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The Nature of the Institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors LETTER FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE
To the Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies Beloved Friends, Recently we have received queries from several sources about the nature of the Institution of the Continental Boards
. of Counsellors and its relationship to the
Institution of the Hands of the Cause, and we feel it is timely for us to give further elucidation.
As with so many aspects of the Administrative Order, understanding of this subject will develop and clarify with the passage of time as that Order grows organically in response to the power and guidance of Almighty God and in accordance with the needs of a rapidly developing world-wide community. However, certain aspects are already so clear as to require a proper understanding by the friends.
In the Kitáb-i-‘Ahd (the Book of His Covenant) Bahá’u’lláh wrote “Blessed are the rulers and the learned in A-l-Bahá”, and referring to this very passage the beloved Guardian wrote on 4 November 1931:
“In this holy cycle the ‘learned’ are,
on the one hand, the Hands of the
Cause of God, and, on the other, the
teachers and diffusers of His teach ings who do not rank as Hands, but who have attained an eminent position in the teaching work. As to the
‘rulers’ they refer to the members of
the Local, National and International
Houses of Justice. The duties of each
of these souls will be determined in
the future.” (Translated from the
Persian.)
The Hands of the Cause of God, the Counsellors and the members of the Aux iliary Boards fall within the definition of the “learned” given by the beloved Guardian. Thus they are all intimately interrelated and it is not incorrect to refer to the three ranks collectively as one institution.
However, each is also a separate institution in itself. The Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God was brought into existence in the time of Bahá’u’lláh and when the Administrative Order was proclaimed and formally established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will, it became an auxiliary institution of the Guardianship. The Auxiliary Boards, in their turn, were brought into being by Shoghi Effendi as an auxiliary institution of the Hands of the Cause.
When, following the passing of Shoghi Effendi, The Universal House of Justice decided that it could not legislate to make possible the appointment of further Hands of the Cause, it became necessary for it to create a new institution, appointed by itself, to extend into the future the functions of protection and propagation vested in the Hands of the Cause and, with that in_view, so to develop the Institution of the Hands that it could nurture the new institution and function in close collaboration with it as long as possible. It was also vital so to arrange matters as to make the most effective use of the unique services of the Hands themselves.
The first step in this development was taken in November 1964 when The Universal House of Justice formally related the Institution of the Hands to itself by stating that “Responsibility for decisions on matters of general policy affecting the Institution of the Hands of the Cause, which was formerly exercised by the be JUNE 1972
[Page 2]
loved Guardian, now devolves upon The
Universal House of Justice as the supreme and central institution of the Faith
to which all must turn.” At that time the
number of members of the Auxiliary
Boards was increased from 72 to 135, and
the Hands of the Cause in each continent
were called upon to appoint one or more
members of their Auxiliary Boards to act
in an executive capacity on behalf of and
in the name of each Hand, thereby assisting him in carrying out his work.
In June 1968 the Institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors was brought into being, fulfilling the goal of extending the aforementioned functions of the Hands into the future, and this momentous decision was accompanied by the next step in the development of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause: the continental Hands were to serve henceforth on a world-wide basis and operate individually in direct relationship to The Universal House of Justice; the Hands ceased to be responsible for the direction of the Auxiliary Boards, which became- an auxiliary institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors; the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land were given the task of acting as liaison between The Universal House of Justice and the Boards of Counsellors; and the working inter-relationships between the Hands and the Boards of Counsellors were established. Reference was also made to the future establishment by The Universal House of Justice, with the assistance of the Hands residing in the Holy Land, of an international teaching center in the Holy Land.
In July 1969 and at Riḍván 1970 further increases in the numbers of Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members were made.
Other developments in the Institution of the Hands of the Cause and the Institution of the Continental Boards of Counsellors will no doubt take place in future as the international teaching center comes into being and as the work of the Counsellors expands.
We have noted that the Hands, the Counsellors and the Auxiliary Boards are sometimes referred to by the friends as the “appointive arm” of the Administrative Order in contradistinction to The Uni . versal House of Justice and the National
JUNE 1912
and Local Assemblies which constitute the “elective arm.” While there is truth in this description as it applies to the method used in the creation of these institutions, the friends should understand that it is not only the fact of appointment that particularly distinguishes the institutions of the Hands, Counsellors and Auxiliary Boards. There are, for instance, many more believers appointed to committees in the “elective arm” than are serving in the so-called “appointive arm”. A more striking distinction is that whereas the “rulers” in the Cause function as corporate bodies, the “learned” operate primarily as individuals.
