National Bahá’í Review/Issue 45/Text

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[Page 1]

Bahá’í Laws Governing Marriage

The laws revealed by Bahá’u’lláh on marriage are binding on all Bahá’ís who marry regardless of their age. Local Spiritual Assemblies must see to it that these laws are known and understood by all members of their community, especially the youth. The basic requirements are as follows:

Bahá’ís who wish to marry must have the consent of the parents of both the man and the woman. This applies whether the parents are Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, divorced for years, or not. Where the parents are not Bahá’ís, they should be made to understand that the consent they are asked to give is to the marriage of the couple and does not constitute approval or disapproval of the Faith.

They must also have a Bahá’í marriage ceremony. If a Bahá’í marries a non-Bahá’í who wishes to have the religious ceremony of his (her) faith, the Bahá’í may participate in that ceremony also, provided that it is made clear (1) that the Bahá’í is a Bahá’í by religion, and (2) that by participating in the other ceremony he makes no commitment to any religion other than his own. If there are to be two ceremonies both must take place on the same legal calendar day.

Two Bahá’ís may not be married by the religious ceremony of another faith, nor can they be married in the church or other acknowledged place of worship of the followers of other faiths.

If a Bahá’í has a civil or other religious marriage ceremony without having the consent of the parents and a Bahá’í ceremony, he is subject to the possible loss of his Bahá’í administrative rights.

-NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Hands of the Cause Announce Expulsion of Five Covenant-Breakers

Under date of June 16, 1971 the Hands of the Cause of God cabled as follows:

OWING CONTINUED ASSOCIATION SUPPORT COVENANT BREAKERS PENNSYLVANIA DESPITE REPEATED WARNINGS ALSO REPUDIATION SACRED INSTITUTIONS FAITH ANNOUNCE EXPULSION OF ROBERT ROBINSON, THOMAS JOYCE, DIANE VAUGHN, JOANNE SEIBERT, LINDA HENZEL.

The Bahá’ís are warned against having any association with any of these five persons.

-NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Oldest Living Believer of World’s Youngest Faith

Mrs. Dora Bray of Pasadena, California, was photographed on the occasion of her one-hundred and fifth birthday, on May 30, 1971. Mrs. Bray became a Bahá’í in Dawson, Alaska, fifty-one years ago and has been an active believer ever since.

Anniversary of Passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

In its Riḍván message this year The Universal House of Justice called attention to the forthcoming fiftieth anniversary of the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, "an event which signalized at once the end of the Heroic Age of our Faith, the opening of the Formative Age and the birth of the Administrative Order, the nucleus and pattern of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh."

All National Spiritual Assemblies were instructed to formulate and implement plans designed to educate the friends everywhere in their understanding of the significance of the Formative Age of our Faith. It was suggested that the writings of the beloved Guardian on this theme be studied and expounded at summer schools, teaching institutes, conferences and other appropriate occasions. "The study and understanding of this subject," the letter from The Universal House of Justice, April 15, stated, "will immensely strengthen the faith of the believers, as well as their ability to present the message to a waiting world."

The latest communication from The Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies regarding the commemoration of this very precious anniversary appears in the September issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, No. 486, page 2. The National Teaching Committee will keep the Bahá’í Community informed of the national plans for its observation but it is hoped that every Local Spiritual Assembly and Bahá’í group and indeed every individual Bahá’í and family will make their local commemoration a memorable and rich spiritual experience for each lover of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

-NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY [Page 2]

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE Sends Instructions for Publishing and Reviewing

Recognizing the need for a great increase in the provision of Bahá’í literature in all languages, we have reviewed the whole process of Bahá’í publishing including such matters as reviewing, standards of production, sales and distribution, relationships between National Spiritual Assemblies, the international needs of the teaching work and the position of Bahá’í authors. We are eager both to stimulate the supply of new works and to liberate the channels of publication and distribution. We wish to encourage Bahá’í authors as well as to promote production of the basic texts of the Faith.

We therefore ask you to study the attached memorandum yourselves, pass it on to your Publishing Trusts and/or other agencies concerned, and make it available generally to the friends in whatever way you may find practicable.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

March 28, 1971 —THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

In accordance with these instructions the National Spiritual Assembly has reviewed the memorandum and made it available to all National Bahá’í Committees and agencies which are concerned with the production of Bahá’í publications. The following excerpts are quoted for the guidance of Local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers.

