National Bahá’í Review/Issue 66/Text

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Riḍván Message of The Universal House of Justice

To the Bahá’ís of the World Dearly-loved Friends,

We announce with joyful and thankful hearts the completion in overwhelming victory_ of the world-encirclng Nine Year Plan. The Army of Light has won its sec ond global campaign; it has surpassed the goals set for expansion and has achieved a truly impressive degree of universal participation, the twin objectives of the Plan. With gratitude and love we testify to the unceasing confirmations which Bahá’u’lláh has showered upon His servants, enabling each and every one of us to offer Him some part of the labor,‘the devotion, the sacrifice, the supplication which He has so bountifully rewarded. At

/‘this Centenary of the Revelation of the

Most Holy Book, the -Community of _the Most Great Name lays its tribute of victory at His feet, acknowledging that it is He Who has bestowed it.

The Cause of God at the end of the Nine Year Plan is immensely more widespread, more firmly founded, and its own international relations more "closely knit than in 1964 when the Plan was launched. Ninety-five new territories have been opened to the Faith; the 69 National Spir itual Assemblies which shouldered the '

world community’s task have become 113, 5 more than called for. These embryonic secondary Houses of .*Justice are supported by more than 17,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies, 3,000 in excess of the goal and 12,000 more than at the beginning of the Plan. Bahá’ís reside in 69,500 localities, 15,000 more than called for, and 54,000

more than in 1964. Bahá’í literature has'

been translated into 225 more languages bringing the total number to 571; 63 Temple sites, 56 National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds, and

/42 National Endowments have been ac ,uired bringing the total numbers of these properties to 98, 112 and 104 respectively; 50 Teaching Institutes and Summer and

Winter Schools are playing their part in Bahá’í education and 15 Publishing Trusts produce Bahá’í literature in major languages of the world. The Mother Temple of Latin America has been built and dedicated. Among those goals whose achievement is dependent on favorable circumstances outside our control are the incorporation of Assemblies and recognition of Bahá’í Holy Days. It is gratifying to record that 90 National Spiritual Assemblies and 1,556 Local Spiritual Assemblies

_ — 181 more than the total number called

for -— are incorporated, while Bahá’í Holy Days are recognized in 64 countries and Bahá’í certification of marriage in 40.

This great expansion of the Faith required an army of international pioneers. Two major calls were raised, for 461 and 733', which together with others for particular posts made an overall total of 1,344. The Community of the Most Great Name responded with 3,553 who actually left their homes, 2,265 of whom are still at their posts.

At the World Centre of the Faith the collation and classification of. the Bahá’í Sacred ‘Scriptures and of the writings of Shoghi Effendi have been carried forward in ever increasing volume, a task supported and enriched by the labors of a special committee appointed by the Persian National Spiritual Assembly. The material at the World Centre includes some 2,600 original Tablets by Bahá’u’lláh,

6,000 by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and 2,300 letters of '

Shoghi Effendi. There are in addition some 18,000 authenticated copies of other such Tablets and letters. All these have been studied, important passages from them excerpted and classified, and. the subject matter indexed under 400 general headings.

A Synopsis and Codification of the Laws and Ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas completing the considerable progress made by the beloved Guardian in this

JUNE ‘1973

[Page 2]task—is being published on the Centenary of the Revelaton of the Most Holy Book, which, as already announced, is to be celebrated both in the Holy Land and throughout the Bahá’í world during this Riḍván. The Constitution of The Universal House of Justice, hailed by Shoghi Effendi as the Most Great Law of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, has been formulated and published.