In a letter written on 14 March 1927 to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Istanbul, the Guardian’s Secretary explained, on his behalf, the principle in the Cause of action by majority vote. He pointed out how, in the past, it was certain individuals who “accounted themselves as superior in knowledge and elevated in position” who caused division, and that it was those “who pretended to be the most distinguished of all” who “always proved themselves to be the source of contention”. “But praise be to God” he continued, “that the Pen of Glory has done away with the unyielding and dictatorial views of the learned and the wise, dismissed the assertions of individuals as an authoritative criterion, even though they were recognized as the most accomplished and learned among men an_d ordained that all matters be referred to authorized centers and specified Assemblies. Even so, no Assembly has been invested with the absolute authority to deal with such general matters as affect the interests of nations. Nay rather, He has brought all the Assemblies together under the shadow of one House of Justice, one divinely-appointed Center, so that there would be only one Center and all the rest integrated into a single body revolving around one expresslydesignated Pivot, thus making them all proof against schism and division.” (Translated from the Persian.)
Having permanently excluded the evils admittedly inherent in the institutions of the “learned” in past dispensations, Bahá’u’lláh has nevertheless embodied in His Administrative Order the beneficent elements which exist in such institutions,
[Page 3]
REVIEW
elements which are of fundamental value for the progress of the Cause, as can be gauged from even a cursory reading of the Guardian's Message of 4 June 1957.
The existence of institutions of such exalted rank, comprising individuals who play such a vital role, who yet have no legislative, administrative or judicial authority, and are entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative interpretations, is a feature of Bahá’í administration unparallelled in the religions of the past. The newness and
uniqueness of this concept make it difi"1cult to grasp; only as the Bahá’í Community grows and the believers are increasingly able to contemplate its administrative structure uninfluenced by concepts from past ages, will the vital interdependence of the “rulers” and “learned” in the Faith be properly understood, and the inestimable value of their interaction be fully recognized. With loving Bahá’í greetings,
-—THE UNIVERSAL Housn or JUSTICE Haifa April 24, 1972
Statement on
The National Spiritual Assembly recently took action to assist Bahá’ís scheduled for Pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center in securing economical and confirmed arrangements in connection with air fares and hotel accommodations.
As a result of a study made by the National Assembly it was decided to ask El Al— Israel Airlines to handle such arrangements to assure that Bahá’ís can be included in economical group fares and can be assured of confirmed hotel accommodations. The latter are becoming harder to secure due to the increase in tourist travel to Israel.
El Al will contact all Bahá’ís in the United States who are scheduled for Pilgrimage beginning in October 1972 to advise them of group fares and hotel accommodations. The most economical way to travel to and from Israel is by being included in a group fare arrangement. This El Al will arrange where at all possible for each of the future Pilgrimage dates. To do this it will be necessary for the individual Bahá’í to spend at least fourteen days on the trip—nine of these days being devoted to the actual Pilgrimage to Bahá’í Holy Places.
El Al will handle all arrangements for air travel and for securing hotel accommodations. The typical fourteen—day group trip includes three nights in Jerusalem, nine nights in Haifa, one night in Tel Aviv, all transfers, and one and half days of sightseeing. Other trip arrangements will also be available.
The National Spiritual Assembly has made this arrangement as a service to
Pilgrimage
Bahá’ís going on Pilgrimage. While Bahá’ís are in no way obligated to utilize El Al it is only by such an agreement that the Bahá’í's can be assured of the above arrangements.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Annual Reports were sent in advance to all delegates to the annual National Convention. However, if any of the friends wish copies of these, a request should be written to the National Spiritual Assembly, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Ill. 60091.
Bahá’í Summer Schoo|s— 1972 Scholarships Sought
As the fifteen Bahá’í schools across the U.S. announce details of their summer sessions, the National Bahá’í Schools Committee wishes to encourage local Bahá’í communities to establish scholarships, in whole or in part, to subsidize the attendance of individuals who might find school costs beyond their means. Scholarships may be designated by your community for a specific person or turned over to the school committee in your area for use at its discretion. With assistance from local communities it will perhaps be possible for all sincere persons who wish to attend a Bahá’í school to benefit from this enriching experience. Checks can be, made payable to the school committee of your choice and sent to the Registrar of that school. (See list of schools on page 8 of May 1972 issue THE AMERICAN BAHA’I.)
