Bahá’í News/Issue 19/Text
THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Office of the Secretary
48 WEST 10th STREET, NEW YORK CITY“The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His Command, and contentment with His holy Will and Pleasure.
“The essence of religion is to testify unto that which the Lord hath revealed, and follow that which He hath ordained in His mighty Book.
“The source of all glory is acceptance of whatsoever the Lord hath bestowed, and contentment with that which God hath ordained.
“The essence of love is for man to turn his heart to the Beloved One, and sever himself from all else but Him, and desire naught save that which is the desire of his Lord.”—BAHA’U’LAH.
PREPARING FOR THE TRUE BAHA’I COMMUNITY[edit]
Editorial
At two widely separated points in the United States, a concentration of Bahá’i effort is taking place this summer the results of which will hasten the coming of the true Bahá’i community of the future.
The activities of Green Acre have for many years been thoroughly established in the affection and respect of the friends. Nevertheless, Green Acre is still far from being a finished and perfected model, but responds ever more sensitively to the spirit of the age.
At Geyserville, California, a Bahá’i center will be established this summer very like Green Acre in many respects, and likewise representing a significant concentration of spiritual power, but with the essential difference that the Western summer Bahá’i community begins as a new activity inspired by the force of enthusiasm and vision but lacking the power of long experience.
These two Bahá’i centers stand as the most interesting and significant experiments being carried on at present by the collective effort of the American believers. To succeed, each requires not only a program vitalized by spiritual wisdom, but the solution of many material problems involving the relations of people one with another and amid the conditions of practical daily life. It may be that the solution of these apparently minor problems in the material realm will further the Cause as much as brilliance in the conduct of the program.
The attention of all the friends will be given these two summer communities, and their activities and results followed closely by all who appreciate how the spirit of the age is molding daily life into new and better forms. It is to be hoped that those concerned will appreciate the importance of joining inseparably the spiritual and material elements, and reckoning as the highest type of success a season in which different characters and temperaments have learned how to associate together in full fellowship and cooperate in the work as well as study and prayer.
The world does not yet contain one community reflecting the new spirit in all the activities and interests of daily life. When such a community comes into existence, it will manifest the strongest proof that religion has indeed renewed the human soul in this age.
Announcement of Plans for Bahá’i Center on Pacific Coast[edit]
The ever increasing call on the Pacific Coast for Bahá’i teachers prompted the National Spiritual Assembly, in response to suggestion from some of the Bahá’is of the Western States, to appoint a Committee, consisting of Mr. John D. Bosch, Mr. George O. Latimer and Mr. Leroy Ioas, to work out plans for a summer school on the Pacific Coast, and its development into a permanent institution of the Cause.
The site selected by the Committee is in Geyserville, California, about 75 miles north of San Francisco on the Northwestern Pacific Railway, and on the great Redwood Highway, which runs from Vancouver, B. C., to San Diego, Calif. This property extends over an area of 40 acres, fronting on the Highway for about 600 feet, and extending up the slightly rolling hills, giving continual and new beautiful panoramas of the exquisite Russian River valley, with mountains in the distance. Luther Burbank has stated that the climate of this territory is equal to any in the world.
The Feast, of Asma, “Names,” Sunday, July 31st, to which the Geyserville Bahá’i Assembly has invited all the believers, will be the beginning of the activities of the Summer School, which will continue through the month of August. The course of study will be conducted from the Bahá’i Writings by well known teachers on the Coast, as well as visiting Bahá’is from other parts of America.
There is room on the property, without cost, for all interested in becoming Bahá’i teachers, but they must create their own comforts either by camping, or by improving the plain accommodations available. Rooms, or rooms with board, at moderate rates can be secured in adjacent farm houses. Simple meals at reasonable rates can be secured in the restaurant at Geyserville. For full details, write to Box 101, Geyserville, Calif.
From the preliminary reservations, it appears the first Summer School on the Pacific Coast will be very successful and greatest good be accomplished for the Blessed Cause.
- JOHN D. BOSCH, Geyserville, Calif.
- GEORGE O. LATIMER, Portland, Ore.
- LEROY IOAS, San Francisco, Calif.
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of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada
48 West 10th Street, New York City Office of the Treasurer 1821 Lincoln Street Evanston, Ill.
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Inter-Racial Amity Committee Holds Convention in Washington, D. C.[edit]
The first of a new series of inter-racial amity conventions under Bahá’i auspices was held in Washington, D. C., on April 8, 9 and 10. Two sessions were given to Mt. Pleasant Congregational Church and one in the auditorium of the Playhouse. A detailed report of these meetings has already been published in the Bahá’i Magazine, and this report is commended to all who realize the urgent importance of the racial problem in this country.
The next convention will be held at Green Acre on July 22 and 23. The Guardian’s hopes that Green Acre will contribute greatly to expressions of racial and justice among the believers themselves have already been published in the NEWS LETTER.
It is expected that the special committee appointed to prepare a compilation on this subject—Mr. Louis Gregory and Mrs. Mariam Haney— will finish their labor this summer so that the friends may have a full and authorized text of the Bahá’i teachings referring to interracial accord.