REVIEWING

Obligatory

At this early stage of the Cause all works by Bahá’ís which deal with the Faith, whether in the form of books, pamphlets, translations, poems, songs, radio and television scripts, films, recordings, etc. must be approved before submission for publication, whether to a Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í publisher. In the case of material for purely local consumption the competent authority is the Local Spiritual Assembly, otherwise the National Spiritual Assembly (through its Reviewing Committee) is the approving authority.

A Temporary Measure

That this measure is both obligatory and temporary is borne out by the following statements of the Guardian:

"They must supervise, in these days when the Cause is still in its infancy, all Bahá’í publications and translations, and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Bahá’í literature and its distribution to the general public." (Principles of Bahá’í Administration, pp. 38-39)

The administration of the Cause. . . should guard against such rigidity as would clog and fetter the liberating forces released by His Revelation. . . . The present restrictions imposed on the publication of Bahá’í literature will be definitely abolished; . . . " (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 9)

Purpose of Review

The purpose of review is to protect the Faith from misrepresentation and to ensure dignity and accuracy in its presentation. In general the function of a reviewing committee is to say whether the work submitted gives an acceptable presentation of the Cause or not.

Reviewing Committees

The standards to be upheld by reviewers are the following: (a) conformity with the Teachings, (b) accuracy, (c) dignity in presentation. The Spiritual Assembly, on the basis of its Reviewing Committee's report, gives or withholds approval of the work.

Approval of Works Already Reviewed Elsewhere

While a National Spiritual Assembly intending to publish Bahá’í literature is encouraged to accept the review of another National Spiritual Assembly, it is not required to do so and has the right to review any work prior to authorizing its publication or republication by its own Publishing Trust or publisher in its area of jurisdiction. This does not apply to works by Hands of the Cause, which are reviewed in the Holy Land.

A National Spiritual Assembly which receives for approval a manuscript from outside its area of jurisdiction should inquire whether it has already been submitted for review elsewhere, and in the case of its having been refused approval, the reasons for such refusal.

BAHÁ’Í AUTHORS

Bahá’í authors should welcome review of their works, and can greatly assist promptness in review by supplying a sufficient number of copies of the manuscript for each member of the Reviewing Committee to have one.

Bahá’í authors may submit their works for review to any National Spiritual Assembly, and may send their works, once approved, to any publisher they like, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í, at home or abroad. It should be remembered, however, that the approval should be given by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where the work is to be first published. And in the case of a non-Bahá’í publisher the author should insist on use of the system of transliteration at present used by the Faith for languages employing the Roman alphabet.

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHERS

Bahá’í publishers may not publish any work about the Faith until it has been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where it is to be published.

Approval of a work imposes no obligation upon any Bahá’í publisher to publish it.

Whatever "house styles" Publishing Trusts and other Bahá’í publishers may adopt, transliteration of Oriental terms into languages using the Roman alphabet must at present be according to the system chosen by the Guardian and described in volumes of The Bahá’í World.

Although no Bahá’í work may be published without approval, it is not mandatory to print an approval notice in any publication.

Editing

Bahá’í publishers, when accepting a work for publication, will make their own arrangements with the author on all such matters as accuracy of quotations, documentation, grammar and spelling, dates and even the re-writing of passages which the publisher may consider need improving, or he may ask the author to write additional material or to delete part of the original manuscript. Although such matters are entirely between the author and publisher, any addition, deletion or changes which affect the meaning must be submitted for review with the relative context. [Page 3]

INTERNATIONAL GOALS

A Main Artery for the Life Blood

We know the Fund of the Cause is the life blood of the Faith, but are we aware of the main arteries through which this blood flows? One important artery is sustenance of pioneers who are in goals of the Nine Year Plan where it is not possible for them to work, such as the Chaco of Argentina, the isolated island of St. Helena, maintaining a Bahá’í institute in a Philippine Village. As we approach the end of the Plan, the remaining goals will largely be those where we have to sustain someone at posts like these. Due to the present weak condition of the National Fund, the International Goals Committee cannot add deputized pioneers to those already in the field, unless a special contribution is made.

