National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1919/November 19/Text

[Page 1]

TEACHING BULLETIN Issued by the Teaching Committee of Nineteen

No. 1 | 7 November 19, 1919


"In this Day, the beloved of God must not hesitate or deley an instant in teaching the Cause of the Manifestation: and must 3ummon the people continually, with good admonitions and toncilisting words to the Religion of Majestic Oneness; because verily, in this Dey, to the soul who is the cause of euidance to another soul, she reconmpense of a martyr in the Way of God will be assuredly recorded by the Pen of the Cause for his deed. |

"This is from the Bounty of God unto;the (servants) teachers.

Do according to what thou hast been commanded and do not be of those who tarry." Baha'o'llah, Tablet of Joseph

"We must pray to God that He may assist us in the accomplishment of real services in His Heavenly Vineyard. One drop of deed is better than an ocean of words and one ounce of action is more vaiuable than a ton of eloquent speeches.” , Abdul Baha, Divine Plan



This Teaching Bulletin hopes to bring to your mind and heart the work of the teachers who, through the Bounty of God, you +16 Serding § out with the Glad Tidings of this Day. The time of the teecners is absorbed in spreading the Message in mestings throughont tre various losalities and in. writing levters to answer the countless inquiries

following in the wake of this glcrivous path through the.3ee of iS ity, also in sending back lettarse filled witha instruction end help, ie

to strengthen the little groups of varnes. seexers that heave forned. That you hay all know the confirmations an: bounties that descend in showers on these herulds of the New Day, these bits of nows Gnd experiences are here gathered together, ani in the hope that all mey realize this great opportunity to share in "teaching the Urus® of the Manifestation.” For not only are those who are out in the fic: obeying the Command, but all who give what time thoy can in wthesr omn locaks ties and who help in the way of contributing to the exeenues Of the veaching work. Let us all, each and svery one, seize this gzoldsu

aoe Let us not think of our own incapacity, but beliav: ay ae

‘the words of our Beloved Abdul Baha let us "now of a certainty shes tre powers of the Rees OS of Abha are with you” and arise and azt

and holp:


bowis Gregory and Roy Williams have been custo thite through the Southern states and. have found the suspicion and mistrust between the cclored and the white people melts away before the Light of this Message of Unity. Mr. Gregory writes: "The Source ofall Power and regeneration is the Covenant of God. Experience shows that now is the time to declare this in every gathering." That which seems impossible is accomplished day after day, open ings come where every door gweemed closed, and the apparently most barren spots become the most fertile--such are the Confirmations that Glear away obstacles and melt down barriers in one breeth.

~ ;



[Page 2]In Virginia the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk ware visited and addresses given before various gr zaps, suncols, chaurche3 end theatroa. Then in Witaingeton (North Jarclina), Ghexleaston (Scovth Qaroliaa), Atlanta (Gaorgial, lacturas wore given tefocs sonools, onureh3s, and in other meetings. in Dolaware ths cities cf Ti lmingtom and Dover end in Marviand the city ot Baltimove Were vigitad.

In Richnnond, Virginia, where thess two toachers knew no ore in the city, the way opened for splendid meetings in societies end churches. Here in @& gathering of mninisters & responsive goul arore Wid covwld nov sesm to ses snough of his spiritual teachers and though he War White want with them to their xoom end to e rostaurant, so eager was ho 2or-the Bruth. in Charleston, West Virginia,-& sergs neeting wis held 44 a chureh, attended by nearly a tacsusand souls, and other meetings in schools end prog vtessive women's wiubs.

In the city of Huntington the Message was given in a ministerial gathering which has no bias of color or creel or soct, ard received with groat joy; and one of tue local editors of daily paper beogme atirasted and assisted in spreading the €164 Tidings.