Publishing Committee Issues New Catalog[edit]
A revised catalog of all Bahá’i literature in print at the present time has been issued by the Bahá’i Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348. Grand Central Station, New York City. Mrs. Marie Moore, manager, will be happy to send copies to any local Bahá’i librarian or individual inquirer on request.
Local Assemblies having occasion to reprint any portion of the Bahá’i texts, and teachers quoting publicity from the writings, are urged to use only such works as are listed in the latest catalog or are positively known to be authentic. Certain pamphlets published many years ago contain inaccuracies it would be unfortunate to repeat.
Among the new publications brought to the notice of the friends are:
Divine Art of Living, paper–bound, $0.70.
Compilation on Education, $0.35.
The Spirit of World Unity (compilation), $0.10.
Bahá’i Year Book, volume one, $1.25.
Inter-Assembly Correspondence[edit]
Letters have been received from the following American Assemblies, issued to all Assemblies on the mailing list: Los Angeles, Geyserville, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Kenosha.
Local secretaries are reminded of the fact that inter-Assembly correspondence is one of the important services indicated for Spiritual Assemblies by ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The National Assembly assists by supplying an annual Bahá’i Directory from addresses furnished in the Assembly Rolls. The delay in returning the Assembly Roll after the elections on April 21 on the part of some Assemblies makes it impossible to issue an accurate Directory until after several months. This delay is an injustice to those Assemblies who have made a prompt return, and also makes it difficult for the National Assembly to maintain the distribution of the NEWS LETTER and other general correspondence.
Celebrate Feast of Nawriz[edit]
Three American Assemblies celebrated this Feast on March 21 under conditions of unusual interest. In San Francisco, the local Assembly combined with the believers of Berkeley and Oakland in a meeting held at the Stewart Hotel attended by about one hundred friends. Guests of honor included Dr. Susan I. Moody and Mirza Ali-Kuli Khan, N. D.
The Bahá’i New Year was observed by the believers of St. Augustine at the Florida Normal and Industrial College, where the friends received the cordial cooperation of Prof. Collier, president, and Miss Sarah Blocker, vice-president. We are informed that this celebration was blessed by a most beautiful spirit of amity. The growth and vitality of this Bahá’i community are due to the unsparing efforts of Dr. and Mrs. Walter B. Guy through a period of many years.
In Ithaca, the believers held their first celebration of the Feast since the election of a Spiritual Assembly following the successful efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Ives, who also established the Bahá’i community of Geneva. A party of Geneva friends attended the Feast.
Visalia Assembly Publishes Souvenir Prayer Book[edit]
Copies of a beautifully printed booklet containing Bahá’i prayers were recently distributed by the Visalia friends as a souvenir conveying their loving devotion to the Cause. Many appreciative comments have been received on this unusual service, made possible by the artistic skill of one of the Visalia believers, Miss Alice Rouleau.
Special Notice
Occasional inquiries are received asking for information about circular letters and pamphlets issued by a certain Stenstrand of Chicago, purporting to quote passages from the writings of the Bab and others which disprove the stations of Bahá’u’lláh and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. This situation is thoroughly understood by the older believers, and the friends are urged to cast such communications in the waste basket without response.
It should also be known to the friends that the current issue of Reality Magazine has published without the slightest authority or right a notice of Bahá’i activities presumably written for Reality by a member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Such incidents show how difficult was the attempt made several years ago by the National Assembly to find some basis of cooperation with this non-Bahá’i activity. The friends are reminded of the fact that the whole situation was brought to the attention of the Guardian some time ago, who stated that cooperation might be extended if the publication would agree to publish nothing not approved by the National Assembly, and that otherwise the matter “be left to God.” The National Assembly has no intention of instructing or requesting any person not to subscribe to this periodical, but the believers should understand that its activities have nothing to do with the administration of the Cause.
Unique Annual Gatherings[edit]
The Annual Souvenir of ’Abdu’l-Bahá at West Englewood, New Jersey, has been duly observed since 1912, when the Master gathered all the believers in and around New York for a unity feast of which He was host. Year by year this event has grown in power, until at present it is known and noticed throughout a large portion of the State. Ruhi Afnan was the principal speaker this year.
At Geneva, New York, the Bahá’i community has instituted a “Blossom Picnic” attended by friends from nearby cities, who find it an occasion of delightful fellowship. Such local traditions can become powerful forces in cementing the hearts of the friends.
Mrs. Louise Gregory Returns From Eastern Europe[edit]
During the past eight months Mrs. Louise Gregory has served most effectively in the teaching field. Her route included the cities of Liverpool
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“I trust and pray that the efforts of the newly elected National Assembly will be concentrated this year on the Plan of Unified Action, and that the believers in every locality will whole-heartedly and unitedly arise to insure its success by every means at their disposal. What we require is unity of purpose, singleness of mind and concerted and sustained effort. Every endeavor to achieve this purpose will surely be assisted from on high and will receive the full measure of the Beloved’s blessings.”—SHOGHI EFFENDI, May 25, 1927. |
and York, England; Brussels, Belgium; Vienna, Austria; Buda-Pest, Hungary; and Sophia, Bulgaria. Mrs. Gregory, who is now at Green Acre, reports that conditions in Sophia are exceedingly favorable for the spread of the Message among people of capacity, and expresses the earnest hope that some American believer can in the near future arrange to spend from three to six months in that city.
