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NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW

No. 23 — NOVEMBER 1969

Southern Teaching Conference

The Challenge of Chattanooga

To describe love, unity and to do so in an environment reminiscent of Badasht would be to recount the range and depth of the experience which took place at the first Southern Teaching Conference called for by the National Teaching Committee on September 13-14, 1969 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Over 125 Bahá’ís came from all parts of the South: Delaware, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. They represented local spiritual assemblies, state goals committees and area youth committees.

They came to review, re-evaluate and rededicate themselves to the achievement of the Nine Year Plan goals in the South and prepare themselves for the thrust that a united and cooperative effort throughout the deep South would bring: mass conversion.

The message from the National Spiritual Assembly keynoted the Conference:

"To the Followers of Bahá’u’lláh Gathered at the Southern Teaching Conference, September 12-14, 1969

"Beloved Friends:

"We are deeply pleased that the National Teaching Committee has called a conference of believers in the southern states to discuss the all-important subject of teaching. We have known for sometime that a redoubled effort must be made to realize our hope and promise for more than a decade: namely, large-scale expansion of our glorious Faith in the South. Nothing could be more appropriate now than a meeting, such as the one in which you are gathered, to discuss and make plans for the achievement of this significant goal; nor can we send you a more apt and timely message than that which our beloved Guardian Shoghi Effendi addressed to our Assembly during the last days of his blessed life on earth exactly twelve years ago this month.

"In that message sent through his secretary on September 21, 1957, the following was stated:

‘He also feels that particular attention should be devoted to the teaching work in the South, and to attracting the colored people. The years of careful attention, which have been devoted to the white element in the South, in the hope of placating them, enrolling them in the Faith, and also enrolling the colored Bahá’ís at the same time, have not shown satisfactory results. In view of this, he urges the friends to concentrate on teaching the Negroes. They should be courageous in their racial stand, particularly as so many non-Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í organizations are showing marked courage at this time, when the decisions of the Supreme Court are being so hotly contested in the South. The friends must remember that the cardinal principle of their Faith is the Oneness of Mankind. This places an obligation on them far surpassing the obligation which Christian charity and brotherly love places upon the Christians. They should demonstrate this spirit of oneness constantly and courageously in the South.’

"May your consultation on the serious but glory-filled challenges confronting you be inspired by the divine exhortations which the Master ‘Abdu’l-Bahá addressed to you in His tablets to the Southern States. May your actions be impelled by the same determination which characterized the beloved Guardian's wishes. This is no time for recounting and lamenting lost opportunities or for indulging in self-deprecation. There is time only for translating the hopes of our loving Exemplar and our "true brother" into deeds of heroism and spiritual redemption for the entire country. We feel sure that with this in mind your conference can become a trace of that historic turning point for our Faith marked by the extraordinary and revolutionary events at Badasht over a century ago.

With Bahá’í love and assurance of our fervent prayers for your every success.

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

The following pages of pictures, statistics and goals in the south capture but a small portion of "the challenge of Chattanooga." They cannot recount the immediate effect of so many Bahá’ís who all traveled to meet in Chattanooga where no Bahá’ís presently reside. There in a spirit of love and unity, the miracles began. A casual question of interest in seeing two Bahá’ís, one black and one white, lead to a 15 minute radio interview. The genuine fellowship of so large and diverse a group resulted in inquiries for information and wide-eyed amazement by hotel management and employees alike.

The first Southern Teaching Conference also showed that native Southerners outnumbered homefront pioneers. The years of devoted service to the Faith by all the Bahá’ís in the South was evident. The beauty of the country was reflected in the faces of the Bahá’ís from these Southern states. [Page 2]

Deep South Committee Announced

November 1969

The Deep South Committee is greeted by those attending the Southern Teaching Conference. Left to right: Robert Phillips, Magdalene Carney, secretary; Poova Murday, Soo Fouts, Eleanor Lombard.

The Deep South Committee will develop plans for teaching the Bahá’í Faith to the Negroes in the South, using the letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to the Southern Teaching Conference as its charter.

With the establishment of the Bahá’í Indian Council several months ago and now the Deep South Committee, the advisory and planning agencies of the National Teaching Committee for teaching in these two areas of major concern have been inaugurated. The South, along with the American Indian reservations, must now begin to yield the precious fruits that were envisioned by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and long-expected by the beloved Guardian.

As you look at the pictures from the Southern Teaching Conference, think of the stirring and challenging message from the National Spiritual Assembly and the guidance of our beloved Guardian. This represents the "challenge of Chattanooga" in the spirit of Badasht. [Page 3]

REVIEW: SOUTHERN STATES STATISTICS AND GOAL GROUPS

Number of Localities | Number of Assemblies | Number of Goal Groups | Adults

ALABAMA 18 Localities 3 Assemblies Fairfield 3 Mobile 9

ARKANSAS 24 3 Clarksville 1

DELAWARE 7 2 Dover 2

FLORIDA 82 Riviera Bch 7 Gainesville 9 Ft. Myers 7 Key West 9 Tallahassee 7

GEORGIA 34

KENTUCKY 16

LOUISIANA 25 Milledgeville 5 Jefferson City 8 Monroe 7

MARYLAND 30 6 Ann Arundel 3 Greenbelt 6

MISSISSIPPI 12 2 Clarksdale 6

NORTH CAROLINA 30 3 High Point 6

OKLAHOMA 23 7 Moore 8

SOUTH CAROLINA 33 2 Charleston Heights 5 Columbia 12

TENNESSEE 16 2 McMinnville 8

EAST TEXAS 63 9 Victoria 5 Arlington 12 Richardson 7

WEST TEXAS 9 3 Odessa 5

VIRGINIA 34 5 Richmond Charlottesville 8

WEST VIRGINIA 14 1 Beckley 7

JEOPARDIZED ASSEMBLIES

St. Mary’s County, Maryland Charleston, West Virginia University Park, East Texas [Page 4]

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

NOVEMBER 1969

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.

• Tuscaloosa

Wilmer

ARKANSAS

Batesville Bella Vista Benton Blytheville Booneville Camden Cherokee Village Conway Crossett Forest City Greenville Harrison Jonesboro 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

• Miramar

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

GEORGIA

Albany Americus Bainbridge Barnesville Brunswick

• Cartersville

Owensboro Paris Pikeville Richmond Leland McComb

• Goal already filled since Ridván 1969

Morehead Greenwood Geaufort Murray

• Hattiesburg

Camden Newport Holly Springs Dheraw Kosciusko Chester Laurel Conway Georgetown Greenwood Meridian Hartsville Natchez Kingstree Abbeville Arabi Baker Oxford Lancaster Pascagoula Laurens Picayune Leesville Bastrop

• Bogalusa

Philadelphia Manning Raymond Covington Starkville Winchester

LOUISIANA

Crowley Denham Springs Donaldsonville

• East Baton Rouge

Parish Eunice Gonzales Goosport Hammond Harvey Houma Kenner Tupelo Vicksburg Yazoo City

NORTH CAROLINA

Ahoskie Asheboro Newberry Orangburg Seneca Sumter Walterboro Whitmire York

TENNESSEE

Arlington Boone Clinton Bristol Concord Cullowhee Dobson Jennings Eden Elizabeth City Goldsboro

