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Commentary on the Riḍván Message from the Universal House of Justice
The call for 733 pioneers, 555 more than previously requested for the Nine Year Plan, has come with the Riḍván message of the Universal House of Justice. It has come at a time when the American Community is on the verge of large-scale expansion.
In addition, the message conveys three particularly exciting announcements: (1) the formation of 12 national spiritual assemblies—two at this Riḍván and ten at Riḍván 1970; (2) the holding of a series of eight Oceanic and Intercontinental Conferences between August 1970 and September 1971; and (3) the opening of the door of pilgrimage to a greatly increased number of believers beginning next October. These announcements signify the extraordinary pace at which the Cause of God is moving and suggest the hard work that has yet to be done in taking the message of the Lord of Hosts to every human soul.
Experience has taught us that every fresh assignment brings with it the confirmation of past accomplishments; and so it is our recent successes which lay upon us the larger responsibility of working toward new goals identified by the House of Justice. The American believers are being asked to fill 280 of the 555 new pioneer assignments as well as to complete 26 former assignments. Whereas our earlier pioneer assignments in the Plan directed us primarily to the Americas and Africa, these new assignments will take American pioneers to every continent in much the same way as during the time of the beloved Guardian's Ten Year World Crusade.
As it has consistently done in its previous messages, the Universal House of Justice draws our attention to the importance of the twin processes of expansion and consolidation which, it says, “if fostered, will become a full tide of victorious achievement." Turning our gaze to the homefront, we see the necessity to establish 150 more local assemblies if we are to reach our goal of 600; approxi mately 600 more centers must be opened; and more funds — much more funds —- must be forthcoming to provide material sustenance for an expanding Faith. But. above all, there is the imperative need to increase rapidly the number of believers; for from this increase all other needs can be supplied: foreign pioneers, homefront pioneers, assemblies, funds, and a general strengthening of the growing institutions of the Cause. Expansion at home has been greatly aided by the relentless proclamation efforts of the friends ever since the House of Justice emphasized its importance in the Riḍván 1967 message. But our gains- must be held and built upon through the process of consolidation with all its implications of increased administrative efficiency and constant individual study and practice of the divine principles of our Faith.
Our overall achievements this past year betoken our vastly untapped potential for growth as a relatively free community untrammelled by the oppression which cramps the abilities of so many of our sister communities. Reflecting on our unspeakable privileges as the recipients of the Master’s Divine Plan and the residents of a country wherein, up to now, religious freedom is permitted and material means are comparatively easy to come by, we can do no less than rise to the challenges before us as those preceding us rose when it was their turn. This we must do to vindicate the bodily sacrifices of our spiritual forebears and to keep aloft the divine standard hoisted at great personal inconvenience by the early pioneers, whose lives have been heroically spent on spiritual battlefields everywhere on earth. Only thus can we truly be regarded as “torchbearers” and “Spiritual descendents of the Dawnbreakers.”
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or rm: BAHA'Is or THE UNITED Sun-:s
[Page 2]
2 MAY 1969
280 NEW UNITED STATES PIONEER ASSIGNMENTS
Numbers Show Pioneers Needed
AFRICA (72) Cameroon Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Congo(Kinshasa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Libya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 Central African Rep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Eritrea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Afar and Isa (Fr. Terr.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 Liberia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Sierra Leone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Rhodesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 Gambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Ivory Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
St. Helena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Niger , _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ . _ , _ _ _ , _ , _ _ , _ _ , , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , , , _ _ _ , . , , _ . _ 2
Swaziland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Dahomey , _ , , _ _ . _ _ , , _ , _ _ _ _ _ , , _ , _ , , _ , , _ _ _ _ , . , , , , , _ _ _, 2
Lesotho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Togo _ , _ , _ _ , _ _ _ , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ _ . , , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _. 2
Uganda . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 Ghana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Zambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 AMERICAS (129) Argentina - - . . . - . - . - - - . - . - - . - . - - - . - . - - - - - - - - . - - - - - ~- 5 Haiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Bolivia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Honduras _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ' . ' _ _ . _ ' _ _ , . . _ _ . _ _ _ , _ _ _ . _ , . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6
Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leeward, Windward & Islands _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , ,
Iceland 1.’ . . - - . . . - . . . . - - - - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - ~ - - - - -- 2 Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Colombia - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - V - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- 4 Nicaragua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
St. Andgés & Providencia Is. - - - - - . - - . - - - - - - - - - - - - -- 2 Panama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..10
Costa Rica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Paraguay _ _ . . _ _ _ . , _ _ , _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , _ , _ . _ _ _ _ , , . _ _ _ ,_ 4
D0mifliC3n Republic - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - - - - -- 3 Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8
Ecuador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Trinidad and Tobago _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ . _ , _ _ _ , H 2
El Salvador . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Guatemala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 ASIA (26) Near East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Philippine Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..10 Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Vietnam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 AUSTRALASIA (8)
New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Western Samoa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Tongalslands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Solomon Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 EUROPE (45)
Eire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Norway , _ _ , _ _ , . _ , , . . , . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Denmark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Portugal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . - - - - -- 4 Azores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - -- 4 Madeira . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Spain , _ _ _ . , , . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
Luxembourg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Netherlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Surinam2: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2
1. In Europe but assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada. 2. In Americas but assigned to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Netherlands.
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REVIEW
Meeting the Commitments—in Paraguay
The Paraguay home of pioneer Victo
. A.‘4v9- '.'z_ >_..- __ ~ . Alexander and his family. At left: bitildinos as they were when he first arrived. At right.‘
Victor and friends in front of buildings which he has modernized with tile roof Victor Alexander and Jan Alteresco Alexander accepted the challenge of a most difficult virgin area post in Paraguay. The region is 536 kilometers (333 miles) removed from Asuncion by way of the roughest road imaginable. Paraguay is divided into East and West parts by the River Paraguay. The west is the Gran Chaco, the largest half of the country, arid, hot, and inhabited by 30,000 Indians. Hand of the Cause Mr. Qiazeh long dreamed and planned for the opening of this vast Indian area and the establishment of an Indian Institute. Victor Alexander, an exceedingly versatile pioneer returned from Paraguay to the States in 1967 to acquire equipment and solve the problems for conquering the seemingly impossible challenge of the Chaco.
We share with you a letter describing the experiences of Victor and Jan Alexander accompanied by small son Bradley, our courageous and valiant pioneers:
“As you know I returned from the United States to help solve the problem of the Chaco in Paraguay at the request of the Hand of the Cause, Mr. Igiazeh and also Hooper Dunbar. This I proceeded to do by bringing in a jeep donated to the Local Spiritual Assembly of El Cajon. California which in turn donated it to the National Fvpiritual Assembly of Paraguay. The jeep has already served well the trouble and personal cost of time and money. It took two months to get it out of Customs with an every day effort. It took another month to rebuild it for Chaco use with food lockers on top, insulated and repaired to take the rough terrain and roads. The first trip with Hooper Dunar to the Argentine Chaco failed because the jeep broke down and it took a month to repair all the gears. Since then the jeep has served well and Jan, Bradley andl have lived in it much of the time on the road during our teaching trips and it still is serving us well but costs too much to operate so we go on a motorcycle, the three of us, to save money (fuel at 50 cents a gallon— 12 miles to a gallon for the jeep compared with 60 miles to a gallon with the motorcycle).
