National Bahá’í Review/Issue 34/Text

National Bahá’í Review
Issue 34

Sunday, November 1

Places and other details will be announced by-the State Goals Committees and in the Convention Call that will be mailed to all voting Bahá’ís by the National Spiritual Assembly early in October. All believers should plan now to attend the Convention in their State or Electoral District and to give careful consideration to those they wish to elect as delegates to the National Convention. Voting lists will not be distributed by the National Spiritual

Assembly.

9?

xxx ‘ OUR BADGE OF HONOR

Since Riḍván 1969, when 733 pioneers were needed to go to 184 countries, 330 pioneer posts have been filled in these countries. Some 417. pioneers must still arise to satisfy the need.

This useful bit of information was passed on to all National Spiritual Assemblies in a lettei of August 2, 1970, from the Universal House of Justice. It was a welcome reminder that only two and one-half years remain in which to accomplish all the goals of the Nine Year International Teaching Plan launched in 1964, and that many Bahá’í communities stand to lose their hard-won gains if these 417 pioneers are not found, and found quickly, to fill the present openings.

The urgency induced by these facts is brought home further by this fervent appeal issued by the Universal House of Justice in its letter: “After a recent review of pioneer needs we find it is necessary to call upon the valiant. constantly swelling community of believers throughout all continents to fill yet another 204 pioneer posts where manpower is desperately needed, in some territories in order to win the minimum number of Assemblies or localities called for in the Plan, and in others where vast new mass teaching areas have been opened to the Faith, thus necessitating additional reinforcements who must arrive soon if the precious gains are to be retained.”

Of these 204 posts, 89 have been assigned to the United States community. This community bore responsibility for 304 goals, truly the lion's share, of the previous assignment; 211 American pioneers have already been dis patched to fill them, leaving at the date of this review 93 unfilled posts. This remainder added to the new assignment totals 182 goals to be filled by American pioneers, who, like other members of the far-fiung Bahá’í communities receiving similar assignments, must arise now without hesitation to respond to the heart-moving plea of the Universal House of Justice.

“We call upon the friends,” that supreme institution

writes, “to act promptly and decisively in this vital.

international undertaking in which the followers of Bahá’u’lláh are, in all continents of the globe, summoned to participate. The time is short and the effort required is truly formidable.”

Being the recipient of Tablets of The Divine Plan and a distinguished veteran of the two Seven Year Plans and the beloved Guardian's Ten Year World Crusade, the American community knows full well the meaning of formidable effort. It is a reality placed before it by Providence as its constant challenge, its badge of honor, its banner of everlasting glory; it is the standard to which the beloved Master directed the community when He foresaw that by its consecrated response it would accomplish “that which will adorn the pages of history,” and “become the envy of the world and be blessed in both the East and the West.”

At this fateful crossroads in the history of mankind, when confusion and doubt loom on every side, let us realize that the heightened level of redemptive service to which the Universal House of Justice has summoned the American community must be achieved. We can neither falter nor fail; too many communities depend upon our success.

[Page 2]2 OCTOBER 1970

Revised list——August I3, 1970

INTERNATIONAL GOALS

The following list includes the new assignments from the Universal House of Justice, August 2, 1970, as well as the unfilled goals we had up to that date.

Africa (F) Afars & Issas (French Terr.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 (E) Kenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

(E) Botswana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 (E) Lesotho . _ , . _ _ , , _ , , , . . , . , _ , , , . _ . . , . , _ . . _ . , _ , , _ __ 4

(F) Cameroon Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

(F) Central African Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Nigeria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5

(F) Congo (Kinshasa) ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 (E) South West Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(F) Dahomey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) St. Helena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(E) Ethiopia . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Swaziland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

(F) Gabon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 (E) Tanzania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 6

(F) Ivory Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (F) Togo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Americas (S) *Argentina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 (S) Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(E) Belize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (S) Nicaragua . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3

(P) Brazil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..II (S) Peru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

(S) Chile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 (D) Surinam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

(S) Costa Rica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) *Trinidad & Tobago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