Consideration of the significance of the work accomplished by such devoted followers of Bahá’u’lláh as Miss Martha Root, Mr. Mountfort Mills, Miss Leonora Holzapple, Mrs. Gregory and Mrs. Schopflocher indicates how America is endeavoring to obey the far-reaching program of teaching activity laid by ’Abdu’l-Bahá in His series of Teaching Tablets revealed for the five regional divisions and also the general assembly of the friends in this country.
Bahá’i Service Easter Sunday at St. Mark’s Church[edit]
Dr. W. N. Guthrie of St. Mark’s, New York City, has arranged a special Bahá’i service which he conducts each Easter Sunday at the afternoon meeting. This service consists of responsive readings, in which the congregation joins, selected by the rector from the literature of the Cause and published by him in a booklet entitled “The Glory of God.” These readings are followed by addresses delivered by representatives of the Cause invited Dr. Guthrie. Jinabi Fadil spoke at this service some years ago. Mr. Mountfort Mills and a member of the National Assembly spoke this year, while Mr. Saffa Kinney directed the choir and rendered organ music consisting of improvisations on oriental themes.
This annual occasion is greatly appreciated by the believers of New York.
Committees of the National Spiritual Assembly 1927-1928[edit]
The following committees were appointed by the National Assembly as soon as possible after the Convention in Montreal. In announcing these appointments, we wish to point out that it is most desirable that each committee take steps to organize by the election of chairman, secretary and any other officers it may require, and following this hold frequent meetings for active consideration of a program of constructive service. The observation has been justly made that frequent changes in the members of a committee, and doubt as to the appropriation which can be placed at their disposal, tend to produce a condition of passive inaction.
Despite this fact, which circumstances have made inevitable in the past, there is nothing to prevent any committee from studying its opportunities and laying out a program to be adopted if necessary later on. The drift of executive detail toward the National Assembly represents a transitional state which it is hoped has come to an end. The active direction of so many phases of service prevents the National Assembly from developing other aspects of its responsibility, while at the same time denies the Cause the benefits which would result from the spreading out of the executive function.
Teaching—Mrs. May Maxwell, Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher.
Temple—Mr. Carl Scheffler, Mr. Alien McDaniel, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, Mrs. Amelia Collins, Mrs. El Fleda Spaulding, Mr. Albert Windust, Mr. Munroe Ioas, Mr. A. J. Mattieson.
Publishing—Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, Mr. Horace Holley, Mr. Albert Windust.
MagazineMr. Stanwood Cobb, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Mr. Allen McDaniel.
Reviewing—Mr. Albert Windust, Mrs. Shelley N. Parker, Mrs. H. A. Harding.
Archives—Miss Gertrude Buikema, Mr. Charles Mason Remey, Mr. Albert Windust.
Library—Miss Elizabeth Hopper, Mr. Charles Mason Remey.
Legal—Mr. Alfred E. Lunt, Mr. Louis Gregory, Mr. Allen McDaniel.
Year Book—Mr. Albert Windust, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Mr. Horace Holley.
Pacific Coast Summer School—Mr. John Bosch, Mr. Leroy Ioas, Mr. George Latimer.
Inter-Racial Amity—Mr. Louis Gregory, Mrs. Agnes Parsons, Mrs. Coralie Cook, Miss Elizabeth Hopper, Dr. Zia M. Bagdadi, Dr. Alain Locke, Miss Isabel Rives.
Inter-Racial Amity Compilation— Mr. Louis Gregory, Mrs. Mariam Haney.
Publicity—Mrs. Louise Boyle, Mrs. Doris McKay, Mr. Horace Holley.
Green Acre—Mr. William H. Randall, Mrs. Florence Morton, Mr. Henry L. Green, Mr. Siegfried Schopflocher, Mr. Horace Holley.
Mr. Alberts Vail’s Teaching Journeys[edit]
During the past winter Mr. Vail has traveled almost constantly on various teaching circuits, speaking in Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, going as far east as Pittsburgh. In April and May he made a long journey through the eastern cities, giving addresses in Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. The later part of April he gave a lecture at the Hartford Theological Seminary. One of the instructors in that institution had seen a very remarkable sight in the Near-East—a Muhammadan Turk and an Armenian Christian is sitting together on the floor, in a house, and discussing religion with the utmost love and amity. He was so amazed he asked how could this be. They declared that they were both Bahá’is. The instructor, himself an Armenian, was so impressed that he wished the Bahá’i Cause presented to his class in the Theological Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, and sent a request for a speaker to the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. Whereupon Mr. Vail was asked to address this class.
After traveling to Hartford Mr. Vail gave a series of addresses in Springfield, Worcester and Boston, Massachusetts.
After leaving Montreal Mr. Vail stopped in Geneva. New York, and Buffalo where he spoke; and gave a series of addresses in Cleveland. It was wonderful to see on this journey the joyous response of certain ministers and educators to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
of the
Treasurer of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Bahá’is is of the
United States and Canada
for the Period from
April 1, 1926 to
March 31, 1927.
