Bahá’í News/Issue 20/Text
THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Office of the Secretary
129 EAST 10th STREET, NEW YORK CITY“O my God! Immerse them in the ocean of Thy Mercy, illumine by their faces the firmament of Thy Knowledge, make them as crystal springs gushing and streaming for Thee, loosen their tongues to praise Thee in thronged and brilliant assemblies, open to them the portals of Thy blessings in all directions, pour forth the showers of Thy Grace, rejoice my heart with the gladness of their tidings at all times and perfume my soul with the fragrance of their hearts, O Thou the Lord of heaven and earth! Thou art verily the Almighty, the Giver, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful.”
THE CONFIRMING SPIRIT[edit]
Editorial
To the believers alone has been granted final and complete proof of God: not merely that He exists, not merely that His will prevails, but that His spirit confirms the weakest and the least of men who arises to serve His universal Cause. Theories have multiplied down the ages, and passive belief in religion is claimed by the vast majority of people in all lands, but only those will take the step of positive action whose hearts are inspired with complete confidence that the Hosts of reinforcement await no farther away than their own outstretched hand.
In the building of sectarian institutions and the promulgation of arbitrary creeds we have no measure of the confirming spirit. The measure of ‘success’ and ‘failure’ recognized throughout ordinary affairs applies only to the powers and faculties of men. The supreme experience of the soul surely consists in the effort of a selfless, well–informed Bahá’í to teach according to the standard the divinely appointed Teacher, ’Abdu’l-Bahá. Until a believer focuses every effort and power upon teaching the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, he has only adopted a new terminology and supplied his mental idols with a new name. Faith and spiritual action are one and inseparable, because the Hosts respond only to the summons of faith.
A living faith also brings a consuming thirst for knowledge, preparing itself for greater and greater service. The true believer has neither false humility nor secret ambition, but in whatever he does, he responds to a guiding power.
The friends in America have been made conscious of a high and noble mission in the Cause. The building the first Mashriqu’l-Au|dhkár in the West is their privilege. The spreading of the Message among the nations and throughout the islands has been made their particular task. At the recent Convention time and again the voice of the delegates spoke poignantly of the need for greater unity, greater sacrifice, greater obedience to the Plan of Unified Action, that the Temple construction might begin at the appointed time.
Has this mighty outcome of our endeavors been so long postponed because we have avoided the essential Bahá’í action — whole-hearted, undaunted, fiery teaching of the great Message? Have we sought unity and collective power upon human terms and under human conditions, rather than upon the terms and conditions laid down for us by the wisdom of Bahá’u’lláh that even physical health comes to one who desires it for service to God. Does not the financial capacity to construct the Temple depend likewise upon absolute inner purity and divine motive?
But fifteen months remain in which to raise the necessary fund of four hundred thousand dollars indicated in the cablegram of Shoghi Effendi received a few days after the Convention at Green Acre in 1925. Human conceptions of time cannot control this might affair; if we but make the effort, each one, individually and collectively, to consecrate our lives to the will of Bahá’u’lláh, the force of many years can be concentrated in this brief period of time. Let us not allay our own inner doubts any longer by criticism of what others do or neglect to do. The confirming spirit surrounds us all equally and is impartially near the small and the great.
When every individual member of the spiritual family of ’Abdu’l-Bahá has raised his own spiritual gaze to the Sun of Truth, made a test of the power of faith in himself and for himself, then, and only then, can one plan be said to be superior or inferior to another plan, or one method compared with another method in efficiency. The unity capable of constructing the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is not a unity imposed by any form of authority from without, rather is it a blending of minds and hearts by the inrush of that faith which transforms men. The blessed Cause in America awaits a few pioneer souls who will become the very embodiment of faith in Bahá’u’lláh, whose knowledge of the divine mysteries will shine through the twilight of false belief, whose power of action will break down every inertia, and whose ardor will create an irresistible passion among thousands to join in building the Temple of the Glory of God. This is what the confirming Spirit has assured us to be the goal and outcome of living faith. Surely we all long for such a complete inner renewal and illumination. From one spark the awaiting hearts will catch fire with the love we knew in the Master, and which He but manifested to show us the new standard of reality granted to mankind.
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of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada
129 EAST 10th Street, New York City Office of the Treasurer 1821 Lincoln Street Evanston, Ill.
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American Bahá’ís Contribute to Relief Fund at Jerusalem
Acting in behalf of the American friends, the treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly cabled in August the sum of fifty pounds sterling to the chief secretary, Jerusalem, toward the relief of those suffering from the effects of the earthquake. By this contribution the believers were enabled to express something of that gratitude we all feel for the justice extended toward the Cause by the authorities in Palestine during the difficult days following the ascension of ’Abdu’l-Bahá; and likewise to assume our share of responsibility for the conditions in the Holy Land, the center of the Cause.
Renewed Appeal to Authorities in Baghdad
On July 7 last, the National Spiritual Assembly sent the following cablegram to the British High Commissioner in Baghdad: “Bahá’ís throughout the world deeply aroused at grievous delay in righting intolerable situation caused by unjust seizure Baghdad houses. We must point out that Bahá’ís have refrained from active measures nearly two years through reliance upon the justice and power of British Government and noble purposes of His Majesty King Feisal to restore property to rightful owners. Our responsibility to assist in overcoming bad effects of the present situation throughout the Orient compels us to emphasize need of immediate action.”