(S) Dominican Republic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (S) Uruguay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

(S) Honduras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 (S) Venezuela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..12

(E&F) Leeward, Windward, & Virgin Isl . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

Asia

Afghanistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Near East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . _ . .. 4

Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (P) Portuguese Timor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1

“Kazakhstan (CF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . i . . . . . .. 1 **Ukraine (CF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . .. 1

Laos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Australasia (E) Solomon Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Western Samoa . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Gilbert and Ellice Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 (E) Tonga Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Europe (P) Azores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3 Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7

Belgium . . i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Luxembourg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

Denmark . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ _ _ _ _ . . . , . , , ,_ 2 Norway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4

Finland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 Sweden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2

Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Switzerland . . . . . . . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2 Key. D——Dutch—speaking E—English-speaking F—French—speaking P—Portuguese-speaking S—Spanish-speaking

—Specialcircumstances—check with International Goals Committee
- —(CP)~—Circumstances permitting.

International Goals Committee

1 12 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091 (3 I 2) 256-4400

[Page 3]REVIEW

/DOCEANIC CONFERENCE

September 2-5, 1971 Reykiavik, Iceland

This Oceanic Conference, called by the Universal ‘House of Justice, will be held in the capital city of this beautiful island, situated in the North Atlantic Ocean. English and Icelandic will be the two official Conference languages.

Special tours of Scandinavia have been arranged in conjunction with the Conference by the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada. One tour, entitled “Follow the Vikings,” includes fjord cruises in Norway. Friends interested in these tours are requested to contact the International Goals Committee immediately for details.

The Conference arrangements personnel are anxious to know how many people plan to attend. If you are considering attendance at this Oceanic Conference, please inform the International Goals Committee.

New Hampshire

The Bahá’ís of Linwood held a songfest at C1ark’s Trading Post recently and attracted over seventy Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís. Music, love, and unity were the keynotes.

Participating in the program were: Nella Gustafson, who introduced the Faith’s teachings; Nancy and Jeff Roberts, from Green Acre, led the music festivities; Jeffrey Kurtze, from Massachusetts, introduced familiar Bahá’í songs; and Raymond Reynolds, a Bahá’í youth, introduced a new song, written by the Linwood Bahá’ís, “Who Was the Prophet?”

Refreshments were served at Joyce Clark’s, where Nasir Bashirelahi spoke with many of the youth about the Bahá’í Faith.

Massachusetts

On Saturday, August 22, the Bahá’ís of Somerville as part of their August proclamation effort toured the city in a van decorated with quotations from the Writings. They stopped at shopping centers for the purpose of inviting people to the firesides held in Somerville and to talk to people and give out literature to those interested.

The response was good; and there had been newspape. coverage, including a picture of the van, a few days before to tell people that the Bahá’í mobile was coming. And it was really fun!

Participating in the activity: Miss Mary Jean Wardell, Mrs. Michele Pericone, and Miss Dawn Kinney of Somerville, and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Warriner (Sherol) of Haverhill.

North Carolina Race Unity Day Observance

Approximately 150 persons from twelve North Carolina towns and from Greenville, South Carolina, assembled near Henderson, North Carolina, in observance of Race Unity Day. Some of Henderson’s beautifully blossoming Bahá’í Community of more than eighty—primarily enrolled in a two—month period — went to the shelter at dawn to reserve it for the picnic and to say prayers at the waterfront, setting the atmosphere for the days events. Other Bahá’ís began arriving around ten a.m., and remained until after four pm., to share the inspiration of the program, the joy of singing, and the warmth of the fellowship.

Charles Abercrombie of Greenville, South Carolina, presented the Message in terms of progressive revelation, inspiring the gathering to the realization that the spiritually thirsty turn to the “water of life” offered by Bahá’u’lláh in this age.

The Henderson youth presented an interweaving of readings from the Writings and appropriate songs, accenting the basic teachings of Bahá’u’lláh.

The excitement of conversion was in the air as communities across the state brought news of phenomenal experiences of persons accepting the Faith upon hearing of its promise of peace, of its fulfillment of religious prophecies, and in observing its unifying force in bringing together those of all races and backgrounds.

