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[Page 1]

MASS CONVERSION IMMINENT

As the National Teaching Committee surveys the latest results of our computer-compiled data on “what’s happening” in the American Bahá’í Community, we are literally overwhelmed by the realization that mass conversion in the United States is imminent! Adult enrollments are up 40 per cent over last year while youth enrollments are showing an astounding 75 per cent increase. Localities where Bahá’ís reside have increased from 2,201 at Riḍván to 2,443 as of December 1968—a jump of over 240 in less than a year! This, compared with the fact that localities have increased by less than an average of 100 per year for the past five years, is indeed significant. The phased goal of the National Teaching Committee for Riḍván 1969 was 2,400 localities. We are well on our way toward our goal of 2,700 localities where Bahá’ís reside by Riḍván 1970.

All this of ‘course brings back to mind what the Universal House of Justice said to us while we gathered joyously to commemorate the centenary of the beginning of Bahá’u’lláh’s own proclamation to the kings, ecclesiastics, and peoples of the world “ . . . The friends must now take the Message to the rest of humanity. The time is ripe and the opportunities illimitable. We are not alone nor helpless. Sustained by our love for each other and given power through t h e Administrative Order — so laboriously erected by our Beloved Guardianthe Army of Light can achieve such victories as will astonish posterity.” (Bahá’í News, November 1967) It seems evidently clear to us that we are witnessing the beginning of this promise coming true. The question we ask: Are we ready? Have we prepared ourselves adequately? As individuals? As communities?

In September there were 56 groups with seven or more Bahá’ís. This figure grew to 79 in November and 95 by the beginning of 1969. Of the 95, 33 have nine or more believers! The National Teaching Committee set as its phased goal for this year 464 local spiritual assemblies —an increase of 70 over the current number of 394. Needless to say we are well aware of the

implications that such a growth in the establishment of these divinely-ordained institutions will have on the growth of our Beloved Faith in this country and in all parts of the world. It is an astonishingly apt barometer of the climate and future fortunes of mankind. “ . . . Contemplating this awe—inspiring, supernal episode, we may obtain a clearer understanding of our own times, a more confident view of their outcome and a deeper apprehension of the part we are called upon to play. That the violent disruption_which has seized the entire planet is beyond the ability of men to assuage, unaided by God’s revelation, is a truth repeatedly and forcibly set forth in our Writings. The old order cannot be repaired; it is being rolled up before our eyes. The moral decay and disorder convulsing human society must run their course; we can neither arrest nor divert them.” (Message from the Universal House of Justice to First Oceanic Conference in Palermo, Sicily. Bahá’í News, October 1968)

In the December 25, 1968 issue of The Christian Century, the editorial asked: “ . . . Catholic disintegration and Protestant stasis—is that all that is left of an event-filled decade of renewal and reform? Is the silence that has fallen upon us the quiet of the hurricane eye, the lull before the storm? Is it the silence of death? Or is it the hush that will let us hear still small voices quickening people to newness and hope?”

Are we not those “still small voices quickening people to newness and hope”? We are! It’s the dawn of a new Day, and we dare not tarry or doze any longer. As you read the following pages of this issue of the NATIONAL Bahá’í REvmw, ask yourself: what can I do to help achieve the goals of the Nine Year Plan? The Universal House of Justice told us in October, 1967 that: “ . . . As humanity enters the dark heart of this age of transition our course is clear—the achievement of the assigned goals and the proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh’s healing Message." (Bahá’í News, November 1967)

—NA'l‘IONAL TEACHING COMMr1'rzE

[Page 2]To Teach Those Who Will II/umine the World

X

A young pioneer who has been teaching the Indians in Central America for two years has been quite unhappy because she is no longer able to pioneer. She makes us realize our bounty in living as Bahá’ís among these people so beloved by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

First of all, who are they: the culturally deprived people of depressed areas who have not yet stepped into the mainstream of American life? No! All of the tribes in the Americas have a cultural past of 25,000 years and more. At present they have encountered a temporary setback, but when they receive the Bahá’í Teachings, they will illumine the world. It is an honor to pioneer among them; they carry the mark of many civilizations that have risen and fallen. Often there is a mysterious connection between the tribes. For instance the Inca word “huaca" is pronounced the same as the Sioux word “wakan", meaning “holy.”

People With a Long History

Why should we look so far back in time? This is very important in reaching the Indian people. They know that their history goes far back, and if they see that we recognize this and place values on their values, they will be more ready to look with us into the future as pictured by Bahá’u’lláh. For centuries they have known of the oneness of God. They know that what springs up on their reservation like an overnight mushroom will disappear just as quickly, and that they will still be there knowing “the unity of the Great Spirit.” Among the Indian people one seldom finds an atheist or one who does not believe in life after death. To them God and the spirit world are real. They are not materialistic, always being ready to give and share, and the one who works with them must learn and fully understand this. Although they have lived in the heart of America for many many centuries, theirs is a different culture, basically oriental in its outlook, reaching out with longing and easily grasping spiritual truth. They are ready for the Message of Bahá’u’lláh-—if we are there to give it.

In the Dakotas many Indians are waiting to hear of Bahá’u’lláh, listening ears are everywhere, but there are not enough voices to tell them. In some areas the Teachings have been well proclaimed, but the personal contact that comes when pioneers move in and establish themselves has not taken place. One can do only a limited amount by travel-teaching and by writing to Indian friends. On a return visit one might find that misunderstandings have occurred or something has not been explained clearly on paper, and meanwhile perhaps a whole year has gone by before the next visit when it can be clarified. A year cannot be wasted thus at this crucial time!

Oppor+unifies in the Dakotas

An Indian, not yet a Bahá’í, Alvina Alberts of Fort Totten, North Dakota, asked for a pioneer to settle

Bear Butte, South Dakota, looking north.

A celebration at Little Eagle.

there nearly two years ago. She is still without close contact with Bahá’ís, and no settler has yet gone there. This is where the first Sioux believer declared, Mrs. Marie-Louise Swift Eagle. She was taught by the love and devotion of Marguerite Bruegger, who is now in a nursing home in Arkansas after long years of pioneering in the Dakotas.

Perhaps some are thinking of pioneering. This is a land of prairies and low trees in the creeks,'where the dams are widening the Missouri river and the people organize rodeos and Indian dancing. There are wild plums in the fall and in the spring crocuses blossom on the hill where the Sioux used to hold their Sun Dance. People travel many miles along dirt roads to Bahá’í meetings at places such as Pine Ridge, Rosebud, Little Eagle. A pioneer is walking on Indian history wherever he goes: across Devil’s Lake, in the Badlands of South Dakota, or in the heat and dust of the high buttes and

[Page 3]

REVIEW

From Bear Butte, holy mountain, looking towards the Black Hills.

At Little Eagle, S. Dakota Standing Rock Reservation. Left to right: Delores and Walter Taken Alive, Emma Fly, Audrie Reynolds, Bernard Pretends-Eagle, Lawrence Standing Crow. On fence: Sam Fly, Peter Terry, John Halsey.

sacred mountains. This will be Bahá’u’lláh’s land too, every stone.

Bahá’í Life on the Sioux Reservation

The Bahá’ís of Fort Yates, Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, tell of their Bahá’í lives, what they do in teaching and deepening classes and at Feasts.

Sometimes they sit at home and people come to them. Ada Marie Halsey does a lot of teaching this way. Many people want to know why she has joined this “new religion” and she tells them and explains the Greatest Name on the wall: “It is a very great Name of God, great and powerful. You need never be afraid. You will be protected."

Occasionally they go to the Inter-Faith meetings in Little Eagle. Walter and Delores Taken Alive represent the Bahá’í Faith at these meetings and they both need help there. Walter says: “It makes you feel alone when you have to face questions all the time. We need

3

deepening, but there's nobody to help us. We try to go to Fort Yates when we can and sometimes the Bahá’ís from there come to help us. We know Who Bahá’u’lláh is and we want to tell others, but it's hard when you're on your own.”

They live in Little Eagle, on the South Dakota side of the reservation. This is where Sitting Bull had his camp site and they danced the Ghost Dance of 1890, to prepare for the “New Messiah.” Sometimes the friends meet there and have prayers where he was killed, and where the dancers split up and vanished into the creeks, the event which broke the spirit of this reservation. When the weather gets warmer they will go there again to say “The Remover of Difficulties" five hundred times in that very place. Who would like to join them?

Day for Human Rights Observed

In McLaughlin, north of Little Eagle, the Standing Crow family organized last year's Day of Human Rights, and the Proclamation was signed by the mayor. Everyone on the reservation knows of the Bahá’í' Faith, but not always the right teaching. The Bahá’ís have made teaching trips to Pine Ridge and Cherry Creek as well as other places. They have heard of the declaration, in Wambli, of Brian High Horse, a relative of Bernard Pretends-Eagle, who is on the Local Assembly of Fort Yates.

Sometimes their study of the Faith is simple and they go over the laws and administration. Some things are difficult. Hosts at Feasts must choose the prayers themselves, as there is no minister to do it for them. Talking out at an assembly meeting is hard, because for long years others have talked for them. Now Bahá’u’lláh says each must speak out for himself on the Assembly, not just say what he thinks someone else wants him to say. There are many things to learn and many things which the Indians can teach the Bahá’ís. When the story was told of how the Letters of the Living found the Báb in dreams and visions, the Indians could relate how at about the same time their young men were still going up on the hills around Little Eagle and Rattlesnake Butte, “crying for a vision.” They know that the way to the good life by the spirit will come again, with the spread of Bahá’u’lláh’s Teaching, but they are sad that those on the other reservations have not yet heard the joyous Message. Who would like to come to help them?

"The New Race of Men"

They have thought a lot about the “new race of man” that the Universal House of Justice tells about, and are trying to be more like the Letters of the Living.

They have read that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said that neither long distances nor immense remoteness can prevent the reunion between hearts. They feel for those in trouble in the cities and their hearts are with them. They remember ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s promise about them and wonder how it will come to be. But it gives them hope.

