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[Page 1]

THE MORTGAGE ON OUR FUTURE

The Bahá’í Community of the United States continues to face a serious crisis!

The Fund! How often, of late, we have been reminded of the need for increased support! The Fund! How vital it is to the teaching efforts of the Nine Year Plan of the entire Bahá’í World! The Fund! The sustenance, the very life-blood of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh!

But the ominous deficit continues to grow. From $60,000 at Ridván, 1967. To $128,000 at Ridván, 1968. To $202,000 on Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday, 1968. Finally, to a present figure of $207,657.52.

It has been asked whether this deficit is as serious as it is made to appear and, if so, just where did the money come from that now constitutes the deficit. Over the past several years, the National Spiritual Assembly has had the bounty of being the beneficiary of a number of estates, some of these of substantial magnitude. At the same time, many of these estates have specified that part or all of the bequest is to be used for a particular purpose such as summer schools, building improvements, or future institutions which are still unseen. In some cases, it is not practical to establish the institutions called for in these bequests until a future date. This has resulted in an accumulation of assets which we are obligated to use for specific future purposes.

The legal structure of the National Bahá’í Fund as well as acceptable and ethical accounting practices makes it expedient to maintain these earmarked assets together with those which are not earmarked. This makes it possible to utilize some of these assets which are not immediately needed elsewhere to finance current emergencies. It also, however, creates a liability that must be satisfied at some future date in order to carry out the wishes of the estates involved.

It can be truthfully stated, then, that it has been necessary to place a mortgage on the future of the Bahá’í Faith in the United States and the world in order to meet our present commitments. What a sobering thought to ponder! What a significant challenge to which we must now arise!

What can be done? An obvious approach is to cut spending. But we must first give careful consideration to the implications of such a move. How many of the goals of our Nine Year Plan would go unfulfilled as a result of such a move? Can we afford the risk of foregoing the mass conversion that is imminent because our proclamation and deepening efforts are cut short through lack of funds? It becomes increasingly obvious that spending cuts do not really provide a very attractive alternative.

The only answer, then, is to somehow arise to meet the challenge of our current budget, the budget suggested by the National Spiritual Assembly and ratified. even increased - by your delegates to the National Convention. We must, as individual Bahá’ís, come forward and provide the support that it is both our privilege and our obligation to provide.

Let us pray for the individual and collective guidance that is so vital at this time of great need. Let us re-examine ourselves, asking how our sacrifice compares with the potential catastrophe of failing to respond adequately to this financial crisis. Can we narrow the margin between what we can give and what we do give for the bounty and privilege of being a part of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh? Let us arise and repay this mortgage against our future that we may reach Ridván, 1969, with our budget over-subscribed!

In His Most Glorious Name, let us meet this test! [Page 2]

THE TIME IS RIPE

Here in the Department of International Goals we are convinced daily that a "perpetual movement like the ceaseless surge of the sea", is exerting an irresistable spiritual force throughout the world. In indisputable confirmation of the power of this force, ninety-nine have enrolled in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, in the span of three weeks. These new Bahá’ís are ablaze with the fire of the Faith.

At this writing, February 4, the number has climbed to 114, not including six declarations from other areas of the Island and one visitor from Massachusetts. These enrollments open two new centers and, although most of the new members in Mayaguez are youth, the formation of its assembly is assured.

What each new delivery of mail will reveal is a never ceasing source of excitement and inspiration! Our dedicated, hardworking pioneers, Mr. Gordon Tom Burke and Mrs. Alice Burke have given their home for the Bahá’í Center which is constantly seething with enthusiastic youth seeking to learn more and more about the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. The Burkes are ably assisted and inspired by two youth from the States, Miss Lynn Johnson and Miss Robin Grimson, who are both enrolled as students at the Inter-American University at San German only a fifteen-minute drive from Mayaguez. Mrs. Norma DaVar, pioneering in Mayaguez with her thirteen year old daughter, lends her able help to this Bahá’í population explosion. Pioneers Leonard Ericks and Mrs. Lila Witzel Ericks, who live across the island, are also assisting.

The new believers are taking active and enthusiastic part in the many teaching training courses scheduled, presenting as teachers various aspects of the Faith and preparing the material through their individual research and those who are bi-lingual are engaged in translating the presentations thus learning and absorbing the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

A Puerto Rico Youth Conference is in the planning by the very capable Puerto Rico Goals Committee and its appointed Youth Resource Group, working in close cooperation, for the period of the school break for Easter, April 2–April 6.

The exciting and inspirational events taking place in Puerto Rico abundantly evidence the fact that "The Time is Ripe".

"Whoso openeth his lips in this Day and maketh mention of the name of his Lord, the hosts of Divine inspiration shall descend upon him from the heaven of My name, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. On him shall also descend the Concourse on high, each bearing aloft a chalice of pure light. . ."

On hearing of these victories the Universal House of Justice cabled on January 31 as follows:

DELIGHTED INFLUX LARGE NUMBER YOUTH MAYAGUEZ. CONVEY FRIENDS PUERTO RICO ASSURANCE OUR ARDENT PRAYERS. WAY MAY NOW BE OPENED WIDESPREAD ACCEPTANCE FAITH THROUGHOUT IMPORTANT ISLAND CARIBBEAN SEA.

GOAL OF THE MONTH

For a YOUTH and a PARENT MARCH 1969

The YOUTH to devote one year of his or her life to pioneering in an African or South American goal country.

The PARENT to sponsor such a year for his, or someone else's son or daughter.

This year might be an interlude between high school and college, between college and career, or possibly continued education in a foreign University.

Estimated cost $1500 to $2500 depending upon country chosen.

These are the Goal Countries:

• South Africa
• Central African Republic
• Gabon
• Togo
• Bolivia
• Ecuador
• Dominican Republic
• Nicaragua
• Peru
• Venezuela

An interested youth or parent should pray and meditate on this—then write or phone the DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL GOALS 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091. Phone 312-256-4400

Sharing Pioneer Experiences

Wonderful and inspirational letters come from all over the world to the Department of International Goals. We cannot resist sharing a few of these. A dedicated pioneer to South America, after a brief visit to the United States wrote:

"Once again I am thankful to the Almighty for the opportunities afforded me during my visit, for it is through the meeting with kindred souls that one's spiritual batteries are recharged and enthusiasm rekindled. This same excitement is achieved through the visit of a travelling teacher and to those who have asked me if I thought the visit by outside Bahá’ís was useful in South America, I have answered that indeed it was. For similar to the travelling troubadours of long ago, the Bahá’í travelling teacher brings joyous news from foreign lands and brings illuminating glad-tidings in multi-lingual voices."

In another communication this successful, enthusiastic believer gives excellent advice for the new pioneer:

"I will be forever grateful to dear Hand of the Cause Dr. Muhájir, whose loving guidance encouraged my pioneering effort. His parting words opened many doors for me and will never be forgotten. He said, in effect, 'When you pioneer, go as if you would settle permanently in that territory, solve your problems in this way, and both the Faith and your life will quickly become established. When the Faith is well established and you should wish to pioneer again, that is alright too.'

"The psychological effect of this advice is astounding, for the pioneer views his problems as part of a new life rather than with the attitude of a tourist who is just visiting. Those people he befriends also react to him as one who has come to stay. . .

"There were times when some problem was really" [Page 3]getting me down, I would momentarily consider 'I don't have to take this' and than I would react by thinking 'I intend to stay here; there is no alternative; how can the problem be overcome?'"

One pioneer couple, in the United States after living over two years in Africa, describes the experience thus: "To serve in the capacity of pioneers was a wonderful experience and test to us. If I were blessed to return to an overseas pioneer post, I would try to benefit from past mistakes. Mainly I think that to try to live the life of a Bahá’í and make good friends with a large number of local people should come well before trying to spread the Message by words. Certainly this would have a far more lasting effect. I would, moreover, try even harder to learn the local language well. Can a person put his trust in people he doesn't understand?

"From the over two years which we spent in Africa, we gained one outstanding impression — that manpower (devoted Bahá’ís) is in extreme need there.