• Lafayette
• Metaire

Minden

• Monroe

Morgan City New Iberia Opelousas Tallulah Thibodaux

MARYLAND

Aberdeen

• Gastonia

Henderson Henersonville Hickory Jacksonville Kinston Laurinburg Lumberton Marion Brownsville Brunswick Clarksville Cleveland Collegedale Cookeville Covington

• Crossville

Dyersburg Harrogate Humboldt Jackson Hamestown Lexington Manchester

• Morehead City

Murphy Maryville Chattahoochee Annapolis Bel Air Cambridge Centerville Monroe County Cordele Roanoke Rapids Salisbury Smithfield

• Chestertown

Crisfield Magnolia Malvern Monticello Morriton Mountain Home

• Dublin

Newport

• Fort Valley

Paragould Gainesville Denton Russellville Garden City Easton Stuttgart Grovetown Elkton Emittsburg Texarkana Warren

• West Memphis

DELAWARE

Bellefonte Bridgeville Clayton Delaware City

• Dover

Georgetown Harrington Kent County Laurel Middletown Lewes Milford Milton Newark Odessa Rehoboth Beach Seaford Selbyville Smyrna Sussex County

FLORIDA

Arlington Belle Glade

• Bradenton

Macon Monroe Moultrie Rome Statesboro Thomasville Tifton Baldosta Warm Springs Warner Robbins Washington Waycross

KENTUCKY

Ashland Belleview

• Berea
• Bowling Green

Campbellsville Covington Danville Elizabethtown Fort Thomas Frankfort Glasgow Henderson

• Hopkinsville

Madisonville Maysville Middlesboro Dumberland Frederick

• Frostburg

Gaithersburg Hagerstown Havre de Grace Indian Head La Plata Leonardtown Oakland

• Ocean City

Port Deposit Prince Frederick Princess Anne Queenstown Rockville

• Salisbury

Stevensville Snow Hill Upper Marlboro. Westminster

MISSISSIPPI

Biloxi Brookhaven Cleveland Columbus Corinth Forest

• Greenville

Washington Wilmington Wilson

OKLAHOMA

Altus

• Anadarko

Ardmore

• Bartlesville

Bristow

• Catoosa

Chandler Chickasaw Claremore Elk City Enid Guthrie Langston Lawton

• McAlester

Miami Millington Pulaske Rockwood

• Sewanee

Smithville

• Sparta

Spring City Union City Woodbury

E. TEXAS

Angleton Athens Bay City Beeville Brady Brenham Bridgeport Brownwood Carrizo Springs Columbus Ennis Edinburg Freeport Hillsboro. Ponca City Sand Springs Sapulpa Shawnee Skiatook Huntsville Kerrville Lampasas Laredo Lockhart Stillwater Talequah Tecumseh Weatherford

SOUTH CAROLINA

Abbeville Aiken Allendale Bamberg Longview Lufkin Mineral Wells New Braunfels Paris Port Arthur Prairie View Rockdale

• Stephenville

Taylor Temple Texas City Uvalde

• Vernon
• Victoria

W. TEXAS

Alpine Ballinger Borger Brownfield Canyon Clarendon Colorado City Dalhart Dumas El Dorado Fort Stockton Lamesa Levelland Marfa Monohans

• Pampa

Plainview Pecos Snyder Sonora Sweetwater Van Horn

VIRGINIA

Blacksburg Clifton Forge Culpepper Falls Church Farmville Fredericksburg Front Royal Hampton Harrisonburg Highland Springs Lawrenceville Leesburg

• Lynchburg

Marion Martinsville Nassawados Norton Radford Ruckersville Salem South Boston Westmoreland County Winchester Wytheville

WEST VIRGINIA

Boone County Buckhannon Clarksburg Clendenin Elkins

• Fairmont

Glenville Hamlin

• Hinton
• Institute

Logan Martinsburg Mercer County Moundsville

• New Martinsville

Raleigh County Richwood Romney White Sulphur Springs Wyoming County [Page 5]

ADVENTURES IN PART-TIME PIONEERING

Youth in front of Bahá’í Center in Tegucigalpa ready to leave on teaching trip into the mountains.

Eight Youths to Honduras

The International Youth Project held in Honduras from July 1 through August 11, 1969 was beautifully planned by the National Spiritual Assembly of Honduras and guided by our pioneers in that country. The youth were: Jack Burwell, Larry Schwandes, Robert Sarracino, Richard Tomarelli, Bill Stover, David Thorpe. Larry Duran, and John Kepner. Following is an account of the project as reported by Richard Tomarelli:

"The Youth Project was a rewarding example of Bahá’í unity and cooperation. Through the power of prayer and consultation we were guided by Bahá’u’lláh. Though we were twelve different souls, we taught and worked as one.

"The war between El Salvador and Honduras prevented us from holding public meetings in a few towns, but we were able to teach by our example. While everyone else was fearful and depressed, we were happy and excited. We were teaching the Cause of God while the Old Order was crumbling.

"We were given a beautiful opportunity to serve at a hospital when the kitchen help and nurses fled to the countryside in panic. Some of us worked in the kitchen, while others worked with the wounded soldiers and children in the wards.

"Our teaching program was very effective when we entered we would pray and then get a meeting place, then we would split into two groups. As we walked in opposite directions from the center of town, we would chant prayers. When we reached the end of town, we would start walking back to the center inviting everyone to the meeting. If there was a school in town, we would ask the principal for permission to invite the students. Many times we would use the school as a meeting place since our meetings were held in the evenings.

"Wherever we went, children would crowd around us. We were like Pied Pipers. Before the meetings, we would pray again and then start singing. Chris Ruhe's guitar was priceless. In between songs, explanations of why we were there would be given, and what the Bahá’í Faith believes in. We always tried to get the children to participate in the songs the adults would then learn through their children.

"After a couple of songs, we would read a prayer and begin the slide show of the 1963 World Jubilee. The Honduran people would laugh with delight whenever they saw members of their own race in the slides. They have been suppressed for so long that they long for something which will restore their pride. This phenomenon was especially true of the black Carib people.

"After the slide show, we would sing more with a further explanation of Who Bahá’u’lláh really is and how easy it is to become a Bahá’í. During the project we gave the message to thousands of people and many joined our beloved Cause.

"We all want to give our deepest love and admiration to Chris Ruhe, Jerry McKinney, and Mehrdad Waezi. They provided us with excellent examples of the Bahá’í life, through their love, happiness, and understanding."

Eight Young Women to Guatemala

Eight young women participated in the youth project in Guatemala from June 30 through July 28, 1969. They were: Nancy Kappus, Ruth Swenson, Christine Eaton, Margo Wakeland, Ruby Tanck, Pamela Volk, Jean Stone and Alice Lynch. Following are excerpts from an account of their experiences:

"When we arrived at the airport a marimba band was waiting for us with most of the Bahá’ís from around the area. That evening we attended a large fiesta at the home of the Chapmans. We met people from Guatemala City, danced and spoke, usually in small groups, about the Faith and our purpose in Guatemala.

"The next morning we arose early and went to three or four newspapers for publicity about the project. Two papers publicized the project. Later that afternoon, the group visited two universities in the city where we explained our purpose in Guatemala and the Bahá’í Faith.