“All of the Chaco is governed by Military and all of our activities have been through permission of one kind or another at the same time we are bringing the independent nature of the Bahá’í Faith to the Government and the Military. For instance, there are only two places in the total Chaco where supplies can be obtained. One is the Mennonite Center of Filadelfia (400 kilometers or 248 miles from Asuncion), the other is where we are based now in Mariscal Estigarribia which is a military fort. Through prayer and guidance the confirmations, if they continue, make us believe that this has been divine guidance. There have been so many wonderful things as confirmations. We are happy only when we are teaching. We always start by saying the prayers of the Divine Plan and sometimes things happen before we even finish our prayers. I am amazed at the power of Bahá’u’lláh when we try to follow His commandments. It is a lesson to all of us and with this power we can fulfill the goal of one Local Spiritual Assembly by Riḍván 126.
“We have a base in the Chaco Paraguay after many, many months of delays, permission documents, and preparations. We now have a house just outside of the Fort with full permission to live here and teach the Bahá’í Faith from the Commanding General of all of the Chaco. Enclosed is an idea of what our base looks like. First picture about February 10. Second picture one week later with the grass roof removed and all tile roof added. This was done as there is a large mosquito (bichuga) that is deadly and lays eggs in a grass roof. We are now living in the two left rooms which are nicely painted and we are now in the process of putting in new window frames and screens. We are learning the lesson of complete trust in God and we do not know if tomorrow will bring confirmations or setbacks even though we know that setbacks are confirmations. We are so happy to have this base in the Chaco because it is one of the eleven teaching areas of South America designated by the Counsellors for mass teaching. We have a base; now comes the teaching, and we have room to house the traveling teachers that come here. How thankful we are.”
[Page 4]
MAY ‘1969
Meeting the Commitments—in Bolivia
-1‘.
Pioneers at Institute in Cochabamba. Bolivia. Left to right: Dr. and Mrs. Ouladi from Persia; Ellen Sims and Auxiliary Board member Richard Mirkovich and son Fire from the United States; Habib Rezuani from Colombia and U.S. pioneers Reginald Baskin and Stephen Pulley.
WANTED
Volunteers for pioneering in Finland who speak the language. Write to: Department of International Goals 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Bahá’í Exhibits
When Do You Plan to Pioneer?
The field is indeed so immense,
the period so critical,
the Cause so great,
the workers so few,
the time so short,
the privilege so priceless,
that no follower of the Faith
of Bahá’u’lláh, worthy to bear His name, can afford a moment's hesitation.
Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 39
Adventure in Pioneering
Three International Youth Projects Announced!
The National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras is enthusiastic about a project already developed for young men over 18 years of age.
Girls of this age group who speak Spanish will be going to the Yucatan, to Muna.
Another group of girls will be going to Chichicastenango, Guatemala.
The deadline for volunteers for these projects is June 1. If other youth of this age group are interested in participating tell us immediately giving us information about yourself and your knowledge of Spanish.
The approximate cost for each participant of all three projects will be between $250 and $300 for six weeks beginning July 1.
DEPARTMENT or INTERNATIONAL GOALS 112 LINDEN AVE., WILMETTE, ILL. 60091
Bahá’í exhibit at Chicago World Flower and Garden Show March 22-30, 1969. This beautiful display featuring the House of Worship was designed by Wyatt Cooper, Superintendent of Grounds at the National Bahá’í Center.
Exhibit at Strolling Flower Show, Pageant of Light at Fort Myers, Florida. It won an award of merit, the newspaper account commenting on the importance of “Light” in Bahá’í beliefs.
[Page 5]
REVIEW
On '|'he U.S. Homefroni Florida
Who purchased radio time on the three largest stations in the target area and ran “The Promised Day Is Come” tapes‘? Ran classified ads in nine small county newspapers covering the five counties, offering a home study course on the Faith? Had a booth at the Southwest Florida Fair with a display of the House of Worship and gardens, youth pictures, and a seven minute slide show, and distributed 1,500 pieces of literature? Conducted a youth campaign by running large and attractive ads in a junior college and in a high school paper and placed Bahá’í books in the libraries? Gave a slide show to a young adult class at a Presbyterian Church? Held two public meetings attracting fifteen new inquirers?
Who accomplished all these teaching activities in ONE month? An army of Bahá’u’lláh consisting of only eleven Bahá’ís in Lee County, Florida, in their Phase One proclamation program.
What do they plan to do next? Phases Two, Three, Four and Five, leading on into 1973. These phases will involve books to mayors, ministers, etc. in the five county target area, Bahá’í kits to several hundred key people in Southwest Florida, library books in all the large libraries and as many library displays as possible. Later on they plan to have public meetings.
0
The Bahá’í Community of Lee County, Florida, offered a Bahá’í Home Study Kit through local newspapers by running a small ad in the “personal” column which began with “Is there any remover of difficulties save God?”. The ad asked the readers to “learn the secret of inner health and happiness which millions have found in the fastest growing world religion in history, The Bahá’í Faith.” A mailing address was given. The course has eight lessons: God and Man; Messengers between God and Man; The Báb; Bahá’u’lláh; Bahá’í Spiritual Teachings; Basic Principles of the Bahá’í Faith; The Bahá’í Faith and Christianity; The Bahá’í Peace Program.
O
Miami, Florida, Bahá’ís recently presented a copy of Gleanings to the religion editor of The Miami News, upon her retirement, for her outstanding cooperation with Bahá’í publicity through the years. Upon being introduced to the incoming religion editor, the Bahá’ís found him to be very interested in the Faith and he
r, requested publicity of all Baha 1 activities.
Arkansas
Three copies of Some Answered Questions weren’t enough for the interest shown by the users of the Little Rock, Arkansas, Public Library. Bahá’ís were asked to bring over additional copies, which they did, and five were checked out at one time! As the National Teaching Committee wrote for the February 1969 NATIONAL Bahá’í R1-:vn:w, “. . . we are literally overwhelmed by the realization that mass conversion in the United States is imminent. . . . Are we ready?"
_ .* 0 - ._.
On March 17, 1969, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, was presented to the mayor of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Austin Franks. Presenting the book is Peter Johnson, far right, of Pine Bluff. as Mrs. Mattie Lynum, a member of the local Spiritual Assembly of Little Rock. and Allan Ward, representing the State Goals Committee, look on.
O
The experience of a Bahá’í pilgrimage was shared with residents of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, through a threequarter page article entitled, “Pine Bluff Pilgrim, Peter Johnson, Visits the Sacred Shrine of Bahá’í”. A photo of Peter appeared with the article.