"Really, going to Africa to pioneer (especially if one is able to acquire employment before going) is not necessarily a great material sacrifice. Many times the contrary is true. The sacrifice (actually the blessing) comes with trusting in Bahá’u’lláh and spending time and energy for His Cause at the pioneer post — learning the language, making friends, going on teaching trips, learning local customs. Time and energy — the same sacrifices required on the homefront goals. Once you go, there's the big chance you won't be satisfied to stay home again."

Some Reflections on the Marriage Law

The following excerpt of a letter from a young Bahá’í will be encouraging and enlightening to believers who may experience difficulty in obtaining parental consent for marriage. His letter was written following his own study and meditation of the law of Bahá’u’lláh making it mandatory for Bahá’ís to have the consent for marriage from all living parents of the couple.

"Because of a number of incidents in the American Bahá’í community involving parental consent before marriage, and because dealing with my possible future parents-in-law have given me some insights into the problem, I feel pressed to share with the Assembly my thoughts about the subject, for possible consultation and deepening and sharing with Bahá’ís throughout the world. I don't pretend to be an expert on the subject, but I feel strongly that my thoughts would do some good.

"Some guidelines for a prospective bride and bridegroom contemplating a Bahá’í ceremony:

1. If the parents seem hostile, don't panic. Keep your sense of proportion and drown yourselves in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.

2. Talk with them lovingly, forgetting for a moment your future happiness, and concentrate on what troubles them.

3. If, after loving consultation, which should include meeting with the local spiritual assembly if possible, the parents still do not relent, and it is certain that they never will, separate, and place your confidence in God. Apparently it was not His Will that the union take place, and you are destined to find other partners, if that be His Will.

4. If both parties are firm in the Covenant, and put the Faith first in all circumstances, all barriers to happiness will be removed, and most of the situations with parental stubbornness will disappear."

Auxiliary Board Members for North America

Assigned by the Continental Board of Counsellors

• Mr. R. Ted Anderson: Yukon and McKenzie Territories, Alberta, British Columbia, and share Franklin District with Peggy Ross
• Mr. Howard J. Brown: Alaska, Washington, Idaho
• Mr. Fred Graham: Ontario, Quebec, The Maritimes
• Mr. Albert B. James: Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio
• Mr. Chester Kahn: Utah, Arizona, Nevada, all Indian Reservations
• Mrs. Velma Sherrill: Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Southern California
• Mr. Curtis D. Kelsey: Florida
• Mrs. Javidukht Khadem: Southern Illinois, Iowa, Wyoming, Oregon, Northern California
• Dr. Peter J. Khan: Michigan, Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana
• Mrs. Jane McCants: Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma
• Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin: New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island), New York, Pennsylvania
• Mrs. Peggy Ross: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Keewatin District, and share Franklin District with Ted Anderson
• Dr. William M. Tucker: North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana

Additional information in relation to the work of the Auxiliary Board Members will be published later.

Please note change in assignment of Montana as reported January 10, 1969 in letter to all local spiritual assemblies and state goals committees. [Page 4]

Reception for the Mitchells Held in Wilmette

Mr. and Mrs. Glenford E. Mitchell were formally and delightfully introduced to the leading citizens of Wilmette at a well-attended reception hosted by the Wilmette Bahá’í community. On Sunday, January 26 village and church officials, school and organization heads, and local friends of the Bahá’ís enjoyed hospitality at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Rexford Parmelee

The local resident role played by each National Spiritual Assembly secretary has varied during his residence, and the Mitchells were warmly welcomed as new assets in many aspects of community life. Genuine enjoyment was evident as most guests stayed for an extended period of time.

Bahá’u’lláh: Divine Architect of Human Rights

A Report of Celebrations of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh in the United States

Burlington, Vermont

The Bahá’í Community of Burlington, Vermont observed the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh by inviting the public to view the film, "Celebrities Look at Religion." According to the community report, "This was the largest public event planned thus far by our group. . . Although it drew only three seekers, we feel it was highly successful."

"We bought an abundance of fruit, nuts and cookies," the report continued, "and since all of it wasn't consumed, we made large baskets decorated with flowers and filled with the food. Then we delivered the baskets throughout the city to various nursing homes and homes for the aged."

"It was a wonderful and fulfilling way of celebrating the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh," the report concluded.

Rhinelander, Wisconsin Bahá’ís Planned a Quiet Commemoration . . . But

For the Bahá’ís of Rhinelander, Wisconsin, this year's supposedly quiet observance of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh turned into a gala affair.

Mrs. Cordelia Norder writes in a letter "As a result of so much travel of late, other presented opportunities, etc., this event was planned to be just a quiet commemoration with the newly enrolled believers and most intimate friends. . ., but it didn't turn out that way."

Mrs. Norder stated "Late in the afternoon of that day, (I) was notified that a local priest was coming and had been told that it was to be a big party. Seems that he had been under pressure from one of his parishioners to attend a fireside for the past month, and finally accepted or rather gave in to the pressure on this occasion.!" [Page 5]Mayor John Smith receives The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh from the Bahá’ís of Hayward, California. This presentation was made in conjunction with the celebration of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh. Left to right: Mrs. Janet Talamantis, Mayor John Smith, John J. Gallaghen, and Mrs. Eileen Johnes.

"With a beautiful bouquet of flowers sent out by a Catholic friend, a huge birthday cake baked by an Episcopal friend, party favors, the priest, two nuns and nine others, it turned out to be a gala affair."

In the closing remarks about this commemoration, Mrs. Norder wrote "How great to hear the priest say in leaving: 'There will be many more such discussions." "

Unusual Headline

“Bahá’ís Note Birthday of Prophet Bahá’u’lláh” was the headline of a four-column feature article on the life of Bahá’u’lláh printed in The Union newspaper of Grass Valley-Nevada City, California. The article was submitted to The Union by the Bahá’í Groups of Grass Valley and Nevada City.

A round-table presentation was conducted by the youth of the Santa Monica, California Community in observance of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh.

The Fresno J. D., California Community celebrated the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh by sponsoring a potluck, Birthday dinner. The report stated that there were "No. sermons!" and went on to say "All the guests knew that we were celebrating the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh, and they know who Bahá’u’lláh, is! They were testing us to see if we knew" Cripe said several American Indians were among the astounding ninety percent of respondents who attended the observance.

"It was truly a joyful occasion," was what Mrs. Kathleen Javid had to say about the public meeting held in observance of the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Everett, Washington. The meeting was held in the Banquet Room of a cafe, and Winston Evans was the speaker for the occasion. There were 64 people present and of that number at least 18 guests.

The Bahá’ís of Laramie, Wyoming, sponsored a social gathering in observance of Bahá’u’lláh Birthday. The entertainers for the occasion were the Bahá’í Players of Denver, Colorado, who presented a program of readings and music entitled "He has Come to the Nations." The community reported that "In spite of the bad weather, it was a beautiful and impressive occasion. Much appreciated by all who came."

Bahá’ís of Ogden, Utah marked the Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh by presenting nine copies of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to community leaders and libraries. Mayor Bart Wolthuis is shown receiving the book from C. D. Schneider, chairman of the Bahá’í Assembly of Ogden while Jack Angell and Mrs. Lois George watch. The event received good publicity with picture in the local paper.

Brief reports of public meeting observances have come from Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona; Rogers, Arkansas; Bakersfield, San Diego, and San Rafael, California; Greater Bridgeport and Meriden, Connecticut; Cobb County, Georgia; Belleville, Illinois; Macomb County, Michigan; Great Falls, Montana; Reno and Sparks, Nevada; Montclair, New Jersey; Geneva, New York; Mansfield and Warren, Ohio; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Bremerton, Washington.

Dinners were sponsored in observance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday by the Communities of Desert J.D., Healdsberg and Santa Rosa, California; Agana, Guam; Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, Florida; Brunswick-Topsham, Maine; Montgomery County, Maryland; Grand Forks A.F.B., North Dakota; Columbus and Warren, Ohio; Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and Spokane, Washington.

Similar observerances were held in Colorado Springs, Colorado; South Bend, Indiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Yonkers, New York; Alexandria, Virginia; and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

According to reports received, over 730 column inches of gratis publicity in 58 newspapers were received; about one hour of radio time was donated, and several displays were placed in libraries.

