Bahá’í News/Issue 88/Text
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The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís
of the United States and Canada
General Office: Evergreen Cabin, West Englewood, New Jersey
COMMUNICATIONS FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI[edit]
“He feels that during the last few months considerable progress has been achieved in safeguarding and in extending the area of the lands surrounding and dedicated to the Shrines on Mount Carmel. It is his hope that through the generous and self-sacrificing efforts of the believers still further steps will be taken towards the complete safeguard of the entire area surrounding these sacred spots”. (September 9, 1934, to National Spiritual Assembly.)
“Anything whatsoever affecting the interests of the Cause and in which the National Assembly as a body is involved should, if regarded as unsatisfactory by local Assemblies and individual believers, be immediately referred to the National Assembly itself. Neither the general body of the believers, nor any local Assembly, nor even the delegates to the Annual Convention, should be regarded as having any authority to entertain appeals against the decision of the National Assembly. Should the matter be referred to the Guardian it will be his duty to consider it with the utmost care and to decide whether the issues involved justify him to consider it in person, or to leave it entirely to the discretion of the National Assembly.
“This administrative principle which the Guardian is now restating and emphasizing is so clear, so comprehensive and simple that no misunderstanding as to its application, he feels, can possibly arise. There are no exceptions whatever to this rule, and the Guardian would deprecate any attempt to elaborate or dwell any further upon this fundamental and clearly-enunciated principle.
“The problems with which the Faith is now grappling, whether national or international, are so pressing and momentous that no one among its loyal adherents can afford to dissipate his precious energies on details arising from the application of administrative principles, or even on the perfecting of the machinery of the administration itself. Purely secondary matters can be postponed until the primary tasks are performed.
“The situation in Persia which 15 going from bad to worse, the necessary measures which should be taken to insure the uninterrupted completion of the clerestory section of the Temple, the adoption of such measures as will stimulate the teaching campaign in America, the exercise of the utmost vigilance lest the authorities in Soviet Russia inflict any injury upon Bahá’í lives and institutions, the extension of any support that may be required to safeguard the interests of the Cause at its most vital and international center to ward off the malicious attacks of enemies from both within and without—these are the outstanding issues which demand the sustained and concentrated attention of every devoted believer ...
“Regarding the photograph sent to your Assembly by the National Assembly of Iráq, Shoghi Effendi wishes me to confirm his previous request regarding the circulation of his own photograph. (That is, photographs of the Guardian are not to be circulated.—Editor.)
“With reference to the statement on the Annual Convention which the Guardian had requested you to send to the National Assembly of Persia, he wishes you to send as soon as you possibly can the final draft after having made the following alteration. The Guardian feels that in view of the definite and vital functions of the Annual Convention it would be more proper not to regard its sessions as joint meetings with the National Assembly. The gatherings of the Convention should, the Guardian believes, be given a more distinctive character. As to the rule requiring the National Assembly to present any and all facts that may be required in order to clarify matters discussed at the Convention, he wishes to express his complete approval.
“Shoghi Effendi would be very pleased to receive English translations of the Bahá’í News Letters issued by the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Germany and Austria. He wishes you in this connection to convey to Mr. Schopflocher his deepest thanks and appreciation of his invaluable assistance in translating such important communications from so promising an Assembly in the Bahá’í world ... (September 16, 1934, to National Spiritual Assembly).
(The Guardian’s postscript to the above letter.) “I feel urged, in view of the compelling evidence of your exemplary devotion to the interests of our beloved Faith, to renew the expression of my profound and unqualified admiration for the spirit animating you in its service. You have faced a critical situation with marvelous fidelity, high courage and unswerving loyalty. Nothing short of this spirit can enable you to weather the storms and overcome the obstacles that must confront you in the future. His Guidance, you may rest assured, will never fail you in the days to come.” (Signed) Shoghi.
“He wishes you particularly to impress the believers with the necessity of maintaining the flow of their contributions to the Temple, and also to stress the importance of the institution of the National Bahá’í Fund which, in these early days of the administrative development of the Faith, is the indispensable medium for the growth and expansion of the Movement. Contributions to this fund constitute, in addition, a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the
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measure and character of his faith, and
to prove in deeds the intensity of his
devotion and attachment to the Cause.”
(September 25, 1934, to Allen B. McDaniel, Chairman. National Spiritual
Assembly.)
(In the Guardian’s hand.) “The international expenses of the Faith are continually increasing, and the emphasis that has been placed of late on the necessity of intensifying and extending the national institutions of the Cause in Persia, America and elsewhere together with the severe restrictions that are being increasingly imposed by the authorities in Tihrán have depleted the resources required for the promotion of the vital interests of the community at its world center. For this reason I have felt impelled to suspend temporarily the contributions which I have been making for the Temple. I will pray that the efforts of the friends the world over and particularly the mighty exertions of the American Bahá’í community for the prosecution of the Temple work may soon be abundantly rewarded.” (Signed) Shoghi. (September 30, 1934, to Roy C. Wilhelm, Treasurer, National Spiritual Assembly.)
On October 1, 1934 the National Spiritual Assembly cabled the Guardian as follows: “Continuance Temple construction assured. Love.” On October 4 the following reply was received: “Delighted. Profound gratitude.” (Signed) Shoghi.
PASSING OF DR. MOODY[edit]
On October 24 the National Assembly received this cablegram from the American Consul at Tihrán: “Moody died Tuesday (i. e., October 23). Inform relatives.”
On that same day the Assembly sent this message to Shoghi Effendi: “Profound grief death revered Dr. Susan Moody. Please advise whatever special actions Assembly should take.”
This cabled message was received October 31: “Passing dearly beloved Susan Moody deprives Bahá’í world (of the) far-famed pioneer who, through her indomitable spirit, ceaseless services, earned unique distinction. (She) forged first link in (the) chain uniting (the) spiritual destinies (of the) cradle of our Faith (i. e., Persia) and (the) community (of its) stalwart defenders in (the) great American Republic. (I am) instructing Persia rear monument perpetuating memory (of) her noble mission. (I) am gladly defraying whatever expense incurred as token (of) my admiration for community (i. e., America) to which she originally belonged and on which her sacred life shed imperishable lustre. Advise hold befitting Memorial gathering (in) Temple Foundation Hall.” (Signed) Shoghi.
The following message was also sent by the National Assembly to the Persian National Assembly on October 24: “American believers lament death beloved Susan Moody. Convey loving sympathy her co-workers.”
An announcement of the Memorial Meeting will be sent to all local Assemblies as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.
LETTER FROM THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
Beloved Friends:
As we gather our energies in order to strive for a full measure of success in Temple construction and other national Bahá’í activities, it is highly important to understand clearly the new attitudes and principles of action which Shoghi Effendi has established in the communications describing the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
Let us begin with these words found on page 12 of “America and the Most Great Peace”;—“The remaining ten years (1923-1933), distinguished throughout by further internal development, as well as by a notable expansion of the international activities of a growing community, witnessed the completion of the superstructure of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár—the Administration’s mighty bulwark, the symbol of its strength and the sign of its future glory.”
This description of the Temple as the “bulwark” of the Administrative Order carries a profound significance. It can only mean that it is imperative for us to carry the construction forward to the first resting place—the external decoration of the entire dome unit, including the clerestory section—in order to create a means of protecting the Faith from the dire onslaughts it is destined to suffer in these coming years.
With that quotation let us consider another excerpt, from page 64 of “The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.”
“The rise and establishment of this Administrative Order—the shell that shields and enshrines so precious a gem—constitutes the hall-mark of this second and formative age of the Bahá’í era. It will come to be regarded, as it recedes farther and farther from our eyes, as the chief agency empowered to usher in the concluding phase, the consummation of this glorious Dispensation.”
