study of this material by each community to be followed by nation-wide institutes. Each Assembly and Group should consult upon its plans and place orders three to four weeks ahead of anticipated sessions. 81/2 x 11, attractively printed.
Percopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $.75
20 copies (special institute price) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00
No standing orders will be filled.
Teacher's Handbooks Now Available
The Advisory Committee on Education has collected and edited materials for Teacher’s Handbooks on four subjects of vital interest and concern to all teachers of the Faith. They are intended primarily for the teacher in planning and organizing an instructional program, in accordance with his own teaching ability, the capabilities of the students, the materials to be covered, and the time available. They are especially useful for preparation of summer school courses and institutes.
A number of Bahá’ís who assisted in researching the Writings for materials used are noted in the Handbooks—this work preparatory to the extensive editorial work of the Advisory Committee itself. The books are 81/2 x 11, each with different colored cover for ready identification.
Each Teacher’s: Handbook is to be ordered separately by Volume number and title as follows:
Teacher’s Handbook, Vol. I — Bahá’í References on Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.00
Teacher’s Handbook, Vol. II — Basic Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.50
Teacher’s Handbook, Vol. III — Study Classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2.00
Teacher’s Handbook, Vol. IV — Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . $l.50
Pocket Calendar—1967-1968. This convenient calendar, billiold size, runs from May 1, 1967 to April 30, 1968 and indicates an Feasts and Holy Days. It is issued at convention time for easy distribution among various national communities who use this little calendar. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all domestic orders will continue to be filled with the current 1966-67 pocket calendar until March 1, 1967. All foreign orders for pocket calendar will receive the 1967-68 edition after February 1, 1967. However, please state specifically which calendar is wanted (pocket or wall calendar) and also which edition of the pocket calendar. [See November 1966 BAHÁ’Í NEWS for Wall Calendar announcement.] The new pocket calendar has a recent photo of the African Temple at Kampala, Uganda.
25 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1.00
100 copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3.00
Order from
BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST:
110 LINDEN AVENUE
WILMETTE, ILLINOIS 60091
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.
Material 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, U.S.A. 60091.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
