National Teaching Committee Bulletins/1919/November 19/Text

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TEACHING BULLETIN[edit]

No. 1 Issued by the Teaching Committee of Nineteen November 19, 1919

"In this Day, the beloved of God must not hesitate or delay an instant in teaching the Cause of the Manifestation and must summon the people continually, with good admonitions and concilieting words to the Religion of Majestic Oneness; because verily, in this Day, to the soul who is the cause of guidance to another soul, the recompense 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. Bahá’u’lláh, 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 doed is better than an ocean of words and one ounce of action is more valuable than a ton of eloquent speeches." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 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 are sending out with the Glad Tidings of this Day. The time of the teachers is absorbed in spreading the Message in meetings throughout the various localities and in writing letters to answer the countless inquiries following in the wake of this glorious path through the 30e of human ity, also in sending back letters filled with instruction and help, to strengthen the little groups of earnest seekers that have formed. That you may all know the confirmations and bounties that descend in showers on these heralds of the New Day, these bits of news and ex- periences are here gathered together, and in the hope that all may realize this great opportunity to share in "teaching the Cause of the Manifestation." For not only are those who are out in the field obey- ing the Command, but all who give what time they can in their own localities and who help in the way of contributing to the expenses of the veaching work. Let us all, each and every one, seize this goldsn opportunity. Let us not think of our own incapacity, but believing the words of our Beloved ‘Abdu’l-Bahá let us "know of a certainty that the powers of the Kingdom of Abha are with you" and arise and ast and help!

Louis Gregory and Roy Williams have been travelling through the Southern states and have found the suspicion and mistrust between the colored and the white people melts away before the Light of this Message of Unity. Mr. Gregory writes: "The Source of all 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 xеemod closed, and the apparently most barren spots become the most fertile--such are the Confirmations that clear away obstacles and melt down barriers in one breath. [Page 2] In Virginia the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk were visited and addresses given before various groups, schools. churches and theatros. Then in Wilmington (North Carolina), Charleston (South Carolina), Atlanta (Georgia), iactures were given tefox) sonools, ouches, and in other meetings. in Delaware the cities of Timington and Dover and in Maryland the city of Baltimore were visited. In Richmond, Virginia, where these two teachers knew no one in the city, the way opened for splendid meetinge in societies and churches. Here in a gathering of ministers & responsive soul arone who could not seem to see enough of his spiritual teachers and though he Was white want with them to their room and to erastaurant, so eager wac ho Zor the Truth. In Charleston, West Virginia, a large meeting was held in a church, attended by nearly a thousand souls, and other moetings in schools end progressive women's lobs.

In the city of Huntington the Message was given in a ministerial gathering which has no bias of color or creed or sect, and received with great joy; and one of the local editors of a daily paper become attracted and assisted in spreading the Glad Tidings.

Then Roy Williams travelled again through Atlanta, where an assembly is growing up, to Brunswick on the seacoast. There he stayed with an Episcopalian clergyman who became deeply attracted and opened the way to mestings in churches of all denominations, and finally the ministers met together and formed a union which had never before existed, and attributed this unity to the spirit of the great Covenant. One Sunday six different engagements in as many different places kept this teacher on the jump, and at other times he visited two churches in one evening, so active was the interest shown there.

The little fishing village of Fernandino, Florida, where there are several believers, was visited, and then Jacksonville. Here a state of terror seemed to exist on account of the recant race disturbances, and the servant of the Covenant seemed to be the only assured and calm one in that city. In Tampa, on the other hand, all the people were in harmony and radiant meetings were held; on one occasion two groups on the same night many miles apart, the second group "having promised to wait if necessary until midnight, so eager wore 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 crowded meeting in a church was held one day, with five other engagements in different places on the same day. Roy Williams here stopped with a minister "who watched earnestly every move, so much so that he told of listening at midnight to the supplications of the servant pleading For the souls, until his heart became assured that indeed the servant was of the beloved ones and his heart became attracted to the Truth through this 'consorting with fragrance. T T In schools, churches, numerous moetings and even picture shows the Teachings were spread. [Page 3] The journey then led back through St. Augustine, where Ponce de Leor's dream of the fountain of youth became a reality in this flooding forth from the Fountain of Eternal Life (as Roy Williams puts it in a letter), to Jacksonville, where this time the hearts were eager for the Truth and many engagements were filled and a new assembly ready to be formed.

In Mobile, Alabama, a school was visited and the students addressel and several souls became ablaze, themselves wanting to go forth to teach. Meetings were also held there in churches and labor councils. From here Roy Williams made a trip to Fairhope. Alabama, and found Mr. Paul E. Dealy, living on his farm. Mr. Dealy hopes soon to give his time to teaching the Cause.

From Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Roy Williams journeyed into the back woods to the Piney Woods Country Life School, at Braxton, the president and founder having been attracted to the Cause several years ago when Mr. Gregory visited his school. To quote froma letter from Mr. Williams: "On all sides it is observed that only the 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 of the servants. It is seen in many places, and I have talked with responsible persons of the white race--a superintendent of schools here in Mississippi--that all persons of either color coming into the southern cities are viewed with great suspician and are constantly watched, but after an extended conversation he agreed heartily that this Cause and 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 Bahá’í 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.

At Frankfort Mr. Gregory stayed at the Kentucky Normal and Industrial Institute which had at its summer session (this was in July) about 100 or more students, mainly teachers from various parts of the state. To quote from a letter from Mr. Gregory: "A great educator. the dean of the state university, had been scheduled and advertized to address them, but for some reason that has not been explained failed to appear. This gave an opportunity which I coveted. The presidene, who seems over-cautious and timid, gave me the privilege of addressing them briefly. They appeared deeply interested, and many of them have signified their intention to attend the lecture tonight on the Bahá’í Revelation, to be delivered at the Methodist church.

"It is against the rules of the Baptist clergy who are dominant in Kentucky to admit others then ministers of their faith to occupy [Page 4] their pulpits. But on laat Sunday, the day following my arrival here, the pulpit of the First Baptist Church was conveniuntly vacant. Although a minister had been called to this pulpit, his coming was delayed. Thus the people had the opportunity to decide for themselves 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 enough to give you an idea of how openings come. Some would no doubt regard them as accidents. But to one who sees difficulties so often surmounted and the way to teach opened in a mysterions and wonderful way, often in a way over which the teacher has no control, they can never be accidents. They are signs and proofs of the Confirmations of the superhuman and Divine Power ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has promised."

Mrs. Boyle of Washington, D.C., has recently gone to Louisville to help in establishing the very much alive and eager assembly starting there.

Mr. Gregory writes that it seems likely that Knoxville, Tenn., will be represented at the next Convention and that Memphis is full of life and activity. During the few days of his stay there Mr. Gregory reached 5000 souls. One whole school, a business college, has become Bahá’í, perhaps the first in this country. The head of the school is planning to take the pilgrimage to Acca within two years, the eight instructors are ali Bahá’ís and 80% 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 been in a state of grim pessimism and despair have discovered the bright light of hope in the Bahá’í Teachings. Five addresses were made: At the Centennial Baptist Church, of which the moderator of the National Baptist Convention 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 pleased 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 old 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 a Catholic family. Their hearts were won when they found I had no prejudice against their church and I attended with them one of their services. The Branch Normal State School, the city high and grammar schools, the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Schools all opened their doors for addresses. This last was a unique experience. The 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 dinner given in [Page 5] 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' please to send him one. A large group of friends was called 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 Baptist minister who happened to be stopping at the same hotel with Mr. Gregory called together a group for a meeting at the hotel. Meetings were also held in the two largest churches, Methodist and Baptist, the two ministers in both cases changing their schedules to make the openings in sermon time. At the Baptist church the minister sacrificed his own place on his own anniversary 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 and white (the latter Northern visitors) that one such message was worth the entire expense of building his church if nothing else were said there. We afterwards spent some 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 pastor of the largest ohurch (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. Paul, Denver, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco, giving addresses before schools, clubs, and various groups. In Cleveland he addressed a girls school; in Denver the students of Denver University and in Berkeley he has twice addressed the students of the University of California. Mrs. Brittingham is also in California teaching.

Mrs. Powell, of Boston, has also been travelling westward, and has had meetings in Chicago, Urbana, Topeka, Kansas City and Helena. She is spending about two months in Helane, and 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, Topeka, and Kansas City. Ir. Detroit she mentions the great interest shown by a large group of Christian Scientists and the largest New Thought Center. Dr. Stiles, a very active and energetic. Detroit Bahá’í, hopes soon to start a free clinic in the poorer part of the city, to be called the Bahá’í Clinic. [Page 6] 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 among the architects of the city. He is now in 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 American 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 absence of Mr. and Mrs. Randall and Margaret Randall on their pilgrimage to Acca. Mr. and Mrs. Greenleaf have held many beautiful meetings in Boston, at the new Bahá’í Unity House, and are doing much to spread the Teachings in and around Boston. Mrs. Greenleaf travelled throughout the middle west during the summer.

Miss Marion Jack and Mrs. Emogene Hoagg are still in Alaska. More detalled 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 will also be given more fully in the next bulletin.

Miss Martha Root has just returned from her teaching trip in South America, where the Confirmations of the Center of the Covenant surrounded her continuously. 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 souls 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, 37 Trowbridge St., Cambridge, Mass.


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