Bahá’í News/Issue 487/Text
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| No. 487 | BAHA’I YEAR 128 | OCTOBER, 1971 |
Youth Conference, Fiesch, Switzerland[edit]
At Fiesch, Switzerland, youth from five continents launched 1200 balloons
to tell the masses of Europe about Bahá’u’lláh. Each had a message from
the Youth Conference attached with a reply card. The Glad Tidings floated
across several ranges of the Alps and replies were returned from countries as far away as Austria, Italy and Yugoslavia. Literature was sent to
400 who replied, and visits were made to those near-by, who are now
studying the Faith.
Swiss Youth Conference Achieves Mass Teaching Victories[edit]
At the opening session of the Fiesch Conference in the big hall
of the Holiday Center. Left to right, Theo Wirthner, President,
Town Council, Fiesch; Counsellor Anneliese Bopp who is translating; Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum, speaking; Hand
of the Cause Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel; Counsellor Betty Reed.
Many thousands in the mountain valleys and villages
of Valais (Valley of Rhone), heard the healing message
of Bahá’u’lláh for the first time in August 1971 when a
thousand believers went out by foot, by train, car and
bus. Pamphlets were distributed in large quantities.
Mass teaching aimed at the heart, centered on the glad
tidings of the coming of Bahá’u’lláh rather than on
intellectual proofs, won its first victories in Europe.
This result was achieved by much planning, prayer,
meditation, consultation and dedicated effort.
Objective[edit]
The over-all purpose of the effort being made in the heart of Europe is to achieve and surpass all the Nine Year goals of that continent. The initiative was taken in January 1971 when The Universal House of Justice delegated Hand of the Cause Dr. Raḥmatu’lláh Muhájir to visit Europe and set up a two-year youth teaching plan to be coordinated by the Continental Board of Counsellors. An immediate goal was the launching of a vigorous teaching campaign by the youth and the convocation of a European Youth Conference in Switzerland. As the campaign gathers momentum there are to be semiannual meetings in other European countries.
The Swiss Conference was preceded during June and July of 1971 by the visit of a youth team of thirty from the United States. Their activities were under the expert guidance of the National Coordinating Committee of the Swiss National Spiritual Assembly. Contributing know-how, enthusiasm and momentum were Bob Phillips, American Coordinator, ably assisted by TV personality Linda Marshall, Shanta Murday, Jeremy Phillips and others. Enrollments gained for the Faith during this preliminary period gave proof that “it’s only the beginning.” (See story in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for September, p. 6.)
Conference in the Hub of Europe[edit]
At Fiesch, Switzerland, 1,200 youth from fifty countries gathered from July 31 to August 11, 1971 for the European Youth Conference. Fiesch is a modern holiday center in the high mountain valley of the River Rhone in the heart of Europe. The location near the source of rivers which flow down in all directions to the seas, seems to symbolize the work of the Youth Conference, the objective of which was to channel the teaching
Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum rests during time devoted to simultaneous translations.
effort toward countries of the continent and bring about
the entry by troops into the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.
The Conference was under the auspices of the European Board of Counsellors and was organized by the National Youth Committee of Switzerland with help from the Youth Committee of Italy, in charge of the program.
Speakers included Hands of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum and Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel; South American Counsellor Donald Witzel; European Counsellors Betty Reed, Erik Blumenthal, and Anneliese Bopp and German National Spiritual Assembly member Dr. B. Hemmati.
At the opening session a message was read from The Universal House of Justice, also messages from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, the Swiss Government and from local authorities.
Inspiration[edit]
For the talks by Rúḥíyyih Khánum, an enthusiastic audience packed the vast auditorium, sat on the floor, stood in doorways and clustered on window ledges. She spoke from the heart with wit and humor in direct language, appealing to youth. Untiringly she answered questions, drawing on her unequalled experiences in sessions lasting up to four hours. She instilled in the hearts of her listeners a great love for the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh; a reverence, loyalty and submissiveness—and also the fire of the love of God exemplified by the life of the beloved Guardian.
Activities[edit]
Evenings were devoted to social activity, exchanging views on teaching methods and projects, swimming in
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General sessions of the Youth Conference were held in the
gymnasium of the little mountain village of Fiesch in order to
accommodate all 1200 of them. Translations were made through
the public address system in one language and alternatively in
four other languages to different sections of the gymnasium
where the youth were grouped by language.
the large covered pool, and entertainment provided by
groups from each country of singers, musicians, dancers and actors. The most absorbing topic was teaching
and special attention was given to the 1964 letter of The
Universal House of Justice on this topic. Workshops and
talks by experienced believers explored the new concept
of the youth teaching campaign. A lending library and a
bookstore with hundreds of publications in several languages helped in deepening between sessions.
Public Meeting[edit]
The climax of the Youth Conference was a public meeting held in the gymnasium of the village of Fiesch. The hall was packed with 1,500 people, young and old, villagers, mountaineers, tourists, Italian and Spanish workers. Music presented by soloists and choirs from the various countries, the prayers, the slide show and talks in different languages touched hearts of the listeners. When an appeal was made to those who wanted to join the Faith, a first hand shyly went up, steadily followed by others, by songs of joy, by clapping hands. Tears came as spontaneous declarations were announced; fifty-two that night. The next day twenty-four more accepted the Faith. There was a total of 199 declarations from seventeen countries during the entire Conference, 128 from persons residing in Switzerland. The wide embrace of humanity had at long last come to the old continent.
Publicity[edit]
Excellent news coverage was obtained before and throughout the Conference. International news agencies sent releases and photographs abroad. The Swiss Radio Corporation prepared news items and edited interviews for its short-wave programs broadcast to several continents in English, French, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese. Counsellor Erik Blumenthal gave an interview on the Faith in German for the Swiss Radio. Journalists and radio reporters interviewed Rúḥíyyih Khánum in
A group of Swiss and American Bahá’ís entertaining.
French, German and English. The Swiss Telegraphic
Agency and Agency France Press correspondent, after
meeting Rúḥíyyih Khánum and several youth wrote: “It
is a youth without barrier we met in Fiesch, a youth
illumined with an inner joy, a communicative joy, in
love with truth, seeking mutual comprehension and
peace.” As a further testimonial, he left his daughter to
attend the Conference.
A novel and attention-getting kind of publicity was the launching of 1,200 balloons, each of which had attached to it a leaflet about the Faith and a reply card. Responses requesting information now number 400.
Forty youth from the United States who participated in the Conference at Fiesch, Switzerland.
Gaining Momentum[edit]
The youth who gathered in Fiesch now travel-teach throughout Europe. In all directions, the spirit of Fiesch is flowing. The youth have pledged more victories to come. The administrative structure is ready to welcome masses of new believers. A troop of veteran believers is prepared to deepen them in the Faith. Youth gatherings are scheduled early in January 1972 in Salzburg, Austria and in August 1972 in Padua, Italy, which will undoubtedly bring European Bahá’í communities to new heights of service and triumph.
The beginning of mass enrollment at the public meeting in Fiesch, Switzerland, August 7.
Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum with Shanta Murday at her side.
Dr. Mühlschlegel, with youth in native costumes.
