Bahá’í News/Issue 23/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
“Take the cup of the love of God in
thy right hand and with thy left hand
hoist the banner of universal peace,
love and affection among the nations
of the earth. Call out (saying):
‘Hasten! Hasten unto the Great
Bounty! Press! Press forward unto
the Abundant Mercy! Speed! Speed
unto the Manifest Light! Be urgent!
Be urgent for the Great Attainment!
Verily by God the Truth, the doors of
the Kingdom are opened, the lights of
God have shone forth and illumined
the horizon of the earth! The Lord of
Hosts has descended with the army of
lights and angels of heaven and depressed
the armies of darkness; He
sent His angels in all directions with
a call of the trumpet of realities and
meanings, instructions and teachings!
Therefore, people of the earth, appreciate
the opportunity, in this new century,
wherein the lights have been revealed
by the Glorious Lord.’ ”—’Abdu’l-Bahá.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION[edit]
The fact that this year’s Convention session are to be held in the Foundation Hall at Wilmette suggests a return of the arc of service to the Cause in America to its origin and starting point—the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar. The Bahá’i Temple Unity, anticipating the nature and functions of the National Spiritual Assembly, came into being in order to concentrate the combined resources of all local Bahá’i communities of the United States and Canada upon the all-glorious task of building the Temple. Meeting in the Foundation Hall twenty years after the first annual Convention, the delegates and friends will be deeply conscious of what has been accomplished during this period of time, yet more conscious of what still lies before us to do. May we approach our immediate collective task with mature determination and ripened wisdom, abandoning all negative considerations that we may be confirmed by the positive power of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh!
By now the friends in those cities which have elected delegates are in possession of the full text of the Declaration of Trust and By–Laws in its amended form. From the point of view of our custom in the past, the greatest change consists in the substitution of the principle of plurality election for that of majority election in voting for members of Spiritual Assemblies. As the Guardian pointed out, the plurality method permits each voter to cast his ballot for his first choice of members, unhampered and uninfluenced by the results of the successive ballots required under the majority system. The effect, in all probability will be to elect the nine members on the first ballot, thus removing the tension produced by hours and sometimes days of uncertainty, and giving opportunity for far more thorough consultation on the important activities of the Cause than ever before.
Should, however, the result of the first ballot reveal a tie vote between two or more names after the first eight names, this would necessitate a second ballot, to be written with one name, in order to complete the election. Tie votes among names included in the first eight would not require a second ballot, since in this case the two or more names receiving the tie would both (or all) be elected.
Delegates and friends planning to attend the Convention will preferably arrange to stay in Evanston or Wilmette rather than in Chicago, on account of the fact that much time is required to make the daily journey back and forth between Chicago and the Foundation Hall.
The information concerning hotels, furnished by the Convention Committee is printed in this number of the NEWS LETTER, as well as the list of Spiritual Assemblies which have not yet reported their election of delegates on the Registration Blank sent for that purpose in February.
All correspondence addressed to the secretary of the National Assembly before the Convention should be mailed to arrive in New York City by Monday, April 23. Later correspondence can be addressed, in care of Mr. Carl Scheffler, 1821 Lincoln Street, Evanston, Ill.
Cities Which Have Not Yet Registered Their Convention Delegates[edit]
Up to the time this NEWS LETTER was sent to press, Registration Blanks have not been received from the secretaries of the following Bahá’i communities: West Englewood, N. J., Cleveland, Ohio, and Seattle, Wash. All Registrations should be sent to arrive in time for the roll call at the opening of the Convention.
Hotel Accommodations for the Convention to be Held in Foundation Hall, April 27, 28 and 29, 1928[edit]
Beach View Hotel—Sheridan Road at Rogers Ave., Chicago. Rates: Single $2.50, double $3.00, three in a room $3.50. If 25 or more are to be accommodated we will make a reduction of 50c on each room. Group meals can be arranged.
Hotel Birchmont—1456 Fargo Ave., Chicago. Rates: Two rooms accommodating 4 persons $5.00, one room accommodating 2 persons $3.00, one room and sun parlor, 3 persons, $4.00.
Evanshire Hotel—Hinman Ave. at
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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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Main St., Evanston, Ill. Rates: Double
$5.00 per day, single $3.00 per day.
