Bahá’í News/Issue 4/Text
THE BULLETIN OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Office of the Secretary
169 CHRISTOPHER STREET, NEW YORK CITY"In short, whatsoever thing is arranged in harmony and with love and purity of motive, its result is light, and should the least trace of estrangement prevail the result shall be darkness upon darkness. . . . If this be so regarded, that Assembly shall be of God, but otherwise it shall lead to coolness and alienation that proceed from the Evil One."
‘Abdu’l Baha.
"With these Assemblies, local as well as national, harmoniously, vigorously, and efficiently functioning throughout the Bahá’í world, the only means for the establishment of the Supreme House of Justice wiil have been assured. And when this Supreme Body will have been properly established, it will have to consider afresh the whole situation, and lay down the principle which shall direct, as long as it deems advisable, the affairs of the Cause.
"Pending its establishment, and to ensure uniformity throughout the East and throughout the West, all local Assemblies will have to be reelected once a year, during the first day of Ridvan, and the result of polling, if possible, be declared on that day."
Shoghi Effendi
To the Assemblies of the United States and Canada.
Dear Bahá’í friends:
On April 21st, according to the instructions sent us by Shoghi Effendi two years ago, the friends will gather in their local meeting places for the purpose of electing the Spiritual Assembly of nine for the coming year. Both from the clearer understanding that has come to us concerning the importance of this institution, and from the fact that this year the local elections do not so closely coincide with the National Convention that some of the most active workers need be absent, it is in our power to make this unique occasion an event of far-reaching importance.
Previous to the balloting, it would be well for the retiring Spiritual Assembly to report concerning the work of the past year, laying before all the members full details as to the various activities which have been under their supervision, such as teaching, Temple, correspondence, the sale and distribution of Bahá’í literature, the relieving of distress among the friends, and also receipts and expenditures of the local Bahá’í Fund. With this report might well be included such recommendations as the Spiritual Assembly deem most advisable to be undertaken during the coming year.
The question has been asked on occasions as to what constitutes the qualification, or qualifications, of a voter in these Assembly elections.
Until specific instructions concerning this point have been received from Shoghi Effendi, it appears best to leave the selection of the local voting list entirely in the hands of the Spiritual Assembly by whom the meeting has been called. As between such lack of method as would permit even inactive persons to vote, although not attending other meetings during the year, and any over-strict basis of selection, such as whether one contributes regularly to the Bahá’í Fund or is willing to sign some formal pledge of adherence, the truly Bahá’í principle is unquestionably that the out-going Spiritual Assembly should consult together and draw up a voting list based upon perfect consultation, and invitations to the meeting be sent only to those on this list.
Before participating in the local election this year, let us endeavor to form a clearer conception of the real significance of this Bahá’í institution.
If we look for its importance to numbers alone, or to any other worldly standard, these little gatherings might well appear to be without special meaning or importance. But if we consider how for lack of unity the most important affairs of mankind have always been made a prey to jealousy, to partisanship and to self-seeking, then indeed can we realize that as a model for the organization and execution of the world's myriad activities, the Bahá’í method offers the sole solution, of the many overwhelming problems by which older civilizations were destroyed, and the present one is seriously threatened.
If each believer will take part in his local election with the consciousness that he is contributing vitally to the spiritualization of all the affairs of daily life, and by his scrupulous adherence to the methods and principles given us by Baha'u'llah and Abdu’l Bahá is truly hastening the day of the Most Great Peace, then indeed we may be sure that the Cause is beginning to fulfill its divine mission.
Following the election of the Spiritual Assembly, the nine members, as soon as possible, will organize themselves for the proper carrying out of the several phases of our common activities, so clearly described in the various letters of Shoghi Effendi. Each Spiritual Assembly should elect from its own members a chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and a librarian, and immediately after this has been done the new secretary should report to the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, the names of the members of the local Spiritual Assembly, and the addresses of its officers, together with such details of the work as might assist the National Spiritual Assembly in its own deliberations.
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Each local Spiritual Assembly also communicate with Shoghi Effendi and with other local Assemblies at frequent intervals. The retiring secretary and other officers will of course turn over to the new Spiritual Assembly all records and correspondence from previous years.
Correspondence received during the year should be read to all the members of the Assembly regularly, and placed at their disposal in the leather binder which can be secured from the Publishing Committee, or in some other convenient form. The treasurer should also report regularly to the entire Assembly concerning the receipts and expenditures of the Bahá’í Fund. Local Spiritual Assemblies cannot be too scrupulous in their observance of these essential details.
In communities where the number of believers is less than nine, and the election of a Spiritual Assembly is impossible, nevertheless the significance of the institution should be no less fully realized, and at least a secretary elected in order to maintain contact with the National Assembly and other local Assemblies. The nature of the Bahá’í Fund is by this time known to all believers. It might be emphasized once again, however, that the National Fund can only contribute to the International Fund in the custody of Shoghi Effendi, the degree that regular and generous contributions are received from all local Assemblies. In the up-building of the Cause as a worldwide spiritual body, nothing approaches in importance our appreciation of the need to maintain affairs at Haifa with a dignity and power in keeping with the position of Haifa as the heart of the Cause. Up to now, none of us can be satisfied with the part taken by the American believers in contributing to the many responsibilities carried by the Guardian of the Cause.
At the time of the election, the chairman might well read the letters of Shoghi Effendi referring to the work of local Assemblies, and in addition to the officers already mentioned each local Assembly should as far as possible appoint working committees to carry on the several activities Shoghi Effendi has described. Far from attempting to center all the activities in their own body, each local Spiritual Assembly must make certain that every confirmed believer is given some portion of responsibility and work.
By meeting the opportunity afforded by this election in a spirit of absolute faith, unity and determination, the body of the Cause on this continent can this year attract confirmations hastening the universal recognition of the Divine Message. In voting, let us give recognition to qualities, not to personalities or conditions. After voting, let us give whole-hearted support to those who must assume responsibility for the integrity and vigorous prosecution of local Bahá’í work during the year to come. Never should we forget that wherever a Spiritual Assembly deliberates in true unity and love, the results of its consultation will be confirmed by the power of Baha'u'llah.
After each local Assembly has carried out the details of its own organization, a special meeting of the entire Assembly should be called for the purpose of electing a delegate to the National Convention which will be held at Green Acre, Maine. on July 6th, 7th and 8th. The selection of this delegate is one of the most important new details concerning the character of the National Bahá’í Convention will be found in the letter from Shoghi Effendi which will accompany the next NEWS LETTER.
An inquiry addressed to the Guardian of the Cause by the National Assembly has just brought this cabled reply: "Less than nine no representation"-referring to our question as to whether local groups of less than nine believers might continue to send a delegate to the National Convention. Such groups as well as isolated individuals, will be represented through their regional Teaching Committee.
Distribution of the Will and Testament is now being made to all whose names and addresses have already been received by the National secretary from secretaries of local Assemblies. Assemblies which have not yet sent in their list of confirmed believers should do so as soon as possible, giving names and addresses in each case.
Yours sincerely, in love of Abdu’l-Bahá,
- National Spiritual Assembly,
- By: HORACE HOLLEY,
- Secretary.
- By: HORACE HOLLEY,
NATIONAL BAHA'I ASSEMBLY[edit]
MOUNTFORT MILLS, Chairman
ALFRED E. LUNT, Acting Chairman and Assistant Treasurer
HORACE HOLLEY, Secretary
FLORENCE MORTON, Treasurer
ELIZABETH GREENLEAF
MAY MAXWELL
AGNES S. PARSONS
SIEGFRIED SCHOPFLOCHER
ROY C. WILHELM
Office of the Secretary
169 CHRISTOPHER STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Office of the Treasurer
5 WHEELER AVENUE
WORCESTER, MASS.
WORK OF NATIONAL COMMITTEES[edit]
The National Spiritual Assembly have recently appointed two new committees. A committee to compile a new and more complete prayer book includes the following members: Mr. Leroy Ioas, Mrs. Frankland, Mrs. Bosch and Mrs. Rabb. The members of this committee desire to have the friends cooperate by sending copies of Prayers they would like included in the new book. To undertake the preparation of a Bahá’í Year Book in accordance with the recent instruction from Shoghi Effendi, another special committee has been appointed which includes: Albert Windust, Mason Remey, Mrs. Stewart French, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Ahmad Sohrab and Horace Holley.
The Archives Committee have available 200 copies of Mason Remey's pamphlets entitled, "Bahá’í Indexes" and "Bahá’í Manuscripts", containing extremely valuable information for students of the Cause. Copies may be obtained free in request by applying to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee. Please enclose five cents for postage.
The Publishing Committee is now also prepared to supply the leather binders mentioned in the letter of the National Spiritual Assembly dated December 13th last. These binders are stamped with the Greatest Name in gold on the front cover and will bold securely up to three or four hundred sheets. It is hoped that each Assembly secretary will obtain one of these binders for preserving letters from Shoghi Effendi, from the N.S.A., and other communications and records. Individual believers will also find these binders very useful for preserving their important Tablets and other Bahá’í papers. The price is $1.50 each.
The Publishing Committee brings to [Page 3]
the attention of the friends the following new books and pamphlets: "Hidden Words." translated by Shoghi Effendi, bound in leather, $1.00, in paper, $0.25; "Wisdom of Abdu’l-Bahá." (Paris Talk), bound in cloth, $1.00: and in paper, $0.20; "A Bird's Eye View of the World in 2000." an eight-page pamphlet by Orrol Harper, reprinted from the Bahá’í Magazine, $0.05; "Thoughts That Build." by Rev. J. Storer, a most beautiful collection of short passages from the world's spiritual literature, with many selections from Baha'u'llah and Abdu’l-Bahá (a very effective gift book), $1.75; "The Bahá’í Religion." a pamphlet printed under the direction of the English National Spiritual Assembly and reprinting the two Bahá’í papers read at the Conference on Some Living Religions within the British Empire at London in September 1924, $0.15: "The Reality of Religion." an important new Tablet from Abdu’l-Bahá, translated by Shoghi Effendi, $0.05 a dozen. To obtain any of the above, address the Bahá’í Publishing Committee, Post Office Box 348, Grand Central Station, New York City.
We are informed by the English N.S.A. that the entire series of Conference papers will soon be published in book form, and as soon as copies of this can be obtained, the book will be announced by the Publishing Committee.
The March number of the Star of the West brings out very beautifully the significance of the new spiritual springtime symbolized by our Naurooz celebration. It contains articles by Shanaz Waite, Fred Mortensen, Keith Ransom-kehler, Helen F. Grand and James F. Morton, Jr. This number of the magazine is the first to appear without the Persian section, following the recent advice of Shoghi Effendi. Of great interest to all the friends will be the articles on the teaching work of Martha Root in Australia and other countries, and the progress of the Cause in Brail, where Miss Leonora S. Holsapple and Miss Maude M. Mickle now live.
Very shortly a special letter will be sent to all Assemblies by the business manager of the Star of the West. Mrs. Elizabeth Herlitz, giving information concerning the new plans of the magazine and urgently requesting the assistance of all the friends. To this appeal the National Spiritual Assembly adds its unqualified approval, and would remind the friends that failure to recognize the part played by the Star in the public presentation of the Cause would constitute a grievous ohstacle delaying the realization of all our noblest Bahá’í ideals.
Recently the National Treasurer has received a contribution from Persia through the Spiritual Assembly of Tihran amounting to more than $2000 for the Temple Fund. The full measure of sacrifice denoted by this generous contribution wiil never be appreciated by us of the West. That it should inspire us to more vigorous support of the Temple is, however, the least evidence of appreciation we can render to these magnanimous friends.
The Chicago Spiritual Assembly have received this personal massage from Shoghi Effendi in response to their expression of sorrow at the present unsightly condition of the Temple grounds: “My precious, my sacrificing friends: Just a personal assurance on my part that the case - a very sad one indeed—is receiving my prompt and earnest consideration and is the object of my fervent prayers for Divine Guidance. . . . I assure you, nothing is clearer to my heart than the speedy completion of this unique edifice. Feel not disheartened —God's work will never be abandoned. Persevere and His Purpose will surely triumph."
Those who have followed with deep interest and sympathy the important work being done to interest and the young in the Bahá’í Message by Miss Ella Robarts, through the Magazine of the Chiidren of the Kingdom, and by Mrs. Victoria Bedikian through the Bahá’í World Fellowship, will rejoice to know that this work has now been linked together through a merging of these two magazines. In future, the Magazine of the Children of the Kingdom wiil be published under the editorship of Miss Robarts as part of the magazine Bahá’í Fellowship. In a future NEWS LETTER more details will be given concerning this farreaching and remarkable effort to unify the children of the New Day.
NEWS OF THE CAUSE[edit]
Writing under the instruction of Shoghi Effendi, our dear brother Mirza Azizullah informs us that Shoghi Effendi is highly pleased with the quick and generous response of the dear friends to his call for cooperation in behalf of the unfortunate Nayriz friends, for this constitutes a great example of the unification of the East and the West which is becoming realized through the influence of the Cause of God.
We hope that through the sympathy and cooperation of all the dear Bahá’í friends, those poor brothers and sisters will be soon re-established. I am sure that this reconstruction work will produce great results for the glory of the Cause among the Persians. This will open the eyes of the negligent natives to the ceative power, humanitarian virtue and essential value of the principles of the Cause. This will achieve what the efforts of hundreds of teachers might fail to render the Cause.
“Our beloved Guardian is in good health and greatly encouraged by the vigorous efforts the friends are exerting to raise the banner of the Abba Kingdom.
“We have now the pleasure of having our dear sisters, Mrs. True, Miss Edna True and Mrs. Stannard with us. We are expecting five new Australian and New Zealand friends who are an route to the Holy Land.”
The total amount forwarded from America for the Nayriz sufferers through the N.S.A up to April first, is nearly $3900.
The Bahá’í Magazine “Dawn” published in Burma, is issuing an intensely interesting series of articles on Kurrat'l Ain, which give us many details of that extraordinary life not hitherto sufficiently well-known to Western believers.
The February issue of the German Bahá’í Magazine,Sonne der Wahrheit, contains an English supplement devoted to the Bahá’í Congress held at Stuttgart in September last. This supplement reprints the lectures delivered during the Congress and also contains a summary of all the convention sessions. If we had sutficient space we would reprint the reports devoted to an explanation of the progress of the Cause in Germany, but we feel sure that many of the friends in this country are already subscribing to Sonne der Wahrheit
While we all have cause enough to lament the lack of effective Bahá’í teaching in this country, nevertheless we also have abundant reason to rejoice in the devoted and successful activities being carried on. The work of our dear brothers, Louis Gregory and Howard MacNutt stands out with special vividness, in addition to that of Jinabi Fadil, as described in the March NEWS LETTER.
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All too few are the extracts of letters for which we have adequate space. During August, Louis Gregory spent some time ar Paradise Gardens, in northern Michigan, a summer community of colored people from several Western cities. NIne large meetings were addressed and found a most responsive and interested audience. The two churches are both non-denominational and ministers contributed greatly to the success of these meetings.
Returning East, brother Louis spent nine days in Columbus, Ohio, holding two or three meetings daily, both with the Bahá’í friends and other groups. Two Theosophical Lodges, a Spiritualist church, a Methodist church were all opened for talks. Interest in the Cause was greatly increased in Columbus as the result of this visit.
At Philadelphia Louis Gregory devoted several weeks to cooperating with the Philadelphia Spiritual Assembly in preparation for the Amity Convention which proved so successful.
From Philadelphia this ever-active teacher traveled into several southern states, the region where the Message has already found many devoted individual responses but where so few organized Assemblies yet exist. In Samarcand, North Carolina, an estate near Pinehurst, a Sunday School was given by Mrs. Smythe of the Boston Assembly.
Several other meetings were held in nearby districts, one at a theatre at which the manager postponed the performance for nearly an hour in order that the Bahá’í address might be given to his audience.
At Raleigh, N. C., Louis Gregory spoke at the Episcopal Church, and also at St. Augustine Episcopal School to nearly five hundred of the faculty and students. Another audience of the same kind was addressed at Shaw University. A Baptist Church and a prison camp concluded the work in Raleigh.
In the latter part of December two days spent in Petersbury, Va., resulted in two talks in the Virgina Normal and Industrial Institute which has a large faculty and about eight hundred students. A number of Bahá’í talks have been delivered there in past years, among these one by Martha Root. Their library has several of the books. In Portsmouth, Va., two Bahá’í talks were delivered at the High School.
Wilmington, N.C., during January afforded many opportunities for service. In this city there lives a truly remarkable believer, a young woman who for seven years has been devoted to the Cause under most difficult circumstances. At present her long trials and sacrifices are bearing fruit and Louis Gregory feels that in this city an Assembly will soon be organized. Ja Wilmington meetings were held daily in churches, with the MInisters' Union, in the public schools, and in many private homes. An influential Catholic invited louis to address a gathering of Catholic young people in Wilmington and the response was so enthusiastic that he was invited to return.
At Sumter, S.C., our brother spent twelve extremely busy days, conducting meetings in Morris College, Baptist, with about five hundred students; A. M. E. Church, First Baptist Church, Second Baptist Church, a Presbyterian School, Lincoln Public School with 1,400 pupils, and the First Baptist Sunday School. There are enough deeply interested to form a small reading circle in Sumter.
Eight days were then spent in Charleston. Very busy days, with five meeting in churches, six in schools, and two with small interested groups. Louis Gregory made his first teaching trip to Charleston fifteen years ago.
A few wonderful days followed at Tuskegee Institute where many of the Bahá’í principles are being effectively applied. In early March our dear brother had an opportunity to address the student body and many members of the faculty at their prayer service. The following evening an address of an hour was given to the faculty and students of the Bible Training School, followed by another hour spent in answering questions. The students of the senior class and the Y. M. C. A. group were also given the Message. Among those attracted were Mrs. Booker T. Washington and Professor George W. Carver, the famous scientist.
On a visit of one day at Montgomery, Alabama, the students and faculty of the Colored State Normal School, numbering six hundred were addressed.
Our brother is now working at Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn., and details will be given in a future number of the NEWS LETTER.
IN MEMORIAM[edit]
The Community Church at Fruitport, Michigan, was the scene of an impressive Bahá’í service held on January 12th for one of the beloved members of the Fruitport Assembly, Mrs. Emmaline King, who passed away on January tenth requesting with her last breath that at her funeral the words of Baha'u'llah and Abdu’l-Bahá be read, and that the Bahá’í teaching concerning the immortality of the soul be explained to those attending the funeral. This service was conducted by Mr. Albert Windust pf the Chicago Assembly, who states that it was a most remarkable experience. Those present were deeply moved by the spirit of conscious faith which they felt in the reading of the Bahá’í words.
On the morning of January 27th our beloved brother Thomas Copeland, of Duluth, ascended to the life of reality after nearly three years of suffering. He was attracted to the Cause in 1918 and was among the first to open his home for the Assembly meeting in Duluth.
Mr. Copeland was a man of loving character, with a heart that drew to him many warm friends. He was a humble and faithful servant in the Cause of Abdu’l-Bahá and served to the limit of his powers in the Path of Unity.
The Seattle Assembly has had the sad duty of announcing the passing of dear Bahá’í brother, Mr. J. H. Hougen, as the result of a very painful accident in which he said to those attempting to extinguish the flames by which he was killed, "Never mind me, go see about the others!" a Bahá’í service was held by the Seattle Assembly, on Tuesday, February 17th, Mr. Hougen's life exemplified Abdu’l-Bahá definition of spirituality: "Love in action."
O my God! O my God! Verily, this is a servant of Thine, who did believe on Thee and in Thy signs, verily, he hearkened to Thy summons, turned to Thy Kingdom, humbled himself at Thy Holy Threshold, was possessed of a contrite heart, arose to serve Thy Cause, to spread Thy Fragrances, to promote Thy Word, and to expound Thy Wisdom.
O Lord! O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy Glory. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into Thy delectable Garden. O Lord! O Lord! Usher him into Thy Lofty Paradise and cause him to be present in Thy Meeting of Transfiguration. O Lord! Submerge him in the ocean of Thy Lights.
Verily, Thou art the Clement! Verily, Thou art the Merciful, the Precious, the Omnipotent! - ABDU'L-BAHA.
Letter from Shoghi Effendi[edit]
To my dearly-beloved friends, the members of the American Natioanal Spiritual Assembly.
My dear and precious fellow-workers:
The three communications dated November 19, November 22 and December 22, which I have recently received from that indefatigable servant of Bahá’u’lláh, my esteemed spiritual brother, Mr. Holley, have given me great satisfaction and have cheered and sustained me in my work. I have read most carefully the minutes of your December meeting and am particularly pleased to note in many respects the notable advance you have made in establishing the Cause upon a wider and surer foundation.
With reference to the need, so often expressed, for an authentic and comprehensive history of the Cause, I am glad to inform you of the action contemplated by the National Spiritual Assembly of Persia in instructing and urging the local Assemblies throughout the country to take immediate steps for the formation in every locality of a special committee which wili seek the assistance and the testimony of the remnants of the earliest believers and pioneers of the Cause in Persia in collecting must carefully all available evidence and data for the compilation of a comprehensive, reliable and representative history of the Movement from its earliest dawn to the present day. I have communicated with the National Assembly of Persia regarding this urgent and vital necessity, and I feel the time is not far distant when a free rendering into English of this stirring narrative as well as an abridged form of it will be made available for both the Bahá’ís and the general public in the West.
The efforts recently displayed by the Publishing Committee so clearly reflected in the minutes of their meeting of November 2, 1924, a. copy of which I have read with the closest attention, indicate the efficiency, the zeal and the determination with which they are conducting this vital branch of Bahá’í activity. The scope of their effective work is expanding rapidly, and I wish to assure them one and all of my prayers for the fruition of their labors and the further development and consolidatlcm of their work.
There have been at late no fresh developments in the situation of the House in Bagdad. The case, which is now before the court of First Instance has been postponed for some time and we still await anxiously the decision of the court. Any hope of an immediate and final solution of this intricate problem seems for the present remote. In the event of our success the case may still be referred by our powerful opponents to the court of Appeal - the highest in the land—and should its decision be in our favor the government may at any time - as it does not seem unlikely - decide, by retaining the keys in its custody, to postpone indefinitely the execution of such a verdict in order to allay the fierce hostility of the clerical element as well as the shiite population of Iraq.
Should a crise occur, I will immediately inform you and endeavor to define more clearly any measure that I feel should be taken by the American Assemblies to insure the security of the House of Baha'u'llah.