First Public Meeting in Shiprock

The first Bahá’í public meeting to be held in Shiprock, New Mexico on the northeastern part of the Navajo Reservation occurred on January 11, 1969. Paul Monka of Los Angeles was the featured speaker.

The small home of the resident Bahá’í family was overflowing with the friends and guests who attended the potluck dinner and meeting. The event had been publicized by a story in the Farmington paper and an advertisement in the Navajo Times.

Inquirers attending included two families from Tuba City, Arizona which is 170 miles distant. Others came from Farmington, New Mexico and Shiprock. Bahá’ís were present from Lewis, Colorado; Gallup, New Mexico; Fort Defiance and Window Rock, Arizona.

Many lively questions followed Mr. Monka's stimulating talk. It is hoped that this meeting may be the impetus for an increasing interest in the message of Bahá’u’lláh on the part of those residing in this part of the Navajo Reservation. More pioneers are greatly needed to help in the work in this area. [Page 6]

Pioneering must be experienced...

The National Spiritual Assembly has recently given its permission to reprint a letter that appeared in the April 1956 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS written by Mr. Amoz Gibson (now a member of the Universal House of Justice) and his wife Mary.

"Pioneering must be experienced; it cannot be adequately described, but must be lived. The uncertainties, the trials and tests, yes, even the failures, and of course the triumphs, give a new feeling of the presence of Bahá’u’lláh’s ever-flowing bounty. The manifold joys and blessings that the pioneer receives still await many hundreds of His followers. For has not Shoghi Effendi, our beloved Guardian, said, 'A veritable exodus from the large cities must signalize the inauguration of this most intensive and challenging phase of the Crusade on the home front.' Among the goal cities one will find every type of climate, opportunity for work, and association with people of varied backgrounds.

"Here on the Navajo reservation we have met some new and different experiences. But we are more strongly impressed by the similarities which we believe are common to all mankind; a sense of pride in one’s cultural heritage, a love for children, an eagerness for education, and a deep spiritual belief in a power far greater that man himself.

"Our only regret is that we hesitated so long, considering family, home, jobs, health. Now we know that these matters are relatively unimportant. Bahá’u’lláh takes care of such things. But to us He leaves the choice to pioneer or not. This decision He will not make for us. And it is this choice that can bring such rich rewards."

Today we face a challenging phase of the Nine Year Plan. Mass conversion is at our doorstep. The need to expand and consolidate the divinely-ordained institutions of our Faith becomes ever-apparent as we chart our course while sailing on that unknown sea of world-wide proclamation. Needs exist everywhere. Listed are the assemblies that need Bahá’ís, the large groups that can form new assemblies; the localities that form the seedbed for future expansion. The National Bahá’í Community is on the verge of a tremendous victory, and you are the prime ingredient.

-NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE

Proclamation in High Gear

A steady flow of reports on Proclamation Weeks is being received at the National Bahá’í Center. Some of the Proclamation Weeks involve only one city or town and others encompass a whole state. Two recent state proclamations were those held in Northern Virginia, October 5-13, 1968 and the New Mexico Bahá’í Recognition Week held early this past January. A recent city-wide event was Proclamation Week in Scottsdale, Arizona held November 10-16, 1968. All the reports indicate successful proclamations.

While the final report is not in on the New Mexico proclamation a highlight was the signing by the Governor of New Mexico of a proclamation announcing Bahá’í Recognition Week throughout the State. The public meetings held in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Gallup and Las Cruces were well attended, the television, radio and newspaper coverage was excellent.

In the Northern Virginia Proclamation a whole range of activities was used to proclaim the Faith. Prior to the proclamation week the book, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh was presented to state representatives, senators and the Governor of Virginia. In Arlington, Virginia bus advertising was used. The ad depicted abstract drawings of three races, emphasized the greatest challenge of the day, and gave addresses and telephones. "Take Ones", single sheets of information re-emphasizing the oneness of mankind on one side and listing basic facts on the other were attached to the poster for the bus patrons. The bus advertisement in one hundred buses has lead to two declarations in Arlington and it is scheduled to run for one year.

One hundred and fifty-three press kits on the Bahá’í Faith were mailed to radio stations in Virginia. Other activities in the Northern Virginia proclamation included Sunday Schools, a Fair Booth (viewed by an estimated one million individuals), handouts and posters, interviews on radio and television, a Mayor's proclamation, public meetings, firesides, luncheon meetings, open houses, the showing of the film "And His Name Shall Be One", a music festival (attended by over 200 individuals), an International Dinner and displays. Newspapers throughout Northern Virginia carried stories on the various aspects of the proclamation. It is estimated that well over two million individuals were reached by this effort.

The Proclamation Week in Scottsdale, Arizona, among other things, is notable for its low cost of only $240. The program of activities included public meetings, newspaper releases, spot announcements for radio and television stations, television interviews of speakers, posters, literature holders in laundromats, speaking engagements at high schools, mailing out invitation-programs of the week's activities. The Scottsdale Bahá’í Community sets an example of what can be done on what they call "a shoestring budget" for a proclamation effort.

Mayor George A. Hamilton of Fairfax City, Virginia, signs Bahá’í Week Proclamation witnessed by (left to right): Donald Larson, Mrs. Soo Fouts, Miss Gretchen Border, Miss Linda Marshall. [Page 7]

HUMAN RIGHTS ARE GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS

Bahá’í display in Maryland State Fair. The display was designed and produced by the Bahá’ís of Fairfax County, Virginia.

"... In the Forefront of All Progressive Movements"

The following excerpts from a letter gratefully received by NABOHR are shared with the Bahá’ís for their enlightening observations and evaluation.

"Dear Friends:

"We are still basking in the memory of the wonderful Human Rights Conference that we attended a few weeks ago there in Chicago. It is difficult to find expression that will adequately describe our joy and humble appreciation for having witnessed a miniature of what our Faith 'in the forefront of all progressive movements' can achieve in this country, when its members are truly united in an effort to initiate and inspire practical methods of destroying our common enemies: existing forms of oppression, inhumanity, and bigotry.

"This conference, we believe, served as an intelligent and dignified medium of promulgating, teaching, presenting, and dramatizing many Bahá’í principles, aspirations, and goals to a large number of influential people who might not have had the inclination or challenge to otherwise investigate the dynamic teachings of the Faith. These people in turn, we feel, will be the means of propagating and giving the Faith widespread and far reaching attention throughout this country. As a matter of fact, we received several calls referring us to October 4th's edition of "Muhammad Speaks," an article about Mr. Peter MacDonald's address in which our NABOHR sponsorship of the Human Rights Conference was acknowledged.

"Further, in disclosing and establishing a bond of mutual interest between Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís in the cause of human rights, this conference also provided Bahá’ís with a greater and much needed incentive to delve into and become more intimately acquainted with the Bahá’í Writings, with the systematized directives and comprehensive works of our beloved Shoghi Effendi, to equip them to meet the challenges and to facilitate the development of the established Bahá’í institutions 'destined to arise upon the ruins of tottering institutions of present day civilization.'

"This conference, we believe, will be a means of dispelling the myth that the Faith is just another subtle and sophisticated scheme to ensnare the intellectual middle class black people to further subjugation, another 'institution' for black people to 'role-play' in the perpetuation of white supremacy . . . Although we are under no illusions that the Faith confers upon its members immunity from tests and difficulties, we hope that our suffering would be as a result of our championing the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, for showing our sense of justice and a preference for the cause of the oppressed, rather than the oppressor. ... We know from the many comments of praise, commending the Bahá’ís on their forthright and outspoken stand on human rights, coming from the guest speakers and participants, that this conference was an instrument vindicating the Faith in the eyes of these people from ill-founded accusations.

"...The warm and friendly atmosphere that surrounded us seemed to even penetrate the walls of the building. It induced a free flowing interchange of ideas and recommendations. . . . The members of the several racial minority groups were relaxed and seemed uninhibited by the presence of white participants. They spoke frankly and openly, in family style, on emotionally charged and extremely delicate subjects to a spiritually attuned, attentive, and lovingly responsive audience. Paradoxically, even some of the hotel residents, who did not attend the sessions, seemed infected by the spirit and not only queried us about the conference, but also requested literature on the Faith.