Up to the present time no answer has been received. The general conditions were related to the delegates at the Convention by Mr. Mountfort Mills, who has been acting in this matter as the representative of Shoghi Effendi. It seems clear that the intention to restore the Houses of Bahá’u’lláh, the future Shrine of international Bahá’í pilgrimage, is a fixed policy of the authorities, but that local religious and political difficulties have compelled postponement of their contemplated action.
The larger local Assemblies of the United States and Canada sent similar cable appeals. It is by wholehearted, Unified effort of this nature to protect the permanent interests of the Cause that the power of effective administrative action will be developed among the believers throughout the world.
Shoghi Effendi Establishes Accuracy of Bahá’í Texts
In connection with the problem of reviewing the diary notes of Ahmad Sohrab, which was referred to Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian informed the National Assembly some time ago that any and all notes of utterances by ’Abdu’l-Bahá not read and approved by the Master himself, are to be issued on the authority of the person taking the notes, and as representing his impression of the utterances, and not as direct quotations. There is a particular value and interest in all impressions and diary notes of the sayings and actions of ’Abdu’l-Bahá, but the Guardian’s instruction makes it imperative for us to distinguish between such works and the authorized Bahá’í texts composing the teachings.
Committee Plans and Activities Teaching
On July 29 the National Teaching Committee issued to all Assemblies and groups an important letter setting forth a general plan for increased effort in the field of public teaching, and urging cooperation from the local bodies. With the letter was enclosed a brief statement of a National Plan for Bahá’í Public Conferences to be held in the United States and Canada this year.
The special purpose of the present Teaching Committee is to establish a platform in the various cities corresponding in force and character to the Conferences developed by the World Unity Conference Committee last year.
No Bahá’í activity at present can surpass this intention, since it is only by concentrating all our collective forces upon intensive public teaching that we can quicken the spirit of our community life. The general plan was outlined by a special committee of the National Spiritual Assembly last March and reported to the delegates in Montreal. The experience acquired by the World Unity Conferences should enable the friends to hold meetings of direct teaching with greatly increased facilities. The local Spiritual Assemblies are urged to appoint special committees to act as the representatives of the National Teaching Committee, and maintain close contact with that committee throughout the year.
In order to strengthen the facilities and resources of the Teaching Committee, the National Assembly has added the following new members: Mr. W. H. Randall, Mrs. Florence Morton, Mrs. Amelia Collins, Mrs. El Fleda Spaulding and Mrs. Robert Moffett.
Ruhi Afnán Visiting American Assemblies
The teaching work will be greatly reinforced during the next few weeks by Ruhi Afnán who, at the request of the Teaching Committee, has arranged to extend his visit in this country. The following schedule has been planned, subject to minor changes: Geneva, New York, October 24 and 25; Buffalo, October 26 and 27; Cleveland, October 28 and 29; Detroit, October 30; Chicago, October 31 to November 3. Ruhi Afnán will then proceed to California, where speaking appointments have already been assured in prominent educational institutions. Returning to Chicago after a stay of perhaps two weeks in California, he will then visit Bahá’í centers in the Middle West and proceed to New York via Washington, D. C., Baltimore and Philadelphia.
During his stay at Green Acre, Ruhi Afnán prepared and delivered a series of addresses developing the social significance of the Cause. These talks attracted many who are seeking a religion capable of improving the world and not merely offering a new mysticism. It is hoped that each local Assembly in the above cities will arrange as many meetings as possible for Ruhi Afnán during his all too brief stay, particularly at colleges and before liberal groups whose adherence would prove a valuable asset to the Faith.
Inter-Racial Amity
The public meetings held under the direction of the Inter-racial Amity Committee are a special aspect of Bahá’í teaching which possesses extreme importance at this time for the American friends. All the believers are thoroughly aware of the vital need to present the principles of racial amity as set forth by ’Abdu’l-Bahá, not only in word but also in deed.
The Amity Conference held at Green Acre in July was a model of how such meetings should be held. The program included non-Bahá’í as well as Bahá’í speakers, but the foundation was entirely that created by the Cause. Similar conferences are being held in Boston and New York during October, while the friends in Washington are preparing for a powerful and brilliant Interracial Amity Conference to be held on November 11 and 12, 1927.
Among those who spoke at the Convention for Amity Between the Colored and White Races at Green Acre on July 22 and 23 were: Mr. Devere Allen, Editor of The World Tomorrow;
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On October 1, the Office of the Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada, was removed to 129 East 10th Street, New York City. |
Mr. Albert R. Vail; Dr. Samuel McComb, Founder of the Emanuel Movement; Ruhi Afnán; Mrs. Edwina Powell; Mrs. S. E. J. Oglesby; Rev. William Safford Jones, First Unitarian Church, Portsmouth; Prof. Leslie Pickney Hill, State Normal School, Cheyney, Pa.; the respective chairmen being Mr. William H. Randall, Mrs. Keith Ransom–Kehler, Mr. Louis Gregory and Mr. Alfred E. Lunt.
Mrs. Pauline Hannen has been asked to serve on the Inter-racial Amity Committee, in place of Miss Rieves who is traveling abroad.