Then Roy Williams travelled again through Atlanta, where an Sasembly is growing wo, to Brunswick on the seacoast. There he stayed witn an Episcopalian clexgyman who became deeply attracted and oncmed the way to mestings in churches of a11 denominations, and finaliy the ministers met together and formed a union which had never osiure existed, and attrituted this tnity to the spirit of the great Covenant. Ine Savday six different engagements in es many different pisces kept this teaches on the jwep, and at other times he visited tw? churches in one evening, so active was the interest shown thero.

The little fiching village of Fernandino, Florida, where there are several believers, was visited, and then Jecksonville. Jlere a state of terror seemed to exist on acsowmt of the recant race disturbances, and ths fervent of ths Covenant sesmad to be the only asSurvoc and calm ome in thet city. In Tsanpe, on the other hani, sll the peopls were in harmony and radiant meetings were held; on one occesBion two srouys on the same night many miles apart, the second group “heaving promised to wait if necessary until midnight, so eager were they to hear the. great news."

In Miami, with the help of some of the believers who were there and through the inspiration of this unity of the friends, a crcwdsé meetinz in a church waa held one day, with five other engagoneuts in differsnt places on the same day. Roy Williams here stopped with a minister “who watched earnestly every move, so much go that he told of listening at midnight to the supplixzations of the servant pleading 2a0i the souls, unjil his heart became assured that indeed the sorvart was of the beloved ones and his hesrt becans attracted to the Trush chreugh this 'sonusorting with frazrance.'" In sshools, churches, numscous meetings and even picture slows the Teachings were spread.


[Page 3]Tne journey chen lea back through ot. Augustine, where Ponce de Leor.'s dream of tae fountain of youth bechins a reality tn this flooding forth from the Fountain of Eternal Lite (&s Roy ¥Filliams puts it in a letter), to Jacksonville, where this timo the hearts wore eager for the Truth and many engagements were filled and acnew assembly ready to be formed.

In Mobile, Alabama, & Sohool Was visited and the students address~ ei und several souls became ablaze, themselves wanting to go rerth to turch. Meetings were algo held there in churches and labor councils. Peon here Roy Williams made a trip to Pairhope. Alabama, ani found Mr. Paul E. Dealy, living on his farm. Mr. Dealy Lopes soon to give his time to teaching the Cause.

From Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Koy Willters journoyved tuto the back woods to the Piney Woods Country Live School, at Braxton, the president and founder having been sattractcé 40 ths Cause several years azo when Mr. Gregory visited his school. ‘To quotes froma letter from Mr. Williams: "On all sides it is observed that only ths Message of the Covenant is the safest thing for this part of the country and is the cause of both the surety of mind and the surety of limb cf the servants. It is seen in many places, and I have taiked with responsible persons of the white race--a superintendent of schools here in Mississippi--that all persons of either color coming into the southern cicies are viewed with great suspicidn and are constently watched, buf eiterv an extended conversation he agreed heartily that this Cause ani Message was the remedy and beyond suspicion and the cause of benefit to all people.

Mr. Gregory travelled through Kentucky, visiting Lexington and Frankfort with splendid results, and enkindling Louisville to a great flame. In Lexington a minister who was approached gladly arranged for a lecture and stated that there was already a Bahai in Lexington who often attended his church. This proved to be a friend who had received the Message at a Lyceum (St. Marks) addressed by Mr. W. H. Randall in Boston some years ago. He had attended the Boston Convention, had read considerable literature, and had been doing much to spread the Teachings.

£t Prankfort Mr. Gregory stayed at the Kentucky Normel and InGauscrial Institute which had at its summer session (this was in July) anpvut lOO or more students, mainly teachers from various perts cf the state. To quote from a letter from Mr. Gregory: "A great educator, the aean of the state university, had been scheduled and aévertized to aadress them, but for some reason that has not been explained failel ve appear. This geve &n onportunity which I coveted. ‘The presiadeic, who seems cver-cautious anc. timid. pave me the privilege of addr3assing them briefly. They appeared deeply interested, and many of them have signified their intention to attend the lecture tonight on the Bahai Revelation, to be delivered at the Methodist church.