Those who come to these people may find tests, but they will find also peace. In the words of the Indians: “You will not find life all eagle feathers and beating drums. You will find the grey, square houses that Black Elk saw in his vision. You will see despair and confusion and a look in the eyes that says, ‘I’m waiting.’ ”

[Page 4]4

From the Department of International Goals

El Salvandor Goal Won

We share with you happy news! The goal of four pioneers for El Salvador is won. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Welsh, (Pete and Rene to all who know them) from Greenwich, Connecticut, are settling in that little country. Miss Patricia Plecas, who has been one of the staff at the National Bahá’í Center, is also settling in El Salvador. She will count as one filling a Five Year Youth Plan goal. Mr. Herbert Vaughan, who had formerly pioneered in Latin America, has been in that country since the middle of August, 1968.

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Herider, formerly of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, have had a year or more of frustrations in securing proper papers, complying with legal requirements, overcoming shipping complications, etc., for establishing residence in Brazil. At this writing they are awaiting the sailing of their ship cancelled until the shipping strike is settled. By the time of your reading these words, no doubt the Heriders will be in Brazil filling another of the important Nine Year Plan goals assigned to the United States community.

Youth Pioneer and Study

It is none too early for Bahá’í youth who are eager to fill the International goals of their Five Year Program to consider and plan for continuing their education in a foreign country. What a pioneering experience this would be! Education upon education! Learning about other lands, peoples, customs and mores! Learning another language or if qualifying, studying in a foreign language at a university in a goal country. If you would or could consider such a course, write to DEPARTMENT or INTERNATIONAL GOALS, 112 LINDEN AVENUE. WILMI-:r'rE, ILLINOIs 60091.

From a Pioneer in South America

A pioneer in South America writes to us these inspiring words of wisdom for all potential pioneers—especially youth.

“Another thought which comes to mind in relation to pioneering—we should condition ourselves to patience and adopt the overall concern of a physician, who while visiting with his patient, instead of speaking at length of the ills of mankind, listens, listens to the woes of his client and tries gently to supply the remedy. In other words, we often View the solution to the world’s problems through that facet of the Faith, which most appeals to us, i.e. progressive revelation, equality of races, etc. and sometimes try to convince our listeners using those arguments which convinced us. In reality we should be sensitive to their uncertainities and offer them the Bahá’í Faith as a Divine Source from which they can find their answers. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s writings are a continual source of inspiration to the pioneer, especially His Tablets of the Divine Plan. In them he tells us we must, among other things, show forth understanding, kindness and love to others, thus one becomes loved in return and is able, in ever greater measure, to exemplify the

FEBRUARY I 969

Pioneer Goal of the Month DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Two pioneers are desperately needed in the Dominican Republic. The Universal House of Justice is urging two United States Bahá’ís to fill this goal. The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea between Puerto Rico and Cuba. It has a total area of approximately 18,800 square miles, or roughly the same size as Vermont and New Hampshire combined. Its length from east to west is 240 miles, its width from north to south is 170 miles. Four majestic mountain ranges cross the Dominican Republic. It has a coastline of more than 1,000 miles and many beautiful beaches. Approximately 46 percent of the total land area is devoted to agriculture. The Dominican Republic has a tropical maritime climate, with ocean currents and year-round trade winds moderating the heat of the tropics. Do you speak Spanish? When can you go? Get in touch with: DEPARTMENT or INTERNATIONAL GOALS 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois'60091 Telephone 312 /256-4400

Bahá’í way of life. This does not mean ingratiating oneself to the people of the area to which one pioneers. On the contrary, having shown love and understanding to those around us, we are in a better position to take a firm stand on a point of Bahá’í principle, and consequently be respected for it. This all takes a lot of self discipline on our part and is not always easy, since no matter in what country we find ourselves, we are never simply Tom, Joanna or Siruz — to those who observe us, we are the embodiments of our belief. I don't know why I have said all this except that I feel there is a great future in South America for the young pioneers. And I see them coming to us in great numbers, very soon. I feel sure that as the generation before them, whose obstacles were many times greater, and who in truth were the Dawn-Breakers for South America, they will follow the directives of the Master and with the constructive use of their lives help to lay the foundation of this Universal Golden Age.”

News Briefs

From the Wisconsin Bahá’í Newsletter comes a story of a Bahá’í youngster who, for the first time had a man for teacher in school. At first the child was afraid, but after a while they became good friends.

One day another boy called himself a “Heller" in class and the teacher began to tell the class what heaven and hell were like. The Bahá’í asked permis [Page 5]REVIEW

Bahá’í Week in Jefferson County, Colorado

October 21-27, 1968 marked Bahá’í Week in Jefferson County, Colorado, and with it a new awareness of the Faith in that area. Posters, displays, radio and television spot announcements, public meetings and a television interview with Mr. John Birkinbine highlighted the week. The Jefferson County Bahá’ís were appreciative of the assistance received from the Arvada and Denver Bahá’í Communities.

Mr. Henry Fontatne, Head Librarian of Jefferson County, Colorado public library, accepts Bahd.’-Z books from Mrs. Soraya Herrrnan and Mrs. Gladys Farrell at a newly opened library during Bahá’í Week.

News Briefs (com)

sion to explain what Bahá’u’lláh teaches. The teacher gave permission and “just sat there and stared at him. He never said a word.”

The boy told his Bahá’í mother about the classroom experience and said, “Gee, Mom, my teacher went all through school, but I’m just a kid with the Bahá’í Faith and I know more about these things than he

does.” 0

Mrs. Albert James of Jessup, Howard County, Maryland, was honored with an honorary state life membership in the Maryland Parent-Teachers Association recently. She is also the first Negro to serve on the Howard County School Board.

Although the news story announcing the honor did not refer to her as a Bahá’í, it did state her numerous community activities on behalf of children and concluded with the tribute that she has been described as “an ideal citizen.”

New Assembly Carries On Vigorous Teaching Work

Encouraging news from the Local Spiritual Assembly of Florissant, Missouri tells of Bahá’í Week proclamation activities which included donation of a tree, and several public talks.

Even though the mayor didn't proclaim it Bahá’í Week, the news coverage was excellent. A picture appeared in the local newspapers of a tree donation by the Bahá’ís to one of the parks. Another picture was carried of Bahá’ís giving the book The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to the Florissant library.

In addition, Winston Evans was guest speaker at Webster College; Florrissant Valley Junior College Campus; Lindenwood College Campus in St. Charles, Missouri, and at several firesides. A public meeting drew a crowd of fifty-five people. Of the three newspa

per ads one (a full page spread) appeared twice, an extra week because of a newspaper "error"

The Florissant community which formed its first Assembly this past RidVéY1, consists of eleven adults and live youth. Three families are willing to pioneer on the homefront as soon as there are enough Bahá’ís in the community to permit their leaving. They carry on an active, regular schedule of weekly advertisements, distribution of books to libraries, Local Spiritual Assembly meetings, social parties, Holy Day observances, deepening classes, firesides, children's classes and assistance to those on the Florissant Valley Junior College campus.

A New Way of Teaching

To reach a wider section of the population in their city, the Bahá’ís of Eugene, Oregon have developed a program which has been offered in addition to regular teaching activities and which they plan to produce in other communities in the State.

Using the diverse talents of the Bahá’í community they created The Flowering Covenant, a combination of modern dance, narration, choral reading, music and images from lights and shadows. Its theme is the spiritual evolution of man through Progressive Revelation, and it features quotations from the writings of the major Prophets of God.

More than fifteen people participated as dancers, readers, light men, costume and set designers and the group rehearsed for two months in preparation. Much effort went into publicity including posters, advertisements, notices in local papers and many flyers as well as personal invitations. Printed programs at the performance included a brief explanation of Progressive Revelation and were accompanied by the pamphlet One Universal Faith.

Three productions on university campuses in Eugene have been well received and have attracted good sized audiences. The Bahá’ís are thus reaching those who might never attend lectures or respond to the direct approach.

[Page 6]TEACHING AND c%oNsouo.A;Tiio%N

Immediately

Homefront pioneers are urgently needed to fulfill the goal of maintaining all local spiritual assemblies which now have memberships below nine. An appeal is made particularly to those who can disperse from the larger communities to arise immediately to help save these local institutions, the very foundation-stones of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order.

At this time when mass conversion seems so imminent, it is important that as many believers as possible have the opportunity to gain the experience of serving as members of local spiritual assemblies. In larger communities this is not always possible, but if you become that much needed sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth member of a jeopardized community your chances of having the opportunity to serve in this important way are greatly increased.

With Riḍván less than three months away prompt action is necessary, please reach the secretary of the assemblv directly, or the Department of Community Development, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Alturas, California

Amherst Township, New York Arvada, Colorado

Aurora, Colorado

Bellaire. Texas

Bellevue, Washington Clayton, Missouri

Compton J.D., California Downers Grove Twp., Illinois Fargo, North Dakota Franklin County Comm.

Dist. No. 1, Wash.

Issaquah, Washington Louisville, Kentucky

McKinley County, New Mexico North Olmsted. Ohio

North Plainfield, New Jersey Pacifica. California

Rogers, Arkansas

Salina, Kansas

Santa Maria, California

Sioux Falls, South Dakota Town of Tonawanda, New York University Park, Texas Yonkers, New York

Ypsilanti, Michigan

FEBRUARY ‘1969

ll":

Bahá’ís of Davenport, Iowa, present The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to Mayor John Jebens. With Mayor Jebens are shown: Dr. Lynette Frieden, presenting the book, Mrs. Edith Elmore and Dr. Richard Frieden. The Mayor received the book graciously and mentioned having heard of the Faith some time ago from Dr. Marcus Bach.

A Brief Course in Deepening

In reading this and recent issues of the Bahá’í NEWS and the NATIONAL Bahá’í REVIEW, one is struck by the rapid and continually increasing growth of our beloved Faith throughout the entire world. Yet, in the words of our beloved Guardian, it must be remembered that “it is not sufficient that our numbers should increase, we want people whose Faith stands on a rock no trial can move. We want people who in turn arise and carry the message to other people and guide other souls."