Publications
The friends will be gratified to learn that the entire edition of 5000 copies of Dr. Esslemont’s book, published through Brentano’s, is now exhausted. After careful consideration, the Publications Committee has decided to issue a new edition under its own auspices.
This edition will consist of 2000 copies in flexible Fabrikoid (synthetic leather), a most attractive, strongly bound book, to sell at 90c; and 3000 copies in cloth and paper, to sell at 50c. This new cloth–and–paper edition will be strong and durable. The book in both editions will be a convenient pocket size.
The unique usefulness of Dr. Esslemont’s book as an introduction to the Teachings will undoubtedly lead to large orders for these improved, yet lower priced editions, to be given as Christmas presents. The Publishing Committee believes that copies will be available by November 30. To facilitate ordering in quantity by individuals, a discount of 10 per cent will be allowed on all orders of fifty copies or more sent by individuals before December 15. This means that fifty copies in cloth–and–paper will cost $22.50, and fifty in fabrikoid, stamped in gold, $41.50, postage additional. Assembly librarians are also asked to order generously in advance to all the friends.
The Committee is happy to announce a new edition of Bahá’í Hymns, by Shahnaz Waite, at 30c a copy, of which the greater part is to go to the Temple Fund. This publication was made possible through the generosity of Mrs. Hills Cole.
The Master revealed many Tablets to Shahnaz Waite in reference to her hymns and poems. “Verify thy verses shall be sung in the divine meetings and in the assemblages of the spiritual, in the course of ages and cycles to come, for thou hast uttered the praise of thy Lord, the Merciful, the Clement. All poems shall be forgotten in the course of time, save those that are extraordinary. Thy poems shall be chanted with melody and best voices in the Center of Worship (Mashriqu’l-Adhkár) for evermore.”
Mrs. Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick, assisted by Albert R. Vail and Marguerite McKay, has prepared a list of Bahá’í references and answers to the questions and topics for discussion compiled by Louis G. Gregory. Like the admirable work, “God and His Manifestations,” compiled by Mrs. Gift last year, Mrs. Kirkpatrick’s Bahá’í references are invaluable for individual study and group discussion of the Teachings. In mimeographed form, 10c a copy.
The friends are reminded of the Compilation on Education re-issued some months ago in mimeographed sheets at 35c. It will be impossible to use these stencils again.
Bahá’í ringstones, in small size, may be obtained from the Publishing Committee by recognizing believers at 50c each.
A new prayer book has been published under the direction of the English National Spiritual Assembly, copies of which have been imported for sale to the friends in America. This attractive little booklet has been compiled with special reference to the needs of Bahá’í children and young people. Sold at 10c a copy.
The World Unity Conferences revealed the need of a new compilation of the American addresses of ’Abdu’l-Bahá in the form of a condensation of the great historical work, “The Promulgation of Universal Peace.” Such a book has recently been published, containing 112 pages, bound in strong paper, for sale at 75c. The title is “Foundations of World Unity.”
For some time the friends have felt
the need of some readily accessible
Bahá’í calendar to coordinate the dates
with those on the calendar in current
use. This need has now been met by
an admirably arranged “Perpetual
Bahá’í Calendar” designed by Dr.[Page 4]
Edna M. McKinney and published
with the approval of Shoghi Effendi.
Copies can be secured from the Publishing
Committee at 5c each.
All orders for publications should be sent to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee, P. O. Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York.
The Baha’i Magazine
Contents of June, 1927, issue: Woman—In Tradition and History (Part 2) by Howard R. Hurlbut; Hymn of Marching Women, by Grace Van W. Hogeboom – Henderson; Prague and the International Congress, by Martha L. Root; The Bahá’i Convention, Montreal; Underlying Powers at Work in the World of Business, by Harlan F. Ober; This Amazing Civilization, by Dale S. Cole; Through India and Burma, by Florence Evelyn Schopflocher; editorials.
Contents of July issue: Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; The Potency of the Ideal, by Dale S. Cole; The Moral Need of the World, by Charles Mason Remey; The Return of Light, by Julie Chanler; Why Ehjah, by Christine French; The Abolition of Prejudices, by Florence A. Clapp; Trees, by Walter B. Guy; A Trip to Tahiti, by Louise Bosch; Excerpts from My Diary, by Keith Ransom–Kehler.
Contents of August issue: Immortality A Compilation from Teachings of ’Abdu’l-Bahá; Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; Bahá’í Scientific Proofs of Life After Death, by Martha L. Root; Souvenir Feast of ’Abdul-Bahá, by Keith Ransom-Kehler; Flying in Material and Spiritual Atmospheres, by Florence Evelyn Schopflocher; Creation As It Appears Today, by Dr. Orrol L. Harper; Amity at Green Acre, by Louis G. Gregory.
Contents of September issue: Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; The Task of Self-Education, by Dale S. Cole; The Montezuma Method, by William John Meredith; Some Informal Opinions on Education, by Keith Ransom–Kehler; New Ideals of Education, by Shahnaz Waite; The Unexpected Happens, by Florence Evelyn Schopflocher; Seventh Congress of World Associations, by Martha L. Root.
