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California receives teaching plan
To the Bahá’ís of California
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
It has been sixty-two years since ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the beloved Center of the Covenant, bestowed imperishable distinction upon your state by His historic visit of four weeks, during which He prepared it for the prodigious undertakings later to be outlined in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Likening its natural splendors to those of Israel, He wished California to “earn an ideal similarity with the Holy Land” and perceived the glorious prospect that from this and other Western states the “breaths of the Holy Spirit” would be “diffused to all parts of America and Europe”.
The time has now come for the friends in California systematically to realize the Master’s hopes, especially since a goal of the Five Year Plan is to “devlop intensive teaching and consolidation plans in at least 3 states chosen fromamong those visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, designed to attract great numbers to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh thereby initiating a process leading to the entry into the Faith by troops alluded to by the Master.” We therefore announce with exceeding joy the selection of California in partial response to this unique goal and are confident that, within the framework of the three major objectives of the Plan, you will arise enthusiastically to accomplish the following tasks:
0 Raise the number of localities where Bahá’ís reside in California to 999, a task requiring the opening of 274 localities;
0 Open the remaining six counties where Bahá’í’s do not now exist: Alpine, Colusa, Glenn, Plumas, San Benito, and Sierra;
0 Establish 95 Local Spiritual Assemblies in addition to those existing at Riḍván 1974; among these must be at least one Assembly on each of the Miwok, Rincon, and Pala Indian Reservations;
0 Incorporate 50 additional Local Spiritual Assemblies;
0 Take determined steps in each local community to
expand the teaching work among those representing at least one of the minority groups designated in the Five Year Plan;
0 Expand the use of radio and television for Bahá’í' broadcasts aimed at proclamation of the Faith to greater numbers of listeners on a regular basis; at the same time the regular use of the press should be maintained and even increased;
0 Encourage and organize regular Bahá’í activities and classes for adults, youth and children;
0 Organize regular classes to educate Bahá’í children in the Teachings of the Faith; A
0 Foster and encourage youth activities, including firesides, study classes, teaching institutes, local youth clubs, college clubs, circuit teaching projects, and pioneering.
The achievement of this catalog of tasks will undoubtedly earn California a signal victory in the Five Year Plan, and yet the attainment of such specific tasks will not by itself ensure the initiation of the process of “entry by troops”, for the realization of this distinctive condition lies primarily within the power of response of the individual believers, ‘who must be constantly teaching, constantly studying the Holy Texts and their authentic interpretations, constantly exercising the discipline of enlightened souls whose thoughts‘ and deeds are guided by the standards of Bahá’u’lláh. The influence of such individuals cannot really be measured by specified objectives: it spreads pervasively beyond measurable limits like perfume in open air and indiscriminately impresses the consciousness of all who share that air. We urgently call upon the individual believer, therefore, to strive to exertthis influence, because in a real sense the distinctive goal we seek will be the accumulation of the individual strivings of the host of believers in California. Each one should teach at least one each year.
Sustained by the confirmations which come from daily prayer, guided by the decisions of divinely ordained Spiritual Assemblies, stimulated by the counsel and encouragement of Auxiliary Board
members, assisted by the practical efforts of national, regional and district committees, the friends in California must confidently seize their chance to vindicate in the eyes of their watchful brethren in other states the claims of high achievement which the Master Himself forecast for them and thereby fulfill the far—reaching aim that through their heroic deeds “the rays of peace and conciliation may illumine and enlighten all the regions and the world of humanity
OCTOBER 1974
may find peace and composure.” May the rewards of the gracious Lord be showered upon your strenuous labors in His Cause,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE BAHA’I’s OF THE UNITED STATES Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary
August 29, 1974
Goals for Bahá’í Youth defined
To the Bahá’í Youth of the United States Dear Bahá’í Friends:
On this fateful occasion of the launching of the Five Year Plan in the continental United States, we turn again with high expectations to the Bahá’í youth for the particular contributions of “spiritual energy, zeal and idealism” which they abundantly possess, for without such dynamic qualities the Plan cannot succeed. The initial call of our national community upon these vital resources comprises the following tasks which will require your unflagging attention for two years, beginning on 1 September 1974:
0 Multiply the number of enrolled Bahá’í Youth from all walks of life;
0 Invest increasing energy in the plans of Local Spiritual Assemblies and teaching committees, and initiate efforts, to reach minority groups designated in the Five Year Plan, namely: Armenian, Basque, Chinese, Greek, Japanese and Spanish-speaking peoples;
o Devote particular attention to winning the objectives of the intensive teaching and consolidation plans in the States of California, Illinois and New York, and in the District of Columbia;
