Bahá’í News/Issue 458/Text
| ←Previous | Bahá’í News Issue 458 |
Next→ |
 Proofread onceReturn to PDF view
|
| No. 458 | BAHA’I YEAR 126 | MAY, 1969 |
The Báb’s Address to the Letters of the Living[edit]
“O MY BELOVED FRIENDS! You are the bearers of the name of God in this Day. You have been chosen as the repositories of His mystery. It behooves each one of you to manifest the attributes of God, and to exemplify by your deeds and words the signs of His righteousness, His power and glory. The very members of your body must bear witness to the loftiness of your purpose, the integrity of your life, the reality of your faith, and the exalted character of your devotion. For verily I say, this is the Day spoken of by God in His Book:1 ‘On that day will We set a seal upon their mouths; yet shall their hands speak unto Us, and their feet shall bear witness to that which they shall have done.’ Ponder the words of Jesus addressed to His disciples, as He sent them forth to propagate the Cause of God. In words such as these, He bade them arise and fulfill their mission: ‘Ye are even as the fire which in the darkness of the night has been kindled upon the mountain-top. Let your light shine before the eyes of men. Such must be the purity of your character and the degree of your renunciation, that the people of the earth may through you recognize and be drawn closer to the heavenly Father who is the Source of purity and grace. For none has seen the Father who is in heaven. You who are His spiritual children must by your deeds exemplify His virtues, and witness to His glory. You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? Such must be the degree of your detachment, that into whatever city you enter to proclaim and teach the Cause of God, you should in no wise expect either meat or reward from its people. Nay, when you depart out of that city, you should shake the dust from off your feet. As you have entered it pure and undefiled, so must you depart from that city. For verily I say the heavenly Father is ever with you and keeps watch over you. If you be faithful to Him, He will
[Page 2]
assuredly deliver into your hands all the treasures of the earth, and will exalt you
above all the rulers and kings of the world.’ O My Letters! Verily I say, immensely exalted is this Day above the days of the Apostles of old. Nay, immeasurable is the difference! You are the witnesses of the Dawn of the promised Day of God. You are the
partakers of the mystic chalice of His Revelation. Gird up the loins of endeavour, and
be mindful of the words of God as revealed in His Book:1 ‘Lo, the Lord thy God is
come, and with Him is the company of His angels arrayed before Him!’ Purge your
hearts of worldly desires, and let angelic virtues be your adorning. Strive that by your
deeds you may bear witness to the truth of these words of God, and beware lest, by
‘turning back,’ He may ‘change you for another people,’ who ‘shall not be your like,’
and who shall take from you the Kingdom of God. The days when idle worship was
deemed sufficient are ended. The time is come when naught but the purest motive, supported by deeds of stainless purity, can ascend to the throne of the Most High and be
acceptable unto Him. ‘The good word riseth up unto Him, and the righteous deed will
cause it to be exalted before Him.’ You are the lowly, of whom God has thus spoken in
His Book:1 ‘And We desire to show favour to those who were brought low in the land,
and to make them spiritual leaders among men, and to make them Our heirs.’ You
have been called to this station; you will attain to it, only if you arise to trample beneath your feet every earthly desire, and endeavour to become those ‘honoured servants of His who speak not till He hath spoken, and who do His bidding.’ You are the
first Letters that have been generated from the Primal Point,2 the first Springs that have
welled out from the Source of this Revelation. Beseech the Lord your God to grant that
no earthly entanglements, no worldly affections, no ephemeral pursuits, may tarnish the
purity, or embitter the sweetness, of that grace which flows through you. I am preparing
you for the advent of a mighty Day. Exert your utmost endeavor that, in the world to
come, I, who am now instructing you, may, before the mercy-seat of God, rejoice in
your deeds and glory in your achievements. The secret of the Day that is to come is now
concealed. It can neither be divulged nor estimated. The newly born babe of that Day
excels the wisest and most venerable men of this time, and the lowliest and most unlearned of that period shall surpass in understanding the most erudite and accomplished
divines of this age. Scatter throughout the length and breadth of this land, and, with
steadfast feet and sanctified hearts, prepare the way for His coming. Heed not your
weaknesses and frailty; fix your gaze upon the invincible power of the Lord, your God,
the Almighty. Has He not, in past days, caused Abraham, in spite of His seeming helplessness, to triumph over the forces of Nimrod? Has He not enabled Moses, whose
staff was His only companion, to vanquish Pharaoh and his hosts? Has He not established the ascendancy of Jesus, poor and lowly as He was in the eyes of men, over the
combined forces of the Jewish people? Has He not subjected the barbarous and militant tribes of Arabia to the holy and transforming discipline of Muḥammad, His Prophet? Arise in His name, put your trust wholly in Him, and be assured of ultimate victory.”
by Nabil
| ¹The Qur’án. | ²One of the Báb’s titles. |
Travels of Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí[edit]
The recent travels of Hand of the Cause Mr. Abu’l-Qásim Faizí to India, Hong Kong and the Philippines have caused the awakening of new souls and enkindling of a new spirit among the believers.
His visit in January to Hong Kong brought the Message to masses of the Chinese people, who are very receptive to the Call of God and love to hear about the Faith. Mr. Faizí also met several times with the Hong Kong believers and consulted with Mr. Muntazi, of the Continental Board of Counsellors as well as with Mrs. Sims of the National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia.
From Hong Kong he went, with Mr. Muntazi and Mrs. Sims, to the Philippines where, on the night of his arrival, he was interviewed at one of the largest television stations in the country. On the next day there was a press conference well attended by professional writers and university students and covered by two television stations.
The Philippines was blessed at the same time with the presence of Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir who assisted the friends in planning a full and active schedule during the visit.