Here the Guardian makes it clear that the fundamental aim of the Cause at this stage is to establish the Order which will (page 52 of the same communication) “assert its claim and demonstrate its capacity to be regarded not only as the nucleus but the very pattern of the New World Order destined to embrace in the fulness of time the whole of mankind.” What the Guardian feels it necessary for Bahá’ís to realize and appreciate is that this Faith is a reality in no wise merely repeating and duplicating the Revelations of the past. “It should be noted (page 53) in this connection that this Administrative Order is fundamentally different from anything that any Prophet has previously established, inasmuch as Bahá’u’lláh has Himself revealed its principles, established its institutions, appointed the person to interpret His Word and conferred the necessary authority on the body designed to supplement and apply His legislative ordinances.... Nowhere in the sacred scriptures of any of the world’s religious systems, nor even in the writings of the Inaugurator of the Bábi Dispensation, do we find any provisions establishing a covenant or providing for an administrative order that can compare in scope and authority with those that lie at the very basis of the Bahá’í Dispensation.”
Thus it is clear that any believer who might seek to understand his relation to the Bahá’í Faith by reproducing the attitudes and principles controlling the early and most faithful Christians, would fail to base his faith and practice upon the new foundation. What we have given us today is not only the spiritual Revelation for the renewal of the inner life but also the social Revelation for the attainment of citizenship in the world community.
A vivid light is thrown upon the significance of the Administrative Order by this reference which the Guardian made on page 21 of the “America and the Most Great Peace”:—“In a world writhing with pain and declining into chaos this community—the vanguard of the liberating forces of Bahá’u’lláh—succeeded in the years following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s passing in raising high above the institutions established by its sister communities in East and West what may well constitute the chief pillar of that future House of Justice—a House which posterity will regard as the last refuge of a tottering civilization.”
How different an institution the House of Justice is from any church
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or other religious organization in the
past! It is this element of responsibility for the preservation and welfare
of humanity itself that makes membership in the Bahá’í Faith so much more
than the passive acceptance of any articles of creed or than any subjective
happiness that might arise from the
practise of personal mysticism. “Alone
of all the Revelations gone before it,”
the Guardian declared on page 54 of
“The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh,” “this Faith has, through the explicit
directions, the repeated warnings, the
authenticated safeguards incorporated
and elaborated in its teachings, succeeded in raising a structure which the
bewildered followers of bankrupt and
broken creeds might well approach and
critically examine, and seek, ere it is
too late, the invulnerable security of
its world-embracing shelter.”
In the light of these explanations, every devoted believer might well inquire, how can the individual Bahá’í, conscious of his own weaknesses and limitations, reach out to receive some portion of that Bounty which the Supreme Manifestation has brought to the world?
An indication of the true answer is given in the Will and Testament, in those passages which establish the Guardianship and inaugurate, under his direction, the House of Justice established by Bahá’u’lláh. “They (members of the House of Justice), and not the body of those who either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation.” (Dispensation, page 61).
Just as the power of the Holy Spirit inspired those who endeavored faithfully to carry out the Master’s instructions in His day, and was withdrawn from those who sought to worship Bahá’u’lláh without recognition of the Center of the Covenant, so now the confirming spirit is with those who center their lives upon the Guardian’s general instructions, and find it possible to unite a spiritual attitude with the outer task of developing the World Order already, though so weak and immature, living in the Bahá’í administrative institutions.
What is vitally needed at this time is for us all to receive the new and more potent impetus that pours forth from the Guardian to bless all workers fully active and conscious of their mission. It is no longer sufficient for any Bahá’í to say that he “accepts” the authority of his local Assembly. This passive attitude must be transformed
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into a devoted and sincere effort to assist in carrying out every activity and plan which the local Assembly adopts. The word “authority” perhaps blinds us to the deeper reality, that the Spiritual Assembly is the instrument through which the divine blessings flow to every member of the community from the higher source. There is a world of difference between mere willingness not to disobey and a heartfelt and passionate yearning to help with all our force the Spiritual Assembly in all its capacity to serve the Cause. The Holy Spirit permeates the universe, but it blesses with its mysterious forces only those who are inwardly and outwardly part of the oneness which Bahá’u’lláh has created in this Day. To transmute passive acceptance into active and dynamic loyalty of action is the supreme issue confronting every member of the American Bahá’í community.
Similarly, the local Assembly and its community, to be fully and completely Bahá’í, must not simply “accept the authority of the National Spiritual Assembly” and refrain from infringing that authority—the local community must make the general plans and activities of the National Assembly its first and most vital concern. Only in so doing does it stand in the station of receiving the spiritual reinforcement reaching humanity through the Guardian. A local Bahá’í community is not an independent body chartered to maintain activities entirely distinct from those in other local communities, but every local community is part of one larger body administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, which in turn possesses no independence but on the contrary is engaged in carrying out the Guardian’s instructions and advices.
Let us recall Shoghi Effendi’s words concerning the relation of local to National Spiritual Assembly reported on page 13 of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, June, 1934: “However, in view of the principle that local activities should always be subordinated to the national interests, needs and requirements of the Faith ...” etc. And “Just as all local institutions, whether administrative or otherwise, must under all circumstances be considered as subsidiary to national organizations, so also local circular letters should be viewed as secondary in importance compared to the national organ of Bahá’í activities. This principle, however, should not be interpreted as being detrimental of the local interests of the Bahá’í community, but as an essential, nay indispensable means whereby the administrative system of the Cause can work with efficiency and order.” And, “Just as the local Bahá’í fund must under all circumstances be subordinated to the national fund.... Such a coordination between local and national efforts is indispensable, not only due to its economic advantages, but essentially due to the fact that upon the application of the principle underlying this process must inevitably depend the effective working of the entire administrative machinery of the Faith. There is order, coordination and system in the Cause, and not a jungle of conflicting interests and of continually clashing wills.... Local activities should always be subordinated to those of a national character and importance. This is intended not to minimize the rôle of the local Assembly in the administrative order, but to establish and insure a sane relationship between that body and the national organism of the Cause.”
Since the Guardian has given emphasis to this matter, we may be certain that it represents an important step to be taken in our collective attitude toward the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore the friends are urged to study carefully the Guardian’s list of the objectives and aims which the National Assembly is to adopt at this time, because without a truly united and active national community the Assembly can have no power to carry
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out such important and difficult tasks.
It is in the development of the National Fund that the local communities can render the most direct assistance at this time. For as we complete the dome unit we create the “mighty bulwark” of the administrative order, and as we develop and safeguard the administrative order we contribute to the World Order upon which the life of humanity itself depends.
There is no intention in this statement to minimize the importance of local Bahá’í activities. The teaching programs now being carried out by many Spiritual Assemblies are truly notable and are producing an increase in the active membership of the Faith. The major purpose of the National Spiritual Assembly, in fact, consists in reinforcing in every possible way the capacity of the local Assemblies to serve the Cause. But the fact remains that the twigs cannot prosper if the branch upon which they depend is deprived of any portion of its allotted strength. Through the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, in its spiritual mystery and its outward and visible glory, our combined efforts have in the past few years multiplied a hundred fold the power of every teacher to convey the divine Message. The Temple has created a magnet attracting the confirmation of the Holy Spirit upon the services of every loyal believer, without distinction of geographical nearness or remoteness from the physical edifice.