Contents of October issue: Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; On Earth as it is in Heaven, by Keith Ransom–Kehler; Reflections on the Great Eclipse, by Florence E. Pinchon; The International School of Geneva, by Mme. Jeanne Stannard; Nineteenth Universal Congress of Esperanto, by Martha L. Root; The Conductor of the Symphony on the Pacific, by Setsuichi Aoki; The Background of the Chinese Women, by Mrs. C. F. Wang; The Present Tendencies of the Korean People, by Helen C. Kim; Educators in Council for “World Progress, by Henry W. Hetzel; Some Experiences Among the Poor in Brazil, by Leonora Holzapple; The Spiritual Need in Education, Excerpts from address of President Coolidge.
THE BAHÁ’I MAGAZINE, Star of the West, is published by Bahá’i News Service, 706 Otis Building, Washington, D. C. Subscription, $3.00 per year. Articles on subjects of Bahá’i interest are requested by the editors from believers throughout the world.
Year Book
The text for volume two of the Bahá’i Year Book has been sent to Shoghi Effendi by the Year Book Committee, Albert Windust, secretary, and will be published according to his instructions when received. In order to develop greater facilities for the preparation of this international Bahá’i work, the National Spiritual Assembly has approved a suggestion of the Committee that new members be requested to serve in foreign countries. The list of those invited to serve on the Year Book Committee for volume three includes: ’Abdu’l–Hossein Dehkan, Shiraz; Soheil Afnán, Haifa; Hashmatullah, India and Burma; Mrs. Stannard, Geneva, Switzerland; Dr. Grossmann, Hamburg, Germany; Miss Martha Root, member at large; Mr. George P. Simpson, London, England; and M. Hippolyte Dreyfus-Barney, Paris, France. The National Assembly has also appointed Mrs. Victoria Bedekian “Photograph Editor” of the Year Book Committee, with the request that she take steps to secure photographs of Bahá’i interest and importance from Assemblies throughout the World.
Finance Committee
A new committee, to be called the Finance Committee, was appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly at its last meeting. The purpose of this body is to pass upon all appropriations and expenditures requested by committees or individuals of the National Assembly, and recommend action by the Assembly. By this appointment it is expected that stricter economy and better planning of expenditures will result, to the distinct advantage of the Temple Construction Fund, which accumulates from balances left after the fixed expenditures itemized in the budget of the Plan of Unified Action have been made. Those appointed to the Finance Committee were: Mr. Carl Scheffler, Mr. Allen McDaniel and Mr. Roy C. Wilhelm.
Contrary to the opinion of some, the National Fund has never exceeded by a penny the amounts itemized in the budget of that Plan. On the other hand, certain donations have been made to the National Fund since the Plan of Unified Action was published, the purpose of which was fixed by the donors themselves. In these cases the National Assembly could be regarded only as the agents of the donors, carrying out their will, and not as the originators of such extra-budget expenses.
Green Acre
The complete program carried out at Green Acre this last season was published in the NEWS LETTER during the spring. At this time it is sufficient to inform the friends that the Institute of World Unity carried out its remarkable series of courses as announced, bringing to Green Acre many who became permanently attached to this universal center. The direct teaching method was upheld with dignity and force by Mr. Albert R. Vail, Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf, Mr. Hooper Harris and other well known teachers, in addition to the series of Sunday morning talks delivered to some of the largest audiences in the history of Green Acre by Ruhi Afnán.
The Executive Committee is at the present planning program and improvements for the coming season, and detailed announcements will be made in a few months.
The decision of Mrs. Emma Bliss to
make 1927 her last season as manager
of the Inn gave occasion to refer to a
Bahá’i service of many years’ duration
scarcely equalled among the American
friends. Season after season Mrs.
Bliss has maintained the Inn with
conspicuous efficiency and unfailing success,
donating to the resources of
Green Acre the entire profits each
year. Her work was not merely one
of supervision and direction, but
included personal attention to important
details vital to the welfare of the Inn.
And this service was rendered by one
who had every right and ample means
to devote her summer months to personal
comfort and repose. The history
of this complete consecration to Green
Acre can only be termed providential.
Without this integrity, experience and
unremitting physical and mental labor,
it is doubtful whether Green Acre
could have survived the problems confronting[Page 5]
the friends in the difficult
years following the passing of Miss
Sarah J. Farmer. Mere words are no
equivalent two deeds of this character;
more important even than heartfelt
gratitude and cordial memory would
be the realization on the part of all
who go to Green Acre in future that
this universal center blessed by
’Abdu’l-Bahá exists not merely for
ease and relaxation but for active loyalty
expressed by contributions of
service and thought.
World Unity Conferences
The indirect teaching method described and endorsed by the Guardian is going forward into another year of activity without interruption or diminution. During October and November, Conferences have been or will be held as follows: New York City. October 10, 11 and 12; Cornell University, October 23, 24 and 25; Geneva, New York, October 26; Brown University, October 31, November 1 and 2; Chicago, November 13, 14 and 15; Worcester, Mass., November 27, 28 and 29.
The New York meetings were held in the famous International House, and the program included such well known names as Dr. Franz Boas, Prof. Harry Overstreet, Dr. Mordecai Johnson, Alfred W. Martin, Dr. William R. Shepherd and Dr. John Herman Randall.