Thus, the opportunity arises for those individuals, groups, communities to consider deputizing a pioneer, in whole or part, as a contribution to the National Fund in addition to their general contribution. This strengthens the life blood and allows it to flow to a main artery—that of maintaining the teaching work and building of the Kingdom in remote parts of the world.

If you know of a believer who wants to pioneer but needs financial assistance which you are planning to give, let International Goals know so this effort can be directed through this Committee and the National Fund, giving greater impetus to the pioneering effort.

If you do not know of an individual but wish to participate in the monthly sustenance of a pioneer, write to us letting us know to what extent you can assist and we will discuss with you the process for doing so.

In the Guardian's "Appeal for Pioneers", The Advent of Divine Justice (p. 55), he states:

"Should they find it impossible to take advantage of so rare and sacred a privilege, let them, mindful of the words of Bahá’u’lláh, determine, each according to the means at his or her disposal, to appoint a deputy who, on that believer's behalf, will arise and carry out so noble an enterprise. 'Center your energies,' are Bahá’u’lláh's words, 'in the propagation of the Faith of God. . . . Whoso is unable, it is his duty to appoint him who will, in his stead, proclaim this Revelation, whose power hath caused the foundations of the mightiest structures to quake, every mountain to be crushed into dust, and every soul to be dumbfounded.'"

INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE 110 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

WANTED

Civil Engineers (University Degree, 3-5 yr experience) Automotive and Heavy Duty Mechanics (3-5 yr experience)

If you satisfy the above qualifications and wish to pioneer to Jamaica, please write to:

INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE 110 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Passing of Roberta Christian

Knight of Bahá’u’lláh

GRIEVED TRAGIC PASSING KNIGHT BAHÁ’U’LLÁH ROBERTA CHRISTIAN HER DEVOTED SERVICES ALASKA NINE YEAR PLAN WORTHY ADDITION LAURELS GARNERED PIONEER EFFORTS RHODESIA AND GREECE COMPANY LATE HUSBAND WILLIAM KENNETH CHRISTIAN DURING WORLD CRUSADE CONVEY FAMILY ASSURANCE PRAYERS PROGRESS HER SOUL ABHA KINGDOM

AUGUST 9, 1971 -UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The foregoing cablegram from The Universal House of Justice was sent to the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska on receipt of news of the tragic death of Mrs. Roberta Kaley Christian on July 30 in an early morning burning of the apartment building in which she lived in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Mrs. Christian will long be remembered for her valuable services to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. With her late husband, William Kenneth Christian, who died suddenly in Djakarta, Indonesia, May 4, 1959, she pioneered in Rhodesia and Greece in the early years of the Ten Year Crusade and more recently in Alaska under the Nine Year Plan.

Mrs. Christian was the author of the popular, widely used Bahá’í Child's ABC, and the first Bahá’í children's song book. Her son, Roger, and his wife, Kandie, live in Fairbanks.

Attention: Bahá’í Military Draftees

The following information is for the Bahá’í young men who are drafted, and for Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í families to be communicated to their young members as they are drafted for service in the armed forces.

Most Bahá’í draftees are sent to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, for their basic training because of their 1-A-O status (medics). Some encounter problems of adjustment and other personal difficulties can be alleviated to some extent if draftees will avail themselves of the services of the Spiritual Assembly of San Antonio which has put forth a great deal of effort to be helpful. Very cordial relations have been established by the Assembly with the military chaplains, company commanders, etc., and if the Bahá’ís at Fort Sam Houston will proceed along the lines mutually agreed upon, their sojourn there will be much happier. It is particularly important that those who are new in the Bahá’í Faith should have as much association as possible with the San Antonio Bahá’í community prior to leaving for overseas duty.

The San Antonio telephone directory carries a Bahá’í listing under "Bahá’í". A telephone call to that number will immediately put the Bahá’í military draftee into communication with fellow members of the Faith and Bahá’í friends.

Bahá’í Community Activities

Bahá’í firesides are held every Sunday at 1:15 p.m. in Chapel No. 5 which is located near Theatre No. 1 in Fort Sam Houston. Feasts and Bahá’í Holy Day observances are usually held in the same Chapel.

Passes for Feasts and Holy Days can be obtained from the individual's class sergeant. These passes must be applied for from five to seven days in advance of the event. All night passes can be obtained for Holy Days which are commemorated during the early morning hours.