Following on the heels of a fireside in Kinston the night before at which eight waiting souls declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh, four more inquirers of Kinston declared in the early hours of the Race Unity Day picnic.

—North Carolina State Goals Committee

Louisiana

Word comes from Metairie, Louisiana, that the Bahá’ís and friends gathered at Fontainebleau State Park to celebrate Race Unity Day. The occasion was blessed with two declarations.

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[Page 4]OCTOBER 1970

Some Suggested Guidelines for Mass Teaching in the South

These guidelines are issued with a view toward assisting those persons who are in charge of organizing and coordinating the teaching activities of those “soldiers" in the field and for those directly proclaiming that the Promised One of All Ages has come. As we gain experience in mass teaching, we will add to this compilation.

The experiences of the last four months indicate that our major problem is the lack of complete FOCUS on the task of teaching the masses of “waiting souls.” This applies to all of us to some degree. Mass teaching needs a 24-hour focus to bring the desired results of mass enrollments.

General

1. Participate when you can fully concentrate on the job with a minimum of personal problems and distractions.

2. Follow through by remaining at your post. If you must leave for an emergency, please let the coordinator, State Goals Committee secretary, or Deep South Office know.

3. Quote the Writings of our Faith and the directives given by our divinely ordained institutions, not individual committee members, as authoritative on matters of policy. We have only limited experiences to share.

4. Let your actions cry aloud to the world that you are indeed Bahá’ís, for it is actions that speak to the world and are the cause of the progress of humanity.

5. Pray, meditate, and study the Writings for guidance and inspiration, paying particular attention to all the Messages from the Universal House of Justice, and any previously issued compilation on “teaching.”

6. Take time to fill out declaration cards legibly, completely, and accurately. Beware of sending false reports!

7. Be ever alert to spot capable teachers among the new believers and suggest their names for teacher-training institutes. Let them immediately assist in the teaching work. Deepen them as you work with them.

8. Do not be satisfied with merely opening a new locality with one new believer. This one might lead to hundreds. The emphasis should be on winning increasing’ numbers. Leaving a new enrollee alone is like giving birth to a baby and leaving it to die.

9. Make your own teaching kit and keep it replenished. All of your teaching aids should not be given away. Practice teaching without literature.

Team Organization

1. Map out an area. Use natural boundaries, such as: major highways, rivers, main roads. post offices, main streets, etc.

2. Choose your partner. Two persons per team is quite adequate. No more than three persons can be used efficiently in most cases.

3. Divide your work according to transportation, teaching materials, and immediate goals to be achieved.

4. Each member of the team does not have to engage directly in the verbal teaching process. Someone needs to

be assigned to write a weekly summary (news stories) and send it to the Deep South Committee. Someone needs to scout for meeting halls, parks, large yards, where meetings can be held. Someone should plan simple refreshments for the firesides and unity feasts and encourage the local new believers to share in this as much as possible. Someone should plan to deepen the new believers immediately in the essentials of the Faith, so that they can assist in the work.

5. Revisit new believers as often as possible, and invite them to go with you on teaching trips.

6. Find out how many children are in each family, so that plans can be made for establishing children’s classes.

7. Get the name and address of the State Goals Committee secretary, so that you can send her (him) the declaration cards immediately. We must keep these flowing to the National Center.

8. Teams should evaluate daily: goals won, teaching methods, friends made, etc.

9. Refer to the July 1966 U.S. SUPPLEMENT T0 BAHA’II NEWS on door-to-door teaching.

What to Teach

1. Check carefully the Message in Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 31-36. concerning mass teaching.

2. Be sure that the new believers know, and become enraptured with, Bahá’u’lláh! And what it means to be a Bahá’í.

3. Show by visual means the scope and stature of the Faith today. Let them know what it is they belong to.

4. Call immediately for traveling and consolidation teachers before you move to another area, so that you can introduce them to the new friends.

5. “. . . be careful not to emphasize the charitable and humanitarian aspects of the Faith as a means to win recruits.”