Now we are called upon to complete that portion of the task which represents the perfect crown of the Temple—the external decoration of the dome unit. This task can only be completed if we become one organic national Bahá’í community, imbued with one aim and inspired by one spirit. Therefore let us consider afresh the relations of the local community to the central national body, that the many small lakes may become one great sea, every drop of which moves under the one same impulse. Such a degree of unity will overcome our separate weaknesses and limitations, and the effect will be one of irresistible, forward-moving power. Many and urgent are the demands upon the National Assembly to contribute to the protection of the Faith in other countries, and these demands will increase during the years to come. By meeting the Guardian’s standard of achievement now, our united capacity for service to Bahá’u’lláh will forge a mighty instrument for the Guardian’s use in establishing World Order.
“The National Assembly is the trusted guardian and the mainspring of the manifold activities and interests of every national community in the Bahá’í world. It constitutes the sole link that binds the communities to the International House of Justice, the supreme administrative body in the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh.” (Shoghi Effendi, June 11, 1934, in letter to the N. S. A.)
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The friends are requested to remember with prayer these believers who have ascended to the Kingdom.
- Otto Weiss, Closter, N. J.
- Mrs. Harriet Schwartz Lehman, Columbus, Ohio.
- Dr. Susan I. Moody, Tihrán, Persia.
BAHA’I DIRECTORY[edit]
The following corrections are to be made:
Publicity Committee. The Secretary’s address is now: Mrs. Doris McKay, 833 Prendergast Avenue, Jamestown, N. Y.
Youth Committee. The Secretary’s address is now: Marion Holley, 675 West Arden, Glendale, Calif.
Los Angeles Assembly. Due to the fact that the Secretary, Dr. Doris Goodrick, has moved from the city, the Los Angeles Assembly has elected a new Corresponding Secretary. The address is: Mrs. Oni A. Finks, Secretary, 453 East Avenue 28, Los Angeles, Calif.
ILLINOIS-WISCONSIN INTER-ASSEMBLY TEACHING CONFERENCE[edit]
Eight states—Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, California and New York (as well as Washington, D. C. and Montreal, Canada)—were represented at the regional teaching conference held in the Foundation Hall of The Bahá’í House of Worship at Wilmette on October 6 and 7. The keynote of all the discussions was the individual obligation of all Bahá’ís to teach. The conference was opened each morning by a devotional service and the discussions at each session were preceded by the reading from a compilation taken from the writing of Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi on “The Obligation of all Bahá’ís to Teach.” Two members of the N. S. A. attended the conference—Mrs. French and Mr. Carl Scheffler. Madame Barry-Orlova who is now speaking in the Central-West was also present. Lima, Ohio, sent over a delegation of twenty-one.
TEACHING THE CAUSE IN NORTHERN EUROPE[edit]
Interesting news of the teaching work in Northern Europe has been received from Mrs. Nellie S. French who has just returned from a summer vacation when she paid a brief visit to Oslo, Norway, Stockholm, Leingrad, Copenhagen and London, passing some weeks with the friends in the latter city. In all of these places some work was done, but especially in Stockholm and Copenhagen the results were most gratifying. In Stockholm a long interview which appeared in Sweden’s foremost newspaper paved the way for the Bahá’í Session of the International Esperanto Congress and the splendid follow-up work of our dear Martha Root reports of which are now flowing in.
Mrs. French believes that that interview in Stockholm was the first public mention of the Bahá’í Faith to appear in Sweden and has great hope for the progress of the Faith in that country owing to the sympathetic attitude of the Press and the readiness of the people.
In Copenhagen Miss Johanna Sorensen, informed of the success of the Swedish experience by Martha brought a reporter to the steamer to meet Mrs. French, and although his so-called “interview” was already prepared by him before the steamer actually arrived, its faults are rather those of omission than commission, and he at least directed the reading public to Miss Sorensen for further information and to the bookshop where Bahá’í literature in Danish may be purchased.
A warm welcome was accorded Mrs. French in London where upon presentation of her credentials from the National Spiritual Assembly she was invited to speak several times at the public meetings and at the Nineteen Day Feasts, and where she was privileged to take part in the deliberations of the National Spiritual Assembly of Great Britain.
Mrs. French bears the Bahá’í greetings from the friends in all those centers to the friends in America.
LETTER FROM THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE[edit]
Dear Co-Workers:
The Library Division of the Publishing Committee takes this opportunity to thank all the local Assemblies and the individual Bahá’í friends for their most helpful cooperation in arranging for the placing of Bahá’í literature in so many Public Libraries.
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The result of last year’s work has
been most encouraging. Through the
help of the friends, we have come into touch with 88 Libraries, of which 72 are Public Libraries and 16 are University Libraries. A total of 389 books
have been placed in them.
For the benefit of those who may not be familiar with the title of the books which the Library Committee is in a position to supply, they are:
- Bahá’í World, Vols. II and III.
- The Book of Certitude (Kitáb-í-Iqán).
- Bahá’í Revelation, by Thornton Chase.
- Bahá’í: The Spirit of the Age, by Horace Holley.
We wish to place before you our plans for the coming year. We would like a follow-up contact made with all these Libraries, and therefore the Assemblies are requested to arrange for someone to offer them a copy of The Bahá’í World, Vol. IV, so that they may have a consecutive record of Bahá’í international progress. If any Library wishes additional literature, and will place it upon the shelves, the Committee will provide Some Answered Questions, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
While the Committee appreciates the privilege of increasing the public knowledge of this invaluable book, it does not wish to give it indiscriminately, as the supply is limited.
The Library Committee appeals to all the friends to patronize the Libraries, take out the Bahá’í books and lend them to others, so as to maintain and increase the interest of the Librarians in the literature. This is the only way the books will be kept on the open shelves where they are most available to seekers.
As Shoghi Effendi wishes us to concentrate our individual and collective efforts upon promoting the Cause, this is one way in which we can strive toward that end.
We trust that we may receive an early response from all the Bahá’í communities.
- Faithfully yours,
- LIBRARY COMMITTEE,
- By: MARTHA WOODSUM, Chairman.
- c/o Bahá’í Publishing Committee
- P. O. Box 348, Grand Central
- Station, New York, N. Y.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS[edit]
The Publishing Committee reports new literature and publishing activities as follows:
| HOW EVERY BELIEVER CAN TEST THE MEASURE OF HIS FAITH
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Mysticism and the Bahá’í Revelation, by Ruhi Afnan. This work is unusually interesting and important, in that it clarifies the Teachings related to spiritual development by contrasting them with the false doctrines prevalent in many circles throughout the West. All but a few pages of this work were originally published in World Unity, and the page plates were donated to the Publishing Committee. Green paper cover. Price per copy ........ $0.50
Index to BAHÁ’Í NEWS. A new edition of this Index has been ordered, as the first edition was exhausted within a few weeks. Price per copy, net ........ $0.50
The World Religion. Shoghi Effendi’s own outline of the aims, teachings and history of the Faith. Printed as a small pamphlet and especially intended for use as free literature. Price per 100 copies (not sold in smaller quantity), net ........ $1.00
The Bahá’í World, Vol. IV. Special offer, valid to December 31, 1934, at the reduced price of $1.00 per copy, net. The Guardian attributes great importance to these biennial volumes. Vol. IV covers the period 1930-1932, but was not published until June of 1933. Local Assemblies are requested to report this announcement to the community.