Will place cot in double room for $6.00
per day, or $2.00 per person.
The Georgian — Evanston, Ill. (Apartment Hotel). Rates: $2.75 per person. Can accommodate 2 and 4 people to an apartment.
The Homestead — Evanston, Ill (New). Rates: Single room and bath, $3.00, twin beds and bath, $4.00, suite of two rooms and bedroom $6.00 per day, two beds (double).
The Orrington — Evanston, Ill. Rates: $400 to $8.50 per day, one room, 2 people; $10.00 to $15.00 per day, two room suite, 4 people.
The above are the regular rates; if 25 or more friends will group together special rates will be made at any of these hotels.
As to the colored friends, the Emerson Y.W.C.A. at Evanston, Ill., will take care of the men, or place them in private homes; the women will be taken care of by Miss Lydia Davis of the Community Center at 1125 Ayers St., at the rate of 50c, 75c and $1.00 per day. If desired The Auditorium Hotel at Chicago can be used, except that it is rather a long trip from there to the Temple, but without a change on the Elevated.
If any of the friends desire further information they can either write or telephone to Mrs. Harry E. Walrath at 1415 Sherwood Terrace, Chicago, Telephone, Lake View 7079.
Bahá’i Magazine Star of the West[edit]
Contents of February, 1928, issue: The Voice of Universal Peace, and The Divine Plan for Reconciliation, excerpts from writings of ’Abdu’l-Bahá; Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; The Coming of the Glory, Chapter 4, The Sun of Truth, by Florence E. Pinchon; Reflections of a Bahá’i Traveler, by Siegfried Schopflocher; The World Vision of a Savant, by Dr. Auguste Henri Forel; Women’s Conference on Cause and Cure of War, by Robert Myers; Excerpts from the Message of President Coolidge at Havana, Cuba; Universal Religious Peace Conference.
Contents of March, 1928, issue: The Great Spiritual Lights, quotations from the writings of ’Abdu’l-Bahá; Editorial, by Stanwood Cobb; To ’Abdu’l-Bahá, a poem, by O. Laurence Woodfin; The Coming of the Glory, Chapter 5. The Moon of Wisdom and Guidance, by Florence E. Pinchon; Her Majesty Queen Marie, Her Royal Highness Princess Ileana, by Martha L. Root; Count Keyserling and the School of Wisdom, by Bertha Hyde Kirkpatrick; Cultivating the Social Virtues, by Stanwood Cobb; The Institute of International Relations on the Pacific Coast, by Christine French; Reflections of a Bahá’i Traveler, by Siegfried Schopflocher; Universal Friendliness, Report of Inter-Racial Amity Conference in Chicago.
The Business Manager of the Bahá’i Magazine requests all subscribers to report promptly any change of address, and to leave stamps with their former post office for the forwarding of second class mail. Attention to this matter will save the mailing department of the magazine much unnecessary trouble and expense, and the believers themselves will continue to receive their copies on time.
Herald of the South[edit]
Vol. 2, No. 5 of the Herald of the South, the Bahá’i Magazine published in New Zealand, is gratefully acknowledged. Dated December, 1927, and January, 1928, the Herald of the South has maintained a steady and gratifying improvement since its inception. The incorporation of Bahá’i news with the general articles and quotations serves admirably to promote knowledge of the intimate events of the Cause among its readers throughout the world. The Herald of the South may be obtained for an annual subscription of six shillings, six pence, and the address is: Magazine, Clunie, 3 Cowie Road, Parnell, Auckland, N. Z.
Bahá’i Photographs[edit]
The Bahá’i Publishing Committee, through Mrs. Marie Moore, manager, is arranging to organize the sale of all available photographs of permanent interest and value to the believers. As soon as present plans are perfect, a list of photographs will be printed for distribution among local communities. The following item should be noted at this time: the photograph of the Master made by Mrs. Soulé Campbell may be obtained, in gray or sepia, in the following sizes: 11 by 14, $3.50; 6½ by 9, $2.50; 5¼ by 7, $1.50; 3¾ by 5, $0.75: 1⅛ by 1⅝, $0.35.
Three American Teachers Serve Cause in Foreign Lands[edit]
The news that Miss Agnes Alexander
has returned to resume her
teaching work in Japan; that Mrs.
Louise Gregory has departed for Bulgaria
and the Balkans, to take advantage[Page 3]
of openings made by Miss Martha
Root; and that Miss Fanny
Knoblock is sailing for South Africa,
where she accomplished so much
three years ago, will give special
pleasure at this time when the subject
of teaching is so close to the
hearts.
Miss Alexander is residing in the same household, she occupied during her former visit to Japan, and newspaper clippings and magazine articles, both in Japanese and English, indicate the energy with which she is endeavoring to develop the Japanese believers to the point of electing their own Spiritual Assemblies.
In order to extend more effective cooperation to all American believers working abroad, the National Assembly recently requested the Teaching Committee to communicate an offer of active assistance.
Western Assemblies Combine Material with Spiritual Hospitality[edit]
The neighboring Bahá’i communities of Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, have independently evolved a method of attracting large public audiences which deserve consideration by the friends of other cities. In Seattle the Spiritual Assembly has held a succession of Amity meetings combined with dinner, which engendered a new spirit of unity among the colored and white who attended. We are informed that the Assembly hall was entirely filled, and that the meetings are receiving adequate attention from the press.
The Portland friends are holding a series of dinners at which the decorations, as well as the menu, follow the tradition of a different race on each occasion. In this case also it has been found that the combination of spiritual with material hospitality is an element of universal unity. In Portland, the result has been not only to bring many new inquirers to the meetings, but through the sale of dinner tickets to increase their contributions to the National Fund.
It may well be that the holding of such special feasts, in addition to the Bahá’i Nineteen Day Feasts, will remove the difficulty caused by the fact that we have been instructed by the Guardian that only recognized believers should attend the latter meetings.
Baltimore Assembly Reports Renewed Activity[edit]
The believers of Baltimore, formerly one of the most active Bahá’i centers in the United States, are happy at the renewal of public teaching, as well as the election of a Spiritual Assembly. They are indebted to Miss Fanny Knoblock and Mrs. Pauline Hannen for their untiring efforts this winter. One or the other of these devoted teachers has been present at each meeting of a Tuesday evening study class. Another new meeting has been held on Sundays, and these have been addressed by Mr. Albert R. Vail, Mr. Louis G. Gregory, Dr. Walter B. Guy, Mrs. Victoria Bedikian, Miss Knobloch and Mrs. Hannen.
Recent Public Bahá’i Meetings[edit]
Attractive printed programs have been received from a number of centers, indicating the favorable results of the plans developed this year by the Teaching and also Inter-Racial Amity Committee. On Sunday, March 4, Mr. Louis C. Gregory spoke at St. James Presbyterian Church Forum, New York City, on Can the Religions of the World Be United? On March 18, Mr. Gregory delivered an address in the Y.M.C.A. Auditorium in Harlem, New York City, on How to Remove Prejudices. In the Auditorium of The Women’s City Club, Detroit, on February 21, Mrs. Keith Ransom-Kehler presided as chairman at a meeting the program of which included Dr. Frank D. Adams, of Church of Our Father, and Dr. Augustus P. Reccord, in First Unitarian Church, followed by Ruhi Afnán. The believers of Boston held their fourth public Conference devoted to the promotion of Inter-Racial Harmony and Peace at Chauncey Hall, March 18. Mrs. Maybry C. Oglesby was chairman, and Miss Margaret Slattery the speaker. The Baptist Temple, Philadelphia, at which the Master spoke in 1912, extended its hospitality to Ruhi Afnán and the Philadelphia believers on Sunday, April 1. The occasion was a combined Youth Meeting, and Ruhi Afnán spoke on What Is Religion? The Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the center started by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Greene was resumed this winter and has maintained regular meetings productive of wide interest. The speaker on March 3 was Mr. Alfred E. Lunt.
Mrs. Orcella Rexford Assists Pacific Coast Centers[edit]
Journeying back to California last spring, Mrs. Rexford delivered illustrated lectures for the Portland Assembly, since which time she has rendered greatly appreciated services in Seattle, Oakland, Visalia and Los Angeles. A class of seventy-five was established by her in Seattle. Mrs. Rexford has also designed the decorations for the new meeting place at Oakland.