Seated—Left to right: Fujita, Dorothy Ferraby, Counsellor Betty Reed, Hand of the Cause Dr. Mühlschlegel, and Mrs. Mühlschlegel.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum in traditional African dress, with Fujita.
Youth in Burma Arise to Achieve Goals[edit]
“Burma is ripe for mass teaching” was a directive of the Nine Year Plan, which further specified that four major minorities should be brought into the Faith. With only two years remaining to achieve the spiritual victory, decisive action was called for, and was taken.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Burma arranged a teaching conference for two days in Rangoon, which was attended by forty youth and ten adults. The writings on the subject of teaching were searched out. Particularly noted was the reference of the Riḍván 1971 message from The Universal House of Justice “The army of traveling teachers must be reinforced and the friends, particularly the Bahá’í youth, are called to seriously consider how much time they can offer to the Faith during the remaining two years of the Nine Year Plan”.
Discussed were different means of approaching the masses and particularly the Buddhists. A nine-month plan was formulated, to end at Riḍván, 1972. Many youth volunteered to take the message to 113 localities and to form seventy-nine additional Assemblies by the specified date. All the major localities were marked on the map and names of volunteers were assigned to their respective locations. The National Teaching Committee worked out the operation of the plan and the National Spiritual Assembly approved it—all in one day. The next day the volunteers started working the plan. It was a memorable and soul stirring occasion.
Auxiliary Board member Fereidoun Missaghian was sent to Burma ahead of the historic planning Conference. First he visited Rangoon, then the Village of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Daidanaw (Kunjangun), accompanied by some of the National Spiritual Assembly members. They also visited two other locations, holding meetings and teaching the Cause.
Burma had been opened to the Faith during the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Siyyid Mehdi Shirazi of Írán, known as Jamál Effendi, more than seventy years ago. A few years later, Siyyid Mustafá Roumi, called a Hand of the Cause after his passing, arrived in Burma and was instrumental in bringing in the whole village of Daidanaw to the Cause of God. (See Bahá’í News, June 1971, p. 4.) A shrine is dedicated to him in this village.
Mr. Abdu’l Hoseyn, grand-son of the first Bahá’í in Burma, Jamál Effendi, is now in Rangoon serving the Faith. He has a note-book containing forty tablets by the beloved Master to his family, which promise many blessing for the Bahá’ís of Burma.
Bahá’í friends in the village of ’Abdu’l-Bahá in Burma, July 9, 1971.
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“If the younger Bahá’í generation, in whom Shoghi Effendi has great hopes, ... become both well informed and energetic, they surely can achieve a great deal ... They are the ones to raise the call of the Kingdom and arouse the people from slumber. If they fail the Cause is doomed to stagnation.” (Dawn of a New Day, p. 3)
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They set up their tents on the beach of Dong-Giang, Da-Nang.
Youth Conference in Da-Nang, Vietnam[edit]
A very successful Youth Conference was held in Da-Nang, in Vietnam on August 9 and 10, 1971. Over 100 youth of that Province attended. Their entertainment in the evening attracted five hundred people, spread great enthusiasm and brought more people into the Faith.
They gathered in love and unity under the banner of Perfection.
They sang the songs of peace.
Liberian President Tubman Passes
Bahá’ís Participate in Memorial Services[edit]
President William V. S. Tubman of Liberia suddenly passed away on July 23, 1971. On Tuesday evening, July 27, a wake service was held at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia where President Tubman’s body was lying in state. The new President of Liberia, the widow of the late President, heads of African states, representatives of some foreign governments and of religious and fraternal organizations were all present.
The director of the program, a Christian minister, introduced the Bahá’í Faith as a faith existing in Liberia. Many churches had tried but failed to be on the program, whereas Bahá’í were invited to participate. Mrs. Georgia Sanchez, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Liberia, recited two prayers: one for the departed and one for mankind. When the words of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá echoed through the large pavilion, a special power seemed to have been released which brought a hush over the audience. Heads of State listened with special attention and respect to the Bahá’í prayers.
A special memorial service was held by Bahá’ís for the late President Tubman on Sunday, August 1, 1971, at the Bahá’í headquarters in Congo Town, Monrovia. This was done as a sign of respect to a President under whose leadership an atmosphere of religious freedom was created in the country, and which protected and supported the growth of the Bahá’í Faith in many ways.
The program of the Bahá’í memorial service included prayers, readings from the Bahá’í Sacred Writings and a tribute to President Tubman. This service was broadcast the following evening from the national broadcasting station. The spirit of religious freedom and brotherhood was praised in this service. Also mentioned were the delight of President Tubman in receiving The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, his support and expressed satisfaction in the holding of the historic Bahá’í Continental Conference in Monrovia, Liberia in January 1971, and especially President Tubman’s visit to the Holy Shrines of the Faith. Prayers were dedicated to the spiritual and material progress of the nation. This Bahá’í tribute was published in one of the leading newspapers of the country.
A television program on the evening of August 1, on Station ELTV paid a special tribute to the late President Tubman. Scripture readings consisted of The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh and no others, read by a member of the Monrovia Local Spiritual Assembly. This led to many inquiries among the viewers.
New Pioneers from the United States[edit]
Pioneers in attendance at Summer Pioneer Institute in Wilmette, Illinois, gather on the steps of the House of Worship. They are scheduled to depart for countries in South America, Asia and Europe. Assisting with classes at this Institute were Counsellor Hooper Dunbar of South America (back row, second from right) and Mrs. Carol Bowie, Secretary of the Pioneer Committee of Canada (back row, third from right).
Those attending the Pioneer Conference have been invited because they are volunteers ready to go to their posts, and some leave directly afterwards. The International Goals Committee conducts the sessions, giving cultural information, the history of pioneering, insight into the role of a pioneer with a new National Spiritual Assembly and health hints. A class on the Covenant is conducted by the Secretary of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, Mr. Glenford Mitchell. All this information is gathered from experience by the Goals Committee, and given for the benefit of the new pioneers in order to assist them to achieve their objectives.
It is but a Beginning in Sholapur[edit]
“The work thus far achieved, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í service, is highly reassuring and truly meritorious in the sight of God. It is but a beginning however. Much remains to be achieved....”
the Guardian to the
National Spiritual Assembly of India
The Bahá’í Community of Sholapur remembered the
above words of the beloved Guardian on the eve of the
Feast of Raḥmat 128 B. E. when a three-day deepening
class for the village Bahá’í friends of Sholapur area was
inaugurated. It is hoped that this class will open a new
chapter in the teaching and deepening activities of
Sholapur area. It is but a beginning. The result achieved
through this class has been so glorious that the friends
have been inspired to carry on with more such deepening classes.
Those invited to the class were members of the selected Local Spiritual Assemblies elected Riḍván 1971. With preparations well in advance, the Bahá’í Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds at Sholapur was fully prepared to welcome to its fold with a smiling face and open arms, all these selected souls who were to leave its threshold with faith, knowledge and love of the Blessed Beauty.
The Local Spiritual Assembly and the Regional Teaching Committee planned a systematic program to enable the participant to gain maximum knowledge within the short period of three days. In assistance, the National Spiritual Assembly of India provided two able Marathi speaking teachers: Mr. A. K. Poonawalla and Mr. N. S. Jadhav. Another area, Poona, also sent its jeep and two youths Mr. S. K. Yaganegi and Mr. Vahid Mottahed to crown the efforts with achievements. This spirit of co-operation, detachment and devotion was the secret of the success of the class.