A Few Points to Consider

1. Strive to avoid using the word “contact.” Since it means a variety of things to people, it can be interpreted in very negative ways at this time.

2. Dress and conduct must bear the mark of BAHA’l at all times and under all conditions. Sloppy dress and manners do not bring honor to the Faith. When participating in church services, please respect the local customs.

3. Memorize a few prayers and pray them. Many people cannot understand why we must always pull out a book and read a prayer.

4. Think of creative ways to hold Feasts and deepening sessions. Use plenty of singing; and discover the talents of the community and use them. Bahá’í gatherings should set a new standard for the local people. The “newness” we bring does not mean the hugging and kissing which lead to “easy familiarity” and other embarrassing situations.

[Page 5]r"'\

REVIEW

5. Teach with love and conviction, but avoid “twisting arms” to get people to enroll.

6. Most of us did not smoke in the church; therefore, smoking at Bahá’í meetings, especially indoors, is not impressive. Smoking is not prohibited in the Writings, but we must use common sense as to its appropriateness under various conditions.

7. Avoid criticism of the new believer and his habits. Guide him gently to full acceptance of the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh.

8. Mass teaching teams should spread themselves far enough apart so that they avoid getting in each others way. A ten-mile radius covered thoroughly is best if transportation is a problem.

9. We will need the institution of the local Spiritual Assembly in the areas of mass enrollments. Therefore, efforts should be made to ensure that one can be elected at Riḍván. Adults as well as youth must be brought into the Faith.

Pioneering

1. Plan before you move. Make the appropriate contact with the National Teaching Committee (the State Goals Committee and /or the Deep South Committee). Evaluate your personal resources. Plan to stay for the remainder of the Nine Year Plan.

2. Married couples are preferred for mass conversion areas for reasons of stability, etc. A single girl especially

.; _._.

Youth Arise to Fill New Goals

The American Bahá’í youth, fresh from the inspiration and enthusiasm of their June conference, have arisen once again in response to the newest goal assignments given them by the National Spiritual Assembly. Of the assigned goal of twenty-five youth to pioneer to foreign goals, nine have already arri_ved at their posts. An addi .tional seven are in the process of leaving.

Such instantaneous obedience to the call of the Five Year Youth Plan is a demonstration of the potential inherent in the youth of this country. Do you want to be a part of it, too?

The youth who have arrived at their foreign goals are:

Miss Eileen Lourie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Ghana

Mrs. Sylvia Kaye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Rhodesia

Miss Lori Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Costa Rica

Miss Gina Strangeland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Costa Rica

Miss Arthelle Lovejoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..Norway

David Rohling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Holland

Roger Lutley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lceland

John Jason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Finland

Grace Bracamonte . . . . . . . . . . . ..Dominican Republic

attracts problems from the males in the community unless she uses good judgment in her conduct and teaching approaches. Single girls should not endeavor to operate and maintain Bahá’í Centers. They should also make their initial teaching contacts with the females in the community. Positive and sincere efforts must be made in this matter.

3. Retired couples who have transportation and means of subsistence are encouraged to come South. Transportation and hospitality cannot be provided by the people in the mass conversion areas.

4. Whenliving in the homes of others, one must exercise the utmost consideration and courtesy and respect for that home. This includes the matter of personal cleanliness, attention to chores, etc.

5. If you are not self-supporting, you must be prepared to work. This may mean jobs like dishwashing, housework, etc.

Planning Ahead

1. When one finds a promising area, he should stay until reinforcements arrive.

2. Individuals, Assemblies, and State Goals Committees must be prepared to render immediate service when called upon.

3. Establishing children's classes has next priority in all areas now open.

— National Teaching Committee

9 .4

New Auxiliary Board Member

The Continental Board of Counsellors for North America has announced that Mr. Ted Oliver of Quebec, Canada, has been appointed the twenty-first member of the Auxiliary Boards in North America. He has been assigned to serve the Province of Quebec and Labrador.

A Special Request

If you have a large collection of National Geographic magazines and would care to use them in service to the Faith. the International Bahá’í Audio—Visual Center is anxious to secure two sets going back as far as 1940.

DO NOT SHIP THEM, however, until AFTER you have corresponded with Mr. William Richter, Manager. International Bahá’í Audio-Visual Center, 1640 Holcomb Road, Victor, New York 14564. Tell him what you have available. He will tell you if he can accept your collection and how it should be sent to the Center.

(014

Calenda r of Events

Feasts October 16—‘Ilm (Knowledge) November 4—Qudrat (Power)

Special Events Dates October 24—United Nations ‘Day November 12—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

Holy Days October 20—Birth of the Báb November l2—Birth of Bahá’u’lláh

National Spiritual Assembly Meetings October 23-25 December 4-6

[Page 6]OCTOBER 1970

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The Seventh Annual Southern California Summer School was again held at Camp Osceola in the San Bernadino Mountains during the week of June 27—July 4. It was attended by an average of 130 students. Another seventy people visited the School over the weekends.

Successful operation of a summer school session depends on the interaction of many complex factors, and is difficult to evaluate. Detailed planning and scheduling, good teacher preparation, adequate maintenance of facilities, and a well-managed kitchen are all ingredients of the operation. Class attendance, cooperation in the housekeeping chores, over-all cleanliness, and individual behavior are perhaps the outer manifestations of the school spirit. By all these measures, the 1970 session was successful.

Perhaps another measure of success was the fact that a mild flu epidemic, which made the rounds among the students and resulted in over ninety sick calls at the infirmary, made no visible impression on the School operation. People got sick, recovered, and returned to classes without complaints, intent only on minimizing the disruption caused by their affliction. The devoted efforts of the School Nurse, Mrs. Barbara West, deserve special mention.

Yet another measure was the four declarations — three adults and one youth — which occurred at the School, particularly since they resulted from observations of Bahá’í life in practice by people who, while familiar with Bahá’í principles, were confirmed by their application to a difficult real-life situation. The request of the camp personnel for more information on the Faith resulted in a lively evening—long fireside with the Y.M.C.A. Staff at Osceola.

Classes were interesting. The course entitled “The New Way,” edited by the National Bahá’í Schools Committee, was well presented and received, as was an in-depth series on Bahá’í history presented by different teachers every evening. The valiant efforts of Auxiliary Board member Anthony Lease, who substituted on short notice for another member, served to create much interest. In fact, additional unscheduled class sessions were held regularly at the request of the students, and were well attended. The well-equipped nursery, staffed by two devoted souls, added much to the smooth operation of the School.

The pronounced economic dislocation, which appears to be particularly severe in Southern California, resulted in a much smaller enrollment than in previous years. Nevertheless, the School just about broke even, financially.

The four members of the School Committee who were present -and helped guide its operation had little to do at their daily meetings except to review progress and attend to routine matters.

14 :11 :14 .

New Spanish Titles Available

Portals to Freedom, by Howard Colby Ives, long popular in English. is now available in Spanish, in a paper edition. Mr. Ives, a former Unitarian clergyman, describes his meeting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the spiritual experiences that followed.

Per copy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$2.50 Net

A Bahá’í' Anniversary and Feast Day Calendar is also now available in Spanish. This is a permanent calendar, giving dates of Feasts, Anniversaries, Holy Days, and essential points concerning them‘.

Ten (10) copies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$ .50 Net

Order through your Bahá’í librarian from the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Retired Couples Needed

An urgent request has come to us from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Leeward, Windward, and Virgin Islands for two retired couples to settle on the islands of Dominica and St. Lucia.

Dominica an island of around 60,000 people, has had a Bahá’í couple on it. but they have moved to another pioneering post. It has a mild, moist climate. and is the most beautiful and luxuriant island in the Caribbean. There are two cities. English is spoken along with a French patois. Dentists and doctors are also needed here, and possibly teachers.

St. Lucia. the largest of the British Windward Islands is similar in climate to Dominica and has a larger population. The cost of living here tends to be high. and the people are mostly Roman Catholic. There is only one older Bahá’í on the island.

For more information, please contact the International Goals Committee.

[Page 7]REVIEW

Honda

Mass Teaching Conference

The basic teaching methods for mass teaching were outlined to the sixty—eight Bahá’ís present at the Mass Teaching Conference held in Gainesville, Florida, August 22-23, under the guidance of Deep South Committee members Poova Murday and William Massey and Dawson. Georgia, pioneer Eleanor Lombard. The Florida State Goals Committee selected twelve target areas, and then twelve teams were selected and sent out to teach.

Three and a-half hours later the victories were recorded: Sixty new believers, two (possible) assemblies, seven new groups, and nine new towns opened to the Faith.

On Sunday morning, Benjamin Levy and Leon Sternberger, representing the Florida State Goals Committee, presented goals for the state to be achieved by November 12, Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday: 1,000 new believers, sixty new localities, two teacher training institutes, six Unity feasts, and for Hinson, Florida—make it the first Bahá’í town.

The Tallahassee area was selected for a special mass teaching campaign immediately following the Conference. Another Conference was scheduled for Boca Raton on August 30; and two teacher training institutes for September 5 and 6 in Naples and Tallahassee.

British Honduras Needs “Part-Time” Pioneers

A call for English-speaking traveling teachers has been raised by the National Spiritual Assembly of Belize, British Honduras, to help with their Nine Year Plan goals. British Honduras has over one thousand believers representing nearly one hundred localities, with some of these localities being very difficult to reach because of road conditions.

Needed are self-supporting traveling teachers or “parttime” pioneers who can visit this country for follow-up work in areas where employment cannot readily be found for more permanent pioneer settlement.

“Because of the friendliness of the people and English being their language for the most part, we think it would be a most rewarding experience for those believers who respond to this call.

“Even short-term projects would be a great help. One can be assured of a warm welcome and an opportunity to serve the Faith wherever he goes. . . . There are many youth waiting for the message of Bahá’u’lláh . . .” writes the National Assembly of Belize.

Belize can be reached by driving through Mexico or Guatemala on the recently completed Guatemalan highway, or by flying one of the regularly scheduled, weekly flights out of Miami and New Orleans.

Friends wanting to consult further about this opportunity may write to the Continental Pioneer Committee for the Americas, Mrs. Nancy Allison, secretary, 428 West Hellen Road, Palatine, Illinois 60067, or telephone (312) 359-2274. '

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. Mary Collison Geyserville. California August 11. 1970

Mrs. Edythe Kailing West Mequon. Wisconsin July 15, 1970

Edward Connaughton Santa Barbara. California May 28. 1970

Mrs. Lavenia Matthews Oakland. California August 7, 1970

John W. I-lackethal Plymouth. Michigan no date

Mrs. Mary M. Phillips Davisburg. Michigan April 5, 1970

Mrs. Elsbeth Renwanz Denver. Colorado July I5, 1970

Clarence James Tuscaloosa. Alabama July 25, 1970

Mrs. Maureen Jutting Buffalo Center. Iowa no date

Mrs. Jean Hammond Sarvis Cleveland Heights. Ohio no date

A Pioneer Writes . . .

Ed Widmer, who pioneered from State College, Pennsylvania, to Guyana, South America, has this to say in one of his recent letters:

“One of the newly enlisted friends stated that there was an all—East—lndian Hindu village called Rampur about sixty miles away where he was certain the people were waiting to hear of the Faith. Peter termed it a ‘shot in the dark,’ but preparations were made for a trip there on the seventeenth. Five Bahá’ís made the trip, and upon their arrival began introducing themselves to the villagers; they were warmly welcomed and invited to speak to the school children about the Faith. The children learned of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and went home singing ‘God is one . . .’ One of the young teachers became a believer. That night a meeting was held, but no one showed up; the friends began saying prayers, and that magnetic force of the Word of God brought one, three, four, and soon about thirty-five people were gathered.