[Page 4]
JUNE ‘1972
CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS for the Protection and Propagation of the Bahá’í Faith in North America
Lloyd GI Gardner
Florence V. Mayberry
Edna M. True Trustee, Continental Fund
Address: P.O. Box 369, Santa Paula, California 93060. Telephone (805) 525-2692
Auxiliary Board Members. North America May 1972
PROTECTION BOARD ‘
Mr. R. Ted Anderson, Yukon Territory, Canada Yukon Territory, British Columbia (He may call upon Mrs. Opal Conner for aid in B.C. as she resides in Seattle, Wash.), Southern Alberta, Canada
Mr. Howard Brown . All Alaska with Mr. Jenabe Caldwell
Mr. Jenabe Caldwell All Alaska with Mr. Howard Brown
Mrs. Margaret Ariel Gallagher
Northern California (State Goals Districts North, Central No. 1, Central No. 2)
Northern Nevada (to a dividing line immediately north of Tonopah) , Utah, Wyoming
Mr. Fred Graham
Ontario, Canada Mrs. Javidukht Khádem
Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania Dr. Peter J. Khan
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota
Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Bermuda
Mrs. Peggy Ross Saskatchewan, Northern Alberta, McKenzie Territory, Keewatin, Canada, Greenland
Mrs. Velma Sherrill Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico
PROPAGATION BOARD
Mrs. Eunice Braun North Carolina, South Carolina, Geor gia, Florida (temporary), United States Mrs. Opal L. Conner Washington, Oregon, Idaho, United
States (and assist in British Columbia, Canada when necessary and possible) Mr. Angus W. Cowan Manitoba, Canada; Montana, North Dakota, United States Miss D. Thelma Jackson Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, United States; Bahamas Mr. Albert James Maryland, Washington D.C., Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia, United States Mr. Anthony F. Lease Southern California (State Goals Districts South l, 2, 3), Southern Nevada (up to and including Tonopah dividing line), Arizona, United States Mrs. Jane McCants Currently on leave of absence Mr. Ted Oliver Quebec, Labrador Mr. Paul R. Pettit Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, United States Mrs. Adrienne Reeves Connecticut, United States; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, related Maritime Islands, Newfoundland, Canada Miss Thelma Thomas Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, United States
[Page 5]
REVIEW
Baha"|’ Service For The Blind
The committee Secretary has carried on an increasingly voluminous correspondence in type, braille, and on tapes and cassettes with Bahá’ís, both blind and sighted, and with non-Bahá’ís here in the United States and abroad.
Press-Braille books have been selling more and more rapidly to the point where our stock of some titles has become dangerously low. Because one of the books in the Braille Kit sold out completely, we were forced to discontinue this item last year. Therefore, during the last few weeks the committee has been given funds to order four needed Reprints:Bahá’í Prayers, Bahá’í Occasional Prayers, Communion with God, and The Hidden Words. The negotiations with the printer took some time and the order has just recently been placed. At the present time we do not know what the exact cost of each of these books will be to the purchasers. But, unfortunately, it seems that the price will have to rise considerably.
Orders of Press-Braille books have been sent to nearly every state in the U. S., to Canada, Alaska and to West Pakistan. A few braille books were given to the friends in Hawaii for use in the Leper Colony.
The circulation of our Lending Library continues to increase. This has necessitated duplicating or acquiring second copies of ten titles. The borrowers are widely scattered in the United States and during the last year two people in Canada have been borrowing from our Library.
The following books have been added to the list of master copies from which duplicates can be made (and a copy of each placed in the library): The Bahá’í Story; the fourth volume of continuing coverage of Messages from The Universal House of Justice; Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh; Commentary on the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, by Shoghi Effendi. Through the efforts of two transcribers, Jane C. Mclver and Gertrude Schurgast, we now have four small pamphlets in Contracted
German Braille ready for duplication.
Names of these pamphlets and the number of pages is available on request.
The following tape-recorded books have been added to our Library of tapes and may be duplicated for buyers: Release The Sun; Portals to Freedom; The Bahá’í Story; God Passes By; Tablets 0}‘ The Divine Plan; Thief in The Night; Presscription For Living; and The Bahá’í Faith.
