Light of the Pacific/Issue 61/Text

JAN.-1971 MISS AGNES BALDWIN ALEXANDER

Cara

Miss was interred in the grounds of Hawaii's famous Kawaiahao Church on the afternoon of the 8th January.

Baldwin Alexander in the family crypt

Agnes

Miss Alexander is the grand- daughter of two of Hawaii's illus- trious missionary families: Rev. and Mrs. William Patterson Alexan-

der, who arrivéd with the fifth company of missionaries from New Bedford, Mass., in 1832.

After a youth spent close to

the Christian missionaries and

their teachings, Miss Alexander, who is quoted as saying: "... I always felt that something was

lacking... became a member of the Baha'i Faith while on a trip to Europe in 1900.

BAHAI YEAR 127

NO.61

"Personal Recollections of a Baha'i Life," she tells of her discovery of the Faith while in Rome, and how she asked Mrs. Charlotte Dixon why she and her friends radiated such happiness. It was through the kindness and understanding of Mrs. Dixon that Miss Alexander came to the sudden realization that her long search for reality was at an end. As she wrote: "The world had suddenly become a new world and I was re- born."

Agnes Alexander labored in the Cause of God for 70 years, 54 of which were spent as a pioneer liv- ing the life and teaching the Faith in Japan and Asia. She last re- turned to Honolulu from Japan in 1967, and lived at the Arcadia Re- tirement Residence. Many of us here and Baha'is from many parts of the world are privileged to have visited with her these past months, gaining knowledge and in- sight from her, regarding the Cause of God for this day.

The Guardian appointed Miss Al- exander a Hand of the Cause of God in March, 1957. The following prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah is for the Hands of the Cause of God, and is our final tribute for Miss Agnes Baldwin Alexander.

“Light and glory, greetings and praise be upon the Hands of His Cause, through whom the light of long-suffering hath shown forth, and the declaration of authority is proven of God, the powerful, the mighty, the independent; and through whom the sea of bestowal

In her

(cont. on p. 2) [Page 2]2 (cont. from p. 1)

hath moved, and the breeze of the favor of God, the Lord of mankind hath wafted. We beg of Him--Exal- ted is He--to protect them through His hosts, to guard them by His dominion, and to assist them by His power which hath conquered all things. The dominion belongs to God, the maker of Heaven, and the King of the Kingdom of Names!" (Baha'u'llah)

The following cables have been received:

PROFOUNDLY GRIEVE PASSING ILLU- MINED SOUL HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEX- ANDER LONGSTANDING PILLAR CAUSE FAR EAST FIRST BRING FAITH HAWAI- IAN ISLANDS STOP HER LONG DEDICAT- ED EXEMPLARY LIFE SERVICE DEVOTION CAUSE GOD ANTICIPATED BY CENTRE COVENANT SELECTING HER SHARE MAY MAXWELL IMPERISHABLE HONOUR MEN- TION TABLETS DIVINE PLAN STOP HER UNRESTRAINED UNCEASING PURSUIT TEACHING OBEDIANCE COMMAND BAHAU- LLAH EXHORTATIONS MASTER GUIDANCE BELOVED GUARDIAN SHINING EXAMPLE ALL FOLLOWERS FAITH STOP HER PASS- ING SEVERS ONE MORE LINK HEROIC AGE STOP ASSURE FAMILY FRIENDS AR- DENT PRAYERS HOLIEST SHRINE PRO- GRESS RADIANT SOUL REQUEST ALL NA- TIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES HOLD MEMORIAL MEETINGS AND THOSE RES- PONSIBLE HOLD SERVICES MOTHER TEMPLES

(S) UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING BELOVED HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER DISTIN- GUISHED PIONEER FIRST BELIEVER PA- CIFIC AREA HER EXEMPLARY PERSEVER- ANCE PIONEERING POST INSPIRATION FUTURE GENERATIONS ARISE PROPAGATE CAUSE THROUGHOUT VAST OCEAN STOP HEART AND SOUL JOIN FRIENDS PRAY- ERS COMMEMORATING LOSS OUTSTANDING SERVANT FAITH

