National Bahá’í Review/Issue 67/Text

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[Page 1]

Universal House Announces Crowning Victory

To the Bahá’ís of the World Dear Bahá’í Friends,

It is now possible to share with you all the news of an event which crowns the victories with which Bahá’u’lláh has blessed His followers during the Nine Year Plan, an event of which the true significance will be fully understood only in the course of centuries to-- come: a reigning -monarch has accepted the Message of Bahá’u’lláh.

Among those to whom The Proclama- ,

tion of Bahá’u’lláh was presented in 1967 was His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II,

the Head of State of the independent na-A

tion of Western Samoa in the heart of the

Pacific Ocean. His Highness, who had already heard of the Faith, showed ‘immediately that the sacred Words had touched his heart, and The Universal

C House of Justice thereupon asked the

Hand of the Cause Dr. Ugo Giachery,

‘who had presented the book to him, to

return to Western Samoa for further audiences with His Highness. Following this visit the Malietoa conveyed his ac . ceptance of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh to

The Universal House of Justice and became the first reigning sovereign to enter beneath the shade of this Cause.

His Highness decided, with the full

[agreement of The Universal House of

My Spiritual Brethren:

Letter from His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II: GOVERNMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF WESTERN SAMOA

Greatly esteemed members of The Universal House of Justice, much admired Hands of the Cause of God, respected Counsellors and honoured delegates attending the Third International Convention

It is a joy for me and for my fellow Bahá’ís of the Samoan Islands in the heart of the Pacific, to be with you in spirit and with the friends of God throughout the world, in celebrating this most significant first century of the revelation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book of Bahá’u’lláh.

We pray for the success of the historic convention now being held in the shadow of the Mountain of God in the Holy Land. Although we are unable to be with you in person on this memorable occasion, our hearts share with you these never to be forgotten days and the knowledge of the

tremendous victories won for- the Faith of God. ‘

To the north, to the south, to the east and to the west, to the most populous and to the most remote places, we send our fond greetings and cherished love. May the spirit created by‘ your gathering at the Holy Shrines pave the way for the rapid establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth

and the unity of all the peoples of the world.

Alofa tele atu lava matou uma i Samoa nei.

Office of the Head of State Vailima, Western Samoa March 31, 1973

Malietoa Tanumafili II

JULY 1973

[Page 2]JULY 1973

Justice, that it was not propitious to make his declaration public at that time. He has been visited from time to time by Hands of the Cause and other believers, and continual touch with His Highness has been maintained by The House of Justice through Mr. Suhayl ‘Alá’í, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Australasia. Gradually the Malietoa has let it be known to those around him that he has accepted Bahá’u’lláh. Now he has judged the time ripe to share this wondrous news with his fellow-believers in all parts of the world, by addressing to the International Bahá’í Convention the gracious and inspiring

message of which a copy is enclosed with this letter.

The friends everywhere are asked to strictly avoid any publicity to non-Bahá’í's in connection with this historic event. Ifany publicity is to be given to this most joyous news, it will be given by National Spiritual Assemblies after they have received appropriate instructions from The Universal House of Justice.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, —THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE May 7, 1973 Bahá’í Centre Haifa, Israel

Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

The goals assigned to the United States when The Universal House of Justice launched its first global plan nine years ago have been won and-in some instances surpassed. During the fourth phase of the plan, news of accumulating victories increased rapidly to the point where at Riḍván 1971 we realized that we had attained and surpassed two years ahead of schedule the specified numbers of Local Spiritual Assemblies and localities where Bahá’ís reside. To the humble tribute paid the Lord of Hosts on that occasion must now be added the paeans of our grateful hearts, for it is He Who raised us up, Who graciously accepted our hopes which He Himself inspired and then He blessed our efforts far beyond their true measure.

We render inexpre/ssible thanks to His Universal House of'Justice, whose constant guidance has deepened our commitment to the Divine Plan of which Providence has made us the chief executors.