There was an all day conference at the National Ḥaẓíra at which Mr. Faizí discussed the Kitáb-i-Iqán and spoke on the importance of education of children. When the teaching plan for the coming year was presented nineteen volunteers offered to make regular visits to various places. Several visitors attended the conference, one of these being a student from Ghana attending the University in the Philippines. During the session he addressed the conference, spoke of the spirit of love and unity in the gathering of different races, classes and educational backgrounds among those present and declared that he wished to become a Bahá’í. The spiritual impact made by the talk and declaration of Alex Odom had a profound effect on the gathering, changing the hearts of many who were already believers.
The effect of the visit of those dedicated servants of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is evident in the Islands; the television interview and press conference having been shown on television several times since, with pictures of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Houses of Worship; and the friends are infused with a new spirit of dedication to teaching.
The friends in India were privileged to have a visit of several days duration from Mr. Faizí. Photographs of two meetings between Mr. Faizí and public officials are shown.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí during press conference at the Manila Hilton in the Philippines, January, 1969. Left to right: Mrs. Barbara Sims, Counsellor Samaniego, Mr. Faizí, Mrs. Luisa Mapa Gomez, of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines, Counsellor Mumtazi, Mrs. Fe Samaniego, secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines.
[Page 4]
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí and Mrs. Shirin Bowman, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of India meet with
Mr. Triguna Sen, Minister of Education of India.
Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí with press representatives in New Delhi, India.
Eight Íránian Pioneer-Students in the Philippines[edit]
Some of the Persian Bahá’í students in
Manila at the time of the visit of the Hands
of the Cause in January. Left to right: Bijan
Ighani, Jila Samadani, Farhang Mazidi, Shala
Beroozi, Hand of the Cause Mr. Faizí, Counsellor Mr. Momtazi. Hayedeh Roshangeh,
Mahshid Ighani, Hand of the Cause Dr.
Muhájir.
“They should have the opportunity to participate in
the fulfillment of the goals of the Nine Year Plan ...
possibly in some foreign country, but they are so young
and have just completed their secondary education.”
Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Muhájir must have been thinking of the potential young workers for Bahá’u’lláh not only from Írán, but from all the other countries when, through his guidance and initiative a new field of service was opened for the Bahá’í students.
“If they should continue their education, then why not in some Universities in countries greatly in need of Bahá’í workers ... for instance the Philippines?”
The very first to arrive was a young girl from Írán who had just graduated from secondary school, Miss Mahshid Ighani. After deciding to come, letters having flown between the two countries, she was soon on her way. Armed with the promise of Bahá’u’lláh’s assistance and a letter of acceptance at a university, she flew to Bangkok where with the help of the friends she obtained her student’s visa in one day, which was unusual. She arrived in Manila very late and the friends who were to meet her had left the airport. Somehow she found her way to the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds and was soon asleep in the little room. The next day she was on a bus, arriving six hours later in the city of Baguio where she enrolled in the university.
This happened a year ago. Today seven other students from Írán have come, including Mahshid’s own younger brother Bijan.
Two of the student-pioneers are in the State University in Quezon City, three in the university town of Los Banos, Laguna, one each in Manila and Davac, with the latest arrival planning to study agriculture.
All weekends, vacations, holidays and free hours are offered to Bahá’u’lláh by these devoted young teachers. They have come with varying degrees of knowledge of English, the language in the Universities, but this limitation is being overcome day by day.
Two of the students, Shala Beroozi and Jila Samandani have made a trip to the island of Mindoro and brought 30 new believers to the Faith. Bijan and Mahshid Ighani have visited every province of Pangasinan and presented the proclamation book to each Mayor and Captain of the localities. Farhang Mazidi and Firouse Tolouie visited Isabela communities and attended two conferences. Hayedeh went to a new province of Bicol with a native youth and visited some government officials. Very recently Firouse and a tribal teacher went to a Moslem village in Mindanao where seven Moslems embraced the Faith.
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Philippines has expressed its happiness and appreciation for the service of these young soldiers of Bahá’u’lláh.
Counsellors for Northeast Asia
[Page 5]
Local Bahá’í center under construction in Los Mochos, Guajira, Venezuela.
Bahá’í teachers Vicente Iguaran and Rogelio Hernandez view
the inscription on the first grave in the Bahá’í cemetery in
Los Mochos, Guajira, Venezuela.
Guajiro Indians Demonstrate Strong Bahá’í Potential[edit]
Through the dedicated efforts of a considerable number of Guajiro Bahá’í teachers and one full time pioneer on each side of the Colombian-Venezuelan border, the Guajira Peninsula demonstrates more each day its potential for reflecting the Light of Bahá’u’lláh. The Guajiro teachers are traveling with greater frequency to different places for expansion and consolidation activities. At present several from Venezuela are traveling in Colombia in order to teach and deepen the Guajiros in that country (this being a goal of the Nine Year Plan for Venezuela). During trips made to the Guajira and Perija zones of Venezuela in December, 118 new believers enrolled in the Faith.
A basic course for Bahá’í teachers was held January 18 to 20 in Los Mochos, in the Zonal Institute and the new Bahá’í Center in that locality. Eighteen students attended, who came from the Colombian Guajira area, Perija District, and Amazon Territory, as well as the Venezuelan Guajira area. The student from Amazon Territory is a representative of the Guajiro tribe, and several years ago became the first Indian to enroll in the Faith in Venezuela. They learned songs and prayers, and prepared books of drawings for teaching the Faith and Bahá’í calendars. All classes were given by Guajiro instructors. This course was the first in a series of four, organized by the Colombo-Venezuelan Guajiro Teaching Committee, for the period January 10 to March 10, two to be held in Colombia and two in Venezuela.