In order to effectively carry this message to other people, a continuous effort must be made to understand more and more the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. The purpose of God for man, and particularly His immediate purpose as revealed and directed by Bahá’u’lláh is the sort of knowledge primarily intended by deepening.

Enclosed with this issue of the NATIONAL Bahá’í REVIEW is A Brief Course in Deepening, comprising nineteen readings and questions suggested for daily meditation during a Bahá’í month, and particularly during the forthcoming Fast. It has been developed within the framework of the theme which must be pursued in our efforts to deepen in the Cause. but is certainly not an exhaustive treatment of it.

Believers are encouraged to use this outline and then to continue to search further into the literature of the Faith for the answers to the questions raised therein.

[Page 7]REVIEW

Governor B. Ellington of Tennessee receives The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh from Dr. Amin Jazab and Mrs. Alice Walton. Bahá’ís of Nashville.

Bahá’í Groups Nearing Nine

The steady growth of groups into local spiritual assemblies constitutes one of the most significant steps in the establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The following list of Bahá’í groups with seven and eight adult believers is a heartening sign, and along with the 33 groups which already have nine or more, it represents a potential of 62 more. “ . . . The time is

ripe and the opportunities illimitable. . . ." (Universal House of Justice) STATE GROUP ADULTBEIJEVERS NORTHEASTERN STATES Maine Kittery 7 Massachusetts Greenfield 7 New Hampshire Hinsdale 7 Hudson 8 Newjersey Hackensack 8 Paterson 7 Springfield 7 New York E Beacon 7 Town of Yorktown 7 Vermont Burlington 8 SOUTHERN STATES Florida Key West 7 Riviera Beach 7 Tallahasee 7 Louisiana Slidell 7 North Carolina Winston-Salem 8 South Carolina Greenville Co. 8 Winnsboro 7 Texas E Arlington 8 TexasW Lubbock 7 CENTRAL STATES Illinois N Northbrook 8 Park Forest 7 Park Ridge 8 Illinois S Edwardsville 8 Peoria Heights 7

Two Important Goals of the Nine Year Plan Attained

The recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days has been received in Huntsville, Alabama and Burlington, Vermont, bringing to a total of forty-four, the number of states in which such recognition has been granted. Thus, Bahá’ís in Idaho, Kentucky, Maine and West Virginia have not yet been successful in their endeavors to reach this important goal of the Nine Year Plan.

In recent months, Omaha, Nebraska; Davis, California; Bloomington, Illinois; and Anoka, Minnesota also attained this important goal. Any isolated believer, group or assembly wishing to secure the recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in their schools, may seek assistance from the National Teaching Committee’s Department of Community Development, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

STATE GROUP ADULT BEIJEVERS CENTRAL STATES (Cont.) Iowa Sioux City 7 Michigan E. Lansing 7 Niles Twp. 7 Missouri University City 7 SouthDakota Mapleton Twp. 7 Wisconsin Muskego Twp. 7 Oconomowoc 7 Wilson Twp. 8 WESTERN STATES

Arizona Chinle 8 Ft. Defiance 7 NaAh-Tee Trading Post 8 Prescott 8 CaliforniaN Oroville J.D. 8 California Cl Belmont 7 Freemont 8 Livermore 7 Mountain View 7 San Jose-Milpitas Alviso J.D. 7 Santa Cruz 8 Saratoga 7 California C2 Stockton 6 California S1 Claremont 8 Covina 7 Hawthorne 7 South Gate 7

California S2 Laguna Beach—San Clemente J.D. 7 Victorville 7 California S3 Santa Paula 7 Colorado Ft. Collins 7 Idaho Idaho Falls 7 Pocatello 8 New Mexico Las Cruces 8 Oregon Ashland 8 Utah Ogden 7 Washington E Toppenish 7 Washingtonw Kent 7 Shelton 8 Snohomish Co. C.D. No.3 8

[Page 8]FEBRUARY 1969

LET'SGETTHEJOBDONE...............BY1971 AND SCORE A GREATER VICTORY . . . . . . . . . . BY 1973

FROM YOUR PRESENT ADDRESS THESE PIONEERING POSTS MAY BE ONLY A FEW STREETS . . . OR A" FEW STATES DISTANT. PLEASE STUDY THESE PIONEERING OPENINGS CAREFULLY . . . AND PRAYERFULLY . . . AND LET GOD BE YOUR GUIDE

IF YOU LIVE IN A Bahá’í COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN FIFTEEN MEMBERS THE PIONEERING

PRIVILEGE MAY BE YOURS. REMEMBER THE WORDS OF THE BELOVED MASTER:

Therefore. the believers of God throughout all the Republics of America, through the divine power, must become the cause of the promotion of heavenly teachings and the establishment of the oneness of humanity. Every one of the important souls must arise, blowing over all parts of America the breath of life conferring upon the people a new spirit, baptizing them with the fire of the love of God, the water of life. and the breaths of the Holy Spirit.

(BWF, pp 420-1)

GOAL CITIES AND TOWNS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW BAHA'| LOCALITIES

NORTHEASTERN STATES

CONNECTICUT ‘Bristol Danbury Litchfield Manchester Mystic Naugatuck ‘New Britain ‘New Canaan ‘New London Norwich Ridgefield Simsbury Stafford Springs Torrington Waterbury Watertown Willimantic

MAINE Auburn Bar Harbor Bethe} Biddeford Brooks Dover-Foxcroft Eastport Ellsworth Farmington Fort Kent Hartland Norway Old Town Orland

• Orono

Presque Isle Rockland Waterville

MASSACHUSETTS Adams Andover Auburn Fall River I-‘itchburg Gardner

‘Holyoke Lawrence New Bedford Norton Sharon Somerset Spencer Taunton

‘Upton Ware

NEW HAMPSHIRE Berlin Charlestown Colebrook Derry Franklin Hanover Lebanon New London North Conway

‘Plymouth Raymond

'Rindge Salem

‘Sharon Wilton

NEW JERSEY

Belleville Bound Brook Burlington Camden Denville East Brunswick Garfield Glassboro Griggstown Hackettstown Hammonton Lawrence Township Linden Madison Middlesex Millville

• Moorestown

Morristown Pennington Phillipsburg Rahway Tenafly Verona Vineland WEST NEW YORK Auburn Batavia ‘Cooperstown Corning Cortland ‘Dunkirk Elmira Geneseu Hornell lllion ’Lewiston Malone Massena Olean Oneida

• Oneonta

Salamanca Town of Arcadia Town of Alabama ‘Town of Jerusalem Utica ‘Waterloo Wclisville PENNSYLVANIA ‘Arendtsville ‘Bethlehem Bloomsburg ’Carlisle Chambersburg DuBois ‘I-Edinborough as Harrisburg Hazeltown Indiana Johnstown ‘Lancaster Lewistown Lock Haven -at-Mansfield ’McKeesport Meadville Millersville New Castle “Reading Stroudsburg York Washington Williamsport

RHODE ISLAND

Barrington Bristol Central Falls Coventry East Greenwich Gloucester Johnston Lincoln ’Middletown Smithfield South Kingstown Tiverton West Warwick Westerly Woonsocket VERMONT Fair Haven Hardwick Ludlow

1. Middlebury

Montpelier Morrisville Newport St. Albans St. _Johnsbury Springfield Stowe Vergennes ‘West Dummerston White River Jct. Woodstock

SOUTHERN STATES

ALABAMA Anniston Atmore Bay Minette Bessemer Boaz Center Point Cullm an Decatur Demopolis Dothan Florence Foley Greenville Headland Jackson Jacksonville Marion Phenix City Prattville Selma Sylacauga Talledega

‘Tuscaloosa Wilmer

ARKANSAS Batesville Bella Vista Benton Blytheville Booneville Camden Cherokee Village Conway Crossett Forest City Greenville H arrison

‘Jonesboro

ARKANSAS (con.) Magnolia Malvern Monticello Morrilton Mountain Home Newport Paragould Russellville Stuttgart Texarkana Warren West Memphis

DELAWARE Bellefonte Bridgeville Clayton Delaware City -X-Dover Georgetown Harrington Kent County Laurel Lewes Middletown Milford Milton -n-Newark Odessa Rehoboth Beach Seaford Selbyville Smyrna Sussex County

FLORIDA Arlington

Belle Glade ’Bradenton Carol City Chattahoochee Cocoa

Dania

Daytona Beach De Land

Eau Gallie Fort Pierce Fort Walton Beach Indiantown Jacksonville Beach Kissimmee Lake City

Lake Worth Leesburg Melbourne Miami Springs -x-Miramar

Ocala

Palatka Panama City Pembroke Pines ‘Pensacola Pinellas Park Plant City Sanford

Stuart

Venice

Vero Beach Warrington West Hollywood West Pensacola

SOUTHERN STATES

GEORGIA

• Albany

Americus Bainbridge Barnesville Brunswick Cartersville Chattahoochee County Cordele

• Dublin

it-Fort Valley Gainesville Garden City Grovetown Macon Monroe Moultrie Home Statesboro Thomasville Tiiton uvaldosta Warm Springs Warner Robbins Washington Waycross

KENTUCKY 'Ashland Belleview

• Berea

-x-Bowling Green Campbellsville Covington 'Danville Elizabethtown Fort Thomas

LOUISIANA (con.)