The total amount received this year’s front every source and including every fund or division of the National Fund was $51,039.28. The balance on hand at the beginning of that year was $1,980.66, making a total for the year of $53,019.94. The disbursements for the year total $47,288.83, which in this report I am accounting for, under the following headings:— Temple, Teaching, Green Acre, Star of the West, International, World Unity Conferences, Archives, Library, General Publicity, Administration, Carmel or Special. Also under the heading Capital Expenditures, as follows:—Louis Bourgeois on contract, Plans for Temple, Studio appraisal, Green Acre legacies.
These last named constitute investments that cannot really be accounted expenditures, since they enhance the value of the Bahá’i properties.
Before entering upon the detail of the expenditure under each heading, I would like to state that in my books, as also those turned over to me by Mrs. Morton, the funds received are always placed in the particular division or for the particular purpose designated by the contributor.
Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements for
- Period April 1, 1926 to March 31, 1927
| Cash Balance April 1, 1926 | ||
| Worcester Bank & Trust Co. | $1,965.12 | |
| Northern Trust Co. | 115.54 | $1,980.66 |
| CASH RECEIPTS | ||
| For Temple | 2,209.10 | |
| For Budget | 34,909.11 | |
| For Teaching | 14.80 | |
| For Green Acre | 3,937.28 | |
| For World Unity Conferences | 4,541.00 | |
| For Green Acre Institute of W. U | 2,000.00 | |
| For Carmel or Special | 155.00 | |
| For Tarbiat School | 151.00 | |
| For Pilgrim House | 100.00 | |
| For General Publicity | 3,000.00 | |
| Interest Earned | 21.99 | 51,039.28 |
| $53,019.94 |
| DISBURSEMENTS | |||
| Temple | $2,185.20 | ||
| Teaching | 5,064.98 | ||
| Green Acre | 7,182.93 | ||
| Star of the West | 3,621.91 | ||
| International | 2,265.00 | ||
| World Unity Conf. | 5,816.85 | ||
| Archives | 79.27 | ||
| Library | 223.51 | ||
| General Publicity | 3,000.00 | ||
| Administrative | 10,062.41 | ||
| Carmel or Special | 214.72 | ||
| Publication | 1,975.32 | 41,692.10 | |
| Capital Expenditures | |||
| Louis Bourgeois on contract | 700.00 | ||
| Plan for Temple | 281.33 | ||
| Caretakers House | 2,005.40 | ||
| Studio Appraisal | 100.00 | ||
| Green Acre legacies paid | 1,410.00 | 4,496.71 | |
| Green Acre Managers expense | 1,100.00 | 47,288.83 | |
| Studio Appraisal | 5,731.11 | ||
| Studio Appraisal | 5,731.11 | ||
| Add Old Balance transferred to Special Fund | 40.24 |
| Cash Balance, March 31, 1927 | 5,371.35 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. | 5,371.35 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Savings a/c | 350.00 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | 5,771.35 | |
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | 5,771.35 |
- Balance Sheet, March 31, 1927
- Assets
- Balance Sheet, March 31, 1927
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Cash | |||
| Northern Trust Co. | $5,371.35 | ||
| Northern Trust Co., Sav. | 350.00 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | 5,771.35 |
REAL ESTATE AND TEMPLE BUILDING
| Land | $51,500.00 | ||
| Improvements to Land | 6,473.74 | ||
| Temple Building Construction | 205,330.04 | ||
| Model Cost | 8,832.50 | ||
| Plans for Temple | 9,109.43 | ||
| Louis Bourgeois, on contract | 40,400.00 | 236,671.91 | |
| Caretaker’s house | 4,898.37 | ||
| Studio Building | 100.00 | ||
| Green Acre | 1,410.00 | ||
| $328,054.08 | |||
| $333,825.43 |
- Liabilities
| Excess of Assets Over Liabilities | $333,825.43 |
Submitted by Carl Scheffler, Treasurer.
Contents of Bahá’i Magazine
The Bahá’i Magazine Star of the West for March contained the following articles: The Day of Fulfilment, by Dr. Alfredo Warsaw; Excerpts from My Diary, by Keith Ransom-Kehler; A Famous Esperantist, by Martha L. Root; An Amity World Unity Conference, by Louis G. Gregory; The Universal Solvent, by Dr. Orrol L. Harper, and The Answer Comes, by Dr. Walter B. Guy.
In April the magazine published: When Anvils Ring in Unison, by Dale S. Cole; Work—A Song of Triumph, by Angela Morgan; Industrial Democracy, by Stanwood Cobb; Race Appreciation, by Hooper Harris; Why I Believe, by Doris H. McKay; On the Borders of Lake Leman Danzig Has, by Martha L. Root.
The May number included: Equality of Man and Woman, a compilation from the Words of ’Abdu’l-Bahá; The World–Wide Influence of Qurratu’l–Ayn, by Stanwood Cobb; Humanity Unfolding a Limitless Self, by Dr. Orrol L. Harper; Woman: In Allengory and Fable; In Tradition and History; In the Present Day and Age, by Howard R. Hulburt; and Glimpses of a Great Gathering, an interpretation of the Inter-Racial Conference held in Washington, D. C., during April, by Coralie Franklin Cook.