“The teaching was simple, using visual aids produced for work among the indigenous Indians of Venezuela. After telling of Bahá’u’lláh in both word and song, it was asked if anyone present believed in the new Messenger and accepted the new Teachings. Twenty-nine persons came forward and declared their Faith . . . Four days later at a meeting of ten persons, seven became Bahá’ís. The declarations spilled over into adjoining communities and totaled fifty-one in just five days — an increase of fifty per cent for this infant country.

“At the same time,_Guyana was electing its first President. This country finalized its independence from Britain

. and the new President became official head of state, replacing the Queen. His inaugural address stressed the need for unity among the diverse elements of this society (religiously Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and racially African, East Indian, European, Amer—Indian, and Creole). As he drew to a close, he stated his intention to read a prayer—— the joy of the Baha’~is was intense as the President read:

“ ‘May God grant that the light of unity may envelop the whole earth and that the seal the Kingdom is God’s be stamped upon the brows of all its people.’ ”

[Page 8]Bahá’í' Directory Changes

Assembly Secretaries

Central California Dist. No. 1 Redwood City: To correct zip code in Secretary’s address: 94064 San Jose: Mrs. Margaret Bramkamp, 731 S. 3rd St., No. 3, 95112

Southern California Dist. No. 1 Long Beach: Mrs. Dianne Woodward, 1300 W. 32nd St., 90810

- - San Fernando: Mrs. Marcia Day, 132 Harps, Apt. C,

91340

Southern California Dist. No. 3 San Luis Obispo: Mr. ‘Bijan Zayer, Chr., 964-B Johnson Ave., 93401

Connecticut Greenwich: Mrs. Jeanette Moye, pro—tem, 22 Decatur St., Cos Cob 06807

Georgia Savannah: Mr. Albert Pleasant, 219 W. 56th St., 31405

Southern Illinois Decatur: Mrs. Virginia S. Eilers, Chr., 2031 N. Edward, 62522

Iowa Iowa City: Mr. Stephen Hamann, 1026 N. Governor, 52240

Louisiana Shreveport: Mr. James Mambourg, Jr., 1118 Boulevard St., 71104

Maryland Prince Georges County: Mrs. Linda Head, 2607 Lackawanna St., Adelphi, 20783

Massachusetts Northampton: Mr. Gary L. Morrison, 49 Lymann Rd., 01060 Somerville: Mrs. Michele Pericone, 32 Beacon St., 02143

Nebraska Lincoln: Mr. Larry E. Schneider, Box 985, 68508

Eastern New York Town of Greenburgh: Mrs. Betty deAraujo, P.O. Box 98, Hartsdale 10530

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

Eastern Texas Austin: Mrs. Catherine Gent, 2802 Rae Dell, 78704 Houston: Mrs. Virginia G. Baxley, 8277 Kingsbrook Rd., Apt. 152, 77024

OCTOBER ‘1970

Utah Ogden: Mrs. Na-nc'y Fulkerson, 2530 Harrison Blvd., No. 2, 84404

Western Washington Pierce County Commissioners Dist. No. 2: Mrs. Genine Sullivan, 1022 S. 115th St., Tacoma 98444

State Goals Committee Secretaries

Maine Mr. Lawrence Duffy, 101 Camousam Rd., Kennebunk 04043

Nebraska Mrs. Brenda Hicks, P.O. Box 193 DTS, Omaha 68101

Western Washington Mrs. Judith Blanks, 719 Bellevue Ave., E., Seattle 98102

National Bahá’í Fund

"THE YEAR": 1970-1971

200.000

l50.000

l00.000

50,000

5‘ § Z: 5 It 3 E’ 3; 5} § § ~‘<‘ F‘ IY

INCOME August 1970 ‘i:aDat:ar Regular Contributions _ ,$ B7,3|8.84 $422,448.16 Special Contributions , . 8,984.50 56.344.|0

Total Contributions . ..$ 96,303.34 $478,792.26 Estates . . l ,000.00 26, l 2 l .86 Other Income . . , \72,L2,93 l0‘996,47

Total Income ..$ 99,696.27 $5|5,9|0.59 Budqel - V $l35,000.00 $575,000.00