Typical Honduran huts along the roads. [Page 6]That evening we attended a public meeting where Dr. Mojave spoke. We were requested to sing some Bahá’í songs in English and Spanish.

"We left for Chichicastenango where they have a large institute. This is where all the projects would begin and end it became our home base. Each night that we were at the institute we held successful deepening classes with between fifteen and thirty in attendance.

"During our visit to Quesaltenango we held a fireside at the center, and sang and explained the Faith.

"The next morning we divided and went to two of the prisons where we held firesides and gave pamphlets. In the afternoon we visited San Pedro which is located in the mountains. Pam drew pictures of the kingdoms for the children while the rest of us explained them. The next morning we visited three homes of contacts. That evening we attended another fireside and helped the youth in the area to form a club. Afterwards we visited a radio station and were given a chance to speak of the Faith over the air. It was really an exciting day.

"When we arrived in Retalhuleu the four of us found that the cultural center of the city expected us to give a performance the next evening. Needless to say we practiced songs all that afternoon and the next day. That evening we attended a fiesta and told many people about the Faith. The next evening we presented the program of songs in front of the cultural group and it turned out surprisingly well. We met more youth from the area and talked about the Faith.

"On the morning of the Feast we had prayers with the family with whom we were staying. The Chapmans and some other members of the Guatemala City community arrived and took us back to Guatemala.

"We went with the Chapmans and some of the youth of the area to Chaltamongo where we visited a school and presented the Faith. In the afternoon while some of the boys and the Chapmans presented a film to the prison, three of us drew pictures for people in the park and told them of the free film for that evening. We showed a slide program that night and received many names for the correspondence course.

"We went to a fiesta in the afternoon given by one of the universities and spoke on the Bahá’í Faith that evening.

"Four of us went to Coban for the weekend. Margo, with a Guatemalan woman, Virginia and an Indian woman, Felimino, went to Totosantos, a small Indian village on the top of the mountains. It took a great deal of time to get there. We held a fireside on the evening of our arrival and made plans to visit some of the people the next day. This was truly one of the best experiences... we stayed in the homes of the people. They were really beautiful and reacted to the Faith with their hearts."

For Those Planning Pilgrimages

A number of Bahá’ís report taking advantage of their pilgrimages to visit Arab countries. In some cases this is impossible and in all cases it is highly inadvisable; therefore, they should not plan journeys through these countries, without prior approval by the National Spiritual Assembly. This includes visits to Irán which can be made only with the prior approval of the National Spiritual Assembly of that country. The only exceptions are Persians who will visit their Bahá’í families and friends there.

The heavy tourist trade in Israel makes it very important to have firm bookings for round trip travel and lodging in Haifa before leaving on the pilgrimage, as last minute accommodation and return travel may be extremely difficult, or even impossible to obtain. The new role of the Pilgrim House as a meeting place, registration center and library renders it impossible of use as a guest house and thus the friends are asked to make arrangements and pay for their own food and lodging. The World Center cannot undertake responsibility for any of these arrangements, neither should Bahá’ís serving at the World Center be asked to do so.

Left to right: Maraaret and John Leonard, long time pioneers in the Falkland Islands with Marvel Gray. right at the time of Miss Gray's month long teaching trip to the Islands, arranged by the International Goals Committee. Our goal is to establish one local Spiritual Assembly in the Falkland Islands during the Nine Year Plan. [Page 7]

International Goal Representatives Announced

The International Goals Committee is happy to announce the appointment of ninety-two representatives throughout the United States. It is the plan and hope that the representatives will be given a time period for a presentation on international pioneering at scheduled meetings, institutes, conferences of all kinds, conventions, Feasts, and gatherings. The aim is to bring before the entire national Bahá’í community an awareness of the directives of the Universal House of Justice and our National Spiritual Assembly for the settlement of seventy-nine world goals with 301 pioneers before Ridván 1970.

At least one representative has been appointed for the electoral district of each state. A few states are not included in this listing at this time.

The spirit of the representatives accepting this responsibility that requires so generous a giving of time and effort has been exceedingly gratifying to the International Goals Committee.

Following is a list of states and appointed representatives:

ALABAMA

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Waddell, Huntsville

ARIZONA

Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Malkin, Mesa

ARKANSAS

Mrs. Helena Ward, Little Rock

CALIFORNIA

Central District No. 1 Mr. and Mrs. Kenton Allen, Manteca

Central District No. 2 Mr. and Mrs. John Cook, Reedly

Northern California Mr. and Mrs. Rex Collison. Geyserville

Southern District No. 1 Mrs. June Hollinger, Los Angeles

Southern District No. 2 Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schechter. LaMesa

Southern District No. 3 Mr. and Mrs. William Sears Jr., Thousand Oaks

COLORADO

Mr. Curt Schuyler, Littleton (after Feb. 1970)

CONNECTICUT

Mrs. Caterina Kazemzadeh. New Haven Mrs. Louise Wold. Conway, N.H.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Dr. Arthur Leon Dahl

FLORIDA

Dr. Leonard Hippchen, Tallahassee Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ullrich, Bradenton

GEORGIA

Miss Yvonne Harrop. Augusta

IDAHO

Mrs. Maudie Miller, Boise

ILLINOIS

Northern Illinois Miss Jeannette Robbin, Winnetka Miss Lynda Somerhalder, Wilmette:

Southern Illinois Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Donley, Bloomington

INDIANA

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hawthorne, West Lafayette

IOWA

Mr. Murray Elmore, Davenport

LOUISIANA

Mr. Robert Aneker, New Orleans Miss Cecile Hargis, New Orleans

MAINE

Mr. Wayne Hoover, Portland

MARYLAND

Mrs. Mabel Byrd, Baltimore. Mr. Richard M. Witter, Greenbelt

MASSACHUSETTS

Mr. Martin L. Varner, Roxbury

MICHIGAN

Miss Joan Lozier, Coldwater Mrs. Luella McKay, Detroit Mr. Gorgon Van Wieren, Grand Rapids

MINNESOTA

Mr. and Mrs. David Skrenes, Rochester Mr. Herb Taylor. Duluth

MISSISSIPPI

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Johnson. Jackson

MISSOURI

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wessel. St. Louis

MONTANA

Mr. Fred J. Bennett. Butte Mr. Richard Mereness, Helena

NEBRASKA

Mrs. Doreene Brown. Omaha

NEVADA

Mr. and Mrs. Barry Baily, Las Vegas

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mrs. Louise Wold, Conway

NEW JERSEY

Miss Jane Caulfield, Montclair Mrs. Iris Tarafdar, Montclair

NEW MEXICO

Mr. Mary Lou Ewing. Albuquerque Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Laite, Gallup

NEW YORK

Eastern New York Mr. Dick Suhm, Tallman Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, Manhasset

Western New York Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kappus, Burt Miss Nancy Kappus, Burt

NORTH CAROLINA

Mr. Walter Wootten, Chapel Hill Mr. and Mrs. Jack Sanders

NORTH DAKOTA

Mrs. Vera Barron, Jamestown

OHIO

Mr. Kamyar Arjomand, Cincinnati

OKLAHOMA

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dickson, Tulsa

OREGON

Mrs. Betty Carter, Beaverton Mr. Ray Pfluegar, Eugene

PENNSYLVANIA

Mrs. Helen Underhill, West Chester

RHODE ISLAND

Mr. Mason McCracken, East Providence

SOUTH CAROLINA

Mr. and Mrs. James Harris, Columbia

SOUTH DAKOTA

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Simerly, Ellsworth AFB

TENNESSEE

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sims, Jr., Memphis

TEXAS

Eastern Texas Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Dobbins, Ft. Worth Mr. Vahid Hedayati, Dallas Mr. and Mrs. Howard Menking, Dallas.

