National Bahá’í Review/Issue 64-65/Text

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[Page 1]

Obeying the Law of God in Our Own Lives

The ‘Following statement is taken from a letter written by The Universal House of Justice in response to the questions of an individual believer:

Just as there are laws governing our physical lives, requiring that we must

supply our bodies with certain foods,

maintain them within a certain range of temperatures, and so forth, if we wish to avoid physical disabilities, so also there are laws governing our spiritual lives. These laws are revealed to mankind in each age by the Manifestation of God, and obedience to them is of vital importance if each human being, and mankind in general, is to develop properly and harmoniously. Moreover, these various aspects are interdependent. If an individual violates the spiritual laws for his own development he will cause injury not only to himself but to the society in which he lives. Similarly, the condition of society has a direct effect on the individuals who must live within it.

As you point out, it is particularly difi'icult to follow the laws of Bahá’u’lláh in present-day society whose accepted practice is so at variance with the standards of the Faith. However, there are certain laws that are so fundamental to the healthy functioning of human society that they must be upheld whatever the circumstances. Realizing the degree of human frailty, Bahá’u’lláh has provided that other laws are to be applied only gradually, but these too, once they are applied, must be followed, or else society will not be reformed but will sink into an ever worsening condition. It is the challenging task of the Bahá’ís to obey the law of God

- in their own lives, and ‘gradually to win

the rest of mankind to its acceptance. In considering the effect of obedience to the laws on individual lives, one must re member that the purpose of this life is to prepare the soul for the next. Here one must learn to control and direct one’s animal impulses, not to be a slave to them. Life in this world is a succession of tests and achievements, of falling short and of making new spiritual advances. Sometimes the course may seem very hard, but one can witness, again and again, that the soul who steadfastly obeys the law of Bahá’u’lláh, however ‘hard it may seem, grows spiritually, while the one who compromises with the law for the sake of his own apparent happiness is seen to have been following a chimera: he does not_ attain the ' happiness he sought, he retards his spiritual advance and often brings new problems upon himself.

To give one very obvious example: the Bahá’í law requiring consent of parents to marriage. All too often nowadays such consent is withheld by non-Bahá’í parents for reasons ofbigotry or racial prejudice; yet we have seen again and again the profound effect onthose very parents of the firmness of the children in the Bahá’í law, to the extent that not only is the consent ultimately given in many cases, but the character of the parents can be affected and their relationship with their child greatly strengthened.

Thus, by upholding Bahá’í law in the face of all difficulties we not only strengthen our own characters but influence those around us.

The Bahá’í teaching on sexual intercourse is very clear. It is permissible only between a man and the woman who is his wife. In this connection we share with you

APRIL-MAY ‘1973

[Page 2]extracts from four letters written on behalf of the Guardian which throw light on various aspects of the matter. One of them contains the paragraph that you quote in your letter.

“With reference to the question you have asked concerning the Bahá’í attitude towards the problem of sex and its relation to marriage:

“The Bahá’í Teachings on this matter, which is of such vital concern and about which there is such a wide divergency of views, are very clear and emphatic. Briefly stated the Bahá’í conception of sex is based on the belief that chastity should be strictly practiced by both sexes, not only because it is in itself highly commendable ethically, but also due to its being the only way to a happy and successful marital life. Sex relationships of any’ form, outside marriage, are not permissible therefore, and whoso violates this rule will not only be responsible to God, but will incur the necessary punishment from society.

“The Bahá’í Faith recognizes the value of the sex impulse, but condemns its illegitimate and improper expressions such as free love, companionate marriage and others, all of which it considers positively harmful to man and to the society in which he lives. The proper use of the sex instinct is the natural right of every individual, and it is precisely for this very purpose that the institution of marriage has been established. The Bahá’ís do not believe in the suppression of the sex impulse but in its regulation and control.”

(From a letter dated September 5, 1938

to an individual believer)

“The question you raise as to the place in one’s life that a deep bond of love with someone we meet other than our husband or wife can have is easily defined in View of the Teachings. Chastity implies both before and after marriage an unsullied, chaste sex life. Before marriage absolutely chaste, after marriage absolutely faithful to one’s chosen companion. Faithful in all sexual acts, faithful in word and in deed.

