National Bahá’í Review/Issue 50/Text

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[Page 1]

The Supreme Duty of The American Bahá’ís

Excerpt from letter from the Guardian through his secretary dated May 9, 1947

He cannot urge upon you all sufficiently, and through you the American believers, the importance of the Bahá’ís' realizing that direct, concentrated and efficiently carried out Bahá’í work is not only their supreme duty but the best way they can serve the interests of humanity and hasten the day when at least the Lesser Peace will become a reality. We must always bear in mind that Bahá’u’lláh's Order is the sovereign remedy, and all other measures, inaugurated by the United Nations or various governments, are in the nature of palliatives, however sound and progressive they may be. We must concentrate on perfecting our characters as individual Bahá’ís, and on maturing our still embryonic, and as yet improperly understood, World Order; on spreading the Message, according to the provisions of the Divine Plan; and on building a tightly knit, world-wide Bahá’í Community. We are relatively few in numbers, and have such a precious, unique and responsible task to carry out we must concentrate our full forces upon it.

KNOWLEDGE

"Knowledge is like unto wings for the being, and is as a ladder for ascending. To acquire knowledge is incumbent on all, but of those sciences which may profit the people of the earth, and not such sciences as begin in mere words, and end in mere words. . . . Indeed, the real treasury of man is his knowledge. Knowledge is the means of honor, prosperity, joy, gladness, happiness and exultation."

Bahá’u’lláh (Bahá’í World Faith, p. 189)

This passage can be a source of guidance for those who have not finished their education and therefore are not able to fully support themselves and contribute as much as they would like to the Faith, both in teaching ability and in material wealth. It can assist one in deciding to learn a trade, take an advanced study course or to learn a craft to enhance one's leisure time. It can aid youth in the difficult choice of whether to finish one's education first or to go pioneering at once. The acquisition of knowledge also means that every one who has finished his or her academic education is presumed to be studying the Sacred Writings and acquiring a profound knowledge of the Faith. [Page 2]

The Matter of Parental Consent for Marriage

For assistance of the Local Spiritual Assemblies as well as the individual believers who experience difficulties in obtaining the consent of the parents of a couple wishing to be married according the Bahá’í Law, we quote the following paragraphs in a letter recently received by an individual believer from The Universal House of Justice:

"Although a Bahá’í ceremony is required, it is not necessary that the parents consent to the ceremony; the only requirement is that they consent to the marriage. However, if consent be withheld because a Bahá’í ceremony is to be conducted, this must be accepted. The freedom of the parents in giving or refusing consent is unrestricted and unconditioned. They may refuse consent on any ground and they are responsible to God alone.

"Although it is preferable to have the consent in writing, the fact that consent is given may be established in other ways. The necessary element is that the Spiritual Assembly responsible for certifying the marriage be satisfied that consent has in fact been given. For example, the Local Assembly could appoint one or more people who could testify that they heard the parents consent orally to the marriage."

Since there seems to be the impression in some quarters that when refusal to give consent to the marriage is based on racial prejudice, the law requiring parental consent may be waived, careful note should be taken of the statement that the parents "may refuse consent on any ground and that they are responsible to God alone." Bahá’ís who marry without providing verified parental consent are subject to deprivation of their Bahá’í administrative rights and privileges.

Status of Art Volume of Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

In April, 1968 the National Spiritual Assembly of France announced plans for the publication of a volume of Writings of Bahá’u’lláh in the original Arabic and Persian, with a French translation. The proposed publisher was a well-known producer of beautiful art volumes. All of the pages, a number of them in color, would be exquisitely illuminated by an artist working in Turkey. The text of The Hidden Words would be those in the handwriting of the emanuensis of Bahá’u’lláh.

In order to begin publication of this prestigious work, it was necessary for the National Spiritual Assembly to guarantee a sale of 300 copies at a maximum of $40.00 per volume. The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States invited the American Bahá’ís wishing to procure this visual tribute to the beauty of Bahá’u’lláh’s Words to subscribe for their copies promptly with an initial payment of $10.00 for each order.