The Wolfner Memorial Library for the Blind, St. Louis, Missouri, has for a number of years had a copy of Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era in Braille. In March 1970 they wrote requesting a very large and expensive list of books. After some correspondence, they were happy to receive eight volumes. They now hold the following: Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era, two copies; Renewal of Civilization, two copies; Bahá’í Teachings For A World Faith; The Hidden Words; and Communion with God.
In April 1970, Talking Tapes for the Blind, also of St. Louis, requested and received a taped copy of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.
In October 1970, The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. telephoned in an order for the twelve volume duplicated God Passes By for which they paid our full price of $47.85. The Library of Congress now holds a fair sampling of. our braille books, including: Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era, Renewal of Civilization, Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith, The Hidden Words, and God Passes By.
We are negotiating to find out the cost of a Revised Edition (to conform to the changes made in the print edition) of Bahá’u’lláh and The New Era. It will be a major undertaking, requiring a great deal of work, patience and money.
Eventually, we hope to accumulate enough funds to publish a new PressBraille book. Depending upon the amount of money available, it could be one of the following: Gleanings From The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh, or The Divine Art of Living.
[Page 6]
JUNE 1972
Romauld J. Alberts St. Michaels, North Dakota March 1972
Thomas Baker Clovis, New Mexico Unknown
Nelson K. Barrus Arcadia. California April 23, 1972
Miss B. B. Beautiful Philadelphia. Pennsylvania May 4, 1972
Mrs. Irma E. Bonson Chicago, Illinois March 11, 1972
Mrs. Edna E. Boyce Marshall, Texas Unknown
Barrett William Bunce Wenatchee, Washington April 23, 1972
Mrs. Blanche Cohee Indianapolis, Indiana April 13, 1972
Thelman Parcelle Cummings Ft. Worth, Texas Unknown
Mrs. Ozie Mae Dixon Perry, Georgia January 13, 1972
Albert E. Dorrida Baltimore, Maryland March 11, 1972
Carl Engler Madison, Wisconsin March 21, 1972
IN MEMORIAM
Mrs. Ida Freeman Plymouth, North Carolina March 1, 1972
Mrs. Famous Gibson Fort Valley, Georgia January 1972
Mrs. Rose Hendee Northridge, California March 12, 1972
George Henry Brookhaven, New York August 1971
Luther Johnson Florence, South Carolina Unknown
Mrs. Carolyn 0. Kelly Pismo Beach. California May 10, 1972
Mrs. Julia Key Tuskegee, Alabama January 26, 1972
George E. Kornegay Goldsboro, North Carolina Unknown
Richard Lotstein West Covina, California January 16, 1972
Will MacBird Pasadena, California February 25, 1972
Mrs. Esther Morrill Denver, Colorado March 12, 1972
David Nothwang, Jr. Santa Fe, New Mexico March 15, 1972
Carl Pearce Dallas, Texas March 7, 1972
Robert George Rissler Casper, Wyoming April 20, 1972
Mrs. Thelma Rivers South Windham, Maine April 15, 1972
Harold Rock Goldsboro, North Carolina April 16, 1972
Johnny Roura I-lormigueros, Puerto Rico January 1, 1972
Mrs. Emma Sackman Chicago, Illinois February 19, 1972
Henry Z. Shein East Orange, New Jersey February 24, 1972
Mrs. Leah M. Stratton Los Alamos, New Mexico March 16. 1972
Cecil Taylor Ukiah, California March 15, 1972
Miss Lottie Bell Wilson Grtenville, North Carolina April 6, 1972
Willie Woods Lugoff, South Carolina March 17, 1972
Henry L. Zaret Sacramento, California March 13. 1972
Miss Johanna Zimmerman Memphis, Tennessee March 14, 1972
CALENDAR
Proclaiming The Faith to the Public On page 7 is a list of Special Event
Feasts June 5 — Nur (Light) June 24 — Rahmat (Mercy) July 13 —Kalimét (Words)
Special Events June 11—Race Unity Day Suggested topic: “Oneness — Pathway to Peace”
Bahá’í Holy Day on Which Work Should Be Suspended July 9 — Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Báb. (About noon)
National Assembly Meetings August 4-6
Days for proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the public during 1972-73.