The Promise of All Ages. (Anonymous.) This new work has been recently published in England, and the copies ordered by the Publishing Committee are expected early in November. From the Guardian’s words about this book to the National Spiritual Assembly, and the report made by the Reviewing and Editorial Committee after reading it in manuscript, “The Promise of All Ages” can be announced as an invaluable contribution to Bahá’í literature. It accomplishes for the sincere person of definite religious background what Dr. Esslemont’s book accomplished for those whose outlook is more scientific and rational. This work, in addition, is written in a style of exquisite beauty, its spirit is reverent and devotional, and at the same time the intelligent grasp of the principle of the new World Order is most impressive. It is an ideal book to present to any religiously minded seeker, and those who have read it declare that it is illuminating and inspiring to Bahá’ís. Bound in cloth. Price per copy ........ $1.50
The Bahá’í. The magazine published under the direction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of India and Burma, and edited by Prof. Pritam Singh of Lahore, India. Beginning with Vol. IV, No. 1, this Bahá’í Magazine appeared in a new and more convenient form. It reports the interesting news of the Cause throughout the Orient, but is a magazine and not merely a news letter. The Publishing Committee, at the request of the American N. S. A., will take subscriptions, and the friends are urged to include this periodical in their purchase of Bahá’í literature. Annual subscription, net ........ $2.00
(Note: This announcement applies only to believers of the United States and Canada. Believers in other countries may subscribe through their National Assembly or direct. The address is: Pritam Singh, 39 Temple Road, Lahore, India.)
Orders for Bahá’í literature should be sent to: Bahá’í Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York, N. Y., or to Mrs. Emma F. Smith, 940 Leavenworth Street, San Francisco, Calif.
BAHA’I YOUTH[edit]
A Letter to the Young Believers of America [edit]
Dear Co-Workers:
The National Youth Committee wishes to take this occasion to inform the body of Bahá’í young people of its desire to serve them and assist them in every possible way in the furtherance of their teaching work during the coming year.
The responsibilities of Bahá’í young people today are manifold, but there
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are two considerations which are paramount and which must be made a part
of our philosophy of living. First we
must, by intensive study of the principles and administration of the Cause,
prepare ourselves for service in our
respective Bahá’í communities. Secondly, we must find means for sharing
our knowledge with other young people who are as yet uninformed of the
Great Message of Bahá’u’lláh.
In this connection the Committee feels that all young Bahá’ís should make intensive use of the recent outlines which have been compiled for the study of the Teachings such as the “Guide to the Dawn Breakers,” the “Bahá’í Study Course of 36 Lessons,” and other references which were given in the Bulletin issued by the last year’s Youth Committee. In addition, the committee has prepared an outline of study for young people between the ages of 15 and 21, which specifically introduces the student to the fundamentals of the Cause, and states the attitude of the Bahá’ís toward war. Copies of this outline may be secured by addressing the secretary of the committee. The National Spiritual Assembly has now given young people of these ages the opportunity for a definite status in the Cause (See BAHÁ’Í NEWS, No. 85, p. 3) and the outline has been prepared to assist them in gaining the knowledge necessary for fulfilling this responsibility.
In the furtherance of the teaching activities of young Bahá’ís, the committee hopes to issue from time to time to the local Youth Committees topics and references on subjects of present day interest which may be used in the furtherance of discussion groups. The topics will be chosen with a view to the direct application of the Bahá’í Teachings to the solution of the problems discussed.
The committee also wishes to serve as a clearing house for the exchange of ideas and teaching methods between the local Youth Committees. In the near future the National Committee would like to receive a report from the chairman or secretary of each local committee outlining the program which is to be followed during the coming year and also any methods or teaching experiences which have proved successful locally and which might be used by other young people’s groups.
If there are any other ways in which the National Committee can serve the local committees or individual young Bahá’ís it is anxious to do so and will welcome all suggestions for the furtherance of its work.
- Faithfully yours,
- THE NATIONAL YOUTH COMMITTEE,
- By: PAUL E. HANEY, Chairman.
- MARION HOLLEY, Sec’y.
- KENNETH CHRISTIAN.
- MARY MAXWELL
- DOUGLAS STRUVEN
- ROSEMARY GILLIES
- DAVID R. HOFMAN
- SYLVIA PAINE.
- GERTRUDE GEWERTZ
- By: PAUL E. HANEY, Chairman.
Please address all communications to
- MISS MARION HOLLEY, Sec’y.
- National Youth Committee
- 675 West Arden
- Glendale, California.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY[edit]
After consultation on various matters reported by local Assemblies and by National Committees, the National Assembly has recorded the following views:
Need of Local Bahá’í Address[edit]
It is recommended that all local Assemblies if possible arrange to have a Bahá’í address listed in the local telephone directory. This request is left to the discretion of each local Assembly, as conditions differ greatly among the various cities.
Send Tablets to Archives[edit]
A strong appeal is made to every individual Bahá’í who possesses an original Tablet revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to send that Tablet, together with a copy of the translation, to the Archives Committee, through Mrs. May Scheffler, Secretary, 1821 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Illinois.
For very little cost, the Archives Committee will furnish a photostat copy of any Tablet so received. The Committee has been authorized by the National Assembly to accept for the Archives any photostat copy of an original Tablet which the owner prefers to retain, although the purpose of the Archives is of course the preservation of original Tablets and other authentic Bahá’í records.
Only those Tablets sent to the Archives can be published in any future volumes of Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, through which publication they are made available to all believers and form part of the authentic literature of the Faith. Each local Assembly is urged to impress upon its community the importance of realizing that the interests of the Faith should have priority over any personal feeling with respect to the Master’s utterances.
Reports from Local Assemblies[edit]
In view of the confusion which has arisen in some centers, the National Association wishes to make it clear that general reports from local Assemblies are to be sent directly to the N. S. A., but reports confined to teaching activities are to be sent to the Teaching Committee. Inter-Assembly Committees and conferences have no executive capacity and therefore do not receive reports nor transact business.
How to Obtain a Bahá’í Teacher[edit]
When a local Assembly wishes to secure the services of any teacher from another city—that is, any teacher from outside its own immediate jurisdiction—it is requested by the National Assembly to consult the National Teaching Committee. That Committee, in turn, is requested to recommend only such teachers as conform to the following qualifications: thorough knowledge of the Teachings, complete loyalty to the Administrative Order as outlined in the Guardian’s general letters including the World Order communications, rigorous obedience to the principle that teachers are not to intervene in any local problem and true sincerity and severance.
Circulation of Local News Letters[edit]
The question has been asked whether, in view of the Guardian’s words on the subject quoted in the last Annual Report of the National Assembly in BAHÁ’Í NEWS of June, local Assemblies which issue news letters should circulate them among other local Assemblies. The view of the National Assembly is that the national BAHÁ’Í NEWS is the medium through which local news should be conveyed to the various local communities, and therefore each local news letter should be distributed only to its own community, but copies sent to the National Assembly, the Guardian, and to other National Assemblies for their information. The Guardian’s latest instruction on this matter appears to indicate a development to a new point beyond that reached in 1923, when (see page 33 of “Bahá’í Administration”) Shoghi Effendi included inter-Assembly correspondence as part of the functions of the local Spiritual Assembly.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH[edit]
“That Divine Civilization, the establishment of which is the primary mission of the Bahá’í Faith.”—Shoghi Effendi. (World Order of Bahá’u’lláh,
[Page 7]
pages 3 and 4).
Throughout the present Bahá’í year, BAHÁ’Í NEWS will maintain this special department consisting of quotations from the Guardian’s writings on the subject of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
3.[edit]
Regarding the establishment of “National Assemblies”, it is of vital importance that in every country, where the conditions are favorable and the number of friends has grown and reached a considerable size, such as America, Great Britain and Germany, that a “National Spiritual Assembly” be immediately established, representative of the friends throughout that country.
Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify and coordinate by frequent personal consultations, the manifold activities of the friends as well as the local Assemblies; and by keeping in close and constant touch with the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct in general the affairs of the Cause in that country.
It serves also another purpose, no less essential than the first, as in the course of time it shall evolve into the National House of Justice (referred to in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will as the “secondary House of Justice”) which according to the explicit text of the Testament will have, in conjunction with the other National Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world, to elect directly the members of the International House of Justice, that Supreme Council that will guide, organize and unify the affairs of the Movement throughout the world.