—We also thank the Standard-bearers, the Hands of the Cause of God, and we thank the Continental Counsellors and their Auxiliary Boards for their dedication and toil of love which bolstered the foundation of our victories.

—We thank the Local Spiritual Assemblies, most of which are new, for the

valor of their stride. .

—We thank the committees for the sturdiness of their support.

—And finally,’but with equal sincerity, we thank the individual believers, the warp and woof of the community, for their unflinching devotion and their heroic deeds. Without them nothing would have been accomplished.

OVERALL ACHIEVEMENTS

Foremost among our international achievements were the deployment of

1,099 pioneers, 656 of whom have re mained at their posts, and the extension of material aid in the acquisition of 19 properties, including eight Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds,' six temple sites, and five institutes.

At home the community embraces over 800 Local Spiritual Assemblies——200 in excess of the goal and 500 more than existedin 1964. There are 4,809 localities where Bahá’ís reside, 1,809 more than were called for, and over 3,000 more than existed at the beginning of the Plan. The number of incorporated Local Spiritual Assemblies increased to 238; there were 117 in 1964. Bahá’í Holy ‘Days and the right to perform Bahá’í marriages are officially recognized in every state. Because of circumstances beyond our control, the objective of translating and pub «.’‘~.

’\

~\

[Page 3]REVIEW

lishing literature in Kazakh was not met. LAST YEAR’S ACHIEVEMENTS

A brief summary of the highlights of last year’s achievements will suffice: A Local Spiritual Assembly was established for the first time in the Falkland Islands. This was an important goal of the Nine Year Plan. The International Goals Committee deployed 233 pioneers and involved 143 young people in summer teaching projects in Europe and ‘Latin America. In several ‘instances these projects were directly responsible for the successful completion of Nine Year Plan objectives in the countries involved. A large and unprecedented teaching conference was held in Bermuda over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Louis G. Gregory Award for Service to Humanity was presented to Roy Wilkins, the Executive Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The first permanent teacher—training institute, named in memory of Mr. Gregory, was dedicated and opened to the public on October 22nd.

GENERAL SITUATION

Two significant developments marked the rapid expansion of the national community during the Nine Year Plan, namely, the responsiveness evoked by teaching the masses and the large enrollment of youth. Teaching the masses, particularly in the last three years, had the singular effect of demonstrating the ripeness of the community for expansion. It freed the teaching spirit of the American believers. The fact that expansion was accelerated in every region of the country attests the pervasiveness of this effect. Indeed, Local Spiritual Assemblies in sufficient numbers to meet the goal of the Nine Year Plan exist outside the Southern States, and yet these States exp_erienced the greatest direct results of mass teaching.

It is noteworthy that over fifty per cent of the enrollments in recent years represents young people between the ages of 15 and 30. Since 1968, when the Five-Year Youth Program was adopted, the youth have demonstrated abundantly their capacity to attract adults as well as youth,

to imbue the community with enthusiasm and hope, and to participate in the ad ministration of the Cause. Their successes in the teaching field at home and abroad have outstripped their previous .record by far; the results of their pioneering and of their involvement in organized travel-teaching projects, particularly in Europe and Latin America, fill the community with pride and admiration. The rise of the youth has indeed been a phenomenon of the Nine Year Plan.

Regarding consolidation, the National Spiritual Assembly has given much attention to two major needs: (1) deepening the individual’s awareness of the Laws and moral principles of the Faith, especially in view of the pervasive moral decline of the old order; and (2) developing the ability of Local Spiritual Assemblies. Three years ago, the Assembly established a project to develop a Comprehensive Deepening Program based on the definition of deepening given by The Universal House of Justice in its Nidvan 1967 message. The intention of the project is to provide materials with which to launch the entire community on a major deepening program. We are pleased to announce that the first substantial portion of this Program has been completed and was released at the 64th National Convention.