Every year these special event days are bringing the Faith to the attention of more and more people throughout the nation. The dates are now being listed in special (event calendars published by various agencies that serve the news media. For each of these events the National Bahá’í' Public Information Office provides, months in advance, suggestions for their observance, sample press releases, radio and television announcements, sample proclamations, and other appropriate information. In the case of United Nations Day and Human Rights Day, the Bahá’í United Nations observer provides guidance. (Continued on page 8)
[Page 7]
REVIEW
Date and Event
September 17, 1972 World Peace Day
October 24, 1972 United Nations Day
November 12, 1972 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh
December 10, 1972 Human Rights Day
January 21, 1973 World Religion Day
March 21, 1973 Naw-Rúz
June 10, 1973 Race Unity Day
1972-1973 SPECIAL EVENTS For Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public
Theme
“World PeaceThe First Priority”
“The Promise of World Peace”
“Bahá’u’lláh The Divine Peacemaker”
“Justice — The Divine Standard for Peace”
“World Religion Basis for World Unity”
“Mankind Is One”
‘Do-It-Yourself-Poster Kit
Bahá’í’ Material
Recommended
‘Poster Kit Bahá’í Peace Program Pattern for Future Society Bahá’í — World Faith for Modern Man
‘Poster Kit
Bahá’ís at the United Nations Bahá’í Peace Program
United Nations Material
‘Poster Kit
Lord of the New Age Universal and Lasting Peace The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í Peace Program
‘Poster Kit
Human Rights Are God-Given Rights Man One Family
One World One Family
United Nations Material
‘Poster Kit
The Future of Mankind
Pattern for Future Society
Bahá’í — World Faith for Modern Man
Faith for Freedom Bahá’í Answers
‘Poster Kit Man One Family Bahá’í’.-— Way of Life for Millions (Ebony Reprint) What Is Race?
Order Literature and Posters from: Bahá’í Publishing Trust,
415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
[Page 8]
The letter below, sent to all local Treasurers, is important to all believers.
MAY 26, 1972 TO ALL LOCAL TREASURERS:
INFORM ERIENDS CONTRIBUTIONS MONTH JAMAL LOWEST IN ALMOST TWO YEARS . . . RESERVES NEARLY DEPLETE/D/ . . . CONTINUING FULL SUPPORT BAHA’I INTERNATIONAL FUND IN JEOPARDY . . . SITUATION CRITICAL . . . PRAYERS AND SELFLESS RESPONSE URGENTLY REQUIRED.
DOROTHY W. NELSON TREASURER
(Continued from page 6)
Every effort should be made by Bahá’í Assemblies, groups and even isolated believers to utilize these days to proclaim the Faith. In many cases just the publicity that goes along with the day will reach many people with the Message of Bahá’u’lláh even if no event is held.
All the events should be sponsored by, announced by, and conducted by Bahá’ís, and their Bahá’í identity is not to be submerged in an interorganizational arrangement; exceptions to this are United Nations Day and Human Rights Day which are officially sponsored by the United Nations and its Associations, and for these, co-sponsorship or cooperation with other local organizations is en JUNE ‘1972
National Bahá’í Fund
Total Youth and Adult Contributions
$200,000 ‘$150,000 - 1972-1973 Monthly Goal $100,000 . $50,000 Eééééééééiééilééfiii ‘: ;§¥< g 5 id2 Jamal ‘Azamat Fiscal Year (Beauty) (Grandeur) to Date INCOME: Regular Contributions ..$ 58,761.50 $ 78,581.63 $137,343.13 Special Contributions .. 1,000.00 — 1,000.00 Total Contributions $ 59,761.50 $ 78,581.63 $138,343.13 Estates . . . . . . . . . . . — 141.54 141.54 Other Income 268.24 643.30 911.54 Total Income ..$ 60,029.74 $ 79,366.47 $139,396.21 Budget . . . . . . . . ..$l32,000.00 $132,000.00 $264,000.00
couraged where appropriate. As in the past many localities will also use occasions other than those listed to proclaim the Faith in their communities.
Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Bloomington, Illinois, at the time of incorporation, March 15, 1972. Back row: Patrick Neve, Chairman; Michael Truskey; Sand’u’llah Epsicokhan; Michael Mitchell; Floyd Donley, Treasurer. Front row: Susan Mitchell; Connie Donley, Corresponding Secretary; Victoria Neve, Recording Secretary; Beverly Sand.