It is expressly recorded in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Writings that these National Assemblies must be indirectly elected by the friends; that is, the friends in every country must elect a certain number of delegates, who in their turn will elect from among all the friends in that country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly ... These secondary electors will then, either through correspondence, or preferably by gathering together, and first deliberating upon the affairs of the Cause throughout their country (as the delegates to the Convention), elect from among all the friends in that country nine who will be the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
This National Spiritual Assembly which, pending the establishment of the Universal House of Justice, will have to be re-elected once a year, obviously assumes grave responsibilities, for it has to exercise full authority over all the local Assemblies in its province, guard vigilantly the Cause of God, and control and supervise the affair of the Movement in general.
Vital issues, affecting the interests of the Cause in that country such as the matter of translation and publication, the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, the Teaching work, and other similar matters that stand distinct from strictly local affairs, must be under the full jurisdiction of the National Assembly.
It will have to refer each of these questions, even as the local Assemblies, to a special Committee, to be elected by the members of the National Spiritual Assembly from among all the friends in that country, which will bear to it the same relation as the local committees bear to their respective local Assemblies.
With it, too, rests the decision whether a certain point at issue is strictly local in its nature, and should be reserved for the consideration and decision of the local Assembly, or whether it should fall under its own province and be regarded as a matter which ought to receive its special attention. The National Spiritual Assembly will also decide upon such matters which in its opinion should be referred to the Holy Land for consultation and decision.
With these Assemblies, local as well as national, harmoniously, vigorously and efficiently functioning throughout the Bahá’í world, the only means for the establishment of the Supreme House of Justice will have been secured. (Bahá’í Administration, pages 34-36.)
ANNUAL COMMITTEE REPORTS[edit]
1933-1934[edit]
7. The Bahá’í Magazine—Editorial[edit]
From Shoghi Effendi’s letters we quote the following:
“We should strive in all our utterances to combine the discretion and noble reticence of the wise with the frankness and passionate loyalty of the ardent advocate of an inspiring Faith. While refusing to utter one word that would needlessly alienate or estrange any individual, government, or people, we should fearlessly and unhesitatingly uphold and assert in their entirety such truths the knowledge of which we believe is vitally and urgently needed for the good and betterment of mankind.”
“Articles on broad humanitarian lines, well-conceived, adequately treated, and powerfully presented, should have their proper place in every issue together with such accounts of the history and the teachings of the Cause as will portray to the Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í alike, the unique beauty as well as the compelling power of the Bahá’í spirit.”
“... And include within its sphere themes of varied character—scientific, social, economic, educational—while retaining its distinct Bahá’í character.”
These and other instructions of our Guardian have been our guide in formulating the editorial policy of the BAHÁ’Í MAGAZINE. And as the Magazine Committee is a Committee appointed by the N. S. A., we have striven, as far as we know how, to be obedient to its instructions.
Once again we feel it is important to state that a lengthy report is hardly necessary from this Committee, since the most adequate evidence of progress we can offer is the magazine itself as it has been published from month to month.
The subscribers not only in this country but throughout the world have been very encouraging in their attitude and in their unstinted praise of what they considered a furtherance of the Most Great Cause through this publication known universally as the “monthly traveling teacher.”
One of the most cherished hopes of the editors themselves has been this: that we might make a superhuman endeavor to fulfill very definitely the prophecy of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that the magazine “would bring about the unity of the East and the West.” We have planned to have the whole world represented in the pages of the magazine. Judging from reports, we should say that the friends even in the most remote corners of the world have felt themselves a definite part of the Bahá’í organization through receiving and reading the magazine monthly. And yet we feel that we have only touched the mere surface, both from the viewpoint of subscribers and contributors, and that the future will see enormous progress along this line. There is no greater joy and satisfaction in this work than to witness its world-wide influence.
Another important point in the advancement of the work has been the number of articles contributed by non-Bahá’ís who have been sufficiently sympathetic with the Bahá’í Cause to wish to cooperate with us in this way.
[Page 8]
Notable among these have been articles
by Wang Tse-ping a Chinese scholar
(translation by Dr. Tsao); Dr. Shio
Sakanishi, a Japanese writer; J. Milnor Dorey of the New York Times;
interviews with Norman Thomas and
Dr. Wellington Koo; the splendid
translations from the French by Mme.
Perigord. We have been much pleased
with all of these and similar articles
as they have indicated how the Bahá’í Cause is regarded by non-Bahá’ís;
and, secondly, they have helped toward
a much wider circulation of the magazine among non-Bahá’ís.
Letters have been received from all parts of this country and also from other countries in which subscribers state that they cannot do without the magazine; that they anticipate its coming monthly; that their appreciation of its improvement along literary lines is marked; that it has helped in their teaching work, for very often the magazine contains just what they want in the way of quotations from the Holy Utterances, or an editorial or article on some timely subject. The type and set-up of the magazine has also been favorably commented upon. These letters are on file.
Notable among these communications are the oft repeated letters from Persia saying not only that they appreciate and read the magazine, but that copies sent are circulated further among the friends and that every month some part or parts of the magazine are translated into Persian and spread widely throughout that country. There certainly has been an increasing volume of informing material about Persia, and this material has brought us very close to the dear friends in that land. Persia and other countries seem not far away. The indissoluble bonds are being woven more definitely than any of us realize.
We might record here just one or two instances which greatly encouraged and stimulated us in our work:
The Poona (India) Bahá’í Spiritual Assembly, through Rustom Khosrove, Secy, has increased their subscriptions to forty, and ordered also bound volumes. A happy surprise to us is that they are doing a remarkable service for the magazine (without any request on our part) in sending out a circular letter to the friends all over India asking each and every one to work for the magazine in securing subscriptions and in having it placed in the public and university libraries. They quote from the letter of our Guardian to their National President, as follows: “... I urge you to remind the friends to fulfil their sacred obligations in connection with their annual renewal of their subscription to the leading periodicals of the Bahá’í world and particularly the Star of the West (now the Bahá’í Magazine).” And from their recent letter dated March 30, 1934:
“The editors of the ‘Statesman’, India’s leading Journal in English, and of the ‘Kaiser-i-Hind’, Bombay’s leading Anglo-Vernacular Weekly periodical, to both of whom our Assembly has been regularly sending the issues of The Bahá’í Magazine have, in answer to our letters, written in terms of appreciation of your magazine.”
The Chinese are becoming more and more interested in the magazine and through Dr. Tsao, our contributing editor for China, the magazine is receiving greater publicity, and the Bahá’í Teachings are being much more widely discussed.
Libraries: It is encouraging to note that the Library of Congress receives with gratitude the magazines and bound volumes, and other libraries have requested a continuance of their subscriptions. Wanamaker’s Department Store in Philadelphia have recently consented to take some copies and are paying for them. Among other new places where the magazines are received for sale are—a large book store in Vancouver; Brentano’s, Woodward and Lothrop’s and Woolf’s Magazine Store in Washington, D. C. Through the libraries, department stores and book stores numbers of people are being reached with the Great Message.
Perhaps you would like to share with us the unique experience of reading the following type of letter:
“Spending considerable time in the Phoenix (Arizona) Public Library, I noticed long ago your magazine but never touched it, thinking this is something Christian or metaphysical, full of hypocrisy and bible texts. I do not know how it happened, but one time I looked inside of one of your magazines and was surprised not to find any of those tiresome, hypocritical and useless talks and instruction of canned religion so carefully preserved during two thousand years and ready to serve to sinners, especially needy ones. Moreover, I found that your beliefs are my beliefs, and really I was reading in your magazine my own ideas.