• Metaire

Minden

‘Monroe Morgan City New Iberia Opelousas Tallulah Thibodaux

MARYLAND Aberdeen Annapolis Bel Air Cambridge Centerville

• Chestertown

Crisfield Cumberland Denton Easton Elkton Emittsburg Frederick Frostburg Gaithersburg Hagerstown Havre de Grace

• Indian Head

La Plata Leonardtown Oakland Ocean City Port Deposit Prince Frederick

Frankfort Glasgow Princess Anne Henderson Queen?-0W“

• 1-Iopkinsville *ROCkVllle

Madisonville *Salisbury Maysville Snow Hill MiddleSb°T° Stevensville Mmehead Upper Marlboro ‘Murray Westminster <”§fv“e".‘3§:§§,.—o Paris MISSISSIPPI ‘Pikeville Blloxl Richmond Brookhaven Winchester C19Ve13“d Columbus LOUISIANA Corinth Abbeville Forest Arabi -K-Greenville Baker Greenwood Bastrop ’Hattlesburg Bogalusa H0111 SDNHBS Covington Kosciusko -It-CTOWIC)’ Laurel Denham Springs Leland Donaldsonville McComb East Baton Rouge Meridian Parish ‘Natchez Eunice Oxford c,onz31es Pascagoula Goosport Picayune Hammond Philadelphia Harvey Raymond Houma Starkville Jennings Tupelo Kenner Vicksburg Lafayette Yazoo City

NORTH CAROLINA

Ahoskie

Asheboro

Boone

Clinton

Concord

Cullowhee

Dobson

Eden Elizabeth City

• Gastonia

Goldsboro Henderson Henersonville Hickory Jacksonville Kinston Laurinburg Lumberton Marion Monroe Morehead City Murphy ‘Roanoke Rapids Salisbury Smtthfield Washington Wilmington Wilson

OKLAHOMA

Altus ’Anadarko Ardmore Bartlesville Bristow

• Catoosa

Chandler Chickasaw Clareinore Elk City Enid Guthrie Langston ‘Lawton McA1ester Miami Ponca City Sand Springs Sapulpa Shawnee Skiatook Stillwater Talequah Tecumseh Weatherford

SOUTH. CAROLINA

Abbeville Aiken Allendale Bamberg Beaufort Camden Cheraw Chester Conway Georgetown Greenwood Hartsville Kingstree Lancaster Laurens Leesville

[Page 9]REVIEW

GOAL CITIES AND TOWNS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW BAHA'l LOCALITIES CENTRAL STATES

SOUTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA

(con.)

Manning Newberry Orangeburg Seneca Sumter Walterboro Whitmire York

TENNESSEE

Arlington Bristol Brownsville Brunswick Clarksville Cleveland Collegedale Cookeville Covington ’Crossville Dyersburg Harrogate Humboldt Jackson Jamestown Lexington Manchester Mai-yville Mlllington Pulaski Rockwood Sewanee Smithville ‘Sparta _ spring City Union City Woodbury

EAST TEXAS Angleton Athens Bay City Beeville Brady Brenham Bridgeport

an-Brownwood Carrizo Springs Columbus Ennis Edinburg Freeport

Hillsboro Huntsville Kerrville Lampasas Laredo Lockhart Longview Lufkin Mineral Wells New Braunfels Paris Port Arthur Prairie View Rockdale_

• Stephenville

Taylor Temple Texas City Uvalde Vernon Victoria

WEST TEXAS Alpine Ballinger Borger Brownfield Canyon Clarendon Colorado City Dalhart Dumas El Dorado Fort Stockton Lamesa Levelland Marfa Monohans Pampa Plainview Pecos Snyder Sonora Sweetwater Van Horn

Blacksburg Clifton Forge Cul epper

Fal s Church I-‘armville Fredericksburg Front Royal Hampton 1-Iarrisonburg. Highland Springs Lawrenceville Leesburg Lexington

‘X-L nchburg arion

Martinsville Nassawadox Norton Radford Ruckersville Salem

South Boston Westmoreland

County Winchester Wytheville WEST VIRGINIA Boone County Buckhannon Clarksburg Clendenin Elkins

• Fairmont

Glenville Hamlin ‘Hinton ‘Institute Logan Martinsburg Mercer County Moundsville ‘ New Martinsville se Raleigh County

Richwood Romney

White Sulphur

Springs

Wyoming County CENTRAL STATES

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

Anna Beardstown Cairo Carlinville Centralia Chillicothe Clinton

• Effingham

Galesburg Greenville Jacksonville Jerseyville Lebanon Leland Grove ‘Lincoln Litchi'ield Mahomet Marion ‘Mattoon McComb ‘Monmouth -I-Quincy Rochester Taylorville INDIANA Auburn Clinton Connelton Decatur ‘Evansville Fowler Frankfort ‘Franklin Greencastle Greensburg Huntington Jasper Lebanon Liberty New Castle North Vernon Plymouth Portland Rushville Sullivan Vincennes Versailles

IOWA Atlantic Burlington Centerville Charles City Cherokee Creston Correctionville

it-Dubuque

• Fayette

Ft. Dodge Ft. Madison

‘Grinnell Manchester Manson Mason City Nevada Oskaloosa Red Oak Spencer

KANSAS

Arkansas City Atchison Chanute Coffeeville Colby Concordia Dodge City

• Emporia

Ft. Scott Garden City Great Bend Hays

• Hutchinson

Liberal Manhattan McPherson Newton Ottawa Parsons Phillipsburg Pittsburg Pratt Scott City

MINNESOTA

Atkin Austin H-Brainerd Crookston Fairbault Fergus Falls Houston International Falls Morris New Ulm Ponemah Red Lake Rousseau St. James Virginia Willmar Winona Worthington

MISSOURI

Boonville ‘Bonne Terre

Cape Girardeau Carthage Caruthersville Chillicothe Clinton Farmington Fulton Jefferson City Liberty Lebanon Marshall Mezdco Moberly Perryville Ponlar Bluff Sedalia Sikeston Trenton Warrensburg Washington

‘Goal already filled since Riḍván 1968 Localities in bold type represent goals in American Indian reservation areas

NEBRASKA Alliance Beatrice Columbus Chadron Falls City Hastings Kearney McCook Nebraska City Norfolk North Platte Scottsbluff Schuyler Valentine Winnebago NORTH DAKOTA

Beacn Bismarck Carrington Devils Lake Dickinson Ellendale

Ft. ‘rotten Garrison Grafton Mandan Minot

Mott

New Town Pembina Rolla Williston

OHIO Alliance Ashland Ashtabula Bellefontaine Chillicothe Conneaut Coshocton Defiance Delaware East Liverpool Fairview Park Hiram Lancaster Lorain Marietta Marion Mount Vernon New Philadelphia Norwalk

• Painesville

Portsmouth Ravenna Steubenville

Tiffin Washington Court House

Westerville Wilberforce Wooster

Yellow Springs Zanesville SOUTH DAKOTA Aberdeen Brookings Chamberlain Huron

Lead

Lemmon

Pierre

SOUTH DAKOTA (contd.) Pine Ridge Sisseton Spearfish Springfield Sturges Watertown Yankton ARIZONA ‘Aguila Ajo ‘Arizona City Avondale ‘Benson Bisbee Buckeye Casa Grande Eloy Florence Ft. Apache Gila Bend Globe Grand Canyon

• Holbrook

Kcams Canyon Lake Havasu City

• Mesa

Nogales Page Peoria Safford-Thatcher Sedona Springerville Superior Wickenburg Williams COLORADO ‘Alamosa ‘Basalt ‘Castle Rock ‘Cortez Craig Glenwood Springs Gunnison LaJunta Lamar Longmont Montrose Pagosa Springs Rangely _ Steamboat Springs Sterling Trinidad IDAHO American Falls Blackfoot Burley Gooding. Grangeville Kellogg‘ Montpelier Mountain Home Plummer Potlatch Preston Rexburg Salmon Sandpoint St. Anthony MONTANA Anaconda

• Bozeman

Broadus

WESTERN STATES

MONTANA (contd.) UTAH

Browning Beaver Conrad Blanding Dillon Brigham City Glasgow Cedar City Glendive Farmington Kall5DeIl Green River Laurel Heber Lewistown Kanab Libby Moab glglsgn Price e1 y R’ hfi ld Townsend stI_c(;e?;,,-ge Thompson Falls T9019 NEVADA Vernal Babbitt Wendover Battle Mountain Carlin EASTERN ‘Churchill County WASHINGTON Dayton , -»E1ko Cheney E]y Colfax pauon Colville

• IGIardr}ilerville

t g3v”=1«§i<"'Z 2325.5” yon oun y Mjnden Ellensburg ‘Oi-msby County Ephrat-'=} Reno Rural Grandvlew Area-North I-"id Tonopah Ode-SSH Wells 0111815 ‘Yerington 8“°V111€ NEW MEXICO R§{‘z°‘}}{’1 Bernalillo *3 Selah Carlsbad sprague 8‘(:'vS,-Iéa Sunnyside Deming Iviliiifite Fort Wingate ,‘§'§‘,':,“=' wnsrr-mm isietas WASHINGTON Los Alamos County Algona 11;/Iadrild Anacortes orta es Auburn Roswell Ch )1 1‘ Sarita Rosa Hoequ?aIRSn 'S!HDrock_ Jefferson County gilver City 11:/I/Iegiiia Drlnger u i teo ‘Taos *Oak Harbor ‘Truth or Port Orchard Consequences Port Townsend OEEGON guyallupd aymon genfiiny ‘gggfl? Wooley -“ urns 7“, "C1ackamas County Snohoymlsh Florence *TUkW111fl Gold Beach Tl-lmwfli-9|‘ gresiham " oo iver Lakeview WYOMING .ID_;‘ebdanon Buflallo a ras oug as ‘MIcMinn\«'li]’lIle Kfireedn River onmou an er gntario Ct lit‘!/Iedilcine Bow regon l y aw ins Roseburg Rock Springs Seaside ‘Superior

MAIL THIS PIONEERING POSTSCRIPT OR. WRITE T0: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091

MY NAME IS

MY ADDRESS IS

MY COMMUNITY IS

THE PIONEERING POST I MAY BE ABLE TO FILL IS

MY ALTERNATE CHOICE IS

Signature

(TOWN AND STATE)

[Page 10]FEBRUARY 1969

me 1968 o[)0ui5 gregory ../411/arc! fly _S7er(/ice fa ./Jumanillg

Photograph by Chase L'I'D., Washington, D.C.

The Louis G. Gregory Award, with citation, presented to Mr. Clark Eichelberger at the National Human Rights Awards Banquet, December 10, in Washington D.C.

The 1968 Louis G. Gregory Award for Service to Humanity pictured above, was designed and constructed by Vernon Voelz of Sarasota. Florida, a Bahá’í and noted sculptor.

The design incorporates four basic symbols, a tetrahedron, a hexahedron, a five-pointed jack and several spectral colors.