Western Texas Mr. Ron Barding. El Paso

UTAH

Mr. John Birkinbine. Provo

VERMONT

Mrs. Louise Wold, Conway, N.H.

VIRGINIA

Mr. Challoner Chute, Charlottesville

WASHINGTON

Mr. and Mrs. George Galinkin. Tacoma Mr. Jack Tingstad, Bellingham

WISCONSIN

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Clayton, Beloit .

WYOMING

Mr. Curt Schuyler (after Feb. 1970) [Page 8]

GIFTS OF STOCKS AND SECURITIES WELCOME

The Treasurer’s Office wishes to remind the believers that contributions can be made in the form of stocks, bonds and other securities and that such contributions are most acceptable. In making any such gifts, several types of tax advantages are possible.

For those Bahá’ís who wish to give in this manner, some simple suggestions are offered for carrying this out.

How to Send: Certificates should normally not be endorsed unless sent by registered mail or delivered by hand. It is safer to send the certificates unendorsed and accompanied by a letter giving your name and address and stating the purpose of the gift. A blank stock power should be signed and sent under separate cover. For many reasons, including unnecessary expense and delay, it is preferable that securities remain in the name of the donor and a stock power be used for the transfer.

Where to Send: Securities should be sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Office of the Treasurer, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. When time is a factor, an agent or broker may be instructed to notify the Treasurer’s Office by phone.

Valuation: The date of the gift is determined on the day it is received by the Treasurer’s Office and its valuation is made on the basis of the average of the high and low prices on that day if the securities are marketable and listed on an exchange.

Acknowledgement: The Treasurer’s Office will officially acknowledge the receipt of the securities, indicating the purpose for which they were given by the donor and their value.

National Bahá’í Fund

MONTHLY INCOME: 1969-1970

INCOME	September 1969	Fiscal Year to Date
Regular Contributions	$ 68,389.57	$381,399.60
Special Contributions	8,274.50	76,162.74
Total Contributions	$ 76,664.07	$457,562.34
Estates	3,053.21	17,773.79
Other Income	2,083.84	14,207.42
Total Income	$ 81,801.12	$489,543.55
Budget	$125,000.00	$750,000.00

TREASURER’S OFFICE

"KEEP THOSE LITTLE GREEN ENVELOPES COMING."

An Answer to Prayer

A Bahá’í has reported the following example of love and devotion to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh:

"Mrs. sustained a broken ankle about a month ago and was recuperating at her home. When I called her this morning she picked up the phone and after thanking me for calling, said that she couldn't talk because she had just run in from work to get a time card. Then briefly she continued: 'When I read in the REVIEW that the Fund was in trouble, I sat down and prayed for the Fund for a few minutes. In about twenty minutes I received a telephone call from asking me to come to work. They had by-passed channels and called me direct. So my ankle is now in a walking cast, I discarded my cane today, everyone at work has been wonderful to me, and I am earning money so that I can increase my contributions to the Bahá’í Fund.'" [Page 9]

TEACHING AND CONSOLIDATION

Strategy for Victory - Phase Three

In The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 46-7, the Guardian tells us we should "... continually bear in mind the vital and urgent necessity of insuring, within as short a time as possible, the formation. . . of groups, however small and rudimentary, and of providing every facility within (our) power to enable these newly-formed nuclei to evolve. swiftly and along sound lines, into properly functioning, self-sufficient, and recognized Assemblies."

The Bahá’í groups have been characterized as the seed-bed of the Administrative Order. Their location reveals where the next generation of local spiritual assemblies may be expected to rise.

The National Spiritual Assembly, together with the National Teaching Committee, is eager to assist every existing Bahá’í group to enjoy the bounty of this achievement, but the beginning must be made by the group itself. To this end, nationwide seminars for Bahá’í groups are being called for Sunday, December 7, 1969, and all members of Bahá’í groups are urged to attend. Materials and an agenda will be supplied by the National Teaching Committee, although each group will hold the seminar locally.

This is the first in a series of three seminars to inspire a strong and active teaching program which will result in at least 87 new and/or restored local spiritual assemblies by Ridván 1970.

What is a Bahá’í group? What is its purpose and what are its functions? What steps must it take in order to evolve into the divinely-ordained Institution of the local spiritual assembly?

SUNDAY. DECEMBER 7, 1969 WILL BE A KEY DAY TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF A VICTORIOUS RIDVAN 1970!!

CAN YOU HELP?

The number of jeopardized assemblies is lower than at this time last year, but any assembly in jeopardy of losing its status is always a source of much concern. Adult believers desiring to pioneer on the homefront may wish to seriously consider locating in one of the localities listed below, for the preservation of all local assemblies is of utmost importance.

If further information about any of these localities is desired, please contact the local secretary or the National Teaching Committee.

• California: Bakersfield J.D., Fair Oaks-Folsom J.D., Inglewood J.D., Laguna Beach, Lompoc, Los Gatos-Saratoga-Campbell J.D., Pismo Beach, Santa Cruz J.D., South Gate
• Colorado: Fort Collins
• Florida: Sarasota County
• Illinois: Park Ridge
• Indiana: Bloomington
• Maryland: St. Marys County
• Minnesota: Olmstead County
• Missouri: Springfield
• Montana: Great Falls
• Nevada: Reno Sparks Indian Colony
• New Jersey: Hackensack
• Ohio: East Cleveland
• Texas: University Park
• Washington: Issaquah
• West Virginia: Charleston
• Wyoming: Laramie

A Suggestion

A letter was recently received from an isolated believer which we wish to share with the friends in the hope that they will be moved to carry out the suggestions contained therein:

"For many years I have worked night shift and usually I work alone and this gives me the opportunity to read on occasions the Bahá’í books and Bahá’í prayers and as I work late hours I read prayers for the Western States, Alaska, and Canada at times I think they are having firesides. Why couldn't Bahá’ís all over the country read prayers for the different sections? For instance, the West coast is three hours later than we are, so if we say the teaching prayer for the Western States at 11 p.m. EST, we would be helping them at their Firesides. Alaska is five hours later. We could say the prayer for Alaska. etc."

Teacher-Training Institutes

A number of Teacher-Training Institutes have been held in various parts of the country, all having received enthusiastic responses. At the recent Southern Teaching Conference, the workshop on Child Education recommended that a notice be carried in the NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW that such training institutes can be sent to those localities where interest in holding children's classes is high, but "know-how" is low.

Any community wishing to have a Teacher-Training Institute in their area may do so by writing to Community Development, National Teaching Committee. The sponsoring community would need to furnish a meeting place and send out invitations. Community Development will furnish the Institute leader(s) and materials. [Page 10]Children who attend the Bahá’í classes in Toppenish on the Yakima Reservation.