Some of the local assemblies of this zone have begun to function, outstanding among them being the one in Los Mochos, which has permitted us a glimpse of the great future development of the Faith among the Indians of America promised by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. In Los Mochos the Local Spiritual Assembly meets every two weeks; the Nineteen Day Feasts and Holy Days are observed regularly; children’s classes for literacy and learning the Bahá’í teachings are held four days each week; many of the believers contribute to the local fund; a Bahá’í Center is under construction made possible by the contributions and volunteer work of the Bahá’ís of Los Mochos; the Local Assembly sends contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund; there is a Zonal Institute which was donated by one of the believers of this community, and recently they established the first Bahá’í cemetery in Venezuela as described in BAHÁ’Í NEWS April 1969 p. 5. Furthermore, by means of Bahá’í consultation, the Local Assembly has resolved personal problems for some members of its community. At the commemoration of the Day of the Covenant there were sixty-three people present. The meeting began at 2 p.m. and finished at 11 p.m. The program began with prayers and Bahá’í songs, and explanations of the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and accounts of many stories of His Life, continued with a delicious supper of chicken, duck, rice, watermelon, soft drinks and candies contributed by various Bahá’ís, and terminated with typical Guajiro dances.
Teaching the Faith at the New Zealand Summer School[edit]
The New Zealand Bahá’í Summer School offered unexpected opportunities to teach the Faith and demonstrate the Bahá’í spirit. The Continental Board of Counsellors for Australia writes of it as follows:
“On our arrival for the opening of the New Zealand Bahá’í Summer School we were told that there had been a death in the Maori community and it is their custom to bring the body back to the tribe and hold the ‘tangi’ (funeral) on the Marae. The Bahá’ís had rented the Marae for Summer School, so we naturally agreed that they should go on with their traditional arrangements, and they invited the Bahá’ís to be their guests. This meant that we all slept on the floor of the meeting house with the Maoris — men, women and children — and the close family who kept an all night vigil around the open coffin at one end of the room. We joined in their services with readings and chanting in Persian. The service is normally carried on in Maori as it is most unusual for Europeans to be present on such occasions, much less to be the invited guests!
“After the ‘tangi’ the school was organized. We had repeated visits from some of the local Maori population. The Ratana pastor who performed the ceremony came after Church on Sunday, bringing along a few people. Masese Hokafano gave a talk and seemed to reach right to their hearts. Even the pastor was most impressed. Masese also addressed them on another occasion with equal success. One lady, when introducing us to a local European who had come to inquire about the Faith, said “These Bahá’ís sat down and ate with us, they went in and slept with us. We are one people.”
“Ephraim Te-Poa, a Maori believer who was at the Sydney Intercontinental Conference, was instrumental in getting this location. His mother, who is quite elderly, insisted on coming along to the school and gathering a few of us around her in the meeting house she told how in 1918 her uncle foretold how one day people would come with a message that would unite all people. She believed that this was the message that we brought and she said. ‘You are my sons and daughters’. We have shared in their time of bereavement and when they came back later we shared in fun and singing and, most important, in the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
“This morning Ephraim came into the meeting house and (referring to the Sun of Bahá) said, ‘The fierce warmth of the Sun is streaming into this court.’ ”
Participants at the winter school in Panchgani, India held in December, Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and Counsellor Dr.
Farhangi attended and spoke with the friends. The School, which was very successful is described in BAHÁ’Í NEWS, March 1969 p. 2.
Excitement in Mayaguez Puerto Rico[edit]
| Bahá’ís: |
| Jan. 1, 1969 |
| adults 7 |
| youth 1 |
| April 1, 1969 |
| adults 31 |
| youth 208 |
Entrance at the right to stairs leading to Casa Bahá’í.
Sign “The Bahá’í Faith” at top of stairs.
From right to left, standing: Norma DaVar, Alice
and Tom Burke, Lynn Johnson, Robin Grimson
and some of the youth of Mayaguez.
New Bahá’í, at right, holding a fireside with new seekers.
Ruben Betancourt and Tom Burke during a break in a Goals Committee meeting at Casa Bahá’í.
Flowers to ‘Akká[edit]
by
Hand of the Cause Abu’l-Qásim Faizí
IN ÍRÁN THERE ARE VILLAGES where many of the people embraced the Bahá’í Faith in the early hours of the dawn of the Age of Bahá’u’lláh. It is amazing how these illiterate and incredibly impoverished people, ignorant of the outside world, could ever comprehend the significance of this great Cause with its world-embracing power, and its many new principles fitted for an age they could scarcely imagine. However, when one visits these villages to meet these radiant souls, the secret of their early attachment to the Faith is uncovered. In these remote places were a few divinely inspired men, luminous stars who, in the last hours of the night prior to this glorious dawn, prepared their fellows by telling them about the impending advent of the Promised One, and by warning them against heedlessness. Each one of these villages has had its own hero and its own unique history.
Such a village of the dawn is Sayessan, an unpretentious, almost forbidding village of stone and mud in the barren mountains some forty miles southwest of Tabríz, in Persian Ádhirbáyján, not far from Lake Urmia, its inhabitants Persians of Turkish origin. It is a village whose sons were renowned for their bravery and their loyalty; and today it is renowned for identifying itself as a Bahá’í village with that same bravery and loyalty now dedicated to the Cause of God. In the 1830’s, here as in other communities throughout Írán, there were men who told of the glad tidings of the glorious dawn soon to be. Their message of promise was the preparation which the villagers brought to their declarations, services and sacrifices the moment they heard about the advent of the Promised One.