The San Antonio Bahá’í Assembly is always happy to assist the Bahá’í draftees with problems of a personal nature or regarding the Bahá’í Faith.

Military personnel who are Bahá’ís and who will be assigned to Fort Sam Houston for several months are [Page 4]...urged to request transfer of their Bahá’í membership there so that they may participate fully in all Bahá’í activities in the San Antonio Community.

Bahá’í Holy Days Recognized in New Jersey

Acting on the recommendation of the 1970 State Convention of the Bahá’ís of New Jersey, the State Goals Committee of that state applied to the State Department of Education for permission for Bahá’í children to be excused from school on Bahá’í Holy Days.

The first response to the application was a request for information about the Bahá’í Faith and a copy of the Bahá’í calendar. The Bahá’í calendar, a few carefully selected pamphlets, and a copy of the Fall 1970 issue of World Order magazine which was devoted to education were promptly transmitted. The covering letter of transmittal stated: "We are a worldwide religion with believers in 312 countries and our Writings have been translated into over 375 languages. We are one of the religions with non-governmental status at the United Nations." "The dates of our Holy Days fall each year on the same date. The Feast Days are our worship days similar to Sunday for Christians, Saturday for Jews, etc. These are not days on which work should be suspended, or out of school."

A few days later a radio news broadcast announced that the Bahá’í Holy Days had been given official recognition by the State Department of Education. On May 13 the Assistant Commissioner of Education officially informed the Secretary of the State Goals Committee, Mrs. Elsie Brown, that at its meeting on May 5 the State Board of Education approved the request to include the Bahá’í Holy Days on the religious holiday calendar for the school year 1971-72. On June 1 all local Boards of Education in New Jersey were furnished with the dates of all religious holidays for the year, including the seven Bahá’í Holy Days falling on school days in the ensuing year.

Santa Ana Assembly Incorporated

The Spiritual Assembly of Santa Ana, California, when they filed the Articles of Incorporation on January 16, 1971. The members are, back row, left to right: Evelyn Duncan; Bill Turner; Claudette Nelson; John Harris, Vice-Chairman; Norma Quick, Secretary; Lerton Duncan. Front row: Roger Coult; Bill Stegmaier, Chairman; Marvin Nelson, Treasurer.

Bahá’í Artist in Hawaii Awarded Grand Prize

Mr. Leonard Herbert, of the Lihue, Kauai, Bahá’í Community in Hawaii, was awarded the grand prize by the judges of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts in a recent state-wide competition. His painting, a portrait of the late Hand of the Cause of God Miss Agnes Baldwin Alexander, valued at $2,000, will be entered, with winners from the other forty-nine States, at the White House Conference on Aging scheduled to be held in Washington in November, as a candidate for the program cover.

(From Light of the Pacific, Hawaii, June 1971)

ASSEMBLIES

Local Spiritual Assemblies at Riḍván 1970 .517 Lost at Ridván 1971 .24 New at Riḍván 1971 .274* Restored at Riḍván 1971 .15 Total Local Spiritual Assemblies at Riḍván 1971. 782**

• of this number 4 are in Puerto Rico
  • of this number 6 are in Puerto Rico

Lompoc, California Flower Festival

Lompoc is a town of approximately 27,000, located in a valley near the Central California coastline. It is also the scene of an annual Flower Festival celebrating the commercial flower growing industry which is the primary business in the valley. This year, the nineteenth anniversary of the festival, for the first time the Lompoc Bahá’í community entered a float in the parade, which is ranked among the five major parades in the state. Unfortunately, the theme this year was "Fairy Tales in Flowers," which was not an ideal subject for a Bahá’í float. After much consultation, the Assembly agreed upon a design which it felt was in keeping with both the theme and Bahá’í principles.

On the front of the pyramid-shaped float was inscribed "Oneness of Mankind", and on the back, "A Reality not a Fairy Tale." The 9' x 18' pyramid was completely covered with thousands of purple and white stocks all applied with paste by hand.