Some Early Guidance on Indian Teaching

The formation of the Bahá’í Indian Council was greeted by many Bahá’í teachers as a long-needed agency to assist the national teaching program.

At the first meeting of the Bahá’í Indian Council (which was held in conjunction with a briefing session for State Goals Committees charged primarily with Indian teaching) much stress was laid on the necessity for achieving a balance in the role of the Indian believers in the Faith. We have an obligation to enroll the indigenous people and we must make a concerted effort to do that. It is important also to know that these indigenous peoples should not and can not be singled out as a "chosen people" in any sense of that term.

Our principle of the "Oneness of Man" and our speaking about equality will be useful tools in teaching the Indian people. Events in our times are moving so swiftly that American Indians are more and more realizing the need for working for equal rights and privileges with other ethnic groups. To have any weight behind our speaking about equality it must first be voiced by our white friends. For another Indian to say we believe and work for equality would not be effective to any degree. After our saying, then the proof is the fact that the Indian believers are a meaningful part of our communities and administration and to such a degree that we often don't know who the Indian believers are. To know where and how many Indian believers there are of course will be helpful in accomplishing our Nine Year Plan goals but many times Indians have been enrolled as a natural result of teaching rather than because they were singled out and taught as being Indian.

The role of the Bahá’í Indian Council is that of guidance. The enrollment of the Indian peoples must be a natural result of the accelerated proclamation efforts being made. The Indian believers will fulfill their commitment to teach their own people by their living the life and through deepening when, as all believers, they realize the duty of every Bahá’í to give the message . . . "If we do not teach the help is entirely cut off.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speaks of the reward to mankind if the indigenous people receive guidance and education, we are reminded that "to teach we must first teach ourselves" and that "all knowledge comes from God." We have the creative word and explicit instructions and answers. It is the only place the world can come to for the solutions to its many problems.

Some observations after our first meeting indicate that we must teach Indians as we teach all people, by accepting and getting to know them as individuals. The Indian friends accept their responsibility to spread the message among their own people, yet this is incidental to the fact that we must all proclaim constantly. While we do not "speak until we obtain a hearing," neither do we miss any opportunity to teach. We are approaching this as a teaching effort that needs new solutions (we are aware and appreciative of the many efforts thus far made by many dedicated and adept teachers) and hope that the whole body of believers will consistently make more efforts toward teaching the Indian as part of their own accelerated teaching and proclamation activities.

-Observations of Bahá’í Indian Council member

Bahá’í Marriage Legal in Missouri

The labor begun in 1964 by the believers in Missouri has finally borne fruit for the goal of the Nine Year Plan of securing legal recognition of the Bahá’í Marriage in all states. It was a particularly challenging one for them in the light of their having tried many times before to secure this recognition.

The Bahá’í Marriage Ceremony became legal in Missouri effective October 15, 1969, for specific legislation was passed and duly signed into law by the Governor. Although not naming the Bahá’ís, the new law is broad in its application and will validate our marriage ceremony.

Up until the last few days of the recent session of the legislature, it appeared that the bill would not be passed. This would have meant another two years' wait before another bill could be introduced in the next session. The believers were asked to join in prayer for the passage of the bill, which came about on the last day of the session. Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia are presently the only states not having this legal recognition.

UN Committee Mini-Seminars Announced

You will hear a lot about the United Nations in 1970, declared "International Education Year." 1970 also marks the UN's twenty-fifth anniversary. The Bahá’í Proclamation theme 1970-71 is "Mankind's Next Step - Education For All." The committee for the United Nations of the Bahá’ís of the United States, is taking advantage of this happy coincidence, and is pleased to offer a traveling mini-seminar on the UN and the International Education Year theme. This package presentation, including a speaker and films, tapes or slides, will be available on request during March, July, October, and December of 1970. The mini-seminar will be updated as new material from Bahá’í and UN sources appears.

Use us! UN mini-seminars are excellent public proclamation events because of the United Nations-International Education Year theme. Take this chance to help your communities understand the role of the United Nations in mankind's future. The number of appearances are limited, so make your requests now. Include name, address, a few notes about your location and three dates in order of preference, to:

-COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES-SUITE 446-866 UNITED NATIONS [Page 11]

CHILD’S WAY MAGAZINE INTO HIGH GEAR AS IT PREPARES FOR SECOND YEAR

Excitement is in the air. After a lively, productive meeting held recently by the members of the Advisory Board of Child’s Way Magazine, our own magazine for children, it appears that we are going to have a publication that will be even more attractive and valuable for children. It is the plan of the editors to introduce a significant innovation with each successive issue. Ideas submitted thus far range from including large fold-out craft materials to plastic sing-along records of each new Bahá’í song. We are also planning a new series on Bahá’í Pioneers and on the adventures of the early believers. If you haven’t seen the magazine recently, you will want to examine it carefully. YOU CAN HELP — what ideas can you get off in tomorrow’s mail? Do you have any good jokes? How about stories, games, songs or poems? Do you have any good children’s art work or photographs? Send your materials along with your new subscriptions and we’ll print them as soon as possible.

Remember too, that many of our subscribers have only one more issue of CHILD’S WAY before their subscriptions expire. Fill out the form below, place it in an envelope, slip in a check for the proper amount, affix a postage stamp, and drop the envelope into the nearest mailbox. In fact, send in five subscriptions. Our growing magazine is an excellent gift for just about any occasion. Keep your subscriptions pouring in — we want to be overworked!

Many letters have been received from subscribers who have found CHILD’S WAY magazine a valuable resource for children’s classes. Have you tried it yet?

Cut out or use separate sheet.

Please send an annual subscription (6 issues) to the following persons or organizations:

a Letter to the Editors

The following letter was sent to the editors of BAHÁ’Í NEWS and NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW with the suggestion that it be published as an aid to the friends to use when corresponding with other Bahá’ís.

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

The art of correspondence is an age-old discipline that continues to present difficulties to all the facets of our society. We, as Bahá’ís, know that written communications are necessary in our ever expanding community. The difficulties arise when we endeavor to understand what has been written. Unlike the spoken communication, written communication does not possess voice inflections, facial expression to eye contact, therefore we must strive for clarity, conciseness, kindness, awareness, understanding, sensitivity, and most of all an expression of love.

There are many technical rules governing how to prepare all types of correspondence that can be found in any public library. We, as Bahá’ís, must demonstrate the newly attained posture of maturity in every phase of our Bahá’í lives. It is incumbent upon us to gain of these skills and all others that will project the image of being very special people.

Let us strive to hasten in the Most Great Peace through our prayers, thoughts, deeds and all projections of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

We sincerely hope that the above in itself, can be used as a teaching aid.

With Bahá’í love,

Alice Ransom, Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Culver, J.D., California

PLANNING TO MOVE DURING THE NEXT 30 DAYS?

Help us keep your address up-to-date

CUT OUT OR PROVIDE SAME INFORMATION ON POST OFFICE CARD FORM 3578 AND MAIL TO:

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í CENTER 112 LINDEN AVENUE, WILMETTE, ILL. 60091

I have enclosed a check for ________ subscriptions in the amount of $. Subscriptions for 6 issues per year: USA, $4.50, Foreign, $5.00.