The hall of the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds was decorated with the display of Bahá’í charts, picture cards of the Holy Land and the literature of the Faith in diverse languages. This hall which served as a silent teacher was adjacent to the hall where the Youth Principal, Mr. S. K. Yaganegi conducted the classes with two teachers and twenty-one participants.
The interest of the participants was shown when the village friends took active part in the lively discussion held on the subject “The Need of Religion for Mankind.” It also revealed that only religion has the capacity to eradicate the prejudices to enable mankind to achieve its unity.
Sholapur, India, deepening class—counting votes in the mock Assembly election.
Deepening class at Sholapur on the last day.
Besides learning about the moral and ethical teachings of the Faith, its history, its social and administrative principles, and the Bahá’í Fund, the participants
also took part in a mock election of the Local Spiritual
Assembly. The mock election was conducted for a village Bahapur.
The slides showing the Holy places and the worldwide centenary celebrations of the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, not only impressed them but also served as a visual deepening media for these village participants. These, and the captivating spiritual atmosphere of the class spurred their hearts and minds to such an extent
Deepening class, Sholapur, India, June 24-26, 1971. Left, Mr.
A. K. Poonawalla, traveling teacher who played a large part in
organizing the class. Center: Mr. Digambar Narayan Garad of
Village Ranmasle, who donated a part of his land for the Village
Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. Right: Mr. N. S. Jadhav, teacher sent by the
National Spiritual Assembly of India from Ujjain, especially for
the class.
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that these simple souls composed devotional songs and
rendered them with a spirit that is distinctly prevalent
only in Bahá’í gatherings.
Every morning the class began with prayers in which everyone participated and every night they showed their love for Bahá’u’lláh by singing hymns of praise. Among the participants was also a Bahá’í from village Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Mr. Digambar Narayan Garad, who had earlier donated a part of his land at his village to the National Spiritual Assembly of India to serve as a village Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. This selfless sacrifice on the part of Mr. Digambar Narayan Garad is a matter of privilege, since he is the first village Bahá’í to donate his land for the Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds. This added to the joy and happiness of the local friends.
The farewell program on the 26th evening moved the hearts of everyone. It was an occasion when spontaneously the village friends got up and addressed the meeting and said that they had experienced the true Bahá’í spirit throughout the duration of the class. And it was with feelings of great respect, love and exultation that each of them received from the hands of Mrs. Sushila R. Boralkar, a set of Bahá’í books in Marathi as a souvenir of the class.
While leaving each felt that each had gained more than he had contributed. The Local Spiritual Assembly and the Regional Teaching Committee had gained the love of these participants.
Two student pioneers presenting Bahá’í literature to Mr. R. K.
Nehru, Governor of Assam (India), on behalf of the National
Spiritual Assembly of India, on June 23, 1971. Mr. Nehru, who
was in the United States for many years, is well informed about
the Faith.
Deepening Conference at Brandon, Manitoba, Canada[edit]
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 2nd., 3rd. and 4th., an Auxiliary Board Team Deepening Conference was held in Brandon, Manitoba supported by the Local Spiritual Assembly of that city and by the Bahá’ís of Cornwallis. Auxiliary Board members attending were Mrs. Peggy Ross and Ted Anderson. Other speakers were Mrs. Arden Lee from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Bob Cameron from Duluth, Minnesota; Tom Garroway from Baker Lake, North West Territories; Ishrat Naqui from Regina, Saskatchewan; Dr. Bill Guy from Brandon.
The main presentations were: The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi; Obedience to the Institutions; The Covenant; Youth’s Role in the New World Order; Obedience to Bahá’í Laws.
Friends from six different countries and from many areas of Canada were among the 100 plus attending.
California Victory Conference For Spanish-Americans[edit]
A Conference designed especially for the Spanish background segment of the Bahá’ís of Southern California was held on July 31 and August 1, 1971 in Santa Ana, California.
Two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors were present, Mr. Hooper Dunbar and Mrs. Florence Mayberry, and were a source of inspiration to about 200 who attended. Miriam Merkovich translated from English into Spanish.
Mass teaching was the topic for the opening session. On Sunday discussions centered on the topic of consolidation. Mr. Dunbar gave a simple outline of what to say when mass teaching: mention the Founders of the Faith; the laws, especially that of prayer; and unity. He stressed the necessity of a plan for continuously teaching and deepening the new believers. Mrs. Mayberry stressed total participation and pointed out that all can make some contribution, including child care.
One man went around in his neighborhood and brought ten or twelve bi-lingual children to the Conference. During the “Unity Fiesta”, held at the end of each session, a woman made her declaration and her two children, aged six and seven, also said they believed in Bahá’u’lláh.
Mass teaching was done before and during the Conference, and afterwards as well to give an opportunity for participation of those who had earlier expressed doubts about this method of teaching. These efforts resulted in many new believers. The Santa Ana community, especially, received new inspiration as well as new techniques for teaching and deepening their Spanish background believers, who now number approximately eighty.
A session at the Spanish-speaking Conference held at Santa Ana, California. Photographs by Paul Slaughter, West Hollywood, California.
Counsellor Hooper Dunbar speaking at the Southern California
Victory Conference for Spanish speaking believers, with Counsellor Florence Mayberry seated at the table.
Essential Maintenance of the Wilmette House of Worship[edit]
The upper gallery of the House of Worship with the drapes down
for cleaning. There are two and one-quarter miles of drapes and
over 1800 window panes.
After a summer of fierce activity in the boiler room of
the House of Worship workmen completed the installation of three new gas heating units. These replaced the
thirty-eight year old oil-fired boilers which were necessitating increasingly frequent repair. Along with decreased man-hours needed for their operation, the new
furnaces will be cleaner and run more quietly. They
will produce only a fraction of the pollution which the
old furnaces sent up the smoke stack, with a resultant
lessening of the discoloration of the House of Worship.
All activity, however, has not been confined to the heating system. A soft green indoor-outdoor carpet has been placed in the entrance way to Foundation Hall. A quarter of a million visitors each year will thus be warmly and attractively greeted as they enter the exhibit area. The average number of visitors a day during the summer has been 1200.
Upstairs in the Auditorium itself, the drapes have been cleaned. While the curtains were removed from the upper level, over 1,800 window panes were washed inside and out.
Thirty-eight year old oil-fired boilers being dismantled to allow installation of pollution-free furnaces.
Workmen cutting away the thirty-eight year old boilers to be replaced by modern gas furnaces.
One of the three new gas-fired boilers installed in the House of Worship.
Youth Conference, Fiesch, Switzerland[edit]
Youth from fifty countries, 1200 strong, came together at Fiesch, Canton Valais, Switzerland from August 1-11, 1971 to study the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
August 1-11, 1971[edit]
After their stay in Switzerland, the young Bahá’ís from five continents and fifty countries will travel throughout Europe, teaching the Faith. The American youth will attend the North Atlantic Oceanic Conference at Reykjavik, Iceland before coming home by chartered plane.