The following resolution respecting the World Unity Conferences was passed by the National Spiritual Assembly at its meeting in Boston on October 23: “It is the sense of this body that the Committee directing the World Unity Conferences have no longer an official connection with this body. Also, the funds supporting these activities are no longer drawn from the National (Bahá’i) treasury to any extent. Even in the past all funds supporting these activities, with very few exceptions, have been special contributions, although paid through the National Fund. But now this channel for the transmission of these special funds, for reasons of wisdom is no longer used.
“There continues, however, the strongest spiritual bond between the World Unity Conference Committee and this body and a full understanding on our part of the nature and scope of the work undertaken by the said committee, who have as their aim, the only (teaching) approach now possible to many people of capacity, and to awaken gradually within them a desire for the teachings and message of Bahá’u’lláh and eventually to bring them into full understanding of the Divine Cause. This program contemplates the fulfilment of the wishes of Shoghi Effendi that capable Bahá’i teachers should follow up such conferences and guide those most interested into a knowledge of the Cause. The National Spiritual Assembly pledges its full cooperation and prayerful support of the World Unity Conference Committee to this noble and glorious end.”
“The list of National committees shall be amended in accordance with this resolution. The National Teaching Committee is asked to instruct its workers to clarify this relationship in the minds of the friends throughout America and to present a teaching program for the correlation of the two methods, direct and indirect, and in furtherance of the spirit of harmony and understanding.”
That the friends may understand how the development of the World Unity activities, involving as they do both as speakers and cooperating associates many non-Bahá’í individuals and groups, made such a resolution desirable, it is announced at this time that Dr. John Herman Randall has resigned as one of the Ministers of the Community Church of New York City and is serving as Director of the World Unity activities. This step has made it possible for him to extend greatly the scope the World Unity Conferences, which have received the endorsement of several leading universities and progressive institutions. A recent letter from Shoghi Effendi to Dr. Randall conveys the Guardian’s confident hopes that his services will contribute to the future growth and power of the Cause, and urging cordial relations with Bahá’is promoting the direct activities.
Publicity Committee
The members of this committee, consisting of Mrs. Louise Boyle, Mrs. Doris McKay and Mr. Horace Holley, are concerned with the important problem of developing adequate public facilities in each local Assembly and Bahá’i group. The suggestion is placed before the friends that in each Bahá’i community any person be appointed who shall be responsible for placing in the hands of local newspaper editors such articles as are sent to the Assembly or group by the National Assembly or its Publicity Committee. The person appointed should endeavor to make cordial relations with the local press, and learn the best form and method by which to submit articles for publication.
It should be remembered that newspapers welcome local news, and national news with local interest, but must receive it in a form corresponding to their editorial habits and requirements. The essential matter is to establish the Bahá’i connection as one both completely reliable and at least fairly proficient. Nothing will take the place of actual experience, therefore this aspect of our Bahá’i work will steadily improve as the local publicity committees enter upon their duties.
To be fully efficient, the local committee should learn how to secure attention for articles they receive already prepared, and also how to prepare suitable articles on matters pertaining to their own Bahá’i community.
Three articles have been sent to all local secretaries by the National Assembly since the Convention: on the martyrdom at Ardibil; on the election of Mr. Gregory to the National Assembly; and on ’Abdu’l-Bahá’s Tablet revealed in 1897 confirming the success of the Zionist Movement.
Bahá’i Summer School at Geyserville
Since the close of the first season of this important new Bahá’i institution, the National Assembly has received a number of detailed reports, too extensive for reproduction in the NEWS LETTER, but unanimously declaring the remarkable success of the center established through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. John Bosch.
The best description of the methods and also results is to be found in the following (unfortunately brief) excerpts:—
“In selecting a Center for the Bahá’i Teaching Institute, consideration was given first and foremost to the opportunity for the direct descent of the Spirit of Truth, so that each and every heart might gain the pure influx of the water of life. . . . The facilities already available were sufficient to permit of operations of comprehensive type immediately without expense to the Cause.”
“While the Committee unanimously
accepted the site as ideal, yet realizing
that the success of any activity within
the Cause depends largely on the
united thought and effort of the
friends, it was decided to suggest a
Teaching Institute for the month of
August, 1927, so that the friends might
join with enthusiasm in furthering the
work, if they approved the action of[Page 6]
the Committee. The Committee realized
that with such a program, the initial
sessions would perhaps be small,
but it would nevertheless lay a more
secure foundation for the superstructure
later.
“The fondest hopes of the Committee were far surpassed. We had felt that if only a few—at most nine—attended the sessions the first year, and gained spiritual wisdom and greater desire and impetus to serve the Cause, the result would be very beneficial. However, during the month there was in attendance a total of forty of the confirmed believers, among them fifteen enthusiastic young souls, and in addition a number who were attracted recently to the Cause. Of the latter, six became confirmed Bahá’ís; four of these were from a family of international marriage, the mother an American, the father a Japanese.”
“It was indeed a fulfilment of His promise, that after His ascension the force of His spirit would be even greater than during His ministration on earth. Those who had been to the Holy Land stated that the spirit of the Teaching Institute was like that at the Threshold.”