(S) HANDSFAITH (Holy Land)

DEEPLY SADDENED NEWS PASSING ABHA KINGDOM MUCH LOVED HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER HAVE REQUESTED AUXILIARY BOARD MEMBER CLAUDE CAV- ER REPRESENT CONTINENTAL BOARD COUNSELLORS FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICES

(S) SUHAYL ALA'I

GRIEVED PASSING BELOVED UNFOR- GETTABLE HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXAND- ER SHINING LIGHT OF WHOSE LIFE WAS UNTIRING DEVOTION THAT EARNED HER

GREATLY PRIZED POSITION AMONG VAN- GUARD STALWART EXECUTORS DIVINE PLAN ABDULBAHA HER BRILLIANT REC- ORD WILL DOUBTLESS OPEN FOR SUC- CEEDING GENERATIONS AS YET UNTROD PATHS OF SERVICE TO CAUSE GOD THAT SHE SHOULD BE LAID REST HONOLULU THEATRE ONE OF HER MOST CELEBRATED VICTORIES ALONG WITH MARTHA ROOT PREEMINENT MEMBER GALAXY TEACHERS TO WHICH SHE BELONGED MUST BE SOURCE DEEP PRIDE RICH INSPIRATION YOUR MUCH LOVED COMMUNITY FERVENT- LY PRAYING ALMIGHTY WELCOME HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM

(S) BAHAIWILMETTE

ADVICE RECEIVED PASSING HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER STOP PRAYING DIVINE CONFIRMATION EXCELLENT BA- HAI SERVICE PACIFIC AND ASCENSION ABHA KINGDOM

(S) NATBAHAL (Sydney)

GRIEVED PASSING DISTINGUISHED HAND AGNES ALEXANDER OUTSTANDING SERVANT DEVOTED TEACHER CAUSE BA- HAULLAH STOP ASSURE HANDS’ RELA- TIVES FRIENDS PRAYERS DEEPEST SYM- PATHY SWISS BELIEVERS

(S) BAHAIBERN

DEEPLY GRIEVED PASSING DEAREST HAND CAUSE AGNES ALEXANDER EXPRESS FEELINGS SYMPATHY PRAYERS PROGRESS SOUL

(S) NSA ITALY

Memorial services for Miss Al- exander were held at the National Haziratu'l-Quds on Sunday, January 31, with her non-Baha'i niece and nephew, Mrs. Mary D. Smith and Mr. William P. Alexander, in attend- ance, and about eighty Baha'i friends.

Mr. David Stuart read the eulo- gy, and prayers for the departed were read by Mr. Tracy Hamilton, Mr. William Shattuck and Mr. Wil- liam Foster. The service closed with Mr. Alden Marshall singing "The Sweet Scented Streams."

Woman must especially devote her energies and abilities toward the industrial and agricultural sciences, seeking to assist man- kind in that which is most needful.

(Promulgation of Univ. Peace, p. 277) [Page 3]MICRONESIA REPORT

(continued)

The following morning we stopped at the High School and met with the principal to request a showing of 'The New Wind. He said school was on vacation but he would be glad to call the teachers in to see the film as they were grading tests and it would be a good break in their work schedule. We set the time for 1:30 PM, and I then pro- ceeded up the hill to the radio station. Mr. Thomas spent about an hour with me asking questions peér- taining to the Faith and discussing the pamphlets I had left with him previously. He then decided we should do a 30-minute interview, since to his knowledge, it would be. the first time the station had done anything on the Baha'i Faith and he found it so very interesting. The session was done in English and he played it back for us to hear. He then decided it would be on at 5:30 PM that evening and re-

played again at 9:00 PM the same night. We then went to the High School and showed "The New Wind"

to the principal (who is Ponapean) and twenty teachers, all of whom are from the mainland. After the showing we had about 15 minutes of questions. We stopped by Rose's home to inform her of the radio time, then went to the local em- ployment office to see about pos- sibilities of jobs for pioneers to the area.’