The tetrahedron (a solid with four triangular surfaces) represents our planet in a stable and ordered condition, providing a perfect environment for the development of mankind.

The jack, which is inside the tetrahedron, is a bursting joyful form and represents man with the spectral colored appendages serving to symbolize individual men and their individual characteristics.

The hexahedron, a box-like form, serves as a symbol of an outer or greater protective form suggesting both a physical and spiritual universe necessary to sustain our planet and its human inhabitants.

Therefore, this design offers visually the thought that as God has ordered the universe and has permitted man to be sustained within it, we may then assume that “Human Rights Are God-Given Rights”.

In addition, the tetrahedral earth symbol relates also to a jewel-like radiant age for mankind and by its geometric nature suggests a scientific age which will help bring about conditions necessary to elevate segments of underprivileged human society.

Asovaz Franklin Kahn presents Award to Clark Eichelberger. BELOW: Glenford Mitchell explains its design.

Anovaz Dr. Daniel Jordan reads citation accompanying Award, of similar design, presented to Xerox Corporation representative John F. Guttenberg. B1-:Low: Dr. Sarah Pereira congratulates the awardee.

[Page 11]REVIEW " SECRETARIES OF STATE GOALS COMMITTEES 1968-1969 Alabama Mrs. Sara Ray, 293 Oak Drive, Mobile Montana Mrs. Betty Bennett, 2127 Garrison, 36612 Butte 59701 Arizona Mr. Calvin Thur, 6232 E. Maverick. Nebraska Miss Carla Rethwisch, Teachers’ HousParadise Valley 85251 ing, Macy 68039 Arkansas Mrs. Anne,DaVidS0n. 327 W- Lafayette: Nevada Mrs. Jane Russell, 1295 Goldfield, Reno Fayetteville 72701 39502 Califoi-niaN Mrs. Beverly Stafford, 2231 Cummings Newjersey Ml.’ Thomas L_ Williams, 846 Stuyve_ Drive’ Santa Rosa 95404 sant Ave., Trenton 08618 Camormacl MRF,S6S1xI_3:ré?g]e;4E)'4R0sen’ 1032 Egret St" New Hampshire Mrs. Ruth T. Hampson, East Hebron CaliforniaC2 Mrs. Cuba Roach, 454 Keats Avenue, 03232 Clovis 93612 New Mexico Mrs. Sharon Ewing, Box 4601, Santa Fe California S1 Mr. Stanley Shelton, 1111 Opal St., Apt. 87501 1. Redondo Beach 90277 New YorkE Mr. Richard T. Suhm, 21 Feller Court, California 52 Mr. Robert Hart, 4632 Sierra Street, Tallman 10932 CaliforniaS3 MRRsiV1l/l:i(3jreIEf>i10‘lIigé, 3066 Grove Street, N” Y°'kw Mgséa d‘:“,j‘v’;bS"t"e‘;1§;,58‘,)131 We M”e'““‘* Colorado MXeréttL;r]ae93é?2;:3rigues’ 512 Come” AVe_ Northcarolina Mrs. Frances Falvey, 2402 Van Dyke, nue, Fort Collins 80521 R“1°‘gh 27607 Connecticut Mrs_ Mary sawicki, 454 Danbury Road, North Dakota Mrs. Marian Kadrie, 1726 — 14th Street, Wilton 05397 South, Fargo 58102 Delaware Mrs. Shirley Mather, 15 Myers Rd.- Ohio Mrs. Lillian B. Horn, 1221 Rozelle AveRobscott Manor, Newark 19711 nue, E. Cleveland 44112 Florida Mrs. Nina Nadler, Route 1, Box 208-A, Oklahoma Mrs, Eileen Norman, 9218 East 38th Odessa 33556 Street South, Tulsa 74145 Georgia Miss Yvonne Harrop, P.O. Box 3614, Oregon Mrs. Katherine Chambliss, 1095 Church Augusta 30904 Street, N.E., Salem 9730 Idaho Mrs. Loevia Hockley, P.O. Box 141, Pennsylvania Mrs. Joan Hadden, PO. Box 95, GlenChallis 83226 moore 19343 I1linoisN Mr. George Amerson, 901 South 7th Rhode Island Mrs. Margaret Searles, 112 Mauran St., Avenue, Maywood 60153 Cranston 02910 IllinoisS Mrs. Norma Luker, 307 South Race South Carolina Mrs. Carolyn Fulmer, 321 Berkeley Street, Urbana 61801 Drive, Clemson 29631 Indiana Mrs. Alberta Williford, 1812 North 8th SouthDakota Mrs. Charlotte Cramton, Rte. 2, Box St., Terre Haute 47803 38C, Sioux Falls 57101 Iowa Mr. Richard C. Snyder, 1115 West 19th Tennessee Mrs. Margie M. Jackson, Redwood MOSt., Cedar Falls 50613 tel, Rte. 7, Sparta 38583 Kansas Mrs. Carol LaVine, 929 Scott Avenue, TexasE Mr. Hormoz Hurmozi(Chrmn.), 609 SyKansas City 66105 camore, Lake Jackson 77566 Kentucky Mrs. Martha Jeffers, 346 Lafayette TexasW Mrs. Gloria Barding, 715 Mesita, El Ave., Lexington 40502 Paso 79902 Louisiana Mr. Robert Chalmers, 126 Chantilly Utah Mrs. Carolyn Staples, 2979 W, 2920 Lane, Slidell 70458 South, Salt Lake City 84119 Maine Miss Claire Kaufman, 14 Lancey Street, Vermont Mr. Lance P. Meade, P.O. Box 133, Pittsfield 04967 Pittsford 05763 Maryland/DC Mr. Fred Myers, Jr., 5029a Green Virginia Mrs. Dawn Belcher, 2807 N. Quebec St., Mountain Circle, Columbia 21043 Arlington 22207 Massachusetts Mrs. Mary J. Carter, 43 High Street, Washingtonfl Mrs. Ollymae White, 1507 Goethals, Topsfield 01983 Richland 99352 Michigan Mrs. Grace Clark, 381 West Maplehurst, Washingtonw Mrs. Kathleen Javid, 1010 North Park Ferndale 48220 Drive, Everett 98201 Minnesota Mrs. Vida Ditter, 1313 - 14th Ave. North, West Virginia Miss Adah Schott, 6501 MacCorkle Ave. Minneapolis 55411 S.E., Charleston 25304 Mississippi Miss Ethelyn Campbell, 734B Sherwood Wisconsin Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey, 2416 Waunona Drive, Jackson 39216 Way, Madison 53713 Missouri Mrs. Mildred Birkett, 14 North New- Wyoming Mrs. Anita Graves, 926 Skyline Drive,

stead, St. Louis 63108

Cheyenne 82001

[Page 12]‘I2

Decision for

Are you one of millions of Americans planning to crowd into a college or university in one of the nation's large urban areas in September, 1969? Before you take another step, why not ponder the insights offered by the following letter from the Guardian of the Cause of God (printed in Bahá’í NEWS, September, 1954).

“He is very concerned over the work on the homefront. The American Bahá’ís have, with devotion, enthusiasm and confidence, gone out to answer the pioneer call all over the world, but he does not feel that they have made an adequate response to the needs of the work in the United States.

“He has been told that some of the friends are disturbed over reports brought back by the pilgrims concerning the dangers facing America in the future whenever another world conflagration breaks out.

“He does not feel that the Bahá’ís should waste time dwelling on the dark side of things. Any intelligent person can understand from the experiences of the last world war, and keeping abreast of what modern science has developed in the way of weapons for any future war, that big cities all over the world are going to be in tremendous danger. This is what the Guardian has said to the pilgrims.

“Entirely aside from this, he has urged the Bahá’ís, for the sake of serving the Faith, to go out from these centers of intense materialism, where life nowadays is so hurried and grinding and, dispersing to towns and villages, carry the Message far and wide through the cities of the American Union. He strongly believes that the field outside the big cities is more fertile, that the Bahá’ís in the end will be happier for having made this move, and that, in case of an outbreak of war, it stands to reason they will be safer, just the way any other person living in the country, or away from the big industrial areas, is safer.

“It is remarks such as these that the pilgrims have carried back in

The recently formed, radiant Bahá’í college club of the Junior College of Broward

County, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A major project of this club is serving the ill and aged in many of the local rest homes.

their notes. He sees no cause for alarm, but he certainly believes that the Bahá’ís should weigh these thoughts, and take action for the sake of spreading the Faith of Baha FEIRUARY 1969

This is a revelation, under which, if a man shed for its sake one drop of blood, myriads of oceans will be his recompense.

Gleanings, pp. 5-6

’u’lláh, and for their own ultimate Ygufh Cgnfribufions Increase

happiness as well. Indeed the two things go together.”

Thirty-three declarations in State College, Pennsylvania since February, 1968. Why? Where next?

Exhibit at University

Report of a week-long exhibit November 18-25 at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, testifies to the zeal of the three-member Bahá’í Club. In a very large display case in the University Center was a striking arrangement which featured the color poster of the four Bahá’í Houses of Worship, the new Proclamation Posters (Series “A") and a selection of the 11" x 14" color enlargements of photographs taken during the recent National Bahá’í Youth Conference. An estimated 10,000 students passed through the exhibit area during the week.

Southern Illinois University Public Information Representative Michael P. Hagerty is also President of the Inter-Faith Council at SIU, which recently published a booklet of Campus Religious Organizations. This booklet was distributed to each incoming student.

Bahá’í youth from all over the nation continue to give and to sacrifice toward their $100.000 Fund goal.

The following note was received from a mother: “Dear Bahá’í Friends: This check represents a

Birthday present to Bahá’u’lláh from my three daughters ages 14, 7 and 5. They had a party on Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday and then decided to give this amount to the Youth Fund.”

On January 1, 1969, youth contributions amounted to $15,000, an increase of $9,000 since November, 1968. What mighty efforts and heroic sacrifices are needed to reach $100,000 by this Riḍván?