THE GREAT SAFARI[edit]
of Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum[edit]
Part four
Motoring to Gambia we stopped over-night in the town of Kaolak and met with the Bahá’ís and their friends there, a group which largely resulted from the work of a full-time African Bahá’í teacher from Gambia. They were devoted and well-informed. Their first Assembly was elected during last Riḍván.
Eighteen days, from April 9 to 26, 1971, were devoted to teaching work in Gambia. This was one of the most thrilling and fruitful periods we spent in Africa. Because of the departure of several pioneers and a general apathy the re-election of old Assemblies and formation of new ones was in serious jeopardy. Lack of manpower was one of the major factors. Rúḥíyyih Khánum’s arrival coincided with a meeting of the National Assembly and the quarterly meeting of the Board of Counsellors for West Africa. She was therefore able to consult with both bodies and lay out a campaign to elect the local Assemblies.
A village street meeting in Adukrom, Ghana. Amatu’l-Bahá is standing in the back.
The Bahá’ís of Kaolak with Rúḥíyyih Khánum. Written on the blackboard was a warm welcome for all passers-by to see.
Amatu’l-Bahá standing between the President of Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara (right), and Counsellor Dr. William Maxwell (left).
Amatu’l-Bahá, accompanied by Counsellor Dr. William Maxwell and myself were received by the President
of Gambia, Sir Dawda Jawara. He informed us that he
had been in the Holy Land and had visited the Shrine of
the Báb. He is a much admired leader. Amatu’l-Bahá
presented him with a copy of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. He was impressed when she said “We must
all be on our guard against a new prejudice that has
come into our society today, the prejudice of the educated against the illiterate and uneducated.” The President replied that he himself was a village man and that
he liked this thought which was very true, but that it had
never occurred to him before. This remark seemed to
strike just the right note.
As Dr. Maxwell’s visit to Bathurst had been planned a long time before and now coincided with that of Rúḥíyyih Khánum they shared public events together, which was very pleasant in every way. Both spoke at the public meeting in the Bahá’í Center and on an interesting radio interview.
Encouraging Local Travel-Teaching[edit]
Amatu’l-Bahá encouraged the friends to participate in the teaching activities of the coming week, both for the purpose of opening new centers as well as strengthening old ones and ensuring the formation of as many local Assemblies as possible. As a result of her appeal, a number of Gambian believers volunteered to devote most of their time to this work during that week. She also made sure that the National Assembly met with the volunteers and planned a definite step-by-step program. She then took her place as the General of our little army of ten or so and with much love, wisdom and enthusiasm guided it daily to its goals.
Our area stretched as far as eighty miles from the city of Bathurst. One of the pioneers had a small omnibus which he had bought for just such a purpose. Every
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morning he filled his car with as many of the friends as
he could collect. With our beloved General seated on the
front seat next to him, we would all set out, later to be
dropped off in teams, each of the foreigners with a
Gambian believer to translate and help us in the different villages.
We were a typical group of Bahá’ís for the pioneer who owned the car was a Turkoman from ‘Iráq, married to an American believer who had to stay home with their Gambian born baby. The other devoted pioneer was from Malaysia. We had known him in his own country during our visit of 1964. Now here he was jogging along with us on his way to form new Local Spiritual Assemblies in Africa.
The plan was that we would be picked up along the route several hours later as the driver of the car was with the last team that went the farthest. Often more than an hour or two was spent in walking around the village in the heat of the mid-day sun trying to find and collect the Bahá’ís and invite them to gather under the shade of the big tree, the usual meeting hall. Discussions, questions and answers would continue until late afternoon and often many new people would enroll under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh.
On our way back each team would eagerly relate to the others the wonderful incidents of their own teaching. The joy and enthusiasm of everyone was so great that although very tired we could hardly wait for the next morning. During this period between ten to fifteen villages were visited, each more than once. Some of them were completely new villages. One of the points Rúḥíyyih Khánum often stressed in these meetings was the role of women in the community. She would encourage the women, who usually stay on the outer fringes of such gatherings, to come closer and sit with the others. She would tell them of the wonderful teaching of Bahá’u’lláh about equality of men and women; of the beautiful example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likening humanity to a bird, one wing men and one wing women; When they fly in perfect unison the bird can go higher and higher. In such words she encouraged the women to participate in the discussion and independent activity in the Cause. To our infinite joy and pride many of these women were elected to the new Local Assemblies.
Riḍván[edit]
The climax of this week’s effort came with Riḍván. The teams went to the nearby villages on the eve of Riḍván, April 20th, and then to the far away places all day on the 21st of April. Although for a whole week we had prepared the friends for this wonderful occasion yet often on arriving we would not find a single Bahá’í present. Again, we would spend an hour walking around the village, calling the friends. Gradually they would arrive and the meeting could then be held. Time as we know it, the hurry and pressure of civilization, does not exist in the villages. There are also almost no highly nervous or bad tempered people!
Rúḥíyyih Khánum made it clear to all of us that we visitors were only the helpers on this wonderful occasion and that the responsibility for the running of these meetings and the election of the Assemblies was in the hands of the pioneers and the Gambian believers. April 21st was for Amatu’l-Bahá as well as for Guilda Navidi and me the longest and one of the happiest days of our lives. Amatu’l-Bahá herself was present at the formation of three of the nine Assemblies elected in our area (one other was elected up country). She enjoyed this experience so much that she later on told us all that from now on she will make sure that every year around this period she is in a place where she can help with the formation of such Assemblies. She said that although she was afraid to write the ballots for the illiterate friends—not being familiar with the language it was hard for us to catch names—still just to be able to address the friends—to hold the ballot papers in her hand until the tellers came to collect and count them, was an infinite bounty.
A meeting in the village of Waassaeoung, Gambia, one of those assisted by Amatu’l-Bahá in the election of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
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Rúḥíyyih Khánum and President Felix Houphouet-Boigny of the Ivory Coast taken during their interview in Abidjan.
The highlight of this day was an incident which took
place at the end of it. It was dusk and everyone was
exhausted. We had just collected our last team and
faced the long eighty mile drive home. Several times
going to this village the car had passed by another
village and because we did not know any one in this
village, never stopped. Every time Rúḥíyyih Khánum
said one of these days the inhabitants of this village will
stop the car and complain that we never stop here, and
ask us what we are doing in the other villages.
Once again she said the same thing. As the car bumped slowly over the dirt track they saw an old man standing on the road and very energetically motioning the car to stop. Sure enough he asked the inevitable question “Why is it that you go through our village to the next village and never stop here to speak to us?” Every one was tired and hungry and ready to postpone this meeting to another day, but our beloved General would not hear of this. She came down and walked into the little village square and sat and talked to them about Bahá’u’lláh’s Message until it was so dark no face could be seen. The old man, who was the still older Chief’s brother, listened carefully, and asked questions. He stated that he wished to be accepted as a believer there and then and his son, a man in his forties, with him. He plucked at his eighth-of-an-inch-long grey beard and said: “I am not foolish. I am an old man, as you can see by my beard. I do not say this lightly without being sure, I have asked in the other village what you told them. I believe this is the Truth and accept it and I would like to see all my children and kindred accept it too.” After this there was nothing to do but enroll him and his son on the spot.