Mullá Asad’u’lláh was the sage who trained and readied his fellow Sayessanis by constantly reminding them of the Great Day, the Day of Judgment, that Day when sons would run away from their fathers, and when mothers would choose to abandon their own children. In his exhortations he emphasized that each one must purge his heart of all else save the love of the Promised One, so that his penetrating effulgence would accept their mirror hearts as its abode.
One day when Mullá Asad’u’lláh, followed by a group of his students from Sayessan, was walking through a narrow lane in Tabríz, a well-known mujtahid of that city passed by. He was Mullá Muḥammad-i-Mamaqáni, one-eyed, energetic, a vehement controversialist and traditionalist, a man accorded great respect by the people, who always gave way before his passage. But Mullá Asad’u’lláh covered his face with his cloak, refusing to look upon the countenance of this man of high priestly estate. The companions were astounded, for their mentor was a model of humility and temperate good-conduct.
Returning to the village, the young disciples enroute asked Mullá Asad’u’lláh to explain this apparently grave breach of etiquette, this seeming almost-insult to a highly placed leader of religion of great prestige in the city and region. To their even greater astonishment he replied, with deep feelings of sorrow and anger, that “This man will sign the death warrant of the Promised One, and I did not desire to see his face. Beware! When you hear the news of His advent, and of His martyrdom in Tabríz, you must all respond to His call!”
Villagers Accept The Báb[edit]
This saintly soul, his seer’s vision having readied his followers, died before the Advent. But those he had trained and sensitized, his faithful disciples, remained vigilant, listening for reports of a Great One who would be done to death by the order of the same one-eyed mujtahid and some of his colleagues. Thus expectant, they heard in 1850 of the execution in Tabríz barracks square of a certain Siyyid ‘Alí Muḥammad of Shíráz, one who called Himself the Báb and who asserted that He was the Qá’im. The Sayessanis gathered all news of this young man who threatened the authority of the priests and the governor so gravely that these men of power felt He must be killed. And it was true. The Promised One of their prophecies and of Asad’u’lláh’s vision had come. In a wave of excitement and conviction 2700 of the almost 3000 inhabitants of the Sayessan area became Bábis, embracing the new Faith of God. Isolated from the central pressures of government, they continued bold and fearlessly outspoken in their new Faith, and so became the target of frequent persecutions. Many times daring souls among them were taken prisoners to Tabríz, and even to Tiḥrán. But they never wavered in their constancy and fortitude. And when there came the news to Írán of the Declaration of Husayn-‘Alí of Nur, that greatest Bábí known as Jináb’i Bahá, or Bahá’u’lláh, in Baghdád, all rapidly accepted the new Teacher who was the fulfillment of the Báb’s own Book.
Many persons from Sayessan made their pilgrimages to the Holy Land to see Bahá’u’lláh during the years following His exile to ‘Akká in Palestine. Some stayed on in the Holy Land to serve their Loved Ones. Among such was the well-known Ismá’íl Agha, the trusted and faithful gardener of the Master ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He it was who, after the Ascension of the Master in 1921, was so overcome with grief that he sought to commit suicide by gashing his throat behind the Shrine of the Báb, near the Holy Place where Bahá’u’lláh had pitched His tent. Fortunately he was found very early by Dr. Lotfu’llah Hakim and Mr. Curtis Kelsey and was taken to the hospital where, exhorted by a loving message from the Greatest Holy Leaf who expressed her hope that she would see him once more serving in the gardens of the Master’s house, he accepted treatment and was healed. Thereafter he served with such love,
[Page 9]
Ismá’il Agha of Sayessan the trusty gardener of the Master who also served the Guardian for many years.
devotion and utter sincerity that when he passed to the
Abhá Kingdom the Guardian ordered this epitaph to be
engraved on his resting place: “The Sign of Steadfastness and Faithfulness.”
Travel to ‘Akká[edit]
During the days when Bahá’u’lláh was under house arrest, imprisoned in the city of ‘Akká, the first small group of Bahá’ís from Sayessan set out on foot, circa 1878. After crossing more than 700 miles of desert and mountains and enduring many hardships they at last attained to the presence of their Beloved One. Radiating such love and simple sincerity, and uttering such innocently provincial remarks, by their zeal and enthusiasm they brought great happiness to the heart of the Blessed Perfection, saddened by the burdens of His incarceration.
They wore their Sayessani clothing, suited of course to the far more rigorous climate of the northwest mountains of Írán. Their large fur hats became the particular target of the street children in ‘Akká; these wild and untrained children found them so strange and amusing that they followed the pilgrims about, jeering, taunting, making fun of them ceaselessly. When they told ‘Abdu’l-Bahá of this ridicule He simply advised them to wear the ordinary fezzes of the men of ‘Akká. On the very next day they came into the Master’s presence each wearing a newly-acquired red fez. He smiled infectiously, and with appreciation called them “the red-hatted soldiers of the Blessed Beauty.”
Soon the believers from Sayessan became familiar with the prevailing bitter conditions of confinement within the fortress of ‘Akká. Their hearts brimmed with sorrow for the Holy Ones, for they were surprised that such inadequate food was given the exiles, with no fresh vegetables. The bad-tasting water, the poor diet, the prevalence of epidemics of every kind, the barren city with scarcely a blade of grass inside its forbidding double walls, all evoked sadness and a deep rage. Worst of all, the Blessed Beauty with His great love of the open spaces, of the mountains and the gardens, of flowers and trees and all the beauty of the natural world had not been able to walk abroad for about nine long years. Therefore, one day when in His presence the pilgrims opened their hearts and entreated Him:
“Come to our village,” they proposed. “Here in ‘Akká it is warm and damp, and there are no trees.”
“We cannot,” replied the Beloved.
“We promise that the weather will be more agreeable, and we will do everything we can to make you more comfortable.”