0 Disperse a minimum of 100 homefront pioneers as follows: 40 to localities previously unopened to the Faith, including at least 10 counties; 55 to existing Bahá’í communities needing the services of young believers; 5 to Indian reservations;
o Undertake 500 domestic circuit-teaching trips, at least 10 of which must be of a duration of no less than two months; these trips should encompass the entire continental United States, but special consideration should be given to the four places engaged in special teaching plans and to the need to reach minorities;
o Deploy 25 international pioneers, at least 5 of whom must endeavor to fill specific goals of the Five Year Plan;
0 Engage in at least 75 traveling—teaching projects in foreign lands;
0 Raise the number of Bahá’í college clubs to 350, and form clubs on high school campuses wherever feasible;
0 Establish 100 local youth clubs with the sponsorship of Local Spiritual Assemblies;
0 Promote and participate in service projects, such as: the holding of Bahá’í children’s classes at conferences, conventions, summer schools, in local communities and as summer activities in rural areas; work/study projects in local Bahá’í communities, at summer schools, or at the National Bahá’í’ Center, projects which could include efforts to maintain and beautify Bahá’í' properties;
0 Participate in the series of state and district conferences, including one on an Indian reservation, to be held in 1975 to stimulate the winning of the youth goals;
0 Contribute regularly to the Bahá’í Fund.
The number and breadth of these tasks ensure the participation of all Bahá’í Youth in some specific project over the next two years, and we are confident that your efforts will bring a resounding victory to the community; yet there is more to the Five Year Plan for the youth than the mere winning of specific and measurable objectives. g
This timely Plan raises a luminous signal to the youth now living in a world which, because of widespread spiritual and moral bankruptcy, is unsure of its values, unsure of its direction. Indeed, Bahá’í youth must seize the precious opportunity allowed them to invest in each of the three major objectives of the Plan, but especially in the third, namely, developing the distinctive character of Bahá’í-life; for the true potential of this objective is knitting the fabric of a new civilization peopled by a new race of men. The youth——who stand at the critical crossroads between carefree childhood and responsible adulthood, at that crucial juncture where lifetime determinations are made—have always been the conduit through which the qualities of one generation are transmitted to another. A dying order emits social miasma. Witness the wretched condition of
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society as it has been acutely described by Shoghi Effendi in his brilliant essay, “The Unfoldment of World Civilization.” Those youth enlightened by the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh will undoubtedly refuse to be the transmitters of this social pathology, will, instead, clothe themselves with the Robe of His
Revelation and bring with all the fresh strength of their blossoming vigor the healing remedy of His Laws to the rescue of future generations.
This is the mighty challenge to which the Five .
Year Plan calls the Bahá’í Youth, for, “Upon them,” in the words of our beloved Guardian, “rests the supreme and challenging responsibility to promote the interests of the Cause of God in the days to come, to coordinate its worldwide activities, to extend its scope, to safeguard its integrity, to exalt its virtues, define its purpose, and translate its ideals and aims into memorable and abiding achievements.”
How then might the youth proceed to acquire the distinctive characteristics of Bahá’í life?
Let them concentrate on “their study of the Teachings, the spiritualization of their lives and the formation of their characters in accordance with the standards of Bahá’u’lláh”—endeavors which The Universal House of Justice identifies as the “foundation of all their other accomplishments.” It is this foundation that will enable them to combat the corrosive influence of the rampant materialism, corruption and vices of a decadent society. Moreover, it is this foundation that will establish them in a firm position to lift their fellow non-Bahá’í youth from the slough of despair into which the old order increasingly pulls them.
Let them strive toward a chaste and holy life in accordance with the definitions given by Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Divine Justice.
Let them cultivate the love of excellence in all their strivings and attain thereby the dignity, distinction and refinement of character to which Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá repeatedly exhort the believers.
Let them seriously consider their own and the Bahá’í community’s practical future needs and determine to acquire, in response to Bahá’u’lláh’s injunction, knowledge of the arts and sciences and to learn a trade or profession whereby they can earn their living and support their families. Let them bear in mind Shoghi Effendi’s advice that the “highest form of detachment in this day is to be occupied with some profession and be self-supporting.” In their essential endeavors in this respect, they need not abandon their Bahá’í activities but may, for example, plan specific periods of teaching and other service that will not interfere with their academic or technical training. It is our belief that should the
' youth give this matter their wholehearted attention,
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at the end of the Five Year Plan a mighty reservoir of well-needed resources, which only training can provide, will immediately be available to the Cause of God.