Annual Convention[edit]
Rúḥíyyih Khánum invited the new believers and several others in some of the villages to come to the Convention and made it possible for them to do so. It is extremely important to seize the opportunity of the Annual Convention and get the Bahá’ís, especially new ones, to come to it as it confirms and deepens them and makes them realize they belong to something great and world-wide. This old man during the Convention got up in his very beautiful local costume and with great dignity said: “If a man sees his neighbors carry shovels and spades and go to their fields, although it is the dry season and not a cloud in the sky, he should also follow them and work on his field, otherwise the harvest time comes, his neighbors will reap a rich harvest and he will have none. When I saw a car going to the neighboring village I did not ignore it. I went to the next village and asked them what they heard and when I was satisfied I asked them to come to us also so that we may not miss the rich spiritual harvest.”
The friends were blessed by the presence of their beloved Amatu’l-Bahá in their Convention and were thrilled to hear that ten Local Assemblies were formed in Gambia, six in Senegal and one in Mauritania. This was a very joyous occasion and some of the time the floor was open to all the participants. We were all thrilled to hear so many wise and beautiful examples and parables from our dear brothers from the villages. One of the new Bahá’ís who had not accepted the Faith prior to Amatu’l-Bahá’ís visit did so when she asked him frankly why he had not done so. At the Convention he got up and said: “If we are asleep and some one comes and calls us in great urgency, we must not neglect his call. It may be for a real reason. There may be fire in the house or flood in the field. We must instantly get up and investigate. For some time I did not heed, but this was wrong. I might have lost a great thing in my life.” A dear old man said: “In our language of Wolof we have a proverb. We say ‘if the bird is eating he does not need to make a noise’ and so if the Bahá’ís live the life of a Bahá’í they will naturally attract the attention of everyone.”
Another villager said: “Some of our Bahá’ís are weak and some are strong, but we should be kind and loving towards all. If we have several children one may be ailing or one crippled. But don’t we love all of them equally?” To hear these beautiful words of wisdom, the immemorial heritage of the villagers, is a joy and a pleasure. One of the many lessons our beloved Amatu’l-Bahá has taught us in her trips is to draw out these shy and humble villagers in the conferences and conventions so they will stand up and speak and share their beautiful thoughts and experiences with all. If one listens to these simple but wise people, the majority of whom are illiterate, one can learn much about the way of approaching others and proving to them the beauty and validity of the message of Bahá’u’lláh.
Convention for Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta[edit]
In Abidjan, the Ivory Coast, Amatu’l-Bahá attended
Madam Vera, (second from left), widow of the first Bahá’í in
Portuguese Guinea. Her husband was imprisoned and beaten to
death because he would not give up the Faith. Rúḥíyyih Khánum
(third), Violette Nakhjavání (first) and Guilda Navidi, (fourth).
[Page 17]
the Convention to elect the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Ivory Coast, Mali and Upper Volta as the
special representative of The Universal House of Justice.
The Convention was preceded by a two-day teaching conference. This was another very happy occasion. Amatu’l-Bahá had been so recently in all three countries the friends were thrilled to have her as a witness to their marvelous achievements and to proudly inform her of the victories won in the short time since her visit. The number of local Assemblies in the Ivory Coast had already surpassed the goal set for them by The Universal House of Justice in its Message to the Convention! Mali proudly announced two new Centers having Bahá’ís, one of them none other than the famous city of Timbuktu visited by Rúḥíyyih Khánum a few months earlier. The village of Affery in the Ivory Coast, opened by Amatu’l-Bahá in December of 1970, now had over seventy believers, seventeen of whom, including many women, attended the Convention and delighted all by singing Bahá’í songs composed by themselves.
During this third visit to the Ivory Coast, Amatu’l-Bahá was received by President Felix Houphouet-Boigny, one of the most enlightened leaders of Africa. He raises his voice in a continuous appeal for unity, equality and peace throughout Africa and in the world. With deep sincerity he said that it was an honor for him to meet Rúḥíyyih Khánum and exchange with her such profound thoughts. Although we were seated in a luxurious palace, the President said he prefers the simplicity of village life and whenever possible flees to the sanctuary of his village home.
When Amatu’l-Bahá asked him if he had ever received the special copy of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh which was sent to Heads of State by The Universal House of Justice, he said that he had not but that he would very much like to see it. Amatu’l-Bahá said she would be most happy to send him a copy in French which she later did, with a warm dedication to him. She presented him with a copy of the small pamphlet on “Obedience to Government” during her visit, saying he would, no doubt, have the Faith brought to his attention in the future and he should know this was one of its cardinal tenets.
Publicity in Abidjan[edit]
Amatu’l-Bahá had a very wonderful press conference in Abidjan which was televised and shown the next day. During this press conference several interesting questions were asked and ably answered. One of them was: “How can an illiterate villager who cannot read or write comprehend these profound teachings and become a Bahá’í?” “There are two channels,” she replied, “through which a man can understand and believe; one is through the head and one is through the heart. It is natural for an educated man to study the Bahá’í writings before he accepts them. He must read and weigh them with his reason and then accept. But for the illiterate man this is not possible; he judges by another method. Denied writing, his intuitive faculties are much sharper. He feels it is the truth and accepts it instantly. By either method anyone is welcome to become a Bahá’í; only he must believe it is the Truth. Her highly educated listeners immediately saw the point and liked this answer immensely.
Another astute question was: “How do you reconcile the two contradictory teachings of this Faith, strict obedience to government on one hand and belief that war is wrong and working for peace and brotherhood on the other? You say that strict obedience to government is carried so far that if a Bahá’í is obliged to take up arms and go to war he must obey his government, even though all his teachings are aimed at peace and against killing. How can you reconcile this contradiction?”
Amatu’l-Bahá with chief Kebah Badji of Bulengat in Fonyi Bondali, The Gambia, taken during the second National Convention of the Bahá’ís of Upper West Africa.
Amatu’l-Bahá, with that beautiful smile in her eyes as
well as on her face, said “We are 100 per cent for peace
and 101 per cent for obedience to government”. This
answer was met with genuine applause.
In addition to this press conference there were two excellent television programs as well as a radio interview. Two public meetings were held, both on the topic “The Spiritual Destiny of Africa”, one in Abidjan and the other in Dabou, where the District Governor and many school teachers were present. This general proclamation of the Faith, for the first time in the Ivory Coast, will no doubt lead to still greater victories in future.
Again on Safari[edit]
Having stowed everything back in the Land Rover which had been waiting for us in Abidjan, we proceeded for the fourth time to Ghana, this time to visit the coastal centers in the South. Guilda Navidi had left us in Abidjan to fly to Europe. On May 10th Amatu’l-Bahá had started out for the frontier. Car trouble obliged us to sleep at the little border town of Agnibilekrou because the two frontiers with all the officials had closed down at six o’clock! The next day we fully appreciated the fact we were no longer travelling by air for we drove fourteen hours, part of it on extremely rough roads. The jungles and hills were breathtakingly beautiful. We rejoiced that we were back again on the real safari. Late in the evening we reached the city of Takoradi in the South of Ghana. The next day we met one of the National Assembly members who took us to the meeting with some of the Bahá’ís of Takoradi. As most of the friends work in a cocoa factory on shifts it is very difficult to meet them all at once. We headed along the coast in the direction of Accra.