"It. is against the rules of the Baplist clergy who sre dominant in Kentucky to admit others then ministers of their faith to occupy



[Page 4]their pulpits. But on laat Sunday, the day foilow'ng my érrival here, the pulpit of the Pirst Baptist Church was converivntily vecant. Although a minister ud been called tu this pulpit, its suming was delayed. Thus the people had the opportunity fo decid} “or tremserives and offered both the morning and evening services for lectures, one of which was accepted. The other was declined because of the engagement at the Methodist church.

"Perhaps these examples are enovgh to give you an idea of how openings coms. Some would no doubt regard them as accidents. But to . one who sees difficulties so otten summounted and the way to te&ch opened in & mvsteriovs and wonderful*way, often in & way over which the teacher has no control, they can never be accidents. hey are Signs and proofs of the Confirmations of the superhuman and Divine Power Atdul Baha has promised."

Mrs. Boyle of Washington, D.C., has recently gone to Louisville to help 1n establishing the very mich alive and eager assembly startLaz ths.ce.

Mr. Gregory writes that it seems lizxely that Knoxville, Tenn., will be répresentea at the next Convention and that Memphis is full of,...:.

‘lite and-agtirity.~.Dumimg.the fer days of his stay there Mr. Gregory

reached 5000 souls. Ons whole school, a business college, has become Panaji, perhans the first an this country. Ths head of the school is planning to take tne pilgrimage tu Acca within two years, the eight iastiuctors are s1i Bahais and €0 % of the graduates have accepted the Message. As well as special meetings in this city Mr. Gregory was enabled to give brief addresses between the acts in crowded theaters.

In Helena, Arkansas, the county seat of Philips County and much torn up by the recent race riots, the people who have deen in a state of grim pessimism and despeir have discovered the bright light of hope in the Bahai Teachings. Five addresses were made: At the Centennial Baptist Church, of which the moderator of the National Baptist Convertion is pastor; at the First Baptist Church; the A. M. E. Church, the Y. M. C. A. and the Sunday and day schools, at all of which the congregations were well plessed and eulogistic. Then a sixth address was made at the Roosevelt Memorial meeting. "This city was entered without my previous acquaintance with a living soul," Mr. Gregory writes. "Consider then how mighty are the Confirmations of the Covenant that oid established churches open their pulpits to a perfect stranger to proclaim the New Day of God." | |

"Next came a week at Pine Bluff, Ark., where I stayed in the home of @ Catholic family. Their hearts were won when they found T had no prejudices against their church and I attended with them one of their Sorvices. The Eranch Normal Stats School, the city high and gremmar schools, the Presbyterian and koman Catholic Schools all cpnaneé their doors for addresses. This last was a unique experience. Tae former | priest in charge, like myself, visiting the church and school at this time, is a most lovable character and is highly esteemed by both CathOlics and Protestants in the community for his good works. He was giver the 'Big Ben’ and later when I met him at a dinnen~ given in


[Page 5](

"ih

honor of the two priests and myself by one of the faithful parishioners he said that his work among the churches was similar to mine and asked if I had 'Any other beautiful books’ pieese to send him one." A large group of friends was cailed together at the Catholic home where Mr. Gregory was staying and the Message given fully and freely. One of those present at this meeting continued it at her home the next day.

In Hot Springs addresses were given in the three public schools and g Baptist minister who happened to be stopping at the same hotel with Mr. Gragory called together a group for a mseting at tne hotel.

‘Meetings were also held in the two largest churches, Methodist and Baptist, the two ministers in both cases shénging their schedules to make the openings in sermon tims. At the Baptisu church tne minister sacrificed his own place on his own anniversery program so that he and his people might hear the Message, and the evening program read "Sermon: The Oneness of Humanity, by Hon. Louis G. Gregory of Washington, D.C.” The minister (to quote Mr. Gregory's letter) “told his congregation, which is attended by colored ard white (the latter Northern ~ visitors) that one such messages was worth the entire expense of building his church ir nothing ese were seid there. We afterwards spent seme hours together in closest fellowship.”