“The world today is submerged,

APRIL’-‘MIY ‘1973

amongst other things, in an over—_exaggeration of the importance of physical love, and a dearth of spiritual values. In as far as possible the believers should try to realize this and rise above the level of their fellow-men who are, typical of all decadent periods in history, placing so much over-emphasis on the purely physical side of mating. Outside of their normal, legitimate married life they should seek to establish bonds of comradeship and love which are eternal and founded on the spiritual life of man, not on his physical life. This is one of the many fields in which it is incumbent on the Bahá’ís to set the example and lead the way to a true human standard of life, when the soul of man is exalted and his body but the tool for his enlightened spirit. Needless to say this does not preclude the living of a perfectly normal sex life in its legitimate channel of marriage.”

(From a letter dated September 28, 1941 to an individual believer) '

“Concerning your question whether there are any legitimate forms of expression of the sex instinct outside of marriage: according to the Bahá’í Teachings no sexual act can be considered lawful unless performed between lawfully married persons. Outside of marital life there can be no lawful or healthy use of the sex impulse. The Bahá’í youth should, on the one hand, be taught the lesson of self-control, which, when exercised, undoubtedly has a salutary effect on the development of character and of personality in general, and on the other should be advised, nay even encouraged, to contract marriage while still young and in full possession of their physical vigor. Economic factors, no doubt, are often a serious hinderance to early marriage but in most cases are only an excuse, and as such

I should not be over stressed.”

(From a letter dated December 13, 1940 to an individual. believer)

“As regards your question whether it would be advisable and useful for you to marry again; he feels unable to give you any definite answer on that point, as this is essentially a private affair about which

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you, and the friends around you or your Local Assembly are in a much better position to judge. Of course, under nor-mal circumstances, every person should consider it his moral duty to marry. And this is what Bahá’u’lláh has encouraged the believers to do. But marriage is by no means an obligation. In the last resort it is for the individual to decide whether he wishes to lead a family life or live in a state of celibacy.”

(From a letter dated May 3, 1936, to an individual believer)

You express surprise at the Guardian’s reference to “the necessary punishment from society.” In the Kitáb-i-Aqdas Bahá’u’lláh prohibits sexual immorality and in the Annex to that Book states that the various degrees of sexual offenses and the punishments for them are to be decided by The Universal House of Justice. In this connection it should be realized that there is a distinction drawn in the Faith between the attitudes which should characterize individuals in their relationship to other people, namely, loving forgiveness, forbearance, and concern with one’s own sins, not the sins of others, and those attitudes which should be shown by the Spiritual Assemblies, whose duty is to administer the law of God with justice.

A number of sexual problems, such as homosexuality and trans-sexuality can well have medical aspects, and in such cases recourse should certainly be had to the best medical assistance. But it is clear from the Teaching of Bahá’u’lláh that homosexuality is not a condition to which a person should be reconciled, but is a distortion of his or her nature which should be controlled and overcome. This may require a hard struggle, but so also can be the struggle of a heterosexual person to control his or her desires. The exercise of self-control in this, as in so very many other aspects of life, has a beneficial effect on the progress of the soul. It should, moreover, be borne in mind that although to be married is highly desirable, and Bahá’u’lláh has strongly recommended it, it is not the central purpose of life. If a person has to wait a considerable period before finding a spouse,

or if ultimately, he or she must remain single,‘it does not mean that he or she is thereby unable to fulfill his or her life’s

. purpose.

In all this we have been speaking about the attitude that Bahá’ís should have towards the law of Bahá’u’lláh. You, however, as a doctor working mainly as a counsellor in family and sexual problems, will mostly be concerned with advising non-Bahá’ís who do not accept, and see no reason to follow, the laws of Bahá’u’lláh. You are already a qualified practitioner in your field, and no doubt you give advice on the basis of what you have learned from study and experience—a whole fabric of concepts about the human mind, its growth, development and proper functioning, which you have learned and evolved without reference to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Now, as a Bahá’í, you know that what Bahá’u’lláh teaches about the purpose of human life, the nature of the human being and the proper conduct of human lives, is divinely revealed and therefore true. However, it will inevitably take time for you not only to study the Bahá’í Teachings so that you clearly understand them, but also to work out how they modify your professional concepts. This is, of course, not an unusual predicament for a scientist. How often in the course of research is a factor discovered which requires a revolution in thinking over a wide field of human endeavor. You must be guided in each case by your own professional knowledge and judgment asilluminated by your growing knowledge of the Bahá’í Teachings; undoubtedly you will find that your own understanding of the human problems dealt with in your work will change and develop and'you will see new and improved ways of helping the people who come to you. Psychology is still a very young and inexact science, and as the years go by Bahá’í psychologists, who know from the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh the true pattern of human life, will be able to make great strides in the development of this science, and will help profoundly in the alleviation of human suffering.