Nevada Southern University, Las Vegas,

Nevada: Justina Kompik presents God Passes By and Release the Sun to the Universiti/’s head librarian, Mr. Hal Erickson. thus making information about the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh available to every student, faculty member and library user at this University. Let's hear more.’

[Page 13]REVIEW

Action in Support of U. N. Day

When the Governor of California declined to declare United Nations Day this year and the California legislature failed to pass a resolution to urge the Governor to declare United Nations Day, the Bahá’í Assembly of Santa Monica, California sent a letter to the Santa Monica Mayor, the City Council, the Los Angeles United Nations Association, the Santa Monica United Nations Association, and the local newspaper.

The letter entitled “An Open Letter to The Civic Leaders of Santa Monica” read as follows:

In 1945 the banner of hope of mankind for peace was raised in California with the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco. Since then the reaffirmation of those hopes by an annual declaration of United Nations Day on October 24 has been a nationwide gesture of goodwill. In view of the special association of California with that event, we deplore the confusion at the state level that may lead to the failure of a California declaration of United Nations Day in 1968. Therefore, we consider it particularly desirable on the part of local civic authorities to proclaim United Nations Day. Such a proclamation is a non-political expression of our hope for peace—the ideal of the United Nationsand does not imply a blanket approval of every shortcoming of that organization.

We respectfully urge our Mayor

and City Council to declare a

United Nations Day in Santa Mon ica. Santa Monica Bahá’í Assembly

Television Spot

The Public Information Department is currently involved in the production of a one-minute television film for use over television. The film was produced by a private company, and is in color and is of a public service type, which means that the film does not mention the Faith during the main part of the film but concludes with the statement to the effect that this film is a public service presentation of the Bahá’í Faith. By this means it is hoped to

get the TV spot on free as a public service announcement.

The film shows scenes dealing with the oneness of mankind, the extremes of wealth and poverty, mentions several Bahá’í principles and closes with a scene of the House of Worship with people of all races coming out of the main door and ending with an inspiring overall view of the building.

Information on how the TV spot film will be distributed and how Bahá’í Communities can help will be provided at a later date. Plans are for the film to be placed with all TV stations in the United States.

New Proclamation Posters

A set of four posters titled: “Proclamation Posters, Color Series A” are now available from the Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department. Description of the posters is given in this issue, page 15. These posters, produced by the Public Information Department, will be a welcome asset to proclamation and teaching activities in the local communities. Be sure to place your order in plenty of time for its effective use in your next community teaching effort.

Notes

OThe National Spiritual Assembly received an official invitation from the President's Commission for the Observance of Human Rights Year 1968 to attend the National Conference on Continuing Action for Human Rights held December 4, 1968 at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Designated representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly and the North American Bahá’í Office for Human Rights attended the conference.

OLinda Marshall, Hollywood star and a travelling Bahá’í teacher was nominated one of the Outstanding Young Women of the Year in Wichita, Kansas.

»OHave you set up a Bahá’í Speakers Bureau? Many Bahá’í Communities and State Goals Committees have already done so and many have already received requests for speakers. Usually a Speakers Bureau brochure has been prepared listing the speakers, their qualifications and their subjects. This is then

sent to various associations, clubs, chambers of commerces, governmental agencies, fraternal organiza tions, labor organizations, schools and PTA§, Veteran's organizations and others. Right now the State

Goals Committee for Northern Illinois is preparing to mail 10,000 copies of its Speakers Bureau pamphlet.

Two special Bahá’í exhibits are scheduled in Chicago. From December 26th for about one month there has been a Bahá’í exhibit and model of the House of Worship at the Unity Savings Association. From March 22 to March 30 there will be a Bahá’í Garden exhibit and a booth at the World Flower and Garden

Show. The Governors of two more states,

Florida and Alabama, have been presented copies of the book, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh. Have you presented a copy of the book to your Governor, your Mayor and other community leaders?

0 When the Spokane, Washington Assembly presented Mayor David H. Rodgers of Spokane with a copy of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, they learned that he had flown over the Bahá’í House of Worship many times when he served in the Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station. He referred to the House of Worship as their “beacon” and praised its unusual architectural beauty.

0 The esteem in which the Bahá’í Faith is held by many was reflected recently in a feature story that appeared in the Republican—Courier of Findlay, Ohio. The story concerned itself with the life of Howard Duff, telegraph editor of the paper for over 20 years. The article written by a non-Bahá’í had the following sentences: “To many he is respected for his Bahá’í Faith which he accepted in 1947...He is a firm believer in brain stretching. That is how he learned about Bahá’í.”

0 The advertisement on the Bahá’í Faith in the May 1968, Ebony Magazine has already resulted in over 350 inquiries.

[Page 14]14

FEBRUARY 1969

Where Our Dollars Go A series presented by ’rhe Coordinafing Commifiee for ‘the Fund

Nafional Teaching Commifiee

The National Teaching Committee, as the chief auxiliary institution of the National Spiritual Assembly, has the responsibility to direct, coordinate, and facilitate the teaching activities on the homefront. Its duties involve the proclamation, expansion and consolidation of the Faith in the United States in the systematic achievement of the goals of the Nine Year Plan.

To assist the National Teaching Committee in its duties and responsibilities are the following executive agencies:

Department of Expansion

Department of Community Development Department of Youth and College Activities Department of Proclamation

. North American Bahá’í Office for Human Rights . State Goals Committees

. Teacher Corps

The combined activities of these agencies cover: deepening, circuit teaching, college clubs, human rights activities, homefront pioneers, minority teaching, schools, institutes and conferences, local spiritual assemblies, groups and isolated believers in the simultaneous and synchronous processes of proclamation, expansion and consolidation of our beloved Faith throughout the United States.

The messages from the Universal House of Justice and the helpful commentaries and directives from our National Spiritual Assembly provide the guidance for consultation and the formulation of plans and actions. Phased, systematic plans keynote the emphasis in the method of achieving the goals of 3,000 localities where Bahá’ís reside and 600 local spiritual assemblies by 1971, two years ahead of the Nine Year Plan deadline.

Statistics on enrollment, new centers, growth in large groups, number of homefront pioneers, number of jeopardized assemblies and the number and extent of traveling teachers are analyzed through the aid of a computer program. These analyses along with the spiritual barometer, the Fund, forecast the climate of the Bahá’í Community through written and verbal reports to the National Spiritual Assembly.

In order to better appreciate the nature and extent of the American Bahá’í Community, the National Teaching Committee endeavors to meet in various regions of the country. Its meetings have been in the South, on an Indian Reservation, an urban center as well as the National Center. The number of its meetings are minimized to insure the most for a dollar spent.

The National Spiritual Assembly established that both the Chairman and Secretary of the National Teaching Committee be resident at the National Bahá’í Center to coordinate and administer the activities of its departments and serve as communicative channels to the National Spiritual Assembly.

emwewwr

Latest addition to the stafi, Miss Catherine Dolan, from California, working with Salvatore Pelle, center, Chairman and Richard Betts, Secretary.

The National Teaching Committee is acutely aware of the need to deepen as individuals and institutions in order to consolidate and then expand on a firm, wellgrounded base. As we enter the dark heart of the age of transition we cannot predict the dire circumstances in which an unrepentant world will find itself. The very hope and future happiness of the world rests upon us Bahá’ís, particularly here in America. The dispersal from large Bahá’í population centers, the establishment of new‘ and widely scattered centers, and the steady growth of these centers in the United States are the objectives of the National Teaching Committee. The re-evaluation, constant study, prayer and consultation on the way and nature the Bahá’í Writings deal with the duties and responsibilities of the National Teaching Committee have been augmented by a managerial training course and classes on Bahá’í Administration and the Nine Year Plan sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly.

The total budget of the National Teaching Committee and all of its departments is $114,650. This accounts for over nine cents of every dollar contributed so sacrificially by the friends to the National Bahá’í Fund. It is exclusive of NABOHR budgeted at $30,000 as a Special Project for the present year and described in the November, 1968 NATIONAL Bahá’í Rrzvmw.

Of the $114,650 N T C total, $21,350 is allocated to the Committee for conferences, meetings and other items not chargeable to the Departments or state goals committees. This $21,350 is less than two cents of every dollar of our total income. The amounts used by the departments, except for the newly formed Department of Proclamation, have been covered in earlier issues of the Ri-zvmw: Community Development, October, 1968; Expansion, December, 1968; and Youth and College Activities, January, 1969.

[Page 15]REVIEW

Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department

New Catalogue for 1969

The new 1969 Catalogue listing all materials available from this Department is being mailed to each Bahá’í community for the use of their librarian. All orders for materials should be placed by the librarian.

When new materials are ready for release an announcement will be made in the NATIONAL Bahá’í REVIEW.

Any individual wishing a copy of the catalogue should direct his request to: Bahá’í DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ’

Bahá’í—New Spirit for the New Age: A Five Minute Introductory Slide Show with Narration

This new five-minute slide show will be useful anytime one has an opportunity to give a brief introduction to the Bahá’í Faith. The show, prepared by the Public Information Department, has twenty slides including views of the Bahá’í House of Worship and Shrines in

n,,,,,,,,,d National BcIhc'I'I' Fund 3 Cumulative Monthly Income: 1968-1969 L200 l,l00 lllNE'-YEllR PLAN |.000 GUALS 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 l00 I I I I I I I I I T I I AsoI=:::,_;;::::;;T___. §§%z.§62s—":r§% INCOME FOR DECEMBER 1968 Regular Contributions - . . . _ . . _ . . . . . . . .. 74,723.50 Special Contributions . . . . . _ . . . . . . . 20 859.89 Total Contributions . .. . . 95,583.39 Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375.00 Other Income . . . . . . . . . 3.93|.50 Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 99,889.89 Cumulative Total. April I-January I . 3729.005-93 Cumulative Deticit . . . . .$l84.493.07

NUMBER OF ASSEMBLIES CONTRIBUTING December . . . . . .283 (7| Percent of total]

the Holy Land, and an accompanying script which may be read by the projectionist. The show may also be adapted for a continuous showing suitable for fairs and exhibits. This requires special equipment which may be rented or purchased locally. If this type of program is desired, the narration must be taped locally with recorded signals for slide changes so that the slides and sound repeat continuously.