“We cannot. We are imprisoned here.”
“Imprisoned?” they replied, with tears in their eyes. “Imprisoned! Who could ever do that to you? You are the King of this world.”
But the Blessed Beauty could not be released from bondage even by these boldest and most resolute of His followers, for God’s destiny had ordained His lifetime stay in the Holy Land, that place of fulfillment of prophecies for all mankind.
Bahá’u’lláh’s Gift to Sayessan[edit]
One day they knew that they must return, full of sorrow that they could not rescue Him as they desired. But before their departure Bahá’u’lláh gave them some of the simple food of the prison, calling their particular attention to the potatoes in the meal. “Plant this in your village,” He ordered. “It is good.” Since they were farmers by occupation, they learned eagerly from the local growers of potatoes about this strange vegetable. And on their departure they carried back a stock of seed potatoes for planting in their fields. There in Ádhirbáyján soil the potatoes flourished, as the Sayessani Bahá’ís adopted the “new” crop advised by Bahá’u’lláh. As time passed, the potatoes were adopted by the farmers of the area, and became so staple and vital a food, so much a supplement for the grains upon which they had perennially depended from time immemorial, that several times the whole province was relieved by potatoes of Sayessan of the threat of famine which so often afflicted it.
The sorrows that all had felt in ‘Akká, that grim city, continued throughout the long journey homeward across desert and mountains. It continued during their days of recounting to their fellows what they had heard and learned and confirmed during those priceless hours of spiritual bounty. So touched were they by the deprivations of the Blessed Beauty that they resolved to do what they could about it.
Among the villagers who had travelled on that pilgrimage were two who bore the same name, Muḥammad. As there were no family surnames to distinguish them one from the other, the friends called them Muḥammad the first and Muḥammad the second. Together they suggested to their fellow Bahá’ís that nothing could be more befitting than flowers for such a
[Page 10]
Bahá’í youth of Sayessan advancing in two rows to receive their guests.
Beloved. And what flower better than the fragrant
narcissus, in Persia a symbol of purity and love, a
symbol too of the coming of the spring and the joyful
passing of life out from the darkness and cold of
winter!
Some months later, after prayerful preparations, the two Muḥammads again set out afoot for faraway ‘Akká. But now each carried precious pots of narcissus bulbs on their shoulders, leaving their scant belongings to be carried by two plodding donkeys. Their way was difficult, for the roads were always perilous from brigands and weather, and the authorities and soldiers at the several borders they must cross. With the light of love in their hearts these two sturdy, brave men overcame the hardships of a journey which the comfort-seeking, safety-conscious modern person might view with trepidation or see as unwise. But where there is the light of love in the darkness of the material world men are willing, nay joyous in taking daring steps over every obstacle!
‘Abdu’l-Bahá described the arrival of the bearers of the narcissi to the first group of pilgrims who visited Him at the end of World War I, in 1919. “When the end of their wearisome journey drew nigh, and the city of ‘Akká was unfolded to their expectant eyes, and when their gaze fell upon the majestic mansion which marked the limit of their destination, they forgot in a glance all their sufferings and cares, attained the gate with sore feet, swollen and blistered, and falling prostrate on the ground laid at the feet of the Blessed Beauty the token of their undying devotion, which they carried with such zeal and love. O, what a shower of blessings and of bounty and of favor were poured upon them! Their gift of living beauty was not only accepted, but was considered to be the most precious gem that could ever be presented, the richest and finest gift in the world. To His bestowals and expressions of acceptance and appreciation these pilgrims muttered repeatedly and wholeheartedly their sincere wish of ‘Janem sanah ghorbanela! “Make me the sacrifice; redeem and save my soul!”
The Bahá’ís of Sayessan gather at the
entrance of their village to receive
their guests.
[Page 11]
One of the oldest photos of the friends
of Sayessan. Third from the left is one
of the two who carried the flowers
to ‘Akká.
NOTES: So proud were the families of these two valiant Bahá’ís
that they adopted the names “The First” and “The Second”
as their surnames when this was legally required in recent
times. Hence these Sayessani families are now identifiable
throughout the Bahá’í world by their last names: Awwal and
Thani.
In the winter of 1935, in company with dearly loved Davood Toeg, then Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of ‘Iráq, and with Rahmat Ala’i of Ṭihrán, the author visited Sayessan, thus following in the footsteps of Martha Root and Keith Ransom-Kehler. Hundreds of young boys and girls, knowing of our coming, walked miles to meet us and, with their colorful dress and high spirits, formed two most attractive and picturesque guide groups taking us to their famous village.
The older Bahá’ís were gathered in the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds awaiting us. Muḥammad the First was still living, but very aged, his eyes failing. When Rahmat Ala’i embraced him, Muḥammad held him firm and whispered in his ear: “Are you the son of Nazemul Hokama, who was the court physician?”
Startled by the question, Rahmat answered: “Yes, I am; but how did you know me whom you have never seen before?”
A very beautiful smile appeared on the old man’s face, and he said: “When some of us were prisoners because of our Faith, your father as the court physician used to come to the prison to see the sick prisoners. We Bahá’ís were in a single room. He used to come and embrace every one of us. I can’t see you, but when you embraced me, I smelled his perfume.
There are those who recognize every perfume: the perfume of good men, the fragrance of the narcissus, but particularly the perfume of the spirit of God in the world.
So remarkable these Bahá’í are in their love to the friends and hospitality towards them that in their intense longing to remember the blissful occasion of their visits they name children after their guests. There is no wonder if you see a little charming girl passing by and the people call, her “Miss Martharoot” or “Mrs. Kehler Khánum.”
Some Bahá’í women in Sayessan in their colorful dress.