Geneva Assembly Holds Series of Public Meetings[edit]
A series of meetings under the general title “Six Discussions of Present Day Problems” has been conducted by the Geneva, N. Y., believers in a public hall Friday evening from May 20 to June 24. These meetings came as the first public teaching effort on the part of the Geneva friends, and were carefully thought out in relation to local conditions and needs.
The individual subjects were: The Psychology of the New Age; The Approaching Convergence of Science and Religion; The Great Pyramid and It Message to the World; From Chaos to World Peace; Physical and Spiritual Evolution, and A New Spirit in the World.
Dr. Albert Heist, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. McKay, Mrs. Howard Ives and Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Collison was among those who spoke on these subjects.
Not the least important result of the meetings was the extensive reports of each address published in the local press, showing what preparations had been made on the part of the local Assembly. These meetings, conceived and carried out by one of the newest Bahá’i communities in America, have made the Bahá’i Message synonymous with the universality of spirit and knowledge throughout the city, and are models of successful teaching which can well be imitated in other Assemblies.
Orcella Rexford Continues Remarkable Campaign[edit]
Numerous communications from Seattle, Portland and Oakland give evidence of continued success in the unusual teaching method developed by Mrs. Orcella Rexford and employed with such remarkable results in several cities. Mrs. Rexford builds up a large audience by her personal lectures and at the end gives them an opportunity to make contact with Bahá’i teachers. Only the lack of suitable teachers prevents Mrs. Rexford from bringing in large numbers of believers wherever she carries on her lecture work. Honolulu, Oakland and New York City are all grateful to Mrs. Rexford for her ardent efforts.
Japanese Gathering in Berkeley[edit]
Miss Agnes Alexander delivered an address before a large group of Japanese in the hall of the Buddhist Temple at Berkeley, California, early in March, following a talk given by her some days previously at a luncheon of Japanese students in Styles Hall the Y.M.C.A. Mrs. Frankland also spoke at the Temple, her remarkable work with Oriental children being well known by the friends.
Ruhi Afnan at Green Acre[edit]
As mentioned in the last NEWS LETTER, Ruhi Afnan is spending July and August at Green Acre, after which he will visit as many local communities as possible before returning to Haifa in October.
The privilege of meeting this profound student of the teachings and devoted worker will not be overlooked by the friends in planning their stay at Green Acre this season.
Capable Teachers Speak for Urbana Assembly[edit]
Reports from the Spiritual Assembly
of Urbana indicate how great
pleasure has been felt by the friends in
visits from four Bahá’i teachers during
recent months. Miss Fanny Knobloch,
Mr. Albert R. Vail, Mrs. Corinne
True, and Mr. Louis Gregory all
found unusual opportunities for public[Page 6]
speaking in this college community
where Mr. Vail occupied an important
pulpit some years ago.
Miss Knobloch’s talks to the believers themselves on how to present the Message were particularly appreciated. Numerous inquirers also came to her public meetings held at the home of Mrs. Busey and other friends, and her presentation, including an account of her experiences in South Africa, was exceedingly effective.
Two addresses were delivered by Mr. Gregory at the university, in addition to meetings with classes in the Sociological Department. His explanations of the Book of Assurance (Ighan) brought new light to the believers of Urbana.
Mr. Vail has been the principal speaker at public meetings in Urbana for many years. During the past year he has conducted a series of lectures on the theme of Science and the Bible, which produced splendid results.
The final speaker of the season was Mrs. Corinne True of Evanston, who gave two addresses at Lincoln Hall: “Two Kinds of Education,” and “The Changing Spirit of the World.” The Urbana believers feel that they have been richly blessed in these opportunities, and hope that it will be possible for other Bahá’i communities to receive similar visits.
ERRATUM[edit]
The sentence, “Shoghi Effendi, said that he hoped that this would be done in this assembly even if there was but one drop of colored blood,” reported by the last NEWS LETTER as being a part of the address of Mrs. Oglesby at the Bahá’i convention, is withdrawn as being inaccurate and not a quotation from Shoghi Effendi. The article as reported, otherwise than this, expressed the substance of her remarks. This correction is made with Mrs. Oglesby’s approval.
Another correction to be made is that the word “Koa,” used by Dr. Bagdadi, refers to the first Muslim mosque, not to the first Mashriqu’l-Adhkár.
NEWS OF THE CAUSE IN OTHER LANDS[edit]
Foreign Bahá’í Magazines
The believer who feels the need of making direct contact with the progress of Bahá’i communities outside the United States and Canada will subscribe to the periodicals published in other lands. The presence of these Bahá’i publications will be effective also when noticed by inquirers calling at local Bahá’i centers and reading rooms.
Herald of the South. Annual subscription, six shillings six pence. Address “Clunie,” 3 Cowie Road, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand.
The Dawn. (Printed in English, Persian and Burmese). $2.00. Address Mirza Zabiullah Zarquani, 21, 45th Street, Rangoon, Burma.