On the walk through town we saw children, some clothed, some naked, laughing and playing between the old wood-and-tin buildings - among old foundations of buildings used by the Japanese during their time on Ponape. That afternoon we spent at the souvenir shop which,as with most local businesses, is a co-op. This happened to be the day the people brought their crafts in to sell. The work is all hand done, everything from wood carvings to handbags woven from coconut fiber, (which is very silky) -- to love- sticks, shell leis of all hues as well as head and neck leis of cloth which is very colorfully sewn to resemble flowers.

Later we went to the airport to watch, with the rest of the towns- people, the arrival of the first jet. It was a trial run and even

though a big celebration was sched-3 uled for the official arrival the following week, everyone was an- xious to see the first jet land on the new runway. The excitement was rampant through the crowd. Trans- portation to the scene was by car, truck, bicycle, motorbike, out- board motorboats, outrigger canoes, and by foot.

Back at the hotel we sat in the diningroom to hear the radio pro- gram. When it. came on another fel- low came over, sat and listened, then introduced himself as Rose's boss. We went back to Rose's home for dinner and she had four of her ladyfriends who also stayed for the meeting. Asher, his wife and two children, Rose's daughter, and Simon Poll joined us. We showed the film and shared the float book- let as well as the scrapbooks. It was great to sit on the floor, ex- plaining the different aspects of the Faith, and having Rose trans- late. At 9:00 PM we turned on the

radio for the program and again Rose translated some of the thoughts. Simon drove me back to

the hotel on his motorcycle and we spent over four hours talking about local customs and the Faith. The following morning, after packing

for this was the day I had to leave, I spent a few hours with Rose. Asher brought by some seed

leis his wife had made and asked

that they be given to my wife and

daughter. Rose gave me a beauti-

ful tortoise shell comb for my

wife. I went next door to the gift

shop for a few purchases and then it was time to go to the airport.

While to board the plane one of Rose's friends came over to say how much she enjoyed the previous evening. Raleigh George was also at the airport having just arrived from Kusaie where he now lives. Once aboard the plane, looking out at the sea of beautiful brown faces, with some mainland types dotted here and there, I felt the strong urge to step off the plane and stay.

(To be continued)

waiting

REMEMBER THE TEMPLE SITE FUND [Page 4]WHAT FAITH DOES

Some people have said that it's

easier to lose weight and _ stop smoking if you try with someone else. Our will power gets a boost

knowing that someone else is making the same effort. Perhaps this is part of the wisdom in universal participation. An act of will is required to contribute to the Fund, but wouldn't it be easier if we got caught up in the excitement of giving with a united will, knowing that every single person in our community intends to give also du- ring that same 19-day period. What a good feeling would be generated if it were a success -- if every single person gave! What a feeling of unity! What a victory for the community!

Hand of the Cause William Sears told a true story about how uni- versal participation consecrates money contributed to the Fund, re- gardless of the amount. To para- phrase: There was a small commun- ity that wanted to initiate a pro- clamation project but needed money to do it. They decided to employ the principle of universal parti- cipation. Even husbands and wives gave separately. Everyone gave. The amount collected was a rela- tive pittance. The treasurer was quite skeptical, but a boy in the community mentioned that since they had used universal participation, God would bless the money somehow and their effort would bear fruit.

The only idea they came up with for the money was to buy a copy of Some Answered Questions" which an LSA member said she would read and maybe the community would be that much better off. On the way home, due to the fulness of the bus, she found herself seated beside a gentleman who continued to show an interest in her’ reading matter. This bothered her somewhat until the light dawned that maybe some- thing was happening. She changed her attitude from impatience to cordiality. He told her he was a newspaper man and asked to borrow the book since he was doing a ser- ies of articles on different reli- gions. She didn't refuse. What grew from this was his beginning and ending his series with articles about Baha'i, and giving radio, newspaper and TV publicity worth thousands of dollars to the Faith,

if the Baha'is had had to pay for it themselves!