In the village of Sofokrom, newly opened to the Faith, and its Local Assembly scarcely a month old, Amatu’l-Bahá met with the friends and many villagers. Chairs and benches were put in the dirt street in front of a house which had an electric light above its door, a remarkable sign of prosperity for in Africa few villages are electrified. The son of this family is a Bahá’í. He had obtained his father’s permission to have the meeting outside their house. Over 150 people, men, women and children, eagerly listened to Amatu’l-Bahá expounding
[Page 18]
the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
It was once again her beautiful explanation on the subject of life after death and the Teachings on the immortality of the soul which captured their attention. Many questions on the laws of Bahá’u’lláh, about the Bahá’í funeral service, and other points were asked. It was a pity we had to motor on to our hotel near Cape Coast for the people, particularly the young men and officers of the new Local Spiritual Assembly would have liked to ask questions all night, it seemed.
Near Cape Coast, with the help of the dear Irish pioneers and local believers, many villages have been opened to the Faith. Amatu’l-Bahá gave a very thought-provoking talk to the senior students in the Ghana National College on the subject: “What kind of future do we want?” In the course of her lecture she recalled that in Gambia she had met an Englishman who had tamed a wild hyena. She was amazed to see how this ferocious animal came to its master to be stroked and petted, making little noises of joy. She remarked to him: “It seems strange indeed when we see how great the effect of love is on a wild beast that we seldom try it on our fellow human beings!”
She also spoke to a large number of senior girls at the Catholic Holy Child College on the role of women in society, the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh on the equality of men and women and the rights and duties of women in general, as well as on the role of youth in the developing societies of Africa. She said “How often women can be the voice of conscience to their men and through love, wisdom and righteousness keep them from taking a wrong step in life.” This was the second Bahá’í talk the college had permitted. Several of the girls expressed their wish to become Bahá’ís.
At the invitation of a young man, a new believer, whose mother has also become a Bahá’í and whose father is a prominent local Muslim, Amatu’l-Bahá went with him to visit his village of Adukrom. She spoke to more than seventy people there about the Faith. She was received with that typical African hospitality and love which is always such a joy to experience. In another village, Menyamewa, where the Bahá’ís have been teaching the children of the village regularly, they regaled us with Bahá’í songs and prayers in their loud clear voices.
Once again we arrived in Accra, just in time to attend a farewell gathering the National Assembly had arranged for five pioneers who were leaving Ghana. Rúḥíyyih Khánum spoke of the devoted services of these pioneers, the great importance of both black and white Bahá’ís pioneering to Africa, and said “In this way we demonstrate, in a world where racial prejudice is steadily increasing, the cardinal principle of our Faith, the Oneness of Mankind.” She stressed that perseverance is of the utmost importance in pioneering. In this case the farewell was not as sad as it might have been for two of the pioneers were going to other African countries to serve. Two others planned to occupy home front goals on their return. One was going to complete her education and then plans to pioneer in the future.
The Bahá’ís of Accra have been very active in teaching in many villages within easy reach of the capitol. Domiabra, Amanfro and Matsi were all visited by Amatu’l-Bahá in one day and Kweimango and Peduase on the following day. Shortly before her departure she was also able to go to Ashiaman. In all of these places there are entirely new flourishing Bahá’í communities. Local Spiritual Assemblies have been formed and the
The village of Kweimango, one of the many new groups of Bahá’ís in Ghana.
[Page 19]
friends are regularly visited and deepened in the teachings. In the village of Jan Kama an excellent Nineteen
Day Feast was conducted, organized and participated
in by the local believers. This was the best witness to
the capacity of the villagers and the soundness of their
Bahá’í teachers.
As our plane flew up into the bright African sky and headed for Switzerland another chapter of this fabulous safari of Rúḥíyyih Khánum came to an end. Amatu’l-Bahá had been urged by The Universal House of Justice to accept, if she felt she could, the loving request of the European Counsellors to address the European Youth Conference in Switzerland at the end of July. The Universal House of Justice also suggested she might consider taking time off for a much needed rest before she resumes her African tour. That is what she plans to do as the effects of her long illness after the South American Continental Conference in Bolivia have not yet entirely disappeared. God willing, in August, we will return to Accra, pick up the Land Rover and start to recross the continent from West to East. Then we will proceed Southwards to see the faces of other dear friends, eagerly awaiting Amatu’l-Bahá’s visit promised at the Intercontinental Conference for Africa held in Uganda in 1958. Since our arrival in Africa in July 1969, we have already flown at least 5000 miles and motored over 18,000 miles. We ask ourselves: “When will the great African safari end?”
- (Germany, June 1971.)
Amatu’l-Bahá in Amanfro, Ghana. This simple structure is the first Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds to be constructed by the village Bahá’ís in Ghana.
Believers who attended the second National Convention of Upper West Africa on April 24-25, 1971, taken in front of the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, Bathurst, Gambia. Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum is in the center holding the Greatest Name.
Rúḥíyyih Khánum with members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Upper West Africa. On front row are Mrs. Nosrat
Rouhani, Treasurer; Rúḥíyyih Khánum; Mr. Nassiron Tauhidi.
Standing, left to right; Mr. Kanniyah K. Adaikkalam, Secretary;
Dr. B. Amin, Chairman; Mr. Ali Behjat; Mr. Bye N’jie Lowe;
Mr. Samba M. B. Gaye; Mr. E. S. N’dure, Vice-Chairman;
Mr. Alieu Badara N’Jie.
[Page 20]
Hand of the Cause Rúḥíyyih Khánum, at a session of the National Convention of North West Africa. Beside her is Charles
Sanyang, travel teacher, translating.
Some of the participants in the Teaching Institute held in Bomi Hills, Liberia, July 23-25, 1971.
Bahá’í History of Iceland[edit]
This history of the Bahá’í Faith in Iceland started with the visit of Hand of the Cause Mrs. Amelia Collins in 1924. She made many friends during her short stay. In July 1935 Martha Root visited Iceland. Very soon the Theosophical Society of Reykjavik had a large quantity of Bahá’í literature. The memory of these two wonderful women is still fresh in this country.
Also from America came the first Bahá’í pioneer, Marguerite Allman in 1956. Erica Petursson was the second Icelandic Bahá’í and was taught by Marguerite Allman. Until 1969 only a few found the Faith—about ten persons. After the visit of Continental Counsellor Betty Reed in January-February 1971, there were 130 new declarations, and of these eight are adults.
The friends rented a hall in a cafe for four weeks, from 8:00 to 12:00 p.m., and visitors streamed in and out. The number of Bahá’ís grew from week to week. All are confident that the Oceanic Conference for September at Reykjavik will further increase the numbers of the friends.
(From BAHÁ’Í-NACHRICHTEN—in Deutschland, 24. Juni 1971)
Some of those attending the National Convention of North West Africa.