Although proclamation, not competition was the motive, Bahá’ís were awarded second place trophy in the Religions Division. Between 30,000 and 50,000 spectators viewed the parade and thousands more saw it on TV and in the park where it was on display the remainder of the day.

onenes5 MADKIDD [Page 5]

REVIEW

Bahá’í Directory Changes

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Alabama Macon County North: Mr. Leroy Grimes, Rt. 1, Box 430-A, Tuskegee 36083 Macon County South: Mrs. Lacy Pearl Barrow, Rt. 2, Box 310, Tuskegee 36083 Madison: Mrs. Mattie Ragland, pro-tem, P.O. Box 73, 35758 Northport: Dr. Mary Fish, Northport 35476 Shorter: Mrs. Lizzie Lumpkin, Rt. 1, Box 128, 36075 Tuskegee: Mrs. Donna Gordon, pro-tem, Rt. 1, Box 223-C, 36083 Union Springs: Mrs. Annie Byrd, Ave., 36089

Northern California San Rafael: Mrs. Karen J. Magliocco, P. O. Box 2266, 94901 Sebastopol: Mrs. Linda Leuzinger, Box 226, 95472

Central California Dist. #1 Burlingame: Mrs. Reba Bellick, 94010 Los Gatos-Saratoga-Campbell J.D.: Mrs. Dona Medley, P. O. Box 433, Los Gatos 95030 Milpitas: Mrs. Fannie Irby, P. O. Box 491, 95035 Pacific Grove: Mrs. Belle Smith, c/o Newport, Apt. 3, 93950

Central California Dist. #2 Stockton: Mrs. Catherine Merriman, St., 95205

Southern California Dist. #1 Altadena: Mrs. Dawn Davis, P. O. Box 1672, 91001 Compton J.D.: Mrs. Patricia Conrad, Compton 90221 Santa Monica: Mr. Farhad Kazemzadeh, 90403

Southern California Dist. #2 Escondido: Mr. B. L. Harper, Jr., 92025 Newport Beach: Mrs. Barbara MacDonald, Corona del Mar 92625

Colorado Arvada: Correct spelling of name to: Jenkyns

Delaware: Wilmington: Mr. William S. Brooks, Dr., Apt. 3, 19806

Northern Illinois Glencoe: Mrs. Helen Pinkerton, pro-tem, ,60022

Indiana West LaFayette: Mrs. Ruth Hawthorn, P. O. Box 3066, 47906

Kansas Topeka: Mrs. Karen Brower, 66608

Minnesota Duluth: Mr. John D. Bohlig, 55805

Missouri University City: Mrs. Catherine Vance, #101, 63130

North Carolina Mecklinburg County South East: Mrs. Beverly Edmonstone, , Matthews, 28105 Winston-Salem: Mrs. Mamie D. Johnson, , 27101

Ohio Cleveland: Mrs. Frances C. Patrick, St., 44105

Oklahoma Norman: Mrs. Ramona Teni Allen, 73069

Pennsylvania Central Chester County: Mrs. Thelma Alting, P. O. Box 97, Uwchland 19480

Puerto Rico San Juan: Mr. José A. Monge, pro-tem, P. O. Box 11561, Santurce 00910

South Carolina Adams Run: Mrs. Gloria Scott, P. O. Box 175, 29426 Berkeley County: Mrs. Donna Reddick, , Charleston Heights 29405 Charleston: Miss Ann Cary, 29403 Frogmore: Mrs. Laura Smalls, Rt. 1, Box 209, 29920 Greenville County: Mrs. Geraldine P. Rivers, , Greenville 29607 Swansea: Mrs. Earline Ham, Rt. 1, Box 38, 29160

Eastern Texas Irving: Mrs. B. Juanita Wilkerson, pro-tem, ,75062 Royse City: Mrs. Maurine Howard, Box 67, 75089

Western Texas Eagle Pass: Mr. Harvey L. Richards, P. O. Box 1294, 78852

Vermont Brattleboro: Mr. Lawrence L. Gray, P. O. Box 221, 05301

Virginia Norfolk: Mrs. Donja M. Murray, P. O. Box 9894, 23505

Eastern Washington Franklin County Commissioners Dist. #3: Mrs. Margaret L. Brownlee, c/o E. Erfuth, I Pasco 99301 Toppenish: Mrs. Joyce M. Eklund, P. O. Box 175, 98948 Yakima Reservation: Mrs. Aletha Brown, Rt. 2, Box 145, 98948

Western Washington Marysville: Mrs. Clair Kuhnle, 98270 Snohomish County Commissioners Dist. #1: Mrs. Ulale Gipson, , Marysville 98270