International News Briefs[edit]
Mexico[edit]
The pioneer to Oaxaco, Mexico, Marilyn Bierman reports: “In Oaxaco, in the southern part of Mexico we now have over two-hundred and fifty believers, and seventy-five of these entered the Faith in the last three and one-half months. Next to Yucatan, we are the most dynamic and growing State in the country. We now have sent out our first Oaxaqueno, a traveling teacher.”
India[edit]
Five goal villages have been selected for teaching in Poona, with two groups of Bahá’ís making every effort to bring as many people into the Faith as possible. In Poona there have been 200 enrollments in one month and a teaching conference was held in Waranghusi village. The first teachers’ seminar was held at Nasik when fifty high school teachers, including some women, expressed a keen interest in the Faith. The teachers were invited to hear the Bahá’í point of view on education as well as the other teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Three villages are developing to become the first all-Bahá’í villages of Bihar. Two teaching conferences have been held at village level, and Mr. Dinesh Prasad Verma, a traveling teacher, is assisting the Area Teaching Committee in its efforts to achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan.
New Centers in Burma[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Burma reports a successful 700 mile teaching trip through that country by an Auxiliary Board member and four members of the National Spiritual Assembly. At Magwe, where they stayed three days, they taught the Faith to fifty and were rewarded with twelve declarations. The new friends, all of whom are of Buddhist background, plan to establish a local Spiritual Assembly at Riḍván. Next at Sadainbgan, a few miles away, there was much interest among the group of over thirty who gathered to hear of Bahá’u’lláh and eight persons declared, thus increasing the number of believers in that village to make possible the formation of a local Assembly in April. In the village of Kanbya near Payapye, where there is a local center, thirteen people, including six women embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, thereby opening a new center. In Payapye and Layde, where Bahá’í communities already exist, meetings were held for consolidation and plans were made for construction of local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in the near future.
Bolivia[edit]
At the fifth annual youth conference held in January in Cochambama, Bolivia.
Memorial Service Honors Pioneers[edit]
A memorial service was held Saturday, March 29 in the House of Worship in Wilmette to honor the memories of five pioneers and Knights of Bahá’u’lláh who have passed to the ‘Abhá Kingdom in recent months. There was a period of silent meditation followed by appropriate readings of prayers and selections from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
Those remembered at this time were:
Mrs. Maria C. Holmlund who, as Maria Ciocca pioneered, when only twenty-four years old, to Sardinia in 1953 and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for opening that island to the Faith. She later married John Holmlund and together they served steadfastly until her death in August 1968 on the eve of the first historic Oceanic Conference in nearby Palermo, Sicily.
Mr. Alvin Blum who spent all of his Bahá’í life as a pioneer and attained the honor of being named Knight of Bahá’u’lláh in 1954 when he and his wife went to the Solomon Islands. He passed away there in September.
Mrs. Sara Kenney pioneered in 1953 to Madeira Island, off the coast of Portugal, and was named a Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Later in France she served as a member of its first National Spiritual Assembly. Her passing occurred in September while travelling in England.
Mrs. Maud Bosio, an early member of the Italian Bahá’í community played an important role in the development of the Faith in that country and performed many services in preparation for the First Oceanic Conference in Sicily. She died in October.
Mrs. Loyce Lawrence who, early in 1953 volunteered to pioneer to the far-northern Lofoten Islands beyond the Arctic Circle, thus attaining the honor of being listed among the Knights of Bahá’u’lláh. She witnessed the formation of a local Spiritual Assembly in Svolvaer and the National Spiritual Assembly of Norway, on which she served. She passed away in December in Trondheim, Norway. The friends in Norway held services in Oslo, Stavanger and Bergen to honor this dearly loved servant of Bahá’u’lláh. In addition to love for this dedicated soul and grief over her loss the believers were stirred to a renewed dedication to carry out the work for Bahá’u’lláh.
A Teaching Trip Through the Cameroons[edit]
A member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Cameroons, in Africa, recently took a twenty-eight day trip in that country, travelling 4,000 kilometers (2,484 miles) on rough roads. The results were eighty-seven new believers, eighty-two of whom reside in thirty-seven newly opened localities. Seventeen new tribes were enrolled. Mr. Jawad J. Mughrabi reports:
“On the way to Edea and with the guidance of the Beloved, the Headmaster of the Catholic school in Village Bonepoupa declared and the first center was opened to the Faith. In Edea we spent two nights. One declaration was received with four more after we left, making a community of eleven believers. A little before we reached Yaounde, two more centers were opened.
“The Yaounde Assembly is already doing tremendous teaching visits to neighboring villages and towns ... and has every determination to increase their efforts in the teaching field as well as encouraging and deepening the friends there ...
“... we moved through the Eastern Region and later into the Northern Region where many communities were opened to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
“Up north, the language problem started. French is very rarely spoken or understood except among the Moslem tribes. Naturally, English does not exist ... At Ngaoundere, I carefully considered the situation and decided that because of very bad roads and lack of language I would do better to return to the south ... The result of our visit to the North was only six declarations in three localities.”