Please, NO BILLING. Make checks or money orders payable to: CHILD’S WAY Magazine, Box 551, Amherst. Massachusetts 01002.

ATTACH YOUR OLD ADDRESS LABEL HERE

A NOTE TO APPLICANTS FOR PILGRIMAGE

All believers now resident in the United States, except the States of Alaska and Hawaii, who may have made application for pilgrimage in some other country should advise the National Spiritual Assembly immediately of the details. Please state the address from which the application was made and the date of the application; also include any other related information.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Name. (Please Print). NEW Address. City- NEW Telephone: Area_ Name of new locality:. State. Zip. (If different from city name)

Reminder: Have you ALSO notified your community and SGC secretaries of your new address? [Page 12]

YOUTH AND STUDENT ACTIVITIES

State of the Youth

We are ready. Ready to proclaim under the theme of Youth for One World (YOW) that "the promised One has come and that the unity and well-being of the human race is the purpose of His Revelation" (Universal House of Justice, Ridvan, 1967). There is a unity and a sense of community now that far exceeds what we have known before. We are together. We know each other by sight and by prayer. We have seen and heard each other at firesides, Feasts, happenings, and most recently the Regional YOW con-ferences. We have shared each other's hopes, fears, triumphs and trials, and the happy-wild stories of how each of us found the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

We are ready. Ready to fulfill the goals of the Five Year Youth Program. We are a revolutionary movement. We understand how to exploit the chaos of our time, to put social and moral issues in the context of the Faith so they can receive the Divine solution. We are ready to go to the South, to give sacrificially to the Fund, to deepen in the clear springs of the Writings, to build Bahá’í groups on the high school and college campuses, to travel and teach the Faith on the road, in the valleys, the towns, the farms and the ghettoes of this land. We have received in great waves of bounty the love, the prayers, the cooperation, the concern, the efforts of the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly, the local spiritual assemblies, the Hands of the Cause, Auxiliary Board members and so many more.

We at the National Center sense this readiness in the shining statistics, in Bahá’í Youth Committee minutes, the splendid laughing letters from each of you alone and in groups. Write us now let us serve you.

Letters from Youth

Dear Sir:

I am a college student, a freshman majoring in mathematics. About ten days ago I heard for the first time about Bahá’u’lláh. I met my first Bahá’í. Things haven't been at all the same since; all of a sudden the topsy-turvy world flies into a mad, wild spin and lands, cat-like, upright on its feet. Even more surprising, it's heading somewhere in particular for a change. The faith in that guy! This must be the same sort of enthusiasm felt by the early-early Christians.

He gave me a copy of Sears' Thief in the Night. The thing reacted violently with my 12-year Catholic school education. Then I read of Bahá’u’lláh's love and respect for Jesus Christ, and boiled. I'm steaming, not, thank God, from disappointment and indignation from violation of the sovereignty of Catholicism; but rather from the heat of excitement of discovery of the sovereignty of unrestrained, stricted, all-inclusive Christ-described love. I keep thinking it's the beginning, the beginning; and ten days ago it was the end of an ugly world stuck shishkabob-style on human hostility.

I need books, literature. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, other books by Sears, writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, anything, where can I get them? The Public Library has nothing. Could you send me a catalog? I can't believe that for eighteen years I have been living in the New Era and this is the first time I have heard even a hint of what's been going on. Why keep it a secret? The world is crying from the need of this information.

Gil Cummings Indiana Institute of Technology Fort Wayne, Indiana

What "oppression" is more grievous than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it?

The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 31

Dearly Beloved Friends:

Life here at Fort Sam Houston, Texas has been wonderful. From the time of arrival at the Basic Training Center I was beset by so many people who had never heard of the Faith that words fail to describe the happiness that I felt each night as I went to bed, many times after teaching into the early hours of the morning. It is all so beautiful, such a bounty, and to realize that one Bahá’í, usually there are anywhere from two to nine in a class of one hundred, can and do reach fifty people per week since a new class starts every two weeks.

After Basic Training I had much more time to myself to study and deepen, but with the increased time I found added opportunity to talk to even more people.

Life at Fort Sam is really what you want to make of it. It can be a rewarding, enjoyable, wonderful experience, as can all of life, or it can be just a bummer.

I got my orders for Viet Nam the other day and I couldn't be happier. There are so many opportunities to serve wherever you go. Looking at the material benefits of Viet Nam, there is an opportunity to put into actual practice everything that you have learned here at the Medical Training Center, a chance to extend your tour of duty in Viet Nam and exit from the Army 150 days early, a chance to save and/or pay off debts, and finally additional education under the G.I. Bill. The spiritual benefits of not only the Army but of Viet Nam are infinite, service to His most glorious Cause when around local spiritual assemblies, and the precious bounty of being able to teach His Cause under the best of conditions, being in such close, personal and prolonged contact with such a large number of people.

I am looking forward to visiting the House of Worship and of seeing the beloved friends there before I depart the country.

With warmest Bahá’í love,

Fred Frazelle

Youth Make Statement to City Council

"Acquaint leaders of thought and prominent men and women in its country with the fundamental aims, the history and the present status and achievements of the Cause." (Universal House of Justice. July 2, 1967) [Page 13]Tim Strong, Bahá’í youth from Tacoma, Washington, presents "A Bahá’í View on Racial Conflict in Tacoma" to City Council in September, 1969.

To fulfill this objective of the Universal House of Justice Proclamation program the Bahá’í youth of Tacoma, Washington asked to proclaim to the city council:

Dear Mayor Rasmussen:

The Bahá’í youth of the city of Tacoma would like to make a statement before the city council on Tuesday, September the second, in regards to racial strife. A representative of the Bahá’í youth in this area will be present to speak. The purpose of the statement will be to support goodwill among all members of the community.

Respectfully, Tim Strong, Youth Representative

Then they gave the message:

The City of Tacoma must respond now under the realization that any action taken is too late to change what has happened in the last few months. It can be seen that the situation is serious enough so that any action now can be of only temporary value, leading toward another, larger change. In addition, it is obvious the longer we wait to respond the less validity the action will have.

Bahá’ís believe the issues transcend the popular alignments of liberalism or conservatism as they stand. The situation demands if any alignments are to be made that they be in favor of full rights of every citizen.

Americans and Tacomans are undoubtedly in favor of this idea. As we are unified on this point, we must capitalize on it. Tacomans must forget their differences and act now; rather than tear down what has already been built, the building process should continue. This is part of a process of growth of any American city. In other words it is part of a city's "becoming."

To aid the City of Tacoma in this growth, the individual citizens of the City of Tacoma must sincerely strive to erase the animosities which divide them. Each of us realizes we are individually responsible. And this, Bahá’ís know, must be put forth as the first and foremost solution to the problem at hand.

The city responded:

Dear Tim:

I heard your presentation before the City Council last night. The Bahá’í youth of the City of Tacoma are to be congratulated.

I am sorry that more time and attention was not given to it by the Mayor and the Council. What you're speaking of is infinitely more important than many of the items that took up most of the time on the agenda.