Deepening Conference in Micronesia[edit]
A deepening conference sponsored by the National Teaching Committee of Micronesia was held the weekend of July 3-4 with the members of the newly formed local Spiritual Assembly of Dublon Island in the Truk District of the Caroline Islands. David Songer and Richard Benson, a travel teaching team from Guam, were hosted for the occasion by the Dublon community. Verities of the Faith were probed in lively consultation, and many valuable ideas were developed centering around sharing the message of Bahá’u’lláh with the Micronesians while there is yet time.
The Dublon Assembly, the first to be formed in the Truk District, establishes a hard won beachhead to assist the growth of the world order of Bahá’u’lláh in that immense part of Micronesia.
Fiji Teaching Conference[edit]
Immediately following the second Annual Convention of the Bahá’ís of the Fiji Islands, thirty to forty Bahá’ís gathered together on Sunday, 25th April, 1971 to discuss “Preparing for Our Part in Winning the Goals”. The spirit of unity which had prevailed throughout the Convention, continued through to the Conference and we truly felt that we were the “fingers of one hand, the members of one body”.
Most of the sessions were conducted by two or three speakers and covered such subjects as: “Let deeds not words be your adorning”, “Living the Bahá’í Life”, “The Bahá’í Community in the Village”, “Ideas for Teaching Our Children”, “The Nineteen Day Feast”, “Goals and Funds”, “The Laws and the Need for Obedience”, a panel discussion, and “Our Oceanic Conference”.
Nearly all the speakers stressed the need for our deeds to match our words and if we were to do this, we could change the whole life of a village or, in the city and town areas, we could obtain a much fairer hearing. It was pointed out, that example is needed, not only in teaching children, but in teaching adults as well. The Nineteen Day Feast was likened to the heart in the body, for it is the heart of the Bahá’í community where we give out our spirit to others and in return, we gather the spirit to help us in all-out efforts for the next nineteen days.
Mr. Donald MacLaren told us that the laws of the Faith are spiritual laws and are for our help and protection. If we disobey them, we harm ourselves. The panel ably answered questions put to them from the audience and covered marriage and marriage laws, the Fast, standing of Bahá’í youth in the community, burial and baptism.
The two most exciting sessions covered the goals and the Oceanic Conference. It seems assured that Fiji will attain all its goals by next Riḍván and we are all planning to surpass them. The three speakers on this subject pointed out that we cannot do all we would like to do unless the Funds are supported. Mrs. Gina Garcia, Auxiliary Board member, conducted the session on the Oceanic Conference, and promised us hard work before, lots of fun during the Conference, and more hard work in teaching after it was over.
A highlight of the Teaching Conference, following the Convention, was the news of the appointment of Mrs. Gina Garcia (center) as an Auxiliary Board member.
Conference[edit]
Fiji Teaching Conference: A panel under the leadership of Mr.
Richard Lucas (with glasses), answers questions from the floor
of the Conference.
Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Fiji Islands. Left to right: Mr. Victor Williams, Mrs. A. F. Bobbie MacLaren, Mr. Sekove Tasoqosoqo, Mr. Ratu Savenaca Senilolo, Mrs. Betty Jackson (Treasurer), Mrs. Pamela Derozhinsky (Chairman), behind her, Mr. Idris Hussein, Mrs. Irene Williams (Secretary), Dr. Peter Woodrow (Vice-Chairman).
Trinidad and Tobago Correspondence Course[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly of Trinidad and Tobago is offering a free correspondence course on the Faith to all Bahá’ís in their area who wish to take it. After a believer enrolls, a lesson will be sent about every week, and occasionally a question list to be answered. Those who complete the course will receive a certificate.
- —From the TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN, July and August, 1971.
The Key to Progress of the Faith[edit]
“The spirit that animateth the human heart is the knowledge of God, and its truest adorning is the recognition of the truth that ‘He doeth whatsoever He willeth, and ordaineth that which He pleaseth.’ Its raiment is the fear of God, and its perfection steadfastness in His Faith”(1)
The Universal House of Justice has given us a Nine Year Plan with two major themes. They are: “... a huge expansion of the Cause of God and universal participation by all believers in the life of that Cause.”(2)
Perhaps at this time we should look squarely at universal participation. This goal is as yet unachieved. “For extensive and deep as has been the sharing in the glorious work of the Cause, who would claim that every single believer has succeeded in finding his or her fullest satisfaction in the life of the Cause?”(3)
First of all, what does universal participation mean? It does not mean that we assign jobs to each other. It does mean that we each do four things enumerated by The Universal House of Justice: “The dedicated effort of every believer in teaching, in living the Bahá’í life, in contributing to the Fund, and particularly in the persistent effort to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. In the words of our beloved Guardian, ‘One thing and only one thing will unfailingly and alone secure the undoubted triumph of this sacred Cause, namely, the extent to which our own inner life and private character mirror forth in their manifold aspects the splendor of those eternal spiritual principles proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh.’ ”(4)
Why universal participation? The Universal House of Justice equates it with the spiritual health of the Bahá’í world: “ ‘Regard the world as the human body’ wrote Bahá’u’lláh to Queen Victoria. We can surely regard the Bahá’í world, the army of God, in the same way. In the human body, every cell, every organ, every nerve has its part to play. When all do so the body is healthy, vigorous, radiant, ready for every call made upon it.” (5)
We cannot function in harmony if parts of the body are missing. Whatever is healthy for the body is likewise healthy for each cell. This mutual helpfulness of different parts was described by our beloved Master: “In the same way consider the body of man; it must be composed of different organs, parts and members. Human beauty and perfection require the existence of the ear, the eye, the brain, and even that of the nails and hair; if man were all brains, or eyes, or ears, it would be equivalent to imperfection....”(6)
What are the infallible promises of universal participation? “... the participation of every believer is of the utmost importance, and is a source of power and vitality as yet unknown to us.... If every believer will carry out these sacred duties, we shall be astonished at the accession of power which will result to the whole body, and which in its turn will give rise to further growth and the showering of greater blessings on all of us.”(7)
So we have a source of great power and vitality, further growth, and greater blessings on all. What greater help to consolidation could we ask?
In an urgent message to us The Universal House of Justice in November 1969 said among other things, “Universal participation, a salient objective of the Nine Year Plan, must be pressed toward attainment in every continent, country and island of the globe.”(8) Then, over a year later, in December 1970, in a message that began, “We have reached a critical point in the progress of the Nine Year Plan”, (9) our Supreme House of Justice described how at this crucial moment, when the activities of the believers and the expenditure of funds should be increased to seize the opportunities which lie before us, the Bahá’í International Fund found itself plunged into a grave crisis by a steep reduction in contributions. A little further in that message they tell us: “The real answer lies, not in restricting the activities of the friends at this time when mankind stands in such dire need of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh, but in the universal participation of every believer in the work of the Cause.”(10) And again another mention in this message was: “The universal participation of the believers in every aspect of the Faith—in contributing to the Fund, in teaching, deepening, living the Bahá’í life, administering the affairs of the community, and, above all, in the life of prayer and devotion to God—will endow the Bahá’í community with such strength that it can overcome the forces of spiritual disintegration which are engulfing the non-Bahá’í world, and can become an ocean of oneness that will cover the face of the planet.”(11)
Each of us should read these messages once again and decide whether or not we are responding properly to the summons of The Universal House of Justice. If we are, then have we helped our brothers and sisters in the Cause as would please Bahá’u’lláh?