The gardens in Bahjí and on Mount Carmel have been significantly extended and plans have been approved for the befitting development and beautification of the entire area of Bahá’í' property surrounding the Holy Shrines in Bahjí and Haifa. v '

World-Wide Proclamation

The world-wide proclamation of the Faith, an intensive and long-to—be‘-sustained process initated during the third phase of the Plan, opened in October 1967 with the commemoration of the Centenary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Proclamation to the kings and rulers which had centred around His revelation of the Suriy-i—Muluk in Adrianople. This historic event was commemorated at six Intercontinental Conferences held simultaneously around" the planet. A further nine Oceanic and Continental Conferences held during the Plan gave great impetus to this proclamation program. The fifteen Conferences were attended by nearly 17,000 believers and attracted great publicity by press and radio and were made the occasion of acquainting dignitaries and notables with the Divine Message. The presentation, on behalf of The Universal House of Justice, to 142 Heads of State, a specially produced book containing the translation into English of the Tablets and passages of Scripture in which Bahá’u’lláh, some hundred years before, had issued His mighty Proclamation to mankind, initiated this campaign, which will contin.ue long beyond the end of the Nine Year Plan.

The outstanding development in the relationship of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations was the accreditation of that Community as a nongovernmental organization with consultative status to the Economic and Social

' Council of the United Nations. The Bahá’í

Internatonal Community now has a per JUNE 1973

manent representative at United Nations and maintains an office in New York.

The Institution of the Learned

The loved and revered Hands of the Cause have rendered sacrificial and distinguished service throughout the Nine Year Plan. They have, in all parts of the world, inspired the friends, assisted National Spiritual Assemblies, promoted the teaching work and played a vital part in the success of the Plan. The lagging fortunes of more than one national community have been revolutionized by a visit of a Hand of the Cause; swift and energetic action, inspired by the Hand, has been followed by astonishing results, completely reversing that community’s prospects. They have added distinguished works to the literature of the Faith.

The goal of the Plan to develop “The institution of the Hands of the Cause of God, in consultation with the body of the Hands of the Cause, with a view to the extension into the future of its appointed functions of protection and propagation”,

was accomplished in stages, leading to c

the establishment of eleven Continental Boards of Counsellors, whose members were appointed by The Universal House of Justice and who assumed responsibility for the Auxiliary Boards for protection and propagation. The beloved Hands no longer remained individually identified with any particular continent —— except insofar as their residence was concerned —but extended their sphere of action to the whole planet. The Continental Boards of Counsellors, advised and guided by the Hands of the Cause of God and working in close collaboration with them, have already, in their brief period of office, performed outstanding and distinguished services.

Three Portentous Developments

Three highly portentous developments have taken place during the Nine Year Plan, namely-, the advance of youth to the forefront of the teaching work, a great increase in the financial resources

of the Faith, and an astonishing prolifera- . tion of inter-National Assembly assistance projects. - ' The first, the heartwarming upsurge of Bahá’í youth, has changed the faceof the teaching work; impenetrable barriers

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have been broken or overpassed by eager

/~. teams of young Bahá’ís, dedicated and

prayerful, presenting the Divine Message in ways acceptable to their own generation from which it has spread and is spreading throughout the social structure. The entire Bahá’í world has been thrilled by this development. Having rejected the values and standards of the old world, Bahá’í youth are eager to learn and adapt themselves to thestandards of Bahá’u’lláh and so to offer the Divine Program to fill the gap left by the abandonment of the old order. n

The vast increase in the financial resources of the Faith called for under the Plan has evoked a heartwarming response from the entire Bahá’í community. Not only the Bahá’í International Fund but the local, national and continental Funds of the Faith have been sacrificially supported. This practical proof of the love which the friends bear for the Faith has enabled all the work to go forward— the support of pioneers and travelling teachers. the raising of Mashriqu’l-Adhkárs