Washington
The Bahá’ís of Spokane, Washington, had the recent bounty of teaching the Faith to 120 youth in one day, by furnishing speakers for two hour-long senior philosophy classes in a public school. The opportunity arose because of a teacher’s desire to experiment by including a comparative religions discussion in the course, the only one of its kind in the Spokane public high schools. This was also a new experience for the Bahá’ís who intend to incorporate the kinds of questions most frequently asked by the enthusiastic senior students into their own deepening programs, both personal and
group. O
A series of ten firesides at different Bahá’í homes has been held in Bremerton, Washington, with the guest speakers discussing a diversified list of topics, such as Indian lore, Bible prophecy, child care, Buddhist prophecy and beliefs. and current issues. A six columninch ad appeared in the Bremerton Sun for a week inviting the public to attend.
Nevada
Mitzi D’Arnelle, member of the local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Las Vegas South, Nevada, presents Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh to County Commissioner Mr. David B. Henry.
[Page 6]
Bahá’í UN|TY—A NEW LOOK
Unity in diversity is a phrase often used to characterize the Bahá’í Faith. The growth of our Faith is making a new application of this term increasingly important, one which probably tends to be forgottenthat of the diversity of age groups within the Bahá’í Faith.
The increase in adult enrollments in this country during the past year exceeded the same figure for the preceding year by 38 percent. Even more spectacular is the increase in youth enrollments, which exceeded the previous year’s increase by 90 percent, to the extent that the number of youth enrolled in the past year nearly equalled the number of adult enrollments. Contemplation of these figures, and the probability of a continuing, geometric effect, should make it clear that we do indeed have a diversity which, under the unity characteristic of the Bahá’í Faith, is a great strength.
The diversity of our Faith—all aspects of this diversity—presents an interesting administrative challenge. The National Spiritual Assembly must consider a multitude of variables in the actions it takes. The variables present in the American Bahá’í Community operate to create a certain degree of unpredictability that did not exist in the earlier days of the Faith in America when the Community was characterized by more stability and less diversity than at the present.
This “unpredictability” might be clarified by using support of the National Bahá’í Fund as an example. During the past few years there has been considerable discussion of deficit spending. It is interesting to note that, over the past three years, the deficit that has been added is approximately the same amount each year. The budget has increased annually but contributions have continued to fall short of the budget by about the same figure each year. The National Spiritual Assembly is searching for the reason for this occurrence, which results in the contributions in any year exceeding the budget for the previous year but falling short of the budget for the current year. To date, the only explanation has been the diversity of the American
MAY ‘1969
Bahá’í Community and the need for better understanding and unification of this Community in order to reasonably predict its capabilities.
Since the National Spiritual Assembly has thus far been unable to assess the potential of the American Bahá’í Community with any degree of exactness, it cannot set a budget to conform to this potential. Instead, the national budget is determined by consideration of the needs of our Faith and attempting to provide financially for these needs. Vital projects have been included in the budget whether or not there is visable support for them. On the other hand, many valuable and worthwhile projects are postponed because the support for them is not evident.
How can this unpredictability be dealt with? How can we achieve the unity in diversity that must exist? The answer lies in developing universal participation in all aspects of our Faith. To continue using the national budget as an example, the National Spiritual Assembly has this year made an early announcement of the budget level for the coming year rather than waiting until the time of the National Convention. This advance notice gives the community time to discuss and consider the budget, to discover its strengths and suggest valuable changes, and to be prepared to begin immediately to win the budget rather than allowing a deficit to appear early in the year.
The National Spiritual Assembly has, this year, taken an even greater step to insure universal participation in our budget. The new budget has been broken down by State Goals areas so that each area can see what its own objective amounts to. These area allocations tend to have more meaning at the local level since they show smaller, more reachable figures and since they are identified with an individual area of the country. The friends can discuss these breakdowns, map out plans for meeting them and can keep the National Spiritual Assembly informed on the success of this plan and how to produce even more success in the future. Such discussion increases participation and decreases, through communication, the problems that diversity can bring. The rewards include not only unity in diversity but success in meeting a very large and very vital budget.
Where Our Dollars Go
Capifal Improvements
Last year’s budget provided for a new category “Capital Improvements”, and $40,000 was added to the million dollar budget. In deciding how this should be spent highest priority was given to fire protection. Because the safety of twenty older persons is involved, the Bahá’í Home was first considered. In addition to adding emergency lighting which goes on in a power failure, a direct connection was made between the existing alarm system and the Fire Department. The cost of $1,000 was small, and hopefully it will never become necessary to use the equipment, but having it in an emergency could prove a blessing.
Emergency lighting in the area surrounding Foundation Hall of the House of Worship has been greatly improved at a cost of less than $1,000. Although there has long been an automatic fire alarm system based on
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REVIEW
a temperature rise, the addition of a sprinkler system was deemed necessary even though the cost was high, $25,000. This system, strongly recommended by the Wilmette Fire Chief, will put out a small fire automatically before it can spread to an extent that it would be out of control. The completion of the intake pipe pictured on page 6 made the system operative just before the National Convention when several thousand Bahá’ís gathered in the Foundation area.
Also constructed in the past year were numerous partitions delineating the exhibit area, an enlarged shipping area for Distribution and Service, and storage areas for the Archives, (including a special safe for our most valuable relics) and for the storage of books and extra copies of BAHA'I News, Wonu) ORDER, etc. (See above picture of work when in progress.)
These improvements, all of which will be used for many years to come, cost in the aggregate $39,000, representing less than four cents of every dollar sacrificially given to the National Bahá’í Fund. Thus your contributions have not only given the needed protection of lives and property, but they have also provided for the growing space needs of the Faith.
At the newly dedicated Bahá’í Center in San Bernardino, California. (see Bahá’í News, April, page 11)
Texas Community Undertakes New Plan
The Bahá’í Community of El Paso, Texas, for many years characterized as “struggling” has suddenly become an active Bahá’í entity with over forty members as of early this year. What caused this sudden upsurge? A recent report from the local Assembly tells much of the story.
The local Spiritual Assembly, knowing that the level of teaching activity was not adequate and that not all were participating, decided to divide the community into five committees based on area of residence or function (such as college teaching; servicemen) and asked each committee to be responsible for public meetings, regular firesides, publicity in its area and to assure universal participation on the part of the believers in each area. Meetings for consultation between each committee and the Assembly were held and policies as to publicity, distribution of library materials, planning and obtaining of budgets were carefully discussed. A community calendar of events was composed listing all scheduled meetings, and this is mailed regularly to each believer.
The results have been gratifying thus far, with noticeable increase of activity. There are firesides each night of the week and in many parts of the city. Public meetings with accompanying news releases have more than doubled. Best of all there is a noticeable improvement in the spirit and unity among the friends.
Two very tangible accomplishments of the Community should be mentioned: a Bahá’í Center has been established in the Mexican-American area of the city. All meetings except firesides are held in this simple but homelike setting. In December the local Spiritual Assembly was incorporated under the laws of Texas.