Action was also taken to improve the curricula of Bahá’í schools and a National Bahá’í Schools Committee was organized to assist with this improvement. In addition to the three permanent schools,

summer/winter schools have been dra- _

matically increased under the aegis of this Committee. Standard courses have been developed.‘ A greater emphasis has been placed on Bahá’í moral principles. However, much more needs to be done. There is, for example, a crying need for regular children’s programs throughout the country. To develop these and advance the aims of the Bahá’í schools a further upgrading of our educational system must be achieved in the near future.

To assist the development of the individual further, a series of organized visits to the National Bahá’í Center was initiated. This, in effect, is a deepening pro gram that takes advantage of the unique,

spiritual benefits exerted by the House of Worship. Concerning the development of Local

[Page 4]A...‘_

Spiritual Assemblies, forty seminars were conducted by members of the National Spiritual Assembly for members of these primary institutions. A second advanced series is being planned, thought is being given to establishing a long-range plan

for the systematic training and develop-'

ment of Local Assemblies.

, The national administration itself has developed tremendously during the Nine Year Plan. Acting on the direction given by The Universal House of Justice that the community increase its executive ability and develop its institutions, the National Spiritual Assembly has done much to expand and refine the national administration. Among its actions have been the streamlining of the Secretariat and an upgrading of the functions of the Office of the Treasurer, as evidenced in the appointment" of an Assistant Treasurer and a Comptroller in recent years. Moreover, major national committees have converged at the National Center, making for more efficient coordination of their functions; the national teaching system has been strengthened by the relocation of the National Teaching Committee at the National Center and the development of its regional and district subsidiaries; the International- Goals Committee evolved from the former Foreign Goals Committee and has experienced a rapid maturity; the National Properties Committee, Public Information Committee, and National Schools Committee were’ organized and have grown quickly to become indispensable executive and advisory auxiliaries of the National Spiritual Assembly; the Bahá’í Publishing Trust has become a ramified publishing enterprise specializing in a variety of audio-visual materials as well as in books, pamphlets, and other printed matter; the administration of the Bahá’í Home for the Aged haswbeen placed on a firm footing; and a data processing system has been developed at the National Center.

THE FUND

The American community, in response to the challenge issued by The Universal House of Justice that it “sharply increase the annual allocation to the International Fund,” has increased each year its annual budget and the contributions made

JULY ‘1973

to it. Although the sum of the annual contributions has increased substantially, especially since 1968, these increases have not been in proportion to the growth of the community and thus have not kept pace with rising demands. Adequate support of the Fund remains a_ huge challenge to the spiritual maturity of the community; however, there is evidence in this year’s report of the Treasurer that the community is rallying to the challenge.

VIEWING THE FUTURE

The unprecedented expansion to which this report attests has also brought new complexities, new challenges. Tremendous changes have occurred during the nine years, and these -changes have produced a state in the community unlike that witnessed before. We face great opportunities and tensions, increased needs and dangers which call for a new maturity. The institutions and the individual believers must rise to this call. Some of our challenges are immediately discern-I ible.

For example:

—Ways must be found quicklyto reach and teach substantial portions of the upper strata while mass teaching activities are maintained and even expanded. This challenge touches upon all the basic needs of our vastly expanded community and bears serious pondering.

—The zest for expansion must be matched by a vigorous attention to consolidation, to sinking the roots of this largely new community into the solid ground of God’s regenerative Law.

—The successful absorption of adults, youth and children into a wellgrounded, cohesive and efficient community must be urgently considered.

The answers to these challenges, great

' though they be, are within our grasp. The

victories of nine years assure us of the means by which to find correct solutions. But most of all, our confidence derives from the assurances of the beloved Master and of our Guardian, who galvanized

our national spirit with the following 1

words on a prior occasion when our community faced challenges posed by the

[Page 5]REVIEW

/

victories from exploits of another time. He wrote: Whatever the Hand of a beneficent and inscrutable Destiny has reserved for this youthful, this virile, this idealistic, this spiritually blessed and enviable nation, however severe the storms which may buffet it in the days to come in either hemisphere, however sweeping the changes which the impact of cataclysmic forces from without, and the stirrings of a, Divine embryonic Order from within, will effect in its structure and life, we may, confident in the words uttered by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, feel assured that that great republic—the shell that enshrines so precious a member of the world community of the followers of His Father—will continue to evolve, undivided and undefeatable, until’ the sum total of its contributions to the birth, the rise and the fruition of that world civilization, the child of the Most Great Peace and hallmark of the Golden Age of the Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, will have been made, and its last task discharged. (June 5, 1947; Citadel of Faith, pp. 37-38) —NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE Bahá’ís or THE UNITED STATES