Finally, we wish to share with you a vital piece of advice which we have given the National Bahá’í Youth Committee whose membership is uniquely composed to bring you the most effective assistance towards the achievement of your goals. It is as follows.
The youth themselves will succeed by zealously developing a proper relationship between themselves and the institutions of the Faith, a development which must begin inevitably in their local communities with their immediate links to Local Spiritual Assemblies. The youth must demonstrate
their love for and submissiveness to these Spiritual ‘
Assemblies, which operate at the level of society that may be regarded as the matrix of their social and spiritual development. Writing of these “shining lamps” which illumine local Bahá’í communities, the Supreme Institution of our Faith asserts that, “This great prize, this gift of God within each community must be cherished, nurtured, loved, assisted, obeyed and prayed for.”
The time has come for the regenerative potentialities of these local institutions to be more readily recognized by Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike. Hence, appreciating the immeasurable spiritual endowment of Local Assemblies as “potent sources of the progress of man at all times and under all conditions,” the youth should bring the full force of their “spiritual energy, zeal and idealism” to the aid of these institutions which are struggling with their own growth, and by a disciplined and radiant response to their rule demonstrate to non-Bahá’í youth and to a disillusioned nation bereft of respect for timehonored institutions the power of Bahá’u’lláh’s system to regenerate society and invest fresh life into the institutions of a new -civilization.
In so doing, the Bahá’í Youth will undoubtedly lend credence to the observation of our beloved Guardian that,
No greater demonstration can be given to the peoples of both continents of the youthful vitality and the vibrant power animating the life, and the institutions of the nascent Faith of Bahá’u’lláh than an intelligent, persistent, and effective participation of the Bahá’í youth, of every race, nationality, and class, in both the teaching and administrative spheres of Bahá’í activity. Through such a participation the critics and enemies of the Faith,
watching with varying degrees of skepticism and '
resentment, the evolutionary processes of the Cause of God and its institutions, can best be
convinced of the indubitable truth that such a Cause is intensely alive, is sound to its very core, and its destinies in safe keeping.
May the generous Lord Who enabled the Dawnbreakers to attain immortal heights of glory crown your endeavors in His Cause with traces of the bountiful confirmations which He bestowed upon them.
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY or THE BAHA’I’s or THE UNITED STATES Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary
August 29, 1974
Plan Summer project in West Africa
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Dahomey, Togo and Niger has offered to sponsor a Summer Project next year in those countries. If you are French-speaking and interested in participating, please write:
International Goals Committee
112 Linden Avenue
Wilmette, Illinois 60091
The estimated cost for a 45-day period would be a total of$ 1390: $400 for living expenses and $960 for round-trip transportation (standard fare) between New York and Dahomey. Additional expenses would, of course, include travel between your home and New York.
The International Goals Committee has learned that discount fares may be available through membership in The African-American Institute’s Educators to Afi'ica Association (ETAA). In order to take advantage of the lower rates , membership in this organization must be in effect for six months prior to the date of departure. If you wish further information contact: Educators to Africa Association, AfricanAmerican Institute, 833 United Nations Plaza, New York, New York 10017; Tel. (212) 661-0800.
Loss historical papers concerns National Assembly
The National Spiritual Assembly is concerned that Bahá’í papers and books vital to future Bahá’í historians are being lost. It is imperative that those possessing such items take appropriate measures to ensure that they are not destroyed or lost to the Faith and to future Bahá’í historians.
Individuals can take one of two steps to preserve these materials. They‘ can give their Bahá’í papers and books to the National Bahá’í Archives or to a
OCTOBER 1974
local Bahá’í archives while they are still living, or they can make specific provisions in their wills that such items be given to a local Bahá’í' archives or to the National Bahá’í’ Archives. Either measure will ensure their safety. Individuals are free to dispose of their papers and books as they desire; but if they wish to preserve them for the Faith, they need to take positive legal action now.