Unfortunately, many unforeseen difficulties arose in various aspects of the production, but now we are able to inform the friends who placed their orders with the understanding that the additional payments would be made as the work progressed, that the National Spiritual Assembly of France has completed the paging of the French text for this publication and is in process of finalizing details with the edition. The letter states: "We acknowledge the intolerable delay in this publication and fully appreciate the impatience of those friends who made deposits for the book some time ago. Be assured that the funds deposited are in reserve with our National Spiritual Assembly. We will give you more definitive information on the publication of this book during the next few weeks." [Page 3]

New Public Information Kits

As part of the proclamation and public information effort of the United States Bahá’í Community to increase public awareness of the Bahá’í Faith, its history and its teachings, the National Bahá’í Public Information Office has prepared a Public Information Kit for Bahá’í Holy Days and Anniversaries.

Included in the kit are press and radio releases for the Holy Days and Anniversaries officially observed throughout the Bahá’í Year. The Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and Naw-Rúz, while Holy Days, are also observed as Bahá’í Special Event days and therefore are not included in the booklet. Included in the Kit are press and radio releases for the Feast of Ridván, Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Martyrdom of The Báb, Birth of The Báb, Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

Bahá’í communities, groups, clubs and isolated Bahá’ís should, where possible, make every effort to send or take these releases to their local daily and weekly newspapers and radio and television stations prior to the date of the Holy Day or Anniversary concerned.

An important part of the national proclamation and public information program is to gain recognition and understanding of the Bahá’í Holy Days and Anniversaries.

Copies of the Public Information Kit on Bahá’í Holy Days were sent to most Assemblies, groups and clubs. Copies of the Kit can be obtained from the National Public Information Office.

The National Bahá’í Public Information Office will be sending to Bahá’í communities and public information representatives the following Public Information Kits for Naw-Rúz, for the National Convention, for the Panama Conference, and for Race Unity Day.

The kits will give Bahá’í communities and public information representatives guidelines for the observance of the Bahá’í Special Event Days and other events, and radio, television and newspaper releases for these events.

Future issues of the NATIONAL BAHA’I REVIEW will give more information on the above events.

Proclamation Themes for 1972 and 1973

The National Spiritual Assembly has approved: World Peace—Prelude to World Unity, as the proclamation theme for 1972. The basic theme and activities for the year will revolve around what has to be done to achieve true world peace. Since during most of 1972, the Bahá’í Faith will also be observing the anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and since He was greatly concerned with world peace it is appropriate that the theme for 1972 be world peace.

In 1973, the proclamation theme for the year will be: World Unity Through World Faith.

The various Bahá’í Special Event days will have themes reflecting the overall themes for the year. Further details and guidelines will be provided by the National Bahá’í Public Information Office and will be sent to Bahá’í communities and Public Information Representatives in future mailings. More details will also be published in future editions of the NATIONAL BAHA’I REVIEW.

International Book Year

Calendar year 1972 has been designated by UNESCO as International Book Year (IBY) with the slogan "Books for all."

The basic goal of IBY is to focus the attention of the general public, as well as governments and international and domestic organizations, on the importance of books and other print media in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of society.

Guidance on how Bahá’í communities can best tie in with IBY will be provided by the National Bahá’í Public Information Office. As a start the year offers an opportunity for Bahá’í Communities to arrange for displays of Bahá’í books as part of the observance of the year.

While the U.S. Bahá’í Community will take part in the observance of IBY, the U.S. Bahá’í theme for 1972 will deal with peace. [Page 4]

Public Information Representatives

Does your Assembly, group, Bahá’í club have a public information representative? New Assemblies, groups and clubs are reminded of the need to appoint such representatives.

The duties of the public information representatives are to promote publicity on the Bahá’í Faith in the local newspapers, radio and television stations and other media of publicity; to assist writers in writing stories on the Faith for local news media; to utilize the suggested news releases sent by the National Public Information Office; to maintain a publicity file which includes clippings from newspapers; and generally to develop and execute an effective public information program. All this is done after the representatives secure from their Assemblies or groups authority to act on national projects sent them which may require immediate action and approval of their proposed local public information programs.

Public information representatives (and also secretaries of Local Spiritual Assemblies) will receive material from the National Public Information Office. This includes Public Information Kits on the Special Event Days (World Religion Day, Race Unity Day, Naw-Rúz, World Peace Day, United Nations Day, Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Human Rights Day, and including all the Holy Days, the Public Information Newsletter and other special material and guidance. In turn the public information representatives send to the National Public Information Office copies of newspaper clippings about the Faith, reports on what was done on Special Event days, photos of Bahá’í activities, and any other information that would be of interest to the Office.

When a public information representative is appointed by an Assembly, group or club, the name, address and phone number should be sent to the National Bahá’í Public Information Office, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091. Isolated Bahá’ís can act as their own representative, but if they wish to do so they should send name, address and phone number to the above office to be included on the list of public information representatives.

Bahá’í Directory Changes

Assembly Secretaries

Alabama Mobile: Miss Charlotte Creech, 36608

Arkansas Pine Bluff: New secretary to be reported

Central California Dist. #1 San Jose: Mrs. Joan Bergman, P. O. Box 6381, 95150 Santa Cruz J.D.: Mr. Chucker Carnagey, Santa Cruz 95060

Colorado Arvada: Mrs. Joy McClain, 80002 El Paso County: Mrs. Opal D. Ryter, Colorado Springs 80906

Delaware Wilmington: Mrs. Sara Taylor, 19801

Florida Tallahassee: Mrs. Janice L. Turner, P. O. Box 2032WS, 32304 Tampa: Mrs. Barbara Miller, P. O. Box 7001, 33603

Central California Dist. #2 Fresno: Mrs. Gloria Cox, 93728

Southern California Dist. #1 Burbank: Mrs. Berry Carey, Apt. 233, 91506

Southern California Dist. #2 Garden Grove: New secretary to be reported Victor J.D.: Mrs. Doris Russell, P. O. Box 903, Apple Valley 92307

Georgia Americus: New secretary to be reported Dooley County Dist. #1479: Mrs. Jessie Mae Fedd, 31070 Burke County: Mrs. Bulah Hannah, Hephzibah 30815 Keysville: delete entirely, it is the same as "Burke County" Assembly. [Page 5]

REVIEW

Northern Illinois Northbrook: Mrs. Virginia Busey, pro-tem, 60062

Iowa Waterloo: Mrs. Jane Sires, 50702

Louisiana Lafayette: Mrs. Rubie Jones, 70501

Maryland Rockville: Mrs. Yetlie Kern, 20850

Massachusetts Cambridge: Mrs. Mildred McClellan, 02140

Nebraska Lincoln: Mrs. Kathy Aflatooni, pro-tem, 68502

North Carolina Raleigh: c/o Bahá’í Center, 27605

North Dakota Grand Forks: Miss Diane Thompson, Apt. 4, 58201

South Carolina Chester: New secretary to be reported

Greenville: Mrs. Virginia Ford, pro-tem, P. O. Box 8026, 29604

Hartsville: Mr. John H. Bristow, 29550

Eastern Texas Garland: Mr. Roy Kuykendahl, 75042

Grand Prairie: Mrs. Mary Dashtizadeh, Apt. E, 75050

Irving: Mrs. Paula Whitworth, 75062

Pasadena: Mr. Robert Carpenter, pro-tem, Apt. 72, 77502

Western Texas Eagle Pass: Mrs. Jeanne Kilgore, 78852

Lubbock: Mr. William L. Vittitow, Box 2275, 79401

Wisconsin Milwaukee: Mrs. Frances Del Moro, 53210

Wyoming Cheyenne: Mrs. Yvonne Fitzpatrick, pro-tem, P. O. Box 2274, 82001

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

East Georgia: Mr. Lee Wheeler, Augusta 30904

Nebraska: Mr. John W. Rinehart, pro-tem, Valley 68064

New Jersey: Mrs. Helen Bakum, Box 462, Springfield 07081

Northern Ohio: Mr. Dennis Rule," Fostoria 44830

Rhode Island: Miss Mary Brogo, Providence 02906

South Carolina 5: Mrs. Earline Evans, P. O. Box 397, N., Myrtle Beach 29582 (new comm.)

Vermont: Mrs. Kathy Gray, Brattleboro 05301

In Memoriam

Mrs. Berthalin Allien Santa Cruz, California December 15, 1971

Ismael Perez Barajas Healdsburg, California December 6, 1971

Mrs. Darselie Barnes South Gate, California December 24, 1971

Mrs. Florence Benedict Rochester, New York December 3, 1971

Miss Martha Dean Salisbury, Rhodesia December 24, 1971

Dr. Sydney I. Dean Concord, California December 26, 1971

Mrs. Mary Lizzie Drake Fort Valley, Georgia May, 1971

Mrs. Georgette Franklin Bolingbroke, Georgia November 4, 1971

Charles C. Howard Canon City, Colorado December 31, 1971

William H. Howe Holicong, Pennsylvania December 12, 1971

Mrs. Edna Hyatt Cambridge, Ohio October 19, 1971

Mrs. Florence Jerome East Point, Georgia. December 24, 1971

Ralph W. Kroll Sioux City, Iowa November 17, 1971

Mrs. Zuna Larson Glendale, California September 26, 1971

Ivory Hines Florence, South Carolina January 10, 1972

Mrs. Mary MacDonald Roberta, Georgia Unknown

Mrs. Berdette Northrup Matteson Hayward, California January 25, 1971

Mrs. Dorothy A. Myers Detroit, Michigan December 30, 1971

David Thomas Fort Valley, Georgia October 1971

Ceasar Tomas Fort Valley, Georgia Unknown

Mrs. Myrtle Elizabeth Will Bremerton, Washington December 23, 1971 [Page 6]

INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE

An Open Letter to the American Bahá’í Community

Dearest Friends,

Your help is needed! According to a recent urgent letter from The Universal House of Justice, "The situation of the teaching goals in Portugal is acute." Although the teaching must be discreet, it is possible to spread the Divine Message and the Portugese people are thirsting for the Word of God. To stress the immediateness of this request, we share with you portions of this letter from The Universal House of Justice appealing for . . . a number of pioneers to resolve the situation. We call upon (you) to raise as quickly as possible ten pioneers . . . We ask you to give this matter your urgent attention and to do your utmost to find friends ready to undertake this meritorious service."

Will you be the one to answer this call? Can you pioneer? Can you travel-teach?

International Goals Committee 110 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Revised List of Unfilled Goals as of October 15, 1971

AFRICA (F) Afars & Issas (Fr. Terr.) — 1 (F) Central African Republic — 2 (E) Ethiopia — 1 (F) Ivory Coast — 1 (E) Lesotho — 1 (E) Malawi — 1 (E) St. Helena — 2 (E) South West Africa — 2 (E) Tanzania — 2 (F) Togo — 1 (F) Zaire Republic (Formerly Congo Kinshasa) — 3

AMERICAS (S) Bolivia — 3 (S) Chile — 2 (S) Ecuador — 6 (S) Peru — 2 (D) Surinam — 2 (S) Uruguay — 4 (S) Venezuela — 3

ASIA Afghanistan — 2 Indonesia — 2 Japan — 4

• • Kazakhstan (CP) — 1

Laos — 2 (P) Portuguese Timor — 1

• • Ukraine (CP) — 1

AUSTRALASIA (E) Gilbert & Ellice Islands — 1 Solomon Islands — 1 (E) Tonga Islands — 2 (E) Western Samoa — 1

EUROPE (P) Azores — 1 Denmark — 3

• Finland — 2

Italy — 1 (P) Madeira — 2 Norway — 4 (P) Portugal — 1

KEY: D — Dutch-speaking E — English-speaking F — French-speaking P — Portuguese-speaking S — Spanish-speaking

• • — Circumstances permitting
• — Special circumstances: check with I.G.C.

All applications or inquiries should be sent to: INTERNATIONAL GOALS COMMITTEE 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

"Center your energies in the propagation of the Faith of God. Whoso is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and promote it. 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."

Bahá’u’lláh in Gleanings, p. 196-197 [Page 7]

Auxiliary Board Members of North America

Territorial Assignments in the United States, Canada and Alaska

Mr. R. Ted Anderson Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Southern Alberta.

Mr. Howard J. Brown P.O. Box 371, Haines, Alaska 99827 Alaska, in conjunction with Mr. Caldwell.

Mr. Jenabe E. Caldwell Sp. 26-B, Anchorage, Alaska 99504 Alaska, in conjunction with Mr. Brown.

Mrs. Opal L. Conner South Seattle, Washington 98168 Washington, Oregon, Idaho.

Mr. Angus W. Cowan N.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada Manitoba, Keewatin, Montana, North Dakota.

Mrs. Margaret A. Gallagher Hayward, Calif. 94544 Northern California (Northern and Central Districts), Northern Nevada (to a dividing line immediately north of Tonopah), Utah, Wyoming.

Mr. Fred Graham Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada Ontario.

Miss D. Thelma Jackson Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Bahamas.

Mr. Albert B. James Jessup, Md. 20794 Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia.

Mr. Chester Kahn P.O. Box 694, Chinle, Ariz. 86503 Special advisor all Indian territory (and particularly to assist in Arizona and New Mexico).

Miss Thelma E. Thomas New Orleans, La. 70122 Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi.

Mrs. Javidukht Khádem Evanston, Illinois 60201 Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Peter J. Khan Ypsilanti, Mich. 48197 Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota.

Mr. Anthony F. Lease South Laguna, Calif. 92677 Southern California (Southern Districts), Southern Nevada (up to and including Tonopah), Arizona.

Dr. Jane McCants Greenville, S.C. 29607 (Temporary address) North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida.

Mrs. Katherin McLaughlin R.D. 1, Box 276, York, Maine 03909 Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Bermuda.

Mr. Edward Oliver Beloeil, Quebec, Canada Quebec, Labrador.

Mr. Paul R. Pettit P.O. Box 8024, Dallas, Texas 75205 Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas.

Mrs. Adrienne E. Reeves Hartford, Conn. 06112 Connecticut, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, related Maritime Islands, Newfoundland.

Mrs. Peggy Ross Cardiff, Ontario, Canada Northern Alberta, District of Franklin, Greenland, Saskatchewan, McKenzie Territory.

Mrs. Velma Sherrill Webster Groves, Mo. 63119 Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico.

How To Contact

Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individual Bahá’ís may contact directly the Auxiliary Board member assigned to their territory. If they desire the assistance of an Auxiliary Board member not assigned to their territory, they should contact the Continental Board of Counsellors for North America, P.O. Box 369, Santa Paula, California 93060.

District Teaching Committees of the United States, Regional Goals Committees of Canada, and Area Goals Committees of Alaska may contact directly the Auxiliary Board member assigned to their territory in accordance with directives given them by their respective National Spiritual Assemblies.

National committees desiring the services of the Continental Board of Counsellors or of Auxiliary Board members should channel their requests through their National Spiritual Assembly.

CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS FOR THE PROTECTION AND PROPAGATION OF THE BAHÁ’Í FAITH IN NORTH AMERICA

February, 1972 [Page 8]

CALENDAR

Feasts March 2 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) March 21 Bahá (Splendor)

Special Days February 26 to March 1 Ayyám-i-Há (Intercalary Days) March 2 Beginning of Fast, which continues for nineteen days

Bahá’í Holy Days on Which Work Should Be Suspended March 21 Naw-Rúz April 21 First Day of Riḍván (Local Elections) April 29 Ninth Day of Riḍván May 2 Twelfth Day of Riḍván

National Assembly Meetings February 18-20 March 24-26 at Hemingway S.C.

National Convention (Note Change) April 22, 8:30 a.m. through April 24, 1:00 p.m.

Dedication Louis G. Gregory Institute Hemingway, S.C. March 25-26

Panama Temple Dedication April 29-May 2, 1972

Schools Geyserville Spring Session - March 26-March 30 North West Bahá’í School, Seabeck, Washington - June 24-June 29 Oklahoma/Texas Bahá’í School, Summer session, August 6-12.

National Bahá’í Fund

FEBRUARY 1972 1971-1972

Monthly Goal: $200,000

INCOME:	Masá’il (Questions)	Sharaf (Honor)	Fiscal Year to Date
Regular Contributions	$143,808.34	$82,934.86	$1,128,618.15
Special Contributions	3,642.50	7,392.12	33,577.77
Total Contributions	$147,450.84	$90,326.98	$1,162,195.92
Estates	3,285.14	9,846.26	61,272.26
Other Income	11,678.70	260.00	38,940.99
Total Income	$162,414.68	$100,433.24	$1,262,409.17
Budget	$120,000.00	$120,000.00	$1,680,000.00

Date of Naw-Rúz Clarified

For the friends who may think that the Feast of Naw-Rúz and the Nineteen-Day Feast of Bahá are one and the same because they fall on March 21, the following excerpt from a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly from the Guardian through his secretary July 5, 1950 will clarify the misunderstanding:

"The Naw-Rúz Feast should be held on March 21 before sunset and has nothing to do with the Nineteen-Day Feast. The Nineteen-Day Feast is administrative in function whereas the Naw-Rúz is our New Year, a Feast of hospitality and rejoicing."

(Quoted in BAHÁ’Í NEWS October 1950 and in March 1956)

This instruction makes it clear that the Nineteen-Day Feast of March 21 should be observed separately from the Feast of Naw-Rúz which can be shared with members of the family and friends who are not Bahá’ís.

The hours during which the Naw-Rúz Feast may be celebrated are after sunset on March 20 and until sunset March 21, provided the spring equinox does not fall before sunset March 20. This year the spring equinox occurs at 3:37 A.M. on March 21, therefore the Naw-Rúz celebration may be held any time between sunset March 20 and sunset March 21.