Rhodesia[edit]
Two believers from Salisbury, Rhodesia in Africa took a teaching trip recently to the Chiweshe Reserve where they taught the Headman and his family about the Faith and then went on to teach for one day in the village. At the end of the day the Headman’s three daughters and eight other people had enrolled as Bahá’ís. Since then there has been more teaching in this area with the Chief and sub Chief recently enrolled. Chief Chiweshe planned to attend a Bahá’í conference in Bulawayo. The believer, Pande, who has made many trips to the Chiweshe Reserve writes:
“While we were teaching from house to house, some of the boys ran away to tell police that there is someone who is teaching Politics. Two policemen came to me and asked me some questions. I told them I do not teach Politics but Faith. They asked me, ‘What kind of Faith are you teaching?’ I told them the Bahá’í Faith. They said, ‘Who formed this Faith?’ I told them that it was not formed by anyone. It is a religion from God brought by His messenger named Bahá’u’lláh. They said, ‘We want to see your books.’ I gave them my books. They said, ‘Oh! You can carry on with your teaching.’ ”
Malawi[edit]
A teaching trip through Malawi by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of South Central Africa, Dennis Makiwa, brought joy and encouragement to the friends in Zomba, Limbe, Liwonde Village, Naminyuku, and Amalika Forest. The trip to Liwonde Village took him and veteran Bahá’í teacher George Mpyaila on a sixteen-mile walk in heavy rain, but when the visitors arrived they found many people gathered and of the thirty-one who heard of the Faith from their talk, five declared.
Zambia[edit]
One community in Zambia, during Intercalary Days, made sweets and took them to children who were crippled by polio. Another year they took the same gift to leper children.
Intercalary Days Observed Throughout the U.S.[edit]
The Bahá’í Community of Santa Monica, California hosted an Intercalary Days service project for the children and the Spanish-speaking mothers of the local Head Start program with an afternoon puppet show, an informal party of games, and a baby shower for the mothers-to-be in the class. The announcements were written in English and Spanish and were given each mother by their English teacher, a Bahá’í. The response to the Bahá’í invitation was truly a sign of God’s power as eight cars — filled to capacity — were needed to transport the friends to the park.
Bahá’ís helped in the transportation, supervision of the puppet show, handling of the games for the hundred children, and in hosting the shower for the twenty Mexican-American mothers, three of whom were given shower gifts for their new arrivals.
Although direct teaching was not the main objective of the project, spontaneous conversations tended to center on the Faith with the Spanish-speaking Bahá’ís. An estimated 130 guests were in attendance.
The Santa Monica Bahá’ís now ask themselves if another similar event shouldn’t be planned, with emphasis placed on direct teaching, telling them it was the love of Bahá’u’lláh which they experienced with the Bahá’ís. With perserverance, consultation, God’s guidance, and complete love and unity a small band of believers can and did attract a minority group.
Intercalary Days activities for the Salt Lake County, Utah, Bahá’ís included presentation of a fifteen volume set of child craft books and a ten volume set of science books to the Salt Lake City Community Action Program Center. They also held a party attended by several interested seekers and highlighted by dramatic readings from the Writings.
The play “The Wonder Lamp” was given by the Children’s Class (aged five through eleven years) of the Great Falls, Montana, Bahá’ís, for children of a local Catholic orphanage. The evening was a joyous occasion for the Bahá’ís, children and nuns present as all were caught up into a song fest following the play. Later, the Bahá’ís invited seekers to an “Open Feast”, begun with a potluck, and followed by an explanation of Feast, Fast, and Intercalary Days and a stimulating question and answer session. An Intercalary Days gift to the gathering from a Bahá’í was a slide program.
The Bahá’í Children’s Class of Ventura County J.D., California, celebrated the days by including non-Bahá’í relatives and friends at a party with an inexpensive gift exchange. Children from two to twelve years old presented a program of songs, memorized prayers, an explanation of the Bahá’í calendar and a reading of “Blessed is the Spot”, illustrated by art work from previous classes. A box of toys, some of them favorites “sacrificed” by the givers, was filled to give to the children in a ward at the local state mental hospital.
Inglewood Judicial District in Southern California observed Intercalary Days with a potluck for Bahá’ís and guests, several becoming interested in learning more about the Faith.
Bahá’ís of Salt Lake County, Utah present books to the
Library. Edward Parker and Mrs. Barbara Parker, Bahá’ís,
are shown with the fifteen volume set of Child Craft Books
and the ten volume science set which the Bahá’ís gave to the library of the Salt Lake City Community Action Program Center.
Bahá’ís from Keokuk, Iowa, and Kirksville, Missouri
attended the Ayyám-i-Há party and program which was
planned by the Melrose Township, Illinois, Bahá’ís and
supported by the friends from the Quincy community. Held
near Quincy, the program was designed particularly for
young people and attracted thirty-nine adults plus
children. The musical program was given by youth from
Illinois Wesleyan College, Bloomington. A panel discussion
on the Faith was followed by a question and answer
session. Attending were students from a local Catholic
seminary.
The Astoria and the Clatsop County Bahá’ís of Oregon, who have been working together in extension teaching, held an Intercalary Day public meeting in Seaside, Oregon. For six weeks prior to the meeting the Seaside radio station carried The World in Harmony tape series on Sunday mornings.
Millwood, Washington, and Spokane County Commissioner’s Districts No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 joined the Spokane Community for festivities including group singing, games and a gift exchange. Indianapolis, Indiana friends held a dinner at a local restaurant and an at-home party, both attended by many seekers.
A program of readings based on “happiness” was part of the Fort Meyers and Lee County, Florida, celebration. A slide program reviewed the introduction of the Faith into Fort Myers in 1959, and pioneer work in the Bahamas from 1954-59. The press gave the event good publicity.
Intercalary observances were festive and varied in the Southern California District No. 2. Among them were a party and gift exchange, at La Mesa; a food and clothing donation to poverty families, at Santa Ana; luncheons and parties, at Riverside; luncheons and evening parties, and gift giving to about 60 patients at an old people’s home, at Jurupa J.D.; a large potluck and a children’s party, at Victorville and Victor J.D.; an early morning breakfast, at Escondido; and a large party held at a mobile home estates, at Oceanside.