The National Spiritual Assembly also requests that Bahá’ís inheriting papers from early believers consult with the National Bahá’í Archives Committee before disposing of any acquired documents. The National Archives Committee is interested in conespondence among early Bahá’ís and in manuscripts and other materials that may be of significant historical value. '
The National Bahá’í Archives Committee is located at the National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Identification necessary
Bahá’ís who travel outside the continental United States with the intention of attending any Bahá’í gatherings or visitingindividual Bahá’í's or Bahá’í’ communities must carry with them their current Bahá’í’ indentification cards. These cards must be presented as evidence that the visiting or traveling Bahá’ís are members of the Faith in good standing. If a Bahá’í is unable to produce a current membership card, he should not be resentful if he is not admitted to the Feast or other Bahá’í gathering he hoped to attend. Bahá’í’s living close to the Canadian and Mexican boundaries who cross the borders frequently to attend Bahá’í events are requested to pay particular attention to this requirement.
Gambling forbidden Bahzi’I’s
In God Passes Byi(page 214) the beloved Guar-_
dian enumerates the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh. Included is the Law that interdicts gambling. In other communications he has indicated that sanctions of deprivation of administrative rights are to be imposed upon individuals who persist in violating this prohib ition. Obedience to this Law has been especially ‘
emphasized to the believers in Nevada in which State gambling is legalized by state law and where all fonns and temptations for gambling abound everywhere.
This Bahá’í' Law is being called to the attention now of all believers who visit or travel in Nevada and who may be under the impression that because gambling has been legalized by that State it is permissible for them to engage in it.
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J eopardized Spiritual Assemblies
NORTHERN ALABAMA Decatur (8)
NORTHERN ARIZONA Mesa ( 8)
SOUTHERN ARIZONA Bisbee Douglas (8)
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA NO. 1 Albany (6)
Carmel (8)
Mountain View (6)
Pacifica (7)
San Leandro (8)
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA NO. 2 Bakersfield J .D. (7)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NO. 1
Auburn (8)
‘ Fairfield (8)
Paradise JD. (7) Roseville (7)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NO. 2
Eureka J.D. (8) Petaluma (7) Sonoma County South (7)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NO. 2
Desert JD. (7) El Centro (4) La Mesa (7) Ontario (8) Redlands (8) Yucaipa (8)
EASTERN COLORADO Boulder County (6) Englewood (5)
WESTERN COLORADO Alamosa (6)
CONNECTICUT East Haven (8) Hamden (6)
- CENTRAL FLORIDA
Orange County (8) Pinellas County (8)
DELMARVA Newark, Delaware (7)
SOUTHERN FLORIDA Dania
Lee County
Plantation (8)
NORTHERN GEORGIA
Cobb County North (5) Cobb County South (6)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS NO. 1
. Deerfield (8)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS NO. 2 Park Forest (8)
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS Champaign (8) Edwardsville Township (7)
INDIANA Greenfield (8)
EASTERN IOWA Marshalltown (8) Muscatine (4)
WESTERN IOWA Council Bluffs (8)
KANSAS Emporia
NORTHERN LOUISIANA Bossier City Natchitoches (7)
SOUTHERN LOUISIANA Baton Rouge East Parish No. 1 (8) De Soto Parish No. 1
MAINE Augusta (8) Gorham (5) Kittery (6)
MASSACHUSETTS Brockton (8)
Upton (6)
Yarmouth (7)
MAINLAND MICHIGAN Royal Oak Township (6)
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA Falcon Heights (5)
Olmstead County (7)
St. Louis Park (7)
MISSISSIPPI Hinds County East
MISSOURI St. Joseph (8)
MONTANA Bozeman (7)
NEBRASKA Hastings (8)
NORTHERN NEVADA Lyon County
SOUTHERN NEVADA North Las Vegas (8)
NEW HAMPSHIRE Hinsdale (7) Laconia (8)
NEW JERSEY Middletown Township (7) Morristown (7)
North Plainfield (8) Piscataway Township (8) Trenton (8)
’ NORTHERN NEW MEXICO
Valencia County (8)
SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO Roswell (7) Ruidoso (7)
EASTERN NEW YORK Fishkill, Town of (8)
WESTERN NEW YORK Cheektowaga (8) Farmington, Town of (8)
NORTH DAKOTA ' Bismarck (8)
NORTHERN OHIO Kent
SOUTHERN OHIO_ Beavercreek Township (8)
OREGON
SOUTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA Goose Creek (5)
EASTERN TEXAS NO. 1
OCTOBER 1974_
WESTERN WASHINGTON Anacortes (8)
Kent (8)
Port Angeles (8)
NORTHERN IDAHO Yakima County C.D. No. l (8)
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Coos County (5) Longwew (5) Mason County C.D. No. 1‘(7) Cottage Grove (8) EASTERN TEXAS N0. 2