Imagine their joy. each individual was inspired. Their community must have _ been awed by the evident power of uni- versal participation. Their story is spurring on other Baha'is a- round the world, and the Word was

Certainly

proclaimed. During these inspiring days in Hawaii, let's find away in our

own communities, without compromis- ing the principle of voluntary contributions, to bring universal participation to an all-time high- -- a sustained, unrelenting out- pouring of our money into the Cause we love. Let's come together and in radiant unity, every single Baha'i contribute and make the spirit of universal participation a reality. Let's obey the desire of our Universal House of Justice, and then watch as the Supreme Con- course assists us to victory.

USE OF BAHA’'| GREETING

"The Baha'is are free to greet each other with Allah'u'Abha when they meet, if they want to, but they should avoid anything which, to outsiders, in a western country, might seem like some strange Ori- ental password. We must be very firm on principles and laws, but very normal and natural in our ways, so as to attract strangers. (Guardian to an individual believ- er, June 6, 1954. Baha'i News 288)

"The use of Allah'u'Abha in the east is, generally speaking, con- fined to a greeting. It is not said at the end of prayers and the Guardian feels that the less it is used freely in public. by the Ba- ha'is in the west (before strang- ers) the better, as it gives a very peculiar impression of us, and makes us seem like some strange Oriental sect."

(Shoghi Effendi, through his sec- retary, Principles of Baha'i Admin- istration, p. 16)

We, verily, have decreed in Our Book a goodly and bountiful reward to whosoever will turn away from wickedness and lead a chaste and

dly life. Sonny ee (Gleanings, p. 117) [Page 5]

Seven representatives of the Baha'i Communities of Maui were pre- sent in the administrative offices of Maui recently, as Mayor Elmer

F. Cravalho County of Maui.

and invited

signed a proclamation of World Religion Day for the The Mayor concurred heartily with the aims of the January 17th national observance

the Baha'is to stay

after the signing for discussion of the teachings of Baha'u'llah on

human rights. ness of the Baha'i teachings. valho, Sharon Kaaihue, Paul Kobayashi,

The Mayor expressed some surprise Pictured, left to right: Mike Marcial, Christine Newman and Lucy Vogele.

at the inclusive- Mayor Cra- John Thurston, Dick Graham, Resting peace-

fully on the Mayor's desk is Nabil Olinga Vogele.

WORLD RELIGION DAY

World Religion Day was celebra- ted at Mililani Town Recreation Center onthe 17th of January. Sponsored by the National Procla- mation Committee, the affair was attended by nearly two hundred people from all over the island of Oahu.

Chairman for the evening was Joe De Sena, and Richard Lewellen read the opening prayer. Miss Elena Marsella gave a brief talk, after which the new film, “It's Just the Beginning was shown.

Refreshments were the meeting.

The Baha'is of Maui observed World Religion Day with the pres- entation of an original play based on the life of Miss Agnes Alexan- der.

Sisters of St. Anthony School attended the play, entitled "Voice of the Prophets, and were greatly

served after

moved by the Word of God as shown by the players. The sisters asked to have the play presented at one of their school assemblies.

Assistance was received from a non-Baha'i member of the community in the use of microphones and transportation of stage equipment.

SPECIAL EDITION

Due to the postal strike in Gr. Britain, the mails have been brought to a virtual standstill. However, we wish to assure all those who have ordered copies of "The Priceless Pearl" (special edition) that their checks are now in process of being cleared and the books should be forthcoming in the not-too-distant future. [Page 6]LETTERS

Mr. Enoch Olinga Nov. 17, 1970 Suva, Fiji Allah'u'Abha!

I send you, the family and all the loved ones of God, my warmest Baha'i greetings, and I assure you all of my grateful thanks for the love, kindnesses_ and affection which you extended to me during my visit to Honolulu.

I love you very much. all such beautiful souls!

You are Beauti-

ful souls! I shall write in detail later.

Love,

(S) Enoch

MRS. RUHE

A letter from Mrs. David Ruhe in Haifa tells of many visitors to the Holy Land and the observance by the Israelis of their "Shana Tova -- New Year, 5731. She says, The Ba- ha'is here live by three calendars, the Gregorian calendar (minus Thanksgiving and Christmas) our own Baha'i calendar, and the Jewish one. This strange situation creates sae strange time and travel problems. All public transportation stops on the Jewish Holy Days; all stores

are closed, etc. It's all a bit confusing and confused, but it's interesting and a challenge." DALE ENG

A letter from Dale Eng in the Philippines tells of the Confer-

ence held there, at which Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhajir spoke. The Universal House of Justice was asked, and sanctioned the request for the formation of 100 addition- al new local assemblies during the Nine Year Plan.