—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

[Page 4]APRIL"-WIKY "I 973

Bahá’í DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona

Ganado Chapter: Miss Penny Raeside, P.O. Box 786, Ganado 86505

Maricopa County, North: Mrs. Roxanne Gardner, pro-tem, PO. Box 1576, Cave Creek 85331

Mesa: Mrs. Bonnie Salim, Box 2417, 85204

California

Alturas: Mrs. Cecil A. Dennis, P.O. Box 1104, 96101

Burbank: Mr. Ralph Neal, Treas., 1345 N. Lamer St., 91506

Desert J.D.: Mrs. Palm Desert 92260

Gardena: Miss Chisato Furukawa, "c/o Joel Akin, 13223 Wilton Pl., 90249

Imperial Beach: Mr. John R. Luthy, Chr., 409 Palm Ave., A-8, 92023

Manteca: Delete —lost Assembly

Marin Central J.D.: Mrs. Carol Noah, 66 Roundtree Blvd., San Rafael 94903

Oroville J.D.: Mrs. Kathleen Collins now secretary

Pasadena: Mrs. Sharon Mogharabi, P.O. Box 1085, 91101

Riverside‘: Mrs. Patricia Wilkinson, Center, 3332 Orange, 92501

Riverside: J.D.: Mrs. Arlene Hussey, R0. Box 493, Sunnymead 92388

Santa Ana: Mrs. Claudette Nelson, P.O. Box 6091, 92706

Santa Barbara-Goleta J.D.: Miss Deborah Sapp, 1020 E1 Embarcadero, Goleta 93017 Santa Cruz: Mrs. Cuba Roach, 326 Pacheco Ave., 95060

Santa Rosa: Mr. David Rome, P.O. Box 2744, 95405

Walnut Creek: Mrs. Linda Grubb, 117 Roxane Ct.,

1. 4, 94596

Famaline Dunbar, Box 1191,

c/o Bahá’í

Colorado 4

Durango: Mrs. Gloria Winter, P.O. Box 256, 81301

El Paso County: Mrs. Jane Guyer, 1531 Cheyenne Blvd., Colorado Springs 80906 .

Lakewood: Mrs. Betty Stellmaker, 11555 W. Kentucky Dr., 80226

”Loveland: Miss Sylvia Cheney, 1 Aspen Dr., Box 7, 80537 .

Connecticut . Mansfield: Mr. Richard Lesh, 29-B Knollwood Acres, Storrs 06268

Delaware Sussex County: Mr. Preston Ingram, Treas., Rt. 5, Box 65, Georgetown 19947

Florida

Davie: Mail returned—-no secretary reported

Deerfield Beach: Mrs. Marie Burke, P.O. Box 535, 33441

Miami: Miss Olive Alexander, Chr., 916 N.W. 59th ‘St., 33127

North Miami: Mrs. Emma Bechtel, P.O. Box 514,

Miami 33161 Tampa: Miss Marjory Tucker, pro-tem, 4719 Leila

Ave., 33616

Fort Myers: Correct secretary's address to: 1925 Virginia Ave., Apt. 906 33901

Georgia

Albany: Miss Anne E. Kavanagh, P.O. Box 513,

31702

Baldwin County #321: Mrs. Thelma J. Koen, 205 Harrisburg Rd., Milledgeville 31061

Keysvillez Mrs. Shirley Stevens, Rt. 3, Box 128, Hephzibah 20815

Illinois

Carbondalez Miss Linda McGinn, Evergreen Terr. Apts. 158-1, 62901

Clisagggaignz Mrs. Shirley Tewes, 206 Hessel Blvd.,

Elgin: Mrs. Patricia Hartpence, 34 Surrey Dr., Apt. 2, 60120

E16r£r)111;L(;rst: Mr. Gene Granroth, 654 N. Michigan St.,

E\;).a(1)ré(s)tlo-n: Mr. William Peary, pro-tem, 910 Lake,

• Morton Grove: Miss Jacqueline Blanchard, 9225

Harlem Ave., 60053 Normal: Mrs. Helen Hendron, 707 N. Oak, 61761

Park Forest: Mrs. Beverly MacLauchlin, P.O. Box 158, 60466

Peoria: remove “pro-tem” from secretary's name

Indiana South Bend: Miss Druzelle Brennemvan, 117 N. Hill, 46617 Terre Haute: Mrs. Merrie E. Stradtner. 704 Beech, 47804 “West Lafayette: Mrs. Ruth Hawthorne, P.O. Box 3066, 47906

