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[Page 1]

BAHA‘! YEAR T31

Insert to The American Baha'{ published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for Baha'is only.

112 Linden Av., Wilmette, III. 60091

Bae

April 1975

International traveling teachers urgently needed

Dear Baha’i Friends,

As we approach the threshold of the second year of the Five Year Plan, it is evident that the need for traveling teachers as indicated in the message launching that Plan is acquiring greater urgency and importance.

During the past year steps have been taken to revise the functions, broaden the base and strengthen

the work of the Continental Pioneer Committees and

to bring them into much closer collaboration with the. Continental Boards of Counsellors. Already, with their assistance an army of pioneers has moved and is moving towards its objectives, and a general readiness has been evinced by the friends, particularly the youth, to serve as itinerant teachers.

The strenuous efforts being made to fill the pioneer goals by the mid-way point of the Plan must now be paralleled by well-considered and determined efforts to swell to a mighty river the stream of those friends who will travel to foreign lands to reinforce the efforts of those who are laboring so valiantly to expahd and consolidate the widely scattered Baha’i communities and to proclaim the Message of Baha’u’llah to every stratum of society.

At our request the International Teaching Center has evolved a plan, which we have warmly approved, comprising specific goals of international collaboration in the field of traveling teaching. This plan is now being sent to the Continental Boards of Counsellors who will, in turn, present it to the National Spiritual Assemblies, whose task it will be to implement it. In consultation with Counsellors each National Spiritual Assembly is to work out specific proposals which it should then present to the other National Assemblies with whom it is to collaborate, so that, as soon as possible, actual projects can be

worked out and set in motion, thus inaugurating a

process which should rapidly gather momentum and be prosecuted with undiminished vigor in the years ahead.

The Continental Pioneer Committees should be kept closely informed of all projects so that they may know how best to reinforce the flow with those many

volunteers who will undoubtedly arise outside the framework of the specific projects now to be conceived. It is our hope that, as far as possible, travel teaching projects will be self-supporting or can be assisted by the National Funds involved, but where necessary, the International Deputization Fund is available to assist. Whenever assistance from the Deputization Fund is required, the request should be made to the Continental Pioneer Committee, giving details of the project. If the sum required is small the Committee may be able to help immediately, otherwise it will pass the request, together with its recommendation, to the Universal House of Justice for consideration.

We sincerely hope that in the forefront of the volunteers, the Baha’i youth will arise for the sake of God and, through their driving force, their ability to endure inhospitable and arduous conditions, and their contentment with the bare necessities of life, they will offer an inspiring example to the peoples and communities they set out to serve, will exert an abiding influence on their personal lives, and will promote with distinction the vital interests of God’s Cause at this crucial stage in the fortunes of the Plan.

We shall offer our ardent prayers at the Holy Shrines for the confirmation of the efforts of all those who will heroically respond to this call.

With loving Baha’i greetings, __ THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

March 25, 1975

Those who wish to respond to this call can do so:

e individually;

e with a partner;

e as amember of a formal project, such as those being undertaken this summer in Bolivia, Brazil, or Africa; or

e as a part of a study program abroad offered by non-Baha’i agencies. Save time. Get your passport now. Don’t delay! For more information, please contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, ‘Wilmette, IL 60091. [Page 2]2 Review

Revised pioneer goals for the United lates

Assigned Filled Open (E) Caroline Islands ........... 2 Africa (E) North-East New Guinea* ... a t 2 (BE) Botswana sis ee 2 1 1 (Bye American Samoa ...25...5 2 — 2 (F)\(E) Cameroon Republic ....... 2 2 0 (Bye Westie SalOde. sane, gees 4 — 4 (F) Central African CE) New Caledonia 242)... 1 1 0 Republie®: caw. ce 3 — 3 (EB) hones islands" A055 oc pe ee (F) Dahomey ..... Tipe cee 2 2 0 The) eee (eb eee) ofa neteerecetameaierre inn iter Ae 3 2 1 (EB) Gabon =e s.a es eee 1 — 1 (Eye-Ghana® 55. 2. fe once aoe nee 2 2 0 Assigned Filled Open (ho: Wory. Coast. 25 eo eae 2 =o 2 Americas (B) Kenya harsh er 3 ee 3 (S)iecArcentinan asp een cern 6 D 4 (Eis Lesotho. cee es 3 3 0 (SE) Belize*..............4.. 3 Lee (F) Malagasy Republic ......... 2 ace 2 (Sipe BOlVI8 Aa pounce eke as oe 10 2 8 (B)oMalawi eae ee 2 2 Oi ete Bottle nee ee ee 14 6 8 (BE). Nisetiak os ee 3 2 1 (S) FC iiles oo ee ae eae 6 — 6 (EB). Rhodesia +... -.. ea 5 2 3 (S)erColombia4 45 ane 8 5 3 (E) British Indian (S)(E) St. Andrés Island* ....... 1 —_— 1 Ocean Terr.** ..... ies 2 ae 2 {S)\ ss: Gosta Rica vai we ee coos 4 3 1 (PE) South Africa’. t4 ean 2 sie 2 (S) Dominican Republic ........ 5 — 5 IB) Angola 5 sc 4 a 2 = 2 (Seek CladOtes aq cn ec anda: i 1 6 (BE) St. Helena® ok ees 1 a 1 (Se SEIS alvador sans aes 4 — “4 ‘-(P)(S) Mozambique* ........... 2 1 1 (Qh: GHeisnGlkr oes sc vicocros: 5 4 1 ie) Lanzania 7 sci eicies etek Aes 1 3 ()esGuyana: sor 4 2 2 (Ey: Gambia nates oc s5 es age 5 ee 2 (H)(E)(D): Surinam .............. 3 2 1 (P) Guinea-Bissau (EB) BrenchiGuianat=; nc 2 — 2 (Port. Guineayt =< .-2) et ks 2) ae 2 (Ee igi ines ne ce seen testes 4 — 4 fe) Siberia 3 spe ee Be 4 4 0 (S)= Honduras 23.5. sdi sues 6 1 5 (H):—-Sierra Téone =o ee 3 2 1 (BE) seam aiCae re tead tonite ct «ete 4 2 2 (BE) Zaites <a ee 7 c= 7 (E) Brennen Antilles 32-2. 4 2 =e en a0 (E) Leeward/Virgin Islands Montserrat, St. Kitts........ 9 3 6 (S) Nicaragua (Granada)........ 6 2 4 Assigned Filled Open (S) Panama .................. 4 2 2 Asia (5) 2 GRard Quay wncs sr. come ne: 4 2 Z (B)(B)- Bangladesh* =. =2..4554.- 2 oe D: (S)= Peru (Cuzo & Puno) 3.3... 4 1 3 (CPS Macalt 2.5 ses5 cae tron. 2. — 2 (Sy BuertosRicor acts hae 4 4 0 CG) epans: tees ee 3 9} 1 (E) Trinidad/Tobago. See aa ae 4 a 4 (Benda at ee erie eee 5 we 5 (S)-Unmiguay. 3 ie ea 2 — 2 (F) Khmer Republic (Cambodia) .2 — 2 (Se Venezuela essere! cot wiecers 7 2 5 (eee Noted cr kc ee is 3 1 2 (E) Windward Islands .......... 6 2 4 (By siesta eee 2 =H 2 "150 SI 99 (F)\(E) Lebanon...... Sia eas Rene, 2 1 1 (By Ne pal te aioe sscaes ceee rat eas 2 — 2 oe (E) Philippine Islands .......... 2 1 1 Assigned Filled Open | (E) Sri Lanka (Ceylon)* ...... oso 1 2 Europe (Ev Pawel 2s... ce cas 2 1 1 (©) Belgium...............--. 6 1 5 KE) Thailand $2355 aa D 9 0 (Dn) sWeninarkt seco kn ewan 3 2 1 (T(A\(E) Turkey*® .....00.4056 2 ae 9 (Bn) inland oat cs eee 4 — 4 Ee) Wietnaii ag eae 1 ate 1 (GHEGree Cee hs Sis ee 3 2 1 Page a0 Oe =) lceland ei er ets 2 — 2 CN) Noiway ne ac naa 3 1 2 (BysBottisal i.e scene: a tes a8 1 if Assigned Filled Open (S)rsS paints 2S... ce hae we aees 2, 2 0 Australasia (E\(G)dt)- Switzerland. <4. 6 z

4a: '. (@). Fiji Islands*.........4 Serpe 3 1 2 Way ae ee ee: [Page 3]April 1975

Total Assignments to be Completed by October 1976 Assigned Filled Open

PRI GIR saints makina ainsty ae lerace 66 26 40

AMERICAS S35 chtcava cscs 150 5 99

STAG Sake ieee Fete tear eae 35 9 a6.

AUSTRALASIA orto nee 17 3 14

PE WIROR BE ic rcs captors es 31 13 24 a05, 7 -t02 eae

• Newly-assigned countries
  • Circumstances permitting

3 Language Key . Gr—Greek

H—Hindi

A—Arabic I—Icelandic B—Bengali i ! It—Italian C—Chinese J—Japanese (Southern Dialect) K ie

—Korean

D—Danish j N—Norwegian Dt—Dutch ¢ P—Portuguese E—English i S—Spanish F—French T—Turkish Fn—Finnish oe G—German

Directory Changes

Assembly Secretaries

Alabama

Montgomery: Mrs. Patricia Fox, ; 36109

Arizona

Verde Valley: change name to Rural Verde Valley

California

Menlo Park: Mrs. Margot M. Boteler, Chairman, c/o Marki, , 94025

Mountain View: Mrs. Preble Franklin, k 94040

Ontario: Mrs. Anita Talleur, P.O. Box 607, 91761

Palm Springs: Mr. Paul F. Polena, P.O. Box 4515, 92262

_ Redlands: Mrs. Sheila Hani Cohn, P.O. Box 229,

= 992373

Redondo Beach: Mrs. Margie Handley Mazur,

, Apt. No. 1, 90277

Richmond: Mr. Mehdi Radpour, Chairman, P.O. Box 665, Sta. A, 94808

Rohnert Park: Miss Sue Greer, P.O. Box 1359, 94928

San Leandro: Mrs. Carol Henrie, &§ 94577

Santa Cruz County North: Mr. Adams Brent Bushnell, , San Jose, 95111

San Juan Capistrano: Mrs. Isabel Overlin, Seckeany, P.O. Box 53, 92675

Ventura County J.D.: Mrs. May Ulery,

, Ventura, 93001

Washington, J.D.: Mrs. Doris Bosserman, Secre tary, P.O. Box 203, West Sacramento, 95651

Florida Brevard County: Mrs. Carol Ann Darlow, - , Satellite Beach, 32937 Broward County: Mrs. Martha R. Marshall, , Ft. Lauderdale, 33312

Georgia Richmond County: Mrs. Ann Grier, Secretary, P.O. Box 3633, Augusta, 30904

Illinois Northfield Township: Mrs. Jane Jensen, Road, Northbrook, 60062

Kansas

Hays: Mr. Stanley M. Somers, P.O. Box 57, 67601

Overland Park: New Assembly — Mr. Robert C. Harpool, , 66206

Massachusetts

Boston: Mrs. Christina Bell, Box 1207, 02104

Gloucester: Mrs. Laurel Cutler, Winthrop Avenue, West Gloucester, 01930

Greenfield: Mrs. Beverly Ruhe, P.O. Box 465, 01301

South Hadley: Mr. James M. Theroux, P.O. Box 241, 01075

Michigan Mount Pleasant: Mrs. Carol L. Crain, P.O. Box 524, 48858

Missouri St. Louis: Mrs. Cheryl B. Thomas, . enue, 63108

Montana Missoula: Mr. Charles H. Nolley, Chairman, P.O, Box 2685, 59801

North Carolina Chapel Hill: Miss Margaret Warden, P.O. Box 1065, 27514

Nebraska Crete: Miss Lisa Sue Brown, Box 176, 68333

ee [Page 4]4

Review

Lincoln: Miss Marcie Ann Mather, P.O. Box 80601, 68501

New Hampshire Peterborough: Miss Karen B. Wines, | Street, No. 2, 03458

New Mexico Carlsbad: no officers Gallup: Mr. James Stone, Treasurer, Street, 87301 Roswell: Mr. Robert W. Mitchell, Treasurer, , 88201

Oklahoma Ada: Mr. Ralph W. Lee, Secretary, P.O. Box 952, 74820 Oklahoma City: Mrs. Arabelle Haywood, 7311

Oregon North Bend: Mrs. Jean Marie Burles, P.O. Box 522, 97459

South Carolina

Beaufort: Mrs. Nancy Markovich, f 29902

Columbia: Mr. Ben Hendricks, P.O. Box 5973, 29250

Greenville: Mr. Charles C. Abercrombie, Sr., Chairman, P.O. Box 8026, 29604

Orangeburg M.D.: Mrs. Kathy Jean Daniel, P.O. Box 1545, 29115

‘Utah Salt Lake County: Mr. Bruce Erikson, Secretary, P.O. Box 17259, Salt Lake City, 84117

Virginia Virginia Beach: Mr. James R. Corbitt, — _ , 23462

Washington Bellevue: Mr. Stephen E. Moses, Jr., Chairman, , 98004 Makah Reservation: Mrs. Laurie Carter Lindem, P.O. Box 306, Neah Bay, 98357

Wisconsin Wausau: Mrs. Charlotte Reynolds, P.O. Box 123, 54401

Wyoming Casper: Miss Nancy S. Wilson, P.O. Box 1781, 82601

District Teaching Committee Changes

Central States Northern Minnesota: Mr. John R. Skoog, Chairman, P.O. Box 159, Onamia, 56359

Southern States Southern Alabama: Miss Belle Smith, , Montgomery, 36111 Southern Florida: Mrs. Karen E. Pritchard, , Fort Lauderdale, 33308 Northern Georgia: Mrs. Carole Miller, Road, No. 0-3, Marietta, 30060 Kentucky: Mrs. Sally Herr Bell, ; Apt. 4, Frankfort, 40601 Eastern Tennessee: Mr. Mark E. Block, Chairman, , Chattanooga, 37411 Northern Virginia: Mrs. Dawn Belcher, - , Arlington, 22207 Western States Southern Arizona: Ms. Susan Isaacs, Avenue, South Tucson, 85613 California, North No. 1: Mrs. Nancy A. Turner, , Broderick, 95605

In Memoriam

Mr. Willie Battles Eureka, California January 22, 1975

La Jolla, California February 23, 1975 Knight of Baha’u’ll4h Mr. Frank Bloomquist Bellingham, Washington February 3, 1975

Mr. Benjamin H. Browne Seaside, California October 7, 1974

Mrs. Mable Stroble Brinson Micanopy, Florida February 22, 1975

Mrs. Lucia de Montoliu Fresno, California February 19, 1975

Mrs. Ramona Allen Bray Brown

Mrs. Christine Ivanoff Bridgeport, Connecticut December 1974

Mr. John Felisky Fenton, Michigan January 7, 1975

Mr. August Gerling Aptos, California December 1974

Mr. Isaac Henry Lee Plum Branch, South Carolina Date unknown

Mrs. Helen L. Hutchison Wilmington, Delaware March 1, 1975

Mr. George Lewis Pamplico, South Carolina Date unknown [Page 5]April 1975

Mrs. ‘Minnie Locke Loveland, Colorado February 21, 1975

Mr. John Love Salisbury, Maryland Date unknown

Mr. James F. Many Hides Browning, Montana February 14, 1975

Mrs. Elia Mason Mason, Tennessee Date unknown

Mrs. Ila McCall Quincy, Florida Date unknown

Mr. John Louttit McKenzie St. Petersburg, Florida February 15, 1975

Mrs. Marion Mills Costa Mesa, California November 1974

Mr. Hank Pete Imlay, Nevada Date unknown

Mrs. Inez Piper Little Chute, Wisconsin January 11, 1975

Mrs. Agnes G. Puza Eagle River, Wisconsin Date unknown

Mr. Roosebelt Robinson Greenville, North Carolina December 1974

Miss Sylvia Schmidt St. Louis, Missouri February 1975

Miss Sonia Shaw Decatur, Illinois December 20, 1974

Mrs. Maude S. Taylor Wilmette,. Illinois February 14, 1975

Mr. Joe Taylor Torrans Cottonwood, Arizona January 23, 1975

Mrs. Carol Vaughn Missoula, Montana February 22, 1975

Mr. Oscar White St. Louis, Missouri 1974

POSTF

CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TREASURER

Cards for special gifts explained

We receive a number of letters expressing concern over the use of memorial or special acknowledgement cards in making contributions to the National - Baha’i Fund. For this reason, we would like to explain why they were developed and what purpose they serve.

For as long as anyone can remember, the Office of the Treasurer has received contributions from Baha ’is and non-Baha’is with an accompanying note stating that the money was being given to the National Baha’i Fund in memory of or in honor of a friend or relative. The occasions varied from the birth of a child to an anniversary, birthday, graduation, or memorial for a departed friend. We were often asked to write a note to the individual or to a relative of the deceased. Of course, the amount contributed was not included in the note and sifts from

non-Baha’is were set aside for charitable purposes. Certainly giving to the Fund in this manner does not violate any Baha’ principle.

In an effort to process these gifts more efficiently, we developed two types of acknowledgement cards, one a memorial card and the other a special honor card. In October we announced their availability for those who are attracted to giving to the Fund in this manner. Many of the friends are now using these cards and we hope more will do likewise.

Giving to the Fund or to any worthwhile purpose in honor of an individual is not unlike saying a prayer to help that person through a difficult period. It is a pure and stainless act of service to humanity which establishes a tie between the person being honored and the institution receiving the gift. Such an act can only bring joy and happiness. Surely this must be pleasing to God.

In Some Answered Questions, page 278, we found the following question addressed to ‘Abdu’l-Baha:

Question: Through what means will the spirit of man, that is to say the rational soul, after departing from this mortal world, make progress?

Answer: The progress of man’s spirit in the divine world, after the severance of its connection with the body of dust, is through the bounty and grace of the Lord alone, or through the intercession and the sincere prayers of other human souls, or through the charities and important good works which are performed in its name. :

Office of the Treasurer

Communities continue to offer suggestions on Fund ©

Beloved Friends:

In response to the December 4, 1974, Treasurer's Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, our Assembly has devoted a portion of each of its recent meetings to consultation about the state of the Fund. Much of our discussion has centered upon the implementation and efficient use of the abundance of material, information, and guidelines available to us through the Writings and from The House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly. We found the following conclusions to be very interesting and wanted to convey them to you:

e The fundamental point of unity in any Baha’i community is the Sacred Writings of the Faith.

The Local Spiritual Assembly serves, in a sense, [Page 6]as the focal point for the implementation of the Teachings within a locality. ‘Abdu’l-Baha, in referring to Local Assemblies, states that ‘‘They, indeed, are the potent sources of the progress of man, at all times and under all conditions.” God Passes By, p. 332. Local Assemblies must clearly understand and define their spiritual responsibilities towards the Fund, and in this area, as well as others, present a definite example for the friends to follow.

e OurAmerican Community has an abundance of

-- materials currently available about the Fund, about the importance of sacrifice, and about the necessity of our continued spiritual growth in all matters. When these materials are actively used by Local Assemblies, it prompts the community to follow the same example of action, attitude, and responsibility to strengthen the Fund.

e The principles of the Baha’{ Fund should be carefully explained to all who have shown a strong interest in becoming a Baha’i. When these friends have declared their acceptance of Baha’u’llah, supporting the Fund will then be a very natural demonstration of the important spiritual obligation with which they are already familiar.

Our Assembly has been attempting to implement these points wherever possible. The results are very positive and our local Fund continues to grow!

Dear Friends,

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Virginia, Minnesota, would like to express our deepest love for the American Baha’i Community, and share our greatest joy with all our Baha’i brothers and sisters who have so generously contributed to the

National Baha’{ Fund to the extent that we have surpassed our contribution goal for the Baha’ i month of Masa’il. When the news of this momentous achievement reached our community, the friends were overjoyed. This victory has been a cherished hope of our Local Spiritual Assembly since its formation in May.

As a local community, we have consistently met our goals to the National Baha’i Fund and have achieved more than 77% participation of individuals every Baha’i month. We are a community who loves the institution of the Baha’i Fund. We are also a community that has found a great source of strength and unity because we have been able to meet our goals to the Fund.

Each Baha’i month when the treasurer gives his report to the community at the Feast, the friends in our community anxiously await the news that we have again met our goal, and this news is welcomed with applause and a deep sense of accomplishment.

Review

We all feel that together we have met a goal which we knew would be a challenge and require a certain amount of sacrifice on the part of each individual. This has brought each one of us a new sense of trust and faith in each other, knowing that each individual is doing his share to support our community. We have also realized that giving to the Fund is something that every Baha’i can do, and this can be a source of strength and happiness in our daily lives. For example, when we are at work each day, we are reminded that some of the money that we will earn will be a contribution to the Baha’i Fund. When we assume this attitude, our work becomes a service to mankind because we are supporting the Baha’ Faith. When we deprive ourselves of a material luxury so that we can contribute the money that would have been spent in this fashion to the Baha’i Fund, we are much happier knowing that mankind will be better _ because of this small sacrifice. When we donate money to the Baha’i Fund in the name of another individual as a gift, we know that this individual will receive a spiritual blessing that may enable him to grow spiritually and assist him in promoting the Cause of God. And when our Spiritual Assembly meets its goal to the National Baha’i Fund each month, we are lovingly reminded of the smiling faces of our Baha’{ brothers and sisters all over the world who have sacrificed so much for the Cause of God. This gift alone has brought us so much happiness and joy that we have no choice but that of meeting our goals, and then surpassing them.

With warmest Baha’i love, and in the spirit of support of our Baha’i Fund,

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Virginia, Minnesota

Dear Baha’i Friends:

We are happy to share with you the fruits of our community’s discussion about the Fund. First of all, it occurred to us that all the communities who sat down to discuss the Fund have already takenthe first step towards increasing their understanding of this divinely ordained institution of our Faith. Here are other points which we realized during our consultation:

We should try to set our Fund goals a bit higher than could be easily achieved. High goals seem to reap more disciplined efforts and stronger and more united support from the friends. Stretching to attain universal participation and high goals lights the fires of cooperation, dedication, and love.

We must realize that our goals cannot be [Page 7]April 1975

achieved without a combination of spiritual and practical means. When we set phased, step-bystep goals to achieve our larger aims, our little successes provide continual positive inspiration which increases everyone’s participation. The more involved each Baha’i becomes in any area of the Faith, the more involved he’ll become in all areas. Then, not only will our teaching efforts become more dynamic and successful, but the Baha'i Fund will grow and strengthen too.

Our Fund goals and objectives should encourage sacrificial giving by everyone and all the friends should endeavor to develop a sense of personal obligation in support of the Fund. The goals should be cherished and we should have pride in our successes for they reflect the spiritual bounties which we are so lucky to have.

Dear Friends:

The following is an attempt to summarize our

Community’s discussion about the Fund at the Feast of Masa’il:

e Local Communities should include specific’

contribution goals for both the Local and the National Baha’i Funds within their long-range objectives for the Five Year Plan. Although such goals may not be perfectly accurate throughout this entire period, they would provide a sense of proportion between local expenses and the necessary support of the National Fund.

e Every year, shortly after Ridvan, a seminar should be held for local treasurers to review and elaborate on the important responsibilities of their office. This would enable them to share new ideas, perfect accounting techniques suitable for their particular communities, and explore new ways to educate and inspire the friends as to the spiritual importance and necessity of supporting the Fund.

e Baha’is in the community who, for one reason or another, are not able to attend Baha’i functions should be given every opportunity to contribute to the Fund, especially as a means to aid their own spiritual growth.

e Participation figures should include all youth and, when it raises overall participation, children too. This will encourage their participation and help to establish an early feeling of responsibility for the health of the Fund. This can also present a challenge to the adults to heighten their level of dedication and support.

e Because many Baha’is still retain an animosity towards giving material support to a religious purpose due to past experiences, special efforts should be made to educate all Baha’is as to the

“science. An earlier letter,

497

uniqueness of the Baha’i Fund. Utilizing the many materials available, such programs should emphasize that Baha’is give to the Fund with an attitude of private sacrifice and spiritual communion rather than for a public demonstration for the sake of recognition.

Teachings establish burial requirements

Questions continue to come to the National Spiritual Assembly asking for further clarification on Baha’i laws, specifically cremation, embalmment, and turning the body over to medical science for scientific research. The beloved Guardian’s letter of March 22, 1957 reprinted in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT, No. 103, September 1966, clearly answers the question about donating one’s body to medical written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi by his assistant secretary, April 2, 1955, contains the following statements ‘on these same subjects:

At the present time the Guardian is not stressing these matters, as their establishment might divert attention to the supreme tasks we have before us. However the answers are as follows: Under the Baha’i teachings it seems clear that the body is not to be embalmed. The burial should take place within an hour’s travel time from place of death.”’ “‘There is nothing in the teachings with regard to turning the body over to scientific: institutions for scientific research, and therefore the individual may do as he wishes until such time as the Universal House of Justice may legislate on this matter, if they ever do. The practice in the Orient is to bury the person within 24 hours of the time of death, sometimes even sooner, although there is no provision in the teachings as to the time limit.”

We feel that these two letters from Shoghi Effendi contain all the essential information needed at the present time with regard to the laws of Baha’u’llah on the subject of burial. [Page 8]a F Review

National Baha’i Fund

A challenge to meet the contributions goal

To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Baha’i

Groups .

Dear Baha'i Friends:

During the next few, fast-fleeting weeks, we will commemorate Ridvan, that glorious occasion when Baha’u’Ilah revealed His true station to His companions. It is significant that at that unforgettable time, He also disclosed the high rank of those who patiently endure trials in the path of God and stated that

the Almighty will always assist those who willingly

sacrifice their possessions to promote His Cause.

Even now, more than a century later, sacrifice

plays a principal role in the continuing expansion and consolidation of His World Order. The Fund, that lifeblood of the progress of our Faith, offers us a

Contributions

Ay

vital opportunity to make sacrifices that count, and thus to demonstrate our devotion to Baha’u’Ilah.

Meeting our national contributions goal is the immediate challenge facing us all. With only two Baha’i months until the end of this fiscal year, we are still $549,041 short of our goal. Surely, we can and will rally to this challenge in the same consecrated spirit of those who responded eagerly to the call of the Lord of Hosts 112 years ago in the garden of Ridvan.

With loving Baha’i greetings, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’{s OF THE UNITED STATES

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer March 31, 1975

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

$ 200,000 F $ 150,000

CST MOTEL OOS oe

$2,600,000

750

s

GOAL BY RIDVAN 1975 700

663

650

$ 100,000 F

$50,000 F

[i Petepaee Teck sak tod sl

ASSEMBLIES

550 F

500 F

450

im. al w al

S22 = &8 & SO 85S 5S

Mas: Sh s

Contributions may be addressed to: National Baha'i Fund, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091;

‘Ala Year (Loftiness) to Date : Budget Goal $137,000 $2,329,000 ARS Contributions 150,127 2,053,959 CONTRIBUTIONS Overage (Shortage) S=138127 $(275 ,041)

eee RTT ee eentiamete

Baha’i International Fund, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel;

fu

and Continental Baha'i Fund, 418 Forest Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091. �