Report of First Season of Pacific Coast Bahá’i Summer School[edit]
A detailed report prepared by Mrs. Grace B. Holley as secretary, has been distributed in order to give a permanent record of the founding of the Community at Geyserville in 1927. As long ago as 1910 Mr. John Bosch wrote to ’Abdu’l-Bahá an expression of his desire that his property in Geyserville be dedicated to the universal spirit of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh; that it might become a Mashriqu’l-Adhkar . . . for all hearts who are earnestly seeking enlightenment. This desire, so fully shared by Mrs. Bosch, was realized on August 1, 1927, when one hundred and thirty believers gathered from various Pacific Coast centers to celebrate the Feast opening the Summer School.
The second season will open July 15 and continue for one month.
Green Acre Executive Committee Invites Institute of World Unity[edit]
The Green Acre Executive Committee of the National Assembly has invited the Institute of World Unity, conducted by the World Unity Foundation, to hold its second summer school program at Green Acre this season.
The Institute will otter four lecture courses, from July 30 to August 24, in the auditorium of the Green Acre Inn.
July 30 to August 3, Herbert Adams Gibbons, historian, will lecture on The World Today in Terms of World Unity. August 6 to 10, Professor Frank H. Hankins of Smith College will lecture on Racial Relationships and International Harmony. The third lecturer is to be Professor Edwin Arthur Burtt of the University of Chicago, whose subject is Science, Philosophy and Religion, from August 13 to 17. Professor Nathaniel Schmidt of Cornell University will lecture from August 20 to 24 on The Evolution of Religion. Prof. Schmidt, incidentally, was a frequent speaker for Miss Sarah J. Farmer in the early years of Green Acre.
Copies of the program have been sent to all local secretaries. Additional copies may be obtained from World Unity Foundation, 4 East 12th Street, New York City.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’IS OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
Statement of Cash Receipts and Disbursements for Period April 1, 1927 to March 31, 1928
The complete financial report, with all details, will be presented at the Convention.
| Northern Trust Co. | $5,371.35 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Savings | 350.00 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | $5,771.35 |
| CASH RECEIPTS | |||
| Temple | $6,157.10 | ||
| Budget | 40,322.59 | ||
| Teaching | 250.00 | ||
| Green Acre | 4,393.83 | ||
| Publishing | 500.00 | ||
| General Publicity | 1,625.00 | ||
| International Fund | 110.00 | ||
| Interest Received | 51.74 | $53,410.26 | |
| $59,181.61 |
| DISBURSEMENTS | |||
| Temple | $2,898.32 | ||
| Teaching | 6,441.99 | ||
| Green Acre | 6,983.11 | ||
| Star of the West | 4,554.00 | ||
| International | 3,229.82 | ||
| Publication | 2,250.00 | ||
| Library | 104.39 | ||
| General Publicity | 2,325.00 | ||
| Amity Work | 297.00 | ||
| Administration | 11,516.41 | $40,600.04 | |
| 18,581.57 |
| CAPITAL EXPENDITURES | |||
| (See Analysis) | $7,551.24 | ||
| $11,030.33 |
| ADD— | |||
| Unpaid Bills included in above analysis of Disbursements | 500.48 | ||
| $11,530.81 |
| MARCH 31, 1928 | |||
| Northern Trust Co. | $6,827.53 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Savings | 400.00 | ||
| Northern Trust Co. Special Fund | 7.30 | ||
| State Bank & Trust Co. | 4,145.98 | ||
| Liberty Bonds | 50.00 | ||
| 1st Mortgage Bond | 100.00 | $11,530.81 |
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
For Period April 1, 1927 to March 31, 1928
| TEMPLE | |||
| Improvements to Land | $855.46 | ||
| Caretaker’s House | 159.15 | ||
| Foundation Hall — Improvements | 1,129.00 | $2,143.61 |
| GREEN ACRE | |||
| Advance—Gift Shop | $500.00 | ||
| Advance—Art Craft Shop | 250.00 | ||
| Improvements to Land | 643.50 | ||
| Improvements to Buildings | 724.87 | ||
| Trustee’s Expense—re Title | 1,754.23 | ||
| New Equipment | 35.28 | ||
| Bonds Retired | $1,100.00 | $5,007.88 |
OFFICE EQUIPMENT—
| Treasurer’s Office | $92.25 | ||
| Loan—Ed. Struven | $307.88 | ||
| $7,551.24 |