I would like to invite you and the Bahá’í Youth of the City of Tacoma to be the guests of the new Human Relations Youth Council that will meet Monday evening, September 22, 1969, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. At that time we would like for you to introduce your group and to say more about your concern regarding the solution of racial strife. Would you please accept this invitation and be well represented that night? Please advise me.

Very sincerely yours, Lynn E. Hodges, Director Human Relations Dept.

Frogmore Conference a Success

The following is a letter received from the Southeastern Bahá’í Youth Committee, recounting the success of their recent youth conference in Frogmore, South Carolina:

"Alláh’u’Abhá!

Excuse the stationery, etc. but a short note to tell you of the glorious success of our conference this past weekend. We had 85 people in attendance. Richard Thomas and Poova Murday inspired us all with their dynamic talks. They were a perfect team balance.

"Despite the torrential rains the entire weekend the spirit was high and love and unity reigned. The power was probably greater than in Birmingham, perhaps because of the obstacles.

"Ya-Bahá’u’l-Abhá for the administrative order for without it this could not have been done.

"By the way, we also had three declarations and ten states and three foreign countries represented. One youth came in the downpouring rain 300 miles on a motor bike.

"In the service of our beloved Faith Gainelle McNeil, Secretary, Southeastern Bahá’í Youth Committee"

Teaching By Dialogue

What is redefinition? It is starting with the problems which are concerning the world: poverty, violence, law and order, crime, and stating these in the Bahá’í terms—the spiritual sickness of disunity as the root cause.

A dialogue took place on the evening of July 1, 1969 in the auditorium of St. Athanasius Catholic Church in Evanston, Illinois. The film, "Justice and the Poor," had been viewed by an audience of a few concerned Evanston citizens and about fifty Bahá’í youth from all parts of the country, who were attending the summer seminar in Wilmette. The panel, chosen to discuss the problem of exorbitant bail bonds set for the poor and minority peoples and the questions raised by the film regarding the issue of justice, consisted of two prominent lawyers and a newspaper reporter and a Bahá’í—Bob Phillips of the Youth and Student Activities Office at the National Bahá’í Center. Using the technique of redefinition, Bob was able to explain that the issue is the spiritual sickness, manifesting itself in injustice, of the entire system which perpetrates these crimes against the poor. In other words, aiding those present to see beyond the particular problem and begin to comprehend the increasingly heavy burden of disunity under which the world is laboring—a burden which Bahá’u’lláh has given us the tools to lift.

As a result of the evening's discussion and interaction, the Bahá’í youth were invited to stay in the home of the moderator of the panel—one of the prominent citizens of Evanston; the Youth Office was invited to take part in a fair housing project by the city of Evanston and Bob is teaching a class in Comparative Religion at Evanston High School.

The program closed with "The best beloved of all things in My sight is justice—" [Page 14]

PUBLIC INFORMATION

Premiere of Bahá’í Film

The world premiere of the film on the Bahá’í Faith, titled "A New Wind", will take place on November 12th, 1969, anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. The National Spiritual Assembly has approved an initial showing of the film in forty cities and ten colleges across the United States. A second premiere showing of the film will be on World Religion Day, January 18th, 1970, in forty different cities and ten different colleges. The cities and colleges selected for these showings have been approached by the National Bahá’í Public Information Office. After the initial showings of the film, it will be available through Bahá’í Distribution and Service, which will set up the necessary rental fees and other requirements. The film will be available after January 25th, 1970.

A leaflet on the film is being produced by the Public Information Office. It is for distribution to audiences viewing the film and can be used to provide information on the film. The film, which is approximately 28 minutes in length, is a 16 mm color sound film. It was produced by George C. Stoney, nationally known documentary film maker. The film is an indirect teaching vehicle on the Faith. It depicts what the Faith is doing to transform various communities around the world. In particular, it shows scenes in the Holy Land, New Mexico, India and Japan. It is excellent for public showings before civic clubs, women's clubs, church groups, schools and for use on television.

Proclamation Ads-Series No. 3

A new series of four advertisements known as "Bahá’í Proclamation Ads Series No. 3" has been produced by the National Bahá’í Public Information Office. Single copies were sent to all local assemblies and to those receiving the Public Information mailings. The ads can be reduced or enlarged to fit different newspaper advertising requirements.

The ads deal with the Oneness of Mankind, Conflict in the World, the Independent Investigation of Truth, and with the Creation. Copies of the ads appear elsewhere in this publication. Extra copies of the ads can be secured from Bahá’í Distribution and Service, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, at a cost of 40c for the series. The Public Information Office has received many reports of excellent use being made of the previous proclamation ad series, and further series will be produced in the near future. The National Spiritual Assembly of New Zealand has requested sixty copies of Bahá’í Proclamation Ads - Series No. 2, which it plans to use in every newspaper in New Zealand in a concentrated advertising campaign.

Special Events Days

Public Information kits for Human Rights Day, December 10th, 1969, and for World Religion Day, January 18th, 1970, have been sent to local assemblies, groups, public information representatives, college clubs and state goals committees.

The theme of Human Rights Day this year is "Human Rights A Universal Standard", and the theme for World Religion Day is "World Religion Basis for World Education". In addition, a special Human Rights Day kit prepared by the Committee for the United Nations of the Bahá’ís of the United States was also sent to all Bahá’í UN correspondents. The Committee material included background information and suggestions for the observance of the day.

Included with the Public Information kit were press releases and other suggested publicity material. Bahá’í communities are reminded that World Religion Day is a public proclamation and direct Bahá’í teaching event. In the past, it was made the platform for many religions and has, in several instances, caused embarrassment for the Faith.

Bahá’í Holy Days

The National Bahá’í Public Information Office is now producing sample press releases for use in connection with Bahá’í holy days. Bahá’í communities are urged to use these releases as a further way of gaining recognition of the holy days in their areas.

Contact Regional News Media

Bahá’ís are reminded that all contacts with national or regional news media should be co-ordinated with the National Bahá’í Public Information Office. This includes magazines, book publishers, national newspapers (National Observor) and radio and television network headquarters. If a Bahá’í or a local Bahá’í community is approached, they should refer the contact to the National Office or get in touch immediately with the Public Information Office, by telephone if necessary. As a general rule, all relations with national media should be made through the National Headquarters in order to avoid possible embarrassments to the Faith.

Notes

Recently, a newspaper carried an advertisement for a dinner ware pattern, titled "Bahá’í". The Public Information Office approached the manufacturer, which is the International China Company in New York and was assured that this was a typographical error. The name of the pattern is Bahia. The company was apologetic for the error. This points out a lesson to all Bahá’í communities that we should not let the wrong use of the name Bahá’í go by without taking necessary action. Bahá’í communities and Bahá’ís should notify national headquarters any time they come across similar instances.

The Central YMCA Community College in Chicago, in their evening education division, has a class on religions of the world. The prospectus of the class indicates that it will study the major religions and will include the Bahá’í Faith in this list. More and more courses on world religions are including the Bahá’í Faith.

The Human Relations Committee of the city of Tacoma, Washington, has congratulated the United States Bahá’í community on its work in human relations. The department has sent a "Report of Activities for the Observance of International Human Rights Year, 1968."