Among the teachers serving at Geyserville were L. C. Ioas, Miss Alice Rouleau, Shahnaz Waite, Dr. F. W. D’Evelyn, Mrs. Helen Bishop, Mr. H. R. Hurlbut, Mrs. Louise Bosch, Mrs. Kathryn Frankland, Mrs. Marian Yazdi, Mrs. Grace B. Holley, Mr. John Bosch, Miss Sophronia Oaki, Mrs. Gladys Aoki, Mrs. Louise Caswell, Mrs. S. Emory, Mr. Charles Bishop, Mrs. Nellie French, Mrs. E. G. Cooper, Mrs. Shahnaz Waite served notably as chairman of the Institute during most of the sessions.
Changes in Bahá’i Directory
Local secretaries and National committees who received copies of the international Bahá’i directory issued by the National Spiritual Assembly during July are requested to note the following changes:
Berkeley, Calif.—Mrs. Marian Yazdi, secretary, c/o Bahá’i Library, 1199 Spruce Street. Visalia, Calif.—Miss Jane A. Barker, secretary, 1501 West Main Street. Washington, D. C.—Miss Margaret Green, secretary, 3244 38th Street. Baltimore, Md.—Mrs. F. Woodward Hipsley, secretary, 2803 Allendale Road. New York, N. Y.—Miss Bertha Herklotz, secretary, Bahá’i Center, 119 West 57th Street. Cincinnati, Ohio—Miss Hilda Stauss, 3640 Epsworth Avenue, Westwood. Newark, N. J.—Mrs. Wm. Witman, secretary, c/o Bahá’i Meeting Place, 24 Park Place. Melbourne, Australia—secretary, Bahá’i Spiritual Assembly, G. P. O. Box. 1237, Bourke Street. Add following local Assemblies. Mrs. J. C. Craven, 2 Derby Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, England. Miss G. Challis, Rizwan, Blandford Road, Broadstone, Dorset, England. Mrs. Slade, Mollard Court, Stokenchurch, Bucks, England. The Dawn, the Bahá’i Journal of Burma, is to be addressed c/o Mirza Zabiullah Zarquani, No. 21, 45th Street, Rangoon, Burma.
Kindly send all corrections in the Bahá’i Directory to Secretary, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada, 129 East 10th Street, New York City.
In Memoriam
- Mrs. Kate Ives, Eliot, Maine, April
30, 1927.
- Miss Isabelle Munson, San Francisco,
June 3, 1927.
- Mrs. Ella Nash, Los Angeles, June
16. 1927.
- Mr. Edward Lindstrom, Kenosha,
July 8, 1927.
- Mrs. Edward Struven, Wilmette,
July 9, 1927.
- Dr. George J. Augur, Honolulu,
September 13, 1927.
- Mrs. A. P. Dodge, New York, September
16, 1927.
Inter-Assembly Correspondence
Circular letters have been issued in recent months by the following Spiritual Assemblies: Honolulu, T. H.; Wilmette, Illinois; Urbana, Illinois; Berkeley, California.
Miss Agnes Alexander informs the friends that a cottage belonging to Mrs. Baldwin, of the Honolulu Assembly, has been placed at the complete disposal of the Cause in that city. This charming house is situated in a garden facing one of the main thoroughfares. It is now arranged for Bahá’i service, with a library, office and assembly room.
The believers in Berkeley have adopted the “Seminar” method for their weekly meetings, and have found it very successful. The friends take charge of the meeting in alphabetical order. The leader announces the topic at the preceding meeting, and all the believers come prepared to contribute to the discussion. The leader concludes the meeting with a summary of the teachings as brought out during the “Seminar.” The Juniors of Berkeley have been divided into two classes, the younger group studying under Mrs. Frankland, the older children under Prof. Forsyth Ward. Prof. and Mrs. Ward have recently moved to Berkeley from Ithaca, N. Y., and their presence greatly reinforces the work of the Berkeley Bahá’is.
Mrs. Esther G. Harding, secretary of the Urbana Spiritual Assembly, gave a brief outline of current activities and a description of the opportunities afforded by the presence of the University of Illinois, in the circular letter recently issued by that Assembly. The weekly study class has been using Mrs. Gift’s reference outline. A class of young people of high school age is reading and discussing Dr. Esslemont’s “Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.” The children have been made thoroughly acquainted with the history and principles of the Cause. The Bahá’i work in Urbana began in 1898, when Dr. Moody was invited by Mrs. Kelley to come from Chicago and teach. The friends in Urbana can secure important platforms for any visiting teacher of capacity.
The founding of a Spiritual Assembly
in Wilmette brings a new element
of enthusiasm and responsibility for
the service of the Temple. We quote
from a letter written by Shoghi Effendi
to the friends in Wilmette on
March 30. “Please assure the members
of the newly formed Assembly at
Wilmette of my great joy in hearing
of their plans and purpose, of my deep
interest in their progress and welfare,
and of my constant prayers for the
success of their labors. May the fruit
of their activity lend a fresh impetus
to the onward march of the Cause and
hasten the advent of the day which
shall witness the resumption of the
Temple building operations, so long
delayed, yet so vital to the interests
of our beloved Cause. Perseverance
and unrelaxing faith will in time surmount
every obstacle, and crown
the combined efforts of the believers
with success.” Mr. Edward
Struven, local secretary, informs the
friends that “the mere foundation of
the Temple is already of great interest
to travelers and students. Visitors
from all parts of this country and
Canada, various parts of Europe, Persia,
Japan, Hawaii and Australia have
been on the grounds during the past
nine months. They arrive singly and
in groups of fifty and more at one
time. Classes from the various general
and religious, educational institutions
in and near Chicago make special visits
to the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar and receive
information as to the scope and
purposes of the future Bahá’i work to
be carried on there. Invariably, if not
the first, their second question is—[Page 7]
“When do the Bahá’is expect to complete
this structure?”