Notice — California Assemblies

Recent changes in California law require that all incorporated Assemblies inform the Secretary of State of any changes in Assembly officers within ninety days. i

The statement to the Secretary of State must contain a listing of the names and addresses of all Assembly officers (chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and any others that may be elected), and the address of the principal office of the

' corporation.

The purpose of the law is to make corporations in the-State more visible by identifying their executives, and to make it easier to serve them with legal documents whenever necessary. G

"The penalty for failing to file the statement may include suspension of corporate powers, rights and privileges.

The Statement is to. be filed with the Secretary of State, P.O. Box 2830, Sacramento, California 95808. Forms may be obtained by writing to the Secretary of State and requesting Form C1—112.

Incorporated Assemblies in California should take note of this new requirement and take steps to comply if they have not done so already.

The Local Spiritual Assembly

is our

LIFELINE

No task on earth today is more urgently necessary than the establishment of understanding and trust between Assemblies and individual believers. Assemblies must inspire confidence; individuals must express their readiness to abide by the decisions and directives of their Institution. In short, the two must learn to cooperate, realizing that only through such cooperation can the administration of the Cause be effective in its God-given and indispensable purposes.

“Administrative efficiency and order should always be accompanied by an equal degree of love, of devotion, and of spiritual development. Both of them.are essential and to attempt to dissociate one from the other is to deaden the body of the Cause. . . . Great care must be taken lest mere administrative routine stifles the spirit which must

feed the body of the Administration itself. That spirit is its propelling force and the motivating power of its very life.” 1

“The prime requisites for them that take counsel together are:

— purity of motive,

— radiance of spirit,

—detachment from all else save God,

— attraction to His Divine Fragrances,

— humility and lowliness amongst His loved ones,

—patience and long-suffering in dilficulties, and

——servitude to His exalted Threshold. . . .

In this day, assemblies of consultation are of the greatest importance and a vital necessity. Obedience unto them is essential and obligatory.” ‘-'

1 The Local Spiritual Assembly, pp. 57-58 3Ibid., p. 12

[Page 6]JULY 1973

Mr. Willie Blue Dillon, South Carolina May 9, 1973

Mr. Daniel Corley Alamo, Texas May 23, 1-973

- Mrs. Mollie Dorame

Tularosa, New Mexico October 30, 1972

Mrs. Ada Marie Halsey Fort Yates, North Dakota May 12, 1973

Mr. Freddie Hilliard Alamogordo, New Mexico Date Unknown

Mr. George Hopkins Phoenix, Arizona

IN» MEMORIAM

Mrs. Eva Mary Mann Challis, Idaho May 23, 1973

Mrs. Ruby McCurdy Largo, Florida May 8, 1973 v

Mr. John Neilson Dorchester, Massachusetts May 31, 1973

Mr. Henry Paige Farmville, Virginia Date Unknown

Mrs. Esther L. Peacock

Swartz Creek, Michigan Date Unknown

Mrs. Mildred I. -Powers Tucson, Arizona May 5, 1973

Mr. John Rainey

Florence, South Carolina

December 1972

Mr. Mansour Sadeghi Los Angeles, California May 15, 1973

Mr. Henry TallBull Lamedeer, Montana February 17, 1973

Mr. Pat Walker Farmville, Virginia Date Unknown

Mrs. Alice Watts Santa Rosa, California May 12, 1973

Mr. Charles E. Wilson St. Petersburg. Florida October 3, 1972

Mr. Sohzil Sohaili Yezdi Boston, Massachusetts April 17, 1973

May 12, 1973

Annual Treasurer's Report

The delegates of the sixty-fourth annual National Bahá’í Convention voted to accept the recommendation of the National Spiritual Assembly that the 1973-74 budget not be raised over that of the previous year, but remain at the same level of $2.5 million. This recommendation was prompted by the fact that the rapid increase in budget goals of recent years has outstripped the rise in actual contributions, according to the Treasurer’s report to the National Convention.