Teaching With Books
Two Bahá’ís in New York State have organized their own personal teaching plan of placing Bahá’í books in every library near them. Mary Tomanio of Beacon and Constance Nenni of Fishkill have pooled their resources and are carrying out the plan, with Mary ordering the books and Constance finding the time to deliver them. At the date of writing they had placed twenty-six books in eight libraries and had no refusals. They have had many opportunities to tell people more about the Faith and they realize that this project of teaching with books has barely begun. Among the New York towns and cities where they have placed books thus far are: Fishkill, Coldspring and Wappingers Falls. Hospital libraries in Beacon and in Coldspring have also received Bahá’í books.
Two Catholic colleges have accepted books: Marist College in Poughkeepsie and Mt. St. Mary’s College in Newburg, each of which received ten books.
As Mary and Constance say: “What better way is there to familiarize people with Bahá’u’lláh than by placing books about the Faith at their disposal? What one person may read stays in his or her mind a long time after the book has been closed. The doors of all public reading places are open, and if each isolated Bahá’í could place just one book on the Faith in the library nearest him, he would be showing praise of Bahá’u’lláh in deeds . . . ."
K/acéflel cgnclian we./seruafion
The Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, is the gateway to Glacier National Park. It extends eastward from the Park, south of the Canadian boundary line through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains toward the Great Plains. More than one-half of Browning’s 2,200 population are Indians. One of the community’s principal attractions is the Museum of the Plains Indians which is maintained by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The Montana Bahá’ís first began teaching efforts on this reservation in the summer of 1961 when a Butte Bahá’í, Mr. George Miller, met Mr. Sampson Knowlton in Browning. Mr. Knowlton was an Indian Bahá’í from the Peigan Reservation just to the north in Canada. This was accomplished through assistance from the American Indian Service Committee. These men stayed four days in Browning. They walked the town to make friends, and had several showings of Mr. Miller’s slides in homes of families Mr. Knowlton knew. Wherever Mr. Miller walked alone he spoke to people who knew he was a friend of Sampson Knowlton. At this time they made inquiry into a building that could be used for a public meeting and subsequently arranged for it over Labor Day of the same year.
Once again Mr. Knowlton came from Canada and brought a tribal friend to assist five Montana Bahá’ís from the communities of Great Falls and Butte to carry out a meeting over the Labor Day weekend. The real highlight of this event was the children who came to have their pictures sketched by Mr. Bill Musler. One Indian family home had about eight sketches decorating the living room wall! While Bill sketched in charcoal, another Great Falls friend, Harvey Evans, played the guitar and Mr. Miller and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bennett from Butte talked and served cookies and cold drinks. One evening a meeting was held with some adults brought by Mr. Knowlton, who spent his time finding interested persons. The following morning, the children returned and were recorded reading the Bahá’í pamphlets in English and Blackfeet. The adults were mistrustful because white people had never represented anything good for them, but the children were delightful and they may easily be the key to teaching in this area.
With the formation of the Goals Committee in 1966, plans were made again for a Labor Day camping and prayer trip. Mr. Musler had become friends with the Chairman of the Tribal Council during his pioneering days in the state and it was decided through the Chairman, Mr. Earl Old Person, to present a tree for the town park. Mr. Old Person gave the Bahá’ís the Tribal Offices for headquarters and the ceremony itself was held on a beautiful day with the tree being planted 19 paces from the edge and ending up in the middle of
MAY 1969
- gafeway lo Q//acier Wafiona/ [Oar/2
an area. The Mayor was present, along with the Tribal Chairman and about 37 Bahá’ís and children attending. The children sang; Bahá’ís from various racial backgrounds read prayers; a Persian Bahá’í chanted; a scroll on animal skin was presented to the Blackfeet Council; beautiful words were expressed on behalf of the Bahá’ís by the Goals Committee Chairman, Dick Mereness, and then reflected back in remarks by both the Mayor and Mr. Old Person. An elderly Indian lady asked to give a blessing in Blackfeet and Mr. Old Person translated.
Many of the Indians joined in a meal prepared in the Tribal Building and accepted pamphlets, and some were taken home by those who had cars. The following evening some of the Indians came to the camp spot to visit and one man in particular asked for prayers for his son. The friends who were kneeling on the ground stopped immediately to offer a prayer for his boy’s strength and protection. The father was so touched he was shedding tears when the prayers were finished.
The good will of this visit has led the friends from Great Falls and Butte and other areas to join in attending a religious service which Mr. Old Person conducts. One Easter time the Bahá’ís brought food and joined them and were asked to say a prayer. Mr. Old Person told the story of the tree planting by the Bahá’ís. They have since been offered the use of any building they wish for meetings and Mr. Old Person has promised to translate prayers into the Blackfoot language. Soon The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh will be presented to the Tribal Council.
Because the visits of Bahá’ís to the reservation are widely spaced and impossible during the winter months, the friends hope a pioneer will come to live among these receptive people and radiate the spirit in their midst.
Yakima Reservation Council Fire Announced
Traditional Indian gathering grounds located in the ‘heart’ of the Yakima Reservation will be the site of the First Annual Council Fire, June 28 and 29, at White Swan, south-central Washington.
Sponsored by the Bahá’ís of the Yakima Reservation the two-day program will feature guest speakers, Indian dances and songs, and a Saturday evening dinner. Everyone is cordially invited to attend. Indian friends are asked to bring tribal dress and to present songs and dances.
The grounds lend themselves well to camping this time of year, the weather usually being dry and warm, with cool evenings. Campers will need overnight equipment as well as food and cooking facilities, portable
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camp chairs, etc. The site has running water and outdoor restrooms. Motel accommodations are available in Toppenish, 20 miles away.
A three day encampment for children 5 to 15 will be held just prior to the Council Fire, on June 25, 26, and 27. The program will be geared to arts and crafts, planned recreation, and Bahá’í living. Families wishing to camp early and participate in the encampment are welcome, but must make advance reservation. A charge of $1.00 per person per day is asked. DRIVING DIRECTIONS: From Toppenish (20 miles south-east of Yakima) on Highway 97, take the White Swan /Harrah turn off onto Highway 220. Keep on Highway 220 for approximately 20 miles, past the Mt. Adams Community Center, and follow the Council Fire arrows just a short distance to the camp grounds.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Write or call Mrs. Aletha Brown, 408 So. Toppenish Ave., Toppenish, Washington 98948. Phone: (509) 865-3868.
F ’ '’‘:'’' ' l . 2 ‘ r"“*9.-9v‘.~«"’ /1 ' - . The Yakima Reservation Bahd’-i Symbol.
What do You Know About the United Nations?