“It seems to me you are free from superstitions, standardization of mind and thought, that you do not follow old ways, and are trying to find a new way, original and of your own. This is so rare in this country that I got interested in your Faith, but I would like to see your people, how they look and how they act in everyday life. Please advise me if there are any of them in Phoenix or any other place in Arizona where they have their meetings.”
Letters from Martha Root usually contain some encouraging note about the magazine. In her last letter, she wrote: “Articles are translated from the Bahá’í Magazine into other languages—the English is only one part of it—you do not see the Rumanian, the Bulgarian and others—articles and excerpts from articles have been published.”
One more point: It is surprising to note how much the pages devoted to Current Thought and Progress are valued. This material, so broad in scope and so fitting to the times, will win the respect and influence of Non-Bahá’ís for the magazine. One of the friends writes: “These two pages serve to give variety and attractiveness to the magazine. The things chosen are wonderfully selected and they are very readable and informing.” Another comment of interest on these two pages is “Current Thought and Progress is a form of expression which seems to reflect your own attitudes. We like to read these pages.”
The editors earnestly request the widest cooperation in selecting and contributing material for these pages.
In conclusion may we state that in spite of the great sacrifices made by the friends in behalf of the Temple, they likewise arose to assist the Bahá’í Magazine. May we whole-heartedly thank all who have contributed to the progress and growth of the magazine either by supporting it with subscriptions or by aid in the way of literary contributions.
- Editorial Committee
- STANWOOD COBB
- MARIAM HANEY
- BERTHA HYDE KIRKPATRICK
- Editorial Committee
8. The Bahá’í Magazine—Management[edit]
We are happy to report that there is a definite improvement in operating conditions of this office during the past year. This improved condition is reflected in an increase of receipts for this year over last year in the amount of $371.75. This increase is accounted for largely in a larger number of renewals and in bound volumes. The increase in receipts, due to bound volumes, is $275 over the amount received during last year.
A contribution from the General Fund of the National Spiritual As-
[Page 9]
sembly is the same as last year; namely, $3,492.00.
During the year we have been able to decrease the expenses in the amount of $324.87 over last year. This saving has been effected by the reduction in the cost of printing and in office rent. The accompanying operating account shows that the deficit for the past year amounts to $3,179.04, as compared with $3,875.66, or a total reduction in deficit of $696.62 as compared with last year.
We are glad to report that there are an increasing number of inquiries for sample copies and free Bahá’í literature. These demands have been met largely through the courtesy and kindness of several of the friends who have paid for the sample copies of the magazine and furnished the literature to be sent out from this office. As far as practicable, we are referring demands for free literature to the National Publishing Committee. Increasing efforts have been made to place the magazine in stores, hotels and newsstands. So far the returns from the sale on newsstands has been unsatisfactory and the cost of this effort must be charged up to advertising or publicity.
Due to the concentration on the securing of funds for the Temple dome ornamentation, we have made no special drive for subscriptions this year. We again wish to reiterate to the friends the importance of continuing their subscriptions to the magazine in order to carry on this important teaching effort. The believers must understand that loyalty in their support of the magazine is contributing to the Temple, for whatever is required from the General Fund to supplement the receipts from subscriptions cuts down the amount available for the Temple Fund.
The Editorial Staff will make their own report relative to the circulation, physical features and results of the magazine as a teaching medium. The Business Office, however, receives many letters from believers and new people who had become interested in or attracted to the Cause by the magazine. A personal letter received just the other day from a friend in Boston, Mass., by one who has been subscribing to and reading the magazine for the past five years states:
“The magazine is increasing in attractiveness and interest with each issue and it is a constant source of inspiration to me.”
- Respectfully submitted,
- MARGARET B. MCDANIEL.
- (Business Mgr.)
9. Race Amity[edit]
This Committee extends its loving greetings to the 26th Annual Convention, its praises to the True One for the work and successes of the year and expresses anew its unyielding faith in the final triumph of the great principle for which it was created and stands. From the majestic Source of Revelation have appeared these exalted words:
“Close your eyes to racial differences and welcome all with the light of oneness.”
That such an ideal is consummated upon the plane of reality is well attested in the luminous interpretation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Center of the Divine Covenant, who declares:
“No differences remain between the white and the colored. Both are accepted at the Threshold of God and both are equally loved in the sight of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.”
If haply such noble idealism be at times obscured by shadows of earth, our spirits are refreshed and exhilerated by a voice from Haifa, which under the mighty confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh is like unto the Trump of Gabriel. Resolution becomes fired with new zeal and ancient fortresses erected by superstition and fear yield to the steady and constant attack of the armies of God. Every cycle of the year registers gain in the spread of truth.
The passing of Mrs. Agnes S. Parsons, chairman of this committee, whom the Master lovingly called “my daughter”, whom He selected for the work, was a sad blow indeed to the cause which she so devotedly served during the years. She was faithful to the end, passing in the maturity of her powers and in such a way as we hope may indicate her acceptance among the martyrs. May we not also hope that from the higher worlds her gentle spirit still encourages those who strive to make a better world of this?
The first notable achievement of the year was the annual Green Acre Conference for Amity, an event firmly set in the minds and hearts of those who labor in that community. Although held under conditions more adverse than those which marked any previous effort, the rallying forces of the cause, aided of course by the unseen Power, enabled it to attain more than the usual success. Through the usual channels its report has already been largely spread before the friends.
The only other amity conference reported was held in New York, its details being arranged largely through the activities of Mrs. Ludmila Bechtold who has made herself a Bahá’í specialist in race relations. The first speaker was Mr. Max Yergin, American missionary under the Y. M. C. A. to South Africa. He made a graphic and eloquent portrayal of the greater race problem of that part of the world, showing how law, religion and custom combines to oppress the native. Despite these obstacles a conference was arranged and carried through successfully, although the workers became targets for the adverse fire of the press over a period of six months. They were denounced as violating every tradition of the national life, while the church in solemn council demanded that they recant such heretical views. They firmly refused, some going so far as to say that in doing this humane service they had found the regeneration of their souls. This to them was the joy of sacrifice. The other speaker was Mr. Horace Holley who with special impressiveness presented the program of Bahá’u’lláh.
Publicity of the year included articles by Mrs. Stuart W. French in the Passadena Star-News, a daily, making mention of amity activities and extensive quotations from the Creative Word. Southern and mid-western papers also reported racial activities.
An article from the pen of Mr. Horace Holley, in the Unity Magazine, edited by Dr. John Haynes Holmes, makes an admirable presentation of the Bahá’í Faith as a whole and contains this contribution to thoughts on race relations:
“Every local Bahá’í community exists by the voluntary association of individuals who consciously overcome the fundamental sanctions evolved throughout the centuries to justify the separations and antagonisms of human society. In America, this association means that white believers accept the spiritual equality of their Negro fellows. In Europe it means the reconciliation of Protestant and Catholic, upon the basis of a new and larger faith. In the Orient Christian, Jewish and Mohammedan believers must stand apart from the rigid exclusiveness with which each was born.”
An article by Mrs. Mabelle Davis of Detroit, a devoted servant of the work, analyses the problems which amity workers must encounter and suggests the reading of constructive literature, added to action.
An article from Mrs. S. E. J. Oglesby and circulated by the Spiritual Assembly of Boston, is largely made up of quotations from the inspiring utterances of our Guardian and is a stimulus to greater activity.
[Page 10]
The Urbana, Illinois friends, whose
location at the strategic center where
one of the world’s greatest universities
enfolds its treasures of science to thousands of students, have rendered during the year a notable contribution to
the improvement of race relations.