In Little Rock Mr. Gregory happened to find Mrs. Harriet Gibbs Marshall of Washington, D.C., there on a visit. The pestor of the largest church (Baptist). made way for a meeting at sermon time in the evening and a meeting was held at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

When last heard from Mr. Gregory and Mr. Williams were expecting to meet soon in Texas.


Mirza Ahmad Sohrab has been travelling westward through the following cities: Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Akron, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paui, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Sar Prancisco, giving addresses befors schools, clubs, and various groups. In Cleveland he addressed a girls school; in Denver the studerts of Denver University and in Berkeley he has twice addressed the stucents of the University of California. Mrs. Brittinghsam is also in Caiiiternta teaching.

Mrs. Powsll, of Boston, has also beon travelling westward, and has had meetings in Chicago, Urbana, Topoeku, sxausag City and Helena. She is spending about two months in Helsae, sand will then go to Oregon.

Mrs. Parmerton has been spreading the Teachings in southern Ohio and in Indiana.

Mrs. Mary Hanford Ford writes that she has been in Detroit, Chicago, Urbana, Topexa, and Kausas Uity. Ir Detrois she mentions the great interest shown by a large group of Christiaa Scientists and the largest New Thought Center. or. Stiles, a very active and energetic Detroit Bahai, hopes soon to start a free clinic in the poorer part of the city, to be called the Bahai Clinic.


[Page 6]ax

Mr. Charles Mason Remey has been in Boston, where he held an exhibition of his drawings for the Mashrekol-Azkar in the Boston Public Library. This called forth a great deal of interest, both general-as it was very favorably commented on in the Transcript and other papers--and also emong the architects of the city. He is now fn New York state, spending some time in Cazenovia, New York, giving the

Message.

Miss Althea Dorr has been in Cambridge, Springfield and Worcester and is now in New York City, on her way to Washington, D.C. where she expects to spend the winter and devote herself to spreading the Teachings. In -New York she tells of two groups of colored people very much interested and about to become one large group. One of these meets in the rooms of the editor of the Carribean &merican Newspaper; he publishes articles on the Cause and uses his paper as a means to subdue the race prejudice.

Mother Beecher has been in Boston and Cambridge for two months, also visiting Worcester. She has now gone to St. John, New Brunswick, for some time, where she is with Col. and Mrs. Henry S. Culver, and will cooperate with them in the teaching work.

Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf have been staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Randall during the absense cf Mr. and Mrs. Rendall and Margaret Randall on their pilgrimege to Acca. Mr. and Lirs. Greenleaf have held many beautiful meetings in Boston, ac the new Bahai Unity Houss, and are doing much to spread the Teachings in and around Boston. irs. Greenleaf travelled throughout the middle west during the summer.

Miss Marion Jack and Mrs. Emogene Hoagg are still in Alaska. More detailed reports from them will be given in the next bulletin.

_ Miss Agnes Alexander from Japan is sending letters full of the opening of the hearts of the Japanese to the Light of the New Day. This news wiil also. be given more fully in the next bulletin.

Miss Martha Root has just returned from her teaching trip in Souta America, where the Confirmations of the Center? of the Covenant surrounced her gontinuously. She is at present occupied with getting out ten thousand copies of a long list of addresses in South America where the Message was given. These will be sent to assemblies of North America and the Orient in the hope that friends will correspond with the new souis in these countries recently visited. Miss Root's address is Cambridge Springs, Penna., U.S.A., if any one wishes to write her about opportunities for work in South America; in case any can go there to live and teach there are excellent opportunities to earn one's living and glorious openings to give the Message.

_.. Any news and experiences Of those who are spreading the Glad Tidings of this Glorious Day may be shared with all assemblies by Sending any such items to the Teaching Committee of Nineteen,

57 Trowbridge St., Cambridge, Mass.

Retrieved from "https://bahai.works/index.php?title=National_Teaching_Committee_Bulletins/1919/November_19/Text&oldid=212091"