"Through the guest speakers' articulate and scholarly discourses on the various aspects of human rights in which they were daily engaged, we were provided with a deeper understanding and insight into the many complexities and problems with which they were confronted such as: the continuous duplicity of "the establishment," institutionalized racism, paternalism and its deterrent and restrictive influence on self-determination among minority ethnic group communities.

"Although the Bahá’í speakers were outnumbered, the sum total of their messages were nonetheless potent. Each one stood out like a lantern on a dark night welcoming and guiding men to a permanent peace and security. As they spoke, we were reminded of our commitments to God, through the mandates of our Faith and, thus, to our fellowman. We were made aware of the magnanimity of our purpose and the magnitude of tasks still unfulfilled and yet to be accomplished.... . . We are hopeful that this conference will serve as a model of future events and Bahá’í gatherings.

"'If ye meet the abased or the down-trodden, turn not away disdainfully from them, for the King of Glory ever watcheth over them and surroundeth them with such tenderness as none can fathom except them that have suffered their wishes and desires to be merged in the Will of your Lord, the Gracious, the All-Wise... Flee not from the face of the poor, nay rather befriend him and suffer him to recount the tale of the woes with which God's inscrutable Decree hath caused him to be afflicted. By the righteousness of God! Whilst ye consort with him, the Concourse on high will be looking upon you, will be interceding for you, will be extolling your names and glorifying your action..." (Gleanings, page 314)

Prayerfully,

Naomi Oden

Ernestine White [Page 8]

TEACHING AND CONSOLIDATION

How Much Longer?

The development of local and national Bahá’í communities throughout the world stands as the central theme of the Formative Age of the Bahá’í Dispensation. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh will not be fulfilled in the multiplication of believers, but in the creation of an ordered society - local, national and worldwide.

The term "community development" covers many steps in this great process, but the process is one and the goal should be kept clearly in sight.

For example, the first step is the group of nine or more adult Bahá’ís in one civil area electing, or forming by joint declaration, the local spiritual assembly at Ridván. Future steps of study and training in the principles and methods of Bahá’í administration, unfoldment of those powers, capacities and responsibilities with which Bahá’u’lláh has entrusted the community of the Greatest Name, never can be realized if the local institution cannot be formed, or, once formed, unable to go further because of the loss of the requisite number of believers.

An appeal is once again made to those believers who are able to do so, to move to an area where a local spiritual assembly is in jeopardy, or a new one is striving to be formed on April 21. Listed below are the 29 jeopardized local spiritual assemblies, and 64 large goal groups with fewer than nine adults, which are in need of homefront settlers. How much longer will you deprive yourself of the bounty, in this early period of the Formative Age, to serve on a local spiritual assembly?

Jeopardized Assemblies

STATE	ASSEMBLY	ADULT BELIEVERS
NORTHEASTERN STATES
New Jersey	North Plainfield	8
New York	Amherst Township	8
New York	Babylon Township	8
New York	Town of Tonowanda	6
New York	Yonkers	8
Rhode Island	Providence	8
SOUTHERN STATES
Arkansas	Rogers	7
Kentucky	Louisville	8
Texas	Bellaire	7
WESTERN STATES
Arizona	Verde Valley	6
California	Alturas	7
California	Compton J.D.	7
California	Los Gatos	8
California	Santa Maria	8
California	University Park	8
Colorado	Arvada	8
Colorado	Aurora	5
New Mexico	McKinley County	6
Washington	Bellevue	8
Washington	Franklin Cnty. Comm. Dist. No. 3	8
Washington	Issaquah	8
CENTRAL STATES
Illinois	Downers Grove Twp.	8
Kansas	Salina	7
Michigan	Ypsilanti	7
Minnesota	Olmsted County	8
North Dakota	Fargo	8
Ohio	North Olmsted	6
South Dakota	Sioux Falls	8

Large Goal Groups

STATE	GROUP	ADULT BELIEVERS
NORTHEASTERN STATES
Maine	Kittery	7
Massachusetts	Brookline	8
New Hampshire	Greenfield	7
New Hampshire	Hinsdale	7
New Hampshire	Hudson	8
New Jersey	Hackensack	8
New Jersey	Paterson	7
New Jersey	Springfield	7
New York	Beacon	7
New York	Town of Yorktown	7
Vermont	Burlington	8
SOUTHERN STATES
Alabama	Auburn	7
Arkansas	Fayetteville	7
Florida	Key West	7
Florida	Riviera Beach	7
Florida	Tallahasee	8
Louisiana	Slidell	7
Texas	Arlington	8
Texas	Lubbock	7
CENTRAL STATES
Illinois	Edwardsville	7
Illinois	Northbrook	8

[Page 9]

Large Goal Groups (con.)

Central States

Illinois

• Park Forest (7)
• Park Ridge (8)

Iowa

• Peoria Heights (7)
• Iowa City (8)
• Sioux City (7)

Michigan

• East Lansing (8)
• Niles Township (7)

Missouri

• University City (7)

South Dakota

• Mapleton Township (7)

Wisconsin

• Muskego Township (8)
• Oconomowoc (7)
• Wilson Township (7)

Western States

Arizona

• Chinle (7)
• Ft. Defiance (8)
• Na-Ah-Tee Trading Post (8)
• Prescott (7)

California

• Belmont (8)
• Claremont (7)
• Concord (8)
• Covina (7)
• Eureka (7)
• Freemont (7)
• Hawthorne (8)
• Laguna Beach (7)
• San Clemente, J.D. (7)
• Livermore (7)
• Los Gatos, Saratoga, Campbell J.D. (7)
• Mountain View (8)
• Oroville J.D. (8)
• San Jose, Milpitas, Alviso J.D. (8)
• Santa Cruz (7)
• Santa Paula (7)
• Saratoga (7)
• South Gate (7)

Colorado

• Ft. Collins (8)

Idaho

• Idaho Falls (8)
• Pocatello (7)

Montana

• Missoula (7)

New Mexico

• Las Cruces (8)

Oregon

• Umatilla County (7)

Washington

• Kent (7)
• Shelton (8)
• Snohomish Co. C.D. No. 3 (8)
• Toppenish (7)

Goals Still to be Opened or Reopened to the Faith in Indian Areas

Southern States

Florida

• Venus

Oklahoma

• Tahlequah

Central States

Minnesota

• Ponemah
• Red Lake

Nebraska

• Winnebago

North Dakota

• Devils Lake
• Fort Totten

South Dakota

• Pine Ridge
• Sisseton
• Yankton

Western States

Arizona

• Fort Apache
• Keams Canyon

Idaho

• Blackfoot
• Plummer

Montana

• Browning

New Mexico

• Isleta

Service Wives

Aerial view of Schilling Manor Army Community Service Center, at Salina, Kansas, with housing area shown in background.

SERVICE WIVES:

Did you know that there is a unique housing project for wives of military personnel on isolated duty in Salina, Kansas a jeopardized assembly location?

The housing project is on the site of a deactivated air base and is occupied only by service wives and children, with all the usual facilities for dependents available.