It is being battered around, criticized profusely, attacked from all sides in angry, vehement tones; its very existence is considered questionable; it's purposes are assailed assiduously by educators, politicians and the man on the street; its past and present efforts in all areas of endeavor are under constant scrutiny; its various individual programs involving technical assistance, peace efforts, human rights, education and so forth are sometimes regarded with a bit of skepticism. But—what has actively engaged itself in trying to mediate in the Arab-Israeli crisis and has been trying to ease the plight of the Arab refugees for a good number of years? What has been the one big peacekeeping force on the once torn little island of Cyprus? What has done an enormous amount of scientific and technical research for the present and future well-being of mankind? What has given India and other countries with raging population problems help with how to educate their peoples in birth control? What is really concerned about all those hungry children—and adults, especially in the developing nations of the world? What has made a great deal of progress in beginning and carrying through programs to educate illiterates? The list could go on ad infinitum. Granted, re-evaluation is a must if there is to be an over—all effectiveness in the years to come. Granted, success and a happy ending in all its involvements and endeavors are not always there to proclaim about but . . . just whose fault is it? Is it not each part that makes up the whole, and the whole cannot be unless each part is cohesive and cooperates.
What do you really know about the United Nations and its activities? Have you ever seriously thought about why you should or should not openly support it?
For pre-summer reading, try these paperbacks:
The Silent Language by Edward T. Hall (Fawcett Premier Books)
Cultural Patterns and Technical Change edited by Margaret Mead (Mentor Books)
Tm»: COMMITTEE FOR rm: Unrran NATIONS
On the U.S. Homefronf
North Carolina
Mrs. Ludmila Van Sombeek of Durham, North Carolina gave a talk and slide show on the Faith to some 400 educators attending the five-state conference on “Treatment of Minorities in Textbooks and other Teaching Material”, sponsored jointly by the North Carolina Teachers Association, Good Neighbor Council and the National Education Association at Charlotte, in January.
At the Teachers Association banquet she discussed the Bahá’í principles and showed slides of summer schools in various countries, of the House of Worship in Wilmette and of the Holy Places in Haifa. Slides of the London Congress and the Panama Intercontinental Conference were of special interest to the participants, some of whom invited Mrs. Van Sombeek to speak at their schools.
Texas
“Introducing the Threadgill Singers: Robert, Lilice, Stephen, Mark, Julia, Tana, Bryan, Leah, Karen, Clois, Bob,” reads the lovely brochure picturing the large Threadgill Bahá’í family of Odessa, Texas, and publicizing their singing act. The Threadgills use their talent as means to teach the Faith by incorporating Bahá’í songs into their selections of American Folk. They have appeared on television, in a summer theater production and at club, church and Bahá’í meetings.
Ohio
The Toledo, Ohio, Bahá’ís have made good use of their local television stations by airing daily 45 second readings by Bahá’ís during parts of December and January. Toledo citizens are also hearing the word “Bahá’í" through the regularly appearing advertisement in the Negro newspaper, a speakers bureau, a massive mailing of the pamphlet “What is a Bahá’í?” and through speaking engagements at local high schools.
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MAY ‘1969
NATIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE SETS GOALS FOR YEAR
In the phased and systematic homefront teaching plan, the National Teaching Committee has adopted the following objectives for the Riḍván 1969 to 1970 period:
Localities Where Bahá’ís Reside: 2700
Local Spiritual Assemblies: 527
In the attainment of the legal goals of the Nine Year Plan, special effort is placed on the specific objective(s) in close cooperation with a local spiritual assembly, group or agency involved in achieving one or more of the legal goals. Briefly these goals are the recognition of the Bahá’ís Holy Days, Bahá’í marriage and the incorporation of at least one spiritual assembly in each of the continental states of the United States.
The Bahá’í marriage is recognized in 43 states and Washington, D. C. Arkansas expects recognition soon, leaving only Missouri, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia for the completion of this Nine Year Plan objective.
With the recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days in at least one school district in Alabama and Vermont this past year, it leaves only Idaho, Kentucky, Maine and West Virginia for this important category.
There are six states (Arkansas, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia) that need to incorporate one local spiritual assembly. Nebraska achieved this legal goal this past year when the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Omaha incorporated.
The significance of maintaining the momentum the American Bahá’í Community has generated this past year is very great. The sometimes sober but always enlightening words of our beloved Guardian remind us of these times and our role.
“ . . . Who knows but that these few remaining, fastfleeting years, may not be pregnant with events of unimaginable magnitude, with ordeals more severe than any that humanity has as yet experienced, with conflicts more devastating than any which have preceded them. Dangers, however sinister, must, at no time, dim the radiance of their new-born faith. Strife and confusion, however bewildering, must never befog their vision. Tribulations, however afflictive, must never shatter their resolve. Denunciations, however clamorous, must never sap their loyalty. Upheavals, however cataclysmic, must never deflect their course. The present Plan, embodying the budding hopes of a departed Master, must be pursued, relentlessly pursued, whatever may befall them in the future, however distracting the crises that may agitate their country or the world. Far from yielding in their resolve, far from growing oblivious of their task, they should, at no time, however much buffeted by circumstances, forget that the synchronization of such world-shaking crises with
the progressive unfoldment and fruition of their divinely appointed task is itself the work of Providence, the design of an inscrutable Wisdom, and the purpose of an all-compelling Will, a Will that directs and controls, in its own mysterious way, both the fortunes of the Faith and the destinies of men. Such simultaneous processes of rise and of fall, of integration and of disintegration, of order and chaos, with their continuous and reciprocal reactions on each other, are but aspects of a greater Plan, one and indivisible, whose Source is God, whose author is Bahá’u’lláh, the theatre of whose operations is the entire planet, and whose ultimate objectives are the unity of the human race and the peace of all mankind."
“Reflections such as these should steel the resolve of the entire Bahá’í community, should dissipate their forebodings, and arouse them to rededicate themselves to every single provision of that Divine Charter whose outline has been delineated for them by the pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.” (Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 60-61)
The attainment of 527 local spiritual assemblies will call for a personal commitment from each one of us. It will require rising to another level of responsibility and dedication. Those of you that now are members of Bahá’í communities with less than 15 active believers must remain at your posts to insure the maintenance and stability of those prizes already won. Those of you in large groups must expand your numbers and be among those vying to become new spiritual assemblies next Riḍván. Those of you in large Bahá’í communities are urged to re-assess your lives in the cities and to move to a new locality, group or weak assembly area. This will call for more prayer, more proclamation activities and more teaching.
The importance of such acts cannot, at this time be adequately understood or appreciated by us who labor for their accomplishment. The Guardian reminds us in these poignant words of our destiny and responsibility:
“The prizes within the reach of this Community are truly inestimable. Much will depend on the reaction of the rank and file of the believers to the plea now addressed to them with all the fervor of my soul.
“To act, and act promptly and decisively, is the need of the present hour and their inescapable duty. That the American Bahá’í Community may, in this one remaining field, where so much is at stake, and where the needs of the Faith are so acute, cover itself with a glory that will outshine the splendor of its past exploits in the far-flung territories of the globe, is a prayer which I never cease to utter in my continual supplications to Bahá’u’lláh.” (Citadel of Faith, p. 150)
What is Community Development?
What is community development? is a question often asked.