Kansas

• Hays: Miss Susan Roth, 313 E. 5th St., 67601

Kentucky Jefferson County: c/o James L. Fowler, 10801 National Turnpike, Fairdale 40118 Lexington: Mrs. Estelle Sanford, pro-tem, 2112 Will Fant Dr., Apt. 4, 40502

Louisiana Bogalusa: c/o Mrs. Carolyn Majgani, Secty.. So.La. DTC., 2020 Dante St., New Orleans 70118 ‘Gretna: Mrs. Linda Ashraf, 732 Carricox St., 70053 Shreveport: Mr. Brodie Nolle, Treas., 840 Prospect, 71104 Maine ‘ Augusta: Miss Margaret Langevin, 69 Arsenal St., Apt. 9, 04330 1

Michigan Lansing: Mrs. Eva Smith, pro-tem, 1301 W. Hillside, 48915 ‘Mount Pleasant: Mrs. Carole L. Crain, 308-B Oak St., 48858

Minnesota ' Minneapolis: Mr. Steve Milston, 2300 Aldrich Ave., S., Apt. 4, 55405

Missouri Kansas City: Mrs. Beverly J. Phillips, 9914 Wheeling St.. 64134 Montana "Helena: Mrs. Ethel Williamson, 505 E. 6th Ave., 59601 ‘ _ Nebraska Omaha: Mrs. Doreen Brown, 3014 N. 28th Ave., 68111 Nevada

• Las Vegas North: Mrs. Nancy Capra, 2538 Bassler,

Apt. B, 80930

New Hampshire Alton: Add Box 526 to address of the secretary

New Jersey Newark: Mrs. Rosie L. Jones, 8 May St., 07104

‘N

[Page 5]REVIEW

New Mexico Alamogordo: Mrs. Pauline Hoff, 1508 Jefferson, 88310

North Carolina ‘ ~ . New Hanover Country: Correct secretary's name to Miss Diana DeChesere Raleigh: Mr. Tom Moore, 518 Kirby St., 27606

North Dakota Grand Forks: Mrs. Suzan Rasche, 3501 University Ave., 58201

Ohio Berea: Delete — lost Assembly Yellow Springs: Spiritual Assembly of Yellow Springs, Box 145, 45387

Oklahoma Norman: Mrs. Rentha C. Park, 1003-B,_E. Brooks, 73069

Oregon

Pendletonz Mr. Marvin Alberg, pro-tern, 314 N.W. 4th, 97801

Portland: Mrs. Carol Anderson, 3125 SW 5th Ave., 97201

Salem: Spiritual Assembly of Salem, P.O. Box 403, 97308

Pennsylvania State College: Miss Barbara Imig, P.O. 253, 16801

South Carolina

Beaufort: Mr. Leroy Stokes, Treas., 1403 Washington St., 29902

Columbia: Mr. Richard C. Hatch, 2403 Dun-can St., 29205

Goose Creek: Mrs. Edith Osborn, P.O. Box 478, 29445

Greenville: Mrs. Virginia A. Ford, pro-tem, 108 Cureton St., 29601

• Kershaw: Mrs. Henrietta Hilton, 410 W. Richland,

29067

I” North Myrtle Beach: Change name from “Myrtle

Beach, North”

Nesmith: remove secretary's name from listing

North: remove secretary's name from listing

North Charleston: Mrs. Jeanne Barzdlo, 4 Ben Tillman, 29405

St.. Matthews: correct secretary’s name to Miss Sandra Pinkney

‘Sumter: Mrs. Frances Sadler, 3211/2 Bartlett St., 29150 South Dakota Rapid City: Mrs. Sandra Hogancamp, 501 E. Watertown, 57701

Texas

Beaumont: Mrs. Laurie Martin, 795 Oregon 77705

Corpus Christi: Mrs. Karen Toporow-ski, PO. Box 1572, 78401

LaPorte: delete “pro-tem” from secretary's name

San Angelo: Mr. John R. Sparks, pro-tem, 11511 Classen Blvd. 76901

Victoria: Mr. Gilbert Rucker, Chr., 1706 Bowie Dr., 77901

Utah Salt Lake City: Mrs. Debbie Jackson, c/o Medical Plaza S., Apt. 1224, University of Utah, 84112