There are many opportunities for teaching the Faith with the added privilege of saving a local spiritual assembly made unusually easy. For further details about this unique opportunity to serve the Faith while your loved one is fulfilling his military obligation, please contact the Local Spiritual Assembly of Salina, Kansas, Post Office Box 1134, Salina, Kansas 67401. [Page 10]

LET’S GET THE JOB DONE . . . . AND SCORE A GREATER VICTORY

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 BAHÁ’Í LOCALITIES

NORTHEASTERN STATES

CONNECTICUT

• Danbury
• Litchfield
• Manchester
• Mystic
• Naugatuck
• Norwich
• *Ridgefield
• Simsbury
• Stafford Springs
• Torrington
• Waterbury
• Watertown
• Willimantic

NEW JERSEY

• Burlington
• Camden
• Denville
• East Brunswick
• Garfield
• Glassboro
• Griggstown
• Hackettstown
• Hammonton
• Lawrence Township
• Linden
• Madison
• Middlesex
• Millville
• Morristown
• Pennington
• Phillipsburg
• Tenafly
• Verona
• Belleville
• Bound Brook
• Rahway
• Vineland

MAINE

• Auburn
• Bar Harbor
• Bethel
• Biddeford
• Brooks
• Dover-Foxcroft
• Eastport
• Ellsworth
• Farmington
• Fort Kent
• Hartland
• Norway
• Old Town
• Orland
• Presque Isle
• Rockland
• Waterville

MASSACHUSETTS

• Adams
• Andover
• Auburn
• Fall River
• Fitchburg
• Gardner
• Lawrence
• New Bedford
• Norton
• Sharon
• Somerset
• Spencer
• Taunton
• Ware

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• Berlin
• Charlestown
• Colebrook
• Derry
• Franklin
• Hanover
• Lebanon
• New London
• North Conway
• *Raymond
• Salem
• Wilton

WEST NEW YORK

• Auburn
• Batavia
• Corning
• Cortland
• Elmira
• Geneseo
• Hornell
• Illion
• Malone
• Massena
• Olean
• Oneida
• Salamanca
• Town of Arcadia
• Town of Alabama
• Utica
• Wellsville

PENNSYLVANIA

• Bloomsburg
• Chambersburg
• DuBois
• Hazeltown
• Indiana
• Johnstown
• Lewistown
• Lock Haven
• Meadville
• Millersville
• New Castle
• Reading
• Stroudsburg
• York
• Washington
• Williamsport

RHODE ISLAND

• Gloucester
• Johnston
• Lincoln
• Smithfield
• South Kingstown
• Tiverton
• West Warwick
• Westerly
• Woonsocket
• Barrington
• Bristol
• Central Falls
• Coventry
• East Greenwich

VERMONT

• Fair Haven
• Hardwick
• Ludlow
• Montpelier
• Morrisville
• Newport
• St. Albans
• St. Johnsbury
• Springfield
• Stowe
• Vergennes
• White River Jct.
• Woodstock

SOUTHERN STATES

ALABAMA

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

ARKANSAS

• Batesville
• Bella Vista
• Benton
• Blytheville
• Booneville
• Camden
• Cherokee Village
• Conway
• Crossett
• Forest City
• Greenville
• Harrison
• Magnolia
• Malvern
• Monticello
• Morrilton
• Mountain Home
• Newport
• Paragould
• Russellville
• Stuttgart
• Texarkana
• *Warren
• West Memphis

DELAWARE

• Bellefonte
• Bridgeville
• Clayton
• Delaware City
• Georgetown
• Harrington
• Kent County
• Laurel
• Lewes
• Middletown
• Milford
• Milton
• Odessa
• Rehoboth Beach
• Seaford
• Selbyville
• Smyrna
• Sussex County

FLORIDA

• Arlington
• Belle Glade
• 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
• Ocala
• Palatka
• Panama City
• Pembroke Pines
• Pensacola
• Pinellas Park
• Plant City
• Sanford
• Stuart
• Venice
• Venus
• Vero Beach
• Warrington
• West Hollywood
• West Pensacola

GEORGIA

• Americus
• Bainbridge
• Barnesville
• Brunswick
• Cartersville
• Chattahoochee County
• Cordele
• Gainesville
• Garden City
• Grovetown
• Macon
• Monroe
• Moultrie
• Rome
• Statesboro
• Thomasville
• Tifton
• Warm Springs
• Warner Robbins
• Washington
• Waycross

KENTUCKY

• Belleview
• Campbellsville
• Covington
• Elizabethtown
• Fort Thomas
• Frankfort
• Glasgow
• Henderson
• Madisonville
• Maysville
• Middlesboro
• Morehead
• Newport
• Owensboro
• Paris
• Richmond
• Winchester

LOUISIANA

• Abbeville
• Arabi
• Baker
• Bastrop
• Bogalusa
• Covington
• Denham Springs
• Donaldsonville
• East Baton Rouge Parish
• Eunice
• Gonzales
• Goosport
• Hammond
• Harvey
• Houma
• Jennings
• Kenner
• *Lafayette
• Minden
• Morgan City
• New Iberia
• Opelousas
• Tallulah
• Thibodaux

MARYLAND

• Aberdeen
• Annapolis
• Bel Air
• Cambridge
• Centerville
• Crisfield
• Cumberland
• Denton
• Easton
• Elkton
• Emittsburg
• Frederick
• *Frostburg
• Gaithersburg
• Hagerstown
• Havre de Grace
• La Plata
• Leonardtown
• Oakland
• Ocean City
• Port Deposit
• Prince Frederick
• Princess Anne
• Queenstown
• Snow Hill
• Stevensville
• Upper Marlboro
• Westminster

MISSISSIPPI

• Biloxi
• Brookhaven
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Corinth
• Forest
• Greenwood
• Holly Springs
• Kosciusko
• Laurel
• Leland
• McComb
• Meridian
• Natchez
• Oxford
• Pascagoula
• Picayune
• Philadelphia
• Raymond
• Starkville
• Tupelo
• Vicksburg
• Yazoo City

NORTH CAROLINA

• Ahoskie
• Asheboro
• Boone
• Clinton
• Concord
• Cullowhee
• Dobson
• Eden
• Elizabeth City
• Goldsboro
• Henderson
• Henersonville
• Hickory
• Jacksonville
• Kinston
• Laurinburg
• Lumberton
• Marion
• Monroe
• Morehead City
• Murphy
• Salisbury
• Smithfield
• Washington
• Wilmington
• Wilson

OKLAHOMA

• Altus
• Ardmore
• *Bartlesville
• Bristow
• Chandler
• Chickasaw
• Claremore
• Elk City
• Enid
• Guthrie
• Langston
• McAlester
• Miami
• Ponca City
• Sand Springs
• Sapulpa
• Shawnee
• Skiatook
• Stillwater
• Tahlequah
• Tecumseh
• Weatherford

SOUTH CAROLINA

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

[Page 11]

GOAL CITIES AND TOWNS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW BAHÁ’Í LOCALITIES

SOUTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA

Manning Newberry Orangeburg Seneca Sumter Walterboro Whitmire York

TENNESSEE Blacksburg Clifton Forge Culpepper Falls Church Farmville Fredericksburg Front Royal Hampton Harrisonburg Highland Springs Lawrenceville Leesburg Martinsville Nassawadox Arlington Lexington Bristol Marion Brownsville Brunswick Clarksville Norton Cleveland Collegedale Cookeville Covington Dyersburg Harrogate Humboldt Jackson Jamestown Lexington Manchester Maryville Millington Pulaski Rockwood Sewanee Radford Ruckersville Salem South Boston Westmoreland County Winchester Wytheville

WEST VIRGINIA Boone County Buckhannon Clarksburg Clendenin Romney

CENTRAL STATES IOWA Atlantic Burlington Centerville Charles City Cherokee Creston Correctionville Ft. Dodge Ft. Madison Manchester Manson Mason City Nevada Oskaloosa Red Oak Spencer

KANSAS Arkansas City Atchison Chanute Coffeeville Colby Concordia Dodge City Ft. Scott Garden City Great Bend Hays Liberal Manhattan McPherson Newton Ottawa Austin

NEBRASKA Nebraska City Norfolk North Platt Scottsbluff Schuyler Valentine Winnebago

NORTH DAKOTA Beach Bismarck Carrington Devils Lake Dickinson Ellendale Ft. Totten Garrison Grafton Mandan Minot Mott New Town Pembina Rolla Williston

OHIO Alliance Ashland Ashtabula Bellefontaine Chillicothe Conneaut Coshocton Defiance Delaware Lancaster Lorain Marietta

SOUTH DAKOTA Lemmon Pierre Pine Ridge Sisseton Spearfish

WESTERN STATES MONTANA Anaconda Broadus Browning Conrad Springfield Sturges Watertown Yankton Dillon Glasgow Glendive Kalispell Laurel Lewistown