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In recent years there has been a gradual widew

ing of the gap between the Annual Budget Goal

and Total Income. At the close of the fiscal year the disparity is more than $550,000.

A tremendous outpouring of contributions from the friends has sent total in —come for the National Fund climbing

from $500,000 in 1964 (the start of the

Nine Year Plan) to almost $2,000,000 for the year ending April 27, 1973.

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A review of income over the last nine years shows a steady increase in contributions and less dependence on estate bequests to meet our finan cial requirements. Looking at projected income A

for the next year, we see that our estimates are, indeed, realistic.

“Contributions to the National Fund have not kept pace with the growing needs of the national budget, or with the growth of the population of the national community. Since 1964 the membership of the Bahá’í Faith has grown by nearly five-and-a-half times, while contributions to the Fund 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,” the report explained.

As a result, three things have occurred,

[Page 7]«arr! _ "Jr ‘.

REVIEW

according to the Treasurer: 1) Since 1967, when we had $500,000 in capital reserved, we have had to borrow from them in order to meet daily working expenses. As a result, they have been depleted to

where in 1972 our debts totalled $107,000 ’

more than our reserves. 2) We have had to rely heavily in recent years on shortterm bank credit to meet our working capital requirements. 3) Our National Budget goal for the year now ending has exceeded our actual income by over $550,000, more than at any time in our history.

Reassessing the financial condition of the American Bahá’í Community, the National Spiritual Assembly was forced to resolve these problems by cutting back services during the 1972-73 fiscal year and proposing a more realistic level of expenditures for the current year, culminating in its proposal to the National Convention that the new budget not be raised over that of the‘ year just concluded. '

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The Fund balance, which is the diflerence between our capital reserves and what we owe, declined for five straight years from a high in 1967 of $500,000 down to a low one year ago of minus $107,000. Realizing that such deterioration could not go on indefinitely, the National Spiritual Assembly, early last summer, began cutting both services and expenses which resulted in a sharp reversal of this downward trend. 8

The Treasurer's report gave one optimistic note to an otherwise gloomy situation: “We are encouraged by the fact that the Fund balance decline of re , cent years has been reversed. Hopefully

with the continuation of the same economies in the new year and with increased contributions, our financial condition will show an even greater improvement.”

Some details of the budget plans for the

coming year will be given in the next,

issue of THE NATIONAL BAHli’I’ REVIEW.

BUDGET REPORT ($000’ S)

1972-1973 1973-1974 ’

Actual Budget Expenses Budget International

Bahá’í International Fund 425.0 425.0 375.0 Continental Bahá’í Fund . . . . .. 35.0 35.0 25.0 International Deputization Fund 15.0 15.0 15.0 Nine Year Plan Properties _ 25.0

International Goals Committee. 235.0 262.0 2;3.0

735.0 737.0 653.0 National Teaching 8: Services National Teaching Committee . Administration . . . . . . . . . . . .. — 91.5 72.5

Regional Teaching Committees — 88.4 45.0 District Teaching Committees — 52.3 52.5 Minority Teaching Committees — 9.0 5.0 Total N.T.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317.0 241.2 175.0 House of Worship Activities Committee . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . 64.0 43.0 50.0 National Education Committee. — — 40.0

National Schools Committee . 40.0 5.0 10.0 ‘ National Information Committee

Public Information Office 66.0 5335 40.0 The American Bahá’í . . . . . . . . 50.0 34.5 38 0 Bahá’í News & Nat’l Bahá’í Review . . . . . . . 35.0 34.0 450 Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.0 19.5 30.0 U.S. U.N. Observer . . . . . . . . . . .. 5.0 ~. 3.6 50 Archives Committee . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 1.2 6 0 National Service Committee . . . 4.0 .5 National Administration National Assembly &