It involves many facets of activity which, perhaps, can best be explained through the example of a Bahá’í community which for two years was not developed. Records indicated that there were sufficient numbers of believers to have formed the local Assembly at Riḍván, but later it was learned that the formation had not taken place. The following year an indication was given that this unfortunate situation might again repeat itself, so letters were sent to each believer pointing out their obligation to form their local institution on April 21. Again, however, the
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A Youth meeting is held during Proclamation Weekend at Florence, South Carolina, in February. Miss Linda Marshall assisted with a talk.
same pattern repeated itself—no assembly established that Riḍván.
During this past year, a consolidation teacher was assigned to visit the community approximately one weekend per month, and as a result of those visits, the believers in that city anxiously looked forward to the establishment of their local Spiritual Assembly.
What magic did this consolidation teacher bring? Nothing really magical at all——but she did find that most of the believers had never been deepened in the individual or collective responsibilities of a Bahá’í.
Lovingly and patiently she helped them to begin to understand their obligation to strive to attain a fuller comprehension of the significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation. The need for daily prayer, especially the Obligatory Prayers, the need for every believer to teach the Cause — the need to hold the Nineteen-Day Feasts (and to inform everyone of the time and place of this gathering)—the need to celebrate the Bahá’í Holy Days—one’s obligation to contribute sacrificially to the Fund — learning to utilize to the fullest extent the talents which everyone, no matter how simple his background, can give to the service of the Cause.
The believers became so inspired and enthusiastic about “giving the message" that they had a proclamation weekend which included radio interviews, public meetings, with amazingly large non-Bahá’í attendance, firesides, newspaper publicity, and to climax all these efforts — four declarations!
Many of the Bahá’í activities which an active, developing community so often takes for grantedthe Nineteen Day Feasts, commemorations of Holy Days, firesides, public meetings, children’s classes, publicity—are now being carried out in this town, through the guidance and direction of its local Spiritual Assembly.
11
Miss Linda Marshall of Yonkers, New York is interviewed at radio station WYNN during Proclamation Weekend at Florence, South Carolina. Mrs. Soo Fouts of Fairfax, Virginia, who assisted the community in planning and executing the event is shown in the foreground.
One Circuit Teacher’: Observation
Of the many reports received from circuit teachers we were impressed by the commentary succinctly expressed as follows: “It is difficult for me to give an overall and accurate opinion as to the state of the communities I visited. The friends throughout the conservative Western and Central States are valiant souls in that they are holding down forts in very desert-like areas, or as one Bahá’í "described, “Sleepy Hollows.”
“Nevertheless, I caught a feeling that there seems to be one major problem—or better termed, challengea lack of understanding of the Dynamics of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh which could be corrected by a deeper and more direct understanding of the major questions that the Universal House of Justice has given us for deepening—and that if this challenge could be attacked with the correct strategy, both the individual Bahá’ís and the communities would be much more dynamic in their spiritual growth, consequently becoming more effective at consolidation, teaching and proclamation. I can well imagine that one of the reasons Shoghi Effendi called us the people of the ‘half-light’ is that we are the ones who must try to figure out what is meant by, and then attempt to build, that ‘wondrous system—the like of which mortal eyes have never witnessed’. Praised be to God that He in all His Mercy and Omniscience has in this most glorious Dispensation ordained a divinely guided institution to direct the children of men.
“On this end, we shall try to prepare ourselves for better efforts in the near future . . .”
YOUTH AND COLLEGE
Could This Be You?
Everett, Washington Bahá’í youth are enrolling their friends as Bahá’í youth! Last October four of them joined with two other youth from nearby communities and began to hold weekly firesides and deepening classes, alternating from home to home. Upon learning that the Bahá’ís on the Makah Reservation, after praying faithfully for new believers, had more than a dozen declarations, the youth began to pray for 25 youth declarations. They began to vie with one another in telling teen-agers about the Faith and bringing them to firesides.
The first youth declared at the end of November, A second declared at the end of December. The youth had tasted success! In January, Phil Lucas came to Everett from Western Washington State College to sing and speak at a youth public meeting. Late in January three more youth signed enrollment cards.
Arrangements were made for Phil Lucas to sing and speak at the Coffee House of the Everett Community College. On February 14, Phil sang
until he had gathered a crowd of 125 or
more students. Then he spoke about Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One. The students listened intently for three quarters of an hour, asked questions for another half hour, and then many gathered around Phil to question further at the meeting’s end. One girl wanted to become a Bahá’í at once.
A comprehensive, well-written, 35inch article appeared in the student newspaper as a result of Phil‘s appearance, written by a non-Bahá’í student reporter.
The College has invited Phil for a return appearance, for it was obvious that the students were vitally interested in his presentation of the Bahá’í Faith.
In the meantime the youth continue to fireside and deepen and pray together. A sixth youth has now declared, and the youth confidently expect 19 more to enroll soon.
As a result of the flurry of discus sion about the Faith, one youth has been invited to speak to four different young people's church groups. He has spoken to two of them and been invited to come back to one to answer more questions.
Drawn by the obvious happiness of the Bahá’í youth, five to ten seekers come to every fireside, where they are touched by the sincerity and spirit of love and unity of the Bahá’í youth.
What is the secret of their success?
The youth say they pray, deepen and teach, as the Universal House of Justice has told us we should.
At youth firesides they say that they talk about Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One who has come to unite the world and heal the troubles of the world—as the Universal House of Justice has told us we should. Youth today know the world has problems, and they have already accepted the Bahá’í solutions to social problems without knowing they came from Bahá’u’lláh.
The Bahá’í youth of Everett proclaim Bahá’u’lláh as the Promised One, tell how He suffered and endured imprisonment to unite the world, and how His followers loved Him so much that they went to prison to be with Him. Their 16-18 yearold friends are enrolling in the Bahá’í Faith now!
A Winning Team
Three Bahá’í youth from Pendleton and Umatilla County, Oregon gathered together eleven boys, ranging from 13 to 15 years of age, and entered the church league basketball tournament as representatives of the Bahá’í observer member of the local Council of Churches. This team, coached by an adult Bahá’í and two
older non-Bahá’í youth, were able to win all of their games but one. “The greatest thrill,” one boy commented, “was when the other team had to shout, ‘Rah! Rah! Bahá’í!’" This activity generated city-wide
proclamation and general interest in the Faith among the parents of basket-ball-playing youth.
MAY ‘1969
Phil Lucas from Western Washington State College spoke at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington. After his talk many students came up to query further.
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A sampling of the many youth firesides all over the country, this one in Toppenish, Washington.
C ‘ . ' mull ‘ ' Pendleton, Oregon, Bahá’í youth basketball team.
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Bloomington, Indiana fireside at the home of Frank Qualls. Students have responded to Frank's appeal to "come together . . . letting deeds not words serve as our teaching, and strive for the unification of a world divided by color, national origin. educational level and a host of other bar riers . . ."
One Youth
In Bloomington, Indiana, a high school student determined to form a Bahá’í club. He wrote a letter to his fellow students, seeking to reach their hearts and to draw them together to discover the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Following are excerpts from this letter:
“My Beloved Friends: concern about the injustice in the world. There is concern about the hypocrisy in society. Some have the ability to bring about a radical break with the past. Some have the ability to bring about an organic change in the structure of society.