Set of twenty slides and printed narration . . . $4.50

Proclamation Fosters—P.I.D. Color Series “A”

A set of four posters designed primarily for proclamation is now available. The posters were adapted from the panels on the exhibit which was prepared for the Centenary in October 1967. The first panel shows the route of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile on a map; the second one proclaims the station of Bahá’u’lláh; the third one tells of His messages to the kings and rulers and briefly summarizes what He called for; and the fourth shows the main principles of the Faith. The posters are printed in blue on heavy white paper and are approximately 183/4x24 inches. They are suitable for exhibits of all types—singly or as a unit. Designed by artist Frank Stewart and produced by the Public Information Department, these posters may be widely used at firesides, public meetings, Bahá’í centers, window displays, library exhibits and fairs. They may be mounted on poster board and covered with clear plastic for longer life.

Set of four posters . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$2.00 Order from: Bahá’í DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT, 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMI:7l'l‘E, ILLINOIS 60091

This Is a Dynamic Faith

A number of changes are being made in the production and distribution of Bahá’í NEWS and NATIONAL Bahá’í REVIEW to speed their delivery as well as to save on costs. The panel of volunteers around the country who have been asked to report when they receive their issues are giving proof of earlier delivery dates.

Following are some of the changes already made:

1. Starting with the December, 1968 issue both the NEWS

and REVIEW have been mailed by Second Class rather than Third Class Mail, resulting in delivery service closer to First Class mail. There is also a saving in postal cost per pound which is of growing importance with recent mailings weighing over one and one-half tons. Second class mail is usually forwarded locally for a time by the post office. The number of mail returns to Wilmette has greatly declined, and it is believed that more Bahá’ís are receiving their copies. It is still important to send in your address changes as much in advance of a move as possible, since each return costs the Faith at least 17 cents.

2. Starting with the January, 1969 issue the REVIEW has been composed by photo-electronic methods at a rate of 40-60 lines a minute, reducing the printing time and forestalling a rise in printing costs.

A coming improvement results from a new computer program which will print five lables in a row instead of one. This is faster in printing and in affixing and Will result in savings to the Fund.

All of the above and the many changes yet to come are in keeping with the dynamic nature of our beloved Faith.

[Page 16]I6

BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Southern California Dist. #1 Culver City: Miss Mary Ellen Reese, 10988 Culver Blvd., 90230 . Southern California Dist. #3 Omard: James A. Snyder, 1830 LaPuerta Ave., 93030 Santa Barbara: Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís, P.O. Box 1327, 93102 Georgia DeKalb County: Raymond Lindsey, 1730 Highland P1., Decatur 30032 Louisiana Baton Rouge: Charles Woodrufl’, P.O. Box 1861, 70821 Minnesota St. Paul: Miss Gertrude Munson, 215 S. Dunlap, Apt. 5, 55105 Nebraska Lincoln: Wm. Jefferson England, 1740 Harwood, 68502 Eastern New York North Hempstead Township: Mrs. Nassau Blvd., Garden City 11040 Western New York Rochester: Mrs. Carolyn Brennan, 30 Homer St., 14610 Western Washington Seattle: Mrs. Wendy W. Burns, PO. Box 396, 98111

Louise P. Tate. 223

Assemblies Urged to have Bahá’í Telephone Listing

As the expansion and proclamation of the Faith increases throughout the country it becomes increasingly necessary to provide a means for the interested public to find the Bahá’ís. The Universal House of ‘Justice reminded us of this in their 1967 Riḍván message: “ . . . . for nothing will be more disheartening than for thousands to hear of the Faith and have nowhere to turn for further information.”

Local spiritual assemblies which do not have a telephone listing for “Bahá’í Faith” are urged to implement the necessary steps for inclusion in the next telephone directory for their area.

PLANNING TO MOVE DURING THE NEXT 30 DAYS? Help us keep your address up-to-date CUT OUT AND MAIL TO:

NATIONAL BAHA’I CENTER 'll2 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILL 60091

‘-—-----------—--------—------—--------—ATTACH YOUR OLD ADDRESS LABEL HERE

Nam NEW Address

City cm. Zip NEW T ' ,_'- Arnn

Name of new locality (If different from city name)

---

u-----------I

- --—-----—--------——-———------------I----L‘

Reminder: Have you ALSO notified your community and SGC secretaries of your new address

FEBRUARY 1969

Calendar of Events

Feasts February 7 — Mulk (Dominion) March 2 — ‘Ala’ (Loftiness) March 21 — Bahá (Splendor)

Intercalary Days February 26 — March 1

Days of Fasting March 2 — 21

Proclamation Event March 21, 1969 — Naw-Rúz

Continental Board of Counsellors Conferences February 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-Mar. 2

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Meetings February 21 — 23; March 28 — 30.

U.S. National Bahá’í Convention April 24 (evening) through 27

Bahá’í Active in Human Rights

Passes at Age of I03

Dr. Nettie J. Asberry, a Bahá’í of Tacoma, Washington since 1945, passed to the Abhá Kingdom on November 17, at the age of 103. Dr. Asberry was the Northwest founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and from the time of her arrival in Tacoma from Kansas in 1893, she was active in cultural affairs, particularly in the area of music. She is believed to have been one of the first Negro women to receive the doctor's degree, which was earned at the Kansas State Conservatory‘ of Music. She became one of the best-known music teachers in her area and for many years presented a class of 45 or more pupils in recital each year. Shortly before her death, Dr. Asberry donated musical instruments and library materials for a music hall that is to be named in her honor.

Dr. Asberry was also active in social work, especially among young persons and women and was well known as a steadfast seeker of equality and peace.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Lua B. Loclfihart Waterloo, Iowa December 5, 1968 Tom McCorklin Mobile, Alabama September 9, 1968

Mrs. Angenel M. Weatherford

Mrs. Beatrice R. Alexander Pinellas Co., Florida December 10, 1968 Walter Bauers Milwaukee, Wisconsin December 21, 1968 Mrs. Freda M. Damewood S. King County C.D., Wash. El Paso, Texas October 26, 1968 December 18, 1968 Mrs. Loyce D. Lawrence Lofoten Is., Norway December 18, 1968

[Page 17]OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO0OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO9600006000060009900

A BRIEF CIDUBSE IN DEEPENING

THROUGHOUT Hrs 40 YEARS or SUFFERING, Bahá’u’lláh wrote the Message of God for this age, so that each person might have the rare privilege of reading for himself the pure and unaltered Word of God. Again and again we were reminded by the appointed interpreters, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, to study these Writings with the intention of obtaining a clearer understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation. The Universal House of Justice continues to remind the friends of the pressing need to deepen in understanding of the Cause. But, too often, because of the variety of Bahá’í literature, the believers are not certain where to begin their study; nor is it ‘always clear what is meant by deepening.

In its Riḍván 1967 message to the Bahá’í world, the supreme, infallible House of Justice stated that “a clearer apprehension of the purpose of God for man, and particularly of His immediate purpose as revealed and directed by Bahá’u’lláh” is the sort of knowledge primarily intended by deepening. The House of Justice then suggested the theme to be pursued in such deepening, namely: What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human race? For what ends did He submit to the appalling cruelties and indignities heaped upon Him? What does He mean by “a new race of men”? What are the profound changes which He will bring about?

This study outline comprises 19 readings and questions suggested for brief daily meditation during a Bahá’í month, and particularly during the Fast. It has been developed within the framework of the theme given by the Universal House of Justice but should not be regarded as a complete treatment of it. Rather, the outline is designed especially to bring to the attention of the friends what is immediately available to them in the Writings and to encourage them to search further into the literature of the Faith for answers to the questions raised by the Universal House of Justice.

—NA'I'IONAL SPIRITUAL Assamnmr or rm: BAX-I.»'x’is or THE UNITED Srxras

I What is God’s purpose for the human race? vale: ‘Here am I, here am I, O God my God!’

. . . whilst from the Burning Bush breaketh forth

“The purpose of the one true God in manifesting Himself is to summon all mankind to truthfulness and sincerity, to piety and trustworthiness, to resignation and submissiveness to the Will of God, to forbearance and kindliness, to uprightness and wisdom.”—GL., p. 299.

“All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act like the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth.” —GL., p. 215.

How can I assist in carrying forward an ever advancing civilization?

2.

the cry: ‘Lo, the Desire of the world is made manifest in His transcendent glory!’ The Father hath come. That which ye were promised in the Kingdom of God is fulfilled. This is the Word which the Son veiled when He said to those around Him that at that time they could not bear it . . . Verily the Spirit of Truth is come to guide you unto all truth . . . He is the One Who glorified the Son and exalted His Cause . . .” “The Comforter Whose advent all the scriptures have promised is now come that He may reveal unto you all knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him over the entire surface of the earth, haply ye may find Him.” — Bahá’u’lláh, WOB, pp. 104-105.

Am I truly following the guidance of the Spirit of Truth?

who is Bahá’u’lláh? 3 For what ends did Bahá’u’lláh submit to

“Followers of the Gospel, behold the gates of upon Him?

the appalling cruelties and indignities heaped

heaven are flung open. He that had ascended unto it is now come. Give ear to His voice calling aloud over land and sea, announcing to all mankind the advent of this Revelation — a Revelation through the agency of which the Tongue of Grandeur is now proclaiming: ‘Lo, the sacred Pledge hath been fulfilled, for He, the Promised One, is come! ’ ” “The voice of the Son of Man is calling aloud from the sacred

INSERT, National Bahá’í Review. February 1969.

“The Ancient Beauty (Bahá’u’lláh) hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding

[Page 18]joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. We have accepted to be abased, O believers in the Unity of God, that ye may be exalted, and have suffered manifold afflictions, that ye might prosper and flourish. He Who hath come to build anew the whole world, behold, how they that have joined partners with God have forced Him to dwell within the most desolate of cities!” —— GL., pp. 99-100.

What does Bahá’u’lláh mean to me?

4 What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by “a new race ' of men”?

“O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.”—HW, Arabic No. 1.

“The blessed Person of the Promised One is interpreted in the Holy Book as the Lord of Hosts —the heavenly armies. By heavenly armies those souls are intended who are entirely freed from the human world, transformed into celestial spirits and have become divine angels. Such souls are the rays of the Sun of Reality who will illumine all the continents. Each one is holding in his hand a trumpet, blowing the breath of life over all the regions. They are delivered from human qualities and the defects of the world of nature, are characterized with the characteristics of God, and are attracted with the fragrances of the Merciful. Like unto the apostles of Christ, who were filled with Him, these souls also have become filled with His Holiness Bahá’u’lláh; that is, the love of Bahá’u’lláh has so mastered every organ, part and limb of their bodies, as to leave no effect from the promptings of the human world.” — TDP, p. 17.

How does my daily life express my love of Bahá’u’lláh?

What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by “a new race ' of men”?

“A chaste and holy life must be made the controlling principle in the behavior and conduct of all Bahá’ís, both in their social relations with the members of their own community, and in their contact with the world at large. . . . Such a chaste and holy life, with its implications of modesty, purity, temperance, decency, and clean-mindedness, involves no less than the exercise of moderation in all that pertains to dress, language, amusements, and all artistic and literary avocations. It demands daily vigilance in the control of one’s carnal desires and corrupt inclinations. It calls for the abandonment of a frivolous conduct, with its excessive attachment to trivial and often misdirected pleasures. It requires total abstinence

from all alcoholic drinks, from opium, and from similar habit-forming drugs. It condemns the prostitution of art and of literature, the practices of nudism and of companionate marriage, infidelity in marital relationships, and all manner of promiscuity, of easy familiarity, and of sexual vices.” —Shoghi Effendi, ADJ, p. 25.

Does my contact with the world at large reflect a chaste and holy life?

6.

What are the profound changes which Bahá’u’lláh will bring about?

“That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith. This can in no wise be achieved except through the power of a skilled, an all-powerful and inspired Physician. This, verily, is the truth, and all else naught but error."—GL., p. 255.

What can I do today to help establish this one universal Cause?

7.

What are the profound changes which Bahá’u’lláh will bring about?

“Let there be no mistake. The principle of the Oneness of Mankind—the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve — is no mere outburst of ignorant emotionalism or an expression of vague and pious hope. Its appeal is not to be merely identified with a reawakening of the spirit of brotherhood and good-will among men, nor does it aim solely at the fostering of harmonious’ cooperation among individual peoples and nations. Its implications are deeper, its claims greater than any which the Prophets of old were allowed to advance. Its message is applicable not only to the individual, but concerns itself primarily with the nature of those essential relationships that must bind all the states and nations as members of one human family. It does not constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal, but stands inseparably associated with an institution adequate to embody its truth, demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its influence. It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced. It constitutes a challenge, at once bold and universal, to outworn shibboleths of national creeds— creeds that have had their day and which must, in the ordinary course of events as shaped and controlled by Providence, give way to a new gospel, fundamentally different from, and infinitely superior to, what the world has already conceived. It calls for no less than the reconstruction and demilitarization of the

[Page 19]whole civilized world — a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life, its political machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and finance, its script and language, and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units.” — Shoghi Effendi, WOB, pp. 42-43.

What more can I do to promote the Oneness of Mankind?

What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human ' race? “Every eye, in this Day, should seek what will best promote the Cause of God. He, Who is the Eternal Truth beareth Me witness! Nothing whatever can, in this Day, inflict a greater harm upon this Cause than dissension and strife, contention, estrangement and apathy, among the loved ones of God. Flee them, through the power of God and His sovereign aid, and strive to knit together the hearts of men, in His Name, the Unifier, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.”—Bahá’u’lláh, BWF, p. 125.

What can I do in my daily life to knit together the hearts of men?

9 What are the profound changes which Ba' hci’u’lláh will bring about?

“The Great Being, wishing to reveal the prerequisites of the peace and tranquility of the world and the advancement of its peoples, hath written: The time must come when the imperative necessity for the holding of a vast, an all-embracing assemblage of men will be universally realized. The rulers and kings of the earth must needs attend it, and, participating in its deliberations, must consider such ways and means as «will lay the foundations of the world's Great Peace amongst men. Such a peace demandeth that the Great Powers should resolve, for the sake of the tranquillity of the peoples of the earth, to be fully reconciled among themselves.” — GL., p. 249.

Are my daily teaching efforts contributing to the peace and tranquillity of the world? What more can I do?

I For what ends did Bahá’u’lláh submit to the ' appalling cruelties and indignities heaped upon him?

“ . . . Say: We have accepted to be tried by ills and troubles, that ye may sanctify yourselves from all earthly defllements. Why, then, refuse ye to ponder Our purpose in your hearts? By the righteousness of God! Whoso will reflect upon the tribulations We have suffered, his soul will assuredly melt away with sorrow. Thy Lord Himself beareth witness to

the truth of My words. We have sustained the weight of all calamities to sanctify you from all earthly corruption, and ye are yet indifferent.” ——- GL., p. 307.

Am I indifferent?

I What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by a “new race ' of men”?

“O Son of Man! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou trangress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness." — HW, Arabic No.27.

“That seeker should, also, regard backbiting as grievous error, and keep himself aloof from its dominion, inasmuch as backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul. . . .” » ~ GL.. 1). 265.

Am I always looking for faults in others or do I strive to see their good qualities?

I What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human ' race?

“Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He, through the direct operation of His unconstrained and sovereign Will, chose to confer upon man the unique distinction and capacity to know Him and to love Him—a capacity that must needs be regarded as the generating impulse and the primary purpose underlying the whole of creation. . . . Upon the inmost reality of each and every created thing He hath shed the light of one of His names, and made it a recipient of the glory of one of His attributes. Upon the reality of man, however, He hath focused the radiance of all of His names and attributes, and made it a mirror of His own Self. Alone of all created things man hath been singled out for so great a favor, so enduring a bounty." Bahá’u’lláh, BWF, pp. 102-103.

What will I do today to help me to know and love God better?

I For what ends did Bahá’u’lláh submit to the ' appalling cruelties and indignities heaped upon Him?

“Briefly, the Blessed Perfection (Bahá’u’lláh) bore all these ordeals and calamities in order that our hearts might become enkindled and radiant, our spirits be glorified, our faults become virtues, our ignorance transformed into knowledge; in order that we might attain the real fruits of humanity and acquire heavenly graces; although pilgrims upon earth we should travel the road of the heavenly kingdom; although needy and poor we might receive the treasures of life eternal. For this has He borne these difficulties and sorrows.” [Page 20]‘Abdu’l-Bahá, BWF, p. 224.

How do my daily actions show an appreciation to Bahá’u’lláh for having borne these difficulties and sorrows?

I What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by a “new race ' of men”?

“O Son of Spirit! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its and thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.” — HW, Arabic No. 2.

Am I striving toward justice in my dealings with. others?

'5 What does Bahá’u’lláh mean by a “new race ' of men”?

“By the righteousness of God! The world, its vanities and its glory, and whatever delights it can offer, are all, in the sight of God, as worthless as, nay even more contemptible than, dust and ashes. Would that the hearts of men could comprehend it. Wash yourselves thoroughly, O people of Bahá, from the defilement of the world, and of all that pertaineth unto it. God Himself beareth Me witness! The things of the earth ill beseem you. Cast them away unto such as may desire them, and fasten your eyes upon this most holy and effulgent Vision.” — Bahá’u’lláh, ADJ, p. 25.

Is my heart attached to the things of this world?

‘I What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human ' race?

“Say: Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Baha, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds. Such a deed is acceptable only when he that teacheth the Cause is already a firm believer in God, the Supreme Protector, the Gracious, the Almighty. He hath, moreover, ordained that His Cause be taught through the power of men’s utterance, and not through resort to violence. . . . Beware lest ye contend with any one, nay, strive to make him aware of the truth with kindly manner and most convincing exhortation. If your bearer respond, he will have responded to his own behoof, and if not, turn ye away from him, and set your faces

towards God’s sacred Court, the seat of resplendent holiness . . ." — GL., pp. 278-279.

Does my manner of teaching conform to the wishes of Bahá’u’lláh?

‘I What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human ' race?

“In these days, the most important of all things is the guidance of the nations and peoples of the world. Teaching the Cause is of the utmost importance for it is the head corner-stone of the foundation itself. This wronged servant has spent his days and nights in promoting the Cause and urging the peoples to service. He rested not a moment, till the fame of the Cause of God was noised abroad in the world and the celestial strains from the Abhá Kingdom roused the East and West. The beloved of God must also follow the same example. This is the secret of faithfulness, this is the requirement of servitude to the Threshold of Baha!” — W&T, p. 10.

Am I following ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example?

I What is Bahá’u’lláh’s purpose for the human ' race?

“Whoso ariseth among you to teach the Cause of his Lord, let him, before all else. teach his own self, that his speech may attract the hearts of them that hear him. Unless he teacheth his own self, the words of his mouth will not influence the heart of the seeker. Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that give good counsel to others but forget to follow it themselves.” — GL., p. 277.

“To strive to obtain a more adequate understanding of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous Revelation must, it is my unalterable conviction, remain the first obligation and the object of the constant endeavor of each one of its loyal adherents.” —Shoghi Effendi, WOB, p. 100.

Am I striving to obtain a more adequate understanding of the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh?

I9 “Ours, dearly-beloved co-workers, is the

' paramount duty to continue, with undimmed vision and unabated zeal, to assist in the final erection of that Edifice the foundations of which Bahá’u’lláh has laid in our hearts, to derive added hope and strength from the general trend of recent events, however dark their immediate effects, and to pray with unremitting fervor that He may hasten the approach of the realization of that Wondrous Vision which constitutes the brightest emanation of His Mind and the fairest fruit of the fairest civilization the world has yet seen.” ——Shoghi Effendi, WOB, p. 48.

References: ADJ —The Advent of Divine Justice; BWF — Bahá’í World Faith; GL— Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh; HW — Hidden Words; TDP — Tablets of the Divine Plan; W&T -— The Will & Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá;

WOB —The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.