A and acquisition of Bahá’í properties, the

purchase of Holy Places in the Cradle of the Faith and at the World Centre, the development of educational institutions and all the multifarious activities of a vigorous, onward-marching, constructive world community. It is of interest that sixty percent of the international funds of the Faith is used to assist the work of National Spiritual Assemblies, to promote the teaching work and to defend the Cause against attacks in many parts of the world. Without such help from the Bahá’í world community many National Assemblies would be paralyzed in their effortsof expansion and deepening. The administration of Ḥuqúqu’lláh has been strengthened in preparation for its extension to other parts of the world. An International Deputization Fund was established at the World Centre to assist pioneers and travelling teachers who were ready to serve but unable to provide their own expenses, and this Fund was later extended to the support of projects on national home Afronts. Contribution to the Fund is a ser vice which will never cease to be open to all believers; the growth of the Faith and the rise of its Administrative Order require an ever-increasing outpouring of our substance, commensurate in however

small a measureiwith the bounty and lib ‘ erality of the outpouring confirmations of

Bahá’u’lláh. \ When the Plan was launched 219 assistance projects were specified whereby national communities would render financial, pioneering or teaching aid to others, generally remote from them geographically. The intention was to strengthen the bonds of unity between distant parts of the Bahá’í world with different social, cultural and historical backgrounds. At the end of the Plan more than 600 such projects had been carried out. Intercommunity cooperation has been further developed in the field of publishing Bahá’í literature, notably in Spanish and French and the languages of Africa. A vast field of fruitful endeavor lies open in this respect. In some countries due to lack of freedom, to actual repression in others, to legal and physical obstacles in yet others, certain particular goals — mainly those requiring incorporation or recognition could not be won. Foreseeing this, The Universal House of Justice called upon national communities in lands where there is freedom to practice and promote the Faith, to exceed their own goals and

It thus ensure that the overall goals would

be won. It has proved still impossible to begin work on the erection of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in Ṭihrán, but contracts have been signed for the preparation of detailed drawings, geological surveys are being made, and everything made ready for immediate action whenever the situation in Persia becomes propitious.

Additional Events During the period of the Nine Year Plan

' a number of important and interesting

events, not directly associated with it, have taken place. First and foremost was the commemoration, in the precincts of the Qiblih of the Bahá’í world, of the centenary of the arrival at the prison—city of ‘Akká, as foretold in former Scriptures, of the Promised One of all ages.

The Mansion of Mazra‘ih, often referred to by the beloved Guardian as one of the “twin mansions” in which the Blessed Beauty resided after nine years within the walled prison—city of ‘Akká, and dear to the hearts of the believers by reason of its associations with their Lord, has at last been purchased together with 24,000

[Page 4]square metres of land extending into the plain on its eastward side.

The raising of the obelisk, marking the site of the future Maflriqwl-Adhkár on Mount Carmel, completes a project initiated by the beloved Guardian.

The decision has been made and announced to the Bahá’í' world, and the initial steps have been taken for the erection

' on Mount Carmel, at a site on the Arc as

purposed by Shoghi’ Effendi, of the building which shall serve as the Seat of The Universal House of Justice. ’

The progress of the/Cause of God gathers increasing momentum and we may with confidence ‘look forward to the day when this Community, in God’s good

Contributions Hit Record High

A record high level of contributions and Local Spiritual Assembly participation in giving was recorded for the National Bahá’í Fund during the month of Jalál (April 9 to 27). Contributions reached $165,000 with 61 percent of Local Spiritual Assemblies participating. Two-hundred-fortyeight groups also sent contributions to the Fund during Jalél.

In addition, total contributions for fiscal 1972-73 (ending April 27) reached an alltime high of approximately $2 million.

“One of the most exciting improvements and certainly a great source of joy‘

to the National Spiritual Assembly is the

significant growth in participation by Local Spiritual Assemblies contributing to the National Fund,” Mrs. Dorothy Nelson, National Assembly Treasurer, told the delegates assembled for the 1973 National Bahá’í Convention.

From the Fall of 1970 to the present, the number of Assemblies contributing regularly has increased from a low of 150 to the recent Jalél 1973 high of 539. The previous_ recordlfor contributions during a single Bahá’í month was set in Masé’il (Dec. 12-30) 1971 after an urgent appeal for funds by the National Spiritual Assembly resulted in contributions of $162,000.

The new record was attributed to several factors; among them: the’January announcement of the financial plight of the Fund, and the establishment of the goal of having 550 Local Spiritual Assemblies regularly contributing by Riḍván 1973.

JUNE 1973

time, shall have traversed the stages

predicated for it by its Guardian, and ~ shall have raised on this tormented planet the fair mansions of God’s Own Kingdom wherein humanity may find surcease from its self-induced confusion and chaos and ruin, and the hatreds and violence of this time shall be transmuted into an abiding sense of world brotherhood and

peace. All this shall be accomplished

within the Covenant of the everlasting Father, the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh.

THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF Riḍván 1973 JUSTICE

Bahá’í World Centre Haifa, Israel

National Assembly Assessment

These optimistic developments, however, present the Bahá’í community with “something of a paradox,” according to Mrs. Nelson.

“Although the total amount of contributions was the greatest in our history, and participation in the National Bahá’í Fund by Local Spiritual Assemblies and groups increased at the steadiest and most exciting rate ever, we find ourselves faced with the need to reallocate portions of the budget to areas that have received less attention in recent years,” she said.

The paradox she spoke of springs from the fact that the growth of the Bahá’í Community in the past nine years has been “unprecedented and astonishing,” while contributions to the Fund have not kept pace with the growth in Bahá’í population, or the needs of the national budget.

“Since 1964 our membership has grown by nearly five-and-a-half times, while contributions have grown at a less rapid rate. Thus the services for a greater number of believers must be paid for with less money per capita,” Mrs. Nelson said. Thus, in its assessment of the financial situation of the American Bahá’í Community, the National Assembly not only curtailed services during fiscal 1972-73, but also proposed more realistic levels of expendi tures during the current year, according,\

to the Treasurer’s report.

“The need to continue the momentum of A

the Nine Year Plan with severely limited resources forced the National Spiritual Assembly to draw heavily upon our capital

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reserves,” she explained to the delegates. “While this is not inherently an inadvisable action, when continued over an extended period of time, it has left us in a considerably weakened condition.”

Another consequence of the strain on the Bahá’í Fund in recent years was that repairs on the House of Worship, and replacement of worn out furnishings, could not always be undertaken, because of the degree to which the financial resources of the Community were assigned to teaching obligations and to the purchase of new Bahá’í properties to meet goals of the Nine Year Plan.

House of Justice Comments

In" commenting on the state of the American Bahá’í Fund, The Universal House of Justice, in an April 16 letter, said:

“We suggest that you take the friends into your confidence, explain that whereas the prudent course is always to provide for repairs year by year as a building and its furnishings wear out this has not been possible for the American Bahá’í Community in the past because of the degree to which its financial resources have been extended to meet its obligations in the teaching field and in the acquisition of new Bahá’í properties in many parts of the world.”

The letter went on to say that the stage has been reached at which the Community can and should set the care of its properties on a sound financial basis, and that this will require that major repairs to properties be undertaken in the next few years.

The House of Justice said funds should also be accumulated to‘ provide a general maintenance fund to allow systematic repair and replacement of properties in the future.

“Such an appeal would, we feel, be best made as part of your appeal for the support of your annual budget, and We strongly advise you to examine your proposed expenditure in all fields with a fine-tooth comb and pare it wherever possible so

.—\that the proposed expenditure will more

nearly balance your estimated income,” the letter said.

The House of Justice also acknowledged that the International Fund would be called upon in the years ahead to under take a “widening scale of developments” at the World Centre. But the letter Went on to say:

“You should budget your contribution to the International Fund on a realistic basis so that you can be confident of meeting it. We urge you to continue your efforts to educate the believers in supporting the various funds of the Faith, and to place your national finances on a sound and economical basis —— astep that will in itself raise the confidence of the believers and encourage them to contribute to their National Fund.”

“The praiseworthy achievements of your dearly—loved Community during the Nine Year Plan,” The House of Justice concluded, “have filled our hearts with pride and admiration, and we assure you that you will continue to be remembered in our supplications at the Divine Threshold that the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh may be bountifully showered upon you.”

In her closing remarks Mrs. Nelson said the year ahead should be used by the American Bahá’í' Community to strengthen the foundation of the Faith and to prepare to meet new responsibilities in the next global teaching plan.

The National Treasurer presenting the Budget at the National Convention

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The Local Spiritual Assembly is our , LIFELINE,

“. . . the primary reason why the Báb

and Bahá’u’lláh chose to appear in Persia‘

. . . was because . . . that race and nation had . . . sunk to such ignominious depths

. . no more convincing proof could be adduced demonstrating the regenerating spirit animating the Revelations pro ‘ claimed by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh than

their power'to transform what can be truly regarded as one of the most backward, the most cowardly, and perverse of peoples, into a race of heroes, fit to effect in turn a similar revolution in the life of mankind. . . .

“To a lesser degree this principle must

. apply to the country which has vindicated its right to be regarded as the cradle of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. . . . Let not those who are to participate so predominately in the birth of that world civilization . . . imagine for a moment that . . . by any reason of inherent excellence or special merit Bahá’u’lláh has chosen to confer upon their country and people so.great and lasting a distinction. It is precisely by reason of the patent evils which, notwithstanding its other admittedly great characteristics

and achievements, an excessive and binding materialism has unfortunately engendered within it that the Author of their Faith and the Center of His Covenant have singled it out to become the standard—bearer of the New World Order envisaged in their Writings. It is by such means as this that Bahá’u’lláh can best demonstrate to a heedless generation His almighty power to raise up from the very midst of a people, immersed in a sea of materialism, a prey to one of the most virulent and longstanding forms of racial prejudice, and notorious for its political corruption, lawlessness and laxity in moral standards, men and women who, as time goes by, will increasingly exemplify those essential virtues of selfrenunciation, of moral rectitude, of chastity, of indiscriminating fellowship, of holy discipline, and of spiritual insight that will fit them for the preponderating share they will have in calling into being that World Order and that World Civilization of which their country, no less than the entire human race, stands in desperate need.”

(The Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 15-16)

Incorporated Assembly of Por+|and. Maine

Members of the spiritual Assembly of Portland, Maine, incorporated on August 20, 1972, front row, seated: Wayne Hoover, Chairman; Marie Hoover, Secretary; Christina DeNomme; Raymond DeNomme. Back row, standings Donald Burns, Joy Dunning, David Patterson, Audrey Fizgerald and Harvey McCarthy.

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I‘-'3'; 1

-. . .'-‘--."' t-cl .'

.2 Salem, Oregon, Assembly Incorporated on January 2. 1973

Back row standing: A. L. Thompson, Treasurer; Marjorie Thompson; Frances Irwin; Patricia Roper, Vice—Chairman; Ross Klutke, Chairman. Front row seated: Sandra Klutke, Recording Secretary; Lillian Anderson; Clara Altree, Secretary; Gretchen Bronwick.