To Enhance Consultation with Convention Delegates[edit]
In order to make possible a more effective relationship between Convention delegates and the members of the National Assembly, opening up the springs of inspiration within the earth of the hearts, the National Spiritual Assembly in September appointed a Convention Committee consisting of Mr. Horace Holley, Mr. Alfred E. Lunt and Mr. Allen McDaniel with instructions to examine all the details incident to annual Bahá’i Conventions and recommend a plan whereby this important meeting can in future attain new power and efficiency. The Convention Committee was also requested to draft a letter to the delegates of the 1927. Convention, inviting them to meet with the National Assembly at a special joint session of consultation in Chicago on January 22, 1928. This letter is now in preparation and will be issued about the time the present NEWS LETTER appears. It will be followed by an agenda placed in the hands of the delegates in ample time for them to give full consideration to the subjects selected on account of their importance to the work of the Cause at this time. The minutes of the 1927 Convention have been studied carefully, and suitable action has been taken by the National Assembly on all matters voted at Montreal, as will be reported in detail at the meeting of informal consultation to be held during January.
Although this mid-year consultation is not an institution established in the letters of the Guardian, nevertheless it corresponds to the nature of the spiritual relationship he desires to obtain between the secondary electors and the National Assembly, and therefore the consultation should be richly blessed.
The exact program, including the public meeting to be held in connection with these sessions, will be announced at a later date.
Recent Instructions from Shoghi Effendi
The special attention of the friends throughout the United States and Canada is called to the following advices and instructions transmitted to the National Assembly by the Guardian of the Cause in a letter written through his secretary and dated August 25, 1927.
“The Kitáb-i-Aqdas should not be published as the existing translation is most inadequate. As the Laws in the Aqdas are not all of them designed for immediate application, our Guardian hopes to make extracts of the more immediate and essential provisions of it for the guidance of the friends, who should be urged to adopt and enforce them within the limits imposed by the civil law in their respective countries.”
“Regarding the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar, our Guardian feels that the National Assembly should take no step whatsoever concerning the interior design or construction of the Temple if that step involves, however indirectly, any financial obligation on the part of the National Fund, as the Temple Fund is solely for building purposes. As to the character of the design, our Guardian feels that this is a matter to be decided by the architect and those friends who have a special knowledge of such matters.”
LETTER FROM SHOGHI EFFENDI[edit]
To the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’is of the United States and Canada:
Dearly–beloved co–workers:
Your communications dated April 15th and May 6th and 9th have been received, with their enclosures, and carefully perused.
The Declaration of Trust, the provisions of which you have so splendidly conceived, and formulated with such assiduous care, marks yet another milestone on the road of progress along which you are patiently and determinedly advancing. Clear and concise in its wording, sound in principle, and complete in its affirmations of the fundamentals of Bahá’i administration, it stands in its final form as a worthy and faithful exposition of the constitutional basis of Bahá’i Communities in every land, foreshadowing the final emergence of the world Bahá’i Commonwealth of the future. This document, when correlated and combined with the set of by-laws which I trust are soon forthcoming, will serve as a pattern to every National Bahá’i Assembly, be it in the East or in the West, which aspires to conform, pending the formation of the First Universal House of Justice, with the spirit and letter of the world-order ushered in by Bahá’u’lláh.
I eagerly await the receipt of the complete set of the contemplated by-laws, the purpose of which should be to supplement the provisions, clarify the purpose, and explain more fully the working of the principle underlying the above-mentioned Declaration. I shall, after having given it my close and personal consideration, transmit it to you, in order that you may submit it to the Local Spiritual Assemblies, who in turn will endeavor to secure its final ratification by the body of the recognized believers throughout the United States and Canada. I would urge you to insert the Text of the Declaration, the complete set of the by-laws, and the accompanying Indenture of Trust, all combined, in the next issue of the Bahá’i Year Book, that sympathizers and believers alike in every land may obtain a clear and correct vision of the preliminary framework of that complete system of world administration implicit in the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.
In connection with the best and most practical methods of procedure to be adopted for the election of Bahá’i Spiritual Assemblies, I feel that in view of the fact that definite and detailed regulations defining the manner and character of Bahá’i elections have neither been expressly revealed by Bahá’u’lláh nor laid down in the Will and Testament of ’Abdu’l-Bahá, it devolves upon the members of the Universal House of Justice to formulate and apply such system of laws as would be in conformity with the essentials and requisites expressly provided by the Author and Interpreter of the Faith for the conduct of Bahá’i administration. I have consequently refrained from establishing a settled and uniform procedure for the election of the Assemblies of the East and the West, leaving them free to pursue their own methods of procedure which in most cases had been instituted and practiced during the last two decades of the life of ’Abdu’l-Bahá.