WESTERN STATES ARIZONA Ajo Avondale Bisbee Buckeye Casa Grande Eloy Florence Ft. Apache Gila Bend Globe Grand Canyon. Keams Canyon Lake Havasu City Nogales Page Peoria Safford-Thatcher Sedona Springerville Superior Wickenburg Williams

COLORADO Libby Polson

UTAH Beaver Blanding Brigham City Cedar City. Farmington Green River Heber Kanab Shelby Townsend Thompson Falls Moab Price Richfield St. George Toole Vernal Wendover

EASTERN NEVADA Babbitt Battle Mountain Carlin Dayton Ely Fallon. Hawthorne Lovelock Lyon County Minden Reno Rural Area-North Tonopah Wells

NEW MEXICO

• Bernalillo

Carlsbad Chuska Clovist Craig Deming Glenwood Springs Fort Wingate Grants Hobbs Isleta

WASHINGTON Colfax Colville Connell Dayton Deer Park Easton Ellensburg Ephrata Grandview Lind Odessa Omak Oroville Othello Ritzville Selah Sprague Sunnyside Tanasket Wenatchee

WESTERN WASHINGTON Smithville Spring City Union City Woodbury

EAST TEXAS Angleton Athens Bay City Beeville Brady Brenham Bridgeport Carrizo Springs Columbus Ennis Edinburg Freeport Hillsboro Huntsville Kerrville Lampasas Laredo Lockhart Longview Lufkin Mineral Wells New Braunfels Paris Port Arthur Prairie View Rockdale Taylor Temple Texas City Uvalde Vernon Victoria

WEST TEXAS Alpine Ballinger Elkins Glenville Hamlin Logan Martinsburg Mercer County Moundsville New Martinsville Richwood White Sulphur Springs Wyoming County

CENTRAL STATES SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Anna Beardstown Cairo Carlinville. Centralia Chillicothe Clinton Galesburg Greenville Jacksonville Jerseyville Lebanon Leland Grove Litchfield Mahomet Marion McComb Rochester Taylorville

INDIANA Parsons Phillipsburg Pittsburg Pratt Scott City

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

MISSOURI Boonville Cape Girardeau Carthage Caruthersville Clinton Chillicothe Farmington Fulton. Jefferson City Liberty East Liverpool Fairview Park Hiram Marion Mount Vernon New Philadelphia Norwalk Portsmouth Ravenna Steubenville Tiffin Washington Court House Westerville Wilberforce Wooster

• Yellow Springs

Zanesville

SOUTH DAKOTA Aberdeen Brookings Chamberlain Huron Lead

• Gunnison

LaJunta Lamar Longmont Montrose Pagosa Springs Rangely Algona

• Anacortes

Los Alamos County Auburn Madrid Portales Steamboat Springs Roswell Santa Rosa Sterling Trinidad.

IDAHO American Falls Blackfoot Burley Gooding Grangeville Kellogg Montpelier Mountain Home Plummer Potlatch Preston Rexburg Salmon Sandpoint St. Anthony Silver City Springer

OREGON Albany Bend Florence Gold Beach Gresham Lakeview Lebanon

• Monmouth

Ontario Oregon City Roseburg Seaside Chehalis Hoquiam Jefferson County Medina. Mukilteo Port Orchard Port Townsend Puyallup Raymond Sedro Wooley Snohomish Tumwater.

WYOMING Buffalo Douglas Lander Medicine Bow Rawlins Rock Springs

Borger Brownfield Canyon Clarendon Colorado City Dalhart Dumas El Dorado. Fort Stockton Lamesa: Levelland Marfa Monohans Pampa Plainview Pecos Snyder Sonora Sweetwater Van Horn Auburn Clinton Connelton. Decatur Fowler Frankfort Greencastle Greensburg Huntington Jasper Lebanon Liberty New Castle North Vernon Plymouth Portland Rushville Sullivan Vincennes Versailles Lebanon Marshall Mexico Moberly Perryville Poplar Bluff Sedalia Sikeston

• Trenton

Warrensburg Washington

NEBRASKA Alliance Beatrice Columbus Chadron Falls City Hastings Kearney McCook

• Goal already filled since Ridván 1968

Localities in bold type represent goals in American Indian reservation areas

MAIL THIS PIONEERING POSTSCRIPT OR WRITE TO: 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 12]

YOUTH AND COLLEGE

BELOVED BROTHERS AND SISTERS:

The youth Fund goal is $100,000 by Ridván, 1969. And Ridván is less than two months away.

Serviceman's Response

A young American serviceman stationed in Japan writes, "My Dear Bahá’í Friends, The warmth of your request melted a heart which has not as yet become fully liquidated to the Most Desirable Cause in the world the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh. That heart is mine!

"This contribution 'hurts,' believe me, for it was already subject to 'sacrifice' in order to be placed into savings for my future college. However, I realize there is no better way to secure my future than to presently help secure the future of the world; and this can only be done through the Light of Bahá’u’lláh!

"Truly, this can only be counted as the smallest and most minute of all 'sacrifices' for as yet I have not sacrificed enough of my very self to be worthy of being counted even in the lowest ranks of men...

"Please accept this slight contribution toward the youth goal, for in the truth of love I give it...."

Nationwide Youth Consultation

Consultation on the Fund at the November, 1968, Area Youth Conferences was mature and intense. The following excerpts from the many workshop reports are:

Alabama—The act of contributing regularly would develop order, steadfastness and a sense of responsibility.

Georgia—We must give to the Fund in the spirit of love.

Illinois—One sacrifices relative to the significance he holds for the thing he sacrifices for; therefore, if we make added effort to teach Bahá’u’lláh's Cause and to deepen, our love and understanding shall increase, and giving to the Fund will only seem a meager token of love.

Mississippi—If we receive a regular allowance per week or month, we can set aside a designated amount for each Fund (local and national). Within our 19-day Bahá’í month, we can sacrifice our leisure time (at least one evening) for babysitting and contribute this money to both Funds.

New Mexico—The big things (like selling the $200 guitar) should be combined with the little things (like sacrificing a coke). Spend the money on the basic things life requires, but when it comes to luxuries, Bahá’u’lláh comes first. Ask yourself when luxuries come up (1) if I didn't have this, could I do without it? (2) can I make do with what I have? (3) which do I love more Bahá’u’lláh or my luxuries?

Pennsylvania—Students who do not have money could give service to their Bahá’í community. If nothing else can be given, time can be given: better use of one's time and arrangement of schedule can leave time for teaching on campus.

South Dakota—Let's have a nationwide day of prayer for the youth Fund goal.

Tennessee—To increase Fund contributions, a tested and practical method is to put the loose change in one's pocket aside at each day's end.

Wisconsin—The question came up that perhaps the goal the National Spiritual Assembly set for us was too high. We discussed this, and it was noted that the National Spiritual Assembly consists of nine people who had, no doubt, more facts than we do about the money situation of the youth and also that it wasn't really all the emphasis on how much you give, but how full of love your gift is. Even if we don't reach the goal, we can do as much as we can and then be satisfied with the knowledge that we did our best. To sum it up, it was noted that in giving and giving regularly, one gets his life in rhythm with the Faith; it's sort of like a spiral where as you orient and focus your life in the direction of God, the more God-conscious you become and the more you focus your life in this direction.

The Guardian's Plea

In 1951 the beloved Guardian issued a plea to the American Bahá’ís, reminding them of their impelling responsibilities as "spiritual descendants of the dawn-breakers": "No sacrifice can be deemed too great, no expenditure of material resources, no degree of renunciation of worldly benefits, comfort and pleasures, can be regarded as excessive when we recall the precious blood that flowed, the many lives that were snuffed out, the wealth of material possessions that was plundered during these most tumultuous and cataclysmic years of the Heroic Age of our Faith." (Citadel of Faith, p. 93)

Beloved friends, can we following in their footsteps, standing on their shoulders fail to respond?

Odds 'n Ends

The Bahá’í Club of the University of Oklahoma organized a clothing drive for the Central State Mental Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, which is always in great need of all types of clothing. The Club arranged for publicity in the University newspaper, including an initial interview and follow-up reminders. Over 50 boxes were collected and placed, along with posters, in the student dormitories. The clothing drive, aimed primarily at University students, was so successful that calls were received from donors in the Norman community itself.