Secretariat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260.0 237.2 Office of the Treasurer .‘ . . . . . .. 100.0 91.3 Data Processing Committee . . . . 860 88.5 Properties National Properties Committee. 216.0 214.6 299.0 Capital Improvements . . . . . . . . . 60 0 31.9 49.0 Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.0 31.8 50.0 Trusteeships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 0 50.0 178.0 365.0 328.3 576.0 Unallocated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80.0 15 7 25.0 Expenditures . . . . ._ . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2,2 .0 1,930.0 2,088.0 Working Capital . . . . . . . . . . . 250.0 — - 100 0 Deficit Replacement . . . . . . . — — 85.0 Reserve for Property Improvement . . . . . . . . . . . . — — 227.0 TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.500.0 1,939.0 2,500.0 Feasts

July 13—Kalimét (Words) August 1—Kamal (Perfection) Baht?!’ Holy Days , July 9 —Anniversary of the martyrdom of the Báb*

• Day on which work should be suspended

National Spiritual Assembly Meetings August 3, 4, 5 September 7, 8, 9

[Page 8]JULY 1973

NATIONAL

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

GOAL BY 'IIM 1973

ASSEMBLIES

In In Inna mu m In Y Y‘ ‘Ilm

u _ X ¢ .—

R I lug

The Office of the Treasurer, elated by the speedy progress being made in regular Assembly participation, proposes a new goal of 575 Local Spiritual Assemblies contributing to the National Fund by the end of the month of ‘Ilm (3 November 1973)". Assembly Treasurers will ensure their being counted if they will mail a contribution each month in time to arrive at the National Center before the

next Feast. In most cases, three or four”

days will be sufficient.

June 15, 1973 To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

For a period of many years it has been the privilege of our National Community to be, along with Persia, one of the two major contributors to the Bahá’í International Fund. This Fund, which supports completely or in part the National Funds of most of the Bahá’í world, is called upon to meet pressing demands from all parts of the globe, wherever the Message of Bahá’u’lláh takes root in men’s hearts. Recently The Universal House of Justice has sent to our own National Bahá’í Fund a contribution of $20,000 to be used in the vitally necessary work of repairing the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, for which our own resources have not been available.

In the last two Bahá’í months, contributions to the National Fund from within our National Community have fallen to distressing lows. In the coming year it

BAHA'l FUND

Contributions

3 200.000 ' L I ‘S0000 - 1973 1914 Moumtv non

5 100.000

3 moon I

Bah) um

INCOME:

Jamal ‘Azainat Fiscal Year (Beauty) (Grandeur) to Date

Regular Contributions $ 77,870.79 $ 80,409.07 $158,279.86 Special Contributions . 6,000.00 2,500.00 8,500.00 Total Contributions .$ 83,870.79 $ 82,909.07 $166,779.86 Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .._$ 100.40 s 25.00 s 125.40 Other Income . . . . . . . .. 409.86 45.95 455.81 Total Income . . . . . ..$ 84,381.05 $ 32,980.02 $167,361.07 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $132,000.00 $132,000.00 $264,000.00

Contributions may be addressed to:

National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Ave. Wilmfitte, Ill. 60091

_ Bahá’í International Fund

P.0. Box 155 Haifa, Israel

Continental Bahá’í Fund 418 Forest Ave. Wilmette, Ill. 60091

will be necessary for us not only to hold our own, but to continue our expansion and to place the finances of our National Community on a sound and economical basis in preparation for the rigors of the next global plan. It is the earnest and fervent prayer of the National Spiritual Assembly at the Holiest House of Worship that the sacrifice and generosity of The Universal House of Justice in making this gift may evoke a corresponding spirit from our own National Community, and thus enable us to meet our budget in the coming year.

With warmest Bahá’í love,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or

I THE BAHA'Is or THE UNITED STATES Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer