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HORACE “MOZART” NEWTON 1925—1995
The Universal House of Justice was saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Horace Mozart Newton, the first Barbadian to declare his faith in Baha’u’llah. His love for the Cause and devoted services are warmly remembered. Kindly assure his family and friends of the heartfelt prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his soul.
Department of the Secretariat March 8, 1995
n the early predawn hours following the
first day of the Fast of1995, the soul of Horace “Mozart” Newton took flight to the Abhá Kingdom.
From his earliest years Horace showed a deep interest in music history and form, and later in the forties he expressed himself by playing jazz and dance music with the ensembles in Barbados that were greatly influenced by the big bands of North America of a decade earlier. He learned to play piano and organ and was an accomplished guitarist and saxophonist, but piano was his forte.
He first played with some of the toprated bands of the day at the various venues around Barbados—The Royal Barbados Yacht Club, Club Morgan, Marine Hotel, and Sam Lord’s Castle. In time he Formed his own group called “The Newtones.” His great love for music earned him the pet name of Mozart; he was Mozart to everyone. How well the older Bahá’ís remember him “tickling the ivories” at social events; give Mozart a piano, and he gave you a proper performance.
As a young man Mozart apprenticed to 7776 Advocate newspaper as a linotype
THE BAHA’I’ WORLD
Harare ‘Mozart " Newton
machine operator, working there for many years before immigrating to the United States. He did not stay in North America long, however. He was back on the island when, in August 1964, Mrs. Etta Woodlen of Wilmington, Delaware, arrived in Barbados as the first pioneer.
The story goes that he was at the airport, and when Mrs. Woodlen inquired of him where she could stay, he informed her unhesitatingly that she could stay with his aunts in Chancery Lane. The aunts were both unmarried and had a house with lots of room, and moreover they loved to have company. Mrs. Woodlen was grateful and stayed with the Misses Durant until she found her own house in the same parish of Christ Church.
Mozart was introduced to the Faith by Mrs. Woodlen, and he declared his belief in Baha’u’llah early in 1965, having the distinction of being the first Barbadian to become a Bahá’í on the island.
Mozart soaked up the teachings, and he was fortunate to have traveling teachers
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deepen him, especially Mrs. Marguerite Sears, wife of the beloved Hand of the Cause of God William Sears. Throughout his life Mozart spoke in glowing terms of Mrs. Sears and acknowledged that she did so much to inspire him, offering to him a model ofa true Bahá’í. She gave him books and sent him literature. His most precious possession was a miniature book of teachings presented by Mrs. Seats on behalf of Mr. Sears. It is now in the Barbados National Bahá’í Archives.
Mozart hit the ground running with his new Faith. It was his Faith, and he let everyone around him know that he had taken ownership of it. Nevertheless he would share it as a precious gift with his friends and to all who would listen. His fellow musicians were the first beneficiaries. He would invite them to Mrs. Sears’ talks and to the firesides Mrs. Woodlen gave. Quite a number of them enrolled, and some served with Mozart on the first Local Spiritual Assembly of Christ Church elected at Riḍván 1965.
One of the friends recalled an occasion when the band was scheduled to practice for an important competition (which they later won), but Mozart prevailed on the members to come to a talk by Mrs. Sears. He told them that the talk was more important than what they were going to do then or ever do in the future. Mozart, never at a loss for words, was persuasive; they preempted their practice and went to the talk.
Mozart left the island for North America again in 1966, going first to New York City. On his return to Barbados seven years later, Mozart did not resume work with his band but gave his attention to helping others in the music industry, particularly with its distribution. For the next few years he managed an all—girl band that played island—wide, including a performance at the
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1973 Bahá’í Convention in Martin’s Bay, St. John—a Convention at which Mozart was elected a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Barbados and the Windward Islands.
Mozart was one of the anchors of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Christ Church and played a vital role in the development of the local community. He brought a level—headedness to the deliberations when the consultation appeared to be difficult. Mozart emphasized the positive; he was that sort ofperson. At one meeting of the Assembly after his passing, Mozart’s Chair was left vacant. A difficult consultation ensued. When unity was established, an answer found, and a decision made, it was as though he were there. One of the friends turned to the empty chair and said, “Thank you Mozart."
Mozart knew that God’s greatest gift was teaching, and he fulfilled his duty to share the Word of God. He would walk with his bag slung over his shoulder—a hag crammed full with literature, pamphlets, and copied prayers. Everyone to whom he spoke received a treat from that bag. He was a warrior for Baha’u’llah, and he went into battle with his pouch of ammunition.
For those who were poor readers Mozart would work with them on a oneto—one basis. He believed in the dignity of the Faith, and that included reading the revealed Word well. Mozart took the prayers seriously and committed several to memory including the Tablet of Ahmad, the Fire Tablet, and the Long Healing Prayer.
The Fast, however, was Mozart’s favorite aspect of the Faith. For him there was no such thing as arising at 5:30 AM and then to be reminded of the precise time when the first rays of the morning sun were expected to seep through the window. Oh no, the Fast meant being up no later than 4:00 AM.
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T0 Mozart that was dawn. He was the Bahá’í crier, like some muezzin summoning the faithful to prayer. A friend recalled, “He would start phoning the Bahá’ís at 5AM. ‘WAKE UP! WAKE UP! It’s time for our prayers! Baha’u’llah is waiting to hear from us all!’ Needless to say, the phone call was not always appreciated.”
Mozart had a great sense of humor. He loved to laugh and to see others laugh. In later years he recounted the story of how, as a new Bahá’í, he invited a colleague in the band, who was a fresh declarant, to a Nineteen Day Feast. The new declarant fasted the entire day and several times during devotions and the administrative portion asked Mozart, “When is the Feast?” Mozart recounted how he was very patient with his friend and then got a kick out of describing the friends reaction when the physical feast finally arrived and Kool—Aid and sweet biscuits were served.
Horace Mozart Newton passed away on March 3, 1995, at the age of seventy—one. The friends will remember him for his indefatigable love of teaching, his unique approach to the Fast, his humor, and his humility. Shortly after his passing a national teaching project was launched in his name. He was survived by his wife and five children.