“You, the youth, the budding flowers of a beautiful garden, are these powerful, visionary individuals. Burst the cage of pettiness asunder; take the one step that will allow you to bring forth these latent, yet dynamic characteristics. For as you are encrusted with the grime of a decadent world, these smoldering forces gradually die: ‘Seize thy chance, for it shall come to thee no more! . . .’
“Accordingly, let us come together, with our purpose to collectively understand the processes operating within our society, letting deeds not words serve as our teaching, and strive for the unification of a world divided by color, national origin, educational level and a host of other
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barriers.
“‘All men have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization,’ declares Bahá’u’lláh. However, the progress of man has decreased to a snail’s pace due to our worship at the idols of prejudice. We can and must supply the acceleration to deliver mankind from its bag of blindness and apathy, but this acceleration will come only when we recognize the forces which are acting on our planet and resolve to do something constructive, no matter how small our part may be.
‘Therefore, let us organize as youth with the preceding goals in mind. The only allegiance implied is: ‘The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.’ ”
Who—and how many—wil1 follow this example?
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At 7:00 p.m. on a stormy night in Wilmette, Bahá’í youth gathered in the heart of the Mother Temple of the West to offer prayers, on behalf of all the Bahá’í youth of the United States, in celebration of World Youth Day (March 25). Simultaneouslybut half a world away—their brothers and sisters in India were offering the same prayers at dawn on the same Bahá’í day.
Separated by thousands of miles and yet united in heart, single in purpose, eager in service, these youth could feel within their hearts that unity which transcends all barriers of time and distance and draws men together “ as the fingers of one hand, the members of one body."
One of the American youth writes, “Outside the Maflriqwl-Adhkár the torrential downpour and unrestrained wind seemed to reflect the power felt in the prayer meeting. No one questioned the throbbing vibrations in the atmosphere; it seemed as though the Supreme Concourse itself had joined our company. After reciting the prayer’s we were unable
‘I3
First meeting of the Bahá’í Association
for Harmonious Action Immediately at Middle Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee.
to move, almost paralyzed with stillness and wonder. Yet our souls continued to soar on the wings of the spirit, and penetrating our inmost beings were the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Supplication and prayer on behalf of others will surely be effective. When hearts are turned towards the Kingdom of Abhá, surely enlightenment will be the result.’ ”
College Guide to List Bahá’í Clubs
After an exchange of correspondence Mr. Clarence E. Lovejoy, the author of Lovejoy’s College Guide, has agreed to include a list of Bahá’í College Clubs in the next revision of his authoritative publication. In the section on college religious organizations it will have a heading titled “Bahá’í College Clubs” under which will be listed the colleges that have Bahá’í clubs. The list will be alphabetical by states. Already listed are colleges having Wesley Foundations, Newman Clubs and Hillel Foundations and Groups.
A list of 47 Bahá’í College Clubs was sent to Mr. Lovejoy for inclusion in the next revision. The list will be kept current by sending changes to the author as they occur. It is expected that the list will be a growing one.
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Teaching Through News Media
(Editors Note. The following article was written by members of the Bahá’í Group of North Bend, Oregon) It is simple for isolated believers and small groups to make the Bahá’í message known to a community or even surrounding communities for as little as one dollar a week. Before we can expect people to become interested in the Faith they must hear of it. It takes courage for the seeker to attend the first Fireside, but one can sit in his own living room, read the newspaper and learn at least one gem of Bahá’u’lláh’s message each week if the local Bahá’ís will make it available. To do this go to the advertising manager of the local paper and find out exactly what the costs are to advertise in his paper, then check with your local Bahá’í teaching budget which even an isolated believer should establish. Then make a decision about the size of the advertisement you can place regularly in the newspaper. It is better to have a small ad once a week than one large one every two months. The ad is more apt to be read if it is written as a news article with regular newsprint size than to make it look like an advertisement. Run the ads in series of four and gradually shift the series from page to page through the paper. Small town papers are seldom more than twelve or fourteen pages so during the year you should have caught the eye of the “one page only” reader. The captions should teach by the repetition process. The ads should help your community to become Bahá’í conscious, aid them to realize the Bahá’í Faith was revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, and guide them to being conscious of the name Bahá’u’lláh. Always put an address where they can write for information. It is a good idea to obtain a Bahá’í Group post office box. Don’t expect the box to be jammed with inquiries. They will trickle in usually first from people who have in some way become acquainted with the Faith sometime before. These people will be your
first names on your mailing list and the first to attend your firesides. Then as your articles build up momentum and as they pique the curiosity of people others will begin to stir. They will either write for information or attend public meetings. All this will help an isolated believer to grow to a group and then to an assembly in a few years.
As a result of doing this type of teaching in North Bend, Oregon we have made people aware of the Bahá’í Faith. The advertising manager of the local newspaper has twice given (free) the 36 square inches religious directory page feature for the Bahá’í message. This space is sponsored by local merchants. We sent them thank you notes on a prestige folder. The editor and the church editor have been most generous in putting in complete articles of our events. Because the church editor knew the area was Bahá’í conscious he ran the Associated Press article by George Cornell on Hand of the Cause of God Taré;u’llah Samandari with a full page spread headline.
The local newspaper, The World, is the only daily newspaper for southwest Oregon and has a circulation of slightly over 15,000. It covers an area that is 120 miles long and includes seven city centers. People in these areas have asked their ministers about the Faith and have been told that it is eclectic, syncretic, or a sect of Islam. As a result we have run ads and feature articles to give correct information on the Faith.
To be sure that we did not interpret the Writings we have used information direct from approved Bahá’í pamphlets and books. We keep a scrapbook of most of the clippings.
Attention Amateur Radio Operators
Bahá’ís who are Amateur Radio Operators and who operate Ham Stations are requested to send information on their stations to the Public Information Department, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091, Attn. Ham. Information should include the power of the station and what the operator has been able to reach in the way of other Ham stations around the world. The call letters should be given. Information on the whereabouts of other Bahá’í Ham Operators around the world should also be given if known.
MAY 1969
Bahá’í TV Spot Widely Shown
Information being received at the National Bahá’í Center indicates that the one-minute public service television film sponsored by the Bahá’í Faith is being widely shown by television stations across the United States.
Confirmed reports have been received that the film was shown in Bloomington, Janesville and other cities in Indiana; Des Moines, Iowa; San Jose and Fresno, California; New Orleans, Louisiana; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Hartford, Connecticut, and Eugene, Oregon. The film was seen over WNEW-TV and WCBSTV in New York City several times daily. In Miami, Florida the film was shown over a local television station and was the subject of a talk program on a local radio station.
Several requests for information on the Bahá’í Faith have been received from persons who saw the film over their local television stations.
Some 500 copies of the 16mm color film were distributed by the Public Information Department to television stations throughout the continental United States. The film incorporates Bahá’í principles in its scenes and ends with a view of the Bahá’í House of Worship. The final words are, “This has been a public service announcement of the Bahá’í Faith."