Note for Bahá’ís planning an exhibit. Remember these two important points (1) Be there. An unmanned booth or exhibit is less productive than one where someone is available. (2) Open the conversation, even if it is to say "Hello" or "Good Day", etc. The average visitor is too timid, but once he begins to talk, listen. [Page 15]

Bahá’í Distribution and Service

A Special Slide

A comprehensive colorful fascinating slide of the interior tracery of the House of Worship in Wilmette as it starts from the "Greatest Name" plaque and forms a centerpiece view of the interior dome and then extends down the interior walls, picking up the reflecting lights on the supporting pillars and arches. This view, taken with a fish-eye lens is one that many wish their camera had captured when they visited the Bahá’í House of Worship.

1 Slide, each 40¢ 2 Slides, or more, each 35¢

Proclamation Ads: Series No. 3

See photos below

Feasts Calendar of Events November 4—Qudrat (Power) November 23—Qawl (Speech) December 12—Masá’il (Questions) December 31—Sharaf (Honor)

Holy Days November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh November 26—Day of the Covenant November 28—Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (1:00 a.m.)

Proclamation Events November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh December 10—Human Rights Day

U.S. State Conventions November 2

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Meetings December 19-21

In today's troubled world there a reign that i banded on the of all mankind... IF IS THE BARVÍ FAITH ALL PROPHETS ALL NATIONS ALL RACES ng in the Bapt of unity. Cone treet with us in the BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP WILMETTE, ILL

The right of each individual to investigate the truth for himself is insisted upon... in the BAHÁ’Í FAITH Come meet with us in the BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP... WILMETTE, ILL

IN THE WORLD... WHAT'S THE ANSWER? POLITICAL THEORY? ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL? PHILOSOPHICAL TREATISES -or a dange in the heart and mind of meh individual Came with the BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP... WILMETTE, ILL

BUT... WHAT EXISTED BEFORE THE BEFORE ...AND BEFORE THAT Come meet with us in the BAHÁ’Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP. WILMETTE, ILL

Order from BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Winter Schools Announced

Davison

Davison Bahá’í Winter School will be in session from December 25, 1969 through January 1, 1970.

Rates: $7.00 per day main house; $6.00 per day in dormitory.

For reservations write: Davison Bahá’í School; 3208 South State Road; Davison, Michigan 48423. Phone: 313-653-5033.

Programs will be sent on request.

Pennsylvania Institute

The fourth annual Pennsylvania Winter Institute will be held December 26-28, 1969 at Camp Hilltop, Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

Rates: $25.00 per person for the entire session. Registration fee, $1.00. Special rates for youth and children.

For reservations and more information write: Mrs. Christine Strupp. 10 Richland Lane, Apartment 103. Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, 17011. Phone: 717-233-2935.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Der Gespaltene Himmel (The Cleft Heaven). By Huschmand Sabet. This German language book, published in Germany, deals with Christianity and Islám, their inability in this day to bring about world unity or lasting peace, and the dichotomy that developed between them (Islám being the more tolerant of the two religions in its early period). The author discusses the confrontation of Christianity with science and the decline of both religions in modern times. Proofs of the validity of the Messenger of God, the difference between the purity of revealed religion and manmade interpretations and dogmas, false prophets, and the Messianic expectation lead to the story of the coming of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh and an exposition of the Bahá’í teachings as the religion for a universal age. [In German only, 180 pp.]

Per copy (clothbound) $3.25 NET

Order from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. [Page 16]

BAHÁ’Í DIRECTORY CHANGES

Assembly Secretaries

Arizona Pine Springs Trading Post: Mrs. Mary Ann Lee, Box 138, Houck 86506

Northern California Washington J.D.: Local Spiritual Assembly of Washington, J.D., (same address)

Central California Dist. No. 1 Albany: Mrs. Betty Cook, 835 Cornell, Apt. A., 94706

Southern California Dist. No. 2 Jurupa J.D.: Miss Nora Newman, 3340 Emma St., Apt. A, Mira Loma, 91752 San Diego: Mrs. Doris B. Rodgers, 5730 Erlanger St., 92122

Southern California Dist. No. 3 Oxnard: Miss Norma Jean Brodie, 1910 Lantana St., No. 220, 93030

Colorado Jefferson County: Mrs. Karen Fleming, pro-tem, Rt. 2, Box 24, Conifer 80433

Florida Miami: Mrs. Doris Appleton, 478 N.E. 56th St., 33137

Northern Illinois Oak Park: Mrs. Arlene Wiley, P. O. Box 854, 60303 Zion: Mrs. Marcia Cote, 3111 Ezra Ave., 60099

Southern Illinois Decatur: Miss Lorraine Austin, 139 N. Fairview Ave., 62522

Iowa Cedar Falls: Mr. Moses Edwards. Chr., 1123 Main St., 50613

Louisiana Shreveport: Miss Carolyn E. Ebert. 726 Cotton, 402 Townhouse Apts., 71101

New Jersey Montclair: Miss Jane M. Caulfield, 223 Walnut St., 07042

New Mexico Las Cruces: Mrs. Nancy Owens, 2000 E. Lohman, 88001

Eastern New York Town of North Hempstead: Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. 103 Andrew Rd., Manhasset 11030

North Carolina Asheville: Mrs. Ruth Datta, 146 Victoria Rd., 28801

Ohio East Cleveland: Mrs. Betty D. Lewis, 16000 Terrace Rd., No. 1811, 44112

South Carolina Greenville: Mrs. Katherine Faily, 5 Overbrook Circle, 29607

Western Texas Lubbock: Mrs. Rogena Kuester, 3802 - 35th St., 79413

Western Washington Edmonds: Mrs. Dixie J. Yotter, 2929 Edmonds Way, Apt. C-1, 98020 King County Commissioners District No. 7: Mr. Frederick Laws, P. O. Box 66116, Seattle 98166 Longview: Mrs. Barbara M. Haluapo, No. 2-35th Court-Parkland. 98632 (to correct spelling of name and new address)

State Goals Committee Secretaries

Central California Dist. No. 1 Mrs. Janet Rubenstein, 1140 E. Hillsdale, Foster City 94404

Northern Illinois Mr. Leon P. Stevens, 604 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge 60068

Nevada Mrs. Marion West, 440 Sawyer Way, Sparks 89431

West Virginia Miss Adah M. Schott, Lot 4, 6501 McCorkle Ave., S.W., Charleston 25304

Wyoming Mrs. Anita Graves, P. O. Box 2274, Cheyenne 82001

In Memoriam

Merle Daniel Adlum, Jr. Seattle, Wash. August 30, 1969

Mrs. Beverly A. Giese Milwaukee, Wisc. August 29, 1969

Dale R. Hill Pueblo, Colo. August 16, 1969

Robert H. Kennerly Minneapolis, Minn. July 8, 1969

Fred H. Laurans Jersey City, N.J. September 7, 1969

Mrs. Lavinia Minnich Schuylkill Haven, Pa.. September 17, 1969

Howard S. Niblack Waukegan, Ill. September 9, 1969

Mrs. Esther H. Patrick Crystall Beach, Fla. August 6, 1969

Melvin R. Slate Austell, Ga. September 10, 1969

Scott P. Smith Viet Nam September 16, 1969

Mrs. Grace G. Spears Chicago, Ill. September 19, 1969.