Regarding the publication of Bahá’í periodicals in America, there is no doubt whatsoever that individual Bahá’í is free to inaugurate and conduct any magazine of his own provided that nothing is published therein which is in the estimation of the National Assernlaly tends in the least to become detrimental er injurious to the highest interests of the Cause. Within these limits, and these limits only, private initiative should in no wise be discouraged and is indeed highly praiseworthy. It is for the National Assembly, however, to exercise its judgment as to what extent the resources at their disposal enable them to aid financially the individual undertakings of the friends. Should the response of the friends and Assemblies to the appeals made on behalf of the Nafional Fund be prompt, sustained and generous, the National Assembly will, I am certain. justify its sympathy, good-will and genuine cooperation with every individual Bahá’í enterprise. I would, however, at this early state of our work, strongly urge, nay entreat, the friends not to dissipate their efforts, but to seek, after frank, mature and continuous deliberation, to arrive at a common conclusion as to the most urgent requirements and needs of the hour, and having unified their views to strive to uphold and enforce them with promptitude, wholeheartedness and understanding.
The first printed issue of the National Assembly's NEWS prepared and signed on behalf of the Assembly by its able secretary, stands as a bright and eloquent testimony of his thoroughness, his industry, his conspicuous ability, his undoubted self-sacrifice. The Cause is entering upon a new era of renewed and concerted activity. Its method of presentation has unmistakably improved, and this general advancement in standard is in no small measure attributable to the distinctive capacity of your Assembly. My constant prayer is that He Who watches over and inspires your manifold activities may bless more richly than ever before your noble endeavors.
‘With reference to the matter of meeting in the Foundation Hall of the Mashriqu’l Adhkár, I feel that the Foundation Hall should serve the purpose both of devotional gatherings where the revealed Word of God is read and chanted, and meetings at which subjects strictly Bahá’í in character are presented, propounded and discussed. I have no doubt that every conscientious and thoughtful Bahá’í will scrupulously and at all times observe the commandment of Baha'u'llah and the instructions of Abdu’l-Bahá relative to the maintenance of the sacredness, the dignity, and the universality of an edifice that will in time become God's universal House of Worship.
May the blessings of our Almighty Master rest upon your deliberations.
- Your true brother,
- (Signed) SHOGHI.
Haifa, Palestine, January 16, 1925.
A Letter from Shoghi Effendi[edit]
To my dearly-beloved brothers and sisters in Abdu'l Baha: care of the American National Spiritual Assembly.
DEAREST FRIENDS:
The day is drawing near when, for the third time, we shall commemorate the world over the passing of our well-beloved Abdu’l Baha. May we not pause for a moment, and gather our thoughts? How has it fared with us. His little band of followers, since that day? Whither are we now marching? What has been our achievement?
We have but to turn our eyes to the world without to realize the fierceness and the magnitude of the forces of darkness that are struggling with the dawning light of the Abhá Revelation. Nations, though exhausted and disillusioned, have seemingly begun to cherish anew the spirit of revenge, of domination. and strife. Peoples, convulsed by economic upheavals, are slowly drifting into two great opposing camps with all their menace of social chaos, class hatreds, and worldwide ruin. Races, alienated more than ever before, are filled with mistrust, humiliation and fear, and seem to prepare themselves for a fresh and fateful encounter. Creeds and religions, caught in this whirlpool of conflict and passion, appear to gaze with impotence and despair at this spectacle of unceasing turmuoil.
Such is the plight of mankind three years after the passing of Him from Whose lips fell unceasingiy the sure message of a fast-approaching Divine salvation. Are we by our thoughts, our words, our deeds, whether individually or collectively, preparing the way? Are we hastening the advent of the Day He so often foretold?