The Public Information Department is now in the process of developing three more one-minute spot television public service announcements for use during the next 12 to 18 months. It is planned to have one deal with youth, another with education and another with prejudice or the oneness of mankind.
Bahá’í Communities or individual Bahá’ís who view the TV spot should make note of the station and the time of broadcast and send the information to the Public Information Department. Since the film is shown as a public service announcement, i.e. free, the department has no way of knowing if it is shown unless the Bahá’ís across the country keep it advised.
[Page 15]
REVIEW
The Corner-Stone Room Now a Quiet Refuge
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Bahá’í he House of Worship invariably seek out the corner-stone room for private prayers and meditation. Although the corner-stone, as the beloved Guardian has stated, “has no other special significance than a great honor conferred by the Master upon that building and it should be treated as a corner-stone and nothing more,” 1- the small room in which the stone is located has been protected only by walls from the much larger area open to the public and used for a multitude of purposes.
Those who have entered the room since March of this year have been pleasantly surprised to find it thoroughly renovated with an acoustical ceiling and new lighting and decorating. The accompanying picture shows only a part of the room, and does not reflect the complete change. This is only one of the capital improvements of the past year, one facilitated by a combination of loving services rendered by a Bahá’í who has long dreamed of this and by a dedicated Bahá’í craftsman, assisted by another volunteer and the regular maintenance staff. At last the corner-stone room is a quiet refuge for one or a few Bahá’ís who wish to pray or meditate.
l. Bahá’í News. £10.46. Nov. 1930. P. 6.
Opportunity now for the young and strong!
Would you like a unique experience this summer working on the structure or grounds of the Most Holy House of Worship in the world? Would you like training under expert supervision in fields of engineering such as electrical or mechanical, in landscape gardening or in maintenance of Bahá’í properties? There will be many and important tasks, including work on the dome of the Temple—challenging and exciting but perfectly safe. If you can give your entire summer or any substantial part, write the National Bahá’í Properties Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
‘I5
Notional Bahc'I'I' Fund
Thousand 3 Cumulative Monthly lncome: 1968-1969 |.200 "'°° ttlllE-YEAR mu L000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 I00 I I I I I ‘ I AS 0F: —> :2 _—z- ,, .. 5 u 5 _,5 ..- ..£§,%2,t5234.e;".% INCOME FOR MARCH 1969 Regular Contributions 3 92-828-59 Special Contributions _A9-'73-28 Total Contributions "02-00' -97 Esyafes 40, l 59.26 Other Income _l-959' l Total Income $:l44'l I Cumulative Total Income. April I, 1963-March 3|. 1969 $l.020.°°5~47 Cumulative Deficit 3 '97-99453 NUMBER OF ASSEMBLIES CONTRIBUTING March 307 (78 percent of total)
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 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILL 60091
ATTACH YOUR OLD ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Namn (Please Prlnf) NEW Address City State: Zip
- Name of new locality
A--—-—--fl--—--—-D--u (If different from city name)
Reminder: Have you ALSO notified your community and SGC secretaries of Your new address
[Page 16]
‘I6
MAY 1969
BAHM’ ouuacronv CHANGES M b ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Mobile: Miss Betty Blair, 2469 Pinetree Dr., 36617 Southern California District #1
Glendale: John R. Whitney, Chr._ 1510 S. Adams St., 91205 Southern California District #3
Ventura County J .D.: Mrs. Jane Toth, 2066 N. Medina Ave.,
Santa Susana 93063
Indiana
Bloomingtont Mrs. Jenni Lynn Smith, 1421 W. 6th St. 47401 Kansas
Salinar Mrs. Karen K. Logan, P.0. Box 1134, 67401 Western Washington
Makah Indian Reservation: Mrs. Klara Tyler, P.O. Box 306.
Neah Bay 98357
STATE GOALS COMMITTEE SECRETARIES Arizona Mrs. Maureen Thur, 6232 E. Maverick, Paradise Valley 85251 Alabama Mrs. Sara Ray, 820 Rowell St., Mobile 36606 Iowa Mrs. Lucinda Edwards, 1123 Main St., Cedar Falls 50613
In Memoriam
Mrs. Ella V. Beaver Santa Rosa, Calif. March 4, 1969
Mrs. Gertrude Fleur Seattle, Wash. October 1968
Frank A. Fredericks Teaneck, New Jersey March 10, 1969
John A. Goodwin Greensboro, N.C. March 3, 1969
Mrs. Myrtis S. Grocock San Carlos, Calif. March 6, 1969
Robin C. Ingersoll Marshfield, Wisconsin March 3, 1969
Wilfred E. May LaGrange Park, Illinois February 26, 1969
William C. Nel Beloit, Wisconsin February 28, 1969
Jack E. Raborn Monterey, Calif. February 1969
Mrs. Gwen Sullivan Los Angeles, Calif. March 12, 1969
Charles (Carl) Svendsen Pompano Beach, Florida February 19, 1969
Frits Verduyn Palo Alto, Calif. March 6, 1969
Ketcher Watermelon Jay, Oklahoma February 18, 1969
Hands of the Cause Announce Expulsion of Val Sage
With the approval of the Universal House of Justice the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land have announced the explusion of Mr. Val Sage, following repeated warnings and a long period of patient efforts to bring about a change in his disloyal attitude toward the sacred institutions of the Faith. The friends are warned that all association with Mr. Sage is forbidden, as he is now a Covenant-breaker.
Baho"I' Distribution and Service Department
The Symbol of the Greatest Name
“It beseemeth all men, in this Day. to take firm hold on the Most Great Name and to establish the unity of all mankind,” said Bahá’u’lláh. The Greatest Name is the Name of Bahá’u’lláh Himself. It “is a distinctive mark of the Cause and a symbol of our Faith."
The power of the Word of God is focused in the verbal symbols of the Faith, in a real sense, for us who are the community of the Most Great Name. The friends therefore should learn the meaning of that Name which is so often the carrier of our deepest feeling for the Cause. One form is a religious symbol used in our homes and inscribed upon the Houses of Worship. It’s invocation, which preferably is expressed inwardly, in silence, is “Ya Bahá‘u’l-Abhá,” meaning “O Thou Glory of Glories” or “O Glory of the All-Glorious!” It is used “as an address to Bahá’u’lláh Himself; it can be used at any time.”
The Distribution and Service Department now has available, newly printed cards measuring 3x4 inches, with the Greatest Name printed in black ink on heavy white paper. An explanation of the meaning of the Greatest Name is printed on the back of the card. The cost is 10¢ each or 6 for 50¢
Orders should be sent to: Bahá’í Distribution & Service Department, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091
Calendar of Events
Feasts
May 17 — ‘A_zamat (Grandeur)
June 5- Nur (Light)
June 24 — Rahmat (Mercy) Holy Days
May 23—Declaration of the Báb (May 22, about two hours after sunset) May 29 —Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh (3:30 a.m.)
Proclamation Event
June 8—Race Unity Day
Correction
The heading of page 12 of the April issue of NATIONAL Bahá’í REVIEW should read United States Bahá’í Summer Schools—1969.