The Sonoma State Off-Campus Bahá’í Club (in northern California) provided a Bahá’í speaker for a Latter-Day Saints meeting, sent the Human Rights pamphlet to college department heads, sent a letter to all official campus organizations asking them to engage in unity-creating activities, had one declaration which opened a new Bahá’í locality, and is currently planning to invite the entire student body to a Naw-Rúz feast at the college cafeteria.

The Department of Youth and College Activities has already responded to 25 requests for high school club constitutions and the goal for the entire Five Year Program is only 20 clubs!

If you did not receive a packet of Area Youth Conference materials (November, 1968), containing information on the achievement of the Five Year Youth Program goals, contact the DYCA. We have extras.

Do you want to go to college or to pioneer in a homefront goal area? Just write DYCA, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091, for more information.

The Department of Youth and College Activities needs PICTURES (black-and-white, glossy) of all sorts, shapes, and sizes of youth and youth activities. Help! [Page 13]

Bahá’u’lláh

“Glory of God”

Born in Tihrán, the capital of Irán, on November 12, 1817 He proclaimed His Mission as bearer of the Word of God for this day in the Garden of Ridván, near Baghdad on April 21, 1863.

ROMANIA BLACK SEA CAUCASUS Constantinople Sivas Kharout TURKISH EMPIRE CASPIAN Sulaymaniyyih Baghdad Kermanshah Teheran PERSIA

They tortured, exiled and imprisoned Him. He passed away in the Holy Land near ‘Akkā in 1892.

BULGARIA Adrianople Galigal Smyrna Capus MEDITERRANIAN SEA ‘Akkā Haifa Jaffa Port Said

MAP JANUARY 1, 1886

“In that day also He shall come even to thee from Assyria; and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain.” Micah 7:12

• Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith

Proclamation poster, one of a series of four, suitable for exhibits of all types, singly or as a unit. The posters are printed in blue on heavy white paper, are about 18 by 24 inches, and are available for $2.00 a set from Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department in Wilmette.

“A World in Harmony” Radio Series

About two years ago the National Radio and Television Committee (now a part of the Public Information Department) produced a set of 26 radio tapes, each 15 minutes in duration with the overall title of “A World In Harmony.” Each tape consists of popular recording artists featuring songs of brotherhood, the oneness of mankind and similar inspirational themes. The music of the Bahá’í Victory Chorus is included throughout the programs and Bahá’í messages are appropriately woven into the musical introductions.

Since its initial appearance two years ago the series has made a slow but steady growth in the number of radio stations using the programs. A recent letter from the Publicity Chairman of the Victor Judicial District Bahá’í Community in California indicates that yet another station will broadcast the series. This is Radio Station KCIN, Victorville, California which starting January 12th is broadcasting the series on Sundays between 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. The letter reports that KCIN likes the series, “because they are a Country and Western Music station, but have an hour of local church sermons, etc. from 9 to 10 and feel our tapes will make a good transition from the church-type program to their music.” In this case the radio station is putting on the programs without cost.

Ten tapes of the series were also used starting January 12th over Radio Station KGEZ, Kalispell, Montana on Sundays at 8:15 a.m. This is the first time that Bahá’í has been mentioned on this station. In this case an isolated Bahá’í paid for the series to appear on radio. If a better time during the week can be secured the series will be continued.

Bahá’í communities which have not looked into using The World In Harmony series should consider the use of this proclamation tool for the Faith. Communities or groups can purchase a sample tape for $3.00 and with the tape they will receive complete instructions on how to approach radio stations on the series. The complete of set of 26 tapes costs $59 and is available (as is the sample tape) from Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department.

125th Anniversary of the Bahá’í Faith

On May 23rd of this year we will celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Founding of the Bahá’í Faith. However Bahá’í communities can utilize this anniversary all during the year in their publicity and proclamation on behalf of the Faith. A special event for May 23rd in connection with the Declaration of the Báb, can also use the theme that this is the 125th birthday of the Bahá’í Faith. The Public Information Department will provide Public Information Representatives and Bahá’í Communities with additional information and ideas on utilizing the 125th Anniversary for proclamation and publicity.

Notes

A Free University was organized on the campus of Northwestern University in January 1969 and one of the courses selected to be given was the Bahá’í Faith and its teachings. The course is being conducted under the Auspices of the Public Information Department and utilizes Bahá’í speakers from the surrounding area.

Hopper Papers, a paper manufacturing company, has a sample catalog of a paper stock named Rotunda which carries a large photo of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette on the cover.

Bahá’ís should be very careful to check the exact words of quotations from the Bahá’í Writings when they are used in public articles or advertisements. For example one poster put out by a Bahá’í Community for World Religion Day had the quotation: “The world is one country; and mankind its citizens.” This is incorrect. It should have read: “The earth is but one country; and mankind its citizens.” [Page 14]

Where Our Dollars Go

A series presented by the Coordinating Committee for the Fund

The Bahá’í House of Worship

“This unique edifice, the first fruit of a slowly maturing Administrative Order, the noblest structure reared in the first Bahá’í century, and the symbol and precursor of a future world civilization . . . this great ‘Silent Teacher of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh’,” the Guardian wrote, “. . . must likewise be made to play its part, and contribute its share to the teaching campaign designed to embrace the entire Western Hemisphere.”

The very existence of the House of Worship releases “tremendous spiritual energy,” and the number of visitors attracted each year continues to increase at an accelerated rate. The number in 1967 was 8 percent greater than 1966. In 1968 more than 150,000 visitors streamed through the House of Worship, an 11 percent increase over 1967. More than 400 special group tours were conducted in 1968 including parochial and public school classes, clubs, university groups, foreign students, scout troops from both America and foreign countries, and many church groups. Visitors come from every one of the 50 states and many foreign countries.

This increasing number of visitors presents us with a tremendous teaching opportunity. Concerned that the full teaching potential of the House of Worship be realized, the National Spiritual Assembly placed the activities of the House of Worship within the Public Information Department and established the House of Worship Office headed by the Director of Activities. The Director is aided by a fulltime assistant whose main responsibility is coordinating the training and scheduling of the many volunteer workers without which the House of Worship could not function. Several committees assist the Director in planning and carrying out the various activities. The Worship Committee selects readings, conducts readers’ workshops, and monitors each of the Sunday afternoon Devotional Programs and Holy Day observances. The public meetings committee plans and conducts the weekly lectures in Foundation Hall and the question-and-answer period that follows in the Fireside Room. Refreshments are served at special programs by the Hospitality Committee. The Guides and Ushers Committees assist the House of Worship Office in recruiting, training and scheduling their respective volunteers. The members of these committees serve many long hours to carry out their various activities.

In October of 1968, the National Spiritual Assembly appointed a House of Worship Advisory Board and assigned to it the responsibility of periodically reviewing the operation of House of Worship activities and recommending whatever policies or improvements are believed necessary.

Visitors to the House of Worship are greeted at the entrance to the Auditorium and are given a brochure, but no tours are conducted through it since it is a place of prayer and meditation. Most visitors, attracted first by the uniqueness of the building, are deeply impressed with the beauty and spiritual atmosphere of the House of Worship. As they leave the Auditorium, most accept the invitation to visit the Foundation Area where they may learn about the meaning of the House of Worship and the Bahá’í Faith.

The program approved last year by the National Spiritual Assembly calls for a series of alterations in the Foundation Area to:

1) improve the flow-pattern and eliminate areas of congestion, 2) close off the area not open to visitors, 3) improve the general appearance of the area seen by visitors, and 4) expand and improve the teaching displays.

Many efforts are being made to complete these changes by the summer of 1969. Volunteers have come many miles to offer their special talents to the project.

Bahá’í House of Worship Advisory Board, left to right: Mrs. Joan Lincoln, Al Lincoln, vice chairman, Mrs. Louise Wold, secretary, Salvatore Pelle, and Russell Busey, chairman.