Vermont Burlington: Miss Pauline Brechin, 32 Pomeroy St., 05401 ’

Washington Cowlitz County C.D., #3: delete—not valid Kelso: delete — lost Assembly King County C.D., #3: Mrs. Jean Luhrs, 14625 N.E. ,_ 145th St., Woodinville 98072 " ‘ Kitsap County C.D., #1: Mrs. Olga Ruys, Rt. 7, Box 7196, Bainbridge Island 98110

• Wapato: Mrs. Patricia Barrett, P.O. Box 247. 98951

Yakima Reservation: Mrs. Janet M. Craver. P.O. Box 244, Toppenish 98948

Wisconsin

Appleton: Mrs. Susan V. Abendroth, 1353 W. College Ave., 54911

Glendale: delete — lost Assembly

Beloit: Miss Mary Alice Hansen, 6171/2 Bluff St., 53511

Wyoming Casper: Dr. Julian Abas, 3065 Nob Hill Dr., 82601

Symbols: * New Assemblies

• • Restored Assemblies

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

California Northern #2: correct zip code to 94947

Georgia Northern: Mr. Thomas Varner, 1568 North Ave., NW., Atlanta 30318 Southern: Miss Catherine Guffey, 523-B 5th Ave., Albany 31705

Louisiana Northern: Mr. John C. Mitchell, 905 S. 8th St., Monroe 71201 .

New Mexico Northern: Miss Josephine Kuntz, Rt. 9, Box 532, Albuquerque 87105 Southern: Miss Harlene Finn, PO. Box 1351, Ruidoso 88345

Tennessee Western: Miss Terry J. Williamson, 1648 E. McLemore, Memphis 38111

Texas Central: Mr. Jeffrey H. Kester, 1000 Chestnut St., San Marcos 78666 Southern: Miss Carol Clyde, 1802 E. Washington St., Apt. A, Harlingen 78550 v

Washington Eastern: Mrs. Jeanne Dammarell, P.0. Box 039. East Wenatchee 98801

West Virginia Southern: Mr. Edward Grych, P.O. Box 1361, Bluefield 27401

South Dakota Mrs. Mary Hetts, RR 2, Box 138-A, Sioux Falls 57101

WARNING

The National Spiritual Assembly has found it necessary to deprive Mr. of Tulsa, Oklahoma, of his Bahá’í administrative rights for failure to respond to appeals to him to repay sums of money which he owes several Bahá’ís. The friends are warned that they are not to lend any money or assist him financially or in any other way should he appeal to them for any help.

[Page 6]APRIL-MAY 1973

A STEADY PULSE

Summer is the time of the greatest potential for our teaching activities. People enjoy the mild weather and are more likely to come to open-air proclamation and teaching meetings. Unfortunately, summer is also the time of year when a drought traditionally strikes the Bahá’í Fund and the flowing river of contributions is slowed as people go on vacations. The drought of past years has limited severely our ability to take advantage of many teaching and proclamation opportunities.

The National Spiritual Assembly is distressed to think that this condition may repeat itself indefinitely and wishes now to make a deeply-felt plea to every servant of Bahá that we may all make a conscious effort to remember our contributions to the Bahá’í Fund each Bahá’í month throughout the year and particularly during the summer. Only the responsible and conscientious action of each individual, and of each Local Spiritual Assembly and Group Treasurer, will enable us to continue our forward momentum in teaching the Faith through-the summer as well as the winter months.

The importance of regularity in our contributions to the Bahá’í Fund can be seen in the beloved Guardian’s reference to this Fund as the “lifeblood” of the institutions of the’ Cause. A steady pulse is necessary if the blood is to keep the body strong, healthy, and ready for whatever demands are made upon it.

——OFFICE or THE TREASURER ~x»:»:«:«:-~x«:~~:-~:--x«z»:«~:«:-~:«:~-:-~3-»:--:«z«:~~:«:~-:«~:~~2-M»:-»z~~:~4-~:~~:-»:-~:«~:

DESTROYING BOOKS

It has come to the attention of the National Spiritual Assembly that some overzealous Bahá’í's have talked about withdrawing from libraries books that are inimical to the Faith, that contain attacks on the Faith and its institutions. The National Spiritual Assembly Wants the friends to know that removing a book

from a library for the purpose of destroying it is contrary to civil laws, and Bahá’í's as law-abiding citizens may not do this.