Deschutes County (7) Huntsville (7) NORTHERN WISCONSIN/ Grants Pass (5) UPPER PENINSULA MICHIGAN Klamath County (7) UTAH Door County, North (8) Marion County North (7) Ogden (7) Wasau (5)
Newport (3)
Springfield (8) SOUTHERN VIRGINIA SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
Newport News (7) Whitefish Bay (8) EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ' Bethlehem (8) VERMONT WYOMING
Lower Merian Township (7) Rochester (8) Riverton (8)
Swarthmore (7)
West Chester (8) EASTERN WASHINGTONI LOST ASSEMBLIES
Quincy, Florida Beloit, Wisconsin
Hickory Township (8)
State College (7) Total number of jeopardized Assemblies ........................... ..111 RHODE ISLAND Local Spiritual Assemblies at Riḍván 131 ......................... ..93s E35‘ PT°V1d°“°° New Local Spiritual Assemblies since Riḍván 131 ............... .. 12
Lost Local Spiritual Assemblies since Riḍván 131 ............... .. 2 CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA Total Local Spiritual Assemblies at this printing ................ ..945 Lugoff—Elgin (8)
Goals for college clubs announced
Bahá’í College Club Goals For the 1974-1975 Academic Year
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee looks forward to working with Bahá’í campus clubs during this exciting first year of the Five Year Plan. In the past, collegiate teaching has been a most fertile field of endeavor. For this reason, the National Youth Committee has established these five goals‘ for Bahá’í college clubs this year:
oPlan and carry out significant teaching activities, including at least one intensive on-campus proclamation campaign.
Actively participate in circuit teaching, especially during academic breaks.
oDevelop systematic programs to reach students from those minority groups mentioned in the Five Year Plan , and foreign students (except those from muslim countries).
oDevelop, where feasible, programs which the college club can sponsor at nearby high school clubs or youth clubs which will assist prospective
Bahá’í students in becoming oriented to college Bahá’í life.
oActively campaign to foster good communcation between college clubs and their sponsoring Bahá’í communities, with special emphasis on student contributions to the development of the distinctive character of Bahá’í community life.
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee encourages all Bahá’í college students to strive to win these special goals, and believes that in doing so they will make an important contribution to the early victory in the Five Year Plan.
In loving service, ’ NATIONAL Bahá’í YOUTH COMMITTEE Philip R. Christensen, Secretary
August 22, 1974
Consider the Fund
”\.
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REVIEW
, CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE OFFICE or run TREASURER
POSTF
National Assembly has no recommended way of giving
Q. Our Local Spiritual Assembly is not sure what method of giving is recommended by the National Spiritual Assembly. We thought that giving to the National Bahd’ 1' Fund without earmarking for other Funds allows the National Spiritual Assembly greater freedom in allocating monies according to needs and priorities of the Faith. Recently, however, it seems as though we have been encouraged to contribute to the Bahá’í International and the Continental Bahá’í Funds directly. Is it preferable to send as much as possible unearmarked to the National Fund or should we amend our budget so that each Bahá’í month a portion of our resources would be going to each Fund?
A. The National Spiritual Assembly tries not to “recommend” any particular method of giving, but rather to make the friends aware of all the ways in
F“ which they may serve the Faith through their con tributions. Each community that contributes to one of the four Bahá’í Funds—that is, the Local, National, Continental and International -Funds—forges a direct link to the Institution supported by that Fund. Whether your community decides to contribute to each of the funds on a regular basis in addition to contributing to the National Bahá’í Fund each nineteen days is entirely up to your Assembly.
Treasurers should not fear to give friends information '
Q. I have a problem: How do I get Bahá’ís to contribute to the Fund through the elected local Treasurer, which I happen to be? Feasts haven’t started yet for our new Group so there is no Fund box as yet. But wouldn’t it be better for them to send their contributions to me to forward so that the Group will get credit for them? Please advise me. I have just ordered the Local Treasurer’s Manual so I am sorry if this matter is covered in it. I just want to learn as much as possible myself. Bahá’u’lláh is in my heart and soul—everything is for Him!
,r'\ A. With the spirit and enthusiasm you displayed in
your letter, your goals are already won! The best advice we can give, in answer to your question, is to
7
work with "your District Teaching Committee and encourage the friends to plan and hold Feasts. Strive to make these gatherings warm and friendly, meetings everyone will enjoy and look forward to every nineteen days. Once the friends are meeting, you, as Treasurer, can give your report, reading the letter from the National Spiritual Assembly Treasurer, and showing the friends both the National and Local Fund Charts. It is important then for the friends to set reasonable goals and then strive to meet them. Once you understand the principles of the Fund (page 1 of the Local Treasurer’s Manual), don’t be afraid to give a lively and enthusiastic Treasurer’s report every Feast. Contributions to the Fund are so important in Teaching the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh and constitute the “life-blood” of the Cause. It is vital that you, as Treasurer, let the friends know this.
Prayer for Bahá’í’s a personal obligation
Prayer is primarily a personal spiritual obligation and it would seem improper for Bahá’í institutions to develop or legislate specific activities in this area of Bahá’í life. The institutions do have the responsibility of calling the attention of the friends to the Writings which urge daily prayer as a spiritual obligation and to those prayers, such as the obligatory prayers and the Tablet of Ahmad, that are invested by Bahá’u’lláh with a special potency and significance.
On certain occasions the institutions make appeals to S
the friends for prayers in the interest of particular objectives, leaving it to them to respond to the extent to which they are moved. And, of course, the friends are free to agree among themselves as to the saying of certain prayers for reasons that are important to them. But the National Spiritual Assembly is wary of taking any institutional action that may tend toward a system or regimentation in acts of prayer, and feels it would be improper to go beyond the requirement of the Sacred Texts to legislate a nationwide program of specific prayers to be said at specific times under specific circumstances.
—National Spiritual Assembly
From time to time the friends receive appeals, either as individuals or communities, from pioneers needing financial assistance. It is advisable when such an appeal is received to contact the International Goals Committee so that inquiries can be made and the true situation ascertained. The address is: International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091. Telephone: (312) 256-4400.
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OCTOBER 1974
National Bahá’í Fund
Engraved cards used to acknowledge gifts
To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í’ Groups
Dear Bahá’í Friends:
A task which needs the support of every believer is that of meeting the Annual Fund Goal of $2.6 million. Each month we are falling further behind in this objective. We have now $250,000 worth of catching-up to do. In the face of this great task, it is heartening to note that contributions last month were substantially higher than for this same month one year ago.
The increasing openness and concern for the Fund throughout the country shows that many more of the friends are incorporating it in their everyday lives. A number of believers have remarked about the joy of celebrating a special event, such as a birthday, anniversary, or Ayyam-i—Ha, by giving a gift to the Fund which aids the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh at the same time. Many also have offered contributions in the name of a loved one who has passed on, knowing
that this is a means of aiding that soul's progress through all the worlds of God.
Prompted by the suggestions of those making such contributions, the National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce that engraved cards are now being used to acknowledge these gifts. The purpose of the cards is to inform family and friends that a special contribution has been sent to the National Bahá’í Fund in their honor or in memory of a loved one.
The enclosed sample copies are for everyone to examine at the Feast. Undoubtedly, all will appreciate knowing that this service is now available from the Office of the Treasurer. We offer our warmest appreciation to those who, in the years past, have encouraged the growth of this loving and practical custom.
With our warmest Bahá’í greetings, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’lS OF THE UNITED STATES Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer
National Fund charts
Contributions
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Total Number of Assemblies Contributing
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$2,600,000
ANNUAL
GOAL
Asseuauts 3 o I
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_ - _ - . - - - - . - . 3 r §l‘§§!35a‘za2aé"3§ — 3 “ = : v4 V‘ ,: .: : " in ‘Izzat Year 'INCOME ‘M"°"“’ ‘° D” ’ ‘ §°"3’“’l‘1‘é°“£-2z°’ "i"“"’%‘zs-i"’ ‘J? "1‘l1'~‘°”-“"?8«l‘s$3{‘ ‘V - . - u In en ve., ime e, mots ; ' Budge.‘ G.°al $137’000 $1’096’000 — " Balaléll International Fund, PO. Box 155, Haifa, Israel; Conmbumns 103,000 341314 mm..m... mm I and Continental Bahm Fund, 413 Forest Ave., WilShortage 29,000 254,186 ' mette, Illinois 80091.