Mr. Joe Addison

Sumter, South Carolina August 8, 1972

Mr. Charles Alio Dayton, Ohio April 23, 1973

Mr. Willis Marshall Ames San Clemente, California February 7, 1973

Mr. Hilliard Buchanan Chester, South Carolina January 1973

Mrs. Lizzie Cameron Lake City, South Carolina September 1970

Mr. John Cleveland Sweet Home. Arkansas December 1972

Mrs. Stuart A. Cody Las Cruces, New Mexico November 1972

Mrs. Tommie Davenport Saluda, South Carolina Date Unknown

IN MEMORIAM

Mrs. Sanieh Faez San Jose, California April 30, 1972

Dr. John Falkey San Francisco, California March 29, 1973

Mr. Chris Gedise Ridgeville, South Carolina Date Unknown

Mr. Issac Green

Jacksonboro, South Carolina

June 1972

Mr. Robert Hayward Pembroke, Bermuda April 19, 1973

Mrs. Amelia Heaston Wadsworth, Ohio April 27. 1973

Miss Helen Hindson Peoria, Illinois April 11, 1973

Mrs. Willie Mae Humphries Asheville, North Carolina March 26, 1973

Mr. Bertron B. January St. Louis, Missouri February 27, 1973

Mr. David Jeter Columbia, South Carolina March 27, 1973

Mrs. Carrie K. Lewis Bin-ghamton, New York April 13, 1973

Mrs. Addie Livingston Chester, South Carolina December 1972

Miss Katherine Martin Roy, New Mexico February 2, 1973

Mrs. Aletha A. Runnels Seattle, Washington February 24, 1973

Mr. Owen F. Schrader Bradenton, Florida April 22, 1973

Mrs. Mary Shoemaker Eugene, Oregon April 5, 1973

Mr. Edwin E. Smith Fort Smith, Arkansas April 17, 1973

Mr. Grady Smith Pompano Beach, Florida April 25, 1973

Mrs. Maysel Janette McCann Dr, C. Nicholas Vardack

Madison, Wisconsin April 15, 1973

Mrs. Laura Post

Sault Saint Marie, Michigan

April 21, 1973

Mr. Avillard Pringle Ridvgeville, South Carolina Date Unknown

Falmouth, Massachusetts March 18, 1973

Mrs. Essie Williams Saluda, South Carolina Date Unknown

Mr. Preston Wynn Chester, South Carolina Date Unknown

[Page 8]JUNE ‘1973

NATIONAL BAHA1’ FUND

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

GOAL av nmvin 1913

ASSEMBLIES

3 100.000 V

The fiscal year now ending marks a very joyous occasion for the American Bahá’í Community. Contributions for the year have reached an all-time high of just over $1.9 million while participation from Assemblies and groups has shown a substantial increase over past years. In addition, we have been able to hold the line on expenditures so that for the first time in five years we have not incurred a cash deficit.

May 9, 1973 To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and

Bahá’í Groups Beloved Bahá’í Friends:

Alláh’u’Abhá 1‘

Hearts brimming over with gratitude, the National Spiritual Assembly joyfully announces the achievement of yet another victory for our national community. Spurred on by the news of our ailing financial health, the friends of God in America have arisen with love and dedication to pour out a record high level of contributions exceeding our goal for the month of Jalál. This evidence -of devotion has given the National Spiritual Assembly renewed courage and assurance in planning for the coming year.

Please accept our warmest congratulations for this achievement. It brings us closer to the day when the world will know the joy of universal peace and unity through the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

In grateful and loving service, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE Bahá’ís or THE UNITED STATES Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer

Total Youth and Adult Contributions

3 200.000 3 150.000 : , -m249n M_0_vmuv mm

550.000 _

~...;‘-_—=.-I-..

INCOME: J alal Fiscal Year (Glory) to Date Regular Contributions . . . . “$121,391.45 $1,603,703.90

Special Contributions . . . . . .. 34,337.50 173,698.84

Total Contributions . . . . . .$155,728.95 $1,777,402.74

Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 6,593.21 $ 149,356.99

Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,908.22 11,365.39

Total Income . . . . . . . . . . ..$165,230.38 $1,938,125.12 - $2,500,000.00

Budget . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . .$132,000.00

Contributions may be addressed to: National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091 Bahá’í International Fund P.O. Box 155 Haifa, Israel Continental Bahá’í Fund 418 Forest Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091

CALENDAR

Feasts June 5—Nur (Light) June 24 ——Rahmat (Mercy) July 13 ——Kalimét (Words) Bahá’í' Holy Days July 9—Anniversary of the ma_rtyrdom of the Báb*

• Day on which work should be suspended

Special Event ' June 10—Race Unity Day Suggested theme: “Mankind is One” Conference '

June 20 — 24 — National Bahá’í Youth "x

Conference, Oklahoma City, . Oklahoma National Spiritual Assembly Meetings June 1, 2, 3 ' June 22, 23, 24 (Oklahoma City)