“The real secret of universal participation lies in the Master’s oft-expressed wish that the friends should love each other, constantly encourage each other, work together, be as one soul in one body, and in so doing become a true organic, healthy body animated and illumined by the spirit. In such a body all will receive spiritual health and vitality from the organism itself, and the most perfect flowers and fruits will be brought forth.”(12)
NOTES:
- Gleanings, p. 291
- Wellspring of Guidance, p. 37
- Ibid. p. 38
- Ibid. p. 25
- Ibid. p. 37
- Some Answered Questions, p. 149
- Wellspring of Guidance, p. 38
- Bahá’í News, Jan. 1970
- Bahá’í News, March 1971
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Wellspring of Guidance, p. 38-39.
BARBADOS now has 700 new believers. A mass teaching team from the Pioneer Committee for the Americas spent four weeks in Barbados, which resulted in 550 believers. One team stayed behind and brought in 150 more, and the increase continues at the rate of about twenty-five new declarations daily.
CORRECTION: In the May 1971 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, on page 11, Auxiliary Board member Pierre Augustin of Haiti is shown at the left of a group of interested friends, not believers as stated incorrectly.
HAVE YOU MOVED? It is necessary to mail your change of address to the National Center. If you subscribe to BAHÁ’Í NEWS or WORLD ORDER, also send address change to:
- Bahá’í Subscription Service
- 415 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091
Readers of BAHÁ’Í NEWS living in other countries will continue to receive copies as before until further notice.
Mass Teaching in Australia[edit]
“If two months ago someone had said that we were on the verge of mass teaching, not many would have believed it.... It does work and we can do it,” declared Leela of Sydney.
Eva said: “A few of us were blessed to be present at the first declaration from mass teaching—the very first time on this continent when the visiting Bahá’í team tried it out.... We stopped two cars in the middle of a lane ... on seeing an aboriginal girl waving to greet us.... After warm greetings, in two minutes she signed her declaration card.... In one hour, we left with five declarations....”
To approach a total stranger in the street, an unusual experience for most of us, requires a new courage and confidence which can only be attained through prayer and spiritual assurance.
Some hints on mass teaching from Australia are: Pray to be led to the souls who are waiting to hear and accept the Faith. Mass teach in teams of two or three. Look for people who appear not to be in a hurry; respect the boss’ time if he is working. Say you are a Bahá’í. Ask people if they would like to hear about the Faith. Tell them it won’t take long. Stress unity, harmony and peace. Never force yourself on people. Never argue. Encourage the listener to say “Bahá’u’lláh.” Lead the listener with questions with which he will wish to agree. Concentrate on basic truths, unless asked about specifics. Be sensitive to the spiritual response of the listener. Then he may be asked if he would like to become a Bahá’í.
Leela and Raphael went into a fruitshop in Redfern. The owner of the shop made his declaration of Faith. His two shop assistants then declared. They told the customers in the shop; they declared. Then they all went outside and told six boys who were standing on the footpath—they declared.
Chairmaine was having no success telling people about the Faith. She stood on the corner of the street and said The Tablet of Aḥmad, and when she turned around there stood a ninety year old man asking her why she was praying. He then declared to her and they both walked over to two youths, told them about Bahá’u’lláh and they both also declared.
For three weeks, during July 1971, a mass teaching team from the United States (South Carolina) consisting of Jordan Young, Roger Roff and Raphael Herring, a “mixed” group, have been actively leading in mass teaching in Australia. This activity was initiated and deputized by The Universal House of Justice with the cooperation of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
In Sydney there were over seventy declarations in six days. All those involved discovered within themselves a “thirst” to continually go out and tell everybody about Bahá’u’lláh. Yet they know that “Teaching and consolidation go hand-in-hand, they are inseparable and contemporaneous. Neither is acceptable without the other,” as stated by Hand of the Cause of God William Sears in his tape recording about Mass Conversion.
(Gleaned from AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ’Í BULLETIN, July 1971)
Members of the newly elected National Spiritual Assembly of Congo Kinshasa, May 9, 1971. Left to right, Marcel Kabasele, Louis Selemani, Sylvan Ngundu, Oscar Rashidi, Zacharie Gala, Jean-Pierre Laperches, Amos Njettee, Asani Luambo, Anne-Marie Laperches.
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DAVISON SCHOOL, first session in 1931. Many who attended
are now assisting us from the ‘Abhá kingdom. Some cannot now
be identified. Back row, left to right: Mary Collison; Harlan
Ober; next man, Howard Ives; Lou Eggleston; Helen Eggleston;
second man and woman, Mr. and Mrs. H. Dunkley; Miss Fanny
Knobloch; last man, Ben Taylor; Grace Ober. Seated: Virginia
Taylor (Sims); next boy, Joe Wiles, Jr.; Mabel Ives, holding
little girl with head tucked down; Georgie Wiles, behind lady in
white dress; Mae Harvey Gift, wearing hat; Bertha H. Kirkpatrick, last lady; Foad Ashrath.
Forty Years Ago—the Bahá’í News[edit]
Issue No. 56, October-November 1931 of BAHÁ’Í NEWS bears headlines “Urgent Appeal from the National Spiritual Assembly”, necessitated by placing heating contracts to the sum of $10,000. (This must be the heating plant recently replaced. The story is elsewhere in this issue).
The Guardian wrote of this development: “The new Plan of Unified Action conceived, adopted and published by your Assembly is an admirable one.... It fully and truly deserves the unreserved support of every American believer.”
A cable from Shoghi Effendi states: “Urge all English speaking believers concentrate study Nabil’s immortal Narrative as essential preliminary to renewed intensive Teaching Campaign necessitated by completion Mashriqu’l-Adhkár....”
Officers of the National Spiritual Assembly were: Alfred E. Lunt, Secretary; Nellie S. French, International Correspondent; Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer and Carl Scheffler, Financial Secretary. The Editorial Committee of BAHÁ’Í NEWS consisted of Sarah Walrath, Chairman; Albert Windust, Editorial Manager; Sophie Loeding; Nina Matthisen and Albert Vail.
The Central States Summer School reported its first session of the first nine days of August, 1931 at South Davison, Michigan, on eighty acres of a farm owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lou Eggleston. The theme was “The New World Order.” Mr. Howard Colby Ives made four talks on the Hidden Words, Mr. Ober gave a picture of a future Bahá’í community, Mrs. Gift (Mae Harvey) talked on “Education for Children in the New Day”, Miss Fanny Knoblock and Mrs. Grace Ober gave personal reminiscences of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Some others who contributed to this session were Mrs. Dorothy Baker, Mrs. Mary Collison, Miss Christine McKay. The report was written by Mrs. Bertha H. Kirkpatrick.
Bahá’í summer school at Davison, Michigan, started by Mr. and Mrs. Lou Eggleston in 1931.
BAHÁ’Í NEWS is published for circulation among Bahá’ís only by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís 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. Evelyn Hardin, Managing Editor; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, National Spiritual Assembly Representative; Mr. Rexford C. Parmelee, Mrs. Sylvia 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 Membership and Records, National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, U.S.A. 60091.