This work has been specialized to the
youth of that center who have shared
the happiness of their meetings and
outdoor entertainments with the colored students. These contacts have
culminated in a meeting which conveyed the great message and laid the
foundation for future work. A
blessed confirmation has attended these
efforts indicated by attraction to the
Cause.
It was the purpose of the Amity Committee of Chicago not only to hold Amity meetings, but also to attend meetings of other groups working for the unity of races. With this thought in mind, members of the committee and other Bahá’ís of this community attended many of these gatherings in homes, at which different races were represented, such as meetings at the Metropolitan Community Church, the Young Men’s Christian Association and the Young Women’s Christian Association. A Bahá’í speaker was asked to participate and gave the Bahá’í message. This very effectively placed the name Bahá’í before the public through the press in four different publications, one of them the noted Chicago Defender.
Four public meetings were held with attendance ranging from 120 to 160 people. Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís cooperated in their statements of ideals and principles. A social hour was an added attraction. Testimony that the spirit of such gatherings under Bahá’í association exceeded that of others was freely given. Other meetings were arranged in colored churches where the Bahá’í teachings were freely and impressively given.
“In the sight of God color makes no difference. He looks upon hearts.”
The interracial discussion group of Washington, D. C., an actively fostered and carried on by Bahá’ís in that name, continues its valuable service and shines as a bright star of hope amid the dark background of dissention and hatred which mars existence in the Nation’s capital. This activity is well known to be Bahá’í and is deepening the interest of people in the Cause. It is our hope that this sturdy band of Pioneers will ere long find it possible to widen their circle as they seek and demonstrate the great confirmation that comes to those who raise the Banner of the Greatest Name.
During the winter two fine, large and representative interracial meetings were held in the Bahá’í Center of New York. Both illustrated the pleasing impression and attraction which the Cause is stamping upon the large colored population of the metropolis. Such enthusiastic responses and outpouring of talent have been rarely seen. The speakers at the first of these meetings were Mrs. Loulie Mathews and Mr. Louis Gregory. At the second Mr. Walter Covington of Harlem presided and brightly conveyed the spirit of the Bahá’í Faith, which the sociability of an afternoon tea arranged by Mrs. Mathews served to accentuate.
The amazing progress of the colored people during a short period of time; their increasing group consciousness and solidarity, improved for the acquirement of knowledge and commercial development; their literature, art, scientific knowledge, collective enterprise; their keen sense of humor, cheerfulness under difficulties, stoical endurance of the economic depression; their ability when given a chance to measure up to the standards of other Americans; their native and cultivated graces which lend a fascination to their social life; their faith in God and adherance to religion despite the largely prevalent agnosticism of the day; their conciliatory spirit; these and other qualities indicate powers which under divine guidance may yet, we trust, make a very considerable contribution to the world’s net aggregate of service and universal progress. The advancement of an oppressed group is the resultant of two forces: What it can do in internal growth and what it can accomplish in cooperation with others. Both these powers depend upon the Supreme Power for their evolution and full expression. Workers and idealists look forward to the time when out of the experience of pain all humanity will be ready for the divine teaching and nothing of superficial barriers will remain.
From a letter of the Guardian dated March 17, 1934:
“The question of prejudice is a very important one. We should not expect a new believer to be free from every prejudice. It would be asking too much from him. For even a believer cannot claim to have such a station. The main thing on which much stress must be laid when accepting a new member into the community is sincerity and a willingness to discard as much as possible all forms of prejudice and bigotry. More than that we can not do.”
We recommend:
- That conferences for racial amity, in accordance with the plan of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá continue. We have discovered no plan that is better.
- That amity meetings sometimes take the form of round table discussions, where workers can share experiences, promote the teachings and through social comingling impress the spirit of the Faith.
- That the principle of the oneness of humanity be given emphasis in connection with all activities of the Faith.
- That committees of the National and local Spiritual Assemblies in making arrangements for meetings, wherever the necessity should arise, shall bring to the attention of hotel managements and other officials the universality of the Faith and thus secure for all delegates and friends accommodations regardless of racial differences. Gentle insistence upon such arrangements which other liberal groups are making, will add much to the education of the public in racial comity and understanding.
- Workers should make known to liberal groups plans for amity meetings to the end of securing their cooperation. Youth should be given recognition upon this committee in its personnel.
- This committee should be known as the Race Amity Committee, an expression used by Shoghi Effendi of his own motion and found in the volume, Bahá’í Administration.
- The matter of racial adjustment in all seriousness appears to be the outstanding problem of American life. For this the Religion of Bahá’u’lláh furnishes the program, methods, and means which will make such an adjustment possible. It cultivates the ideals of justice, wisdom, love, patience, guidance, service and joyousness which make such a realization practicable, as a menace to no one, as favor for all. To this end the teachings on racial amity should be tactfully and wisely, but never tediously or with the force of insistence, held both before friends and the outer world, and at the same time demonstrated in action. Thus may the circle of harmony be complete and that unity which is dear to God and the reality of man become an accomplished fact.
- MRS. AGNES S. PARSONS, (deceased) Chairman.
- MR. LOUIS G. GREGORY, Secretary.
- MRS. LOULIE A. MATHEWS, Treasurer.
LOUISE GREGORY IN BELGRADE, JUGOSLAVIA[edit]
| NEWS ITEMS FROM ASSEMBLIES NATIONAL COMMITTEES
With sixty local Spiritual Assemblies, and in addition an increasing number of National Committees, the task of preparing news items from the extensive material received by the National Spiritual Assembly is becoming difficult. In preparing these items, effort should be made to keep them brief and also to include only such matters as are of sufficient interest and importance to be preserved in the national Bahá’í newspaper. The work of selecting and preparing these local and Committee items, in fact, is in itself an excellent training for the publicity work which is becoming an important function of Bahá’í activity. In days to come, BAHÁ’Í NEWS will appear as a weekly and eventually as a daily paper, but in these pioneer stages of our development the friends must attempt to visualize the relative importance of each event in terms of the present small and inadequate monthly news letter. |
In two letters this devoted servant of Bahá’u’lláh has shared the news of her teaching activities since the Convention.
“I am writing a few lines just to tell you that I am very hopeful now about the work at Belgrade since recently meeting two very receptive souls who seem ready to become believers. One is a spiritually minded educator, the other a musician. The professor says that he will translate “The Goal of a New World Order” into Serbian as a service to the Cause. ... I have good news from Varna (where Mrs. Gregory formerly carried on her Bahá’í activity) that the students are continuing to meet and one of them teaches the Cause during vacation in his home town of Burges. ... There is much more that I can do here than at Varna, and up to recently this large country has scarcely had the Message, though Martha Root has for some years when passing through given a few talks. This last year she stayed more than once for over a month, and besides lecturing and meeting individuals she arranged for the translation and publication of Esslemont’s “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.” Besides this we have a tiny pamphlet in Serbian which is a great help. The translator of the “New Era” (Mme. Draga Ilié), has become a devoted believer. Unfortunately she is in the hospital and must have a serious operation. I should be so glad if the friends will pray for her. The work here depends so much on this dear and gifted spiritual sister.
“Things are progressing slowly but surely! Two people have declared themselves believers, both well educated and ardent to pass on to others what they know about the Cause.... Besides these, a number of poor Russian University students are getting interested in the Teachings by attending a free class I give them in the English language.
“If some capable and devoted workers could come over and help us our Guardian would be very happy. Both Marion Jack and I would be too delighted to give all necessary information to any Bahá’í teacher who finds it possible to come and stay some time either in this country or in Bulgaria. The living costs are very low. Teachers who work well with student and youth groups would be particularly helpful.”