Please make the following corrections on the 1971-1972 Assembly Directory:

Delete the following Local Spiritual Assemblies as they were not recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly:

Southern California Dist. #1 Manhattan Beach

Northern Illinois Aurora [Page 6]New Hampshire Laconia

Assemblies

Add asterisks (*) to the following as they are new Assemblies:

Alabama

• Macon County South

Arizona

• Douglas

Southern California Dist. #1

• Covina

Southern California Dist. #2

• Desert Hot Springs
• El Cajon

Louisiana

• Lafayette

Eastern Texas

• Corpus Christi

Add (**) to the following which is a restored Assembly:

Arizona

• • North Maricopa County

Delete the asterisk (*) from the following as it is an established Assembly:

Louisiana St. Tammany Parish S.E.

Correct the name of the following Assembly:

South Carolina Berkeley County (it is listed as Berkeley)

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

Southern Alabama Mrs. Sara Ray, Secty., Mobile 36608

Southern Arizona Mr. Paul Florence, Secty., Tucson 85712

Central California Dist. #1 Correct spelling of street name to: Calinoma Dr.

Central Georgia Mrs. Thelma Koen, Secty., Milledgeville 31069

Southern Idaho Mrs. Joyce Booman, Secty., Idaho Falls 83401

Missouri Mrs. Wanda Jones, Secty., P.O. Box 10184, Westpoint Station, Kansas City 64111

New Hampshire Mrs. Louise Wold, Secty., Conway 03818

Western New York Miss Lauretta Haynes, Secty., Victor 14564

Utah Mr. Massood Mahmoudi, Secty., Logan 84321

Calendar of Events

Feasts September 8 ’Izzat (Might) September 27 Mashíyyat (Will) October 16 ’Ilm (Knowledge)

Holy Days on which Work Should be Suspended Birth of the Báb—October 20

U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Meeting September 10, 11, 12 October 15-17

Special Events September 19 World Peace Day October 24 United Nations Day

A Student Speaks Out

A young Bahá’í, Lenore Lawrence, was selected as one of six students from a group of twenty-five to speak at her high school commencement service at Seaside High School in Marina, California, on June 11, 1971. Before an audience of between seven and eight thousand persons she declared:

"The world is presently like an erupting volcano. It is now up to our generation to end this turmoil, to build a new world order, to bring about the much prophesied golden age of mankind through unity, if we are to survive."

She traced, in her own words, the significance of the "candles of unity". Of unity of religion, she said that when we examine them, we can see that each one has the social teachings for the particular time in which it was revealed. "It is now up to us to recognize this unity."

On the topic of race, she said: "The differences are emphasized but what about the similarities? We all have eyes, ears, noses, mouths, we communicate, . . . we are all 'the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch'—we are world citizens!"

Toward the closing she said "we must investigate (look for) a force, a movement, strong enough to help us unite all mankind."

Afterwards people came to her and asked about her address. Lenore was particularly happy over the questions asked by a retiring School Board member.

First Legal Bahá’í Marriage In Vermont

The amendment to the Vermont marriage law was signed by the Governor in February and took effect in March of this year. The wording of the act which pertains to the Faith is "Marriage among the Friends or Quakers and the Bahá’í Faith may be solemnized in the manner heretofore used in such societies." The Burlington Assembly Chairman and Secretary witnessed the first legal Bahá’í marriage in the state on July 10, 1971. The wedding served as a beautiful opportunity for proclamation of the Faith.

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI: A Free University in this city with summer sessions is listing two sessions on the Faith. "A Glimpse of World Unity" showing films "It's Just a Beginning", "And His Name Shall be One" and "The Holy Land" were scheduled for June 16. A discussion "Bahá’í, Faith for Modern Man," runs for eight weeks. [Page 7]

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Order through your local Bahá’í librarian when possible. Orders under $5.00, add postage and handling fee of $ .30.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Bahá’u’lláh. By H. M. Balyuzi. (Published by George Ronald, Publisher).

Available for the first time through the Bahá’í Publishing Trust. The first essay "Bahá’u’lláh" provides a moving introduction to the life, exiles, and major Writings of the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. The second essay "The Word Made Flesh" explores the nature and purpose of the Manifestations of God, Their impact on history, and Their relationships to God and man. Together or separately the essays spark new insights.

Paper .$1.50 Cloth .$2.75

The Bahá’í Faith. By Gloria Faizi. (Printed in Lebanon).

A new introduction to the Bahá’í Faith which fills a gap in Bahá’í literature. This slender volume is longer than a pamphlet, but shorter and more simply written than Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era. Part I is devoted to the history of the Faith and includes chapters on the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi. Part II contains short chapters on God, His Manifestations, Independent Investigation, the Individual, and Society. Part III explains Bahá’í Administration and concludes with a section on joining the Bahá’í community.

Written in the manner of answers to fireside questions, the text includes many short quotations from the Writings and many simple analogies. To illuminate the simple explanations there are four sections of quotations from Bahá’u’lláh interspersed throughout Parts II and III of the work.

The Bahá’í Faith has been produced in 44" x 6" size, with a vivid blue cover. It will be especially useful to those desiring a pithy introduction to the Faith and in the mass teaching areas.

Paper .$.50 NET

Dawn of a New Day: Messages to India 1923-1957, By Shoghi Effendi. (Published by Bahá’í Publishing Trust, India).

An illuminating collection of letters addressed to India, beginning in 1923 and ending with the death of the Guardian of the Faith in 1957. Also included is a short section of letters to the Bahá’í youth of India, and to individual Bahá’ís of India and Burma.

In 1923 Shoghi Effendi wrote India that "however dark the immediate prospect may appear, our confidence remains unshaken that ere long these mists shall clear away, the dawn of a New Day shall break upon that land and the Rays of this Divine Revelation shall make of India a spiritually-quickened, peaceful and united country." The messages in this volume detail Shoghi Effendi's unerring guidance in showing how that promise could become reality. Of particular interest are the references to mass teaching (beginning in 1933) and the directions for and importance placed upon deepening and consolidation.

This collection of messages is important for the light it sheds on the process by which the moth becomes the royal falcon.

Per Copy .$3.50 NET

The Meaning of Deprivation of Bahá’í Administrative Rights

A person whose administrative rights have been removed is yet a Bahá’í in that he still recognizes Bahá’u’lláh and believes in His Message. Worship of God through the prayers of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, observance of the Fast, observance of the Bahá’í Holy Days and of all the personal and family occasions of the Faith can be his continuing Bahá’í experiences. He has access to the literature of the Faith in all its wealth. Under usual circumstances he may attend discussion meetings, proclamation meetings, summer schools, and children's and youth activities. Subscriptions to WORLD ORDER, CHILD'S WAY and other general Bahá’í publications are permissible. Indeed all those events and services open to inquirers who are near to the Faith are also freely available to the person deprived of his Bahá’í rights.

There are a number of crucial things which a Bahá’í deprived of membership cannot do. The Nineteen-Day Feast is a community meeting, and is confined to members only. Voting at local or state elections is a privilege and responsibility reserved for members in good standing. The Bahá’í Fund can be supported by members only, although charitable giving is fully open to all. A non-member will not receive BAHÁ’Í NEWS or THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í.

In summary, a person administratively deprived of membership is presumed still to be a Bahá’í in his spirit and motivation, in his code of morality, and in his support of the Cause of God for this day. Such a person is a great challenge to himself and his own spiritual development. He is also a great responsibility to the Bahá’í Community which sorrows over fellow Bahá’ís who are deprived of the bounties of Bahá’í citizenship through breaking the laws of God. At the time a Bahá’í is deprived of his administrative rights and privileges he is informed of the steps he may take to regain them.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

In Memoriam

Stanley Abraham Devils Lake, North Dakota June 7, 1971

Miss Joan Pumpelly Bates Buga, Colombia June 26, 1971

John P. Benjamin Brattleboro, Vermont May 26, 1971

Steven Feeley San Bruno, California June 3, 1971

Miguel Grijalva Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 30, 1971

Mrs. Cornelia Harris Staunton, Virginia May 26, 1971

Larry Hollman Richmond, Virginia July 8, 1971

Alvin W. Houston Miami, Florida June 21, 1971

John Huntley Charlotte, North Carolina June 1971

Ronald Hurt Bluefield, West Virginia No Date

Mrs. Marcene Jenkins Santa Rosa, California May 1, 1971

Miss Dolores Jones Asheville, North Carolina June 5, 1971

Mrs. Susan McCall Englewood, New Jersey November 1970

Mrs. Emily Pearsall Eliot, Maine July 16, 1971

Mrs. Mabel Dudley Perry Palm Springs, California July 9, 1971

Mrs. Kate W. Taylor Cincinnati, Ohio May 31, 1971

Donald Willson Staunton, Virginia June 9, 1971 [Page 8]

Continental Bahá’í Fund

In a cablegram dated April 6, 1954, addressed to all the Hands of the Cause and all National Assemblies of the Bahá’í world, the beloved Guardian called for the appointment, by the fifteen Hands outside of the Holy Land, of Auxiliary Boards. Foreseeing the growth of the activities of these Auxiliary Boards, Shoghi Effendi also included in this cable the following: “Urge the initiation of five Continental Bahá’í Funds which, as they develop, will increasingly facilitate the discharge of the functions assigned to the Boards. Transmitting five thousand pounds as my initial contribution to be equally divided among the five continents. Appeal to the twelve National Assemblies and individuals to insure a steady augmentation of these Funds through annual assignment in National Budgets and by individual contributions. . . . Fervently supplicating at the Holy Threshold for an unprecedented measure of blessings on this vital and indispensable organ of the embryonic and steadily unfolding Bahá’í Administrative Order...”

Thus the Continental Bahá’í Fund was established by the beloved Guardian and initiated by his own generous contribution to it at the very moment that he called for the creation of the Auxiliary Boards to assist and advise the Hands of the Cause in the development of their special areas of service to the Faith. Again the importance of the Continental Fund was emphasized by The Universal House of Justice in a letter to the believers throughout the world dated December 18, 1963: “Nor should the believers, individually or in their Assemblies, forget the vitally important Continental Funds which provide for the work of the Hands of the Cause of God and their Auxiliary Boards. This divine institution, so assiduously fostered by the Guardian, and which has already played a unique role in the history of the Faith, is destined to render increasingly important services in the years to come.”

With the appointment by The Universal House of Justice of the Continental Boards of Counsellors in June 1968, the responsibilities for the activities of the Auxiliary Boards and for the Continental Funds to support them, passed to each Board of Counsellors for its respective continent.

The Communities of Alaska, Canada and the United States form the area of responsibility of the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, and the Continental Fund, supported, as requested by the Guardian and The Universal House of Justice, by regular allocations from the National Assemblies and by the individual believers in these three countries is to be used for the activities of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members in these same areas.

Contributions to the Continental Bahá’í Fund for North America from the Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís should be sent to:

Continental Bahá’í Fund Edna M. True, Trustee 418 Forest Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

The Counsellors for North America wish to take this opportunity to express their most loving appreciation and gratitude for the contributions received.

—CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS FOR THE PROTECTION AND PROPAGATION OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH IN NORTH AMERICA EDNA M. TRUE, TRUSTEE

National Bahá’í Fund

1971-1972 Monthly Goal

INCOME:	Rahmat (Mercy)	Kalimát (Words)	Fiscal Year to Date	Budget
Regular Contributions	$ 68,747.82	$ 71,525.87	$361,570.16
Special Contributions	5,307.84	2,270.00	7,668.78
Total Contributions	$ 74,055.66	$ 73,795.87	$369,238.94
Estates	6,809.06	4,443.81	6,675.74
Other Income	74.74	731.23	4,577.13
Total Income	$ 81,202.84	$ 78,970.91	$380,491.81	$600,000.00
Budget	$120,000.00	$120,000.00

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW readers will note that this September issue is enclosed with THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í for the first time. Although a slight change in size has been made, this copy will still fit into a file folder or three-ring notebook. Cut at the top, fold and punch. This publication will continue to be indexed for your convenience in finding references.

As announced, BAHÁ’Í NEWS is now on a subscription basis. However, each Assembly in the United States will receive three copies free of charge. While registered Bahá’í groups will receive one free copy as well as American Bahá’í pioneers abroad. Special arrangements have been made for BAHÁ’Í NEWS subscriptions with other National Spiritual Assemblies.

Subscription to BAHÁ’Í NEWS is $6.00 or combined with a new or extended subscription to WORLD ORDER magazine, $9.00. In sending in subscriptions, please indicate Mr., Mrs., Miss or Dr.

Mail to: Subscription Service 415 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091