Construction is underway to delineate new exhibit area. Work by Bahá’í volunteers Pat Thomson, left, and Paul Brown of Topeka, Kansas, is viewed by Mary Kurrus, assistant director, and Russell Busey, director, House of Worship office. [Page 15]

REVIEW

Unable to afford completely new displays this year, House of Worship staff and Bahá’í volunteers are remodeling the present displays to meet the demands of the approaching summer season.

Despite the large increase in visitors and activities at the House of Worship over the last few years, the budget for House of Worship activities of $21,000 (separate from the budget for maintaining the building and grounds) has remained about the same for several years. This represents less than 2 cents of every dollar contributed so sacrificially for the many needs of the Faith. If we are to meet the tremendous teaching challenge of the Nine Year Plan at the House of Worship and meet the expectations of our Guardian, not only must there be a substantial increase in the number of Bahá’í volunteers (especially during the summer season when the Temple is open 11 hours every day), but the budget for the House of Worship activities will need to be increased. And this depends on the increased flow of funds from the believers throughout the United States.

The beloved Guardian called the Bahá’í House of Worship "the tangible evidence of the power of the American Bahá’í Community, few in numbers, but mighty in the spirit they draw from their Faith."³ The House of Worship was built and must now be served out of love, devotion and sacrifice.

¹ God Passes By, p. 350 ² Advent of Divine Justice, p. 40 ³ Bahá’í News, Aug. 1942, p. 2

RIVERSIDE BAHÁ’ÍS PROMOTE "FUND SHOP"

The Bahá’ís of Riverside have set aside one room in their Center and have labeled this room "The Fund Shop". Members of the community donate useful items of all kinds, sizes, and varieties for sale to other Bahá’ís you can pick up such things as clothing, articles of jewelry, knickknacks, chairs, books — you name it! All items are serviceable and so priced by their former owner that they may sell quickly and be considered a bargain by the lucky Bahá’í buyer. All the proceeds raised through "Fund Shop" sales go to support the National Bahá’í Fund.

To kick off the first grand sale night, the Bahá’ís held a turkey dinner and invited two neighboring communities to partake of fun and good fellowship. As a result, the National Fund will benefit by approximately $155, after expenses, from this "Fun-Fund Nite". So many good comments were received that a sequel to this evening is planned for the Ayyám-i-Há Intercalary Days, and a drive is now being planned to secure more articles for sale, and the next "Fun Nite" may feature in addition to the good fellowship games, movies and other surprises.

Does your community have a novel idea which has been used or is being considered to assist the National Bahá’í Fund as has been done by the Bahá’ís of Riverside? If so, the Coordinating Committee for the Fund would like to hear your idea so that it can be considered for publication in the National Bahá’í Review. Please write in care of the National Bahá’í Center.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND

Cumulative Monthly Income: 1968-1969

(Thousand $) 1,200 1,100 1,000 — NINE-YEAR PLAN GOALS 900 800 — VICTORY IN '73! 700 600 500 400 300 200 100

AS OF: INCOME FOR JANUARY 1969

Regular Contributions: $ 68,044.87 Special Contributions: 2,800.00 Estates: 70,844.87 Total Contributions: 4,751.46 Other Income: 2,739.22 Total Income: $ 78,335.55

CUMULATIVE BUDGET -------- $807,342.48 Cumulative Total, April 1-February 1: $207,657.52 Cumulative Deficit

NUMBER OF ASSEMBLIES CONTRIBUTING January: 284 (72 percent of total)

PLANNING TO MOVE DURING THE NEXT 30 DAYS?

Help us keep your address up-to-date

Name_________________________________________________

CUT OUT AND MAIL TO: NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í CENTER 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILL. 60091

ATTACH YOUR OLD ADDRESS LABEL HERE

NEW Address__________________________________________ City_____________________ State__________ Zip__________ NEW Telephone: Area___________________________________ Name of new locality:__________________________________ (If different from city name)

Reminder: Have your new address ALSO notified your community and SGC secretaries. [Page 16]Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, Chairman of the State Goals Committee presents a copy of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh to Mayor Florence Douglas of Vallejo, California. Accompanying Mrs. Gibson were Mrs. Frances Heller, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh from San Rafael, Calif. and Miss Trina Gil, pioneer from Venezuela. The three Bahá’ís and Mayor Douglas discussed world conditions and she promised to read the book immediately.

Housing Information for the U.S. National Convention

The National Convention of the Bahá’ís of the United States will be held from April 24 (Thursday evening) through Sunday afternoon April 27, 1969. At this time it cannot be stated whether or not any meals will be served in Foundation Hall, but an announcement on that subject will be made later to the delegates and the local spiritual assemblies as well as in the National Bahá’í Review for April. The following list of hotels and motels in the Wilmette area includes rates, address and telephone numbers. It is important that those planning to attend make reservations early.

HOTELS IN EVANSTON

Orrington Hotel; 1710 Orrington Avenue; UN 4-8700. Single $9.00 to $18.00; double $14.00 to $24.00.

Evanshire Hotel; 860 Hinman Avenue; UN 4-8800. Single $9.00; double beginning at $11.00, twin $13.00.

Library Plaza Hotel; 1637 Orrington Avenue; UN 4-8000. Single $10.82 tax included; double $14.94 tax included.

North Shore Hotel; 1611 Chicago Avenue; UN 4-6400. Single $10.50; twin $14.00.

YMCA Hotel; 1000 Grove Street; GR 5-7400. Men only. $4.25 per night.

Evanston Inn; 840 Forest Ave.; UN 4-5000; Single $11.50 Double $12.50; $2.00 each additional person.

MOTELS

Admiral Oasis; 9355 Waukegan Road; Morton Grove; YO 5-4000. Single $10.00; double $12.00; $2.00 each additional person.

Holiday Inn; Edens at Lake-Cook Road, Highland Park; VE 5-4000. Single $13.50; twin $18.50; two double beds $22.00.

Hyatt House; 4500 Touhy Avenue; Lincolnwood; 677-5400. Single $17.00 to $23.00; double $23.00 to $29.00.

Morton Grove Motel; 9424 Waukegan Road; Morton Grove. YO 5-6400. Single $10.50; double $14.50; Family room (3) $16.50; (4) $18.50.

Howard Johnson; 9333 Skokie Ave.; Skokie. 679-4200. Single $14.50 to $16.00; double $17.00 to $21.00.

Leaning Tower YMCA; 6000 West Touhy Ave.; Niles. 647-8222. Singles $8.23 and $9.26; twin $11.30. Men and Women.

Exhibit designed by L. Wyatt Cooper, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the Bahá’í House of Worship, displayed in Building and Loan Association in Chicago, December 28 through January 18.

In Memoriam

Frederick L. Bowers Kalamazoo, Michigan January 1, 1969

Gerard H. Buschenhenke Ormond Beach, Florida July 1968.

Edgar Edwards Chicago, Illinois December 13, 1968

Mrs. Mildred Edwards Beverly, Mass. December 29, 1968

William H. Hart Geneva, N.Y. January 7, 1969

Mrs. Rosalyn Lichtblau Hollywood, Florida. December 30, 1968

William A. McCurdy Lima, Ohio. January 19, 1969

Mrs. Della McLean. Santa Fe, New Mexico. December 25, 1968

Feasts

Mrs. Emma M. Meyer Grayslake, Illinois December 31, 1968.

Mrs. Mary I. H. Neave. Hughesville, Maryland December 29, 1968

William M. Parker Ann Arbor, Michigan December 30, 1968

Mrs. Helen M. Pierce. San Bernardino, Calif. September 5, 1968

Mrs. Nora M. Poe Oklahoma City, Okla. December 15, 1968

Mrs. Thelma N. Scott San Antonio, Texas November 1968

Cashius T. Thomas Durham, North Carolina December 1968

Robert C. Zindel Milwaukee, Wisconsin January 4, 1969

Calendar of Events

March 2—‘Alá’ (Loftiness) March 21—Bahá (Splendor) April 9—Jalál (Glory) April 28—Jamál (Beauty)

Days of Fasting March 2-21

Holy Days March 21—Naw-Rúz (Bahá’í New Year) Feast of Riḍván—April 21-May 2

Proclamation Event March 21—Naw-Rúz

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Meeting March 28-30

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