Dale is attending Silliman Uni-

versity in Dumaguete City, and spent his three week semester break with a teaching team that

traveled through the virgin terri- tories of Negros. The Visayans have set a goal of 800 new believ- ers for the two month period of October through December, and for the entire P.I. the goal is 4,000!

Also interesting is the news that Orpha Dougherty has returned to the P.I. after finishing her teaching work in Taiwan and Macao.

THE SAILHACS

A letter from Alice and Bernard Sailhac tells of their work in Ta- hiti and in New Caledonia, where they are now living and teaching the Faith. Bernard is Chef de Cui- sine at the Hotel Chateau Royal in Noumea.

Bernard reports that the Baha'i youth there are a mixture of Eng- ish, French, Australian, and with a predominance of Melanesian.

Everyone was overjoyed at the visit of Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga and, as Bernard says in his inimitable English: "It is the most impossible thing for us to translate the impressions of love and spirituality that we have when we are near him."

At their first Feast they were impressed with the people of the Faith who "work with so much love and good sense. The communities are striving toward the achieve- ment of their NSA.

THE PRATTS

Ron and Jan Pratt write warmly from Christchurch, where great Ba- ha'i progress is being made in awakening the people to the Cause.

Hand of the Cause Enoch Olinga visited the Baha'is in Christ- church and celebrated the Feast of Qawl with them. During his talk, Mr. Olinga told of the growth of the Faith throughout the world and stressed that we are working to- wards quality, not numbers.

To quote the letter: "The tea- ching efforts are succeeding with declarations in Nelson, and many new Baha'is pioneering in goal

areas. We expect at least three assemblies by the end of the year."

THE BRUSSES

A fascinating letter from Ern- est and Barbara Bruss, who, with their four children, are on a glo- bal teaching tour, gives a lengthy account of their journeys to Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. After their pilgrimage in January, they plan to go wherever they are needed throughout Europe, giving their slide-lecture presentation of Hawaii. [Page 7]CALABASH 7

(Hawaiian Bowl of Friendship)

booth at the 20th County Fair. The theme, Progressive Revelation," depicted a nine-pointed star in three shades of blue with gold ribbons tying in the nine symbols, each with Prophet, religion, year and location in blue letters. This year's fair drew 31,500 people, the largest attendance on record.

The Baha'i annual Hawaii

MAJURO - Marie Fogarty

"There is a Marshall Islands newspaper now and we decided to see about running a Baha'i ad in it as well as look into radio time cost,with the possibility of spon- soring the news program or some such thing. We also decided to look into having some of the pray- ers translated.

MAUL

"We are pleased to be able to inform you that KMVI_ radio has granted the Baha'is of Maui time on the air for a fireside. The schedule will be every Sunday from 4:15 to 4:30 P.M."

NEW PAMPHLET

A very fine compilation from the Universal House of Justice, on "The Local Spiritual Assembly" has been put into pamphlet form by this NSA. The attractive Little book- let is now available to all the friends at .35¢ per copy. Every believer, especially LSA members, should have this pamphlet. Please order directly from the National Spiritual Assembly, 3264 Allan Pl. Honolulu, 96817.

HOLY DAYS -

A believer in the U.S. Navy has reported that he has been able to obtain sanction for freedom from duty on Baha'i Holy Days. He sug- gests that any Baha'i serving in the military may be able to atcom- plish this by using the resume supplied by the NSA, regarding our Holy Days.