Sonne Def Wahrheit, (Printed in German with an English section). Two gold marks per year, Address Bahá’i–Bundes, Alexanderstrasse 3, Stuttgart, Germany.
In Germany also is published a BAHA’I NEWS LETTER under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly, for free distribution to believers in Germany and National Assemblies abroad.
Le Messager Bahá’i. (Printed in French, German and English). The organ of International Bahá’i Bureau, 19 Boulevard Georges-Favon, Geneva, Switzerland. Copies sent without charge to American local Bahá’i communities through the National Assembly.
Foreign Assembly Letters[edit]
Circular letters have been received from the following centers outside the United States and Canada: Haifa, Palestine; Tihran, Persia; Stuttgart, Germany; Esslingen, Germany; Moscow, Russia; Beirut, Syria; Constantinople, Turkey; Paris, France; Pretoria, South Africa; Bagdad, Iraq; Resht, Persia (in Esperanto); Port Said, Egypt; Manchester, England; Berlin, Germany; Bushir, Persia; Tokyo, Japan (in Esperanto); Ishkabad, Russia.
New Local Assembly in England[edit]
A letter from the Spiritual Assembly of Manchester, England, informs us that a new Spiritual Assembly has been elected by the believers residing in Altrincham, ten miles from Manchester. The Manchester Assembly desires correspondence from the friends in other countries. Address: Mrs. Lucy Sugar, secretary, 16 Lily Street, Crumpsall, Manchester, England.
First Bahá’i Funeral Service in the East[edit]
From Miss Effie Baker, at the American Pilgrim House, Haifa, we learn the significant fact that the services held to observe the passing of Mirza Mohsen Afnan were entirely Bahá’i without admixture of Moslem elements—the first entirely Bahá’i funeral service to be held in a Moslem environment. Thus slowly but surely the Cause asserts itself as an independent Religion founded upon new laws and teachings and giving rise to new customs and observances not reflecting superstition and man-made tradition.
Miss Martha Root in Northern Europe[edit]
A letter dated February 20, 1927, from Martha L. Root states that she has visited and given public lectures in sixteen cities in Germany. Shoghi Effendi had told her if she could visit all the Bahá’i centres in Germany it would be very good. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Romer of New York were living in Berlin during her visit to that city in January and both did a great deal to help. Mr. William Herrigel came to Berlin for three public lectures; two during Miss Root’s visit. She spoke twice on the same program with Mr. Herrigel and gave seven other public lectures. Berlin is one of the great Esperanto centers of the world and Berlin Esperantists arranged four lectures for Miss Root. She was one of the speakers at a Peace Society meeting when five hundred people were present.
“The Promulgation of Universal Peace” was presented to President von Hindenburg of the German Republic. The following letter of thanks was received:
“The President of the German Republic tenders his best thanks for the book The Promulgation of Universal Peace, which was presented to him. The President has had the book forwarded to the library of the Foreign Office.
Other Bahá’i books were presented to Dr. Gustav Stresemann, chief of the Foreign Office; Dr. Löebe, President of the Reichstag, and books were sent to Mr. Bronislaw Huberman, the great violinist. Mr. Huberman wrote that he would study them.
Miss Root further wrote that she felt there was no city in the world more important for Bahá’i teachers to visit than Berlin. If some very scholarly Bahá’i teacher could go and live for one year in Berlin as Mirza ’Abul’ Fazl came to the United States, it might mean that a thousand great teachers would eventually go out from Berlin.
Distant rumblings of Bolshevist
world up-heaval are distinctly heard[Page 7]
in Central Europe. All the Bahá’i
teachers, assisted by the Holy Spirit,
can carry the Teachings which are to
save the world from destruction.
Berlin is a more effective center
in which to work. The German
people are very intelligent, their hearts
are worn with suffering and they are
most indefatigable workers. They
possess qualities which, linked with the
power of the Holy Spirit, would be a
great asset in the new civilization.
Dr. Friedrich–Carl Witte, a Bahá’i peace worker, and a very distinguished man of Rostock, Northern Germany, arranged a public lecture in Rostock and himself acted as interpreter. Fifteen professors and teachers from Rostock University and other schools were present. All the Rostock Esperantists came, therefore Mr. Witte suggested that a part of the lecture should be given in Esperanto.
Bahá’i friends in Rostock and an Esperantist went to Miss Root the next day to Warnemünde where Mr. Emil Jörn, a faithful Bahá’i and a school-teacher, had arranged for a talk before the pupils. He gave a demonstration of his method of teaching the children and Miss Root told them stories of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. They sang Mrs. Louise Waite’s Hymns in German.
Warnemünde and Rostock friends had an informal meeting in Rostock that same evening for people interested to come and ask questions about the Cause.
The next city visited was Schwerin where an intensive program was carried through in four evenings. The evening, Miss Root arrived a lecture was given and the hall was crowded. The public lecture the following night was in a much larger hall, and that also was crowded. Fifty people stood and others went away because there was not even standing room. The next morning visits were made to four officials of Mecklenburg, in the following order (and Bahá’i books were presented to each one):
- (1) The Governor of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
He said to Miss Root: “I thank you for the books and assure you that the Government of Mecklenburg will always protect the Bahá’i Cause.”
- (2) The Mayor of Schwerin said:
“The Bahá’i Principles are excellent, but they are very ideal for this age.”
- (3) The Minister of Education of
Mecklenburg said he knew something of the Bahá’i teachings and would be glad to put the books in the library.
- (4) The Minister of the Mecklenburg
State Department of Religions and Ethical Movements said he would read the books and write what he thinks of them. The editors of the two largest papers were visited and after an interview book was given to them.
Mrs. Klitzing gave a tea in Schwerin the same day and pictures were shown of Accá and Haifa. The same evening a lecture was given before the Peace Society of Schwerin and at this lecture also a number of people stood. It was a wonderful meeting. The lecture was in Esperanto and as this was the first time a public Esperanto lecture had ever been given in Schwerin by a foreign Esperantist, Esperantists came from three cities seventy miles distant.
The president in closing said: “It is not the generals and the princes and the militarists whose pictures we see on these walls, who move the world. The important men for the world have been men poor in exterior things, men like Moses, Isiah, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, Confucius, Luther, Bahá’u’lláh, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The military persons are never the eternal ones, but the great prophets are.”
After the meeting the president of the Peace Society gave a tea at his home at midnight, inviting the out-of-town Esperantists, the officers of the Peace Society and a few Bahá’is. This was almost a twenty-four hour day! Miss Root was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Klitzing in Schwerin.
Next morning she left on an early train for Hamburg. Everything in Hamburg had also been splendidly arranged and well-advertised. The first public lecture was in Wandsbek. Dr. Hermann Grossmann was the able interpreter and he had printed Bahá’i booklets which he gave out afterwards. The programs, too, contained the Bahá’i Principles and quotations from the Word.
One evening was spent with Dr. and Mrs. Grossmann and Mr. Friedrich Gerstner, editor of “La Nova Tago.” These three young people and Dr. Grossmann’s younger sister, Miss Grossmann, publish three Bahá’i magazines:—“La Nova Tago” in Esperanto; a German magazine for children, and a German magazine for youth. Each one is published quarterly. They have printed several lovely little German booklets containing short Bahá’i stories for children. Dr. Grossmann is a very efficient executive and he has carried the same business efficiency into the Bahá’i work. Everything is classified, filed and accurately kept from the very beginning of the Bahá’i Cause in Hamburg. Mr. Gerstner has everything systematized in “La Nova Tago” work. Miss Root has seen more than fifty articles on the Bahá’i Cause, written in many languages, where the one source of information has been the Esperanto “La Nova Tago.” Editors had never before heard of the teachings.
The very evening of this visit a Dutch magazine had just arrived, called “Wereldtaal”—a magazine spreading international propaganda. It contained an announcement that “Bahá’u’lláh and His Message,” printed in Esperanto by the editors of “La Nova Tago,” had been translated into Dutch and printed by the editors of this magazine. The little booklet in Dutch is now on sale at their office, which is the “N. V. Holanda Esperanto Oficejo” in Eemnes, Holland. The booklet also appeared in the December, 1926, number of the magazine.
A lecture on the “New Bahá’i Universal Education” was given before the Esperanto Society of Hamburg, and after the talk Miss Root asked the president and the vice-president to read in Esperanto some of the exact words of Bahá’u’lláh on education. The president’s daughter also read in Esperanto what Bahá’u’lláh had said about the education of women. Dr. and Mrs. Grossmann gave a delightful afternoon for the Children’s Garden called “The Garden of the Sun,” which meets regularly in their home. They have been remarkably successful in the work for children. The last evening of Miss Root’s visit Dr. and Mrs. Grossmann gave a large feast in their home for Bahá’is and many others who are interested in the teachings. A great artist played. Then Dr. Grossmann read from the Creative Word and Miss Root spoke on the life at Accá and Haifa and of the progress of the Bahá’i Cause throughout the world. The feast closed with a charming little Bahá’i play presented by children and written by Dr. Adelbert Mühlschlegel, a fine Bahá’i poet of Stuttgart. They are training the children so that they are prepared to take part in public Bahá’i meetings. The whole spirit of the Hamburg friends is fragrant with Abha beauty and love.
Miss Martha Root spent nine days
in Brussels, Belgium. She took two
Bahá’i books to the palace of Their
Majesties, King Albert I. and Queen
Elizabeth of Belgium. Two books
were also placed in the Royal Library,[Page 8]
which is the greatest library in Belgium.
Booklets were given to the
Brussels Esperantists and two books
for their libraries. Two books were
given to the Brussels Theosophical
Society.
It was a solemn moment when our Bahá’i teacher took some flowers and prayed at the grave of Edith Cavell in Brussels. Edith Cavell lies buried just in front of the Edith Cavell Nursing Hospital and School, which she herself founded. Two Bahá’i books were placed in the library there. A visit was made to the great Socialist headquarters, Maison du People, where one of the leading men had been attracted by Mrs. Stannard’s “Messagere Bahá’i,” and had written to Geneva asking about literature. He, too, was given a book.