On the U.S. Homefront[edit]
Members of the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of
El Paso, Texas which was incorporated December 6, 1968. Left
to right, rear: Nolan R. Hayles, Mrs. Rosella E. Hayles, Robert
L. Boalts, Mrs. June Springer, Mrs. Mischa A. Terry; front:
Robert Springer, Mrs. Gloria Barding, Ronald G. Barding,
Mrs. Catherine Arenas.
Members of the local Spiritual Assembly of Lower Bucks
County, Pennsylvania formed at Riḍván 1968. Left to right,
rear: Marie Proctor, acting secretary; Lemuel Silver. Bill
Proctor, Cheryl Newcomer, treasurer; James Bruce, librarian;
front: Bill Howe, chairman; Anna Mikuriya, vice chairman;
Jean Bruce, Sue Howe.
RIGHT:
Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Berlin, Wisconsin recently incorporated. Left to right, rear: Dr. Francis
Gilbert, chairman; Jean Luderus, secretary; Carl Reimer,
Jessie Reimer, Tom Billington; front: Evelyn Gilbert, Lorraine Witt, treasurer; Agnes Puza, Ione Billington, vice chairman.
The Southwestern Bahá’í Winter School[edit]
The winter session at the Southwestern Bahá’í School, Bridgeport, Texas, on December 26-29, was a warm and rewarding experience for the hundred and ten who attended.
Adult classes were highly informative and covered many aspects of the Faith. Continental Board of Counsellor member, Miss Edna True, covered the foundation of our Bahá’í lives, “The Covenant”, with special attention given to the Institution of the Guardianship, the Hands of the Cause of God, the Auxiliary Board members, and the functions and duties of the newly established Continental Board of Counsellors.
Miss Thelma Jackson presented a course on “Spiritual and Administrative Principles for a New World Order”, a timely and important subject.
Walker Jensen’s class was “Progress of a Progressive Faith”, which provided much helpful information on the history of our Faith.
Mrs. Margaret Jensen brought our attention to “The Individual Bahá’í”, and how the Covenant, Administration and history relate to him in his spiritual growth and his service to the Cause.
The youth enjoyed daily sessions with Mrs. Jensen, some classes with the adults, and special sessions with the other teachers.
For the children, five teachers conducted well-prepared classes which kept them spiritually, mentally, physically, and musically occupied.
An evening highlight of the school was the children’s chorus led by Mrs. Marjorie Heath, a talent show put on by the youth, and a humorous play which drew out talent from unexpected sources. It was entitled “Desperate Desmond” and was written and directed by Don Newby.
All in all, the enthusiasm of the school was high and many said they were looking forward to the summer session. The setting itself is conducive to building a relaxed and spiritual atmosphere. The camp is located in an isolated area, and the modern main building has huge windows which overlook an ever changing lake.
International News Briefs[edit]
Japan[edit]
Auxiliary Board member Mr. Hideya Suzuki who married Miss Ruth Walbridge, an American pioneer in Japan, has voluntarily dedicated all of his time to serving the Cause. These two devoted souls, westerner and easterner, left Tokyo for Hakkaido Island which is the most responsive teaching field in Japan. They had the privilege of meeting Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir there and formulated their teaching plans with his assistance.
Brunei[edit]
The visit of four members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia to the believers in Brunei was a unique occasion for the believers. Tony Fernandez, Inbam Chinniah, Nagaratnam and Shantha Sundram brought a spirit of friendliness and enthusiasm and helped in many ways to further the Cause. They conducted a teaching conference in Supan Besar, Ulo Tutong which was very successful and gave talks in Benutan which resulted in four new declarations ...
A local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Benutan, Brunei is ninety percent completed. In order to complete it the National Spiritual Assembly has agreed to aid the local friends on a “dollar to dollar” basis.
The second Bahá’í wedding conducted by the Bahá’í Assembly of New Plymouth, New Zealand, received front page publicity in the Daily News of that city. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dewing, a New Zealand pioneer family, and the groom, William Seddon is a Maori.
Bahá’í in the News[edit]
Writing on the Ground by Wellesley Tudor Pole, published by Neville Spearman, Ltd., London, 1968 includes a final section giving a sympathetic account of the Bahá’í Faith and its teachings.
Having been personally acquainted with the Master, he recounts a number of personal experiences including the part he played in safeguarding ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and His family during the Palestine campaign in 1918. He also relates a number of examples of the Master’s remarkable power to predict future events.
Bahá’í Books[edit]
New Edition of British Compilation[edit]
A new edition of the Pattern of Bahá’í Life (a compilation from the British Publishing Trust) is now available. This is a revised format, with drawing of the German Bahá’í Temple on the cover. The price of this booklet has been reduced and should be changed accordingly on the catalog supplementary list. Per copy $.50.
Paperbound Edition of Portals Reissued[edit]
Portals to Freedom is the story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America, the historically unique account by a noted Bahá’í teacher, then a Unitarian minister, who met the Master in New York in 1912. The authentic record of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s written and spoken teachings exists elsewhere. This is a personal account, written by Howard Colby Ives, which brings the Master to warm life and His message close to the heart.
Per copy | $2.00 |
(Please enter this in catalogs, along with clothbound edition already listed.)
Orders for above titles should be sent to Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Individuals should order through their local librarians.
Bahá’í House of Worship
Wilmette, Illinois
|
He closes the book by saying “ ... Bahá’ís believe
that the Local and National Assemblies, and the Universal House of Justice now formed, is the divinely
appointed framework for building World Unity and
peace, prophesied by Jesus, The Christ, when He said,
‘and there shall be One Fold and One Shepherd.’ ”
W. Tudor Pole passed away September 13, 1968.
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; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee.
Material must be received by the twenty-fifth of the second month preceding date of issue. Address: Bahá’í News Editorial Office, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, U.S.A.
Change of address should be reported directly to National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