FIRST PAPERBOUND EDITION AVAILABLE "God Passes By, history of the first century of the Baha'i Dispen- sation, by Shoghi Effendi, can now be purchased in a paperbound edi- tion which has 448 pages including index. Order through the National Library Committee, 3264 Allan Pl., Honolulu, 96817. Per copy - $1.75

NEW BELIEVERS -

When registering new believers, it is well to explain the state- ment on the back of the green card by quoting the following from the Universal House of Justice, p. 32 in "Wellspring of Guidance:"

"The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws and prin- ciples, of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basic-

ally informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must

follow and an administration they must obey."

NUGGETS

"The thoughts of universal peace ust be instilled in the hearts of all scholars, in order that they y become the armies of Peace, the real servants of body politic, the world." - ‘'Abdu'l-Baha, "Star of the West," IX, p. 99.

HAWAII NATIONAL CONVENTION

APRIL 24-25 [Page 8]8 WINTER SCHOOL

The annual Winter School was held at the National Haziratu'l- Quds on Saturday and Sunday, Janu- ary 1 and 2, 1971.

Since Hand of the Cause Miss Agnes Alexander ascended to the Abha Kingdom only afew hours prior to the opening of the school, the entire weekend of study and deep- ening on the Faith was dedicated to her in numerous prayer sessions and reminiscences of her life and

teaching. Good planning was responsible for the smooth operation of the

school, which had an attendance of over eighty people. Thanks go to the School Council and to individ- ual members for their fine assist- ance.

John and Kimiko Schwerin, Ayala, Elinor Wolff, ‘Gloria Hoeppner, Mike Woodward, David Stuart, Stephanie Troxel, Lillian Chou and Claude Caver all lent valuable knowledge and assis- tance to the success of the school.

Ben Debbie Bond,

SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL FUND

Contributions received during per- iod of December 21 to January 20:

Local Assemblies - 7 Groups - 0 Individuals - 4

TREASURERS ADDRESS

Mr. Ben Ayala, Treasurer, 92-568 Palailai Street, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii. 96706

COMING EVENTS

Feb. 26-Mar. 1 - Intercalary Days Mar. 2 - FEAST of ‘Ala’ (Lofti- ness) FAST BEGINS!: Mar. 5, 6, 7 - NSA Convenes Mar. 21 - FEAST of Naw Ruz - FAST

ends at sundown Mar. 20 Mar. 21 - FEAST of Baha (Splendor) April 9 - FEAST of Jalal (Glory)

ATTENTION!!

For the information of friends, and contacts for the neighbor is-

lands:

Hawaii: - Mrs. Ruth Musacchia Phone 935-0310 (Hilo)

Hawaii: - Mrs. Nedra Murray Phone 775-0131 (Honokaa-Hamakua)

Kauai: - Mrs. Serrita Herbert Phone 245-6516 (Lihue)

Maui: - Mrs. Daisy Sabin Phone 877-6001 (Kahului-Wailuku)

Maui: - Dick Graham Phone 879-2539 (Kihei)

Molokai: -

Mrs. Betty Schuster, Phone 558-8146 (Kaunakakai)

DIRECTORY CHANGES -

Makawao JD - new secretary Mrs. Dorothy A. Haynes, R.R. 1, Box 431,

Kula, Maui. 96790

Kawaihau JD - new address Mrs. Corale Borges, R.R. 1, Box 214-1, Kapaa, Kauai. 96746

Honolulu JD - new secretary Ross Klutke, c/o 3264 Allan Pl., Honolulu, 96817

Majuro - new secretary Mr. Francis Reimer, c/o Gen. Delivery, Majuro, M.L. 96960

lation among Baha'is only by the Hawaiian Islands, as a news

HAWAII BAHA'I NEWS is edited by an mittee: Shirley Lombard, Director; Reviewer and Proofreader.

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR "The Light of the to anyone outside the jurisdiction money and your mailing address to:

HAWAII BAHA'I NEWS (The Light of the Pacific)

National Spiritual Assembly of the organ reporting current activities of the Hawaiian, Marshall, Caroline and Mariana Islands Baha'i communities.

Allan Place, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.

is published for circu-

annually-appointed Editorial Com-— Lil Hollinger; Gertrude Garrida,

Pacific" are $2.00 each per year of the Hawaiian Islands. Send your The Light of the Pacific, c/o 3264 96817

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