None can deny that the flame of faith and love which His mighty hand kindled in many hearts has, despite our bereavement, continued to burn as brightly and steadily as ever before. Who can question that His loved ones, both in the East and the West, notwithstanding the insidious strivings of the enemies of the Cause, have displayed a spirit of unshakable loyalty worthy of the highest praise? What greater perseverance and fortitude than that which His tried and trusted friends have shown in the face of untold calamities, intolerable oppression, and incredible restrictions? But such staunchness of faith, such an unsuilied love, such magnificent loyalty, such heroic constancy, such noble courage, however unprecedented and laudable in themselves, cannot alone lead us to the final and complete triumph of such a great Cause. Not until the dynamic love we cherish for Him is sufficiently reflected in its power and purity in all our dealings with our fellow-men, however remotely connected and humble in origin, can we hope to exalt in the eyes of a self-seeking world the genuineness of the all-conquering love of God. Not until we live ourselves the life of a true Bahá’í can we hope to demonstrate the creative and transforming potency of the Faith we profess. Nothing but the abundance of our actions, nothing but the purity of our lives and the integrity of our characters, can in the last resort establish our claim that the Bahá’í spirit is in this day the sole agency that can translate a long-cherished ideal into an enduring achievement.
With this vision clearly set before us, and fortified by the knowledge of the gracious aid of Baha'u'llah and the repeated assurances of Abdu'l Baha, let us first strive to live the life and then arise with one heart, one mind, one voice, to reinforce our numbers and achieve our end. Let us recall, and seek on this sad occasion the comfort of the last wishes of our departed yet ever-watchful Master: "It behooveth then not to rest for a moment, neither to seek repose. They must disperse themselves in every land, pass by every clime, and travel throughout all regions. Bestirred, without rest, and steadfast to the end, they must raise in every land the triumphal cry 'Ya Bahá’í'l-Abhá! (O Thou the Glory of Glories). . . . The disciples of Christ forgot themselves and all earthly things, forsook all their cares and belongings, purged themselves of self and passion, and with absolute detachment scattered far and wide and engaged in calling the peoples of the world to the divine guidance: till at last they made the world another world, illumined the surface of the earth, and even to their last hour proved self-sacrificing in the pathway of that beloved One of God. Finally in various lands they suffered glorious martyrdom. Let them that are men of action follow in their footsteps!"
Having grasped the significance of these words, having obtained a clear understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods to adopt, the course to pursue, and having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration — the essential requisite of teaching—let us arise to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor. Let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá’í. Let us make it the dominating passion of our life. Let us scatter to the uttermost corners ot the earth; sacrifice our personal interests, comforts, tastes and pleasures; mingle with the divers kindreds and peoples of the world; familiarize ourselves with their manners, traditions, thoughts and customs; arouse, stimulate and maintain universal interest in the Movement, and at the same time endeavor by all the means in our power, by concentrated and persistent attention, to enlist the unreserve allegiance and the active support of the more hopeful and receptive among our hearers. Let us too bear in mind the example which our beloved Master has clearly set before us. Wise and tactful in His approach, wakeful and attentive in His early intercourse, broad and liberal in all His public utterances, cautious and gradual in the unfolding of the essential verities of the Cause, passionate in His appeal yet sober in argument, confident in tone, unswerving in conviction, dignified in His manners - such were the distinguishing features of our Beloved's noble presentation of the Cause of Baha'u'llah.
If we all choose to tread faithfully His path, surely the day is not far distant when our beloved Cause will have emerged from the inevitable obscurity of young and struggling Faith into the broad daylight of universal recognition. This is our duty, our first obligation. Therein lies the secret of the success of the Cause we love so well. Therein lies the hope, the salvation of mankind. Are we fully conscious of our responsibilities? Do we realize the urgency, the sacredness, the immensity, the glory of our task?
I entreat you, dear friends, to continue, nay, to redouble your efforts, to keep your vision clear, your hopes undimmed, your determination unshaken, so that the power of God within us may fill the world with all its glory.
In this fervent plea joins me the Greatest Holy Leaf. Though chagrined in the evening of her life at the sorrowful tales of repression in Persia, she still turns with the deepest longings of her heart to your land where freedom reigns, eager and expectant to behold, ere she is called away, the signs of the universal triumph of the Cause she loves so dearly.
- (SIGNED) SHOGHI.
HAIFA, PALESTINE, November 24th, 1924
This letter was received by the National Spiritual Assembly at 169 Christopher Street, New York City, on December 12th, and published for the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.