SPECIAL NOTICE[edit]
The National Assembly’s file of BAHÁ’Í NEWS lacks one copy—No. 39. If any local Assembly or individual believer can provide this missing number it will be greatly appreciated. Kindly address the National Secretary.
NEWS FROM AMERICAN COMMUNITIES[edit]
Spokane[edit]
On November 28, 1934, Orcella Rexford presented the Bahá’í Faith to an audience of about eight hundred gathered at the Masonic Temple. This great service to the Cause resulted in the formation of a teaching class of some two hundred interested people conducted by Louise Caswell.
The class has continued three times a week. The Spiritual Assembly is happy indeed to express its gratitude for the devoted services contributed by Orcella Rexford and Mrs. Caswell, and anticipates a large increase in the community as result.
One interesting incident reported was that a bronze medallion of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was brought to a meeting by a non-believer, who could not tell its origin or history.
Binghamton[edit]
On September 7 the Young People’s group conducted a pageant by Kenneth Christian depicting the early history of the Báb and His followers. The performance was impressive and inspiring.
Speakers from other cities who have addressed meetings at Binghamton this year are: Mary Hanford Ford, who on November 9 spoke on “The Prophets” at Hotel Arlington; Charles Mason Remey, who spoke on “The Oneness of Mankind” and also on “Architecture and Religion;” and Dr. R. F. Piper of Syracuse University, whose subject was his recent visit to Haifa.
Meetings are held Friday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, the latter having given special study to the Guardian’s “World Order” letters and to sections of “Some Answered Questions.”
The Assembly expresses appreciation of the assistance rendered by the National Publicity Committee.
Chicago[edit]
From reports of the Spiritual Assembly and of the Teaching Committee the following summary of activities and accomplishments has been prepared.
Wednesday noon lectures in October were delivered by Mabel Ives, and Dr. Ali Kuli Khan. Shahnaz Waite’s series of lessons is used by the class meeting Wednesday afternoons, which enjoys them very much.
Three public lectures were delivered at Masonic Temple by Mme. Gita Orlova in October, who also spoke three times that month at the Bahá’í Center.
Fourteen group meetings and classes are held in Chicago and suburbs. Good contacts for Bahá’í speakers have been made with clubs and organizations, and in several cases club members have made special visits to the Temple in a group. A Temple model has been on display in a store window, where it has led to a large number of inquiries.
Including addresses given at the Temple, Mme. Orlova spoke at nine meetings arranged by the Chicago Assembly in October.
[Page 12]
In November the Wednesday noon
lectures were given by Howard Ives,
Mabel Ives, Ruth Moffett and Dr. Zia
Bagdadi. The series of Friday evening meetings were addressed by
Shahnaz Waite and Philip Marangello.
Numerous engagements were made for
Mme. Orlova to speak before clubs and
societies, and in addition Sarah Walrath addressed the Maywod Civic and
Charity Club at the Temple, Albert
Windust spoke at the Maude E. Smith
Social and Charity Club, Mabel Ives
addressed the members of the Woodstock Woman’s Club, Shahnaz Waite
filled an engagement made with the
Young Woman’s Auxiliary of the
Cicero Woman’s Club, and Edna Eastman spoke before the North Town
Woman’s Club.
On November 14 the Spiritual Assembly reported the enrollment of seven new believers, and on February 6 it reported that twenty-four more new believers had been enrolled. This is impressive evidence of spiritual capacity.
An interesting incident of Mme. Orlova’s public teaching activities in Chicago is that her address on “Crashing Worlds” was published in the October 26 issue of “The Executives’ Club News.”
Honolulu[edit]
A large increase has been made during recent months in the number of people attending the public meetings and study classes. The Spiritual Assembly has been effectively assisted by Loulie A. Mathews, who has spent about two months in the city prior to her departure on a special teaching journey to South America.
San Francisco[edit]
From “San Francisco Bahá’í News” the following items are here reported for the information of the entire Bahá’í community.
Two new members were announced in the September bulletin. A picnic was held on Labor Day at the Shriners’ Redwood Grove in the Santa Cruz Mountains, in development of the community social life.
Home meetings have been held in the following homes: Marshall, Shaw, Smith and Burland. The programs are so planned that different approaches are made possible, one meeting being an Esperanto class, one a study class for inquirers, another a class in Bahá’í administration.
Among speakers at the Sunday public meeting this year have been: Russell B. Fitz Patrick, Leroy Ioas, Walter W. Kawecki, Mary Burland, Anthony Y. Seto, Mme. Gita Orlova, N. Forsyth Ward, H. Hurlbut, P. S. Jones, Katherine Frankland, Charlotte M. Linfoot, Marnie Seto.
A meeting to celebrate the anniversary of the Master’s arrival at San Francisco was held on October 3.
On November 11 an Inter-Assembly teaching conference was held at the Y. W. C. A. building, the agenda having two items: The nine teaching suggestions contained in the last Annual Report of the National Teaching Committee; and discussion of these four subjects—Inter-Assembly Conferences every three months, true Bahá’í consultation, study of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, miscellaneous suggestions.
A list of places throughout California has been published where one or more believers reside, and all members of the San Francisco community who travel are requested to call on these isolated friends and if possible conduct a meeting. This excellent plan might well be followed by other Assemblies.
Los Angeles[edit]
Fifteen new enrollments have been reported by the Spiritual Assembly since October.
“Los Angeles Bahá’í News” is a very complete and well-arranged local bulletin. It quotes from recent letters from the Guardian, letters from the N. S. A., from special articles in the national BAHÁ’Í NEWS, and supplies the community with all announcements of meetings, guests from other cities, etc.
A recent issue reproduced an old record dated November 19, 1909 which established the first Bahá’í Assembly in that city: “The undersigned are hereby associated as members of the ‘Los Angeles Bahá’í Assembly’ for the purpose of promoting unity and harmony; of spreading the teachings of the Bahá’í Revelation,” etc. The first Executive Board of five members consisted of Chas. F. Haney, Thornton Chase, Rosa V. Winterburn, Henrietta C. Wagner and Nellie L. Phillips.
On September 10 the Assembly accepted with gratitude Mrs. Shaffer’s gift of an enlarged portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
Public meetings have been held Friday evenings, with addresses by the following teachers: Sara Witt, Dr. E. C. Getsinger, Elmor Duckett, Willard Hatch, L. A. Whitmore, Margaret Campbell, Marion Holley, Beulah Lewis, Nellie S. French, Oni A. Finks, Vira Jewell Paxton and Shahnaz Waite.
A study class in “The Dawn-Breakers” has been held Monday afternoons by Isobel Seifert, a children’s class on Sundays by Miss Koch, a class on “The Inner Significances,” by Mrs. E. Nickolson, an Esperanto class by Josephine Nelson.
A weekly course in Bahá’í administration has been carried out in twelve lessons, based upon a very complete outline which is recommended to the National Teaching or Outline Committee. Other classes have been held by P. W. Howard, Miss Holroyd and Loa Shaffer. A Race Amity Conference was held on November 15.
From other sources it is learned that Mrs. Orol Platt, of the Los Angeles Bahá’í community, has for seventeen years been a most generous contributor to the Tarbiat Schools. The rug-weaving department was in fact named “Orol Loom Department” in her honor.
Clara Weir has continued her activity for World Friendship, repeating her “Pageant of Nations” under the auspices of a Masonic Lodge. 110 public school pupils took part, with an orchestra of forty pieces. The Pageant was rendered before an audience of about 3000 people. Miss Weir now plans another Pageant promoting the ideal of World Order.
CALL FOR GREEN ACRE WORKERS[edit]
Believers who desire to work at Green Acre next summer in exchange for board and lodging are requested to communicate with Miss Helen Campbell, 204 West 55th Street, New York City. Early action is advisable.