The general practice prevailing
throughout the East is the one based
upon the principle of plurality rather
than absolute majority, whereby those
candidates that have obtained the highest
number of votes, irrespective of
the fact whether they command an absolute
majority of the votes cast or not,
are automatic and definitely
elected. It has been felt, with no little
justification, that this method, admittedly
disadvantageous in its disregard
of the principle that requires that
each elected member must secure a
majority of the votes cast, does away
on the other hand, with the more serious
disadvantage of restricting the
freedom of the elector who, unhampered
and unconstrained by electoral
necessities, is called upon to vote for[Page 8]
none but those whom prayer and reflection
have inspired him to uphold.
Moreover, the practise of nomination,
so detrimental to the atmosphere of a
silent and prayerful election, is viewed
with mistrust inasmuch as it gives the
right to the majority of a body that, in
itself under the present circumstances,
often constitutes a minority of all the
elected delegates, to deny that God–given
right of every elector to vote
only in favor of those who he is
conscientiously convinced are the most
worthy candidates. Should this simple
system be provisionally adopted, it
would safeguard the spiritual principle
of the unfettered freedom of the voter,
who will thus preserve intact the sanctity
of the choice he first made. It
would avoid the inconvenience of securing
advance nominations from absent
delegates, and the impracticability
of associating them with the assembled
electors in the subsequent ballots
that are often required to meet the
exigencies of majority vote.
I would recommend these observations to your earnest consideration, and whatever decision you arrive at, all local Assemblies and individual believers, I am certain, will uphold, for their spiritual obligation and privilege is not only to consult freely and frequently with the National Spiritual Assembly, but to uphold as well with confidence and cheerfulness whatever is the considered and verdict of their national representatives.
- Wishing you success from all my
heart,
- I am, your true brother,
Haifa, Palestine,
May 27, 1927.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHAIS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA TEMPLE
Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements for Period April 1, to July 31, 1927
| Northern Trust Co. | $5,371.35 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Savings Acc’t | 350.00 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | $5,771.35 |
| CASH RECEIPTS | |||
| Temple | 2,148.35 | ||
| Budget | 10,439.63 | ||
| Teaching | None | ||
| Greenacre | 1,208.00 | ||
| Publicity | 1,625.00 | ||
| Interest | 18.33 | $15,439.28 | |
| $21,210.63 |
| DISBURSEMENTS | |||
| Temple | $830.73 | ||
| Teaching | 2,112.79 | ||
| Greenacre | 4,049.02 | ||
| Star of the West | 900.00 | ||
| International | 1,035.00 | ||
| World Unity Conference | 54.90 | ||
| Publishing | 1,422.45 | ||
| Administration | 4,340.31 | ||
| Library | 104.39 | ||
| General Publicity | 1,125.00 | ||
| Interracial Amity | 200.00 | $16,174.59 | |
| $5,036.04 |
| Temple Caretaker | $172.00 | ||
| Advances | |||
| Gift Shop–Greenacre | 500.00 | ||
| Arts Craft Shop–Greenacre | 250.00 | ||
| Improvements to Land–Temple | 836.77 | ||
| Caretaker’s House–Temple | 96.15 | ||
| Treasurer’s Office Equipment | 92.50 | ||
| Greenacre Investment | 674.87 | ||
| Greenacre Equipment | 35.28 | $2,657.57 |
| Northern Trust Co. | $1,928.47 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Savings | 400.00 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | $2,378.47 |
Analysis of Disbursements for Period April 1 to July 31, 1927
| TEMPLE | |||
| Caretaker’s Salary | $740.00 | ||
| Light & Heat | 29.02 | ||
| Repairs | 55.11 | ||
| Water | 5.00 | ||
| Sundry | 1.60 | $830.73 |
| TEACHING | |||
| Teacher’s Allowances | $1,462.79 | ||
| Special Traveling | 650.00 | $2,112.79 |
| GREENACRE | |||
| Caretaker | $669.00 | ||
| Printing | 77.10 | ||
| Water | 47.00 | ||
| Improvements to Land | 643.50 | ||
| Repairs to Building | 921.09 | ||
| Auto Repairs & Expense | 31.70 | ||
| Publicity (contributed by Institute of World Unity) | 1,500.00 | ||
| Caretaker’s Expense | 61.63 | ||
| Hired Help | 98.00 | $4,049.02 |
| STAR OF THE WEST | |||
| Deficits met | $900.00 |
| INTERNATIONAL | |||
| Regular Contribution | $760.00 | ||
| Australian Believers | 25.00 | ||
| Jerusalem Earthquake Relief Fund | 250.00 | $1,035.00 |
| WORLD UNIT CONFERENCE | |||
| Printing | $54.90 |
| PUBLICATION | |||
| Publishing Committee, for new publications | $1,199.10 | ||
| Year Book | 233.35 | $1,422.45 |
| ADMINISTRATION | |||
| Secretary Salary | $1,200.00 | ||
| Secretary Office Expense | 571.40 | ||
| News Letter | 431.60 | ||
| Traveling | 460.00 | ||
| Treas. Office Supplies | 101.05 | ||
| Exchange | 9.37 | ||
| Convention | 813.43 | ||
| Printing | 29.38 | ||
| Legal | 150.00 | ||
| Secretary Office Rent | 400.00 | ||
| Hotel Expense—N.S.A. Meetings | 43.68 | ||
| Donations—Flowers | 10.00 | ||
| Sundry | 120.40 | $4,340.31 |