~:«:«z»:--:»:-~:»x-~:-~:-~:«:-~z«:~>:»:--x»: The Local Spiritual Assembly ' is our LIFELINE

“It is incumbent upon them (Assembly members) to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly. Thus hath the Lord your God commanded you. Beware lest ye put away that which is clearly revealed in His Tablet. Fear God, O ye that perceive.” 1 “O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee.

)!2

For over fifty years the American be lievers have been laboriously construct ing their administrative institutions! One of their purposes is to regulate the affairs of each community in relation to the individual. No matter how deep one’s personal conviction may be, the laws of the administration must be followed; even if a mistake is made, the decision must be supported. There are infinitely larger issues at stake than the action of the moment!

5!

. . the principle of authority invested in our elected bodies must be upheld. This is not something which can be learned Without trial and test . . .” 3

“. . . . Ponder this in thy ‘heart; how it behooveth thee to be. 'Verily, justice is My gift to thee. Set it then before thine eyes.”‘4

Notes:

1 The Local Spiritual Assembly, p. 11 2 Hidden Words, pp. 4-5

-7 The Local Spiritual Assembly, p. 26 4 Hidden Words, p. 5

[Page 7]CALENDAR Feasts national Convention. National and 10 May 17 ‘Azamat (Grandeur) cal celebrations should be held on A June 5 N131‘ * (Light) this day to share in the observance. June 24 Rahmat (Mercy) May 23 Declaration of the Báb* Baha'9l' Holy Days , May 29_ Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh* April 21 _ May 2 Feast of Rigvén *Day on which work should be suspended (Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh) Special Events April 21 First day of Ridvér1”‘_ June 10 Race Unity Day April 29 Ninth day of Ric_1van"‘ ' Suggested theme: “Mankind Is One”

M 2 T lfth d f R'd 2' Thai: occasiziie will ca(¥rrl)mer111cl71::1‘ce the U'S' National Convention

One Hundredth Anniversary of the May “'20

Revelation of the Kz'tdb—i-Aqdas and Conference

will be celebrated in the Holy Land June 20-24, 1973 National Bahá’í Youth by those attending the Third Inter— Conference, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

IN MEMORIAM

Mr. Jesse Alexander Mr. Herny Fenger Mr. Kermit Kelly Sr. Mr. Larry Purnell Clearwater, Florida Wauwatosa, Wisconsin Natchitoches, Louisiana Bridgeport, Connecticut March 7, 1973 February 17, 1973 March 4, 1973 March 1973

Mr. Mansfield Allen Mr. Coley Ford Mrs. Nancy Larson Mr. Elmer Rawls Birmingham, Alabama Dillon, South Carolina Topeka, Kansas Hawkinsville, Georgia Date Unknown December 31, 1972 November 9, 1972 Date Unknown

Mr. Verne Arthur Mr. James Ford Mrs. Marion Little (pioneer) Mrs. Betty M. Ridlen Seal Beach, California Lumberton, North Carolina Paris, France Costa Mesa, California February 16, 1973 Date Unknown March 10, 1972 February 28, 1973

,_ Mrs. Edith Atkins Miss Erica Frost Mr. John Livaccari A Mr. C. Newton Rogers Beacon, New York Ontario, California White Plains, New York Baytown, Texas March 24, 1973 I March 28, 1973 March 1972 January 27, 1972

Mr. Elliot Barber My, Will Green Mr. Clarence Lunt Mr. L. Russell Fort Mills, South Carolina Roberta, Georgia _ West Sou'thport, Maine Walterboro, South Carolina Date Unknown December 1972 February 28, 1973 August 1972

Mrs. Emma Berkey Mrs. Elnora Griffin Mrs. Lillie Martin Mr. N. R. Simons Bellevue, Washington Houston, Texas Fork, South Carolina Charleston, West Virginia January 10, 1973 Date Unknown Date Unknown Date Unknown

Mrs. Anna Blau Mrs. Bessie Harris Mr. James H. McCall Mrs. Reba Stevens Clarkton, North Carolina Union, South Carolina Savannah, Georgia N ewberry, South Carolina February 2, 1973 November 26, 1972 February 17, 1973 July 1972

Miss Geraldine Carter Miss Lilla Harris Mr. Wilbur MCCantS Mrs. Ethyl Talley Wilson, North Carolina Anderson, South Carolina Manning, South Carolina Norristown, Pennsylvania Date Unknown January 1973 Date Unknown February 24, 1973

Mrs. Lenore Cleveland Mr. Alexander Henderson Miss Agnes K. McGreevy Mrs. Charlotte E. Wasserman Williams, Oregon Rock Hill, South Carolina Geneva, New York Baltimore, Maryland December 1972 July 1972 February 22, 1973 February 2, 1973

Mr. Bruce Collins Mr. John Holmes Miss Mary McRae Mr. Felix Whiteshield Clawson, Michigan N. Charleston, S. Carolina Maxton, North Carolina St. Michael, North Dakota December 31, 1972 Date Unknown February 3, 1973 February 1973

Mrs. Christine L. Cook Mrs. Ida Hufl’ Mr. Clyde Mitchell Mrs. Mildred Williams Los Angeles, California Newport Beach, California Lexington, South Carolina Duarte, California February 13, 1973 July, 1972 September 27, 7972 March 23, 1973

Mrs. Freddie Curry Mr. Henry J effers Mrs. Daisy Nord Mr. Irving Wodin Greenwood, South Carolina Lexington, Kentucky Los Angeles, California Miami, Florida July 1972 February 25, 1973 February 17, 1973 March 15, 1973

Mrs. "Dorothy Evans Mrs. Floria Jenkins Mr. William Podolsky Winnsboro, South Carolina Kingstree, South Carolina Jamaica, New York Date Unknown Date Unknown March 6, 1973

Mrs. Louise E. C. Evans Mr. Thomas Junious Mr. Melvin Purdy

’" Bakersfield, California Rimini, South Carolina Toppenish, Washington

February 19, 1973 1972 February 9, 1973

[Page 8]APRIL-MAY 1973

NATIONAL Bahá’í FUND

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

600 L

- sou av mviu ma

ASSEMBLIES

We are excited and encouraged to see the steady climb in the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies contributing to the

1National Bahá’í Fund since the first of

this fiscal year. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” Our continued growth in participation will demonstrate the truth of these words in ways we cannot imagine! In the coming year, we will be raising our goal again. Our ultimatexaim is 100% participation. '

April 20, 1973

To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

Our victories in the Nine Year Plan are an accomplished fact. They have contributed significantly to the day of unity for which we are praying and working. Of this we may be proud.

Let us not fear to recognize, however, that there are many things yet to ‘be done. The momentous victories of the Nine Year

Plan have been won at the expense of the

financial health of the Cause. We are currently in a position of owing more than we can pay. For the past five years our situation has become steadily worse. Only the most stringent economies by the National Spiritual Assembly have begun to reverse this decline, but cutting expenses is clearly not the total answer. Only an ever growing and deepening faith and

Toial Youth and Aduli Contributions

3200.000$150,000: IJ3.7.Z;‘..*!.?.~Z*..'.'.°.".I."..!-" 5°“ $100,000; 1' >350.000" .2 : :2 " E: -= '2‘ 3' V’ 5 Fiscal Mulk ‘Alé’ Baha Year (Dominion) (Loftiness) (Splendor) to Date Income: ‘ Regular Contributions .$ 95,410.31 $ 75,117.14 $ 81,464.00 $1,482,312.45 Special Contributions . 7,868.75 7,000.00 10,050.00 139,361.34 Total Con tributions $103,279.06 $ 82,117.14 $ 91,514.00 $1,621,673.79

Estates 6,612.56 $ .00 $ 2,260.85 $ 142,763.78 Other Income 117.20 1,226.47 62.13 8,457.17 Total

Income ..$110,008.82 $ 83,343.61 $ 93,836.98 $1,772,894.74 Budget

commitment by each Bahá’í to the Cause of God will in the end enable us to achieve our Fund goals as well as our teaching goals and bring even greater honor to His Cause.

It is our fervent and continuing supplication at the holiest House of Worship that the American friends may arise with intensified dedication to show, through their support of the National Bahá’í Fund, their commitment to the continued growth of the Cause of God in the world.

With deepest love in His service,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE

BAHA'I's or THE UNITED STATES Dorothy W. Nelson Treasurer Q

Contributions may be addressed to: National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091

. . . $132,000.00 $132,000.00 $132,000.00 $2,376,000.00.

"‘\