She gave Bahá’i booklets and one or two books to Mr. Lansburry, the socialist member of Parliament of Great Britain, also to a great general sent from China, a poet from Germany— (each one is a powerful socialist leader in his own country)— she spoke to them and told them of the Bahá’i viewpoint on world questions. An important part of her work was a visit to the Palais Mondial et ses Instituts. (The World Palace and its Institutions). This is a great universal institution which aims to build a universal city, found a universal university, and have a center where universal affairs can be systematically studied. When Mr. Andrew Carnegie visited it in 1910, it was very much smaller than it is now, but he said even then: “I never enjoyed any visit so much.” It is a very great opportunity for Bahá’is, at once, to put their books in different languages into this universal library, send their Bahá’i magazines to this universal center, arrange a worthy Bahá’i exhibit there, and have delegates at the Seventh Universal Congress of World Associations (VIIme Congrés Mondial des Associations), which will be held July 17-19, 1927, in the Palais Mondial building in Brussels, Belgium. It is certain that more than one hundred international associations, scientific, art, philanthropic, religious and so forth, will send delegates. This universal congress will include scholars, scientist, religionists, from every country in the world. It will be a splendid opportunity for Bahá’is to acquaint themselves with world associations. The address is: L’Union des Associations Internationales, Paul Otlet, Director, Brussels Belgium.
“The Danish people are fine in caliber and have some new and very good ideas about education and culture for the masses,” writes Miss Martha Root, who reached Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 28, 1927. Miss Johanna Sorensen, a beautiful Bahá’i and the first believer in Denmark, had arranged a splendid program of events. April twenty-eight, the two Bahá’is visited the three largest newspapers and explained about the Cause to the editors and gave them literature. Miss Sorensen had translated into Danish and published “What is the Bahá’i Movement,” and “Bahá’u’lláh and His Message,” both by Dr. Esslemont and these attractive booklets were a great help. English books were also given and a photograph of ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Three articles appeared during the week, a woman writer came to the hotel and next day published an interview. Books were placed in the Royal Library, which is Denmark’s greatest library. A letter was written to the King and Queen and Crown Prince of Denmark and left with three Bahá’i books in the palace. Their Majesties were not in Denmark at this time.
March 1st, a public lecture, “The Bahá’i Movement in its Relation to Christianity,” was given in Borup’s High School, a private school, and a popular lecture hall. The son of the Professor of Comparative Religions at the University of Copenhagen was the interpreter. These were the first advertised public Bahá’i lectures ever given in Denmark.
March 2nd, people called. One man was an architect. He had bought the Danish booklet, “Bahá’u’lláh and His Message” in the best bookstore in Copenhagen (it was brought out by the best publisher and Danish scholars say that Miss Sorensen has made an excellent translation). The architect reads the book, called his wife and read it aloud to her and in the evening read it again to his children. He and his family called and came to the lectures. The same evening, one of the leading Esperantists, who is also a Theosophist, had a little group of friends in her home to meet Miss Root and Miss Sorensen. She also helped to arrange for the interpreters and did everything possible to make the week a successful and happy one.
The Esperantists of Copenhagen had arranged for a lecture in their hall March 3rd, inviting also non-Esperantists. All were most cordial, they presented the speaker with a bouquet of Danish pink tulips. They were true friends all during the visit. They sent out one hundred invitations for the public lectures, and came themselves to some of the events.
March 4th, a lecture was given before the National Council of Danish Women. Mrs. Henni Forchhammer, who presented the Bahá’i speaker, is the President of this Society and Vice-President of the International Council of Women and Delegante suppleante of the Danish Government to the League of Nations. Miss Root had seen her at the League of Nations sessions in 1925 in Geneva. After the lecture, Mrs. Forchhammer asked the speaker to tell them more about the history of the Bahá’i Movement. Booklets were given out at the tea, which followed.
The same evening the second public lecture was given in Borup’s High School Hall. There were twice as many people as the first night. The interpreter was the President of the Theosophical Society of Copenhagen.
March 5th Miss Root spoke at the International People’s College in Helsinger (Elsinore), one hour’s ride by fast train from Copenhagen. Jessie Revell had given the Bahá’i Message to a Philadelphia girl who has been studying for six months in this college and the latter had told the students. Also, there was an American woman there from Portland, Oregon, who had known Mrs. J. W. Latimer. The lecture was given before ninety-eight students, the majority of whom (in the winter season) are from Denmark; a few other friends were present. The Director, Mr. Peter Manniche, and the students are idealists and humanitarians, the whole purpose of this school is to educate for spiritual brotherhood and the highest culture, so it was a great opportunity. Miss Root will probably write something for the Star of the West about this college and other educational work in Denmark.
People who had attended the lectures were invited to call on Miss Sorensen and Miss Root on Sunday afternoon, the last day, if they wished to ask questions or to meet them. Several came and in the midst of the conversation a charming young woman from Sweden came who said she had known Dr. Moody, Miss Lillian Kappes, Dr. Clock and Miss Stewart in Teheran.
The present Denmark cannot yet vision what it will mean to the coming centuries that it has a Johanna Sorensen, but the people certainly appreciate and love her.
